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MINUTES OF THE
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SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, March 25, 2010 9:30 AM
Members Present: Chair Louis P. Stern, Vice Chair Joseph Yucht, Board Member
Dennis Sheridan, Board Member Beverly Knight and Board Member Paul Resnick.
Members Absent: Member Max Angel (unexcused) Also Attending: Building Official
Michael Desorcy, Town Attorney Tom Sliney, Town Manager/Acting Recording
Secretary Dale Sugerman and members of the public.
CALL TO ORDER:
Chair Stern called the Regular Meeting to order at 9:34 AM. Roll call was taken by
Town Manager Dale Sugerman. The Pledge of Allegiance followed.
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS OR ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA:
MOTION: Vice Chair Yucht moved to accept the agenda as presented. Board Member
Sheridan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND REQUESTS:
None.
PRESENTATIONS:
None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
None.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. Discussion on Chapter 30 Zoning Code Text Amendments -Section 30-64(a),
Table 30-32, Note No. 4, Ancillary Items Allowed Within the Setback and
Section 30-68(f)(1)(c), Screen Enclosures. (Clarification needed per the request
of the Town Commission to be reported back to the Town Commission.)
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30-64(a), Table 30-32, Note No. 4, Ancillary Items Allowed within the Setback
Board recommended elimination. Board wants input from Building Official to weigh in
on items in the setback.
Bldg Official Desorcv -Some things can be eliminated but it needs to be made specific.
Can you clarify items? Member Knight- Poles are flagpoles and bird feeders.
Bldg Official Desorcv -Should examples of poles be stated in the code? V. Chair Yucht
- When you start to make a list, some items will/will not be included; do not be too
specific.
Town Att. Slinev -Remove note four.
Bldg. Official Desorcv -How high is the flagpole allowed in the setback, 30-feet or 40-
feet. Town Att. Slinev -Trump flagpole is an example of the code being open for abuse.
Member Knight -Fences are allowed in the side yard setbacks, by state law. Town Att.
Slinev -There are no perimeters and it is a permissive use; the Building Official has no
discretion.
V. Chair Yucht - Create an example section. Town Att. Slinev -Refer to the Zoning
Code.
V. Chair Yucht -What is the right way to go? Chair Stern - It was not in the code
previously. Maybe we should eliminate. Member Knight - I brought this up because of
the loopholes.
Member Resnick -Has this been a problem formerly? Bldg. Official Desorcv - So far, it
has not been a problem. Fences, walls, and vegetation fall under other sections of the
code. Waterfall, fountains and flagpoles do not.
V. Chair Yucht - If we eliminate the section and someone comes in, what does the
Building Official do? Bldg. Official Desorcv -Would leave it to the discretion of the
Board based upon review.
Town Att. Slinev -There are three categories for review: 1) meets the code, 2) does not
meet the code, and 3) granting a variance. Things need to be as specific as possible so
that they can be denied.
Chair Stern -Should we help the Building Department by creating a paragraph, or should
we leave it alone?
V. Chair Yucht - Do fences keep things in or out? Whom are you trying to protect with a
setback?
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Member Sheridan -With the exception of pool fences, the code already references walls
and fences. Bldg. Official Desorcv -The code does make the wall and fence distinction.
Air conditioner and pool heaters need to be screened in the setback. I agree with the
Town Attorney; this section can and should be eliminated.
Town Att. Slinev - If it does not meet the code, they have a chance to get a variance.
Member Knight - It may be the interpretation that if it is not in the code, it is allowed.
Town Att. Slinev -Code discusses permitted uses, which is what the Building Official
follows.
Bldg. Official Desorcv -The Building Code requires that equipment be attached to a
permanently stable slab of concrete. An air conditioner can be placed by the pool or out-
front as long as they are properly grounded and screened. Member Resnick -Are you
comfortable with making decisions on little and big things in the setback on a case-by-
case decision? Bldg. Official Desorcv - I am comfortable with that.
MOTION: Board Member Sheridan moved to delete from 30-64(a) the subsection 4,
Ancillary Items Allowed within the Setback. Vice Chair Yucht seconded the motion,
which passed unanimously.
Section 30-68(~(1)(c), Screen Enclosures
Chair Stern -Are there any questions regarding screen enclosures?
Bldg. Official Desorcv -Screen enclosures are a pool barrier, and the code requires that a
pool have a barrier. The code requires that there have to be at least a 3' landing area for
safety reasons. Screen enclosures will be encroaching into the setback.
Chair Stern -Are we more comfortable with what we have? Member Knight - Do not
remember what the reasoning was. Town Mgr. Su eg rman -Eliminated section (c)
because if that section were to remain, there would be an automatic conflict.
V. Chair Yucht -Since it is a safety measurement, delete the existing section (c) and add
the suggested (c). Member Knight - I agree with Vice Chair Yucht.
Bldg. Official Desorcv - I have seen pool decks that extend to the edge of the sea wall.
Are there any provisions for grandfathering decks that have been built in the past? V.
Chair Yucht - I remember something like this going before the Board of Adjustment and
Appeals in the past.
MOTION: Board Member Knight moved to approve last change made on March 10th as
it appears. Vice Chair Yucht seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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30-68(fl (S), Protection of Swimming Pools
Chair Stern -The issue is currently not in the Town's code. Bldg. Official Desorcv -
This is a life safety issue, and afoot-foot barrier should protect all pools. This is hard to
enforce without the permission from the neighbor.
Town Att. Slinev -What do you require for a new pool application? Bldg, Official
Desorcv - I enforce the State Building Code.
V. Chair Yucht -Are existing pools with various height fences grandfathered in? Town
Att. Slinev - I think they are grandfathered in.
V. Chair Yucht - Do we want to protect all of the citizens of the Town? Member Knight
- Vice Chair Yucht is asking if we should bring everyone up to code. Can we put
something in the Town's Highlander Newsletter?
V. Chair Yucht - I would like to add the word "all". Bldg. Official Desorcv -Change
"the proper fence enclosures and gates" to "approved barriers".
Town Att. Slinev -What code would be measured? Bldg. Official Desorcv -Florida
State Statues.
MOTION: Board Member Resnick moved to approve the language as it appears 30-
68(f)(5) Protection of Swimming Pools: Swimming pools shall have the required State
approved barriers installed as per Florida Building Code, as updated: Board Member
Sheridan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Roll Call Vote:
Member Resnick -Yes
Sheridan -Yes
Chair Stern -Yes
V. Chair Yucht -Yes
Member Knight -Yes
NEW BUSINESS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: Member Sheridan moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:06 a.m. Vice Chair
Yucht seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
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APPROVED:
TOWN SEAL __
o .Stern; air
Joseph S. Yucht, Vice Chair
ATTESTED:
Va er>e Oakes
Deputy Town Clerk
Date: Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Absent
Max Angel, Board Member
ever Knight, Board Member
Pa esnic ,Board Member ,y
Denniiis Sheri an, Board Member
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Vacancy
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