1990.10.17_TC_Minutes_Specialf
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TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH, FLORIDA
Minutes of Meeting of Town Commission
SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday, October 17, 1990 10:00 A.M.
Mayor Joseph A. Boulay called the Special Meeting of the Town Commission
of the Town of Highland Beach, Florida, to order in the Commission
Chambers at Town Hall at 10:00 A.M. Also present were Vice Mayor Bill
Paul, Commissioners Marvin A. Waldman, Betty Jean Stewart and Harold C.
Chambers.
Others in attendance were Town Attorney Thomas E. Sliney, Town Manager
Mary Ann Mariano, Town Clerk Anne M. Kowals, Rothco Corporation Presi-
dent Mark Rothenberg, and members of the general public.
Mayor Boulay noted the Special Meeting, (called for by Commissioners
Waldman, Stewart and Chambers) was scheduled for the purpose of
readdressing Town Commission approval of October 03, 1990, granting
permission for a sales trailer on Town Lot 90, 3425 South Ocean
Boulevard, requested by Mark Rothenberg of Rothco Corporation. The
Mayor further noted that, following discussion of the matter at the
October 03, 1990 Town Commission Regular Meeting, a Motion was made to
permit the placement of the sales trailer on Mr. Rothenberg's property.
It was noted that, with regard to the property under discussion, the
Town received numerous complaints relating to the delapidated and
hazardous condition of the structure which has now been demolished
pursuant to issuance of a demolition. permit.
Following discussion of the matter, COMMISSIONER CHAMBERS (noting that
he and Commissioner Waldman made the motion at the October 03, 1990
Regular Town Commission Meeting) MOVED to rescind the action of October
03, and discuss the proper procedures for Mark Rothenberg to go through
(the proper steps) regarding his request relating to a sales trailer
placement on Town Lot 90. COMMISSIONER WALDMAN SECONDED said MOVE. A
roll call vote resulted as follows:
Vice Mayor Paul "NAY" Commissioner Chambers "AYE"
Commissioner Stewart "AYE" Commissioner Waldman "AYE"
Mayor Boulay "NAY"
A discussion regarding proper procedures relating to Mark Rothenberg's
request ensued. The Town Attorney, noting that others have expressed
the feeling that the proper procedure is a 'Special Exception' and indi-
cating that he does not necessarily agree, stated the main concern is
that the aforementioned permit should not be issued prior to a building
permit. It was noted that a demolition permit (issued for the property
under discussion) may qualify as a building permit which would satisfy
this concern. The Commissioners, concerned with what will happen with
that site, agreed to have Mr. Rothenberg explain how he will treat the
property.
• Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
October 17, 1990
Page 2 of 4
Mr. Rothenberg informed the Town Commission that plans, submitted to the
Building Department, include parameters for the Community Appearance
Board. Noting he wants to enhance the site, Mr. Rothenberg informed the
Members of the Town Commission that he will obtain the necessary permits
for the sales trailer; and, prior to getting the c/o for the sales
trailer (which will be habitable), the landscaping (i.e. ground cover,
trees, irrigation, etc., according to the Town's Building Code), will
have to be done and completed before anyone can use said trailer. Mr.
Rothenberg advised that his next step is Community Appearance Board
approval of the aesthetics (color, trees, ground cover, irrigation,
etc.); the next day, following said approval, he will be able to obtain
the permit for his sales trailer which is critical for the project. Mr.
Rothenberg questioned why he should be victimized for any error on the
Town's part.
The Building Official, noting that the architectural plans submitted for
Mr. Rothenberg's project indicate what he presented, (the area would be
completely sodded, irrigated, etc.), reviewed said plans prior to
sending them to the Community Appearance Board. When questioned as to
why he did not issue the requested permit, the Building Official replied
that it is not clear if the term building permit includes demolition
• permit. The Building Official, noting that under the Southern Standard
Building Code a demolition permit is indicated to be a building permit,
requested clarification of the Town's Zoning Ordinance regarding this
matter. The Town Attorney was requested to prepare for the October 30,
1990 Workshop Meeting an amendment ordinance to Chapter 30 (Zoning Code)
clarifying whether a "demolition permit" is to be deemed a building
permit.
During dicussion, when Commissioner Chambers took exception to Mr.
Rothenberg's comment regarding his being victimized, Mr. Rothenberg
responded that, for the record, he objected to this procedure as he may
suffer as a result of any mistake on the part of the Town.
Commissioner Stewart, noting there are two means of handling the matter
(namely a variance procedure or Special Exception procedure), stated she
would choose the Special Exception category; the matter could be heard
by the Planning Board on October 31, and the Community Appearance Board
Meeting, which is not affected by this situation, would remain in place
as scheduled to address the matter under procedure of a temporary
structure.
Upon an inquiry by the Mayor as to whether the other alternative of
having the Building Official handle this matter would be feasible, the
Town Attorney noted his feelings that from a legal standpoint there
would be no problem with the Building Official exercising his
administrative discretion in granting a permit as this matter does not
really fit into either the variance or special exception category.
Further, it would be reasonable to allow the Building Official to issue
a permit subject to Community Appearance Board approval and Mr.
Rothenberg's agreeing to landscape the property according to the Town's
Zoning Code.
fi
• Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
October 17, 1990
Page 3 of 4
When the Commission expressed a concern as to what would happen to the
site should the project not go forward, Mr. Rothenberg advised that he
would be willing to meet a minimum standard from the Town Commission.
Mr. Rothenberg further advised that he appreciates what has been done;
he will cooperate with the Town at all times and accommodate the Town's
request regarding the concern of the "sand pile" on the lot if he does
not build. Upon Town Attorney Sliney's questioning Mr. Rothenberg if
he would be willing to have this requirement of keeping the lot sodded
as a condition on his permit, Mr. Rothenberg responded that he would.
Mr. Rothenberg noted that he understands the position of the Town. The
Building Official informed the Town Commission that he has received a
complete plan showing the entire lot is sodded, the parking area is
black topped and enclosed by required covering; the actual area of the
sales trailer would be the only area that would have to be reseeded and
maintained.
.Town Manager Mariano noted that we have to address what are minimum
standards for a vacant lot. The Building Official advised that Mr.
Rothenberg would need a complete landscape plan for a vacant lot, ap-
proved by the Community Appearance Board. If installation of the land-
scaping is not done within thirty (30) days, Mr. Rothenberg will have to
submit another plan for approval by the Community Appearance Board. The
Town Manager noted that if Mr. Rothenberg fails to install the required
landscaping, the Town will have it done and charge Mr. Rothenberg for
the work. The Town Attorney noted that if Mr. Rothenberg does not do
what is required, the matter may be treated as a Code Enforcement Board
violation and the Town will be able to fine Mr. Rothenberg; it would be
a code violation subjecting Mr. Rothenberg to any penalties under the
Code Enforcement Board. Mr. Rothenberg acknowledged and agreed to Code
Enforcement jurisdiction.
Mr. Mark Rothenberg advised that he did not have any problems with
regard to the minimum standards for a vacant lot as outlined above. In
reviewing the events that occurred at this Special Meeting, Mr.
Rothenberg noted that on October 25, he would go before the Community
Appearance Board for approval of the plans submitted to the Building
Department. In the event that he is in compliance with the Community
Appearance Board, he will be able to receive the building permit for the
sales trailer from the Building Official (as discussed) with the
stipulation to the permit. Mr. Rothenberg has 30 days from that point
to complete the items pursuant to his approved site plan. If not com-
pleted within 30 days, he will submit a landscape plan for minimum
standard for Xeriscape landscaping on the vacant lot; otherwise, he may
be subject to Code Enforcement Board violation with the Town having the
alternative to come in to do the minimum standard landscaping on the
vacant lot and place a lien on the property.
•
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• Town Commission Special Meeting Minutes
October 17, 1990
Page 4 of 4
There being no further business to come before the Town Commission at
this Special Meeting, upon proper MOTION, Mayor Boulay adjourned same at
10:45 A.M.
APPROVED:
se~h A. Boulay, Mayor
Sill Paul, Vice Mwa~or
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Marvin A. Wildman, Commissioner
Bett~,Ye,~h ,S't~y~~`,/Commissioner
. Chambers, Commissioner
ATTES
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