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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Local Planning Agency_12/13/2007MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY DECEMBER 13, 2007 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Jim Humpage at 7:07 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Jim Humpage, Vice Mayor Pat Watkins, Council Member Dan Amero, Council Member Tom Paterno, and Council Member Calvin Turnquest. Also in attendance were: Village Attorney Halverson, Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Clerk Lori McWilliams, and Department Heads. Approval of Agenda MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved approval of the agenda as submitted. Council Member Paterno seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. Mayor Humpage noted a second item which had been added to the agenda, Site Plan Review for Regions Bank, would not be heard tonight at the request of the applicant. New Business Approval of Site Plan to construct a new building at 215 Federal Highway South, Tequesta, FL. Mayor Humpage advised this was the site presently occupied by the Citgo service station. Mayor Humpage declared the public hearing open. Village Clerk McWilliams swore in all those intending to offer testimony in this matter. During disclosure of ex parts communication, Vice Mayor Watkins reported discussion with staff and the Planning & Zoning Chair; Mayor Humpage reported discussion with staff, Planning & Zoning, and several people from Waterway Village who expressed their concerns. Ms. Catherine Harding, Community Development Director, presented the project, and reported there were two issues; one which had been approved by Palm Beach County, making that issue complete; and the other was water contamination at the site. The Village Attorney had issued a report indicating his opinion was the contamination matter was under DEP permit and the Village did not need additional protection, and a hold harmless agreement was unnecessary. Ms. Harding stated in her opinion the application was now complete. Brian Seymour with the law firm of Gunster Yoakley, presented the project on behalf of the applicant. Minutes -Village Council Local Planning Agency Meeting 12/13/07 Page 2 Public Comment Geraldine Genco Dube, 7 Country Club Circle, stated she was in support of the change in use from gas station to bank. Elizabeth Schauer, Chair of Planning and Zoning, reported when Planning and Zoning reviewed this site plan the discussion had been primarily on two issues-drainage, and more importantly, the building roof line. The roof line discussion had taken an hour, and the Planning and Zoning Board had approved the barrel the roof over the metal roof originally proposed by the applicant, more or less to keep peace within the board. Mrs. Schauer commented the main objective of the board was to do their best for the businesses and the community and to keep everything safe. Mrs. Schauer advised that when the Golden Circle had been approved over 25 years ago, there were not the devastating hurricanes that had recently been experienced, and a metal roof was safer to protect property. Mrs. Schauer displayed the original concept presented by the applicant with the metal roof, which she felt was a cleaner look, versus the barrel tile, for consideration by the Village Council if they should wish to change the roof material. Mayor Humpage asked the overall feeling of the Planning and Zoning board. Mrs. Schauer responded it was her opinion the board had been intimidated (among the board) to go to barrel tile. Council Member Paterno felt there were a lot of signs; Mrs. Schauer explained signage had been discussed, and reported the drainage concerns of nearby residents. Council Member Turnquest asked if there was other new construction where metal roofing might be preferred over barrel tile. Mrs. Schauer commented since the last Planning and Zoning board meeting, every member of the Village Council had received a letter from one of the board members regarding the concerns. Mrs. Schauer felt the metal roof looked cleaner and was safer; and asked for direction for the Planning and Zoning Board at the upcoming joint meeting with the Council. Council Member Turnquest agreed metal roofing was safer, but it would lead the Village away from the current look created by using barrel tile. Mrs. Schauer agreed that could happen, and asked that Council sit with Planning and Zoning regarding this matter, and also advised she was currently President of her homeowners' association in Tequesta Pines where the residents had overwhelmingly voted to allow metal roofs to protect their property, and she felt more and more homeowners and business owners wanted to protect their property with metal roofs. Board Member Turnquest expressed his opinion that the roofing should be metal for protection with the color of barrel tile. Vice Mayor Watkins commented it was her understanding more than one of the Planning and Zoning board members had been okay with using the metal roofing, and asked if that was also the opinion of Ms. Harding. Ms. Harding expressed her agreement ,stating metal would be better protection for commercial properties, explaining her recommendation was to use metal in a muted, elegant look. Her proposal to the Planning and Zoning Board for this project had been to use a mix of copper raised seam metal roofing and quarry tile, which would provide color harmony with other buildings on U.S. Highway One. This building had been designed architecturally so the lines would harmonize with the metal roof lines, and the version showing barrel the did not look as good. Ms. Harding expressed her opinion that not every architectural structure looked as good with barrel tile. Vice Mayor Watkins stated she liked the way the lines of the metal roof matched the lines and angles on the building, and verified with Ms. Harding that there would be no further requirements from the applicant if the Council should change the roofing material. Ms. Harding advised that residents were coming in with 2 Minutes -Village Council Local Planning Agency Meeting 12/13/07 Page 3 reroofing requests that were for metal roofs, in order to protect their property. Council Member Amero asked if the Village had looked into an overlay zone for U.S. Highway One. Ms. Harding advised there were no new properties to be developed, however, the Village wanted to welcome applicants such as this bank with the ability to have the very best materials for their protection that were harmonious, and there was a streetscape plan in place. Council Member Amero indicated the integrity of the U.S. One Corridor should be protected and he would like to work this out with the Planning and Zoning Board and Council. Mayor Humpage advised the Council should move forward on this application tonight. Ms. Harding noted the roof material could be decided on later, after the joint meeting. The applicant did not want the roof issue to delay opening of the bank, and indicated although they preferred metal for safety and design, they could go either way. The applicant addressed other questions relating to drainage and traffic circulation. The left turn only had been added at the request of nearby residents, working with the engineer, to accommodate everyone as much as possible. The Vice Mayor stated she could approve the building with the metal roof and with the left turn request from the residents of Waterway Village. Council Member Paterno requested some of the signage be removed, which Ms. Harding explained exactly matched the ordinance and were allowed by the ordinance. Council Member Paterno felt the message on the backs of the signs, "America's Most Convenient Bank" ,was advertising. The applicant requested the signage remain. Mayor Humpage expressed his opinion advertising was necessary, and stated his support for the project, indicating his main concern had been Waterway Village, and he felt they were happy; and he felt the roofing material could be decided later. The applicant requested if a decision on the roofing material was delayed that they be given a time frame to let them know, possibly by January 15 or the end of January, so that plans, engineering, permitting, etc., could be completed and not delay opening. MOTION: Council Member Amero moved to approve the site plan for the new Commerce Bank building located at 215 Federal Highway South in Tequesta, Florida, subject to revisiting the roof material by no later than the end of January, 2008. Motion was seconded by Council Member Tumquest and carried by unanimous 5-0 vote. Adjournment MOTION: Upon motion by Council Member Amero, seconded by Vice Mayor Watkins, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. in order to begin the Village Council meeting. Respectfully submitted, ~iB1.~ rYl~cv~ez~o„-„ Lori McWilliams Village Clerk 3