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Bye bye 1515: The Modern condo tower wins final West Palm Beach approval |
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By TONY DORIS, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Monday, February 09, 2009
WEST PALM BEACH — A 24-story condo project at 1515 S. Flagler Drive won final approval from the city commission Monday night following months of heated debate and revisions, paving the way for demolition of the storm-damaged tower on the site.
City commissioners voted 3-2, confirming the initial zoning waivers they granted Jan. 26. The 84-unit luxury condo, The Modern, required waivers because, with a 2.46-acre site for a project that normally would require 10 acres, it would rise far closer to neighboring properties than city codes allowed.
Commissioners Bill Moss, Molly Douglas and Jeri Muoio supported the project, saying it would enhance the city and add to the tax base; Ike Robinson and Kimberly Mitchell voted against it.
"We're very grateful the city passed our proposal," developer Paul Grillo said after the vote. "Now we go to work."
Unlike earlier votes, only a handful of opponents addressed the commission. In response to their comments, the commission and developers made last-minute changes to provide assurances that demolition of the boarded-up 1515 Tower will take place within six months, and to help minimize disruption to neighboring properties during construction.
"These developers have made a tremendous commitment to us locally, in terms of their investment and the quality of the project," Commissioner Molly Douglas said.
Commissioners Mitchell and Robinson rejected the proposal as too big, despite a series of design changes to make it smaller. "I was fine until I did the math," Robinson said, "and when I started subtracting what was required from what was requested, I became very troubled." |
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