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Minutes 05-23-88 MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING HELD AT PINELAND PLAZA, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, MONDAY, MAY~23, 1988 AT 7:30 P. M. RESENT ick Cassandra, Mayor zell Hester, Jr., Vice Mayor ~onard Mann, Commissioner alph Marchese, Commissioner Obert Olenik, Jr., Commissioner Peter L. Cheney, City Manager Sue Kruse, Deputy City Clerk Mayor Cassandra called the meeting to order at 7:33 P. M. armen Annunziato, Planning Director and Johnnetta roomfield, Community Improvement Director were in the ~udience. Peter Genna, Barbara Matthews and Mike Agnello (property owners along the Boulevard) were also present. ayor Cassandra then turned the meeting over to Jo Ellen eisinger, Project Manager, Urban Design Studios, Boynton Beach Boulevard Urban Design Plan. Ms. Leisinger's ~ssistant, Jeff Fessler, was also present and assisted with ~he presentation. Medians .s. Leisinger stated that the plans for the medians had to e changed. Some of the medians must be removed and others re not wide enough to allow the Washington Palms to be lanted as previously shown. For safety purposes, more room .ust be left for traffic flow, stacking, turns, etc. It was elt that too many "U" turns would be attempted if some of he medians were left as in the previous plans. here was some question about the median at 1-95 and whether r not the Department of Transportation (DOT) was planning o leave that median as it is or if it would be removed. treet Lights lo new street lights will be allowed, but the old ones can e retained and wiring (or feeders) put underground. Ms. eisinger left it up to the City to decide the type lights hey wanted. She felt that the feeder lines are the most ~.nattractive and the aesthetics would be enhanced~ if they ,ere placed underground. Perhaps the other lines could be eft and would blend in with the tree line. ~torefront Setbacks q~here was discussion regarding the storefront setbacks. here would be a 7' right-of-way in front of each store. idewalks are included in thel20' greenbelt area. INUTES - CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING oYNToN BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 23, 1988 rking ere would be no parking along Boynton Beach Boulevard. ~11 parking woUld be in ~ack of the businesses. Mr. ~nnunziato pointed out that traffic is already at Level C and would probably rise to Level D. This should not unnecessarily concern the City. Most urban areas are at Ievel D or will be at that level as they develop. ~ermitting Process ~Ubic Hearings must be advertised and held regarding median Changes as these affect the property owners. Implementation ~is. Leisinger stated that the implementation portion of her ~eport is not yet done, but she will give some of her recom- mendations as to how she feels these projects should be spproached. She wished to see the Boynton Beach Boulevard ook different from the downtown area. She felt that the reenbelt area in the front would be an asset. Signs l ayor Cassandra stated %hat he liked Ms. Leisinger's pproach to the sign issue. irection Mayor Cassandra felt that the time had come for the City £!ommission to decide what direction to take and how much ~.oney would be necessary to carry out the plans. Ms. I,eisinger stated that some of the median plantings would not ~.e possible, as previously stated. She felt that the median ~.eautification would have a very minimal impact on the esthetics of the area. is. Leisinger pointed out that only three buildings would ~ave to be demolished. She pointed out how access to the ~,usiness would be obtained and where parking could be ocated. It was felt that the public would have to do omething to get the project started - to get the private ,usiness owners interested in the plan. There could be some ~ncentives such as a change in zoning to allow more types of ~usiness, increase in density allowed, allow increase in ~uilding heights, etc. £!ity Manager Cheney felt that a zoning change might give the ~.eople a greater opportunity to develop their land. -2- MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING BDYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 23, 1988 Commissioner Olenik suggested that the area by 1-95 might be a good place to start. It is a major entrance into the City and it looks terrible at the present time. The Holiday Inn and the elementary school are located in that area. Ms. Leisinger agreed this might be a good place to start. arking Mr. Annunziato did not know exactly what it would cost to establish a parking space, but the cost is great, ~as drainage must be provided, area paved, etc. Nike Agnello, owner of one of the houses scheduled for demo- lition, stated that the owners would have to be compensated for the loss of their buildings. Level of Intensity r. Annunziato feared that if the level of intensity was ncreased, it might take away from the downtown area. He lso noted that the level of traffic created must be con- idered. Mayor Cassandra felt that perhaps level of inten- ity could be increased in only one or two blocks, and not ause too much of an increase in traffic. irection continued s. Leisinger suggested that a network of designers might be stablished so that the business owners would have a list of eople who could assist with the design for their property. list of lending institutions could also be made available o the owners. ommissioner Marchese stated that he had many doubts about his plan. He hoped that some of the people along Boynton each Boulevard would start doing something to improve their rea. ayor Cassandra stated that it would be recommended to busi- ess owners when they move into a building that they create he greenbelt area in front of their business. He eiterated that the only change since the last meeting with rban Design is that less medians are being recommended. He elt the first step would be to check with DOT to see hether or not the median at 1-95 and Boynton Beach oulevard is to be left. ity Manager Cheney felt that DOT usually goes along with eaving medians for safety reasons, but he was not sure what hey might decide if they were requested for aesthetic Eeasons. -3- MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 23, 1988 Vice Mayor Hester felt that the 1-95 area was a good place t~ start. He felt that a meeting should be set up with the b~siness owners in this area before anything is done. C~ty Manager Cheney stated that he needed the final report f~om Urban Design before cost estimates could be made. He felt that his staff Could begin checking to see how much trees would cost, etc. to determine how much money would be r c T b I t t C h equired. Mayor Cassandra felt it would be a good idea to ome up with dollars and cents necessary to complete each uilding so this information could be provided for the pro- erty owners. here was further discussion regarding how much room would e left after the greenbelt area and parking was created. t was felt that there would be approximately 60' left for he building. Discussion followed regarding the type com- ensation the City might offer to those who allow the use of he 25' frontage. ommissioner Mann pointed out that the City is trying to elp the property owners, not hurt them. ecap ayor Cassandra felt that the following ideas had come from his meeting: °The 1-95 area would be a good place to start. °Rezoning should be considered. ~Property owners should be notified and plans discussed with them. OThree buildings would have to be demolished. °Cost estimates for each building should be worked out for the owners' use, if they so desired. "An incentive package for property owners should be worked out. ayor Cassandra stated that he felt if the proPerty owners n a block got together, an investor might be interested in urchasing a large area. This should cause their property alues to increase. -4- MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 23, 1988 eter Genna asked if the City was going to maintain the area fter they beautified it. There was some discussion, and it as agreed that more needs to be done in the maintenance rea. Mayor Cassandra stated that the code might need to be hanged, but that was easy to accomplish. Ms. Leisinger ointed out that there are many nonconforming violations in he City. It was felt that the new Community Improvement irector was a step forward. fity Manager Cheney stated that notice of public hearings could be sent to all property owners of record, and could be ~and carried to those along the Boulevard. iayor Cassandra questioned how new owners could be persuaded o follow the plan. City Manager Cheney felt that this ould be accomplished in a manner similar to the Central .usiness District guidelines. .cceptance of the Concept of Boynton Beach BoUlevard Design lommissioner Marchese moved to accept the concept as pre- ented by Urban Design Studios for Boynton Beach Boulevard .esign. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Olenik and :arried 5-0. ummary £1ity Manager Cheney will request that Mr. Annunziato check nto height variance requirements. Ms. Leisinger clarified hat the approval included acceptance of the guidelines .ackage, and the Commission agreed. Ms. Leisinger stated hat this would be their last meeting with the City, and hey would finalize their report and send it to the City. like Agnello offered to assist the City in contacting the k~usiness owners along Boynton Beach Boulevard if needed. ~,DJOURNMENT q'here being no further business, the meeting properly .djourned at 8:45 P. M. -5- MINUTES - CITY COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING £OYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA ATTEST: Depu~ity Clerk ~. Secretary eco lng (Two TapeS) MAY 23, 1988 CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH ~'~/ ~~~\ May~. ~ ~' C o~m m~'i~s ~ ~h-e r Co~ssioner -6-