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HomeMy Public PortalAbout04/21/1992 * Special MeetingApril 17, 1992 MAYOR: William F. Koch, Jr. VICE MAYOR: Alan I. Armour COMMISSIONER: James E. Cross Lawrence E. Stahl Kathleen S. Wallace SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1992 at 11:00 A.M. IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA. AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance III. Roll Call IV. Site Plan Review Continued from April 15, 1992 A. Everett H. Jenner, AlA Architect, Agent for William Lamson, 3777 N. Ocean Blvd., Gulf Stream, F1. 33483 -Site Plan Amendment to permit changes to all four elevations of a dwelling under construction at the address stated herein. V. Adjournment SHOULD ANY INTERESTED PARTY SEEK TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE TOWN COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING, SAID PARTY WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MAY NEED TO INSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED. 286.0105, F.S.S. C SPECIAL MEETING HELD BY THE GULF STREAM TOWN COMMISSION ON TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1992 AT 11:00 A.M. IN THE GULF STREAM TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA: CONTINUATION OF SPECIAL MEETING OF APRIL 15, 1992. I. Call to Order Vice Mayor Armour called the meeting to order at 11 A.M. II. Pledge of Allegiance Vice Mayor Armour lead the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Roll Call Present and Alan I. Armour Vice Mayor Participating: James Cross Commissioner Lawrence Stahl Commissioner Kathleen Wallace Commissioner Absent with Notice: William F. Koch, Jr. Mayor Also Participating: E. Scott Harrington John Randolph Rita Taylor Joan Orthwein Everett Jenner Skip Jackman Sarah Winston Charles Velie Henry Wright IV. Site Plan Review Continued Town Manager Town Attorney Town Clerk Chairman ARPB Agent for Mr. Lamson Agent for Mr. Lamson Town Resident Town Resident Town Resident A. Everett H. Jenner, AIA Architect, Agent for William Lamson, 3777 N. Ocean Blvd., Gulf Stream, F1. 33483 -Site Plan Amendment to permit changes to all four elevations of a dwelling under construction at the address stated herein. Vice Mayor Armour briefly recapped the action that had taken place at the Special Meeting held April 15, 1992, adding that the only changes that had not been decided were the addition of the second story on the south- east corner of the east elevation and the changes on the south elevation. Joan Orthwein, Chairman of the Architectural Review and Planning Board, reported that the Board had recommended that the second story on the east elevation be approved with the conditions that a roof of the same design as that on the north corner be constructed on the south corner over the second story and that the railing that is inside the sliding glass doors of the "Ocean Room" (2nd story) be placed on the outside of the glass doors to match the railing that is in place on the north end of the east elevation. She further reported that the Board recommended that the changes on the south elevation be approved, with the exception of the third story that was requested on the east elevation, which also impacts the south elevation. She added that the Board did not have the photographs of the southeast corner of the east elevation which show the changes that are in place which are now being requested for approval, remarking that the photos show more clearly the true appearance of the east elevation than do the drawings that were presented with the application. Vice Mayor Armour asked for comments from the members of the Commission, advising that the public would be given the opportunity to speak. Town Commission - Special Meeting April 21, 1992 page -2- Commissioner Wallace called attention to Ordinance 91/23 which established a maximum floor area ratio of 0.33 of the lot area in an effort to control the mass of buildings. She stated that she realizes that the original design was approved prior to the adoption of the ordinance and that Mr. Lamson's structure was one of the ones that called attention to the need for such control in that the floor area ratio of his structure is 0.55 without the addition of the second floor. She advised that she could not support changes that would further exceed the limits of the applicable ordinances. Commissioner Wallace observed that Mr. Lamson does own vacant property adjacent to the north which, if it were to be joined in a unity of title with the development currently under way, would add to the square footage of the parcel, bringing it more into conformity with Ordinance 91/23. Mr. Lamson had previously advised that he could not financially afford to do this. Commissioner Cross suggested that perhaps if the east wall of the first floor were to be moved eastward to eliminate the cantilever of the second story it would be more eye appealing. He stated he realized this would also increase the FAR but felt it would be minimal. Commissioner Stahl stated that the Commission was not meeting for the purpose of redesigning the building, that the structure simply is not being built according to the approved plans and he does not favor changes at this late date. Mr. Jackman, agent for Mr. Lamson,explained that it would be impossible to relocate the east wall from a structural standpoint. He went on to explain that his architectural firm had not been involved in the original design, they had been engaged by Mr. Lamson to do as -built drawings. He stated that it was his understanding that the original architect had contacted Mr. Brandt regarding the changes that have been constructed prior their being constructed and were told they were permitted. Mr. Lamson had not been aware that any further procedure was necessary. Mr. Jackman then presented an alternative design for the west elevation which consisted of removing the two inside columns leaving four columns on the north end. Mr. Everett Jenner, agent for Mr. Lamson, pointed out the differences in the original design and the alternative design they are presenting ,:'.adding that he felt the alternative design is much better than that on the first plan. He observed that the Commission shows great concern on the appearance of structures in the Town and he believed their goals would be better served by approving the alternative design. Commissioner Stahl stated that the applicants are placing the Commission in a difficult position by attempting to reopen consideration of the west elevation which had already been decided. He then questioned if the staff had reviewed this alternative design. Town Manager Harrington stated that he had heard about the alternative the day previous but had not seen it. He added that that the original design, which is what the Commission had voted to have restored, had no columns on the north end and no roof over the north window. The change that was made without approval added the roof over the north window and six columns. The alternative design that Mr. Jenner is showing retains the roof over the north windo* and 4 of the 6 columns. Mr. Harrington added that the alternate design did not violate any codes and was therefor an appearance decision. Town Commission - Special Meeting April 21, 1992 page 3 Vice Mayor Armour, addressing Mr. Jackman's claim that Mr. Brandt had given permission for the changes in question to be made, stated that he did not believe that Mr. Brandt gave permission as he had never operated in that fashion at any time during the years he was employed by the Town and that he felt it to be improper to lay the blame on Mr. Brandt who is deceased. Vice Mayor Armour then reminded that Commissioner Wallace had Opreviously reported that Mr. Lamson had appeared at least three times before the Commission requesting variances and site plan reviews and was well aware of the procedures required before changing a structure. Vice Mayor Armour thazdirected that consideration be given to the changes on the east elevation, adding that the Commission had previously voted unanimously to deny the addition of the third story, leaving the matter of the addition of the second story to be decided. He.further advised that there would be no reconsideration of the west elevation without a motion from one of the Commissioners to do so. Mr. Jackman displayed the drawings of the east elevation and stated that to move the east wall eastward in order to eliminate the cantilever of the second floor as had been suggested would be too expensive and would encroach on the pool that is planned. The Commissioners then reviewed the approved building plans with Town Manager Harrington. Mr. Jackman added that when the landscaping is in place the cantilever would not be seen. Vice Mayor Armour questioned the need for additional rooms at this point when apparently there was no need for them when the original design was approved. Mr. Jackman stated that their firm did not want the third floor on the structure but felt the addition of the second floor added balance to the structure, thus improving the appearance. Charles Velie, town resident, believed that all of the changes detract from the original structure and that the elevation drawings do not accurately portray what is there, as do the photographs. He could not imagine- the structure being approved originally with the changes that are now being requested. He reminded that much time, effort and money had recently been spent to control this very thing and he felt the provisions should be followed. Sara Winston asked if the first floor elevation is 22 feet above 0 sea level and was advised that it is. C' Henry Wright, town resident, stated that the owner has shown total dis- reguard for the Ordinances and has flagrantly violated them; adding that he is opposed to any approvals for changes. Commissioner Wallace moved that all of the changes requested for the east elevation be denied. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stahl. Roll Call: Comm. Wallace; AYE, Comm. Cross; AYE, Comm. Stahl; AYE, and Vice Mayor Armour; AYE. Town Commission - Special Meeting April 21, 1992 page 4 Vice Mayor Armour asked for comments regarding changes to the south elevation. Commissioner Stahl moved to approve the changes to that have been requested with the exception of the and third floors on the southeast corner which had Gconsideration was given to changes on the east ele was seconded by Commissioner Wallace. Roll Call: Comm. Cross; AYE, Comm. Stahl; AYE, and Vice Mayor N the south elevation addition of the second been denied when ration. The motion Comm. Wallace; AYE, Armour; AYE. Mr. Jackman once again requested that his amended change to west elevation be considered, repeating that it greatly improve the appearance of the structure from State Road AlA. Commissioner Wallace moved to reopen consideration of changes on the west elevation. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cross, Roll Call: Comm. Wallace; AYE, Comm. Cross; AYE, Comm. Stahl; AYE, and Vice Mayor Armour; AYE. Commissioner Cross observed that by removing the two inside columns, the north window was "opened up ", which had been a concern of his. Commissioner Cross then moved that the amended change which includes the roof over the north window on the north end of the west elevation and the addition of four columns on the north end of the west elevation be approved as shown in the drawings submitted this date. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Stahl. Roll Call: Commissioner Wallace; AYE, Commissioner Cross; AYE, Commissioner Stahl; AYE, and Vice Mayor; AYE. V. Adjournment Commissioner Stahl moved to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Wallace and all voted AYE. Vice Mayor Armour adjourned the meeting at 11:55 A.M. Rita L. Taylor Town Clerk