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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/12/2005INDEX OF MINUTES OF PUBLIC WORKSHOP OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REGARDING GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT JANUARY 12, 2005 1. CALL TO ORDER 1 2. INVOCATION 1 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2 4. STAFF UPDATE 2 4.A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE JANUARY 12, 2005 WORKSHOP ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 2 5. OPEN DISCUSSION 2 January 12, 2005 1 January 12, 2005 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC WORKSHOP ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met for the purpose of holding a Public Workshop regarding Growth and Development at the County Commission Chambers, 1840 25th Street, Vero Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, January 12, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. Present were Thomas S. Lowther, Chairman; Arthur R, Neuberger, Vice Chairman; and Commissioners Sandra L. Bowden, Wesley S. Davis and Gary C. Wheeler. Also present were Joseph Baird, County Administrator; William DeBraal, Assistant County Attorney; Kimberly Massung, Executive Aide to the Board; and Maria I. Suesz, Deputy Clerk. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Thomas S. Lowther called the meeting to order. 2. INVOCATION Planning Director Stan Boling delivered the Invocation. January 12, 2005 1 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Chairman Arthur R. Neuberger led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. 4. STAFF UPDATE 4.A. BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR THE JANUARY 12, 2005 WORKSHOP ON GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT Chairman Lowther addressed housekeeping rules requesting no heckling or jousting and for cell phones to be turned off Community Development Director Bob Keating stated that the purpose of the workshop is for the development community to identify some non -regulatory ways to address issues that have resulted in two separate efforts this past year to enact a moratorium. He compiled a list of perceived problems (copy on file) that reflect the desired outcome of today's meeting. Planning Director Stan Boling reviewed the background information provided (copy on file) which included the re-evaluation of the Land Use Plan and the Metropolitan Planning Organization's (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan and the changes implemented from the Growth Task Force recommendations (page 23-24 of the backup). The list of concerns staff provided and potential actions consisted of four areas: 1. Slowing the pace of growth 2. Handling the impacts of growth 3. Modifying the development project approval process 4. Enhancing the development project design standards 5. OPEN DISCUSSION Chairman opened the floor for discussion. Joseph Paladin, 730 Commerce Drive, Sebastian, Chairman of the "Growth Awareness Committee," invited anyone from the public to address the Board. January 12, 2005 2 Lex Kromhout, a member of the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, said they want to be a part of the workshop committee to provide their input. He stated the County is rapidly approaching an economic factor whereby agriculture can no longer operate and in conjunction with soil and water, they are concerned. Geraldine White, 274 57th Circle, said she wants to see "planned communities" and pleaded with the Board to impose a moratorium. (After Joseph Schulke's remarks later in the meeting, Geraldine amended her statement to "maybe a moratorium is not necessary.") Adrine Cuffe, 695 43rd Avenue, misunderstood the purpose of this workshop and did not intend to speak today, but asked for the right to address the Board at a later time. Richard Vialoski, 940 Oyster Shell Lane, wants the Board to take direction towards the quality of development. He suggested looking for other means of transportation to eliminate the number of cars on the roads. He believes the Board should invite speakers from out-of-county who lecture on smart growth to educate them on issues of planning and growth. George Beuttell, 5000 16th Street, felt the emphasis should be on infrastructure and transportation. Bruce Barkett, 156 Beachland Blvd., spoke in favor of amending the Land Development Regulations. Anthony Donadio, 1650 E. Roseland Court, opened a discussion regarding the need for affordable housing. He felt reducing density is not the solution. He agreed with Commissioner Wheeler's idea of designating a certain area just for affordable housing. Commissioner Davis preferred that the land be "dedicated rather than designated." Debb Robinson, Vice President of Laurel Homes, addressed the problems of not building roads in a timely fashion as homes are being built and down zoning. Martin Taber, Martin County Developer, suggested creating an Indian River Quality Development Program which gives a faster track for approval, sets the tone in the community with developers that live here on how we want the area developed, creates regulations in the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) that have to do with buffers and transition zones. January 12, 2005 3 When lower density communities become available the next community that has higher density won't meet those transition requirements. Joseph Schulke, Civil Engineer, Schulke, Bittle and Stoddard, spoke in favor of increasing regulations to send a message to outside developers that we want quality growth. He recommended identifying commercial nodes, assigning Commissioners to attend the pre-application process, require right-of-ways to solve the traffic issue, implement impact fees for esthetics, develop corridor plans for a vision, have specific buffer standards for commercial neighborhood zones, and stay firm in requiring those standards. Joseph Paladin introduced the Growth Awareness Committee (GAC) members (copy of list is on file). He read a short opening statement prepared by the builders and developers expressing their concerns and potential actions (copy on file). He reviewed the list of concerns (page 23 and 24 of the backup) presented by Director Boling, item-for-item, stating the Committee agreed unanimously on all the items listed under "Handle the Impacts of Growth." In addition, they felt the need for the County to appoint a Commissioner to attend the pre-application process and Technical Review Committee (TRC) meetings. After seeing the positive action demonstrated at this meeting they felt a moratorium was not an issue. They supported increasing buffers and they will submit new standards for consideration. They supported adding recreational areas and they needed to define "cookie cutter" houses. They agreed to require private landscaping and maintenance down to the edge of the pavement of new roads with help from utilities. The Committee needed more time to address the "Slow the Pace of Growth" items, and they will come back in a couple weeks with their comments. John Williams, 1535 Smugglers Cove, was pleased the committee was not in favor of moving the urban service line. He wants the committee to endorse the concept that the people have the right to make that decision and he will address Charter Government at a later meeting. Commissioner Wheeler spoke of an alternative action currently under research that requires a political Special Act of the Legislature where a binding referendum is adopted to expand the urban service line. He will discuss this at a later meeting. January 12, 2005 4 Rene Renzi, 340 Waverly Way, addressed having a requirement for underground utilities, of which she was advised is currently taking place. Pete Spike, 1630 Seaway Drive, a member of the Indian River Citrus League, advised that the League was asked by Senator Pruitt to devise a way to deal with the "rural village" concept by September 2005. They need to find out what happens to undeveloped land, what rights you have for the land, and how to manage that land. He invited staff to participate in that process. Chairman Lowther commented that Senator Ralph Poppell is also involved in the same concept and would be a great resource. Commissioner Davis added that they are focusing on vast areas west of I-95 and trying to work with environmental groups to determine if we set it aside, what is that growth going to be like and what can we do with it in terms of conservation and preservation in the year 2020 or 2030. Commissioner Bowden served on the Treasure Coast for Sustainable Growth. The group is trying to identify, preserve, and protect these regions; we are the only County doing this. Dr. David Cox followed up on Mr. Spikes remarks. He finds the new town concept to be an attractive concept that has a long history dating back to the 18`h Century. He thought they should look at history on how they expanded from the mill town. He suggested doing a 20 -year visioning plan and to try to think a century ahead. Mark Brackett, 1915 34th Avenue, commented that the committee has additional concerns other than those the Board has addressed. He was thankful for the opportunity to do the work. Discussion continued. Lex Kromhout was concerned that what has happened in West Palm Beach will happen here. He talked about the problems with the town -clustering concept that had been practiced in Holland. He recommended the Commissioners get involved in site plans as they come across for review. He addressed the American Farm Land Trust study that was completed in Palm Beach County. He believed inside the urban service area is actually subsidized by the agricultural community. Agriculture gets less than twenty-five cents in services for every January 12, 2005 5 dollar that it pays in Palm Beach County. The other seventy-five cents that the agricultural community is paying goes towards subsidizing and supporting the urban service area. When you start turning that around the urban service area is going to have to start paying more of its share and the agricultural community is the one that paid for the basis that is in the urban service area in the first place. He felt positive that the same situation exists in our county, which is a very frustrating situation. Andy Bowler, resident of South County and Executive Director of Indian River Habitat for Humanity and tried to bestow a concept of what the need is for affordable housing. His concern is if we use controlled growth measures it is going to have a negative impact on affordable housing. We should make sure that large developers are required to set aside 5% or 10% for affordable housing or set aside a land bank. Commissioner Davis asked the Growth Awareness Committee to address this issue. Joseph Paladin said they did have affordable housing on their agenda, but with the way the price of land has climbed it is hard to find land in the affordable market. Bruce Barkett believes if you allow urban sprawl eventually agriculture will be put out of business. He suggested increasing density inside the urban service area. Allen Green, 8030 98th Avenue, does not agree with putting high-density modules all over the county. He does not want to stop growth, but he thinks we can control it and put density closer to the urban service area. He was in favor of seeing more county initiatives with commercial development and not allowing them to build out to the maximum. Commissioner Lowther commended Mr. Paladin for taking on this task. He felt that they have the direction that they need and that they need to do this more often. Donna Keys representing the Planning & Zoning Commission said she thinks they are going to see this come forward with a lot of cooperation from every side and hoped that they can work out something to make this county what we want it to be in the year 2020 or 2030. January 12, 2005 6 Discussion ensued whereby the Commissioners complimented Mr. Paladin and his committee for their hard work and perseverance and expressed their support in their efforts. A lot of the initiatives are already in the process of being in place and they expect the visioning process will address a lot of the land use issues. Chairman Lowther set another workshop for the regular board meeting of February 1, 2005. ALL BACKUP DOCUMENTATION, RESOLUTIONS, AND ORDINANCES ARE ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD AND ARE HEREBY MADE A PART OF THESE MINUTES There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the Board adjourned at 11:38 a.m. ATTEST: Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Thomas S. Lowther, Chairman Minutes Approved: WKShop/MIS/2005 January 12, 2005 7