Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
14-story condo tower likely coming to Fort Lauderdale despite critics’ concerns
FORT LAUDERDALE — A controversial 14-story condo tower that critics warned would change the character of one of Fort Lauderdale’s oldest neighborhoods was approved late Wednesday by a planning board that might be its last hurdle.
The city commission has the option of weighing in but will do so only if one of its five members requests a vote on the $60 million project. As of this week, there was no indication that would happen.
The 77-unit tower would be the tallest building on the western edge of Colee Hammock, a neighborhood that includes single-family homes, town homes and condos both north and south of Las Olas. The neighborhood, founded in 1916, sits east of downtown and is known for its quiet tree-lined streets.
The half-acre site is now home to a two-story apartment complex built in 1957 on the north side of the New River.
Developer Randy Tulepan bought the property at 808 SE Fourth St. five years ago. He hopes to break ground on the new condo a year from now and have it ready to open by 2024.
At Wednesday night’s meeting, the tower had some supporters — including an attorney from Boca Raton who argued it would draw young professionals in search of a lively downtown.
Jodi Tanner, a resident of Rio Vista and vice president of the Las Olas Association, said the sleek new tower would be a stunning addition to the neighborhood.
“It’s going to be a fantastic change and a fantastic building,” she said.
But the critics far outnumbered the fans.
Many argued the proposed building — which adheres to the allowed maximum height of 137 feet, six inches — is just too tall. Some said they’d rather see an
eight-story building instead.
“Let’s preserve this one charming little street in a charming little neighborhood,” one woman told the planning board.
Another made a tearful plea, saying she moved into the Rivercrest condo next door 21 years ago.
“I’d love to see something on that lot, something really nice,” she said. “But I don’t want it to destroy my building.”
Jerry Jordan, a general contractor who lives two blocks away, said the neighborhood is known for its one- and two-story homes and low-rise buildings.
“The reason you like our area is it’s not a concrete canyon with skyscrapers,” he said. “We want development … but this is too much.”
Gerald Fritz told the board he lives in the seven-story Chateau Mar condo right next to where the tower will go.
“It’s going to be like living next to a parked cruise ship,” he said. “A 14-story cruise ship sandwiched right in between these two properties.”
The vote by the nine-member Planning & Zoning Board was not unanimous.
Two members, Mary Fertig and Steve Ganon, cast “no” votes.
“I feel like that street has a certain feel and a certain look,” Fertig said. “I don’t see how this building is compatible with that.”