11/16/1999 (2)
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Co~,miJni'ty D,evelopment Board Me~ting
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING - ACTION AGENDA
Tuesday, November 16, 1999
ITEM 1 - REQUESTS FOR CONTINUANCES - None.
ITEM 2 - CONTINUED ITEMS
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A. William and Hope Georgilas (American Infoage, LLC, agen~) are requesting
flexible development approval of a communication tower at 505 Virginia
Lane. (Continued from the July 20, 1999 and October 5,1999 meetings).
ACTION: Approved with staff conditions: 1) Approval shall be initially for
a tower 100 feet in height unless the applicant submits signed contracts to the
Planning Department from 3 users during the effective period of the development
approval as specified in Section 4-407 of the Community Development Code. If the
applicant submits signed contracts from 3 users the approval shall be for a 160-foot
communication tower; 2) the applicant 5hall submit contracts with 3 users prior to
the issuance of a building permit far a 160-foot tall tower; 3J the applicant shall
submit a color sample of the tower indicating that the color is nonreflective prior to
the issuance of a building permit; 4) the tower users shall place their buildings and
equipment only on the approved slabs indicated on the site plan; 5} a landscape plan
indicating plant species and numbers and locations of plants shall be approved by
staff prior to the issuance of a development order; and 6) the applicant in
cooperation with the City will investigate within the next 60 days the possibility of
developing this tower as something other than a monopole, preferably a stealth
tower. It was requested that Mr. Cooper consider sharing 50% of costs associated
with a stealth tower or invest necessary funds for such a tower.
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ITEM 3 - LEVEL 2 APPLICATIONS - None.
ITEM 4 - LEVEL 3 APPLICATIONS
ANNEXATIONS
A. Mr. Booker T. Colson II is requesting annexation into the City of Clearwater
for property located at 1432 Sunset Point Road. The proposed land use designation
is Residential Urban and the proposed zoning, will be Low Medium Density
Residential.
ACTION:
Approved.
B. Mr. Taylor G. Bingham 111 is requesting annexation into the city of Clearwater
for property located at 13 Meadowlark Lane. The proposed land use designation is
Residential Urban and the proposed zoning will be Low Medium Density Residential.
ACTION:
Approved.
.:J ITEM 6 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: OCTOBER 19,1999
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ACTION:
Approved 8S submitted.
ITEM 6 - DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
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. Planning Director Ralph Stone provided board members with minor
amendments adopted to the land Development Code.
Mr. Stone reviewed 2 new staff members' credentials.
Lisa Fierce. Development Review Manager was accepted as an expert
witness in the area of comprehensive planning and development regulations.
Gina L. Clayton was accepted as an expert witness in the area of
comprehensive planning and zoning and development regulation administration.
A Christmas luncheon is,scheduled for at 11 :30 a.m~ on December 14, 1999
. at,the Harborview Center. The regularly scheduled December CDB meeting is
" ' , rescheduled to 2:00 p.m. December 14. 199~, at City Hall.
The Chair said he is open to input regarding limiting the amount of time
residents, applicants, etc. are permitted to speak. '
It was remarked that a lot of time arid effort went into finding a resolution to
the telecommunication tower issue. It was suggested a policy decision, a '
'commitment, or code amendments may. be necessary in certain areas of the City
regarding sensitive neighborhood design.
ITEM 7 - ADJOURNMENT - 3:06 p.m.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 16, 1999
Present:
Gerald Figurski
Edward Mazur, Jr.
David Gildersleeve
Shirley Moran
Carlen A. Petersen
Alex Pliska
William Johnson
Chair
Vice Chair - departed 1 :41 p.m.
Board Member - arrived 1 :04 p.m.
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides
Ralph Stone
Cynthia Hardin
Lisa Fierce
Etim Udoh
Gina Clayton
Brenda Moses
Assistant City Attorney
Planning Director
Assistant Planning Director
Development Review Manager
Senior Planner
Senior Planner
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1 :00 p.m. at City Hall, followed by the
Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and a review of meeting procedures and the appeal
process.
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, To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarllv
discussed in that order.
ITEM 1 - CONTINUED ITEMS
A. William and Hope Georgilas (American Infoage, LLC, agent) are requesting flexible
development approval of a communication tower at 505 Virginia Lane. (Continued from
July 20, 1999, and October 5, 1999)
The request is for flexible development approval of a communication tower at 505
Virginia Lane. Planning Director Ralph Stone said staff had distributed: 1) November 11,
1999 correspondence from Miller M. Cooper of American IntoAge, llC, and 21 November
10, 1999 correspondence from J. Howard Hinesley, Superintendent of Pinellas County
Schools. On October 5, 1999, the City Manager had requested the case be continued tor
staff to meet with Dr. Hinesley and School Board representatives regarding the Clearwater
High School site as a alternate location for vendors associated with this application. Dr.
Hinesley indicated that the School Board would consider the subject tower for collocation
by telecommunication system vendors. AT&T uses the subject tower under its current
agreement with the School Board. Financial and technological considerations will affect the
number at carriers able to locate there. American IntoAge has stated as many as 5 carriers
need accommodation on a telecommunication tower. Mr. Stone said the School Board
seems willing to negotiate with carriers to use the tower. Staff recommends American
InfoAge meet with the School Board. Dr. Hinesley reported the subject contract requires
':J mutual usage at the tower and approval by AT&T and the School Board for collocations,
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,-." and the removal or addition of equipment. He recommended continuing the application for
J up to 6 months.
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It was remarked that Dr. Hinesley's letter implies that AT&T can veto any decision
related to the subject tower. Assistant Planning Director Cyndi Hardin said specific
language in the contract outlines AT&T's veto power. The contract, between two private
parties, was entered into before recent federal legislation was enacted. Assistant City
Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides said while the new federal law requires and encourages
collocation, the preexisting contractual obligations may be an issue. AT&T may retain veto
authority over new users. Ms. Hardin said AT&T had not been contacted, and was not
present at the meeting with the School Board. The School Board expressed interest in
replacing the tower with a new one.
John Hubbard, representative, said his client collocates telecommunications
equipment as its business. He said indeterminate deferral conflicts with Federal Statutes
requiring the timely consideration of this request. He opposed a continuance. He refe'rred
to Dr. Hinesley's letter, noting AT&T has no motive to allow collocations as their 3D-year
contract was signed in 1987. He said the School Board's plans to construct a new
communication system will impact the tower. Mr. Hubbard distributed a July 12, 1999, e-
mail from Kevin Becker of AT&T to Bob Killian of Nextel, which states that collocation on
the subject tower is impossible until landlord issues are resolved and that no plans exist to
rebuild or refurbish the tower to allow collocation. Mr. Hubbard distributed background
information related to this request.
Miller M. Cooper, President of American InfoAge, said this process began in May
1999. He said the School Board uses the subject tower for a security system. He reported
that Pinellas County Schools Campus Police Department Chief Joseph Feraca had indicated
that School Board use of the tower will increase. Mr. Cooper said City ordinance allows
160-foot towers. Three carriers will use the entire tower. No space will be available for
use by the School Board, AT&T, or other carriers. In response to a question, Mr. Cooper
said it is possible to place 3 to 5 tenants on a 160-foot tower. He said he had approached
St. Paul's Church on Keene Road as a site but had received no reply. He felt the requested
site is a superior location for a tower, provides adequate service, and minimizes impacts.
The departure of Member Mazur to attend a funeral was noted. Board rules require
approval by 4 members for a motion to pass. Ms. Dougall-Sides said the issue is
substantive. She requested the board decide if the case is to be continued.
Member Moran moved to continue Item A 1. The motion was duly seconded.
Discussion ensued. It was noted a remark made at last month's meeting had
suggested a final decision would be made today. It was noted St. Paul's had expressed no
interest in providing a site. The Clearwater High School tower cannot accommodate all
carriers seeking service. Funding has not been identified to replace that tower. It was
remarked that AT&T had not participated in related discussions or meetings. It was stated
that the July 12, 1999, e-mail from AT&T had indicated no interest in collocation. It was
felt the applicant has waited a reasonable period of time and a decision should be made.
Concern was expressed that Dr. Hinesley's letter is subject to conflicting interpretations.
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Upon the vote being taken, Membors Moran and Petersen voted NAye"; and
Members Mazur, Gildersleeve, Pliska, and Johnson and Chair Figurski voted "Nay." The
motion failed 2:6.
In response to questions from Mr. Hubbard, Cheryl Zimmermann of Nextel, Darren
Newsum of Primeco, and AI Lazzaro of GTE Wireless said they have a need for cellular
service in the area surrounding Virginia Lane. They will be at a competitive disadvantage
without this site. Attempts to find alternative sites failed. The vendors require a tower
between 120 and 150-feet. Mr. Newsum said separation requirements vary, depending on
differing technologies.
, Mr. Hubbard said the subject site serves Clearwater residents. Collocation will limit
the number of towers necessary. A public need for telecommunication services must be
addressed. He said a letter from Pate Engineering indicates the school tower is too
structurally inadequate to' accommodate additional carriers. No tower, able to meet
telecommunication carriers' needs, exists in this geographic area. The school tower is too
short to accommodate all carriers requiring service. Carriers' ability to service customers is
being compromi~ed.
Five persons spoke in opposition. Concern was expressed that the case was not
properly noticed. Ms. Hardin said Board rules indicate that mailing of individual notices is
not required if a case is continued to' a specific date and announced at the meeting.
Mr. Stone said staff had felt the school tower was not an option. Staff had not
received a positive response from the School Board regarding collocation on the tower.
There may be financial and technological considerations that cannot be overcome. Since
neither AT&T nor the School Board is present, staff suggested the item be continued for a
limited time to consider all presented evidence.
Mr. Hubbard said aesthetic conditions cannot be considered under the ordinance.
He said the applicant has provided credible testimony supporting approval. Changes
related to the school tower are unlikely. He noted the ongoing need for service in this area.
In response to a question, Mr. Cooper said the cost of a stealth tower is twice that of a
monopole tower. He said a stealth tower is affected by windloads and can accommodate
fewer carriers. Reference was made to the importance of Gulf-ta-Bay Boulevard and
related improvements. In response to a question, Mr. Cooper said he would consider
recommendations for a stealth tower and expressed a willingness to contribute half of the
costs associated with improving tower aesthetics. He requested the City designate a point
of contact person who could make necessary decisions. Ms. Dougall-Sides said the
ordinance has a provision regarding tower design, requiring it to be blended into its
surrounding environment to protect neighborhood aesthetics. She suggested tower
aesthetics could be discussed at the site plan level.
In response to a question, Mr. Stone said staff feels the applications meets all
ordinance criteria, absent the school site as an alternative. He said Dr. Hinesley has
expressed a willingness to discuss that site as an option. Some financial and technological
impediments to that site exist. Concern was expressed the tower will be an eyesore,
visible from Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. It was felt negotiations are incomplete as AT&T has
not participated. The applicant's responsibllity to meet ordinance standards was stated.
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Member Gildersleeve moved approval of Item 2A, subject to conditions: 1)
Approval shall be initially for a tower 100 feet in height unless the applicant submits signed
contracts to the Planning Department from 3 users during the effective period of the
development approval as specified in Section 4-407 of the Community Development Code.
If the applicant submits signed contracts from 3 users the approval shall be for a 1 50-foot
communication tower; 2) the applicant shall submit contracts with 3 users prior to the
issuance of a building permit for a 1 60-foot tall tower; 31 the applicant shall submit a color
sample of the tower indicating that the color is nonreflective prior to the issuance of a
building permit; 4) the tower users shall place their buildings and equipment only on the
approved slabs indicated on the site plan; 5) a landscape plan indicating plant species and
numbers and locations of plants shall be approved by staff prior to the issuance of a
development order; and 6) the applicant, in cooperation with the City, will investigate
within the next 60 days the possibility of developing something other than a monopole,
preferably a stealth tower. It was requested that Mr. Cooper consider sharing 50% of
costs associated with a stealth tower or invest necessary funds for such a tower. The
motion was duly seconded. Upon the vote being taken, Chair Figurski and Members
Gildersleeve, Petersen, and Johnson voted /lAve"; Members Pliska and Moran voted "Nay.'
Motion carried 4:2. Member Mazur was absent.
The meeting recessed from 2:38 to 2:47 p.m.
ITEM 2 - REQUESTS FOR CONTINUANCES - None.
,_.J ITEM 3 - LEVEL 2 APPLICATIONS
ITEM 4 - LEVEL 3 APPLICATIONS
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ANNEXA TIONS
A. Mr. Booker T. Colson II is requesting annexation into the City of Clearwater for the
property located at 1432 Sunset Point Road. The proposed land use designation is
Residential Urban and the proposed zoning will be Low Medium Density Residential District.
The property owners are requesting annexation to receive City water and sewer
service at 1432 Sunset Point Road. The proposed land use designation is Residential
Urban and the proposed zoning will be Low Medium Density Residential District. This
annexation will eliminate the last enclave in the subdivision. The applicants have paid the
required sewer impact fee of $900. The applicants also will be responsible for the tap fee,
utility deposit, and costs to extend the sewer lines from the right-of-way to the structure.
No adverse impacts on City services will result. The proposed annexation is consistent
with the City's Comprehensive Plan, the Countywide Plan, and Florida law. Staff
recommends: 1) approval of the annexation of property at 1432 Sunset Point Road; 2)
approval of the Residential Urban plan category pursuant to the City's Comprehensive Plan;
and 3) approval of the LMDR, Low Medium Density Residential zoning district pursuant to
the City's Community Development Code.
Member Johnson moved that based upon the staff report and testimony at the
public hearing today, that the Community Development Board recommends to the City
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Commission that the application submitted by Mr. and Mrs. Colson be approved for
property at 1432 Sunset Point Road. The motton was duly seconded and carried
unanimously. Member Mazur was not present.
B. Mr. Taylor G. Bingham III is requesting annexation into the City of Clearwater tor
property located at 13 Meadowlark Lane. The proposed land use designation is Residential
Urban and the proposed zoning will be Low Medium Density Residential District.
The property owner requests annexation to receive City water and sewer service at
13 Meadowlark Lane. The property will have a land use plan designation of Residential
Urban and is proposed to be zoned LMDR, Low Medium Density Residential District. This
annexation will eliminate an enclave in the subdivision. The applicant has paid the required
impact fee of $900. The applicants also will be responsible for the tap tee, utility deposit
and the cost to extend the lines from the right-at-way to the structure. No adverse
impacts on City services will result. The proposed annexation is consistent with the City's
Comprehensive Plan, the Countywide Plan, and Florida law. Staff recommends: 1)
approval of the annexation of property at 1432 Sunset Point Road; 2) approval of the
Residential Urban plan category pursuant to the City's Comprehensive Plan; and 3~
approval of the LMDR, Low Medium Density Residential zoning district pursuant to the
City's Community Development Code.
Member Petersen moved that based upon the staff report and testimony at the
public hearing today, that the Community Development Board recommends to the City
Commission that the application submitted by Taylor G. Bingham III be approved for
i property at 13 Meadowlark Lane. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Mazur was not present.
ITEM 5 - APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: October 19. 1999
Member Johnson moved to approve the minutes of October 19, 1999, as submitted
in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously. Member Mazur was not present.
ITEM 6 - DIRECTOR'S ITEMS
Planning Director Ralph Stone provided board members with minor amendments
adopted to the Land Development Code.
Mr. Stone reviewed new staff members' credentials. Usa Fierce, Development
Review Manager, was accepted as an expert witness in the area at comprehensive
planning and development regulations. Gina L. Clayton was accepted as an expert witness
in the area of comprehensive planning and zoning and development regUlation
administration.
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A Christmas luncheon is scheduled at 11 :30 a.m. on December 14, 1999 at the
Harborview Center. The regular December CDB meeting has been rescheduled to 2:00
p.m. December 14, 1999, at City Hall.
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It was s,uggested the time residents, applicants, etc. are permitted to speak be
limited. The significant amount of effort regarding the telecommunication tower Issue was
noted. It was suggested a policy decision protect some n~ighborhood design.
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, ITEM 7' - ADJOURNMENT
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. The meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.rn.'
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Board Reporter
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