TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Anthea Gianniotes, Development Services Director
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: October 1, 2024
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 176-24: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, APPROVING A REQUEST TO UTILIZE THE ART DECO ARCHITECTURAL STYLE FOR THE PROJECT LOCATED AT 306 NE 2ND STREET, AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED HEREIN; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. (QUASI-JUDICIAL)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Review and consider Resolution No. 176-24, a request to allow the Art Deco architectural style for the project located at 306 NE 2nd Street, known as The Maxwell.
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Background:
The subject property, 306 NE 2nd Street, consists of two lots separated by NE 2nd Street and is located within the Central Business District (CBD). The north lot is in the Railroad Corridor Sub-district and the south lot is in the Central Core Sub-district. The lot south of NE 2nd Street has a two-story 6,011 sq. ft. commercial building and the lot north of NE 2nd Street consists of a surface parking lot. A Level 4 Site Plan Application has been submitted to demolish the existing structure and construct a four-story mixed-use development on the south lot.
The proposed development includes 2,596 square feet of commercial use and 23 residential units (the Maxwell). The proposed commercial use is on the ground story facing NE 2nd Street. The residential units have lobby access from NE 2nd Street and stoop access to the ground-story units is from Railroad Street. The required parking for the mixed-use structure is proposed to be accommodated on the north lot, across NE 2nd Street. The site plan has five waiver requests, three pertaining to the CBD regulations.The applicant is also seeking approval to utilize the Art Deco architectural style within the CBD, which requires City Commission approval prior to site plan consideration by the approving board.
This resolution addresses the architectural style. The Delray Beach Central Business District Architectural Design Guidelines (attached) provide defining characteristics for 7 architectural styles deemed appropriate for downtown Delray Beach, based on historical precedent, climate, and building scale: Florida Vernacular, Anglo-Caribbean, Mediterranean Revival, Classical Tradition, Art Deco, Masonry Modern, and Main Street Vernacular. These styles are purposefully broad to allow architects a wide range of detailing and design options. The guidelines also provide general composition and storefront design direction.
In 2015, the design guidelines included Art Deco as the City had approved projects like The Flossy Building in the Art Deco style. However, in 2023, due to community concerns regarding the proliferation and execution of more recent buildings in both the Masonry Modern and Art Deco styles, Ordinance No. 12-23 increased the public review of downtown buildings electing to build in the Masonry Modern or Art Deco styles. LDR Section 4.4.13(F)(3)(e) requires approval of the use of the style by the City Commission via recommendation from the approving board prior to site plan consideration for projects choosing to build in these styles.
The Art Deco style begins on page 47 of the attached guidelines. "Art Deco is an influential modern design style that first appeared in France post WWI. It is an eclectic style, borrowing traditional craft details and incorporating influences from the streamlined machine age. The popularity of the Art Deco waned post WWII, although it is often referenced in modern architectural design. While stone typically was used in northern examples of the Art Deco, masonry and stucco with vivid color highlights are common in Florida." The building design successfully incorporates design characteristics of the style, including geometric shapes, articulations between solid and void, cantilevered eyebrows for shade, stucco finish, few rounded corners, ornamental cladding and metal railings, and vertical features to juxtapose the strong horizontal lines.
The Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) Staff report provides a detailed analysis of the building design with the design guidelines.
On August 12, 2024, the PZB review the request and recommended approval by a vote of 5-1. Overall, the PZB considered the Art Deco architectural style appropriate for the site. However, although the design utilizes many of the elements highlighted in the design guidelines, the PZB recommended that the design further emphasize these elements, such as the rounded corners and vertical elements, to authentically capture the essence and grandeur of Art Deco.
The project is currently under review with the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and modifications may be made to the elevations to address TAC review comments and to incorporate the City Commission decision regarding the use of Art Deco architecture. Once all technical comments have been addressed, the Level 4 Site Plan with the Landscape Waiver will return to City Commission via the recommendation from PZB.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
N/A
Timing of Request:
Approval of the architectural style is required prior to the review of the Level 4 Site Plan.