HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Workshop_Tab 04_3/31/2025 Agenda Item #4.
Workshop
STAFF MEMO x
Meeting: Workshop - Mar 31 2025
Staff Contact: Jay Hubsch Department: Community Development
Discussion on Zoning Code Updates
Often, Planning Department's do an annual code update. This is sometimes called a "glitch list
update". It is generally used to clean up any issues with the existing code but can also be used to
incorporate some new concepts into the code that have not been previously discussed. The Village
has not done a general code recently, and staff would like Council to consider several updates. These
updates will be broken down into three types of code updates: 1. Glitch list updates (changes to
existing code); 2. Environmental Advisory Committee ("EAC") suggestions; 3. Staff suggested code
updates.
Staff will provide detail about each proposed change in a PowerPoint presentation but below is a
summary of issues that will be discussed.
Glitch List Updates:
1. Update the definition of "family". The current definition states: "Family means one or more persons
related or unrelated by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship, occupying a dwelling unit and living
as a single housekeeping unit in a dwelling." Many codes cap the number of unrelated people that
can live in a dwelling together. This generally ranges anywhere from 2 to 4 unrelated people.
2. The landscaping exhibit in code section 78-403 is not representative of the current code. It was not
updated after a recent landscaping code update.
EAC Code Updates:
3. The Village Council tasked staff and the EAC with evaluating green building incentives. Staff has
workshopped green building incentives with the EAC and has come up with the following
recommendations:
-Create a process where projects being certified as green buildings qualify for expedited plan review
and priority building inspections. This would be in place for both residential and commercial projects.
-Create a reduction of up to 10% of building permit fees for green building projects. There are four
different tiers of green building certification. Under this proposal, there would be building permit
reductions of 2.5%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10% depending on the level of certification achieved. Both
residential and commercial projects would be eligible.
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Agenda Item #4.
4. Update the Village's prohibited species list of trees in Section 78-397 to be consistent with the
Florida Invasive Special Council's (FISC) list.
Staff Recommendations
5. Clarify that the Planning and Zoning Board reviews and makes recommendations to Village
Council for Special Exceptions that are associated with a site plan modification. Special Exceptions
for tenant changeouts or formula businesses in existing developments that are not expanding, would
still go straight to Village Council.
6. The code does not currently have a master list of all public notice requirements by application type.
There are different public notice requirements for different application types in Tequesta, and also
statutory public notice requirements that may be more restrictive than the Village's code. Having
these all listed in the same place would assist staff and applicants during the public hearing process.
Additionally, due to recent state legislation, the Village now uses its own Public Notice Portal, rather
than local newspapers. However, there are still several references to providing public notice in a local
newspaper. Staff would like the code to reflect the changes in legislation and usage of the Public
Notice Portal.
7. The current definition of restaurants allows outdoor seating, but does not require any landscaping,
screening, or physical separation from adjacent parking areas or streets. Staff would like to add this
language from the Palm Beach Gardens Code: "Fencing or screening may be required as a means
to physically separate such use from any adjacent public passageway, street, or community as a
means for public safety and to avoid nuisance. When outdoor seating is proposed adjacent to parking
spaces or drive aisles, safety elements such as bollards or reinforced planters shall be utilized to
prevent vehicle intrusion. In areas located within a courtyard or developments that are designed to
accommodate the outdoor seating in a safe manner, fencing or screening may not be necessary."
8. The Planned Residential Development ("PRD") code does not have a section related to waivers.
Planned developments generally exist to allow for unique or innovative site designs that would not
otherwise be allowed by code. Not having waivers in a planned development code section is contrary
to the general intent of encouraging unique or innovative site designs. The Planned Commercial
Development ("PCD") code does have a section related to waivers. Staff recommends using the
same language in the PRD code section as the PCD code. The PCD code specifically prohibits
waivers for building height, density, and preservation of environmentally sensitive lands. Staff will
provide examples of what a typical waiver would be in the PowerPoint.
Staff will incorporate feedback from Council into a draft code and then bring it to the Planning and
Zoning Board (sitting as the Local Planning Agency) and Council for adoption.
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.
BUDGET • - •
BUDGET AMOUNT n/a AMOUNT AVAILABLE n/a EXPENDITURE AMOUNT: n/a
FUNDING SOURCES: n/a IS THIS A PIGGYBACK:
❑ Yes ❑ N/A
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Agenda Item #4.
DID YOU OBTAIN 3 QUOTES?
❑ Yes ❑ N/A
COMMENTS/EXPLANATION ON SELECTIONn/a
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