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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes P&Z 112696CITY OF PALM BEACH GARDENS PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION November 26, 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 :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 Carl Sabatello Diane Carlino Chris Jones William Mignogna Tom Paganini Thomas Pastore IS John Nedvins Jeff Ornstein Absent John Glidden Also present at the meeting were Assistant City Attorney Paul Golis, Assistant City Manager Greg Dunham, Principal Planner Marty Minor, and Planner Edward Tombari. Mr. Ornstein left the meeting as Mr. Nedvins sat in for Mr. Glidden. ITEMS BY PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR In the absence of Planning and Zoning Director Walton, Principal Planner Marty Minor requested a vote on canceling the meeting of December 24. Vice Chair Carlin made a motion to cancel the meeting of December 24, 1996. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mignogna and carried by unanimous vote of 7 -0. ITEMS BY CITY COUNCIL LIAISON City Council Liaison introduced the newest member of his family. • Minutes of November 12.1996 - Vice Chair Carlino made a motion to • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Paganini seconded the motion, which carried by unanimous 7 -0 vote. PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION Workshog: Petition PDD -95 -04 - PGA Shell Service Station, by Jeff Palkanger, 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 ®foodmarta and in stall five (5) new gas dispensers under a new canopy. The site is located on the northeast corner of Military Trail and PGA Boulevard (1-42S-43E) Principal Planner Marty Minor reviewed the staff report dated November 22, 1996, gave background information regarding Resolution 35, 1994, explained that this petition had been discussed on April 9, 1996 at a workshop meeting, and distributed a memo dated 11/22/96 from Police • Chief FitzGerald. Mr. Doug Snyder announced that he was a principal in the firm of Jeff Falkanger & Associates, agent for the petitioner; and introduced other members of his firm who were present, as well as Mr. Jim Donnini, operator of the existing facility. Mr. Snyder explained changes which had been made in the building design since the last meeting, including addition of a hip roof and a change in exterior materials; as well as improvements to landscaping. Mr. Pastore expressed concern that the large building on a small site would create a problem with circulation on the -site, and that the intensity would be 'too great. Mr. Pastore indicated that any improvements to the landscaping would be desirable. Mr. Snyder explained that tankers delivered during off -peak hours, which had worked well at the existing facility since 1979; and described changes in dimensions to allow for better circulation. Mr. Paganini explained that he had visited the site and observed that the cars being worked on had been there for quite a long time; and requested further explanation as to how conversion to a convenience store would create a less intense use. Mr. Snyder explained that a convenience store as an accessory in terms of traffic generation was not normally the point of destination, and capture traffic was the main type of traffic 0 2 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 created. A full - service station was usually a point of destination; and was not normally a highly desirable use within a retail corridor. Mr. Snyder explained that the increased retail would provide a softer use. Mr. Paganini questioned why the applicant could not stay within the Code requirements by eliminating the additional 500 square feet. Mr. Snyder explained that the additional space was necessary for this type of operation at this site. Smaller prototypes were discussed. Chairman Sabatello questioned whether if the existing building were demolished and a smaller building erected that would help the circulation. During ensuing discussion, Mr. Snyder explained that a specified number of fuel stations were needed to attract customers to the site; that the typical 1800 square -foot building was typically placed on a one -acre site; and that circulation would be better with that size building on this site; however, it was more practical to use the existing building footprint than to demolish the facility and construct a new building. Mr. Nedvins questioned the amount of traffic trips per day generated by one fuel pump and whether the number was expected to increase in the future, which Mr. Snyder could not answer since that was not addressed in the traffic study. Mr. Nedvins suggested that removing one bay could provide more room for site circulation. Discussion regarding traffic ensued. Vice Chair • Carlin requested traffic study information regarding trips generated by a convenience store versus those for the existing facility. Chairman Sabatello pointed out that it would behoove the applicant to obtain.the traffic impact figures for present and proposed, and the amount of traffic generated per pump. Mr. Nedvins expressed concern regarding stacking, to which Mr. Snyder responded that moving the canopy had provided more room for stacking. Mr. Donnini explained that the six existing fuel dispensers were being reduced to four, two of which would be diesel. Mr. Donnini commented that a small convenience store already existed on the site, that the fuel price was what generated traffic to the site rather than the number of fuel dispensers, and compared the traffic flow and site configuration to that of the Hess station at Military and Northlake which had the same number of pumps. Mr. Donnini explained that no fast food restaurant was currently planned in conjunction with the convenience store. Mr. Donnini commented that the current 10 -12 total employees would be reduced to six, and that a verbal cross - parking agreement for employee parking existed with Holiday Inn and Publix. Mr. Jones commented that he did not have a problem with the size of the convenience store but would like to know traffic generation figures for the different size prototypes. Mr. Jones expressed concern with the yellow tile and requested that building color samples be presented at the next meeting. Mr. Jones also expressed concern that there were too many 0 3 • Planning & zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 signs and signage should abide by Code. Mr. Jones expressed his opinion that the hip roof was too shallow. Mr. Snyder explained there would be an internal gutter, and that slopes must be matched, and promised to bring photographs of other sites with the proposed roof configuration to the next meeting. Mr. Jones requested that landscaping be enhanced but not so much that the building was hidden or internal traffic problems created. Mr. Nedvins agreed that trip generation information was needed., Mr. Mignogna agreed with Mr. Jones that the building looked too squatty and suggested the canopy and building be joined. Chairman Sabatello commented that he did not like the yellow tile or the roof pitch and wanted the building to be pretty and generic rather than using the design of a specific gasoline company's station, in case Shell sold the property in the future and the operation changed. Staff verified that the previous landscaping requirements had been finished. Chairman Sabatello commented that changing the operation to a convenience store would improve the appearance of that corner. Chairman Sabatello explained that the site existed before the 55' greenbelt requirement. The applicant explained that preliminary discussions with DOT had been held regarding planting in the right -of -way, however, no permit had been obtained. Chairman Sabatello pointed out that the landscape plan indicated a large amount • of the landscaping in the right -of -way, which might not be approved. City Forester Hendrickson had requested a 15' landscape buffer, which the applicant explained would eliminate the off - loading area and any type of bypass along the outside perimeters. Chairman Sabatello indicated that he could be more flexible regarding other issues if the right -of -way planting was allowed. Chairman Sabatello questioned whether the dumpster could be relocated to the rear so that its space could be utilized in other ways, for example, additional parking. Mr. Donnini commented that on another site they did roll out the dumpster for pickup. Mr Snyder explained that there was a total of 15 parking spaces on the site. Signage was discussed. Mr. Snyder explained that one wall sign had a Shell logo and another had a different designation, only one of which could remain. Requested changes were reviewed in order to understand the use of the square footage. Restrooms would be larger and the utility area would contain sinks to comply,with state standards. No food would be prepared on the site. Mr. Donnini commented that a 5 -foot variance to the required 15 -foot landscape buffer had been granted in the past and was still in existence. The site would be brighter at night with increased lighting. Principal Planner Minor explained that if a food franchise was added in the future, that would be a part of the retail use allowed and 0 4 • Planning a Zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 would not need Planning and Zoning Commission approval, but that some type of review would be triggered, and was asked by Chairman Sabatello to find out what that review would be. Chairman Sabatello requested a condition of approval, if possible, to require that the City review any such food operation. Mr. Jones commented that availability to place landscaping in the right -of -way was a big issue and the cross parking agreement was also an issue. Chairman Sabatello commented that if the cross parking agreement was to be made a part of the record then the agreement would have to be studied; and that having such an agreement would benefit the applicant. Assistant City Attorney Golis commented that the City had recently been involved in a cross parking agreement for Sports Authority and therefore was familiar with the requirements. Mr. Snyder commented that the applicant would immediately make application to DOT for right -of -way planting. Mr. Jones expressed his preference for off -white rather than the dark gray. The other Commission members agreed. In summary, individual Commissioners expressed the following concerns and /or comments: • The site seemed too small for the building size. Traffic circulation on the site could be a problem. Whether landscaping would be allowed on the right -of -way was questioned. The Commission would like to see an agreement with D.O.T. which would allow planting. whether a convenience store would be a more or less intensive use was questioned. Future use of this site if this project was not approved was questioned. A traffic study showing existing traffic versus what is proposed was requested. Questions which should be answered were would there be an increase in trips if it were converted to a convenience store with gas pumps; and what actually determines trip generation -- number of pumps, price of gas, or items sold in convenience store portion. Concern was expressed regarding cars stacking and waiting to use . 5 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 pumps. It was noted that a lot of cars are now parked and waiting to be serviced in the bay area, which would be eliminated. Commissioners wanted to see written agreements allowing employees to park at Publix across the street and in the Holiday Inn parking lot. Commissioners wanted information regarding what would happen if the station should decide to ,prepare and sell fast food under a franchise such as Blimpie's. The number of signs needed to be brought into compliance with Code. The hip roof was too shallow and the building seemed "squatty ". The building and canopy should be physically joined. Photographs of actual stations were requested. • Landscaping should be enhanced but not to the point that it hid the building. All colors and architecture should be generic and not trademarked, in case the use of the site changed in the future. Off -white was preferred rather than the present gray. One Commissioner stated he liked red. The applicant was requested to bring colors to the next meeting. The yellow tile was considered unattractive. An opinion was expressed that removing the service bays would make the corner more attractive. Concern was expressed that the 55 -foot greenbelt was not observed since it was in the PGA Overlay Zone. The applicant was requested to consider moving the dumpster to a different location toward the back or side. • 6 Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to come before the Commission. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to come before the Commission. • • 7 • Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes November 26, 1996 "10 • s -vi There being no further business, upon motion by Vice Chair Carlino, seconded by Mr. Mignogna, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 P.M. The next meeting will be held December 10, 1996. APPROVED: Carl Sabatello, Chairman Diane Carlino, Vice Chair (Absent) John Glidden William Mignogna ✓'I/VV6W," / - - r 1 lrbnmac Uact-nra Tom Paganini Christopher(/Jone (Absent) Jeff QOstein, Alternate John ljAdvins, Alternate ackie Holloman, secretary 0 8