Sylvester Stallone may have conquered the big screen in “Rocky” and “Rambo,” but the Palm Beach Town Council proved to be one opponent he couldn’t take down.
The Hollywood icon abandoned his plan to erect an 18-inch sea barrier to protect his Florida mansion after a fierce backlash from neighbors and local officials following a town council meeting on Thursday, according to Bloomberg.
Stallone, 78, wanted the barrier to shield his private beach and pool from boaters and debris, claiming some “derelict” vessels were turning the area into a dumping ground for “sewage, gas, trash and dog feces.”
But his neighbors weren’t buying it, with many calling the plan invasive and environmentally problematic.
Palm Beach locals, known for their strict standards on development, argued that Stallone’s barrier would obstruct public waterways.
“The waterway should remain open,” said lifelong resident Jane Lindsay Scott at the meeting, according to Bloomberg, adding, “The onus is on that property owner to come up with a way of mitigating their exposure.”
Stallone defended his proposal, saying, “It’s unbelievable to me that you can have your house, your things, your boat — the place that’s your sanctuary — and you can have some guy sit there for 10 months and do his laundry in front of me and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
But the critics didn’t let up.
Scott also pointed out that Stallone’s plan could “trap the trash and push it down,” failing to address the environmental concerns Stallone had raised.
Facing mounting resistance, Stallone’s lawyer cut the meeting short, announcing the actor’s withdrawal of the proposal.
The announcement prompted cheers from the crowd, leaving Stallone to wave in acknowledgment before making his exit.
Even the council wasn’t pulling punches.
“It’s tough being so famous,” said council President Bobbie Lindsay, “we have lots of celebrities and important people who live here, but you’re the only Rocky and Rambo, so it’s tough. I think we simply must object to this particular one.”
