Building height resolution

Blamed the council for allowing three-story applications into the pipeline and warned of litigation from wealthy homeowners if the pending applications are grandfathered.

Luxury homebuilder said a two-story limit would kill his contracted Sun and Surf project and raised property-rights fairness concerns.

Planning consultant for Gary Brown argued there's no code distinction on story counts, called the resolution a new restriction, and cited the SB 180 moratorium.

Coconut Road resident who brought the issue forward asked that homeowners not 'take the medicine' — the developers should, by building two-story homes.

Longtime Coconut Road area resident opposed cramming 15,000 square feet onto small lots and cited the ordinance author's stated intent.

Homeowner who filed the fifth (latest) three-story application said he spent $250,000 on design and could lose over $1 million; asked to be grandfathered.

He and his wife have spent two years and six figures permitting their forever home; asked that submitted applications be exempt.

Land-use litigator argued the code's plain language permits third stories, that author intent is irrelevant, and that ambiguity is construed in favor of property owners.

Builder of 13 three-story homes showed photos arguing they blend in; said the code's 40% pitch rules were written for three-story houses.

General contractor targeted the 'pillbox' houses in the Golden Triangle as the real problem and urged stronger plan review.

Developer of the 1300 Coconut Road project voluntarily agreed to reduce it from three stories to two, asking only that projects already in permitting be allowed to finish.

Attorney for Mark Elkman clarified the concession: the Coconut Road project drops to two stories only if pipeline projects move forward under existing code.

Historic Preservation Board member welcomed the height clarification, noting similar interpretation struggles in historic districts.

Business owner said interpretations changed after decades and urged a solution that gets back on track without hurting investors; also asked about filling the vacant council seat.

Resident grateful for the discussion asked why codes can't be written clearly enough to avoid interpretation disputes.