The Slade and City of WPB
August 14, 2023
CC Meeting 8/7/2023 I have included times if you care to hear the meeting and verify what was written. (link below)
9.5. “Resolution No. 178-23: A request by John K. Rice of Gunster, on behalf of 1525 North Flagler LLC, for a Class A Special Use Permit (with waivers) to allow for a dock that extends beyond 100 feet of the subject lot located at 1525 North Flagler Drive.”
The presentation on the dock start time 2:22:50 The video of the meeting is below. I recommend watching the meeting to witness James demeanor, and his obvious bias toward the development of a new dock.
Cast of Characters: Honorable Mayor Keith James, City Commissioner’s Fox, Lambert, Peduzzi, Ward and Warren, City Attorney Rothenburg and City Staffer, Alexa Sanglier.
Applicant (1525 No. Flagler LLC) presentation by: John. K Rice and Brian Seymour, both from Gunster and Bree Kokis, Marine Biologist. Ms. Kokis is a paid consultant, and she was also used as a consultant when the new marina was discussed.
THE SLADE CONDOMINIUM 1551 N. FLAGLER DR, WPB, FL. Residents object to the size of the dock, and enlisted the aid of Attorney, Michael Weiner. Never heard of Mr. Weiner. On to Google:
“He attended Washington & Jefferson College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He was then accepted into the University of Michigan Law School and graduated in May, 1974. Mr. Weiner specializes in solving his client’s problems relating to government regulation. He is a sought-after speaker before various City and County Commissioners, Chambers of Commerce, local civic clubs and groups about the importance of the revitalization of urban centers.” Read the link below.
John K Rice made the presentation.
2:35:55 Mr. Rice, for the dock. “The property is just over half an acre. It is not for sale”
2:39:46 Bree Kokis, Marine Biologist, with Ocean Consulting. Ends presentation @ 2:48:06 and answered questions from the City Commissioners.
Mr Rice is back @ 2:48:07 until 2:50:21 and asked for questions. Commissioners questions from 2:50:22 until 3:03:58.
City Staff, Alexa Sanglier 3:04:23 includes questions from Commissioners ends 3:17:16
Mr. Rice continues presentation 3:17:31 to 3:18:37
Mr. Michael Weiner presentation (16 minutes) 3:19:11 to 3:35:18
3:35.27 Seymour cross examines Weiner. 3:35:30 James interrupts, asking if Weiner needs to be sworn in.
City Clerk swears Weiner in that the testimony he gives will be the truth. Something not right, but what?
In my opinion, Mr. Seymour was hostile, spoke over Weiner and tried to make him appear incompetent. end 3:45:48
3:45:51 James asks “Does the applicant want to do a rebuttal in addition to the cross-examination?” James asks again “Do you want to do a rebuttal?”
Seymour; “We’ll do a public comment first, so we can address anything that comes up during public comment, sir.” James allows the request.
Public Comment, from 3:51:58 to 4:37:59. Last speaker was Beverly Bernsrein 4:35:58 to 4:37:59. Please take the time to listen to her concerns.
James: “Mr. Weiner you sent up a card but I assume since you had 16 min. you don’t need to speak again” Mr. Weiner did not speak.
James: “Applicant I think you reserved some time for rebuttal. Do you want to tale that time now?” Question directed at Mr. Rice.
Rebuttal by Mr. Rice. 4:38:26 to 4:43:57.
When Mr. Rice was finished, Mr. Werner stood and asked to be heard. James responded: “nope, nope, nope, nope, nope, the applicant gets the last say okay. You got 16 minutes you had plenty of time no, no, sir, your not recognized by the chair. OK.” James did not allow Werner to comment on Rice’s rebuttal.
4:44:25 commissioner questions: Fox “I was just curious is this building for sale?”
John Rice: “No, I am under oath, the building is not for sale” This is the 2nd. time he said the property at 1525 North Flagler LLC, was not for sale.
It’s light bulb time. During this entire meeting Mr. Weiner was the only one present who was made to raise his hand and swear his testimony was the truth. Why was John Rice, Brian Seymour and Bree Kokis not sworn in ???
Fox: “So why is there a listing in Southeby’s that everybody has mentioned and sent to us?”
John: “I believe that is a listing that is no longer active and it has been inactive for quite a while”
Fox: “OK, OK, says dock plans are currently submitted to the city of WPB in the Southeby’s listing.”
John: “No, It’s not for sale, and has not been listed for sale for quite a while.”
Ward questioned the size of the dock.
John: “The dolphin pilings go out to a length of 210 feet, ma’am, and I did speak to Bree about this earlier the dock is designed for a slip of up to 150 foot vessel here and a 60 foot vessel in that slip.”
Fox wants the City to hear from an expert on dock’s. What a concept. James will never allow it. What if a dock expert tells commissioners the down side of the damage that will be done by allowing a dock this size.
1525 North Flagler LLC is the address of a business and has been put up for sale with the asking price of 26 million dollars, and according to the city is allowed a 100 ft. dock, what they are asking for is almost five times the length.
Located at the end of the 282-foot dock, the stern of a mega yacht will be tied up and extend out into the lagoon an additional 212 feet, surrounded by 6 dolphins to tie the yacht to, for a total of 494 feet. Please read that sentence again.
The applicant has not applied to build a 100 foot dock. Instead they have applied to build a structure almost 500 feet out into the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway) – almost 300′ for the dock (283 feet) and another 200 feet of moorings, which are used to tie up and protect large boats while parked at the dock.
Why? Money of course. Below are real estates ads declaring 1525 No, Flagler Drive for sale, and mentions Dock Plans have been submitted to the City of WPB,
https://www.realty.com/commercial-listings/342016852/1525-N-Flagler-Drive-West-Palm-Beach-FL-33401
“Professional Office Building on Flagler Drive facing the Intracoastal Waterway. The property includes 4 parcels including 3 upland parcels and 1 parcel of deeded land (TIIF deeds) in the Intracoastal Waterway. All 4 parcels total over one-half acre. The property is zoned for Commercial, Residential, or Mixed Use. Dock plans are currently submitted to the City of West Palm Beach.” See the link below
https://www.realty.com/commercial-listings/342016852/1525-N-Flagler-Drive-West-Palm-Beach-FL-33401
Property listed for sale. The link below has a video of the property at 1525 N Flagler Drive. If you care to watch, it has a nice close up of the water the city will give away, with help from the commissioners.
https://www.loopnet.com/property/1525-n-flagler-dr-west-palm-beach-fl-33401/12099-74434315000060020/
Michael Weiner:
Video of CC meeting held 8/7/2023 link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erOYtBSWENA
More problems down the road? Another development on the way.
There will be 55 condo apartments, starting price of 3 million dollars. I think it’s safe to assume we have wealthy neighbors coming.
“Developer breaks ground on West Palm Beach waterfront condo, prices start at $3 million
BGI Cos. and Blue Road Group broke ground on Alba Palm Beach, a condo that will rise along the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach. Located on the 1.73-acre site at 4714 N. Flagler Dr., the project will feature 55 condos in 22 stories. Units range from 2,364-square-foot condos to townhouses of 6,091 square feet. Prices start at $3 million.
Alba Palm Beach will have more than 25,000 square feet of amenities, include conference space, a fitness room with a yoga studio, private workspace, a multi-sport simulator room, a theater room, a private dining room with wine storage, and a pool deck. There will also be a private dock.”
Are 55 condo owners, many who may own yacht’s going to share a private dock? Read the story below.
I have heard many times how sorry people were for not signing the petition to recall Mayor James. That ship has sailed, regrets no longer matter. What does matter is James can’t move these projects along without the vote of the commissioners. Last story published I told readers Commissioner Lambert had a challenger and now it appears Ward also has a challenger. We can and should break up the Cornerstone 6 the mayor and all 5 commissioners, with the exception of Commissioner Fox who has shown she is listening to residents. The long dock passed on 1st. reading 4 to 1. Fox voted no.
The end