Article Courtesy of The Palm
Beach Post
By GRETEL SARMIENTO
Published April 22, 2008
BOCA RATON — A word can make a big difference in
how a project gets approved in this city. That's why the modified plan
that Eden developer Ceebraid-Signal submitted Friday is raising eyebrows.
It speaks of 248 multifamily age-restricted units, but makes no mention of
assisted-living units.
A preliminary plan Ceebraid-Signal submitted in
December called for 86 assisted-living units and 193 independent-living
units for the Eden at 300 W. Palmetto Park Road.
Councilwoman Susan Haynie brought up the alteration
at the city workshop Monday. If the project calls for an age-restricted
rental community, the plan may require only a planning and zoning board
vote, not city council approval, Haynie said. That's because the project
originally was a rental community.
For residents, however, that means fewer chances to
voice their opinions.
"This has the appearance of being improper. It
should be done in a setting that will allow unit owners to speak their
mind," said attorney Steven Platzek, who represents several of them.
The change is nothing compared with the
metamorphosis Eden unit owners have witnessed since they bought their
units more than four years ago.
Nothing remains of the luxurious condominium
promised to them, because that project wasn't completed.
Any changes to the project other than what was
offered to unit owners would hurt them, Platzek said.
"It really doesn't matter at this point how
much the plan changes," Platzek said. "They will fight any
changes."
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