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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 5A_1/11/1990 • . y.ei . ' ..4,1•• )7:- VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA • Z .�• ^` ,"' Post Office Box 3273 •• 357 Tequesta Drive �'�;� � Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (407) 575-6200 • ''''� > ='cam FAX: (407) 575-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 7 , 1989 ' I . The Tequesta. Village Council held a workshop meeting at the Village. Hall , 357 Tequesta Drive , Tequesta, Florida, on Thursday, December 7 , 1989 . The meeting was called to order at 9 : 05 A.M. by Mayor Joseph N. Capretta. A roll call was taken by the Recording ' Secretary. Councilmembers present were : Vice-Mayor Edward C. Howell , William E. Burckart, Ron T. Mackail , and Earl L. Collings . Village Officials present were : Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager; Wendy K . Harrison , Administrative Assistant to the Village Manager ; Bi.1.l C . Kascavelis , Finance Director, and Scott D. Ladd, Building Official. • Task Force members present. were : Carlton Stoddard, Chairman; Jim Pilz ; Dr . Stanley Jacobs , and Edwin Nelson . Village Planning Consultant, Jack Horniman, was also in attendance . . • Others in attendance were : Mark Schimmenti and Jaime Cerrara of . Image . Network , Gary Van Brock, Mr. Yoder, Harvey Mapes , R.E . Smith, Sir John van Kesteren and Faye Schrecengost . II . APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Agenda was approved as submitted. III . OVERVIEW OF TEQUESTA TOWN CENTER MASTER PLAN. Mark Schimmenti and Image Network . Mark Schimmenti and Jaime Cerrara presented slides giving a basic overview of the Master Plan as drawn up by Image Network, explaining what the Plan was about and what Image Network, as Designers , felt the important elements of that Plan were . Mr . Schimmenti displayed to Council high resolution images of the proposed developed Master Plan area. . He showed what could happen without a Master Plan and with the present zoning . • Village Council Workshop • Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 Page 2 • Mr . Schimmenti explained how the proposed Master Plan complied with the various elements of the Task Force Mission Statement : 1 ) through the use of interlocking public space ; 2 ) an internal network of pedestrian-vehicular circulation ; 3 ) the making of neighborhoods , thus 'tying the new development together economically and socially; 4 ) and through the urban and architectural standards that ensure the building mass • and styles were consistent throughout . the three neighborhoods . Jaime Cerrara informed the Village Council that the Urban Land Institute, the most respected group of people in the development community who find models for development, are listing in their February 1990 issue , the Tequesta Master Plan developed by Image Network . Village Manager Bradford added that that is a major affirmation . Mr . Schimmenti elaborated upon the basic elements and principles of urban design by explaining it started with a careful study of issues that already exist - nothing is invented. The objectives . for the Master Plan were to : o provide a center for the town and smaller centers for each neighborhood ; o to bring many of the activities of daily living within walking distance ; o to reduce the number and' length of automobile trips to help relieve traffic congestion; o to provide internal vehicular circulation to relieve traffic impact on the arterial roads ; o to define public spaces and streets which allow citizens to observe and watch over the collective security of the area; o to provide sites for civic buildings to house and celebrate democratic initiatives o to provide flexibility for the development strategies which develop over time . The basic elements of urban design are : The street, the block , the open public space , the building mass , system-wide elements ( i . e . , street furniture , lamps , etc) . , and the landscaping . • Village Council Workshop • . Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 Page 3 • • IV. PRESENTATION OF TASK FORCE MASTER PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS . A) Carlton Stoddard, Chairman , Downtown Development .Task Force , • summarized the position of the Task Force regarding the proposed Master Plan . Chairman Stoddard stated the new codes and the Master Plan are not the final word ; but exploratory. The Plan is plausible and feasible , but it has to be tested in the market. The Plan is receiving recognition from many professionals , such as Dan Cary, Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council . The Village Council must work together with the Task Force toward • developing the proper codes and the code enforcement of such a Plan, which will indeed support a marketable program . The . Task Force felt this approach' towards a market plan has great merit . The Task Force felt this was a model Plan that could gain national recognition . The Palm Beach County Growth Management Plan requires road development in advance of population development . Chairman Stoddard felt Tequesta is in a most prominent position to take advantage of this , if the Village moves on it promptly. Main aterials are in place . Tequesta has help from Palm Beach County itself in the futherance of widening -Old Dixie Highway. The timing of the Tequesta Drive completion with the marketing test program could be perfect. This marketing plan could be used as a magnet to attract the "blue-chip" developers this project should have. B) Task Force Member Edwin Nelson explained that the Task Force recommends to Council the "concept" of the proposed Master Plan. Mr. Nelson stated to Council that Village Manager Bradford had prepared a letter of recommendation from the Task Force which had been presented to Council , which .he endorses , as well as the recommendation for a marketing plan . The only change Mr. Nelson would make regarding the marketing would be to allow the Task Force a time a little longer than March 1 , 1990 to complete the marketing. C) Task Force Member Jim Pilz stated he was pleased to serve on the Task Force . • Mr. Pilz felt there is need for real concern • regarding Tequesta, with beautiful country club communities surrounding the Village , and a downtown area that looked like a ghost-town . As a resident , Mr. Pilz felt the Village was not doing enough to bring the downtown area back to one which thrives . Mr Pilz challenged the Council to take a risk and work with the Task Force , rather than waiting for a neat , tidy' package where a simple "yes" or "no" would be in order . Village Council. Workshop Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 Page 4 • Regarding the marketing , Mr . Pilz stated no one knows whether the marketing will be successful or not, but that the "college-try" would be in order . He felt. the Council needed to take a stronger stand regarding Code Enforcement , by not • allowing areas like Lighthouse Plaza to remain empty for such a long time . Mr . Pilz explained that the Task Force is now in total agreement regarding the Master Plan . D) Task Force Member, Dr . Stanley Jacobs , also expounded on the ghost-town appearance of the downtown area, stating it desparately' needed revitalizing . He suggested a 48, 000 square foot art center would make a beautiful community center in that location for the people of Tequesta. Dr . Jacobs suggested that if the Master Plan is not pursued , piecemeal development could take place . The Master Plan gives good opportunity for good planning and development . He suggested Council needed to be supportive of this Master Plan project . V . PERIPHERAL ISSUES - DISCUSSION OF MECHANICS FOR IMPLEMENTING A SPECIFIC MASTER PLAN. Councilmember Burckart expressed concern regarding Tequesta Plaza and Lighthouse Plaza, since these are the biggest problems of the downtown area. Planning for the future is something Tequesta obviously needs , but where will the money come from this revitalization? Can the Village actually do this? Mr. Burckart felt that there was a major problem with Palm Beach County, since their Traffic Concurrency Ordinance is not written today, this project would not be allowed to advance . There are roads too close to Tequesta which are already over capacity. Mr. Burckart also felt a single, lump-sum owner was not feasible . His reservations were not in the concept of planning, but in the concept of the reality of this project coming to fruition. Councilmember Mackail commended the Task Force for their time and effort which brought forth such great ideas . Though Mr. Mackail concurred with Mr . Burckart regarding the feasibility of the Plan, he agreed in concept with Mr . Bradford' s letter regarding the marketing strategy of the project . He liked the idea that the Village residents and Council could control the future destiny of what happens in the Village . Mr . Mackail felt that, though the Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 Page 5 Public issue at Tequesta Plaza is a legal issue , he felt the outcome of the total Master Plan concept might encourage resolution of that problem. Mr. Mackail felt the Master Plan was not only needed, but that Council should move forward with it , creating popularity in what was trying to be accomplished to ensure residents of the community are behind it . He affirmed Council should go forward with the concept of the Master Plan . Councilmember, Collings affirmed that the Master Plan was a good Plan. He felt flexibility was the key word to the Plan, but he did have some observations and questions . With all of the vacant stores and shops in Tequesta, Mr . Collings felt a marketing package would be an excellent idea and that Administration needed to look conceptually at how the minds of the entrepeneurs ought to be focused on what the Village has to offer . Mr. Collings asked what percentage of commercial vs . residential is really visualized. In conjunction with that, has the owner of the old K-Mart said he will sell - if so , what is the price? Mr . Collings felt a single developer for the whole project did not seem feasible to him. Regarding the Task Force' s suggestion that the Village buy the Lighthouse Plaza land, Mr. Collings wondered if the Task Force should suggest to the Village a financial plan to do so . This may not be feasible , but may be an area to explore . He felt the test marketing package is a good one , and that the exposure and opportunity were a magnificent one . Mr . Collings suggested the Task Force look at the total surrounding demographics of the area to be aware of the impact of what is going on around the Village of Tequesta. Vice-Mayor Howell felt the level of awareness intended to be created by the Charrette was accomplished. Seeds have been planted. But, the Village can' t control the weather ( i .e. , economic conditions ) . Mr . Howell felt the Master Plan was good. The Council is the guardian of the public interest, and can provide some impetus to the commercial interests and broaden the tax base. But Council needs to confine themselves to the motivational aspect, rather than a dictatorial one. Mayor Capretta stated that first of all : ( 1 ) you have to identify the problem: two empty shopping centers ; shortage of population. What is the ratio of people to business in that Golden Circle area? Does the Village need a growth that doubles its population? • Village Council Workshop • Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 • Page 6 • • ( 2 ) Is the Plan practical from a business point of view to make it a good investment? K-Mart property is expensive - can the Village afford to buy it? That is considered the most valuable piece of property in Tequesta. • ( 3 ) Marketing : Are we tracking what we really want? Mayor Capretta previously urged the Task Force to develop principles and • goals of what is to be achieved to allow a basis for control . There are three possible marketing .solutions : , • a) The miracle plan, one developer. b) Two or more developers over a period of 4-5 years . c) One developer now, and another each year or two for.. the next 20 years . • But, the , pattern of the Plan should be followed. The Mayor' s question was : how does Council adopt this Plan, or some version of ' this Plan, to ensure the Village has control and the Plan over the next •ten years will turn out as planned? • ' Jim Pilz asked to speak to dispel some of the negative concerns that were expressed: ( 1 ) Relative to demographics : In 'addition to bringing in more people without bringing in more competition, it should be remembered that the existing shopping centers are now in competition with surrounding communities . Tequesta businesses need to be more competitive and take a leadership position with the buying community. ( 2 ) Road approval : The Head of Treasure Coast Planning is encouraging the Village to go ahead with the Master Plan development, which means he is not only willing to help get the approval for the road system, but also to give suggestions on financial solutions for parts of the program. Mark Schimmenti added that allowing a network of roads to exist internally takes traffic counts off the major arterial roads, which would allow the Village to develop a higher density. The County and the State are concerned about the count on arterial roads. • ( 3 ) One developer may .not be probable , but it is not impossible . • Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 . Page 7 ( 4 ) Affordable housing : According to the Plan , smaller unit • affording housing would be done in a quality manner, using high quality materials standards , as well as control over the design . Though units may be small , the quality would be there . • Jim Pilz stated the Task Force was asking Council to vote "yes" to proceed with the test marketing package , giving the Task Force 3-4 months to complete the test . • Gary Van Brock stated he felt that by discussing the marketability of the project the Council had gotten down to the meat of the-whole matter. He felt this Plan could not be adopted by the Council because the Plan is too rigid - the Plan' s. flexibility being very limited. Mr . Van Brock stated one building could not be moved without upsetting the entire Plan . He felt the Master Plan should start with a basic street network . He did not foresee a developer doing this project without putting 'his own marketing concept together in various phases . Mark Schimmenti interjected that he submitted to Mr. Van Brock a number of weeks ago a list of 6 developers who have bought into these Master Plan. concepts and are spending lots of money based on the very things to which he is objecting . Mr. Schimmenti asked Mr . Van Brock what sort . of comments and/Or contacts he had had with these 6 developers . Mr. Van Brock stated he had no contact whatsoever, but had suggested to the Task Force that they contact these developers to see if they would buy the Plan and buy the Dorner land. Mayor Capretta informed Mr . Van Brock that the Task Force has tried to accommodate him and his ideas regarding his objections to the Master Plan, but it seems things have still ended up as they were. The Mayor reminded Council there was' a real problem downtown, and in order to solve it , a Task Force was appointed. . They did a tremendous job and provided a Plan to which Mr. Van Brock, as a landowner, objects . Yet , the Task Force has approached Council this morning to seek their approval of the Plan and the opportunity to market it as is . Mayor Capretta suggested these alternatives : • • Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes December 7 , 1989 Page 8 • 1 )• Yes , go ahead and market the Plan, find out how much it will cost and authorize a certain amount of money to do so . If there are some takers but they say this or that must be changed, ' then go with what you have.. 2 ) Or, Council can say no, that some changes, have to be made before the Plan .can be marketed. 3 ) Or, Council can say, Thank you for your presentation , and we will think about it . • Councilmember Collings asked- Mr. Schimmenti if the roadways in his Master Plan were flexible. Mr. Schimmenti answered the roadways could be moved. Mayor Capretta asked Village Manager Bradford for two. things : 1 ) If he has any figures on what it would cost to market this Plan, to • please share those figures with Council before the next Council meeting ; and 2 ) how does the Village keep control over the long period of the zoning and the Comprehensive Plan if this Master Plan • is adopted. Mayor Capretta stated he would like the last question answered in detail before Council votes on the Master Plan. Village Council Workshop • `leet ing Minutes December 7 , 1989 Page 9 • • VI . ANY OTHER MATTERS • There were no other matters before the Council . • VI I . ADJOURNMENT Councilmember • Mackail moved to adjourn the meeting . Counciimember Collings seconded that motion . The vote was : Mayor Capretta - for Earl Collings - for Ron Mackail - for William Burckart - for Vice-Mayor Howell - for the motion - was therefore passed and the meeting was adjoured at 11 : 20 A.M. • • Respectfully submitted , • Fran Bitters • Recording Secretary • • ATTEST: Bill C. KascavElis Finance Director/VIllage Clerk /fgb DATE APPROVED: