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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 120903CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING December 9, 2003 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order by Chair Craig Kunkle at 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. REPORT BY GROWTH MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATOR There was no report by the Growth Management Administrator. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Hansen made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 25, 2003 meeting as submitted. Mr. Panczak seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. • ROLL CALL Betty Laur, Secretary for the meeting called the roll for the Planning & Zoning Commission: Present Absent Chairman Craig Kunkle Dennis Solomon Vice Chairman Barry Present - arrived at 7:28 p.m. Douglas Pennell Chairman Pro Tern John Glidden Joel Channing Randolph Hansen Alternate Michael Panczak Also in attendance were Principal Planner Talal Benothman, Senior Planner Michael Sanchez, Planner Jackie Holloman, City Forester Mark Hendrickson, and City Attorney Christine Tatum. Public Hearing and Recommendation to City Council Petition PCD- 03 -01: Old Palm Golf Club PCD Amendment A request by Henry Skokowski of Urban Design Studio on behalf of the Community Finance Company, for an amendment to the Old Palm Golf Club Planned Community Development (PCD) to allow for (1) a modification to a condition of approval established in the PCD Development Order • (Ordinance 32, 2002), relating to the number of non- residentgolf club memberships permitted within • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes December 9, 2003 the PCD; (2) modifications to certain PCD buffers; and (3) a modification to the approved PCD Master Plan allowing for a minor change to the location of certain preserve areas on site. The Old Palm Golf Club PCD is generally bounded by PGA Boulevard to the south, Westwood Gardens Planned Unit Development (PUD) to the north, Central Boulevard and Interstate 95 to the east, and Florida's Turnpike to the west. Senior Planner Michael Sanchez presented the staff report and answered questions, confirming that the golf club memberships were annual and not equity, and that the landscape buffer had been previously required. Mr. Hansen expressed his opinion that it would take a lot of landscape buffer not to see the building. City Forester Mark Hendrickson advised that the goal was to provide enough buffer so that the building could not be seen. Mr. Sanchez explained the methodology used to obtain the 4.23 ratio was shown on page 3 of the staff report. Mr. Glidden advised that he would participate in the discussion but would not vote, based on advice from former City Attorney Len Rubin. Anne Booth, representative for the petitioner, indicated no objections to the conditions of approval. Mr. Glidden asked if traffic would be blocked by construction of the overpass. Ms. Booth responded that construction would begin in January and continue through fall of 2004, and the developer would provide access during construction. Chair Kunkle confirmed with Ms. Booth that there could only be 375 total memberships. Chair Kunkle declared the public hearing open. Hearing no comments from the public, Chair Kunkle • declared the public hearing closed. MOTION: Mr. Hansen made a motion to recommend to City Council approval of Petition PCD -03 -01 with the conditions established by staff in the staff report. Mr. Panczak seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 5 -0 vote. Workshop Petition PUD- 03 -05: Gardens North Professional Office Complex at Westwood Gardens/Westwood Lakes PUD A request by Neil J. Gaeta, President, Gaeta Development Company, for approval of an amendment to the Westwood Gardens/Westwood Lakes Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allowfor modifications to the commercial area consisting of two professional office buildings totaling 28,282 square feet. The site is approximately 2.4 acres and is located at the southeast corner of Hood Road and Interstate 95. Planner Jackie Holloman presented the project. Mr. Hansen asked if staff wanted the sign visible from I- 95, to which Ms. Holloman responded that it was the applicant's choice of preferred location and one sign was allowed. Mr. Panczak requested color renderings, which Ms. Holloman indicated would be available at the next meeting. Mr. Channing requested an actual sample of the roof material for the next meeting, and expressed his opinion that the base color was a little too strong. Mr. Channing • recommended the middle color be the strong color and that 6' x 8' samples be put up in the field before 0 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes December 9, 2003 painting. Mr. Channing stated he was not in favor of a cabinet for the sign over 36 ". Mr. Channing noted that applicants with exposure to two rights -of -way had been granted two signs in the past. Mr. Channing expressed his opinion that the spacing of the windows at the second level did not produce a harmonious rhythm, and the elements on the corner bothered him. Mr. Channing noted this applicant tried to get the U.S. Chess Foundation to come here. Mr. Gaeta confirmed this was a speculative office building, that the chess foundation was no longer involved, and the 2 -story building would be a multiple tenant building. Mr. Glidden requested a 3 -1) drawing of the building showing what one would see from the southeast, to be submitted before a vote was taken on this project. Mr. Glidden noted the building could be named and there was a ground floor tenant, so there could be two signs without requesting a waiver. Mr. Glidden requested the applicant show where any additional signs could go on the one -story building unless the applicant was absolutely sure there would be only one tenant. Mr. Glidden confirmed with staff that a ground floor tenant was entitled to a sign at their entrance, and advised the applicant they needed to add doors if they wanted ground floor tenant signs. Mr. Glidden commented this was a very tall one -story building. Mr. Gaeta explained this building was originally designed for the chess foundation and he thought there could be one tenant. Mr. Glidden commented if there was more than one tenant he could not imagine the tenants would not want their own entrances and signage, and suggested those be added now rather than possibly having to come back to request entrances. The applicant indicated the height was about 14'. Mr. Glidden commented that by scaling, the building appeared closer to 18'; that the top band looked very heavy and made the building look top heavy, which • could be remedied by moving the intermediate band up. Mr. Glidden commented the cabinet sign was a huge mistake aesthetically and requested the applicant show the largest sign they would want to put there using individual letters which could be internally lit or backlit. Mr. Gaeta agreed. Mr. Glidden commented if the largest size was approved the applicant could always use smaller letters. Mr. Glidden commented the corner masses threw the balance of the buildings off and suggested the mass on the one - story building be moved 15' from the corner. Mr. Glidden suggested the entry on the 2 -story building could be moved over a little but it was not necessary, but recommended moving the corner element. Mr. Glidden suggested the small double elevation stairstep on the 2 -story building could be improved by making it a strong rectangular mass. Mr. Glidden commented the roof pitch was troubling because it would appear as a mansard, and lowering the pitch and bringing it back would soften the building. Alan Strassler, Architect, agreed. Mr. Strassler commented the corner mass would be the most visible element of the building but did not object to moving it closer to the entry mass. Mr. Glidden suggested a hip roof on the corner element would really make it an icon of the building, and also suggested moving the stucco reveal down to right above the windows, which would create a nice space for a sign. Mr. Glidden suggested grouping the windows together. Mr. Hansen agreed with Mr. Glidden regarding the proportions on the 1 -story building, recommended lowering the height and continuing the arch window theme, and expressed his opinion it was great they were using 10' parking spaces and commented he did not like wheel stops. Mr. Present arrived at this point in the meeting at 7:28 p.m. • Mr. Channing advised the applicant not to be discouraged by all the comments, that everything was fine 3 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes December 9, 2003 as far as he was concerned. Mr. Panczak agreed a pitched roof on the towers would soften the building and suggested the window spacing be changed to provide more symmetry. The architect confirmed that on the 2 -story building access to the roof would be through the stairwell. Chair Kunkle requested that Don Hearing address the Hood Road landscape buffer, which was all sabal palms and faxahatchee grass for several hundred feet, which he considered dull. Mr. Glidden agreed with Mr. Channing regarding the colors and noted there was a blank area on the building where trees were needed. Workshop Petition SP- 03 -11: PGA National Resort Core Site Plan Approval A request by Urban Design Studio, agent for PGA Resorts Company, the managing partner of PGA Resorts, Ltd., for approval of a phased site plan amendment for a 38.8 -acre site known as the PGA National Resort Core, which is located at the southern terminus ofA venue of the Champions within the PGA National Development of Regional Impact (DRI). Planner Jackie Holloman presented the project. Mr. Glidden stepped down due to conflict of interest. Dodi Glas presented the project on behalf of the applicant. Chair Kunkle commented he had no problem • with any of this. Mr. Hansen commented on the landscaping required on top of the parking garage that 12' trees would look funny, that the garage did not have great architectural treatment, suggested addressing introduction of perimeter planters at various levels to soften the building instead of putting trees on the top. Ms. Glas confirmed there was no problem with having the heliport close to the parking garage. Mr. Hansen disagreed with the analysis of handicap parking, indicating that when valet parking only was provided then accessible spaces were not required, which was not the case here, and he believed 26 handicap parking spaces were required. Mr. Hansen commented there would be special events when parking would see maximum use. Ms. Holloman explained there had been 9' spaces for a number of years with no complaints and 9' spaces were allowed by code as a waiver; and staff had no compelling not to support such a waiver at this time. Mr. Hansen expressed his opinion 81 bicycle parking spaces were a lot more than needed; that 15 might not be enough but somewhere in between would be appropriate. Mr. Hansen indicated no problem with the building height KMs. Glas commented regarding the suggestion for landscape planters that the POA wanted a lot more trees at ground level by the building and planters would interfere with tree growth, and she would look at the plans again and show that to the commission. Mr. Panczak asked why the members' club was being done in a different phase, to which Ms. Glas responded the applicant would have to come back to do a buildout agreement; and the POA and ARC had approved the project. Mr. Panczak commented this had been approved without any bands around windows, yet when he built a house there it had to have bands around every opening. Ms. Glas noted it had to do with 1980 approval of the original architecture. Mr. Panczak expressed his opinion it was a lost opportunity not to bring the architecture up to today's standards. Mr. Present commented the project looked good and he had no problem with the heliport. Mr. Present stated he agreed with Mr. Hansen on looking at the landscaping for the parking garage and asked what would • happen if a 4th story was added to the garage. Ms. Glas commented staff would probably have 1 114-rd �-M'e" be IaMters 1%4- *A ParK� »' levels �v �}-, b-rsnSeh. 5 Uq9 4 56f4en +} e- 5ar 5r- • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes December 9, 2003 • conditions for that. Mr. Present indicated there would be more of a problem with trees if there was a 4th level. Mr. Present commented this was a beautiful area to ride bikes and 15 bicycle spaces might not be enough, and he considered bicycle parking an amenity. Mr. Present commented it was hard to bring an older architecture up to date since there were other existing buildings, but to blend it in and keep competitive with the rest of the world would be a plus for the whole community. Mr. Charming agreed with the bike spaces, and agreed with planters at different levels for the garage with landscaping hanging over the sides, and asked if parking would meet code. Ms. Glas advised a parking analysis had been submitted. Proposed parking exceeded the parking analysis but did not meet code. If a 4th level were added to the parking garage the parking would meet code, and the structure would be designed to take a 4th level. Old Business There was no old business to come before the Commission. New Business There was no new business to come before the Commission. 5 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes December 9, 2003 • is ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held January%, 2004. )3 � APPROVED: Craig Kunkle, Yr.—,Chair ja� A'aA� B tty Lau (J, Secretary for the Meeting 2