HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 040996CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
April 9, 1996
MINUTES
The Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City
of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order by Chairman Carl
Sabatello at 7:34 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, Chairman John Glidden
Diane Carlino, Vice Chair
William Mignogna
Thomas Pastore
Christopher Jones
Tom Paganini
Jeff Ornstein, Alternate
Also present at the meeting were City Council Liaison David Clark,
Assistant City Manager Greg Dunham, Assistant City Attorney Paul
•s Golis, Planning and Zoning Director Richard Walton, Principal Planner
Bristol Ellington, and Mark Johnson.
ITEMS BY PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR
There were no items by the Planning and Zoning Director.
ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
There were no items by the City Council Liaison.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Minutes of March 12. 1996 - Vice Chair Diane Carlino made a motion to
approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Mr. Jeff
Ornstein. The motion carried by unanimous 7 -0 vote.
SITE PLAN & APPEARANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE
Workshop: Petition SP- 95 -25, by Hank Skokowski, agent for Winn Dixie,
is seeking site plan approval for the expansion of the Winn Dixie
• Supermarket within the Gardens Park Plaza Shopping Center located at
the southeast corner of Northlake Boulevard and Military Trail. (24-
. Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes
April 9, 1996
428 -42E)
Principal Planner Bristol Ellington introduced Mark Johnson, new
Planner. Mr. Ellington reviewed the staff report dated April 4, 1996.
Mr. Ornstein suggested that the petitioner be required to furnish a
certified survey to resolve the square footage issue. Discussion
ensued regarding the 50 landscape requirement and the number of trees
involved.
Hank Skokowski, agent for the petitioner, explained that eight parking
spaces were planned at the old Barnett Bank location, and reviewed the
new landscaping areas and the deleted and added parking spaces. Mr.
Skokowski reported that the petitioner's assessment of current
landscaping was that it was 60o in compliance with current code, and
that the deficiency was in shrubs. Mr. Skokowski explained that the
petitioner would amend their package to include a new sign at each of
the two entrances, and monument signs to replace the pole signs,
incorporated with landscaping in the signage areas. Mr. Skokowski
reviewed the expansion area on the elevations. Chairman Sabatello
questioned what material and color would be used for the new coolers,
and advised that if the cooler was modular metal, that the petitioner
must address the color and how it would be viewed by nearby residents
.. and from Military Trail. Mr. Skokowski described the new front
facade, and the proposed landscaping for that area and for the dry
retention area along Northlake Boulevard. Mr. Skokowski explained
that, in addition, other proposed items were new handicap signage, new
markings and signage for cart corrals, etc., which would provide a
general upgrade of the front of the Winn Dixie Shopping Center.
City Forester Hendrickson's requests for improvements at both
entrances, both pole signs, and plantings in the parking lot were
agreed to by Mr. Skokowski. Mr. Skokowski explained that color
swatches for architecture would be provided, and the colors would
match those already in the center; and that typical Winn Dixie
Marketplace architecture would not be followed. Chairman Sabatello
requested a photograph of a building which had been built in this area
with the same architecture proposed for this building. Signage
calculations for the Winn Dixie Marketplace sign were discussed.
Whether trees would be provided to soften the back and whether the new
facade would be visible from northbound Military Trail traffic was
discussed. Mr. Skokowski verified that the dip in the roadway at the
Northlake Boulevard entrance to the shopping center would be filled.
Vice Chair Carlino suggested that some provision be added to require
Winn Dixie to take carts back into the building, to which Planning and
Zoning Director Walton responded that there was no code requirement
which would apply. Mr. Jones expressed concern regarding the long
brick wall and requested that some relief be provided, expressed a
• 2
•
•
Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes
April 9, 1996
personal preference to reverse the colors on the towers, was assured
by Mr. Skokowski that there was sufficient clearance for parking in
front of the towers, and suggested the existing sidewalk pavers be
replaced to enhance the project. Mr. Ornstein advised that the
location for the cart corrals must be added to the site plan, and
suggested that carts be prohibited on the lot so that Winn Dixie would
have to adopt the Publix policy of using employees to take each cart
back. Mr. Skokowski was asked to check on Winn Dixie's cart policy,
since Mr. Ornstein stated there had been six carts scattered around
the parking lot that day when he had made a visit to the site. Mr.
Ornstein requested landscaping and a wall around the cart corrals;
agreed that some relief was needed for the long wall; and requested
that the word "Marketplace" be made the same size letters as 4Winn
Dixie" and centered on the newly created architecture. Mr. Ornstein
expressed concern with the visibility of the outdoor coolers, and
advised that they must be tied down and that Palm Beach County had
recently prohibited them from being outdoors. Mr. Skokowski responded
to Mr. Ornstein's question whether 21 feet was enough width to
accommodate trucks that the minimum was actually 20 feet and that this
had been addressed at the DRC meeting. Mr. Ornstein asked that this
matter be studied, since he believed a problem would be created by the
21 -foot width. Mr. Ornstein suggested that the center comply with the
new landscape code. Other ideas suggested by Mr. Ornstein were to
remove seven parking spaces to provide space for landscaping and to
remove the parking places in front of the towers. Mr. Skokowski
verified that the parking spaces located in the rear were for employee
use. Chairman Sabatello stated that this renovation would be a big
improvement for the shopping center; clarified that direction was to
provide additional landscaping to come as close to code requirements
as possible, commented that the appearance of the coolers should
determine whether more landscaping was needed at the back of the
building; and agreed that the signage size for the marketplace sign
should be reduced. Mr. Skokowski commented that he understood that
the coolers needed to be properly treated aesthetically with views
screened from public view. Chairman Sabatello suggested that the
massing of the towers could be larger in depth and width, and stated
that colors would be discussed at a future date. Mr. Ornstein
suggested the petitioner provide photographs of outside coolers at
other centers to show the size. Mr. Skokowski was requested to check
whether any roof mounted equipment would be changed.
Workshop: Petition PUD- 95 -04, by Karen Nagy, agent for Shell Oil
Company, requesting to rezone a 0.52 acre site from CG -1, General
Commercial District, to a Planned Unit Development, with an underlying
zoning of CG -1, to convert the existing gasoline station with two
service bays into a foodmart and install five (5) new gas dispensers
under a new canopy. (05- 42S -43E)
3
Planning & Zoning commission Minutes
April 9, 1996
Principal Planner Ellington announced that Mr. Felton was present to
represent the petitioner, and reviewed the staff report dated April
4, 1996. Mr. Ellington responded to questions raised by Chairman
Sabatello that staff could not verify that the concerns required in
1990 had been addressed by the petitioner, however, the petitioner had
not been the same.
Mr. David Felton commented that this was a difficult site because of
previous roadway takings, and that the petitioner desired to work with
the City to come up with a functional station which would work for
everyone. Mr. Felton reported that in 1990 Gulf had been converted
to BP, and a later petition had been made to the City to change the
sign to Shell and to improve landscaping. The current petition would
upgrade the entire station. Mr. Felton disagreed with staff' s comment
that they were upgrading from four to five gas dispensers, and
explained that there were now six on the site. Director Walton
verified that the station currently met code. Chairman Sabatello
commented that Donnini did a good job of maintenance, keeping the
appearance of stations throughout the area very presentable, and
expressed concern that another operator might not do that well.
Mr. Mignogna left the meeting at 8:50 P.M.
• Doug Snyder, Architect, explained that under this proposal the
existing three service bays would be converted into a convenience
store, and reviewed the floor plan for the store, the location of
fueling pumps and parking, and the proposed exterior building
materials. Chairman Sabatello explained that this was one of the most
important corners in the City and that a typical a gas station look
converted into a convenience store would not be acceptable. Chairman
Sabatello commented that the landscaping must be outstanding. Mr.
Ellington explained that staff had requested that the petitioner work
with DOT to be allowed to place landscaping within the right -of -way
around the retention areas. Chairman Sabatello requested that the
petitioner ask DOT for permission to convert the retention area into
a water feature. Petitioner responded that DOT had granted permission
for the landscaping.
Mr. Ornstein commented that he was not in favor of any waivers, and
that the petitioner, coming in as a PUD, needed to do something for
the City, and disagreed that 1700 feet of convenience store was
necessary. Mr. Ornstein stated that the petitioner would need to have
the best landscaping and building of any service station in the world
in order for the City to consider the request. Mr. Ornstein stated
that the present building was not acceptable. Mr. Jones agreed, and
stated that the project needed to be high class and have a lot of
character. Vice Chair Carlino stated she was not in favor of the
project as presented. Mr. Paganini suggested that the size of the
4
• Planning & Zoning Commission Minute's
April 9, 1996
building be reduced. Mr. Snyder explained that a reduction would
necessitate demolition of the present building and that the proposed
renovation was within the existing footprint. Director Walton
proposed recirculation of the site.
During discussion of the site, Mr. Snyder commented that parking had
been based on one space per 200 square feet, and that the total number
of spaces was seven; and also commented that the tanks would not be
changed. Mr. Snyder explained that filling the tanks could be
sequenced at low traffic times to lessen the impact of parking spaces
being unavailable for use during those periods. Jim Donnini, operator
for the site, verified that delivery times could be requested. Mr.
Pastore raised the issue whether road takings would compromise non-
conforming issues. Director Walton responded that could be possible
for existing uses, however, this was a new proposal. Mr. Pastore
expressed concern that setbacks and greenspace requirements could not
be met without a new layout for the building. Mr. Snyder verified
that restroom access for the general public would be from the outside,
however, a secured door inside would allow access by employees. Vice
Chair Carlino expressed concern with traffic circulation on this site.
Chairman Sabatello requested a graphic depicting cars sized to scale
at service pumps and showing the number allowed for stacking in
• specific areas, to help the Committee better visualize the traffic
circulation. Mr. Snyder explained that the greatest portion of
customers came for gas and that picking up convenience store items was
incidental. A study had indicated that 20% of the customers came
specifically for convenience store items and that they would be
utilizing the seven parking spaces. The station areas by the field
dispensers also acted as parking spaces, for which municipalities did
not usually grant credit. Chairman Sabatello pointed out that some
parking spaces were used by employees. Director Walton commented that
a recent Palm Beach County study had indicated dramatic improvement
in traffic to stations after conversion to food marts. Mr. Jones
expressed concern that the large retail area would make gas sales
incidental and that the focus needed to be on gas with a smaller
retail operation to lessen traffic problems. Mr. Felton explained
that in some other municipalities that they had been requested to
reduce their parking areas because of crime. Mr. Felton commented
that the traffic flow did work in other stations. Mr. Donnini
responded to Vice Chair Carlino regarding beer and wine sales that
beer was already sold at this station, and that their license was for
beer only. Mr. Jones questioned whether there was a formula for
calculating the number of gas pumps, to which Mr. Felton responded
that normal procedure was to install as many as would work on a site
while retaining proper flow, and that many stations now offered the
option to pay at the pump, which helped cars move in and out faster.
Mr. Ornstein expressed his opinion that demolishing the present
building might be economically feasible, reduce the number of required
AA
-is 5
• Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes
April 9, 1996
waivers, reduce the required paving, and concur favor with the City.
Mr. Ornstein commented that he believed the community needed service
bays a lot more than the retail items sold in a convenience store.
Mr. Ornstein expressed his opinion that one ground sign was sufficient
and that the signage on the building needed improvement. Chairman
Sabatello expressed his opinion that he did not want the building to
look like a station for a specific company, so that if the company
changed the building would not have to be changed; and that the
Commission wanted a beautiful, generic building, complimentary to the
other commercial buildings on that corner and maintained to the level
that those buildings were maintained. Chairman Sabatello commented
that if the petitioner was requesting a long list of items to help
them improve operations that the City would ask that the property
appearance be improved to be more of an asset to the City. Direction
was provided to the petitioner that renderings and plans should be
very specific, with tree types, heights, and appearance specified.
Renderings should be properly sized and not just conceptual drawings,
with landscaping depicted at the proper heights. Chairman Sabatello
stated that his biggest concern was that when Shell sold the station
to another company and another operator was in place that the
appearance did not deteriorate, and also commented that the colors
needed improvement. Mr. Snyder commented that this was a business
• which needed to weigh the need to prosper against the requests by the
City, and that the petitioner would work to make the City comfortable
with the project. Chairman Sabatello clarified that if Shell decided
not to go through with this improvement that the City would need to
be sure everything was in compliance as to existing landscaping, etc.;
however, that was not the direction that he hoped would be taken. Mr.
Snyder commented that the petitioner would work to try to meet the
concerns of the City.
OLD BUSINESS
Assistant City Attorney Golis reported that he had written a letter
requesting a copy of the Declaration of Covenants for the Westwood
Gardens Homeowners Association, but had received no reply.
Chairman Sabatello questioned whether the one -year period for
newsracks to come into compliance was about to expire. Attorney Golis
commented that the attorney for the Palm Beach Post had expressed
surprise that colors in the final ordinance were not the same as first
discussed. Attorney Golis had assured her there were no surprises,
and that the matter had been throughly considered by the Planning and
Zoning Commission and by the City Council. Attorney Golis stated he
would check the date for compliance.
NEW BUSINESS
6
• Planning & Zoning commission Minutes
April 9, 1996
Chairman Sabatello commented on the strings lights on buildings which
had been previously discussed, and the concern that they were used as
signage at times other than the holidays. Chairman Sabatello proposed
that some method of stopping this practice be instituted that could
be used at a future date if the lighting became offensive.
-40
40 7
•
I*
Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes
April 9, 1996
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, upon motion by Vice Chair Carlino,
seconded by Mr. Ornstein, nanimously carried, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:45 P.M. ex meeting will be held April 23, 1996.
APPROVED:
Car
, Chairman
Diane Carlino, Vice Chair
(Absent)
John Glidden
William Mignogna
Christopher Jones
J ff s in, Alternate
Melissa Prindiville, Secret y
8