16:46The most notable item discussed was the landscaping proposal requiring FDOT approval. The applicant sought to enhance the property’s aesthetics by removing ten trees, relocating one, preserving fifteen, and adding thirty-two new trees, including palm trees. Despite the lack of immediate FDOT consent, the board proposed conditions to ensure that the applicant would secure the necessary approvals post-approval, emphasizing the need for continued compliance with town regulations.

Discussions highlighted the board’s limited authority to deny approval based on pending external agency decisions. A board member raised concerns about the potential impact of future road widening projects on the existing property line, prompting a review of setback requirements.

Concerns were also raised regarding the history of past projects, such as Tuscana, where established landscaping was lost due to right-of-way modifications. The applicant’s representative acknowledged this risk but reassured the board of the proposal’s alignment with previous residential landscaping projects that had successfully navigated FDOT’s approval process.

The board’s legal constraints were further discussed, revealing their inability to delay approval pending external agency decisions. Nevertheless, a motion was made to approve the landscaping proposal, lauding its creative design, while explicitly conditioning it on obtaining FDOT’s consent. A second member supported this motion, agreeing to revisit the proposal should FDOT disapprove it. The motion passed unanimously.

0:28In another development, the board discussed the Belair at Highland Beach Homeowners Association’s request for a special exception to install a 430-square-foot dock on Bel Air Drive. The application involved replacing an existing vinyl dock with a wooden one, consistent with town regulations. The discussion focused on compliance with the five-foot setback requirement, which the proposed dock met, unlike the existing structure. A board member sought clarification on the property line’s extension into the water, which the town planner confirmed was compliant. The aesthetics and durability of the wooden dock were favored over the existing vinyl. The motion to approve this request passed unanimously.

The board also reviewed an amendment request for a property on South Ocean Boulevard, which included adding a 21-square-foot balcony and implementing a landscaping plan. The town planner presented the application, explaining the property’s history as a non-conforming structure due to its front setback. The discovery of previous variances, including a front setback reduction, facilitated the balcony’s compliance with regulations. Although concerns arose about extending non-conformity, the planner assured the board of adherence to existing variances. Following a public hearing with no comments, the board approved the amendment, recognizing the procedural requirements for major modifications.