Remarks by William Hopper
509 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 18 of 21
“The question is, the windows on the second floor and the windows on the first floor do not align at all.”
“Yeah. That's very disconcerting to the eye. Is there a way you can make them more harmonious?”
“You would lose the alignment of the previous windows, but the ones that you see... Let me go to the plan. Okay. Okay.”
“I see what you mean. Is there a way, though, that you could, instead of having individual windows, you could mention something about putting a double window in?”
“I think that would be less confusing to the eye.”
“I think that would be a good idea. Also, I agree with my colleagues that moving the Royal Palms rather than cutting them down would be a good move, perhaps to Morningside Park, since it seems to be losing trees right and left these days. I'm very well acquainted with this property, having visited it many times in the previous century. And so I'm looking forward in Well, I'm old. By previous century, I mean the 20th century, not the 19th century. But I'm wondering, and I do notice that you're only removing palm trees, not shade trees. That's correct. those shade trees being mostly black…”
“I said I was concerned having seen this property for sale on Zillow for $4.1 million. Can you explain what's going on there if it's not a development?”
“No, I'm talking about the property itself. The property is for sale for $4.1 million.”
“But yet it's for sale. Okay. Anyone else have a question?”
“So your point was that the easement might be used to accept some of the problems that are being moved.”
“Well, that was a condition of the division of the lot because this property was originally connected to the house next door. Well, it was built away from Bayshore Drive because the owner of the house allegedly did not want his wife seeing when he was visiting his mistress at the house, so he built the house away from Bayshore Drive. And so at some point, they built the wall, extended the wall that went around the property in the middle of the two lots So they would have a garden area and the house. So when previous owners divided the lot, my understanding is that they maintained this easement…”
“It would be a condition to explore. It would be a condition to explore the possibility. Like we were probably going to add a condition that the royal palms be moved at all possible?”
“Okay, that's what we're looking for. So are we ready for a motion? Anyone else have any other questions?”
“He was to explore changing, I believe it was the windows on the first story, turning those into double windows, is that right?”
“And so we're looking for a motion incorporating those conditions, right?”
“There was a condition about the tree relocation, the window, explore the window and the roof.”
“You mean seconded? Okay, there's a motion and a second. Any discussion on the motion? We have the conditions reiterated for us, please.”
“Yes, sir to the tree Condition and that is you said into the easement and could we just say or other location in the surrounding area? Is that acceptable to them?”
“Any questions on that motion? Can we have a roll call, please?”
“He's the property owner. Okay, good. Thank you very much. Okay, we'll start with the staff report.”
“Thank you. Is there anything you would like to add to the staff report? Is there anything you would like to add to the staff report?”
“Okay, thank you. Is there anyone from... No trees. Is there anyone from the public who wishes to speak on this item? Please come forward, give your name and address for the record.”
“Thank you. Anyone else from the public? Yes, sir.”
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
“Whatever you want to do. Sir. Do not interrupt another board member.”