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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Workshop_03/29/1995VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA Post Office Box 3273 357 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 (407) 575-6200 Fax: (407) 575-6203 VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA VILLAGE COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES MARCH 29, 1995 I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The Tequesta Village Council held a workshop meeting in front of the K-Mart store in County Line Shopping Center, Tequesta, Florida, on Wednesday, March 29, 1995. The meeting .was called to order at 4:00 P.M. by Mayor Ron T. Mackail. Councilmembers present were: Mayor Ron T. Mackail, Elizabeth A. Schauer, Carl Hansen, and Joseph N. Capretta. Also in attendance were: Village Manager Thomas G. Bradford, Village Clerk Joann Manganiello, and Department Heads. Vice Mayor William E. Burckart arrived at 4:07 P.M. Near the end of the meeting the following people who attended introduced themselves: Roy McMillan, K-Mart Store Manager Scott Bates, Winn Dixie Store Manager Steve Miller, Landlord Representative Ann Marie Eustace, InterPlan Practice for K-Mart Lewis Young, Columbia Engineering for K-Mart Ray Royce, Attorney for K-Mart Bob Bruce, Real Estate for K-Mart Jason Hemming, K-Mart Headquarters, Troy, Michigan C II. Also present at the meeting were three members of the Community Appearance Board, Chair Leslie Cook, Vice Chair Vic Strahan, and Boardmember Claudette Dalack. REVIEW OF R-DART DEVEIAPMENT PROPOSAL AND ASSOCIATED COUNTY LINE PLAZA PROPERTY Kerycled 1'nper Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes '~ March 29, 1995 Page 2 Mayor Mackail stated that the purpose of this meeting was to address concerns regarding landscaping, parking, etc. so that they would be sufficient for long-term growth. The meeting was held on site in order to be able to see how proposed changes would apply and to be sure that decisions made today would be good decisions for the future when the shopping center became fully leased and Winn-Dixie was operating at full capacity. Councilmember Capretta commented that since K-Mart proposed a 25,000 S.F. addition that more parking spaces should be required instead of reducing spaces, and discussed parking requirements for other stores and shopping centers. Councilman Capretta expressed concern that the expansion of K-Mart and Jo Go's along with the addition of an outparcel and the Village requirement for additional landscaping would result in reduction of existing parking by approximately 300 spaces; and that it would not be known whether parking was sufficient until homes were built on the land behind the shopping center and those homeowners became shopping center customers. Councilman Capretta also expressed concern with traffic flow with K-Mart's addition on the front of their building. In response to Councilmember Schauer K-Mart Representative Jason Hamming explained that it was the store manager's responsibility to enforce employee parking in the rear of the store rather than to take spaces in the front which could be used by customers, however, that had not yet been necessary since there was never a shortage of parking spaces even during the Christmas shopping season. Steve Miller, County Line Shopping Center Manager, explained that all leases contained a provision for parking in the rear of the store, and since parking had not been a problem that issue had not been addressed, however the shopping center stood ready to enforce rear parking when it became necessary. Mr. Miller stated for the record that the shopping center's position was that the compromise made with the Board of Adjustment had been adequate and left in excess of 150 parking spaces that were not utilized. Ms. Eustace explained that the issue discussed before the Board of Adjustment had been finding the right balance between landscaping and parking, and the compromise reached had been approximately 4 parking spaces per thousand feet for K-Mart. Scott Bates, Winn-Dixie Store Manager, stated they had Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 29, 1995 Page 3 ------------------------------- received notification of K-Mart's expansion plans approximately eight months earlier but had assumed the project had not materialized, so had not known about the parking and landscaping issues. He explained that he had attended today's meeting to gather information and subsequently would be in touch with Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller explained that he had been waiting for unanimous approval by the Village in order to present a final plan to Winn Dixie for their approval. Mayor Mackail stated he believed growth and expansion were healthy and that all tenants needed to be represented to understand the long-term effect of that growth and expansion on the parking, and he would like to see today's effect projected into the future. Mayor Mackail stated that the landscaping had never been as originally approved and that part of the problem may have been that the landscape islands were not wide enough for sufficient growth. Mr. Miller suggested phasing the elimination of parking spaces so that instead of eliminating 200 or 300 spaces now a few could be eliminated, green space increased, and as growth of the Village demanded, more rear parking could be utilized. During discussion of the outparcel, Mr. Miller explained that because of its small size that its impact would only be .03~ to the green space area and that the probability of a high traffic user locating there was slight. Vice Mayor Burckart presented a plan which detailed changes he would prefer, and explained that a hotel had been approved for adjacent property and that the hotel peogle had been upset that K-Mart was expanding in their direction. Ms . Eustace requested a copy of the approved hotel plans and stated that K-Mart had provided a tremendous buffer. Vice Mayor Burckart disagreed that the buffer was sufficient. Discussion of the buffer ensued, with Vice Mayor Burckart stating that large trees were needed. The Vice Mayor's suggestion for a one-way drive was discussed, and Lewis Young, engineer working on the K-Mart expansion, explained that there would not be room for turning trucks without eliminating mare parking spaces. Ms. Eustace stated that cost must be considered in making further changes. During discussion of moving the dumpster, Councilmember Schauer explained that Nichols Sanitation trucks would not be able to access the dumpster in the location proposed by Vice Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 29, 1995 Page 4 ------------------------------- Mayor Burckart; the Vice Mayor stated that placing the dumpsters next to residential units was unacceptable to him. Suggestions included moving the dumpster next to the double dumpster area and separating the dumpster from the cardboard recycling area, which K-Mart representatives agreed to consider. Mr. Miller expressed concern that elimination of more parking spaces than approved by the Board of Adjustment would endanger increased business. Mayor Mackail suggested that the existing parking ordinance be changed to allow smaller spaces to accommodate compact cars. Building Official Scott D. Ladd commented that double lining would call attention to the smaller spaces. Building Official Ladd was requested to prepare a draft ordinance which would allow some 9' x 18' spaces instead of requiring all spaces to be 10' x 20'. Building Official Ladd explained that several weeks would be needed to accomplish an ordinance change since two public hearings were needed with sufficient time for notice and advertising, and agreed with Mr. Miller's suggestion that conditional approval to the Board of Adjustment's approval could be granted subject to adoption of a new parking ordinance so that a reasonable period of time would be given for reconfiguation. Building Official Ladd explained that 800 spaces were needed to conform to the national average for shopping centers and that with the present 905 the center was still above the national average. Mayor Mackail invited any additional comments from the Councilmembers. In response to Councilmember Schauer's request for clarification regarding the proposed change of location for the dumpsters, Mr. Miller explained that the suggestion was to relocate the cardboard recycling dumpsters and pallets to an enclosed area which would accommodate a forklift and to leave the other dumpsters in their current location. Councilmember Schauer questioned whether the Board of Adjustment variance had eliminated all of the rear parking and was told that they had only approved minimum numbers, not location of the spaces. Ms. Eustace explained that subsequent to the Board of Adjustment variance that the Community Appearance Board had approved landscaping based on the premise that the rear sgaces would be eliminated. Boardmember Hansen stated that his only concern was that Village Council .,,~, Workshop lrieeting Minutes March 29, 1995 Page 5 Village ordinances be followed, that County Line Plaza be in agreement with the arrangement and that the center be aesthetically pleasing. Vice Mayor Burckart commented that the Village process in which K-Mart had been involved was poor since the Village Council should have known about the problems early and been able to work ulith the applicant, instead of at the end of the process. Vice Mayor Burckart expressed concern that the Village had spent two and a half years developing a landscape ordinance that was not being followed in this case, and explained that he wanted this project to comply as closely as possible to the 25~, knowing that 25~ could not be attained but using large trees and plants so that the landscaping would look like it was at 25~. Leslie Cook, Chair of the Community Appearance Board, stated she had counted the dead plants in the existing hedge and Mr. Miller verified those would be replaced. Building Official Ladd reminded Mr. Miller that during the past nine years that the shopping center's landscaping had never met Village expectations. Mayor Mackail requested that Winn Dixie and other tenants be involved for their input since increased traffic would involve their businesses. Mr. Miller stated that the 18.3$ landscaping that had been proposed had been the maximum percentage that could be achieved, and asked whether that percentage could be relied upon. Building Official Ladd commented that when the parking ordinance was revised that more landscaping could be added. Vice Mayor Burckart requested a plan showing 9' x 18' spaces in order to determine the impact on landscaping. Mayor Mackail stated that with 9' x 18' parking spaces and larger trees if the landscape percentage could be increased to 20~ or 21~ that he would be in favor of the parking and landscaping. Building Official Ladd explained that more landscaping could be achieved by using 18-foot long parking spaces and allowing the front two feet of a car to overhang green space. Ms. Eustace expressed concern that costs would be significantly increased by reconfiguration of the whole parking lot and restriping. Ray Royce, Attorney for K-Mart, questioned what procedure would be needed to accomplish the changes discussed in a timely manner. Building Official Ladd explained that under current ordinances a modified site plan review would have to Village Council ;,~, Workshop Meeting Iriinutes March 29, 1995 Page. 6 return to the Community Appearance Board then go back to site plan review, which would be quicker than the original process but would still take approximately six to eight weeks from the point that he received revised drawings. Ms. Eustace stated that Mr. Ladd's staff had been very accommodating in establishing agendas for a timely process. Mayor Mackail suggested a workshop meeting of the Village Council to be attended by the Community Appearance Board be held to review the revised plans as discussed at today's meeting. Building Official Ladd explained that regardless of the actions of the various boards that the legal requirement for special exception use would require a special exception public hearing which had been set for March 9 and was not acted upon and that a time certain was not set at that meeting; therefore, a special exception public hearing was necessary with proper notice and advertising. Mr. Miller commented that even when the Village parking ``~ ordinance was changed to allow smaller parking spaces that the shopping center did not wish to actually reduce the size of the existing spaces until such time as it was necessitated by increased business, and suggested that a phasing system be used. Community Appearance Board Chair Leslie Cook explained that clumps of green space would be more visually attractive than wider rows, and suggested elimination of an entire parking space to be replaced with a clump of landscaping which would not require reconfiguration of the parking lot. Bob Bruce stated that K-Mart needed a decision by the Village Council at this meeting since K-Mart must make a decision whether they could go forward, and since competition was coming into the market and K-Mart had reached maximum budget they should probably back out of this project. Mayor Mackail assured the K-Mart representatives that no one wanted them to back out of the project, but that the Village Council must follow procedure. After discussion, Mr. Miller suggested using the recommendations of the Board of Adjustment and the Community Appearance Board, making minor adjustments such as moving the recycling dumpster, incorporating a phasing project for 9' x 18' parking spaces and increasing landscaping at such time as the Village adopted a new parking ordinance and at such time ~;,µ~- Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 29, 1995 Page 7 as the parking became saturated. Mr. Miller stated that neither the landlord or K-Mart desired any increased financial burdens at this time. Mayor Mackail suggested that a revised plan be presented which would leave parking spaces at 10' x 20', address landscaping with larger trees and beefed up landscaping so that even with 18.3 the visual impact would be 20~ or 21$. Mr. Young requested that a meeting be held before the April 13 Village Council meeting which would be attended by all the boards involved so that concerns would be worked out ahead of time, since every time a meeting was held they had changed plans only to have to change them again after the next meeting. Ms. Eustace asked for clarification since Mayor Mackail had suggested a plan leaving parking spaces at 10' x 20', and Vice Mayor Burckart had requested a plan showing 9' x 18' spaces. Vice Mayor Burckart explained he would like to see how parking could be increased using the smaller spaces on the long runs so that there might be six spaces per line; however, that the total of 905 spaces seemed to be adequate, and if K-Mart did not desire to increase their parking spaces in front that was fine. Vice Mayor Burckart stressed that the landscaping buffer between the shopping center and the hotel property must be greatly increased, and that he felt strongly about the rear parking, which possibly could be angled to create additional driveway room. Community Appearance Board Chair Cook discussed the buffer and explained that there was a hedge and that clumps of trees were going to be added; that rear landscaping had been moved to enhance the front; and that if the property owner to the north was unhappy that they could add to the buffer on their side. Building Official Ladd explained that the hotel application for that property had now expired. After discusson, direction was that at the Village Council meeting of April 13, 1995, this matter would be on the agenda for discussion as a workshop item with both the Community Appearance Board and the Board of Adjustment present, after which the regular meeting would be convened. At this workshop, applicant would present a revised plan with enhanced landscaping, along with information relative to Winn Dixie and the other major tenants showing that they Village Council ,,rim Workshop Meeting l~Ii.nutes March 29, 1995 Page 8 were in agreement with the total package. Ms. Eustace verified that the revised plans needed to be submitted on Thursday prior to the April 13 meeting. Mayor Mackail suggested a plan showing the 10-foot parking spaces with an overlay showing 9-foot spaces. Mr. Young commented that the Community Appearance Board had been very happy with the buffer, and explained that the parking in the front was vital to K~Mart operations and was now at 3.8 per thousand, however moving parking spaces from the front would decrease that ratio and create potential problems for future parking. Mr. Young inquired whether the outparcel was to be eliminated; Vice Mayor Burckart explained that he would have a problem if sufficient landscaping could not be achieved in front, and was concerned that the outparcel might use up parking spaces needed for K-Mart; Ms. Eustace verified that what was shown on the plans was sufficient; and Mr. Miller stated that they would like to keep the outparcel and beef up the front landscaping. Village Manager Bradford inquired whether the property owner could ascertain from a landscape architect why the landscaping was in its present condition and present that information at the April 13 meeting, because the Councilmembers might be more inclined to accept the current green space landscaping if they were assured it could be improved with a different maintenance program or in other ways. Mr. Miller responded that they would try to do that. Discussion of what had happened with regard to the Village bond for landscaping at this shopping center ensued, and Building Official Scott D. Ladd explained that when the Village Attorney had begun the process of excercising the bond that the property owner had replaced all of the landscaping, which did not do well. Vice Mayor Burckart stated that he wanted to see real trees, real buffers, and landscaping in front using some islands, without reducing the parking. Mayor Mackail stated that he wanted to be sure that everyone was clear in understanding that the landscaping from U.S. One into the shopping center was to be very attractive and beefed up to the best that could be done within budget ~ Village Council Workshop Meeting Minutes March 29, 1995 Page 9 confines. Mayor Mackail explained that the Village Council had been to this shopping center in the past, that the number of trees at that time was one hundred less than required, that the Village Council did not want a similar situation again, and that a landscape architect should decide whether existing trees were to be left or replaced. Attorney Royce requested a copy of the original landscape plan. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:12 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~. -~ ~`, ~, ~~~~ Betty ~aur Recording Secretary ATTEST: J ann Mangani to Village Clerk DATE APPROVED: i~ .iS9S~