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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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