By Dan Moffett
Confronted with threats posed by rising seas and overly aggressive builders, Ocean Ridge commissioners are grappling with tough decisions about how much to tighten the town’s building rules.
At their Nov. 5 meeting, the commissioners will have to decide between two competing ordinance proposals that would set minimum drainage standards for lots under development.
One proposal requires developers to set aside 35 percent of their lots for pervious, or drainable, materials such as landscaping. The other proposal would also impose the 35 percent standard, up from the current 25 percent, but would carve out an exemption for smaller lots, those less than 12,000 square feet.
The commission appears divided on which rule to approve.
Mayor James Bonfiglio and Commissioners Steve Coz and Philip Besler say they are concerned about the possible hardship on homeowners with smaller lots and are considering supporting the exemption. Vice Mayor Don MaGruder and Commissioner Kristine de Haseth favor the blanket 35 percent approach, arguing Ocean Ridge needs to fall in line with neighboring communities that have stronger requirements.
The town’s Planning and Zoning Commission, on a 4-1 vote, recommended the 35 percent ordinance without exemptions, as did the town’s engineer, Lisa Tropepe, and outside planning consultant, Marty Minor of Urban Design Kilday Studios in West Palm Beach.
Mark Marsh, an architect who serves on the P&Z board, told the commission during a special meeting Oct. 15 that the stricter limit wasn’t innovative or unreasonable.
“It’s nothing out of the norm,” Marsh said. “We’re trying to catch up with other communities.”
Marsh said Manalapan already has the 35 percent standard, and Gulf Stream and Palm Beach are at 40 percent. He told commissioners that Ocean Ridge was under siege by builders who want to maximize profits.
“The whole goal is to preserve the ambience of this town,” Marsh said.
Tropepe told the commission that exceptions to the tougher standard would diminish the town’s ability to handle storm water and rising seas. She said the town needs more swales and green space — not more concrete, asphalt and brick.
“Any increase in impervious area compromises our stormwater drainage,” Tropepe said.
Bonfiglio said he thought residents should have one more chance to weigh in on the issue at the November meeting when both versions of the ordinance come up for a second reading and final approval. Only one can become law.
In May, the commission passed a moratorium on new construction projects in response to concerns about loopholes in the town’s building code. Commissioners could lift that moratorium on Nov. 5 by approving the proposed rule changes.
In other business, at the October special meeting, the commission unanimously approved the first readings of two proposed amendments to the town charter. With final approval in November, the amendments will be put on the ballot for residents to consider in the March 12 municipal election.
One amendment gives the town manager the authority to hire and fire all town employees without the commission’s approval — except for terminating the police chief, a matter that must come before the commissioners.
The other amendment provides for a limit of three consecutive three-year terms for commissioners. After serving the three terms, a commissioner must wait a year before running for office again.
At the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 1, commissioners advanced after first reading three other charter amendment proposals for the March ballot. One clarifies candidate qualifying periods and the beginning of commission terms. Another requires 24 hours’ notice, instead of 12 hours’, for special commission meetings and sets a three-vote minimum for approving any action. At present only a simple majority vote is required.
The third and most controversial proposed change calls for requiring a four-vote supermajority for the commission to approve increases to the allowable density or height of new developments.
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