A. Privately Initiated Future Land Use and Zoning Maps and Text Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code for parcels of land more particularly described in Exhibit A and displayed in Exhibit B, Ordinance Nos. 001-2024 through 004-2024.
Received via email 2.3.24 from William Strawbridge:
Heard another good idea last night.
Secure the town’s permission to build would require the developer to deed away - to a private national land preservation agency - the development rights to a significant piece of the green space which will then be a park. In other words:
No tickee no laundry.
Received via email 2.3.24 from William Strawbridge:
Did I hear someone suggest a Phipps Plaza solution for this site? Mostly green outsides, to make the insides largely invisible?
Received via email 3.1.24:
To the Town Council and the Mayor,
I am writing to express and confirm my adamant opposition to the proposed rezoning and development of the parking lot behind the Wells Fargo Bank on County Road. I object to many aspects of this development, specifically:
1) The zoning change to PUD. This should absolutely not be allowed, it is unprecedented and unreasonable for this town and site.
2) This development proposes way too many residences which are too densely concentrated on this site.
3) The single family homes have no setbacks as required of all other properties in this area.
4) Consequently, the proposed single-family homes and the other residences have absolutely no green space. For any development proposed for this site there must be a landscaped buffer zone of at least 14 feet along the backs of the properties that line the south side of Seaview Avenue.
5) All of the proposed structures are too high. The proposed 3 stories are really 4, who are they kidding!
6) There should be no underground parking as this is ecologically disastrous.
7) There should be no additional height or stories added to any of the existing buildings. The lights from the bank buildings are already a nuisance at night.
8) Demolition of the existing former residence known as the Gunster Building on Royal Palm Way should not be allowed.
9) No access should be allowed onto or from Seaview Avenue. All access should be from South Ocean Blvd or Royal Palm Way.
I object also to the zoning change asked for by the Society of the Four Arts. They say that they don't want to build a four-story building on their site today, but what about tomorrow? What really are their plans? Is this another bait and switch scheme? We have seen these deceptive tactics before. The developers ask for far more than they know they should get and then pretend that they are “settling” for a much reduced scheme that still has variances and exceptions attached to it that shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place. Or, as in the case of the Four Arts, they request a zoning change so they can claim to remedy an illegal situation. Ha! The changes that they envision could also drastically change the way Palm Beach looks in the future and undoubtedly will add to the already extremely strained traffic situation and detract from our quality of life by bringing even more congestion and illegal parking to our streets.
I am a long-term home owner on Seaview Avenue, 47 years. I am a Palm Beach County native, born in the Good Samaritan Hospital. So, as you can imagine, I have seen enormous changes in Palm Beach over the years. It is staggering, mind boggling! This narrow barrier island is already operating beyond capacity: Too many people and way too much traffic for this small town. The new bank development will simply make matters unbearable, impacting my quality of life and diminishing the value of my home. Not to mention that the construction of this project will drag on for years, bringing noise, dust, and dirt to my doorstep nonstop.
I realize that the development of the bank parking lot is probably inevitable, but something along the lines of Phipps Plaza or a park would be more in keeping with the site. Historically, the north side of the ocean block of Royal Palm Way was single family residences and should not be rezoned, and neither should the Four Arts property. No rezoning!
Please consider the residents of the town you serve and preserve their health, safety, and happiness!
Thank you,
Ann Jackson
Received via email 3.1.24:
Town of Palm Beach
Renee and I have resided at 141 Seaview Avenue since 2016, however we have lived on the island since 1989. At that time the oldest of our three sons was 5 while the two others trailed at 3 and 2 years old. We originally settled on buying a Palm Beach condo for family vacations back then because Palm Beach provided a safe haven for our young boys.
In 2016 we moved to Seaview again to provide a safe haven for our next generation, ‘the grandchildren’ ages 9 and under. Moving from our condo at 360 South Ocean to Seaview was a daunting task for our broker and friend, Christian Angle. We were specific and intransigent, ocean block Seaview Avenue or nothing. The reason was simple: a quiet, narrow, safe, one way, tranquil street with easy beach access for our family. Any access or egress from East plaza to Seaview would dramatically change our streets’ safety. We are vehemently opposed to increased travel on our quiet street. Travel that would incidentally be better served and suited to the other two larger neighbouring streets of South Ocean Blvd and Royal Palm Way bordering the East Plaza development.
We are also opposed to a PUD as concerned and civic minded citizens. We feel full transparency of the development site from beginning to end is essential to a fair and open process. Furthermore these abutting lands should be treated like all the other similar ‘in town’ streets and not awarded a unique planning or zoning process or distinction.
The idea of an underground garage elevating the project to a height of more than 50 feet is also a non starter. Not only would the developer have to disturb the coral reef on the site but that may also cause irreparable damage to the surrounding foundations of the Seaview homes, the water table and the environment in general, all of which would be unknowns and remain as such until it is too late. Not to mention any underground garage would eliminate green space and proper landscaping which would instead be relegated to ‘potted plants’ not in keeping with surrounding streets, neighbourhood or town. The required height of more than 50 feet would also not be in keeping with the present zoning requirements that we must adhere to.
Finally the size of the homes requested on the lots far exceeds the present zoning parameters that all the other residents have to adhere to. Six to eight thousand square foot homes on these size lots is an exaggerated, excessive and egregious overreach.
Both Renee and I attended the first town council meeting on East Plaza in January and we were thoroughly impressed with the council members knowledge, questions, and concerns.
We are all just trying to preserve the high standards that previous generations have instilled on this unique town.
Respectfully
Renee and Alan Gozlan
141 Seaview Avenue
Palm Beach FLA
Received via email 3.2.24:
Dear Mayor and Members of the Town Council ,
I am David Feldman and with my wife we reside at 160 Seaview Avenue and also have a vacant lot next door at 170 Seaview Avenue. We love our Seaview home and because our family is expanding with grand children, we are planning to use the vacant lot for an addition to our existing house.
Today, I am writing in connection with the Frisbie Group's application that is to be heard on Tuesday, March 5th at the Planning and Zoning Commission.
We understand that there needs to be a satisfactory solution to implement an appropriate rezoning process for the Wells Fargo lands in which the community and the Township does not lose control of the process and can facilitate the township's requirements to the satisfaction of ours and other residents’ current and future concerns.
I have confidence with staff and Council that this will be properly addressed and without there being an unrestricted PUD zoning designation being enacted.
We are not against the redevelopment of the Wells Fargo lands and as such I would like to take this opportunity to bring to your attention our concerns with the current application. We have reviewed the various macro site plans proposed for the East Plaza development and have had several discussions with the Frisbie Group.
As a result of these discussions, we are prepared to support a modified version of the proposed redevelopment of the Wells Fargo lands that satisfies neighbours‘ concerns, in particular those contained in the Seaview Protection Alliance neighbours letter that was already submitted, and conditional on the following changes and restrictions to their Frisbie's proposal, which we
respectfully request be explicitly secured as conditions of approval:
1. Green buffer zone south of our properties. For background, in about 2018, we initiated an arrangement with Wells Fargo, that was recorded at the Landmark Committee, whereby Wells Fargo agreed to maintain, in perpetuity, a buffer zone behind our 160 Seaview home. It is currently about 9’0” deep. In various discussions over the last few months Frisbie agreed to work with our landscape architect Nievera Williams to improve the existing inefficient buffer zone by adding an additional row of hedge trees as well as a sound barrier wall (concrete wall) on the south edge of a widened green buffer zone. The purpose of the buffer zone is to provide us with privacy and peaceful use of our garden and to provide further privacy for our bedrooms that face south into the Wells Fargo lands. It was also agreed that the widened buffer zone is to be expanded east to include our adjoining property at 170 Seaview Avenue and is to wrap around and protect the existing banyan tree at the south west corner of our land. I believe it is incumbent on Frisbie to provide the same or similar provisions behind our neighbours’ properties running east along the north edge of their proposed laneway. Frisbie has committed to include this buffer zone in the development plans and to arrange for the maintenance of it, in perpetuity. It was also agreed that such arrangement is to be confirmed in a registered covenant on title of the East Plaza lands for enforcement purposes.
2. They have also agreed to incorporate a no parking restriction on their proposed new private laneway and impose a restriction on the use of it for only access to the proposed attached garages to the proposed three new homes and for 136 Seaview’s garage access. We do have a concern how this will be enforced as the control will be with a condominium corporation that might have other priorities. In this regards, we believe the laneway can and should be reduced in width from a wide 20’ to a 14’0” laneway considering it will only be used for access to 4 homes to park up to 8 cars. The narrowed laneway would cause the home owners to ensure no one blocks their laneway access to their attached garages. This is important to us, as immediate neighbours, for our peaceful use of our back gardens without hearing any vehicles parking and idling on this laneway. As such, it should be a condition of approval.
3. All the neighbours who are party to the joint Seaview letter are concerned that our one way Seaview Avenue ends up as a major link to East Plaza. It should be blocked as we do not need the additional burden of East Plaza overflow visitors and construction/maintenance/ delivery vehicles abusing it as well using Seaview Avenue as a shortcut to East Plaza or to idle and to park on Seaview.
Physical measures to prevent this potential abuse should be incorporated in any approval.
4. Frisbie will need to block out third floor windows in their conversion from commercial to residential of the upper 3 rd floor of the Wells Fargo Building at the east end of Seaview. This is required as when the room lights are left on, the lights can be seen from South Ocean Drive. It is an eyesore and a nuisance.
5. I understand that Frisbie are now introducing a surface lot to the west end of the proposed development. It will be south of our Seaview home and adjacent property and we have noise and shining headlight concerns with the location of the proposed surface lot. Also, as our 170 Seaview property will have openings in the green buffer zone for access to FPL transformers. Therefore, we request there be a solid screen (such as a concrete feature wall with greenery) at the north end of the surface parking lot to deflect sound from car doors opening and closing and to block out engine noises as well as to block shining headlights onto our property as well as other neighbours' property. As another counter measure to protect against noise and shining lights, the north end of the proposed surface parking lot should be located at least 50 feet south of our 170 Seaview Avenue property line.
Subject to these explicit conditions which are essential to the proper functioning of the project and community and good planning, and subject to the securement of these conditions as part of any approval, we are prepared to support the redevelopment of the Wells Fargo lands.
With regards and respectively,
David Feldman.
Received via email 3.1.24:
Re: Wells Fargo Property Development - Frisbie/ Related Group
Dear Mayor and Town Council:
We are writing to:
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
Received via email 3.1.24:
We are writing to express our vehement opposition to the Frisbie Group’s rezoning request for the proposed 40-unit East Plaza development adjacent to our quiet one-way street, Seaview Avenue. As a collective group of neighbors from the ocean block of Seaview Ave, we have come together to form the “Seaview Preservation Alliance” in our unified objection to the numerous and colossal structures that the Frisbie Group plans to build. Countless phone calls, emails, and impassioned meetings have led us to use our combined voices in an effort to preserve our neighborhood. The prospect of tall buildings looming over our homes, accompanied by years of loud and dusty construction, has compelled us to write this letter to the members of the Town Council. While we do not oppose the redevelopment of the Wells Fargo site, we have several major concerns regarding the Frisbie Group’s current plans, and we ask that the Town of Palm Beach agree to our following requests:
4. No rezoning of the site to a PUD-C.
5. No use of Seaview Avenue as an access point for any vehicles entering or exiting the East Plaza development.
6. No underground parking for units in the East Plaza which would raise the 2 storey height allowance.
7. Any proposed alleyway adjacent to the south side of Seaview Ave must not be accessed by Seaview Ave, be limited to 14 feet, and only used for emergency vehicles and private resident access to garages. No residential, visitor, service, or maintenance vehicles will be permitted to drive, park, or idle along this alleyway.
8. Required privacy screening between the south side of Seaview Ave and the proposed alleyway as well as the east-facing side of the Wells Fargo Building along South County Rd.
For further clarification, please consider the following reasoning for each of these objection points.
9. No rezoning of the site to a PUD-C
We strongly object to the proposed rezoning of the three separately-zoned lots to a Planned Unit Development-Commercial (PUD-C). This PUD type of zoning allows for greater flexibility in land use regulations and could lead to consequences such as increased traffic congestion, decreased property values, and a loss of the peaceful atmosphere that attracted many of us to this residential area in the first place. Rezoning the CTS and CPC lots east of South County Road and north of Royal Palm Way will drastically change the character of the roadways in the heart of Palm Beach. Not only will the rezoning allow for greater building height allowances, higher density housing, and parking problems, it will open the door for unrestricted and continued future development.
10. No use of Seaview Avenue as an access point
One of our greatest concerns revolves around any plans to use our narrow, one-way street as an access point of any kind for the East Plaza development. Our established residential street was not designed to accommodate the traffic volume that such a large-scale development would inevitably bring. Residents, guests, domestic staff, landscapers, waste removal, and utility trucks would bring a drastic increase in vehicles regularly to the street every single day. The increased traffic would not only pose safety hazards to young and elderly residents, pedestrians, and cyclists but also disrupt the tranquility of our neighborhood which is already heavily used as a walkway to the town beaches at South Ocean Blvd and Clarke Ave. Furthermore, increased traffic flow from the egress of Seaview Ave onto South County Rd will further disrupt the congested and dangerous intersection especially during the hours of school dropoff and pickup, which requires daily police monitoring during these times. Currently, the “Right Turn Only” traffic sign is rarely obeyed, and if additional residents and service vehicles from the East Plaza development use Seaview Ave as their access road, the likelihood of traffic accidents at this intersection will greatly increase on this blind turn.
11. No underground parking for designed units in East Plaza
The Frisbie Group’s proposal to create underground parking for the East Plaza is ecologically unsound and will raise the height of the residential units considerably. Palm Beach’s already high-water table and nearly-impenetrable coral bedrock make digging underground practically impossible and will cause unnecessary noise, vibration, and damage to our Seaview homes.
Beyond the structural dangers of excavation, undermining this natural foundation over such large acreage poses an environmental hazard to the island. Disrupting the foundation layer of this barrier island and altering the floodplains will be destructive beyond repair and pose major threats during hurricane season and king tides. Underground garage construction would have devastating environmental effects to the coral barrier reef, the stability of the surrounding lands, the water table, and most relevant to us, all the surrounding foundations of our homes. No amount of insurance, assurance, or promises made by the Frisbie Group could reverse these adverse consequences, known or otherwise, after the fact. Moreover, if such major subterranean excavation is allowed, this allowance could have statewide consequences on future construction on environmentally unstable land. While we appreciate the Frisbie Group’s attempt to alleviate parking problems, the “underground” parking will likely only be partially below ground level, making the overall height of the semi-detached and condo-style units well above neighborhood standard and not in keeping with the architecture of the entire island. These units will shade Royal Palm Way and obstruct the open skyline that is vital to preserving the natural charm of Palm Beach. The proposed height of the units along Royal Palm Way with underground parking would grossly exceed 50 feet and forever change the horizon of this island.
12. Limited width and access to alleyway
We understand that the town’s emergency vehicles as well as East Plaza residents with
north-facing garages will need to access an alleyway between the south side of Seaview and the north side of the East Plaza. We ask that this alleyway not have an ingress from Seaview Ave and only use the ingress from South Ocean Blvd. This alleyway should be limited to 14 feet, the minimum allowable for emergency vehicle access, to make it illegal to park service trucks on this private alleyway. To reduce traffic as well as sound and light pollution, we request that no parking, idling, or service vehicles of any kind (including but not limited to landscaping, construction, maintenance, catering, moving, or domestic staff) be allowed in this alleyway or garage entrances for the safety and tranquility of the neighboring Seaview Averesidents.
13. Privacy screening
We are united in protecting the residential privacy of the houses along the south side of Seaview Ave. These houses were each purchased and built intentionally because no roadway, houses, or backyards directly abutted them. In order to maintain the secluded nature of these properties, we ask that the Frisbie Group create and maintain into perpetuity a 15 foot wide and tall, professionally landscaped greenery buffer for noise and light reduction. The greenery buffer should be densely planted to eliminate noise and bright lights that will impact the quality of life for the residents of Seaview Ave. We request additional privacy screening on the east-facing side of the Wells Fargo Building along South County Rd, since the Frisbie Group plans to convert third floor office space into residential units. Currently, lights from these existing windows are extinguished at the end of regular office hours, yet once these offices are inhabited as residential living spaces, lights will shine directly above Seaview Ave residents at all hours.
In addition to these listed concerns, we worry about the strain this large development would place on our island’s resources, including public space, schools, utilities, and emergency services. Without adequate infrastructure in place or even available to support such a significant increase in population density, our town risks losing its unique character and quality of life.
We urge the Town Council to carefully consider the long-term implications of this proposed development on our community and the entire town. Instead of prioritizing short-term economic gains and succumbing to the pressures of Wells Fargo and the Frisbie Group, we ask that you prioritize the well-being of residents and preserve the charm and integrity of our town. The original East Plaza platting for low-density residences, no access to Seaview Ave, and no underground parking is more homogenous with the surrounding and more environmentally sound with native landscaping potential given its central location on the island.
We respectfully request that the Town Council reject the rezoning application, refuse access to Seaview Ave, limit the parking and height restrictions, restrict access to the proposed alleyway, provide privacy screening, and explore alternative plans that are more in line with the values and needs of our established community.
Thank you for considering our concerns. We trust that you will make the right decision for the future of Palm Beach. We look forward to finding solutions together at the upcoming Town Hall Meetings in March.
Sincerely,
Seaview Preservation Alliance
131 Seaview Ave - Matthew & Anne Iorio
135 Seaview Ave - Ann Jackson & Win Lewis
136 Seaview Ave - Barbara Presley Tilman
141 Seaview Ave - Alan & Renée Gozlan
151 Seaview Ave - John Firestone
160 Seaview Ave - David & Angela Feldman
167 Seaview Ave - Joan Gullans & Garrett Pluck
169 Seaview Ave - Rick & Darcy Zacher & children
170 Seaview Ave - Angela Feldman on behalf of Seaview Holdings Inc.
Received via email 1.21.24:
Dear Mayor & Council,
I did attend the meeting on this January 9th in the Town Hall. I stayed as long as I could but, had to leave for another appointment prior to being able to make a comment during the public comment period.
I believe I can still comment since this was the first presentation by Frisbie
I live in 100 Royal Palm Way AS. My condo faces East, Ocean Blvd and the Ocean not Royal Palm Way. If I go to the edge of my balcony I can look down Royal Palm Way in a westerly direction and look North squarely at the front of the existing building on the corner of Royal Palm Way. My condo is above the proposed three story strnctures on Royal Palm Way but, I am 100% in support of my building neighbor's objection to a variance of the two story ordinance. These structures will change the character of Palm Beach and the serenity feel of Royal Palm Way as when we moved to Florida in 2005. My Parent's had home at West Indies and then a home now demolished at 1485 S. Ocean Blvd in the '80's &'early '90's.
In addition what I object to is the view of the imposing mass effect look of all the buildings proposed to be constructed almost 15 feet from the Royal Palm Way curb. Attach is copy of a sketch of the fac;ade and landscaping of the Frisbee development facing Royal Palm way appearing in news articles and also a photo of the existing hedging to the existing parking lot at the same spot. The hedging is typical in the residential areas of Palm Beach. Frisbie's Development is not how I visualize Palm Beach.
Traffic is my real concern. See a congratulatory for the Town Council Front-page Sunday January 14, 2024 OPINlON article in the Palm Beach Daily New, and let's repeat it. Royal Palm W ay is already highly trafficked and heavily parked. Royal Palm Way is the only Road in Palm Beach that runs without turns from Ocean to over the Intercoastal through mid-town and used heavily for access to and from other areas of Florida. Add local services like garbage & landscape cuttings collections, beach-goers constant search for parking, both drop-off and pick-up school children, the new hotel traffic, rush hours' time and duration with the frequent bridge openings and you have chaos, compounded by traffic signal button pushing pedestrians. This is similar and I believe much worse than the area at Royal Poinciana and Coconut Way. A traffic problem for the Town, that is still "Work in Progress".
Regardless of the presentation, there is additional density by the proposed Development, people density. Maybe a reduction in building footprint but, the area is and will be crowded with people as well as occupants of the refurbished Hotel, new residents, restaurant diners, existing commercial and beach-goers, a New York City type pedestrian use traffic pattern. I recall, I believe three years ago, a pedestrian was killed by a construction vehicle at the corner of Royal Palm Way & County Road.
Sincerely,
Joseph Muscarelle
P.S. See attachments
Received via email 2.3.24 from William Strawbridge:
Heard another good idea last night.
Secure the town’s permission to build would require the developer to deed away - to a private national land preservation agency - the development rights to a significant piece of the green space which will then be a park. In other words:
No tickee no laundry.
Received via email 2.3.24 from William Strawbridge:
Did I hear someone suggest a Phipps Plaza solution for this site? Mostly green outsides, to make the insides largely invisible?
Received via email 3.1.24:
To the Town Council and the Mayor,
I am writing to express and confirm my adamant opposition to the proposed rezoning and development of the parking lot behind the Wells Fargo Bank on County Road. I object to many aspects of this development, specifically:
1) The zoning change to PUD. This should absolutely not be allowed, it is unprecedented and unreasonable for this town and site.
2) This development proposes way too many residences which are too densely concentrated on this site.
3) The single family homes have no setbacks as required of all other properties in this area.
4) Consequently, the proposed single-family homes and the other residences have absolutely no green space. For any development proposed for this site there must be a landscaped buffer zone of at least 14 feet along the backs of the properties that line the south side of Seaview Avenue.
5) All of the proposed structures are too high. The proposed 3 stories are really 4, who are they kidding!
6) There should be no underground parking as this is ecologically disastrous.
7) There should be no additional height or stories added to any of the existing buildings. The lights from the bank buildings are already a nuisance at night.
8) Demolition of the existing former residence known as the Gunster Building on Royal Palm Way should not be allowed.
9) No access should be allowed onto or from Seaview Avenue. All access should be from South Ocean Blvd or Royal Palm Way.
I object also to the zoning change asked for by the Society of the Four Arts. They say that they don't want to build a four-story building on their site today, but what about tomorrow? What really are their plans? Is this another bait and switch scheme? We have seen these deceptive tactics before. The developers ask for far more than they know they should get and then pretend that they are “settling” for a much reduced scheme that still has variances and exceptions attached to it that shouldn’t have been allowed in the first place. Or, as in the case of the Four Arts, they request a zoning change so they can claim to remedy an illegal situation. Ha! The changes that they envision could also drastically change the way Palm Beach looks in the future and undoubtedly will add to the already extremely strained traffic situation and detract from our quality of life by bringing even more congestion and illegal parking to our streets.
I am a long-term home owner on Seaview Avenue, 47 years. I am a Palm Beach County native, born in the Good Samaritan Hospital. So, as you can imagine, I have seen enormous changes in Palm Beach over the years. It is staggering, mind boggling! This narrow barrier island is already operating beyond capacity: Too many people and way too much traffic for this small town. The new bank development will simply make matters unbearable, impacting my quality of life and diminishing the value of my home. Not to mention that the construction of this project will drag on for years, bringing noise, dust, and dirt to my doorstep nonstop.
I realize that the development of the bank parking lot is probably inevitable, but something along the lines of Phipps Plaza or a park would be more in keeping with the site. Historically, the north side of the ocean block of Royal Palm Way was single family residences and should not be rezoned, and neither should the Four Arts property. No rezoning!
Please consider the residents of the town you serve and preserve their health, safety, and happiness!
Thank you,
Ann Jackson
Received via email 3.1.24:
Town of Palm Beach
Renee and I have resided at 141 Seaview Avenue since 2016, however we have lived on the island since 1989. At that time the oldest of our three sons was 5 while the two others trailed at 3 and 2 years old. We originally settled on buying a Palm Beach condo for family vacations back then because Palm Beach provided a safe haven for our young boys.
In 2016 we moved to Seaview again to provide a safe haven for our next generation, ‘the grandchildren’ ages 9 and under. Moving from our condo at 360 South Ocean to Seaview was a daunting task for our broker and friend, Christian Angle. We were specific and intransigent, ocean block Seaview Avenue or nothing. The reason was simple: a quiet, narrow, safe, one way, tranquil street with easy beach access for our family. Any access or egress from East plaza to Seaview would dramatically change our streets’ safety. We are vehemently opposed to increased travel on our quiet street. Travel that would incidentally be better served and suited to the other two larger neighbouring streets of South Ocean Blvd and Royal Palm Way bordering the East Plaza development.
We are also opposed to a PUD as concerned and civic minded citizens. We feel full transparency of the development site from beginning to end is essential to a fair and open process. Furthermore these abutting lands should be treated like all the other similar ‘in town’ streets and not awarded a unique planning or zoning process or distinction.
The idea of an underground garage elevating the project to a height of more than 50 feet is also a non starter. Not only would the developer have to disturb the coral reef on the site but that may also cause irreparable damage to the surrounding foundations of the Seaview homes, the water table and the environment in general, all of which would be unknowns and remain as such until it is too late. Not to mention any underground garage would eliminate green space and proper landscaping which would instead be relegated to ‘potted plants’ not in keeping with surrounding streets, neighbourhood or town. The required height of more than 50 feet would also not be in keeping with the present zoning requirements that we must adhere to.
Finally the size of the homes requested on the lots far exceeds the present zoning parameters that all the other residents have to adhere to. Six to eight thousand square foot homes on these size lots is an exaggerated, excessive and egregious overreach.
Both Renee and I attended the first town council meeting on East Plaza in January and we were thoroughly impressed with the council members knowledge, questions, and concerns.
We are all just trying to preserve the high standards that previous generations have instilled on this unique town.
Respectfully
Renee and Alan Gozlan
141 Seaview Avenue
Palm Beach FLA
Received via email 3.2.24:
Dear Mayor and Members of the Town Council ,
I am David Feldman and with my wife we reside at 160 Seaview Avenue and also have a vacant lot next door at 170 Seaview Avenue. We love our Seaview home and because our family is expanding with grand children, we are planning to use the vacant lot for an addition to our existing house.
Today, I am writing in connection with the Frisbie Group's application that is to be heard on Tuesday, March 5th at the Planning and Zoning Commission.
We understand that there needs to be a satisfactory solution to implement an appropriate rezoning process for the Wells Fargo lands in which the community and the Township does not lose control of the process and can facilitate the township's requirements to the satisfaction of ours and other residents’ current and future concerns.
I have confidence with staff and Council that this will be properly addressed and without there being an unrestricted PUD zoning designation being enacted.
We are not against the redevelopment of the Wells Fargo lands and as such I would like to take this opportunity to bring to your attention our concerns with the current application. We have reviewed the various macro site plans proposed for the East Plaza development and have had several discussions with the Frisbie Group.
As a result of these discussions, we are prepared to support a modified version of the proposed redevelopment of the Wells Fargo lands that satisfies neighbours‘ concerns, in particular those contained in the Seaview Protection Alliance neighbours letter that was already submitted, and conditional on the following changes and restrictions to their Frisbie's proposal, which we
respectfully request be explicitly secured as conditions of approval:
1. Green buffer zone south of our properties. For background, in about 2018, we initiated an arrangement with Wells Fargo, that was recorded at the Landmark Committee, whereby Wells Fargo agreed to maintain, in perpetuity, a buffer zone behind our 160 Seaview home. It is currently about 9’0” deep. In various discussions over the last few months Frisbie agreed to work with our landscape architect Nievera Williams to improve the existing inefficient buffer zone by adding an additional row of hedge trees as well as a sound barrier wall (concrete wall) on the south edge of a widened green buffer zone. The purpose of the buffer zone is to provide us with privacy and peaceful use of our garden and to provide further privacy for our bedrooms that face south into the Wells Fargo lands. It was also agreed that the widened buffer zone is to be expanded east to include our adjoining property at 170 Seaview Avenue and is to wrap around and protect the existing banyan tree at the south west corner of our land. I believe it is incumbent on Frisbie to provide the same or similar provisions behind our neighbours’ properties running east along the north edge of their proposed laneway. Frisbie has committed to include this buffer zone in the development plans and to arrange for the maintenance of it, in perpetuity. It was also agreed that such arrangement is to be confirmed in a registered covenant on title of the East Plaza lands for enforcement purposes.
2. They have also agreed to incorporate a no parking restriction on their proposed new private laneway and impose a restriction on the use of it for only access to the proposed attached garages to the proposed three new homes and for 136 Seaview’s garage access. We do have a concern how this will be enforced as the control will be with a condominium corporation that might have other priorities. In this regards, we believe the laneway can and should be reduced in width from a wide 20’ to a 14’0” laneway considering it will only be used for access to 4 homes to park up to 8 cars. The narrowed laneway would cause the home owners to ensure no one blocks their laneway access to their attached garages. This is important to us, as immediate neighbours, for our peaceful use of our back gardens without hearing any vehicles parking and idling on this laneway. As such, it should be a condition of approval.
3. All the neighbours who are party to the joint Seaview letter are concerned that our one way Seaview Avenue ends up as a major link to East Plaza. It should be blocked as we do not need the additional burden of East Plaza overflow visitors and construction/maintenance/ delivery vehicles abusing it as well using Seaview Avenue as a shortcut to East Plaza or to idle and to park on Seaview.
Physical measures to prevent this potential abuse should be incorporated in any approval.
4. Frisbie will need to block out third floor windows in their conversion from commercial to residential of the upper 3 rd floor of the Wells Fargo Building at the east end of Seaview. This is required as when the room lights are left on, the lights can be seen from South Ocean Drive. It is an eyesore and a nuisance.
5. I understand that Frisbie are now introducing a surface lot to the west end of the proposed development. It will be south of our Seaview home and adjacent property and we have noise and shining headlight concerns with the location of the proposed surface lot. Also, as our 170 Seaview property will have openings in the green buffer zone for access to FPL transformers. Therefore, we request there be a solid screen (such as a concrete feature wall with greenery) at the north end of the surface parking lot to deflect sound from car doors opening and closing and to block out engine noises as well as to block shining headlights onto our property as well as other neighbours' property. As another counter measure to protect against noise and shining lights, the north end of the proposed surface parking lot should be located at least 50 feet south of our 170 Seaview Avenue property line.
Subject to these explicit conditions which are essential to the proper functioning of the project and community and good planning, and subject to the securement of these conditions as part of any approval, we are prepared to support the redevelopment of the Wells Fargo lands.
With regards and respectively,
David Feldman.
Received via email 3.1.24:
Re: Wells Fargo Property Development - Frisbie/ Related Group
Dear Mayor and Town Council:
We are writing to:
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
Received via email 3.1.24:
We are writing to express our vehement opposition to the Frisbie Group’s rezoning request for the proposed 40-unit East Plaza development adjacent to our quiet one-way street, Seaview Avenue. As a collective group of neighbors from the ocean block of Seaview Ave, we have come together to form the “Seaview Preservation Alliance” in our unified objection to the numerous and colossal structures that the Frisbie Group plans to build. Countless phone calls, emails, and impassioned meetings have led us to use our combined voices in an effort to preserve our neighborhood. The prospect of tall buildings looming over our homes, accompanied by years of loud and dusty construction, has compelled us to write this letter to the members of the Town Council. While we do not oppose the redevelopment of the Wells Fargo site, we have several major concerns regarding the Frisbie Group’s current plans, and we ask that the Town of Palm Beach agree to our following requests:
4. No rezoning of the site to a PUD-C.
5. No use of Seaview Avenue as an access point for any vehicles entering or exiting the East Plaza development.
6. No underground parking for units in the East Plaza which would raise the 2 storey height allowance.
7. Any proposed alleyway adjacent to the south side of Seaview Ave must not be accessed by Seaview Ave, be limited to 14 feet, and only used for emergency vehicles and private resident access to garages. No residential, visitor, service, or maintenance vehicles will be permitted to drive, park, or idle along this alleyway.
8. Required privacy screening between the south side of Seaview Ave and the proposed alleyway as well as the east-facing side of the Wells Fargo Building along South County Rd.
For further clarification, please consider the following reasoning for each of these objection points.
9. No rezoning of the site to a PUD-C
We strongly object to the proposed rezoning of the three separately-zoned lots to a Planned Unit Development-Commercial (PUD-C). This PUD type of zoning allows for greater flexibility in land use regulations and could lead to consequences such as increased traffic congestion, decreased property values, and a loss of the peaceful atmosphere that attracted many of us to this residential area in the first place. Rezoning the CTS and CPC lots east of South County Road and north of Royal Palm Way will drastically change the character of the roadways in the heart of Palm Beach. Not only will the rezoning allow for greater building height allowances, higher density housing, and parking problems, it will open the door for unrestricted and continued future development.
10. No use of Seaview Avenue as an access point
One of our greatest concerns revolves around any plans to use our narrow, one-way street as an access point of any kind for the East Plaza development. Our established residential street was not designed to accommodate the traffic volume that such a large-scale development would inevitably bring. Residents, guests, domestic staff, landscapers, waste removal, and utility trucks would bring a drastic increase in vehicles regularly to the street every single day. The increased traffic would not only pose safety hazards to young and elderly residents, pedestrians, and cyclists but also disrupt the tranquility of our neighborhood which is already heavily used as a walkway to the town beaches at South Ocean Blvd and Clarke Ave. Furthermore, increased traffic flow from the egress of Seaview Ave onto South County Rd will further disrupt the congested and dangerous intersection especially during the hours of school dropoff and pickup, which requires daily police monitoring during these times. Currently, the “Right Turn Only” traffic sign is rarely obeyed, and if additional residents and service vehicles from the East Plaza development use Seaview Ave as their access road, the likelihood of traffic accidents at this intersection will greatly increase on this blind turn.
11. No underground parking for designed units in East Plaza
The Frisbie Group’s proposal to create underground parking for the East Plaza is ecologically unsound and will raise the height of the residential units considerably. Palm Beach’s already high-water table and nearly-impenetrable coral bedrock make digging underground practically impossible and will cause unnecessary noise, vibration, and damage to our Seaview homes.
Beyond the structural dangers of excavation, undermining this natural foundation over such large acreage poses an environmental hazard to the island. Disrupting the foundation layer of this barrier island and altering the floodplains will be destructive beyond repair and pose major threats during hurricane season and king tides. Underground garage construction would have devastating environmental effects to the coral barrier reef, the stability of the surrounding lands, the water table, and most relevant to us, all the surrounding foundations of our homes. No amount of insurance, assurance, or promises made by the Frisbie Group could reverse these adverse consequences, known or otherwise, after the fact. Moreover, if such major subterranean excavation is allowed, this allowance could have statewide consequences on future construction on environmentally unstable land. While we appreciate the Frisbie Group’s attempt to alleviate parking problems, the “underground” parking will likely only be partially below ground level, making the overall height of the semi-detached and condo-style units well above neighborhood standard and not in keeping with the architecture of the entire island. These units will shade Royal Palm Way and obstruct the open skyline that is vital to preserving the natural charm of Palm Beach. The proposed height of the units along Royal Palm Way with underground parking would grossly exceed 50 feet and forever change the horizon of this island.
12. Limited width and access to alleyway
We understand that the town’s emergency vehicles as well as East Plaza residents with
north-facing garages will need to access an alleyway between the south side of Seaview and the north side of the East Plaza. We ask that this alleyway not have an ingress from Seaview Ave and only use the ingress from South Ocean Blvd. This alleyway should be limited to 14 feet, the minimum allowable for emergency vehicle access, to make it illegal to park service trucks on this private alleyway. To reduce traffic as well as sound and light pollution, we request that no parking, idling, or service vehicles of any kind (including but not limited to landscaping, construction, maintenance, catering, moving, or domestic staff) be allowed in this alleyway or garage entrances for the safety and tranquility of the neighboring Seaview Averesidents.
13. Privacy screening
We are united in protecting the residential privacy of the houses along the south side of Seaview Ave. These houses were each purchased and built intentionally because no roadway, houses, or backyards directly abutted them. In order to maintain the secluded nature of these properties, we ask that the Frisbie Group create and maintain into perpetuity a 15 foot wide and tall, professionally landscaped greenery buffer for noise and light reduction. The greenery buffer should be densely planted to eliminate noise and bright lights that will impact the quality of life for the residents of Seaview Ave. We request additional privacy screening on the east-facing side of the Wells Fargo Building along South County Rd, since the Frisbie Group plans to convert third floor office space into residential units. Currently, lights from these existing windows are extinguished at the end of regular office hours, yet once these offices are inhabited as residential living spaces, lights will shine directly above Seaview Ave residents at all hours.
In addition to these listed concerns, we worry about the strain this large development would place on our island’s resources, including public space, schools, utilities, and emergency services. Without adequate infrastructure in place or even available to support such a significant increase in population density, our town risks losing its unique character and quality of life.
We urge the Town Council to carefully consider the long-term implications of this proposed development on our community and the entire town. Instead of prioritizing short-term economic gains and succumbing to the pressures of Wells Fargo and the Frisbie Group, we ask that you prioritize the well-being of residents and preserve the charm and integrity of our town. The original East Plaza platting for low-density residences, no access to Seaview Ave, and no underground parking is more homogenous with the surrounding and more environmentally sound with native landscaping potential given its central location on the island.
We respectfully request that the Town Council reject the rezoning application, refuse access to Seaview Ave, limit the parking and height restrictions, restrict access to the proposed alleyway, provide privacy screening, and explore alternative plans that are more in line with the values and needs of our established community.
Thank you for considering our concerns. We trust that you will make the right decision for the future of Palm Beach. We look forward to finding solutions together at the upcoming Town Hall Meetings in March.
Sincerely,
Seaview Preservation Alliance
131 Seaview Ave - Matthew & Anne Iorio
135 Seaview Ave - Ann Jackson & Win Lewis
136 Seaview Ave - Barbara Presley Tilman
141 Seaview Ave - Alan & Renée Gozlan
151 Seaview Ave - John Firestone
160 Seaview Ave - David & Angela Feldman
167 Seaview Ave - Joan Gullans & Garrett Pluck
169 Seaview Ave - Rick & Darcy Zacher & children
170 Seaview Ave - Angela Feldman on behalf of Seaview Holdings Inc.
Received via email 1.21.24:
Dear Mayor & Council,
I did attend the meeting on this January 9th in the Town Hall. I stayed as long as I could but, had to leave for another appointment prior to being able to make a comment during the public comment period.
I believe I can still comment since this was the first presentation by Frisbie
I live in 100 Royal Palm Way AS. My condo faces East, Ocean Blvd and the Ocean not Royal Palm Way. If I go to the edge of my balcony I can look down Royal Palm Way in a westerly direction and look North squarely at the front of the existing building on the corner of Royal Palm Way. My condo is above the proposed three story strnctures on Royal Palm Way but, I am 100% in support of my building neighbor's objection to a variance of the two story ordinance. These structures will change the character of Palm Beach and the serenity feel of Royal Palm Way as when we moved to Florida in 2005. My Parent's had home at West Indies and then a home now demolished at 1485 S. Ocean Blvd in the '80's &'early '90's.
In addition what I object to is the view of the imposing mass effect look of all the buildings proposed to be constructed almost 15 feet from the Royal Palm Way curb. Attach is copy of a sketch of the fac;ade and landscaping of the Frisbee development facing Royal Palm way appearing in news articles and also a photo of the existing hedging to the existing parking lot at the same spot. The hedging is typical in the residential areas of Palm Beach. Frisbie's Development is not how I visualize Palm Beach.
Traffic is my real concern. See a congratulatory for the Town Council Front-page Sunday January 14, 2024 OPINlON article in the Palm Beach Daily New, and let's repeat it. Royal Palm W ay is already highly trafficked and heavily parked. Royal Palm Way is the only Road in Palm Beach that runs without turns from Ocean to over the Intercoastal through mid-town and used heavily for access to and from other areas of Florida. Add local services like garbage & landscape cuttings collections, beach-goers constant search for parking, both drop-off and pick-up school children, the new hotel traffic, rush hours' time and duration with the frequent bridge openings and you have chaos, compounded by traffic signal button pushing pedestrians. This is similar and I believe much worse than the area at Royal Poinciana and Coconut Way. A traffic problem for the Town, that is still "Work in Progress".
Regardless of the presentation, there is additional density by the proposed Development, people density. Maybe a reduction in building footprint but, the area is and will be crowded with people as well as occupants of the refurbished Hotel, new residents, restaurant diners, existing commercial and beach-goers, a New York City type pedestrian use traffic pattern. I recall, I believe three years ago, a pedestrian was killed by a construction vehicle at the corner of Royal Palm Way & County Road.
Sincerely,
Joseph Muscarelle
P.S. See attachments