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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Local Planning Agency_12/11/2008MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY DECEMBER 11, 2008 CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 7:02 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Calvin Turnquest, Council Member Vince Arena, Council Member Jim Humpage, and Council Member Tom Paterno. Also in attendance were:, Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney Keith Davis, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. Mayor Watkins recessed the LPA meeting until Ordinance 17-08 on the regular Council meeting could be read. MOTION: Council Member Humpage moved approval to recess the LPA meeting at 7:05 p. m.; seconded by Council Member Paterno. Motion unanimously carried 5-0. Mayor Watkins reconvened the LPA meeting at 7:38 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Public Hearing to consider and make recommendations to the Village Council with regard to the following: 1. Ordinance 23-08, First Reading, Adopting an Amendment to the Comp Plan Amendment for Real Property as a Residential Medium Density Property Located at 4534 and 4546 County Line Road Mayor Watkins opened the public hearing to Council for comments Council Member Paterno stated he received an email from Mr. Fredrick Storer, 109 Magnolia Way who opposed the zoning change. Council Member Paterno inquired if the retention acreage area could be moved. Ms. Catherine Harding, Director of Community Development, stated the Village would maintain the property to collect water as proposed and noted a different configuration could be approved to attain the retention goal. John Bourassa, developer and property owner, explained the excavation project performed previously to clean the area soil and noted there would be future testing performed. Council Member Paterno expressed his concerns for the existing residential properties if medium density was passed. Local Planning Agency December 11, 2008 Page 2 of 4 Ms. Harding explained the R1 low density regulation was for up to 5.4 units per acre and R2 medium density was up to 12 units per acre. Council Member Humpage noted that any building design would need additional approval by the Council. Manager Couzzo recommended Council send the proposed design with a zoning designation to the State for their review if the zoning was to be R1 and noted if Council was inclined to go to R2 they should pause at this point. Attorney Keith Davis explained that a small scale comprehensive plan amendment without the States review could be done if the property was R1 and was less than 10 acres (which it was) with less than 10 units per acre. However; he noted, the applicant had applied for R2 and that could not be considered a small scale application and must go to the State for review. Ms. Harding clarified the designation was specifically for changes to amend future land use for medium density. She noted if the change was approved by the Council and (Department of Community Affairs) DCA then the applicant would need additional approval to change the zoning. Mayor Watkins commented on road widening and changes to the retention area. She also noted that any developer would need to meet the Village Codes. Vice Mayor Turnquest asked the Manager to confirm the value change for the developer if the change was made. Manager Couzzo explained some of the marketable changes that had been discussed and noted the restriction that may apply. Mr. Bourassa referenced the surroundings and indicated his reason for the proposed change was the flexibility that came with R2 and stated he was empathetic of surrounding residents. Council Member Arena inquired on the number of residents in Riverside Oaks and stated that the view would be considered from residents of both sides of the privacy wall. Council Member Paterno felt that the changes affected the property and the focus should stay on that fact alone and not personally attached to a contractor. Council Member Paterno stated not all residents were notified of the proposed change and felt there would be a bigger attendance if a larger mailing had taken place. Manager Couzzo confirmed that appropriate announcements were made. Attorney Keith Davis confirmed that additional notice could and would be given as the process proceeded. Mayor Watkins opened the item for public comments. Charlotte Nichols, 133 Magnolia Way was concerned about too many properties built on too small of space and projects left uncompleted. She noted that there was little property left in Local Planning Agency December 11, 2008 Page 3 of 4 Tequesta and wanted to see it respected. She was also concerned with possible damage to their privacy wall. Joanne Brooks, 128 Magnolia Way, President of the Riverside Oaks Homeowner Association, expressed her concern with possible change taking place along with the members changing on the Council. She referenced letters of concern she received from fellow neighbors and commented they were just starting to hear about the proposed changes. She suggested the builder stay in line with the same size residential property as its surroundings. Louis Lwowski, 137 Magnolia Way asked Mr. Bourassa about the retention areas and noted that one of his deciding factors for buying the property he now lives in was that it was in an R1 area. Mr. Bourassa replied that the retention area would change. Mr. Lwowski then thanked Council Member Paterno for all he was doing for taxpayers. Bill Mathieu, 159 Magnolia Way asked if an alternative exit would be added. Mr. Bourassa responded that the area referenced was an easement in the set back and could not be built on. Mayor Watkins asked for additional Council comment. Council Member Paterno asked Mr. Bourassa if he wanted to move forward or if Council could get 60 days and put the issue on the February Agenda. Mr. Bourassa replied he would like to move forward. Vice Mayor Turnquest felt more residents should be heard. Mayor Watkins reiterated that Tequesta had done what was legally required. Council. Member Paterno motioned to table the item for 60 days. Attorney Davis reminded Council that there was an application submitted and suggested the process procedure should stay moving forward unless the applicant was willing to grant the requested extension. Council Member Paterno withdrew his motion to table the item for 60 days. MOTION: Council Member Paterno motioned that the LPA not recommend medium density R2 and to recommend R1. Vice Mayor Turnquest seconded the motion. Motion passed 3-2 with Council Member Arena and Mayor Watkins opposed. There being no further comments the public hearing was closed. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Vice Mayor Turnquest moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Council Member Humpage. The motion to adjourn carried unanimously 5-0; therefore the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p. m. Local Planning Agency December 11, 2008 Page 4 of 4 Respectfully submitted, Lori McWilliams, CMC Village Clerk Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.