Architectural Commission (ARCOM)

TOWN OF PALM BEACH PLANNING, ZONING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENT

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

Please be advised that in keeping with a directive from the Town Council, the minutes of all Town Boards and Commissions will be "abbreviated" in style. Persons interested in listening to the meeting once it has concluded may access the audio of that item via the Town’s website at www.townofpalmbeach.com.

I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Smith called the meeting to order at 8:59 a.m.

II. ROLL CALL Jeffrey W. Smith, Chairman - PRESENT Richard F. Sammons, Vice Chairman - PRESENT John David Corey, Member - PRESENT Betsy Shiverick, Member - PRESENT Thomas Kirchhoff, Member - PRESENT Kenn Karakul, Member - PRESENT Elizabeth Connaughton, Member - PRESENT (Arrived at 9:02 a.m.) Dan Floersheimer, Alternate Member - PRESENT Joshua L. Martin, Alternate Member - ABSENT (Unexcused) Katherine “KT” Catlin, Alternate Member - PRESENT

Staff Members present were: Friederike Mittner, Design and Preservation Manager Sarah Pardue, Design & Preservation Planner Bradley Falco, Design & Preservation Planner Kelly Churney, Acting Town Clerk Town Attorney Joanne O’Connor

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance.

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Corey and seconded by Mr. Karakul to approve the minutes of the January 24, 2024, meeting as presented. The motion was carried unanimously, 7-0.

V. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Ms. Pardue noted two modifications to the agenda. She stated that the staff removed ARC-24-023, 234 Brazilian Avenue, from the agenda as it would now be staff-approved. She also noted a deferral request for ARC-23-075, 389 S. Lake Drive, to be heard immediately following the consent agenda.

A motion was made by Mr. Corey and seconded by Mr. Floersheimer to approve the amended agenda. The motion was carried unanimously, 7-0.

VI. ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH TO PERSONS WHO WISH TO TESTIFY Ms. Churney administered the oath and continued to do so throughout the meeting, as necessary.

VII. COMMENTS FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION MEMBERS Mr. Floersheimer commended the staff for all the completed staff approvals.

Ms. Catlin asked about the procedure for reviewing current applications to see if the applicant had any open permits. Ms. Pardue explained the procedure currently followed. Ms. Catlin wondered if there were any regulations for wrapping the porta-potty units. Ms. Pardue stated she would ask Public Works and get back to her with an answer. Ms. Catlin wondered if the Commission should weigh in on the look and regulations for construction screening.

Since this was his last meeting, Mr. Corey reviewed his experience on the board and thanked the Commission for his time with them.

Ms. Shiverick wondered if the Commission should review the construction screening and the process of that review. Mr. Falco stated that if the construction screening did not comply with the Code, it would be a Code Enforcement issue. Ms. Catlin discussed the issues she has seen with the recent screening around town.

VIII. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS REGARDING NON-AGENDA ITEMS (3 MINUTE LIMIT PLEASE) John Grzebien, 300 S. Ocean Blvd, discussed an issue with his building and the construction of privacy walls. He said that during the past week, there was a Code Enforcement action against the building, and the residents were told to try to get it into compliance by a specific date. Mr. Grzebien was concerned that no one in his building received notice about the construction. He said the two walls that were constructed without a permit undermined the architectural integrity of the exterior of the building. He asked if CE-23-2209 could be noted and wondered if there was an opportunity for the Commission to review the plans. He said that the project was still under construction.

Mr. Corey asked if that project would have been approved by staff. Ms. Pardue said she thought there was an application but did not think a permit had been issued. She said staff would follow up after the meeting.

IX. PROJECT REVIEW A. CONSENT AGENDA 1. ARC-24-014 340 SEAVIEW AVE. The applicant, Town of Palm Beach, has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission approval for the installation of an operable aluminum trellis on an existing porch terrace. Clerk’s note: This item was pulled from consent and discussed immediately. 2. ARC-24-023 234 BRAZILIAN AVE. The applicant, Thomas C. Weller Jr., has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission review and approval for installation of a generator enclosure and landscape screening at a single-family residence. Clerk’s note: This item was withdrawn from the agenda in Item V. Approval of the Agenda. 3. ARC-23-135 225 WELLS RD. The applicant, LLPB Trust (Andrea Lenczner, Trustee), has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission review and approval for construction of a new two-story single-family residence with final hardscape, landscape, and swimming pool. 4. ARC-23-162 (ZON-24-007) 223 SUNSET AVE (COMBO) The applicants, 223 SUNSET HOLDINGS LLC has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission review and approval for exterior façade alterations, including a new second-floor outdoor private residential terrace facing Sunset Avenue and a new accessibility ramp in the rear of the property, eliminating existing landscape open space requiring a variance. This is a combination project that shall also be reviewed by Town Council as it pertains to zoning relief/approval.

A motion was made by Mr. Corey and seconded by Mr. Kirchhoff to approve the consent agenda, as amended, to include ARC-23-135, 225 Wells Road, and ARC-23-162, 223 Sunset Avenue only. The motion was carried unanimously, 7-0.

Clerk’s note: The following consent item was pulled from consent and heard immediately. 1. ARC-24-014 340 SEAVIEW AVE. The applicant, Town of Palm Beach, has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission approval for the installation of an operable aluminum trellis on an existing porch terrace.

Ms. Pardue provided staff comments on the project.

Mr. Kirchhoff stated he pulled the item because it showed two different heights for the trellis.

Mark Bresnahan, Director of Recreation, stated that Nelo Freijomel, with Spina O’Rourke, was on his way and wondered if the item could be postponed until he arrived.

A motion was made by Ms. Connaughton and seconded by Mr. Corey to delay the presentation of the project until the architectural professional arrived. The motion was carried unanimously, 7-0.

The Commission heard the project at 247-251 Worth Avenue and then returned to this project.

Several members disclosed ex-parte communications.

Nelo Freijomel, with Spina O’Rourke, made the architectural presentation.

When asked why the trellis would align with the eve, Mr. Freijomel discussed the design of the trellis.

Mr. Corey wished they could have something more romantic than what was proposed. Mr. Freijomel discussed the options that were reviewed and why the proposal was chosen.

Mr. Kirchhoff asked about the alignment of the trellis with the existing columns. Mr. Freijomel responded.

Mr. Sammons thought a fabric awning would look better.

Mr. Smith discussed that the proposal had been approved by staff and the funds had been secured to purchase the item.

Ms. Catlin expressed a concern that this would be the only section of the open terrace that would be covered; she liked having a space that was open to the sun.

Ms. Shiverick thought a prefabricated trellis was the wrong choice for the building.

Ms. Connaughton wondered if the trellis was an appropriate height to block the sun.

A motion was made by Mr. Kirchhoff and seconded by Mr. Karakul to approve the project as presented. The motion failed 3-4, with Messrs. Sammons, Corey, and Mses. Shiverick and Connaughton dissenting.

Mr. Freijomel asked for further direction from the Commission. Mr. Freijomel said they could use a wood trellis similar to what Mr. Sammons mentioned as a fabric awning. He said that would provide some shade area, but it would not provide weather protection. He said it would be a slight decrease in functionality. In addition, he noted the height could be fine-tuned.

Mr. Bresnahan discussed the complaints from the visitors who need shade when watching sporting events. He also discussed the needs of the recreation center.

A motion was made by Mr. Corey and seconded by Ms. Shiverick to defer the project to the meeting on March 27, 2024. The motion was carried 4-3, with Messrs. Kirchhoff, Karakul, and Smith dissenting.

B. MAJOR PROJECTS-OLD BUSINESS 1. ARC-23-094 (ZON-23-072) 247-251 WORTH AVE (COMBO) The applicant, Holbrook Real Estate LLC, has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission review and approval for a two-story addition to an existing one-story commercial building under the Special Allowances in accordance with the Worth Avenue Design Guidelines, including several variances from lot coverage, floor area square footage, commercial and residential use locations, parking requirements, landscape open space, and loading space requirements. This is a combination project that shall also be reviewed by Town Council as it pertains to zoning relief/approval.