By Patrick Sherry
Owners of a nearly $8 million Hypoluxo Island property next to the Ocean Avenue bridge will be building a security wall taller than typically allowed, one that they say will protect their family.
The Lantana Town Council approved a variance for the wall — at 101 N. Atlantic Drive — that will reach 11 feet high as the property slopes down to the Intracoastal Waterway. The town’s Planning Commission recommended approval of the application last month after hearing the owners’ concerns about people trespassing on their property by going under or through the side of the bridge.
Ana Davie, owner of the property since 2017, told the council that she and her husband consider the house their forever home, but they want more security.
“In those seven years, we’ve had to call the Police Department a couple of times, we’ve had items stolen off our dock, and I’ve had people walking on the dock,” she said.
A neighbor came to the Nov. 10 council meeting to support the application.
“I feel this is a great way for the Davie family to be able to protect and have greater security for their family there,” Michelle Donahue said.
However, there was opposition, with another neighbor telling the council she opposes the wall because she doesn’t want the owners to raise the ground level, which would increase the wall height.
“An impression will be created that we live in a walled-in compound and, at worst, attract the attention of burglars,” said neighbor Ilona Balfour. “We know that houses being built now need to abide by new rules, elevation, and so forth. That doesn’t mean that the whole lot should become a mountain.”
Town ordinances allow a maximum height of six feet for walls. While this application requested a variance of 11 feet, in reality, that portion will be level with the 6-foot-high portion of the wall. It only becomes longer as the ground level falls to its lowest point, near the sea wall.
Elmar Benavente, principal designer for Be Design and the architect working on the project, added that workers won’t raise any part of the property’s ground level and will add landscaping.
The wall “will not go higher, but maintain those six feet all the way to the property line,” said Benavente. “They have agreed to landscape — they have agreed to maintain the trees and to keep it beautiful, so it doesn’t [detract] from anyone’s view.”
Staff recommended approval, citing safety concerns. The council subsequently passed a motion to approve it 5-0.
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