The Southernmost Hoax
Continues
How Many
Members Of the Planning
Board And City Commission
Will Buy Into It?

THE SOUTHERNMOST HOUSE
WAS APPROVED AS A 13-ROOM
GUESTHOUSE IN 2001 WITH 13
SPECIAL CONDITIONS. MOST OF
THOSE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN
REPEATEDLY VIOLATED. NOW
THE OWNERS OF THE MANSION
WANT APPROVAL FOR 150-SEAT
RESTAURANT

by Dennis Reeves Cooper

Since November 2001,
Attorney Michael Halpern, in
partnership with the Ramos
family, has been operating the
100-year-old Southernmost
House as an upscale 13-room
guesthouse. But, because the
house is located in a primarily
residential area, the City Commission
imposed a number of
stringent restrictions on food
and beverage service, the use of
amplified music and additional
construction. Those restrictions
have become known as the 13
Special Conditions.

During the City Commission
meeting on November 20,
2001, Halpern happily agreed
to the various restrictions in
order to get any kind of approval
to begin guesthouse
operations. But since that time,
like the proverbial camel with
his nose under the edge of
the tent, he has continuously
pushed for waivers of many
of the restrictions— including
challenging the legality of some
of those restrictions in court.
And in many instances, neighbors
allege, Halpern has simply
ignored the restrictions.

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