1984.07.24_TC_Minutes_Special
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
SPECIAL MEETING
Tuesday, July 24, 1984 9:30 A.M.
A Special Meeting of the Town Commission was called to order by Mayor
Louis Y. Horton at 9:30 a.m. in the Town Commission Chambers of Town
Hall. Also present were Vice Mayor Mary Louise G. Blosser, Commis-
sioners William E. Paul and Betty Jean Stewart. Commissioner John J.
Basso was absent.
Also present were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney; Town Manager Elaine
W. Roberts; Town Clerk Mary Ann Whaley; citizens and the general
public.
It was noted that the purpose of this Special Meeting was to discuss
the request pending before the Town Commission for an extension of
time on the Drexel project. Mr. Earl Totz, representing Drexel
Management, Inc. was present.
A letter addressed to the Town Commission from the Town Attorney dated
July 20, 1984 was read into the record. It was the opinion of the
Town Attorney after reviewing all the documentation submitted by Mr.
• Totz on behalf of Drexel that justification did not exist for the
granting of the requested extension due to the fact that there was no
prohibition on commencing the construction of the residential
structures on the property. Mr. Sliney's letter indicated that in
view of all documentation reviewed, delays only existed in the
securing of a permit for the marina which did not affect the proposed
construction of the buildings. Further, it was noted that no building
plans had ever been submitted on the project.
It was Mr. Totz's contention that until the DER and Corps permits were
granted, and the elevations and dimensions on the property confirmed,
building plans could not adequately be prepared.
Commissioner Stewart stated that it was her opinion that at the time
of the settlement stipulation, and the granting of five years to
complete the project, anticipated delays had already been taken into
account, or else only two to three years would have been considered.
Commissioner Paul concurred in this opinion.
Mr. Totz requested that former Commissioners Bauer and Genovese be
contacted inasmuch as they assisted in the drawing of the settlement
stipulation and could discuss the rationale behind the granting of the
five year time period. Mr. Totz further cited an April 10, 1980 letter
from former Commissioner Bauer which included a projected guideline
for the Town of the proposed project, and further made reference to a
letter written at approximately the same time by Commissioner Basso
and requested the Town Commission to review same.
It was the consensus of the Town Commission that due to economic
reasons, the buildings were delayed pending construction of the marina
Town Commission
• Special Meeting
July 24, 1984
Page 2 of 2
and that there was no effort exerted to expedite the securing of the
state permits on the project. Upon being questioned by Vice Mayor
Blosser, Mr. Totz indicated that final approval on the project had not
been received from the District Engineer, however, stated that the
terms of a letter dated April 6, 1984 from the Army Corps of Engineers
indicated acceptance of the Corps terms for securing of the permit.
Said correspondence required a signatue and check be returned to the
Corps which to date has not been done.
Attorney Sliney again reiterated his opinion that no justification
existed for the extension of time due to the lack of effort on the
part of Drexel Management, Inc. to secure the necessary state and
federal permits in a timely manner.
The Town Manager noted that previous Town Commission Minutes and tape
recordings were being reviewed to determine any other pertinent
factors in the matter to justify the Drexel request.
Mayor Horton indicated that the letters cited by Mr. Totz from former
Commissioners Bauer and Genovese in addition to any new information
• which might be made available after review of the Minutes and tape
recordings should be studied further prior to any action being taken
on this matter. Mr. Totz was then advised that the Town would be in
touch with him at an early date, after review of the cited items, in
order to set another meeting date for further consideration and
possible resolution of the matter.
There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at
this Special Meeting, it was adjourned at 10;85 a.m.
APPROVED:
Louis Horton, Mayor
Mary. bu'se G losser,Vice Mayor
~~
J n asso, Commissio r
.~ y
William E. Paul, Commissioner
Bett Jean Stewart, Commissioner
ATTEST:
TOWN CLE K
DATE : ~' r ~~/