11/04/1997PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 4, 1997
Present: Edward Mazur Chair
Brenda Harris Nixon Vice Chair
Robert D. Bickerstaffe Board Member
Frank Kunnen Board Member
Douglas Hilkert Board Member
Gerald Figurski Board Member
Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Tony Shoemaker Interim Director Central Permitting
Sandy Glatthorn Central Permitting Manager
Steve Doherty Central Permitting Supervisor
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
Absent: Empty Seat Board Member
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m. at City Hall, followed by the Invocation, Pledge of Allegiance, and a review of meeting procedures and the appeal process. To provide
continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #A - Approval of Minutes
Member Nixon recommended the board review the minutes of October 21, 1997, at the next meeting.
ITEM #B - Requests for Extension, Deferred, and Continued Items
1) (Cont. from 10/21/97) William & Hope Georgilas (Bob & Eddie’s Diner) to permit noncommercial parking at 1849 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, Sec 13-29-15, M&B 32.02, zoned RM 8 (Residential
Single Family). CU 97-54
Central Permitting Supervisor Steve Doherty reported the applicant is requesting conditional use approval for noncommercial parking which is proposed to supplant the existing parking
for Bob and Eddie’s Restaurant, located at 1849 Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Staff has spent time with the applicant since the original continuance and recommends approval subject to conditions:
1) the requisite building permit shall be obtained within 60 days of the date of this public hearing. Prior to issuance of the building permit, the applicant shall submit a revised
site plan showing the following changes: a) the surfacing of the aisles serving the grassed parking spaces shall be approved by the City Engineering Department prior to issuance of
a permit; and b) the proposed opaque fence shall be a solid wood fence or a masonry wall; and 2) all of the improvements listed above shall be made prior to use of the area as a parking
lot.
In response to a question, Mr. Doherty said staff would support a condition to direct lights away from surrounding residential properties.
Robert E. Gregg, Representative, stated the conditions suggested by staff are acceptable but complained about the requirement both fencing and landscaping. Mr. Doherty said noncommercial
parking adjacent to property zoned single family residential must have a 6 foot high opaque fence or wall between the parking lot and the adjacent residential property, and a landscape
strip at least 10 feet wide. That strip may be reduced in width if the applicant places the fence or wall inside the landscaping, and may locate the fence as close as 7 feet from the
residentially zoned property. The fence to be masonry or wood, but it must meet code requirements. Landscaping must be at least 18 inches high at the time of planting. Mr. Doherty
said staff is satisfied with the plan submitted by the applicant. In response to a question, Mr. Doherty he said fencing materials suggested were only a recommendation. The City will
work with the applicant regarding the fence material.
Member Hilkert moved to approve Item #B1 subject to conditions: 1) the requisite building permit shall be obtained within 60 days of the date of this public hearing. Prior to issuance
of the building permit, the applicant shall submit a revised site plan showing the following changes: a) the surfacing of the aisles serving the grassed parking spaces shall be approved
by the City Engineering Department prior to issuance of a permit. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
2) (Cont. from 10/21/97) Campbell Land Company to permit (1) vehicle sales, (2) vehicle service, and (3) outdoor retail sales, displays, and/or storage at 1600 Sunshine Dr., Sec 12-29-15,
M&B 12.01, zoned IL (Limited Industrial), CU 97-61 (TO BE CONTINUED)
In response to a question, Mr. Doherty said the applicant submitted another plan which was inadequate to address pertinent issues. The applicant has concurred with staff’s recommendation
to continue the case.
Member Bickerstaffe moved to continue Item #B2 to the next meeting. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #C - Conditional Uses
1) Betty L. Zones/Joyce L. Silver/St. Matthew’s First Missionary Baptist Church to permit noncommercial parking at 710 N. Myrtle Ave., R. H. Padgetts Sub, Blk 1, Lots 5 & 6 less St.,
Blk 2, Lots 1, 2, and part of Lot 3 together with part of proposed vacant Alden Ave., zoned RS 8 (Single Family Residential). CU 97-64
Chair Mazur stated he had a conflict with this item and did not participate in the discussion or vote.
Mr. Doherty reported the applicant is requesting expansion of a conditional use approval for noncommercial parking at 710 North Myrtle Avenue, zoned RS 8. The Planning and Zoning Board
previously approved this use on September 16, 1997. Since that time, Morton Plant Hospital Association, Inc. has acquired an additional property adjoining the approved development.
The original approval was subject to 5 conditions: 1) the applicant shall obtain the requisite building permit, certificate of occupancy and occupational license within six months
of September 16, 1997; 2) as required by the supplementary standards for this use, all site lighting shall be equipped with a 90 degree
cutoff mechanism, with the light being directed downward and away from adjoining residential properties and street rights-of-way; 3) a unity of title declaration shall be filed unifying
the subject property and the property for which this parking lot is intended to support; 4) the right-of-way for Alden Avenue shall be vacated prior to issuance of a building permit
for this parking lot; and 5) prior to issuance of a permit for the proposed development, the applicant shall obtain a variance to the 60 foot maximum requirement for right-of-way separating
a required parking lot from the adjacent property which the parking lot is intended to support. The applicant has increased the land area with the addition of Lot 3 and is proposing
to increase the number of parking space from 29 to 52 and install a second vehicular ingress/egress on Myrtle Avenue. The applicant has agreed to address: 1) the Environmental group’s
objection to underground stormwater treatment, and 2) the Traffic Engineering Department’s objection to the additional ingress/egress on Myrtle Avenue. Staff believes the applicant
will submit at a later date a revised plan which deletes the additional Myrtle Avenue access and provide above ground stormwater treatment. Staff supports the request subject to 7 conditions:
1) the applicant shall obtain the requisite building permit, certificate of occupancy and occupational license within 6 months from the date of this public hearing; 2) as required by
the supplementary standards for this use, all site lighting shall be equipped with a 90 degree cutoff mechanism, with the light being directed downward and away from adjoining residential
properties and street rights-of-way; 3) a unity of title declaration shall be filed unifying the subject property and the property for which this parking lot is intended to support;
4) the right-of-way for Alden Avenue shall be vacated prior to issuance of a building permit for this parking lot; 5) all the perimeter landscaping required by Sec. 42.27 shall be provided;
6) the parking lot design shall be subject to the review and approval for the Environmental group and Traffic Engineering prior to issuance of the requisite building permit; and 7) prior
to issuance of the requisite building permit the applicant shall obtain a variance to the 60 foot maximum requirement for right-of-way separating a required parking lot from the property
which the parking lot is intended to support.
Emil C. Marquart Jr. representative, stated the newly purchased property is adjacent to a property previously granted a conditional use. Additional parking is required for the planned
family practice residency program across the street. He stated the applicant is agreeable to the conditions, with a request to obtain the permit within 18 months to 2 years, rather
than 6 months. In response to a question, Mr. Marquart said the nearby church is also agreeable to the conditions.
Member Hilkert moved to approve Item #C1 subject to the 7 conditions recommended by Staff, amending condition #1 to 24 months, and amending the City Code reference in condition #5 to
42.27. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
2) Mission Hills Plaza Venture (Johnny’s Italian Restaurant) to permit retail complex more than 10 percent gross floor area at 2907 SR 590. Sec 08-29-16 M&B 11.01, zoned CN (Neighborhood
Commercial). CU 97-75 (WITHDRAWN BY APPLICANT)
Mr. Doherty indicated the applicant has withdrawn Item #C2.
ITEM #D - Annexation, Zoning, Land Use Plan Amendment, Land Development Code Text Amendment, and Local Planning Agency Review
1) 2131 NE Coachman Road, Mosell Acres, part of Lot 2 (Frederick E. & Camille H. Hosley and Harvey L. & Dana B. Kerstein) A 97-12 ZONE: CG (General Commercial)
Central Permitting Manager Sandy Glatthorn said the applicant is requesting annexation of the property 750 feet east of Drew Street and NE Coachman Road intersection. The property
will have a zoning district assignment of GC (General Commercial). According to City and County land use plans, the property already has a CG land use and a land use amendment is not
necessary. The property is owned by the owner of the dental office on the abutting property. The subject property will be used for noncommercial parking and possibly future expansion.
Based on staff review and analysis of the application, staff recommends endorsement to the City Commission of the proposed Annexation and Zoning Atlas Amendments to General Commercial
for Mosell Acres, part of Lot 2 as they appear to be supported by the Standards for Approval of Land Development Code Section 37.21, Article III of Chapter 40, Section 36.66.
Mr. Galbraith, representing Dr. and Mrs. Hosley and Dr. and Mrs. Kerstein, noted the annexation request is voluntary. The applicants want to use this property for additional parking.
The request is consistent with the City’s current land use plan.
Member Figurski moved to recommend endorsement to the City Commission for Item #D1 as requested. No conditions were imposed. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #E - Chairman’s Items
Discussion ensued regarding the upcoming holidays. The Peppermill Restaurant will be contacted regarding a luncheon meeting on December 16, 1997, or December 2, 1997.
ITEM #F - Director’s Items
A Friday luncheon workshop session apart from the regular meeting, was suggested. Ms. Glatthorn will confirm a date and provide details.
ITEM # G - Board and Staff Comments
It was requested the zoning in the Keene Road extension area be reviewed. It was suggested staff scrutinize the area for beautification purposes.
It was noted Lakeland, Florida, has a master plan for cell towers. In response to a question, Assistant City Attorney Leslie Dougall-Sides said staff is working to inventory existing
and proposed cell tower sites. An ordinance is being developed to regulate their placement.
It was felt new buildings and businesses are constructed without regard to the City’s light ordinance. Church’s Fried Chicken’s lights can be seen 1/4 mile away. The halogen lights
on Nascar’s building shine into the street. It was requested the CRT (Code Response Team) review these problems and enforce the ordinance.
The City’s new codes addressing parking lots constructed in residential areas were complimented. Some lots are becoming aesthetically pleasing and are hidden from the street. It was
suggested shrubs be used for beautification instead of chain link fences and cement walls between residential and commercial properties.
It was suggested the City provide a more business-friendly environment by becoming more open to change.
A contradiction discovered in the Land Development Code was noted. Section 41.053 20d requires a fence on a property line, while Section 42.27 requires a 7-foot landscape buffer between
a fence and the property line. It was requested these codes be corrected, and the Planning & Zoning Board be given discretion in such cases.
ITEM # H - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 3:02 p.m.