6. ARC-24-071 12 VIA VIZCAYA The applicant, County Down Trust (Jonathan Clay), has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission review and approval for new vehicle entry gate, columns and fence on a vacant parcel of land.
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
11 months ago
Received via email 5.10.24:
Dear Members of ARCOM,
This email is written with regard to the upcoming review of 12 Via Vizcaya on May 29.
There has been concern about the proposal of pillars and a drive path on the empty lot in particular. If possible, it would be most helpful for members of ARCOM to visit 12 Via Vizcaya prior to review, taking into consideration the adjacent properties and landscaping on our charming circular street.
Also please know, as residents of the Town of Palm Beach, we appreciate your effort and expertise!!
Warmest thanks,
Dina Wexler, DDS
14 Via Vizcaya
Received via email 5.13.24:
Dear Members of ARCOM,
I am writing regarding the proposal to allow a 14ft rolling gate with pillars on the vacant lot at #12 Via Vizcaya. I respectfully request that before considering this proposal ARCOM members review our Via Vizcaya circle. We have a unique irregular circle as our street and I do not feel that this proposal has considered the existing homes and the tight proximity. We do not need gates and pillars at each property.
Thank you for your thoughtful review of this matter and your service to our Town.
Respectfully,
Monnie B. Donnelley
4 Via Vizcaya
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Received via email 5.13.24:
Dear ARCOM Members,
We live within the Via Vizcaya neighborhood at 9 Via Vizcaya and were notified regarding the ARCOM application for hardscape and landscape renovations submitted by our neighbors, the Clays, for their property at 12 Via Vizcaya (ARC-24-071), which is scheduled for the May 29, 2024 ARCOM meeting.
We have reviewed the plans for the hardscape and landscape changes dated April 16, 2024, and voice the following the concerns and objections:
• The black vinyl chain link fence is proposed for the front yard, and will essentially run the length of the property, and be parallel to Via Vizcaya. Black vinyl chain link is not a material suitable for use in the Town unless it is completely hidden by landscaping and located in the back or rear side yards of a property. And while native plantings are proposed to be installed between the fence and the road, the way in which the plantings are being done will not completely (100%) screen the fence from view from the street. In fact, we believe that a great deal of this inferior product will be visible to the entire neighbourhood. A more suitable material should be used instead for the fencing of the property. Furthermore, whilst the six (6)-foot fence does meet Town Code, a shorter four (4)-foot fence would provide the same security and would be far less noticeable. To the knowledge of the local professionals I have spoken to about this, ARCOM has never approved a six (6)-foot high black vinyl fence in the front yard of a property in the Town, even when the fence would actually be completely screened from view.
• The proposed six (6)-foot high columns are utilitarian in design and lack any style whatsoever. The scale of the proposed columns is also oversized at 2 feet X 2 feet for the fence and gate they are attached to. Furthermore, as stated above, four (4)-foot high columns will suffice.
• The proposed design of the six (6)-foot high metal gate is aesthetically unpleasing, and whilst there appears to have been an attempt to mimic the design of the balcony railings at 11 Via Vizcaya, the design of the gate falls far short. The balcony railings are more open, simple and airy, whilst the design of the driveway gate is hard and more fortress-like and appears to be completely opaque without any sense of airiness.
We feel these modifications as designed do not come close to meeting the high standards for approval established by ARCOM, and we respectfully request the Commission deny the Clay’s requests for these changes. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Kim Bepler
9 Via Vizcaya
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Received via email 5.16.24:
Please review the following:
• Sheet L1.0 – Existing Vegetation does not depict the current condition of the lot.
• Sheet L1.1 – Existing Conditions/Images does not show the current landscape status in disrepair with destruction of the private easement, damage to curb with gravel in the street, etc. The 1.5” curb is destroyed.
• Sheet 2.2 -Site Plan
o Chain Link fence is not appropriate for a front elevation. The plan does not call for a hedge to conceal the fence. A chain link fence is not appropriate material as it cheapens the appearance of the lot/neighborhood. The proposed vegetation is not dense enough to conceal the fence.
o The proposed Vehicular/ Maintenance Rolling Gate is not appropriate from functional or aesthetic perspectives.
There is no proposed hardscape for vehicles to park (which may be a code violation)
All Landscape Maintenance companies that service the Via Vizcaya circle park on the street. Allowing cars/trucks to enter the lot creates a mud situation on the streetscape. This is currently happening during vegetation installation and the lot owner has placed plywood on the grass to lessen the damage from the mud. The plywood has been present for months and is an eyesore from the street.
The concept of a rolling gate does not make functional sense. What are you trying to protect, grass? There is no house.
The proposed gate makes one think that the demolition team forgot to remove the gate when they cleared the lot.
• Sheet L3.0 - Landscape Plan
o The chain link fence is not properly concealed with the current trees and ground cover. No hedge is specified.
o The Holly Trees in 25 Gallon pots placed in front of the proposed rolling gate seem link an afterthought and not a permanent solution. Once again, the form does not follow function. Are the service people, going to remove the pots to access the rolling gate?
• Sheet L4 – Front Elevation
o Does not depict the chain link fence.
o Does not depict the Removable Potted Plants in front of the proposed gate.
The applicant has a history of repeated code violations for this property. The Code Enforcement officers from the Town made multiple warnings/attempts to bring the lot up to code. Unfortunately, the applicant ignored their actions for an extended period. Ultimately, the applicant was fined by the Code Enforcement Board.
The purpose of this letter is to safeguard the aesthetic qualities of our neighborhood. The application as presented disrupts the serenity of the neighbors on the circle of Via Vizcaya.
Please direct and guide the applicant to submit a revised plan that creates an aesthetic harmony which is the foundation of the beauty of Palm Beach as well as being in balance with the neighboring properties.
All the best,
Gary Wexler
14 Via Vizcaya
Received via email 5.10.24:
Dear Members of ARCOM,
This email is written with regard to the upcoming review of 12 Via Vizcaya on May 29.
There has been concern about the proposal of pillars and a drive path on the empty lot in particular. If possible, it would be most helpful for members of ARCOM to visit 12 Via Vizcaya prior to review, taking into consideration the adjacent properties and landscaping on our charming circular street.
Also please know, as residents of the Town of Palm Beach, we appreciate your effort and expertise!!
Warmest thanks,
Dina Wexler, DDS
14 Via Vizcaya
Received via email 5.13.24:
Dear Members of ARCOM,
I am writing regarding the proposal to allow a 14ft rolling gate with pillars on the vacant lot at #12 Via Vizcaya. I respectfully request that before considering this proposal ARCOM members review our Via Vizcaya circle. We have a unique irregular circle as our street and I do not feel that this proposal has considered the existing homes and the tight proximity. We do not need gates and pillars at each property.
Thank you for your thoughtful review of this matter and your service to our Town.
Respectfully,
Monnie B. Donnelley
4 Via Vizcaya
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Received via email 5.13.24:
Dear ARCOM Members,
We live within the Via Vizcaya neighborhood at 9 Via Vizcaya and were notified regarding the ARCOM application for hardscape and landscape renovations submitted by our neighbors, the Clays, for their property at 12 Via Vizcaya (ARC-24-071), which is scheduled for the May 29, 2024 ARCOM meeting.
We have reviewed the plans for the hardscape and landscape changes dated April 16, 2024, and voice the following the concerns and objections:
• The black vinyl chain link fence is proposed for the front yard, and will essentially run the length of the property, and be parallel to Via Vizcaya. Black vinyl chain link is not a material suitable for use in the Town unless it is completely hidden by landscaping and located in the back or rear side yards of a property. And while native plantings are proposed to be installed between the fence and the road, the way in which the plantings are being done will not completely (100%) screen the fence from view from the street. In fact, we believe that a great deal of this inferior product will be visible to the entire neighbourhood. A more suitable material should be used instead for the fencing of the property. Furthermore, whilst the six (6)-foot fence does meet Town Code, a shorter four (4)-foot fence would provide the same security and would be far less noticeable. To the knowledge of the local professionals I have spoken to about this, ARCOM has never approved a six (6)-foot high black vinyl fence in the front yard of a property in the Town, even when the fence would actually be completely screened from view.
• The proposed six (6)-foot high columns are utilitarian in design and lack any style whatsoever. The scale of the proposed columns is also oversized at 2 feet X 2 feet for the fence and gate they are attached to. Furthermore, as stated above, four (4)-foot high columns will suffice.
• The proposed design of the six (6)-foot high metal gate is aesthetically unpleasing, and whilst there appears to have been an attempt to mimic the design of the balcony railings at 11 Via Vizcaya, the design of the gate falls far short. The balcony railings are more open, simple and airy, whilst the design of the driveway gate is hard and more fortress-like and appears to be completely opaque without any sense of airiness.
We feel these modifications as designed do not come close to meeting the high standards for approval established by ARCOM, and we respectfully request the Commission deny the Clay’s requests for these changes. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.
Sincerely,
Kim Bepler
9 Via Vizcaya
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Received via email 5.16.24:
Please review the following:
• Sheet L1.0 – Existing Vegetation does not depict the current condition of the lot.
• Sheet L1.1 – Existing Conditions/Images does not show the current landscape status in disrepair with destruction of the private easement, damage to curb with gravel in the street, etc. The 1.5” curb is destroyed.
• Sheet 2.2 -Site Plan
o Chain Link fence is not appropriate for a front elevation. The plan does not call for a hedge to conceal the fence. A chain link fence is not appropriate material as it cheapens the appearance of the lot/neighborhood. The proposed vegetation is not dense enough to conceal the fence.
o The proposed Vehicular/ Maintenance Rolling Gate is not appropriate from functional or aesthetic perspectives.
There is no proposed hardscape for vehicles to park (which may be a code violation)
All Landscape Maintenance companies that service the Via Vizcaya circle park on the street. Allowing cars/trucks to enter the lot creates a mud situation on the streetscape. This is currently happening during vegetation installation and the lot owner has placed plywood on the grass to lessen the damage from the mud. The plywood has been present for months and is an eyesore from the street.
The concept of a rolling gate does not make functional sense. What are you trying to protect, grass? There is no house.
The proposed gate makes one think that the demolition team forgot to remove the gate when they cleared the lot.
• Sheet L3.0 - Landscape Plan
o The chain link fence is not properly concealed with the current trees and ground cover. No hedge is specified.
o The Holly Trees in 25 Gallon pots placed in front of the proposed rolling gate seem link an afterthought and not a permanent solution. Once again, the form does not follow function. Are the service people, going to remove the pots to access the rolling gate?
• Sheet L4 – Front Elevation
o Does not depict the chain link fence.
o Does not depict the Removable Potted Plants in front of the proposed gate.
The applicant has a history of repeated code violations for this property. The Code Enforcement officers from the Town made multiple warnings/attempts to bring the lot up to code. Unfortunately, the applicant ignored their actions for an extended period. Ultimately, the applicant was fined by the Code Enforcement Board.
The purpose of this letter is to safeguard the aesthetic qualities of our neighborhood. The application as presented disrupts the serenity of the neighbors on the circle of Via Vizcaya.
Please direct and guide the applicant to submit a revised plan that creates an aesthetic harmony which is the foundation of the beauty of Palm Beach as well as being in balance with the neighboring properties.
All the best,
Gary Wexler
14 Via Vizcaya