News

By Margie Plunkett

Boston’s on the Beach got approval in late April from Delray Beach commissioners for its proposed enclosed second story, withstanding an appeal initiated by Commissioner Tom Carney after a resident objected to the change.
A rendering of the re-designed landmark restaurant, at 40 S. Ocean Blvd., included a second-story awning and fence in front of the bank of windows. The Site Plan Review and Appearance Board had already approved the plan.
The man behind the plan, Bob Currie of Currie Sowards Aguila Architects, appeared before commissioners April 21, introducing himself as “resident and occasional architect in Delray Beach when I’m allowed.”  The design before commissioners “is what was approved by the board unanimously. It doesn’t violate anything.”
    Resident Alice Finst, who objected to the plan, said, “This corner is a destination point and a landmark for our beach,” noting the design added a roof and removed the original canvas awning. She wanted the building to have more color and a second-story railing that is included in the design to be placed outside the windows.
Currie responded: “Those railings are indeed outside the windows. We won’t change the color. It’s appropriate to this kind of architecture.”
While the commission had requested the appeal of the plan, they all spoke favorably of it.  “This business has been here for 25 years,” said Commissioner Adam Frankel. “It’s a pretty nice facelift.” He explained that he had asked for the appeal based on Finst’s objections. “I happen to like the distinctiveness,” he said.
Commissioners OK’d the plan without sending it back to SPRAB for review after urging by Currie. The owners “want to get going on this. They have to close down (during the renovation). I would hope they don’t have to wait any longer,” he said.
The commission also heard an appeal on plans at BurgerFi, which would occupy the site of the former Surf Sliders on A1A near Boston’s. The restaurant had already addressed portions of the design city staff objected to, including altering outdoor lighting so that it did not interfere with turtle nesting on the beach, removing rooftop railings and eliminating a canopy area that illegally encroached on city property, according to Paul Dorling of the city’s staff.
Neighbors of the restaurant objected to the potential for the restaurant to place lighted signs in areas that would impose upon the condo building next door.  Michael Weiner, representing BurgerFi, as well as the city attorney pointed out any proposed signs would be at issue in a later review and were not under consideration at the commission’s appeal.