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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Commuinity Appearance_2/11/1998 F re ; , ; VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA • DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ` !, Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive s ,;�� _ o� Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (561) 575-6220 �. ,; 4vr44v Fax: (561) 575-6239 �cp CO - VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL I The Tequesta Community Appearance Board held a meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, February 11, 1998. The meeting was called to order at 10:13 A.M. by Chair Leslie Cook. Boardmembers present were: Chair Leslie Cook, Claudette Dalack, Paul Coben, Steve Parker, and Alternate Molly McCormick. Also in attendance was Gary Preston, Director of Public Works and Recreation. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was accepted as submitted. III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS There were no communications from citizens. IV. NEW BUSINESS • 1. Country Club Drive Landscape Preliminary Design During discussion of this project, Boardmember Parker was Recycled Paper COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 2 present as the landscape architect for this project, and not as a member of the Tree Board. Chair Cook questioned that the cost of the proposed landscape plan was $150, 000 . 00, to which Mr. Preston responded that this was a four-year plan, over which the cost would be spread. Boardmember McCormick questioned whether this plan was part on the ongoing Village enhancement plan or whether it was especially for Country Club Drive because of the traffic. Boardmember McCormick questioned why there was so much focus on Country Club Drive and not on the other incoming roads into Tequesta, and commented that question was on all the taxpayers' minds. Boardmember Dalack commented that the planting bed at the north end of Country Club Drive was beautiful initially, but the pavers had been removed and the plantings no longer looked good, and questioned why the noise from pavers had not been discussed before $150, 000 was spent on that project. Chair Cook commented that every year money was set aside by the Village for streetscaping. Mr. Preston stated that the budget for this year was $25, 000 for the design fee which would be less than one-quarter of that amount, and the intent was to carry over into next year' s budget whatever was left to complement the $50, 000 proposed for next year, which was anticipated to make approximately $68, 000 available during the next year when actual planting would begin. Mr. Preston stated that it would be a Village Council decision whether to carry that sum over into next year' s budget. Boardmember Dalack questioned whether the A project was being done for a look or for a buffer, to which Mr. Preston responded it was for both in this case. Mr. Preston explained that the Village had done nine similar streetscape projects over the past ten years: Beach Road, two projects on U.S. One, a four-year project on Tequesta Drive, North Cypress Drive, Seabrook Road north of Tequesta Drive; and in the 5-Year Capital COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 3 Improvement Program landscaping for South Cypress Drive was planned, which would comply with Ordinance 377; as well as landscaping for Seabrook Road south of Tequesta Drive and Riverside Drive south of Tequesta Drive. Chair Cook stated that the area around the FEC railroad tracks needed to be added to the Village agenda, to which Mr. Preston' s response was that Village Clerk Manganiello had . worked on that project and the FEC had told the Village they could not plant trees near the railroad tracks--just as DOT had set policy for what could be planted in the U. S . One medians., Discussion ensued regarding how Jupiter had been allowed to plant trees in their medians. Mr. Parker stated that he would get the name of the proper party to contact on the Jupiter staff so that a letter could be written to get an answer. Mr. Preston stated that the intent of the project was to provide a buffer for the roadway, that beautification would be secondary, and the intent was also to obtain a traffic calming benefit. Mz . Preston explained that the Village Council approved the design phase at their January 8, 1998 meeting, and that the contract was awarded to Steve Parker' s firm. As part of that contract, Mr. Parker and Mr. Preston were to meet with the Tequesta Country Club Community Association and the Tequesta Country Club Point Property Owners Association to receive their input for this project, which had been done in a joint meeting the previous Tuesday night. Also under the contract Mr. Preston and Mr. Parker were to meet with the Community Appearance Board to gain. their input regarding design. From the input of all three groups, Mr. Parker planned to create a preliminary design, of which the first phase would be presented to the Community Appearance Board sometime in April, 1998. Final Village Council approval would be considered in June, 1998. Mr. Preston stated that a canopy effect was desired for the whole length of Country Club Drive, which COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 4 would create a traffic calming effect; and that this was the longest roadway in the Village, so naturally the landscaping would cost more than other roads. Mr. Preston commented that at the joint meeting with the Country Club Associations some excellent suggestions had been made by those present as to what they would like to see along the roadway, and Mr. Parker had reviewed different types of canopy trees. Live Oaks had been preferred. Other items discussed were to have canopy trees the entire length of the roadway, and it was hoped to have one to two Live Oaks on each of the 129 properties along the road. Mr. Preston explained that DOT standards allowed the trees to be planted 6-7 feet off the roadway, which would place them on the Village right-of-way between the pathway and the roadway. Other types of trees would be used wherever possible to compliment the roadway. East Palatka Holly, Queen Palms, Sabal Palms, Ligustrums, Southern Magnolia, and Royal Poinciana had been chosen. The entrance to Country Club Drive was discussed. Chair Cook proposed planting liriope where the lantana plants had died. Mr. Preston stated that area would be added to those under contractual maintenance services, and explained that more than half the Village areas were under contractual services which was beneficial since the contractors maintained the properties 42 times per year and knew what to do when plants were dying, etc. , and Village staff was not trained to deal with such situations. Mr. Preston commented that a suggestion made by the group at the previous Tuesday night' s meeting had been to use ground cover or low plants which would not present visibility problems. Mr. Preston commented that Mr. Parker planned to use colorful groundcover plants where possible. Chair Cook suggested wedelia and oyster plants. Mr. Preston explained that everything planted must be at a height of 2 feet or less since the main COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 5 concern was safety for people entering and exiting driveways. Another suggestion made by the Associations had been to install some benches along the pathway from Tequesta Drive to the Martin County Line so that walkers could stop to rest and school children could sit while waiting for busses. Boardmember Coben commented that benches designed to prevent people from sleeping on them had been installed along Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. Mr. Preston commented that right off Tequesta Drive on Country Club Drive on both sides but especially on the west side, there was a lot of room to work with, and the Associations had expressed a desire for the Village to concentrate on that location. Mr. Preston suggested removing all existing plants and installing a 6' -7' hedge for those properties facing Yacht Club Drive to block the. view and create quiet. The Village would maintain that section, install irrigation, and re-sod the complete west side section. This would also include a retention area, which would collect water but would not be apparent as a retention area. Mr. Preston commented this area would be added to those under contractual services, and that Mr. Parker would concentrate on adding as much landscaping as possible at that location. The Board discussed the hedge and expressed a preference for a variety of plants to create a more natural look instead of a hedge. Mr. Preston explained that no utilities existed in the area 6 ' -7 ' off the roadway where trees were proposed. Another suggestion made at the previous Tuesday night' s meeting had been to landscape the ENCON lift station to block it from view. Mr. Preston explained that ENCON had landscaped that location over the years but it always died from lack of water. Mr. Preston reported that it was the Village' s intention • COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 6 to aggressively pursue the Beautiful Palm Beaches grant. Mr. Preston explained that although this grant had been in existence for five years, the only roads which previously qualified were U.S. Highway One and Old Dixie Highway. DOT had funded improvements in the U.S. One medians, and there were no plans at present to do anything along Old Dixie since it was a County roadway and since no decision had been made as to whether the FPL transmission lines would go overhead or underground. Country Club Drive had recently been added to the list eligible for the grant. Mr. Preston stated that it was hoped as much as 50% of the project could be paid for by grants. Mr. Preston reviewed the preliminary steps for this project which would take place before presentation to the village Council for approval in June. Mr. Preston stated the floor was open for comments regarding what could be done to help Mr. Parker design the project better. Ficus and carrotwood trees were discussed. Boardmember Dalack commented there was a gorgeous boulevard of trees in Jupiter behind the Winn-Dixie shopping center which appeared to be carrotwood. Boardmember Coben stated he liked the idea of cleaning up the lift station area; however, he considered planting so many trees overkill and considered traffic calming a joke. Mr. Parker explained that only one to two trees were to be added on each property, which was the same as had been done on Tequesta Drive. Boardmember Coben did not agree that trees would calm traffic. Chair Cook expressed her opinion that the 25 mph speed limit was what calmed traffic because people were afraid of being ticketed; and that it was important to do some of the landscaping but not to the degree planned. Boardmember Dalack commented that many people in the Village felt that too much money had been spent on Country Club Drive and stated she would COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 7 like to know the amount already spent on Country Club Drive relative to any other street in the Village. Vice Mayor Carl Hansen, who was present in the audience, commented that Mr. Preston had reported suggestions made by the other groups and now the Board should give their . suggestions to provide input for Mr. Parker in preparing the plans, and that the Board would also have an opportunity to review the completed plans. Vice Mayor Hansen commented that the Village Council would feel a lot better knowing the Board had looked at the project. Vice Mayor Hansen commented that anything which could be done to eliminate traffic on Country Club Drive would also eliminate traffic on Tequesta Drive, with which several Boardmembers did not agree. Boardmember Dalack commented that Country Club Drive traffic had been an issue 21 years ago when she moved to Tequesta. Chair Cook commented there was nothing wrong with trying to redirect the traffic from Country Club Drive to County Line Road. Boardmember Dalack stated she was in favor of the trees for aesthetics but questioned whether trees really calmed traffic since she did not know whether they could really produce that effect. Chair Cook stated she was in favor of the trees but was not in favor of landscaping properties for people too lazy to landscape their properties themselves. Ed Resnik of Country Club Drive who was present in the audience, stated he begged to differ with Chair Cook and that his property nor that of anyone else was being landscaped, but that the landscaping was being done on Village property. Chair Cook stated that she wanted to see more landscaping, but did not want to see beds planted around people' s driveways because they could plant beds themselves on Village property, as she had done on her property. Boardmember McCormick suggested the rules might be different on Country Club Drive than COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 8 on the street on which Chair Cook lived. Pat Hartley, a member of the audience, explained that Country Club Drive residents had been told they could not plant in the Village right-of-way. During discussion, Mr. Resnik requested that the Board provide their input without knocking the Country Club Drive residents. Chair Cook stated she did not want to see any small plants planted by the Village since her position was that individual property owners should pay for small plants, even those planted on the Village right-of-way, and should maintain them just as they maintained grass. Further discussion ensued. Mr. Parker stated it was not his intention to install small plants other than beds under some of the oaks if the budget allowed. Mr. Preston commented those would be done only in designated locations, and it was not the intent to plant beds under the oaks in everyone' s yards; and that although the Village would need to provide some future maintenance, most homeowners took care of the trees the Village had planted in front of their homes. Joe Hall, a member of the audience, commented that landscaping Village streets was an ongoing project, as mentioned by Mr. Preston, and it was now Country Club Drive' s turn to be landscaped. Mr. Hall commented if anything could be done to alleviate speeding and traffic volume in the beautification of Country Club Drive such as placing the trees to provide a canopy effect or anything else, it should also be done. Mr. Hall commented that Country Club Drive was no different than the other streets named by Mr. Preston that had been landscaped, and that while beautification was being done anything possible that might calm traffic should be done. Chair Cook assured Mr. Hall that would be done. Boardmember Dalack expressed concern that since Country Club Drive residents had complained about the noise from COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 9 the pavers and they had to be taken out that the same kinds of complaints might be received about the trees after they had been planted. Mr. Resnik responded that a letter had been written to every resident of Country Club Drive advising them of every point discussed at the joint meeting with the Village and the Associations, regarding landscaping and trees, and offered every resident the opportunity to comment, and to meet with any of the ten Country Club Drive representatives listed in the letter, and nobody had been left out. Pat Hartley commented that the pavers had been removed not because of complaints by Country Club Drive residents, but because of people living inside the Country Club whose properties backed up to the paver area and who complained about the noise. Mr. Preston verified that was correct and that the two people who complained were not Country Club Drive residents. Wade Griest commented he believed whether trees would calm traffic was not the important point, but that was whether the Village should spend $150, 000 it did not have on Country Club Drive, and stated the Village did not have $4 million for a taj mahal or $7 million to spend on a new reverse osmosis plant or a million on Dover Ditch. Mr. Griest advised anyone could go to the finance office and check the amount of money spent on various roads. Mr. Griest expressed his opinion that a straw vote would indicate residents were against spending money on Country Club Drive. Mr. Preston expressed surprise that nine of these projects had been done in past years and he could remember no one ever opposing a streetscape beautification project until this meeting. Mr. Preston explained that more money was spent on Beach Road. Boardmember McCormick commented that people did not view this as a part of the ongoing beautification projects, COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 10 but thought it was another barrage from the group, and did not understand. Mr. Preston commented that "the group" to which Boardmember McCormick referred had never requested this project, but this project was something decided upon by the Village. Boardmember McCormick responded that someone needed to correct the way this project was perceived by the residents, because people did not believe beautification was the intent, and Mr. Preston had stated earlier in the - meeting that beautification was number two as far as the intent of this project, so people were asking why this street was getting better treatment than other main roads into the Village. Boardmember McCormick stated she was in favor of the beautification project but cautioned against overdoing it which would only intensify the aggravation people already felt. Mr. Preston explained every major street in the Village would have been streetscaped within a 15 year period. Boardmember McCormick commented that this was a timing problem because of everything that had already gone on concerning Country Club Drive. Mr. Preston stated that at last summer' s budget meetings not one person got up and objected to anything in the budget, and this coming July and September the budget process would be held again, and he anticipated that no one would object; and he felt Country Club Drive had taken a bad rap at this meeting. Boardmember Dalack commented that it was the responsibility of the Board to express the comments and feelings of the residents. Chair Cook commented she had never heard any comments regarding Country Club Drive, to which others responded there had been many comments, meetings, newspaper editorials, etc. Mr. Preston reminded the Board that the purpose of this meeting was to give Steve Parker direction. Boardmember Coben requested that the next agenda item on Arbor Day be considered. Chair Cook brought up the landscaping at the FEC railroad • COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 11 track crossing again, and stated she was ready to fight FEC railroad. Boardmember Coben called point of order, stating the FEC railroad matter had nothing to do with Country Club Drive, and that Chair Cook was out of order. Chair Cook asked Boardmember Coben to be quiet; stated she was Chairman, and that she was going to speak regarding the railroad matter. Boardmember Coben called point of order and stated that Chair Cook was violating the agenda. Chair Cook stated she was not violating the agenda. Boardmember Coben left the meeting at this point at 11: 05 A.M. Chair Cook requested that instead of landscaping another road after Country Club Drive, the Village landscape the area around the FEC railroad crossing when it was its turn because it is a very focal point of the Village and needs to be beautified. Chair Cook stated she knew the plans had been passed, but that the Board had been forced into those plans and they were not good plans. Mr. Preston responded that his department could not schedule the FEC project, and that Village Clerk Manganiello had handled that project and did the best she could, stated there were certain things the Village did not control, and that FEC had told the Village that trees could not go in. Chair Cook stated the Village Council needed to get tough with the FEC because there were trees next to the railroad track along U.S. One. Mr. Preston explained again that the village staff could do nothing, and that it was his understanding the Village must live with the FEC restrictions. Chair Cook commented that the Village could plant trees between the intersection and the cement plant. Boardmember McCormick suggested writing to the Village Manager regarding this issue and stated that the discussion was off track. Chair. Cook stated she would bring this matter up before the Village Council. Mr. Preston asked for any suggestions for the design plans. Boardmember Dalack suggested that the existing COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 12 Royal Poinciana tree be utilized by surrounding it with a grouping of other trees. Chair Cook expressed a preference for using groups of Sabal palms rather than live oaks the whole length of the street. Mr. Parker explained that there were a couple of places where ficus trees are overhanging into the right-of-way and a couple of places where there were a lot of Queen palms, to which oaks could be added. Mr. Parker commented that his preliminary plan would show what is proposed and what is existing; and that the plan would be reviewed by the Community. Appearance Board. Mr. Preston commented that , Mr. Parker' s preliminary design completion deadline was April 1. 2. 1998 Arbor Day - Friday, April 24, 1998, 10:30 A.M. Mr. Preston announced that the 1998 Arbor Day ceremony was scheduled for Friday, April 24, 1998 at 10 :30 A.M. at Constitution Park, where a Live Oak would be planted in the playground area. V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chair Cook stated that Boardmember Coben obviously had to go somewhere, and asked that if anyone had to leave that they please not disrupt the meeting, but just excuse themselves and leave. Ed Resnik stated this was his first appearance at a meeting of the Community Appearance Board, and commented he might volunteer for the Board. Mr. Resnik commented that he had thought this group of volunteers, knowledgeable about beautification, were here to look at what was presented to them and make learned recommendations about how -to improve or go along with the presentation- -not to get into COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 13 discussions he had heard at today' s meeting. Mr. Resnik stated he was appalled that after the Village Council had approved a budget to which no one had objected, that there had been all this discussion about Country Club Drive getting this and getting that- -which was not the point of the meeting. Mr. Resnik commented that his opinion of the point of the meeting was for the Board to look at what was recommended and apply their expertise to approve or improve what was presented. Chair Cook responded that Mr. Resnik might be misunderstanding what the Board , was supposed to have been doing; that they had had nothing to approve or disapprove but were asked their opinion on what to do on Country Club Drive. Mr. Resnik commented that Mr. Preston had read to the Board exactly what their group had gone over. Boardmember Dalack explained that she had been questioning whether trees had any effect on traffic calming because she did not know. Chair Cook said that the Board was supposed to discuss their feelings regarding what to do on Country Club. Drive, which they had done; and she felt the Board had followed their guidelines completely. Pat Hartley asked whether the Board read letters to each other that were sent them by residents, to which Chair Cook responded no one had ever written a letter to the Beard. Mrs. Hartley stated she had sent a letter to the Board in June of 1997 expressing her concern over visual aspects of proposed traffic calming devices on Country Club Drive, and read the letter aloud to the Board, which has been attached to and made a part of these minutes. Chair Cook responded that the Board had never received this letter. Mrs. Hartley referred to a newspaper article about traffic expert Ian Lockwood' s presentation to the Village Council regarding traffic calming and how much landscaping played a part in calming traffic. Mrs. Hartley commented it had been a very interesting presentation and at least one of the Community Appearance Board members should have been present. Mrs. Hartley expressed her opinion that the Board should have r + COMMUNITY APPEARANCE BOARD SITTING AS THE TREE BOARD MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 11, 1998 PAGE 14 stayed on track during today' s meeting; complimented the Village on the landscaping improvements to the Village; and stated that since Country Club Drive residents pay a lot of taxes and their property values are not going up like everyone else' s, she felt they should get something for their money. VI. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to come before the Board. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 A.M. Respectfully submitt , Betty Laur Recording Secretary ATTEST: Gary Prest n Director of Public Works and Recreation DATE APPROVED: