2018.07.11_PB_Minutes_Regular• TOWN OF HIGHLAND BEACH
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
Town Hall / Commission Chambers Date: July 11, 2018
3614 South Ocean Boulevard Time: 9:30 AM
Highland Beach, Florida
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson 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 Warren Lewis
Board Member Peter Rodis (9:51 a.m.)
Vice Chairperson Michael Kravit
Chairperson David Axelrod
Town Attorney Brian Shutt
Interim Town Manager William Thrasher
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Board Member Barry Donaldson
Board Member Harvey Mart
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
Chairperson Axelrod made changes to the agenda with regard to Item 7A. It will be
broken down into the following categories:
Item 7A.1 — Property Development Regulations
Item 7A.2 — Parking
Item 7A.3 — Developmental Review
Chairperson Axelrod added discussion and possible recommendation to the
Commission of changes in Chapter 12 of the code and the addition of the
Construction Management Handbook as Item 7B.
MOTION: Member Lewis moved to accept the agenda as amended. Member Weiss
seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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3. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
The following residents provided comments with regard to the proposed changes in
the Construction Management Handbook, enforcement of current codes, variances
and the FAR (Floor area ratio):
Karen Goldstein
Barbara Zaneri
Peter Corrales
Gilda Corrales
Rick Greenwald
Greg Babij
Georg Barlow
4. PRESENTATIONS:
None.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
• June 20, 2018 Regular Meeting
Chairperson Axelrod asked if there were any corrections to the minutes of June 20,
2018.
MOTION: Vice Chairperson Kravit moved to accept the minutes from June 20.
2018, as presented. Member Weiss seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
None.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Review of Zoning Code Amendments by Marty Minor, Planner, Urban
Design Studios.
A.1 -Marty Minor explained that the FAR (Floor Area Ratio) may be changed to
accommodate residents. He explained that the Town can impose open space
requirements instead.
Member Lewis asked if there could be a different approach taken into account based
on the community or area in the town such as large homes versus condominiums.
Mr. Minor explained it could be done as the next step.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Pace 3 of 7
Vice Chairperson Kravit was not in favor of a Planner imposing restrictions on a
small community. He explained that the current ordinances need to be enforced and
variances issued only in the event of a hardship. The FAR requirements for homes
are not necessary. He provided comments with regard to the report explaining that
the changes are heavy handed and above what the Town needs.
Member Weiss also agreed that the report is heavy handed and provided comments
with regard to the zoning changes being unnecessary.
Chairperson Axelrod disagreed with the FAR restrictions and recommended looking
into a layered situation. He explained that our codes are outdated and we need to
come back with something less aggressive. He also agreed that the granting of
variances should be given only in the event of a hardship.
Member Lewis asked if any other communities like Highland Beach have accepted
the document Mr. Minor has provided. Mr. Minor indicated that the two other
communities he is currently working on now is Gulf Stream and Ocean Ridge.
Vice Chairperson Kravit provided comments with regard to taxes being associated
with FAR restrictions.
MOTION: Vice Chairperson Kravit moved to table all further discussions on these
items until the Town has employed a full-time permanent Town Manager, and the
Planning Board has had enough time to review all materials given in the report and
look into alternative methods. Member Lewis seconded the motion.
Chairperson Axelrod provided comments with regard to having Urban Design Studios
continue working on these proposals and come back to the Planning Board with the
changes for our review.
Vice Chairperson Kravit commented that the document as written is not workable in
its current form, and any discussion by the Planning Board on this document be
tabled until something brought before the board is a workable document that
addresses the concerns of the community.
Member Lewis provided comments with regard to enforcing the codes and the
variances before looking into other areas.
Town Attorney Shutt provided comments with regard to Vice Chair Kravit's motion.
Vice Chairperson Kravit amended his motion.
MOTION: Vice Chairperson Kravit moved to table further discussions regarding
property = development regulations and send back to the Town Commission for
further direction as to how they wish the Planning Board to proceed based on the
comments heard from the community and the other board members. Member Lewis
seconded the motion.
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UPON ROLL CALL:
Vice Chairperson Kravit
- Yes
Member Lewis
- Yes
Member Rodis
- No
Member Weiss
- Yes
Chairperson Axelrod
- No
Motion carried on a 3 to 2 vote.
A.2 -Chapter 30, Section 69 — Parking
Chairperson Axelrod introduced this item.
Marty Minor explained his proposal with regard to parking spaces.
Discussion ensued with regard to the required parking spaces for a single-family
home.
MOTION: Member Lewis moved that the Planning Board not recommend any
changes as proposed by the Planner as it relates to parking. Vice Chairperson Kravit
seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Member Lewis
- Yes
Vice Chairperson Kravit
- Yes
Member Rodis
- No
Member Weiss
- Yes
Chairperson Axelrod
- Yes
Motion carried on a 4 to 1 vote.
A.2 -Discussion regarding Development Review
Marty Minor explained this was a recommendation to differentiate the duties on
building matters between the Town Manager, the Planning Board and the Town
Commission.
Member Lewis clarified that the Town Commission would have the final say on all
new construction for single-family homes.
Vice Chairperson Kravit provided comments with regard to the duties of the Planning
Board and was not in favor of these changes.
Member Rodis agreed that there should be more information provided and a
discussion needed before any changes are proposed.
Chairperson Axelrod provided comments with regard to the Town needing a strong
building department, applications submitted to the Planning Board for review and any
appeals sent to the Town Commission. He was not in favor of the Town Commission
being the decision-making authority.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Page 5 of 7
MOTION: Member Lewis moved not to support this proposal. Vice Chairperson
Kravit seconded the motion.
UPON ROLL CALL:
Member Lewis
- Yes
Vice Chairperson Kravit
- Yes
Member Rodis
- Yes
Member Weiss
- Yes
Chairperson Axelrod
- Yes
Motion carried on a 5 to 0 vote.
B. Discussion with Regard to Chapter 12 and the changes to the Construction
Site Management Handbook.
Town Attorney introduced this item and distributed a draft proposed ordinance
that goes hand in hand with the Construction Site Management Handbook.
Member Lewis questioned if Milani Park is exempt from alternate parking for
construction. Town Attorney explained that the Building Official would have
to approve the alternate parking site. Member Lewis recommended expanding on
Saturday working hours that would allow homeowners to do minor repairs to their
property.
Vice Chairperson Kravit explained that limiting construction on Saturdays could
increase the cost of construction. If work is going to be precluded on Saturdays, he
suggested a clause be added that maintenance is not included in this section and will
include emergency and normal repairs as defined by the Sixth Addition of the Florida
Building Code
Town Attorney Shutt provided an overview of the Construction Site Management
Handbook.
Member Lewis was in favor of allowing construction on an existing home on
Saturday as long as it is not of a major nature.
Vice Chairperson Kravit also agreed that homeowners be allowed to do work on
Saturdays but will defer this to the Town Commission. He provided comments with
regard to "verbal warning, a written warning or stop work order" on page 9.
Chair Axelrod suggested that Saturday work hours be limited to construction sites.
Vice Chairperson Kravit referred to Section 12-6: Hours of Construction should read
"Hours of Operation for Construction Sites".
MOTION: Vice Chairperson Kravit moved to accept the Construction Site
Management Handbook as amended and send back to the Town Commission for their
approval. Member Lewis seconded the motion.
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UPON ROLL CALL:
Vice Chairperson Kravit
- Yes
Member Lewis
- Yes
Member Rodis
- Yes
Member Weiss
- Yes
Chairperson Axelrod
- Yes
Motion carried on a 5 to 0 vote.
C. Discussion Regarding Highland Beach Corridor Improvements on State
Road AIA, per the Request of the Florida Department of Transportation
(FDOT).
Interim Town Manager Thrasher presented this item.
Member Lewis commented on the funding for any projects would be at the discretion
of the Commission. He suggested better delineation, preferably white striping, of
bike lanes on AIA and was not in favor of the pedestrian crossing sign located at the
south end of Town but would be in favor of the lighting in the street at the
crosswalks.
Vice Chairperson Kravit recommended that all crosswalk lighting at the intersections
be in the pavement; fix the drainage and swale issues and move forward until the
Ocean Walk and More project is approved.
Member Weiss referred to an article in the Coastal Star from May 4, 2016 with regard
to drainage.
Chairperson Axelrod suggested the Town not spend the money to improve the bike
lane, wait for the RFQ (Request for Qualifications) and then proceed to FDOT with
the full plans.
Discussion ensued with regard to the lighting, safety issue and police enforcement.
Interim Town Manager Thrasher will follow-up with FDOT.
Chairperson Axelrod requested that the Commission appoint Vice Chair Kravit to be
a member of the selection committee for the RFQ representing the Planning Board.
8. ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Chairperson Axelrod called for a motion to adjourn the
meeting at 11:18 AM.
MOTION: Member Lewis moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:18 AM. The motion was
seconded by Member Weiss, which passed unanimously.
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Wednesday, July 11, 2018 Paye 7 of 7
APPROVED:
D/Ocl Axelrod, Chairperson /
ATTEST:
l
T risha Cuebas, Deputy Town Clerk
Date: 5� I �` I Z,,(o l
