By John Pacenti
Delray Beach city commissioners voted to deny a controversial renovation proposal for a historic home in the Marina Historic District, dealing a significant blow to a property owner who had spent years and millions of dollars attempting to preserve and upgrade the property.
The proposed project at 46 Marine Way would have dramatically transformed an 800-square-foot historic structure, elevating it to 14 feet and adding substantial new construction to it. Despite the property owner’s passionate plea to save the deteriorating home, city staff and several preservation advocates argued the plan would irreparably damage the district’s historic integrity.
Dan Edwards, who owns the property under 46 Marine LLC, testified that he had invested approximately $4 million in the project and was committed to preserving the structure. The debate concluded a 6½-hour commission meeting on Aug. 19.
“I could have demoed the property, but that wasn’t my choice,” Edwards said. He emphasized the home was in significant disrepair and needed substantial intervention to prevent further deterioration.
City staff presented a comprehensive 36-page report detailing multiple concerns, including the proposal’s failure to meet Secretary of the Interior standards for historic preservation. The report highlighted issues with building height, setbacks and the proposed addition’s massive scale relative to the original structure.
Preservation advocates who spoke during public comment were unanimous in opposing the project.
Sandy Zeller, a former president of the Marina Historic District Homeowners Association, urged commissioners to trust professional planners and deny the application.
“The applicant knew what they bought when they bought it. They knew what the requirements are,” he said.
Price Patton of the Delray Beach Preservation Trust said, “They’re not really saving an historic house, they’re destroying it with all the additions.” Patton is a part owner of The Coastal Star.
The proposed renovation would have elevated the home to 14 feet, put in a three-story addition, and included significant variances from existing zoning regulations. City staff argued these changes would create a “false sense of historical development” and fundamentally alter the district’s character.
The district is to the south of Atlantic Avenue along the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway.
Commissioner Juli Casale said the project to renovate the Mediterranean revival home “risks the integrity of our historic district” and fails to comply with multiple preservation standards.
Mayor Tom Carney initially suggested sending the project back for further revisions, hoping to provide the owner an opportunity to modify the plan. However, City Attorney Lynn Gelin advised against this approach, emphasizing the need to evaluate the current application strictly on its merits.
Commissioners Angela Burns, Tom Markert and Casale voted to deny the certificate of appropriateness. Carney and Vice Mayor Rob Long voted to approve it.
The decision means Edwards cannot proceed with the current renovation plan and would need to submit a substantially revised proposal that more closely adheres to historic preservation guidelines.
The case highlights the ongoing tension in Delray Beach between property owners’ development desires and the community’s commitment to preserving its historic districts.
With only five historic districts in the city, commissioners repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining architectural integrity.
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