By Tim Pallesen
Coastal residents are moving ahead to tighten the design restrictions for new single-family homes in their area.
“The more restrictive you make this, the higher your property values will be,” Mayor Cary Glickstein, a developer, told residents at the Dec. 12 annual meeting of the Beach Property Owners Association.
Single-family neighborhoods near the ocean already have guidelines that architects must follow to design a house. But residents want to toughen the point system that determines whether a house receives city approval for construction.
“The guidelines are there, but they’re a little too nice,” BPOA president Andy Katz said.
Some residents are particularly concerned that existing guidelines have allowed an imposing three-story home to be built at 344 N. Ocean Blvd.
“Nobody wants a mega three-story house next to them with somebody leaning over them to look into their yard,” resident Missy Corey said. “Three stories should be a no-no.”
Neighbors who live near the controversial house on Seaspray Avenue met last month to discuss the concern.
“This is not neighbor versus neighbor,” Jack Barrette clarified to BPOA members. “I hear the property owners are very lovely people who have no idea there’s a mountain of trouble.”
The BPOA will hold at least one more meeting with residents before making recommendations to city commissioners for the tougher restrictions.
Coastal resident Mary McCarty agreed with Glickstein and Katz that the point system needs to be changed. McCarty and Katz also suggested that the city’s Site Plan Review and Appearance Board look at the more questionable designs.
Several residents also said they want to eliminate “electric teal” from the palette of acceptable colors for coastal homes.
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