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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Council 022698CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS WORKSHOP MEETING FEBRUARY 26, 1998 The February 26, 1998, Workshop Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order at 7:30 P.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 to the Flag. ROLL CALL The roll was called by the City Clerk and the following elected officials were found to be in attendance: Mayor Joseph R. Russo, Vice Mayor Lauren Furtado, Councilwoman Linda Monroe, Councilman Eric Jablin, and Councilman David Clark. Councilwoman Monroe left the meeting at 9:30 p.m. JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION Roxanne Manning, Director of Growth Management, reviewed the authority and responsibilities of the City Council, the Landscape Review Committee of Adjustments, the Planning and Zoning Commission, Site Plan and Appearance Review Committee and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Marty Minor, Principal Planner, reviewed the process for zoning, site plan and planned unit development approval. Kim Glas, Principal Planner, reviewed the process for amendments to the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mayor Russo stated that he hoped this joint meeting would provide for a better understanding of shared responsibilities between the Commission and the Council. Mayor Russo expressed that he wanted the Commission to be very strong and the best organized board in the City and asked that the members of the Commission be tough and thorough. Vice Mayor Furtado felt that it was important for the Commission and the Council to be in sync with philosophies on growth and development in the City. Joel Charming felt that the Commission tried to stick to the rules . and rarely bent them for development. Mr. Channing stated that the members of the Commission were mystified when they missed • CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP, 2/26/98 2 something, especially when there were drastic changes to a project once it left the Planning and Zoning Commission and received City Council approval. Councilman Clark, referencing the recent church project, stated that it was clear to the City Council that even though it had a negative recommendation, it came to Council with proper conditions. John Glidden felt that the Commission failed on the church issue by recommending denial instead of sending the project on to City Council with proper conditions. Mayor Russo stated that if the Commission denied a project, efforts should still be made to improve the project, and pointed out that if a petitioner would not work with the Commission and forced a denial, he would vote against the project. It was suggested, and agreed upon, that Planning and Zoning Commission recommendations would include their reasons for the recommendation, especially on controversial issues. It was further decided that the Commission would discuss needed Code revisions on agendas that were not crowded with projects. It was further agreed that petitioners would not be placed on an agenda when their submittals were not complete. Mr. Glidden suggested, and the Council agreed, that petitioners would be required to submit a three- dimensional drawing with every project over a certain size and submit full color elevations as well as reduced submittal plans to be included in agenda packets. Councilwoman Monroe asked that rear elevations include some aesthetic creativity, pointing out that the Council has always been sensitive to this issue. Members of the City Council expressed their opinion that a project should never be approved over the objection of the City Engineer. It was also pointed out by Councilman Clark that on projects where the Planning and Zoning Commission makes the final decision they needed to be especially tough because a precedent could be set . for the City. • CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP, 2/26/98 New Complex Phasing Plan Kevin Radigan of Architects Design Group addressed the City Council regarding the phasing plans for the new municipal complex. Mr. Radigan stated that one phasing alternative would maintain 6 of the 8 tennis courts until March, 1999, by redoing the phasing of the ballfields. The phasing of the entire project would provide for the following order of completion: Gardens Park/Fire Station; Police Department/City Hall; City Center/Parking/Plaza. Mayor Russo expressed his displeasure with not knowing the additional cost for maintaining the tennis courts by leaving the completion of the one ballfield until later in the development plans. Vice Mayor Furtado agreed with Mayor Russo, stating that future reports to Council should contain all the facts, including costs. Councilman Clark and Councilwoman Monroe stated that they preferred that alternatives be presented for Council consideration before ADG worked cost estimates. Mr. Radigan stated that the cost estimated for the entire project, based upon the 75% complete plans was under budget at a cost of $15,163,645.00. Mr. Radigan pointed out that they had been working with a figure of $15,248,211.00, however, the project now had $210,000 in alternates. Mr. Radigan stated that at the next meeting with the City Council he would discuss the Sales Tax Savings Exemption Plan. It was suggested that another workshop meeting be held on March 26, 1998. 800 MHZ North County Communication Tower Location Audrey Wolfe, Director of Facilities Development for Palm Beach County, made a presentation to the City Council regarding the need for a tower to complete the County's 800 MHZ trunked radio system to reduce congestion and coverage inadequacies of the existing radio systems and to provide communications between the Sheriff's Office, Fire Rescue and local government agencies for joint operations and mutual assistance. Ms. Wolfe presented three sites that were determined to meet the needs for the proposed tower. These sites include the North County Courthouse Annex, Burns Road (immediately east of the • City's soccer fields) and Seacoast Utilities on Hood Road. Several suggestions were made, including locating a tower on the • CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP, 2/26/98 4 roof of the VA Hospital on 45th Street. It was the suggestion of the City Council that the County research other possible sites within the City that would serve their purpose, but would not impact residents. Ms. Wolfe was directed to again meet with City staff to research other sites within the City that would not impact residents and would meet the criteria set forth by the City's communication tower ordinance. City Sign Re- Design Greg Dunham, Assistant City Manager, presented a miniature example of the re- designed City Sign. Mr. Dunham pointed out that the message was bigger with letters being increased by 50% and that a white background was added to make the sign stand out. The Council directed staff to present the re- design to the Beautification and Environmental Committee at their next meeting and to show the sign to Councilwoman Monroe before the next City Council meeting. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was 0 adjourned at 10:30 p.m. APPROVAL VICE MAYOR LAUREN FURTADO GA9IG30 1 a 1 01.1y 01 • 0 1 ' • COUNCIL N E C JABLIN . COUNCILMAN DAVID CLARK • CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP, 2/26/98 ATTEST: ,� V. KOSIER, CMC, CITY CLERK