Terri Parker and the 300' dock
August 6, 2023
Terri Parker, Investigative Reporter, for WPBF (25) have given residents a more In depth report on the proposed private dock City Commissioners will vote on 8/7/2023. Below are excepts from Ms. Parker’s story, my comments will be in italic, and entire story can be read below.
“Proposed 300 foot intracoastal yacht dock sparks concern, protest from West Palm Beach residents”
“Commissioners vote Monday on whether to give property owner special amendment to build long dock”
Google explanation “Local government amendment means any amendment to the state building code, as adopted by cities or counties for implementation and enforcement in their respective jurisdictions.”
The city allows 100 ft. dock. The owners of 1525 N. Flagler Dr. are asking City Commissioners for an amendment of an additional 182, 18 feet short of a 300′ dock.
“The proposal to build and extend a dock so far past the currently allowed 100 feet has waterfront neighbors fuming.”
“We have finally found out and the whole community is in an uproar,” said Slade condominium resident Kevin Litchfield.”
In my opinion, under the present administration, the city does it’s best work in the dark, behind closed doors. The public is not invited. Then it’s placed on the Consent Calendar. For readers not aware of the Consent Calendar, here is the explanation on the city website.
“All items listed under the consent calendar are considered routine and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items.”
The marina the city voted on to choose a manager was placed on the Consent Calendar, no one picked up on it and that began the process. When residents learned of the city’s plans for a marina there was an uproar and Terri Parker starting digging and found “$45,000 in contributions made to the mayor’s campaign manager’s PAC ahead of West Palm Beach Marina vote”
“The view from Christian Kribbs 11th floor condo is stunning. But he’s worried that might not last.
“We found out that our neighbor wants to put a mega dock about a length of a football field in front of our beautiful condo that would interrupt our beautiful views.”
“That’s one concern — others are impacts on marine life, seagrass, pollution, and opening the door to other property owners also wanting to put in mega docks.”
If City Commissioners allow the dock to be built, how can they possibly say no to others who request the same amendment to other boat owners of 100′ yachts? I smell lawsuits coming along with the new marina residents are opposed too. One ship at a time.
“Right next door to the Slade condominiums is the law office of Murray Guari whose LLC, 1525 N. Flagler Drive has waterfront rights to the intracoastal. The partners are applying for an amendment to the kind of dock that’s currently allowed – 100 feet long.”
“The law firms’ attorneys and consultants said the dock needed to be so long so it could reach safe depths to dock big boats, and so it wouldn’t hurt the marine environment”
My opinion “wouldn’t hurt the marine environment” is a nice spin.
“WPBF 25 News Investigative Reporter Terri Parker called Scott Murray and Jason Guari for comment – they asked for emailed questions, but have not yet replied to them.”
“Murray Guari has their building up for sale for $26 million and in online listings note a dock permit has been submitted.”
Is the 26 million dollar sale price contingent on the building of a 300′ dock?
“And this dock will only add to the value of their building while subtracting from the value of everybody else’s buildings. So this is a benefit to one person and a detriment to thousands,” said Kribbs.
Can’t be any plainer than that. Onto Google. Average Cost of a 100′ Yacht?
“New yachts over 100-feet long have an average price of a yacht equal to $1 million per 3.3 feet in length. In other words, a 100-foot yacht will, on average, cost more than $30 million. Older yachts below 85 feet are less expensive”
A $30 million dollar boat parked at an almost 300′ pier and people have access to it. Going to need another amendment for a fence to keep the commoners out.
“The final approval is on Monday’ night’s commission meeting agenda.”
“The neighbors plan to speak against it, as well as bring in a land use attorney whom they say has found some problems in the applications.”
I have witnessed this before and if the city runs true to form the land use attorney will not be allowed extra time to speak and explain. He will be given 3 minutes to make his point.
This story was to be published on Monday but I am publishing a day early for one reason.
As you read above residents from the Slade plan to attend and speak out.
If residents are interested in the marina project please attend the City Commission meeting on Monday 8/7/2023 @ 5PM and let your voice be heard. Back up the residents of the Slade and when the city comes for us, hopefully they will be there as well.
The end