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INDEX TO MINUTES
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES WORKSHOP
ST. LUCIE COUNTY/INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
JANUARY 31, 2005, 9:00 A.M.
INDIAN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE MUELLER CAMPUS
RICHARDSON CENTER
1.CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE......................... 2
2.INVOCATION ............................................................................................... 2
3.INTRODUCTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF .............................................................. 2
4.INTRODUCTION OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY CHAIRMAN
FRANNIE HUTCHINSON .......................................................................... 2
5.OPENING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS OF ST. LUCIE
COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND
STAFF ............................................................................................................. 2
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6.GROWTH OVERVIEW .............................................................................. 3
IRC .........................................................................................................3
NDIAN IVER OUNTY
S.LC ................................................................................................................4
T UCIE OUNTY
7.LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ALONG THE COUNTY
LINE ................................................................................................................ 4
PCCD ........................................................................4
ROPOSED OCONUT OVE EVELOPMENT
IG–DRI(DRI) ........................................5
NDRIO ROVES EVELOPMENT OF EGIONAL MPACT
IRCGCM ......................................................5
NDIAN IVER OUNTY ROWTH ONTROL EASURES
8.UTILITIES ..................................................................................................... 7
W(EBC) .....................................................................7
ATER MERGENCY ACKUP ONNECTION
9.BULK SLUDGE (SOLID WASTE) ............................................................ 7
PS ...................................................................................................7
ROCESSING AND ELLING
10.INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT .................................................................. 8
11.RECOVERY EFFORTS .............................................................................. 8
12.LIBRARY – RECIPROCAL BORROWING PRIVILEGES ................. 8
13.QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS ........... 9
14.PUBLIC COMMENT ................................................................................. 10
15.ADJOURNMENT ....................................................................................... 12
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January 31, 2005
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES WORKSHOP
JOINT MEETING
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
The Board of County Commissioners of Indian River County, Florida, met in Joint
Session with St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners to discuss ways to manage the
rapid growth occurring within both counties. It was held at the Richardson Center of Indian River
Community College Mueller Campus, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach, Florida, on Monday,
January 31, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. Present were Chairman Thomas S. Lowther, Vice Chairman
Arthur R. Neuberger, 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.
Present from St. Lucie County were Chairman Frannie Hutchinson, Vice Chairman
Paula A. Lewis, Members Joseph E. Smith, District 1; Doug Coward, District 2; Chris Craft,
District 5; County Administrator Douglas M. Anderson, and County Attorney Daniel S. McIntyre.
The meeting was video taped by the School Board’s media group.
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1. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Chairman Lowther called the meeting to order and led the pledge of allegiance to
the flag.
2. INVOCATION
Stan Boling, Indian River County Planning Director, gave the Invocation.
3. INTRODUCTION OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
Chairman Lowther introduced himself and his fellow Board members and staff:
Thomas S. Lowther, Chairman - District 4
Arthur R. Neuberger – Vice Chairman - District 2
Wesley S. Davis - District 1
Gary C. Wheeler - District 3
Sandra L. Bowden - District 5
Joseph A. Baird - County Administrator
William G. Collins II - County Attorney
Robert “Bob” Keating - Community Development Director
Stan Boling - Planning Director
James Davis - Public Works Director
John King, Emergency Services Director
W. Erik Olson, Utilities Director
4. INTRODUCTION OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY CHAIRMAN
FRANNIE HUTCHINSON
Chairman Lowther made the introduction.
5. OPENING REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS OF ST. LUCIE
COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND
STAFF
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Chairman Frannie Hutchinson introduced her fellow Board members and staff:
Frannie Hutchinson - Chairman - District 4
Paula A. Lewis, Vice Chairman - District 3
Joseph E. Smith - District 1
Doug Coward - District 2
Chris Craft - District 5
Douglas M. Anderson - County Administrator
Daniel S. McIntyre - County Attorney
Michael Brillhart – Strategy and Special Projects Coordinator
David Kelly – Planning Manager
Faye Outlaw – Assistant County Administrator
6. GROWTH OVERVIEW
IRC
NDIAN IVER OUNTY
Community Development Director Robert “Bob” Keating used a PowerPoint
presentation (See handout #1) to show residential building permit activity since 1993 and
residential development projects currently under review and roadways comparing Indian River
County (IRC) growth to St. Lucie County’s (SLC) growth. IRC is taking a number of steps to
address growth, such as: the visioning process, the implementation of eight new impact fees,
traffic impact fees, changing the Land Development Regulations (LDRs) to deal with future
growth and the Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan.
He concluded his presentation advising that IRC staff and SLC staff have worked together
coordinating development projects and the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan.
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S.LC
T UCIE OUNTY
Michael Brillhart
, Strategy and Special Projects Coordinator for SLC used a
PowerPoint presentation (See handout #2) to present an overview of the growth occurring in SLC
and their Long Range Transportation Plan. He covered population, housing, regionalism and the
roadway improvements scheduled over the next five years. SLC is experiencing a tremendous
amount of growth and they are looking at how they can deflect that growth. The SLC Board
identified a need to increase efforts in preserving land, environmental protection and an efficient
design for the North County. He reviewed their North County Charrette Master Plan that was
prepared based on a three-day workshop in 2004.
SLC Commissioner Doug Coward pointed out that their Board has taken a different
approach to growth in their North County area (not to move the urban service line) unlike Port St.
Lucie City Council has demonstrated in the South County.
7. LAND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ALONG THE COUNTY
LINE
PCCD
ROPOSED OCONUT OVE EVELOPMENT
David Kelly
SLC Planning Manager described a proposed Planned Development
(PD) called Coconut Cove that will be situated on 277 acres just south of the IRC line, east of US-1
and south of Harmony Oaks. It consists of 172 single-family residential units, mixed units,
including a series of nine-story condominiums (eight stories over one story of parking).
Proposed SLC Commissioner Coward stated he does not support this proposed PD.
He felt it was out-of-character for the area and he wanted feedback from IRC’s Commissioners.
Overall, IRC Commissioners agreed with Commissioner Coward’s comments and
preferred that the high-rise buildings be further south and not visible from the County line.
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SLC Chairman Hutchinson discouraged comments today and preferred all the
information be reviewed first and she asked her staff to See handout that all meeting material is
provided to IRC.
SLC Commissioner Paula Lewis urged the Board to learn more about the PD before
faulting it.
SLC Chairman Hutchinson directed SLC Planning Manager David Kelly to
provide IRC all information including transcriptions regarding this Project.
IG–DRI(DRI)
NDRIO ROVES EVELOPMENT OF EGIONAL MPACT
(Clerk’s Note: This item was heard prior to Item 7.A.1. and it is placed
here for continuity.)
Michael Brillhart
SLC Special Projects Coordinator discussed Indrio Groves, a
Development of Regional Impact (DRI), to be located on Koblegard Road, a 1/4 mile North of
Indrio Road near Spanish Lakes. The site is over 1,000 acres and will have in excess of 3,000
residential units, an elementary school, some commercial, neighborhood parks, a regional water
flow way, and surrounding open space. SLC is interested in a connection with IRC via Koblegard
Road.
IRCGCM
NDIAN IVER OUNTY ROWTH ONTROL EASURES
IRC Community Development Director Bob Keating said he would provide the
Board with copies of his comments regarding Coconut Cove made prior to their election to office.
Then he presented the growth control studies currently underway:
Visioning Process, which may bring changes to the Comp Plan;
The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is focusing on three
separate land use alternatives: the continuation trends, less growth scenario
and villages scenario; and
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A consultant study to include a detailed analysis, forecast modeling, a fiscal
impact analysis and other data.
The County will soon be enacting eight new impact fees:
1.increased traffic impact fees;
2.major changes to the land development regulations;
3.expanding buffer requirements;
4.expanding existing corridor requirements;
5.changing concurrency;
6.requiring concurrency tests;
7.payment of concurrency impact fees earlier in the process; and
8.changing bond requirements for structural improvements.
He noted that IRC has made it perfectly clear that the urban service area boundary
is not changing. The Comp Plan does allow for new towns outside of the urban service area since
it was adopted in 1990. The “new town” initiative provides for l unit per 5 or 1 unit per 10 acres.
He explained that the County encourages developers to come in with Planned Developments
where the Board has more control and discretion. The “South County Initiative” project is being
repeated in Sebastian. This is allowing us to work with developers to create communities in
neighborhoods rather than distinct stand-alone non-connected development projects. He then
responded to questions.
SLC Commissioner Coward felt it was important to discuss positive economic
development and Chairman Lowther agreed. Chairman Hutchinson asked this to be on the agenda
for discussion at their next joint meeting.
CLERK’S NOTE:
( The Chairman called for a short recess at 10:12 a.m. The meeting
reconvened at 10:29 a.m.)
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8. UTILITIES
W(EBC)
ATER MERGENCY ACKUP ONNECTION
IRC Utilities Director Erik Olson addressed reopening and updating the current
emergency interlocal agreement with SLC to make more practical standards limiting it to an
emergency standpoint rather than a supply component.
9. BULK SLUDGE (SOLID WASTE)
PS
ROCESSING AND ELLING
Leo Cordie
SLC Solid Waste Manager ro asked Dr. Pat Gleason, Consultant with
Camp, Dresser and McGee (CDM), to address the Bulk Sludge Interlocal Agreement.
Dr. Gleason
described and reviewed Leo Cordiero’s handout titled Treasure Coast
Regional Biosolids Management Facility (See handout #3), a process called land application that
consists of removing sludge. He explained that this process will eventually be eliminated because
of increased public resistance to the practice of land spreading and the increased regulations of
sludge desired by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. County governments are
also passing ordinances to discourage land spreading of sludge. SLC is in the process of
developing their own ordinance that would regulate wastewater material and they are trying to
develop a list of partners to participate in this project under an interlocal agreement. He continued
explaining that the Regional facility will take wastewater sludge and privatize it whereby it will
become a valuable product (fertilizer). He has requested surrounding counties and municipalities
to participate, including IRC.
IRC Utilities Director Erik Olson said if we can get a clear understanding of the
cost, staff is ready to bring a recommendation to the Board with the understanding that it is a
20-year project and IRC local hauling will transfer to the SLC project.
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10.INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT
Michael Brillhart
brought to the Board’s attention that SLC is looking at
enhancing their interlocal agreements with IRC that have a joint need or demand such as the
Mutual Aid Interlocal Agreement in hopes that both counties will benefit.
Doug Cow
ard wanted to know if IRC’s Board felt it was necessary to provide
direction to staff in the interlocal agreement review process.
Clerk’s Note
(: Response to this question was discussed later in the meeting under comments.)
Chairman Hutchinson asked that both Boards meet at least twice a year, whether as
the Board of County Commissioners or under the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
11.RECOVERY EFFORTS
Faye Outlaw
, SLC Assistant County Administrator, used a PowerPoint
presentation (See handout #4) and IRC Administrator Joseph Baird provided estimates of the
financial impact incurred by Hurricane Frances and Jeanne and the restoration and reimbursement
estimates.
12.LIBRARY – RECIPROCAL BORROWING PRIVILEGES
Susan Kilmore
SLCLibrary Director addressed a statewide library card program
that is being established through regional efforts. Since 1994 they have had a reciprocal borrowing
letter agreement with Martin County. Each resident has to have their own card in her resident
county before they can obtain one in SLC.
Helene Castletyne
, Economic Development Director with Indian River County
Chamber of Commerce, addressed the Board emphasizing that they have been working from a
regional economic standpoint with St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties. Economic Development
Organizations, workforce representation and the Regional Planning Council have been at these
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meetings to talk about a more formalized economic development and they expect it to put them on
the map from a national and international standpoint. Instead of being called the “Treasure Coast”
they are now called the “Research Coast” to make everyone understand what they are trying to do
as far as business retention, recruitment, marketing and promotion. They hope to finalize this in
September.
SLC Administrator Doug Anderson added they have 1800 acres in partnership with
the University of Florida and a master plan is underway. Some acres have utilities. Senator Pruitt
proposed a referendum for this plan that will generate $5,000,000 per year.
13.QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS
SLC Commissioner Joseph Smith addressed the idea of workforce housing
(medium priced housing in SLC is $194,000). He inquired if IRC was also having trouble with
housing teachers and police with the low salaries they make. Chairman Lowther responded that
they have over 200,000 medium priced houses.
Commissioner Wheeler expressed concerns on how SLC will handle some of the
developments they have approved outside the urban service area.
Chairman Hutchinson responded that the projects they have in progress are being
looked at very closely and a format is currently being devised. She suggested holding joint
meetings bi-annually or quarterly. She wanted to execute an interlocal agreement to make sure
information is shared and to guarantee to continue working together on these issues. She agreed
with Commissioner Coward’s idea of starting a regional organization relating to economic
development and suggested this be a priority agenda item for their next meeting. She also wanted
to obtain additional funding from the State and Federal governments for the library program. She
recommended adopting a Resolution asking FEMA to expedite funding for damages from
Hurricane Frances and Jeanne. (Subsequently IRC adopted Resolution 2005-014)
Chairman Lowther agreed.
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Commissioner Wheeler was interested in their charrette and was curious how the
concept will be put into place. He asked SLC’s Board to consider heights and density and to allow
space or buffers between the counties.
Commissioner Bowden wants to strengthen the relationship between the counties.
Commissioner Davis suggested having quarterly meetings and setting a date for the
next meeting as quickly as possible in order to stay ahead of development.
Chairman Hutchinson said she would see that IRC is provided a copy of their
Commission meetings minutes and tapes.
Commissioner Neuberger wants to see an interconnection with Koblegard Road
and IRC and buffers at the county line.
Commissioner Lewis felt the meeting was productive.
Commissioner Smith was amazed that IRC projected 126,700 residents for 2005,
but was pleased that services will be provided to everyone.
Commissioner Coward agreed with Chairman Hutchinson on establishing an
interlocal agreement with IRC on continually having joint meetings.
Commissioner Craft wants to strengthen SLC’s relationship with IRC.
Commissioner Wheeler stated IRC has exceeded 126,700 in population.
Commissioner Lowther wanted to have quarterly meetings open for public
discussion.
14.PUBLIC COMMENT
th
Geraldine White,
274 57 Circle, Vero Beach addressed the Board concerning the
need for affordable housing and wanted to know what action will be taken.
Lynn Bolton,
President of the Indian River Neighborhood Organization, said they
believe density is the enemy and support low-density zoning (2 units per acre) as a goal wherever
possible. They support new development paying for itself and want to be sure that existing
residents are not subsidizing for the cost of new development. She felt SLC has decided to go in
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one direction in its vision and build out and that IRC has a different vision; this is why the
Neighborhood Organization exists to try to preserve that vision.
Pastor Ray Scent
preached that no matter what we are going to have population
growth. He reminded everyone that we are nothing and we own nothing. We must accept the rules
and regulations we create. He encouraged them to proceed in an orderly fashion.
JeffFirst
, Property Appraiser in SLC, felt that SLC has changed direction and that
the Commissioners need to act quickly before it is too late. He urged the Commissioners to take
advantage of this unique opportunity to hold the urban service line, to meet regularly, to stay on
top of growth and avoid what has happened in South Florida. If we hold the north county concept,
do not move the urban service line, and find a way to handle growth, he believed planners in the
future might look around our counties and wonder what happened that we were able to not look
like the rest of Florida.
Susie Karen,
an IRC resident, addressed the Board thanking them for their efforts.
She is concerned with the future of both communities and believes communication is the key.
There were no additional speakers and Chairman Lowther closed the public
discussion.
Chairman Lowther summarized the meeting with the following recommendations:
a)Future quarterly meetings
b)Adopting a resolution requesting funding from FEMA for Hurricane damage
and,
c)Forwarding a joint letter to Federal Emergency Management Association
(FEMA), as suggested by Chairman Hutchinson.
SLC Attorney Daniel McIntyre suggested that each county take formal action
adopting the resolution at their next Board meeting.
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Chairman Lowther concurred and advised Assistant County Attorney DeBraal to
take that direction.
SLC Assistant Administrator Faye Outlaw pointed out that in order to obtain
FEMA’s support they need to be clear on what they are requesting and suggested they request
advanced funding from FEMA opposed to requesting FEMA to expedite a request they already
have submitted.
SLC Administrator Anderson suggested adding to the resolution a request for
reimbursement for picking up debris in gated communities and on private roads.
15.ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, on Motion duly made, seconded and carried, the
meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
_________________________________ ________________________________
Jeffrey K. Barton, Clerk Thomas S. Lowther, Chairman
Minutes Approved: _________________
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