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Massive West Palm condo approved |
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By TONY DORIS
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 26, 2009
WEST PALM BEACH — The city commission Monday overrode staff recommendations and neighbors' objections in approving a 299-foot-tall condo tower for 1515 S. Flagler Drive, nearly three times as massive as the hurricane-damaged building it would replace.
The commission voted 3-2 on a motion by Commissioner Molly Douglas to give Trinity Development the zoning waivers it needed to move forward with the $150 million project.Commissioners Bill Moss and Jeri Muoio also voted for the measure. Commissioners Kimberly Mitchell and Isaac Robinson opposed it.
"This project would improve the economic viability of the area," said Douglas, a Realtor.
City planning staffers had advised against the project, as they had the previous versions that Trinity proposed.
Supporters lauded the proposed tower's design and landscaping and said it would add millions of dollars to the city's tax base. The developer's planner, Kerry Kilday, noted that the building would have 84 condos, compared with 119 in the boarded-up building it would replace.
Opponents urged commissioners to deny the proposal, which envisioned a building that on some sides has setbacks of 34 feet where city zoning codes call for 142 feet.
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