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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Meeting_01/18/1972AiINUTES OF A PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE COUNCILMEN OF THE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FLORIDA A Public Hearing was held by the Councilmen of the Village of Tequesta, Florida at 7:30 P.A1., Tuesday, January 18, 1972 at the Village Hall. Councilmen present were Messrs: Sylvester, Barr, Cunningham, Russell and Little. Also present were Robert Harp, Clerk and Christopher H. Cook, Village Attorney. Aiayor Sylvester welcomed the large group in attendance and introduced the members of the Village Council. The Clerk advised that proper publication of the hearing had been made in the Beacon News and all property owners within S00 feet of each tract of land had been notified by mail. He stated that the hearing was to determine a zoning classification for a 40 acre tract of land owned by Paul Thomson et al and approximately 27 acres owned by DiVosta Construction Company, both as described in the legal notice of the hearing, lying North of the Village limits along Seabrook Road. Mayor Sylvester reviewed the Councils decision to obtain a professional planner to provide the Village with a comprehensive plan after protests at a nub]_ic hearing held almost taro (2) years ago to zone the parcel not}= o~4•ned by Thomson et al, with the plan having • recently been presented to the Council and the public at a public meeting at r,'hich a member of the firm of Barr, Dunlop ~ Associates, Tnc, explained the plan and the Village Councilmen gave their ideas on it. Mr. Thomson advised he ~•ras requesting R-2 Multiple Family Ih;relling Classification for his parcel in accordance itirith the recently completed comprehensive plan, Air. Gene Loeffler, 20 Willo~~= Road, presented a petition containing 110 signatures of residents of Ridgewood and adjacent areas and other areas of the Village indicating their preference for R-1 zoning for the Thomson parcel. The Ridgewood residents are afraid of the type of condominium buildings which might be constructed particularly if they ~tTould be like the existing Tequesta Gardens Condominiwn Apartments. He stated that it appears that their area ~~ri11 shortly be bordered on three sides by condominiuun complexes. Mrs. Francis Kennedy, 28 Willow Road, said the proposed park buffer area on the South end of the part of land east of Seabrook Road ~•ras not adequate size for park purposes, the area residents do not ifant more condominiums and the Council ~,*as elected to follow the irishes of the people. Alazror Sylvester corrmiented on the very poor turnout of people at the Charter Referendum, Airs, Pat Anderson, 31 Willo~~= Road, said she has followed this matter since the last hearing and the people consistently have stated they do not want any more condominiums in their area. -2- Mr. La. B. Tatum, representing the Tequesta Gardens Assoc- • iation stated they also object to an R-2 zoning classification for, the properties, believing the action to be premature since no plans for streets, ~°ater, sewage etc, have been submitted or seen by the Village. The Village should be preserved as it is now and not allow any further architectural mistakes. Monetary values should not be considered. Mr. Ellis A. Simmons said he was not speaking for the Tequesta Voters Association but would recommend they support the Ridgewood and Tequesta Gardens residents in opposition to R-2 zoning for these lands, Mr. Thomas Jones, 320 Tequesta Drive, stated he had been here in the Village ten years and the Village has done nothing about parks and recreation. He said he believes the area should remain as a green area and purchased by the Village for recreation purposes. Mr._Loeffler again called the Council's attention to the many persons objecting to the comprehensive plan details for this area of the Village and said the people have been cut off from the use of the ocean because of no access. He stated a large park is needed in the Ridgewood area to meet the needs of the youth. He further stated it is a good idea to have an over-all plan but it should not be a binding plan but subject to change as necessary or • best for all concerned. Mr. Noel Rood, 20 Pinetree Circle, asked how many times the taxpayers and residents of their area were going to have to appear at ,such hearings to knock the idea of more condominiums in the head, Councilman Cunningham stated the Village Council has to react to property owners desires. Mayor Sylvester pointed out the decrease in densities in the proposed condominiiun districts under the new plan. Mr. Paul Thomson stated the Tequesta Gardens area had been re-zoned R-2 and he ~,~as only asking for the zoning in accordance ~,zth the recently completed plan. A large show of hands answered Councilman Cunningham's question if those in attendance would be willing to pay $25,00 a year additional taxes for the purchase of park and recreation land. Mayor Sylvester said he had recommended the Village buy beach property four years ago and suggested the Village purchase 20 acres of the land in question tonight, subject to a referendum of the people. Mr. Peter Baron, Tequesta Gardens, spoke of the three story office building being constructed on Tequesta Drive and said such things are destroying the Village. -3- • Mrs. Betty Cherett (Betty Bush) said she understood that profits from the Water Company in the next six months could purchase recreation lands. The Mayor cautioned that the proposed U.S. Highway No. 1 improvements and providing of additional ~,~ater supplies must be taken care of. Mr. Bert Corley, President, First National Bank £~ Trust Company, Tequesta, questioned whether the Council ~,~as premature in the matter at hand and should wait for a plan from the developers of the area and believed the Council is entitled to see the proposed architecture for the buildings in the area. Mrs. Betty Cherett spoke of Mr. Thomsonts meeting ti+rith the residents of Ridgewood in the Village Hall to discuss his plans for the area. Mr. Thomas Robinson, Point Drive, said 90% of the people in attendance are directly involved in the proposed re-zoning and they should be listened to. Mr. Robert Sattley, Tequesta Garden Apartments, asked what the plans are for roads in the area, when will Seabrool~ Road be improved and if there is any possibility for commercial areas in the area at a later date, • Mayor Sylvester spoke of the proposed east-west road on the plan to be constructed by the developers, Seabrook Road to be built by the County and that there was nothing in the plan for conunercial areas in the subject area. He stated the proposed plan ~,~ould provide that a developer would have to provide 40 of his development for recreation and parks or pay an equal value in money to be used for this purpose. Mr. Noel Rood asked when they could expect Seabrook Road to be completed. Councilman Barr spoke to the audience commenting that such a large turnout was: impressive; the people want Tequesta to remain beautiful; the Village Council has been dedicated to its task; and questioned what might happen if the owners of the land might request de-annexation and have the land back in the County. He further questioned what everyone is against, t,~hether two story buildings, higher densities, rental properties or kind of people to come into the area to live in the residences. He stated he believed the Village Council should know what is to be done with the property and the comprehensive plan needs to be implemented with proper necessary ordinances enacted. Developer should provide plans before acting. Councilman Little asked if Mr. Thomson~s request could be tabled and the Village Attorney suggested it should be acted upon now. -4- Mr. Loeffler again reiterated that they want R-1 zoning and not R-2 zoning for the lands. Mr. Corley said there were many fine people in Tequesta Gardens who were not against R-2 zoning. Mr. Berry, 1~lillow Road, reiterated that 120 people on the petition want R-1 zoning. Counci]man Russell asked why Tequesta Gardens residents are opposed to the R-2 zoning. A Mr. Ayers from the apartments said there `sere enough and they were thankful they were not closer together. Apartments should be confined to certain areas and asked not to let more apartments be built right on top of them. Mr. Tatem stated they are taxpayers and citizens of the Village of Tequesta and have a right to protest proposed changes in zoning. Mr. Sattley made some personal observations for the need for better educational facilities supported by folks without children in school. Mr. Baron said they should help get a park for children and make it a good place to live, Mr. Kneff, Tequesta Gardens, stated condominiums should be scattered out and not in one area, would like Tequesta to stay the way it is. The wording in the petition presented by Mr. Loeffler was read and the complete petition made a part of the record of this hearing. Cunningham moved, seconded by Little that Mr. Thomson~s request for R-2 zoning for his land be denied and the land be zoned R-1 Single Family Ih,~elling classification. Councilman Russell suggested plans for the area be presented for the Council to look at. • Mayor Sylvester suggested developers cooperate in a master park plan. The vote on the motion was: Little - For Cunningham, - For Russell - For Barr - For Sylvester - Against and the motion was passed 4-l. At 8:45 P.M. the Council then considered the classification for the DiVosta lands. Mr. DiVosta was not present or represented. Barr moved, seconded by Cunningham that DiVosta~s request for R-2 zoning for his land be denied and the land be zoned R-1 Single Family Ihaelling District. The vote on the motion was: Little - For Cunningham - For Russell - For Barr - For Sylvester - For and the motion was passed. • rir. Edward Edwards of Tequesta Gardens, suggested large acreage could be used both as residential and park areas combined. -5- Mrs. Cherett asked if the Village have any plans to purchase park lands. Mayor Sylvester suggested the Village consider purchase of ocean frontage and park land areas. Mr. Editirards suggested the people might want to purchase park and recreation areas if they knew what it was going to cost them. rir. John R. Sutton, Jr. was advised there was no change in the status of the plan to acquire park land near his and Dr. Johnson~s properties. Mr. Baron said it aught be possible for a builder to come in and build sub-standard houses. Mr. William Frank stated he had no basic interest in the matter but more young families would come into the area loth more children if the lands were zoned R-1 Single Family Dwelling District. The Public Hearing ~~~as adjourned at 8:58 P.M. Respectfully submitted., '~ o'oert Harp Clerk •