Minutes 01-21-88MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
HELD AT PINELAND PLAZA, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA,
THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1988 AT 7:30 P. M.
PRESENT
Nick Cassandra, Mayor
Ralph Marchese, Vice Mayor
Ezell Hester, Commissioner
~eonard Mann, Commissioner
Dee Zibelli, Commissioner
Peter L. Cheney, City Manager
Betty S. Boroni, City Clerk
Raymond A. Rea, City Attorney
Mayor Cassandra called the meeting to order at 7:34 P. M.
and announced that people in the audience wishing to speak
could speak on any particular items.
Continuation of January 21st Meeting discussion of proposed
zoning text amendment implementing 1986 Comprehensive Plan
Evaluation and Appraisal (E&A) Report
and
Report prepared by Tim Cannon, which includes modifications
~iscussed by the Mayor and City Commission at their
January 6, 1988 Meeting
Carmen Annunziato, Director of Planning, told the audience
~his was the second of two public hearings in which zoning
proposals are being reviewed which change the list of
permitted uses in Commercial categories and address the
issues relating to group homes. In addition, there were a
lot of minor recommended changes to the zoning regulations.
At the last'meeting, they got about 2/3rds of the
regulations, and the City Staff made notes and partly
~ ·
~esponded to those comments with the materials and the
boards with the black dots that were before the Commission.
[ayor Cassandra informed Mr. Annunziato that the Commission
eceived the materials ten minutes ago and did not have a
~hance to read it. Mr. Annunziato replied that the Planning
~epartment would lead the Commission through the report, and
~e suggested continuing going through the regulations from
'here they left off. People could speak during the presenta-
ion or at the end of the presentation. The public hearing
~ould then be closed. It was the Staff's desire to be left
with a consensus of the form of document the Commission would
iike to see adopted. The City Staff will amend it,
nSistent with the Commission's decisions, and come back
th a final draft that will incorporate the changes.
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Mr. Annunziato called attention to the six public hearings,
yhich he said were tied directly to the change in the list of
permitted uses in the C-2 Commercial zoning category. He
explained and referred the Commission to the list of P&Z
Board recommendations.
ayor Cassandra had received only two comments but said he
ould honor the raising of a hand if someone had something
to say.
Tim Cannon, Senior City Planner, said the memorandum the
Commission received today summarized the Commission's
comments from the last meeting with regard to the important
items. Mayor Cassandra thought they should finish the
report first and then go back to the memorandum. He was
concerned that if they did not finish tonight, they would
need to have another public hearing. The Commission
concurred.
Page 39
f. Minimum Distance Between Group Homes
r. Cannon called attention to three maps that had been
repared. The draft before the Commissioners required a
minimum distance of 1,200 feet between group homes. This
was the distance recommended by the State Department of
ealth and Rehabilitative Services (HRS). However, the
range of distance separations is anywhere between 1,200
nd 2,000 feet. In a few Ordinances, Mr. Cannon thought it
as even 2,200 feet.
Mayor Cassandra drew attention to the maps, and Mr. Cannon
said the map on the left showed the maximum possible distri-
bution of group homes with a 1,200 feet separation. The one
n the center showed a 1,500 feet separation, and the map on
the right showed a 1,800 feet separation. Mr. Cannon
emphasized that the maps were just theoretical
distributions.
Commissioner Hester asked if all of the group homes are per-
witted in residential areas because he had a question about
the foster home they talked about last week. Mr. Cannon
replied that it is important to distinguish between a group
home and a foster home. A foster home is up to five
children, including the parents' natural children. It would
be a permitted, accessory use, and would not be subject to
the distance requirements. It would be considered as a
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family under the City's definition of family. There was
discussion. Mr. Annunziato interjected that the maps did
not reflect any association prohibitions which might exist.
Mr. Cannon had counted the dots on the. maps to give the
Commission some idea. With the 1,200 feet separation, there
were 268 dots. With the 1,500 feet separation, there were
164 dots, and with the 1,800 feet separation, there were
118 dots. Mayor Cassandra informed the audience that,
theoretically, this was what they could get and not what
they would have.
Mr. Cannon called HRS and asked them what the typical size
of a group home that they license is. They said in the range
of four or five was the most common size. Mr. Cannon had
assumed seven residents and multiplied it through to get the
number of residents. With a 1,200 feet separation, you
would get about 1,900 residents. With the 1,500 feet separ-
ation, you would get about 1,150, and with an 1,800 feet
~eparation, you would get 825 residents. With the present
area of the City, that corresponded to approximately 1%,
1½%, and 2½% of the City's total population, if the existing
City area were built out under its present zoning.
Mayor Cassandra felt it all came down to a question that had
to be resolved tonight, and that was the legal requirements.
HRS made a statement, but he asked, "What is the law?" If
the law says the City has to have group homes, that would be
one consideration. From there, they would go to businesses,
etc. If the City has the right to say the areas group homes
will be in, that matrix could be thrown in the garbage pail.
Mayor Cassandra thought they had to discuss group homes.
Commissioner Zibelli asked if it is a State regulation that
they must have group homes in the City. As the Comprehensive
Plan currently stands, Mr. Cannon said there is a recommen-
dation that the City adopt an Ordinance allowing group homes
as a permitted use in a residential district. The City is
bligated by State law to adopt such an Ordinance or to go
ack and amend the Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Zibelli
~sked whether it says where the group homes have to be.
Mr. Cannon replied that the Comprehensive Plan says they
should be allowed as a permitted use in residential zoning
districts.
Mayor Cassandra advised that the City's Comprehensive Plan
is not law but is what the Commission decides. The ques-
tion was the law. If the law said the City had to have it,
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obviously, they have to comply. Mayor Cassandra referred
to the public hearings and time spent on the Comprehensive
Plan. He stated that it was a possibility that the attitude
had changed so that the Comprehensive Plan should not
reflect group homes. If the Comprehensive Plan reflects
group homes, the second possibility was where they wanted to
put the homes. Mayor Cassandra explained.
Mayor Cassandra asked City Attorney Rea if the City must have
group homes. City Attorney Rea answered that the Florida
Statutes do not require the City to have group homes. They
require that the City evaluate the need and, if the need
exists, they should fill that need.
Mayor Cassandra recalled City Manager Cheney had asked,
"What do we want? What is our obligation to the community
and the people that we call a part of our community?" It
seemed to Mayor Cassandra that the question was whether the
City has the need for group homes. He thought maybe that
was what the report should show. Mayor Cassandra wondered
how many group homes are presently in the City. He
recollected Commissioner Mann had said the City should not
become a "dump area" for this problem, and he asked whether
other cities were involved. Mayor Cassandra asked how many
group homes other cities have and how the County was react-
ing. He felt that should be researched and that they might
have to have a report from the City's qualified people.
Mayor Cassandra said the City should not question whether
the group homes are legal or not, but said they should find
out what the City has. The question of legality would come
later on. He asked where the group homes are located in the
City and wondered how many Ocean Ridge, Delray Beach, Boca
Raton, Lake Worth, and the County have. Mayor Cassandra
felt they should postpone the group home question until they
had that information. Commissioner Zibelli thought that was
a reasonable request.
City Manager Cheney thought the request made sense, but he
stated it would take some time. He thought they should do
research to see what the need is and estimated it would take
a couple of months. City Manager Cheney stated they would
find out what other communities have, but he suspected they
would not be able to find out what other communities are
going to do. As far as he could see, most of the communities
are not even discussing this issue yet. In a couple of
months, City Manager Cheney said the City Staff would come
back to the Commission with the best they can do relative to
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the needs and what there is. At that time, they will see
what they know about the rest of the communities and the
area.
Vice Mayor Marchese stated that they were not faced with a
legal deadline. Therefore, whether it would take two
months, four months, or six months was unimportant.
Commissioner Heater commented that it all depends on what
the City adopts in its Comprehensive Plan. He wondered if
it would suffice the State if they make any statements at
all about foster homes or say the City will provide them if
they are necessary or needed. There were further comments.
Mayor Cassandra asked if they would have a problem if they
postponed the group homes and acted on everything else.
Mr. Cannon answered that the State law requires that the
City adopt regulations within one year of adopting the E&A
report. The City adopted the E&A report in December of 1986.
If the City decides to postpone it, Mr. Cannon did not know
how the State would enforce it. Theoretically, the City
should have gotten through the regulations and adopted them
by December of 1987.
City Attorney Rea advised that they have that one year
period dealing with implementing the E&A report. There are
a number of options. If they are proceeding upon implemen-
tation, City Attorney Rea thought maybe they were not in bad
shape. Of course, they could deimplement everything they
implemented before, as far as the E&A report. As the group
home issue was somewhat complex as far as definitional
characteristics, City Attorney Rea suggested they might want
to consider group homes and the other group type of living
facilities, including foster homes, private agencies, and
therapeutic facilities. A lot of them are licensed, and
they could find out where the licenses exist.
City Manager Cheney stated that they will have to do this
before they adopt the Comprehensive Plan, and they will have
to make some statements. He thought they could go to some
of the key agencies and ask, "What is your track record?
How many people from Boynton Beach do you see? How many
homes do you have?" City Manager Cheney told the Commission
to wait and see what the City Staff can get in two months
because there was information they ought to have.
Commissioner Mann told them the City of West Palm Beach
would be a helpful source of information. He met with the
Mayor of West Palm Beach because this was the only City he
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knew of that had faced this problem and took some action.
The Mayor suggested they were going to do it by the distance
approach. Commissioner Mann discussed it with City Manager
Cheney and requested the maps. It was not clear to him how
information from West Palm Beach would relate to this city,
but he felt there would be some relationship. West Palm
Beach has gotten into the legal question of attempting to
take an attitude that said they would not take any group
homes, but that did not go well. Commissioner Mann did not
think that would be a valuable option to the City.
Commissioner Mann asked how many are now in the City, and he
wanted to know where they are. Mr. Cannon answered that it
was in the housing element that Plantec drafted. Mayor
Cassandra thought information about the surrounding area
should be given also and whether there is a need.
ommissioner Mann added that how Ocean Ridge, Village of
olf, and Quail Ridge will handle this was important to him.
Mr. Cannon clarified that the Commission wanted to postpone
action on all of Section 11.4, which was everything after
page 33 up to page 47.
Mayor Cassandra recalled that at the last meeting, they
discussed the City Manager's option and discretion to allow.
The Commission thought that should be a policy decision and
not the City Manager's decision.
Leonard Kanonik, 1330 S. W. 28th Avenue, thanked the
Commission for representing the people and also for having
the Commission and not other people making the policy.
Page 24
E. CBD CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Adult Entertainment Establishments
Mr. Cannon agreed with Mayor Cassandra that they had
discussed most of the Commercial district regulations.
Mayor Cassandra thought the concern was about C-4 uses. Mr.
Cannon reminded him that there was a question about where
additional adult entertainment establishments could be
placed.
Mayor Cassandra informed the audience that he received a
telephone call from the news media saying Morey's and Show-
time have full nudity shows, and the media wondered what the
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City was going to do about it. He explained that the City
is concerned about what is allowed as adult entertainment
and what is nudity. Mayor Cassandra said the City has a
Problem because these establishments are here, and the City
cannot get rid of them.
Mayor Cassandra asked the Commission to turn to page 2 of
the information they received today. There was a brief
statement about the establishments and what they found as to
Where else in the City these types of businesses could be
located.
Commissioner Zibelli asked if the establishments are 1,500
feet from a church. City Manager Cheney answered that the
church was there before Showtime. He recollected that the
1,500 foot amendment was put in the Ordinance after Showtime.
If adult entertainment establishments are restricted to the
C-4 zoning district and required to be 1,500 feet apart and
1,500 feet from any church or school, Mr. Cannon told the
Commission that would preclude any other adult entertainment
establishments from coming in. Right now, they are allowed
only as a Conditional Use in the C-4 zoning district. Mr.
Cannon informed Mayor Cassandra that everything north of the
canal is in the C-3 zoning district, which does not allow
adult entertainment.
Mayor Cassandra asked City Attorney Rea if the City could
remove adult entertainment from its Code altogether. City
Attorney Rea answered that the City could try it but,
technically, they have to permit it. The question is how
they would zone it to the point where it becomes impractical
without getting into trouble.
Mayor Cassandra wondered about adult entertainment in the
form of books and porno movies. It seemed to him they were
not addressed in the City's Code. Mr. Cannon advised that
those types of uses fall under the definition of adult
entertainment, and it is spelled out specifically.
If they really wished, City Attorney Rea said they could try
to prohibit it and address the issue when it hits, but if
they prohibit it from the City and someone says they are go-
ing to do topless and bottomless dancing, they will make the
Constitutional argument that the City is restricting the
right to free speech. The Supreme Court says it is free
speech. The distance of 1,500 feet is not engraved in stone,
and City Attorney Rea pointed out that they could make it a
distance of 3,000 feet.
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Mayor Cassandra asked if they could make the Conditional Use
very tight. City Manager Cheney emphasized that the City
has resolved the problem. No more can come in. Mayor
Cassandra wanted to resolve the problem of getting rid of
the two that are here. There was discussion. City Manager
Cheney said this Ordinance had never been tested because it
was adopted after Showtime.
Mayor Cassandra wondered if they could amortize the busi-
nesses and give them so many years to get out. City Manager
Cheney said the City would have to do an analysis of what
the businesses are and how long they could amortize them,
but he thought the businesses could challenge the City.
There was more discussion.
Mayor Cassandra felt the City was afraid because they might
get sued. He stated that they would address the problem at
another time. Mayor Cassandra told Mr. Cannon to make it
3,000 feet instead of 1,500 feet, or to get the numerical
number he felt could legally be upheld in Court.
Page 24, E, CBD CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT
Page 25, F, PLANNED COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT
Section 7, Planned industrial development district
Mr. Cannon said there are several zoning districts where
language was added stating that where a business is generat-
ing hazardous waste as defined by the Code of Federal Regu-
lations, those businesses have to go through the Environ-
mental Review procedure. That was just added as standard
language to each zoning district, starting with the CBD on
page 24 and continuing with the Planned Commercial Develop-
ment (PCD) and the Planned Industrial Developments (PIDs) on
page 25.
Mayor Cassandra said there is an acreage requirement on PCDs
or any acreage. He thought that should be looked into and
the PIDs should be looked into as far as requirements. He
thought some PCDs were of personal concern because they
deviated from the City's Code. One needed so many acres,
and the City gave it to them. Marilyn Huckle, 656 Castilla
Lane, interrupted to say it was turned down by the Board of
Adjustment (BOA). Mayor Cassandra thought it should be
looked at because property is surrounded by industry, PCDs,
and right in the middle is R1AAA. He did not know whether
it should go through the BOA. Mr. Cannon responded that it
is possible that they could let the City Commission grant
those types of variances.
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Board of Adjustment
Mr. Cannon apprised the Commission that there is no longer
any State Statute establishing the zoning BOA. That language
was abolished in the 1985 growth management legislation. If
the City Commission wants the power to grant variances for
the minimum acreage for these planned zoning districts, they
could have it. Mayor Cassandra noted they would be taking
powers away from the BOA. The BOA is a quasi-judicial body
that only has action from the Civil Court for regress.
Mayor Cassandra questioned whether the BOA could sue the
City Commission. City Attorney Rea answered affirmatively
and added that the City Commission could sue the BOA as
well.
If the growth management law removed zoning powers from the
BOA and the Commission could grant variances, Mayor
Cassandra questioned what the City was doing with the BOA.
Mr. Cannon was saying the BOA no longer is required by State
law. The City Commission could designate itself or the
P&Z Board as the BOA either generally or with respect to
specific parts of the zoning regulations. Mr. Cannon
informed Mayor Cassandra that this question has not been
addressed in the regulations. Mayor Cassandra wondered if
they should address that question. Mr. Annunziato inter-
jected that it may be something they might want to bring up
in the Code revisions.
Page 26
A. M-1 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT
Mr. Cannon said an environmental review would also be
required in the M-1 zoning district, where you have businesses
that generate hazardous waste.
Health
Mayor Cassandra asked if the City should be concerned about
health inspections and he alluded to the toxic or hazardous
effect there could be to human beings. City Attorney Rea
advised that the City could get into environmental matters,
but if they begin to deal with the same type of duties the
Department of Health does, they will have a preemption type
problem.
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5. Prohibited uses.
b. Storage, distribution, wholesale, retail, and services,
as follows:
Mr. Cannon said this specifies where you have to have open
storage screened. Mayor Cassandra asked what the definition
of "screening" is. Mr. Cannon replied that there is a
definition in the zoning regulations. It means you have to
have some type of opaque material (fence or wall). Mayor
Cassandra commented that the top did not have to be covered.
Mr. Cannon emphasized that there is an eight foot maximum
for a fence or wall. A hedge would not be acceptable.
Page 27
C. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS; REZONINGS
3. Initiation of amendments
Mr. Cannon told the Commission several exceptions were
suggested as far as the materials that have to be submitted.
He explained and said it might be very difficult to get some
of the documents for the City Commission to initiate
rezoning, and he did not think the City Commission should be
precluded from initiating rezonings based on the submission
requirements. Mayor Cassandra noticed there has always been
a concern to move them out when there have been 46 stipula-
tions and conditions when the P&Z Board looked at it. At
this point, he asked if they do not come before the P&Z
Board if it is not fully documented.
Mr. Annunziato answered that it has been addressed proce-
durally through the Technical Review Board (TRB) process.
It isn't a law, but the TRB has taken the position that
beyond a certain level, plans will not be forwarded to the
P&Z Board. If there are strong objections from any Board
member, if the plans are so incomplete so as to be
incomprehensible, or if there have been 20 or 30 conditions,
~he TRB has, of its own volition, been excluding them.
Mayor Cassandra asked how they could support the TRB by
saying not by their likes or dislikes but that the Code
says it has to be. Mr. Annunziato thought that should be
something after the process they were doing now because it
is a touchy situation. Mayor Cassandra explained to the
audience that some developers make the TRB do their job for
them. That was not what the City Staff was being paid for.
Their job is to make sure what the developers have done
complies with the City's Code. Mr. Annunziato reiterated
that was something they needed to talk about.
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11. Limitation on further consideration
Mr. Cannon explained that this exempts the City Commission
from the one year limitation on rezoning. That was the
area where Mayor Cassandra thought they should not be
exempt. He gave an example of an applicant getting a strong
denial from the P&Z Board and then withdrawing the applica-
tion. Mayor Cassandra thought the applicant should still be
liable to that one year stipulation. Mr. Cannon advised
that stipulation would still apply. This would remove that
one year stipulation if the City Commission is the appli-
cant. There was discussion. If a plan is withdrawn, Mr.
Annunziato believed the current zoning regulatiOn says they
cannot resubmit for one year.
Vice Mayor Marchese recalled a recent case where an applicant
submitted plans, and he resubmitted plans within the one
year. Vice Mayor Marchese was under the impression that the
applicant would have to wait a year before coming back.
Mr. Annunziato advised that the zoning regulation also pro-
vides that if you reduce the intensity of a project (traffic
impact, square footage) you are, in effect, a new applica-
tion. It is in many of the zoning regulations that you can-
not submit the same application. They tried to address this
several years ago when they put in this criteria. In
response to Mayor Cassandra, Mr. Annunziato said the City
would have to conclude whether what the applicant submitted
was accurate.
Philip Bacon, business owner on North Federal Highway, was
informed by Mayor Cassandra that if a business wanted a
piece of property rezoned and was turned down by the P&Z
Board, he would still go before the Commission. If the
Commission turns the application down, the business would
have to wait one year before coming back.
If you go before the P&Z Board and are denied and then
withdraw the application, Mayor Cassandra said you still
would have to wait one year.
14. Modifications to master plans of planned zoning
districts and modifications to conditions of zoning for
conventional zoning districts
Mr. Cannon explained that the P&Z Board wished to have the
heading for this paragraph clarified. It presently says
"Modifications to conditions of zoning." The P&Z Board
wanted to make sure it included PCDs, PIDs, etc.
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Page 28
G. REVIEW OF DECISIONS OF BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
Mr. Cannon said the City Staff is suggesting that a para-
graph be added. They are proposing that a new standard be
added for a variance to the lot frontage in order to build
in residential zoning districts. If property is not avail-
able from adjacent properties in order to make the lot
conforming, the applicant would have to provide with the
application an affidavit to the effect that he has attempted
to acquire the property, and it was not possible to acquire
additional property.
Mayor Cassandra (a former member of the BOA) said the City
has a law that if one owner owns three properties that do
not conform to the new plot size, the owner must combine and
replot the three properties to two pieces of property. The
City has been exposed to people who sold one plot to a
friend and another one to another friend and yet had control
of all three plots. By Mr. Cannon's definition, the middle
property could build because the other two properties do not
want to sell to them. If the middle property is allowed to
build, the City must honor the non-conformity of the other
two properties because there would be no way the other pro-
perties could ever get more property. Mayor Cassandra
thought they were opening up a loophole.
As they go further into the regulations, Mr. Cannon said the
City Staff has fixed the ownership to a certain date, which
would be the date of the adoption of the Ordinance. It
references the ownership as recorded in the tax rolls, so
Mr. Cannon said they could go back and look it up in the
tax rolls. He told Mayor Cassandra the zoning regulations
Prohibit you from creating non-conforming lots and agreed
with Mayor Cassandra that he would never be able to sell it.
Mr. Cannon confirmed that was correct and said the zoning
regulations limit the extent to which you can divide your
property and sell it.
Commissioner Hester (also a former member of the BOA)
pointed out that there are a lot of non-conforming lots that
are 50 feet. If he would buy a piece of property knowing it
ils not conforming, it would not be a hardship. Mayor
Cassandra referred to the lawsuit by Gallo saying the City
ils not letting him use his property. If the City loses,
What they were doing now will not be legal.
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Page 29
Mr. Cannon said on this page, they go into requirements when
a non-conforming lot is grandfathered and when it is not.
Mayor Cassandra stated that he was just raising questions of
concern. The City has a pending lawsuit which could throw
everything they were doing now out the door, and he thought
the City staff should be aware of that. Mayor Cassandra was
concerned about the right of selling his property and not
selling his property. If someone would want to buy his
property and he owned the middle piece of three non-conform-
ing lots, he wondered if he could sell it. If he sells it,
Mayor Cassandra said he would be forcing the other two lots
to have a hardship even though he would be the same owner.
Now the City would be telling him he could not build a house
when houses are on both sides. Mayor Cassandra recommended
that they closely look at all of the pros and cons of that.
C. NONCONFORMING LOTS
If you have more than two lots, Mr. Cannon said the parcels
would have to be combined to meet the minimum lot frontage
and minimum lot area required by the zoning district. In
the middle of page 29, it fixes the point when ownership
is determined. Mayor Cassandra thought his argument held
true for this also.
Commissioner Mann said this paragraph describes a minimum
lot as 5,000 square feet, and his argument was that it was
way too small. He asked why they were going with that
figure. In the R-1 to R-3 zoning districts, Mr. Cannon
said the minimum lot area presently is 6,000 square feet,
and the minimum frontage is 60 feet. Many areas of the City
are platted with 50 and some with 25 foot lots. A 50 foot
frontage is a very common frontage for a non-conforming lot.
That was true in 1920, and Commissioner Mann questioned
whether they were still going to continue allow 50 foot lots
in 1988 and the year 2000. At some time, they will have to
stop and say, "No more."
As an example, Mayor Cassandra said some of the people who
bought the plots have 50 foot lots, and there might be
separate owners. That is the problem. There was discussion.
Commissioner Mann asked if they wanted the City to continue
with 5,000 square foot lots as a minimum. City Manager
Cheney replied that the City has a lot of cases where they
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have 50 foot lots sitting by themselves with a house on both
sides. They either let someone build on the lots, or they
can have a vacant lot forever. In most cases where they
have 50 foot lots, all of the other houses that have already
been built were built on 50 foot lots. Therefore, the kind
of house to be built on the lot will be consistent with the
neighborhood.
City Manager Cheney explained that they are not putting a
50 foot lot in a neighborhood that has 100 foot lots. They
are recognizing that there are 50 foot lots in the middle of
a lot of those 50 foot lots. They either let someone build
on them or if they are not buildable, then the City has
someone taking it to Court and saying the City will not let
them use their land. Where there are two 50 foot lots, the
question is whether to make them combine them into one lot.
If they are combined into one lot in a neighborhood where
everything else is on 50 foot lots, City Manager Cheney said
they will be pushing someone to build a house on a 100 foot
lot, which is inconsistent with the neighborhood.
Commissioner Mann commented that, therefore, it was the wish
of this group to allow 50 foot lots to continue. City
Manager Cheney was just trying to put before the Commission
the question of, "What will you have if you don't and you
tell a guy he can't use it?"
Mr. Annunziato wanted to zero in on this and see if he could
come up with something the Commission Would be interested in
doing. He said the City has 50 foot lots that are non-
conforming, where as a property owner or purchaser of the
property, you are unable to acquire additional land because
it will make the adjacent lots non-conforming. Mr.
Annunziato said the City staff thinks someone should have
the right to build on that land without the benefit of a
variance because it is a benefit to the City to have the lot
developed because the lots become a nuisance. The question
becomes, "What happens to the guy that owns two lots
together?" Mr. Annunziato referred the Commission to the
paragraph below "c" and the one below that which reads, "Up
to two (2) ." If the intent is just to allow single lots
to be developed without the benefit of a variance, he
expressed that maybe the answer is to limit it to single
lots. If a person has two lots, he may exceed the minimum
but still not reach what is necessary in the zoning category.
Mayor Cassandra thought that was the better way. What they
were saying now is that people will not have to pay a fee
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
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JANUARY 21, 1988
to go before the BOA when this is passed. As a matter of
right, Mr. Annunziato responded that people can say there is
nothing else they can do on a lot.
Mr. Cannon explained page 29 and paragraphs 6 and 7 on page
31.
Page 31
B. Nonconforming lots in nonresidential districts
Mayor Cassandra said the City has had a dollars and cents
picture where an application does not go in front of Boards.
It was his feeling that any commercial piece of property
built anywhere in the City should go through the review
boards. He explained. Mr. Annunziato advised that those
regulations are currently in Chapter 19 of the Code of
Ordinances, and these issues were not addressed in this set
of regulations. He asked if that question could be addressed
as a part of this public hearing and if amendments could be
made to Chapter 19. City Attorney Rea answered that they
could not be because it was not advertised as such.
Mayor Cassandra did not want anything to slip through, and
he commented that they have slipped through because the Code
allows them to slip through. He thought there should not be
a dollars and cents but that they should go through the TRB.
Mayor Cassandra elaborated. City Manager Cheney stated that
issue was on another list.
There were certain things Mayor Cassandra felt had to be
addressed quickly. The Board Members' qualifications have
to be addressed. Commercial areas should go through the
Boards so that landscaping, parking requirements, ingress
and egress especially on sensitive streets, and the
entrance to our City can be addressed. Mayor Cassandra told
City Manager cheney he thought those things should be
addressed as quickly as possible.
As they begin to look at those regulations, Mr. Annunziato
thought it might be helpful to the City Staff if they could
be thinking about modifications like the Automatic Teller
Machine (ATM) which do not affect the site. He wondered if
they should be subjected to such rigorous review. Mayor
Cassandra referred to the one the other night that was a
replacement.
Mr. Cannon further explained this paragraph. Mayor
Cassandra was in favor of reducing the variance procedure by
using common sense.
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BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
Page 32
Mayor Cassandra said he does not like "CONDITIONAL USE", and
he thought they had discussed not allowing it and putting it
in another zone. He was not talking about churches, but he
wanted them to tighten up on Conditional Uses. The best
example Mr. Cannon could think of was Day Care Centers, as
they are the most common Conditional Uses. Mayor Cassandra
called attention to drive-through restaurants and adUlt
entertainment. He thought there were conditional uses in
every zone (C-l, C-2, C-3, and C-4).
Mayor Cassandra questioned whether they should throw con-
ditional uses that are in C-1 into C-2, uses in C-2 into
C-3, etc. City Manager Cheney advised that there are some
uses that no matter where they go, the City will want to add
additional conditions to them. He explained and added that
he thought if the City was not happy with the conditions,
they needed to review the specific conditions to refuse.
D. STANDARDS FOR EVALUATING CONDITIONAL USES
Mayor Cassandra asked if this would come out of the review
tonight. Mr. Cannon answered that the Commission could ask
them to come up with some additional language. The
Commission agreed to this. City Attorney Rea interjected
that, for example, drive-ins are conditional uses, and
they could add some additional conditions as far as distance
from another drive-in. Mr. Annunziato asked if the City
Staff was to look at the conditional use criteria as they
currently exist with an eye to making them more restrictive.
~he Commission agreed with Mayor Cassandra that was what Mr.
Annunziato was hearing.
Pages 33 to 47
Commissioner Mann asked that the first page again indicate
the advice of the P&Z Board, which took a very strong posi-
tion on that matter. He wanted it in capital letters on the
first page, and he thought the Commission had to be reminded
of what the P&Z Board was advising them to do.
Discussion re Public Hearing on Group Homes
City Manager Cheney referred to the group homes and asked if
they were going to take any more testimony because, if they
were not sure they had all of the testimony, then they did
not have a public hearing. If they continued the public
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
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JANUARY 21, 1988
hearing for two months from now, then they would not be
closing the public hearing on the other items. He asked if
they wanted to close the public hearing tonight and have the
public hearings on the second reading of all of the
Ordinances, or continue the public hearing. If they con-
tinued the public hearing, they would be continuing all of
these things. If they closed the public hearing, they would
close it on all of them.
If they closed the public hearing on this portion, Mayor
Cassandra said the reading of the Ordinance would open up
the public hearing again, at which time the Commission could
veto what they approved tonight. City Attorney Rea and
City Manager Cheney agreed. If they closed the public
hearing, City Manager Cheney said it would just give the
City a chance to move into the Ordinance preparation.
Mr. Annunziato recommended that they conduct the hearing and
ask for public testimony now. Mayor Cassandra intended to
do that after the Commission took a break. THE COMMISSION
TOOK A BREAK AT 8:50 P. M. The meeting resumed at
9:00 P. M.
PUBLIC HEARING
Public Hearing on Group Homes
Leonard W. Kanonik, 1330 S. W. 28th Avenue, did not wish to
speak, as Mayor Cassandra had "said it all".
Roger T. Barr, 1241S. W. 27th Avenue, President of four
~orporations, did not want to see group homes or foster
.omes in any residential area of the City. He saw nothing
wrong with them in commercial areas. They are a business
the way HRS runs them. If they would tighten the definition
~o a married couple that takes in chilren in their own home,
Mr. Barr would see nothing wrong with them. The way HRS
defines it, to him, their foster homes were group homes.
Mr. Barr did not think a government agency should buy a home,
hire help, and run it in a residential area.
It was Mr. Barr's feeling and the feeling of many workers in
his establishment and most of the responsible adults he had
poken to since the last meeting that these homes belong in
ommercial zoning. A man in the audience concurred with Mr.
Barr's comments.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING '
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
Steve Shultz, 1164 S. W. 27th, Golfview Harbour
Mr. Shultz agreed with Mr. Barr that if you have a couple
that wants to adopt or take in foster children in a family
environment, he could see it would be conducive for the
children. What is in Golfview Harbour is nothing more than
a government institution that has been brought into a family
community. They do not want that.
Mr. Shultz reiterated that what they have is a government
institution with a revolving door in front with people
coming and going. He studied the boards in front of the
Commission and to him, the dots looked like bullet holes,
like someone shot up the City. Mr. Shultz predicted that
would happen.
Commissioner Hester moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Marchese to
close the public hearing on group homes. Motion carried 5-0,
and THE PUBLIC HEARING ON GROUP HOMES WAS CLOSED.
REZONING REQUESTS
Mayor Cassandra announced that a public hearing would be held
on each of the following items:
1. Request for the rezoning of properties along the east
side of North Federal Highway from C-4 General Commer-
cial to C-2 Neighborhood Commercial submitted by Carmen
S. Annunziato for the City of Boynton Beach. This
request is submitted for the purpose of implementing
the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report
(North Federal Highway)
Mayor Cassandra read that the recommendation of the P&Z Board
was that this be denied. Mr. Cannon confirmed that was
correct and said he would tie the application with the
proposed changes to the C-2 regulations. Mayor Cassandra
said the Commission had six things to do tonight. One of
the recommendations was to increase the permitted use in
C-2.
Mr. Cannon stated that this concept was included in the
original community redevelopment plan when Urban Design
Studio went through the Land Use and zoning in the entire
community redevelopment area. They recommended that the
lots along the east side of U. S. 1 be changed from C-4 to
C-2. The reasons for that were:
(1) Since there are single family homes immediately to the
east and the lot depth is very shallow, changing the zoning
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JANUARY 21, 1988
to C-2 would eliminate the nuisances that you might have if
you put an auto body shop, used car lot, or wholesale use
next to a single family residence.
(2) It was thought that changing the zoning to allow only
retail uses would improve the aesthetics along that commer-
cial strip, which is particularly important because this is
the northern entrance to the Central Business District
(CBD).
Mr. Cannon referred to the overlay and explained the zoning.
Along U. S. 1, it is currently C-4. To the east is R1A up
to N. E. 10th Avenue. Then it is R-3 north of N. E. 10th
Avenue. The depth of the lots is about 100 feet until you
get to the Rustic Retreat Retirement Home, and that is
approximately 200 feet deep northward to the Boynton Canal.
Currently, there is a mixture of different types of land
uses (retail uses and heavy commercial uses). Mr. Cannon
said a used car dealer, automobile repair establishment,
restaurant, a flower shop, patio furniture shop, Rustic
Retreat (which is an ACLF), and Apollo Pest Control are
there. Close to the Boynton Canal is a car wash and a boat
sales establishment.
The E&A report that the Commission adopted in 1986 picked up
the recommendation contained in the redevelopment plan and
reiterated it with the condition that this only be instituted
if the number of retail uses in the C-2 district is expanded.
Mr. Cannon said that right now, there is a very limited
number of retail uses that are allowed in the C-2 zoning
district (probably a dozen or so). What'was being proposed
in the zoning text amendments the Commission just considered
was that virtually all retail uses be allowed in the C-2
zoning district. Mr. Cannon clarified that is what you would
typically find in a strip shopping center.
The last time they met, Mayor Cassandra thought they tried
to clarify what constitutes a small retail shopping center.
He thought they talked about sales tax as a reference, and
he wondered if they had clarified that. Mr. Cannon referred
to the handout, and Mayor Cassandra observed that it was on
page 1. Mayor Cassandra read, "Consider revising
definition. . ." "Sale of goods only to household consumers,
Or office or professional equipment and supplies, for use in
offices, or any other sale in the form of personal property,"
and said it deviated from what they had before. Mr. Cannon
said he looked at the section of the Florida Statutes deal-
ing with sales tax. It is a very lengthy and complicated
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
portion of the Statutes. Mr. Cannon thought it would be
unwise to refer to retail sales tax, and he explained.
Mayor Cassandra asked if Mr. Cannon was satisfied with the
new definition (that the City does not get in there unwanted
types of businesses). Mr. Cannon thought this was a suffi-
cient definition and had what the City wanted to say. It
would include non-profit organizations. Mayor Cassandra
asked if a pet store could go into the C-2 district. Mr.
Cannon answered that it is currently a permitted use, and it
would continue as a permitted use. He confirmed
Commissioner Zibelli's statement that no outside kennels
would be allowed.
Mr. Cannon mentioned that this was something contemplated in
the original CRA plan. It was carried forward in the E&A
report, and they thought it was reasonable if they expanded
the number of retail uses allowed in that zoning district.
Mayor Cassandra asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of
the rezoning.
Howard Burns, 11 Fenwick Place, owns property on N. E. 12th
Avenue, east of Federal Highway. He asked if this they were
going to zone this C-2. Mr. Burns questioned whether the
P&Z Board recommended that it be changed to C-2 or whether
they rejected it. Mayor Cassandra replied that the Planning
Department, in doing what was followed through as far as the
E&A report, recommended that the C-4 zoning be changed to
C-2. That recommendation went to the P&Z Board, who denied
the recommendation. Now the Commission was reviewing both
thoughts and listening to the people. Mr. Burns was for
changing it to C-2.
Jim Marsh, indicated on the overlay the property he owns on
N. E. 12th Avenue. Mayor Cassandra noticed that Mr. Marsh's
property is behind the proposed zoning change. Mr. Marsh
was also for the change to C-2 zoning.
Bill Rose, Mariner Village, said that while the zoning did
not affect him, the congestion, etc. does. From his property,
he can see the car wash and Showtime, and he did not want
any more of that. Mr. Rose hears the car wash all night
long.
John Schiavo, Mariners Way, lives across from Mr. Rose, and
Concurred with him.
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JANUARY 21, 1988
Frances Rose, 611 N. E. 12th Avenue, was concerned about
noise, maintaining the family environment, clean water, and
not polluting the canals. Therefore, she was for it.
Mayor Cassandra asked if anyone wished to speak against the
rezoning.
Philip Bacon, lives in Delray Beach, but he is the owner of
the self service car wash on North Federal Highway. He
indicated the location of his property on the overlay and
stated that he opposed the zoning change because it would
mean an economic hardship for him. He stated that every
other business that will be created will become a non-
conforming business in that zoning district.
Presently, Mr. Bacon said they were talking about expanding
the uses in C-2. However, going from the north, he said
they were talking about seven or eight businesses (the boat
sales place, car wash, Apollo, the auto repair, where there
was a party boat place, and the Old Dutch Tavern) that are
presently conforming businesses that will become
non-conforming businesses.
Mr. Bacon said that by February 1st, he will be closing his
business from 10:00 P. M. until 7:00 A. M., but he said the
larger question was that they were talking about eliminating
1/3 of the entire C-4 zoning that is in the City. C-4 is on
the other side of the street, along Boynton Beach Boulevard,
and some on the other side of the tracks. There is no C-4
zoning west of town or in the south part of town. There is
no place to move to be conforming.
Frankly, Mr. Bacon did not feel this was fair. He will lose
the value of his property. If he would become a non-
conforming business, he understood he could stay open because
he will be grandfathered, but he was worried about the City's
policies on non-conforming businesses. Mr. Bacon talked
about his business and said he has been thinking for some
time about an attractive mansard. He stated that the City's
policies regarding non-conforming businesses is very
restrictive. Generally, a non-conforming business is not
welcome in a zoning area. If he comes in for a mansard to
improve the appearance, he will get turned down. If he has
necessary repairs or permits for fences, signs, or anything
he will have to approach the City about and is non-conform-
ing, Mr. Bacon felt it would be open season towards his
business because he will be non-conforming. He bought the
property because he needed C-4 zoning for a self-service car
wash.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 21, 1988
Mr. Bacon said it is possible that we could have a hurricane.
He said to suppose his business went down, as well as half
of the other businesses in the City. If he is out of
business for six months and is non-conforming, Mr. Bacon
said he will not be able to get a license to build again.
If they have a hurricane the size of what hit Louisiana 15
years ago, where it wiped everything out, he asked what will
happen to his business, his livelihood, the mortgage on his
house, his kids' education, and his living if he cannot
rebuild his business. That was why Mr. Bacon did not want
to be in non-conforming zoning.
Mr. Bacon emphasized that he was opposed to this. The busi-
nesses along there are needed in the area. If the City does
not permit them any place to be in business, the citizens of
Boynton Beach will be unable to avail themselves of their
services. Mr. Bacon told of who uses his facilities every
week, and he elaborated.
John Mirisola, owner of Apollo Termite & Pest Control,
1304 North Federal Highway, has lived in Boynton Beach for
33 years and has had four business enterprises on U. S. 1 in
commercial areas. U. S. 1 has always been commercial, and
it has never been a residential situation here. Mr.
Mirisola said his business is here to eliminate insects from
commercial buildings, restaurants, hotels, and homes.
Their office here is basically an administration office.
35 people work around there, mostly in the administrative
line.
The P&Z Board unanimously voted for this to be turned down.
Mr. Mirisola said nothing is happening in that area except
business. Mr. Annunziato said it is a nuisance to have
vacant lots, and he agreed. Mr. Mirisola said they are
trying to improve and beautify their lot but because of the
Code and zoning uncertainties, it is very difficult to do.
The land was bought as C-4 in 1977. Somewhere along the
line, without Apollo knowing about it, the City called the
exterminating business out from C-4. Mr. Mirisola wondered
if the people who did it realize what the exterminating
business is. They do not spray insecticides around their
property. They conduct business there. It is an administra-
tive building on U. S. 1. The business is conducted in the
field.
Mr. Mirisola stated that it will be a financial hardship on
them to have this down zoned from C-4 to C-2. He hoped the
Commission consider the P&Z Board's decision and that they
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
would consider that he bought the property under those
conditions.
Mayor Cassandra thought the record should show that the
Apollo representative also spoke on January 6th, and he
believed he was the only one that spoke at that time.
If they become a non-conforming use, Mayor Cassandra asked
if the C-4 businesses can upgrade their property and get a
permit. Mr. Cannon answered that they can only do repairs
and maintenance not to exceed 20% of the value of the
building each year. If the car wash wants a mansard to make
it less than a car wash and it exceeds 20%, Mayor Cassandra
said they cannot do it. Mr. Cannon replied that was
correct. City Manager Cheney confirmed Mr. Cannon's state-
ment that the car wash could not put a mansard on it but
could only do repairs and maintenance, and he added that the
reason for non-conforming uses is because of the theory that
they should not be in that zone and, eventually, you want
them to disappear. Therefore, you make them non-conforming
and do not allow improvements to extend their life because
that is inconsistent with non-conforming. You can say they
can maintain what they have, but you do not allow improve-
ments that make their life longer.
Assuming we get a Class 5 hurricane, and Mr. Bacon's busi-
ness is wiped out, Mayor Cassandra asked if Mr. Bacon can
rebuild what he had. City Manager Cheney replied that he
could not.
With reference to Apollo, right now Mayor Cassandra said
Mr. Mirisola cannot park his truck there. Mr. Cannon
confirmed that is correct, and he explained that extermina-
ting is not a permitted use in the C-4 zoning district.
Mr. Mirisola informed Mayor Cassandra that it was okay in
1977, and he had no idea when it went out because they were
never notified. They did not have an opportunity to defend
themselves. Mr. Mirisola adamantly said that whoever makes
these decisions should come down and see what his business
is all about. He reiterated that they are administrative
and asked, "What do you think we do down there?"
City Manager Cheney asked if they have material and supplies
there. Mr. Mirisola replied that most of their material and
supplies are not kept there. City Manager Cheney asked if
the City has had complaints about leaks in the past from
materials that were kept there. Mr. Mirisola answered,
"Absolutely not," and he added, "That's not what this is
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MINUTES --SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
about anyway." Mayor Cassandra told Mr. Mirisola that when
changes to the Code are made, it is referenced in the Code
book, so he could find out when the change occurred.
As no one else wished to speak, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS
CLOSED.
Commissioner Zibelli was having a problem with this because
the west side is C-4. She asked what made it so different
on the east side, and she wondered whether it was because
some residences are behind it. Commissioner Zibelli
commented that it has been the same usage. Mr. Annunziato
asked the Commission to recall that this was a recommenda-
tion that came out of the redevelopment plan for the Centr.al
Business District (CBD).
Mr. Annunziato explained that at that time, it was Mr. Hank
Skokowski's recommendation to the Redevelopment Agency and
the City Commission that in order to improve the entrance to
Boynton Beach, it made sense to change land uses. Also,
because there was a desire to promote residences in close
proximity to the CBD, it was to protect those residences and
~heir land values. As Mr. Skokowski looked at the situation
on Federal Highway, Mr. Annunziato said he recommended that
the Commission adopt the policy that the property change in
land use from C-4 to C-2. That was the recommendation that
would have been adopted when they adopted the CBD regulations
except that there was an inconsistency between that regula-
tion and the Comprehensive Plan so it was taken under advise-
ment by the P&Z Board. When the P&Z Board did the E&A
report, they changed the land use to a local retail commer-
cial category. Mr. Annunziato repeated the two reasons for
the change.
Commissioner Zibelli pointed out that they were saying it
would enhance the entrance to the City, but they still have
C-4 on the other side with Showtime, the yellow building
that sells furniture, etc. She did not totally agree with
that portion of it.
For the benefit of the car wash and Apollo, Mayor Cassandra
stated that he has advocated the beautification of the
entrances into the City. By the same token, he did not want
to put anybody out of business. With due respect to the
car wash, that was something Mayor Cassandra would not like
to see coming into the City. He explained why you cannot
beautify a car wash. The Apollo administrative building was
different.
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 21, 1988
Mayor Cassandra stated that the arguments of the car wash
and Apollo were good but, in his opinion, they left out that
if the zoning is left as C-4, they will also be allowing all
of the other elements that the City does not want into the
vacant land area. He noted that they said vacant land has
not been developed for the last five or ten years, which is
right, and he asked if they ever thought it was possible
that it had not been developed because of what is there now.
Mayor Cassandra was concerned for everybody in the City.
Businesses were involved and, therefore, if that was the
consensus, they would be making non-conforming businesses.
It was a very strong consideration that the Commission had
to make, and Mayor Cassandra explained that if the Commission
decided to go from C-4 to C-2, the car wash and Apollo would
be non-conforming and their properties would be phased out
in the years to come.
Commissioner Hester understood this was in the E&A report in
1986 that the east side changed. Mayor. Cassandra asked why
they just changed one side. Mr. Cannon answered that the
west side is separated by the railroad track. There was
discussion. Regardless of how the Commission felt, Mayor
Cassandra stated that he was not in favor of C-4. He stated
that the new concept is that U. S. 1 will not be Commercial
any more because of 1-95. 1-95 tends to take away the
Commercial from U. S. 1 and move it west. There were pro-
tests from the audience. A man in the audience disagreed,
saying it will never be Residential on U. S. 1, and he gave
his reasons. Commissioner Hester thought if one side was
going to be C-4, the other side should be also.
Mr. Annunziato said the coastal management element is demand-
ing that they eValuate the economics, and he thought that
would be the appropriate time to evaluate the uses of the
land on the west side of U. S. 1. It was his recommendation
that the Commission act on the applications before them
because he did not think it would detract from any decisions
they might make in the future for those properties on the
west side.
Mayor Cassandra did not know if he wanted to act on this
right now without the information on the east side. He
thought it was a strong argument, and he felt both sides
should be C-2. They were talking about beautifying the
entrance to the City, and Mayor Cassandra strongly felt both
sides should be looked at, evaluated, and a recommendation
made. The Commission should vote on both sides of the
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
street. Mayor Cassandra could not see leaving one side C-4
and the other side C-2.
Mayor Cassandra informed someone in the audience that they
had discussed what they would allow in C-4, and he asked if
the proposal was to eliminate some of the uses in C-4. Mr.
Annunziato thought that needed to be specifically addressed.
He advised that they could do it in connection with the
adoption of the Ordinance, or they could do it tonight.
After discussion, Mayor Cassandra still thought voting on
1/2 of the street was the wrong way to go. He asked what
that would do with the Comprehensive Plan and the E&A report.
Mr. Annunziato stated that the City is beyond the one year
issue because it was difficult to bring all of these items
to the City Commission. At a minimum, the City Staff could
not be in the position of addressing that issue in finality
until December of this year, if it was taken out of the
Comprehensive Plan and done as an individual action. If
they do it as part of the Comprehensive Plan, it would not
be until the winter of 1989 that they would be addressing it
in finality. Mr. Annunziato said they could suggest
policies, but it will not be in the Comprehensive Plan's
approval procedure until the Fall or Winter of 1989. The
City will be transmitting in February or March of 1989.
City Manager Cheney interrupted Mr. Annunziato to point out
that this Commission will have to make decisions by early
1988 to send this to the Department of Community Affairs
(DCA). Mr. Annunziato told Mayor Cassandra the Commission
eould address the issue but they could not address it
completely or in finality until the Fall of 1989. Mayor
Cassandra thought it should be addressed properly, and he
asked the Commission to table this until they could come
back with the coastal review or the City's own review about
both sides.
Mr. Annunziato advised that it would make more sense to
strike it because they would be tabling it for 1~ years.
Vice Mayor Marchese said businesses are going in on the east
side that may not be desirable. He wondered if they should
get that into the plan and then start working on the west
side. He thought the length of time they would have to wait
was too great.
Mayor Cassandra stated that they had been waiting for 15
years now. He did not understand why they could not address
it in 1988. The final Ordinance will be in 1989, but Mayor
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MINUTES - SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JANUARY 21, 1988
Cassandra felt it could be addressed and finalized. Mr.
Annunziato agreed that it could be addressed. They could
look at it and make preliminary decisions, but they will not
affect the use of land until the Comprehensive Plan is
adopted. Then they will stil have to go through the
Ordinance adoption procedure.
Mayor CaSsandra determined they could not act on this
tonight (review the pros and cons of both sides). If any
development comes in to develop on that side, he felt they
should be told they could become a non-conforming use.
Mayor Cassandra thought they should look at the whole thing
and that they should also address permitted uses in C-4.
Vice Mayor Marchese wanted to see the whole thing C-2.
Commissioner Hester reiterated that he did not believe in
having half of the highway one way and half the other. Mayor
Cassandra felt the consensus of the Commission was not to
act on this.
Even if the Comprehensive Plan was adopted in the Fall of
1989, Mr. Annunziato said they would still have to implement
Ordinances and go back through the zoning procedures like
they were in now, they would be in the Spring of 1990 before
this could be addressed again unless they address it outside
of the Conservation and Coastal Management Element and the
City files an application in April of this year like they
did others. He said the City Staff can generate the infor-
mation, and that would put them at the end of 1988. Mayor
Cassandra thought that was the way to go. They could then
make a decision one way or the other.
City Attorney Rea advised that they should either approve
or deny this. City Manager Cheney questioned whether they
would be leaving something in the record that could be picked
up later on. He asked why they did not just take no action
and delete it from the agenda. City Attorney Rea agreed to
this.
Commissioner Zibelli moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Marchese,
to DELETE this item from the agenda. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Cassandra announced that there would be another public
hearing addressing both sides of the street.
2. Request for the rezoning from R-3 Multi-Family Residential
to C-2 Neighborhood Commercial for the easterly portions of
1120 North Federal Highway and the adjacent parcel to the
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JANUARY 21, 1988
SOUth submitted by Carmen S. Annunziato for the purpose of
implementing the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal.
(Rustic Retreat Retirement Home and Adjacent Parcel)
3. Request to rezone Lot 20, Lake Addition to Boynton Beach
from R-lA Single Family Residential to C-2 Neighborhood
Commercial submitted by Carmen S. Annunziato for the City of
Boynton Beach. Lot 20 is located on NE 9th Avenue, 108 feet
east of North Federal Highway. This request is submitted
for the purpose of implementing the Comprehensive Plan
Evaluation and Appraisal Report. (Lake Addition to Boynton
Beach)
Mr. Cannon pointed out that these applications were the same
thing as above. Mr. Annunziato added that there was no
sense in acting on them.
Commissioner Zibelli moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Marchese,
to DELETE items 2 and 3 from the agenda. Motion carried
5-0.
4. Request for rezoning from C-3 Community Commercial to C-2
Neighborhood Commercial for properties along SE 23rd Avenue
between South Federal Highway and the FEC Railroad right-of-
way submitted by Carmen Annunziato for the City of Boynton
Beach. This request is submitted for the purpose of imple-
menting the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal
Report. (SE 23rd Avenue)
Mr. Cannon said this application came with a positive,
unanimous recommendation from the P&Z Board. In doing the
E&A report, the Planning Department looked at every parcel
in the City as to the suitability of the zoning. In driving
up this section of S. E. 23rd Avenue, it appeared that the
character of this area was substantially different from most
of the other areas in the City that are currently zoned C-3.
Mr. Cannon explained that C-3 is intended primarily for
heavy traffic thoroughfares like Woolbright Road and U. S. 1.
He elaborated and said if you drive along this segment, you
can see it is primarily residential (duplexes and single
family houses). The lot depth is fairly shallow. S. E. 23rd
Avenue is a two lane road, and it probably will stay a two
lane road for quite some time.
Mr. Cannon said there is also a neighborhood to the north
that will not be very well buffered from these uses, and
that neighborhood shows some signs of decline. There is a
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mixture of different kinds of residential uses there
(apartments, duplexes, and single family houses) and they
are showing some signs of maintenance neglect.
Mr. Cannon said they thought it best to down zone this to
a C-2 zoning district with the provision as to the number of
uses. Mostly small parcels are there, and they currently
have houses or duplexes on them that are converted to some
kind of Commercial use (office or small retail).
There was discussion about what is on S. E. 23rd Avenue and
how it is zoned. Mr. Annunziato referred to the zoning map
and explained the zoning.
As no one wished to speak in favor of or in opposition to
the request, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED.
Commissioner Zibelli asked if service stations without major
repairs would be allowed there. Mr. Annunziato believed
that was currently allowed, as long as it fronts on a four
lane collector. Mr. Cannon confirmed that was correct, but
added that you would not be able to put a service station at
this location because Golf Road only has two lanes. To have
a service station in C-2 zoning, you have to have a four
lane collector or arterial.
Vice Mayor Marchese moved to accept the request and said
that it was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan E&A
Report. Commissioner Hester seconded the motion, and the
motion carried 5-0.
Question Regarding Procedure
Mayor Cassandra asked if he broke the procedure because they
deleted items under public hearing with hearing the public.
City Attorney Rea answered, "No, because you deleted them
from the agenda."
5. Request to rezone Lot 23, Crestview Subdivision from R-3
Multi-Family Residential to C-2 Neighborhood Commercial
submitted by Carmen Annunziato for the City of Boynton
Beach. Lot 23 is located at 323 S. E. 23rd Avenue. This
iequest is submitted for the purpose of implementing the
omprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report.
Crestview)
Mr. Cannon informed the Commission that this request came to
them with a positive recommendation from the P&Z Board. The
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application covered one lot at the intersection of 23rd
Avenue and the FEC tracks. It is occupied by a doctor's
office and does not appear that it will ever be used for an
R-3 type use. Mr. Cannon added that there did not appear to
be a~problem with allowing either an office to continue
there or to allow a small retail use. Rezoning it would be
eonsistent with the remainder of the frontage along 23rd
Avenue.
As no one wished to speak for or against the request, THE
PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED.
Commissioner Hester moved to approve the request, seconded
by Commissioner Zibelli, and that it was consistent with the
Comprehensive Plan E&A report. Motion carried 5-0.
6. Request to rezone Lot 20, Crestview Subdivision from C-3
Community Commercial to R-3 Multi-Family Residential
submitted by Carmen S. Annunziato for the City of Boynton
Beach. Lot 20 is located at 2226 S. E. 3rd Street. This
request is submitted for the purpose of implementing the
Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Report.
(Crestview)
Mr. Cannon said this request covers one lot, which is
presently occupied by a duplex, as are the two lots to the
north of it. This is merely an attempt to straighten the
zoning district's boundary. When the zoning districts were
originally adopted, this lot was included in the Commercial
zoning category. Mr. Cannon pointed out that it would seem
reasonable to prevent Commercial uses from intruding up that
residential street. He said the owner could put a Commercial
or a retail use there that would be open until late hours
and intrude on the neighborhood. It would also set a
Precedent for rezoning the apartment building across the
street to a Commercial use, which would create a further
intrusion on a residential street.
Mayor Cassandra asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or
against the request. There was no response, and THE PUBLIC
HEARING WAS CLOSED.
Vice Mayor Marchese moved to approve the request and said
the request was in compliance with implementing the
Comprehensive Plan E&A Report. Commissioner Zibelli seconded
the motion, and the motion carried 5-0.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Commission,
the meeting adjourned at 10:00 P. M.
CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
Mayor
Commissioner
ATTEST:
I City Clerk
Recording Secretary /f
(Three Tapes) ~
s i oner
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