Minutes_Local Planning Agency_02/11/2010MINUTES
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
FEBRUARY 11, 2010
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 7:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village
Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member
Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in
attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, Village Clerk
Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval of the agenda; seconded by Council
Member Turnquest; motion carried unanimously 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Public Hearing to consider and make recommendations to the Village Council with regard to the
following:
1. Ordinance 1-10, First Reading, Amending the Village Code of Ordinances at Chapter 78,
Zoning. Article IX. Supplemental Regulations. Division 2. Site Plan Review. And Division 3.
Special Exception Uses. By Amending These Divisions To Relocate Certain Approval Criteria
From The Special Exception Approval Process To The Site Plan Review Process.
Mayor Watkins read Ordinance 1-10 on First Reading. Mayor Watkins opened the meeting for
Council and Public comments.
Catherine Harding, 1 Bunker Place, stated Riverside Oaks residents were not noticed of this meeting
and objected to amending special exceptions by reducing requirements for approval, which would not
allow residents to properly evaluate impacts.
Joanne Russell, 141 Magnolia Way, advised Riverside Oaks was opposed to loosening or lowering or
changing standards/zoning regulations which already existed, expressed concern with allowing
shortcuts, and asked to get everything in writing.
Vice Mayor Paterno commented he saw no reason to change procedures and expressed concerns.
Council Member Humpage expressed his desire to continually protect the residents, and suggested a
conceptual drawing up front to see if the proposed improvements were something the Council would
consider, to avoid an applicant spending a large amount of money only to find out his concept was
not acceptable.
Council Member Turnquest advised he was not in favor of shortcuts and felt the code should not be
changed; if an applicant lost money he felt it was his fault for not doing due diligence.
The Village Attorney explained the existing code, and that a conceptual plan was one of the
documents required. Council Member Humpage stressed that the Village could deny a special
exception anywhere along the process.
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February 11, 2010
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Joann Brooks, 148 Magnolia Way, President of Riverside Oaks Homeowners Association,
commented they had already said yes, and asked why this was needed.
Vice Mayor Paterno advised this was for the whole community, not any one property, and expressed
his concern the code was being gutted. Council Member Humpage explained his position again.
Discussion ensued.
Frank D'Ambra, 23 Leeward Circle, felt there was a choice of granting on the concept or on total
understanding of the project, and the problem was whether the Council would then have the strength
to say no because a developer could feel they had been led on if the project were denied.
Council Member Arena asked if both sides could be combined. Vice Mayor Paterno commented that
was exactly what was being done, someone presented a concept, then had to go through the
process. Mayor Watkins commented anyone could present a concept to the Council and if the
Council hated it she felt they should not string anyone along. Council Member Humpage reminded
everyone the Council could always say no. Council Member Turnquest commented any serious
developer would spend money for a special exception and that would increase their probability of
getting their project approved. Council Member Arena commented an applicant still had to do
everything, but would know the Council liked his idea. Attorney Davis spoke regarding the process
and reminded everyone nothing was removed from the code, but step A was potentially being moved
to step B, and answered questions from Council. Mayor Watkins suggested tabling this item for
further discussion.
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Paterno made a motion to table first reading of Ordinance 1-10 to the March meeting.
Council Member Arena seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
Dottie Campbell, 30 Eastwinds Circle, suggested this issue not be held before a Council meeting.
2. Ordinance 3-10, First Reading. Amending Chapter 78. Zoning. At Article I. In General.
Sec. 78-4. Definitions. By Clarifying The Definitions For The Terms "Clinic," "Health Care
Facility," "Professional Office" And "Professional Service"; Further Amending Chapter 78,
Zoning. At Article IX. Supplemental Regulations. Division 1. Generally. By Creating An
Entirely New Sec. 78-293. Professional Medical Or Dental Offices. To Adopt Regulations
Pertaining To Medical Or Dental Offices. To Adopt Regulations Pertaining To Medical Offices.
Mayor Watkins read Ordinance 3-10 on First Reading. Village Attorney Davis presented the
ordinance which would eliminate the possibility of a pain management facility to be opened in the
Village.
Mayor Watkins opened the public hearing to Council for Comments.
Council Member Arena confirmed with the Attorney this did not affect urgent care. Mayor Watkins
explained she had brought this forward because of what was happening to the south. Council
Member Turnquest favored regulating pain clinics. Vice Mayor Paterno asked how this would impact
legitimate pain management facilities, to which Attorney Davis responded any facility licensed and
regulated by the state would not be impacted. Council Member Turnquest noted it was very hard to
regulate; there was no downside to having the ordinance.
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February 11, 2010
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Mayor Watkins opened the public hearing for public comment. There being no further comments the
public hearing was closed.
MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved approval of Ordinance 3-10 on First Reading,
seconded by Council Member Arena; motion carried unanimously 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Council Member Turnquest moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member
Arena. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore the meeting was adjourned at 8.'32
p. m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Lori McWilliams CMC
Village Clerk