Maurer Statement on 07-2.1~~ ~' y/a~/~~
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Statement by Robert Maurer to the North Palm Beach Village Council
On Amendment 07-2.1 Domani Property
Apri124, 2008
First, thank you for the consideration, time and work the Council, Village staff and
members of the advisory committees put into land use planning and zoning decisions.
As an Old Port Cove property owner, I am immediately affected by your decisions
regarding the Domani Property. Our community is a medium density -16 units per acre,
planned community with appropriate set backs, gardens and walkways and a distinctive
"international-style" azchitecture.
The original plan for the Domani Property would have been in keeping with our Old Port
Cove community's high-value visual environment. Kolter Communities is a quality
international builder and I am sure seeks to be a good neighbor.
The plans for the original proposal were considerate and worked within existing special
policy zoning practices.
The Village's plans to rezone the site to R-3, high density is premature. It limits
alternatives to growing economic concerns along US Route 1 and may visually impact
the surrounding properties and chazacter of the Vfllage of North Palm Beach in yeazs to
come.
We don't want a repeat of spot zoning decisions that have brought zero plot lines to
multi-family residences along US Highway 1. Failure to consider set backs and the
immediate visual environment have contributed to slow sales of those residences.
Further, the topsy-tarry, spot zoning decisions can only lead to the money-driven results
on Singer Island and Rivera Beach. We don't need multi-colored towers encroaching on
our community's middle to low density environment.
Plans to permanently re-zone for a proposed two 18-story condominium buildings and 34
two-story townhomes replacing the origina177 unit plan is premature because the
proposal:
• appears to visually crowd the lot,
• set-backs, plot plans and exterior design have not been completed
• the proposal maximizes the R-3 zoning allowance - 11 - 24 units per acre
• Village approval would prematurely judge the outcome of the US Highway No.
Corridor Study,
• And, limit consideration of wider economic concerns in the immediate Crystal
Tree Plaza and the entire northern stretch of the US Highway No. 1.
• Traffic patterns have not been cleared with the Department of Transportation
My Old Port Cove neighbors and I are concerned about the visual impact, density of the
lot and traffic caused by the South bound residents. We should all have an opportunity to
consider the broader economic, visual environment and actual proposed building plot and
azchitecture.
The only reason to actually rezone now would be to add value to a sale of the property -
maximizing the monetazy value.
What's the rush? Kolter should be assured that the Village will act within its existing
special zoning provisions, as it did for the first Domani approval. This will allow the
decisions to be based on all the known opportunities and challenges.
That is good for business and good for our Village.
Thank you for the opportunity to share these views.