a. ZON-23-020 (COA-23-003) 139 N COUNTY RD—THE PARAMOUNT THEATER (COMBO)—SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS WITH SITE PLAN REVIEW AND VARIANCES. The applicant, WEG Paramount LLC, has filed an application requesting Town Council review and approval for a Special Exception with Site Plan Review for the renovation and adaptive re-use of an existing Landmarked theater structure, including Special Exception requests (1) to permit Private Club use in the C-TS district, (2) for square footage greater than 3,000 SF in the C-TS district, (3) for Outdoor café seating use associated with a private club in the C-TS district,(4) for shared parking in the C-TS district, (5) for a modification to a previously approved Special Exception for Churches, synagogues or other houses of worship, and (6) for approval for supplemental off-site shared parking. The applicant is also seeking Site Plan Review for new building(s) or for changes in a permitted use in Sec. 134-1107 which involve more than 2000 square feet of building floor area in the C-TS zoning district. Additionally, the applicant is seeking the review and approval for three (3) Variances (1) to allow generators on a roof(s), (2) to exceed the maximum height of a screening wall for mechanical equipment on a roof, and (3) to exceed the maximum distance separation for supplemental off-site shared parking located further than 500 feet from the subject property. The Landmarks Preservation Commission will perform the design review.
TIME CERTAIN 2:00 PM
I am a resident of the Palm Beach Towers and since Covid there are 100% more pedestrians 🚶‍♀️ using the Lake Trail in front of 44 Coccoanut Row, not only do we have to dodge more pedestrians but we will have to dodge even more cars turning right into the Breakers overflow parking lot. There have been several accidents and any increase of traffic will increase the likelihood of personal injuries.
When is the Town Council going to acknowledge that more is not better?
I am an owner of a unit at the Palm Beach Towers overlooking the Breakers parking lot and
I strongly object to the use of this normally quiet area for nighttime parking. The added traffic will disturb our enjoyment of our open terrace where we dine most evenings. The added problems of access and exit to our own property with increased traffic makes our life even more miserable. We pay enormous taxes to our town to protect us from overcrowding and overdevelopment. This insane parking arrangement cannot go forward.
It is long past due for this Paramount expansion project to be denied once and for all. All of the project's fatal flaws have been discussed ad nauseam and the community's outcry and outrage is undeniable.
You all as the Town Council have spoken loud and clear with last month's passing of a "Zoning In Progress." Your action was subsequently supported by the traffic study's confirmation of the dire road conditions throughout Town, and specifically near the Paramount on County, Sunset and Sunrise. Your eyes and ears, and those of your constituents, have led you to the abundantly obvious conclusion: Palm Beach doesn't have room to accommodate additional restaurants, bars and clubs. There is no merit to the "grandfathered-in" argument in relation to the Paramount being exempt from this Zoning In Progress. Traffic congestion and over-intensification are always objectively bad, and we cannot allow an application date technicality to negatively redefine the character and way of life in this great town.
Peak and off-peak occupancy limits won't fix this. Off-site parking 0.7 miles away definitely won't fix this. There's a reason why Town Code doesn't allow over 500 feet of distance between the property and off-site parking. How about the fact that The Breakers has employees working and parked at 40 Cocoanut Row until 5:30 pm overlapping with the Paramount's desired use of the lot? Or what about when the Cavallino Ferrari show at The Breakers uses 40 Cocoanut Row as a staging ground for support crews and overflow parking? The Cavallino show is during peak season when Club Paramount, and its parking needs, would also be in peak demand. Does the contract give The Breakers priority in their own lot during events like that? Where will all 412 Club Paramount goers park on a day like that?
A club cannot be allowed to operate like this in such a central and heavily-traveled part of town. The needs of many have to trump the desires of a few.
The Paramount should be solely residential or modeled after Via Flagler. Present this compromise as an ultimatum to the Paramount developers. It's about time they're told to "take it or leave it."
Dear Town Council Members,
I strongly oppose the scheme of the Paramount project to use The Breakers employee parking lot on Whitehall Way/Cocoanut Row to provide evening and late night valet parking for the proposed Paramount Private Club patrons. If put in place, the resulting noise, annoyance, and traffic congestion will hugely impact the quiet enjoyment of the many residents of 44 Cocoanut Row (Palm Beach Towers) whose apartments abut that parking area. It will also cause traffic congestion to visitors of Royal Poinciana Plaza and those who use Cocoanut Row to access their homes on Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue. As a resident of Palm Beach Towers, I ask that you reject this intrusive plan which will disrupt our neighborhood and surrounding streets.
Respectfully,
Susan Watts
44 Cocoanut Row
I have lived in Palm Beach on The 100 block of Sunset avenue for 25 years. It’s a lovely place to have a home , especially on our quiet residential street. Unfortunately with the growth of Palm Beach and development in our area ( We now have 12 restaurants , many new shops and a renovated and enlarged Publix within two blocks) it’s changed. As the recent traffic study confirmed, we have reached our limit. Our neighborhoods infrastructure can not support the coversion of the Paramount into a large private club. The intersection of Sunset and North County is rated E the worst in Town. The club proposes approval of a daily attendence of 962 individuals which will only exacerbate our traffic and standard of life issues.
I can not support a project that reduces our quality of life and limits access to the Paramount , a Palm Beach historic asset, to an entitled few . I therefore oppose the approval of this project . I encourage the town council to reject the application.
If the town council votes to move forward with this project there are issues that myself and the residents of our block feel must be be taken into consideration .
1. Convert 100 Sunset ave to permit only parking
Sunset ave has 23 parking spaces available to the public after 5:30 PM. We use these for guests, service workers and for the residents of the 23 unit Mizner ct apartments at 184 Sunset Ave, that has no dedicated parking.
Our concern is that club members and guests who do not want to use a valet will take up all of these spots . In discussions with Wayne Bergman Director of Planning, Zoning & Building he told us that Phipps Plaza the street next to the Carrige house was given this accommodation. He suggested we persue it with the town Council and that they should be open to giving us the same accommodation .
The Paramount has proposed that they just encourage members and guests who do not use valet with undefined penalties if they find that they parkon our street. Their plan has no way of stopping or monitoring them. This is not acceptable to us. We want parking regulations controlled by Palm Beach parking enforcement not delegated to a Private club .
Picture of Phipps road parking sign and the Carriage house.
2. Retention of the main entrance on North County Road with Valets
Relocating the main entrance to Sunset Ave would significantly change the character of our residential street. In addition this would direct more traffic all day and especially at peak hours to the Sunset ave and North county rd intersection , the most congested in Palm Beach. Sunset ave is a two lane residential street, access is frequently reduced to one lane because of delivery and service vehicals . At the traditional entrance on County road the street is three lanes on the east side and two lanes on the west side. The town has approved this valet structure on county road for La Goulue, Cafe L’Europe and Buccan. This traffic pattern would reduce congestion at County rd and Sunset better enabling traffic flow for residents of the north end and emergency vehicals .
Thank You for your consideration .
Vincent Cloud
146 Sunset Ave
Co-chair of the 100-block Sunset Avenue Group
Please see the attached additional public comments received as of 7.10.24
I am a resident of the Palm Beach Towers and since Covid there are 100% more pedestrians 🚶‍♀️ using the Lake Trail in front of 44 Coccoanut Row, not only do we have to dodge more pedestrians but we will have to dodge even more cars turning right into the Breakers overflow parking lot. There have been several accidents and any increase of traffic will increase the likelihood of personal injuries.
When is the Town Council going to acknowledge that more is not better?
I am an owner of a unit at the Palm Beach Towers overlooking the Breakers parking lot and
I strongly object to the use of this normally quiet area for nighttime parking. The added traffic will disturb our enjoyment of our open terrace where we dine most evenings. The added problems of access and exit to our own property with increased traffic makes our life even more miserable. We pay enormous taxes to our town to protect us from overcrowding and overdevelopment. This insane parking arrangement cannot go forward.
From:
Elinor Belfer
120 Sunset Avenue, Apt. 3C
Re: 139 N. County Road aka Paramount
Dear Mayor and Town Council,
It is long past due for this Paramount expansion project to be denied once and for all. All of the project's fatal flaws have been discussed ad nauseam and the community's outcry and outrage is undeniable.
You all as the Town Council have spoken loud and clear with last month's passing of a "Zoning In Progress." Your action was subsequently supported by the traffic study's confirmation of the dire road conditions throughout Town, and specifically near the Paramount on County, Sunset and Sunrise. Your eyes and ears, and those of your constituents, have led you to the abundantly obvious conclusion: Palm Beach doesn't have room to accommodate additional restaurants, bars and clubs. There is no merit to the "grandfathered-in" argument in relation to the Paramount being exempt from this Zoning In Progress. Traffic congestion and over-intensification are always objectively bad, and we cannot allow an application date technicality to negatively redefine the character and way of life in this great town.
Peak and off-peak occupancy limits won't fix this. Off-site parking 0.7 miles away definitely won't fix this. There's a reason why Town Code doesn't allow over 500 feet of distance between the property and off-site parking. How about the fact that The Breakers has employees working and parked at 40 Cocoanut Row until 5:30 pm overlapping with the Paramount's desired use of the lot? Or what about when the Cavallino Ferrari show at The Breakers uses 40 Cocoanut Row as a staging ground for support crews and overflow parking? The Cavallino show is during peak season when Club Paramount, and its parking needs, would also be in peak demand. Does the contract give The Breakers priority in their own lot during events like that? Where will all 412 Club Paramount goers park on a day like that?
A club cannot be allowed to operate like this in such a central and heavily-traveled part of town. The needs of many have to trump the desires of a few.
The Paramount should be solely residential or modeled after Via Flagler. Present this compromise as an ultimatum to the Paramount developers. It's about time they're told to "take it or leave it."
Sincerely,
Elinor Belfer
Please see the attached public comments received as of 7.8.24
Dear Town Council Members,
I strongly oppose the scheme of the Paramount project to use The Breakers employee parking lot on Whitehall Way/Cocoanut Row to provide evening and late night valet parking for the proposed Paramount Private Club patrons. If put in place, the resulting noise, annoyance, and traffic congestion will hugely impact the quiet enjoyment of the many residents of 44 Cocoanut Row (Palm Beach Towers) whose apartments abut that parking area. It will also cause traffic congestion to visitors of Royal Poinciana Plaza and those who use Cocoanut Row to access their homes on Barton Avenue and Pendleton Avenue. As a resident of Palm Beach Towers, I ask that you reject this intrusive plan which will disrupt our neighborhood and surrounding streets.
Respectfully,
Susan Watts
44 Cocoanut Row
Town Counci Members
I have lived in Palm Beach on The 100 block of Sunset avenue for 25 years. It’s a lovely place to have a home , especially on our quiet residential street. Unfortunately with the growth of Palm Beach and development in our area ( We now have 12 restaurants , many new shops and a renovated and enlarged Publix within two blocks) it’s changed. As the recent traffic study confirmed, we have reached our limit. Our neighborhoods infrastructure can not support the coversion of the Paramount into a large private club. The intersection of Sunset and North County is rated E the worst in Town. The club proposes approval of a daily attendence of 962 individuals which will only exacerbate our traffic and standard of life issues.
I can not support a project that reduces our quality of life and limits access to the Paramount , a Palm Beach historic asset, to an entitled few . I therefore oppose the approval of this project . I encourage the town council to reject the application.
If the town council votes to move forward with this project there are issues that myself and the residents of our block feel must be be taken into consideration .
1. Convert 100 Sunset ave to permit only parking
Sunset ave has 23 parking spaces available to the public after 5:30 PM. We use these for guests, service workers and for the residents of the 23 unit Mizner ct apartments at 184 Sunset Ave, that has no dedicated parking.
Our concern is that club members and guests who do not want to use a valet will take up all of these spots . In discussions with Wayne Bergman Director of Planning, Zoning & Building he told us that Phipps Plaza the street next to the Carrige house was given this accommodation. He suggested we persue it with the town Council and that they should be open to giving us the same accommodation .
The Paramount has proposed that they just encourage members and guests who do not use valet with undefined penalties if they find that they parkon our street. Their plan has no way of stopping or monitoring them. This is not acceptable to us. We want parking regulations controlled by Palm Beach parking enforcement not delegated to a Private club .
Picture of Phipps road parking sign and the Carriage house.
2. Retention of the main entrance on North County Road with Valets
Relocating the main entrance to Sunset Ave would significantly change the character of our residential street. In addition this would direct more traffic all day and especially at peak hours to the Sunset ave and North county rd intersection , the most congested in Palm Beach. Sunset ave is a two lane residential street, access is frequently reduced to one lane because of delivery and service vehicals . At the traditional entrance on County road the street is three lanes on the east side and two lanes on the west side. The town has approved this valet structure on county road for La Goulue, Cafe L’Europe and Buccan. This traffic pattern would reduce congestion at County rd and Sunset better enabling traffic flow for residents of the north end and emergency vehicals .
Thank You for your consideration .
Vincent Cloud
146 Sunset Ave
Co-chair of the 100-block Sunset Avenue Group
Sent from my iPhone
Rick Smith 130 Sunrise Ave- Oppose Application
For all reasons set forth in various e mails to the Town Council and Staff.