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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDAB 090705ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD September 7, 2005 Minutes The Economic Development Advisory Board met on September 7, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 8:31 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. I. ROLL CALL Members Present: Frank Compiani, Lou Gaeta, Casey Steinbacher, Kenneth Kahn, James Kissel, Eric Habecker, Mark Murnan, and Elaine Beers. Also Present: Dolores Key, Staff Liaison and Economic Development/Marketing Director; Charles Wu, Growth Management Administrator; Allyson Maiwurm, Administrative Projects Coordinator; and Kelvin Wise, Code Enforcement Supervisor II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The Board approved the minutes from the May 12, 2005 meeting. 111. ITEMS BY STAFF LIAISON Comprehensive Plan Changes Dolores Key informed the Board that the Comprehensive Plan Amendments for the Briger property land -use changes are now official. She thanked the Board for their work and support of the Comprehensive Plan changes. PGA National DRI Agreement Dolores brought the Board up to date on the PGA National DRI Agreement. An agreement has been reached with DCA to protect the traffic concurrency (trips) within PGA National DRI so that businesses may complete expansion of their facilities. Anspach Update Dolores gave the Board an update of the status of the Anspach Companies project. She thanked the Business Development Board and County Commissioner, Karen Marcus for their assistance. The County has agreed to re- evaluate the traffic model that had been used to calculate trip generation in RCA Park. She stated that trips have been calculated from models that were 10 to 15 years old. With newer manuals based on better data, more trips should be available to RCA Park. Therefore, Anspach should be able to expand and create more jobs in the community. Board Vacancies Dolores discussed the Board's vacancies and reappointments. She is recommending the reappointment of Elaine Beers and Mark Murnan for two -year appointments and Jim Kissel for two -year term as a regular member as opposed to alternate. Dave Haysmer has submitted a letter of resignation and it is anticipated that Frank Compiani will be leaving the Board pending the approval of RSM McGladrey, Inc. contract with the City as independent auditors. Targeted Expedited Permitting Program The Targeted Expedited Permitting Program needs to be adopted into the Land Development Regulations (LDRs). Even though the Economic Development Element has been adopted into the Comprehensive Plan, the specific program needs to be adopted into the LDRs. Dolores, Mike Sanchez and Nancy Stroud are drafting an ordinance outlining the Targeting Expedited Permitting Program that will be ready for the Board's review at the next meeting. Other Items of Interest Charles Wu stated that any future land -use plan changes from non - residential to residential land -use will be brought before the EDAB for review to determine the impact upon economic development. The Board will be given an informal presentation and their recommendations, along with the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board's recommendation, will be reflected in the staff report to City Council Charles also stated that the issue of non -residential land -use versus residential land - use has been raised at the Intergovernmental Plan Amendment Review Committee (IPARC). IPARC is made up of a volunteer group of planning directors that meet quarterly and an executive committee consisting of elected officials throughout the county. IPARC has had discussions regarding converting land use from non -residential to residential and he hopes that the elected officials will have second thoughts about approving these conversions because of the impact it could have on economic development. Casey Steinbacher stated that the North Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce has been on record as opposing the conversions in the City of Palm Beach Gardens because of the small amount of available land that is left for commercial development. Lou Gaeta feels there is a problem educating the public regarding traffic and traffic concurrency. He stated that every time a new commercial project comes on -line the public does not understand that residential communities actually generate more traffic than commercial. He would like the Board assist in finding a way to help educate the public on this issue. W IV. NEW BUSINESS Ordinance 12, 2005 Property Maintenance Standards Kelvin Wise, Code Enforcement Supervisor, presented Ordinance 12, 2005 - Property Maintenance Standards, to the Board. Kelvin presented the background of Ordinance 12, 2005 and how it was initiated. He went over the comparison with the existing code, and the proposed language of the new Ordinance. He discussed the purpose and scope of the Ordinance and the inspection process. Additionally, Kelvin discussed the enforcement of the Ordinance including Code Enforcement Officers issuing citations and using the Special Magistrate as an alterative method of enforcing this Ordinance. Kelvin discussed the maintenance appearance standards that are proposed in the Ordinance. Some of these included: Using one principal color of paint on the home's structure, the lawn being free of weeds, rubbish and refuse, no outdoor storage of debris or unsuitable equipment, no graffiti, no obvious deterioration. In addition, there will be no accumulation of stagnant water, and the exterior of property shall be free of hazards. House numbers will be required and shall be visible from road. He also discussed the responsibilities of owners and operators of rental properties including dwellings, hotels and rooming houses. Kelvin showed the Board photos of homes that will be unacceptable under the new Ordinance. Kelvin also discussed the pubic information campaign that staff has put together to make residents aware of the new Ordinance. He explained the plan for implementing the Ordinance. Since the Ordinance had already been presented to the Community Aesthetics Board and the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, Kelvin discussed each Board's comments and concerns regarding this Ordinance. The Community Aesthetics Board's concerns included: requiring residents to use a specified color palette when painting their homes, how the Ordinance was going to be enforced and how to educate residents about the new Ordinance. Kelvin stated that although the Community Aesthetics Board is in favor of a color palette, however staff is not in support of taking this action. The Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board's concerns included: wanting to hold a meeting being held to educate property managers and HOA's, discussion regarding the effect on the City's drainage swales and the technical specifications of the Ordinance. Kelvin also informed the Board that he is suggesting that the City adopt the International Property Maintenance Standards. Kenneth Kahn had questions concerning how the proposed Ordinance would affect commercial properties that are presently covered by a POA. Kelvin stated that whichever is more restrictive would prevail. The same thing would apply to HOA's. Charles Wu added that a POA is an agreement between a property owner and tenant and therefore is not enforceable by the City. If the POA or HOA restrictions conflict with the City Code, the City Code would prevail. Kenneth Kahn asked what if the restrictions are too vague or are equivalent to the City Code. Charles stated that the City Code would then be enforced. 3 There was discussion regarding a color palette (as recommended by the Community Aesthetics Board) wherein residents/businesses would have to select exterior paint from an approved palette. The Board voiced strong objections to dictating specific colors or a palette of colors. There was also discussion regarding the size of home address numbers that would be required by the Ordinance. Kelvin stated that staff has discussed this and is recommending that house numbers should be visible from the road but would not have to be a specific size. Frank Compiani had a concern that the Ordinance will cause a hardship on residents that may not have the funds to upgrade their property. Kelvin stated that there would be grants available, similar to the Military Trail Grant Program, and the Community Aesthetics Board would be responsible for reviewing grant applications and making recommendations on awards. In addition, staff will give residents a list of other resources to assist with special needs. Frank stated that he hopes that City would not give citations to homeowners, rather try and help them prior to giving out fines. He is also concerned with elderly and handicap people who are unable to maintain their property. Kelvin stated that he is hoping that neighbors will help each other. There will be further discussion about this Ordinance at the next Board meeting. V. NEXT MEETING Kelvin Wise is going to bring back Ordinance 12, 2005 for further discussion. The Board will also discuss Targeted Expedited Permitting Program and the implementation of a community education program regarding traffic concurrency. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 9:45 A.M. Approval: enneth Kahn, Chairperson Lou Gaeta, Vice Chairperson El L<IjC&'t4 C c -� Elaine Beers, Board Member Eric Habecker, Board Member Casey Steinbacher, Board Member Steve Cohen, Alternate Board Member Sandra Foland, Alternate Board Member Attest: CL- Susan Bell Public Information/ Recording Coordinator 5