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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Local Planning Agency_01/23/1997~~ VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (407) 575-6200 Fax: (407) 575-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY WORKSHOP (VILLAGE COUNCIL SITTING AS THE LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY) MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 23, 1997 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Local Planning Agency held a meeting at the Village Hall, 357 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida, on . Thursday, January 23, 1997. The meeting was called to order at 7:08 P.M. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. A roll call was taken by Joann Manganiello, Village Clerk. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Vice Mayor Elizabeth A. Schauer, Carl C. Hansen and Joseph N. Capretta. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. Councilmember Michael R. Meder was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to approve the Agenda as submitted. Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Carl C. Hansen - for CJ The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the Agenda was approved as submitted. Recycled Paper Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 2 III. COMMUNICATIONS FROM CITIZENS (NON-AGENDA ITEMS) There were no communications from citizens. IV. INTRODUCTION OF OUTLINE FOR COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE Planning Consultant Jack Horniman explained that the Village had adopted a Comprehensive Development Plan in 1989 which had been evaluated the previous summer. Results had been successful with the Department of Community Affairs finding the Evaluation and Appraisal Report submitted to them as sufficient, meaning the municipality could proceed to update their plan. The Village is required to update their plan under planning laws once every five years. No government funds were available to offset a portion of the costs involved, as in the past. Mr. Hornimann presented a letter which if approved by the Village Council, would be mailed the next day requesting a 6-month extension in order to have additional time for planning and to provide two fiscal years over which to spread the cost. Mr. Hornimann requested that the Council approve the request. Vice Mayor Schauer made a motion to accept the letter dated January 24, 1997 to Mr. Roger Wilburn, giving Scott D. Ladd approval to send the letter. Councilmember Hansen seconded the motion. During discussion of the motion, Mr. Hornimann responded to questions regarding the process of updating the Comprehensive Plan and what would be expected from Village Councilmembers. Mr. Hornimann presented a schedule of meetings and explained that the workshops would proceed while waiting for approval of the extension, which was expected to be granted, and which would provide a total of 18 months to complete the update. Mr. Ladd explained that this would allow time to spread the cost and to iet the Village Councilmembers examine and make in-depth changes if desired. Councilmember Capretta questioned which elements were only housekeeping and which would need further review, . and discussed the need to examine attitudes which had existed at the time the plan was formulated versus the • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 3 ------------------ attitudes regarding issues today. An example used by Councilmember Capretta was a proposed plan for an office complex. at the corner of Tequesta Drive and Old Dixie Highway by Gary Van Brock, which was contrary to the original residential land planning concept envisioned by the Village Council for that area. Mr. Hornimann reported that he, Mr. Ladd, and Mr. Peduto had reviewed the plan elements and identified current issues which they felt the Village Council would like to discuss, and invited the Councilmembers to bring up any new issues which they wished to discuss which were not already in the plan. Mr. Hornimann explained that the plan for tonight's meeting was to review the outline for update of the plan, to tell the Councilmembers what each element consisted of, and to gain input from the Councilmembers as tp their current thinking on each element. Mr. Horniman Commented that the failure of • the annexation attempt put a whole different focus on the Village regarding how they could grow in the future, and how they could pay for growth. Councilmember Hansen commented that all fourteen issues presented deserved attention from the Village Council. Village Manager Bradford explained that the Village Council would need to spend time on the future land use element, on the traffic circulation element because of Country Club Drive, on the sanitary sewer element because of the ENCON issue, on the potable water element because of reverse osmosis and anticipated independence from Jupiter in approximately nine years, and on the drainage element because of the new Stormwater Utility. The housing element, solid waste element, the conservation, recreation open space, and intergovernmental coordination elements would be more or less housekeeping matters, with a footnote on intergovernmental coordination regarding mediation. The natural groundwater aquifer recharge could be housekeeping, however, septic tanks and their beneficial aspects for recharge should be touched upon. Village Manager Bradford commented that citizen participation, an item not on the list, should be discussed at tonight's meeting so that if • visioning was to be a part of this process, it would need to • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 4 be added to the schedule of hearings. Pillage Manager Bradford read aloud a response to the Village's request for ideas for a vision of the future from residents Gene and Evelyn Smith, 364 Tequesta Drive, which has been attached to and made a part of these minutes. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Carl C. Hansen - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted. Councilmember Hanson expressed his opinion that residents • should participate in a visioning process. Mayor Mackail questioned whether requirements for updating the Comprehensive Plan would be relaxed for small municipalities since funding had been cut off, to which Mr. Hornimann responded that during the coming year a push would be made to have legislation adopted to address that matter. Mr. Hornimann spoke about how important the develapment of the Village Center plan was in light of the failure of annexation since the growth potential for the Village was now the development of the downtown area, and a plan was needed to obtain the highest and best use from that land. During discussion of the downtown area, Mr. Hornimann stressed the need for thinking to remain flexible to accommodate new ideas, and commented that a public building would generate traffic which could have a beneficial spinoff effect on some of the commercial activities. Creating another linkage to Bridge Road in order to revitalize the area was discussed by Mr. Hornimann, possibly by extending a main street from Village Boulevard to Tequesta Drive on through the Felhaber property to Bridge Road; and correcting drainage problems could also contribute. Councilmember Capretta commented that the conclusion had been reached that • residential development was mare desirable than commercial development since there were already so many commercial • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 199? Page 5 ------------------ concerns which generated traffic in the Village. A problem existed in that the land was too valuable for residential development and no one could afford to build residential units on such valuable land. Councilmember Capretta commented that ACLF's were only built on cheap land, therefore, one would never be built in the downtown area. Councilmember Capretta commented that the only reason Mr. DiVosta had built the Tequesta Oaks development with 158 residential units was because he got the land at a bargain price after it had been foreclosed by a bank, which allowed him to build units on lots that only cost him $8,000 each. Councilmember Capretta speculated that Sterling House would be able to get land for another ECF behind their present location since there was no practical use for that parcel. Councilmember Capretta stated that a Comprehensive Plan could not work if it were not economically feasible. Mr. Capretta commented that the Village had wanted residential development to increase the tax base and to supply customers for businesses; and that the value of whatever was built on the Dorner property, the most valuable five acres in the Village, must be worth $100,000,000 in order to increase the tax base sufficiently, Mr. Capretta commented that it was ridiculous to force residential development on the Dorner property. Mr. Hornimann questioned whether the scenarios described could be accomplished through the mixed- use provisions adopted by the Village. Mr. Ladd verified that the mixed-use zoning would accommodate a variety of uses such as a six-story office building, a civic center, retail specialty shops, etc. Mr. Capretta commented that the tax base of the Village could not be increased sufficiently with one-story residential units, but must be done with buildings of more than one story. Village Manager Bradford commented that people must be in residence in order to justify building something such as a six-story office building. Mayor Mackail commented that the Village must take a pro- active approach or lose out because Abacoa would be built within the next few years, and Tequesta must create an attraction before that happened so that people would want to come . Mayor Mackail commented that the Village had been • working for a year with Lighthouse Gallery, which brought in 40,000 people a year to the community and which was • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 6 ------------------ requesting Village leadership and direction to help them in obtaining a new 40,000 square foot facility. The Mayor explained that Camelot, Coastal Players, and Lighthouse Gallery all needed and wanted a home in Tequesta and that other towns could entice them away from the Village if Tequesta did not act to help them; and commented that a lot of money was available in grants from the State for cultural endeavors. Mr. Hornimann commented that the Village had done some unique things by establishing the Village Center plan, which had been developed to encompass a mix of residential and commercial, giving that area an advantage of being vested under the County's traffic performance standards; and had established a drainage district to help with future financial burdens. Mr. Hornimann expressed his opinion that Tequesta could do something similar to the Thursday night activities on Clematis Street which had created a thriving area. Vice Mayor Schauer commented that the tone should be set for what was wanted for the downtown area. The Vice Mayor expressed the opinion that if the Village lost Lighthouse Gallery that Tequesta would be in trouble because the gallery was a unique feature of the Village. Councilmember Hansen commented that cultural organizations should be helped since they were a draw for the businesses; and that a shared vision should be developed to see what residents wanted. Mayor Mackail commented that the Village was out of space and that there was no question that new facilities must be developed either now or in the future, which could be done in conjunction with needed cultural facilities. The Mayor commented on the loss of BRITT because the Village did not act, and expressed the opinion that future annexation would occur as people realized the advantages of services offered by the Village over County services. Mr. Hornimann explained that in the future land use plan a direction was needed; that a policy statement should be made that the Village still wanted to pursue annexation if that was their desire; and that development of an attitude was needed which could be accomplished by stating that the • Village was willing to enter into public/private partnerships if that was truly the case. Such statements • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 7 ------------------ would make clear to the residents the direction and attitude of the Village. Mayor Mackail expressed agreement, and cited examples of accomplishments by other towns in similar situations. In response to an inquiry by the Vice Mayor, Village Manager Bradford discussed a remark made by County Commissioner Karen Marcus offering to help by providing grant money, and explained that in order to obtain the grants a specified number of new jobs must be provided according to the dollar amount of a project, which was not the intent of the Village's concept of a cultural center, and therefore was not applicable. Mayor Mackail commented this Village Council was very committed, as evidenced by the upcoming fundraiser for the Police and Fire Departments under the supervision of the Vice Mayor. Councilmember Capretta commented that the proposed strip of specialty shops proposed by Mr. Van Brock would mean the end of the Felhaber shopping center, and that in considering any new • development the impact on existing facilities must be taken into account. Village Manager Bradford commented that there had been lack of planning and foresight by past Village Councils; however, the Village had been fortunate that enough good things had happened to offset that, which was no longer the case; and it was the responsibility of the Village Council to make long-range plans for the future of the Village if they believed in planning. Mayor Mackail expressed his opinion that Mr. Van Brock would only talk about development and never really do it. Mayor Mackail questioned whether the Village Council had provided enough information for Mr. Hornimann to create a model, to which Mr. Hornimann responded that a policy statement was needed to establish an attitude since the Village wanted to be partners in development which could be controlled through regulatory processes. Village Manager Bradford suggested that the area for future redevelopment be pinpointed as the Felhaber parcel and all parcels along Bridge Road. Mayor Mackail commented that the Village Council had helped induce development and redevelopment by expediting the site plan review process and waiving some impact fees, and might provide further inducement by letting it be known that the Village desired to participate in development. Village Manager Bradford commented that the Village was willing to spend a combination of their own • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 8 ------------------ money and to secure grant funds to totally revamp the appearance of Bridge Road in the public rights-of-way, including but not limited to on-street parking, landscaping, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, streetlights, benches, plantings, etc., including the expenditure of public money to have a positive effect on the infrastructure (storm drainage system) on Bridge Road, since there was no existing drainage system at that location. Mayor Mackail commented that in order to become the catalyst and help Lighthouse Gallery that the Village must own the land and have a use for that land in order to obtain cultural grants, and that Lighthouse Gallery considered the Felhaber parcel as the gateway to Tequesta. Mayor Mackail reported that Mr. DiVosta was very enthusiastic about a proposed cultural center and had offered to have his architects work on the project. • The following policy statement was suggested by Village Manager Bradford to establish direction: The Village is willing to explore the expenditure of public dollars to secure property for cultural facilities within the central business of Tequesta. Village Manager Bradford explained that would mean the Village was willing to participate if the proper return on their investment could be realized. Mayor Mackail stressed the importance of knowing when that return would be realized and expressed his opinion that the three local cultural organizations needed the leadership to obtain cultural grants which could be provided by the Village. The Mayor stated that exploration of obtaining grants should be pursued to the end, and if it were learned that grant money could not be obtained to have cultural facilities in Tequesta then another concept would have to be formulated. The Village Council agreed that the Village would put their own resources into securing grants to accomplish the items under discussion. Councilmember Hansen commented that Abacoa would create a need for new housing and increase Tequesta real estate values in the next 3-4 years, and this was an excellent time to do the planning for what would be provided in the new downtown. • Mr. Hornimann summarized the discussions as a desire by the • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 9 ------------------ Village Council to put forth a public/private partnership in visioning, willingness to consider different alternatives, streamlining processes as inducements, establishing a cultural/civic focal point, working with individual landowners; and continuing interest in annexation. Mr. Hornimann commented that based on those points, he would formulate statements for the future land use policy. Village Manager Bradford questioned the outline provided and the order of items to be addressed in future meetings, and suggested that the traffic circulation element be discussed at one of the last meetings after the current negotiation process was finished. During ensuing discussion, Councilmember Capretta suggested that Mr. DiVosta, Mr. Felhaber, and Mr. Van Brock be invited to attend a meeting to tell them Village plans and gain their input. Councilmember Capretta suggested a 3-point plan which asked whether Lighthouse Gallery was capable of and willing to hold fundraisers to raise $2,000,000; whether the Village Manager was willing to work on getting grants; and whether the Village was willing to condemn the Felhaber building. Village Manager Bradford suggested attracting a movie theater to Tequesta. The Village Manager commented that school sites must be included in the future land use plan, to which Mr. Hornimann responded that the Florida legislature planned to address that further, and whatever must be done in regard to the plan would be done. Mr. Hornimann discussed new rules for affordable housing needs assessment, including using certain terminology for low income, middle income, etc., and reported that Mr. Peduto had put together a community block grant funds application and had qualified using the proper terminology. Discussion was held regarding what would be discussed at the next meeting. Councilmember Hansen suggested that the consultants let Village Manager Bradford know the agenda items ahead of time so that he could notify the Councilmembers so that they would have sufficient time to research the items to be discussed. It was pointed out that discussion of sewers should be held to the end of these • workshops because of pending lawsuits. Mr. Ladd suggested that the policies formulated based on input from tonight's • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 10 ------------------ meeting be a part of the next meeting. Mr. Hornimann discussed the traffic circulation element, which he explained must be totally rewritten to address such new requirements as mass transit. Level of service standards for all utility elements would have to be reconsidered to be sure they were still adequate based on capacities. Village Manager Bradford requested that when the Stormwater Utility system was addressed that a consistent level of service standard be adopted. Mayor Mackail expressed concern that the MPDES mandate for future funding could be exorbitant, and that this should be mentioned, possibly in the drainage element. Mr. Hornimann explained that there were new requirements for coastal high hazard areas which would need to be addressed, however, the requirements might be changed again. Recreation open space was discussed. Village Manager Bradford commented that one • of the issues in the lawsuit between Donald Trump and the Town of Palm Beach was that the town discriminates against his club because they count in their recreation and open space element the amount of space that people can theoretically get from private clubs on the island, and that Tequesta counted private golf club space in their recreation and open space element, which might need to be addressed. It was pointed out that Constitution Park and DiVosta's Tequesta Oaks were new areas which could be included in neighborhood parks. Twenty-seven years were remaining on the Tequesta Park 50-year lease from DEP, major improvements had been made in 1994, and shared use by Martin County had been granted by the Village but Martin County had never paid their fair share. Mr. Hornimann questioned what was going to be done with the Coast Guard property. Village Manager Bradford commented that the Village Council had adopted a resolution stating that cultural and/or recreation could take place there. Joe Hall questioned what could be done so that the people could have access to the Coast Guard property. Village Manager Bradford responded that the Bureau of Land Management had adopted a management plan for the property which included cutting and burning a lot of the pine to • allow more native plants to thrive and to have passive nature trails through the property. . Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 1997 Page 11 Mr. Hornimann explained that the Capital Improvements element and the Intergovernmental Coordination element would be the last discussed since they would include funding and costs implications and governmental lease arrangements, etc., from all other elements. Mr. Hornimann suggested that at the next meeting proposals be presented to the Village Council for items discussed tonight regarding future land use and that recreation open space be discussed, as well as other elements to be decided upon. Village Manager Bradford requested that Mr. Ladd and Mr. Peduto plan now for management of the document itself and use the scanner to download the existing plan. V. ANY OTHER MATTERS There were no other matters to be addressed by the Local • Planning Agency. VI. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember Hansen made a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Mayor Mackail after passing the gavel. The vote on the motion was: Ron T. Mackail - for Elizabeth A. Schauer - for Joseph N. Capretta - for Carl C. Hansen - for The motion was therefore passed and adopted and the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~~~ `~~~ Betty our Recording Secretary • Village Local Planning Agency Workshop Meeting Minutes January 23, 199' Page ~ 12 ATTEST: Jo nn Manganie to Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: ~ 3 ig97 • ., • C ^^ TEQUESTA - A VISION FOR THE FUTURE '(7Ur ";~!!11~'1-'nf,. [;:ougnCS. Ord ,aea5 on yCUr ~~1~!5ivri `Or L~'~ F,JLUr~ V' T:~;~u'r,ta" ar~;rno~r~~efGOt~~°d 2ndappreGiated. 1I17I97 Dear Pillage Council; We have lived here for 27 yrs. this coming 3une 6th do are very proud of our neighborhood. We would like to see the speed limit enforced more do the repair of the Gallery Square South's entrance's ~ driveways repaired. They are an eye sore to our beautiflal street. Also xe ____ would like to see the litter law enforced. A walking trail behind our Tequesta Dr.pgrk for the young 8c old . to enjoy exercising. iie are proud of our policemen. our firemen do our city workers.The should be commended for the fine work they are doing. Cn a more serious note~We wish that people walking their dogs would tarty a poopy bag as ire do to pick up their leavings from the sidexalk & other peoples yards. There should be a fine for this matter do enforced. Jean de Evelyn Smitha-364 Tequesta '~~age of Tequesta Please ~nsil or delive o: Viliage Council ,lAN 2 2 1997 Yillege of Tequeste Adn~inist five Offiees 357 Tequesto Driy Village 1~•ianaher~s Office Tegaesta, Florid' 33469