Minutes 01-23-18 MINUTES
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BOARD
COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL
100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2018, 6:30 P.M.
PRESENT: STAFF:
David Katz, Chair Ed Breese, Principal Planner
Kevin Fischer, Vice Chair Amanda Bassiely, Planner Il
Susan Oyer Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager
Stephen Palermo Andrew Mack, Director of Development
Trevor Rosecrans Farah Nerette, Assistant City Attorney
Ryan Wheeler Lisa Edmondson, Prototype, Inc.
Floyd Zonenstein
Lucas Vogel, Alternate
Malcolm Gropper, Alternate
ABSENT:
Chair Katz called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
Roll was called, and it was determined a quorum was present.
Chair Katz introduced two newly appointed alternates, Lucas Vogel and Malcolm Gropper; also
welcomed were Mayor Steven Grant and Rick Maharajh, Member Community Redevelopment
Advisory Board.
3. Agenda Approval
Motion made by Ms. Oyer, seconded by Mr. Palermo, to approve the agenda. In a voice
vote, the motion passed unanimously(7-0).
4. Approval of Minutes from Planning and Development Board Meeting Minutes
A. Approval of the November 28, 2017, minutes
Motion made by Mr. Palermo, seconded by Ms. Oyer, to approve the minutes of the
November 28, 2017, meeting. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously (7-0).
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 2
5. Communications and Announcements: Report from Staff
Mr. Breese reported that Ocean Breeze, Eden Ridge, Soleil Early Learning Academy, High Ridge
Country Club, and the Front Porch Setbacks Code Review were all approved at the City
Commission's January 2018 meetings.
Ms. Nerette reminded the Board Members and Alternates of pertinent rules that apply to each of
them. As members of this board, and before voting on any particular matter that comes before
them, they may inquire about specific and relevant issues within their purview with regards to the
Master Pian or the site plans; members are discouraged and should not inquire that could be
deemed of a personal nature; before voting on any matter, Members are required to disclose
conflicts of interest, specifically publicly announce the nature of the interest in the matter from
which abstaining from voting and within fifteen (15) days of the vote disclose the nature of the
interest in a public record as a memorandum filed with the Clerk, who shall incorporate the memo
in the minutes of the relevant meeting. Any ex parte communications with applicants must be
disclosed prior to any voting on any items that come before the Board, the particular substance of
the matter as well as the identity of the individuals with which the communication took place.
Chair Katz clarified that the Conflict of Interest form should be filed with the City Clerk before
the meeting, not afterwards.
6. Old Business -None
7. New Business
Chair Katz disclosed that he had met with Staff,Andrew Mack, about items on the agenda as they
are the applicant below. Mr. Wheeler disclosed he was on the selection committee put together by
the City that allowed the City to start negotiations to start working on the site plan. Ms. Oyer had
conversations with John Markey, as well as other City employees (Colin Groff and others), at
times over the past year.
A. Approve the Boynton Beach Town Square Master Plan for a mix of civic,
residential and commercial uses, pending reclassification of the 15.04 acre property
from Public and Private Governmental/Institutional (PPGI) and High Density
Residential (HDR) to Mixed Use Medium (MXM) and rezoning from Public Usage
(PU),Recreation(REC),and Multifamily(R-3)to Mixed Use 3 (MU-3)zoning district.
City-initiated.
Amanda Bassiely gave an overview of the Boynton Beach Town Square Master Plan, which
includes seven City-owned parcels: City Hall Complex, Old High School, School House Museum,
amphitheater, library, playground, and Senior Center. Parcel is within CRA and downtown TOD.
The north block is within the Boynton Beach Blvd. District and southern blocks are all within the
Cultural District. This is a City-initiated master plan and land use in preparation to redevelop this
campus into a mixed-use project. Conceptual master plan was reviewed and presented at several
public meetings,resulting in current modified version.
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 3
Master plan components: 1) intensity and density; 2) vehicular access; 3) building mass and
heights; 4) landscape and open space; and 5) phasing of the plan. Existing uses staying are the
existing high school use and structure, and the School House Museum. Three new open spaces
will be added to three existing open spaces(including in front of the School House Museum). The
Amphitheater open space is proposed at 40,000 square feet; the playground at 7,000 square feet;
and the open space lining Seacrest and Ocean Avenues at 19,000 square feet. New City Hall and
Library proposed to be 110,000 square feet.
Proposed density for the plan is 47 units per acre, equating to 705 units over 15 acres, and divided
into three buildings of 225 units (ground floor commercial), 280 units (residential only), and 250
units (residential with commercial along Ocean Ave.). There will be two corresponding parking
garages and a proposed hotel at Boynton Beach and Seacrest with some commercial space along
Boynton Beach Blvd. Maximum height is currently at 75 feet, two buildings proposed above that
height are at 24 additional feet due to the Workforce Housing Ordinance; however, approved
building setbacks are incorporated as appropriate.
Phase 1: public buildings and spaces. Phase 2: residential building to the south. Phase 3: two
residential buildings, parking garage, and hotel to the north. Staff recommends approval of the
Master Plan, which complies with the CRA Redevelopment Plan.
At this time, those of the public wishing to speak to this issue were sworn in by Ms. Nerette. The
floor was open to public comment.
• Dr. Peter Blass, 113 Tara Lakes West, is delighted with the plan, particularly saving the
Old High School. University of Boynton is negotiating with City for some presence in this
structure. Dr. Blass hopes these things will be discussed in the election coming up in one
year.
• Mike Fitzpatrick, 175 SW 2nd Street, said this density is way too high for Iona-time
residents' liking. Commented on marvelous job done in sandblasting the Old High School,
and the stone-cast concrete looks good in its natural state (not painted).
• Craig Sayre, 637 NE 12th Terrace, asked for a description of the three residential areas.
Ms. Bassiely said they are multi-family residential apartments, possibly condos. Chair
Katz commented that the specific purchase/use is not in this Board's purview and should
be addressed with the City Commission.
Floor closed to public comment. Open to questions from the Board.
• Ms. Oyer asked about Park Lane;Ms. Bassiely said Park Lane is not included in the Master
Plan and Design. Ms. Oyer asked about the U-shaped building, Amphitheater, and
maintaining the very large trees. Ms. Bassiely said these plans are not building footprints,
but representative of the building areas, and the exact form will change, and final footprint
reviewed at time of site plan.
• Mr. Fischer mentioned for consideration the northern-most parking garage at 99 feet in
height as jarring right next to the playground space, perhaps the wall could be activated in
some way(such as a rock-climbing wall). Ms. Bassiely said talks with the Art Commission
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 4
and Art in Public Places have already started and will forward Mr. Fischer's suggestion.
• Chair Katz had several questions:
o The current size of the Kids' Kingdom lot is being reduced to 7,000 square feet.
Some discussion followed on the current size (15,000 square feet), Chair Katz
found the results unacceptable, and an insult to the people who worked on that
playground. Ms. Bassiely said _Master Plan reflects minimum spaces, but final
design should open up playground if garage building shifts.
o Height of buildings along SE 1"Street,what is across from the proposed buildings.
Ms.Bassiely answered there are two-three story commercial buildings,and existing
multi-family units which were both included in planning areas that have
development rights comparable to what is proposed. To the east are small condos,
duplexes, or single-family and are subject to fixture development. To the south is
single-family and is not proposed to changes.
o Water feature. Ms. Bassiely said it has been discussed; however, is not yet shown
on the Master Plan. All such details will come out on the Site Plan.
o Possibility of curved buildings, noting that they are more costly to build.
o Handicap parking. Ms. Bassiely noted there will be some on-street parking spaces
along Ocean and on small surface lots.
o Traffic circle is still in plan but may be changed to more on-street parking.
• Mr. Palermo wondered about timelines for demolition and construction. Mr. Groff stated
demolition and construction would be at same time,starting April/-May 2018 for everything
south of Ocean Avenue (public buildings) taking 36-60 months to complete, based on
market for some of the private development. Ordinance requirements are for daytime
construction. The High School is already under construction and should be finished and
occupied by September/October 2018.
• Mr. Rosecrans asked if the vote today locks in the 7,000 square feet for the playground.
Mr. Groff said the playground is under the City's purview, and the intention is to make the
playground as big as possible, and the other side of the high school is part of the open
space. Will try to save as much of Kids' Kingdom as the sensitivity of the space is realized,
public will help to make the decision.
• Mr. Palermo asked if this is part of the City's 20 Year Plan. Ms. Bassiely said this Master
Plan correlates with the Rezoning and Land Use, an implementation of the CRA Plan, and
is not attached to a specific time.
• Chair Katz asked if this Board will get a second chance to go over the Site Plan. Mr. Mack
confirmed within the next couple of months the team would begin submitting site plans for
each phase to be reviewed before the Board and the Commission.
• Ms. Oyer asked for some assurance for the people that there be more than a"random word"
for the more than 7,000 square feet for the playground, and now the increase to 25 feet
elevation along Ocean Avenue from the 20 feet the people thought it would be. Ms.
Bassiely said this is already in the CRA Redevelopment Plan and when any site plan comes
through for approval, it must abide by all applicable standards. On Ocean there will be a
35 foot height maximum on the street and a 30-foot setback within the building. As to the
playground, the Board will get to make a recommendation on the Master Plan that it is
maximized to fullest extent possible and have approval on Phase 1 site plan.
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 5
o Mike Fitzpatrick,resident,who was general contractor on the original playground,
responded to Chair Katz's question for recommendation on the Kids' Kingdom by
stating he was unprepared to answer this and could get a more accurate
recommendation over the next few days as it depends on what needs to be done.
Motion made by Ms. Oyer, seconded by Mr. Zonenstein, to approve the Boynton Beach Town
Square Master Plan for a mix of civic, residential and commercial uses, pending reclassification
of the 15.04 acre property from Public and Private Governmental/Institutional (PPGI) and High
Density Residential (HDR)to Mixed Use Medium(MXM) and rezoning from Public Usage(PU),
Recreation (REQ. and Multifamily (R-3) to Mixed Use 3 (MU-3) zoning district, with the
condition that a maximum Kids' Kingdom playground space be as close to 10,000 to 12,000 square
feet as possible. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously(7-0).
B. Approve Boynton Beach Gateway Police Station Community Design Appeal
(CDPA 17-010) of Chapter 4, Article II1, Section 3.G., "Overhead doors facing rights-
of-way", located at the SE corner of Gateway Boulevard and High Ridge Road in the
PID (Planned Industrial Development) zoning district. Applicant: City of Boynton
Beach.
Mr. Breese gave a presentation of the site at the southeast corner of Gateway and High Ridge
Road; next to Fire Station#5 (FS#5) and two vacant lots that in 2007 were planned for the future
police station. The Police Station will be a mix of one- and two-story buildings, 53,800 square
feet on the 4.92 acre site. The Community Design Plan Appeal was described for the garage doors
on the police station on the sally port where prisoners are brought in and the three-bay storage
building at the rear for secured evidence. History of previously approved site plans for Fire
Department and Police Station doors as well as ingress and egress for the Police Station were
discussed. Staff recommends approval of the Community Design Plan Appeal.
The floor was open to public comment.
• Dr. Peter Blass, 113 Tara Lakes West, said the plan was excellent and could be viewed as
a beginning to strengthen the police and fire presence to reduce crime.
Floor closed to public comment. Open to questions from the Board.
• Mr. Zonenstein wondered if the amount of traffic on Gateway during rush hour has been
considered; the added egress of the fire vehicles could be horrendous. Mr. Breese believes
the police would say in most instances their patrols are out in the field, it's not like they're
all leaving the Police Station to go to a call, and traffic is not seen as an impediment.
• Mr. Fischer noted that in 2022 there are construction dollars allocated for the redesign and
reconstruction of the Gateway and 1-95 Interchange.
• Ms. Oyer had several points to address:
o Also has traffic concerns,wondering about signal preemption. Mr. Groff explained
how this will work for fire and police, again noting that the police for the most part
will not be responding from the station unless there is a huge incident of some kind.
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 6
There traffic use will be low impact, shift changes are not during rush hour, and
while the traffic is bad,this site offers the least impact and is a good use for the site.
o Car charger spaces. Mr. Groff said one is already there and the City will be adding
many as more electric vehicles are being purchased.
o Solar panels installed on the flat roof. Mr. Groff noted this has been asked in public
meetings and the City intends to make the buildings as green as possible,including
solar where feasible. There is some money in the budget for such things. FS#5
already has solar on the roof.
o Provision for installation of roof-top antennas or small microwave dish, and the
powering and grounding of electronic equipment between the two buildings. Mr.
Groff said the communication center for FS#5 is already installed for police and
fire, it is well-grounded, well-protected, and the antennas and dishes are already on
FS#5 for communication during emergency events. There will be underground
fiber cables to the new Police Station, and police dispatch is already within FS#5.
• Mr. Wheeler wondered about the abundance of existing parking, is there an intended use,
can green area be added. Mr. Breese said on a typical day that parking lot isn't used;
however,there is a community room within FS#5 and one will be within the Police Station
that will host community meetings when the lots fills up. The Design Plan allows for a
green area to be left in a natural state if all the parking is not needed; it will be reevaluated.
• Mr. Palermo had questions about grid failure, if it is a good idea to have two emergency
facilities without power on the same grid, despite emergency generators. Mr. Breese noted
that FS#5 is the City's emergency operations center and is designed to be occupied and
operational during any kind of emergency and tying the fire station into that does not pose
any problems. Mr. Groff said the advantage of having these two services together is that
there will be back-up generators to each other, as well as other sources of energy. Also,
this is a split grid, so power does not come from a single substation, though it is all FP&L.
The station can operate three weeks without fuel, and the City owns a site with enough fuel
to go another couple of months. This is better for the City because of multiple redundant
systems.
• Chair Katz had several questions that Mr. Groff answered:
o Will the crime scene vehicles will be stored at this facility? Yes.
o Does the fire station have as much glass as the police station? Square footage-wise
for the size of buildings, about the same; FS#5 has less because of the
communication center areas for public safety standpoint,not designed like an office
building.
o Handicap parking, if there is enough per code, is there room for two-three more?
There are enough per code and more can be added as needed. Chair Katz will add
extra spaces as a condition for approval.
• Mr. Palermo wondered about traffic on High Ridge and Gateway, or Gateway and I-95, if
there is a major accident, how will there be access for emergency vehicles. Mr. Groff said
if the access is blocked,there are multiple ways in and out of FS#5,which has already been
operating for 10 years (and the situation has yet to happen). The four other fire stations
can respond very quickly.
• Mr. Palermo also asked about a helipad for emergency lift somewhere on the 4.92 acres.
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 7
Mr. Groff said the City doesn't have any helipads right now because helicopters aren't used
(the County does). There are places on this site that can be used if needs arise, like on the
parking lot several places. Mr. Groff thinks this is a good item to bring before PD for
future consideration, noting helicopters are very expensive.
Motion made by Mr. Fischer, seconded by Mr. Palermo, to approve Boynton Beach Gateway
Police Station Community Design Appeal (CDPA 17-010) of Chapter 4, Article III, Section 3.G.,
"Overhead doors facing rights-of-way", located at the SE corner of Gateway Boulevard and High
Ridge Road in the PID (Planned Industrial Development) zoning district. In a voice vote, the
motion passed unanimously(7-0).
C. Approve Boynton Beach Gateway Police Station Major Site Plan Modification
(MSPM 17-010) to construct a two-story, 53,800 square foot police station and
associated site improvements immediately north of Fire Station#5, at the SE corner of
Gateway Boulevard and High Ridge Road in the PID(Planned Industrial Development)
zoning district. Applicant: City of Boynton Beach
Chair Katz noted that the background for this item has already been addressed in Item B.
The floor was open to public comment.
• Dr. Peter Blass, 113 Tara Lakes West, had an idea to use dome-shaped buildings for
hurricane resistance for emergency centers, and may want to modify plans for a strong
building.
Floor closed to public comment. Open to questions from the Board.
® Ms. Oyer wondered if there are any kinds of provisions for sniper attacks or shootings from
I-95 or overpasses,preparing for worst-case scenarios. Mr. Groff said,without details,yes.
Motion made by Ms. Oyer, seconded by Mr. Palermo, to approve Boynton Beach Gateway Police
Station Major Site Plan Modification(MSPM 17-010)to construct a two-story, 53,800 square foot
police station and associated site improvements immediately north of Fire Station #5, at the SE
corner of Gateway Boulevard and High Ridge Road in the PID (Planned Industrial Development)
zoning district, with the condition that three additional handicap parking spaces be added to the
plan. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously(7-0).
D. Approve MLK South Rezoning (REZN 18-003) from MU-L2 (Mixed Use—Low
Intensity 2 District)to MU-2 (Mixed Use 2 District)to complete implementation of the
CRA Community Redevelopment Plan's recommendation for the subject 2.97 acre
area. Applicant: City-initiated.
Ms. Bassiely gave an overview on the item which is a clean-up from a CRA implementation of
land use, where this parcel was overlooked in the July 2017 restructuring.
Meeting Minutes Planning and Development Board
January 23, 2018 Page 8
Motion made by Ms. Oyer, seconded by Mr. Palermo, to approve MLK South Rezoning (REZN
18-003) from MU-L2 (Mixed Use—Low Intensity 2 District) to MU-2 (Mixed Use 2 District) to
complete implementation of the CRA Community Redevelopment Plan's recommendation for the
subject 2.97 acre area. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously(7-0).
E. Approve Neelam (fka Schnars) Business Center Rezoning (REZN 18-004) from
MU-L (Mixed Use Low District) to MU-1 (Mixed Use 1 District) to complete
implementation of the CRA Community Redevelopment Plan's recommendation for
the subject 0.52 acre property. Applicant: City-initiated.
Ms. Bassiely gave an overview on the item which is also a clean-up from a CRA implementation
of land use, where this parcel was overlooked in the July 2017 restructuring, making the
rezoning consistent with new CRA Plan recommendations.
Motion made by Mr. Palermo, seconded by Ms. Oyer, to approve Neelam (fka Schnars) Business
Center Rezoning (REZN 18-004) from MU-L (Mixed Use Low District) to MU-1 (Mixed Use 1
District) to complete implementation of the CRA Community Redevelopment Plan's
recommendation for the subject 0.52 acre property. In a voice vote, the motion passed
unanimously(7-0).
8. Other—Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Motion made by Mr.Wheeler to nominate David Katz for Chair and Kevin Fischer for Vice Chair.
There were no other nominations. In a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously(7-0).
9. Comments by Members—None
10. Adjournment
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 pm.
[Minutes transcribed by M.Moore,Prototype,Inc.]