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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 051298CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS • PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION May 12, 1998 MINUTES • The Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order by Chair Diane Carlino 7 :30 P.M. in the Assembly Room at the Municipal Complex, 10500 North Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ITEMS BY GROWTH MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR Growth Management Director Roxanne Manning introduceda new Planner John Lindgren, and announced that another planner, Angela Csinsi, would start work the next week. The Growth Management Director commented that Golf Digest was resuming the approval process. ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL LIAISON There were no items by the City Council. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of April 28. 1998 - Mr. Solomon requested a name change on page 9, line 15: to change Mr. Solomon to Mr. Masters. Mr. Pisani made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Nedvins seconded the motion, which carried by 4 -0 vote with one abstention by Chair Carlino. SITE PLAN & APPEARANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE The roll was called by Planner Bahareh Keshavarz, Secretary for the meeting. Present Chair Diane Carlino Joel Channing, vice Chair John Glidden, Chair Pro Tem John Nedvins • Ralph Pisani a Tom Pastore - arrived at 7:35 p.m. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes • May 12, 1998 Dennis Solomon Alternate Richard Masters - arrived at 7:35 p.m. Also present at the meeting were Growth Management Director Roxanne Manning, City Attorney David Acton, City Council Liaison Carl Sabatello, Principal Planner Marty Minor, Planner Bahareh Keshavarz, and Planner John Lindgren. Recommendation to City Council: Petition SP -98 -01 PGA National - Fairway Center Office Bui l ding A request by Jay Grossman, agent for Seavest, Inc., for site plan approval of two office buildings totaling 176,600 square -feet. The 12-acre site is located within the PGA National Planned Cammuni ty District (PCD), at the southeast corner of PGA Boulevard and Avenue of Champions (10-42S-42H) Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff 'report dated May 12, 1998. • Mr. Pisano questioned whether there was a report from the City Forester and was told Mr. Hendrickson had had no comments. Heights of buildings surrounding Fairway office building were discussed. Attorney Ray Royce presented the project on behalf of the applicant, and indicated the POA had preferred a taller building. In response to Mr. Solomon's question, he was advised the sidewalk had been changed from the previous plan. Discussion ensued regarding the front elevations. Neil Tracey, M. J. Anderson, answered questions concerning elevations. The distance between the two offices was discussed, and Mr. Nedvins indicated that the old plan was more uniform. Neil Merin made clarifications regarding the original proposal and the changes recommended by Planning and Zoning. There were concerns by Mr. Glidden and other Committee members regarding the optional parking lot. They wanted to know what would go there and what the circulation pattern would be if the optional parking lot was not built. Neil Merin indicated the land would remain as it was. Committee members were not clear regarding what was existing on the land. Chair Carlino suggested that a condition be added that this project must come back before the Planning and Zoning Commission if the optional parking lot was not going to be built. 0 2 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes • May 12, 1998 Mr. Channing began to make a motion to approve the project subject to the landscaping to be as shown for the optional parking area; however, Mr. Glidden and other members had questions about wall signage and the fact that the petitioner did not present a detail of the sign. Neil Merin indicated that the petitioner was willing to come back with a full signage package. Mr. Channing made a motion to approve SP -98 -01 for recommendation to the City Council with the following conditions: 1. The approval of this petition is contingent upon the approval of the following waivers: a. Waiver of Section 118 -569. Number of Loading Spaces. b. Waiver of Section 118- 204(f) Building Height Limit. 2. Prior to scheduling this petition for a City Council Meeting, the applicant shall obtain letters of authorization from the appropriate entities allowing the applicant to landscape and pave within the existing 15' and 10' FPL easement and 12, utility easement. • 3. prior to the issuance of the Building Permit, the applicant shall provide handicap access ramps wherever an accessible route crosses a curb or raised sidewalk. 4. Delete signage and continue the facade and comae back with a full signage package. Mr. Solomon seconded the motion. Mr. Glidden amended the motion to include another condition, that the petitioner was to provide a plan for the landscaping and circulation east of the Phase 11 building if the optional parking lot is not being built. Chair Carlino indicated that there were some errors on the site plan and the drawings would have to be amended for the City Council to reflect reality. The applicant must also provide full color samples and roof plan material. City Attorney Acton clarified the motion and the amendments. Mr. Solomon seconded the amended motion. Mr. Nedvins indicated a preference for the 5 -story plan. The vote on the motion was 6 -1 with Mr. Nedvins opposed. Mr. Pisani wished to abstain; however, was advised by the City Attorney he did not have the right to abstain. 0 3 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes • May 12, 1998 Workshop: Petition SP -98 -05 - PGA Storage, PGA Commerce Perk. Lot 8 A request by Steven McCraney, agent, for site plan approval of a mixed -use office /self- storage facility consisting of six (6) buildings constructed in two phases, and totaling 134,445 square feet. The 8,059-acre site is located on lot 8 of PGA National Commerce Perk within PGA National Planned Community District (PCD). (15 -425 -4210 Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff report dated May 12, 1998. Chair Carlino questioned engineering comment number four regarding bicycle parking, and was advised that bicycle parking must be provided for the office. Mr. Pisani wanted to make sure that recreational vehicles would not be stored in the facility, to which Mr. Minor responded that would be taken care of with a condition of approval which would not allow storage in the facility. Mr. Masters commented that the distance between buildings A and B was not clear, to which Mr. Minor responded he would request a check by the engineer. Richard Sun, architect for the petitioner, indicated the distance was 341. A number of the members were concerned about the visibility of the • facility to the north and northwest from residential areas and from the park. Chair Carlino questioned whether the HOA had seen the plans, to which Mr. Sun responded the HOA had approved the plans for which he would provide a letter of documentation. The requirements for Seacoast Utilities and other departments had also been satisfied. Mr. Glidden questioned how much of the metal roof would be visible. Discussion ensued regarding whether the building would have a gutter system. Mr. McCraney advised there would be a gutter system and that it would be indicated on any newly submitted elevation plans. Mr. Glidden questioned the building signage, to which Mr. Sun responded, indicating the office building sign would be on the glass. Mr. Solomon questioned whether Building B was the only improvement in Phase II, to which Mr. Sun responded affirmatively. Chair Carlino questioned Art in Public Places, and Mr. Glidden responded that those requirements would have to be satisfied. Mr. Glidden expressed concern regarding landscaping the southwest corner of Building C, and the northwest corner of Building D, and requested that landscaping be shown on the elevation. In response to Mr. Glidden's question regarding the location and screening of air conditioning equipment, the petitioner advised the equipment would be well screened. Mr. Sun clarified that the buffer to the west contained easements which did not allow landscaping. Mr. Channing requested rendered elevations to clarify the view from the baseball field. In response to Mr. 0 4 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Glidden's question whether adjacent property owners had been contacted, Mr. McCraney advised that Jim Martini from LRP had been pleased about the project. In response to a suggestion that additional landscaping be added on the other side of the canal, Growth Management Director Manning advised that off -site conditions could not be made. Mr. Solomon suggested small supplemental landscaping be added on the west side where there was room. Chair Carlino expressed her opinion that landscaping was needed to soften the long building walls. The applicant reported the POA had approved the project with no problems. Chair Carlino requested documentation of the POA approval. No further architectural enhancements were desired on the northwest corner of Building D and the southwest corner of Building D. For the next meeting, a west elevation of Building C was requested. Mr. Glidden commented a decision must be made whether the roof would slope to the inside or outside, and if to the outside then downspouts must be added to the gutter system. Mr. Masters requested as much additional landscaping as Seacoast Utilities would authorize. The petitioner commented that as much planting as possible was already shown on the plans, and discussed the size of the plants. Chair Carlino requested that the petitioner make sure the planting was substantial in size at time of planting, and that the City Forester • inspect the plantings. Mr. Glidden commented that this application was in lieu of apartments the Commission had turned down a couple of years previously. Mr. Channing withdrew his request for an elevation for the west side of Building C. The roll was called by Planner Bahareh Keshavarz, Secretary for the meeting. Present Absent Chair Diane Carlino Tom Pastore Joel Channing, vice Chair John Glidden, Chair Pro Tem. John Nedvins Ralph Pisani Dennis Solomon Alternate Richard Masters • 5 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes • May 12, 1998 Public Searing: Petition SP -97 -10 & CU -98 -01 Trinity United Methodist hur h A request by Anthony S. Oliver, agent for Trinity United Methodist Church, for the approval of an amendment to the approved site plan and conditional use for Trinity United Methodist Church located at 9625 N. Military Trail. The petitioner is requesting to modify the shape of the driveway adjacent to the chapel and eliminate a single story building. The request is also for a modification to the phasing plan. In addition, the applicant is requesting a seven -year time extension for the completion of the project by amending condition 10 of Ordinance 2, 1992. with this petition, the applicant is also requesting the site plan approval for a .Multi- purpose Building, Choir Room, Memorial Garden, and Main Sign. Mr. Glidden stepped down due to conflict of interest. Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff report dated May 6, 1998. In response to questions from Commission members, Mr. Minor commented that a 7 -year extension was unusual, that there were no parts of the new construction which were not consistent with the existing structures, that the church would be grandfathered in until • end of buildout so that future changes in codes or land usage before buildout would not apply. City Attorney Acton explained that the Commission could consider changes to the original project as well as the proposed new improvements at this time. Mr. Minor clarified that traffic trips would be reserved until the end of the buildout. Chair Carlino commented she was not inclined to favor such a long time extension because it would put other things on hold. Mr. Pisani suggested allowing the applicant to renew annually or on another periodic basis, and questioned what factors would determine when the applicant would or would not start each improvement. During discussion regarding the adjacent land, Mr. Minor described the process used in identifying adjacent property owners, and stated that no comments had been received. Mr. Minor explained the future land use map indicated maximum buildout of land uses. During discussion of the time extension, City Attorney Acton advised it would not be possible under Code requirements to grant a series of two year extensions if certain established criteria had been met. Chair Carlino questioned whether more parking was necessary, to which the response was that current parking was sufficient. After further discussion of the proposed time extensions, Mr. Oliver advised that Gardens hospital had been granted an extension of five years. 0 6 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes . May 12, 1998 Ed Oliver, agent, introduced Glen Fetter, President of the church, who commented the church had existed since 1962 and continued to grow, and by 2007 approximate Sunday attendance was estimated at 2,000. Mr. Fetter emphasized the difference between churches and commercial businesses; and the importance of a 7 -year extension. Chair Carlino commented that one of the things this 7 -year extension would do was to set a precedent. Mr. Pisani commented on another application by a church to which Ballenlsles had objected and which had been withdrawn, and expressed his opinion that this project should not be approved when no one at Ballenlsles had been heard from yet. City Attorney Acton stated for the record that if the application Mr. Pisani referred to was Christ Church on Northlake Boulevard, that application had not been withdrawn, but had been approved by the City Council. It was not clear whether that was the application Mr. Pisani was thinking of. Mr. Oliver discussed the church's history and how closely they had worked with BallenIsles, and how important the time extension was to secure the traffic counts for the church, and to have a successful contribution program from the churchgoers in order to obtain sufficient funds for buildout. Chair Carlino declared the public hearing open at 9:55 p.m. • Joan Altwater, resident of Cypress Hollow, referred to studies she had undertaken as a result of a church project near her home, and expressed concerns regarding traffic counts generated by a project such as the one proposed, the impact on Military Trail traffic, and commented that the current Code called for one parking space for every 4 people, but that one space for every 2 people would be more realistic. Ms. Altwater requested that the Commission take these issues into consideration before granting a long -term time extension. Hearing no other comments from the public, Chair Carlino declared the public hearing closed at 10:00 p.m. Mr. Solomon questioned whether at the end of any extension the applicant would be faced with a brand new look at concurrency, to which Mr. Oliver responded that was a critical concern. Site plan concerns were addressed by Mr. Oliver, who explained that a parking breakdown by phase was provided to staff, the brick pavers were not replaced because of safety concerns, and additional entry landscaping had been considered. Chair Carlino stated she was not inclined to approve a 7 -year time • 7 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes • May 12, 1998 extension; but would consider a two or five -year extension. During ensuing discussion, Mr. Oliver explained that the problem of a 2 -year versus a 7 -year extension was the traffic issue. After the time extension which was granted for the hospital was discussed, the City Attorney advised that was only a prior example but was not a legally binding precedent, and that every time extension request needed to be considered on its own. City Attorney Acton advised that concurrency had been in effect when the time extension for the hospital was granted. Mr. Solomon commented regarding the extension and suggested a possible extension to December 31, 2003. Mr. Channing expressed his opinion that the time extension was really a matter of City policy and that guidelines should be discussed. Mr. Nedvins addressed the parking space ratio raised by Ms. Altwater during the public hearing that this was the type of thing the church was trying to protect itself against if in the future the ratio was changed. Mr. Nedvins expressed his opinion that the church had made a commitment to the City, and the City owed it back to them, and stated he had no problem with the 7 -year extension. Mr. Masters agreed with Mr. Nedvins and stated he had no problem with the 7 -year extension. City Attorney Acton advised that if two year extensions were proposed, that each one must be approved on its own, and that re- writing the date in the • development order provided the opportunity to update the whole project. Mr. Oliver commented the church was closer to a 1:3 parking ratio, stated that this project met Code, and suggested staff and the petitioner sit down and talk. Mr. Pisani made a motion to postpone to the next meeting on May 26, 1998. Mr. Nedvins seconded the motion. During discussion of the motion, Mr. Nedvins commented he believed the Commission would be doing a terrible injustice to the petitioner if they made a decision based on the fact that they felt at some future point in time someone might come in to ask for this again, and believed that would not be fair. Mr. Nedvins stated he believed the decision must be based on this individual request, site plan, and all its issues and components. Mr. Pisani commented he was wavering and could be persuaded to change his position. The vote on the motion was 5 -1, with Chair Carlino opposed. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Board. NEW BUSINESS City Council Liaison Carl Sabatello commented that in the past the 40 8 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes • May 12, 1998 Planning and Zoning Commission had not reviewed signage, and if the Commission felt that was wrong, they could advise staff and the City Council and request that signage plans come before the Commission first for recommendation. Councilman Sabatello expressed his opinion this was an aesthetic issue. Councilman Sabatello advised that during discussion of a motion if something new was brought up that was to be an amendment to the motion, the person that made the motion should state that they accepted or rejected the amendment to the motion. Councilman Sabatello advised that recommendations to the City Council were more formal than workshop petitions, and it was best to ask questions at the workshops. Councilman Sabatello commented that in the past it had been the consensus of the Planning and Zoning Commission that landscaping should be elevated on the buildings, by which he meant that the landscaping plan should be mirrored on the building elevation to show what that landscaping would look like, and then to clarify whether the size shown was at planting or in five years, etc. Chairman Sabatello • asked the Commission to consider making it a standard that landscaping must be elevated on the buildings. Growth Management Director Manning stated staff encouraged this but it was not a written requirement at this time. Councilman Sabatello advised against getting caught in a situation where there was a setback and no more landscaping could be added because it was only 10W back, since that was not the Commission's problem. Councilman Sabatello explained that the building might be too large for the parcel of land or it might need to be shifted, and there were other ways to do things that should be considered. Councilman Sabatello proposed that he take a few minutes at the end of each meeting to bring up items that he noted during the meeting for which he could offer help and guidance. 0 9 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Pisano, seconded by Mr. Masters, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held May 26, 1998. 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