HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDAB 041405ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD
April 14, 2005
Minutes
The Economic Development Advisory Board met on April 14, 2005. The meeting was
called to order at 8:30 AM in the Council Chambers of the Municipal Complex, located
at 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance.
L ROLL CALL
Members Present: Frank Compiani, Lou Gaeta, Casey Steinbacher, Kenneth Kahn,
and James Kissel.
Members Absent: David Haysmer, Eric Habecker, Mark Murnan, and Elaine
Beers.
Also Present: Dolores Key, Staff Liaison and Economic Development/Marketing
Administrator, Charles Wu, Growth Management Administrator, Talal Benothman,
Planning and Zoning Division Director, Kara Irwin, Senior Planner, Dan Clark,
City Engineer, Allyson Maiwurm, Executive Assistant to the City Manager
IL APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board approved the minutes from the March 10, 2005, meeting.
III. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON
Dolores reported that after a two year process, the Economic Development Element,
Ordnance 48, 2004 is now part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. Dolores would
like to see the Board look over the targeted expedited permitting program for
additional refinement so that they may be written into the City's LDRs (Land
Development Regulations). Dolores will be meeting with Kelly Smallridge, the
intern President of the Business Development Board, to discuss the implementation
phase of the program. She suggested that on a future agenda the Board discuss this
in more detail. The discussion will be based on how the Board is going to handle
projects that are brought before them, especially those that are multi - faceted.
IV. Briger Tract
Kara Irwin reported on the Briger project. Currently DCA is reviewing the reports
on the four comprehensive amendments. DCA received an objection from the
Department of Transportation and would like a further traffic analysis to include
peak hour performance. There was also concern regarding the conservation
element. DCA would like more details on how the City will deal with off -site
mitigation. All of the requested information will be incorporated into the
comprehensive plan amendments. Kara is going present at the Treasure Coast
Regional Planning Council and she's also prepared to address questions. She added
that some of the comments from the Palm Beach County included the needs for
parking, landscaping, mitigation, and the trip generation rate.
There was discussion about the possibility of DCA asking for a lower density on the
property. Talal Benothman responded to the questions about the density and
explained that we have followed all the procedures on this property just like we
have on other comprehensive amendments and therefore, he felt that these issues
should not be a problem.
Dolores stated that there are still a lot of people that don't understand that eight
million square feet is the maximum and that during the DRI process the density
could be decreased. She informed the Board that a community planning meeting on
the Briger Tract will be held on May 9 to solicit more input from residents.
V. Ordinance 6, 2005
Talal presented Ordinance 6, 2005 to the Board. He explained that this Ordinance
creates two new categories for conditional use within the Land Development
Regulations. Under this Ordinance, City Council would approve major conditional
uses and staff would approve minor conditional uses. He explained both the major
and minor conditional use processes. He stated that the purpose of the Ordinance is
to streamline the review process and that will considerably reduced time and
increase efficiency among staff. Another objective is to save local businesses time
and money. He also gave examples of both major conditional use and minor
conditional use.
Talal answered questions about the presentation. He stated that Ordinance 6, 2005
will go before Council for second reading on May 05, 2005.
Dan Clarke, City Engineer added that he and Charles Wu are developing a
standards book for engineering. The book will be handed out to every applicant so
that they know what is expected. This should expedite the review process.
Talal also discussed the city's Sign Ordinance. Staff is currently working with the
city attorney to rectify problems with this Ordnance. When the final draft is
available he will be happy to be back for the board's review.
VL Proposed Palm Tran Service
Charles Wu, presented to the board the plans for improved Palm Tran service in the
north county area. His information was based on a meeting he attended at the
Department of Transportation. He stated that there will be two additional buses and
5 additional bus routes added to the North County area. The purpose of the
additional routes is to service the employment centers, shopping areas and
recreation areas in North County.
Charles felt that they did a good job of planning the Jupiter routes but, the routes in
Palm Beach Gardens fell short of the of providing accessible transportation to the
residents. Casey added that she was also at the transportation meeting. She felt the
new routes were based on a survey that is over six months old and that it should be
updated by business owners to see where business centers are located in an effort to
make planning the route more efficient.
Frank talked about the fact that there was discussion at the town hall meeting
regarding a possible trolley service in the city and it seemed that it was well
received. He didn't feel that the routes that Palm Tran is offering are beneficial to
the residents who live in certain communities, such as PGA National. Lou Gatea
stated that from past experience, rider ship has always been low in the North
County area. The board felt that they should encourage the routes to go through the
employment centers in the city. Charles stated that it was important that the new
routes become successful because eventually Palm Tram will add additional routes
to better service our area.
VII. Discussion about developing a public outreach program
Lou Gaeta commented that at the Town Hall meeting a lot of the residence did not
really understand the issues that we're facing the city. A lot of the comments that
were made were incorrect regarding traffic and planning of certain projects. He felt
the as a city we need to do a better job to inform and educate them of what is really
going on in the city. He stated he was upset that the perception of the residents is so
negative and he felt the accusations that were made about staff were not true. The
board felt the city needs to have a program in place as opposed to holding a couple
of meetings to keep the residents educated.
Casey suggested possibly communicating with the residence through their
homeowners associations, local clubs and organizations. We need to bring back a
level of trust with the residents. Kenneth Kahn talked about also including the
business community on the grassroots level of the issues facing the city.
VIII. Next Meeting
Continue discussion about educating residents and targeting expedited permitting.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 A.M.
Approval:
'Kenneth Kahn, Chairp n
Lou Gaeta, Vice Chairperson
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Eric Habecker, Board Member
David Haysmer, Board Member
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Ca6y Stein Board Member
Marl uinan, Board Member
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Elaine Beers, Board ber
Frank Compiani, Alternate
Board
Attest:
Susan Bell
Public Information/ Recording Coordinator