HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Planning and Zoning_9/6/2007 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
PLANNING AND ZONING ADVISORY BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 6,2007
I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Village of Tequesta Planning and Zoning Advisory Board held a regularly
scheduled meeting at the Tequesta Village Hall, 345 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta,
Florida, on Thursday, September 6, 2007. The meeting was called to order at 5:30
P.M. by Chair Elizabeth Schauer. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori
McWilliams. Board Members present were: Chair Elizabeth Schauer, Vice Chair
Steve Okun, Board Member Leslie Cook, Alternate James Hackett sitting in for
Board Member Royce Hood who was absent, and Board Member Josh Escoto. Also
in attendance were Clerk of the Board and Community Development Director
Catherine Harding,Village Clerk Lori McWilliams,and Alternate Russell Von Frank.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chair Schauer requested addition under item V, Any Other Matters, of discussion
with Ms.Harding of roofmg for the downtown area of U.S. One.
MOTION:
Vice Chair Okun moved approval of the agenda as amended. Board Member
Cook seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. The motion
was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as amended.
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
MOTION:
Vice Chair Okun made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting
of August 2, 2007 as amended by changing the name Board Member Hood to
Board Member Cook on page 2 in the second paragraph. Board Member Cook
seconded the motion,which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A) Site Plan Review of Existing Use to Remain with 39 Sq. Ft. Addition to Cable
Equipment Storage Building at 961 Old Dixie Highway, Tequesta; Comcast
Cable Project;Hoch Associates,P.C.,Applicant
Community Development Director Harding presented the request, and advised the
revised landscape plan had been reviewed by the Development Review Committee.
Board Member Cook asked for an architectural rendering of the building. Chair
Schauer commented that in A1.1 of the floor plan and schedules, one could see they
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September 6,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 2
were removing the existing roof overhang, the existing concrete stoop, and existing
door frame. Board Member Cook stated it was a very poor looking building.
Mr. Brian Hoff, of Hoch Associates, advised the applicant had met the staff's
recommendations. Vice Chair Okun asked if the landscape plan kept the unsightly
building out of view, to which Ms. Harding responded that it did. Board Member
Cook asked what had been changed on the landscape plan. Brian Hoff explained
there were new cabbage palms on the corners, oak trees were added, hollies around
the fence area had been doubled; originally there were three species, now there were
five species. There was a grassed area with an installed irrigation system on a
maintenance system.
Ms. Harding explained that the Water Department had worked with staff, and
agreement had been reached that if the applicant installed the irrigation, the Village
would supply the water if the applicant left an open end available. Board Member
Cook asked why the Village would be willing to pay for their water, to which Ms.
Harding responded a lot of the area was not within the applicant's leased space. They
would sod the Village's land, put sprinklers on Village land to improve the area, and
the Village would supply the water. The Village would not do the maintenance, only
supply water to the plants. Vice Chair Okun asked if for any reason the irrigation
system failed, who would be responsible. Ms. Harding explained that the applicant
would be responsible under the ordinance; in the event they did not provide repairs
they would go before the Special Master and pay the fees; which was where the
Village had been before Comcast purchased the property.
MOTION:
Vice Chair Okun moved approval of the Site Plan Review Application with Existing
Use to Remain with 39 Sq. Ft. Addition to Cable Equipment Storage Building at 961
Old Dixie Highway, Tequesta, Florida, for Comcast Cable Company. Boardmember
Escoto seconded the motion. During discussion of the motion, Chair Schauer
commented the 47 hollies increased to 94 was terrific, and Tequesta Hills might do
something to enhance their area if they saw what was being done. Chair Schauer asked
if the applicant planned to paint the building, to which Mr. Hoff responded they were
planning to paint. Mrs. Cook asked for color samples. Mr. Hoff stated they were
expanding the existing block building to make one space. Vice Chair Okun asked the
function of the building. Barry Rhodes, Comcast Director of Engineering, explained
the purpose was providing ongoing services to television and internet, and in the future
telephone services and other services such as video on demand would be provided; this
was a large relay station. Ms. Harding explained the color represented on the
rendering, pale yellow, was the color used on the columns for the old Crossings, now
The Preserve. Board Member Cook wanted a sample. Vice Chair Okun suggested
directing staff to ensure it matched; Chair Schauer added, also to blend into the area.
Ms. Harding advised Mr. Hoff had visited the site to determine area colors. Vice Chair
Okun amended the motion to reflect that the color of the building would match the
color of the existing columns on The Preserve and blend with the surrounding area, and
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September 6,2007 Meeting Minutes
Page 3
with the revised landscaping plan as provided by staff, C1.2. Board Member Escoto
seconded the amended motion. Chair Schauer asked for clarification regarding the
removal of the existing door frame, Mr. Hoff explained the door was being removed.
Board Member Cook asked if this had to go before council, to which Ms. Harding
responded yes. Board Member Cook expressed her opinion this application was
incomplete since it did not include samples of colors and roofing. Chair Schauer stated
part of the motion included it was to be the same color as used on The Preserve
columns; Vice Chair Okun stated in this situation it was an identical match and the
board could trust staff to assure an identical match, and the color would be a better
match than if the board looked at a paint chip. Board Member Cook did not agree,
wanted to keep the process that had always been used, and stated this was not a good
looking building. The vote on the motion was:
Leslie Cook -no
Steve Okun-yes
Elizabeth Schauer-yes
Josh Escoto -yes
James Hackett-yes
Motion carried by vote of 4-1 with Mrs. Cook opposed.
Mr. Russell Von Frank, 489 Dover Road, thanked the Board for addressing this
situation.
B) Landscape Review for Stein Mart, 105 U.S. Highway One (formerly
Publix Supermarket).
Community Development Director Harding stated this was a change in a leased space
and did not warrant a site plan approval. In an effort to provide a real contribution to
the Village, landscape plans were drawn up and paid for by the applicant, and they
took Steve Parker's recommendations to approve the entire site, not just the part in
front of Stein Mart. Building permits, inspections and CO's had been tied into
approval of this landscape plan. Ms. Harding showed the board a red-lined plan and
explained how Mr. Parker marked it up. Stein Mart had revised their plan
accordingly, and Mr. Parker would review it to ensure compliance. The applicant had
worked in good faith to get this to the Village, and had vastly enhanced the site.
Because this was such an old site there were not enough rows of islands;which was a
detriment to the site; Mr. Parker had come up with the best design possible and the
applicant had agreed to it. Some tree species had been changed so they would not
grow into right-of-way or utility lines. The sight triangle had been improved.
Adequate irrigation would be provided. Lighting would not be comprised due to the
trees; and the applicant would be reminded of this and of their agreement to address
flooding created by downpours. The Police Department had reviewed the plans and
had requirements for a certain amount of lighting on the site;
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September 6,2007 Meeting Minutes
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Board Member Cook asked if the queen palms could be placed somewhere else in the
Village; Ms. Harding advised the palms being removed were not in good health.
Board Member Cook stated this was not the original landscaping plan; the oak trees
were not in the original plan. Ms. Harding commented the Village's ordinance
required a review of any landscape changes. Ms. Harding stated staff would like this
approved, and Steve Parker would review the final draft and monitor and suggest
changes as needed, which would take care of the lighting issues, and would stay on
this job and also cover the lighting issues if needed. Alternate Hackett asked if pitch
apple was being proposed, and was concerned if there might be apple droppings on
the cars. Mr. Hackett asked about parking requirements, stating if it were over
parked, they could afford to lose a few spaces, but if not, that was not an issue. Vice
Chair Okun indicated demand for parking wouldn't be the same as it had been for
Publix right before a hurricane. Chair Schauer recommended the 29 pitch apples be
removed since that plant was fruit bearing and poisonous, and replaced with
Jathrophia Std. Vice Chair Okun recommended replacement for any other plants that
were incompatible with a parking area that could drop or drip on cars.
MOTION:
Vice Chair Okun moved to approve and move forward with the accepted landscape
plan for Stein Mart, 105 U.S. Highway One, Tequesta, with a proviso that the pitch
apple and any other plantings be reviewed and replaced if not compatible with parking
area or any other public safety issues; that landscaping be installed in a mindful way to
not inhibit evening safety; and that Mr. Steve Parker be involved with the installation
and fmal review of the landscape site plan. Board Member Escoto seconded; motion
carried by unanimous 5-0 vote.
V. ANY OTHER MATTERS
Chair Schauer asked Ms. Harding to come back with a plan for the board to consider
for roofing options in the U. S. One area; it had been mentioned at the previous
meeting that all roofs had to be terra cotta.. Chair Schauer asked for ideas for the
board to look at and take to Council for proper roofing that could be used to blend in,
in the whole U.S. One area. Vice Chair Okun commented he wanted an upscale
character. Board Member Cook commented the board didn't have a choice--the only
roofing materials available were tile, asphalt shingles, and tin; they didn't want
asphalt shingles and tin was indicative of Indiantown Road--a Jupiter look. Chair
Schauer advised there were now choices of roofing materials that were not available
in the past when the review was done for that whole area.
Vice Chair Okun commented there were two issues; material and aesthetic;
oftentimes one could find different materials to mimic the aesthetic look that was
wanted, with improvements and a resiliency to withstand hurricanes, but if the board
wanted to maintain the character, they needed to start to do that. Alternate Hackett
asked what that character was, since he did not know, and commented it would be
helpful for the new board members to know what guidelines had been set. Board
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September 6,2007 Meeting Minutes
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Member Escoto suggested a survey be done to determine if there was a uniform sense
of character. Board Member Cook commented there was a uniform character--the
Community Appearance Board had had authority and signed off on plans—they were
a real board, but this board was only an advisory board. The Community
Appearance Board wanted a Mediterranean Bermuda look, and had affected the look
of the Village.
Board Member Escoto indicated he was supportive, but would like to survey what the
existing buildings were. Board Member Cook commented he was not aware of this
because he was new in town. Alternate Hackett responded that was not a bad thing,
he had ideas that were not thought of years ago and he was not saying anything had
been done wrong in the past, but for new members coming on this board he would
like to have guidelines. Board Member Cook asked Board Member Escoto if he had
read the Community Appearance Board notes,because she could bring those notes.
Alternate Hackett asked how an applicant knew the guidelines, and stated he would
like an applicant to know the guidelines so when they came before the board, an hour
and a half would not have to be spent discussing roof or landscape changes . Board
Member Cook responded it had never been an issue until recently because of an
overturn of board members. Alternate Hackett responded he was not talking about
board members,he was talking about applicants.
Chair Schauer commented she was just asking Ms. Harding to come back and give
the board ideas, and even though this board was advisory, they did not need to go
through what happened at the last meeting again, and they needed to know all the
options available to maintain the desired appearance.
MOTION:
Vice Chair Okun moved to instruct the staff to establish guidelines for benchmarking
roof standards and in doing so, survey the community and establish acceptable options
and alternatives for the board to review. During discussion of the motion, it was
questioned whether this would need Village Council approval. Ms. Harding explained
there was no ordinance that dictated the type of roof. That had been influenced by the
board and was not a mandate, and the Planning Board did not have to accept this
board's comments. Ms. Harding advised a corridor concept could be developed, and
although the Village Council might be interested, they had so far left this type of
designing to the Planning and Zoning Board. Ms. Harding commented she could get
materials and specifications that would be relevant to particular areas for renovations
for review. Ms. Harding advised she did not know if this needed Village Council
approval. Vice Chair Okun recalled the Community Appearance Board had had
authority; Board Member Cook advised she had made applicants change to tile roofs.
Vice Chair Okun felt a roofing material found to be more resilient during hurricanes
should be mandated; Board Member Cook did not want a certain type written down.
Board Member Escoto expressed his opinion that a town did not have to have a certain
feel, that every building did not have to have a certain type of tile, and he wanted a
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September 6,2007 Meeting Minutes
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sense of what was existing and four or five examples that were consistent with terra
cotta tile. Chair Schauer commented everyone learned so much after Hurricane
Andrew, and building codes had been changed and building materials had gotten
better, and the board needed to know other things that were available so they could
make a judgment. Vice Chair Okun, commented that judgment had to be on two
levels—aesthetics and building materials, and agreed with Board Member Escoto there
should be guidelines for applicants. Board Member Cook stated the materials used for
Village Hall were the Village look; other members did not agree.
Board Member Cook left the meeting at 6:35 p.m.
Board Member Escoto seconded the motion; and also indicated he was just looking for
alternatives. Alternate Hackett pointed out that since the application presented at the
last meeting had gone through staff review he had thought that was a look the Village
wanted; and advised he was open to ideas and wanted to know the alternatives and
history in order to make his own decisions. Ms. Harding was in favor of the best
architecture, best design,best materials, and not a cookie cutter look.
Motion carried by unanimous 4-0 vote.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Vice Chair Okun; seconded by Board Member Escoto, and
unanimously carried,the meeting was adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
OAZ rn Cw t c--
Lori McWilliams
Village Clerk