HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes EDAB 101206Economic Development Advisory Board
Minutes
October 12, 2006
The Economic Development Advisory Board met on October 12, 2006. The meeting was
called to order by the Chairperson, Kenneth Kahn, at 8:30 a.m. 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
Kenneth Kahn
Lou Gaeta
Elaine Beers
Casey Steinbacher
James Kissel
Steve Cohen
Members Absent
Mark Murnan
Sandra Foland
Also Present:
Chair
Vice Chair
1 st Alternate (arrived 8:36 a.m
2nd Alternate
Joseph Russo, Mayor and Council Liaison (arrived 8:39 a.m.)
Dolores Key, Economic Development Director and Staff Liaison
Talal Benothman, Planning Manager and Alternate Staff Liaison
Kara Irwin, Growth Management Administrator
II. Approval of Minutes
The Board approved the minutes from the September 14, 2006 meeting.
Ill. Staff Report
Dolores Key, Staff Liaison, presented a report containing the names of members to serve on
the Economic Development Advisory Board during fiscal year 2006 -2007, and the meeting
dates proposed for the upcoming year. Ms. Key noted that a formal voting record for petitions
will be maintained and she included a copy of the format for board members. Ms. Key
distributed a biography of Dr. Claes Wahlestedt of Scripps Florida, the keynote speaker she
has engaged for the meeting to be held on November 9, 2006.
IV. Land Development Petitions
Jim Griffin presented a petition regarding The Gardens West, Parcel 18 Future Lane -Use
Map Amendment, Petition CMPA- 06 -08- 000005 and discussed it at the request of
Donaldson Hearing of Cotleur & Hearing, on behalf of Palm Beach Acquisition, LLC. The
petition asked for a large scale land -use map amendment to change the current land -use
designations of approximately 495.977 acres of land generally located at the southeast and
northeast corners of the intersection of PGA Boulevard and Beeline Highway (SR710) from
Rural Residential -10, Commercial -C and Industrial -I land -use designations to Industrial -I,
Commercial -C and Conservation -CONS land -use designations.
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Mr. Todd Mowrey gave a presentation about the properties currently referred to as Parcel 18
and Gentle Ben. These two properties when combined are called The Gardens West and the
intention is to change this bio- science cluster by separating the industrial into one area and
the commercial into a separate area within this project. They have eliminated the residential
use and added a conservation area in its place with very limited residential use.
Lou Gaeta asked if the easement was developable and Mr. Hank Gonzalez replied that there
was a conservation flow easement in favor of the South Florida Water Management District
who was interested in the area due to its attachment to the Loxahatchee Florida Land Use
Element (FLUE), and that it eventually would switch over to Parcel 18. Mr. Gaeta asked if it
the research designation was a requirement of the City and staff or if it was something the
developer wanted. Mr. Gonzalez stated that it was a commitment of both the City and the
developer to make a commitment to the bio- science process, that he felt it was appropriate in
their eyes and that they were working with the City to try to come up with an overall incentive
package to set up property and hold it for bio -tech, to bring new business to the area, and to
grow existing businesses.
Casey Steinbacher asked if the developer felt that the overlay zone gave them the non-
restrictive ability they needed for a research area. Mr. Mowrey replied that they were not
currently included in the overlay zone and that it was part of their proposal to be included in
the overlay since they did not feel it would be restrictive to them. Ms. Steinbacher felt it was
good feedback for the board and staff to know that the developer felt that way since the staff
and board had worked together to develop the overlay and supporting language. Mr.
Gonzalez stated that the language used regarding The Gardens West property would allow
the developer to enhance the property and to use the existing zoning for whatever would be
in place and then putting the overlay on restricts or minimizes the conversion of land to
residential land use. Ms. Steinbacher stated that the board felt it was a good thing.
Steve Cohen asked if the developer was looking for incentives from the City. Mr. Gonzalez
replied that incentives were welcome because the private community and the public
community need to come together to make a strong public/private partnership. He stated that
if the board members were to look at some of the successful parks across the United States,
the members would see that many of them had been created because of their partnerships,
which do mean incentives, such as fast tracking, that should be a given. If someone is
bringing a bio- science project to a community it should be a given that it needs to be fast
tracked to make it successful or the City will lose out on opportunities. Other things the
developer would like to cooperatively work on would be what new incentives would work
successfully to draw new bio- science projects to the area. Many times these incentives
would not necessary cost money but could be processes.
Casey Steinbacher asked Kara Irwin to give her thoughts on the project. Ms. Irwin stated
that this was an in -house petition and has not yet been presented to the local planning
agency, and a recommendation has not yet been made to the City Council but the staff had
been working on a developer's agreement as an incentive, which is what their letter to the
Governor was based upon. Certain areas were to be set aside as bio- science uses and they
have been amenable to doing that which staff feels is a positive. Ms. Irwin said it supports
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what we are doing in the overlay and takes an initiative to create industrial opportunities
within our City.
Kenneth Kahn said it was directly across from an airport and he asked if a runway expansion
plan would affect this project. Joe Russo stated that the City had an Interlocal Agreement
with the County that prevents any residential areas to be added to the airport area other than
what is presently there. He stated they should look into whether we would need an
agreement between the City and the County to be able to put residential on this site. Mr.
Kahn stated that the airport would significantly restrict any bio -tech business growth as well.
Hank Gonzalez agreed that there was an Interlocal agreement between the City and the
County, but one of the things that encouraged the developer to move industrial onto Parcel
18 was that there was a residential designation there that would have run afoul of the
interlocal agreement, but it does not run afoul with the industrial. The one complex that John
Bills wants to put on the Gentle Ben site would be far enough away to be outside of the
decibel levels that would disallow residential. Mr. Gonzalez stated the Mayor was correct and
that was one of the things that pointed them to what they were currently proposing.
Mr. Kahn asked which of the airport runways was being expanded. Dan Clark, City Engineer,
stated that it was not the East -West runway, but it was a secondary runway that runs parallel
to the Beeline and would go north in its expansion.
Elaine Beers requested further information on the complex proposed by John Bills. Mr. Griffin
replied that as part of the flowage easement, John Bills had reserved the right to build a
family compound which would be a family gathering place not as a primary residence, but it
is proposed to have a main house, guest cottages, barns and docks out into the lake.
Lou Gaeta said he feels disappointed that we would be giving up 120 acres of industrial land
that the City sorely needs, but he doesn't feel there is any way around it since the deal with
South Florida Management precludes anything industrial being done on the property, so the
switch to industrial is a plus along the Beeline and the City needs it. Mr. Gaeta stated he
was certainly for a research designation; however, we need industrial space desperately not
just for bio -tech but for average businesses, therefore, he supports the petition.
Casey Steinbacher echoed Lou Gaeta's comments and that she felt this project looked to be
a good solution and would greatly enhance the area, and that this would be a great
connector from the Gardens to the research area.
Kenneth Kahn asked for a motion to support this initiative for a land use amendment. Elaine
Beers made the motion, it was seconded by Lou Gaeta, and was passed unanimously.
V. New Business
a. Planning Workshop — Joe Russo presented information to the members about the
upcoming charrette which has to do with the height restrictions within the City. It is a public
meeting, it is open to anyone, and it will be held in the Council Chambers on two evenings,
October 25th and November 1St. Kara Irwin related that it will be facilitated by David Barth
from Glatting Jackson who also conducted the charrette for the Briger site a year ago.
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b. Meeting between City Council, Economic Development & Advisory Board and
Business Development Board— Joe Russo stated that the City Council would like to schedule
a joint meeting between these three organizations to further the economic development
within the City and to explore opportunities.
VI. Next Meeting Topic
Next meeting date will be Thursday, November 9, 2006. The guest speaker will be Dr. Claes
Wahlestedt of Scripps Florida.
There were no comments from the public.
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VII. Adjournment
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 9:46 a.m.
Approval:
Kenneth Kahn, Chairperson
Lou Gaetk Vice Chairperson
J
Elaine Beers, Board Member
Kissel, Board Member
n, Board Member
Casey Steinbacher, Board Member
Sandra Foland, Board Member
Steve Cohen, Alternate Board Member
Attest:
Municipal Services Coordinator
Note: These summary minutes are prepared in compliance with 286.011 F.S. and are not verbatim transcripts of
the meeting. A verbatim audio record is available from the Office of the City Clerk.
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