1. ARC-24-035 (ZON-24-043) 620 N LAKE WAY (COMBO) The applicant, Ocean Front Avenue 2, LLC, a VA limited liability company (Don & Donna Whitaker), has filed an application requesting Architectural Commission review and approval for construction of a new two-story single-family residence with final hardscape landscape and swimming pool, with variances for building height and cubic content ratio. This is a combo application that shall be reviewed by Town Council as it pertains to zoning relief/approval. 
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
10 months ago
Received 6.24.24:
There are quite a few examples of houses that have been torn down and rebuilt in the neighborhood that do fit in well with the existing homes on the north end. Some examples include 301 Plantation, 271 Southland, 272 Southland, and 216 Southland.
I appreciate the time and effort the council puts into preserving the history and aesthetic of Palm Beach while also helping new owners create beautiful homes in keeping with the overall context of the island.
I hope the council and the ARCOM will seriously consider our concerns about 620 N. Lake Way and ask the architect and homeowners to reconsider their current plans in the spirit of collectively preserving the character of our neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
William Curtis
Owner of 624 North Lake Way
Received via email 6.24.24:
Dear Members of ARCOM:
My husband and I are longtime residents of Palm Beach and currently reside at 201 Plantation Rd. I have been told by friends who live at the west end of Southland Rd. that builders of the proposed house for 620 N. Lake Way are asking for a height variance. We are across County Road from the enormously high structure at 615 N. County Rd. which towers over the entire neighborhood. I can only hope that ARCOM would not make the same grevious error again - particularly since the lot in question is already well above the street level. I understand that the builders are also asking for an additional cubic size variance. I believe the town has restrictions for building size to protect residents from this flagrant overbuilding on our smaller lots. I just wish ARCOM would pay more attention to current homeowners rather than developers. Sincerely, Mrs. Christopher Lehman
Received via email 6.24.24:
Dear Town Council Members:
I am writing regarding the proposed house for 620 N. Lake Way, which is currently a vacant lot.
The original house at 620 N. Lake Way– like most houses in our lovely low-key neighborhood was an elegant one-story home. Our home, which is diagonally across at 271 Southland Road, was similarly torn down and rebuilt to fit into the neighborhood. Though our house was designed to the maximum amount of space allowed, it looks as if it has been there for years; it fits. The structure also does not block anyone's light, it doesn't intrude visually, and it complements the existing homes on our street, Plantation, Via Linda, West Indies, and N. Woods. Additionally, when the house across the street from ours on Southland was torn down and built new and to the maximum space allowed it too was done with a thoughtful sensitivity to the surrounding homes. I'll add that the spec house that was just completed in June and located at the other end of Southland was built to the maximum allowed and it too fits in beautifully.
I mention these three specific tear downs and new builds as an example of the thoughtful designs employed that all neighbors approved and happily welcomed as improvements or even upgrades to our neighborhood. I have never felt the need to write a letter to question a new house going up. But when reviewing the plans submitted it struck me that unlike any of the other additions this design simply doesn't fit. I am familiar with the quite excellent architectural design work of Dailey Janssen. Our concern is that this particular design does not at all fit within the overall design vibe of our neighborhood. The second story addition alone– as currently proposed – is a departure from what was there previously and because of the already elevated height of the land feels even more imposing. It appears from drawings that the multiple roof lines add to this sense of volume out of proportion to the lot. To be clear, I'm not opposed to a second story, it's just as currently configured it adds to the mass of the house which seems out of proportion to the lot. Materials used, size of front windows and the louvered panels in no way reflect the style, form or content of any of the other homes nearby. (I know the house at 301 Plantation which is on a lot of a similar size to that of 620 N Lake Way is replacing a one-story home with a two-story home, yet the design fits in nicely and is a complement to homes nearby.) Again, it's not the 2-story design I object to, it's how it is being employed and expressed in the proposed design.
I appreciate the time and effort the council puts into ensuring that the charm of Palm Beach is maintained while also helping new owners create beautiful homes inkeeping with the overall context of the island. During the summer we live in an area which has ZERO oversight and as a result building is a free for all with some unfortunate new homes going up with no recourse. I mention this to emphasize why I so appreciate your efforts in this work.
I hope the council and the ARCOM, will seriously consider our concerns and ask the architect and homeowners to rethink their current plans.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
Cecilia Greene-Verbinnen
Owner 271 Southland Road
Received via email 6.25.24:
Dear Honorable Commissioners:
I write this letter in support of the referenced application submitted by Donna and Donald Whitaker through their company, Ocean Front Avenue 2 LLC.
As you know, the proposed home is of a modern design, but it will be profoundly historical in that it is inspired by the Palm Beach residences of the past which were designed by Alfred Browning Parker. In a sense, history will be restored.
The proposed residence is situated in the north end. This north neighborhood has been dotted with modern residences since 1936 when “The Reef” at 702 North County Road was designed by Maurice Fatio. (This was designated a landmark in 1990.) In about 1980, a modern home designed by Richard Meier was constructed at 958 North Lake Way. A few years ago, my wife, Rita, and I completed a modern home at 237 Ridgeview Drive which was designed by the inimitable Jeff Smith.
At the time the foregoing homes were built, they were located on streets with few or no other modern homes – yet they contribute to the natural variety of styles on the island. Indeed, Palm Beach is home to Modern, Mediterranean, Bermuda, Georgian, Ranch, French County, Colonial, Classical and other styles – juxtaposed and without repetition (with the exception of Via Los Incas).
In the recent past, many homes have been approved that are two-story, even though neighbors are one-story, and even homes that are two or three times the cubic feet of adjacent houses. This dissimilarity is material, but it is now well-established precedent.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker must follow the requirements of front, side and rear-yard setbacks and the mandates of the building code and such rules protect spacing in the neighborhood. Apart from this compliance, this worthy couple should be able to express themselves as freely as possible in their choice of architectural art.
Please do not succumb to pressures to conform. If every house on our island must be like every other house, we will lose our unique identity.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Paul Rampell
Received 6.24.24:
There are quite a few examples of houses that have been torn down and rebuilt in the neighborhood that do fit in well with the existing homes on the north end. Some examples include 301 Plantation, 271 Southland, 272 Southland, and 216 Southland.
I appreciate the time and effort the council puts into preserving the history and aesthetic of Palm Beach while also helping new owners create beautiful homes in keeping with the overall context of the island.
I hope the council and the ARCOM will seriously consider our concerns about 620 N. Lake Way and ask the architect and homeowners to reconsider their current plans in the spirit of collectively preserving the character of our neighborhood.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
William Curtis
Owner of 624 North Lake Way
Received via email 6.24.24:
Dear Members of ARCOM:
My husband and I are longtime residents of Palm Beach and currently reside at 201 Plantation Rd. I have been told by friends who live at the west end of Southland Rd. that builders of the proposed house for 620 N. Lake Way are asking for a height variance. We are across County Road from the enormously high structure at 615 N. County Rd. which towers over the entire neighborhood. I can only hope that ARCOM would not make the same grevious error again - particularly since the lot in question is already well above the street level. I understand that the builders are also asking for an additional cubic size variance. I believe the town has restrictions for building size to protect residents from this flagrant overbuilding on our smaller lots. I just wish ARCOM would pay more attention to current homeowners rather than developers. Sincerely, Mrs. Christopher Lehman
Received via email 6.24.24:
Dear Town Council Members:
I am writing regarding the proposed house for 620 N. Lake Way, which is currently a vacant lot.
The original house at 620 N. Lake Way– like most houses in our lovely low-key neighborhood was an elegant one-story home. Our home, which is diagonally across at 271 Southland Road, was similarly torn down and rebuilt to fit into the neighborhood. Though our house was designed to the maximum amount of space allowed, it looks as if it has been there for years; it fits. The structure also does not block anyone's light, it doesn't intrude visually, and it complements the existing homes on our street, Plantation, Via Linda, West Indies, and N. Woods. Additionally, when the house across the street from ours on Southland was torn down and built new and to the maximum space allowed it too was done with a thoughtful sensitivity to the surrounding homes. I'll add that the spec house that was just completed in June and located at the other end of Southland was built to the maximum allowed and it too fits in beautifully.
I mention these three specific tear downs and new builds as an example of the thoughtful designs employed that all neighbors approved and happily welcomed as improvements or even upgrades to our neighborhood. I have never felt the need to write a letter to question a new house going up. But when reviewing the plans submitted it struck me that unlike any of the other additions this design simply doesn't fit. I am familiar with the quite excellent architectural design work of Dailey Janssen. Our concern is that this particular design does not at all fit within the overall design vibe of our neighborhood. The second story addition alone– as currently proposed – is a departure from what was there previously and because of the already elevated height of the land feels even more imposing. It appears from drawings that the multiple roof lines add to this sense of volume out of proportion to the lot. To be clear, I'm not opposed to a second story, it's just as currently configured it adds to the mass of the house which seems out of proportion to the lot. Materials used, size of front windows and the louvered panels in no way reflect the style, form or content of any of the other homes nearby. (I know the house at 301 Plantation which is on a lot of a similar size to that of 620 N Lake Way is replacing a one-story home with a two-story home, yet the design fits in nicely and is a complement to homes nearby.) Again, it's not the 2-story design I object to, it's how it is being employed and expressed in the proposed design.
I appreciate the time and effort the council puts into ensuring that the charm of Palm Beach is maintained while also helping new owners create beautiful homes inkeeping with the overall context of the island. During the summer we live in an area which has ZERO oversight and as a result building is a free for all with some unfortunate new homes going up with no recourse. I mention this to emphasize why I so appreciate your efforts in this work.
I hope the council and the ARCOM, will seriously consider our concerns and ask the architect and homeowners to rethink their current plans.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
Cecilia Greene-Verbinnen
Owner 271 Southland Road
Received via email 6.25.24:
Dear Honorable Commissioners:
I write this letter in support of the referenced application submitted by Donna and Donald Whitaker through their company, Ocean Front Avenue 2 LLC.
As you know, the proposed home is of a modern design, but it will be profoundly historical in that it is inspired by the Palm Beach residences of the past which were designed by Alfred Browning Parker. In a sense, history will be restored.
The proposed residence is situated in the north end. This north neighborhood has been dotted with modern residences since 1936 when “The Reef” at 702 North County Road was designed by Maurice Fatio. (This was designated a landmark in 1990.) In about 1980, a modern home designed by Richard Meier was constructed at 958 North Lake Way. A few years ago, my wife, Rita, and I completed a modern home at 237 Ridgeview Drive which was designed by the inimitable Jeff Smith.
At the time the foregoing homes were built, they were located on streets with few or no other modern homes – yet they contribute to the natural variety of styles on the island. Indeed, Palm Beach is home to Modern, Mediterranean, Bermuda, Georgian, Ranch, French County, Colonial, Classical and other styles – juxtaposed and without repetition (with the exception of Via Los Incas).
In the recent past, many homes have been approved that are two-story, even though neighbors are one-story, and even homes that are two or three times the cubic feet of adjacent houses. This dissimilarity is material, but it is now well-established precedent.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker must follow the requirements of front, side and rear-yard setbacks and the mandates of the building code and such rules protect spacing in the neighborhood. Apart from this compliance, this worthy couple should be able to express themselves as freely as possible in their choice of architectural art.
Please do not succumb to pressures to conform. If every house on our island must be like every other house, we will lose our unique identity.
Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Paul Rampell