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2008.03.12_PB_Minutes_Workshop• TOWN OF ffiGHLAND BEACH PLANNING BOARD WORKSHOP MEETING 11IINUTES MARCH 12.2008 Immediately following 9:30 am Rggular Meeting Chairman Louis P. Stern called the Workshop Meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. In attendance were Chairman Stem, Vice Chair Ken Tapman, Members Patricia Pembroke, Marie Marchesani, 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 t~LD BUSINESS Chairman Stem read into the record that the old business for today as follows: CONSIDERATION OF PALM BEACH COUNTY' S APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A BEACH ACCESS PARK, TO INCLUDE ELEVATED BOARDWALK, EDUCATIONA~L/INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE AND 100 PARi~ING SPACES. PROPERTY LOCATION: 4715 S. OCEAN BLVD. APPLICANT: AUDREY WOLF, DIRECTOR, FD&O, PALM BEACH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Mr. Sliney noted that this was the second workshop for this project and the purpose is to • have the members of the Board and the citizens in the audience become familiar with what the County is proposing. Although this matter has been "on the drawing board" for a number of years, it has been in "hiatus" for five or so years and there are now different Planxung Board members, so it was import to have an orientation meting to familiarize the board with the issue. Mr. Sliney asked Recording Secretary to distribute copies of the sections of the Town code that will be pertinent to the members when reviewing this at a Public Hearing. Those sections are Section 30-36 -special exceptions and procedure for reviewing special exceptions, and Section 30-67 -special exceptions and more specifics, and sub section 9 which deals with public recreation facilities. Mr. Sliney asked that the Board review this in addition to any questions, comments, or conditions that they might want to put on any recommendation. Chairman Stern thanked Town Manager Dale Sugerman for recapping the items discussed at the last planning meeting, and the county for their response to the Board's requests from the meeting. He did note that he still does not see an updated traffic study since the March 2002 one was done, and this needs to be addressed. Board Comments: Max Angel - Objects to showers, which will attract transients. Has no other objection to the use of the property. • Planning Board Workshop March 22.20Q8 Page 2 of S Marie Marchesani -Agrees with Mr. Angel. Town should not have beach -too small and there should be no restrooms on the east side. She is concerned with Ms. Wolff s comment that county is committed to this project. Kurt Kalaber - Has walked beach. Coral reef is huge and can't imagine where bathers will go. Would like to see county compromise and put a pazk that is something other than a bather's beach. Joe Yucht - Read a statement from Ms. Wolff s letter. "The County responded to each previously issued Highland Beach staff comment and all such changes were included in the county's 2007 submittal, as it was our understanding that the county addressed the staff comments at the time the application was suspended". Mr. Yucht questions the validity of that statement, in that he feels Boca Highland issues were not addressed in regard to the trees that were cut down, and takes issue with this statement. Chairman Stern noted that the trying to get additional crosswalks in Highland Beach, the DOT said Highland Beach has sufficient crosswalks, and in looking at the plans there is an activated crosswalk approx 1/8 of a mile from an existing crosswalk at Boca High, and will impede traffic if there is a second activated cross walk so close together. Audrey Wolf, Director of Facilities Development Operation for Palm Beach County spoke on behalf of the County and noted that Commissioner Mary McCarty was also • present. She introduced Bob Masarelli (CH2MHil1) who gave the bulk of the presentation and she will summarize the issues that she sees as most critical and answer any concerns from the Board afterward. Mr. Masarelli introduced himself, and proce~led to walk through the project and explain the planning exercises the county went through to determine the best use of the property, and how it consists with the Town's code and comp plan. He spoke of a rocky shoreline, which is an unusual but important part of the environment, high dune, of which restoration and protection is important. Behind the dune is a hammock, of which most has been destroyed, but a good opportunity to protect it will be by restoring it, removing exotics and restoring the area in the park property. West side AlA Australian pines removed, north end wetland area unique -mangrove swamp which needs some restoration but unique to have in this area. Most unique features are the historical features -Indian middens in areas/ rock formations/ an old house foundation as this was once a residential area. This shows the history of the area of Indians and mid 20a` century usage. This all needs to be put into the "story" to be told. Following is the developed plan for the property . 100 parking spaces on West side will be paver bricks. Only driving area will be paved. . Water tolerant plants will be used to absorb runoff. . Lighting will be minimal, only at guard house -park will be open noon to dusk only. • .Two proposed crosswalks -there will be a flashing light or lights in the pavement. • Planning Board Workshop March 12.2008 Pa$e 3 of S .Park property -East side, access to the property will be by floating boardwalks above the ground to minimize impact on the historical and ecological resources. . Restroom facilities will only be open during park hours. . Life guard facility is for storage only. . Finger board walks will contain historical information. Northern one will go into where residential area is, Southern one will contain interpretation of hammock. Third walk will go to beach. . Dune will be protected -vegetated to maintain face of the dune. . No dumpsters on site -trash cans only . Utilities will be underground . Bike racks on West side by guard gate . West side will be enhanced by landscaping . Everything in plan is consistent with comp plan and Town Code -Board needs to consider this in its approval. Audrey Wolf responded to the following items. . The reason far the park is that the Town's comp plan designates that for every 25,000 people, ocean access is required. County purchased property in the 1980's with bond money designated for the park. This money needs to be used for that use. . Has provided park information to the Seminole Indian office, but has not received a • response yet. Reason for 100 parking spaces -beach is 37,000 sq.ft. State of Florida table shows that it can accommodate 370 people, at 2.5 people per car which would be more than 100 spaces. . Anticipate mostly walkers and snorklers at beach. . Life guards and guadd house attendant on site all day. . PBSO will patrol at County expense. . Construction will be 16-18 months -will do west side first . There will be a pedestrian crossing from parking lot to beach side. . Waste collection will be daily by Parks & Rec . Entrance to parking will allow for a two car backup into pazking lot. Will be a flat fee $1/hour - $4/day - $6/day weekend and holiday. Flat fee will make For faster movement into parking lot, creating less backup. . Park rangers will patrol - no additional patrol needed by Town police. . There will be no concession activity -Make this a condition of approval. Tawn Manager Dale Sugerman spoke about how the Board will proceed. . Take provision of the Town Code and apply to the application. This is a special exception application for a recreation facility. There are 19 "hurdles" in the Code for the County to meet before the Planning Board can make a recommendation to the Town Commission. The Board can add additional conditions above and beyond the required • • Planning Board Workshop March 12, 2008 Pagg 4 of S 19. Mr. Sugerman stated that the Board needs to focus on its role, which is not to stop the park, but determine whether or not the applicant has met the requirements already set in place by the Town for a recreational facility in a GSD district. The Chairman asked for public comments, allowing two minutes per person: Gary Guertin, Toscana West. He was told that the Town has a policy of 25,000 people - and would like a copy of the policy. Mr. Stem noted that Mr. Sliney said that he would provide access to the information. Beach survey, 3901inear feet, 37,000 sq. ft of sand - means beach is 94 feet wide which "we all know is not so". We need low and high tide measurements, and will see that beach space is practically nothing. Ann Grant, Toscana North. Archeological standpoint -does it have to be a bathing beach park? All the digging, etc. would destroy archeological aspect. Couldn't it be something else? Mary McCarty responded, referencing bond issue of which Highland Beach at one time was against, but Palm Beach County people voted yes to the beach bond issue for a beach (bathing access) and County is legally bound to provide same, as the Town is also legally bound to allow a beach access park. George Kelvin, Braerner Isle. Re parking lot, will cars only be allowed? Will busses or trucks be allowed to discharge there? Audrey Wolf stated that the lot is configured for cars only, and don't expect busses or large trucks. Board my add this as an additional condition. Barb Stone, .Boca High. When trees were taken down, lost landscaping, and 8 foot wall from North to South was promised, but has not happened. What needs to be there? Ms. Wolf said that a 6 ft. vinyl coated chain link fence is proposed. In the board deliberations, that should be discussed. If the planning board would like to change that to a wall, they should make that request. Ch 1~ es Su~,~Braemer Isle. Re bond issue requiring a beach, but cannot bath on this beach. Concerned about affecting quality of life. Ms. Wolf noted a park built in another town which had opposition, but once the park was constructed, it was overwhelming positive. It brought additional security, brought additional and maintained open space, orderly usage and was a positive factor. Dean Kelvin, Bramere Isle. What if the county is wrong about the bathing factor, what if the parking does bring in more than 100 cars? What if the county in the future does not maintain as it should? Are they going to continue to have these serviced in perpetuity? • What if the teenagers at not come in and cause trouble? • Planning Board Workshop March 12.2008 Page 5 of 5 Ms. Wolf stated that the County plans to always maintain (as was noted by her eazlier) the park. This can be made a condition of the approval. Mazilvn Benson. Aberdeen Arms. Who will pay for water, extra police, fire service? Ms. Wolf noted that the County will pay for everything. Discussion re Public Hearing. Create a list of extra conditions prior to Public Hearing? MOTION made by Mr. Tapman/Ms. Fembroke to have a public hearing. All aye. The date of April 9 at 9:30 a.m. was scheduled, immediately after the Regulaz Meeting. Jim Nardi, Town Consultant, re traffic review will be provided to the Board and a beach survey report can be provided of the high and low tides. Mr. Sugenman noted that with the mean high tide you don't need a survey, as it is provided by the state. The board elected to not have an in-house survey but to review the county survey. Chairman Stern asked the board to e-mail their recommendations for additional conditions to Jane or Bob Dawson. Amy Patrick, arty PBC had a concern about sunshine laws re e-mails, and how they are transmitted, even through staff. Mr. Sugennann suggested the Public Hearing be held in May, and hold another Workshop Meeting in April where additional conditions can be discussed in public, and • come up with a list, then go to a Public Hearing in May with the conditions. The Board agreed with this and elected to have the Apri19 meeting as a Workshop and a Public Hearing on May 14. With no further discussion, MOTION to adjourn was made by MS. PEMBROKE/MR. TAPMAN at 12:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Approval: Louis P. Stem, Ch. Ken Tapman, V.Ch. Patricia A. Pembroke Marie Mazchesani Kurt T. Kalberer Joseph S. Yucht Max Angel Date: ~ ~ ~: U~ (Note: These minutes may not reflect everything that was presented to the Board, but give a general overview of the presentations.)