HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 032806• PLANNING, ZONING AND APPEALS BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
March 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:
There was no report by Interim Growth Management Administrator Dan Clark.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBURARY 28 AND MARCH 14, 2006
Mr. Solomon expressed his opinion that the minutes were a lot more sketchy than usual
and stated the purpose of the minutes was to have a record if someone came back to
figure out what had been done other than the pure vote. Mr. Solomon recommended
listening to the tapes again to beef up the minutes. Chair Kunkle and Mr. Hansen agreed.
Mr. Clark explained that a concentrated effort was being made for the minutes to reflect
in detail the motions made and for the audio records to be the verbatim account. During
• ensuing discussion, Mr. Clark confirmed these recordings were readily available to
anyone who wanted to listen to them, and assured the board that there were multiple
backups in separate locations in case of disaster. Mr. Clark explained this move had been
made to be consistent with minutes from other boards, and he would report back on
storage retention. The advantage to digital recordings was they were available
immediately following the meetings, while it took some time for minutes to be
transcribed by an outside agency. Chair Kunkle recommended following the Council's
method. Chair Kunkle made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 28, 2006
and March 14, 2006 PZA meetings; seconded by Mr. Pennell, and unanimously carried
by 7 -0 vote.
ROLL CALL
Debbie Andrea, Secretary for the meeting, called the roll for the Planning, Zoning and
Appeals Board:
Present
Absent
Chair Craig Kunkle Michael Panczak
Vice Chair Barry Present
Dennis Solomon
Douglas Pennell
• Randolph Hansen
Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2006
Page 2
• Jonathan D. Rubins
Joy Hecht (1St Alt.)
Amir Kanel (2nd Alt.)
All those present intending to offer testimony in tonight's cases were sworn in.
Exparte communication was reported: Mr. Present, Mr. Kunkle, Mr. Solomon, and Mr.
Hansen all reported they spoke with John Gary.
Recommendation to City Council.
Ex Parte Communication (Quasi Judicial)
Petition CU- 03 -01: Vavrus Ranch Maior Conditional Use
Public Hearing and Recommendation to City Council: A request by David Abrams, of
Tech Village Partners II, on behalf of Charles Vavrus, to approve only the proposed
Conditional Uses, including one residential dwelling unit, on the Vavrus Ranch, as
outlined in the "Vavrus Property Agricultural Use Summary," prepared by EW
Consultants, Inc., and associated "Agricultural Use Zone" aerial map. The Vavrus
Ranch is located approximately five miles west of S.R. 710 (Beeline Highway) on the
north side of Northlake Boulevard and east of Grapeview Boulevard.
Mr. Ed Weinberg, with EW Consultants, provided a presentation on behalf of the
applicant. Mr. Weinberg presented proposed agricultural uses and zones developed for
• the subject property.
Chair Kunkle declared the public hearing open. Hearing no comments from the public,
Chair Kunkle declared the public hearing closed.
Mr. Weinberg answered questions and explained limited commercial agricultural use
would be allowed with this approval. Mark Hendrickson, City Forester, made comments.
MOTION:
Mr. Present made a motion to recommend to City Council approval of Petition CU-
03-01 with the staff recommendation. Mr. Rubins seconded the motion, which
carried by unanimous 7 -0 vote.
Workshop:
Petition: MISC- 04 -43: Borland Center Master Sienaee Program
A request by Brian Cheguis of Cotleur & Hearing, on behalf of RAM Development
Company and Palm Beach Community Church, for approval of the Borland Center
Master Signage Program. The Borland Center is located along the north side of PGA
Boulevard between Gardens Square Boulevard and Shady Lakes Drive and is
approximately 45 acres.
•
Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2006
Page 3
• Donaldson Hearing of Cotleur & Hearing and Glen Weldon, signage consultant for the
project, provided a presentation of the proposed signs and graphic images on behalf of
RAM Development Company and Palm Beach Community Church, reviewed requested
waivers, and answered questions from the board. Requests made by members of the
board included: that the applicant provide examples of signage for different tenant
situations at the next presentation, that a site plan be included in the board packets, that a
set of drawings to scale be provided, that the size, script, color and style be simplified,
that signage be at a level where it could be observed, and that spotlights be used as shown
in the drawings. Mr. Weldon indicated the sign package had been developed with
diversity in mind. Direction to the applicant was given on waivers and tower structures.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to come before the board.
NEW BUSINESS
There was no new business to come before the board.
OTHER COMMENTS
Mr. Kanel commented the rules were there to be followed and he did not understand why
• so many waivers were granted on every project. Chair Kunkle recommended Mr. Kanel
argue more strenuously on waivers he objected to. Mr. Clark explained waivers allowed
the City to get things they might not otherwise get, and in effect were trades; but agreed
that this body should argue more strenuously when they did not agree with certain
waivers - -to let staff know their wants and desires. Mr. Present indicated it irritated him
whenever an applicant commented something they were asking for had been granted to
someone else, because they were taking that item out of context -- waivers were granted
based on the whole project.
In response to Mr. Pennell's inquiry regarding if City Council only read the motion from
the minutes when this board made a recommendation, or if they read the discussion that
led to the recommendation, Mr. Clark advised City Council did not read the minutes
unless they had a concern. Mr. Clark explained that staff provided to City Council a brief
description of the discussion and the vote. Typically, Council was not even provided
with the exact motion language. If there were specific issues, individual Council
members would request the record; however, typically, the staff report gave the vote and
listed any concerns.
Mr. Kanel noted members of other boards sometimes spoke at the City Council meetings
and presented items their board had discussed. Mr. Kanel asked if he should speak at
City Council meetings as a member of the board; the City Attorney advised he should
speak as an individual.
•
Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2006
Page 4
• Mr. Solomon requested staff check into the City's position regarding colors and logos on
signs. Mr. Wiseman responded it depended on the type of project —some had a single
color, some had a palette of four colors. Mr. Solomon commented the number of waivers
was not as important as what was being requested, and each request needed to be
considered in relation to the project.
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Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board Meeting Minutes
March 28, 2006
Page 5
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the
regular meeting will be held April 11,
APPROVED:
Craig KunTcZ,7r.,
was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The next
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