2008.04.09_PB_Minutes_Workshop• TOWN OF ffiGHLAND BEACH
PLANNING BOARD
WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 9, 2008 Immediately followins 9:30 A.M. Regular Meeting
Chairman Louis P. Stern called the Workshop Meeting to order at 9:36 a.m. In
attendance were Chairman Stern, Vice Chair Ken Tapman, Members Patricia Pembroke,
Marie Mazchesani, Kurt Kalberer, Joseph Yucht and Max Angel. Also in attendance
were Town Attorney Thomas Sliney, Building Official Bob Dawson, and members of the
general public.
OLD BUSINESS
CONSIDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY'S APPLICATION FOR
DEVELOPMENT OF A BEACH ACCESS PARK, TO INCLUDE ELEVATED
BOARDWALK, EDUCATIONAL/INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AND 100 PARKING
SPACES.
PROPERTY LOCATION: 4715 S. OCEAN BLVD.
APPLICANT: AUDREY WOLF, DIRECTOR, FD&O, PALM BEACH COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
• Chairman Stern reviewed the roll of the Planning Boazd in considering this petition under
Chapter 30.36 of the Town Code. The Boazd must decide if the applicant has met the 19
considerations required by Town Code. The Boazd will then forward its
recommendation to the Town Commission who will hold public hearings and make a
determination on approval or not of the project.
Jim Nazdi, the Town's consultant on the project, answered questions relative to his letter
to Town Manager Dale Sugerman dated Mazch 31, 2008.
Crosswalks - Should be placed further to the North of the already existing Boca High
crosswalk, which would create a better traffic flow.
25 ft. elevation change in 600 feet of boardwalk -The western side of the pazking lot to
the very eastern side of the beach is equivalent to 1800 feet, or 6 football fields long.
The ramp system includes the elevation and the length of the boazdwalk from one end to
the other from West to East.
severe Shortcomin~,gs -Rock formation is 200 feet of the 392 ft. beach length. The rocks
on the beach can cause rip currents. 101 parking spaces include one for the attendant.
Attached Supreme Court Documentation -Documents reference liability in Dade .County
when they designated a beach access area which had rip currents, and there were two
deaths because of it. Provided was provided documentation to review in order to address
safety concerns for Milani Pazk.
• PLANNING soARD woRxsHOP
APRIL 9, 2008 PAGE 2 of 4
Number of Parking Spaces -How did the county come up with 101 spaces for 8.5 acres
of beach space? Criteria went by state guidelines, which would normally allow 3'70
spaces for the size of the beach azea. It was determined that the survey is correct -the
parking spaces were reduced to 101 from what the County could have had.
Mr. Nardi was asked about the effect of the pazk on the surrounding properties as far as
real estate values. He had no opinion on that, as no study has been done in that regazd.
Attorney Sliney noted that the Boazd could put add a condition that would mitigate the
issue of safety, and suggested that the Board make a list of concerns to present at the May
Public Hearing. Members will send a list of their concerns and ideas to Bob Dawson
who will compile for the May Public Hearing.
Audrey Wolf, County Representative, passed out a summary of her preservation and
responded to concerns that were made at the last workshop meeting. Following aze some
of her comments:
. The county was requested to provide a number of life guards which would be on duty
during pazk operation. Two EMT trained guazds will be on duty to operate out of the one
life guazd stand.
• .The county was requested to indicate how alcohol violations would be enforced in the
pazk. The parks ordinance prohibits the consumption of alcohol on the beach azea.
. The demand for a beach pazk is needed to accommodate the residents of S. Palm Beach
which has grown 100,000 in the past 20 yeazs, and will grow another 85,000 over the
next two decades. The Milani park has been the top priority for development since 1990.
. The Town's comp plan designates this property for a beach access azea.
. Not all Town residents have beach access without trespassing. This will give them the
ability for beach access.
.The fence landscape option gives security, along with the ability to let breezes pass
through. It also provides for sound absorbs ion as opposed to sound reflection.
. The uniqueness of Yamato Rock -there are other beaches that have rock outcroppings
with less beach, and the county finds that these beaches aze used and typically enhance
the beach goer's experience.
. Policing and rescue efforts -programs are in place to monitor the activities of the pazk
by park rangers and the sherii~ s office on a 24 hour basis. Lifeguazds are on the beach at
all times during hours of operation.
. The County would like to receive concerns from the Boazd, Staff, and Consultant, no
later than April 22 in order to be prepared to address those concerns at the May Public
Hearing.
Chairman Stern noted his concerns:
. 8 ft. chain link fence should bean 8 ft wall - 2 issues fence vs. wall, height - 8ft vs. Eft
. Size of vehicles allowed in the pazking lot
•
• PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP
APRIL 9.2008 PAGE 3 of 4
. Maintenance on pazk -trash removal cleanliness of restroom -would like to see in
writing for perpetuity purposes, should this pazk not be a success.
. not sufficient space with just a 2 car backup. Should be increased.
. What would Town's additional cost be for fire, police and medical?
. Would like not to have any retail permitted on property.
. Still has not seen a traffic survey
. Need to heaz back from Tribal Historic Preservation
. Has not seen any reports from the Fire Marshall
Max. Angel -what is the procedure if cars in lot when pazk closes. (Ms. Wolf will check
on procedures).
Pat Pembroke -along with maintenance in perpetuity, condition on liability maintained
by Palm Beach County.
Kurt Kalaber -would like to see restrictions of pets from the pazk, as the Town currently
allows pets (leashed).
Mazie Mazchesani -would like to see rest rooms on West side as to having on the East
side -easier to monitor.
Joe Yucht -would need a hold harmless agreement in favor of the Town of Highland
Beach. The County removed all the high trees, and he would like that protection brought
• back by a masonry wall. Mangrove area needs to be cleaned up. Agreement to maintain
park would need to have an attendant in perpetuity.
Jack Halpelri - 1) traffic -when the Spanish River Bridge is up (in season) the traffic can
be backed up almost to Sea Ranch in Delray, this will complicate the beach traffic. You
will also see the people who try to pazk on the bridge, will come in to the Milani Pazk and
walk down to Spanish River beach. Fees should be the same as Spanish River or mare
so as not to encourage those beach goers from being drawn into the pazk's pazking lot.
We need to see traffic numbers in terms of what is going on in and particulazly out of
season. South inlet in Boca. has pazking for 77 cars. Why do we need 100 spaces? The
only people he sees on the beach azea aze fishers and surfers.
Gary Guertin - if fees aze low, there will be heavy usage of that lot. What kind of
conditions could the Town put on the pazking amount?
Joan Halpern -Alcohol usage; concern of parking lot at night and who will police the lot
and beach. How is the attractiveness maintained in relationship to the rest of Town?
There aze no sidewalks in the plans. Bath room on East side will encourage transients
and crime. Crossing AlA w/o a tunnel is dangerous. Is Town tied to having a beach
access pazk? Why can't Town decide what type of park it is? Why not a pazk only on
West side with a playground?
Max Ansel -Highland Beach does not allow anything commercial -isn't charged
pazking commercial?
Beverly Knight -trespassing. Who will police homeowner's beaches for overflow North
or South of the pazk?
Kurt Kalaber - Spanish River pazk chazges $16/day. County Pazk should be consistent
• with Boca's park. South Inlet park is less expensive then other Boca Pazks.
• PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP
APRIL 9.2008 PAGE 4 of 4
Chairman Sterns stated that at the May 14 Public Hearing, the Planning Board will
recommend Approval, Approval with conditions or Denial of the application and send it
onto the Town Commission.
Mr. Sliney noted that Mr. Dawson is willing to be a "clearing house" for any conditions
the Board may have, and suggest these be sent to him to consolidate, and will have a pass
out at the Public Hearing.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further comments, MOTION to adjourn was made by Mr. AngeUMr. Kalaber at
10:55 a.m.
Approval:
Louis P. Stern, Ch.
Ken Tapman, V.Ch.
Patricia A. Pembroke
• Marie Marchesani
Kurt T T~_~L----
7osepl
Max ~
Attest
(Note: These minutes may not deflect everything that was discussed, but offer a general
overview).