1. HSB-23-007 (ZON-23-095) 124 PARC MONCEAU (COMBO) The applicant, Parc Monceau Ltd (Peter Brooks, Representative), has filed an application requesting Landmarks Preservation Commission review and approval of a flood plain variance for improvements/rehabilitation of a designated historic building and approval for additions and renovations to an existing nonconforming historically significant building requiring town council variances required to revest existing nonconformities. Town Council shall review the application as it pertains to zoning relief/approval.
Received via email 2.16.24:
RE: HSB-23-007 (ZON-23-095) 124 PARC MONCEAU (COMBO)/February
21, 2024-Agenda Section on Historically Significant Buildings
Dear Ms. Chair, Vice Chair, Members and Alternate Members of the Commission:
I was just retained to represent Mr. and Mrs. Eyckeler, the owners of 1739 South Ocean Boulevard, which is the home immediately south of and abutting 124 Parc Monceau.
My clients have requested but have not yet received the public records regarding this application, so please treat this letter as their preliminary concerns.
I am writing this letter and will not be appearing at the February 21st LPC meeting because I will be out of the country taking depositions for an upcoming federal trial.
My clients have lived in their home for nearly 30 years. The property at 124 Parc Monceaux has changed owners at least seven (7) times during that time.
One of the owners at 124 Parc Monceau hired a contractor named John Rossi.
There appear to have been a number of alterations to 124 Parc Monceau that were not permitted or otherwise approved.
My clients are not necessarily opposed to certain renovations, but believe the current application is flawed, incomplete, and not entirely accurate.
First, the Application seeks “approval of a flood plain variance for improvements/rehabilitation of a designated historic building and approval for additions and renovations to an existing nonconforming historically significant building requiring town council variances required to revest existing nonconformities.” The word “revest” by the Applicant suggests the improvements/rehabilitation will cure “existing nonconformities.” The word “revest” means “reinstate.” Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revest. (accessed 15 Feb. 2024). It is curious why “existing nonconformities” need to be reinstated.
Second, the Application will not eliminate any of the non-conformities. One of them will reduce an existing non-conformity by .125 inches. While one could argue that any reduction in a non-conformity is desirable, a de minimus reduction is misleading.
Third, the Applicant proposes a storage room for the southwest corner, which is less than 10 feet from my client’s property line and presumably will be accessed by groundskeepers adjacent to and within sight and sound of my clients. Notably, the plans are incomplete because they show no points of ingress or egress. Even if there were a point of ingress or egress indicated on the storage room placing a hedge there will block any such access. Therefore, the Application is incomplete, flawed, and should be deferred to correct these inadequacies.
And fourth, while the 124 Parc Monceau property owner’s voluntary agreement to Historically- Significant- Building status is certainly to be encouraged, that is no basis for a variance.
Sincerely,
/s/ James K. Green
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
about 1 year ago
Received via email 1.16.24:
RE: 124 Parc Monceau renovation , Palm Beach
Dear Landmarks Commission & Town Council Members,
I live at 116 Parc Monceau in Palm Beach. Our neighbors the Lampls have submitted plans to the town of Palm Beach for renovation of their property at 124 Parc Monceau, which is next door to my home. I have reviewed the plans and believe they will be a significant improvement to both their property and our neighborhood.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Amy Kamin
116 Parc Monceau
Received via email 1.15.24:
Dear Members of the Landmarks Commission;
My family and i won a residence at 300 Parc Monceau. Our new neighbors Peter and Susan Lampl are undertaking a beautiful renovation that we believe will be a welcome addition to Parc Monceau.
The Lampl's are thoughtfully renovating a residence that has suffered significant structural issue over time. The new design takes the house back to its historically significant beginnings and blends in well with the existing streetscape.
We look forward to the approval of this project and adding this beautifully restored home to back our neighborhood.
Thank you,
Geoff Caraboolad
Received via email 2.16.24:
RE: HSB-23-007 (ZON-23-095) 124 PARC MONCEAU (COMBO)/February
21, 2024-Agenda Section on Historically Significant Buildings
Dear Ms. Chair, Vice Chair, Members and Alternate Members of the Commission:
I was just retained to represent Mr. and Mrs. Eyckeler, the owners of 1739 South Ocean Boulevard, which is the home immediately south of and abutting 124 Parc Monceau.
My clients have requested but have not yet received the public records regarding this application, so please treat this letter as their preliminary concerns.
I am writing this letter and will not be appearing at the February 21st LPC meeting because I will be out of the country taking depositions for an upcoming federal trial.
My clients have lived in their home for nearly 30 years. The property at 124 Parc Monceaux has changed owners at least seven (7) times during that time.
One of the owners at 124 Parc Monceau hired a contractor named John Rossi.
There appear to have been a number of alterations to 124 Parc Monceau that were not permitted or otherwise approved.
My clients are not necessarily opposed to certain renovations, but believe the current application is flawed, incomplete, and not entirely accurate.
First, the Application seeks “approval of a flood plain variance for improvements/rehabilitation of a designated historic building and approval for additions and renovations to an existing nonconforming historically significant building requiring town council variances required to revest existing nonconformities.” The word “revest” by the Applicant suggests the improvements/rehabilitation will cure “existing nonconformities.” The word “revest” means “reinstate.” Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revest. (accessed 15 Feb. 2024). It is curious why “existing nonconformities” need to be reinstated.
Second, the Application will not eliminate any of the non-conformities. One of them will reduce an existing non-conformity by .125 inches. While one could argue that any reduction in a non-conformity is desirable, a de minimus reduction is misleading.
Third, the Applicant proposes a storage room for the southwest corner, which is less than 10 feet from my client’s property line and presumably will be accessed by groundskeepers adjacent to and within sight and sound of my clients. Notably, the plans are incomplete because they show no points of ingress or egress. Even if there were a point of ingress or egress indicated on the storage room placing a hedge there will block any such access. Therefore, the Application is incomplete, flawed, and should be deferred to correct these inadequacies.
And fourth, while the 124 Parc Monceau property owner’s voluntary agreement to Historically- Significant- Building status is certainly to be encouraged, that is no basis for a variance.
Sincerely,
/s/ James K. Green
Received via email 1.16.24:
RE: 124 Parc Monceau renovation , Palm Beach
Dear Landmarks Commission & Town Council Members,
I live at 116 Parc Monceau in Palm Beach. Our neighbors the Lampls have submitted plans to the town of Palm Beach for renovation of their property at 124 Parc Monceau, which is next door to my home. I have reviewed the plans and believe they will be a significant improvement to both their property and our neighborhood.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Amy Kamin
116 Parc Monceau
Received via email 1.15.24:
Dear Members of the Landmarks Commission;
My family and i won a residence at 300 Parc Monceau. Our new neighbors Peter and Susan Lampl are undertaking a beautiful renovation that we believe will be a welcome addition to Parc Monceau.
The Lampl's are thoughtfully renovating a residence that has suffered significant structural issue over time. The new design takes the house back to its historically significant beginnings and blends in well with the existing streetscape.
We look forward to the approval of this project and adding this beautifully restored home to back our neighborhood.
Thank you,
Geoff Caraboolad