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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_02/22/2011 MINUTES VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA WORKSHOP VILLAGE MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2011 Call to Order and Roll Call The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pat Watkins at 6:00 p.m. A roll call was taken by Village Clerk Lori McWilliams. Present were: Mayor Pat Watkins, Vice Mayor Tom Paterno, Council Member Calvin Turnquest, Council Member Vince Arena, and Council Member Humpage. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Attorney Davis, Village Clerk Lori McWilliams and Department Heads. Council Member Elect Abby Brennan attended via telephone. 1. Continued Discussion on the Rehabilitation Facility Language (continued discussion / from 2/811 Special Meeting and 2/10/11 Council Meeting Mayor Watkins described previous efforts to obtain input from the residents on this issue, and noted Council Member Humpage had requested this workshop to ascertain the Council's feelings. Representatives of the applicant, GMH, were present to answer questions. Village Manager Couzzo reported that since the last meeting he had made a change to the amendment, which included language that would prohibit any patient of the facility from obtaining an address of their own there. Also, the Manager advised that on page 15 of the original proposal from GMH, he had found the language confusing regarding the applicant certifying to the Village that residential occupancy will not exceed 70% of the total residential beds during any 30-day period of time. He worked with Mr. Smith and Shaun Holloway to come up with language to amend the ordinance that would do what this had been intended to do by reducing the density from 10 units per acre to 8 units per acre. Mayor Watkins announced that first reading of the ordinance had already taken place and second reading was scheduled for the March 10, 2011 Council meeting. Public Comment John Diniro, 236 Village Boulevard in Lighthouse Cove, next door to the proposed facility, commented he was the President of the condominium association. He advised that the condo association board had never taken a position on the rehab center issue, thanked the Council for their work on this issue, and reported the applicant and Council Member Humpage had met with them to provide a better understanding of the project. Mr. Diniro stated that as a resident, he was in favor of the rehabilitation center, which he felt was better than Minutes — Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 2 having an empty building, and felt it would be a very nice, well maintained, well developed facility. He felt the developer's willingness to move the gate to Old Dixie was a real plus, and felt the property would add value to the real estate within Lighthouse Cove. Mary Hinton, 12 Oakland Court, questioned if an analysis had been done as to the amount of tax revenue this building was generating now and would generate for the Village. Ms. Hinton commented she was in favor of the project since the detox facility had been removed, and it would get rid of an eyesore. She asked about other uses for this property. Attorney Davis explained the tri -party use agreement was the document that restricted this the most; other uses would be condos and town homes. Elizabeth Schauer, 85 Teakwood Circle, member of the Planning and Zoning Advisory Board, commented she had been on the Village Council when this building was approved to be built, and the whole concept had been this building had to be completed before Sterling House finished the building in the back, which was now their Alzheimers and dementia unit. The Council had wanted the building finished so they wouldn't be looking at an unfinished building, but for 10 years they had been looking at an empty building. Ms. Schauer commented she had known the Holloway family, and the Holloway Foundation, the primary owner of this project, and they had had roots in Tequesta for over 25 years. She expressed her opinion that Mr. Holloway would never do anything that would hurt the Village, and would always do what was best for the Village. Ms. Schauer indicated she was in favor of the project. Bill Watkins, 167 River Drive, commented the term "rehab facility" automatically conjured up drug rehab facility, but people came for weight and smoking problems, and the drug rehab had been curtailed by eliminating the detox facility. He believed the facility would insist on privacy and confidentiality. Mr. Watkins felt if this code change was not approved that the building would remain vacant, and encouraged the Council to vote in favor of the code amendment. Peggy Guiffre, 266 Village Boulevard, Lighthouse Cove, thanked the Council and especially Council Member Humpage for providing the residents with an overview of the project and changing their misconceptions about the project. She urged the Council to go forward with this project. Mary Hinton, 12 Oakland Court, commented the nursing home where the hospital is had been a rehab center when she first moved here. Sarah Jacks, affiliated with the detox facility in Jupiter, commented she was very excited about this project, and offered assistance. Minutes – Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 3 Council Comments Council Member Turnquest requested a definition for "high end facility ". Shaun Gallagher, GMH, explained the wellness and recovery covered everything from food to catering to all client needs; their Clinical Director's program had patients seeing psychiatrists and coaches at least 4 times a week —more than other facilities- -and leaving with a written full year relapse prevention plan and follow - up for a whole year; and the location was great. Council Member Arena commented $40,000 a month seemed pretty high end. He asked how the landscaping would outline the property. Mr. Gallagher replied the declaration of use agreement required a significant landscape buffer on the east side of the property to be in place within 365 days of signing. They were in discussions to close the entrance to Village Boulevard and gating the Old Dixie Highway entrance; would submit landscape plan with the special exception use and site plan; there was ample time to work with staff, Council and residents so that everyone was happy. The border would be approximately 6 feet high, and they would clean up the fence. Attorney Davis advised that the landscape buffer at all times was to provide a reasonable obstruction and read the requirements from the agreement. He explained the agreement did not provide hard numbers but must be reasonable. Mayor Watkins commented that landscaping would be discussed during the special exception process. A resident asked if Lighthouse Cove could get the same shrubbery as Sterling House. Village Manager Couzzo indicated this could be discussed during the special exception. Council Member Arena asked what the patient to worker ratio would be; Mr. Gallagher responded it would be greater than the zoning requirement, and would be submitted with the special exception. Mr. Gallagher confirmed for Council Member Arena that the applicant had discussed the wounded warrior program with Ms. Hinton and they were going to give funds. He advised they would make an annual presentation outlining everything they had done in the community. Council Member Turnquest commented on other applicants making these same promises, and asked what the starting time would be to get the project off the ground. Mr. Gallagher explained that Gary Holloway had paid cash for the property, and had no equity partners and no debt covenants; which allowed them to move forward without partners holding things up, and they wanted to be open as soon as possible. Construction was estimated to take approximately 4 -6 months to complete the site, landscaping, interior, and exterior, and obtain a certificate of occupancy; they could not submit for their license without a certificate of occupancy in hand. Council Member Turnquest noted that GMH was petitioning for a text amendment in mixed use zoning, and if approved this would affect not only their property but all mixed use areas; so that another rehab Minutes — Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 4 facility could be placed at a 1/2 mile radius, which would be on Bridge Road or the Paradise Park area. Attorney Davis clarified for Council Member Arena that GMH would be able to accept certain grants. Council Member Turnquest noted they would not be able to accept federal patients. Attorney Davis advised they could treat soldiers from the war that might need help if it was privately funded. A resident asked how many construction and full -time jobs this would create and what type of tax base. Village Manager Couzzo explained the tax base would be based upon assessment by the county, which was based on how much they put into it, which was then multiplied by the millage rate. Eleanor Howe, member of the Board of Directors of Lighthouse Cove, asked if the applicant had been asked to put up a bond. Vice Mayor Paterno commented this shouldn't be discussed now as this was the text amendment phase. Village Manager Couzzo agreed with the Vice Mayor and noted there were things that could not be discussed at this point in the project. Council Member Humpage commented he had been troubled by the stigma of drugs and alcohol, and listed the citizens' primary issues. Initially, detox had been a concern, but that had been removed; through negotiations the number of beds had been reduced from 117 to never exceed 70% of ratio of patients to beds (82 would be max); GMH had agreed to close the access on Village Boulevard; in -house security seemed to be well managed; Lighthouse Cove residents had wanted to know if the employees could be screened, and GMH's employment application required applicants to pass substance abuse, criminal, background and reference checks. The existing mixed use allowed density of 18 dwelling units per gross acre, equal to 270 residents and 250 cars. Council Member Humpage expressed his opinion that building the rehab facility would help property values, and bring employment and revenue to the Village. He reported he had looked up similar facilities to see what was going on and to see what the police departments had to say about them. One high end rehab was in Destin, Florida, and he had been amazed to learn the majority of their clients were athletes at several high end facilities. The Destin facility had been open for 7 years and the police had been to the facility 4 times —for 3 cases of fraud (where a client passed bad checks) and one case of dispute between an employee and staff member. The other high end facility was in south side Palm Beach, which had no issue with police. Paramedic issues were responses to patients falling, and if the paramedics responded the facility paid, not the patient. Council Member Humpage envisioned this facility as an asset to the Village, providing another means of revenue. Mayor Watkins commented it was obvious Council Members were doing their homework. She believed the impact to those living next to the facility would be positive, since this would be a resort quality oasis with the goal of being a world Minutes — Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 5 class facility that would be a model. She commented she did not believe it would be intrusive to the Village or a detriment to quality of life; she would never bring something to the Village she felt was harmful, and she was comfortable with it. Village Manager Couzzo confirmed for the Vice Mayor that the language would be changed from 10 units to 8 units with Council consensus. Vice Mayor Paterno commented if this business was approved he wanted to make sure it worked for the community rather than the community fitting into the applicant's plan. He wanted to make sure there were enough safeguards that GMH could attract the patients they wanted. He had visited the Juno facility and the police calls were along the lines of what Council Member Humpage had reported. He was on the fence about the facility —he felt this could be a great thing for the community, but had received three emails against it. The 8 units had been a big hurdle for him. Abby Brennan commented she was comfortable with the comments that had been made. Eleanor Howe, Lighthouse Cove, asked about this property being sold to someone else. Mayor Watkins responded GMH could sell the property; however, the Village, Alterra, and the new owner had to agree what would be placed there - -a rehab facility, town houses or multifamily homes. Attorney Davis advised there was nothing in the code or use agreement that addressed price points or low income or workforce housing, so that was a possibility. If GMH was unsuccessful, someone could buy it and put in town homes that sold for $70,000 each. John Parker, Lighthouse Cove - commented on Vice Mayor Patemo's struggle over the issue and asked if there was something specific he was looking for. The Vice Mayor responded it was just the idea of whether we wanted a rehab in the Village. Mr. Parker commented he had taught in Malibu, California, and they were working out there. ANY OTHER MATTERS Council Member Arena commented he liked the Lighthouse Lines newsletter. Council Member Humpage asked for Council's permission to have the Fire Department stand by while the American Legion burned American nylon flags. Vice Mayor Paterno responded this could be discussed at the special meeting, since no action could be taken at a workshop. Minutes — Village Council Workshop 2/22/11 Page 6 ADJOURNMENT MOTION Council Member Humpage moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 p.m.; seconded by Council Member Patemo, motion carried unanimously 5 -0. Respectfully submitted, 6Z,c. r y 1 uAD al - r -, Lori McWilliams, MMC Village Clerk Note These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the Village Clerk. All referenced attachments are on file in the Village Clerk's office.