By Lulu Ramadan

Palm Beach, Daily News Staff Writer

A spirited back-and-forth between Architectural Commission members about solar panels for a South Ocean Boulevard beach house ended with the proposal narrowly passing 4-3.

Architect Christopher Stone appeared before the commission Wednesday to pitch demolishing and replacing a one-story beach house with an energy-efficient alternative. The 3-acre beachfront lot is part of property owned by 1902-1906 S. Ocean Blvd. LLC and includes a newly built two-story family home that was approved by the board in March.

The beach house, at 1906 S. Ocean Blvd., was approved to be rebuilt as a screened beach house with a deck and solar panels above it — but not before commission members raised concerns.

“If you have a roof covered in solar panels, it’s a disgrace,” Vice Chairwoman Ann Vanneck said. “I know we’re trying to be sustainable, but you can’t have something black on a white roof.”

The roof of the beach house would be visible from South Ocean Boulevard, another concern raised by Vanneck.

According to Stone, the solar panel system would generate 120,000 kilowatt hours per month — about 90 percent of the home’s energy needs.

Commission member Robert Garrison was troubled by the maintenance of the panels, saying that if they weren’t cleaned they “wouldn’t last longer than a month.”

Chairman Robert Vila disagreed with the two, instead commending the concept.

“I applaud you for using material that conserves energy,” Vila said.

An underground tunnel connecting the beach house to the two-story family home also was approved at the meeting. Construction of the tunnel will require diverting traffic on South Ocean Boulevard to a temporary road on the property for two weeks, Stone said. They don’t yet know the exact date of construction.

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