Loading...
Minutes 08-07-90 (2)MINUTES OF THE CITY COMMISSION/GREATER BOYNTON BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WORKSHOP MEETING RE PROPOSED HEIGHT LIMITATION REFERENDUM, HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1990 AT 5:00 P. M. PRESENT City Commission Gene Moore, Mayor Lee Wische, Vice Mayor Robert Olenik, Commissioner Arline Weiner, Commissioner Chamber of Commerce Gary Ashcraft, Executive Vice President Virginia Foot, President Craig Livingston Bill Martin Doris Pastl Patt Tompson J. Scott Miller, City Manager James Cherof, City Attorney Sue Kruse, City Clerk Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 5:12 P. M. and turned the meeting over to Mr. Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft stated consideration was given to how they should tackle the 45 foot height restriction. The Chamber felt the referendum, as the City Commission initially pro- posed it, should be held for November. Mr. Ashcraft felt they should go to the community, have discussions about the issue, and try to resolve problems. At this point, the Chamber wanted the Height Ordinance to consider all three areas: North Federal Highway, Quantum Park, and the Central Business District (CBD). Through the Palm Beach County Development Board, Mr. Ashcraft said nine executives from the Florida Department of Commerce toured the entire County. There was no reaction to anything until they arrived at Quantum Park. An international devel- oper was interested in Quantum Park. If it is decided there will be no buildings over four stories at Quantum Park, the area will still be developed, but Mr. Ashcraft reminded the Commission that competition is tough. He emphasized height restrictions need to be lifted now. It would be another selling tool, and Quantum Park is important. Quantum Park would have quality growth, and Mr. Ashcraft did not believe they would ever have skylines that would interfere with the homeowners. He further stated it is imperative that height restrictions be lifted in the CBD. 1 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 7, 1990 Commissioner Olenik asked whether the tour was after the City knew about the 1-95 interchange coming through. Mr. Ashcraft answered affirmatively. Ed Deutsch, Quantum Associates, stated their intentions for the future are to build the types of facilities now at Quantum. He added they must look at the City's overall picture as well. Quantum thinks the height restrictions must be considered by the City and its citizens. Mr. Deutsch stated they would not be opposed if the City did this in stages. He knew the City needed to initially concentrate on the CBD. Quantum would not be opposed if the referendum would be worded so Quantum could follow thereafter, once a height limitation removal is established in the CBD. Quantum Park and the City could best be served by removing the height limitations in the areas before the Commission. Mr. Deutsch did not think it was imperative that Quantum come on initially. Quantum thinks the interchange will help them and give them some incentive and activity. City Manager Miller informed the Commission the only change made after he discussed this with Mr. Ashcraft and Mr. Deutsch was in the corporate park area. He presented a new map, showing the new limits. Area 2 remained the same. In Area 3, the eight stories originally on the western part of the park were eliminted. Any of the corporate park that abuts the single family and multi-family residential of Boynton Lakes North has been eliminated. With regard to eight or ten stories, Mr. Ashcraft wanted the options to be as open as they could be. Craig Livingston, Architect, did not think there was any difference between an eight story and a ten story building. Rather than one section having eight stories and another having ten, it would be easier to make it the same height in the different areas. He did not think two stories would make an impact. Mr. Livingston thought eight stories would be adequate. Calvin Cearley, President, Prime Bank, thought there should be a referendum with a selection: Yes, no - Downtown; yes, no - Quantum Park; yes, no - Federal Highway. He wanted the downtown to have a height limitation of at least ten stories. At least there would be a landmark building. If the City Commission says not to go above eight stories, that will be OK. Even though a ten story building may be MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 7, 1990 built downtown, Mr. Cearley said there will not be ten story buildings up against each other all along the coast line, because the density requirements will not permit it. People do not need to worry about having the Intracoastal blocked off by concrete walls. There will be plenty of green space between buildings. Mayor Moore thought they felt by having the three issues, it would impede the possibility of any one of them passing. The first one he would eliminate would be the North Federal tract. He thought the whole conception of this was to concentrate on the downtown area. Mayor Moore stated he would go for ten stories. He added developers would prefer to go up and keep more green area. Mayor Moore thought they should discuss whether they wanted to have one or two issues put to the people. Commissioner Weiner recalled they had started with four issues, and she thought all four should be on the ballot. She did not think Quantum Park should be left out. Commissioner Olenik agreed with Mayor Moore as to North Federal Highway. That was also brought out by the P&Z Board in their discussions. Commissioner Olenik stated he would probably be in favor of removing Section 4 from the referen- dum. He could see the desire of Quantum to seek hi~her buildings in Section 2. Commissioner Olenik thought the citizens should make the decision as to Section 3. Vice Mayor Wische agreed with Mayor Moore and Commissioner Olenik's comments to leave Section 4 off the ballot. He would go along with having Sections 1, 2 and 3 on the ballot. If they allow ten stories in Section 2, he thought they should allow ten stories in Section 1. City Manager Miller informed the Commission this will come up on the Commission's agenda for second reading on the 21st of August, 1990. City Attorney Cherof said they must take action on the 21st, and he explained. He confirmed Mayor Moore's statement that he could make changes to the Ordinance and bring it back on the 21st. In addition to the heights of the buildings, Commissioner Weiner wanted to be sure the stories will be clearly delineated. Mr. Cearley questioned whether they were saying the citizens could vote "yes" or "no" for the various Sections, 3 MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA AUGUST 7, 1990 and, therefore, may not pass. correct. one Section might pass and another Section City Manager Miller confirmed that was Mr. Ashcraft appreciated the Commission's cooperation. added that the Chamber will be willing to work with any groups to get information out and listen to any side. Mr. Ashcraft wanted the Chamber and the City to work together. ADJOURNMENT The meeting properly adjourned at 5:35 M. CITY BEACH Mayor Vice Mayor --' ATTEST: ~-kCi~ Cle ~ (One Tape) Commies i~e~ Commissioner Commissioner 4