Volume 9 Issue 12
Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
December 2016
Boca Raton
Boca Raton
State approves construction of 4-story mansion on beach
Appeals court nixes Chabad museum on Palmetto
Project faces further review from city after OK catches some off-guard
By Sallie James
By Steve Plunkett
The state’s environmental agency has issued a “notice to proceed” on construction of a controversial beachside mega-mansion, but Boca Raton officials say the owner of the undersized lot has more hurdles to cross. “You are hereby granted final authorization to proceed with construction” of a four-story, singlefamily dwelling at 2500 N. Ocean Blvd., according to the notice issued Oct. 18 by the Department of Environmental Protection. The entire lot, located on the ocean between Spanish River Park and Ocean Strand, is east of the state’s Coastal Construction Control Line, which calls for stricter scrutiny of proposed projects. But the landowner, Natural Lands LLC, still must pass review by the city’s Environmental Advisory Board and obtain a Coastal Construction Control Line variance and a building permit from Boca Raton, See BEACH on page 14
Boca Resort & Club reopens golf course after major renovation By Brian Biggane
Fifteen months ago, the Resort Course at the Boca Raton Resort & Club had fallen into disrepair, with bald patches in fairways and yellowing greens. One sweeping renovation later, the same course opens this month with lush new Celebration grass on its fairways and TifEagle on lush sloping greens that have been restored to their original size and quality. “Everybody Picture-perfect greens will is excited,” head welcome members and hotel professional Jimmy Gascoigne said. “I’ve guests back to the course. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star been getting calls from people every day looking to get back out. It’s something our members deserve, and they’re all looking forward to it.” The first renovation of the course since 1997 began when the club, typically open year-round, closed in April. Frank Kynkor and his company, Marquee Consulting, oversaw the process, which maintained
It was a classic Florida moment for Runin Beucher, son of Jenell Beucher of Boca Raton, as he donned gloves, flip-flops and a SURF T-shirt while playing in the artificial snow at Mizner Park. The city sponsored a holiday lighting and musical performance to usher in the holiday season. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
Holidays, with all the trimmings
Inside
See RESORT on page 18
It’s over — at least for now. A proposed orthodox synagogue and museum that spawned three lawsuits and packed City Hall with angry residents will not be built. The 4th District Court of Appeal in West Palm Beach in November decided not to hear an appeal by Chabad of East Boca Raton to allow the proposed 18,000-squarefoot project at 770 E. Palmetto Park Road. Chabad filed the appeal after a lower court in June ruled the city erred in allowing the project because zoning in the area did not permit a museum. The Chabad must submit a new site plan that doesn’t include a museum if it wants to proceed or find another location for the museum, according to City Council member Robert Weinroth. Rabbi Ruvi New, the congregation’s spiritual leader, said his congregation would seek another location for the My Israel museum and submit a new site plan for Palmetto Park Road without the museum. “It means we have to redo the site plan to comply with the court’s ruling. We have already begun,” New said. “[We’re] very disappointed, yes. But our attitude is really to not dwell on the disappointment but simply to look for the way forward and to continue the journey.” David Roberts, the owner/ broker of Royal Palm Properties across the street, asked a lower court to review the City Council’s approval of the site plan, saying its resolution “departed from the essential requirements of the law.” The appeals court decision strikes a serious blow to the project’s viability, said John R. Eubanks Jr., attorney for Roberts. “Based on the fact that all five judges approved and there is no written opinion, it would be very hard to appeal to the Florida Supreme Court,” Eubanks said. “Instead, the Chabad will need to See CHABAD on page 23
Inside House of the month
Bermuda-style luxury in Point Manalapan. Page H15
Board game
Rudin Prize
Norton’s biennial contest brings together works by four photographers. Page AT12
Surfboards become works of art with photography by Tony Aruzza. Page AT1