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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Environmental Advisory Committee_Tab 02_8/10/2022Agenda Item #2. Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) STAFF MEMO Meeting: Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) -Aug 10 2022 Staff Contact: Thomas Bradford, EAC Chair Department: Environmental Advisory Committee Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Recreation and Open Space Element, v1 of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff. This document and any attachments may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by completing our Accessibility Feedback Form, sending an e-mail to the Village Clerk or calling 561-768-0443. PROJECT NAME: n/a Proposed: n/a PROJECTED TOTAL: n/a BUDGET: n/a ENCUMBERED: n/a Backup Memo Rec & OPS Ele v1 060822 Projected Remaining: n/a Page 7 of 143 Agenda Item #2. Village of Tequesta Environmental Advisory Committee To: Environmental Advisory Committee Members From: Thomas G. Bradford, Chair, EAC Cc: NA Date: June 1, 2022 Re: Draft Recommendations to the EAC on the Recreation & Open Space Element, v1 of the VOT Comprehensive Plan for Consideration of the Village Council and Staff VOT Resolution No. 24-19, which created the EAC, requires the EAC " ... to within the bounds of the Village's Comprehensive Development Plan, develop recommendations for goals, objectives and policies relative to sustaining and improving the environment of the Village of Tequesta." To this end, the EAC is now reviewing the Recreation & Open Space Element of the VOT Comprehensive Plan in two phases, v I, v2,. In order to keep the review process manageable only one of the versions will be reviewed at each EAC meeting. This memo addresses v1. Items usually highlighted in yellow are noted places where an environmental matter is stated in the Element. However, in this case, every Goal, Objective, and Policy in the Recreation & O'Den SDace Element is Dotentiallv an environmental matter makintz highlighting unnecessary. There are 36 combined Goals, Objectives and Policies to be commented on in this Conservation Element. I will try to break this down into 2 separate parts over 2 months or more of EAC meetings to keep it manageable. This equates to approximately 18 items to comment on per month. TGB comments are my thoughts on the item. EAC proposed Options are my suggestions of what we should tell the Village about the item. You are encouraged to review the Element or sub -element and propose where you see environmental issues requiring EAC review potentially overlooked in this memorandum or make suggestions on how to modify or add to the comments and options provided herein Page 8 of 143 Agenda Item #2. to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff. The link to the VOT Comprehensive Plan is as follows: http: //teq ue sta. org/84/Community-Development Pertinent sections pertaining to environmental issues within the Recreation & Open Space Element, v I, of the VOT Comprehensive Plan and my comments are as follows: VAT %J -NiZU I 41001M 71 Goal: 1. 0. 0 - The development of a sustainable recreation and open space system that adequately provides for the current and projected recreational needs of the Village and enhances its built and natural environment by providing active and passive recreation opportunities. TGB Comment to EAC: Sounds fine to me. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Fine as written. Objective: 1. 1. 0 - Maintain community and neighborhood parks and facilities meeting the current and future needs of all age groups in Tequesta. TGB Comment to EAC: This statement, on its face, limits Tequesta to two types of parks; community and neighborhood. The categories of parks in the United States include: town squares, large city parks, pleasure grounds or cultural parks, neighborhood parks, and pocket parks. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Tequesta should strive to provide an assortment of parks instead of limiting the types to be provided to two, namely community and neighborhood parks. Categories of parks in Tequesta should include: town squares, large city parks, pleasure grounds or cultural parks, neighborhood parks, and pocket parks. Policy: 1. LI - Provide recreation facilities which offer sufficient choice and variety for all age groups. 2 Page 9 of 143 Agenda Item #2. TGB Cominent to EAC: Yes, this is good and it logically means that in order to provide sufficient choice, other types of parks beside community and neighborhood parks should be an available option provided in Tequesta. EA C Proposed OplLons. Options to consider for reconnnendation to the Village Council and staff are: a Modify to read: "Provide recreation facilities and types of parks which offer sufficient choice and variety for a multitude of preferences and age groups." Policy.- 1.1.2 - Continue the implementation of recreation programs for Tequesta Park that complement and enhance the use of the Village's recreational facility assets, with periodic evaluations of how these programs are meeting the recreation needs of the Village. TGB Comment to EAC: I would change the way this policy is written. See my suggestion. EA C Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: uefsta -L ain that complement c Continue the implementation of recreation programs LLX=.FL Teequfawim 12orIc- Wx I and enhance the use of the Village's recreational promms and facility assets, withp effi 0. evaluations of how these programs are meeting the recreation needs of the Village every 5-7 years. The next evaluation will occur by no later than 2029. Objective: 1. 2. 0 - As part of the development approval process.,, require that recreation areas be provided as a part of the development, or accept a recreation fee in lieu of land, where and when appropriate, in order to maintain a sustainable recreation system for the community. TGB Comment to EAC: What constitutes a "recreation area?" I would re -write this as appears below. E Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are., c Re -write to read: "As part of the development approval process,, require that recreation areas. and facilities b e provided as a part o f the de vel pment, o r re g wire a recreation uaL- Anii impact fee in lieu of land - and the provision of on -site recreational facilities, iara. in order to maintain a sustainable recreation system for the community. Tequesta will develop a.Recreation Element policy defining "recreation areas" that will exclude on -site water retention areas, but may include on site swimming pools and on -site exercise (Gym) facilities. An ordinance effectuating an on -site recreation facilities and/or 3 Page 10 of 143 Agenda Item #2. recreational unpact fee requirement shall be presented for Village Council consideration by June 1, 2023."' Policy: 1.2. 1 -The Village shall continue to zone all properties utilized or targeted for recreation and open space purposes as R/OP, Recreation/Open Space. TGB Comment to EAC: A statement of the obvious. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are*. c Fine as written. Objective: 1.3.0 - Continue to coordinate development which allows safe and easy access to recreational facilities outside and within the Village's corporate limits in a manner that is consistent witli the Transportation Element of this Plan and the Village of Tequesta Capital Improvcment Program. TGB Comment to EAC: This is good because the reference to the Transportation Element means provision of sidewalks, paved pathways, bicycle lanes and trees for shade via adopted and implemented streetscape plans. EAC Proposcd Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: c Fine as written. Policy: 1.3.1 - The Village should provide for safe access to recreation areas by making road improvements and pathway improvements compatible with surrounding development patterns and consistent with the Village Capital Improvement Program and Transportation Element. TGB Comment to EAC- This is fine for me with the change I.Made below. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: c Re -write to read.- "The Village sh.L.ARA.14 shall provide for safe access to recreation areas by making road improvements, pathway improvements and streetscaPe iml2rovements compatible with surrounding development patterns and consistent with the Village Capital Improvement Program and Transportation Element. 193 5i Page 11 of 143 Agenda Item #2. Policy: 1.3,2 - Existing roads and thoroughfares should be considered as primary locations for the accommodation of bicycle traffic when they lead to the Village's pairk and recreation facilities and encourage bicycle paths in the parks. TGB Comment to EAC: Yes, but the Village Counci1 prefers that bicycle accommodation be made in the unpaved portions of the right-of-way. Also, all roads lead to a park and recreational facitities. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Re -write as: "Existing unpaved portions of road and thoroughfare rights -of -way, if available., should be considered as primary locations for the accommodation of bicycle traffic when they lead to the Village's park and recreation facilities. Where space is available, the Village should consider placemcnt of bicycle paths in parks it owns or operates. If right-of-way is not available, modification of the roadway proper can be considered for modification to accommodate bicycles'} Policy: 1.3.3 - Obtain easements or use road rights -of -way for bicycle and pedestrian paths well in advance of dcvclopment where they are desired consistent with Complete Street principles.. TGB Comment to EAC: OK with mc. EA C Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: c Fine as written. Policy.- 1.3.4 - In providing pathways with safe access to recreational areas, the Village should coordinate this activity with surrounding involved governments by reviewing Comprehensive Plans and Capital Improvement Programs of adjacent governments as part of the annual budgetary process. TGB Comment to EAC: Agreed, but where has the Village identified in its plans where it wants pathways with safe access to recreational areas for this very same process? EAR' Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Fine as written, but for the intergovernmental coordination to work properly the Village must identify in its plans where it wants pathways with safe access to recreational areas. Page 12 of 143 Agenda Item #2. Objective.- 1. 4. 0 — Continue to expand recreational facilities with the Growth of the Village to meet 4-X the needs of the residents and Level of Service Standards. TSB Comment to EAC: Another statement of the obvious. If the Village did not do this then they would, over time, potentially drop below their adopted level of service standards which is indicative of incompetence and a black eye for the Village. EA C Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: c Fine as written. Policy.- 1. 4. 1 - Preserve currently allocated reereati o nal areas within the Vi I lage by zoning those parcels and properties R/OP, Recreation/Open Space district. TGB Conunent to EAC: I would amend this to include open space areas owned by the Village as well. EA C Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are, Re -write as: "Preserve currently,, or potentially, allocated recreational or open space properties, with particular emphasis on such lands owned by the Village, by zoning those parcels and properties R/OP, Recreation/Open Space district." Policy: 1.4.2 - Strive to meet minillnum standards for recreation open space, service areas., and facilities as established in the Policy 1.4.5 of this Element. TGB Comment to EAC: Why did they add the word "'Strive?" EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: c Re -write to read: "Meet and maintain the minimum standards for recreation open space, service areas, and facilities as established in the Policy 1.4.5 of this Element."' Policy: 1.4.3 - Encourage the use of private recreation facilities within the Village and or cooperatively with the private sector to provide public recreation areas in future developments as part of the site plan review process TGB Comment to EAC: See comments and proposed changes to 0hjecfive- 1.2.0, ahove. �p Page 13 of 143 Agenda Item #2. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Re -write to dovetail with the recommendations for Objective 1.2.0 above: "Require the use of private recreation facilities and/or the payment of recreation impact fees within the Village to facilitate private sector provision of public or private recreation areas in future developments as part of the site plan review process." Policy: 1.4.4 - Through cooperative arrangements, encourage the use of existing school and publicly owned recreation facilities in the North County area to meet the recreation needs of Village residents. TGB Comment to EAC: Sounds good, unless the cooperative aspect results in increased usage of Tequesta facilities by schools and other governments. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o OK as written so long as increased demand and use of Tequesta facilities is not detrimental and reciprocity is realized by Tequesta citizens by allowing use of the facilities of others. Policy: 1.4.5 - The following Level of Service Standards, shall apply to recreation and open space facilities within the Village of Tequesta. Classification Area/Activity Standard (Unit/Population) Neighborhood Parks 2 acres/1,000 lCommunity Parks 2 acres/1,000 TGB Comment to EAC: According to the Village, the State recognizes Tequesta Park as enabling Tequesta to meet the Community Park Unit/Population adopted. With a population of 6,200, VOT needs 12.4 acres for a Community Park. Tequesta Park is around 50 acres. We meet this requirement. For Neighborhood Parks we also need 12.4 acres for a population of 6,200. We have Constitution Park @3 .7211 acres; Remembrance Park @ 1.7566 acres. Is Village Green considered a Neighborhood Park? If so add 2.96 acres for Village Green. Are there others? If not, the total for Neighborhood Parks is 8.4377 acres, short of the 12.4 acre requirement. Perhaps this explains the VOT desire to make stormwater retention ponds near Remembrance Park a part of that park? If they rezoned the parcel just cast of South Cypress Drive to R/OP Recreation /Open Space VOT would automatically gain another 1.0344 acres in their Neighborhood Park deficit while staying in compliance with Policy 1.4.1 above which requires preservation of currently allocated recreational areas within the Village by zoning those parcels and properties R/OP, Recreation/Open Space district. 7 Page 14 of 143 Agenda Item #2. EAC Proposed Options. Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o It appears the Village falls short of the adopted level of service for Neighborhood Parks. The Village should address this discrepancy with a degree of urgency. Policy: 1. 4.6 - The Village shall continue maintaining and enforcing landscaping regulations which establish landscaping and open space definitions, standards and regulations consistent with Florida Friendly Landscaping requirements. TGB Comment to EAC: The Village has some landscaping and open space definitions, standards and regulations in Sec. 78-394. However, the EAC has recommended these FFL requirements be applied to all zoning districts, which the Village Council has not yet acted upon. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Judiciously enforce the current requirements of the Village Code pertaining to Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) and open space definitions, standards and regulations in Sec. 78-394 and update the same as may be needed from time to time. Expand the applicability of FFL to all zoning districts of the Village as recommended by the EAC to the Village Council in 2022. Policy: 1. 4.7 - The Village should continue to work cooperatively with the Federal Government and Palm Beach County to direct the development of the Coast Guard property north of CR 707 for future recreation/open space, culture/civic and/or other appropriate public use. Since there is similar federally owned property south to CR 707 within the corporate limits of the Town of Jupiter, the Village should investigate coordination with their work toward similar development of the entire area. TGB Comment to EAC: Are they really certain they want this land designated for future recreation/open space, culture/civic and/or other appropriate public use? I think the land south of CR 707 is over developed. EAC Proposed Options: Options to consider for recommendation to the Village Council and staff are: o Explain to the public why Tequesta should work cooperatively with the Federal government and Palm Beach County to direct the development of the Coast Guard property A Page 15 of 143 Agenda Item #2. north of CR 707 for future recreati"on/open space, culture/civic and/or other appropriate public use. Wliy not leave the undeveloped? Page 16 of 143