Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
over 1 year ago
Received via email 12.10.23:
Re: Consent Agenda VII A, Applicant-Island Animal Hospital
To: Mayor and Town Council
Town of Palm beach
Over many years we have appreciated the caring and professional service rendered by Island Animal Hospital to our beloved pets.
Although this matter is on the consent agenda, we wanted to ensure that you know the serious loss to residents if these important veterinary services aren't able to relocate on the island.
Thank you for your consideration and assistance to this truly town serving business that many residents have relied on because of its exceptional professional service and its location close to our homes.
Respectfully,
Leigh and Pamela Dunston
282 Monterey Road
Received via email 12.8.23:
Dear Madam Mayor and Town Council,
Please accept this letter in support of the special exception and variance requests
for Island Animal Hospital (Dr. Mary Allen Scully).
Island Animal Hospital is a necessary town serving business for the animals and residents who live in Palm Beach.
Island Animal Hospital needs to remain on the Island of Palm Beach.
Sincerely,
Harvey and Mary Ann Kinzelberg
Palm Beach
Received via email 12.6.23:
Dear Madam Mayor and Town Council,
Please accept this letter in support of the special exception and variance requests
for Island Animal Hospital (Dr. Mary Allen Scully).
Island Animal Hospital is a necessary town serving business for the animals and residents who live in Palm Beach.
Island Animal Hospital needs to remain on the Island of Palm Beach.
Sincerely,
Victor and Monica Spilotro
Palm Beach
Received via email 12.1.23:
Re: Application by Island Animal Hospital for Special Exception/Variance
Dear Mayor and Town Council,
It gives me the utmost pleasure to endorse the application by Island Animal Hospital (Mary Ellen Scully, DVMD) for a special exception and variance to relocate her veterinary practice a couple of blocks so as to continue it as the sole animal hospital in Palm Beach.
I cannot think of another request that I have commented on in my almost 50 years of being a resident. T his application cries out for approval and indeed, for appropriate town-centric Code Reform, so that a future applicant of this nature will not have to go through this process. I continue to believe I have more land use experience/history than almost any resident and as such, I am sure I will have comments on what the outside consultants will propose for Code Reform.
Regarding the special exception request, I have reviewed the requirements, and this application easily meets 134-1109 of our code with the exception of the second floor issue discussed below. I need not remind you of the competing burdens that you know so well. I note that there is no additional space sought over the 3200 square feet that exists and that was approved earlier for the bank. Having been on the planning and zoning commission during debate over town serving issues and space requirements, and indeed having been the author of a memo on it that was adopted, it is clear to me that this application should be approved. T here will be additional benefits noted in the staff memo such as additional street parking and elimination of curb cuts that also augur for approval. In short, this is a no-brainer.
What has happened with the sale of the existing building to the adjacent hotel, in my opinion, is a shame. I was somewhat involved in attempting to find Dr. Scully additional parking and her relocation however I had nothing to do with this site which seems to fit all her needs, both for her practice and the parking required for her employees.
I can hardly think of a more town serving person than Dr. Scully. While I do not have a dog, my daughter does, and we frequent Dr. Scully who is always so accommodating. I see many of my fellow residents there. To think of losing her, and the only animal hospital on the Island, is a nightmare that fortunately is now preventable.
Regarding the variance, while the standard for approval is somewhat more rigorous, I share the same view as does the staff-that the code provision is anachronistic, and the Town is well served by approval of the variance. Why restrict the hospital to a second floor and require aged residents to carry their beloved pets up a flight of stairs when the existing hospital, only two blocks away, and in the same zoning district, operates on the first floor? There is screening from neighbors. The intensity of use is likely to decrease-eliminating cars from the drive through is also a benefit as is additional walkable greenspace and on street parking. This is the only available site in Town, and one could easily argue that not having an animal hospital on the Island certainly creates a sufficient hardship. In emergencies, it can be a lifesaver. We have Solis and other health care facilities for humans, we should have a similar facility for their beloved pets.
When one balances Dr. Scully with a proven record of not only town serving but being a cherished asset, against the loss of her and her hospital because of an anachronistic code provision, the choice is clear. Our Town is well served by approval of this special exception and variance.
Sincerely,
Martin I. Klein
1060 NORTH OCEAN BOULEVARD
PALM BEACH. FLORIDA 33480
Received via email 12.10.23:
Re: Consent Agenda VII A, Applicant-Island Animal Hospital
To: Mayor and Town Council
Town of Palm beach
Over many years we have appreciated the caring and professional service rendered by Island Animal Hospital to our beloved pets.
Although this matter is on the consent agenda, we wanted to ensure that you know the serious loss to residents if these important veterinary services aren't able to relocate on the island.
Thank you for your consideration and assistance to this truly town serving business that many residents have relied on because of its exceptional professional service and its location close to our homes.
Respectfully,
Leigh and Pamela Dunston
282 Monterey Road
Received via email 12.8.23:
Dear Madam Mayor and Town Council,
Please accept this letter in support of the special exception and variance requests
for Island Animal Hospital (Dr. Mary Allen Scully).
Island Animal Hospital is a necessary town serving business for the animals and residents who live in Palm Beach.
Island Animal Hospital needs to remain on the Island of Palm Beach.
Sincerely,
Harvey and Mary Ann Kinzelberg
Palm Beach
Received via email 12.6.23:
Dear Madam Mayor and Town Council,
Please accept this letter in support of the special exception and variance requests
for Island Animal Hospital (Dr. Mary Allen Scully).
Island Animal Hospital is a necessary town serving business for the animals and residents who live in Palm Beach.
Island Animal Hospital needs to remain on the Island of Palm Beach.
Sincerely,
Victor and Monica Spilotro
Palm Beach
Received via email 12.1.23:
Re: Application by Island Animal Hospital for Special Exception/Variance
Dear Mayor and Town Council,
It gives me the utmost pleasure to endorse the application by Island Animal Hospital (Mary Ellen Scully, DVMD) for a special exception and variance to relocate her veterinary practice a couple of blocks so as to continue it as the sole animal hospital in Palm Beach.
I cannot think of another request that I have commented on in my almost 50 years of being a resident. T his application cries out for approval and indeed, for appropriate town-centric Code Reform, so that a future applicant of this nature will not have to go through this process. I continue to believe I have more land use experience/history than almost any resident and as such, I am sure I will have comments on what the outside consultants will propose for Code Reform.
Regarding the special exception request, I have reviewed the requirements, and this application easily meets 134-1109 of our code with the exception of the second floor issue discussed below. I need not remind you of the competing burdens that you know so well. I note that there is no additional space sought over the 3200 square feet that exists and that was approved earlier for the bank. Having been on the planning and zoning commission during debate over town serving issues and space requirements, and indeed having been the author of a memo on it that was adopted, it is clear to me that this application should be approved. T here will be additional benefits noted in the staff memo such as additional street parking and elimination of curb cuts that also augur for approval. In short, this is a no-brainer.
What has happened with the sale of the existing building to the adjacent hotel, in my opinion, is a shame. I was somewhat involved in attempting to find Dr. Scully additional parking and her relocation however I had nothing to do with this site which seems to fit all her needs, both for her practice and the parking required for her employees.
I can hardly think of a more town serving person than Dr. Scully. While I do not have a dog, my daughter does, and we frequent Dr. Scully who is always so accommodating. I see many of my fellow residents there. To think of losing her, and the only animal hospital on the Island, is a nightmare that fortunately is now preventable.
Regarding the variance, while the standard for approval is somewhat more rigorous, I share the same view as does the staff-that the code provision is anachronistic, and the Town is well served by approval of the variance. Why restrict the hospital to a second floor and require aged residents to carry their beloved pets up a flight of stairs when the existing hospital, only two blocks away, and in the same zoning district, operates on the first floor? There is screening from neighbors. The intensity of use is likely to decrease-eliminating cars from the drive through is also a benefit as is additional walkable greenspace and on street parking. This is the only available site in Town, and one could easily argue that not having an animal hospital on the Island certainly creates a sufficient hardship. In emergencies, it can be a lifesaver. We have Solis and other health care facilities for humans, we should have a similar facility for their beloved pets.
When one balances Dr. Scully with a proven record of not only town serving but being a cherished asset, against the loss of her and her hospital because of an anachronistic code provision, the choice is clear. Our Town is well served by approval of this special exception and variance.
Sincerely,
Martin I. Klein
1060 NORTH OCEAN BOULEVARD
PALM BEACH. FLORIDA 33480