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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 032597CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION March 25, 1997 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order by Chair Carl Sabatello at 7:32 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. The roll was called by Secretary Melissa Prindiville: Present Absent Carl Sabatello John Glidden Diane Carlino Tom Paganini Chris Jones Tom Pastore William Mignogna Jeff Ornstein John Nedvins Joel Channing Also present at the meeting were Assistant City Manager Gregg Dunham, City Attorney Paul Golis, City Council Liaison David Clark, Interim Planning and Zoning Director Kim Glas, Principal Planner Marty Minor, and Planner Edward Tombari. REORGANIZATION OF PLANNING a ZONING COMMISSION Chairman Sabatello explained that under the City Ordinance that vice Chair Carlino would become Chair. Mr. Sabatello passed the gavel to new Chair Carlino and thanked the Commission and staff for their excellent work during his administration. Chair Carlino called for a motion for Chair Elect. Mr. Jones made a motion to elect Bill Mignogna as Chair Elect. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nedvins, and approved by unanimous 4 -0 vote. Chair Carlino called for a motion for Chair Pro Tem. Mr. Nedvins made a motion to elect Jeff Ornstein as Chair Pro Tem. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mignogna, and approved by unanimous 4 -0 vote. • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 ITEKS BY PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR Interim Planning and Zoning Director Kim Glas reported that the Planning and Zoning staff had moved into new offices and invited the Commission members to come by and visit. ITEKS BY CITY COUNCIL LI ISON City Council Liaison Clark extended congratulations to Chair Carlino. Minutes of March 11.1997 - Mr. Mignogna made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Jones seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. PLANNING AND ZONING C0WISSION • Recommendation to City Council: Peti tion PUD -9f - 06, by .Toseph W. Porten, for the development of a Planned Uhit Development (PUD) for the construction of 13 zero lot line townhomes. The 1.45-acre site is located on the west side of Military Trail, north of Holly Drive. (Golf Estate villas) (12-42S-42B) Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff report dated March 19, 1997. Joseph Porten, agent for the petitioner, was present to answer any questions. Chair Carlino asked if Mr. Porten was familiar with the staff recommendations, to which Mr. Porten responded that he was and explained that the curbcut permit had been reviewed with DOT, and he therefore expected approval from the City Engineer. Mr. Porten verified the colors for the building, roof, and trim. Mr. Mignogna made a motion to approve recommendation to City Council of petition PUD -96-06 with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall obtain a curbcut permit for the entrance to the project from Palm Beach County prior to construction plan approval. 2. Prior to this petition being scheduled for a City Council •2 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 meeting, the safe site distance triangles shall adhere to the Palm Beach County Streetscape Standards, March 1994, and be approved by the City Engineer. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jones, and carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. Public gearing: Petition CD- 97 -01, Space Station Alpha, by Rob Walsh, agent for Rival Entertainment of PBG, L.C., representing the Space Station Alpha, for an amendment to a conditional use approval in the CG -1, General Commercial zoning district to allow 50 skill game -type machines and video games at the Space Station Alpha, located In the Gardens Towne Square shopping center. (24 -42S -42S) Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff report dated March 19, 1997, and recommended approval with no conditions. Chair Carlino questioned what would happen if bicycles became a safety hazard. Mr. Minor explained that would be a code enforcement issue. Mr. Nedvins IS questioned whether the Fire Department had had any concerns over having fifty bicycles on the site. Mr. Minor reported the Fire Department had had no concerns. Mr. Jones questioned the Resolution in connection with the former business at this site, Discovery Zone, which allowed 25 games, and why the leap to 50 games should be made. Discussion ensued. Rob Walsh, agent for the Petitioner, responded that Discovery Zone had probably only asked for 25 games, and that State law stipulated 50 games as the minimum to allow a redemption area. During discussion, Mr. Walsh commented that redemption games attracted younger patrons, and that they would probably replace their pool tables with redemption games since the pool tables attracted older customers. Mr. Walsh explained that there were only approximately twenty machines which would turn a profit for his business, and that the others were fillers to meet the State law requirement. Chair Carlino declared the Public Hearing open. Hearing no comments from the public, Chair Carlino declared the Public Hearing closed. Mr. Jones expressed concern that the number of people going into this business would double; however, staff reported no complaints. Mr. Nedvins verified with staff that as long as square footage did not increase, the capacity technically did not increase. Chair Carlino 3 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 questioned the need for so many bike racks if the intent was to attract children age 8 and under from surrounding neighborhoods. During ensuing discussion, Mr. Walsh indicated that he would appreciate a condition limiting the number of bicycle racks, and explained that anytime one rack was full that they could then place another rack on the property. Mr. Mignogna questioned the capacity of the facility, to which Ken Wright responded that the number was 230 people. Discussion resulted in a consensus of the Commission to reduce the number of bike racks. Dar. Jones made a motion to recommend approval of Petition CU -97 -01 to the City Council with sufficient bicycle racks to accommodate 24 bicycles. Dar. Nedvins seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 4 -0 vote. Workshop: Petition CU- 96 -05, Chris Macri, agent for Mrr. and afro. Don itsrray, for a conditional use approval for the expansion of an existing preschool in the RK, Residential Medium Density zoning district. The preschool is located on Ruby Street north of Holly • Drive and West Ironwood Road. (7- 42S -43S) Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff report dated March 18, 1997, including requested variances. Discussion ensued regarding traffic flow as observed by Mr. Minor and concern for increased traffic at the drop -off area which would be generated by the proposed expansion. Mr. Chris Macri, agent for the petitioners, explained that this pre- school had been in operation at this location for fifteen years in the existing structures, and that development of this plan had been started approximately 1 -1/2 years ago. Mr. Macri reported that the pre - school had a good record with the State Health Department and had a good clientele, and that the expansion had been requested by their clientele. The expansion would be into a private school rather than a pre - school, which would be a phased development. Mr. Macri reported that additional parking was proposed along Ironwood Road. Mr. Macri explained where additional parking could be placed, however, commented that it was completely unnecessary for the phase one development, and would eliminate a large portion of the playground - -one of the best amenities possessed by the school. Mr. Minor advised that the Commission could limit approval to phase one only so that the parking issue could be considered along with later development. Mr. Minor advised that the number of parking spaces was determined by the number • 4 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 of students at a ratio of one space per ten students. Patricia Murray, owner, verified that the school currently had 100 students and a teaching and administration staff of twelve. Mr. Macri explained that the three adjacent houses were owned by Mr. and Mrs. Murray and were now occupied by tenants who used the parking exactly the way it would be used by the school. A fourth house might be purchased by the Murrays. The intent was to request conditional use approval for expansion in three phases, but only to develop phase one at this time. Mr. Minor indicated that a phasing plan would be required if a drive - through was requested; otherwise, the site plan as shown was acceptable for Phase I development. Mrs. Murray explained that an increase of 20 to 40 students would be anticipated with the development of Phase I. The current pre - school was for ages 2 -5, with some elementary school children coming after their school day. The current school opened at 6:30 A.M. for clients who worked as nurses and began work early; those children were also picked up early. Another group of clients - - teachers - -came later, and • clients who worked in retail came even later and picked up their children later. This created staggered drop -off and pick -up traffic flow. Mr. Jones explained that variances were granted based on hardship and not on self - imposed hardships; and expressed concerns regarding future traffic. During ensuing discussion, Mr. Macri explained current parking conditions and explained that pick -up and drop -off should be enhanced with Phase II. Mrs. Murray reported that approximately 2:30 P.M. each day their parking lot was almost empty, and explained how pick -up and drop -off was facilitated by staff. Mrs. Murray explained that only two additional employees would be added. Mrs. Murray commented that special programs were held during the mornings approximately three times per year, at which time there was a problem with parking. One of the Commission members suggested tearing down one rental unit to provide parking, which the applicant had not considered. Mr. Mignogna objected to driving through the property and problems that would be created. Mr. Don Murray advised that they did not have unity of title for the parcels. Mr. Murray described present and proposed future drop -off and pick -up procedures. Improvements would only be to Parcel 3 during Phase one. Mr. Murray described proposed landscaping, which was not shown on the plan. The petitioner was • 5 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 requested to add dimensions on the plan and to define locations of sidewalks, landscaping, roadways, etc. Discussion regarding hardship ensued. Chair Carlino explained that this Commission was charged with seeing that City Codes were met, and these requirements would not be requested of the applicant except for the fact that they were coming in to request expansion, so that for the Commission to allow any expansion the applicant would have to meet present Code. In response to Mr. Nedvin's question regarding whether a traffic impact study had been done, Mr. Macri reported that David Plummer & Associates had done an analysis. Mr. Nedvins questioned whether the roadway might be well under capacity so that traffic might not be an issue - -only parking and circulation, and asked that research be done to determine whether that was the case. It was reported that the traffic impact study reflected minimal impact. Mr. Jones explained the position of the Commission in that they must assure that all projects meet current codes. Mr. Jones advised the applicant to address the following items, which were of concern to him: Traffic circulation on Ironwood; increased capacity using the drop -off area; plans which would either show only phase one if that was to be the extent of approval or which would show all phases if approval for all phases were requested; and to specifically define all areas on plans, i.e., sidewalks, distances, landscaping, etc. During discussion of the variances, Mr. Minor advised that the variances would be ruled upon by the Planning and Zoning Commission acting as the Zoning Board of Appeals. The variances therefore would not go to City Council for approval, however, the conditional use and landscape variances would go to the City Council. Discussion ensued. The applicant expressed concern that approvals might not be speedy enough to allow expansion to accommodate their clients' needs during the next school year. Chair Carlino explained that direction would be given to the applicant before the close of this meeting regarding how they should proceed. Chair Carlino addressed the requested variances, and questioned why bicycle parking had been requested, to which Mr. Minor responded that it was a code requirement. Chair Carlino asked if the applicant understood the requirements of Seacoast Utility, to which Mr. Murray responded by reporting his conversations with the utility company representative. • 6 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 Chair Carlino expressed the following concerns of the Commission: 1. Traffic circulation problems. 2. Traffic hazards created by cars backing up onto Ironwood Road close to the corner of Ruby Street. Chair Carlino requested that the City Engineer research this item and report any potential traffic hazards. It was noted for staff information that the owner advised that the City had about 25 parking spaces along Ironwood Road where their vehicles backed out onto Ironwood Road. 3. The Commission agreed that if the applicant was only planning to develop Parcel 3, they should only show that parcel on the plans for consideration. 4. The site plan must define sidewalks and all items must be clearly labeled. Any existing landscaping must be shown on the plans and clearly labeled. Any new landscaping must be shown on the plans and clearly labeled. The applicant was advised that all items must be submitted to staff twelve working days before the next scheduled meeting in order for them to be on the agenda for that meeting. Chair Carlino advised the applicant that at the next meeting other members of the Commission would be present who were not in attendance at tonight's meeting, and that they might have other concerns and comments. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. t: There was no new business to come before the Commission. 0. • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes March 25, 1997 There being no further business, upon motion by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Mignogna, and unanimously carried, -the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M. The next meeting will be held April 8, 1997. APPROVED: S'4u.2,- 6 Diane Carlino, Chair �, William Mignogna, Chair Elect (Absent) John Glidden (Absent) Jeff Ornstein (Absent) Thomas Pastore (Absent) Tom Pactanini Chr John (Absent) Joel Channing, Alternate Melissa Prindiville, Secretary