Learn about 'overwhelming' heights vote in 2013—that wasn't overwhelming—and the liars march on about building height

For the latest on efforts to scuttle the redevelopment of the Gulfstream Hotel property, giving this historic structure a date with the wrecking ball, use this link.

The facts about building height in the charming little City of Lake Worth:

Thanks to the present City Commission led by Mayor Triolo, our City truly is, and will always remain, a "low-rise" community.

At the bottom of this post is a video and Lake Worth's city attorney, Glen Torcivia, explains why that 'heights vote' in 2013 was declared "null and void". And let us not forget that allowable height was lowered throughout the downtown between Dixie and Federal Hwy. Nothing in the future can be built over 45 feet in this area. That is true east of Federal too, unless a new building is a hotel of at least 50 rooms or part of a mixed-use project that has at least 50 rooms.

You can read more about the 'overwhelming' voter turnout that wasn't using this link. The facts are straightforward and clear about the matter. What I want to focus on are the "lies at the door" (which continue to this day) that pushed a few more votes into the "Yes" side and why we're in the position we are now vis-à-vis the Gulfstream hotel project and the renovation.

Check out the following images that were used to persuade people to vote "Yes" in 2013 to limit heights in downtown Lake Worth:

Prior to the 2013 'heights vote' the public was shown images like this with large 'box' buildings showing how the downtown would look if they didn't vote to limit heights. Note the caption below image.

Another image used to frighten and confuse City residents. The term "canyon effect" is a popular one used for mis- and disinformation purposes.

Again, another one. This one showing 'white box buildings' where neighborhoods are now. There are many other images just like this one used to confuse residents prior to the vote in 2013.

It's also important to realize what the existing height of the historic Gulfstream Hotel is. The building was built in 1925.

To the building's flat roof it is 72 feet high with an additional 3 feet or so added to the parapet wall. The top of the "Penthouse" or elevator shaft is 92 feet. The diagram above is from a 2012 application to install a cellphone antenna. 

We all need to be on the same page when it comes to saving this historic hotel on the National Register of Historic Places. For more on the "null and void" heights vote in 2013, City Attorney Glen Torcivia explains what happened quite concisely and succinctly: