The Historic Architectural Review Commission (HARC) is normally most
vigil in examining building applications for the historic district of
Key West to make sure they meet the historic architectural guidelines.
I applaud them for it. The historic district is one of our greatest
assets and must be protected.
However, when the application for the Jabour's Trailer Court
property, at William Street and the Key West Bight (now called
Watermark), was reviewed, HARC failed to apply part of the guidelines,
namely the part about proportion, scale and mass. The guidelines state
that for new construction in the Key West historic district: " ... No
new structure shall outsize the majority of structures in the
streetscape or historic zone." (page 38, No. 3)
The four proposed buildings at the Jabour's property each grossly
outsize every single building in the surrounding area. The proposed
buildings are not even close to meeting the HARC guidelines.
A scale model of the proposed buildings and the surrounding
buildings made by architect Bill Rowan is on display at Waterfront
Market, at the end of William Street. Anyone with eyes can see the
proposed buildings are monsters compared to the surrounding buildings.
The Jabour's/Watermark application will be back before HARC at 3
p.m. on Sept. 28 at Old City Hall. At that time, HARC should defer the
proposed project plans to be redrawn to comply with HARC requirements
for proportion, mass and scale. It is HARC's duty to adhere to all its
guidelines.
Shirley Freeman
Key West
