HomeMy WebLinkAboutPZ 03-14-1989 MINUTES OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD MEETING HELD ON
TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1989
Nine
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Swickerath at
7:35 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman Swickerath and Vice Chairman Smith, Board
members Linebarier, Bello, Weeks, Switzer, Director of
Planning Behrens, Senior Planner Harper, Associate Planner
Claman, and Deputy Clerk Resnik.
ABSENT: Board members Bond and Breeze.
Chairman Swickerath said City Manager Shapiro was at the
meeting to introduce himself to the Board. Manager Shapiro
said he did not want to take up too much time from the
regular agenda but wanted the Board to know that he was
available to them if they needed him at a meeting or to
answer any questions that may come up from time to time. He
said he did not feel that he should attend every Planning and
Zoning Board meeting but would keep in touch with the
Chairman in the event his services were needed. Manager
Shapiro urged the Board to develop a set of bylaws and to
have them drafted into a City ordinance to be acted on by the
City Commission.
Now Chairman Swickerath thanked Manager Shapiro for dropping in
on the meeting and welcomed him to the City on behalf of the
Board. There being no further questions or comments from the
Board, Manager Shapiro said he would leave them to their
business as he had another meeting to attend that evening.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board member Linebarier moved to approve the regular meeting
minutes of February 14, 1989, Board member Weeks seconded,
and approval was unanimous.
Vice Chairman Smith moved to approve the workshop meeting
minutes of February 23, 1989, Board member Switzer seconded,
and approval was unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS
Silver Glen PUD - Public Hearing on Substantial Change to
Land Use Amendment
Chairman Swickerath indicated since this was a public
hearing, he would first ask staff to give a presentation,
then ask the developer to add any comments, then invite any
public discussion, then the Board would have a discussion.
Director of Planning Behrens read the staff report. He said
New
the new PUD ordinance requires a public hearing to be held in
the event of a substantial change to the land use amendment.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Board member Linebarier advised Director Behrens that there
was an error in the staff report regarding the Planning and
Zoning Board's informal vote for the six foot side yard
setbacks. He said the vote was 4 -3 against recommending the
six foot side yards. Board member Linebarier reed from the
February 14, 1989 minutes that were in the packets for this
meeting indicating how each member voted. Director of
Planning Behrens said he remembered it differently but that
he could possibly be mistaken. He said he would review the
tape recordings for that meeting to make sure.
Steve Mellich, the Project Engineer for Silver Glen, said he
had discussed the issues at a previous meeting with the Board
but would gladly answer any questions. There being no
questions for the developer, Chairman Swickerath opened the
public hearing. He asked for comments specifically on the
matter of the six foot aide yard setbacks because that was
the issue that was advertised for public hearing.
R.P. Mohnacky, 1820 Prairie Lake Boulevard, said he was
against the six foot side yards. He said the City had good
`mr regulations in place and should stick by them. Mr. Mohnacky
said he did not see why the City would want to compromise
since the only reason the developer wanted a waiver on this
requirement was to get more units per acre. Mr. Mohnacky
said that a single - family home should be on a standard size
lot which is sufficient for the size of the house on it. Mr.
Mohnacky said he felt it was his fob as a citizen to lobby
for the consumers and for other citizens since the
developer's aide was always sure to be heard. He said he was
not against developers per se but that he was for controlled
growth. He said he was sure that the Board would be
questioned sometime in the future for compromising its
standards but then it will be too late.
There being no other public comments, Chairman Swickerath
closed the public hearing. Because there were citizens
present that wished to address other matters on this
particular project, Chairmen Swickerath said the Board would
hear their comments or concerns now, but the Board would not
be able to officially act on anything other than the six foot
side yard setbacks.
Pitt Varnes, 1405 Spring Lake Terrace, said he wanted to
reiterate the points he had made to the Board at a previous
meeting in order to keep his concerns fresh in their minds.
Mr. Varney said he would like to see a catch basin at the end
of Street G for the drainage rather than having runoff from
the project enter his property and the lake. He said his
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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other concern was that the developer build a five -foot
maaonary wall approximately 475 feet down his property to
help control any drainage or erosion problems.
A.H. Hensley, 1433 Spring Lake Terrace, said he was not aware
that the plans for the project had already been approved and
felt that he would be wasting his time trying to work with
the City at this point. He said his mayor problem with the
project was his objection to any drainage created from the
development running into the lake. He said he had not seen
his dock in five yearn from the City draining other areas
into the lake and he had lost some of his yard (from the
increase in the lake level) after the City approved the last
development near the lake (Lakeview Terrace).
Chairman Swickerath said he had a good view of the lake from
where he lived and his personal opinion was that the Lakeview
Terrace project did not significantly alter the level of the
lake. He said there was a natural ebb and flow and that, of
course, water would always run down hill. Chairman
Swickerath said with the current pollution abatement devices,
taw he did not think the lake quality would be harmed by the
project.
Board member Switzer asked what had been resolved in
reference to the 20 foot front yard setbacks. Director of
Planning Behrens said the developer had withdrawn the request
for a waiver on the front yard setbacks because they felt
that the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Commission
both felt opposed to the request.
Chairman Swickerath asked if the six foot side yard setbacks
would only be an issue for the 60 foot lots or if the
developer planned on having six foot aide yards on the 75
foot lots as well. The developer said the 75 foot lots had
all been designed to have 7 1/2 foot aide yards.
Board member Linebarier asked if the developer felt the front
yard setbacks should be withdrawn, why the developer did not
also feel that the aide yard request should also be withdrawn
since the Planning and Zoning Board also voted (informally)
against it. Director Behrens said the developer realized
that the Planning and Zoning Board would probably not favor
the six foot side yards but that the developer felt the City
Commission might. Board member Linebarier said he had
reviewed the City Commission meeting minutes where this was
discussed and that they had also voted against it. Director
Behrens said the minutes were wrong and that the City
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Commission had voted in favor of the concept. He said the
minutes had not been officially corrected as yet but they
were indeed wrong.
Board member Switzer asked if there was a City ordinance
requiring 7 1/2 foot side yards. Director Behrens said there
was no such requirement in the PUD ordinance. He said the
ordinance was not specific about it and that the whole
purpose of the PUD ordinance was to allow flexibility.
Board member Switzer said he was opposed to six foot side
yards and that he had asked his neighbors and other citizens
in the City and without exception, everyone was opposed. He
said everyone he spoke with said they felt 7 1/2 foot side
yard setbacks should be looked at as the minimum. He said he
felt that the City seemed to be only giving up things to
developers and not getting anything in return.
Board member Weeks said he had not changed his opinion since
the last vote. He said he thought that in this case, six
foot side yards were sufficient. Board member Weeks replied
'■11.' to Board member Switzer's statement about what the City had
gained by saying that if there was only one way to develop
and there would be no exceptions granted, he did not see the
need for a Planning and Zoning Board.
Vice Chairman Smith said the developer was looking to build
a particular type of home because there was a market for it.
He said he did not see anything wrong with a six foot side
yard. He said his neighbor had a trailer in the back yard
and that Vice Chairman Smith had to have a 10 foot hedge to
keep from having to look at it. He said he wished the
neighbor could not have fit the trailer past the side yard to
get it into the back yard. Vice Chairman Smith said the City
should allow utilization of the land to make living space
available and affordable.
Board member Bello said she was still not in favor of the six
foot side yard. She indicated that she was not, however,
diametrically opposed to the idea and that the developer
could try to change her mind.
Board member Linebarier said he did not agree with Board
member Weeks. Board member Linebarier said he felt the Board
would be netting a precedent and would not be able to
disapprove of the next developer's request for the same
liorsw setback and then the 7 1/2 foot minimum would no longer be
the case.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Board member Linebarier said he had spoken with the
developer's engineer and he said the problem with developing
in Ocoee was that there was no black and white answers as to
what developers could and could not do. He said the engineer
felt the City should not work on a cane by case basis.
Regarding Vice Chairman Smith's comments about utilizing more
apace, Board member Linebarier said the same "space" would be
used no matter what happened to the six foot side yard issue
(60 foot lots), but that the developer would just be able to
cover more of each lot. He did not see where that was
utilizing the land better.
Chairman Swickerath indicated that dust because the house
would have a larger width, it did not necessarily mean the
house would be larger.
Board member Linebarier said the developer would be able to
sell a higher priced home if the width was larger. He said
the six foot aide yard would not conserve land and would not
necessarily provide a better quality home. Board member
Linebarier said he had also talked with about 15 people who
S"' lived near him - which was not far from the proposed
subdivision - and that without exception, people were opposed
to the smaller side yards. He said the smaller aide yards
would make the neighborhood look "cheap" and would not allow
as much green apace.
Chairman Swickerath asked staff if the open space or green
space per lot requirement would still be fulfilled with the
larger -width homes. Staff indicated that the new PUD
ordinance said the maximum coverage of all buildings could
not exceed 30 percent of the gross land area. (88 -08, Section
13.11, Item 2(b))
Chairman Swickerath said the real reason for the PUD
ordinance was to encourage a certain amount of creativity to
come up with an environment that is more pleasing than a
strict guideline would enable. He encouraged the Board to
keep such creativity possible. Chairman Swickerath said he
was generally in favor of the six foot side yards but in this
case he was voting againat the request because he felt
certain agreements had been broken by the developer and that
upset him. He said he would have been willing to vote for
the side yards if the developer would have kept the agreement
on the curb cute on Silver Star Road but the developer had
sold the commercial parcel (and the cut along with it) and
now requested, and received, permission from the City
Commission on the additional cut despite the Planning and
Zoning Board's recommendation to deny the additional access.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Board member Linebarier asked what the square footage would
be for the houses if they got the six foot aide yard
approved. Project Engineer Mellich said the plans approved
in 1986 were planned for a 1,000 square foot home but now the
developer wanted to build a 1,200 square toot home.
Director Behrens read the section from the PUD ordinance
where it stated that the developer should be given the
flexibility to come up with a creative use of the property.
He said if the Board did not want to see any exceptions to
the minimum standard requirements, maybe they should
recommend to the City Commission that the PUD ordinance be
killed or at least that the 7 1/2 foot minimum side yard
setback be incorporated into the PUD ordinance as well.
Chairman Swickerath said with a more cooperative and
consistent approach, a developer may get a favorable review.
He said the PUD ordinance was not a license for the developer
to take advantage of this community. He said there should be
trade offs and that the City should get something in return
for giving up one of its standards. Chairman Swickerath said
he did not feel the City was getting anything in this case.
Sow
Board member Weeks asked the developer if the lots in the
1986 approved plan were all 60 foot lots and the developer
indicated they were (all but the lots along the lake). Board
member Weeks said what the developer had given in this case
was larger lots (75 foot) for half of the project.
Board member Linebarier motioned to deny the six foot side
yard setback request and Board member Switzer seconded.
Upon a roll call vote, Chairman Swickerath and Board members
Switzer, Linebarier, and Bello all voted in favor of the
motion (to deny the six foot side yard setbacks), and Vice
Chairman Smith and Board member Weeks voted against the
motion.
There was discussion on the matter of the well that Mr.
Varner was requesting. Project Engineer Mellich said he
would work with Mr. Varnes and try to cooperate on a wall.
Engineer Mellich said he would also work with Mr. Hensley on
getting some information on the lake level.
Board member Switzer said the City should be cooperative with
the present landowners and try to fulfill any reasonable
requests, especially since they are in the City.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
Board member Linebarier asked about the retention pond at the
end of Street G. Engineer Mellich said that currently, the
developer did not want to have the pond but rather would like
to plan for an environmental awale. He said the purpose of
the pond would only have been for the seven or so lots right
near it (not from the roadways) and that he felt the
environmental awale could achieve the same desired result.
He said the developer would request of the City to go the way
of the swales rather than constructing a pond.
Board member Linebarier said he had visited the site and
because of the steepness of the grade, he felt a pond was
needed to catch the runoff from those lots. He said he also
agreed with Mr. Varnes that a wall was needed and Board
member Linebarier suggested that the wall be extended to meet
the existing stucco wall. He said he thought that the swales
would erode after a heavy rain and that the wall may help
prevent erosion from occurring.
Engineer Mellich said he would not recommend using the wall
to take the place of engineering. He said Mr. Varnes'
err' concerns were valid but that the wall was not the answer for
the drainage issue.
Engineer Mellich said he also wanted to address a statement
that Board member Linebarier made earlier in reference to a
conversation he had with Engineer Mellich. He said Board
member Linebarier misinterpreted what he said about the
City's development requirements and that he did not mean to
convey that he would want the criteria to be stringent but
was talking about the development process itself. Engineer
Mellich also stated that he was not given his rebuttal
opportunity before the vote was taken. Chairman Swickerath
said he asked Engineer Mellich if he wanted to respond and he
thought he had replied "no ". He said he could ask the Board
to withdraw the vote if he wanted a chance for rebuttal
because he wanted the developer to feel that they were given
due process. Engineer Mellich declined the offer to have the
vote withdrawn for a rebuttal period.
Board member Linebarier asked Engineer Mellich if he would
continue to discuss the possibility of the wall with Mr.
Varnes and Engineer Mellich said he would. Chairman
Swickerath asked the Board if they wanted to formalize an
opinion as to the wall issue or the lake. Board member
Linebarier asked how staff felt about these issues and
y low Director of Planning Behrens said he did not want a wall
there because he thought it would ruin the lake view. He
suggested a green vinyl fence as a visual compromise.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Board member Weeks said the wall really had nothing to do
with water flow but with "child flow ". He said the City was
being asked to fence the children in their neighborhood so
they would be less likely to flow to the lake.
Board member Linebarier made a motion that the developer
should continue to work with the adjacent landowners on the
issues of drainage, privacy, etc. and to try to satisfy their
concerns. Chairman Swickerath suggested that the "etc." be
taken out of the motion and Board member Linebarier agreed.
Board member Switzer seconded and a roll call was taken with
Board members Bello, Weeks, Switzer, and Linebarier voting
for the motion and Chairman Swickerath and Vice Chairman
Smith voting against the motion.
RECESS: 8:50 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER: 9:05 p.m.
Candlswood Shores - Review of Traffic Study
Chairman Swickerath reminded the Board that this was not a
' public hearing. Director of Planning Behrens read the staff
report and said that the developer has or will address all
the previous issues with the exception of the crossing of
Clark Road to the recreation area which was a City Commission
issue.
Chairman Swickerath said the Board had approved the
preliminary plan subject to the satisfactory completion and
approval of a traffic study addressing the possible stacking
problem at the entrance to the subdivision on Clark Road as
well as having certain items completed by final engineering.
Developer Atwood and Project Engineer Russell said the
traffic study had been completed and the City's consultants
had reviewed it.
Developer Atwood said his engineer met with the St. Johns
River Water Management District on the jurisdictional linen
and had resolved that issue. He said the preliminary
elevation for the 100 year flood plain had also been
determined and would be complete by final engineering.
Chairman Swickerath asked the project's traffic consultant
who was in the audience to answer some questions on the
traffic study, specifically what level of service he referred
to in the study, Class C or Class D traffic and how would
that type of traffic compare to traffic experienced, say, in
downtown Orlando.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Turgut Dervish of Traffic Planning and Design, Inc.,
Longwood, said the traffic generated by the intersection
would vary from a Class A to a Class C with the Class C being
the worst case scenario. Traffic Consultant Dervish said the
Class C would be the peak hour traffic that would occur at
7:30 a.m. (when people are leaving the subdivision on the way
to work) and that this Class C volume would typically equate
to downtown Orlando traffic. Consultant Dervish said the
study found that for the most part, mathematically the
intersection would produce an overall volume of Class A
traffic but that the level would increase at certain times of
the day. The Class C would translate to about 25 -30 cars at
the intersection during peak hours. For purposes of
computing the length (in feet) of the line of cars, those 25-
30 cars would result in a line of 75 feet (this being a
minimum and would more realistically be almost twice that).
With two lanes out of the subdivision at that intersection
(one for left hand turns and one for right hand turns), the
study found that there would be adequate stacking space
available. Chairman Swickerath asked for clarification on
how the study arrived at the trips that would be generated by
the homes. Consultant Dervish said the total trip generation
was factored by looking at distribution factors, where people
go and when they go and more specifically the employment
distribution (origins and destinations).
Chairman Swickerath asked the developer if they had factored
in the impact of the other subdivisions. Consultant Dervish
said they had looked at Ridgefield and Coventry but studies
show that people will usually use the most direct route of
travel even if it will actually cost them more time and the
impact of these other subdivisions, he felt, would not lead
to a stacking problem at the subject intersection.
Chairman Swickerath asked if he was correct in stating that
if 50 percent of the trips generated out of the subdivision
used the Clark Road entrance /exit, then the level of traffic
would still not be greater than Class C. Consultant Dervish
said that would be a correct statement and that the Class C
traffic was what was acceptable in Orlando. It was discussed
that the present plans did not denote the two lanes exiting
the subdivision at Clark Road but that there was sufficient
right -of -way for this (80 feet) and that the final plans
would show this.
Board member Linebarier asked the developer if the other exit
*law onto Johio Shores Road would also have two lanes for outgoing
traffic. Developer Atwood said the present plan only called
for one lane for outgoing traffic. Board member Linebarier
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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asked if there was sufficient room for two lanes out and one
lane in. Developer Atwood said there was 60 feet of right -
of -way. Project Engineer Russell asked why the City was
asking for two lanes when it was not needed and Board member
Linebarier said it was a suggestion on his part as a
convenience to the homeowners. He said that one car wanting
to turn left can sometimes hold up 10 cars wonting to turn
right.
Developer Atwood said the right -of -way width could not be
enlarged because there were lots planned on either side but
that a median had been planned and by removing it there could
probably be enough room for a small right turn lane. Board
member Linebarier asked if staff would have any objections to
removing the median and putting in a turn lane. Senior
Planner Harper said he would rather see the turn lane than
the median because he felt that medians encouraged accidents
and could turn out to be a maintenance hazard. Developer
Atwood said he would cooperate with this recommendation.
Board member Linebarier asked about the lift station and it
`r was stated that this issue had been resolved with the Project
Engineer and the City's Consulting Engineers and the lift
station would be located in Richfield. Board member
Linebarier asked if staff was satisfied with the lift station
location and Director Behrens said they were.
Director of Planning Behrens said staff and the developer
were looking to solve all but the issue of the safe crossing
of Clark Road to the recreation area. Developer Atwood said
regarding the park, the City Commission originally wanted a
regional park and it was the developer's feeling that he
should not have to provide a safe crossing to a regional
park. Chairman Swickerath said that seemed reasonable.
Board member Linebarier made a motion to approve the
preliminary plans subject to the resolution of the issue of
the safe crossing of Clark Road to the recreation area, Board
member Bello seconded, and approval was unanimous.
Public Participation Procedures and a Resolution for Citizen
Participation for the Comprehensive Plan and the
Comprehensive Plan Schedule
Associate Planner Claman read the staff report and said staff
was recommending that the Board review and adopt the
resolution and the schedule at its convenience. Chairman
Swickerath asked if the Board had to take action on this item
%me tonight or if it could be delayed. Associate Planner Claman
suggested a workshop to discuss the items in more detail but
said she would welcome any comments the Board wanted to make.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Director Behrens said there were some deadlines to meet and
that the first deadline was the first of May. He said the
Board had time for a workshop but wanted to stress that the
item be voted on as soon as possible.
Chairman Swickerath said he was consistently disappointed in
the public participation at the Planning and Zoning Board
meetings and feels that this is an important part of the
process and would like to explore ways to encourage
participation. There was discussion about public
participation procedures and Director Behrens said once the
Board approves the resolution and the Comprehensive Plan
Schedule, staff would like to go to the newspaper with a
brochure similar to the one he had given the Board members at
a previous meeting, to let the community know their input is
important and wanted. He said some citizens have expressed a
desire to be a part of this process, especially where
recreation matters are concerned.
Director of Planning Behrens said staff had "padded" the
schedule as much as possible to give the Board ample time to
`r, discuss each issue. Chairman Swickerath said he wanted to
make sure the Board received a draft of any document before
it was advertised for discussion at a public meeting.
Planner Claman said as the schedule stood right now, the
Board would get the material two weeks in advance of any
meeting. Chairman Swickerath said that was sufficient time
to review.
It was decided that a Workshop would be held on Wednesday,
March 22, at 7:30 p.m., to discuss this matter further. The
Board directed staff to find a meeting place and to notify
them of same.
Director of Planning Behrens asked the Board to move ahead on
the agenda to the item under New Business regarding West Lake
Estates PUD Application since the various representatives for
the development were the only people left in attendance at
the meeting and the hour was already getting late. The Board
agreed.
West Lake Estates PUD Application
Senior Planner Harper said the application for rezoning for
West Lake Estates (Lecesse Development) was previously
approved for R -3 (Multi- family residential) but the developer
was now requesting a PUD zoning for the 16 acre parcel (Phase
14I1r III). Planner Harper said Phases I and II of the development
were well under way.
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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Niue
Senior Planner Harper said the developer has a proposed plan
that would require 60 foot lots and the developer feels that
the City Commission would approve of the smaller lots.
Planner Harper said the lots as presently planned would also
call for six foot side yards and as stated earlier, there is
still some question as to whether the City Commission would
favor such a concept.
Senior Planner Harper said the PUD ordinance calls for
flexibility in aide yards and other requirements in order to
save something else or to benefit in some other way. Planner
Harper said in this instance, approving the six foot aide
yards might enable the City to save some large, beautiful
trees and better protect the lake quality although he was not
sure that this was the reasoning behind the developer's
request. Planner Harper said if this was the case, he would
recommend approval of the smaller aide yards in this
particular project. Planner Harper said the PUD zoning was
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Senior Planner Harper cautioned the Board to give serious
consideration of the reasoning behind a developer's request
to be exempt from certain minimum requirements. He said dust
r because the PUD ordinance did not specify such requirements,
the ordinance should be looked upon as upholding the minimum
requirements unless there is an extenuating circumstance
where it would be beneficial to work around certain minimum
requirements in some areas. As an example, Senior Planner
Harper said it was his personal opinion that the Silver Glen
developers were not utilizing the PUD ordinance for the
purposes it was intended. He said it was the site quality
which should dictate the proximity of the houses and not the
other way around. In conclusion, Senior Planner Harper said
it was his opinion that if the City was to require the
developer to maintain the 7 1/2 foot side yard setback
throughout the Phase III project, the lake quality might be
threatened and many of the site's trees - which he thought
were some of the most beautiful areas of the City - would be
lost. He felt this logs would be more costly than if the
City were to "give up" the 7 1/2 foot side yard setbacks for
six foot side yard setbacks.
Chairman Swickerath asked Senior Planner Harper to clarify
his recommendation as to what staff was requesting of the
Board. Senior Planner Harper said staff was recommending
that the Board give preliminary approval of the PUD
application itself. He said the first stage of the process
was for the Board to approve conceptually of the rezoning
from R -3 to PUD and to recommend that the City Commission
approve the rezoning.
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Planning and Zoning Meeting
March 14, 1989
Nikier
Chairman Swickerath asked if this was a public hearing and if
it was not advertised as such, should it have been. Senior
Planner Harper said it was a requirement that this stage of
the process be conducted in the public but that advertising
was not necessary. He said he had received verification that
a public hearing was not needed from both the City Clerk and
the City Attorney. Planner Harper said he was under the
impression that it should have been advertised as a public
hearing but that his conversations with the City Clerk and
the City Attorney proved otherwise. Board member Linebarier
asked Senior Planner Harper if staff was asking the Board to
approve the rezoning of the parcel from R -3 to PUD and
Planner Harper said yea. Board member Linebarier said a
rezoning is a public hearing and effectively that is what
staff was asking the Board to do.
Chairman Swickerath asked Senior Planner Harper if this was
the same project that was cancelled from another meeting in
the recent past because it had not been duly advertised.
Senior Planner Harper explained that it was the same project,
but it was not held from the agenda because of the
advertising but because adjacent property owners had not been
notified of the meeting. Planner Harper said that
notification had been given for this meeting.
Developer Don Tooley said the project dated back more than
two years. He said the property was originally annexed and
then rezoned to R -3 in 1986 and the first design was for
multi - family dwelling units. He said the second design was
presented to the City Commission in January 1987 and a third
design was presented to the Planning and Zoning Board in
February 1988 and then to the City Commission in March 1988.
He said both of these last two sessions were Workshop
sessions and as a result were non - voting sessions but both
Boards did give input. Developer Tooley said there were many
comments (about 80) that were reduced first to about 66 and
then in March 1988, Developer Tooley wrote a letter to former
Planning Director Russ Wagner that outlined the few remaining
comments and concerns of the Planning and Zoning Board and
the City Commission. Developer Tooley said he did not
receive a response from Planning Director Wagner and a few
months later, Director Wagner resigned. Developer Tooley said
a lot has happened since that letter and that he had been
meeting in the last several months with Senior Planner
Harper. Developer Tooley said the plan before the Board
tonight conforms to the last Workshops with the Planning and
Zoning Board and the City Commission and that they have
incorporated the comments made at those meetings. The
developer felt that even though these sessions were not
formal voting sessions, the developer had made every effort
to take into consideration all the concerns of the City. He
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
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said he was now looking for final plan approval. Developer
Tooley stated that on one particular concern of the City
regarding Blackwood Avenue, the developer would like to
reserve the right to use that road as the main access to the
subdivision and would request that the City not require that
any improvements be made to the road since it is a county
road. Developer Tooley said both Boards also approved the
recreation fee issue which was detailed on the plane.
Developer Tooley also wanted to mention that he had heard a
"rumor" that the City was now requiring 100 foot building
setbacks from lakes. He said he would like to stress that
the 100 foot setback was not required by ordinance.
Project Engineer Russell Davidson explained that the PUD
application was submitted a year ago. Chairman Swickerath
said it appeared to him that the City could probably have
done a better fob of processing the application but at the
same token, that did not free the developer from any
responsibility he may have had to follow up with his
application. Chairman Swickerath said the letter Developer
Tooley sent to former Planning Director Wagner was a "good
tactic" on his part but would not hold because it was not
consistent or reasonable.
Chairman Swickerath apologized for any time delay but that it
the developer was looking for approval of the PUD rezoning,
he was confident that it would require a public hearing with
advertisement. Chairman Swickerath said although they may
have discussed the concept of a PUD at an informal session,
the process for requesting a rezoning was clear. He repeated
that the City should have done a better fob with the
application but that the developer should have followed up as
well.
Board member Linebarier asked if the PUD zoning was
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and Senior Planner
Harper indicated that it was. Board member Linebarier said
the Board needed to answer four questions when considering a
rezoning:
1. What is the need and justification for the change?
2. What effect will the change have on the property and the
surrounding properties?
3. What is the amount of the undeveloped land in the general
area and specifically in the City having the same zoning
classification as the subject parcel?
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
4. What would be the relationship of this amendment to the
Comprehensive Plan?
Senior Planner Harper said that all of the four questions
were addressed in hia staff report on the subject project in
regards to the Comprehensive Plan Amendment Review but were
not specifically enumerated and not specifically in that
order. Board member Linebarier said the Board now had the
answer to the first question, but would need the others
addressed.
Senior Planner Harper said the answer to the second question
would be that it would lessen the density. He said under the
R -3 zoning the developer could have as many as 16 units per
acre but under the PUD zoning, the developer was looking for
a little more than four units per acre.
Senior Planner Harper said staff's response to the third
question was that it was not so much a question of whether
the surrounding property had the same zoning, but was more a
question of how the new zoning would relate to the
surrounding zonings and it was staff's position that this
usage would work very well with the other phases of the
property and would be looked upon much more favorably than
more multi - family units.
Senior Planner Harper said the answer to the fourth question
would be that the land use would not only be appropriate, but
would be a very commendable use of the property as far as
staff was concerned.
Senior Planner Harper said he tried to convey in his staff
reports what a PUD zoning was, how it could be applied to
this particular site, and how it should not be applied to
this site. He said the PUD zoning with the plan the
developer proposed, would reduce the density, be beneficial
to natural resources on the site, and would be consistent
with the Comprehensive Plan and because of these facts, he
was recommending a favorable approval of the PUD rezoning
application.
Engineer Davidson said the developer was before the Board
asking for approval of the plan and that the discussion on
the PUD rezoning alone would not suffice if they could not
also be given an approval of the project.
`err►
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
Director of Planning Behrens said he would like to try to
clarify the issues although he was "coming in cold" as far as
this project was concerned. He said the property is
currently zoned R -3 but the developer is requesting a PUD
zoning in order to design a project with some flexibility.
Chairman Swickerath and Board member Linebarier said they
were unsure whether the Board could even discuss the issue
legally. Board member Linebarier said he would not consider
looking at any plans before the zoning issue was settled.
Sal Lecesse, of Lecesse Development, said his company
held a meeting in September 1986 with neighboring property
owners. Mr. Leceaae wanted to develop the property as
quickly as possible and told the property owners the
developer wanted to build 320 apartments up front and single
family homes near the lake. Mr. Lecesse said they wanted 80,
50 -foot lots and staff told them back then that they would
have to apply for a PUD zoning. He said after the Workshops
with Planning and Zoning and the City Commission it evolved
to 66, 60 -foot lots and the developer agreed that he could
1 1'' still do what he needed to financially with the 60 foot lots.
Mr. Leceaae said two years later the developer is still
trying to do the same thing. He said he does not understand
the problem since he is actually down grading the zoning and
usually cities are happy to see something like that. Mr.
Lecesae said the City has been cooperative with the changes
so far but he could not accept, financially, the risk of
going through the rezoning process without knowing if he
would be able to build as he wanted. He said if the City
could not approve his plan as well as the rezoning, he would
have to stay with the R -3 and build more apartments.
Director of Planning Behrens said the City had certain rules
and regulations to follow and that if there was a way to
approve the plan with the rezoning, then staff would
certainly consider it, but if it was not proper procedure,
then it could not be done. He said he would have to look at
it.
Senior Planner Harper said that such contract zoning was
illegal and that the iaaues of rezoning and plan approval
needed to be handled separately.
Director Behrens asked the developer the reasoning behind
wanting smaller side yard setbacks. Mr. Leceaae said the
New bottom line was that he wanted to develop more lots for
16
Page 17
Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
financial reasons. Mr. Lecesse said he thought he had been
mislead by staff about the process and was led to believe
that he could apply for a variance.
Board member Linebarier said that he and Chairman Swickerath
had researched the codes and felt that since the developer
was requesting a down grading of the density, the Board could
safely hear a rezoning petition without a public hearing;
however, Mr. Linebarier added that he would not consider a
PUD or any rezoning with a pre- approved plan. He said the
City had a case before where the Planning and Zoning Board
and the City Commission both said they would not consider a
rezoning petition that stipulated a plan approval as well.
Director of Planning Behrens asked the Board whether they
would make a recommendation on whether they approved of the
concept of the plan. Chairman Swickerath said the Board
could take two separate actions: one on the PUD rezoning
petition and the other on the site plan concept itself.
Chairman Swickerath said he was not sure that the City
Commission would also take action. Senior Planner Harper
said they would have to treat each item separately.
Chairman Swickerath said the City would work with the
developer as beat as it could. Vice Chairman Smith made a
motion to recommend approval of PUD zoning to the City
Commission, Board member Bello seconded, and approval was
unanimous.
Chairman Swickerath then outlined the items that had been
discussed regarding the preliminary plan:
1. 60 foot lots
2. 6 foot side yard setbacks
3. access to the subdivision from the county road
(and improvements to that road)
4. emergency access to the subdivision
(City now requires two egress - ingress points)
Developer Tooley added two more to the list:
5. recreation assessment (developer wants to pay
the fee rather than a land donation)
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Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
6. setbacks from the lake (developer planned for
the setback referred to in the current
ordinance but said he had heard a "rumor"
that the City was now requiring 100 feet -
he said that this new amount was usually
incorporated into a development agreement but
that they were requesting to go with what
was in the ordinance)
Board member Switzer asked staff what amount was currently in
the ordinance for building setbacks from the lake. Senior
Planner Harper said it was a minimum of 35 feet.
Board member Linebarier said he had two major concerns, one
with the access on Blackwood Avenue and the other that
although he would have to go along with the 60 foot lots, he
would not vote for approval of six foot side yard setbacks.
Board member Switzer said overall he liked the design and
that it was a good utilization of the property.
Mr Board member Weeks said he would much rather see this plan
developed than to see more apartments.
Vice Chairman Smith and Board member Bello had no further
comments.
Chairman Swickerath said his interpretation of the PUD
ordinance was that it would allow the developer some
flexibility if it was for a reason that was beneficial to the
City in some respect as well and asked the developer what the
City was getting in return for the smaller side yard
setbacks. Developer Tooley said the City was getting less
density. Chairman Swickerath said open apace was really
important as far as he was concerned and he wondered about
drainage if the City approved of the plan.
Project Engineer Davidson said there was actually a smaller
building pad area with the single family homes and that this
plan would save more trees than the apartments would. He
said R -3 zoning did not have an open space requirement and
that PUD zoning did but they were requesting to have this
requirement waived as it would be under the R -3 zoning.
Senior Planner Harper said that single family development per
se does not save trees, but rather intelligent, well - planned
%Impf projects save trees. He said it could very well be that 16
units per acre could save more trees in this instance.
18
Page 19
Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
Sir March 14, 1989
Board member Weeks said if the PUD ordinance required 25
percent open space, the Planning and Zoning Board could not
waive the requirement. Engineer Davidson said they were not
looking for a waiver from the Planning and Zoning Board but
were looking for their opinion on the plan.
Board member Bello said generally she has a problem with six
foot side yard setbacks although her opinion was not get in
stone.
Board member Switzer asked if the development would have an
alternate exit other than Blackwood Avenue, not including the
emergency access. Engineer Davidson said that it had been
discussed in the Workshops and was generally decided upon
that one access point was sufficient for bb units. Board
member Switzer said he would like to see some improvement at
the intersection of Blackwood Avenue and the entrance to the
subdivision, specifically a turn lane. Chairman Swickerath
said he was unsure what the City could require for
improvements to a county road but would personally like to
see the road improved to Old Winter Garden Road.
Sir Chairman Swickerath said he would approve of the six foot
side yard setbacks if the developer would comply with the 25
percent open space requirement.
Board member Switzer said he would consider the six toot side
yard setbacks if they were only used for some of the project
(some 6 foot and some 7 1/2 foot side yard setbacks).
Board member Linebarier said he did not see how the City
could disapprove the smaller side yard setbacks for one
developer and at the same meeting, approve them for another.
After some discussion, Vice Chairman Smith moved to have the
developer work out the issues with staff and let the City
Commission decide as to whether to approve such a concept.
Board member Bello seconded, but the motion was defeated with
Board members Swickerath, Bello, Switzer, and Linebarier all
voting against the motion and Vice Chairman Smith voting in
favor.
Board member Linebarier outlined his mayor concerns:
1. He is opposed to six foot side yard setbacks
2. He would want to see Blackwood Avenue approved
per City regulations with the cooperation of
the county.
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Page 20
Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
3. The developer would have to work with the City
Commission on the setback distance from the
lake
4. The 25 percent open space requirement should
be maintained
5. He would accept the 60 toot lots because they
were permitted in this case although he
personally did not like them
Board member Bello agreed with Board member Linebarier's
comments and also wanted to make sure that the developer
agreed with the second access for emergency purposes. The
developer responded that they agreed.
Board member Switzer also agreed with all of Board member
Linebarier'a comments and concerns.
Board member Weeks said he still did not have a problem with
six foot side yard setbacks.
Sow
Chairman Swickerath said he agreed with Board member Weeks
although he said his final decision on the six toot side
yards would vary from project to project depending upon the
circumstances. (In this particular case he said he would
probably approve of them.) Chairman Swickerath also wanted
to add that the developer would have to abide by the open
space requirement as was stated by ordinance. He also said
he would like to see Blackwood Avenue improved to guarantee
reasonable access.
Chairman Swickerath also added that any plans would, of
course, also be subject to engineering approval.
Sal Lecesse said he was unclear about the 25 percent open
space requirement. Engineer Davidson said the project would
lose 25 percent of its lots if it had to comply with this
requirement. Mr. Lecesse said if this was a requirement, the
developer would have to build under the k -3, multi - family.
Director of Planning Behrens asked which ordinance the
developer was proceeding under, the former PUD ordinance or
the current PUD ordinance. Senior Planner Harper said they
would fall under the former ordinance since they applied in
March 1988 before the new ordinance was passed and because
4410w they could have been through the process in time under the
old ordinance.
20
Page 21
Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
Noir March 14, 1989
Director Behrens said under the old ordinance, the developer
would have to request a waiver or variance on the 25 percent
open space requirement but the new ordinance stipulated that
the 25 percent include the entire gross land area (including
retention and recreation space). He said it might be
possible to develop the project under the new ordinance.
Director Behrens read Page 13, Section 2 of the new ordinance
and said his interpretation would be that the project would
be processed using the new ordinance. Chairman Swickerath
agreed.
Chairman Swickerath moved to recommend approval of the
preliminary plan subject to the following provisions:
1. That all development criteria must be complied
with for this phase of the project (i.e. 25
percent open space requirement as defined in
the new ordinance)
2. That Blackwood Avenue be improved to the City
Commission's satisfaction
3. That the 60 foot lots be approved
4. That the six foot side yard setbacks not be
approved
Board member Switzer seconded. Board member Linebarier asked
to amend the motion to include a provision that the setback
from the lake also be worked out with the City Commission.
Chairman Swickerath said that would be a stipulation of his
first condition (part of the general development criteria).
The amendment died for lack of a second. The motion by
Chairman Swickerath was unanimously approved.
Mr. Lecesse asked what the next step would be and Director
Behrens said the project would go before the City Commission
for a public hearing on the rezoning. Senior Planner Harper
said the Board had voted but that there was still some legal
question as to whether the developer fell under the new or
old PUD ordinance. Chairman Swickerath said it was the
Board's understanding that it fell under the new ordinance.
Developer Tooley requested to be placed on the agenda for the
upcoming City Commission meeting. Director Behrens said it
would not be possible if a public hearing was required due to
itior time needed to complete the advertising requirements.
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Page 22
Slaw Planning and Zoning Board Meeting
March 14, 1989
Board member Linebarier moved to continue all the remaining
agenda items until the special meeting on March 22 and to
make that meeting a Special Session so that the Board could
take formal action on those items. The other Board members
concurred.
ADJOURNMENT: 12:05 a.m.
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