DeMarcay highrise plans hit setback

With less than three months to obtain a building permit under a previously approved site plan, the developers behind a proposed 18-story mixed-use building on Palm Avenue have run into an obstacle.

Tim Litchet, the city’s director of neighborhood and development services, ruled Monday that proposed changes to that site plan filed earlier this year were major, rather than minor, revisions. As a result, those changes would need to be re-approved by the Planning Board and City Commission — and even that would have to happen via an expedited process to meet the Oct. 15 deadline to get a permit.

The changes outlined in the new site plan include a reduction in dwelling units from 39 to 30. Furthermore, Litchet writes, “the proposed plan reflects a much different architectural style than the approved plans.” The developers still have the option to resubmit plans, or to proceed with the site plan as approved.

The proposed project is located at 33 S. Palm Avenue, and would be constructed on the site of the historic DeMarcay Hotel and Roth Cigar Factory buildings. Earlier this year, residents of the 1350 Main condominium building filed suit against the city and developer in an attempt to halt the project.

Originally approved in 2006 under the now-defunct Downtown Residential Overlay District, the project would also include nearly 2,000 square feet of retail space.