SACREBLEU! Jupiter Island official says Celine Dion’s waterworld shouldn’t have been built!
Tags: celine dion, construction, Gene Rauth, Jeff Newell, Jose Lambiet's Page2Live, Jupiter Island, planning, water park, waterpark, waterworld, zoning
| Wednesday 21 July 2010 12:55 pm
Dion's waterpark getting the finishing touch in April (Click on the photo for more)
Songbird Celine Dion isn’t making friends on Jupiter Island.
The waterpark that the Canadian singer of My Heart Will Go On built on her Jupiter Island property has caused the ire of the quietly rich, old-money residents on the exclusive barrier island — and the secretive ouster of the government official who approved the project.
Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Jeff Newell, 61, one of the town’s best-liked department heads, resigned suddenly in June as occupancy certificates for Dion’s house were being drawn.
Newell’s exit papers include conditions that he not criticize the town’s administration or reach out to town employees, as well as two letters of reprimand for work he did on Dion’s construction. They indicate Newell’s departure from the $102,743-a-year job may not have been totally his choice. Newell will be paid until September as part of his severance deal.
In documents obtained by Page2Live, Town Manager Gene Rauth opined in one of his reprimands that the permits for Dion’s $1 million private waterpark should not have been approved!
Thing is: There’s nothing the town government wants to do about it now!
For more, and the poll, look below or click
“You have showed very poor judgment in granting the approval and thus creating an adverse impact on the adjacent properties and the town as a whole,” Rauth wrote to Newell, adding that Dion’s building of high water slides, a lazy river and a wave pool just feet from the ocean could set a precedent. “The problems you have created have further been exacerbated by your failure to document in writing your actions and decisions in such a significant matter.”
Dion's waterpark in April (Click on the photo for more)
Dion
Rauth told me Wednesday he received “numerous” calls from residents about Dion’s construction in an ecologically sensitive dunes area. The rules, however, can be bent.
“Like in any rules and regulations, there is always discretion,” Rauth said. “The building director had the right to discretion and acted within the guidelines.”
Rauth said he informally reviewed the approval of the waterpark — which was never mentioned in the architectural plans Dion’s people filed with the town and the state of Florida in 2006. And although Rauth didn’t find any illegal activities from Newell’s part, it appears Newell approved some of the park’s features verbally!
Rauth said the town will not go after Dion to have the project dismantled.
“The best thing for the town,” Rauth said, “is to move forward.”
Newell was also reprimanded for not following up on a request from Rauth to put Dion on notice that construction workers on her project parked their cars indiscriminately and disrupted neighbors.
When reached at home in Hobe Sound, Newell declined comment.
Jupiter Island residents historically have managed to prevent nightmarish development beyond one-story homes on wooded lots through strict building codes. The calm and privacy here have lured A-listers from all walks of life, including former President George W. Bush’s family, golfers Tiger Woods and Greg Norman, singer Alan Jackson and disgraced Lehman Bros. boss Richard Fuld.
Most locals only became aware of the scope and size of Dion’s waterpark when the first stories came out in Page2Live in November. At the time, Dion had six wells dug on the property to heat up and cool down the millions of gallons needed for son Rene-Charles‘ playground. But aerial photos published the following day and in April put it in even better in perspective.
“The town needs to apply existing laws,” said outraged Jupiter Islander Joe Farish, a prominent lawyer. “The town had me move a gazebo in my backyard a few feet west last year. Where is the supervision? Who’s watching these construction sites?”
Farish said the Dion project could spur on other residents to try to get away with code infractions, or building without the proper permits.
“If I were Tiger Woods, I’d take advantage of this to build 15 houses on my property, one for each mistress,” Farish said.
As usual, Dion’s high-priced publicist didn’t bother commenting.
Loading ...– Click here for photos of the homes of other celebrities in South Florida
– Click here to find your favority celeb on the exclusive Page2Live map of celebrities
Where was zoning board on this approval. One man can approve the permit without the full approval of a zoning board wih a project of this magnitude? The zoning board needs to review all past approvals from the date of this approval.
I can’t wait to see the comments. Rich people and the government. How are they going to decide who to hate more?
It’s built. Let it go. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s lazy river.
,” Rauch said. “The building director had the right to discretion and acted within the guidelines.”
However, said Rauch, the approval of the waterpark — which was never mentioned in Dion’s 2006 permit applications and architectural plans originally filed with the town and the state of Florida — was thoroughly reviewed. Although Rauch didn’t find any illegal activities from Newell’s part, it appears Newell approved some of the waterpark’s features verbally.
Which is it Rauch? Was it legal or not? Sounds like the neighbors did not like her playing the rules to the max. But there were no laws against what she did so Rauch needed to find a scape goat for his incompetance.
No laws? Huh? Building in an “ecologically sensitive dunes area is legal? Really?
I don’t care what rich people do with their money, but this project and the deep wells that tap into our drinking supply is a whole different issue.
One individual should not be granted permission to utilize our limited water supply for such a recreational pool. Futher, although this is private property, the health of our coastline, dune structure, etc. must be protected for the benefit of all of us, wildlife and environment.
It’s over, and done with. To late to change it now! Bet Jupiter Island Official’s knew all along about the water park, and now the residents of the Island are crying foul they had to have a scape goat to sacrifice!!!!!! So Jupiter Island quit crying!!!!
You guys are just mad you can’t afford your own Rapids water park! If you could you would build one too! I love lazy rivers myself! Haters!
Jose wrote: “…suddenly in June. as occupancy…” AND
“…aware of the extend of Dion’s waterpark…” - nice editing!
Celine has worked hard and has been rewarded for her efforts. She purchased the land and constructed a home with the Town’s approval. The property uses a reverse osmosis/capture system to supply the pools and landscaping and is buffered so her ‘neighbors’ can’t even see it.
Why do people hate on a self-made millionaire who has employed hundreds of people for years and contributes millions of dollars a year to the tax base? Jealousy.
Free Jupiter Island estates for everyone!
I don’t blame her for creating a fun park of her son - the way the paparazzi stalks these people nowadays, can you? She signed on for the celebrity life, but she can never bring her kid to an amusement park without living in fear of his safety or her privacy stripped to the bone. She pays her taxes, she owns that property, I’m sure she has a helluva water bill, too, LOL…but she can afford it.
I’d do the same thing.
It seems a little obsessive to me to keep reporting on Celine Dion’s stupid “waterpark”. Who cares? It’s her money, her property and she was given approval so enough already.
Sam I totally agree with your comments!
HOW COME YOU NEVER SEE CELINE AND MR ED AT THE SAME TIME
You people are just jealous……you’d do it too if you could afford it.
HAS SHE PAID THE CONTRACTOR,SO THE SUBS CAN GET PAID??? KINDA LIKE TRUMP,ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FOR THE WORK,,THEN RE-NEGOTIATE AFTER THE WORK IS DONE & BILL IS SUBMITTED,JUST ANOTHER WAY THE RICH STEAL FROM THE WORKIN PEOPLE.
I just don’t understand why Celine Dion needed a water
park on her property at all. A pool wasn’t enough? All
that water-I sure hope it can be recycled. Its bad enough South Florida has water issues-here she is building a water park-it doesn’t make sense. It has
nothing to do with her celebrity or how much she makes
because she earns the money-its not an easy job. I just feel that its overboard whether it was Celine or
someone else.
Good for Celine! What a cool house and waterpark in her own backyard. She’s got the approval, so what, get over it. You haters are just jealous of her. She has a great music career and earned her money and now she is spending it as she likes.
Hey Celine, by the way, I am unemployed and would gladly go to work for you as a lifeguard at your waterpark.
These doddering old fools on Jupiter Island don’t want anyone on their little strip of heaven….cyclists, walkers, joggers…….They’re like hillbillies with money. Soon enough they’ll all die off though and it won’t be an issue. You can’t even see Celine’s house from the road, never mind the waterpark. Get over it allready
Way to go Celine, if you can afford then go for it. I’m sure the impact & permit fees alone cost a fortune and the City ain’t complaining about that!
Farish is a bitter man… Ever had an affair?
The idiot in this story is Joe Farish. Trust a personal injury lawyer to exaggerate to the point of stupidity.
they just hating cause she got more bank
What am I missing here? The thing’s got a curley-q thingy water slide. That’s it… I mean I can’t guess scale real well but the total square footage of the water surface doesn’t look like it would be much more than a typical olympic sized swimming pool.
Hardly a ‘water park’.
If I were Jupiter, I’d be more concerned with that disgrace over on Tiger’s property…..the one where his minimalist (in more ways than one) ex- stole the blueprints of the Stockholm Hampton Inn.
So she has a pool in her backyard. Big deal. I have a pool also and it’s the size I can afford, and her pool is a size she can afford. Besides, it’s not bugging the turtles so who gives a s _ _ t.
Another scofflaw foriegner.
Jup. Island now has one house that looks like the Rapids water park and one that looks like the Stockholm airport terminal all approved by their development review board not the Building Official. But when they actually see what they look like in reality not on paper they have find someone to fire to cover for the fact they could not visualize this garbage during the review phase.
Could not be blaming the residents on their review board now could we?
The guy who says “it is time to move on” is always guilty of something.
Why did that old lecher Farrish have to use this to take a shot at Tiger. He jealous cause a young black man has enough money to buy and sell him for lunch?
Limkins sound better than her.
Watch all these islanders that are stabbing Celine in the back will be socializing and sucking up to her in person, two faced scum.
I’m so sick of these self-absorbed douchebags and their inconspicuous, over-inflated egos!
Jupiter Island residents are still pissed over the fact Celine called the cops on them when they tried to drive their golf carts on her property to peak at the construction last year.
Ahhhhh…u[iter Island where the breying of jack asses can be heard above the crashing of waves…
Screw Her!!!
BOy, their child is certainly going to be a spoiled rich brat. Think of the good these rich celebrities could do with that money they spend on the maintenance etc of multiple homes. I personally know one extremely rich guy who has two homes and gives himself an allowance of 50 thousand a month to spend or give away, most of which he does give away to employees and their families, besides the many charities that he supports.
IF you think Celine Dion works hard, you should try nursing for 40 years or like my mother, working herself to death in a cotton mill in South Carolina.
When looking at the photos of the property, I can only see a large pool with an island, accessible by a bride that has one enclosed water slide.
How is this even close to a public or profit-driven “water-park?”
“bridge” not “bride”
Only in my dreams! New book…Jealousy and Envy on Jupiter. Where can her children go and be away from the media? I know if I had the money, my children would have one of these!
Celine, your home looks beautiful! The pool and your small waterpark that you made for your son speaks of the LOVE you have for your son. There will always be people who will be jealous and envious of you. My advice is to just ignore them! One thing I have learned in life is that no matter how nice and caring you are, you will never be able to please everyone.
I hope your family is able to enjoy your new home and that the publicity stops.
You all need to just drop this subject! It’s HER money, HER property, and HER life. She lovingly built the waterpark for her soon, do ya’ll have a problem with that? She has done so much for so many people and some of ya’ll want to sue her for building her son a waterpark, wich got approved? Some of you people are just sick! What is really the problem here? Did ya’ll run out of Celine news or something? LEAVE THE POOR GIRL ALONE! Celine is a good person, she means a lot to me, and i really don’t like it when people say usless crap about her and what she does. This subject needs to be dropped, she can handle this on her own, she knows whats best. Stay out of HER issues, even though there’s no real problem. CHILL!
Go CANADIANS!!!! WHOOT WHOOT!
OMG seriously, why won’t they just leave the woman alone, it’s her money, she can choose to do whatever she wants with it, it’s her house, she does have tons of sisters and brothers, which mins tons of nieces and nephews. You can’t even see the waterpark, if it wasn’t for the helicopter photos no one would even know, she hasn’t caused any problems, why are people complaining to nothing? It’s done!, they are probably just jelous, but you know, they won’t get invited this way.. lol
its just a big pool,you posters need to go outside and get some fresh air.get a life,no one really cares what you think.have a good day.
Showy quick wealth destroys the neighborhood.
Tacky, tacky, tacky.
If she isn’t bothering her neighbors then why is everyone so annoyed? I’ll tell you why…because people like the posters above, Mon A Mie and Joyfuljoy, are jealous of someone else’s success. Celine Dion can sell out arenas around the globe because of her talent. She has worked hard to be successful, while you CHOSE to be a nurse or something else. That was your decision so why don’t you live your own life and stay out of hers! As for Mon a Mie’s comment, I can add to that…Obnoxious busybodies destroy a neighborhood. Nosy, nosy, nosy!
Hey Lambiet, Don’t you have better things to write about? Seems to me that you really like to be on Celine’s case!!! With that BP mess and oil all over the place, I would build my own waterpark too if I could. Besides, it’s not that large and water is recycled. What’s the big deal, really? There are many real offenders out there, and you should go after them instead of Celine. Don’t try to make a name for yourself on Celine’s back!!! Get a real job and work honnestly as Celine has done all her life!!!
THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF FLORIDA’S “BUILDING OFFICIAL” SYSTEM GOING HAYWIRE. THE SYSTEM IS BROKEN. THE STATE IS BROKEN. NEWEL AND THE CITY PROBABLY PLANNED THIS OUTCOME, THAT IS WHY HE IS GETTING PAID UNTIL SEPTEMBER. THEY ARE ALL A BUNCH OF CROOKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Give credit where it is due. Celine Dion hired an architect, and this architect is responsible for obtaining construction permits, which are based on approval of the Building and Zoning Board. If these official do not have the capability of analyzing a project before construction, then they should leave the decisions to engineers and other qualified people who can do so.
Other than that, Celine Dion did order constructed an unusual and unique residence, which is pretty, to say the least and is an asset to the Island of Jupiter Florida.
However, someone should research the possibility of installing a water purifying plant or desalinator on the property, which will use water from the Atlantic Ocean and therefore, save Jupiter’s water supply. Submarines and other vessels use this type of equipment, therefore why can’t it be used here?
Thanks for proving good information.
I wanna need a big house like Island.
She should put a submarine in her lazy river and look into docking an aircraft carrier on her beach at the Island of Jupiter Florida!
From strictly a ecological point of view, if she is using ecological means to run the pool so as to not need to use precious water of other people, then nothing is wrong with that water park. Also, if they really wanted the dunes protected, then the land itself should never be purchaseable.
It is my opinion, that people should be allowed to build whatever montrosity they want on their land as long as it contents does not flow or impede on to another’s land. I also believe that we need to stop banning houses because they don’t look like all the other houses. We have too quickly moved from Freedom to Censorship at the expense of creativity, and instead worshiped Robotic thinking where everyone is forced to look, act and live like everybody else in stylistically identical houses.
Domes are banned because its not square like the other georgian’s. New is banned because it doesn’t look old. Water parks are banned because no on else has them. When we the jealousy and pathetic infantile behaviour stop? Unfortunately, probably never!
Thank you.
I agree, leave her alone. I also encourage creativity (there is not very much of that going around these days.) That being said, I have to comment on Bear’s message. She chose to be a singer because she had been given an enormous gift! I was forced to take singing lessons throughout my college career as a musician even though I was a keyboardist. I can do all kind of things with my voice and match pitch easily - but I knew from an early age that people did not want to listen to my voice, they wanted to hear me play the organ or the piano. Not everyone is so fortunate to look like Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie just as most of us can’t sing like Celine. LIFE IS NOT FAIR AND NEVER EVER WILL BE - GET OVER IT! I know I haven’t
CREATIVITY - That is the magic word here, and Celine Dion definitely shows us that this is part of her character make-up, and I am glad, because few people these days are creative.
Guaranteed that she has built a private water park that has impeded upon the water supply of Jupiter Island, Florida. But, that is not her mistake - it is the mistake of (1) her architect and (2) Jupiter Island Building & Zoning Commission both of which shuld have had the basic common sense and ability to foresee the amount of water the water park would require and make arrangements to handle this quanity of water in an intelligent way, probably by using desalintor(s) dedicated to the water park. Simply put, where there is a will there is a way, but apparently no one even tried, and now everyone is blaming Celine Dion, who can only be blamed for spending her money and giving employment to those working on her Jupiter Island residence.
In Celine Dion’s words: YOU GO GIRL!