2015.09.24_TC_Minutes_Special TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF TOWN COMMISSION MEETING
SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, September 24, 2015 4:30 PM
Mayor Bernard Featherman called the Special Meeting to order in the Town Commission Chambers at
4:30 PM.
CALL TO ORDER:
Roll Call: Members present: Mayor Bernard Featherman; Vice Mayor William Weitz, Ph.D;
Commissioner Carl Feldman; Commissioner Louis P. Stern and Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker. Also
present: Town Attorney Glen Torcivia; Town Manager Beverly Brown; Town Clerk Valerie Oakes; Police
Chief Craig Hartmann; Finance Director Cale Curtis; Building Official Michael Desorcy; Code
Enforcement Officer Carol Holland; and members of the public.
Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was given, followed by a minute of silence.
Civility Pledge: The Civility Pledge was recited by the Town Clerk.
1. ADDITIONS,DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Mayor Featherman called for any additions or deletions to the agenda.
Town Manager Brown added the cancellation of the Town Commission Workshop Meeting of
Tuesday, September 29th.
Receiving no further additions or deletions, the agenda was accepted as amended.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS:
Glen Goldman, 3644 S. Ocean Blvd. — At the meeting of September 10th, we had concerns about the
project at 3621 S. Ocean Blvd. Since that time, we have had numerous discussions with the developer,
and he has alleviated many of our concerns. We are withdrawing any objections and concerns we had
with this project.
3. NEW BUSINESS:
None
Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 24, 2015 Page 2 of 3
4. MISCELLANEOUS—ITEMS LEFT OVER:
A) SITE PLAN APPROVAL — Recommendation from the Planning Board for the Town
Commission to Approve subject to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
approval letter for the following application:
3621 South Ocean Blvd; Richard Jones Architecture
Construct two three-unit townhouse buildings that are four stories in height.
Building Official Michael Desorcy — This project was approved by the Planning Board on July 8,
2015 and a variance was considered and granted by the Board of Adjustment on September 2,
2015. The Code of Ordinances of the Town of Highland Beach requires this project to have final
approval by the Town Commission.
Commission Discussion:
Commissioner Feldman—We received a memo from Town Attorney Torcivia stating that once the
variance is granted, the Town Commission has no say in this matter. Town Attorney Torcivia —
Not on the variance because you changed your code giving the Board of Adjustment the final say.
You do have a say on the site plan because that is a recommendation to you from the Planning
Board. You are voting today on the site plan and not the variance.
Commissioner Zelniker — This application was approved by Building Official Desorcy, the
Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment. There were some issues brought up by the residents
of Ocean Grande Place, and the Planning Board also had concerns regarding the interpretation of
our codes, which the Commission should also address at some point in the future. The applicant
has met all the requirements and we should approve this plan.
Vice Mayor Weitz — I have no problem with the procedures we have utilized by the different
Boards. My concern was that there were still some outstanding issues by our community residents,
and these concerns were addressed by the developer. I want to thank them for working through
this for the benefit of our Town and residents.
Commissioner Stern— Once we heard from the Planning Board, there should have been no further
discussion. It was also approved by the Board of Adjustment for a variance, and should not have
come back to the Commission. I am in favor of approving this plan.
MOTION: Commissioner Feldman moved to approve the site plan application for 3621 South
Ocean Blvd. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Stern, which passed unanimously.
5. REPORTS—TOWN MANAGER BEVERLY M. BROWN:
We have no pending items to discuss at the Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, September 29d. I would
like to ask the Commission to pass a motion to cancel the Workshop Meeting for the month of
September.
Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 24,2015 Page 3 of 3
MOTION: Vice Mayor Weitz moved to cancel the September 29th Workshop Meeting. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Stern.
Commission Discussion:
Commission Feldman — There is an item open for discussion. There is a company that would like to
make a presentation regarding taking over the Library. This should be done at the Workshop Meeting
so the residents, as well as the Commission, would be made aware of what is happening. Town
Manager Brown — I will be at a conference next week, and the gentleman will be at that same
conference. I was looking at scheduling this presentation for the October 27th Workshop Meeting. Do
you want to have his presentation in a public forum, or meet with him individually?
Consensus was to have a public forum.
The motion to cancel the September 29'x' Workshop Meeting passed unanimously.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS RELATED TO AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED AT
MEETING ONLY:
None.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the Commission, Mayor Featherman called for a
motion to adjourn the Special Meeting at 4:47 PM.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Weitz moved to adjourn the Special Meeting at 4:47 PM. Motion was
seconded by Commissioner Stern which passed unanimously.
APPROVED:
Be and Featherman, Mayor issioner Iouis P. Stern
41
William Weitz,Vice Mayor issioner R14da Zelniker
1
ATT S Commi Toner Carl Feldman
Valerie Oakes, CMC Date
Town Clerk