2018.06.20_PB_Minutes_RegularTOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
' PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: June 20, 2018
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 9:30 AM
Highland Beach, Florida
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chair David Axelrod called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:30 AM in the
Commission Chambers. Roll call was taken by Deputy Town Clerk Terisha Cuebas
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT UPON ROLL CALL:
Board Member Evelyn Weiss
Board Member Barry Donaldson
Vice Chair Michael Kravit
Chair David Axelrod
Town Attorney Brian Shutt
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Board Member Warren Lewis
Board Member Harvey Mart
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Chair Axelrod added Interim Town Manager Thrasher's report with regard to his
meeting with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) on the Ocean Walk
project as Item 7E.
Hearing no further additions, the agenda was accepted as amended.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
It was the consensus of the Board to move the Public Comments and Requests to the
end of the meeting after New Business.
4. PRESENTATIONS:
a Welcome New Member Barry Donaldson
Chair Axelrod introduced new member Barry Donaldson.
Planning Board Regular Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Page 2 of 7
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• April 11, 2018 Regular Meeting
• April 19, 2018 Workshop Meeting
Chair Axelrod asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of April 11, 2018
and April 19, 2018.
MOTION: Member Kravit moved to accept the minutes from April 11, 2018 and
April 19, 2018, as presented. Member Weiss seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Presentation Regarding Possible Code of Ordinance Amendments by Marty
Minor, Planner, Urban Design Kilday Studios.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher provided comments regarding the possible need for
code amendments in the Town and asked the Commission to allocate funds to retain
the services of Mr. Marty Minor to help make suggestions regarding this issue.
Marty Minor, Planner, Urban Design Kilday Studios gave a presentation regarding
the existing conditions in the Town and the current codes and provided suggestions
that may be necessary to the codes. He referred to his PowerPoint presentation on
Residential Lot Options.
Board Discussion:
Member Donaldson commented that reducing the size of the house would affect the
tax base and there needs to be a good balance. He agreed with the process level on
approvals. Another issue was the parking that may control and impact the size of the
house.
Vice Chair Kravit concurred with Member Donaldson regarding to the reduction of
the tax base and possible reduction of the property values. He is not in favor of
staggering the first and second floors and making the second floor a percentage of the
house, because it would restrict what a design professional can do. There needs to be
a definition between green space and open space. There needs to be a control on
drainage.
Member Weiss was concerned with parking.
Chair Axelrod was concerned with the oversized homes being built; especially on
AIA and Tranquility Drive. Drainage is a major issue and there needs to be
something in the ordinance that states drainage has to be controlled.
Planning Board Regular Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Page 3 of 7
Interim Town Manager Thrasher provided comments with regard to his experience as
Town Manager of the Town of Gulf Stream. He explained that the taxable values
have not diminished based on strict codes.
Chair Axelrod commented on the codes that deal with variances. These codes are
very lax and need strengthening. Mr. Minor indicated that he would look into this.
MOTION: Member Donaldson moved to proceed with the study by Mr. Minor and
bring back revisions to the Planning Board. The motion was seconded by Member
Weiss.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Member Donaldson -
Yes
Member Weiss -
Yes
Vice Chair Kravit -
Yes
Chair Axelrod -
Yes
Motion passed on a 4 to 0 vote.
B. Review and Discussion of the Construction Site Management Handbook.
Interim Town Manager presented this item. He explained this would require the
contractor to acknowledge the handbook procedures that would be required of
him and the potential fines assessed against him in the event that the sub-
contractors or any employee violates this management plan. This would have to
be reviewed by our attorneys given legal sufficiency. He provided comments
with regard to distinguishing between construction parking and service vehicles
parking and the timing of work related activities. Interim Town Manager
Thrasher explained this was a draft copy and he would like the Planning Board to
review this document and provide comments.
Board Discussion:
Member Donaldson mentioned he would like a closer look at the penalties for
chronic issues.
Vice Chair Kravit agreed the penalty section was a little weak and they should be
stricter. He explained it was imperative the job sites be maintained and be
cleaned up by the end of each day. He was in favor of restricting work hours to
not include Saturdays. There should be a larger deposit, refundable made for the
drainage issues.
Member Weiss agreed with the larger deposit and stronger penalties. She
mentioned drainage issues should be addressed for condominiums as well.
Chair Axelrod agreed with the comments made by the board members and
advised the parking issues that needs to be addressed as well.
Town Attorney Shutt referred to Chapter 162 and indicated that the Town's hands
may be tied with regard to penalties, but he would look into it.
Planning Board Regular Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Page 4 of 7
Vice Chair Kravit mentioned the parking on AIA that has become problematic.
MOTION: Vice Chair Kravit moved to have legal counsel review the
Construction Site Management Handbook, and review with possible revisions
made to parking, fines, bonds and come back to the Planning Board for further
review. The motion was seconded by Member Weiss.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Vice Chair Kravit -
Yes
Member Weiss -
Yes
Member Donaldson -
Yes
Chair Axelrod -
Yes
Motion passed on a 4 to 0 vote.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher asked Mr. Minor to look into a one inch versus
three-inch drainage plans.
C. Evaluation and Discussion of the Crosswalk Noticing System Located at the
South End of Town.
Member Weiss explained she was not in favor of the existing crosswalk signs
with the all the flashing lights and would like to see something less intrusive.
Because of the nature of the exit from Boca Highlands, there is a need for more
than a crosswalk sign. This particular sign does not go with the aesthetics of the
Town with regard to the beautification program.
Vice Mayor Kravit was not in favor of the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT) sign. He referred to the crosswalk illumination at the Hillsboro Pier.
Illumination of the crosswalks is very important, whether it be solar or some type
of illumination. He suggested forgoing the LED on the sign and placing it on the
roadway, which would be more effective.
Member Donaldson commented on the aesthetics that will be encompassed within
the Ocean Walk and More project. He mentioned the signs are effective in
alerting the driver but embedded illumination in the street would be a great
addition.
Chair Axelrod was disappointed that FDOT installed the sign after the season was
over. During daylight, the lights on the sign do not project. He was also in favor
of the illumination embedded in the road.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher provided comments with regard to crosswalks
and his meeting with FDOT. He explained the roadway is in need of work and
mentioned this to FDOT. He questioned whether the Commission would want to
invest the money in embedding illumination in the roads when there may be
repairs needed in the near future and the signs removed. Before any funding
from FDOT, the process first needs to go through the Transportation Planning
Agency of Palm Beach County for recommendation and approval. Upon approval
Planning Board Regular Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Page 5 of 7
from TPA, FDOT will hold true to their five-year funding plan, which is most
likely a six-year cycle. The signal during daylight driving is inadequate.
Rectangular delineating flashing lights would be best since it adds attention to the
driver. If the Town is willing to fund it, there should be six test sites rather than
one.
Chair Axelrod mentioned that if the Town would pay for the signs and FDOT
provides a permit of approval, we could move forward.
Member Donaldson explained that the timing is not problematic and should not
deter the Town from moving forward.
Vice Chair Kravit commented on his vision to see elegant delineated crosswalks.
The Strategic Plan should encompass all board recommendations.
D. Review and Discussion of the Draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for
Professional Consulting Services Landscape Architectural/Civil Engineering.
Member Donaldson provided recommendations with regard to the draft RFQ to
Finance Director Curtis prior to the meeting. The professionals involved should
include urban designers; searching for clarification on how this process works,
such as a team or individually; scope of work needs to be further detailed,
particularly in handling workshops and community outreach and residents input;
no phasing was mentioned in the RFQ that outlines the process with regard to the
voter's referendum.
Member Kravit explained that during the interview process, all questions may be
asked of the respondents.
Chair Axelrod explained that a selection committee would be involved with the
selection of the design professionals. He would like to see this approve and move
forward as quickly as possible.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher commented on Member Donaldson's review of
the draft RFQ.
MOTION: Vice Chair Kravit moved that the Planning Board has reviewed the
draft document and would like to incorporate any of the recommendations from
Member Donaldson that the staff and Interim Town Manager Thrasher feels
appropriate, and with the Commission's approval move forward with the RFQ.
The motion was seconds by Member Weiss.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Vice Chair Kravit -
Yes
Member Weiss -
Yes
Member Donaldson -
Yes
Chair Axelrod -
Yes
Motion passed on a 4 to 0 vote.
Planning Board Regular Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Page 6 of 7
E. Report by Interim Town Manager Thrasher Regarding His Meeting with
FDOT (This item was added to the Agenda).
Interim Town Manager Thrasher provided comments and an update with regard to
his meeting with FDOT covering such topics of drainage, memorandum of
understanding agreement, the Town working in FDOT right-of-ways, Town's
responsibility for maintaining the landscaping that infringes along the right-of-
way and clear zones where there is no obstruction to vehicles if they have to run
off the roadway.
Chair Axelrod asked if FDOT is aware of Ocean Walk and More. Interim Town
Manager explained that they are aware of it, and they indicated to him if the Town
wants to fund it, they must go through FDOT permitting.
F. Public Comments:
John Ross, 3450 South Ocean Boulevard commented that this project is against
the law and the code due to the fact the referendum on the March ballot did not
pass.
Carl Gehman, 1123 Highland Beach Drive questioned where the funding was
coming from for the project. He provided comments with regard to the amount of
parking spaces per home and cars parked in the swales in front of his home and
never ticketed.
Ronald Rickert, Intel AE Architects agreed with Member Kravit with regard to
eliminating what architects can do, and that limiting the lots that are already small
may decrease the values and hurt the tax base. He agrees with the site plan
process and suggests having an architect review board. He is in favor of water
drainage but is not in favor of changing the FAR (floor area ratio).
Police Chief Craig Hartmann provided comments with regard to FDOT and the
issues with the crosswalks. There are three aspects of the crosswalks: education,
enforcement and engineering. The Police Department supports safety, enforces
the parking on the swales and the issues of parking in the Town. He is in favor of
the construction manual plan that will help the residents of our Town.
Member Kravit commented on the meeting being productive and well run. With
regard to the new streetscape project, the residents need to be well educated as to
what the Town is proposing and how they will get it done. He provided
comments with regard to the RFQ process.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chair Axelrod called for a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 10:53 AM.
MOTION: Member Donaldson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:53 AM. The motion
was seconded by Member Weiss, which passed unanimously.
Planning Board Regular Minutes
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Pame 7 of 7
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
i
je-risha Cuebas, Deputy Town Clerk
Date: I I