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Minutes 08-24-99 I~IZNUTES OF THE ~OZNT CTTY COI~II~IISSION AND PLANNZNG & DEVELOPf4ENT BOARD WORKSHOP HELD TN WEST WING CONFERENCE ROOF4 "C"~ BOYNTON BEACH, FLORTDA ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 1999 AT 6:00 P.I~I. PRESENT City Commission Gerald Broening, Mayor Nellie Denahan, Commissioner Ron Weiland, Commissioner Mike Cirullo, Asst. City Attorney Planning & Development Board Lee Wische, Chairman .1. Stanley DubS, Vice Chairman Pat Frazier Mike Friedland Steve Myott .lames Reed Maurice Rosenstock Larry Finkelstein, Alternate Woodrow Hay, Alternate Planning & Zoning Division Staff Nancy Byrne, Acting Dir. Of Development Mike Rumpf, Plnng. & Zoning Dir. Hanna Matras, Economic Research Analyst Dan DeCarlo, Asst. Planner Jose Alfaro, Graphics Technician Doris Martilla, Admin. Assistant Margelly Beltran, Asst. Planner Jim Nyugen, Plans Review 1. Pledqe of Alle§iance Mayor Broening called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m., and advised that Mayor Pro Tem Sherman would not be present. Mayor Broening anticipated the arrival of Vice Mayor Tillman. 2. Introduction of the Commission and Boar~ Mayor Broening asked all persons in the room to introduce themselves. 3. Introduction of Planninq & Zoning staff These introductions were addressed during the introductions of everyone in the room. 4. Aqenda Approval Mr. Dub~ moved to approve the agenda as presented. Mr. Hay seconded the motion that carried unanimously. S, Communications and Announcemen~ None 6. Old Business A. FUNCTZON AND ROLF: MEETING MINUTES 3OTNT CITY COMMISSION/PLANNING &-DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLOR2DA AUGUST 24, :1.999 1. Attendance by City Commission at board meetings Desired Outcome: Acknowledgement by Commission of the importance of their attendance at board meetings. Defining and Acknowledging Role of Planning and Development Board Desired Outcome: Attain a mutual understanding of the role/ responsibility of the Planning and Development Board. Since the last election, Mr. Wische has invited every member of the Commission to attend the Planning & Development Board meeting. There are still several Commissioners that have never attended. It is very important for the Commissioners to see the process so that they understand what transpired before an application reaches the City Commission. Mr. Wische does not feel the minutes provide the insight of what happens at each meeting. Mr. Wische advised that when he was a City Commissioner in 1988/89, he never missed a Planning & Development Board meeting, or any board meeting. He learned a great deal and he feels the Commissioners are missing a great deal by not attending the meetings. Commissioner Weiland said he has not attended any Planning & Development Board meetings even 'though he has attempted to on a number of occasions. Time conflicts have been a problem and he tries to attend a different board meeting each month to learn how they operate. Mayor Broening said he has purposely avoided these meetings because he thought the presence of a Commissioner might influence the process. However, he agreed with Mr. Wische's remarks about this being an educational opportunity. Commissioner Denahan understands the importance of the Commissioners attending these board meetings. However, as a Commissioner, she can go to the department and bypass the process if she has a question about an application. Commissioner Denahan felt that Mayor Broening's remarks about tainting the process were points well taken. She appreciates the opportunity to watch the board in action, and benefits by attendance at the meetings. She apologized that she is not able to attend more meetings, but there are many time conflicts she must deal with. She pointed out that even though the Commissioners might not be present at the meeting, they are still doing their homework. Mr. Rosenstock does not believe the process is being bypassed when a Commissioner goes to the department to find out details on an issue. However, too many Commissioners have not done their homework. Mr. Rosenstock feels the Commissioners have a responsibility to the citizens who elected them. There are not many vacant parcels left in the City of Boynton Beach to be developed. Some structures are now being torn down for reconstruction. He feels that unless the Commissioners are very aware of what is going on, they will do a disservice to the MEETING MZNUTES 3OINT CITY COMMISSION/PLANNZNG & DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 24, 1999 citizens. Mr. Rosenstock said there are too many developments in the City that many people regret approving. He is proud of his negative votes. Mayor Broening asked Attorney Cirullo if there would be any legal bearing on a Commissioner's presence at a board meeting. Attorney Cirullo responded negatively and said it would be part of the process. He recommended that a Commissioner acknowledge during the City Commission presentation of the issue that he/she was present during the Planning & Development Board meeting. Attorney Cirullo also advised that if two or more Commissioners were present at the same meeting, they could not speak to each other. However, they would be free to speak to the board on the issue. When Mayor Broening stated that there was consensus of the Commissioners present that they should attend the Planning & Development Board meetings, Commissioner Denahan said she believes she is filling the responsibility of City Commissioner. Regardless of whether she can or cannot attend those meetings, she still has tremendous respect for the job that is performed. While she appreciates the board members' hard work, she does not feel it is important for her to attend those meetings. B. REGULATZONS AND USES: :1. Sign Code Deficiency: Desired Outcome: Attain consensus on current deficiency in sign regulations, and direct staff accordingly. Mr. Rosenstock commended Mr. Rumpf and his staff for the marvelous job that was done in preparing the necessary information for this meeting. Tn reviewing all of the items on the agenda, it became obvious that they are similar in nature. The issues are signs, gasoline sales, apartments and waterfront property. :In each case, provided choices. The Sign Code needs revision. Mr. Rosenstock would like the Commission to authorize staff to come up with firm and hard recommendations within 30 days for revising the Sign Code. With respect to gasoline stations, the same thing applies. Mr. Rosenstock said the recommendation was to keep the status quo except for implementation of redevelopment recommendations to eliminate them from selected sites to be reserved for preferable uses in connection with redevelopment objections and change the regulations to further limit such uses city-wide. Mr. Rosenstock said he would not like to keep the status quo. Mr. Rosenstock feels a re-evaluation must take place. Mr. Wische recalled that approximately 10 years ago, there was an Ordinance that stated that all non-conforming signs had five years to come into conformance. He asked what happened to that Ordinance. MEETTNG MZNUTES 3OINT CITY COMMISSION/PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLOI~DA .~ AUGUST 24f 1999 Mr. Rumpf said there is a sunsetting regulation that will go into effect on December 31, 1999. Billboards may have separate regulations. Mr. Wische requested that this issue be addressed in the Sign Code. Commissioner Weiland advised that in Coral Springs, there are no.signs on the buildings. There are monument signs on the corners. He feels that is the direction our Sign Code should follow. Mr. Rosenstock feels that a hard and fast mathematical formula would not work. What would work is to look at the entire development and have the sign meet basic requirements that look good with that piece of property. (Mayor Broening added that it should be complimentary size and design.) Mr. Rosenstock felt Mr. Kastarlak's point was well taken when he recommended showing people examples of what is considered to be a good monument sign. Mr. Rosenstock also pointed out that our Code requires every store to have a number on it. He cannot understand why the Code Compliance Division is not enforcing that Code. Mr. Rosenstock recommended that an Ordinance be passed that requires a numbered street address on every shopping area. Mr. Myott suggested that a provision be incorporated into the Sign Code that all signs are subject to the review of the Planning & Development Board and these signs are to incorporate architectural features that are common to the development. ]:t is important that the signs are submitted with the plans and are complete when they are reviewed. Mr. Reed explained that this workshop is the third effort that has been made to improve the signage and Sign Code. Many good ideas were forthcoming from those previous attempts. A recommendation was made by a previous board member to have a recognition program for people who have a good building and good signage. The ideas must come to fruition. Mr. Rosenstock recommended that the City Commission authorize the Planning & Zoning Division to proceed with the general philosophy that was being discussed. Gasoline Sales and Automobile Repair Establishments: Current proliferation, and consideration of moratorium or new location restrictions Desired Outcome: Attain consensus on current problem and appropriate action plan Mr. Rosenstock advised that there are 21 gas stations in the City of Boynton Beach and that number is too high. These uses are garish. Gas stations will not make this a world-class city. Mr. Rosenstock recommended declaring a moratorium on gas stations in this City. When Mr. Wische commented that there is only one site remaining within the City of Boynton Beach at the corner of Old Boynton Road and Congress Avenue that could be considered as a potential site for a future gas station, Mr. Rosenstock explained that the City is reaching a point where properties may be torn down and replaced with gas stations. MEET]'NG M~'NUTES 3OI'NT CITY COMMISSI'ON/PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLOI~DA AUGUST 24, 1999 Although we have saturated our need for gas stations, Commissioner Denahan feels Gateway Boulevard has a need for gas stations. Commissioner Weiland said he would not want to see another gas station at the northeast corner of Old Boynton Road and Congress Avenue because there are three gas stations at three corners of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Congress Avenue. Commissioner Denahan did not recommend imposing a moratorium. Attorney Cirullo advised that it would be much easier to change the Code. Mr. Rosenstock felt the same situation applies to automobile repair stations. The board recently heard a case regarding a request for an auto parts store. The board was insistent about the aesthetics. Mr. IVlyott pointed out that one of the worst areas is the North Federal Highway corridor where the City is trying to encourage redevelopment. There are 19 auto-related businesses from Ocean Avenue to the C~16 Canal. There should be very strict restrictions on this use in this particular area. This is a special area that needs attention. m Apartment Projects: Current volume of uses consideration of moratorium or new location restrictions and Desired Outcome: Attain consensus on current problem and appropriate action plan Mr. Rosenstock referred to Via Lugano located on Congress Avenue. He understands that the developers are in business to make money. However, he feels we don't have to help them unless they are going to do something constructive for the City. There are too many apartments in that complex. This City is probably the biggest apartment rental area in Palm Beach County. Mr. Rosenstock would like to see better homes. He pointed out that staff's recommendation is to re-evaluate the need and supply for apartment uses to determine current demand, modify Future Land Use Map and land use recommendations. He recommended authorizing staff to do the re-evaluation and bring that information back to the board. Mr. Wische said staff will have to change the density because the Via Lugano project conformed to established regulations for height and density and no variances were required except for the wall sign. Mr. Rosenstock pointed out that in looking at some projects, one would have to question why anyone would want to put them in this City. However, because the projects meet Code, the City's hands are tied. Nancy Byrne advised that one of the issues staff wants to address is the issue of mixed-use applications for the CRA. Staff's direction from the Commission is to revitalize the area. However, if restrictions were put in place through the Code, the City would not be very flexible. MEET]:NG M?NUTES .10]'NT CTTY COMMI'SSI'ON/PLANNI'NG & DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLOR]:DA AUGUST 24, ;/.999 Mayor Broening felt that if a desirable density was to be determined and the use was determined on the front end, we would be in a position of strength. Mr. Rosenstock feels the Code must have enough teeth to provide an option to allow a Mizner Park. Mayor Broening believes a master plan is needed to determine what should be done with all of the properties. That should also include acquisition of properties at some point in time. Mr. Friedland said a great desire that surfaced in Visions 20/20 was to tear down some of the older part of the City, sell it, create new homes and lower rentals and bring in a developer to rebuild part of the City. Mr. Rumpf advised that he had been contacted by a couple of parties regarding the vacant parcel at the northwest corner of Old Dixie Highway and US #1. Tt is very likely that someone will come forward with a rental project proposal. Both parties mentioned densities in excess of the 10.8 maximum we now have in the Code. The Comprehensive Plan originally was recommending residential land use. However, when the Plan was adopted 10 years ago, it was commercial land use. Therefore, a text amendment could come forward October 1~t, Mr. Rosenstock felt time was of the essence and it is necessary to change some of the Codes and Land Development Regulations to prevent something like this from happening. Mr. Rumpf said that based on redevelopment concepts, staff views the east side of town differently from the west side of town. Perhaps we could be less generous but because of characteristics of the east side of town, it is a unique area. Mayor Broening feels it is important to decide what should be done and then codify it. Mr. Myott believes each of them should be considered on an individual basis relative to the overall City plan. Mr. Rumpf clarified that the Commission and board would like staff to do a land use analysis of principal vacant parcels, revisit the Comp Plan recommendations with respect to changing environment and Visions 20/20, and combine it with a general demand and supply analysis with respect to certain land uses like apartments. MR. WZSCHE ANNOUNCED THAT THE PLANNTNG & DEVELOPMENT BOARD HAD TO LEAVE THTS WORKSHOP BECAUSE OF A SCHEDULED BOARD MEET [NG AT 7:00 P.M. MEETTNG MZNUTES 3OINT CITY COMMISSiON/PLANNiNG & DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH~ FLOI~DA AUGUST 24~ 1999 am Maximizing waterfront land uses - Re-evaluation of Comprehensive Plan land use recommendations to achieve highest and best use of lands along Intracoastal Waterway. Desired Outcome: Attain consensus on appropriate action including possibility of re-evaluating Future Land Use recommendations for coastal properties Mayor Broening felt that this issue was part of the previous discussion. 8. Other (offered by staff) A. Discuss possibility of workshop on urban design concept Mr. Rumpf reported that staff would like to make a presentation to the City Commission and Planning & Development Board regarding new urban design concepts. This will bring everyone up to speed on technical terminology and concepts. Staff would like to address this issue at a future workshop meeting. There was a consensus of the group for staff to move forward with scheduling the workshop. 9. Comment by members None 10. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting properly adjourned at 6:53 p.m. 7 MEET?NG MZNUTES 3OI'NT CZ'DY COMMI'SSI'ON/PLANNI'NG & DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP BOYNTON BEACH, FLOR2DA AUGUST 24, 1999 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH Vice Mayor A-I-FEST: Mayor Pro Tem neUtY City Clerk Tape) Commissioner Commissioner ~... 8/26/99 8:39 AM