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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-02-94 SS '-' MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING HELD May 2, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Vandergrift called the special meeting of the Ocoee Board of City Commissioners to consider the Developments of Regional Impact for Lake Lotta Mall and Lake Lotta Center to order at 7:30 p.m. in the commission chambers. The opening prayer was led by Commissioner Foster. Mrs. Frances Watts, Senior Citizens President, led in the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Mayor Vandergrift, Commissioners Combs, Foster, Gleason, and Johnson. Also present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Administrative Services Director Beamer, City Engineer/Utilities Director Shira, Planning Director Wagner, City Clerk Grafton, and Clerk/Stenographer Lewis. ABSENT: None PUBLIC HEARINGS DEVELOPMENTS OF REGIONAL IMPACT - Lake Lotta Mall, Case No. DRI-I-9-93 and Lake Lotta Center, Case No. DRI-2-9-93. This hearing to be opened and continued to a date to be determined. Mayor Vandergrift asked the City Attorney to explain the purpose of the meeting. City Attorney Rosenthal explained that this special meeting of the City Commission, similar to the ~ special meeting held April 14 by the Planning and Zoning Commission, was being held to satisfy a very complicated regulatory schedule put together by Planning Director Wagner. This schedule was made in order to coordinate the approval of both the Lake Lotta Mall and the Lake Lotta Center as regards statutory requirements with respect to the Comprehensive Plan and Developments of Regional Impact and our own City of Ocoee Code provisions. The required advertising and meetings have been scheduled in order to start the clock running on the calendar so that all the involved agencies will take action in a timely manner. The statutes require that this be done, but also require that no action be taken on these items unless action is taken on the Comprehensive Plan and the Development Order at the same time. The schedule includes a public hearing later this month to transmit the Comprehensive Plan amendments to the Department of Community Affairs and, following a lengthy process of Comprehensive Plan review cycle, the City will be in a position to finally legally act upon both the Comprehensive Plan amendments and the Development Orders at the same meeting. Mr. Rosenthal stated that this meeting was held for procedural reasons in order to provide that no one has a basis to challenge the City for failing to follow the procedures in any action taken. He said further that it would be acceptable to have a combined public hearing for Lake Lotta Mall and Lake Lotta Center; and, following comments from citizens, a motion to continue the hearing on each DR! application to a future date not yet determined would be in order. Mayor Vandergrift said that all the discussion so far has left the impression that all will vote in favor of the development as requested and he asked what would happen if that were not true. Mr. Rosenthal said that his statements did not presuppose a position by Commission and '-- Commission has the prerogative to vote against it. If that happens there would be no further Ocoee City Commission Special Meeting ~ May 2, 1994 meetings on the matter and there would be no mall project. Mr. Shapiro questioned whether Commission could vote against the issue before the City's position statement had been prepared and he stated further that the presentations have not been made. Mr. Rosenthal clarified his earlier statement by pointing out that continuing the public hearing does not indicate a position on Commission's part either for or against the mall. The public hearing was opened for both the Lake Lotta Mall and the Lake Lotta Center. Bruce Hossfield, P. O. Box 2975, Orlando 32802, of the Sierra Club and a Professional City Planner, explained the pamphlet he distributed, "Lessons Not Yet Learned" regarding environmental issues. He expressed concern on (1) gopher tortoise population habitat, (2) mass transit and the possible future lack of fuel for transportation, and (3) the shape of buildings, encouraging two-story buildings requiring less footprint space and smaller parking area. Gretchen Jacobs, 9127 Elizabeth Court, Orlando 32818, said the citizens of Rosemont Subdivision have had a lot of cooperation from the Commission, Developer and Staff. She was concerned over the traffic that the mall will bring to SRSO and suggested that the road be widened before the construction of the mall begins. "-" Rob McKey, 1110 Wineberry Court, expressed concern over unresolved details and traffic on SR50. He requested the City look at this seriously to make sure the City gets funding and design. Bill Cordell, 851 Hammocks Drive, also suggested the widening of both Clarke Road and White Road before construction of the mall and center. Mayor Vandergrift brought the discussion to the table. Commissioner Gleason asked Mr. Hossfield if gopher tortoise transfers are successful. Mr. Hossfield said he was not an expert but he was aware that gophers carry disease and do not transfer well. Mayor Vandergrift asked if this was the right time to give input for things he would like to see incorporated in the mall if it comes. Mr. Shapiro said that he could do that at any time but that most will wait until the public hearing in August when more information will be available and Planning and Zoning Commission will have submitted their opinion. Commissioner Gleason echoed concerns over traffic and suggested looking into costs of widening SR50 to 6-8 lanes. .'-' 2 Ocoee City Commission Special Meeting '-" May 2, 1994 Commissioner Combs agreed with Commissioner Gleason and said that he relies on the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Board. He had not come to make judgment for or against the mall and center. Commissioner Foster said that he would withhold comment until later . Commissioner Johnson said he would not comment on the mall but the City should first do its homework as to the roads. Orange County has allowed commercial development all around the City of Ocoee and has not done anything to accommodate the traffic generated by that development. Mr. Neil Frazee, representing Barry Goodman, and Mr. Peter Lopez, Attorney for Homart, introduced themselves and said they were present to answer any questions. Mayor Vandergrift noted that, in the 15 page letter from ECFRPC, 9 of those pages were devoted to traffic. He suggested that staff use the computer diskettes referred to in that letter and set up a hot line for citizens to leave questions. He said he wanted to see a "park for cars" to include trees and plants instead of a parking lot, and that there were many areas of concern the City Commission should look at regarding the mall and center. '-" Ms. Marilyn Ozanian, 20 Baver Lane, Orangeburg, NY 10962, expressed a desire to see the fares lowered on the East/West Expressway as the road is relatively unused even though it was designed to relieve the traffic on Highway 50. Mayor Vandergrift closed the public comments for this portion of the public hearing. Attorney Neil Frazee, Miller-Sellen Associates, Inc., spoke for Barry Goodman and Lake Lotta Ltd., and said he had no objection to the public hearing being continued. Attorney Peter Lopez, Lowndes, Dosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, spoke for the Homart Development Company, and respectfully requested continuance of the public hearing. LAKE LOTTA MALL, CASE NO. DRI-I-9-93 Commissioner Foster. seconded bv Commissioner Combs. moved to continue the public hearing on the Lake Lotta Mall. Case No. DRI-1-9-93. to a date in the future to be determined. Motion carried 5-0. LAKE LOTTA CENTER, CASE NO. DRI-2-9-93 '-' 3 Ocoee City Commission Special Meeting '-' May 2, 1994 ~ ~ Commissioner Foster. seconded bv Commissioner Johnson. moved to continue the public hearing on the Lake Lotta Center. Case No. DRI-2-9-93. to a date in the future to be determined. Motion carried 5-0. STAFF REPORTS There were no reports at this time. COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS There were no comments from Commissioners. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Attest: APPROVED: City of Ocoee 4