Council overrules ARCOM, grants demolition request

The Town Council granted an appeal Wednesday from David Frisbie, who objected to the Architectural Commissions decision last month to defer a demolition request for his property at 225 Indian Road.

I think ARCOM is stepping out of line, Council President Robert Wildrick said. They dont have that right. They need to follow the law.

The commission deferred demolition of the existing two-story house Jan. 22, noting its beauty and how it fit into the neighborhood. Members also were concerned about the status of a property line alteration between the house at 225 and the familys adjacent parcel 219 Indian Road, and the anticipated large size of the new home, which has not been decided.

Frisbies attorney Maura Ziska said the house is not landmarked and the commission had no legal ground for deferring the demolition. Denying the demolition has put her client behind schedule, she said.

Town attorney John Randolph said Ziska is right. The ARCOM code is very specific that demolition shall be granted unless the house is designated a landmark or on a list for possible landmarking, he said.

Im in agreement that ARCOM does not have the ability to deny a request for demolition in this particular case.

Planning, Zoning & Building Director John Page noted demolition requests were an issue at the December and January meetings.

In each instance, there was reluctance to approve destruction of homes that individual members believe fit nicely into the collective culture of Palm Beach, Page wrote in a memo to the council.

Wildrick does not agree with the commissions logic.

Theres a political feeling on ARCOM that they want to have total control of demolition and dont want to do it from an administrative standpoint, he said. I dont think its fair to have a landowner go to more expense, spend more time because of some intramural problems on ARCOM. Its not being properly handled.

See the rest here:
Council overrules ARCOM, grants demolition request