2017.05.31_PB_Minutes_Special :••��6NL,t4
°�'• '•m TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
MINUTES OF THE
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SPECIAL MEETING
Wednesday,May 31,2017 9:30 AM
Chair Louis Reidenberg called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:30 AM in the
Commission Chambers. Roll call was taken by Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins followed
by the Pledge of Allegiance.
CALL TO ORDER:
Members Present: Chair Louis Reidenberg; Board Member Harvey Mart; Board
Member Warren Lewis and Board Member Evelyn Weiss. Members Absent: Vice
Chair David Axelrod; Board Member Michael Kravit and Board Member Charles Shane.
Also Attending: Assistant Town Attorney Brian Shutt; Town Clerk Lanelda Gaskins;
Building Official Valentino Perez; Mayor Carl Feldman; Commissioner Elyse Riesa and
Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker
1. ADDITIONS,DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Chair Reidenberg called for a motion to accept the agenda as presented. The agenda was
accepted as presented.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REOUESTS:
There were no comments or requests from the public
3. PRESENTATIONS:
None
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• May 10, 2017—Regular Meeting
Chair Reidenberg requested the minutes be moved to the next regular meeting for
approval.
5. OLD BUSINESS:
There was none.
Planning Board Special Minutes
Wednesday,May 31,2017 Page 2 of 4
6. NEW BUSINESS:
A) Discussion on Town Code of Ordinances Section 30-68(g) Accessory Marine
Facilities/Lifting Devices
Chair Reidenberg — The Town Commission made a motion to task the Planning
Board with the duties to review the Code of Ordinances pertaining to boatlifts and
evaluate how the code can be changed to include new technology. In order to
properly evaluate the ordinance, we need to find out at what time the ordinances that
are in effect now came into effect, so we can see what changes have been made since
that time. I was not able to find out when this ordinance was enacted.
Discussion ensued regarding the language in the ordinance. Assistant Town Attorney
Shutt indicated that the last change to Section 30-68(g) occurred in March 2016,
which gave the Planning Board the final review for a boatlift. Before that, this board
was the recommending body and it went before the Town Commission. This could
have been in place since the year 2000.
Chair Reidenberg asked what type of technology the Commission is referring to.
Mayor Carl Feldman commented on the code changes indicating that, in this
particular case, it would be beneficial to enlist the help of the companies that perform
this service and ask them to explain the differences in the boatlifts. We need to know
the latest technologies so they could be put into the codes; what are the benefits and
how it would affect the residents. Chair Reidenberg suggested staff could research
other municipalities to see what their codes are regarding boatlifts.
Member Mart stated that he found a website showing a summary of comparison of
dock related codes for coastal communities. They have certain parameters of
restrictions and guidelines for putting in docks and lifts. Mayor Feldman stated that
staff will contact these different communities for a copy of their guidelines and report
back to the Planning Board with the information.
Chair Reidenberg asked that the Building Inspector review these codes and explain
some of the language written in the codes.
Building Inspector Valentino Perez worked at the City of Ft. Lauderdale and the
building permit application always had a building approval as well as a zoning
approval, which is no different than ours. He commented on the different types of
lifts that are available. Chair Reidenberg questioned the verbiage in the code.
Assistant Town Attorney Shutt commented on the platform boat lifts and whether or
not they would be considered an extension of the dock. This is one of the issues that
needs to be addressed by the board in order to determine whether it could be a code
violation. Chair Reidenberg addressed certain sections of code 30-68(g) and feels
there needs to be better clarification as to what is and is not permitted and asked
Building Official Perez to review this code and make recommendations to the board.
He also suggested that they have more than one company present the new technology
to the board.
Planning Board Special Minutes
Wednesday,May 31,2017 Page 3 of 4
Member Mart stated that most of the complaints involving boat lift applications that
came before the board were visual;too high,too large blocks the view. It could never
be addressed because it always meets the code.
Chair Reidenberg questioned the role of the Army Corp of Engineers. Member Mart
stated that their goal is to protect the waterways and maintain it as a navigable
waterway. They are not concerned about the size impact to the community. Building
Official Perez stated that in Section 6 there are parameters as to what they are looking
for when they make their determination.
Chair Reidenberg directed staff to contact at least three companies that could make a
presentation to the board to explain the new technologies for boatlifts as well as the
Army Corp of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Protection.
Pam Weisberg, member of the public commented on the importance of the size of the
boat which can affect someone's view and not the boatlifts,which are secondary.
Member Mart asked if there could be restrictions as to the size of the boat. Assistant
Town Attorney Shutt stated that in our code there are certain setback requirements.
As long as the boat meets those requirements, it does not matter if it is a 5,000 lb. or
20,000 lb. boatlift. The board can look at whether or not they want to have different
setbacks for the larger boatlifts because it could be very difficult to restrict the size or
the shape of the boat that is going to be placed on the boatlift.
Chair Reidenberg called for a special meeting to be held within the next four to six
weeks in order to allow enough time for staff to provide information requested by the
board.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chair Reidenberg called for a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 10:23 AM.
MOTION: Member Mart moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:23 AM. The motion was
seconded by Member Lewis,which passed unanimously.
Planning Board Special Minutes
Wednesday,May 31,2017 Page 4 of 4
APPROVED:
SL
Oufs Reidenperg,-Chair
ATTEST:
Lanelda Gaskins, M*, Town Clerk
Date: Q' -7