1979.05.15_TC_Minutes_SpecialTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
. Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
Public Hearing
May 15, 1979 9:50 A.M.
Mayor Horton called the Public Hearing to order at 9:50 A.M. In
attendance were: Mayor Horton, Vice Mayor Mumford, Commissioners
Bauer, Genovese and Storm. Also in attendance were Mrs. Elaine W.
Roberts, Town Manager, Mr. Thomas E. Sliney, Town Attorney, Police
Chief Kenneth Jones and Mrs. Jane E. Barker, Town Clerk.
In the audience were Mr. Danto, the Park Tower (Clarendon) developer's
representative, and Messrs. Digby Bridges and Ray Case, Architects.
Mayor Horton explained for the benefit of all the rules under which
public hearings are conducted. The public may speak, limiting one's
speech to five minutes, after which the Town Commission discusses
the matter with possible action being taken. Messrs. Danto, Bridges
and Case could address the Commission at any time.
• Mayor Horton stated that this Public Hearing was duly advertised in
the Sun-Sentinel on Friday, April 13, 1979 and read the ad for the
group. The Town Commission, with the exception of Mayor Horton,
attended the Planning Commission Public Hearing on this same matter
last Wednesday evening, May 9, 1979.
The Planning Commission voted and unanimously recommended that the
Special Exception should be granted.
Discussion took place regarding the notification to property owners
within three hundred feet of the subject property not being required,
the notices being posted at Town Hall and one other public place,
notices being posted of both Public Hearings on the property and
advertising in the newspaper.
The Public Hearing is being held for consideration of the request for
a Special Exception under Section 9 of Chapter 30 of the Code of
Ordinances of Highland Beach, Florida, made by Digby Bridges, Agent
for Baker, Ammann & Whitney, Tnc., Agents for Park Tower Development
Group for Highland Beach Town Lots #92, #93 and #94 east (Clarendon).
Mr. Danto then addressed the Commission and explained the meetings he
• had attended with the Town Commission, starting back in February 1978.
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
• Public Hearing
May 15, 1979
Page 2 of 3
At that time, he explained, the matter under discussion cancerned the
Zoning Ordinance. They talked about the "English quality of light"
formula, where the width was greater than the depth and how this
concerned the setbacks and just how the building should be placed on
the property in question.
Prolonged discussion took place re: the moving of their pool, the
future widening of AlA, the consideration they were showing for the
people across the road, and saving as much ocean frontage as possible.
Mr. Hamzik, Building Official, explained the parking situation and
Commissioner Genovese questioned whether the parking was "beneath" the
principal building. (see Code 30 - 4.4 (10).)
Mr. Bridges responded that due to the design of the building, it was
felt that covered parking would be immediately adjacent to and attached
to the principal building.
Public comments from the floor were made by Mr. Earl Totz and Mr.
• Michael Dent, Town residents.
Attorney Thomas Sliney spoke regarding the placement of the building
and the parking area. He suggested three alternatives which were:
1. Grant the petition on the height as it is requested.
2. Switch the recreation and parking around.
3. Require that a floor be eliminated from the height of
the building.
Commissioner Storm commented that he felt the parking should be put
under the building which is the intent of the Zoning ^ode. Commissioner
Genovese agreed - that we either "have a law or we don't have a law".
Mayor Norton's remarks pertained to the parking being away from the
structure - he didn't feel that the parking should be under the building.
He also stated that he felt this fell within the Special Exception area
of the Zoning Code. (4.4 (16).)
Vice Mayor Mumford stated that from the very beginning she has been
against the height of the buildings, and stated she could not give her
consent to the additional two floors when the parking is not underneath
• the building.
Minutes Highland Beach
Town Commission
• Public Hearing
May 15, 1979
Page 3 of 3
Commissioner Bauer stated this is the most refreshing design he has
seen and would hate to see it sacrificed because of the height limi-
tation. He would like to see a compromise in this matter.
Mayor Horton talked about the setbacks from AlA plus the additional
setbacks required for each additional foot of height. The consensus
of the Commission was that the setback requirement is something that
could be lived with and could be put through as a Special Exception.
However, Mayor Horton went on to say that he found it a bit difficult
to summarize the feelings of the Commission in regard to the height
and parking.
A five-minute recess was called at this point. Meeting was reconvened
at 11:45 A.M.
Much more discussion ensued among all the members of the Commission
with Messers Danto, Bridges and Case, concerning how much parking
could be placed under the building.
® Mayor Horton then stated that this meeting would be recessed, and that
the Town Commission would look forward to Mr. Danto's next proposal
incorporating the various items that have been discussed today.
Meeting RECESSED at 12:15 P.M. until May 18, 1979 at 1:30 P.M.
~----
APPROVED : _ ~--~'^ `
Loins Horton, Mayor
Ruth E. Mumford, V'ce Mayor
1 - ~,~,~
Harr B e Commissioner
\~,t~t.~l c,~~ti~
Pete J. Genovese, Commissioner
~~
~ Harold C. {Storm, Commissioner
ATTEST: lt,y
• Ifbwn Clerk
DATED: May 22, 1979