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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 022806PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD • REGULAR MEETING February 28, 2006 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board 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 INTERIM GROWTH MANAGEMENT ADMINISTRATOR: Interim Growth Management Administrator Dan Clark reported there had been no action taken since last meeting. ROLL CALL Debbie Andrea, Secretary for the meeting, called the roll for the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board: Present Absent Chair Craig Kunkle Vice Chair Barry Present • Dennis Solomon Michael Panczak Douglas Pennell Randolph Hansen Jonathan D. Rubins Joy Hecht (1St Alt.) Amir Kanel (2 °a Alt.) Public Hearing and Consideration ofApproval : Ex Parte Communication (Ouasi Judicial) Petition VAR- 06- 02 -01: Circle K Plaza — Setback Variance to Allow Second -Story Addition to Existing Commercial Plaza Public Hearing and Consideration of Approval: A request by Mr. George G. Gentile, of Gentile Holloway O'Mahoney & Associates, Inc., for a variance from Section 78 -153, Table 12 of the City's Land Development Regulations, entitled Property Development Regulations — Nonresidential Zoning Districts, to allow a reduction in the required side setback for sites within the General Commercial (CGI) zoning district that are adjacent to a residential zoning district from 75 feet to 25.42 feet in order to construct a second story addition to the existing commercial building located northwest of the intersection of Keating Drive and Northlake Boulevard behind the Mobil gas station, at 4227 Northlake Boulevard. The variance is being requested in connection with an administrative site plan review. No members of the board reported ex -parte communication. Mr. George Gentile spoke on behalf of the Petitioner and presented the requested variance. The proposed second story addition and landscaping were • described. Mr. Gentile confirmed that all neighbors had received notice but there had been no responses. Mr. Gentile answered questions from the board. Requests from the board were that the petitioner work with Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2006 Page 2 • the owners of the center on the sign, and that the architecture be improved on the back side next to the residents by adding a hip roof. Planning Manager Michael Sanchez explained staff was recommending denial since they felt the application did not meet all eight variance conditions; however, they had to look at the request from a planning perspective as well to retrofit the site to demolish the existing building and move it to the south in order to meet the 75' setback. Mr. Sanchez explained that from a planning perspective staff felt this was a dramatic improvement to the site and the area, and would be a great benefit to the City residents; however, from a legal perspective it did not meet all eight of the variance criteria. Discussion ensued. Chair Kunkle declared the public hearing open. Linda Hughey noted there had been code enforcement action regarding the area behind the building as recently as a year ago, described problems with the proposed access, and suggested offering to place trees on the property of the 3 homes that backed up to the wall. David Fred was sworn in and reported he lived behind the E &H building, commented he did not want the value of his property to decrease, and expressed concerns regarding the traffic and location of the mechanical equipment. Hearing no further comments from the public, Chair Kunkle declared the public hearing closed. Mr. Gentile agreed to work with staff to have a cut halfway in the existing median in order to make a left turn. MOTION: Mr. Hansen made a motion to recommend approval to City Council of Petition VAR- 06 -02 -01 with the following additional conditions: That the secondary stair remain internal within the building and not be attached to the exterior of the building; that it be another U- shaped stair to be placed wherever it would meet life safety code, but probably in the northwest corner; and that the two one - story hip roofs on the front be carried all the way around so that the back side would be treated as a hip with a metal roof rather than a cut off hip roof. Mr. Hansen suggested staff look into reducing the length of the Keating Drive median so that a left turn could be more easily accomplished rather than having to do a U -turn. Chair Kunkle clarified that the motion was on the 25.4 feet variance dimension. The motion was seconded. During discussion of the motion, Mr. Rubins requested an addition to the motion that the applicant continue to work with the convenience store owner, to which the applicant agreed. Dan Clark advised it was not practical to do a median cut but it might be practical to shorten the median. It was clarified the hip roof was not to continue all the way around the building, but that the two hip roof features on the front of the building would be repeated on the back. Motion carried by unanimous 7 -0 vote. Recommendation to City Council. Ex Parte Communication (Quasi Judicial) Petition MISC -04 -36 — Trinity United Methodist Church Phase 7 — Elementary School Recommendation to City Council. A request by Rick Warner of Warner Real Estate Advisors, agent for Trinity United Methodist Church of Palm Beach Gardens, for site plan approval of Phase 7, consisting of a two -story, elementary school building and gymnasium for a maximum of 240 students. The site is located at the southwest corner of Military Trail and Gardenia Drive. The following ex -parte communications were reported: Mr. Present reported he had met with the applicant. Mr. Rubins reported he met with Mr. Warner around the New Year's break and several members of the church were present. Ms. Hecht also reported speaking with members of the church. Mr. Hansen reported speaking with the architect and members of the church. One other member of the board also reported speaking with members of the church. Rick Warner introduced others present on behalf of the applicant and presented the request. The site plan, architecture, and proposed landscaping were reviewed. Mr. Warner indicated the petitioner agreed with the • staff conditions, and answered questions from the board. Accessible parking at the administrative end of the building was requested. Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2006 Page 3 MOTION: Mr. Solomon moved to recommend approval to City Council of petition MISC -04 -36 with staff recommendations. The motion was seconded, and carried by unanimous 7 -0 vote. OLD BUSINESS Mr. Pennell expressed his opinion that Downtown at the Gardens did not have the expected pizzazz and was not what the board had approved, and apologized to Mr. Solomon that he had not supported his request that the electronic sign not be eliminated. Mr. Benothman reminded the board that the amended architecture had been approved by the board and the City Council and also the elimination of the sign; however, the owner now agreed it was bland, and had hired architect John Glidden, who was developing a plan to add more architectural elements and colors and new square footage which would be used for a parking structure with office space on top. A new type of screening for service areas would also be proposed. Discussion ensued. Mr. Benothman advised that additional parking signs had been proposed„ and the applicant was working to correct parking problems. Mr. Hansen expressed his opinion that the board should have looked at the Cheesecake Factory building since it was out of character with the other buildings, and commented the little architectural details could make or break the characterization of a project. NEW BUSINESS The City Attorney announced this would be Mr. Benothman's last meeting and thanked him for his work for the city, which was echoed by Chair Kunkle. Mr. Benothman thanked the staff for their support and for protecting the city with their accomplishments. Mr. Panczak asked that Mr. Wu and Mr. Benothman join the board for a social gathering after the next meeting. • Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes February 28, 2006 Page 4 • ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the will be held March 14, 2006. APPROVED: .7 r~ n; " was adjourned. The next regular meeting mir Kanel iZk' e ie Andrea, Secretary for the Meeting •