Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 01_3/9/2022Agenda Item #1. Draft MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL FEBRUARY 9, 2022 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Tom Bradford. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Chair Bradford, Vice -Chair Shaw, Member Redman, and Member Wilson Committee Members Namath and Pearson were absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Vice Chair Shaw made a motion approval of the agenda. Member Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Member Namath, Member Pearson). COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Ms. Linda Smith of 17976 Vai Rio, Jupiter, addressed the Committee and spoke of reducing plastics. She provided a handout for the Committee. PRESENTATIONS There were none. CONSENT AGENDA 1. MINUTES: January 12, 2022 MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Member Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Member Namath, Member Pearson). END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA mgg(41C)b85 Agenda Item #1. Draft OLD BUSINESS 2. Update on the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Clear Path, for determining the VOT Carbon Footprint for a GHG Reduction Plan Ms. Lynne Britt, Building Support Coordinator, addressed the Committee and informed them that the gathering of information for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) had encountered numerous issues including: availability, breakdown analysis, and the completeness and accuracy of data. Palm Beach County had dropped out of ICLEI last year and had just rejoined. They were currently working on a countywide endeavor to discuss potential net zero targets and cost feasibility. It would take 6 months to update the county inventory and they recommended that the Village should stay in touch. Ms. Britt could come back in 6 months for another update and would reach out to the EAC should data become available earlier. 3. Discussion on Trees for Tequesta Vice Chair Shaw had met with Manager Jeremy Allen and Community Development Director Nilsa Zacarias regarding parks and greenspace, and recalled a favorable response when the topic was discussed. Two options were: the Village would fund and be caretaker of funds and project nonprofit 501 c3 created for raising funds, then turned over to the Village Remembrance Park was a good starting point because of community interest and time sensitivity of funding. Getting the message on donating trees out to the public would be a part of the project, and donating trees in specific locations was a possibility. Remembrance Park was identified as a good place to implement the project, after going to the Manager and Council for approval. The upcoming charrette was scheduled for April and the tree project could be part of the charrette. The March Council Meeting would be optimal for the Committee to provide information on Trees for Tequesta. 4. Potential Issues for Consideration in the Village Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the Requirements for Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Chair Bradford had many points of concern within the Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) requirements. The group discussed his concerns and agreed he should simplify and offer suggestions to the current code. Chair Bradford would condense the list and send to Manager Allen. Agenda Item #1. Draft MOTION: Member Wilson made a motion to have Chair Bradford simplify and offer suggestions to the code for Manager Allen's review; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. 5. Discussion on Alternatives for EAC Review of Environmental Issues Potentially Created by Future Development Proposals Submitted to the Village for Approval. The group discussed the many aspects of the role of the Committee as it related to the future development proposals. Member Marguerite Wilson would create a bullet list and the group would discuss and vote on it at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS 6. Rooftop Solar Changes to Net Metering (SB10241HB741) and Seagrass Mitigation Banks (HB349/SB198) Vice Chair Shaw announced that the seagrass mitigation bill was pulled recently. Additionally, he believed there was a power grab going on with solar energy and that Florida Power & Light (FPL) wanted to provide all the electricity in the area. Costs were discussed and it was revealed that residential customers already paid 50% more than commercial customers. 7. Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Conservation Element, v3 of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff. The group discussed beach access and easements including beach quality sand nourishment projects. Marguerite Wilson suggested the group ask Council for a code addition to build and restore dunes. Chair Bradford recommended the group ask Council to enforce the code as it related to new development and beach access. Member Redmond would create the memo wording for the group to approve and then send out. MOTION: Member Wilson made a motion to draft a memo to Council regarding code modifications for beach dune systems; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. MOTION: Member Wilson made a motion to amend policy 2.6.1 to require new developers to comply with the code relative to public access easements at the beach; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Agenda Item #1. Draft ANY OTHER MATTERS Council Member Laurie Brandon provided a handout on setbacks, greenspace and trees for the various zoning areas in the Village. She asked that the group discuss the potential changes they would like to see. Chair Bradford stated there was a need for clarification on the number of trees required within the code. Member Wilson would like to re -visit variances, as she believed they were being approved without having a hardship. She believed The Reserve had received a variance for landscaping and felt it was worth a discussion. 8. Meeting Task Assignments ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:37 PM. MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Member Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk Mgge74bf)85 Agenda Item #1. MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (EAC) MEETING VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, FL FEBRUARY 9, 2022 2:00 PM VILLAGE COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Chair Tom Bradford. A roll call was taken by Deputy Clerk Mary Ann Grieser. Present were: Chair Bradford, Vice -Chair Shaw, Member Redman, and Member Wilson Committee Members Namath and Pearson were absent. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Vice Chair Shaw made a motion approval of the agenda. Member Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Member Namath, Member Pearson). COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS Ms. Linda Smith of 17976 Vai Rio, Jupiter, addressed the Committee and spoke of reducing plastics. She provided a handout for the Committee. PRESENTATIONS There were none. CONSENT AGENDA 1. MINUTES: January 12, 2022 MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Member Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0 (absent: Member Namath, Member Pearson). END OF CONSENT AGENDA REGULAR AGENDA Page 8 of 35 Agenda Item #1. OLD BUSINESS 2. Update on the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), Clear Path, for determining the VOT Carbon Footprint for a GHG Reduction Plan Ms. Lynne Britt, Building Support Coordinator, addressed the Committee and informed them that the gathering of information for the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) had encountered numerous issues including: availability, breakdown analysis, and the completeness and accuracy of data. Palm Beach County had dropped out of ICLEI last year and had just rejoined. They were currently working on a countywide endeavor to discuss potential net zero targets and cost feasibility. It would take 6 months to update the county inventory and they recommended that the Village should stay in touch. Ms. Britt could come back in 6 months for another update and would reach out to the EAC should data become available earlier. 3. Discussion on Trees for Tequesta Vice Chair Shaw had met with Manager Jeremy Allen and Community Development Director Nilsa Zacarias regarding parks and greenspace, and recalled a favorable response when the topic was discussed. Two options were: • the Village would fund and be caretaker of funds and project • nonprofit 501 c3 created for raising funds, then turned over to the Village Remembrance Park was a good starting point because of community interest and time sensitivity of funding. Getting the message on donating trees out to the public would be a part of the project, and donating trees in specific locations was a possibility. Remembrance Park was identified as a good place to implement the project, after going to the Manager and Council for approval. The upcoming charrette was scheduled for April and the tree project could be part of the charrette. The March Council Meeting would be optimal for the Committee to provide information on Trees for Tequesta. 4. Potential Issues for Consideration in the Village Code of Ordinances Pertaining to the Requirements for Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) Chair Bradford had many points of concern within the Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) requirements. The group discussed his concerns and agreed he should simplify and offer suggestions to the current code. Chair Bradford would condense the list and send to Manager Allen. Page 9 of 35 Agenda Item #1. MOTION: Member Wilson made a motion to have Chair Bradford simplify and offer suggestions to the code for Manager Allen's review; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. 5. Discussion on Alternatives for EAC Review of Environmental Issues Potentially Created by Future Development Proposals Submitted to the Village for Approval. The group discussed the many aspects of the role of the Committee as it related to the future development proposals. Member Marguerite Wilson would create a bullet list and the group would discuss and vote on it at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS 6. Rooftop Solar Changes to Net Metering (SB10241HB741) and Seagrass Mitigation Banks (HB349/SB 198) Vice Chair Shaw announced that the seagrass mitigation bill was pulled recently. Additionally, he believed there was a power grab going on with solar energy and that Florida Power & Light (FPL) wanted to provide all the electricity in the area. Costs were discussed and it was revealed that residential customers already paid 50% more than commercial customers. 7. Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Conservation Element, v3 of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff. The group discussed beach access and easements including beach quality sand nourishment projects. Marguerite Wilson suggested the group ask Council for a code addition to build and restore dunes. Chair Bradford recommended the group ask Council to enforce the code as it related to new development and beach access. Member Redmond would create the memo wording for the group to approve and then send out. MOTION: Member Wilson made a motion to draft a memo to Council regarding code modifications for beach dune systems; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. MOTION: Member Wilson made a motion to amend policy 2.6.1 to require new developers to comply with the code relative to public access easements at the beach; Vice -Chair Shaw seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. COMMENTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS, VILLAGE COUNCIL LIAISON AND STAFF FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Page 10 of 35 Agenda Item #1. ANY OTHER MATTERS Council Member Laurie Brandon provided a handout on setbacks, greenspace and trees for the various zoning areas in the Village. She asked that the group discuss the potential changes they would like to see. Chair Bradford stated there was a need for clarification on the number of trees required within the code. Member Wilson would like to re -visit variances, as she believed they were being approved without having a hardship. She believed The Reserve had received a variance for landscaping and felt it was worth a discussion. 8. Meeting Task Assignments ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 4:37 PM. MOTION: Vice -Chair Shaw made a motion to adjourn the meeting; Member Redman seconded the motion. Carried unanimously 4-0. Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk Page 11 of 35