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Town of Gulf Stream, Florida General Information for Residents The Town staff is available to assist you and we encourage you to call the Town Hall with any questions or ideas you might have. The town prides itself on the provision of an array of services to both permanent and seasonal residents. Every effort is made to preserve the unique history of the town, while being responsive to the needs of current Residents. The information in this booklet is current as of August 1999. (Please assist us in making this booklet as helpful and accurate as possible, Please call the Town Hall with any suggestions or errors noted.)
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History-
During the early 1920's, a group of prominent investors made arrangements and secured land for development of an exclusive golf course which was to be located south of Palm Beach in Lake Worth. Within a year of its inception, the proposed location of the golf club was changed to the present site at Gulf Stream. Donald Ross was retained to design the golf course and J.R. Brooks was hired to build it. With the completion of the beautiful Spanish-style clubhouse, designed by the well-known architect Addison Mizner, the Gulf Stream Club opened for play in 1924.
As early as 1923, rumors of a polo field in Gulf Stream had been circulating
and by June 1924, the initial phase of development had begun. Although
the official season was not until 1927, the first games were hold in 1926
and the polo became an instant success. The club soon became known as
the "Winter Polo Capital of the World" and "The Birthplace
of Florida Polo'. An era passed into history in the 1960s when the last
of the famous Gulf
Stream Polo Club fields was converted into home sites and a par-three
golf course. The influence and prestige of polo and the Gulf Stream Golf
Club, which still functions today, can be detected throughout the town.
The success of both the Gulf Stream Golf Club and the Polo fields draw
people to Gulf Stream and became a major force behind the growth and development
of the Town. People had been purchasing tracts of land and building mansions
along the beachfront as early as
1923. By 1925, many of the houses were completed, and officers and members
of the Gulf Stream Gulf Club were influential in getting the Florida Legislature
to grant charter establishing Gulf Stream as town.
Until the mid 1980's, Gulf Stream's permanent population was almost matched by its seasonal population. Recent trends are showing that the traditional 50/50 population ratio is changing to a 70/30 split with more people claiming Gulf Stream as their permanent place of residence. The official permanent population of Gulf Stream is 712 and during season it increases to approximately 1,000, excluding staff.
Government:
The Town Hall is located at 100 Sea Road. The telephone number is 276-5116
and the fax number is 737-0188. The Town Commission Meetings are held
on the second Friday of the month at 9:00 A.M. The date and time of these
public meetings are posted on the Bulletin Board located at the entrance
to the Town Hall. To attend a Commission Meeting please call the Town
Hall to confirm the date and time.
The Charter provides for five elected Town Commissioners. The regular
election for the commission is on the second d Tuesday in March every
three (3) years. The Town is staffed by a professional Town Manager, Town
Clerk, and Police Chief, along with a Finance Director and other support
staff.
Police Department:
The Police Department includes IO officers who patrol our roads 24 hours
per day. The Police Station is located across the, street from the Town
Hail at 246 Sea Road. The Town contracts with with the City of Delray
Beach for our Police and Fire dispatch services 243-7800. The Police Department's
administration number is 278-8611.
Architectural Review and Planning Board:
Meeting Date. The ARPB meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at
8:30 A.M., except in August. Any changes to the schedule will be posted
at Town Hall. Purpose: This Board is appointed by the Town Commission
to assist in reserving and enhancing the unique residential character
of Gulf Stream. This board must approve all major remodeling or
construction. The final approval for development rests, with the Town
Commission If you are planning any changes to your home, please consult
with the Town Manager to determine which, Town requirements may apply.
Exterior Color Approval Required: The Town has a large but definitive
range of approved exterior colors. Please contact the -Town Hall before
undertaking an exterior repainting project to be sure the color select
is permitted.
Historic Highway Committee:
Gulf Stream's A1A has been designated as a Scenic Historic Highway by
the Florida Legislature. The Historic Highway Committee has advised the
Town Commission on matters associated with the landscaping along A1A in
Gulf Stream's town limits, and has been instrumental in the effort to
maintain the natural historical beauty along the A1A corridor.
This committee was directly responsible for the successful passage of legislation that will permit the preservation of Australian pines along North Ocean Boulevard, and for overseeing the 1988 A1A Landscaping Enhancement Project.
Library - Town Hall:
The Town of Gulf Stream owns and maintains a local library. This library
was built through donations using volunteer help and assistance. The library
is located in the Town Hall and is and is operated on the honor system"
basis.
Civic Association:
The Town of Gulf Stream Civic Associations, Inc. is organized by the town
residence for the advancing of the civic interest of the Town of Gulf
Stream. Further, this association is a non-profit corporation with membership
on an election by the Board f Directors. The Board of Directors establishes
the annual dues. The by-laws also provide for the election of officers,
the establishment of committees and other appropriate functions.
Homeowners Association:
The following subdivisions have their own association, some require separate
architectural approval in addition to the Town's review:
· Place Au Soleil
· Driftwood Landing
· Hidden Harbour
· Mc Louth