Historic board approves revised Ardmore Road renovation with conditions to reduce garage massing

The West Palm Beach Historic Preservation Board voted March 26 to approve application 24‑11, a renovation and partial demolition at 734 Ardmore Road in the Flamingo Park historic district, after debate over the scale of a proposed accessory building.

Architect David Lawrence presented revised plans that retain and restore the front two‑thirds of the c.1925 house while demolishing deteriorated rear elements and adding new rear massing and an accessory structure. Staff recommended approval under Secretary of the Interior standards 9 and 10, saying the proposal preserved primary historic fabric while addressing failing elements.

During public comment, neighbor Doug Jabad of 718 Ardmore urged the board to weigh neighborhood scale and oppose what he called a pattern of 'lot‑line to lot‑line McMansions.' He said the proposed project would be out of scale with nearby houses. Lawrence replied the design places new massing to the rear and masks additions so the historic front remains dominant.

Board members focused on the accessory structure and garage configuration. Several members said the two‑story mass of the accessory building and a single 17‑foot garage opening made the rear structure read as overly large from adjacent properties, even if set back from the street.

The board approved the application by motion, making approval conditional on four changes: restudy and adjust the parapet/parget proportion to better relate to the existing facade; replace the single wide garage door with two separate doors; eliminate the accessory structure's second‑floor mass (making the garage one story); and reduce the accessory building's ceiling height. The motion cited the staff report, testimony and the City Zoning and Land Development Regulations (section 9‑4‑49) as support.

Next steps: the applicant will work with staff to produce revised drawings that implement the conditions. The board's action is final for the certificate of appropriateness; building permits and any required zoning approvals remain separate steps.