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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 082796• CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION August 27, 1996 MINUTES The Regular Meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, was called to order by Vice Chair Diane Carlino at 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. The roll was called by Secretary Jackie Holloman: Present Absent Diane Carlino William Mignogna John Glidden Thomas Pastore Chris Jones Jeff Ornstein Tom Paganini John Nedvins, Alternate _ Carl Sabatello, Chair, arrived at 7:35 P.M. • Also present at the meeting were Assistant City Attorney Paul Golis, Planning & Zoning Director Richard Walton, and Planner Mark Johnson. 1� L% � . . , Planning and Zoning Director Walton reported that this would be Planner Mark Johnson's last meeting, as he would be moving to Boston. ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL LIAISON There were no items by the City Council Liaison David Clark. Minutes of August 13. 1996 - Mr. Paganini made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. There being no second to the motion, approval of the minutes was postponed. SITE PLAN & APPEARANCE REVIEW COMffTTEE . Workshog Meeting: Petition SP- 96 -12, by Sara Lockhart, agent for • Planning a Zoning Commission Minutes August 27, 1996 Apple South, Inc., seeking to amend the approved site plan for Northlake Square. The amendment would allow the construction of one restaurant in place of a restaurant with drive-through and an office building. Northlake Square is located on the northwest corner of Northlake Boulevard and Shadberry Street. (18- 42S -43S) Planner Mark Johnson reviewed the staff report dated August 22, 1996. Chairman Carl Sabatello arrived at this point in the meeting. Planning and Zoning Chairman Walton commented that the northern extension of Congress Avenue was as yet unplanned and that it would be quite some time before it was constructed, since the southern portion would be completed first. In response to Mr. Jones' concern that there was no sidewalk connection to the adjacent mobile home community, Mr. Walton explained that since the present road was not aligned properly, that a temporary asphalt sidewalk could be installed until the road construction took place. Sara Lockhart, Urban Design Studio, introduced others present on behalf of the petitioner, and explained that this application would • allow a decrease in intensity from the originally approved plans. Ms. Lockhart explained that there was presently a sidewalk along Northlake Boulevard and that Palm Beach County was expected to install sidewalks along with the Congress Avenue extension. In response to concerns that a road would divide the parking lot, Ms. Lockhart explained that this was not actually a road but an access aisle which came to a dead end, and that in the originally approved plan people would have been walking across that aisle from the office building to Boston Market. In the new plan, employees of Applebee's would park in the lot located farther from the restaurant. Ms. Lockhart reported that the applicant proposed to redesign the rear elevation to provide a 6' wide landscape median which would extend approximately three - quarters of the length of the building; and to increase the foundation planting to a 3' wide strip adjacent to the building by reducing the drive aisle from 26' to 25' and reducing the proposed walkway by one foot. Ms. Lockhart explained that the bike rack would be relocated, and that compliance with the sign code would be met. Ms. Lockhart explained that the code violations associated with the landscaping at this site had been due to the irrigation system not being operated for some time after Pep Boys was completed, which was not discovered immediately because there had been a lot of rain, and that during the ensuing dry period the plants had begun to die. The owner of the property had been contacted regarding this situation since Pep Boys had not lived • 2 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes August 27, 1996 up to their responsibility. Mr. Walton explained that the City tried to work with people to get them to cooperate voluntarily in such situations before issuing a citation. Ms. Lockhart commented that Pep Boys was responsible for landscape maintenance on the westerly portion of the property and that if approval of this application was granted that Apple South would be responsible for maintenance on the eastern portion. Mr. Walton commented that landscape maintenance by a single entity would be preferable, to which Ms. Lockhart responded that Apple South would contract with the same maintenance service as Pep Boys so that the work would be uniform. Ms. Lockhart commented that Applebee's building would be painted the same color as the Pep Boys building, however, would use the Applebee's trademark green, red, and beige on the signage, awnings, and trim. Discussion of striped awnings ensued. Mr. Walton commented that better pictures would be provided at the next meeting. Chairman Sabatello expressed concern that historically the City Council had not favored striped awnings. The contrasting banding was also discussed. Chairman Sabatello explained that the banding could not be traded for the striped awnings. Ms. Lockhart reported that the overall open space was 1% less than on the originally approved plan, and would be • increased before the next meeting. The access drive was discussed in light of the future Congress Avenue extension, and Engineer Tim Messler explained that the existing location for the access drive had been determined by the three separate parcels in the original approval. Mr. Messler explained that the existing easement had been brought into that location because the road was there to provide access. During ensuing discussion regarding possibly relocation, Mr. Messler explained that drainage improvements had been made to conform with the present roadway location. vice Chair Carlino suggested a stop sign or other deterrent to increase safety for pedestrians without moving the road. Mr. Jones suggested striping. Mr. Glidden recommended a condition of approval requiring a crosswalk and a stop sign. Chairman Sabatello expressed his opinion that this was a problem and that the Committee should try to make the best intersection possible. Chairman Sabatello discussed the rear elevation and the foundation planting and questioned whether more than a 3 -foot wide planting strip could be placed next to the building. Ms. Lockhart stated that discussion had taken place regarding possible removal of the sidewalk, to which Mr. Glidden responded that could be done in conjunction with a crosswalk on the west side. Mr. Glidden expressed his opinion that 0 3 • Planning a Zoning Commission Minutes August 27, 1996 he was not concerned with the easterly sidewalk and would not eliminate it, but did recommend a crosswalk on the west side. Mr. Glidden requested that a complete rear elevation be drawn to include all items, such as the dumpster and coolers. Mr. Glidden recommended that architectural elements be wrapped around the back of the building; that the fascia be toned down possibly to match the Pep Boys accent color; that the radius band light below the fascia would be objectionable to the City Council and suggested a white raised stucco band. The applicant agreed to remove the light band. Mr. Glidden suggested addition of a couple of windows in back, and a drawing showing the cooler. It was pointed out that the coolers were enclosed behind a masonry wall. Mr. Jones commented that the rear elevation needed a lot of work, that the suggested landscape island would help as long as it did not interfere with loading, that the eastern sidewalk was warranted, that he would prefer to have both landscaping and the sidewalk, that he personally would prefer solid color awnings and that the building should have more subdued accents in gradations of the building color and be compatible with Pep Boys. Mr. Nedvins expressed his preference for both the sidewalk and adjacent landscaping in a 12" to 18" hedge, and that a combination of a small berm and landscaping along the eastern property line would soften the • look of the building. Mr. Nedvins agreed that the rear elevation should be improved. Mr. Paganini commented that the rear elevation needed to look as good as the other elevations. Vice Chair Carlino concurred. Chairman Sabatello expressed concern with the existing hedge, and questioned what plans the applicant had for the landscaping. Ms. Lockhart responded that the original plan contained quite lush landscaping and the problem was that lack of maintenance had allowed the landscaping to deteriorate, so that the applicant faced a large task in bringing the landscaping back to its original condition. Chairman Sabatello stated that unfortunately the applicant had been affected by this problem and that clear conditions must be in place to prevent further similar problems. Chairman Sabatello summarized the comments by the Committee that everyone would like to see both a sidewalk and hedge along the building, that more landscaping be added to the rear, that striped awnings were not desirable, that more subdued accent colors be used, and that the light strip be eliminated. Mr. Glidden commented that he would prefer the whole top accent be painted off white, that he had no problem with striped awnings, and questioned whether this was a prototype building. The applicant responded that this was one of the first three new state -of- the -art prototypes in the Apple South franchise system which covered 21 states. Discussion ensued regarding 0 4 Planning & zoning Commission Minutes • August 27, 1996 matching the colors of the Pep Boys building. Mr. Jones cautioned that the applicant should anticipate requirements to bring their building more into conformance with the theme for Palm Beach Gardens and tying it in with existing buildings possibly by addition of barrel tile. Chairman Sabatello advised the applicant that although the Committee could not design buildings, that most approvals within the past two years had contained entry features and more imaginative design than just a boxy building, and that massing and balance should be considered. Chairman Sabatello requested that the lighting over the awnings be required to be white as a condition of approval. Further discussion of the building exterior ensued. The window frame color was indicated to be anodized bronze. Chairman Sabatello advised that any louvers, mechanical vents, etc., should be the same color as the building. Doors were identified, which would be painted Tritan green. Visibility of roof - mounted equipment was discussed. Mr. Glidden explained that the height of the top of the equipment could not be taller than the parapet wall. Mr. Nedvins suggested that Tritan green window frames would blend better, to which the applicant responded that some items were signature items. The applicant was requested to clarify the split -face block size. The consensus of the Committee was that bronze window frames were acceptable. • Chairman Sabatello reviewed the concerns raised in the staff report. Further discussion of the first item regarding the sidewalk ensued. Chairman Sabatello requested that the applicant's engineer come to agreement with the City Engineer and explained that whatever was previously required in the original approval would have to be included in the applicant's plan. Chairman Sabatello stated that the Committee had said to leave the roadway where it was; the Committee's preferences had been made clear regarding the rear elevation; the landscaping would be improved; the bike rack would be relocated; the signage would be in conformance with Code, and the sprinklers would be turned on. Mr. Messler commented that he believed the proper instruments were in place for proper landscape maintenance and that the owner, Mr. McPhail, had indicated he would straighten out the problem with Pep Boys, who had not known this was their responsibility. Chairman Sabatello requested a letter from Mr. McPhail guaranteeing proper compliance. Mr. Paganini and Mr. Glidden both stated they had no problem with striped awnings. 0 5 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes ff August 27, 1996 PLANNING AND ZONING COMKISSION Recommendation to City Council: Petition PDD -96- 01, by Donaldson R. Searing, agent for Mr. Steven Loves, for an amendment to the Comfort Ina Planned Unit Development (PUTD) for the demolition of an existing one -story commercial building and construction of a two -story ancillary building with underground parking. The 1.85 acre site is located east of U.S. Highway One, approximately one -tenth mile south of PGA Boulevard. (4-42S-43S) City Planner Mark Johnson reviewed the staff report dated August 22, 1996. Donaldson E. Hearing, agent for the petitioner, explained that 15 parking spaces had been added under the building, providing a net increase of 11 spaces, and which met both existing and previous Code requirements. Mr. Jones inquired how the garage would be ventilated to which Jose Obera responded by explaining the openings and piping system planned • for mechanical ventilation. During discussion, Mr. Glidden pointed out that there must be louvers and grills for ventilation which were not shown. Chairman Sabatello suggested that the specifics be covered in a condition of approval. Vice Chair Carlino made a motion to recommend Petition PUD -96 -01 to the City Council for approval with the following recommendations: 1. A revised "Conceptual Drainage Plan" shall be submitted and approved by the City prior to final approval of this petition at City Council. The revised "Conceptual Drainage Plan" must show the proposed parking lot elevations with drainage provisions, elevations of retaining walls, and elevations of the neighboring grade of the professional office building along the southern property line. The previous "Conceptual Drainage Plan" did not indicate a positive outfall. As a result, we will require detailed computations that verify the adequacy of the previously proposed exfiltration trench system that is to percolate the runoff of a 25 year - 3 day storm event without the need for a positive outfall. 2. A Boundary Plat shall be prepared, approved by City Council, and recorded prior to the issuance of the first building permit. • 6 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes August 27, 1996 3. Mechanical louvers shall be painted to match the surrounding wall. Mr. Nedvins seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 6/0 vote. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. �F.. :. Assistant City Attorney Golis read the language contained in the code regarding mechanical equipment: mechanical equipment such as backflow preventors, meters and valves for public utility operations, satellite antennas, or other utility hardware on roofs, ground, or buildings shall be screened line of sight from view using materials compatible with the building. This equipment shall be located so as not to be visible from any street or adjoining property. Landscape screening must include dense planting or earth berming or both as established 40 in Chapter 98. Discussion ensued. Mr. Glidden explained that the line of sight angle went down as one proceeded farther from the building, and recommended that line of sight be defined, and that roof- mounted equipment should not be higher than the parapet wall. Chairman Sabatello favored definition that the equipment chould not be seen from any location. After further discussion, Chairman Sabatello suggested that the Commission continue to define line of sight as a condition of approval, which the City Council could omit if they wished. Mr. Paganini asked whether the Capitol Lighting building at Northlake and I -95, which he considered very unattractive, was in the City, to which the response was that it was in the County. • 7 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes August 27, 1996 There being seconded by adjourned at 1996. APPROVED: no further business, upon motion by Vice Chair Carlino, Mr. Jones, and unanimously carried, the meeting was 9:00 P.M. Thq!�n t meeting will be held September 10, Carl Mello, Chairman / L) ,4" 6a-'� Diane Carlino, Vice Chair (Av� -'I ohn id den (Absent) William Mignogna (Absent) Thomas Pastore Christopher /Jong (Absent) Jeff Ornstein, Alternate John Nedvins, Alternate Ja t e Holloman, Secretary i 8