No to PUD. No to increased household density. No to underground parking garage and height variances. Please, just say “No”
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
over 1 year ago
Received via email 1.7.24:
In light of Director Bergman and staff concerns, and in addition to resident concerns, it is critical to defer approval of Frisbie PUD until ZoneCO has finished its review and made recommendations to our Comprehensive Plan update.
Respectfully,
Susan Watts
44 Cocoanut Row
Received via email 12.29.24:
No matter how much circular reasoning you use to dress this up & call it something else, what you propose will, without question, produce increased population density, vehicular density which in turn increases traffic accidents among geriatric drivers, while decreasing public & private parking
You’ll turn Palm Beach into Tijuana if it makes your company more money. The presumption that your company is a group of altruists working to make the world, or Palm Beach, a better place is beyond risible. Your motive is to squeeze every dollar out of an area of Town that is already grossly overpopulated
As every experimental psychologist in the world knows stressing an overpopulated cage of rats (or any other species) by adding more rats results in cannibalism
Carole Christensen Lieff
Palm Beach
Received via email 1.2.24:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are writing regarding the East Plaza Preservation Plan currently under consideration. In life these days, one often yearns for things to remain unchanged. Rarely does that happen even in timeless Palm Beach. Such is the case with the Wells Fargo property across the street from our home in Phipps Plaza. Change is likely on the way. The question at hand is if this proposed Plan will have the most positive impact on the Town and specifically on our neighborhood.
We have writen to you and met with you many times over the past five years to register our concern about increased commercial development in and around Phipps Plaza. Most of our concerns are related to noise, congestion and parking within the Plaza. While we continue to be very concerned with expanded commercial development in the neighborhood, we find the East Plaza Plan a step back from commercial use in favor of expanded residential use.
The Plan honors the quiet residential character of our neighborhood. It reflects a commitment to preserve the residential and historical character of this part of Town. It’s focus on compatible architecture, pedestrian-friendly areas and green spaces is a nice fit with the Sea Streets and with our own Phipps Plaza neighborhood. The preservation of all of the buildings on South County, even those not currently protected by Landmark status, is a real plus.
We give high marks to the Frisbee Group team headed by Josh Martin for taking the time this past summer to talk to us. They shared a very preliminary plan and asked for our reaction and feedback prior to developing the Plan now before you. Taking the time well in advance to
contact us at our summer home was an indication to us that they want to be respectful of the neighborhood and the people that live nearby.
We are sure the Plan will continue to be tweaked in the review process. That said, high quality less dense than could be built residences coupled with reduced commercial use by Wells Fargo is something we support.
John Schaefer and Pamela Zilly 200 Phipps Plaza
Apartments 5 and 6
Received via email from William Strawbridge 1.7.24:
This is about the proposed designs for the Paramount Theater and the Wells Fargo project. These
designs are great however, the thought that they will get built gives me great pause. The town will
become too perfect. Along with the Neo-Medit addition to Royal Poinciana Way and the new
townhouses on the corner of SOB and Hammon, more of this style will be too much - much too
much - way too much. Humans are comfortable with a LITTLE imperfection so, if we decide to
substitute other styles, that will leaven the loaf. We want to live in a living town, not a dead
museum.
P. S. For a number of reasons we can probably get away with leaving Paramount's design as
proposed, but not Wells Fargo.
Received via email 1.6.24:
Re: Wells Fargo Property Development - Frisbie/ Related Group Dear Mayor and Town Council:
We are writing to:
1. Strongly oppose to the granting of a PUD amendment to the Frisbie/Related Group for the development of the Well Fargo Site. Under no circumstances would we support a PUD even with restrictions.
A PUD grant (even with exceptions) will allow any building development to occur - developments which are not in the best interest of the surrounding neighbors or the island as a whole.
Allowing a PUD will provide the Frisbie/Related group an opportunity to build over and above the current approved zoning. Developments are for profit which is obtained by maximizing square footage which in this case is at the expense of the surrounding area.
We bought our home with the existing zoning and our current housing value reflects it.
2. Not oppose to a development on the Wells Fargo Property by the Frisbies/Related Group should it follow the current zoning regulations with no variances.
The vague rendering of an estimated 45ft for a new structure is too high for the Sea Streets unless previously Landmarked.
We will lose our privacy and view of the sky - lessening our value of our home at the profit of someone else. (See attached images)
3. Strongly oppose to the ONLY entrance/exit for the four proposed individual homes being on Seaview Avenue. The entrance should and can easily be added to Royal Palm Way where the current walkway/ fire safety entrance is located as the proposed plans. The Seaview singular entrance will materially increase incremental traffic on the single lane, one way Seaview Avenue.
Adding over and above density to the approved zoning will increase the noise and traffic congestion that is already a major issue on the island. What was the point of fighting for the modified bridge opening times, if we are just to add more traffic to this area?
Residents on Seaview Avenue will have not only the resident’s cars (2 at least per household) but the incremental parking and traffic issues with the staff and maintenance (garbage, landscaping, repair services, pest control) to support these homes. Where are they going to park? On Seaview? On the narrow road in front of those homes?
We have a three-year-old son who currently cannot play in the street or even close it in our driveway due to the speed at which cars/trucks travel down the current one- way street today. We have spoken to the Police regarding the speed which resulted in increased patrolling but has not solved the issue in the slightest.
We understand that the Wells Fargo property is still not purchased by the Frisbie/Related group; therefore, there is plenty of time to negotiate with Wells Fargo on what is really feasible and acceptable by the Town - which is the current zoning.
We moved here in 2019 before the boom of this town. We liked it that way but understand that change
is inevitable. However, we must make changes where it adds benefit to our home/neighborhood, not harm. The Frisbie Family is lovely and friends of ours who do beautiful work as seen by the Royal Poinciana.
Related, who are their partners in this development, I am not so sure they understand the local culture of Palm Beach and the unique attributes of Sea Streets. Their main goal is maximizing profit by over development in an area of high demand.
Thank you for your consideration. As full-time residents of Palm Beach, we hope to have your support. We are available at (646) 872-7311 (Anne) or (203) 512-3531 (Matt) to discuss any of the above points or answer any questions.
Best regards,
Annie and Matt Iorio
131 Seaview Ave, Palm Beach, FL
No to PUD. No to increased household density. No to underground parking garage and height variances. Please, just say “No”
Received via email 1.7.24:
In light of Director Bergman and staff concerns, and in addition to resident concerns, it is critical to defer approval of Frisbie PUD until ZoneCO has finished its review and made recommendations to our Comprehensive Plan update.
Respectfully,
Susan Watts
44 Cocoanut Row
Received via email 12.29.24:
No matter how much circular reasoning you use to dress this up & call it something else, what you propose will, without question, produce increased population density, vehicular density which in turn increases traffic accidents among geriatric drivers, while decreasing public & private parking
You’ll turn Palm Beach into Tijuana if it makes your company more money. The presumption that your company is a group of altruists working to make the world, or Palm Beach, a better place is beyond risible. Your motive is to squeeze every dollar out of an area of Town that is already grossly overpopulated
As every experimental psychologist in the world knows stressing an overpopulated cage of rats (or any other species) by adding more rats results in cannibalism
Carole Christensen Lieff
Palm Beach
Received via email 1.2.24:
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are writing regarding the East Plaza Preservation Plan currently under consideration. In life these days, one often yearns for things to remain unchanged. Rarely does that happen even in timeless Palm Beach. Such is the case with the Wells Fargo property across the street from our home in Phipps Plaza. Change is likely on the way. The question at hand is if this proposed Plan will have the most positive impact on the Town and specifically on our neighborhood.
We have writen to you and met with you many times over the past five years to register our concern about increased commercial development in and around Phipps Plaza. Most of our concerns are related to noise, congestion and parking within the Plaza. While we continue to be very concerned with expanded commercial development in the neighborhood, we find the East Plaza Plan a step back from commercial use in favor of expanded residential use.
The Plan honors the quiet residential character of our neighborhood. It reflects a commitment to preserve the residential and historical character of this part of Town. It’s focus on compatible architecture, pedestrian-friendly areas and green spaces is a nice fit with the Sea Streets and with our own Phipps Plaza neighborhood. The preservation of all of the buildings on South County, even those not currently protected by Landmark status, is a real plus.
We give high marks to the Frisbee Group team headed by Josh Martin for taking the time this past summer to talk to us. They shared a very preliminary plan and asked for our reaction and feedback prior to developing the Plan now before you. Taking the time well in advance to
contact us at our summer home was an indication to us that they want to be respectful of the neighborhood and the people that live nearby.
We are sure the Plan will continue to be tweaked in the review process. That said, high quality less dense than could be built residences coupled with reduced commercial use by Wells Fargo is something we support.
John Schaefer and Pamela Zilly 200 Phipps Plaza
Apartments 5 and 6
Received via email from William Strawbridge 1.7.24:
This is about the proposed designs for the Paramount Theater and the Wells Fargo project. These
designs are great however, the thought that they will get built gives me great pause. The town will
become too perfect. Along with the Neo-Medit addition to Royal Poinciana Way and the new
townhouses on the corner of SOB and Hammon, more of this style will be too much - much too
much - way too much. Humans are comfortable with a LITTLE imperfection so, if we decide to
substitute other styles, that will leaven the loaf. We want to live in a living town, not a dead
museum.
P. S. For a number of reasons we can probably get away with leaving Paramount's design as
proposed, but not Wells Fargo.
Received via email 1.6.24:
Re: Wells Fargo Property Development - Frisbie/ Related Group Dear Mayor and Town Council:
We are writing to:
1. Strongly oppose to the granting of a PUD amendment to the Frisbie/Related Group for the development of the Well Fargo Site. Under no circumstances would we support a PUD even with restrictions.
A PUD grant (even with exceptions) will allow any building development to occur - developments which are not in the best interest of the surrounding neighbors or the island as a whole.
Allowing a PUD will provide the Frisbie/Related group an opportunity to build over and above the current approved zoning. Developments are for profit which is obtained by maximizing square footage which in this case is at the expense of the surrounding area.
We bought our home with the existing zoning and our current housing value reflects it.
2. Not oppose to a development on the Wells Fargo Property by the Frisbies/Related Group should it follow the current zoning regulations with no variances.
The vague rendering of an estimated 45ft for a new structure is too high for the Sea Streets unless previously Landmarked.
We will lose our privacy and view of the sky - lessening our value of our home at the profit of someone else. (See attached images)
3. Strongly oppose to the ONLY entrance/exit for the four proposed individual homes being on Seaview Avenue. The entrance should and can easily be added to Royal Palm Way where the current walkway/ fire safety entrance is located as the proposed plans. The Seaview singular entrance will materially increase incremental traffic on the single lane, one way Seaview Avenue.
Adding over and above density to the approved zoning will increase the noise and traffic congestion that is already a major issue on the island. What was the point of fighting for the modified bridge opening times, if we are just to add more traffic to this area?
Residents on Seaview Avenue will have not only the resident’s cars (2 at least per household) but the incremental parking and traffic issues with the staff and maintenance (garbage, landscaping, repair services, pest control) to support these homes. Where are they going to park? On Seaview? On the narrow road in front of those homes?
We have a three-year-old son who currently cannot play in the street or even close it in our driveway due to the speed at which cars/trucks travel down the current one- way street today. We have spoken to the Police regarding the speed which resulted in increased patrolling but has not solved the issue in the slightest.
We understand that the Wells Fargo property is still not purchased by the Frisbie/Related group; therefore, there is plenty of time to negotiate with Wells Fargo on what is really feasible and acceptable by the Town - which is the current zoning.
We moved here in 2019 before the boom of this town. We liked it that way but understand that change
is inevitable. However, we must make changes where it adds benefit to our home/neighborhood, not harm. The Frisbie Family is lovely and friends of ours who do beautiful work as seen by the Royal Poinciana.
Related, who are their partners in this development, I am not so sure they understand the local culture of Palm Beach and the unique attributes of Sea Streets. Their main goal is maximizing profit by over development in an area of high demand.
Thank you for your consideration. As full-time residents of Palm Beach, we hope to have your support. We are available at (646) 872-7311 (Anne) or (203) 512-3531 (Matt) to discuss any of the above points or answer any questions.
Best regards,
Annie and Matt Iorio
131 Seaview Ave, Palm Beach, FL