The meeting featured a presentation highlighting a proposed development project south of Fifth Street along the ocean, which sought to exceed the current building height limit. The development’s representative mentioned that the Historic Preservation Board had recommended a height of up to 150 feet at their discretion for these projects. The proposal, which received support from the South of Fifth Association, would increase the allowable height from 100 ft to 145 ft, representing a 38% increase, to further incentivize the conversion of hotels to residential use and reduce the impact of hotel uses in the neighborhood. The board deliberated on the impact of the proposed height increase, with concerns about the potential for the building’s height to overpower the area and not be contextually appropriate. Despite these concerns, the project received a favorable recommendation for transmittal to the city commission, with most board members showing support, although there was one dissenting vote due to apprehensions about the building’s height.

Another prominent topic discussed was the ordinance related to landscape requirements, specifically the allowance for palm trees to satisfy minimum street tree requirements. Board members had a range of opinions on the matter, with some advocating for a mix of palm trees and canopy trees, while others voiced concerns about the maintenance and environmental impact of palm trees. The ordinance received an unfavorable recommendation for transmittal to the city commission, with the board expressing reservations about the benefits and potential drawbacks of the proposed changes.

The board also discussed a proposal to bifurcate lot 16 from a master assemblage and make it eligible for separate sale. The applicant emphasized that the intention was not to demolish all the homes and rebuild six individual lots but to legalize what is currently there. The board raised questions about the intentions for lots 18, 22, and 24 and the conditions that would apply to them. The board ultimately voted to approve the request, with one member voting against it.

In terms of entertainment and nightlife, the board addressed an application from The Strand on Ocean Drive, requesting a modification to a conditional use permit for a change in owner operator. The applicant agreed to accept the conditions outlined by staff and stated that there were no operational changes proposed. The board debated the necessity of a progress report, given that there were no planned operational changes, and decided that the applicant was not required to come back for a progress report.

The meeting further included a review of the city’s new requirement for entertainment venues to submit an annual affidavit stating compliance with conditions, which would be reviewed by the board. This sparked discussion about the necessity of progress reports for establishments with no planned operational changes. The debate led to a decision to forgo the progress report for The Strand, given the absence of planned operational changes.

The board touched on the ordinance regarding entertainment and supper club regulations, which included an applicability clause. This clause would exempt existing businesses with pending applications for seating or occupancy expansion from certain limitations imposed by the ordinance. After some discussion, the board approved the inclusion of the applicability clause and voted to transmit the ordinance to the city commission with a favorable recommendation.

Lastly, the board discussed increasing the occupancy without a conditional use permit requirement for supper clubs on Washington Avenue, focusing on establishments that have at least 40% annual food sales. The board ultimately voted in favor of transmitting the ordinance to the city commission.