2004.03.31_TC_Minutes_SpecialTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISION MEETING
PUBLIC HEARING/SPECIAL MEETING (HOFFMAN/AMCO)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31. 2004 7.00 P M
Mayor Thomas J. Reid called the Public Hearing/Special Meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
St. Lucy's Parish Hall, 3510 S. Ocean Boulevard, stating its purpose was to receive
public input on the following:
PROPOSED HOFFMAN/AMCO PROJECT, SETTLEMENT STIPULATION
AND RESOLUTON /N CASE NO. CL00-4239AH THE TOWN OF
HIGHLAND BEACH V. CAMILLE O. HOFFMANN, AMCO PROPERTIES,
OMEGA GROUP OF HIGHLAND BEACH, L.P. AND JEFFREYPECHTER,
REGARDING THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF PROPERTY LOCATED
SOUTH OF HIGHLAND BEACH TOWN HALL ON THE WEST SIDE OF
STATE ROAD A-1-A AND DESCRIBED AS ALL OR A PORTION OF THE
TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH LOTS 59 AND 60 WHICH IS FURTHER
DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THE SOUTH 300 FEET OF THE NORTH
1350 FEET OF SECTION 4, TOWNSHIP 47 SOUTH, SOUTH RANGE 43
• EAST, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, LYING BETWEEN THE
INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY AND THE RIGHT OF' WAY FOR STATE
ROAD 140 (A-1-A).
Town Clerk Doris Trinley called the roll. The Mayor, Vice Mayor Joseph J. Asselta, and
Commissioners Robert L. Lowe, Rachael Scala-Pistone and Miriam S. Zwick were
present.
Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Attorney Larry Corman, and Town Manager Ben Saag.
were also present, as were approximately 300 members of the general public. Attorney
Margaret Cooper represented Hoffman/AMCO.
Mayor Reid explained that an Attorney-Client Executive Session (closed to the public)
was scheduled for Monday, April 5; therefore, the Commission would take no action at
this time. The Mayor also advised how the speakers would be heard (copy of
comment/speaker sign-in sheet attached to and made part of these Minutes), and
reminded those present that orderliness and civil behavior were expected from all.
Mayor Reid first invited Attorney Cooper to recap events leading to this Public Hearing,
which she did, noting that the concept of an adult congregate living facility (ACLF) had
been changed to a condominium, but with full amenities, such as a dining room, beauty
parlor/barber shop, etc. Ms. Cooper presented an artist's conception of the proposed
• two (2) towers (98 units) and, concluding her remarks, said the project would increase
the Town's ad valorem revenues by $550,000 yearly.
• Minutes of Town Commission Public Hearing/Special Meeting
March 31 2004 Page 2 of
LJ
Mayor Reid asked if Town legal counsel had any comments. Town Attorney Thomas E.
Sliney stated that the Town's position in the litigation has been that the project would be
limited to 42 units, 35 feet in height, and no ACLF was permitted by Town zoning. He
also stated that an Attorney-Client Private Session was needed, as he and Larry Corman
needed advice concerning the litigation.
Mayor Reid then opened the Public Hearing. There were no comments in favor of the
project. The following residents spoke against the project:
Joe Yucht, Dalton Place
Guy Rabideau, Attorney for Omega
Wallace Feldman, Penthouse Towers
Martin Smith, Regency Highlands
Harold Hagelmann, Dalton Place
Bill Maltz, Coronado
Fran Shapiro, Highland Beach Club
Anna Roy, Bel Lido Island
John R(?)Vitha, Regency Highland
Jean Rance, Regency Highlands
Susan Stern, Dalton Place
Jack Halpern, Ambassador South
Barbara Kane, Ambassador South
Judi Asselta, Casuarina
The following residents did not wish to speak, but expressed their opposition by filing out
the comment/sign-in sheet:
Robert Perry, Seagate
Paul Corbin, Beach Walk East
Don & Jette Rompe, Bel Air Drive
Jack Schechter, Edgewood Townhouses
Jack & Jeanne Beccaris, Edgewood Townhouses
Joseph McCormack, Ambassador East
Barbara & Jack Silver, Toscana
Shelia Reilly, Casuarina
Anthony Philisiphos, Highland Beach Club
Seymour Strauss, Dalton Place
Mr. & Mrs. Buonocore, Seagate
Eugene Diliberto, Seagate
Larry Pitzer, Bel Lido Island
Arlin Voress, Bel Lido Island
U
• Minutes of Town Commission Public Hearing/Special Meeting
March 31, 2004 Page 3 of 3
The signed petition sheets, and Statement of Objections by Committee for the
Preservation of Integrity for Highland Beach, opposing the project are included
separately in the year 2004 Minutes Book.
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, Mayor Reid
adjourned the Public Hearing/Special Meeting at 8:40 P.M. upon MOTION by
COMMISSIONER LOWE/VICE MAYOR ASSELTA.
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APPROVE:
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T omas J. Reid, a r
•
J~eph J. Asselta, ice Mayor
L. Lowe, ommission
C~~ -
Rachael Scala-Pistone, Commissioner
Miriam S. Zwick om sinner
Attest
Date: S ~~ f o~
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