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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Commuinity Appearance_11/19/1997 i tE VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA ;�. DEPARTMENT OF CObfVILJNTIY DEVELOPMENT Gr: .143' Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive s AN:,pro Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6220 • - Fax: (561) 575-6239 CO • VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 • • I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Community Appearance Board held a meeting in the Village Council Chambers at 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, November 19, 1997 . The meeting was called to order at 9 :34 A.M. by Chair Leslie Cook. Boardmembers present were: Chair Leslie Cook, Vice Chair Vic Strahan, Paul Coben, Claudette Dalack, and Alternate Molly McCormick. Also in attendance was Scott D. Ladd, Clerk of the Board. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Cook announced that the agenda was approved as submitted. III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS There were no communications from citizens. IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES The following corrections to the minutes of the October 15, Recycled Paper COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 2 1997 meeting were requested by Boardmember Coben: change the spelling of myterfolia on page 2, change Starling to Sterling on page 5, remove the apostrophe from Albertson's. Vice Chair Strahan requested that removed be changed to saved on page 3, and the word saved be inserted between redistribute and dollars on page 4. The Board approved the minutes of the October 15, 199.7 subject to the above changes. V. NEW BUSINESS 1. An application from the First Baptist Church of Tequesta, 411 Tequesta Drive, Baron Signs as agent, for the installation of a 7' high x 8' wide free standing sign / sandblasted redwood, single-faced, reading, "An Ocean of Love" "Worship Service 10:30 A.M." Baron Sign Company representative John Bogeajis was present as agent for the applicant and described the proposed sign. The poles were described as unpainted pressure-treated green telephone poles. Chair Cook commented that the sign was lovely but did not match the church, which was more elegant. Mr. Bogeajis explained that the message, "An Ocean of Love", would be reflected by the landscaping as well as the sign, would match a duplicate sign inside the church, and that the sign would be placed well back from the road near the church building. The Board discussed the fact that the sign did not match the church. Chair Cook explained that the job of the Community Appearance Board was to assure that things in the community were visually pleasing and harmonious. During further discussion, Chair Cook commented that when the church planted flowers that the sign definitely would not go with the appearance of the landscaping and the building. Boardmember Dalack commented that the sign looked like a separate entity rather than a part of the church, and objected to the use of rope. The Board discussed the hedge, which would v COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 3 remain in place, with the sign to be installed in front of the hedge. Chair Cook commented that there must be a way to depict an ocean without using dock materials which did not match the church. The use of lattice was suggested. Boardmember Coben objected to discussion of how to change the sign, and commented that the Board should either approve the sign or reject it. Vice Chair Strahan commented that he believed the proposed location for the sign was ill-conceived and that it would not serve the purpose for which it was intended; however, he did not object to the, aesthetics of the sign. Vice Chair Strahan made a motion to accept the application from the First Baptist Church of Tequesta, 411 Tequesta Drive, for the installation of a 7' high x 8' wide freestanding sign / sandblasted redwood, single- faced, reading, "An Ocean of Love" "Worship Service 10:30 A.M.", as presented. Boardmember McCormick seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Leslie Cook - against Vic Strahan - for Paul Coben - against • Claudette Dalack - against Molly McCormick - for The motion was therefore denied. Chair Cook advised the applicant that the sign did not match the church. Clerk of the Board Scott D. Ladd suggested the possibility of using square columns to reflect the. architecture of the church, and possibly using rope only around the columns. Mr. Bogeajis requested clarification as to exactly what the Board was objecting to, to which Chair Cook responded that it was the fact that the poles looked like a dock and did not match the church, and suggested that an element of the church be used in the sign. Clerk of the Board Ladd advised that the applicant could either return with a COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 4 different sign, drop the application, or appeal to the Village Council; and that the applicant would need to go through a site plan review by the Village Council for a redesigned sign. 2. An application from Sign Craft as agent, for the installation of a new store sign for Big K-Mart at 500 U.S. One North: 132 sq. Ft. wall sign, 6' high letters x 22' long, red, white, and blue copy with an orange slash. Rick Alvez, representing Sign Craft as agent for K-Mart, described the proposed sign. Clerk of the Board Scott D. Ladd explained that the Village Council had approved the applicant' s variance request allowing the larger sign size, and this application was before the Community Appearance Board for approval of the style and colors of the new K-Mart theme. Boardmember Coben inquired whether the applicant had a 60-square foot version of the new Big K-Mart sign, to which Mr. Alvez responded that they did not have a 60-square foot version because that size could not be seen from U.S. Highway One because of the 550-foot setback. Mr. Alvez commented that the K-Mart storefront was 360 feet wide, and needed a larger sign than a smaller store for which the 60-square foot size might be appropriate. Mr. Alvez provided color samples for the proposed lettering, and explained that the existing sign would not be removed, but would be relocated and that the word "Big" and the slash would be added. Mr. Alvez explained that the intent of the new international logo for K-Mart was to bring more customers, and commented that the Tequesta K-Mart was in competition with the Jupiter Wal-Mart, and wanted to keep all the customers they possibly could. Vice Chair Strahan made a motion to accept the application for the installation of a new store sign for Big K-Mart at 500 U.S. One North: 132 sq. ft. wall sign, 6' high letters x 22' long, red, white, and blue copy with an orange slash as submitted. Boardmember COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 5 McCormick seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Leslie Cook - for Vic Strahan - for Paul Coben - against Claudette Dalack - for Molly McCormick - for The motion was therefore approved and adopted. Mr. Alvez inquired as to Boardmember Coben' s objection to the sign. Boardmember Coben responded that he had fought very hard to limit the size of signs in the Village and that the Community Appearance Board had agreed a few years ago that the way to clean up the Village was to limit the size of signs. Boardmember Coben explained that he traveled extensively and that the most attractive communities were the ones with small signs that did not use garish colors, and he believed that granting approval for this sign was a big mistake. Chair Cook commented that sabal palms were being planted in medians near the U.S. Highway One bridge, and she still intended to measure the median in Stuart. 3. An application from Joseph Capra, P.E. , for the Sterling House Corp. , for the construction of Sterling House II, a 42-unit extended care facility, 211 village Blvd. , directly behind the existing Sterling House. Joseph Capra described the plan for Sterling House II, which was to be located behind the existing building and would be basically identical to Sterling House I, using the same building materials. Boardmember Dalack questioned whether a new sign was to be installed, to which Mr. Capra responded that none was planned for Village Boulevard. Chair Cook discussed the dumpster and trash nearby which could be seen from the parking area r ' 1 COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 6 and suggested finding a better way of hiding it; commented that the hedge on the west was sparse and some needed replacement plants; and commented that the hedge behind the dumpster was beautiful. The Landscape Architect for the project explained that the west hedge was on a berm that tended to dry out, and that it might also have an irrigation problem. Chair Cook suggested using' more flowers in front to create a happier looking facility. Clerk of the Board Scott D. Ladd advised that the Village Council had requested addition of benches in the courtyard for patron use. Boardmember Coben made a motion to accept the application for the construction of Sterling House II, a 42-unit extended care facility, 211 Village Blvd. , directly behind the existing Sterling House, as submitted. Boardmember Dalack seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Leslie Cook - for Vic Strahan - for Paul Coben - for Claudette Dalack - for Molly McCormick - for the motion was therefore approved and adopted. 4. An application from William Burckart, as agent for owner, for review of landscape plans for Ordinance #377 compliance for Tequesta Motor Cars, 764 U.S. One North. William Burckart explained that this property was in the process of being purchased by a new owner, and he did not know whether the new owner would remodel the building or demolish it and construct a new building. Mr. Burckart commented that this property had been approved in 1988 when Ordinance 377 was being written, and it had been designed to comply and had been granted waivers for areas COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD GREETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 7 which could not comply. Mr. Burckart requested a phased landscaping plan in which the front portion would be installed right away, and in the event of sale then the new owner would have the option of changing phases 2 and 3 if he desired, and changes would come back to the Village for approval along with the building changes. Clerk of the Board Ladd advised the Board not tb consider what might happen, but to base their approval on the plan as presented. Mr. Burckart explained that phases 2 and 3 would be done simultaneously, and pointed out the phasing areas on the plan. Phase I: The area exposed to U.S. One would be upgraded within 45 days of the building permit being issued; Phase II: the areas surrounding the building; and Phase III: the rear parking lot, to be upgraded when the building was reconstructed early in 1998 . Mr. Ladd advised that this was a reasonable phasing plan, however, it should be made clear that all phases must be completed whether or not the property was sold. William A. Flint III, Landscape Architect for the project, discussed the proposed landscaping plant materials, which included silver buttonwoods, queen palms, laurel oaks, and cocoplum. Vice Chair Strahan commented that the Phase III improvements to the large rear parking lot would be seen only by the adjacent neighbor unless neighboring property was developed in the future, and objected to a large concrete area that looked like a football field. Mr. Burckart explained that the car carrier transport trucks needed the large parking lot in order to negotiate necessary turns to come in and off- load automobiles. Clerk of the Board Scott D. Ladd explained that what was missing were planters between parking rows from island to island and suggested that the required islands could be installed between the terminal islands on the ends, or if not, then waivers would need to be requested. Mr. Burckart explained that trees and a hedge would be added along the property line and that the applicant was really concerned about having space to COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 8 allow maneuverability for large trucks. Boardmember Dalack suggested that ground covers be used under trees instead of the proposed sod. After discussion, beach sunflower was agreed upon for the groundcover. Mr. Burckart explained that the proposed fence would be chain link with slats inserted on the side next to the residential area. Boardmember Cohen made a motion to accept the landscape plans for Ordinance #377 compliance for Tequesta Motor Cars, 764 U.S. One North with the revision that all sod in Phase III shall be replaced with dune (beach) sunflower, and with the following waivers: 1. Hedge next to existing service building should be 5' wide, it is only 4' to 3' wide due to placement of existing building. 2. The landscape island on the main driveway approach,. and at the end of the terminal islands, a total of 4 locations, in the front parking lot are only 3' wide instead of the required 6' width. This has been done to accommodate truck traffic. Due to the small width, there are no trees provided in these areas but we do provide for a tree at the end of the landscape strip instead, a net shortfall of 4 trees. 3. The 5' divider medians called for in the rear parking lot, a total of 3 are not provided. This is due to the problems of truck loading and unloading and access through the rear lot storage area. This is not a customer area. We provided a 15' rear landscape strip, where 5' is required and islands which are 8' - 9 ' in width to compensate for this. 4. The rear parking lots westernmost parking row does not have a landscape island. This was compensated COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 9 for by the excess 15' buffer provided. This is a storage area only and does not provide for customer access. 5. The landscape strip required on the east, part of the north and south sides of the building is missing due to showroom access on the east side, door access on the north, and traffic access on the south side. Vice Chair Strahan seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Leslie Cook - for Vic Strahan - for Paul Coben - for Claudette Dalack - for Molly McCormick - for The motion was therefore approved and adopted. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS In response to inquiry by Chair Cook, Clerk of the Board Scott D. Ladd explained that there were three Ordinance 377 applications being processed, that everyone had applied, and that those remaining were still in various stages. The progress which had been made by Barnett Bank was discussed. In regard to Tequesta Plaza, Clerk of the Board Ladd advised that the property was under contract for sale but was not yet closed, and that the potential new owners had already hired the firm of George Gentile and Associates to provide a landscaping plan. Councilmember Carl Hansen, who was present in the audience, explained that the Village had wanted to purchase the Tequesta Plaza property but the price had been $1.2 million, while it had been appraised at only $1 million. Vice Chair Strahan reported that workers at the Rinker plant had been digging up beds and replacing plants. COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 19, 1997 PAGE 10 Boardmember Coben commented that the Stop & Shop store looked nice except for the dumpster, and questioned whether . it was proper to contract the Code Enforcement Officer directly or if the Village Manager should be contacted. Councilmember Hansen advised that as a citizen, any member of the Board could talk to any police officer about any code violation they had seen, and they did not need to go through Village administration. VII. ANY OTHER MATTERS Boardmember Coben questioned Vice Mayor Hansen regarding the Charles Martyn Gala. Vice Mayor Hansen explained that the Village Council wanted to promote the event, which was a fundraiser for the new Public Safety facilities, and that the new facilities would be hurricane hardened to withstand a category 3 hurricane. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 A.M. Respectfully submitted, Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: Scott D. Ladd Clerk of the Board DATE APPROVED: