CCPC Minutes 11/16/2000 RNovember 16, 2000
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 16, 2000
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Planning
Commission in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 8:30 a.m. in REGULAR
SESSION in Building F of the Government Complex, East Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
ALSO PRESENT:
CHAIRPERSON:
Gary Wrage
Joyceanna J. Rautio
Russell A. Priddy
Lora Jean Young
Kenneth L. Abernathy
Russell A. Budd
Michael Pedone
Dwight Richardson
Ron Nino, Planning Services
Marjorie M. Student, Assistant County
Attorney
Page I
AGENDA
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WILL MEET AT 8:30 A.M., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2000 IN
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING ROOM, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, COUNTY
GOVERNMENT CENTER, 3301 TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST, NAPLES, FLORIDA:
NOTE: INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 5 MINUTES ON ANY
ITEM. INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN
ORGANIZATION OR GROUP ARE ENCOURAGED AND MAY BE ALLOTTED 10
MINUTES TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM IF SO RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
PERSONS WISHING TO HAVE WRITTEN OR GRAPHIC MATERIALS INCLUDED
IN THE CCPC AGENDA PACKETS MUST SUBMIT SAID MATERIAL A
MINIMUM OF 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE RESPECTIVE PUBLIC HEARING. IN
ANY CASE, WRITTEN MATERIALS INTENDED TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE
CCPC SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY STAFF A
MINIMUM OF SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING. ALL
MATERIAL USED IN PRESENTATIONS BEFORE THE CCPC WILL BECOME A
PERMANENT PART OF THE RECORD AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR
PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IF
APPLICABLE.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THE CCPC WILL
NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND
THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND
EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
1. ROLL CALL BY CLERK
2. ADDENDA TO THE AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4. PLANNING COMMISSION ABSENCES
5. BOB MULHERE: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS/HEARING EXAMINER
6. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
7. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
BD-2000-25, Miles L. Scofield of Scofield Marine Consulting, representing James R. and Susan L. Anglin
requesting a 30 foot boat dock extension from the permitted 20 feet to allow for a boat dock facility
protruding a total of 50 feet into the waterway for property located at 61 Southport Cove, further described as
Lot 57, Southport on the Bay Unit 2A, in Section 6, Township 48 South, Range 25 East, Collier County,
Florida. (Coordinator: Ross Gochenaur)
BD-2000-26, Miles L. Scofield of Scofield Marine Consulting, representing Paul M. Kneeland, requesting a
25 foot extension from the permitted 20 feet to allow for a boat dock facility protruding a total of 45 feet into
the waterway for property located at 266 Third Street West, further described as Lot 4, Block H, Little
Hickory Shores Replat of Unit 3, in Section 5, Township 48 South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida.
(Coordinator: Ross Gochenaur)
Do
Fo
G°
Jo
V-2000-22, Kay D. Sorensen or Manuel L. Mayo, requesting a 7.5 foot variance from the required side yard
of 7.5 feet to 0 feet for property located at 6595 Glen Arbor Way being further described as a certain lot or
parcel of land being a portion of Lot 1, Vineyards Arbor Glen. (Coordinator: Fred Reischl)
V-2000-29, Sammy Hamilton, Jr., representing Everglades Corner, Inc., requesting a 30 foot variance from
the required 50 foot front yard setback for gasoline stations to 20 feet for property located at 27515 S. R. 29,
in Section 25, Township 52 South, Range 29 East, Collier County, Florida. (Coordinator: Chahram
Badamtchian)
PUD-84-7(6), George L. Varnadoe of Young, van Assenderp, Varnadoe and Anderson, P.A., representing
951 Land Holdings, Ltd., requesting a fezone from "A" Rural Agricultural to "PUD" Planned Unit
Development for a mixed residential golf course community and for an amendment to the Marco
Shores/Fiddler's Creek PUD for the purpose of adding the land being rezoned and consolidating this area into
the Fiddler" Creek master plan while not increasing the total number of dwelling units authorized for the
Fiddler" Creek portion of Marco Shores. The area to be rezoned is located in Sections 11 and 14, Township
51 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. (Companion to DOA-2000-04) (Continued from 10/l 9/00)
(Coordinator: Ron Nino)
DOA-2000-04, George L. Varnadoe of Young, van Assenderp, Varnadoe and Anderson, P.A., representing
95 i Land Holdings, Ltd., for an amendment to the Marco Shores/Fiddler's Creek Development of Regional
Impact DRI Development Order 84-3 as amended for the purpose of adding approximately 168 acres to the
Fiddler's Creek portion of the DRI in which the current land use theme of a residential golf course community
is extended without any increase to the number of dwelling units authorized, and to amend the master plan to
iljustrate the residential/golf course land use theme for property located in Sections 11 and 14, Township 51
South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida. (Companion to PUD-84-7(6) (Continued from 10/19/00)
(Coordinator: Ron Nino)
PUD-2000-15, Bruce Anderson, Esq., of Young, van Assenderp, Varnadoe and Anderson, P.A., and Greg
Stuart, AICP, of Stuart & Associates, representing Greg Eagle, Trustee, requesting a fezone from "A" Rural
Agricultural to "PUD" Planned Unit Development to be known as Edison Village PUD for a maximum of
54,000 sq. ft. of office and commercial uses for property located at the northwest quadrant of the intersection
of Collier Boulevard (C.R. 95 !) and Lely Cultural Boulevard, in Section 22, Township 50 South, Range 26
East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 7.44+ acres. (Coordinator: Susan Murray)
PUD-2000-16, Robert L. Duane, AICP, of Hole, Montes and Associates, Inc., representing Auto Vehicle
Parts Co., requesting a rezone from "A" Rural Agricultural to "PUD" Planned Unit Development to be known
as Collier Boulevard Mixed Use Commerce Center PUD for a maximum of 433 residential dwelling units and
a maximum of 270,000 sq. ft. of retail and office uses, for property located in the northwest quadrant of 1-75
and Collier Boulevard (C.R. 951 ), in Section 34, Township 49 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida,
Consisting of 70_+ acres. (Coordinator: Ray Bellows)
PUD-2000-17, Donald A. Pickworth, P.A., representing Linda Marszalkowski, Trustee, requesting a rezone
from 'T' Industrial to "PUD" Planned Unit Development to be known as Collier Boulevard Commercial
Center PUD for a maximum of 148,975 sq. ft. of retail commercial uses for property located on the southwest
corner of Collier Boulevard (C.R. 951) and Davis Boulevard (S.R. 84), in Section 3, Township 50 South,
Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 19.54+ acres. (Coordinator: Ray Bellows)
PUD-99-28, Karen Bishop of PMS, Inc. of Naples, representing Vanderbilt Partners II, Ltd., requesting a
rezone from RSF-3 (3), A (ST), RMF-6 ST (3), RMF-6 (3), RMF-12 ST (3), RMF-12 (3), RSF-3 ST (3),
RSF-3 ST, RSF-4 (3), and RSF-4, to "PUD" Planned Unit Development to be known as Cocohatchee Bay
PUD for a maximum of 790 residential dwelling units and recreational facilities including a golf course and
clubhouse and a maximum of 120,000 sq. ft. of neighborhood commercial development, for property located
on the northwest corner of Wiggins Pass Road and Vanderbilt Drive, in Sections 8, 16, 17 and 20, Township
48 South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 592+ acres. (Coordinator: Ron Nino)
2
go
PUD-99-13, Michael R. Fernandez, AICP, of Planning Development, Inc., representing Relleum, Inc.,
requesting a rezone from "A" Rural Agriculture to "PUD" Planned Unit Development to be known as
Balmoral PUD for a maximum of 296 residential dwelling units for property located on the east side of the
future Livingston Road, north of Golden Gate Parkway (C.R. 886) and south of Pine Ridge Road (C.R. 896),
in Section 18, Township 49 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 59.16+ acres.
(Continued from 11/2) (Coordinator: Don Murray)
CU-2000-! i, Jeff Davidson, P.E., of Davidson Engineering, Inc., representing Big Island Excavating, Inc.,
requesting Conditional Use "1" of the "A" zoning district for earthmining for property located 1/~ mile south
of Immokalee Road and south of the existing Longon Lake excavation in the Corkscrew Community in
Section 25, Township 47 South, Range 27 East, consisting of 102 acres. (Coordinator: Fred Reischl)
Mo
CU-2000-14, D. Wayne Arnold, AICP, of Q. Grady Minor & Associates, representing Joseph E. Townsend,
Trustee, requesting Conditional Use "1" of the "A" zoning district for earthmining for property located on
U.S. 41, approximately 3 I/2 miles east of Collier Boulevard (S.R. 951), in Section 18, Township 51 South,
Range 27 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 42.5+ acres. (Coordinator: Susan Murray)
CU-2000-15, Judith A. Innes, requesting Conditional Use "24" of the "A" Rural Agricultural zoning district
for a horse stable on less than 20 acres of land per Section 2.2.2.3 for property located at 262 and 266 Roase
Apple Lane, in Section 23, Township 50 South, Range 26 East, Collier County, Florida, consisting of 4+
acres. (Coordinator: Fred Reischi)
8. NEW BUSINESS
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM
10. DISCUSSION OF ADDENDA
l 1. ADJOURN
i 1/16/00 CCPC AGENDA/RN/im
3
November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Now we're ready?
Let's call to order the regularly scheduled meeting of the
Collier County Planning Commission. I will start the meeting by
first of all recognizing --
MR. NINO: Hold up a minute.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: We're not there yet? I'm not sure I can
repeat that again.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: You were sounding good.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: We will try again.
Let me call to order the Collier County Planning Commission
of November 16th, and prior to roll call, I would like to welcome a
new commissioner to our board, Dwight Richardson, representing
District 2. Dwight, glad to have you with us.
With that, I'll call the roll call.
Commissioner Priddy seems to be absent.
COMMISSIONER YOUNG: He's here.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: He stepped out.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: He's absent as far as I'm concerned.
Commissioner Young.
COMMISSIONER YOUNG: Here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner Abernathy.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner Rautio.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Present.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner Wrage is present.
Commissioner Budd.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And Commissioner Saadeh seems to be
absent.
Commissioner Pedone.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: Here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And Commissioner Richardson.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Let the record show that Commissioner
Priddy has arrived.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And I hollered all the way from the
men's room.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Addenda -- addendum to the agenda, I
have a request to move the last item to the front, submitting a
financial hardship.
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November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY:
CHAIRMAN WRAGE:
request.
MR. YOVANOVICH:
behalf of the petitioner.
Who made that request?
I will allow the petitioner to make that
For the record, Rich Yovanovich on
The petitioner is in a little dispute with a neighbor. She
came to me last minute out of concern for her petition. She's not
a well off person financially, and I would just -- instead of having
to wait until the end, if we could move it forward for a quick
hearing, I would appreciate that. If not, we'll --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Is the neighbor present also?
MR. YOVANOVICH: No, the neighbor is not here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I would be hesitant to request (sic) it if
there's someone who also wishes to -- you know, based on the
agenda.
MR. YOVANOVICH: I understand, but --
MR. REISCHL.' Mr. Chairman, Fred Reischl, planning
services.
As I understand it, the neighbor was unable to be here. That
was the letter that I distributed to you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Before we act on it, any other
addenda to the agenda?
If not, is there a motion on the request?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I move that we move Item N, is it,
ahead of Item A.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Been moved and seconded.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
THE COURT REPORTER: I didn't get the second.
COMMISSIONER WRAGE: Commissioner Budd, sorry.
No minutes were in my packet.
Any planning commission absences?
Hearing none, Mr. Mulhere, I see you are next on the agenda
with some --
MR. MULHERE.' Do you mind or --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: -- with some pertinent information.
MR. MULHERE: I believe in your packet or distributed to you
was some information on the implementation of a hearing
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November 16, 2000
examiner program, and I want to take some time to discuss that
a little bit with you.
On October 24th -- I'm sorry, for the record, Bob Mulhere,
planning services director.
On October 24th, I presented this information to the Board
of County Commissioners, and they endorsed or approved the
staff recommendations to implement a hearing examiner
program for quasi judicial land use petitions.
There are -- I'd like to read the -- or go over the staff
recommendations to tell you a little bit about it, and then, of
course, answer any questions that you may have.
There are a couple of things that will be necessary to
implement the program. We'll have to amend the special act for
Collier County which was adopted by the state legislature in
1967, because that special act specifically spells out the duties
of the planning commission. We'll also need to amend the land
development code and possibly the comprehensive plan, but for
sure, the land development code to effectuate a program to
utilize the hearing officer.
I'll go over a little bit about the rationale for bringing in a
hearing officer. The quasi judicial land use petition, as you are
aware, requires a finding of fact and the -- with the advent of
Florida Supreme Court case recent -- I guess I'm not sure what.
MS. STUDENT: Seven years ago.
MR. MULHERE: Seven years ago.
MS. STUDENT: October 7th, 1993.
MR. MULHERE: The -- with the advent of growth
management plans in the State of Florida, the Florida Supreme
Court held that land --
site specific rezones and other land use petitions are quasi
judicial rather than legislative, and as such, the findings need to
be based on competent substantial evidence. We believe that
the invitation of a hearing examiner similar to the process that's
used in Lee County will create a level playing field for all
interested parties, the applicant and any affected property
owners or neighbors or adjacent property owners.
That would change your role a little bit. You would no
longer hear -- in the proposal that we made to the board, you
would no longer hear land use petitions, nor would the EAC.
Your role would shift to really policy related matters, and I know
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November 16, 2000
over time there's been some discussion by the planning
commission to be more involved in policy related matters. We
would develop a -- with your help, a schedule of policy issues
that you may wish to look at. For example, we are looking at
right now wetlands protection countywide, and we are also
looking at the application of wetland protection standards in the
rural fringe and the far eastern rural lands. Those would be the
types of policy related matters that you would be more directly
involved with.
Under the hearing examiner program, the hearing examiner
will hear land use petitions and make a recommendation -- either
make a recommendation to the board, or he may be the final -- he
or she may be the final decision maker for the minor land use
petitions, boat dock petitions, variances, those types of things.
An appeal to that would go directly to the circuit court.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Bob.
MR. MULHERE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: You keep speaking of would
as if it's conditional. It's not conditional as far as this county is
concerned, is it? It's just conditional on the legislature? MR. MULHERE: I'm sorry. I--
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: You -- you -- you say we
would do this, and so -- instead of we will do this.
MR. MULHERE: You will when it's implemented. The target
date is probably June or July for this to happen. I really can't
give you specific dates, so --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: There's no input desired from
either this commission or the EAC, I take it, in this quasi -- MR. MULHERE: Well, the board has already made the
approval, so we will be moving forward.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Without getting any input?
MR. MULHERE: Right.
I don't know if you have any specific questions. I think the
executive summary was very detailed. There was also an
attachment with quite a bit of research done by staff and by the
county attorney's office.
As I said, we need to get a legislation to the legislative
delegation in December. Assuming that the special act is
amended, we would move forward with an implementation
schedule for sometime around June or July of 2001.
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November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Bob, as a matter of practice,
that's going to take the lobbying, the attorneys out of the loop of
calling all nine of us and visiting with us. It's going to take them
out of the loop of visiting with all five county commissioners.
MR. MUI. HERE: Well, that's a great question.
Ex parte communication will still be permitted, though not
with the hearing officer. It will be prohibited with the hearing
officer, but will be permitted with the Board of County
Commissioners where those types of petitions where the board
will have final approval. Those types of petitions are rezones,
including PUD rezones, and conditional uses, and this is very
similar to the process that's used in Lee County. The board does
have final approval authority on those types of petitions.
For those types of petitions, and we've indicated in the
executive summary that we would have to create a -- I think a
much more specific and detailed process to track and record
that ex parte communication and to disclose it during the board's
public hearings on those matters. In fact, we would have to
track telephone calls and meetings and the topic and then have
a more specific disclosure process.
Whether, in fact, it is -- there is -- there has been a
perception that one way or the other, the -- there's not a level
playing field. This will certainly eliminate that perception. Of
course, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that
will eliminate the perception. The bad news is that everyone
who wishes to participate and submit information will need to be
prepared to do it in a format where, you know, it is truly
competent substantial evidence.
So, again, the decisions for quasi judicial hearings will be --
the board's decision will be based on the record that's
established at the hearing examiner's hearing.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Mulhere, if the board -- did I understand you to say that
the Board of County Commissioners have already approved this
first?
MR. MULHERE: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, why are you here?
MR. MULHERE: To give you that information.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, you require no action
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November 16, 2000
from this board?
MR. MULHERE: No, no, just an informational item, and I will
keep you up-to-date as we move forward.
I think we will need some input from the planning
commission as we move forward in terms of the types of policy
issues that you may wish to continue to be involved with and
review, discuss and expect information coming forward from the
staff.
Of course, you would continue in your role in reviewing and
making recommendations on growth management issues and
growth management policies.
MS. STUDENT: And also land development code --
MR. MULHERE: And land development code.
MS. STUDENT: -- as a land development regulation
commission under the statute.
MR. MULHERE: A lot of times I think we hear that people
are sometimes dissatisfied with the results of a particular zoning
action. Unfortunately, as you-all know, if someone submits a
petition that meets the warrants for approval, you really have,
unless there's competent substantial evidence to the converse,
you really have no choice but to approve the recommended
approval of those petitions.
If there is some legitimacy to the concerns as they relate to
a particular petition, really that's more related to the policies
that are in place that allow that petition to move forward under
those conditions, and we feel there are many opportunities to
look at the policies that we have in place and to improve them,
and we think there's a very significant role there for you.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Bob, what -- where does the
public ever get its shot at this process --
MR. MULHERE: The public has --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: -- people who might oppose a
petition?
MR. MULHERE: A petition, they would also have the same --
the same opportunity that the applicant would have.
Again, the hearing examiner hearings are advertised. They
will be posted, and the public has an opportunity to come to the
hearing examiner hearing --
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November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: And again to the
commission?
MR. MULHERE: And to the commission as well.
And, again, we're not proposing the board did not approve a
prohibition on ex parte communication, that is the public can still
meet with the board to express their concerns. There is just
going to be a more well developed process for disclosure of ex
parte communication.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman.
However, if the board is constrained to only act upon the
results of the hearing examiner, it would seem that that would be
wasted, would it?
MR. MULHERE: It may not have any bearing on the outcome.
I think the concern is, we've seen evidence, for example, in
Lee County where ex parte communication is totally prohibited,
that the citizens are dissatisfied with that because they don't
have the opportunity to meet with their elected officials and talk
to them about these issues, and that is not necessarily illegal as
long as you have, and I'll defer to Marjorie, but as I understand it,
as long as you have a program in place for tracking, recording
and disclosure of ex parte communication, then it does not have
to be prohibited, and so I think that the -- and, of course, I can
only tell you what I believe the rationale of the board was, I think
as elected officials they did not want to prohibit the public's
opportunity to go and talk with them and meet with them on
issues, including these issues, but you're absolutely correct, and
even the way it is today, an appeal to the board or the board's
decision solely rests on the record that is established leading up
to their hearing and at their hearing, and the same would be true
under the hearing examiner program.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: All right. Any further questions?
And you need no action from us?
MR. MULHERE: No.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you, Bob.
Mr. Nino, I see on my agenda it doesn't say anything about a
BCC report, but I would ask anyway.
MR. NINO: I have nothing to report. Via the petitions that
were heard at the last meeting were all consistent with your
recommendation.
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November 16, 2000
Little Palm Island, I'm sorry. Little Palm Island was, again,
continued.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Continued or rejected?
MR. NINO: Continued.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Chairman's report, I have none.
With that, we'll go into the advertised public hearings.
I'll just make an announcement, as I notice we have a lot of
people here today. As all of you read the agenda, we tend to
allow latitude for staff and petitioner, we would like to hold those
folks to five minutes. Please don't be repetitive. I do allow a lot
of latitude. However, we do have a big agenda today, and with
that, we will go to Item N, CU-2000-15, and all those wishing to
give testimony on this, please rise, raise your right hand and be
sworn in by the court reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. REISCHL: Good morning, commissioners.
of planning services.
Fred Reischl
This is a request for a horse stable on less than 20 acres of
land in the agricultural zoning district. It's off Sabal Palm Road,
and as you can see on the visualizer, to give you a perspective,
U.S. 41, Collier Boulevard or 951 and then Sabal Palm Road going
east from there. More specifically, as you see, Sabal Palm
running east and west, Rose Apple Lane running north from
there. This is the subject parcel in blue.
The stable has been in operation according to the petitioner
for approximately ten years in this same location. It's an
agricultural area surrounded by other agricultural and residential
sites, and on this aerial, again, you can see Sabal Palm Road
running east and west, Rose Apple running north, and this --
excuse me -- this will figure into my presentation a little bit later.
As Rose Apple runs north, it then turns west and then north
again to the property to the north of Ms. -- sorry, the property to
the north of Mrs. Innes. This is Mrs. Innes' property here, and the
objection that was received, part of it was in your packet and
part was faxed to me and I gave it to you this morning, the
property owners, Mr. and Mrs. Read, live to the north of Mrs.
Innes.
Mrs. Innes' access to her parking area continues north on
Page 9
November 16, 2000
this easement, which is basically a north extension of Rose
Apple Lane, and her parking area is in here. The Reads, to
access their property, go north on Rose Apple, then west and
then up this road, and I have photos from both of those views.
This is the view from the easterly driveway, and you can see
the densely landscaped area. Our landscape architect went out
to see if she needed any supplemental landscaping and said, no,
that this was more than met code.
And this is the view of one of the riding areas in the
foreground and the stable in the background, and this is a view
looking south towards some of the stalls. If you were looking
towards -- if you were looking from the Reads' property south,
and, again, you may or may not be able to see this, I didn't go on
their property, but this would be the closest structure that you
could possibly see, and I'll get more into that later.
Now, this is -- from that previous photo, I turned around, and
this is the view across the riding area, and this is the Reads'
property. As you can see, that's densely vegetated. I walked a
little closer, and you can see a portion of their house, I hope.
Right around here you see a little bit of brown, that's the Reads'
house.
Now, this is the view -- this is -- the pink is the stable. This
is looking towards the west. Right along through here you can
see the westerly driveway that the Reads would use to get to
their house, and I have another photo taken from that road. This
was the pink stable that we were just looking at. This is the
westerly -- sorry, this is the westerly road that leads to the
Reads' house, and this would be the view as they pull into their
property, and I just like that photo. I didn't want to not put it on
the public record.
I don't know if you've had a chance, since you just got it this
morning, but the letter from the Reads, staff was looking at a --
from a planning perspective, and it seems like it's a dispute
between neighbors. We don't want to make a judgment on who's
right and who's wrong, and one neighbor in an agricultural area
let an area get too dusty, or some of the other things in here,
that they wouldn't give you the time of day or -- I'm not sure if I'm
getting the right quote, but -- after many years of being
obnoxious, things like that, it seems to us that it's a dispute
between neighbors, and we were looking at it that this operation
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November 16, 2000
has been there for ten years. There are other agricultural
operations, including another riding establishment to the west.
Again, this is the subject property, and this is the property
to the west, and, again, that's another area that is used for riding
purposes, and for these reasons, staff recommends approval.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'm assuming why we're looking at this
is there's been a code enforcement complaint?
MR. REISCHL: That was the source of this, yes, and thank
you for reminding me. Another thing, the health department
came out and took a look at Mrs. Innes' place, and I'm sure she
can state on the record that she was not cited for anything with
the health department.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Because one of the things it says we
have to consider, besides noise, air, economic, is odor effects,
and I am definitely not an expert on how to gauge when enough
is enough, being an ex-cowboy myself, okay.
MR. REISCHL: Well, that's correct. And their -- again, taking
into consideration that this is the agricultural zoning district. It
is in the urban area, but it's still agricultural. The closest
non-agricultural zoned property is to the south of Sabal Palm
Road, here's Winding Cypress PUD. That would be the closest
non-agricultural district.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of staff?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
You said that the health department didn't cite them -- cite
her for anything. Did code enforcement cite her for anything?
MR. REISCHL: For this action, for having an operation --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Just for not having the
conditional use?
MR. REISCHL: Correct.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Do you know how long the
Reads have lived there?
MR. REISCHL: Mrs. Innes did tell me, and I don't recall. I'm
sure she can refresh my memory.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions of staff?
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: I have a question.
Mr. Resichl, the stable to the west, is it an operating stable
now? It says in that letter that they are out of business.
MR. REISCHL: I saw some horses there when I did my site
visit, but I didn't see any customers, but neither were there any
Page 11
November 16, 2000
customers at Mrs. Innes'.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: So, if there are horses on the
stable to the west, if the wind is blowing the right way, they're
going to get an odor anyway.
MR. REISCHL: That's possible, yes.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Reischl, it is indicated
on the Read letter that they have an unlicensed stable? Is that --
is that the code violation that we are talking about?
MR. REISCHL: That's why we are here today, right. They
can't get an occupational license until they have the conditional
use.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, they've been operating
illegally for some period of time?
MR. REISCHL: They've been operating without an
occupational license. In February, I believe, of '99, the code
changed to require 20 acres for stabling, kenneling and other
such uses, so technically, she was operating without a license
but could have gotten one, and after February of '99, she needed
a conditional use.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: I have a couple more
questions then.
What prompted the change of the code a couple of years
ago?
MR. REISCHL: I believe that was a pig farm.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Are there any standards
anywhere as to how many horses per acre one should have?
MR. REISCHL: Not in the agricultural zoning district. That's
the health department and the department of agriculture, and
there are no outstanding violations against Mrs. Innes that I'm --COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Is there a standard in a
residential neighborhood of how many horses you can have?
MR. REISCHL: In a residential, there are none, but in the
estates zoning district, it's two per acre.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Two per acre.
MR. REISCHL: In estates.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: In estates, okay.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Mr. Priddy.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Fred, that being agriculturally
Page 12
November 16, 2000
zoned land, she could have some horses without being here. It's
the fact that she's doing some commercial business that's --
MR. REISCHL: She's boarding -- correct, she's boarding the
horses.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: But if those were her horses, she
could have them without asking anybody? MR. REISCHL: Correct.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: So, the neighbors -- the fact that
the horses are there may or may not change with the outcome of
the meeting? I mean, she could put her own horses there.
They're still going to have the same dust, the same smell, the
same --
MR. REISCHL: The difference would be traffic.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: The difference would be traffic,
okay.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: More questions?
We'll hear from the petitioner.
MR. MULHERE: Could I just -- I'm sorry, could I just add one
thing in response to Mr. Abernathy's question? The rationale, it
may have started with a pig farm that was on a small tract of
agricultural land, I think it was in the urban area, and -- but the
rationale is broader than that. It was to require a larger tract of
land than perhaps 5 or even 2.5 acres for a nonconforming lot for
these types of activities, especially when they fall within urban
ag. zoned lands that may be -- where the neighborhood may
actually be, although zoned agricultural, functioning as really a
rural residential subdivision, and so if you're going to have
livestock and you're going to have some sort of a commercial
operation, the feeling was that a larger tract of land would be
necessary unless you went through some sort of an approval
process, and then we could look at the specifics, including traffic
and other things like that. So, that really was the rationale.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: So, that's what we are doing
right now?
MR. MULHERE: Right.
MR. REISCHL: Not that I don't want Mr. Yovanovich to
speak, but the county attorney asked me to get one thing on the
record.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: He always takes care of
himself in that regard.
Page 13
November 16, 2000
MR. REISCHL: This was advertised as four acres, and on
Mrs. Innes' deeds for the parcel, it states that it's four acres.
Through our research, we found out that it's a little bit over two
acres. The county attorney said we're advertising for a larger
amount, therefore, the advertising stands. There's no problem
with the advertising, but it is closer to a two acre parcel rather
than a four acre parcel.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Mr. Yovanovich.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Not to belabor the point, but this is a
dispute between the neighbors.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I know she knows who you are, but
give her your name anyway.
MR. YOVANOVICH: For the record, Rich Yovanovich
representing the petitioner, Mrs. Innes.
This is, candidly, a dispute between the neighbors. The
neighbor, to answer the question of when did he move in, they
both moved in at about the same time. So, he's been there for
ten years. He knows what's been going on.
This is -- she has installed a sprinkler system so the dust is
controlled. The odor from the horses' deposit, frankly, he -- when
her person comes to remove those deposits, he brings them to
Mr. Read to use for his, you know, botanical operations on his
property. So, it's kind of hard to understand how he could be
complaining about that, the recycling effort that is going on in
the effort (sic) -- in the area.
So, we would hope that -- as you've seen from the
photographs, this is compatible. You cannot see what is going
on from the Reads' home. You can't even see the Reads' home
from her property. It previously was a nursery, so everything was
cleared at the time. She hasn't cleared anything. She basically
-- that's how she makes her living. She operates this boarding
stable, and I think it's consistent with what's in the area.
It shouldn't be here, frankly. It's a dispute between
neighbors, and I'm sorry that we had to waste your time to hear
this, and we would request that you would recommend approval
to the Board of County Commissioners. CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Questions.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I do have one question. In Mr.
Read's letter, he talks about maintaining the road for the large
Page 14
November 16, 2000
delivery and dump trucks. Why would she have large delivery
and dump trucks coming?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Hay.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Hay and other things, but, in fact -- I
didn't really want to get into it. That's what the dispute is, who
owns the road. She -- you know, we've never gone back to look,
does she own the road or does he own the road. She has been
maintaining the road at her expense, and he said, as long as you
maintain the road, you can use the road.
So, to avoid a dispute of who actually owns the road, she's
maintaining the road, and that's what the fight is about.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: How many horses are there?
MR. YOVANOVICH: Right now--
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Normally.
MR. YOVANOVICH: -- 15 right now. She's full.
It's a very nice stable area. I went out there yesterday.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of petitioner?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, I was just
curious about the number of horses. That seems -- the density
for two acres seems to be quite high if you compare it to what
they were talking about in the estates area of a limitation of two
per acre. I realize she's got a commercial operation going on.
Is there some outside limit that she would be willing to
place on the number of horses?
MR. YOVANOVICH: Most of the -- there's never going to be
more than one or two in the turn-out areas at any time. They are
in their stable, and this is the rural, rural area, the rural fringe
area, at best.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: I understand, but you're on
an undersized lot, and -- MR. YOVANOVICH: We're not in the
estates, that's what I'm trying to point out. We're in a different
area of the county, so the density for horses found in the estates
area really is not applicable here.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: But you're saying that it
shouldn't have come here, but she's in violation of the zoning
ordinance, and so you're here because of the conditional use.
So, she's here properly.
MR. YOVANOVICH: She was -- when she started operations,
that size limitation did not exist.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: She was then
Page 15
November 16, 2000
non-conforming.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Correct. No, no, there was no size
limitation until 1999.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: But she is now
non-conforming.
MR. YOVANOVICH.' Now she's non.conforming, and she's
here to show you that she, in fact, is compatible. It's been
operating for ten years without a complaint, same size.
So, I think the density of horses is appropriate in the area.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: It's -- excuse me, but it's -- she
wouldn't be here if she owned those horses. It's only that
someone else owns them that she's here. She can own 15
horses without being here.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Can she own 30 and not be
here?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: She can own 30 and not be here.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: How about 50?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: She can own 50 and not be here.
MR. YOVANOVICH: And, in fact, she owns seven of those
herself, so -- there's eight boarders.
MR. REISCHL: If I can interject to Commissioner
Richardson's question, I believe that the department of
agriculture does have some limits, but, you know, when you get
up into the 30 or 50 range, then you're at 25 horses per acre, and
Mrs. Innes gets inspections by the health department, and I'm
sure that their legal authority would cap that amount.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, the fact she's
unlicensed is not an issue then?
MR. REISCHL: That -- well, that is part of the reason that
you're here because code enforcement cited her for not having
an occupational license.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: That's not -- that's not our issue.
issue is a conditional use.
MR. YOVANOVICH: A planning issue.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I have one other question.
Our
I think
somebody said that it was February of 1999 that we changed the
regulations that it had to be 20 acres, so she's only been really in
violation since somewhere in February of 1999 --
MR. REISCHL: A little less than two years.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- is that correct?
Page 16
November 16, 2000
MR. REISCHL: Well, she was in violation for not having a
license, but she could have gotten one by going into the tax
collector's office.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: And when we talk about license,
that's an occupational license?
MR. REISCHL: Correct.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions of petitioner?
Anyone from the public that wishes to speak on this?
If not, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, after having filled
out my findings of fact form, I move that we recommend for
approval CU-2000-15 with a recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It's been moved by Commissioner
Priddy, seconded by Commissioner Budd. Any further discussion?
If not, all in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Motion carried. In the absence of our
secretary, please pass your findings of fact down to
Commissioner Rautio, who will take care of them.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Double duty.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: She'll be justly compensated, I'm sure.
MR. YOVANOVICH.' Thank you for allowing her to move on.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: With that, we move to BD-2000-25. All
those who wish to give testimony on this petition, please rise
and raise your right hand and be sworn in by the court reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Ross.
MR. GOCHENAUR: Good morning, commissioners. For the
record, Ross Gochenaur, planning services.
The petitioner is requesting a 30 foot extension to create a
docking facility protruding a total of 50 feet into the waterway.
The property is located at 61 Southport Cove in Lely
Barefoot Beach and contains about 90 feet of water frontage.
The project consists of the addition of a walkway and two boat
lifts to an existing permitted dock. The subject property is
Page 17
November 16, 2000
located on a dead end cove with little boat traffic and shallow
water.
Similar extensions have been approved for two other docks
on this cove. No objections to this project have been received,
and staff recommends approval.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of staff?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Is there a house on the
property?
MR. GOCHENAUR: Yes, sir, there is.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Why don't you just cover that
in the future as part of your presentation? MR. GOCHENAUR: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Anyway, does the petitioner wish to
speak?
MR. SCOFIELD: No.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Anyone from the public who wishes to
address this issue?
MR. NINO: Yes, I have three registered speakers; Mike Ball,
June Grogoth and Milly Ball.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Would the speakers come up to the
podium?
MR. NINO: That's 7-A, oh, that was yours? I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, we're out of--
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: No one rose, that's why --
MR. NINO: No speakers registered for this one.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Thank you, and there's been
some folks that come in late, if you wish to speak on any issue,
there's sign-up sheets out in the hall, and please give them to our
distinguished gentleman over here, Mr. Nino, so he can call your
name when your petition comes up.
Again, no one from the public wishes to address this boat
dock?
If not, I'll close the public hearing.
What's the pleasure of the board?
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Mr. Chairman, I'll make a motion
that the planning commission approve Petition BD-2000-26 (sic).
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Been moved by Commissioner Budd,
seconded by Commissioner --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Abernathy.
Page 18
November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: -- Abernathy.
Any further discussion?
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Carried.
BD-2000-26, all these wishing to give testimony on this,
please rise and raise your right hand and be sworn in by the
court reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Ross.
MR. GOCHENAUR: For the record, Ross Gochenaur, planning
services.
The petitioner is requesting a 25 foot extension to create a
docking facility protruding a total of 45 feet into the waterway.
The property is located at 266 Third Street West in Little
Hickory Shores and is a small so-called boat dock lot. There is
no residence on the lot.
Conditional use allowing boat docks as principal structures
has been approved for all lots in that block. The project consists
of the removal of an existing dock and its replacement by a three
foot wide walkway accessing a single boat lift.
No objections to this project have been received, and staff
recommends approval.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of staff?
It seems like we have one in this area about every time.
One of these days, that's going to be full; isn't it?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: This is the first time that we
haven't had an argument over--
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Does the petition -- any questions of
staff?
Does the petitioner wish to address the board?
MR. SCOFIELD: Not unless you have questions.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: I have one.
Rocky, on this photo looking southeast off the end of the
existing dock, there's a boat moored to the adjacent dock.
MR. SCOFIELD: Ross, you'll have to get -- I didn't get a staff
report on this.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Here.
Page 19
November 16, 2000
My question is, is the water that much different right next to
where you want to put an extension?
MR. SCOFIELD: Most -- most of the -- these are boat dock
lots to begin with, so no houses can be on here.
We've -- I've done three or four of these recently up here,
and most of them are out -- the docks are out between 40 to 48
feet, in that area. It is very shallow.
This gentleman has mangroves near the shoreline, and in
order to get -- most of the people that are redoing all these docks
here are putting in boat lifts to get them out of the water. In
order to get enough water, we have to move them out further.
We need about three feet.
This boat -- you know, at high tide, it's easy to float a boat in
here, and even at low tide, there may be a foot of water
underneath the bow of this boat here, but it is a shallow area,
and they need to go out.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Okay.
MR. SCOFIELD: Rocky Scofield, for the record, representing
the applicant.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions?
Anyone from the public wish to address this issue?
If not, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to point out in
the previous item, I just moved for approval of BD-2000-26. In
fact, this item is BD-2000-26. The previous item was 2000-25,
but the staff report, which I was reading off of, had a typo, it was
inaccurate.
So, I would still like the previous approval, but this time, I'm
really serious about making a motion for BD-2000-26, the item
currently before us.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It's been moved again by Commissioner
Budd and seconded by Commissioner Abernathy. Any discussion?
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Motion carries.
Next, we have V-2000-23 (sic} --
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Twenty-two.
Page 20
November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: .- a variance for a setback for Kay
Sorensen.
All of those who wish to give testimony on this, please stand
and raise your right hand.
MR. REISCHL: Mr. Chairman, it's V-00-22.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I did what?
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Twenty-two, not --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: V.2000.22, sorry.
All those wishing to be sworn in, please rise, raise your right
hand for the court reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
MR. REISCHL: Fred Reischl, planning services.
This is a request for a variance from the required seven and
a half feet to zero feet. It's in the Vineyards subdivision, which
I'm sure you are all familiar with, or the general location.
Specifically, it's in the single family area off Arbor Boulevard at
the end of one of the cul-de-sacs, and I'll show you specifically
what the lot looks like.
As you can see, this is the original lot line. The house to the
north, through a lot line adjustment, took additional acreage from
the subject lot, and the builder built the two houses on each with
the configuration that the subject parcel has.
There's a wall along the property line, as you can see. I
have in pink over here where they are asking for the screen
enclosure. The wall -- the six foot wall does exist at that
location. You can see a little bit better in a photo, and it doesn't
show up as good on the monitor, but this is the wall, six foot wall
continuing along here. You can see it continuing along the rear
setback, which is approximately 15 feet from the rear property
line, and what the petitioner is asking for is a variance to allow
the wall over here -- you can't see my pen. That's better -- the
wall over here to have a screen enclosure to connect to the roof
up here.
And this was taken -- this is the other side of the wall that I
was just pointing to. This is the neighbor to the north, the
adjacent house, the neighbor to the north. As you can see, he
also has a six foot wall around his pool area, and, again, the
screen enclosure basically does what Mr. Sorensen wants it to
do. The difference being that he meets the setback on his south
side, but, again, you'll notice there's one very small bathroom or
Page 21
November 16, 2000
laundry room type window on that side of the neighbor's house,
so there's no way that he's going to be able to view that. You
can see the row of queen palms in between there.
Basically for variances, we look at light and air circulation
going back 50 or 75 years, and this does meet that requirement.
It does seem unusual because it's such a large variance from 7.5
feet to zero, but, again, you have approximately ten feet of
separation between the two structures, and the lot was
configured irregularly by the builder before Mr. Sorensen
purchased the house, and we have received no objections, and
staff recommends approval.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of staff?
If not, is the petitioner here?
MR. SORENSEN: I'm Kay Sorensen.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yes, sir.
MR. SORENSEN: I'll answer any questions I can.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Any questions of the petitioner?
I guess not.
Anyone else from the public wish to speak on this issue?
If not, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to make a
motion that the planning commission forward Petition V-2000-22
to the Board of Zoning Appeals with the recommendation for
approval.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Moved by Commissioner Budd,
seconded by Commissioner Priddy. Any further discussion?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I just want to say before we take
the vote that I'm not a fan of variances, but this one looks like
one that I can support.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
All of those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Motion carries.
Thank you.
Next one is V-2000-29, Everglades Corner, Inc.
All those who wish to give testimony, please rise, raise your
right hand, be sworn in by the court reporter.
Page 22
November 16, 2000
(The speakers were sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Chahram.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Good morning, commissioners.
Chahram Badamtchian from planning services staff.
Mr. Sammy Hamilton representing Everglades Corner is
requesting a 30 foot variance from the required setback of 50
feet established for gas stations to 30 -- to 20 feet. He's planning
to replace an existing gas canopy.
Basically, as you can see, this is the existing canopy, which
is 19 feet from the property line. He wants to tear this down and
build this one, which would be 20 feet from the property line.
The code requires 50 feet -- foot variance setback.
However, there's an existing building, and in order to meet that
required setback, the building must be torn down.
Staff believes that this action will provide a safer ingress
and egress to the site and recommends that the CCPC forward
this to the BZA for recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Would you care to elaborate a
little bit on how it's going to be safer?
MR. BADAMTCHIAN.' The way it is now, the canopy is
perpendicular to the street, and the access being from here, it's
harder to come in and go to those gas stations. However, this
provides -- since people drive like 55, 60 miles an hour, it's real
hard to come in and not hit the gas pump or the canopy pole.
However, this will provide safer access. Since it's perpendicular,
it's easier to come in and pull in and get out.
I went to the site, and I looked at it. The way it is
configured right now, it's not very safe, and I believe this would
be much safer, and this also provides for wider aisles, and,
actually, it reduces the encroachment by a foot. Right now, it's
19 feet from the property line. With this, it's going to be 20 feet.
The right-of-way is also real wide in this area. It's over 100
feet, and there is a wide grass shoulder between the pavement
and this property line, so it will not look like the canopy is right
at the edge of the road. There's a wide area separating the
pavement from the property line.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: You also referred to a safer
internal circulation. People are coming in at 55, 60 miles an
hour, that seems a little fast.
Page 23
November 16, 2000
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Not--
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I would hope that --
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Not internal circulation; I was talking
about the driving on U.S. 41.
Internal circulation, for one thing, it provides for wider
canopy, wider aisles, and it's easier to pull in and go to the store
and go out, then come here and get out.
With this, he will do some also minor changes to the parking
layout, and he's basically generating the place, and it will make
it a much safer and nicer place to go in and get out.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I just want to be convinced of
that, because you know I'm not a big fan of variances at all.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: I know that.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I want some -- you're telling us
that there's a minimal visual impact, there's a safer internal
circulation and a safer ingress and egress. Those are your three
principal reasons for recommending approval. MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Correct.
One thing we must -- I must insist on, that's -- the gas
station is at the corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 29. This is
Everglades City here, so it is not in the urban area. It's, I believe,
20 something miles, 23 miles east of 951. So, there are no
neighbors.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And Commissioner Rautio, I would
also point out that this is a service that the public needs out on
that highway, that there are very, very limited opportunities from
the East Coast to the West Coast for gasoline services. This is
one of maybe two, and we should probably encourage it being as
nice as possible.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Good point.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It's also a very restrictive site in terms
of environmental and latitude of what you can build there.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: I believe it's zoned conservation with
ST overlay -- I'm sorry, zoned agricultural with -- AZ, ST overlay,
basically a very sensitive area.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I realize it says that on the map, but
the bottom line is, the canopy is not going to be any farther out
than what's already there, it's just going to be longer.
MR. BADAMTCHIAN: Correct. Actually, it will increase the
setback by a foot.
Page 24
November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE.' Any further questions of staff?
If not, does the petitioner wish to speak?
MR. NINO: Sammy and Brenda Hamilton.
MR. HAMILTON: I don't have anything unless you have a
question.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Come up to the podium just for
formality.
MR. HAMILTON: For the record, my name is Sammy
Hamilton, Jr. from Everglades City.
If you have any questions, I'll be glad to try to answer them.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of petitioner?
If not, thank you, anyone else from the public wish to
address this issue?
If not, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, I move that we
forward Petition V-2000-29 to the Board of Zoning Appeals with a
recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER BUDD.' Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Been moved by Commissioner Priddy,
seconded by Commissioner Budd. Any further discussion?
If not, I'll -- signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Motion carries.
The next item up is PUD-84-7(6), which I believe is a
companion to DOA-200-4, having almost filled out my Form B, I'm
going to excuse myself from this due to one of the owners is a
shareholder of my employer, plus a business relationship, and I
turn these two items over to our vice chair. COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Thank you.
Let's see. All those who wish to present testimony today,
please rise and raise your right hand to be sworn in by the court
reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
MR. NINO: For the record, my name is Ron Nino.
The petition you have before you purports to increase the
area of Marco Shores/Fiddler's Creek by 168 acres. The addition
is -- on the wall is the master plan for the Fiddler's Creek portion
of Marco Island -- Marco Shores, and you'll note that
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November 16, 2000
configuration, and when you go to the proposed new map, you'll
see that in this location here, there's some added land which
comprises 168 acres in area.
Although they're adding 168 acres, it's important to
appreciate that they are not asking for any additional dwelling
units as a result of this expansion. What they are simply doing is
spreading their current authorized number of dwelling units onto
the additional 168 acres as part of a golf course community.
You'll note that the master plan iljustrates the continuation of
the golf course system for the lake and open space system into
the 168 acres of land.
One way of looking at this petition is that by its approval,
you will, in fact, reduce the number of potential dwelling units
that otherwise could have gone into this part of Collier County by
some 500 dwelling units, namely three times the acreage that is
contained within this project, in fact, which results in a lesser
density to the area and to this project in particular.
Since they're not adding any additional dwelling units, there
can be no additional impacts in terms of traffic, water and sewer
usage, all the level of service relationships that we have
established in the growth management plan for determining
consistency of projects with Collier County's growth
management plan. So, we can stand here and advise you that
this petition, if approved, does, indeed -- is, indeed, consistent
with all of the elements of the growth management plan.
It doesn't lie within -- it lies within the Deltona settlement
area, so, therefore, issues of environmental concern were
addressed by that original Deltona settlement agreement, and as
you probably heard several times in various amendments to this
petition, way back in its infancy, the developer donated 15,000 or
so acres to the State of Florida, and as a result of that, they were
-- the rest of their lands were exempted or there was a defined
area that were, therefore, exempted from any future
environmental consideration. So, as a result of that, this project
did not have to go to the environmental advisory board for
consideration.
We recommend approval of the added 168 acres and its
subsequent amendment to the Fiddler's Creek portion of the
Marco Shores PUD.
I'd have you appreciate that no development standards are
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November 16, 2000
being changed as a result of this. The only change is really to
the legal that is in the document and a new master plan. Those
are the only changes we're involved with here, and we go to the
development order, the Marco Shores development order, again,
because the development order has a whole raft of acreage
allocations, when we add 168 acres to the equation, you'll see
that all those numbers have to be changed to reflect that added
acreage and to replace -- and, again, to replace the map with a
new map recognizing the added 168 acres and the master plan
configuration for that 168 acres.
Again, staff recommends approval of the development order
as proposed, and the developer may wish to get into more detail
on the plan if that's what you wish.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: I have a question.
MR. NINO: Yes.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Mr. Abernathy.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Is the golf course going to be
added? Is that what most of this land is going to be devoted to?
MR. NINO: Most of the land will be, yes, golf course and
supporting lakes and open space.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Is the golf course going to be
available to the public or just the people on-site? MR. NINO: I don't know.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Well, if it's people off-site,
that would have some traffic impact, wouldn't it?
MR. NINO: Well, that could be the case, but I believe all the
golf courses are private in this development. It's a gated
community, and all the golf courses are private.
MR. KEESEY: Am I recognized?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Yes, you may speak.
MR. KEESEY: For the record, my name is Larry Keesey. I'm
with Young, Van Assenderp, Varnadoe & Anderson, and I'm here
representing today the 951 Land Holdings Limited, the developer
of Fiddler's Creek.
I'll get to the golf issue in a moment, but I'd like to just sort
of orient you here. Mr. Nino has done an excellent job of sort of
summarizing why we're here, which is really the 168 acres that
we want to add to the existing previously approved Fiddler's
Creek project, and in order to do that, of course, we need an
amendment -- well, first, we need to rezone the 168 acres to PUD
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November t6, 2000
and add it to the Marco Shores or Fiddler's Creek PUD, and we
also need to amend the development order of this development
regional impact to approve the addition of the 168 acres.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: That brings up a point. We're
focusing on PUD-84-76 paren -- excuse me, 7(6). Are we also
considering at the same time the DOA-2000-047
So, we are discussing both of these at the same time, and
they are both separate?
MR. KEESEY: Yes, that was my understanding.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I just want to get that on the
record.
Thank you.
MR. KEESEY: Yes, that's my understanding.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Thank you.
And Mr. Nino has done an excellent job of discussing the
plan which you see on the chart here, but we also have put up an
aerial to sort of orient you. This is U.S. 41 going down this way,
and then over here just -- I think it's probably covered, but 951, of
course, intersects with 41 up about here and goes north-south.
The white outline is the currently existing boundary of Fiddler's
Creek, and the red is the 168 acre parcel, parcels actually, that
we're adding by this amendment.
There are, as you can see, two parcels. One is a rather
small ten acre piece, which was the site of a -- the Rookery Bay
Utility Sewer -- or Treatment Plant, which was decommissioned
pursuant to DEP regs. and is no longer there and has been taken
off, but, of course, it is obviously a very disturbed little parcel,
and that is that ten acre piece right there.
The additional 157 or fifty-eight acres is this area over in
here, which corresponds -- you can see it on the plan. The plan
incorporates it with golf course and residential use over on here,
and it shows it added to the Fiddler's Creek.
So, those are the two parcels we are talking about, and as
Mr. Nino indicated, the parcel here is within the urban coastal
fringe subdistrict. It could be developed with three -- I thought it
was actually four units per acre, but in any event, it would take
off because we are not adding any residential units to the
number already approved within the rest of Fiddler's Creek. We
are shifting some of those units to this acreage, but if developed
separately, this parcel could be developed with either five or 600
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November 16, 2000
more units, which will not be added to the County's build-out. In
other words, we are taking that five or 600 units off the books
and simply shifting the already approved acreage or units here.
So, this amendment does not increase any of the residential
nor commercial acreage.
Fiddler's Creek will have as a result of this amendment 90
golf holes, five golf courses, one of which is a hotel, which I
guess the people coming in could use that stay at the hotel, but
it is a private development. The remainder of Fiddler's Creek is
private, so we don't anticipate additional traffic impacts, nor
does the traffic study that was submitted as a part of this
indicate any difference, so -- any increase at all in traffic.
There's no significant impact on the regionally significant
roadways.
So, we think it's rather straightforward in terms of what
we're doing. Again, this parcel could be developed with even
mobile homes. We think it's much better to incorporate it into a
master plan, the golf residential community such as Fiddler's
Creek, which is what we're doing.
Are there additional questions?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Question for staff.
MR. NINO: Mr. Chairman, for the record, we did not receive
any letters of objection to this petition.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Nino, you had mentioned
in your history, just to help me catch up here, that Deltona had a
blanket exemption earlier on because of the tradeoff that they
made with contribution of acreage. Does that blanket exemption
then extend to any extensions that this project would go for?
MR. NINO: Well, the Deltona settlement agreement included
an area of land larger than the boundaries of Fiddler's Creek and
Marco Shores, so -- even though they didn't -- they didn't own it at
the time, but it was in the boundary of the settlement agreement.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, am I to understand then
that they can continue to expand this project then without any
further environmental reviews?
MR. NINO: If it is land -- if they are acquiring land that was
in that original Deltona settlement boundary, then that land,
irrespective of who purchased it, is exempt from environmental
consideration.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Any other questions?
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November 16, 2000
Mr. Priddy.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: (Shakes head).
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. Do we have members of
the public who wish to speak?
MR. NINO: I have no registered speakers.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Sorry?
MR. NINO: I have no registered speakers.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: No registered speakers, okay.
Any other further comments from the board?
We'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Madam Chairman, I move that we
forward PUD-84-7(6) to the Board of County Commissioners with
a recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Second.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: We have a motion by Mr. Priddy
and a second by Mr. Budd for approval.
Is there any further discussion?
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed, same sign?
(No response).
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Motion carries.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Madam Chairman, I move that we
forward Petition DOA-2000-04 to the Board of County
Commissioners with a recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Second.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: We have a motion by Mr. Priddy, a
second by Mr. Budd.
Any further discussion?
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed, same sign?
(No response).
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Motion carries.
Mr. Wrage, you may take over again.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you. Just a moment here while I
collect myself.
I believe the next one is PUD-2000-15, Glen (sic) Eagles,
Glen (sic) Eagle, Trustee.
All those wishing to give -- is that correct?
MS. MURRAY: Greg Eagle.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay, sorry, 2000-15 PUD. All those
Page 30
November 16, 2000
wishing to give testimony on this, please rise, raise your right
hand and be sworn in by the court reporter. (The speakers were sworn).
MS. MURRAY: Good morning, Susan Murray, planning
services.
The subject site is located on the west side of Collier
Boulevard, just south of its intersection with Rattlesnake
Hammock Road and just south of the Sierra Meadows PUD.
The applicant is proposing to develop the site for a
maximum of 54,000 square feet of gross leasable floor area for
office and infill commercial use, which shall equate to a
maximum of 7,260 square feet of gross leasable floor area per
acre.
The PUD master plan shows two commercial development
tracts, a north-south -- a north tract and a south tract. These
total 5.66 acres, and there's one additional tract along the
western boundary of the subject site which totals 1.78 acres.
That is a preserve/open space and water management tract. To
the north of the subject site we have the Sierra Meadows PUD,
which is an undeveloped commercial PUD. To the south is Lely
Cultural Parkway and then further south, a residential portion of
the Lely PUD; to the east, Collier Boulevard, and to the west as
part of Lely PUD is Lely Elementary School.
The commercial development tracts will be located along
the sites, 654 feet of frontage along Collier Boulevard. The
preserve areas are located along the western boundary of the
site and will create a natural buffer between the subject site and
the abutting school property to the west.
Access to the site will be from Lely Cultural Parkway,
approximately 400 feet west of its intersection with Collier
Boulevard. The project will interconnect internally to the Sierra
Meadows PUD to the north, and there will be no direct access to
the site from Collier Boulevard.
The uses permitted by right are those permitted uses
generally found in the C-1, C-2, C-3 and portions of the C-4 zoning
districts. However, development of the southernmost parcel will
be restricted to those uses permitted in the northern parcel
minus fast food restaurants, gasoline service stations and
convenient stores. This is done in order to provide a lower
intensity transitional area between the residential area to the
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November 16, 2000
south and the higher intensity commercial tracts which abut the
project to the north.
Staff is of the opinion that the project is compatible with
neighboring properties. The property is located in the urban
mixed use residential land use classification as designated on
the County's future land use map. A rezoning action to PUD to
allow commercial land uses is permissible under the office and
infill commercial subdistrict provided it meets the criteria listed
in the FLUE.
One of the most notable criteria is the requirements that the
parcel perform a transitional function from areas of higher to
lower intensity land uses, and as I mentioned, the southernmost
parcel will prohibit some of the higher intensity land uses typical
of commercial zoning districts in order to create a step down
effect in land use intensity from the commercial tract and
commercial PUD to the north through the site to the south and
lowering intensity.
These uses are authorized uses of land in the urban
residential mixed use subdistrict of the growth management
plan.
The project was not required to be heard before the EAC.
However, the petitioner did submit a vegetation and listed
species survey for staff to review. Staff did review the survey for
consistency with the environmental provisions of the LDC and
the growth management plan, and applicable stipulations have
been placed in the PUD document.
The subject site's generated traffic does not exceed the
significant test standard, which is 5 percent of the level of
service "C" design volume on Collier Boulevard. The current
traffic counts for this segment are 21,261 PSDT, and it is
operating at LOS "C", which is above its adopted LOS "D"
standard. Therefore, it is consistent with the appropriate
policies in the transportation element.
Interconnection of projects wherever possible is encouraged
by the transportation element, and as I mentioned before, this
site will have no direct access to Collier Boulevard. It will
interconnect to the commercial project to the north when it is
developed.
I have received no phone calls or letters of objection.
I would like to place on the record clarification to Section
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November 16, 2000
5.5-C of the PUD document, which I did discuss with the
petitioner prior to the hearing, and it was just kind of a point of
clarification with respect to the turn lanes, and I'd like to add
that if deemed necessary by the County, a right turn lane from
Lely Cultural Parkway shall be constructed by the property
owner prior to the first -- prior to the issuance of the first
certificate of occupancy for the project, and that is just more of
a point of clarification.
If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them for
you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner Abernathy.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Susan, you've made the point
that you can't have fast food or a gas station down there at the
southern end.
MS. MURRAY: Correct.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Can they have them up
further north?
MS. MURRAY: Correct, yes.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Is there an access, a curb
cut for this property to the north of this parcel? MS. MURRAY: Yes.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: So, anybody who wanted to
go to the gas station or the convenient store would probably
come in through the other property? MS. MURRAY: Umm.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Otherwise, they'd have to
come down to Lely and wind their way back up to the north.
MS. MURRAY: It depends on which way they're traveling. If
they were traveling -- actually, let me think just a minute here.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: There's a traffic light at Lely
Cultural now.
MS. MURRAY: Let me just think, just a second. The Sierra
Meadows PUD has access from Collier Boulevard, and it also has
access from Rattlesnake Hammock. So, if you were traveling
southbound on Collier Boulevard and wanted to go to a gas
station, you would likely turn -- I would say you would likely turn
into probably the Sierra Meadows PUD if you knew the
cut-through exists. Otherwise, you would have to go to Lely
Cultural Boulevard and turn in and then cut through to the
northern parcel.
Page 33
November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Well, interconnectivity
seems to me like a laudable objective, but somehow it turns
logic upside down to put the high usage uses at the end where
somebody could most logically access them through the
interconnectivity.
MS. MURRAY: I don't necessarily disagree with you.
However, our growth management plan states that when you're
utilizing the office and infill commercial subdistrict, there needs
to be a step down mechanism from uses of higher intensity to
lower intensity.
The Sierra Meadows PUD is an approved commercial PUD
with uses that are approved in the C-4 zoning district. So, I
guess my point is, they've already kind of set the tone where the
higher intensity uses are permitted.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Already up there.
MS. MURRAY: Yes, and so we are obligated to review this
petition in consistency with the growth management plan.
So, from that aspect, it makes sense, but I don't disagree
with you.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Just south of Lely Cultural
Parkway is residential; is that right?
MS. MURRAY: Correct, as part of the Lely PUD, yeah.
Lely Cultural Parkway is a four lane, divided collector.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: It seems to me if you
buffered both the residential and the commercial, that it would
make a lot of sense to have the convenient store and a gas
station down there where somebody could just hook right in and
do it.
MS. MURRAY: It would be a lot easier.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Contrary to that though,
Ken, would be the impact on the school.
That's an elementary school right there, right?
MS. MURRAY: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Incidentally, just to help me,
does the school board ever get a chance to see these plans and
have comment on them?
MS. MURRAY: Yes, sir, they do. They are routed to the
school board for their comment. They did not return any
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November 16, 2000
comments to me.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: No comments on that?
MS. MURRAY: That's correct.
The nice thing about this project is that there is this
significant buffer area separating the project along its western
boundary. As well, the portion of the school site that is
developed along its -- the school site's eastern boundary is kind
of the drop-off, pick-up area, so you've got a little bit of
separation there as well, because that really is conducive to
vehicular activity and not schoolchildren playing.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: But if you had the higher
intensity uses down there, you would potentially have more
conflict with the school operation?
MS. MURRAY: That's -- that's very true. It's kind of a
tradeoff.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions of staff?
COMMISSIONER YOUNG: What impact would this have --
that's a very heavily traveled road, and -- MS. MURRAY: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER YOUNG: -- people travel fast on that road.
Would this require another stoplight? Would it slow down --
what would it do to the traffic?
MS. MURRAY: Well, the nice thing about this petition in
particular is that it's not going to take direct access off of Collier
Boulevard. So, you will not have another turn lane or you will --
you will reduce the number of cars that are slowing down to
make a turn into this project because they really are going to
have to go to Lely Cultural.
Again, it's kind of a tradeoff. People still have to slow down,
but you're reducing the number of cuts onto Collier Boulevard,
and that's really the goal we really tried to strive for, and it's very
rare that this occurs or has the ability to occur. So, we are very
supportive of that.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Just one final question, the petitioner,
this last part about the right turn lane, the petitioner is in
agreement with that?
MS. MURRAY: That's correct, yeah. It was just more of a
point of clarification. There was some description in there about
a right turn lane, but we never really defined that one would be
required, so I wanted to go ahead and put that in there.
Page 35
November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions of staff?
If not, we'll hear from the petitioner.
MR. ANDERSON: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of
the commission. For the record, my name is Bruce Anderson on
behalf of the petitioner.
For the record, I do want to state that we are in agreement
with the revised stipulation this morning and all the other staff
recommendations that we've previously received have been
incorporated into the PUD document.
With me today is the project planner, Greg Stuart, and he or
I will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner Priddy.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Anderson, does your client
intend to put a gas station, convenience store in the project?
MR. ANDERSON: It's a possibility, yes, sir.
One of the beauties of what we proposed is that someone
traveling east on Rattlesnake Hammock will be able to turn in to
the Sierra Meadows project, traverse through it to get to this
piece without ever having to get on to 951, and the same holds
true, somebody coming east on Lely Cultural Parkway will be
able to make a left turn into our project to get to Rattlesnake
Hammock road without ever having to impact 951.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: So, for all practical purposes, you
putting a gas station where staff is suggesting to the north kind
of fits because people can come from both ways equally? MR. ANDERSON: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I mean, I personally would agree
with Commissioner Abernathy that that ought to be on the corner
of Collier and Lely, but what you're going to really be doing is
attracting traffic from the north through Rattlesnake Hammock --
or off of Rattlesnake Hammock into that, so having it in the
middle would make sense.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Bruce, I notice you have
eating and drinking places, all retail and alcohol beverages
subject to location requirements of 2.6.10. Is that proximity to a
school?
MR. ANDERSON: Yes, yes, proximity to school and
churches.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Well, you need a pub there
for the college students. You're going to have to put it further
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November 16, 2000
north, I take it; is that right?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Don't limit the use to college
students.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any pertinent questions for the
petitioner at this point?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I just want to make sure, you've
had no objections to this project at all?
MS. MURRAY: I've had -- no, no correspondence, no phone
calls. One person said he had some questions and was going to
call me back and never returned the call, so --
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Pretty amazing.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Any -- thank you.
Anyone else from the public wish to comment on this
petition?
If not, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Mr. Chairman, I make a motion that
we forward this petition to the Board of County Commissioners
with a recommendation for approval.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Moved by Commissioner Budd,
seconded by Commissioner Abernathy. Any further discussion?
If not, all in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Motion carried.
Next item, PUD-2000-16, Collier Boulevard Mixed Use.
All those who wish to give testimony, please rise, raise your
right hand, have the court reporter swear you in. (The speakers were sworn).
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows of current
planning staff.
The petitioner is requesting to rezone the subject site from
agricultural to PUD to be known as the Collier Boulevard Mixed
Use Commerce Center.
As you can see on the location map, it's located on the north
side of 1-75 and west side of Collier Boulevard and south side of
access road number two, which is now called Magnolia Pond.
Petitioner proposes a mix of residential, commercial and
office uses. The maximum number of residential dwelling units
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November 16, 2000
is 433. It's on a 43.3 acre tract which results in a density of ten
units per acre; also, on the commercial tract, which is 25.3
acres, a maximum 240,000 square feet of retail floor area and
30,000 square feet of office space.
It should be noted that the site is south of the Golden Gate
Commerce Park PUD, which is a very similar petition that was
approved about a year ago that allows for residential dwelling
units and commercial. They are both within activity center
number nine on the future land use map, which permits
commercial uses. The other surrounding uses are the Citygate
which allows industrial and some commercial. There's a water
treatment plant, a Toll Gate which also allows commercial and
industrial uses.
The traffic impact statement indicates that the project will
generate approximately 9,000 trips, and I have a traffic map here
that shows the project north of 1-75. It's currently operating at
level of service "B", and at build-out, the project will still be
operating at acceptable level of service on Collier Boulevard.
However, on Davis Boulevard -- let me zoom in a little bit --
there's a little segment in red that designates a deficient
segment of Davis Boulevard. It's a very short -- less than a
quarter of a mile in length. The rest of the segment down is
operating at acceptable level of service and as noted in the staff
report, due to that small length, staff has never considered that
as part of the adequate public facilities ordinance deficiency
where we would have a more determined development. We
never stopped issuing building permits.
So, therefore, staff has deemed this project consistent with
the traffic circulation element. Basically, the trips barely exceed
the significance test on that segment and is not going to --
appearing to be a problem from traffic circulation.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I have a few questions, Mr.
Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yeah, Mr. Priddy.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Ray, way back -- way back when I
remember -- I think it was probably what's now the Golden Gate
Commerce Park, when they thought that was going to be a
hospital, we were having some discussions about curb cuts on
Collier Boulevard and access to this property and maybe even
some property to the west of it. Have all those issues been
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November 16, 2000
cleared up?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, and I could show you on the master
plan.
The master plan indicates the project has its access off this
Magnolia Pond, which was formerly known as access road
number two. To the north is the Golden Gate Commerce Park.
This access road into the commercial lines up with the existing
or the proposed access to the Golden Gate Commerce Center,
which will -- that project has access onto Collier Boulevard with
a signalized intersection and a median cut.
So, this project can have access to that traffic light through
the Golden Gate Commerce Park.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And while we're talking about
traffic in that area, and I don't know if there's anyone here from
transportation, but when are we getting our turn lane at Collier
Boulevard and Davis extended back to the off ramp at the
interstate? Can anyone answer when that construction is
supposed to begin?
MR. BELLOW: Sorry, I don't have that information.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Because that is certainly
something that is backing traffic up in that general area at this
moment.
MR. BELLOWS: I can get that information for you later.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Thank you.
MR. BELLOWS: The -- there wasn't a quorum at the
Environmental Advisory Board meeting. This petition will be
heard in their December meeting.
As noted in the staff report, the project has preserve areas
along the southern and western property and in between the
commercial and residential tract. The petitioner has a 1.4 acre
area proposed for development. Mitigation will be proposed
within the Panther Island mitigation bank. Staff has approved
that mitigation. Therefore, we'll take this recommendation to
the EAC in December for supporting of the petitioner's plan of
development.
The petition is -- the commercial uses within the project are
very similar to the uses approved in the Golden Gate Commerce
Park to the north and to other commercial PUDs in this activity
center, and staff has not received any correspondence for or
against this petition and is recommending approval, and I'll be
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November 16, 2000
happy to answer any questions.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Mr. Richardson.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Bellows, you mentioned
a traffic deficiency on Davis Boulevard. MR. BELLOWS: Yes.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Is that in the plan to be
prepared?
MR. BELLOWS: No, that's a state road, and they do not have
funding for it within the build-out of this project.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, we will -- would be
asking to approve a project that would further exacerbate that
problem.
MR. BELLOWS: To an extent, yes, but it's such a small
segment. The rest of Davis Boulevard in that segment is
operating at acceptable level of services. I had discussion with
the new transportation services staff and the new MPO director
along with Stan Litsinger with the comprehensive planning staff,
and they've assured me this short segment that's deficient is not
a problem, and that we will not enforce the adequate public
facilities ordinance in conjunction with this segment.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: How short is the segment?
MR. BELLOWS: Less than a quarter mile.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Of course, it could be two
feet, and if it doesn't work, it congests the whole park.
MR. BELLOWS: Yes, and it should be noted that the project
is also part of the interchange activity center number nine, which
is a gateway into the county. There's an interchange master
plan that will provide some architectural and landscaping
enhancements and access improvements. They may have
something along the lines of access improvements dealing with
this area, but it's not been approved yet. MR. NINO: If I might, Mr. Chairman.
You know, in answer to your question, Dwight, the long and
the short of it is Collier County has said on a number of
occasions, insofar as the impact on that leg of Davis Boulevard is
concerned, that we were not going to allow the state to hold us
hostage to our ability to approve projects because of that
deficiency that is attributable to the state, and this is not -- this
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November 16, 2000
would not be the first project that would have this problem
insofar as that link is concerned.
So, for whatever it's worth, that's where staff is coming
from.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I'm just curious why
transportation isn't here.
MR. BELLOWS: Well, this is --
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Were they not invited or did they
not realize that we would be rather concerned about
transportation here?
MR. BELLOWS: Well, this is basically a planning issue and
not a transportation, so much of the construction -- it's not part
any -- it's a state road, and I felt that it wasn't necessary to have
them to discuss this part.
Stan Litsinger said he might attend if he had time, but I don't
think he had time.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: So, as Mr. Nino said, we are
moving forward and not being held hostage because the state is
not taking action.
MR. BELLOWS: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions of staff?
If not, we hear from the petitioner.
MR. ANDERSON: Good morning again, Mr. Chairman. My
name is Bruce Anderson on behalf of the applicant.
I would point out that one of the reasons that -- we've had
meetings with the transportation staff before we ever came here
today, and that may be why they're not here, I don't know. There
is a planning design, an engineering study under way as I
understand it based on my discussions with county
transportation folks. FDOT is conducting that study now about
the widening of this, you know, short quarter mile segment. It's
the two lane segment of Davis Boulevard that anybody that ever
travels in that area knows that you get to, and as I understand it,
the County is also looking at participating in some funding of
that, but that hasn't been decided yet either.
Certainly under the Collier County road impact fee
ordinance, the impact fees that this project will pay could be
used to widen Davis Boulevard. That's permitted under the road
impact fee ordinance.
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November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, could I ask
Mr. Anderson --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Sure.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Would the applicant be
willing to make a concurrency commitment then to Davis
Boulevard being improved before their project goes forward?
MR. ANDERSON: No. Well, we will abide by the concurrency
ordinance, I'll tell you that. We're going to be subject to it just
like everybody else out there, and it should be on a first come,
first served basis with regard to who gets in and pulls a building
permit first. That's how the adequate public facilities ordinance
is structured. It's not who gets the first zoning approval, and,
therefore, you know, you can sit on it for years and years and tie
up capacity. It's who has a real live building permit application
in, and we -- you know, we'll be bound just like anybody else out
there will be.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: My concern is that we're in
a deficient situation right now, and that it doesn't appear that
the various agencies are working together sufficiently to solve
this problem. The County is saying it's a state problem. The
State, I don't know what they're saying, they are not here, and I
realize that, you know, you're having a problem here. The board
has a problem, but I would be more comfortable if the applicant
would agree to having their project go forward only on the basis
of this problem on Davis Boulevard being corrected.
MR. ANDERSON: I'd like to do that, but that would be so
unfair to single us out with regard to all the other landowners
that are out there who are all participating in this interchange
master plan process that the comprehensive plan has called for.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Well, you're not being
singled out. You're in front of us, so you've singled yourself out in
terms of asking for approval for this project, and in that regard,
this is the only opportunity we have to put some pressure on
getting that road situation repaired. That would be my view.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I don't know how we would be
putting pressure on, because they are not the ones that can put
pressure on the state or county to get that --
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Well, if this approval, for
instance, was denied because we had concern about the traffic
considerations -- which staff has taken a position on it's not their
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November 16, 2000
fault, it's the state's fault, but I think in a broader context, we
have a responsibility to think about this for the entire
community.
MR. ANDERSON: I can tell you what we would be willing to
live with, is we would certainly have no objection if our impact
fees, our road impact fees from this project were dedicated to
the widening of this segment of Davis Boulevard, that would be
reasonable.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: And, in fact, if it were
actually applied and done prior to your pulling a building permit?
MR. ANDERSON: No, I'm sorry, I cannot subject ourselves to
not being treated the same as any other property owner under
the Collier County concurrency ordinance.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: On Page 3, it says transportation
services recommend approval subject to intersection
improvements, and I assume they're not talking about this
intersection. So, the transportation department of Collier County
has looked at it and put their blessing on this project, right?
MR. ANDERSON: Yes, sir.
MR. BELLOWS: And I'd like to point out from a
transportation planning aspect, I'm in charge of doing the traffic
reviews for all county staff when they bring petitions forward to
you. The reason staff is recommending approval is that that
segment of Davis is so short, it's not going to really have an
impact on traffic flow over the entire length of that segment, and
it's only a concurrency issue that I was referring to where the
State has to come up with a plan to mitigate that, but it's not
going to stop the County from issuing building permits in this
area for any project.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you, and I believe I'm correct,
it's not within the power of this board to even recommend how
impact fees are spent, so we will -- MR. ANDERSON: And we'll
be -- we estimate that we'll be generating about two million
dollars in road impact fees from this project, and I would also
point out that the Collier County comprehensive plan encourages
that the various activity centers in the county be developed as
mixed use, and this is one of those mixed use projects. You
don't often see them, but this is a mixture of commercial and
residential. So, we are providing what the county comp. plan
ideally asks for at this location.
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November 16, 2000
Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of the petitioner?.
Anyone else on your team wish to speak, Bruce?
MR. ANDERSON: Only in response to questions.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Anyone from the public wish to address
this issue?
Seeing none, I'll close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' Mr. Chairman, I move that we
forward PUD-2000-16 to the Board of County Commissioners for
the recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: A motion made by Commissioner
Priddy, seconded by Commissioner Rautio. Any further discussion?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, just my
question on the motion. I realize I'm the new kid on the block, so
you'll forgive my brashness in part, but I wonder if we're missing
an opportunity to somehow impact the plans be it to the county
or the state to move forward on the improvement of Davis
Boulevard by going ahead and approving this very fine
application, but one that exacerbates, I think, the problem. Are there any responses to that?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I think if we turn this down, that
we don't do a thing towards getting Davis Boulevard fixed. It
doesn't do anything towards getting David Boulevard fixed.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, our actions on the
planning commission have nothing to do with the traffic
circulation in that regard?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Well, only in terms of a
recommendation, remember?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Well, could we -- could I --
we add to our approval then a recommendation to the county
board that -- our concern about the impact of this on Davis
Boulevard?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I think that will be noted in the minutes
of this meeting.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. I would ask -- I'm not going
to add it to my motion, but I would simply ask staff to forward on
to the county commission that we're concerned about that, and
yes, I, for one, would love to have that stretch of road fixed
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November 16, 2000
because I travel through it several times a week, and my wife
and kids travel through it twice a day.
MR. BELLOWS: The executive summary reflects the motion
of the board and concerns.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further discussion on the motion?
If not, all in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Carried, thank you.
The next item is Petition Number PUD-00-17, Collier
Boulevard Commercial Center PUD.
All those who wish to give testimony, please rise, raise your
right hand and be sworn in by the court reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Ray.
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows.
The petitioner is requesting a rezone of a 19.54 acre site
from industrial to a PUD to be known as the 1-75 Collier
Boulevard Commercial Center. The name was changed just
recently as a result of our addressing department's concerns of --
that it's close in names to other developments in the area, and
so, therefore, the new name of the PUD is the 1-75 Collier
Boulevard Commercial Center PUD.
The subject site is located on the south side of Davis
Boulevard and west of Collier Boulevard. The petition proposes
148,000 square feet of retail commercial uses. The PUD
document allows for either a single use of development such as
a shopping center or a mixed development with office and retail
uses,
The site is located within the activity center south of Davis
Boulevard. It's adjacent to industrial land use classification, and
it's surrounded by the Westport Commerce Center commercial
PUD now.
The master plan indicates access off of Collier Boulevard
and off of Davis Boulevard and an interconnection with the
Westport Commerce Center to the south.
The traffic impact statement indicates that the difference
between the trips that can be generated from the existing
industrial zoning versus the trips that could be generated from
the proposed commercial development will not exceed the
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November 16, 2000
significance test on Davis Boulevard. Therefore, there is no
significant impact because the difference in trips is irrelevant
and insignificant.
This petition --
COMMISSIONER PEDONE.' Mr. Bellows, is this the same
quarter mile that --
MR. BELLOWS: The same quarter mile, yeah, that we just
talked about. This fronts on it.
The difference with the other one is further north, but under
current zoning, they can develop without County Commission
approval through the industrial zoning. I think that's the main
difference between this project and the one we just heard, is
they were going from agricultural, so the uses generated from
agricultural are rather relatively insignificant, while the
differences -- the zoning -- the industrial zoning can generate
almost a similar amount of trips.
This petition was not able to go to the EAC because they did
not have a quorum, so this will follow, like this last one, will be in
December, and staff has -- our environmental staff has reviewed
this and has recommended approval and will be taking that
recommendation to the EAC also in December. That EAC will
hear this prior to the Board of County Commissioners hearing
this item.
Staff has determined this project is consistent with the
adjacent developments in the area. There's commercial -- the
Toll Gate Commercial Center to the east and the Forest Glen
project is a commercial development in the area.
Staff has received a letter in support of this project, and if
you'd like, I can pass out a copy of it. It's from the Ronto Group
in the Forest Glen development.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Ray, what happens to the two
little parcels that end up being triangles that are, I guess,
immediately to the west and immediately to the south of that gas
station that's on the corner?
MR. BELLOWS: Up in here?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yes.
MR. BELLOWS: That still retains its zoning, industrial zoning
and whatever uses that are permitted in there.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And those are separate parcels
and separate ownership, I guess, from --
Page 46
November 16, 2000
MR. BELLOWS:
you of those parcels.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY:
you know, oddball --
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY:
I don't have the ownership information for
Because those are going to be,
-- projects at some point.
MR. BELLOWS: Yeah. This is the property that the
petitioner owns and is coming in for.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions for staff?
If not, we can hear from the petitioner.
MR. PICKWORTH: Good morning, commissioners. My name
is Don Pickworth. I'm representing Linda Marszalkowski as the
trustee for the group that owns this property, and I have with me
Tim Hancock, who has done the planning work on this project for
US,
As Mr. Bellows indicated, this property is currently zoned
industrial, straight industrial and has been for many, many years,
and Ms. Marszalkowski had -- has over the past several months
talked to a number of people, including a number of the county
commissioners, and there just seems to be a general agreement
that given the interest of the County in the interchange master
plan and spiffing up the area, if you will, that being right on the
corner, the use of this property for industrial would not probably
be the best way to go. So, with that in mind, we have -- we have
applied to rezone the property to commercial.
It's a similar situation to the discussion with Bruce. I mean,
we have also met with the transportation planning people. In
fact, I met with -- last week with Don Wolfe, the transportation
planning director, and Stan Litsinger and the others, and, you
know, the upshot is that there are some transportation
commitments in our PUD. We were given some right-of-way. Our
accesses have got to be in accordance with the County's
policies on access management.
With that, I guess if there's any specific questions on the
project, either I or Mr. Hancock will answer them.
Oh, by the way, the triangle, I don't know. We are rezoning
our entire ownership. There's no -- there's no residual property
that we control that will be industrially zoned.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Pickworth, will it be safe to
say that since this project comes forward and may actually get
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November 16, 2000
built and you're donating some right-of-way, that that might be
the stimulus for helping the Davis Boulevard roadway get farther
down the --
MR. PICKWORTH: We were given the right-of-way on 951
because, you know, those plans where they're going to have the
-- I mean, they're going to need a lot of room down there, and
that's -- they've already gotten Davis from us. COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: You started to say a fly-over.
MR. PICKWORTH: Well, did I say a bad word?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Or grade separation.
MR. PICKWORTH: I'm sorry. We keep hearing about these,
and they keep scheduling and then canceling informational
meetings, but, you know, according to what I was told by the
transportation people, something is going to happen out there
someday, someday.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Something is going to happen
someday.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' That brings me to a question,
Don, what -- do PUDs sunset ever?
MR. PICKWORTH: If you don't do anything with them, they
sunset in five years.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' Five years. An awful lot of
people have just discovered 951 since we've renamed it. An
awful lot of commercial being approved there, and it all has to be
done in five years or it goes back to what it was.
MR. PICKWORTH: Well, you've got to make a good faith
effort to begin within five years. You don't have to totally build
out your project, but if you get your approval and then do nothing
-- well, the way it works is it doesn't necessarily go back. What
happens is they bring you back in here and --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Breathe new life into it.
MR. PICKWORTH: Well, either breathe new life in, or they
decide that maybe what you got approved originally, based on
what's happened over the last five years, might not be the best
thing out there anymore, so you're basically putting yourself at
risk that you may not have what you thought you had, so -- and a
year or two ago, they went through a long series of those
reviews on a lot of projects.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions for the
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November 16, 2000
petitioner?
If not, anyone from the public that wishes to address the
board on this issue?
If not, I'll close the public hearing, and I will make a public
apology to Mr. Hancock about his dress. I think he looks extra
nice today compared to what he was two or three weeks ago. I will entertain a motion on this.
COMMISSIONER BUDD: Mr. Chairman, I would like to make
a motion that the planning commission forward Petition
PUD-2000-17 to the Board of County Commissioners with the
recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Been moved by Commissioner Budd,
seconded by Commissioner Pedone. Any further discussion?
If not, all in favor, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Motion carried.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: See what you can do when you
get a customer?
MR. HANCOCK: Put a suit on him.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: He dresses up quite nice.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Next up is PUD -- PUD-99-28,
Cocohatchee Bay.
All those wishing to give testimony on this, please rise and
raise your right hand, be sworn in by the court reporter.
(The speakers were sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Can we take just a moment, a brief recess while we seem to
organize our maps.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: How about a real five minute
recess?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I said a short recess.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Oh, okay.
(Small break was held).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Call this meeting back to order.
Commissioner Budd received an emergency phone call. I
really don't have any details. I think a member of his family was
in an accident, so our prayers go with him. He has left.
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November 16, 2000
Okay. We are back and ready for PUD-99-28, Cocohatchee
Bay, and I believe we have everybody sworn in, so with that, Mr.
Nino.
MR. NINO: For the record, my name is Ron Nino. The
petition that you have before you would ask that this County
rezone lands currently zoned in a number of different zoning
districts to a PUD, planned unit development residential zoning
district.
The land is 532 plus or minus acres in area and has an
irregular boundary, to say the least, and includes -- the majority
of the land lies to the west of Vanderbilt Drive and circles an
island of development that includes the Wiggins Pass Marina,
Pelican Isle Yacht Club, the Cocohatchee River Park, Marina Bay
and the Anchorage Condominium. That land is zoned RMF-12
with a cap of three dwelling units per acre and RMF-6 in some
instances, RSF-3. So, you have essentially RSF-3, RMF-6, some
agricultural zoning, and RMF-12 and RMF-6 down in the corner
here.
Now, you should appreciate that what those zoning districts
allow includes multiple family housing, for example, in the RMF
district at a maximum height of 50 feet, and in the RMF-6 district
at a maximum -- and RSF-3 district at a maximum height of :35
feet, but the fact remains that within this area of the county,
both single family and multiple family houses can be constructed
right now if somebody were to make an application for a
subdivision plan or a site development plan. That land is
currently zoned and allows those housing structure types at a
density not to exceed three dwelling units per acre.
To the east of Vanderbilt Drive, you have land that is zoned
-- currently zoned for single family purposes at four and three
dwelling units respectively. You-all know where the land is.
When we -- the proposal that's before you, while it was
advertised at 790 dwelling units, has since been amended, and
the revised PUD that you have in your documents speaks to a
density of 590 dwelling units. That being the case, of course,
you're dealing with a density far less than the density that is
otherwise authorized on this property.
Now, you will read -- you will note some objections that
you've received and that I'm going to hand out. These -- these
were -- came to my office after you received your staff report.
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November 16, 2000
One of the letters of objection -- as a matter of fact, I think
there are a couple that I would like to speak directly to because
as you'll recall, there was also a consideration in the issue of the
Dunes, it's difficult for people to understand that Collier County's
application of density applies to the entire area of land that a
person has title to, whether it is submerged land covered by
water or whether or not it is so environmentally sensitive that
you would unlikely be able to obtain permits from the state and
federal permitting agencies. Density is based on the gross
acreage of the land that one owns, and if we were to apply
simply that rule, 1,500 units of housing to 1,700 units of housing
could, otherwise, be constructed on these lands.
The current -- however, that -- that is further made moot by
the fact that the land is zoned to permit that kind of density, and
assuming that one could obtain permits from the state and
federal agencies, they would be able to go right into a
development process.
So, when we deal with this petition from the view of
analyzing its impact, we have to compare the impact of 590
housing units, which is what this petition requests, versus the
currently authorized number of dwelling units, and when you --
and that is the way that we're required under the law to analyze
this petition in terms of impacts.
So, given that fact, there's, obviously, less of a traffic
impact with this project than the impact that is inherently in
place with the current zoning, and that trickles all the way down
the elements that we are required to review this petition by for
consistency with the growth management plan.
Additionally, our staff, our environmental staff advised us
that this project meets the objectives and policies of the coastal
conservation management element, which is the environmental
element that speaks to the preservation of environmentally
sensitive lands and habitat and wildlife habitat characteristics.
Ninety percent of the land in this project will be preserved in
either a preservation context or as open -- open space connected
with a golf course. That is far in excess of the requirements of
the Collier County Growth Management Plan.
The Collier County Growth Management says -- Plan says
that 25 percent of the existing viable native vegetation has to be
preserve. They are way above that requirement. That 60
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November 16, 2000
percent of a residential project has to be retained in open space.
This project is 90 percent.
We can advise you that this project meets all of the
elements of the growth management plan. Given that -- that is
not the only criteria that you're held by. You're held by a whole
series of findings that say it's -- that being the case. Is it still
compatible? That's a very subjective element. We've talked
about that many times before in front of you.
This project would have -- this project as it's proposed would
have a golf course, 15 holes of an 18 hole golf course in the
northeast quadrant of Wiggins Pass Road and Vanderbilt Drive.
Three of the 18 holes will be on the west side of Vanderbilt Drive.
The actual location of residential structures will be in those
yellow pods you see, and to the west of that, of course, is a
commitment to preserve the entirety of the remainder of the
land. There will not be any housing units south of the Anchorage
all the way to the Dunes project, and you'll appreciate, the north
part of the Dunes -- about a hundred acres of the Dunes project is
also in a preserve. So, when you drive down Vanderbilt Drive,
what you see as green is always going to stay green south of the
Pelican Isle development and the Wiggins Pass Marina.
When we deal with the issue of residential structures, this
project proposes that the first tower would be limited to 15
stories in height because it is immediately adjacent to a 15 story
tower in the Arbor Trace PUD. South of that 15 story structure,
they would then -- the PUD then proposes that the remaining
towers would be constructed to a height of 20 feet (sic).
In addition --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Twenty stories.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Twenty stories.
MR. NINO: Twenty stories, I'm sorry, 20 stories.
In addition, there's a housing element that runs in this
narrow band of land. It's 286 feet wide, and this band of land
here is another residential tract on the PUD master plan which
doesn't show up in that plan there, and on this residential tract,
they propose to build a multifamily product not to exceed a
height of two stories. To the north of that is the Falling Waters
project, which has a two story condominium product. To the
south of that is Tarpon Cove, which has a two story condominium
product.
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November 16, 2000
Given -- given those -- the location of residential structures,
particularly the high-rise structures, the fact that they're so
separated from existing residential structures leads us to a
conclusion that those towers are certainly compatible with their
surrounding environment, and so far as the two story housing is
concerned, obviously, it's two story condominiums opposite and
adjacent to two story condominiums, and we need to find that
that is, indeed, compatible.
The -- this is in a highly urbanized area. You know, one of
the things we -- you need to find is, is it ripe? Is this area ripe for
development or does it encourage urban sprawl? It has utilities.
It's in the heart of Collier County's development corridor. It is
certainly ripe for development. Again, findings that we normally
tend to make in our staff report to you.
I received some additional objections that I need to hand
out to you. There are not copies of them, so you just have to
pass them down, and I'll have to make copies of them and
transfer them to the board. There are petitions in there -- there
are petitions of objection in there as well.
Unfortunately, once again, we have a project that was
scheduled to go to the EAB. The EAB met and failed to have a
quorum and is not scheduled for an EAB meeting until the first
Wednesday of December, and I don't want to editorialize any
further on that.
However, the environmental staff report that you have in
your packet, the findings of our staff and the recommendations
of our staff that are being made to the EAB are included in the
PUD document, and, obviously, any other recommendations that
come out of the EAB meeting, I'll transmit it to the board, and if
the board concurs, they will be included in the document as well.
It's important for you to appreciate that another issue here
that you're going to hear about is there is an eagle in there, and
the PUD is structured, as structured, contains an eagle
management plan. It basically says that until that eagle decides
to find a new home, that development can't go forward. It just
can't go forward. It's there, and it will have to wait until the
eagle finds a new home.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Where is the eagle, Ron --
MR. NINO: The eagle is --
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: -- location?
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November 16, 2000
MR. NINO: -- somewhere in there, right there.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, this project could not go
forward unless that eagle moves?
MR. NINO: No, the residential towers that are within 1,500
feet of the eagle's nest cannot go forward.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON:
is.
Show me where 1,500 feet
MR. NINO: It's in your packet.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Well, show me up there, so
everybody can see it.
MR. NINO: Oh, okay.
MS. BISHOP: Fifteen hundred feet would be right here,
zoned. That's the secondary zone, 1,500 feet. The primary zone
is about here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Karen, that's not part of the testimony
unless you're at the microphone, okay.
MS. BISHOP: Karen Bishop, agent for the petitioner.
Those areas are shown on this map, both the primary and
the secondary zone that so you have a good idea of what would
be affected.
MR. NINO: The PUD has development standards that we're
comfortable with. Basically, the standards in the PUD require a
building separation of one half the sum of the heights of the
buildings. That standard is commonly used, and, however, it is
also common that there can be some administrative reduction of
that for a common architectural theme and for buildings that are
skewed or angled to one another, because that affects the
perception. It makes a difference if buildings are maybe
opposite one another or if they are like that or if they are like
that, there's justification for reducing that distance. That
provision is in there, and that's an administrative function.
We recommend approval of this petition to you, recommend
that you send it on to the board with a recommendation of
approval.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Ron, I know traffic is a major issue
here, but my first concern when I look up there is this golf
course, and we're talking about a lot of traffic, and I know it's not
part of the PUD. It's not part of our -- how does the golf course
get from one side to the other? Do we have the --
MR. NINO: There will be an underpass just like Audubon,
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November 16, 2000
similar to the Audubon.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: That horrible word, overpass, but we're
going to have an underpass; is that it? MR. NINO: An underpass.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Thank you.
Any questions of staff?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah, I have a question of staff.
Ron, what you're basically stating to us is our options here
today is do we turn this down and take the chance that the
property owners go build what they can build without asking any
questions --
MR. NINO: Exactly.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: -- they can go pull permits from
Horseshoe Drive today and build whatever they want within our
current rules --
MR. NINO: Within our current rules.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: -- or do we make sure we get a
better product for the County, and this --
MR. NINO: Correct. I can unequivocally stand here and say,
if there was -- this is the most environmentally friendly response
to the development of this land.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay, but let's talk about traffic.
We don't fix traffic by turning this down because the property
owners can go make traffic bad without asking us. MR. NINO: Exactly. Exactly.
Traffic impacts are allowed right now under the current
zoning ordinance to an extent greater than this proposal would
result in.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: So, by approving this, to some
degree we fix our traffic problems.
MR. NINO: Well, we --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Potential traffic problems.
MR. NINO: -- we reduce the level of impact --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: That we could have.
MR. NINO: -- that we could otherwise have, but, obviously, it
shouldn't come to any surprise to anybody to realize that
eventually Vanderbilt Drive will one day have to be widened, and
the impact fee revenue from this project and from the Dunes is
far more than adequate to take care of the traffic corrections on
Vanderbilt Drive.
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November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Ron, one question, and I know we're
going to hear about the eagle. Under the zoning right now, can
they go in there and build whatever -- and I can't see it from here.
I think it's RSF-6, multifamily, they can go in there and build
those now in spite of the eagle's nest? MR. NINO: No, no, no.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. I just want that clear.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: So, nothing changes with the
eagle?
MR. NINO: Correct.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' Whether we approve this or turn it
down, nothing changes with the eagle. MR. NINO: Right.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: He is not at this meeting, thank God.
Any questions of staff?
We will hear from the petitioner.
MS. BISHOP: Good morning, Karen Bishop, agent for the
petitioner.
I'd like to clarify just a couple of things, the eagle being the
first thing. The primary zone would stay intact, and there would
be no development in that, but in the secondary zone, you can
have up to two stories, but you have to -- you cannot build during
the nesting season.
So, there would be development allowed in a secondary
zone but not the primary zone.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: You're only restricted when you can
build.
MS. BISHOP: When, right.
Also, I want to note that we have promised to give a
hundred foot of right-of-way on our northern line, which is the
other part of the Livingston Road east/west segment. Fifty feet
has already been provided on the projects to the north, so
together with ours, you'll be 150 feet from Vanderbilt. This
Livingston Road segment goes from Vanderbilt Drive and
eventually shows connection to 951, apparently, jumping over
1-75.
So, those are the -- we have done that in place for future
traffic as they need it. Plus, we also have provided for giving
additional right-of-way along Vanderbilt and Wiggins Pass Road
for those improvements necessary on those roadways.
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November 16, 2000
The golf course underpass really will be an underpass
instead of an overpass, because -- mainly because of the way the
traffic is and the close proximity to the Livingston Road segment.
We will be putting this at such a level that we will be using
pumps to keep the water out of the little golf course underpass,
so that you do know that will be a very minimal hump, not as
high as it is at the Audubon.
We have, I believe, taken this project a little farther than
most would. The golf course has made tremendous changes in
the last year -- we've been working on this project for over a year
with Commissioner Carter, the staff, as well as we had a public
workshop in September where all the homeowners' associations,
their boards were invited to speak on a panel and to review our
projects, both the Dunes and Cocohatchee, and that was two
months ago. We have made several changes to accommodate
this property because -- by the way, it is a pretty awesome piece
of property.
The west side of the road -- I'm sorry, the east side of the
road where the golf course currently sits has both scrub, has
beautiful cypress, which, in fact, we have preserved those. We
have eliminated lakes in our project so that we could, in fact,
save the habitat and not put a hole where you would have nice
habitat.
We have -- since this plan was done, we revised the plan to
make sure that the golf course is not in the eagle primary zone at
all. It is in the secondary zone specifically, not in a primary zone.
So, this exhibit is a little inaccurate in that case, but the master
plan we show with our project does, in fact, have that right
alignment.
We are currently involved in permitting this project with
both the Corps of Engineers and the district, so you can be
assured that we are going through a substantial amount of
review environmentally.
Even though we didn't get to go in front of the EAC, based on
what we're doing here, I can't imagine that the EAC would have a
problem, since we, in fact, are protecting the eagle, protecting
his habitat, protecting the gopher turtles on-site; in fact, leaving
the flow-way that comes from the north through and eliminating
lakes so that we can save as much vegetation as possible.
We have agreed with staff on their recommendations to
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November 16, 2000
remove the 20 foot -- or excuse me, the 20 stories from that
northern building for compatibility and then go with the 20
stories south of that, which end up being adjacent to the marina.
Everything else we will put into conservation easement upon our
final permitting at the agencies, which show on our master plan
that they will be in conservation easement forever, and they will
be maintained by the homeowners' association.
If there are any other questions, I have brought my biologist
as well as my drainage guy so that if you have any questions, we
can answer them for you.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: That strip of property that Mr.
Nino pointed out, what was the zoning on that again, that one
right up there?
MS. BISHOP: I can't read that far.
MR. NINO: RSF-4 with a cap of three.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: With a cap of three, okay.
That's never been a preserve property before?
MS. BISHOP: No.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: There appears to be in one of the
petitions here, Tarpon Cove, talking about rezoning preserve
land, and referring to that area there specifically. I just wanted
to make sure that that was on the record, that that's not
preserve.
MS. BISHOP: It is not. There is preserve to the north, which
is odd because the preserve to the north properties is, in fact,
that 50 foot right-of-way for future Livingston Road. So, when
Collier County goes back in to build Livingston Road, they will be
mitigating the preserves away from those projects because
those projects showed preserve -- have literally permitted
preserve on a 50 foot right-of-way, future right-of-way.
In our case, the land was not permitted, so until you permit
property, it wouldn't go under preserve. Tarpon Cove to the
south of us, I believe has preserves on their northern line. Now,
our plan intends to keep the flow-way intact and does -- because
there's a lot of water that comes across this area, believe me,
and a big drainage issue there, so we would not be allowed to
impede that in any way, and we are looking at putting our
development pods in between the flow areas.
So, there's -- you're probably only talking about, at the most,
a few buildings there. One would be a caddy area that we are
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November 16, 2000
looking at next to the maintenance facility, which is right at the
western end -- or excuse me -- yeah, western end of that little
strip and then possibly another multifamily piece, which is right
on the 41 piece.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: One of the reasons I bring this up,
particularly to staff, is this particular petition is saying that
people purchase property thinking that this area would always
be preserve land. They actually purchase with the understanding
and the fact that there would be no development between our
area and Falling Waters, and they are concerned about this
narrow strip of land. It's unfortunate that we have the situation,
because those property owners should have checked this out
before and understood this.
I'm very sensitive to what you're saying, but we can't
penalize this particular developer and landowner for something
that's not already on the record, and that, perhaps, you have an
issue with your -- the people that sold you the property, the real
estate people for the fact that you may want to check out
exactly what was there, and I respect you-ali's right to sign the
petition, but I think you signed a petition that really doesn't
accurately reflect what the public records of this county state.
MS. BISHOP: Well, and also, just to address that one step
further, the MPO plan for transportation has shown this segment
of Livingston Road on there for a very long time.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: That's what I thought.
MS. BISHOP: So, you know -- and they are very pleased to
be able to get this roadway segment because it's part of the
need to help with the congestion in this area as well as maybe
moving up the four laning of Vanderbilt and improving some of
these other roadways in that area would be a part of that help.
Our impact fees, you know, should be enough to do that if they
keep them in that area to move that forward.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Just as a follow up to that, I'm
very interested in hearing what the public has to say about --
particularly somebody who signed this petition, so thank you.
MS. BISHOP: Thank you.
Any other questions?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: I recall some years ago we
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November 16, 2000
had a bald eagle down on Marco, and it was in the way and
timing and so forth of that development, and one night overnight,
somebody came in and cut down that tree, and so the eagle
moved. I'm wondering -- you know, we're a little more
sophisticated these days in terms of trying to take care of these
problems.
I'm wondering if the developer has any plans to provide
some sort of security in that area so a similar event doesn't
occur.
MS. BISHOP: Well, sir, first of all, we are under contract
with that property. I want you to notice the tree that they show
there, it's a dead tree. So, at this point, it's only a matter of time
before that tree comes down on its own and the eagle looks for
another home on its own.
We have requested from the owner to look to putting up
fences and stuff. There have been people out there actually
taking down trees to fell them across the path through there. I
believe they think that they're helping the -- keep people out of
that eagle area. In fact, they're taking down tall trees. There
isn't very many. It's near the marina, and typically, eagles don't
like to be around a lot of commotion, but in this particular case, I
believe this eagle is urbanized because he has been hanging out
around the marina, apparently good food there, and he flies
between the high-rises to the south, so, you know, this guy is
used to humans to that degree.
We anticipate with our golf course construction that there
will be security based on our property at that point, that there
would be no one going over to that eagle area, with vegetation
and other things to keep our property separated from the general
public.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Thinking about during the
construction phase though where there's a lot of people in and
out.
MR. CORACE: For the record, my name is Don Corace with
Signature Communities.
With regard to the eagle, first of all, it should be understood
that the potential high-rise component of this project more than
likely will not be developed within the next four to five years.
We're completing our Dunes project, as you're well aware of, and,
obviously, we'd be competing with ourselves.
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November 16, 2000
So, we have a fairly patient time line. As it's indicated in the
staff report, the eagle is in a tree which is dead. A consultant
has indicated that with a substantial storm, that eagle -- the
eagle's nest could be damaged, but, again, we're not in any
position to develop that property at this point. Our main focus
for the project is to commence construction of our golf course
the first quarter of next year and complete that project the first
quarter of 2002.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Doesn't that eagle have some
relatives like by Germain Auto?
MS. BISHOP: I'm guessing they all hang out together. If
they're not related, they're buddies, I'm guessing. And they have
actually fledged -- there was two fledglings there last year, so --
so, they are living quite well in those neighborhoods in general.
So,apparently, there's still habitat available for them, but there
have been fledglings. Last year there were two. They left the
nest, and so these eagles are quite happy where they are right
now. So, we are leaving them alone.
MR. NINO: I think the material I handed out to you has a
letter from the Audubon who -- which gives you a history of how
successful that current nest is.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: It sounds like a successful nest.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Further questions of petitioner?
Hearing none, and members of the public, please, I would
ask that you hold your comments down to five minutes. Ron.
MR. NINO'- Yes, I have a number. Chris Thornton, Kathy
Robbins, Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan. If you'll stand and get in line.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'm going to ask -- because I have a
short memory, if you were sworn in, and then ask you to give
your name and spell it for the court reporter.
MR. THORNTON: I was sworn in. My name is Chris
Thornton. That's T-H-O-R-N-T-O-N. I'm with the law firm of
Treiser, Kobza & Lieberfarb, and I'm here today representing the
Estuary Conservation Association. It's formerly known as the
Wiggins Pass Conservancy. They've got about two to 300
members from the North Naples area. I'm joined today by the
vice-president, Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan, who will also have some
words for you today.
The mission of the Estuary Conservation Association is to
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November 16, 2000
protect the estuary system in North Naples from Vanderbilt up to
Bonita and to maintain safe and clean waterways in that area.
The first issue I'd like to touch on is the current zoning of
this property. As indicated, it's mostly -- it's all residential
multi-family or residential single family, but also, the property in
the zoning re-evaluation process in 1990, the property was
overlaid with a special treatment overlay, and I'd like to read a
few excerpts from the Collier County land development code on
why this property was given this designation.
The purpose of this district is to assure the preservation and
maintenance of these environmental and cultural resources and
to encourage the preservation of the intricate ecological
relationships. Also, this overlay district classification will be
used for those lands of environmental sensitivity and historical
and archeological significance where the essential regulations
established by this code or ordinance do not adequately protect
the land. So, in that ST overlay, it basically runs all of the
property west of about this line, and I don't know exactly where
it is, it depends on elevation above me, but basically, all this
property has already been picked by the County and designated
as special treatment overlay because of its environmental
sensitivity. This request would basically get rid of that
designation. The property would just be PUD, and those are
there -- there are protections within the special treatment
overlay that would be removed.
So, we would ask that in approving this PUD, the special
treatment overlay be left where it is. Leave the special
treatment overlay in the PUD, and that special treatment also, it
creates a procedure where if you own special treatment land and
you own other land that you want to develop, you're allowed to
come to the County and say, I'd like to take my development
rights from this special treatment property, move it over here
and gather all my density up on land that's developable. That's
what this developer is doing. They're taking density from all over
the place and forcing it up in the air, but the difference is, this --
in that process, the special treatment process and transferring
those development rights, the County gets the land in fee simple
rather than the land just being at a preservation, and this
preservation has a laundry list of permissible uses, including golf
cart paths, boardwalks, things like that, I guess docks, and if
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November 16, 2000
they were to go through this process that's created for special
treatment properties, the property would be either given to the
State in fee simple or the County or to a nonprofit conservation
organization, the code allows that.
So, the property is appropriate for transfer of development
rights possibly. If it were to get that, the property should be
given in fee simple to a conservation organization such as
Estuary Conservation Association possibly.
Barring the denial of the application, I just ask that the
special treatment overlay remain in place.
In addition, the density -- before we say thank you to the
developer for giving up 1,160 units, it's just a surprise to me to
learn that I've been trespassing all these years, every time I go
fishing out at Wiggins Pass channel. I think it's a little bit
disingenuous for the developer to claim the density upon what is
navigable waters, I presumed, of the State of Florida. This is -- I
haven't done a title search, but it's something that I would ask
that the County look into and maybe have the county attorney's
office review it.
According to the PUD document itself, 100 acres of this
property is navigable estuarian waters, and it doesn't seem
appropriate to take that property and move that development
potential to the wetlands.
In addition, the density calculations, they come up with a
figure of 1,178 units. The density calculations are supposed to
be based on existing zoning, and they've listed only residential
single family and residential multi-family housing as existing
zoning designations. However, a large portion of Section 17,
which is basically this property, I'll try to point it out, that right
there, a large portion of that section is actually zoned
agricultural. The density is a lot lower than residential
multi-family or residential single family, and I have the current
zoning maps which show large portions of that property to be
agricultural rather than residential multi-family or residential
single family.
So I think before we say they can build 1,178, let's actually
look at the existing zoning and bring that down to where it
should be and actually know how much density they're giving up.
As an example, I'd like to point out on the ground existing --
it's known as parcel one in the PUD documents. I'll put this back
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November 16, 2000
up if I can. The site plan there doesn't show a parcel that's
included in the density calculation known as parcel one. It's an
11 acre parcel in this location, this parcel here. As you can see,
half of that parcel is water and half is listed on this -- which was
created by the developer's consultant, half is listed as mangrove
forest. So -- and it's an 11 acre piece zoned four units per acre.
So, they're calculating 33 units. They're saying, I could go out
today and build 33 units on that property, it's just not realistic.
So, I'd just like to point that out before we say -- before we
just take the developer's word and say, thank you for giving up
all that density, let's look at what's out there and see what can
actually be done before we take that step.
I would -- the PUD document doesn't list this. It's asking for
residential uses. I just want to make sure and get some
assurances from the developer that this property will never have
a marina on it, no gasoline and no commercial marina uses in the
estuarian system. I think that's probably taken care of as it is
already drafted. I just wanted to make sure that that can never
happen on this property.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I've allowed you an extra five minutes
because you're a speaker for a group, but I would ask that you
sum it up, please.
MR. THORNTON: Okay. I'll just make one more point, and I
won't do a summary, but I just want to get a clarification and
make sure that this is the entire ownership of this developer in
this area. I understand a lot of the property below to the south
has been included in the Dunes PUD, but before we approve the
Dunes and approve Cocohatchee Bay, I want to make sure that
any property in between there is not left open for development
when it should be included in this preserve that they're
proposing.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' I have a question.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: You're asking us to, perhaps, take
a look at keeping the ST, and then when they transfer
development rights as they're proposing, that the land would be
given to the State or the County. It seems we're getting a much
better deal by the land remaining in preserve and their
homeowners' association being financially responsible from here
on for maintaining that. If they give it to the State or the County,
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November 16, 2000
my concern would be, where is the money coming from, you
know, to maintain, keep the exotics out and whatever.
So, I think we would be much better served with their
proposal, keeping it in a preserve knowing that we've got some
financial backing, you know, for the maintenance of that.
MR. THORNTON: Keeping the ST -- transfer of the
development rights is something, I assume, the developer gets to
decide whether he want to do that or not. It's not something you
can force them to do.
Keeping the ST in place -- as I read parts of the ordinance,
the ST was put there to protect sensitive lands, and it creates --
basically, it's additional hurdles and hoops so that when they do
develop any ST land, they've got to come back before you.
They've got to come back before the EAC before they get their
plans approved, and if you go ahead and approve this PUD as it
is, the ST designation is totally taken away, and this property is
no longer ST. It's additional protection that will be removed if
you approve this PUD as it is.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: But -- but we're knowing through
the PUD what the end result is going to be with the preserve, so
why would we need them -- I mean, there's a tradeoff.
MR. THORNTON: The list of uses in the preserve is, I guess,
the point. There's a laundry list of uses that are allowed,
including golf cart paths, recreational facilities, things like that,
and we would -- we do want to see -- and this is, admittedly, a
good project as far as the environment goes. It protects a lot of
wetland, but the list of uses in that preserve, there are too many
uses there, and it would be better for us if there was an
easement or given to the State with no uses allowed at all.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: One other question, you
mentioned the density calculation on the property that's to the
north. You're not insinuating that this landowner has been
paying taxes for years and has no right to build any units on that
property?
MR. THORNTON: Well, I just would like some confirmation,
either through the county attorney's office, just for somebody to
make sure that it is on a fee simple. I mean --
MS. STUDENT: I'm just going to say that as a matter of
practice, we don't do title searches on property that the County
doesn't own. I think we have some ethical issues there.
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November 16, 2000
What we do -- and we take -- you know, staff gets the
information, and, you know, we take their word for it just like we
do when a plat is reviewed and there's a title search that's
provided with it. We do not independently do title searches.
MR. THORNTON: I just find it hard -- if -- if the proposal were
to put all 592 acres in a preserve and do nothing in it except for
one house sitting right in the middle of Wiggins Pass, is that -- is
that private property that a home can be built on? That's what
I'm getting at, and if they have a deed from the board of trustees
-- it's just a real simple answer, and maybe that's the answer.
That could be it.
MS. STUDENT: I don't know. I have to defer to staff on that,
but there are other situations in this county, albeit, I believe, in
the City of Naples, where there are residential structures built on
water. So, it is not -- it would not be unusual.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, if I could
piggy-back upon those comments.
Your organization indicated that you might be willing or
have in other situations taken title to specific lands.
MR. THORNTON: I haven't been authorized to take any land.
I know that -- I mean, possibly the developer might be interested
in having somebody else take the burden of preserving this land.
I would have to get that authorization from my client, and it
might not be just my client, but there might be other
organizations that might be willing to take it.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Well, this applicant in other
-- the other project, the Dunes, has indicated that preserved
areas, that they would be very happy to have somebody take it
over because it is a burden on the developer to -- you know, in
perpetuity to take care of this, and the homeowners is the only
vehicle they have, but I'm sure they would be interested in
talking to another group responsible to take on this task. It
seems to me that way you could have your cake and eat it too,
the protections that we're talking about on the ST overlay.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Well, I -- yeah, sitting here also as
a taxpayer of this county, and if I have an opportunity to let one
group of people take care of that financially, I'm certainly
interested.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, I'd encourage you to
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November 16, 2000
pursue that.
MR. NINO: If I may, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Sure.
MR. NINO: It's inaccurate to characterize the rezoning of
property from AST or RMF ST to PUD as eliminating the ST.
That's an inaccurate statement because the PUD introduces
another vehicle for preserving the same amount of area or at
least the area that has been achieved under a mitigation
agreement with the state and federal permitting agencies. It's
called a preserve. It's registered under Chapter 7.34 of the
Florida Statutes which provides that -- which provides a
perpetual easement over the property and says it can never be
used for any other purpose other than a natural -- in its natural
state.
So, that's an unfair character -- it's an inaccurate
characterization of that process, and we've done it countless
numbers of times. I mean, I would remind you of the vast
mangrove area in Pelican Bay that is zoned Pelican Bay PUD and
the large area in Pelican Marsh. I mean, it's done regularly.
We've transferred them to PUD preserves instead of STs.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Mr. Nino, that was going to be my
question. I just wanted to make sure that we were trading an ST
overlay approach for another mechanism which is the PUD
preserve.
MR. NINO: Correct.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: And that is a recognized approach
in Florida law, in county ordinances to do that type of thing.
MR. NINO: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Because I was having concern
with the statement that we took the whole ST overlay off. We
used another mechanism, from what I understand now, to
protect that, and I think our attorney wants to say something.
MR. NINO: And the transfer of development right issues that
Chris identified is to an off-site. In other words, if I have an ST
area -- if I wish to build more units on this upland area that I
have, right now under the ordinance, I could go to an area
designated ST somewhere else in Collier County, acquire that
land, transfer it to a conservation organization, and with the
consent of the board, have the right to enjoy several more units.
The Hawthorne -- is it the Hawthorne Suites? The newest
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November 16, 2000
hotel next to the Pewter Mug is the recipient of that kind of TDR,
and that's the only way it goes through a conservation agency,
but if it's a transfer -- if it's an on-site transfer, that's not -- that's
not TDR in the context of our land development code.
MS. STUDENT: I had a question for Mr. Nino. I just want a
clarification about the submerged lands issue. I believe that you
testified earlier that with the reduction in density, it really
rendered that point moot because if you took that acreage out
and didn't count it whatsoever, they still would meet the density
requirements of the comp. plan, and I just need to know if that's
a moot issue, because I don't want our office to have to be
involved in --
MR. NINO: Sure. The northeast -- the northeast corner is
168 acres. Three times that is almost the density of what's
being requested here.
So, it's an academic issue, but I did address it specifically in
front of the board yesterday, and I would imagine the same title
search would apply to this property as was, in fact, done to
respond to the argument in the Dunes case, and there was a
local law firm that did research and showed unequivocally that
yes, the owner of the land, which included some of the Dougherty
property which is the subject of this property, is, in fact, owned
by those people.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Any further questions of this -- if not -- did we answer your
questions?
MR. THORNTON: I had two responses if I could.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Briefly.
MR. THORNTON: Again, to reiterate, some of this land is
zoned ag., and before we decide how much density the developer
is giving up, the calculation should be done correctly, and then I
understood Mr. Nino to say that by getting rid of the ST, property
is put in a PUD preserve which will forever preserve the property
with no uses at all. That's not my understanding of this
application. The preserve lands have a lot of permitted uses.
They are not preserved with no uses at all.
MR. NINO: Every one of these -- again, Ron Nino, for the
record. Every one of those uses would have to withstand review
by the water management district and the DEP.
Relative to the agricultural, when we said that the
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November 16, 2000
agriculture -- the agricultural area is within the urban designated
area. The agricultural -- an agricultural designation is for all
practical purposes a holding district. We are -- we are entitled
under the growth management plan to zone any agriculturally
designated land in Collier County that's within the urban
boundary to a density classification not to exceed three units per
acre in the coastal management area and four units per acre in
the non-coastal management area.
MS. STUDENT: And I'd just like to add to that, for the record
that under the authority of Snyder versus Broward County, once
the property has received a certain designation in the comp.
plan, in this case an urban designation, the County would be very
hard pressed to take that away since it's been so designated in
the comp. plan.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you. Okay?
MR. THORNTON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' The attorney here for
Wiggins Pass Conservancy has been given a very generous
allotment of time. Now I understand the following speaker is the
president of the same organization, so, it would seem to me that
we're double-dipping to a degree, if you would limit him to new
material.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: So noted, and I think we gave a certain
latitude, although I have to admit that the commissioners asked
quite a few questions. I would hope that the next people take
that into account, and please don't address what we've already
addressed. If you have some different issues --
DR. KAPLAN: I'm not going -- for the record, my name is Dr.
Jeffrey Kaplan. I'm the vice-president of the Estuary
Conservation Association. Just -- I'll be one minute, that's all.
I just would like to let you know, we have two to 300
members of our organization that are very concerned about this
project, not that we're against it, but we -- our responsibility is to
really make sure that the estuary system is as pristine as it could
possibly be.
I'd just like the people to raise their hand who are all part of
the EAC, just to show you that we have a whole lot of people who
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November 16, 2000
are here, and we are looking into -- the president of our
organization is looking into agencies that will -- might take this
land in trust. We, as the EAC, I don't think would want to take on
such a burden, but we are looking into that now, and we are
going to just try to monitor very closely this whole process.
We've hired Chris to be our representative, and that's why I'm not
going to speak any more on this issue at this point, and we're
going to just be monitoring this very closely. CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
DR. KAPLAN: I did it within a minute.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Yes, I have one question.
DR. KAPLAN: Sure.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: You're the Estuary Conservation --
DR. KAPLAN: Conservation Association. What--
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay, Conservation Association.
DR. KAPLAN: Estuary Conservation Association, formerly
the Wiggins Pass Conservancy.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any other questions --
DR. KAPLAN: Thank you very much. Any questions?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: -- for this gentleman?
If not, I thank you, and I thank the folks that did come with
you today and sit with patience for the last three and a half
hours.
MS. ROBBINS: Hi, I'm Kathy Robbins. I live at 642 Wiggins
Pass Drive. I'm not a member of the association. I didn't sign a
petition, although I would have.
Basically, I came here with the understanding that it was in
a preserve. From what I've learned today, there's basically -- if I
understand it right, there's nothing I can do about that now, so
now I'm going over to the part with traffic, and you can't do
anything for traffic except that I could ask for recommendation
whether -- if you're building a golf course first in the first quarter
of next year, is the road going to be repaired first or are we going
to have the golf course first?
I mean, Wiggins Pass Road is a disaster turning off and in.
It's one -- two lanes, and there's no sidewalks on the one side. It
is a dangerous road if you're going to have a lot of traffic, so I
would ask for consideration on that.
I love Vanderbilt Beach Road, the way it is now with the
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November 16, 2000
bicycle paths. I would hate to see that change if you have to put
four lanes on.
That's kind of all I wanted to say. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. NINO: Rita Reuss, Keith Jennings, Linda Kra]ewski.
MS. REUSS: May I use this side, does it matter?
MR. NINO: Sure, it doesn't matter.
MS. REUSS: Good morning, and thank you for the time to
present to you. My name is Rita Reuss. I'm president of the
Pelican Isle Yacht Club Homeowners' Association.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Were you sworn in? Were you sworn
in?
MS. REUSS: No, I was speaking as part of the public and did
not understand we needed to be sworn in, but I'll do so.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: She'll be glad to do that.
(The speaker was sworn).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MS. REUSS: Thank you very much.
Some of the things that were discussed here already have --
I'm not sure added to the confusion or clarified it, but it did cover
some of the questions, but we had before this group a request for
a continuance and for, at the very least, a delay in deciding the
disposition of this. We have only -- I understand this project has
been in process for a year, but we have only received notification
of it, and I as president of the Pelican Isle only received
notification of it about two weeks ago.
We have gathered together as many as we could, and you
will see the letters before you, representatives of Pelican Isle,
Marina Bay Club, Cove Towers, Tarpon Cove, Pristin Place, the
Anchorage, Harborside, Audubon, Wiggins Bay, Arbor Trace and
the Vanderbilt Beach and Bay Association to let you know about
our concern, and some of them are also members of the EAC, but
I'd like them all to stand, if they would please, and show our
support or our concern and a need for a continuance. Thank you
very much.
This group has hired counsel, Burt Saunders. We did it this
Monday, I believe. The time has been going so fast trying to get
this together, and he also requested the continuance because he
and his partner, Tony Pires, were unable -- both of them were in
Tampa and unable to be here today.
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November 16, 2000
There are many issues, some of which, your hands are
bound. We understand the complexity and the difficulty of your
job, trying to balance the needs of individuals and residents and
the rights of developers, but this is a serious concern. It's a
major project. I've heard a lot about, you know, the developer is
giving up so many lots and so many -- his ability to build, but, you
know, I'm not sure it's all out of the goodness of his heart.
There's got to be some reason why we're going for high-rise
condominiums and not for whatever number of individual
residences as to the marketability, the dollars involved and all
the rest of that. So, I'm not sure it's all out of the goodness of
his heart and concern.
We're appreciative that the preserves are there and that
we're working with that. There are a lot of questions, however,
about the use of the preserves. I'm hearing boat docks,
boardwalks, all kinds of uses commercial type things. I don't
know and need our counsel to help us with what can be done in
relation to that. I've heard about it's in the PUD. You have less
steps you have to go through if you're in that than if you're not,
but I've also heard today that we have five years or four years to
go. We thought it was 790 units, and now I hear it's 590 units.
A lot of concern over what the boundaries are for the eagle,
and it seems to me with all of the time that we seem to have,
since they can do nothing with the eagle, that it would behoove
us in fairness to the homeowners, the residents and the
communities involved if we could have an extension of time on
this matter and a delay in a decision by this group for us to be
able to get our act a little bit together and do some outside
consulting, analysis and expertise.
There are just -- with the traffic, it goes back during in
season -- I understand that we are talking about there could be a
decrease from the 1,100 and some homes to the 500 units, but
nobody says for sure that those homes are going to be built.
Again, it goes back to the marketability of it, and we're not really
helping traffic anyway by putting this up, and I would challenge
you to try to drive in season from 111th back to Pelican Isle
Yacht Club during in season and to make it in less than a half an
hour, and to get out of the projects is getting extremely difficult.
So, to put this project ahead of a sensible community
development plan and a traffic plan, I think is almost bordering
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November 16, 2000
on irresponsible at this time. I don't know within the County who
has what authority, but I think we'd like to see just a little bit of
time that we can get our act together with that and maybe make
even a presentation for the traffic pattern.
I know there are going to be other people speaking about
the very specifics, and I think you've heard a lot of the confusing
facts before us today, and I would appreciate a delay in the
decision making.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I have a comment. Were you not
aware of the September 14th or 15th meeting? MS. REUSS: No, I was not.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Do you live here all the time?
MS. REUSS.' I live here -- I'm a permanent resident of Florida
but travel in the summertime, but I was not made aware by
anyone.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I'm really surprised that this many
people did not know about that. I happened to have been out of
town. I was in Georgia for a wedding, so I could not attend that,
but would the petitioner --
MS. REUSS: They may have done that, but we -- especially
Pelican Isle did not get information. We don't get information
about a lot. I don't think they think we exist.
MR. NINO: May I -- may I offer another --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Time out. One person is going to speak
at a time. I'm going to control the meeting, and I will have --
applause is about all we allow, okay, and if you want some
discussion, please take it in the hall, and ma'am, I've allowed you
really more latitude.
What I need from you is a good reason as to why -- this
board is very hesitant to recommend an extension, because
notifications go out. We meet the code. Can you give me a
really good reason?
MS. REUSS: My reason is that we don't know. They've said
five years. There's confusion about the facts and what really can
be done with the preserve. You have a lot of concerned citizens
that really would like a chance, and there's no -- seemingly no
rush here, and we did not get notice.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: We will take that into consideration.
Thank you.
MS. REUSS: Thank you.
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November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Next speaker.
MR. NINO: Mr. Chairman, it might -- it might be worth noting,
however, that if the concern is that the -- are allowed enough
time to make a presentation on the merits of this project, they
certainly have that opportunity at the Board of County
Commissioners on December the 12th, which is almost a month
away.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And I think we're going to discuss that
when we get done with the public input. Next speaker, please.
MR. JENNINGS: Thank you, Chairman, Commissioners.
Keith Jennings, for the record, property owner in the area.
First of all, I'd like to say that as far as the ST boundaries,
they are different from the preserve boundaries that are being
proposed, and in the interest of the estuary itself, I propose that
you agree to the ST boundary as it was overlaid on this property
and not let the encroachment of development further west of
that ST boundary which is the proposal here. Otherwise -- also,
when you look at density, don't let them do more than 800 units.
That's a DRI that would require unbelievable hurdles for them to
go over, and let's be realistic, the Army Corps of Engineers,
South Florida Water Management District, DEP, federal -- Wildlife
Preserve -- federal -- you know, federal, state and local, they're
not going to be able to develop on 80 percent of this ground to
the west of Vanderbilt Drive, and, you know, just be realistic on
densities here. I don't care if you took all their densities and put
it on 150 acres of upland property to the east of Vanderbilt Drive,
now you'd have 20 towers at 40 floors to get to the densities
they need, they'll never be able to market it.
The other thing is, if you allow them to build the golf course
prior to the high-rises, you're going to allow more traffic to come
into the area prior to the revenues that they need to build the
impact -- the revenues that we get from the impact fees for the
buildings to widen all this. The impact fees for the golf courses
are a lot less than the impact fees for these high-rises, and we
don't even know if they're ever going to be building high-rises
based on this eagle leaving or not. That eagle might be there for
the next 20 years, and the impact now is for a golf course that
will be bringing people from outside of the area to use the golf
course because they cannot sell it to their members inside this
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November 16, 2000
area.
Lastly, they have jurisdictional boundaries already set by
the Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water
Management. They can mitigate that by paying money for
preserves elsewhere, and that's how they get to use some of the
lands that some of the people in Tarpon Cove were told were
mitigate -- or were jurisdictional boundary lands. So, you can
move that stuff all around just by paying mitigation fees.So,
the argument on density and on preserves and on some of these
other things that have been brought up is moot when you say,
fine, go ahead and try to do more than 800 units. That's .a DRI. I
love it. We'll get so many people out here to put restrict;ons on
how that's developed -- CHAIRMAN WRAGE: But, sir, they've already committed to
the number of units.
MR. JENNINGS: Yes, but you're saying that they have the
right to go back based on their density overlays to get more than
590 units.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: But if we approve this PUD, they are
limited in the number of units they can build.
MR. JENNINGS: I understand that. If you don't approve
them, then they -- you say, well, they can go back in and get
1,170 units, then they'd have to go through a DRI process.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Not necessarily, but that's --
MR. JENNINGS: The PUD size for this County is 800 units.
Anything over 800 units would require a DRI.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: All that is not one ownership right
there.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: All of that is not one property.
MR. JENNINGS: The Dougherty --- that's all the Dougherty
property. That's all the Dougherty property. Plus you can --
MR. NINO: DRI threshold is a thousand units, not 800 units.
MR. JENNINGS: Eighty percent of a thousand units.
MR. NINO: Between 80 and 90 -- between 80 and 100
percent is perceived not to be a development of regional impact.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: We are not going to get down to a
verbal argument. The issue before us is the PUD, and I
understand your argument, okay.
MR. JENNINGS: This other C-2 parking, the C-2 area over
here, this part brought into this, I'd like to also know what the
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November 16, 2000
deal is, because now the County Commissioners just decided to
go ahead with a joint application for a beach park across the way
here with Mr. Harvey. Is that -- is there some other deal that's
going on here?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: That is not the issue here today. You
are not addressing the county commissioners. That is -- we work
for them, okay.
MR. JENNINGS: I understand. Is that part of this PUD?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: You need to ask them.
MR. NINO: No, it is not.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It is not.
MR. NINO: It is not part of this PUD.
MR. JENNINGS: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: You bet. Thank you.
Next speaker.
MS. KRAJEWSKI: Hi, my name is Linda Krajewski. It's
K-R-A-J-E-W-S-K-I, and I represent the Arbor Trace senior
community that is right next door to the proposed project.
I'd like to say that the residents -- I represent about 140
seniors in that development that's been in North Naples now for
about ten years. We're not opposed to the developer developing
his project. They believe that everyone is entitled to develop on
their land. Our concerns are the ones that have already been
voiced as far as the density issue, so I'm not going to reiterate
all that, you've heard it.
One of the major concerns that the residents have is the
bald eagle. The pictures that are displayed here today actually
were taken by a resident of Arbor Trace who has lived there for
nine years and has observed that eagle's nest over the last nine
years, and the history of that nest, briefly, is that in 1990 that
was first reported that there was an eagle's nest sighted. The
first activity in that nest was in 1991, and there have been five
eagles that have been born from that nest. When the nest was
cut down in '97, I believe it was, the nest -- the eagles did
relocate 650 feet from where the original nest was cut down.
Let me get to the point, because I know we're going long
here. It just -- I think our residents just can't understand that a
developer is willing to wait that long to develop a community
based upon this eagle leaving.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Again, that is not an issue to us. We
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November 16, 2000
have heard what they are willing to do, and they can't do
anything.
MS. KRAJEWSKI: I know, but I just -- I guess it's a concern
that the County would approve a permit based upon a stipulation
of when an animal leaves an area.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I don't think that's a stipulation at
all. That's not the way I understand it.
MS. KRAJEWSKI: That's the way it's reading in the staff
report, unless I'm reading it incorrectly.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: Maybe because they're building
another development just south of that, and they want to sell
that one first before they market this one here because,
otherwise, they won't sell both.
MS. KRAJEWSKI: I understand that, but if there's all this
other property, if we're talking about supposedly 532 acres that
are buildable, why are we building on land where the eagle is, is
the concern of my residents.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: We will ask the petitioner that
question.
MS. KRAJEWSKI: Thank you.
Traffic, of course, has been addressed, and we're wondering
if we need to have our own study done, possibly in season that
reflects an actual number of cars that are on that roadway, and,
again, if time is on our side, why aren't there plans in order now
with the County for that road to be changed to better the flow of
the traffic?
So, the residents of Arbor Trace have basically the same
concerns that the surrounding communities do, and we have
joined with the other communities around the area to just try to
get some answers, basically. We just feel like it's a lot of what
ifs. We are not really sure what is proposed, and, of course, we
are willing to meet with the developer to try to get some
answers.
As I said, we are not opposed to it. We have a development.
They're entitled to develop. We just would like some more
specifics on this project before it is approved.
Briefly, also, there is a commercial issue here. Originally--
and it really was the first PUD that I have read. There's a
commercial zoning, and I didn't read anything on that on this
second one, so there's a question as to if the commercial is still
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November t6, 2000
going to be developed, where it is and what type of commercial
is proposed.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Next speaker.
MS. WINN: Hello. My name is Karen Winn. I live at 430
Cove Towers, and I'm on the board of Aruba Cove Towers, the
Cover Towers Association.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Sorry, were you sworn in?
MS. WINN: Yes, I was.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MS. WINN: I don't want to beat over your head what the
purpose and the intent of your jobs are, but I want to read a brief
statement right from your Collier County land development code.
It is the purpose of this code and intent to preserve, enhance
the present advantages that exist in the county, encourage the
most appropriate use of land, water and resources consistent
with the public interest and deal effectively with future problems
that may result from the development of land. It is the
responsibility and rights of the citizens of this county to bring to
the attention of the proper authorities all of the disadvantages in
the public interest, discourage inappropriate uses of the land,
natural resources and to speak out against any possible or
probable future problems that could evolve from the use or the
development of the land and to protect our environment.
In this rezoning issue, there are many, many issues I have
concerns with, and most of them have been addressed. Some of
them that have not have been, potable and nonpotable water
supplies, drainage, sewer and waste disposal run-off and draw
down of our water tables. Boat docks we talked about, and I did
hear personally from Senator Saunders yesterday that there are
proposed boat docks going in this area after he had talked with
the developer yesterday, and in protecting our environment.
The Bald Eagle Management Program, Protection Program is
in compliance with the habitat management guidelines as
outlined in the recovery plan for the southeastern states bald
eagle. It calls for primary zone except under certain
circumstances extending 750 to 1,500 feet outward from the
nest tree. The precise distance is dependent on the proximity of
the space configurement of critical elements, such as the nest
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November 16, 2000
tree itself, the feeding area and roosting trees. The guideline
calls for no development to occur within that zone.
The nest tree is within the parameters of the golf course
development, and it's situated, not as was pointed out earlier on
the edge, but more in the middle of this piece of property.
Around that nest tree are dead and dying, slash, pine trees that
are used as roosting areas for these eagles. Eagles spend in
their non-nesting days 74 to 83 percent of their time in these
roosting trees. Now, these are directly around this nesting tree
and through the perimeter of the property. They have -- in those
primary and secondary perimeters, they provide a good visibility
and a clear flight path for them to forage for fish and birds and
tortoises, which also inhabitate this particular piece of property.
The gopher tortoise is also an endangered specie which
does live in these 532 acres and who has had free roam of these
532 acres now forever. This developer is also proposing to move
these tortoises, which are endangered species, and take them
out of this 532 acre area, place them on 17 acres, but they are
going to allow them to cross under the Vanderbilt Drive with
their golf cart tunnel. I don't know if they're going to put a sign
up that says, here, turtles, you can cross here. You can safely
now get across Vanderbilt Drive.
Indigo snakes are also a protected species, endangered
species. They are known to cohabitate with the turtle. Now,
none have been spotted in the sightings that -- the 72 hour
sighting that was made, but it is a known fact that they do live
there, and that is also part of the eagles' foraging and diet.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Ma'am, I'm going to ask you to sum up,
please.
MS. WINN: Okay, all right.
If we were only looking at a golf course community or a golf
course, period, and it had the 250 feet encroachment, I think I
could live with that if it was in a peaceful, serene,
environmentally managed golf course setting. It's unfortunate
the golf course won't be public, but we're not just looking at
another golf course. We're looking at a PUD project that is going
to come in, the golf course is going to be built. They will -- these
trees are dead and dying. There are 14 acres of this 532
acreage that was burned in a fire several years ago. Now, they
are dead and dying, but it is still a viable area for these eagles.
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November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I thank you, I really do.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I have one question for her.
Ma'am, did the gopher tortoise have free range over Tarpon Cove
before your condo was built?
MS. WINN: I don't know. I didn't live there before. Now I'm
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And could the eagle fly and live in
trees where you're condo now sits, because --
MS. WINN: It's a possibility, but I didn't live there before,
and I wasn't a resident at the time. I'm a resident now, and I am
very concerned.
Just because that may have happened before I came does
not mean that I don't have the right to be concerned about the
future well-being and interest of our generations to come.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I think what a lot of us don't like
to hear is I'm here, I've got mine, now let's shut the gate.
MS. WINN: Absolutely not. That is not what -- I'm trying to
protect the future generations to come and the enjoyment of the
environment and the wildlife in that area.
Thank you very much for your time.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Next speaker, Ron.
MR. NINO: That's it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: One second for the court reporter.
Karen.
MS. BISHOP: I'm going to address a few things.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE:
MS. BISHOP: Okay.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE:
them.
I've got a list.
I do too.
I'll check them off as you address
MS. BISHOP:
CHAIRMAN WRAGE:
you cover them.
MS. BISHOP: Okay.
I was going to say, do you want to start asking
No, go ahead, and I'll check them off if
I want to start with -- just to let you
know, I did speak to Burt Saunders Tuesday, was when he came
to me and mentioned to me that he was representing these
homeowners' associations and that they were requesting a
continuance, and I discussed with him that I'd be happy to meet
with the residents, as we already did in a public forum in
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November 16, 2000
September, to go over our project with them and to show them
what we are doing. Burr -- I didn't realize he wasn't going to be
here today, but I told him that, you know, we've already been
doing this for so long that we really need to move forward
because the golf course element of the project is a vital,
important part of this project, and we need to get moving on that.
The -- there is a golf course impact fee. We will, in fact, be
paying all of it. We will not be looking for any reductions in
impact fees. So, there will be a number that equates to, you
know, several hundred thousand dollars off the bat that goes into
the pot along with the Dunes project, which is, in fact, moving
forward with its buildings at that time.
The construction of this golf course, it is our intent to bring
the construction traffic off of 41. That is a direct access off the
main drag. It gives a lot more flexibility for traffic. It is not our
intent to come off of Wiggins Pass Road. I'm not going to say
that we aren't going to at some point have some traffic there just
by virtue of construction, but it is our intent to bring it off of Old
41 -- I mean off of New 41 because it's just a better access for
US.
Also, based on the ownership, Mrs. Dougherty's ownership,
Collier County has determined that Mrs. Dougherty owns this
property by the virtue of taxing her for all this property to date.
So, they have made a determination of some sort that she owns
it because they tax her for it.
Yes, there are jurisdictional lines in place. Yes, there's
mitigation available. We believe that we are going to be doing an
outstanding job. We have to go through many agencies to get
our final permits for those. The intent is to save gopher turtle
habitat, not to touch vital lands, mangroves which are a part of
the ST overlays. We would not be getting into any of those. I do
want to remind people though that there are, in fact, plenty of
projects in this town that used to be pristine mangrove lands,
and, in fact, now are developments, such as Port Royal,
Vanderbilt Shores, Pelican Bay and Gulfshore. So, there are
those opportunities available. We are not going after any of
those opportunities.
The preserve uses, I can see where there's a little confusion
with the preserve uses. The golf cart paths are intended to -- we
have preserves on the east side of the road, and they are still
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November 16, 2000
designated preserve even though they are different kinds of
preserves. The preserve on the west side of the road where the
mangroves are will have a conservation easement on it that will
be a non-passive conservation easement. That will not allow golf
cart paths through it. So that, in fact, will be on that west side.
We have preserved our rights for docks in this PUD. That is
a right by anybody that has waterfront property. However, we do
not show any docks on our current applications to the agencies,
and we're not even sure that we are going to head in that
direction because of all the things that would have to happen for
that to go on, including potential dredging of areas, which we're
not interested in getting involved in those things at this point,
but it does show it in there as a right. Even if I didn't have it
listed, I would still have the right to go after them at some point.
The preserves on the east side of the road are very
awesome preserves that we want to boardwalk across a couple
of them for the golf cart paths. They will -- the flow will be
intact. The trees will be cut down, but they will not be dredged.
They will not be filled. There will just be a path going through
that. So, I had to have that in there to allow -- if I put a preserve
designation on it, I have to have golf course path in there to
allow myself to cross that path, or I have to split the preserve in
half on either side of this little golf cart area, but it is definitely
not our intention to have golf cart paths anywhere outside the
golf course.
Let's see what else. The traffic, there is actually four lane
plans for Vanderbilt Road complete. They're on the shelf, and
they've been shelved. They've been updated and reshelved. So,
the transportation department and the commissioner for this
area would be the ones, I think, to discuss when they are going
to take those plans off the shelf and actually build this roadway
section, but they have been done for many years and were just
updated recently by Johnson Engineering and put back on the
shelf again. Our plan was based on the future potential
right-of-way that they needed for both Vanderbilt and for
east/west Livingston Road and for Wiggins Pass Road. For all
those future roadway works, we have anticipated those needs
and have committed to giving what's necessary for that
right-of-way at that time.
As far as getting those roadways built, I think there's
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November 16, 2000
certainly enough people here who could make a case that it's a
time to take those things off the shelf and get this going, but I
believe that people in the south part of Vanderbilt are concerned
that somehow all that traffic is going to dump into theirs, so
there's a conflict that has nothing to do with, I think, the
logistics of building; more the politics of how is it all going to end
up when they're done.
Let's see. No marina. No marina.
We also are working with several entities. The Audubon
designation for a golf course, which we know is not the Audubon
Society, but what those people are for is increased water quality
and saving of habitat, protection of vegetation. I mean -- so,
even though they are not associated to it, what their concerns
are, are on and beyond what you might -- or what you might
consider part of the Audubon's listing.
We also have met with the Conservancy and have been
discussing with them having them be a part of our process so
that they can see what we're doing. I mean, when I said that we
took away lakes off this golf course to save habitat, I'm serious,
which means we'll have to bring fill in in lieu of digging enough
holes on site to make this a balanced site so that we could save
and protect habitat. Those gopher turtles will have free reign
over the golf course. So, they will have free reign to go
everywhere they want. We've protected their habitat, and they
will continue to be able to do that in those areas.
We did the same thing in our project at the Dunes, protected
their habitat, created an area for them and let them be happy.
Did I get everything on your list?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: The issue is going to come up of
postponing it, and as you know, this board generally is not in
favor of those things unless there's some real reason to, and
from what I've heard from you is when would -- you've had public
meetings.
MS. BISHOP: Commissioner Carter sponsored a public forum
that I was -- and he's the one who notified all these associations,
and when I sat there at this meeting, there were something like
ten associations up there, and I'm surprised that there would be
none -- there would be associations that were not represented
there. I was under the impression that they all were represented
there in one fashion or another through the second district
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November 16, 2000
association as well as the master homeowners associations. We
did, in fact, put that on. It was out -- they advertised it. We put it
on. We met at St. John's to go over both of our projects at that
time. We were at public notice for the EAC even though it was
postponed because of their quorum issues, but, you know, I feel
that we -- that there shouldn't be a reason for us to postpone at
this point. We have several -- another public hearing to go to, the
EAC as well as the BCC, plus the public notice from the Corps of
Engineers and the district for my environmental permitting. So,
there is plenty of opportunity, I believe, for public input, and as I
have already said, we are more than willing to meet with Burt
Saunders' people and to go over our projects with them because
we plan on being a good neighbor all in all. I mean, this is --
we're not intending to -- it would not be prudent for us to work in
an environment of hostility around us, so we'd like to have a
meeting.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner Rautio.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I think I had written down one of
the speakers was talking about the bald eagle and it's going to
be right within the golf course -- MS. BISHOP: No.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- questioning the location and the
building aspect. Could you clarify that?
MS. BISHOP: If you'll check your eagle management plan,
you'll see that we have removed any golf course outside the
primary zone. Originally, we did, in fact, have -- and this exhibit
does show some inside the primary zone, golf course and a lake
area. We have since removed that after meeting with Fish and
Wildlife and their -- even though we offered to put up vegetation
hedges and all these kinds of issues, because the eagle, in fact,
shops to the west. His shopping ground is the mangrove areas
and the water areas, because fish is his primary source of food,
so -- but we will, in fact, move and have done that and committed
to that in our PUD, to move that outside of that area until such
time the eagle is gone, which is going to happen because the
tree is dead. The tree will come down at some point. There are
no other trees around this eagle. They were all burned in that
fire. There's only two opportunities on my site for trees big
enough to accommodate the eagle, and one is down by the
marina, which is where the eagle's nest was about seven years
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November t6, 2000
ago, and we don't believe he would go to the clump of trees to
the north because of the 15 story high-rise being built on the
other side at Arbor Trace.
So, from that perspective, we believe, we're anticipating
that if he stays, he's going down to the marina where he used to
be.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: So, the location of it, that answer
has been taken care of?
MS. BISHOP: Correct.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO:
a couple of other eagles, one in Collier's Reserve, the Germain --
there's several more in the area --
MS. BISHOP: There's a community of eagles in this area.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Right, and they seem to be
surviving quite nicely.
MS. BISHOP: They're great, and this -- like I said before, this
is an urbanized eagle. He sits right down by this marina and
hangs out there, which is kind of odd because of all the noises
and the horns and the music and -- he, apparently, likes it. So I'm
-- I'm basing my assumption on my professionals and what I've
observed, that if he stays, he's going to go to the south, and then
his zone moves with him, and then we would not be able to build
any buildings, you know, within those -- anything above two
stories in a secondary zone, nothing in his primary zone.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I just want that on the record for
sure,
MS. BISHOP: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: He, do you know for a fact that it's a
he?
Just as an aside here, aren't there
MS. BISHOP: Well, it's they. It's Mom and Pa.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: On the continuance issue, we
haven't really discussed that yet. We're going to bring that up in
a minute?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I'll make a motion now not to
continue.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Did I understand that we have stopped
to make a motion not to continue?
Okay, it's been moved by Commissioner Priddy, seconded by
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November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: Have we closed the public
meeting?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: No. We're just talking about making a
motion about not continuing this, so it means we're going to go
forward with it.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. We have a discussion
period, and it sounds --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'll get to that, if I don't get interrupted
anymore. The motion has been made by Commissioner Priddy,
seconded by Commissioner Pedone, not to continue --
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Could I make one remark in
relation to the continuance?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: No, no. We've been gentlemen up to
this point, please. You'll get an opportunity to speak in just a
moment. There's an order of procedure here, okay.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
(No response).
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It carries.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I didn't vote because -- I'm sorry,
as a point of procedure here, I have a right to say something
before we vote on it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'm sorry. You did say that.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I did. So, a real quick discussion,
so we can talk now?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Sure.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I just wanted to say that I don't
support a continuance specifically for a couple of reasons. One,
it has gone along for a long time, and two, I believe that the
group of people here recognize now that they definitely need to
get ahold of the second district association and find out what
your notices are that you-all get, because I know I get them as
an individual and as well as someone that's been involved, and
take up the offer of the petitioner here to have some discussions
with them, and by the 12th of December, you may have a number
of items that you can have resolved.
So, I don't feel that we should stop this process now. We
should let it go, because you do have a number of other
opportunities to talk about the very specifics of this, and you
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November 16, 2000
guys are organized now, so go for it, and I'm going to support no
continuation.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Any kind of question from the
petitioner? Because this is an emotional issue, I'm going to ask
if there's anybody in the public, and I'll give you an extra minute,
anything that we haven't discussed here today? Yes, sir?
MR. NOYES: I'm John Noyes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: You need to come to the podium. Have
you been sworn in?
MR. NOYES: No, I have not.
(The speaker was sworn).
MR. NOYES: I'm John Noyes, N-O-Y-E-S. I'm the
non-developer member of the board of directors of Falling Waters
North Preserve. We did not receive a notice.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: It was advertised, was it not?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. All I can tell you, that's noted,
but I can't take and act on that because we've been told that
proper notices went out to the owner of record, and I'm assuming
MR. NOYES: In our site plan, all of our designated areas to
the north, south, east and west of Falling Waters are wetlands
and preserve areas. The city or the county put the right-of-way
for Livingston Road in a wetland area and a preserve area and a
tortoise habitat.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. NOYES: That's it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: One final. Have you been sworn in, sir?
MR. HEYDA: I have not. I solemnly swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: No, we're going to let the court
reporter do it.
MR. HEYDA: All right, Ms. Court Reporter.
(The speaker was sworn).
MR. HEYDA: I was at the September--
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: State -- I'm sorry, one more thing.
MR. HEYDA: James J. Heyda.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. HEYDA: I live in Tarpon Cove on the north end.
I was at the September meeting, and I'm going to give you
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November 16, 2000
the reason that you should grant the continuance.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE.' Use the microphone there on the wall,
please.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: We've already voted on that.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: We haven't voted.
MR. HEYDA: At no time were we told that there was
construction going on in this strip over here, so those of us from
Tarpon Cove never were aware until a couple days ago. The
developer came here and he said, all of this area, except over
here where the -- or here where the buildings are going and
except for the clubhouse, no homes. I thought, great, and I was
satisfied, and for that reason alone you should go ahead and
allow these communities to come in and have their attorney be
present and present their argument to you in a legalistic way.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. ASHKETTLE: It's a question that hasn't been answered
yet,
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Will you come over here, please,
because -- this is definitely the last one. (The speaker was sworn).
MR. ASHKETTLE: My name is Phillip Ashkettle. I'm a
resident of Pelican Isle Yacht Club.
THE COURT REPORTER: Sir, spell your name, please.
MR. ASHKETTLE: P-H-I-L-L-I-P, A-S-H-K-E-T-T-L-E.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. ASH KETTLE: I -- I haven't ever received any information
on this, so the question may already be answered in the PUD, but
the question first is, the membership for this golf club until the
buildings are completed I'm assuming is the Dunes; is that
correct?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: You have to ask the questions to us,
and I'm not sure--
MR. ASHKETTLE: I want to know who the membership of
this golf club that has to be finished --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: That's not an issue to us, unfortunately.
MR. ASHKETTLE: Well, there's a bridge -- if any of you that
know Vanderbilt Road, there's a bridge just south of Pelican Isle
Yacht Club that does not have a walkway on it, that has
bicyclers regularly going across that bridge. This being a
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November 16, 2000
designed community for the membership with the buildings in
place has no impact on that. This being a golf club that's going
to have drive-in people has a huge impact on the safety of this
community, and I do think it's the responsibility of your
commission to deal with the safety of the community.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I agree. I will -- we'll ask that question
of the petitioner here.
MR. ASHKETTLE: Okay. Thank you.
MR. CORACE: Don Corace with Signature Communities.
What part of that do you specifically want me to answer?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: The safety issue that he brought up
about -- and I realize we're not talking about the membership.
He's talking about the issue of the safety of that area.
MS. BISHOP: The plans were done about -- like we said, the
plans are, in fact, completed. What has to happen is the County
has to implement the next process, which is find the money to
build this, put it out for bid and get those roads built. That's how
that's going to happen.
Now, what -- we have already agreed to the extra
right-of-way necessary for this, which does include additional
sidewalks on both sides of the road, because everybody -- I
bicycle -- I bike across that thing, and that is a very dangerous
bridge. The only way that that's going to change is for the
County to build that roadway segment and to increase those to
four lanes and to replace that bridge. That's the only way that
this is going to happen, and that is -- those plans are completed
and ready to be moved to the next level, which is permitting and
then construction, and so what needs to happen is someone
needs to get with their county commissioner.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Just to help the prior gentleman to
that, the sliver of land that seems to be in question has always
been a part of this?
MS. BISHOP: Yes, sir, it has. We showed that -- actually, we
don't show this all the way down on this map, but our other maps
have always shown that. That is where we locate our
maintenance facility, because the traffic from the maintenance
facility is going to go directly out to 41 instead of coming down
Wiggins Pass Drive or Wiggins Drive then into our project, so that
we'll keep all the truck traffic on 41 instead of coming down
Wiggins Pass Drive.
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November 16, 2000
We also have a facility there for the caddies, a caddy
facility. It's apartments or whatever you want to call it, but we
have a place for the caddies to live. Essentially a program is
going to be set up to have caddies, and that's essentially what
that is going to be, and there is another multi-family pod, but, you
know, we haven't finished our environmental permitting yet, so I
can't even tell you what I'm going to do there and how much land
I'm going to have left to even work with.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: But you are going to be available to
meet with these folks --
MS. BISHOP: Yes, sir, absolutely.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: -- between now and the Collier County
Commission?
MS. BISHOP: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. NINO: Mr. Chairman, we need to take a break to change
the court reporter.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay, just long enough to change court
reporters.
(Recess was taken.}
MS. STUDENT: Commissioner-- Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yes, ma'am.
MS. STUDENT: I believe we need to take another vote on the
issue of the continuance because Commissioner Rautio did not
vote and she should have and -- because the only way you cannot
vote is if there's some kind of voting conflict of interest.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: She doesn't want a recount?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, I move that we do
not continue this petition.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: And, Mr. Chairman, I second that
vote -- that motion.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: A motion made by Commissioner Priddy,
second by Commissioner Pedone that we not continue this item,
99 dash -- PUD 99-28.
Any further discussion?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I've satisfied myself with the
discussion. I wanted to clear up the record so we're ready for a
vote.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: All in favor of that motion, signify by
saying aye.
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November 16, 2000
Opposed? Thank you.
I will close the public hearing.
Prior to a motion, any final discussion or comment?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, I just have one
overriding concern here which really doesn't direct the effect of
this specific project because I think it's well founded and within
our current rules.
But I'd like to serve notice on planning staff, Ron in particular,
and if I can, that I would certainly like to see some policy that
this has to go forward from this board, with this board,
concerning the calculation of densities and how we include
unbuildable land in those calculations.
To my mind that intuitively is not correct. We realize there's a
background for this and reasons for that from a protection of the
environment but I would very much like to see that topic brought
forward or a future LDC or zoning change and would ask
respectfully that we have that kind of discussion with our board.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And I would -- as a property owner
and a supporter of property rights, I would certainly say it's
appropriate to have that discussion, but the outcome is not going
to be as simple as the county saying we're no longer going to do
the calculation that way without bringing a checkbook with
them.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: It may not be but I would like
to have that --
MS. STUDENT: It's fraught with legal issues, too, because if
you don't allow somebody to use land for something, you have
Bert Harris and takings issues.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Listen, I've heard Bert Harris
for years but, nonetheless, I would still like to have that
discussion.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. With that I will entertain a motion.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, I move that we send
PUD-99-28 to the Board of County Commissioners with a
recommendation of approval.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Moved by Commissioner Priddy, second
by Commissioner Pedone.
Any further discussion?
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November 16, 2000
If not, all in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
Opposed?
Motion carried. Thank you.
I will wait one second while the room clears.
(A recess was had.)
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. And with that, the next petition up
is PUD 99-13, which is the Balmoral PUD.
All those who wish to give testimony on this, please rise, raise
your right hand and be sworn in by the court reporter.
(The witnesses were sworn by the court reporter.}
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Don.
MR. MURRAY: Yes. Good morning.
MR. NINO: You can get right to the issues.
MR. MURRAY: Yes. My name is Don Murray. I'm principal
planner with the county. The major--
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Don, you're going to have to speak up.
Some of us are hard of hearing.
MR. MURRAY: I'm sorry. Is that better?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. MURRAY: Don Murray. And this PUD was continued from
November 2nd to this time to give the petitioner time to revise
the PUD document to provide certain stipulations within it.
The applicants have done or included most of the stipulations
that we wanted. They've added some new language in Sections
612(B), which is Page 27 of the new PUD document which you
should have in front of you. Sections D, E and F on Page 28 and
the second paragraph of Section 6 --
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Sir, if you wouldn't go so fast.
MR. MURRAY: -- 15(A)--
I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. We were on Page 27 --
MR. MURRAY: Okay. Let me go over it again.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- 612(B} and then you went to --
MR. MURRAY: I went to Page 28.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- Page 28.
MR. MURRAY: I went to Page 28.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: Wait a minute. Mine starts at 29.
MR. MURRAY: Yeah. I just want to point out the new
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November 16, 2000
sections, the new--
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Right. I'm circling them.
MR. MURRAY: Okay. I'll slowdown.
You've got Sections 612(B) on Page 27.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: All right.
MR. MURRAY: Sections D, E, F on Page 28.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Thank you.
MR. MURRAY: Okay. The second paragraph of Section 615(A)
on Page 29.
Staff has reviewed this. We don't have any major objections
with or concerns with the new language except in Sections E
and F on Page 28. We do believe that the language can be
adjusted. It can be worked out prior to a Board of County
Commissioners hearing.
Most of that language deals with the water distribution lines,
which is a utilities issue, and at this time I haven't received any
response regarding that language.
Because of this, staff believes that the language in the PUD
document, the way it has been revised and is adjusted, is
acceptable to staff and I would like to recommend that you
approve it with the stipulation that the language of E and F be --
that it is worked out with county staff prior to a hearing before
the Board of County Commissioners.
MR. NINO: Ron Nino for the record.
We would rather that this level of controversy not be on the
table at this time. We've met with the petitioners. This all stems
from our staff's insistence that we have the same bullet,
conditions for all these PUDs. We met these folks. We thought
they agreed to it. They sent us back something different. I'm
disappointed in that.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' I'm terribly disappointed and a little
angered myself for this is at least the third time it's been here for
US,
MR. NINO.' Nevertheless -- nevertheless, they -- the umbrage --
with all respect, the umbrage taken is not that major an issue;
however, as Don pointed out, two of the stipulations having to do
with utilities, our utilities department has a problem with it and
we can massage that.
But I'm still concerned about the omission here that they
don't acknowledge that they're going to contribute 40 feet of
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November 16, 2000
right of way from the north-south leg of Whippoorwill Lane with
no credit for impact fees. And that omission bothers me. It's an
omission that we're not prepared to support.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: So, actually, if we don't like what's
in here, we can turn it down today, right? MR. NINO: Yes, you can.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Recommendation for denial.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I mean -- excuse me.
Recommendation for denial.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Don, are you done or do you have some
more to add to that?
MR. MURRAY: Based on a conversation I had with the
applicant, I just wanted to also point out in Section D on Page 29
it does stipulate that a developer-contribution agreement be
done prior to issuing any building permits that would require the
developer to pay its fair share contribution toward any utilities,
road extension, and so forth, drainage facilities, prior to getting
those building permits so that they would -- what it's saying is
they have to do this before they can proceed at that point.
So you may want to consider that -- that out of fairness.
MR. NINO: Excuse me. Again, Ron Nino.
There's one other omission. Are we still -- we're still at five
feet side yards?
MR. MURRAY: No. They changed it.
MR. NINO: They changed it? Okay.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Just a comment. Am I the only
commissioner besides Priddy having a problem with this?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I'm having a major problem.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And I really think it should be resolved
before we hear all of this.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Listen, everybody, but where I am
right now, unless I hear some very positive things out of these
folks, I'm for turning it down and letting them start over because
we have asked them on three occasions to work things out and
get it back here before us and, quite honestly, I think that they
have just dug their heels in and decided they're not going to
cooperate like the rest of the folks, and I think that's fine. It's
their prerogative, but it's also mine to vote no.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY-' Mr. Chairman, I -- it would
seem to me that we could accomplish that by forwarding it and
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November 16, 2000
recommending denial and put the onus on them to overcome the
shortcomings.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I just -- and the reason I brought that up,
I want the feeling to go out to the petitioner before I hear them
that there's static up here, so to speak.
And with that, I do apologize for having a little discussion
before we heard from the petitioner, but I felt you ought to know
that. So, with that, we'll hear -- I'm sorry. Any further questions
of staff?
If not, we'll hear from the petitioner.
MR. WARDEBERG: For the record, my name is Greg
Wardeberg. I'm an employee of Relleum, Inc., the applicant in
this matter.
Just for your information, our planner, Michael Fernandez,
who would normally make this presentation today, is on vacation
in Spain so you're stuck with me today, so I'd like to try to get
into some of the things that can answer some of your questions
perhaps.
At the last planning commission meeting, it was
recommended that we be continued, to go back and address
some of the stipulations that staff wanted in the PUD.
We did go back and do that. In fact, there are stipulations --
the recommendation for Item Number 1, Item Number 3, Item
Number 4 and Item Number 5 were all incorporated into our
document.
In addition, as Mr. Murray has stated, we added some
additional language to further clarify that, and I'll get into the
reason for that additional language in a little bit here.
So, those four items were addressed and we had other
stipulations that other developers in that area had put in their
PUDs, so ours is nearly identical with a few clarifying thoughts in
our PUD. So, we felt after including those in our PUD, we had
addressed what staff had asked us to do before coming back to
you this time.
As of yesterday, when we received the staff report, there
were two additional stipulations that we had not seen yet.
Those are Number 2 and Number 6.
There -- we have a problem with -- with the two of those.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Excuse me. Just for clarification,
you're talking about the addendum to the petition dated the 7th
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November 16, 2000
of November?
MR. WARDEBERG: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: A three page separate from our
attachments.
MR. WARDEBERG: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Thank you. I'll be on the right page
at the right time. It's -- I don't know where.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Do you have mine maybe?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Just to ask staff, is that -- is that
correct? Those are the only two disputes we have right now;
Number 2 and Number 6?
MR. MURRAY: Yes. These -- these were the only --
MR. WARDEBERG: And the new language in --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I know. Wait. I'm sorry. We're having a
lot of discussion here and we need to talk -- even the
commissioners need to talk into the microphones so that the
court reporter can record that, but my question to staff is that
two and six is where the --
MR. MURRAY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: -- dispute is?
MR. MURRAY: Those were the two that were on the
addendum on -- that you have. CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Right.
MR. MURRAY: Those stipulations were the ones that were
left out in this PUD document and then the language in E and F
that I pointed out earlier.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. I just wanted to clear that up. I'm
sorry to interrupt.
MR. MURRAY: No problem.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And before we go on, there was some
discussion among the commissioners. Is everybody clear?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Well, I'm sharing my copy because
Mr. Abernathy doesn't seem to have one and Mr. Priddy doesn't
have one, so they're sharing and we're not sure where it got lost
in the paper--
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- but to me it's very important we
look at the exact information you're talking about, and that's why
I slowed staff down to make sure I was circling the right
information because, as we said before, we've gone over this and
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over this. And I'm always predisposed to vote for something that
I understand. And if I don't understand it, it's hard to vote yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. With that, thank you.
MR. WARDEBERG: There are a number of reasons we're
struggling with these two new stipulations and the primary
reason being is that we don't feel they belong in the PUD
document. They should be part of the developer-contribution
agreement that we will be following up with at a later date.
Committing to these is a concern for us at this point in time.
And we feel they should be addressed in the
developer-contribution agreement.
The other fact to this is none of the other PUDs that have
been approved in this particular area have these stipulations in
their PUD, so we feel like it would be unfair to single us out
separately from them.
Since we're trying to make this a global issue in that
particular section, our PUD should be no different from them as
to what's included in it as far as that -- as those stipulations now
that they're trying to add now.
We feel they can be addressed in a developer-contribution
agreement.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Where do we stand with the
developer-contribution agreement?
MR. MURRAY: From what I understand, that is underway. Mr.
Hendricks is coordinating that, and I'm not sure at this stage
because our staff is not involved with that, but it is underway.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Ron, are we likely to run into a
problem if we don't, you know, stop and require this now? Where
do we stand on that? I mean, how, if they don't go along with the
developer-contribution agreement? I mean, where does that
leave their project if they say no later on?
MR. NINO: Well, they will -- they will -- none of these -- no one
of these PUDs can proceed to development until they strike the
developer-contribution agreement with the county.
And to my knowledge, all the stipulations that we've asked for
are -- at least I thought they were in all of the other PUDs. I
didn't work on all of them directly, but there may have been -- I
think we did find an omission in one of those, an oversight.
We're going to try to make up for it in the
developer-contribution agreement relative to the 40 foot --
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relative to it being clear that the 40-foot widening for
Whippoorwill Lane is a dedication with no impact fee credit.
Remember, the -- the genesis of that is 30 feet of that 40 feet,
there's already a right of way. Why should we pay for something
that's already a right of way?
If anything, there may be some nexus to the additional ten
feet, but I'd leave that to the attorneys with the exception that
we have -- we're going to insist on that 40 feet of widening, the
peripheral lane, being a free donation to the county.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: So, in effect, we could approve this
today omitting two and six and they're still going to have to work
that out with the -- through the development agreement,
developer's agreement prior to construction?
MR. NINO: I would suggest here two and six.
MR. MURRAY: That was my understanding. That was my
understanding.
MR. NINO: Well, we would rather have it in the agreement.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, it seemed to
me a more -- a direction to the PCC would be for us to include it
as a requirement rather than exclude it, representing the will of
our concerns and the recommendation of staff.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: You've implied you're going to
agree to it in the developer's contribution agreement. Why not --
what's the tactical advantage of keeping it out of the PUD
document?
MR. WARDEBERG: Well, we think it can be negotiated, but we
believe that our PUD is different from the other PUDs that have
been approved along Whippoorwill. We are the only development
site on that corridor that has access to Livingston Road.
Initially when we bought our property pack in 1992,
Whippoorwill Lane was terminated at our south property line, so
we felt that at the time we purchased it we'd be able to vacate
that section of it and use that property.
We never had any intention, nor had we any knowledge that --
that the road would continue and then perhaps do this east-west
connector that they've been talking about. And now that's
something that the county has -- has required and we feel that --
that we should be treated a little bit differently than some of the
other developments along -- along Whippoorwill simply because
they have to have -- Whippoorwill Lane, they have to give up that
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right of way to have access.
We don't. Our primary access is off -- is off Livingston Road.
And that's how we always intended to develop the community.
Now we are in a situation where we've got roads on three
sides of our community. And that's definitely a negative impact
to us. We have to buffer our community from roads on three
sides now.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: And you're backing away from
saying we're going to agree to it in the developer's contribution
agreement. You're saying we've got to negotiate it. That's what
you --
MR. WARDEBERG: That's all part of the negotiation of the
developer-contribution agreement, yes, would be part of the
negotiation.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, it seems that
what the applicant may be saying, and you can correct me, is
that they would like to have impact fee credit against this rather
than have it be a fee donation.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Well, I suspect -- I'm not sure that --
again, part of what we're talking about, but I think that's
probably what we're looking at.
MR. NINO: That -- that plus they feel that their impact on the
water management is not as great as other properties and they
think they can cut a developer -- I suspect they think they can
cut a developer-contribution agreement that is --
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: More favorable.
MR. NINO: -- more favorable to them. And they may be able
to do that, but we want the same conditions in every PUD and
leave that negotiation between them and the BCC under the
developer-contribution agreement. You want to make sure that
it does become a part of the developer-contribution agreement.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. We're on -- are we finished
with the 40-foot strip?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'm not sure we've resolved anything.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Well, we can take it out of the
PUD.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I have a couple more to ask about
it before we start taking anything out or put anything in.
MR. WARDEBERG: From our standpoint, I've reviewed all the
other documents of the other communities that were approved in
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there, and I was not able to find either of those stipulations,
Number 2 and Number 16, in any of those documents.
So, we assume that they would be worked out as part of their
developer-contribution agreement and we would like to do the
same.
MR. NINO: My review does not support that statement.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: My memory doesn't either.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'm looking to the petitioner. Do you
want to go forward with this?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: We have the public here as
well.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: All right. I just want to make sure that --
MS. RIHS: My name is Dominique Ribs. I'm also here for the
petitioner, Relleum, Inc., and I also am in a unique position
because I'm also trustee of Arlington Lakes who just was before
you or before the board, actually, and had their PUD approved.
And in their PUD there is no such language for the 40-foot
road right of way either in Paragraph 2 or Paragraph 6, and so we
are in the same boat, that you guys are wanting consistency. We
wish to have consistency and, therefore, we're stating that it
needs to be in the developer-contribution agreement.
We're not going to fight the fact that it's 40 feet. What we are
trying to do is have the opportunity to have it in the
developer-contribution agreement where all the parameters are
addressed. We would like to have that agreement wrapped up
very quickly. If it can be done in 30 days, that would be what our
prerogative would be as well. We would like to know what it's
going to say as well.
But we have not a problem with actually the land. What we
have a problem with is how those impact fees are done or how
the unit credits are done. At this point we don't even know
whether it's according to how many units you build, whether it's
according to how many units are approved, and we may be
approved for a certain amount and not even build that many.
So, there's a lot of money that we would be technically
leaving on the table. But the bottom line is you want
consistency. It is in no one else's PUD, these two statements.
We have reviewed them. I've got Arlington's right in front of me
and it is not in there.
And, therefore, we feel that likewise we should be treated
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November 16, 2000
consistently rather than selective enforcement. We are very
agreeable to signing up on a developer-contribution agreement.
40 feet is not an issue with us.
The other reason that we are different is because on the
east-west road, that is supposedly being taken from Wally Lewis'
property for that east-west road.
The reason we've put in extra language is the fact that we
may step up further than what we're obligated and state for the
public's good and for the good of the entire Section 18, that we
may allow it to not just be a straight line on Mr. Lewis' property
but, rather, to have some curvature to it and, therefore, we would
want something for that because that's certainly not land that
we've ever anticipated in giving for a road right of way.
So, that's why we feel again it has been so clear what terms
go into the developer-contribution agreement compared to what
terms go into the PUD.
And if you're trying to be consistent, then two and six should
not be in here. Furthermore, in our PUD, it states that we must
enter into a developer-contribution agreement. We can't do
anything without doing that. So, you've protected yourself in
that regard.
One of the last issues, which I really would prefer Mr.
Wardeberg to speak to, but I will at least begin it, is in regards to
why we're different with our sewer-water distribution. And that
is because we paid when we purchased our property to be part of
the Kensington canal and to be part of the loop system that's off
of Livingston Road. And there is capacity for us on that and we
have already paid to be in that loop.
Now we're being asked to pay for a loop that we're not going
to be using, and so the only thing we're stating is that if we're
not using that loop for the sewer-water that we not pay those
additional dollars, but we do need to use the loop because
there's not capacity on the other loop that we had already paid
for, then of course we would pay for it.
And that's all that this language in this document has done.
We've included the extra stipulation that the county wanted. We
just put a clarification in there that if we're not using that loop,
that we would not pay for that. We're definitely already
contributing to the road and that is a separate -- those are
separate.
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November t6, 2000
But, basically, you're trying to go for consistency and we feel
that we are doing that. We're not going to make you go to a
quick take or something like that. That is not what our intention
is. Our intention is there's not enough parameters in the
language that you're trying to add into our PUD that is not in
anyone else's PUD because it is in everybody's developer
agreement.
And Mr. Hendricks in your real property section is working on
that. I've already read it for the Arlington Lakes and they are
revising it at this point.
So, I think that process is going along and we're -- we're
getting quite close on that process. So, we are workable with
everything but we want to be treated consistently and that
means certain items are apples and they go in PUDs and certain
items are oranges and they should go in the
developer-contribution agreement. And that's all we're asking
you to do.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. With that, I would like to ask staff
to respond to that.
MR. NINO: Mr. Chairman, we went to the planning -- we went
to the County Board of Commissioners asking them to
acknowledge this as a unified plan of-- a unified plan of
development approach and we presented the board with
stipulations that we were going to make comments to each and
every PUD.
The board adopted those stipulations and to the best of my
knowledge they were in Whippoorwill Lakes, Whippoorwill Pines.
Obviously, we missed one in Arlington.
And you know what, I think we're legally in the position to do
a scrivener's error to the Arlington PUD to add those PUDs, to
add those stipulations that the board directed us to add by
adoption. And that's what I fully intend to do.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Mr. Neil, or somebody with
reference to the language on Page 28 and your page for sanitary
sewer and potable water facilities, who's going to respond to
these, because the language looks different to me, what you've
got in Paragraph 4, talking about pro rata shares and determined
on per unit basis, et cetera, and then reading, say, even E,
talking about such costs with area wide benefits incurred by this
development shall be recognized as all of this developer's
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November t6, 2000
participation in area wide potable water distribution facilities, et
cetera, et cetera.
Is that saying the same thing or is that what you're objecting
to, because to me, reading that, I don't think it's the same
language in four that we have in this November 7th as what I
have on Page 28 of the PUD document?
And we're talking about Iooping the lines more feasible, et
cetera -- excuse me -- your dead-end mains. From my knowledge
of this, this is --
MR. MURRAY: I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I mean, we can argue about this all
day long.
MR. MURRAY: We have other language in here that I went
over in Section 615 and in other areas that were on that list of
the stipulations. And based on that checklist, they -- they did
have the language in here.
MS. RIHS: It's on your Page 29. If you look at B, C, D, that is
where your language is. The language we have added is on Page
29. If you're in A, it says, should the developer in its sole
discretion elect to contribute land for the right of way for the
east-west road connector between Whippoorwill and Livingston,
that that donation will be eligible for roadway impact fee credits
and that it would be made through a developer-contribution
agreement.
That's the added language because that is where I was
explaining to you that we were stepping up to something that we
had no obligation to because east-west road presently is on Mr.
Lewis' property which is not the property we're speaking of
today, but we're stating that it -- he is in negotiations right now
with the county, and if it does come back, that the county says
to us, you know, we'd really like you to consider allowing us to
go through a bit of your property.
We, of course, would want something for that and it would
have to be negotiated at that time. But we've agreed to pay the
money that needs to be paid for the road contribution for
Whippoorwill Lane--
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Right, and I understand that --
MS. RIHS: -- and the east-west.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- but I -- and maybe I didn't make
myself clear. I was working on Page 28 under utilities and
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questioning D and E that were circled, and if those -- D, E and F,
with reference to sewer and water collection system.
MS. RIHS.' Number 4 is Number C is on Page 29. Number 3 is
Number A.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: On Page 29, four is C and --
MS. RIHS: Yes. And three is A.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Three is A on --
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: Number C is on page --
MS. RIHS: And five is D as in dog. I thought -- wait a minute.
Yes. Yes. Five is D as in dog.
We didn't mean it to be confusing but they listed their
comments differently than what we had used in ours.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Well, how can you -- I have to think
about this for a moment, but I'm not sure when we're looking at --
if you're going to have all of the costs recognized as all of the
developer's participation in this area wide agreement, I'm not
sure that that says the same thing.
I'm sorry. I haven't had a very long time to read this and
compare them.
MR. NINO.' And our utilities department has reviewed that and
they have a problem with it as well. And that's why we've
suggested to you that your action include a consideration that
Items E and F on page either 20 or 29 are subject to change
based on the direction we get from our utilities division.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Right, and I guess -- I switched the
road over to the utilities because that's an area that I have some
familiarity with it.
MR. NINO: However, regarding the other matter that is raised
here, I believe -- I believe the east-west leg that they're talking
about perhaps being on their property, isn't that really in part of
the drainage canal that you think you might cover and become
part of the road? Isn't that currently a drainage canal?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Yes.
MR. NINO.' Why would you want -- why would you feel that you
should get impact fee credits for something that's already used
by the public or used for public purpose?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: That's a very good point, Mr. Nino.
MR. WARDEBERG: Can I address that? The canal is not for
public purpose. It is an agreement that was done by four parties;
Kensington being one, Hiawasee being one, which is a parcel
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November 16, 2000
that's a small parcel that's next to Kensington before you get to
Livingston Road, our parcel, and then 40 acres of our parcel, and
then 35 acres of what is now Whippoorwill Woods PUD.
Those are what that canal was designed to handle, those --
those four parties. So, it's not -- it's not a public -- it's not a
public use.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: So, by fixing that, what do you
expect to get?
MR. WARDEBERG: By fixing what?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: By turning that into a road right of
way, what do you expect to benefit?
MR. WARDEBERG: Well, we would like to be eligible for
impact fees given that if we attribute part of the property for the
right of way for the road which would allow that road to meander
versus a straight shot along a canal that would probably have to
be -- have a guardrail next to the canal and a straight shot of
road. We just think we can make it much more attractive if it
meanders between the two properties, so that's why we've
proposed that.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: But wouldn't your benefit back
financially still be taken care of in the developer agreement as
opposed to a -- a straight shot at road impact fee credit?
MR. WARDEBERG: Well, not if we give it up now. That's --
that's why we would like to negotiate that into the
developer-contribution agreement.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: And that drainage canal is not
going to have any impact then on -- it's going to be an integral
part of Balmoral but nobody else? Is that what you're saying
when we were talking about the drainage?
MR. WARDELBERG: Well, Kensington will -- Kensington right
now is the primary user of that canal. COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay.
MR. WARDELBERG: In the agreement, we can contribute to
the canal as well. There's some question as to whether that
canal -- actually, not the canal, but the culvert that it flows to out
to 1-75 hasn't the capacity to handle anymore water to it, so we
may not be able to contribute to that and we've looked in other
alternatives. We may end up going south through our neighbor's
property, which we are working with him on that as well, so
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there's some big questions with the capacity of the culvert out at
1-75 where that canal flows into.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: And, so, in this particular 6.12
water management, the B that they've mentioned earlier,
Balmoral shall not be deemed to benefit from area wide drainage
improvement should its drainage requirements not contribute to
the required area wide improvements?
MR. WARDEBERG: That's right. We --
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Somebody's objecting to that in the
county and you're stating that you're probably not going to
benefit from anything else that's done around you because you're
going to take care of it all on your property?
MR. WARDEBERG: That is our feeling, that we -- we -- that
when we bought the property and negotiated to have our canal
flow through it, our drainage needs would be met through that.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: And you're anticipating covering it
and making it carry more water because it's underground and
you do your various RCP's and, et cetera.
So, you're actually -- you honestly think that that statement is
clear in here, that you probably won't benefit from any other area
wide drainage improvements?
MR. WARDEBERG: Yeah, we've already paid for that use. And
my background is as a civil engineer. We can put that canal into
a conduit and not affect the capacity upstream of Kensington.
Obviously, that would be a huge concern of doing that --
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Right.
MR. WARDEBERG: -- as we don't want to flood ourselves out,
so there are some, you know, engineering issues that need to be
looked at to do that, but we've had some preliminary calculations
done and that is doable, to put it in a pipe. Right now it flows out
to one pipe under 1-75.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. I'm not totally convinced but
I understand what you're saying.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE.' Any further questions for the petitioner?
Okay. I think we will hear from the public and then probably
ask you back. Okay?
Speakers, Ron, from the public?
MR. NINO: Rich Yovanovich is registered to speak.
MR. YOVANOVICH: Commissioners, I spoke to you the last
time regarding this specific petition.
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I represent several of the developers in that area. One is
Whippoorwill Woods. I did the PUD for Arlington Lakes.
I can tell you that the intention always was when we went
through with that PUD for Arlington Lakes, as was explained to
me by my client and by Miss Rihs, that that 40 feet in front of
Arlington Lakes was going to be donated to the county for
nothing.
There was never any impact fees contemplated for that 40
foot in front of the Arlington Lakes project. If it didn't make it
into the PUD, that -- I apologize for that, but that was an
oversight and was never an intention that that would be
separately dealt with in a developer-contribution agreement.
That was always going to be given to the county for free as part
of our solution to a global problem.
In fact, Whippoorwill Woods doesn't have -- Whippoorwill
Woods is the first PUD out there that has none of these
obligations, including it has no obligation to donate any right of
way, it has no obligation to participate in solving the utility's
easements issues and it has no obligation to solve the roadway
issue yet.
They have voluntarily agreed to spearhead and take this
forward by submitting a developer-contribution agreement to the
county that addresses not only the construction of Whippoorwill
Lane but also the construction of upsized utility facilities to deal
with the entire problem.
The issue here is we have no objections to the density that
they want in their project. We have no objections to their
project. Our concern is that everybody along Whippoorwill Lane,
who benefits from Whippoorwill Lane, and everybody who
benefits from the utilities and everybody who shares in the
drainage issue in that whole area contribute to resolving the
issues. And they do it fairly.
That needs to be in the PUD. We cannot continue to be held
hostage to developer-contribution agreements outside of our
control that requires everybody along Whippoorwill Lane to do
what is right, which is to resolve the utility issue, resolve the
roadway issue, to resolve the drainage issue.
All three of those need to be dealt with in the PUD. They must
have obligations to do that and they must have obligations to do
it quickly.
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November 16, 2000
For instance, they want the flexibility in the utility provision,
and I know utility staff has some issues with it, but they want the
flexibility to decide where they want to go. Do they want to go
Livingston Road for their wastewater, do they want to go
Whippoorwill for their wastewater?
Well, we're designing the pipe right now for the wastewater.
We need to know. We can't continue to wait. They need to have
a time frame for when they're going to make their decision.
If they decide they do not want to use the wastewater line at
Whippoorwill Lane, then they should not pay for it, but they need
to decide. And this -- this provision is just too ambiguous and we
don't know when that decision is going to be made.
Frankly, the loop system, the fact that they're going to
connect the two, I don't know what value that has, but it
certainly -- it needs to be looked at. They can't say, well, that's
our total contribution. They may have more of an impact. I
mean, I don't know.
Those things need to be addressed in the interim. I -- I'm not
an engineer, but my guess is all of the properties in that area
contribute to the drainage issues in that area, and all the
properties in that area need to be part of the solution.
I don't think they could simply say, well, we've got the
Kensington canal, we're going to -- that's all we have to do. I
don't know what the answer is, what the Water Management
District is going to require regarding that issue, but they need to
be part of the solution and they need -- they need to say in their
PUD they will be part of that solution, both in the short term and
in the long term, because there are some short-term issues for
development while Livingston Road will be built.
And they need to participate in resolving some short-term
issues for properties in that area as well as the longer term
issues. And none of that is addressed in the PUD.
And I think that was the intent when the Board of County
Commissioners sat down and discussed stipulations to address
those major issues.
You know, over time just because those stipulations were
agreed to -- I don't know how long ago now. It almost seems like
a year. You know, you can fine tune them as you go along. You
realize that maybe you didn't address it properly in what went to
the board but the concept was there.
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And I think what Ron was saying, we need to make sure that
this PUD addresses the concepts that came from the board and
those concepts were a global solution to Whippoorwill Lane
roadway utility and drainage issues, and that's all we're asking
for, that that be in the PUD.
The clients that I have represented to this board through
Arlington Lakes always understood that that was what their
obligations were, whether it made it into the PUD or not. They
always understood that that was their obligation and we want it
to be the obligation of not only this property owner, but anybody
else in that area, including Livingston Village.
And we don't want this to continue to drag out and make it
subject to a separate developer-contribution agreement. We
want them to -- then we want an obligation in here that basically
says what the developer-contribution agreement will say.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: With that said, do we have the
appropriate language either from staff or Mr. Yovanovich or
somebody to put in here? Do we have to delay? Do we have to
deny? What do we have to do to make this work right?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Why wouldn't we just forward this
on with approval if that's what the board wants to do with staff's
stipulation? And that's not what they're asking for, but they can
either agree between now and then, work some of these things
out or they can fight it out two weeks from now with the Board of
County Commissioners but that's what my inclination is.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Well, as -- I guess what I feel here is
we've got -- they come here looking for a solution and, of course,
my inclination is -- is to -- I would support a motion or recommend
denial and make them go back and start over again.
But having said that, there's members of the public that want
to speak. Let's hear them and then we'll have the discussion at
the end.
Ron, can we have the rest of the members of the public?
MR. NINO.' I don't have any registered.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: No. I made a mistake. It's the next
one. Sorry.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: No registered speakers?
MR. YOVANOVICH: I just -- can I clarify one thing, Mr. Wrage?
I know I'm done but I just want to -- we're not asking you to
deny this petition or continue it. We just want you to direct the
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November 16, 2000
petitioner to work with staff to make the language work. And if
it doesn't work out, let's battle it out.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Well, I can't force them to do that, but I
can recommend denial which makes them go back to negotiate.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Done that twice before.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I will take members of the public. No?
Okay.
With that, any final questions from the commissioners of
either the staff or the petitioner? No?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, I realize that
there's a long history on this that I haven't been privy to;
however, I've caught up pretty fast.
It would seem to me it would be appropriate for us to have a
clean package in front of us to make a vote on rather than having
all these loose ends and all you -- if we tend to send loose ends
on to another body to resolve, I don't think we're perhaps doing
as much as we could or should be doing. So, my inclination is
just to let you know.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Thank you.
Final comments from the petitioner?
MS. RIHS: I just want to clarify that on the Arlington Lakes in
their agreement to donate the 40 feet for road right of way even
though it was not in their PUD, that that is correct.
But in their PUD they did have special language and this is the
same thing that we're requesting today, that stated that because
they were giving a flow way, that that would be their total
contribution to the drainage issues and costs throughout Section
18. And I can read you that language if you'd like.
And what we're here today is asking the same thing. And
basically Rich has said the same thing. If we don't use the sewer
off of Whippoorwill Lane, we shouldn't pay for it.
What I understand Rich as saying is that he would like to
know within 30 days are we going to use it off Whippoorwill Lane
or not? If we're not, tell him. That way they don't deal with
raising up the capacity to serve us. And we're fine.
I'm stating that if you go with the PUD language you're trying
to put in, that you already blocked that decision and basically
have stated your decision is you're going to go with it whether
you're using it or not.
And the only thing we're asking you to state is that we don't
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November 16, 2000
use it, we don't pay. And that's the only thing we've asked for.
So, if we do use it, we are going to contribute just like
everyone else, but if we don't, we don't pay and we understand
that you're wanting to have a time frame on that and that's not a
problem.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay. And it would not be a
problem if we approved this with staff stipulations because then
your time frame becomes when this hits the Board of County
Commissioners. We can take care of it that way.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I'm not totally convinced that the
words that are in here really mean what the words are on the
addendum. I'm just not convinced that that's going to achieve
the purpose of what we've been discussing here today. That's
why I'm having difficulty with this.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: But if our motion -- if our motion
includes the language that the Board of County Commissioners
approved and the staff stipulations, then they're under the gun
between now and the Board of County Commissioners meeting to
give the answers that everyone else is wanting.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: But what I don't understand is I
think this is the third time it's been back before us and on the
other two occasions we told them to include the language the
way it was supposed to be.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Actually, I think one time he didn't
show up.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: That's true.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Didn't give us the courtesy--
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: That's right. That one time no one
showed.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- of showing up.
MR. WARDEBERG: No, that's not true.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: We're not going to argue with you
but I think what we're trying to tell you collectively is we're not
happy with you-ali's attitude. We were stood up one time. This
is the third time we've heard it.
Our options today is to deny this and let you come back
another time or send it on with the verbiage that's going to force
you to make some decisions.
And I'm inclined to force you to make some -- give you your
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November 16, 2000
approval but force you to make some decisions before the county
commission meeting.
MR. WARDEBERG: I'd like to clarify one -- one thing. We have
not -- we did not not show up for one meeting. We -- we --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Well, I was here one day when it
was on the agenda and you were not here. Mr. Fernandez was
not here.
MR. WARDEBERG: Well --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Well, in fairness, it turned out
that Passidomo's law firm had sent an E-Mail or a fax to the
planning department at six o'clock in the evening, which they
didn't know about, so -- the planners didn't know about it, so they
came ready to go and Fernandez thought that Passidomo's
people had gotten it continued as I recall that. So, it's de
minimis anyway.
MR. WARDEBERG: Well, that's news to us.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Personally, yeah, and I'm not sure that's
a major issue here.
MR. WARDEBERG: Well, just to give you a little history, we
were -- we were in front of the planning commission before when
we had just our 40-acre piece of Balmoral. We had since bought
the other 20 acres that we've added to it, which was the
Alexandria PUD, so that's why we're back in front of you. We
have no --
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Alexandria doesn't exist anymore.
It's all --
MR. WARDEBERG: It's part of Balmoral now.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
MR. WARDEBERG: Yeah. We have no problem paying our fair
share. The problem that we've got is we have some alternatives
that the people on Whippoorwill do not have. We have sewer and
water out on Livingston Road which we thought we were going
to have access to by our purchase agreement when we bought
the property.
We are different from that respect. The 40 feet that Arlington
Lakes is going to give up for Whippoorwill Lane, they have to give
it up. They have to have access. We have our access off of
Livingston Road.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: But you also have access to
Whippoorwill Lane.
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November 16, 2000
MR. WARDEBERG:
something that we favor.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY:
one.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yes.
petitioner?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY:
That's true but that's not necessarily
Well, that's back to Fernandez
Let's --final questions of
Close the public hearing.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Let's close the public hearing and I'll
entertain a motion.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Mr. Chairman, I move that we
forward Petition PUD-99-13 to the Board of County
Commissioners with a recommendation of approval with the
stipulations that were passed by the Board of County
Commissioners approximately a year ago and with staff
stipulations.
MR. NINO: Would you add on any stipulations currently in the
PUD inconsistent, that would be deleted?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yes, I would do that.
Any stipulations and their PUD document that is inconsistent
with the direction of the county commission. Is that what you're
asking?
MR. WARDEBERG: Yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Do I hear a second?
COMMISSIONER YOUNG: Second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It's been moved by Commissioner Priddy,
seconded by Commissioner Young. Any further discussion?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Yes, sir, Mr. Chairman. I would
prefer that we forwarded recommending denial and let this -- all
this transpire between now and the commission meeting. I'm not
sure any of us understands exactly. We've been months and
months trying to figure out the language and I don't know that
the light is turned on brightly here today.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: But, Commissioner Abernathy, I
think if we deny it, it doesn't help the process between now and
then because they're going to do nothing between now and then
except show up to the county commission meeting and make
this same argument before them, where this way, they've got to
maneuver and get some of these other deadlines and what
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November t6, 2000
they're going to do and what they're not going to do in place
before then.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Do you not think that it would catch
the attention of the county commission if five or more of us voted
no on the -- and we want it denied and you all want it approved?
Don't you think that would get somebody's attention?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any final discussion?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Better withdraw your motion.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Let's vote on it. Call the vote.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' Call the vote.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' Call the question.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' I've been voted down before.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Everybody clear now?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Call the question.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I'm going to be inclined to -- to probably
not support the motion basically the same reason as
Commissioner Abernathy because I'm -- I'm not totally clear and I
would rather see --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I'm not going to be upset for losing.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I know.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: The same thing.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: You haven't lost yet. Got to have a
recount.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Got two down here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: All those like sign opposed?
I believe that is five to two?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Five to two.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Five to two.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE.' I'd like to make a motion that we
recommend denial to the Collier County Board of Commissioners
for Petition PUD 99-13.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Second.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Never say we didn't have humor.
A motion made by Commissioner Pedone, seconded by
Commissioner Priddy.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE: He is a gracious loser, isn't he?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yeah.
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November 16, 2000
Any further discussion?
All those in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
Opposed? I believe that was unanimous.
Moving on to Conditional Use 2000-11. I believe that is
Longon Lakes, Number 2.
All those who wish to give testimony in this, please rise, raise
your right hand and be sworn in by the court reporter.
(The witnesses were sworn by the court reporter.}
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
I forgot to inform the public, all the public that makes us stay
after one o'clock have to buy us all lunch. But, anyway,
MR. REISCHL: Fred Reischl, Planning Services.
This is a request for an expansion to an existing conditional
use for earth mining.
The location you can see on the visualizer. On the broader
map to get you oriented, Collier Boulevard or 951 and Immokalee
Road. It's the location of the site and more specifically
Immokalee Road to the north. Some roads you may recognize as
reference, Friendship Lane and Platt Road.
The northern portion is the portion that was approved and is
in operation, and what you're looking at today is this southern
hundred and two acres, which is currently citrus grove similar to
Phase I.
I can't fit the entire thing on but, again, this is Phase I. It's an
older aerial currently being dug and Phase 2, again, citrus and ag
operations. That's before you now.
Traffic impacts; the current operation has a deceleration lane
from Immokalee Road into the site.
In this staff report, I mention that it should -- this operation
should cause approximately 80 to 100 truck trips per week day,
and this should not be considered necessarily in addition to the
existing Longon I because, again, this is like a Phase 2.
As they're currently digging, they're moving southward. So --
because they have more area to dig, they may get more than the
one hundred trips per day, but not necessarily a hundred percent
doubling of the number because they're going to use the same
access, going to use the same equipment to fill the trucks.
So, it will be an additional number of trucks but it will not be
the full. It won't be -- Phase I plus Phase II.
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November 16, 2000
This segment of Immokalee Road is operating at a level of
Service C. However, you know that west of Collier Boulevard
that's operating at level of Service E, that is currently under
construction, and from Wilson Boulevard west to Collier
Boulevard, that is scheduled to begin four laning in 2001.
You notice on the stipulations, the first stipulation I had,
blasting is not permitted. I carried that forward from Longon I,
Phase I of this.
The petitioner has informed me that the sand that they're
trying to excavate in a portion of two is under a layer of cap rock
and there may be one or two times that they would have to blast
to shatter that rock and be able to get to the sand underneath.
The -- I spoke to our engineering department and, basically,
they expressed the idea that staff is neutral on blasting, that
every time there is blasting, a county inspector is on site with a
seismograph and they monitor the -- the blast.
In your packet, you have the one E-Mail I received, an
objection. Mrs. Ball went through a number of her concerns and
she's here today to speak also.
I just also wanted to state for the record that this is in the
rural agricultural area; however, it is not subject to the final
order. Earth mining is not one of the prohibited uses in the final
order.
For the previous reasons, staff recommends approval. The
EAC did not hear this conditional use because the citrus grove
qualified the site -- previous use as a citrus grove qualified the
site for a waiver from an environmental impact statement;
therefore, the EAC was not required to hear it.
However, the EAC was scheduled to hear the excavation --
commercial excavation permit again at the first meeting -- at the
meeting in November for which there was no quorum. The EAC
will hear the excavation permit at the meeting in December.
I didn't feel I should delay this. There are two separate
permits. The excavation permit depends on the conditional use
not vice versa; therefore, I felt it was appropriate to bring the
conditional use before you, before the EAC for the excavation
permit.
And -- that's right. The petitioner has advised me that the --
the Department of Environmental Protection has certified
samples of the sand that they've excavated from this site as
Page 1t6
November 16, 2000
beach renourishment quality and I did have a sample of it here.
MR. NINO: Oh, is that yours? I threw it in the wastepaper
basket.
MR. REISCHI.: Let the record show that Mr. Nino is destroying
evidence.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' We've heard beach quality
sand before.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Before you go any further, I do
realize that I need to make a disclosure. I spoke to Mr. Glenn
Simpson in the hallway, who is one of the owners of Big Island
Excavating, and he had shown me these particular samples that
we're looking at.
So, I just want to make sure that's on the record.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' I, too, have a disclosure. I spoke to
Patty Swilley, a resident in the area, concerning this project.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE.' Question, Fred. And I know it says here,
but I just want to clarify that the ingress and egress is within the
internal part of this project directly on Immokalee Road; right?
MR. REISCHL: To my understanding that's correct and that's
what's been expressed to me by the petitioner. CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO.' And you had said that -- we talked
about this before. Wasn't this the one they were going to make
sure that the dirt road was watered down on a regular basis and
were protecting the children --
MR. REISCHL.' Good question.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: -- standing at the corner and a
number of things? I'm concerned about this one particular E-Mail
here. It doesn't sound like some of the things we thought were
going to happen happened.
MR. REISCHL: Okay. That was another one that's just off this
map, farther west on Platt Road.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay.
MR. REISCHL: That one has not been developed at this time
and I recently heard from an attorney for that owner who
apparently wants to come back and amend the conditional use.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Any further questions of staff?
Can we hear from the petitioner?
MR. ANDERSON: Good afternoon, commissioners.
For the record, my name is Bruce Anderson on behalf of the
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November 16, 2000
applicant.
I'll try to be very brief and then after the public spoke, we'll be
back to answer any questions that you may have.
I would emphasize that this application is for one of the few
land uses that is still allowed in the agricultural rural area under
the state imposed moratorium and I would also emphasize that
the agricultural rural and conservation zoning districts in Collier
County are the only zoning districts that allow for earth mining.
And that by virtue of these two factors there is a presumption
in favor of earth mining on agricultural rural land such as this.
I'd also point out that unlike other land uses, earth mining
is not a use that can be located just anywhere. You have to dig
where mother nature saw fit to locate suitable soil.
This expansion will not result in any new or additional trips
from that which presently exists. This new expansion area will
primarily be used for the excavation of beach compatible sand
and percolation sand for drain fields.
Now, it is important to emphasize that this is the only inland
source in Collier County of beach compatible sand that has been
approved by the Department of Environmental Protection for use
on Collier County's beaches.
The next closest site for beach compatible sand is in an area
known as Ortona, which is northwest of La Belle in Hendry
County.
At current prices, the beach compatible sand from Longon
Lake's excavation is $13.35 per cubic yard for material and
hauling costs.
This is to be contrasted with the cost of the county to get
sand from Hendry County, which would be $16.05 per cubic yard
for the material and hauling costs.
That's a cost savings of $3 per cubic yard that the public
would realize. And with the stockpile of 50,000 cubic yards that
the county typically keeps for erosion emergencies, that would
be a total savings of $150,000, plus the excavation in Collier
County will pay road impact fees.
And the excavation in Hendry County will not pay any road
impact fees even though they would be using our roads to haul
sand in and out of the county. Clearly, approval of this petition is
in the public interest.
Like I say, I'll be happy to answer any questions that you may
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November 16, 2000
have now or later.
Also with me is Mr. Simpson and Jeff Davidson, the project
engineer. We posted up here a map of the area and I would just
ask that if any members of the public speak on this, that they
point out where they live in relation to the excavation site.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any questions of the petitioner at this
time?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Yeah, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Anderson --
MR. ANDERSON: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: -- 50,000 cubic yards, how
many truck loads would that be? How many cubic yards in a
truck? Three?
MR. PRIDDY: 18.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: So, that would be quite a few
truck trips if you have to replenish that all at once.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Any further questions?
If not, Ron, members of the public.
MR. NINO: Mike and Millie Ball.
Just step out to the podium and state your name and spell it
and point out on the map where you live as requested, please.
MS. BALL: Okay. Millie Ball. I worked all night. Oh, you want
me to point -- Ball, like in basketball; B-a-I-I.
I live -- oh, let's see -- right there.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MS. BALL: I'm not an eagle but I do value my habitat. I tried
to write a letter to contain all the concerns so --
I'm very concerned about the proposed expansion of the
Longon Lake's earth mining operation. It will have significant
impact on neighbors living on Platt, Pantera, Fawn and
Friendship Lanes. I base this assessment on current operation
at the Longon earth mining pit.
In reviewing the engineering report prepared by Chanow -- Mr.
Chrzanowski, I believe some additional items need to be
addressed with consideration to the environmental impact.
Noise. Earth mining -- earth moving equipment can be heard
from early in the morning, 5:30 a.m., until late at night every day
of the week, even Saturday and Sunday. The sound of motors
and the beep, beeping of the back-up alerts can be heard over a
mile away.
Page t19
November 16, 2000
Since the proposed location of the new pit will be even closer
to residential areas, these sounds will change from annoying to
obnoxious.
Working people and school children are entitled to a decent
nights sleep and the use of screened in porches. Some of the
houses in the area are not air conditioned and people must leave
their windows open for ventilation. There will be no escape from
the increased noise.
Since the FLUE policy, 5.4, requires land use to be compatible
with the surrounding area, this increase in noise is not
consistent with -- with the quiet residential area. Another
problem is the sporadic nature of the noise which is even more
disturbing and the constant roar.
When the petition for the original pit was filed back in
February 1999, the planning commission was assured that -- I'm
quoting here -- the petitioner states the volume of truck traffic
with its associated noise will be less than that from the existing
citrus grove during season. However, the earth mining operation
can't function year round. And I have this as an attachment.
Neighbors at that time were verbally assured that the pit
would operate only during normal business hours during the
week with a rare Saturday and no Sunday operation.
These commitments were not kept. It's like comparing a mini
mart that's only busy during Christmas break to a Super
Wal-Mart. Five semi truck tractor-trailer loads per season
compared to 250 dump trucks a day is a big difference. It's a
high intensity use.
Dust. Management of even more flying dust is not addressed.
Excavation plus planned removal of vegetation will create even
more dust problems. Daily watering of roads inside the pit area
and other erosion control measures such as planting sod or trees
needs to be instituted and closely monitored to limit excavation
of existing asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Dust also
creates more work for air conditioning units and makes
housekeeping more time consuming.
Since the water table in the neighborhood has been lessened,
it takes even more rain to wet down Friendship Lane. The
ground is so dry, the rain is absorbed more quickly than in
previous years.
Potential for impact on residential wells. The original Longon
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November 16, 2000
Lake site's current reservoir size is estimated to cover an area of
approximately 12 football stadiums with a permitted depth of 30
feet deep.
I tried to figure out what the -- what the combined water
usage would be with the proposed increase. And it says that
Jungle Larry's -- I think everybody's been to Jungle Larry's. It's
been -- Jungle Larry's is 52 acres. Okay. The combined total
acreage is roughly two hundred and sixty something.
That's roughly the size of -- five times the size of Jungle
Larry's, a three-story building five times the size of Jungle
Larry's. That's a lot of water.
Now, I'm not an engineer. I can't tell you that's not going to
affect the water table but common sense, you know, I have some
concerns. I'm not an engineer though. I'm a nurse.
Since it is a known fact that water follows the pathway of
least resistance, it is hard to believe that the use of that much
water would not impact the water table. All residences are
dependent on wells to supply water for personal and agricultural
use.
Already there has been a noticeable decrease in standing
water in the yards and ditches along Immokalee Road compared
to areas less than a mile away. One well has had to be replaced.
Residents have noticed an increase in brown sediment that has
never been a problem before the pit became operational.
If the proposed lake is dug almost twice as deep and triples in
size, there will be a decrease in the quality and quantity of
available water. There's also -- there's also contamination from
leasing -- leaking diesel fuel and other chemicals.
Some truck operators are independent contractors and it
would be difficult to adequately supervise and prevent accidental
spills.
Established precedent. A proposed earth mining project --
this is the one you were asking about -- to be located less than a
quarter mile from Longon Lakes II was addressed in the February
8th, 2000 county commissioner meeting.
A list of restrictions was instituted at that time. And I have
that as an attachment. It should be modified to allow work only
from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and require paving of both roads if
any dump truck traffic is permitted.
Another problem is if this thing is approved, then they have --
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November 16, 2000
they can use that as a justification to come back and work on
that other pit. It's not going -- right now it's not operational.
Truck traffic on Friendship and Platt Lanes. Both roads are
private dirt roads, maintained at the courtesy of a few local
residents at their own expense and time. The intersection of
Immokalee Road and Friendship does not allow two cars to pass
side by side.
Use of these roads was not addressed in the environmental
study. One landowner has already been told dump trucks could
use both roads because they adjoin the property. Since turn
lanes have already been established on Immokalee Road for
Longon Lake I, only access to the current pit should be permitted
if this expansion is approved.
However, since any dump truck use of Friendship Lane would
create additional hardship for current residents, this concern
needs to be specifically restricted. A minimum requirement of
paving and maintaining these roads in addition to improvements
already established by the county commission would lessen
environment impact, but traffic would still remain troublesome.
Immokalee Road is already recognized as one of the most
dangerous roads in Florida. Dump trucks are dangerous because
of their heavy loads prevent them from stopping quickly to avoid
accidents. At least 20 elementary age school children catch the
bus at the intersection of Immokalee and Friendship Road.
The road shoulder is very limited by a ditch and heavy traffic
use. A traffic study should be considered to validate the heavy
truck traffic near the pit and also the number of residents using
Friendship Lane.
In addition, a number of vehicles must be parked along
Friendship Lane near Immokalee Road at the school bus, arrival
and departure times, to allow for parents to be available to
monitor children at these times.
The school bus for a handicapped child stops on Friendship
Lane because of the child's limited ability to walk. Other people
commute to work and must be afforded access to Immokalee
Road via Friendship Lane. Platt Road between Friendship and
Immokalee Road is not a reasonable detour because it
deteriorates with potholes and mud.
Management of water runoff. Roadside ditches are not deep
enough if excess water overflows onto the road area. Need to
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November 16, 2000
fender off access to earth mining operations. All access is
including gates need to be monitored and secured to limit access
to pedestrians and ATVs.
And another concern is loss of property values and
aesthetics. Our property is certainly less available with a noisy
dust earth mining operation in the neighborhood. It would be
difficult to sell a house within earshot of a commercial earth
mining operation. This property has previously been a quiet
orange grove.
The current pit is shielded from Immokalee but the neighbors;
that is, those along Friendship Lane have an unobstructed view
of bare dirt and earth mining equipment.
Impact on livestock and exotic animals. Current -- constant
noise and dust is distressful on horses, hogs, cows, chickens and
panthers, all of which are kept outdoors.
Noxious smell. Diesel fumes would now replace the smell of
orange blossoms, especially if the pit is expanded even closer to
our neighborhood.
And, finally, the lack of a closer plan since -- since the original
pit was supposed to be completed quickly and then converted to
an RV park and the plan has apparently changed. I believe there
should be a date established by which time no additional dirt
could be removed and the area would be resodded to an
aesthetically pleasing landscape.
A bond could be required to assure that the pit would not be
left an eyesore in the event of resale, bankruptcy or land being
donated back to the county.
I'd like you to know how many people live in the
neighborhood. Friendship Lane, I just did the south part, which is
the part that's really a concern. Friendship Lane has ten homes
with 18 adults and t2 children. Platt Road is 18 homes with 42
adults and 11 children. Pantera Lane has four homes with eight
adults and two children.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Pam --
MS. BALL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: -- and not that all that isn't pertinent, I
would ask you to sum up. I have offered you a lot of latitude in
time frame here.
MS. BELL: Okay. Well, that makes a total of 37 homes, 79
adults and 32 children. And all the homes are single family units
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November 16, 2000
located on at least five acres with private wells. Most residents
commute to work via Friendship to Immokalee Road.
I have talked with our neighbors as our mutual work
schedules permit. Over half of them have signed a petition
against the approval of Excavation Permit Number 59.755,
Attachment 3.
I ask that you seriously consider the problems created by the
failure to turn down this addition to the earth mining pit. It is not
welcome nor compatible with the surrounding neighborhood.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: One question. One question, ma'am.
Have -- and particularly the issue of hours of operation, have
you talked to code enforcement about that? MS. BELL: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Well, they do have a limitation, I think,
hours of operation, and I would -- you know.
MS. BELL: And they have -- that's good. That's something
that --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And we will ask the petitioner that
question also.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' I have one question.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And one question from Commissioner
Abernathy.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: You said something about
Longon I as a part of its conditional use approval, there was a
time frame after which it would be converted to an RV park?
MS. BALL: No, sir. That was the -- that was never put down in
writing. We're -- but that was a general understanding message
that was put out.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: On the record?
MS. BALL: That's hearsay. And that's why I want to make
sure I put everything on the record so that we don't have this
problem.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: The RV park was not part of
the record?
MS. BALL: No, sir. And these are them.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I have some questions for the
petitioner.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Go ahead.
MR. PRIDDY: Glenn, probably you would be best to answer
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November t6, 2000
these. What's -- what's your projected rather than build out, dig
out for this second phase of this project?
MR. SIMPSON: Well --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: First give your name for the court
reporter.
MR. SIMPSON: Yeah. I'm sorry. My name is Glenn Simpson.
I'm one of the owners of Big Island Excavating.
One of the things that I think is important to understand here
is that this isn't -- it isn't a regular fill operation which is what to
this point we started out as a fill operation and it's quite
intensive.
We've since bought a 640 acre piece down off of Oil Well
Grade, an existing mining operation, and moved all of our fill
operations to there.
What we're proposing for this property is that there's some
very valuable and unique materials on this site. It's a lower
volume use but it's a much less intensive use of the property
than it would be if we had a regular fill mine on it.
Because it's -- it has a lower intensity, that means that it does
stretch the time line out. It would depend on the -- basically, the
consumption of the beach sand and the specialty materials
within the community to determine that, you know, based on the
supply that we have.
But -- but just some estimations that we have right now, we
would anticipate that it would be somewhere between ten to 15
years before it was completely consumed. Now, that's the
longest projections we have.
Looking at some of the consumption rates with a little higher
consumption rate, about eight to ten years would be the
maximum that it would be in operation.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay. And how long before you
finish with Phase I? Are you about done?
MR. SIMPSON: We're finished with Phase I, the surface
material. The only thing that were left is to get the shell and
sand out of it.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY-- How long before you're done there?
MR. SIMPSON: I'd say maybe a year to two years at the most.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay. What's the -- what do you
intend to do with that hole when you're done? Is it going to fill
up with water, be a lake, what --
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November 16, 2000
MR. SIMPSON: Well, there's a couple of things. As far as
commercially, what we intend to do with it is at this point put a
couple of houses on it and fish a lot. We've incorporated some
areas that was part of the old reservoir, the orange grove that is
really productive land for producing fish.
But as far as the effect it would have, number one, it's right
on top of the primary recharge area for Collier County according
to the Water Management District studies that have been done
and some information that has come from Collier County Natural
Resources.
We have been talking with the South Florida Water
Management, Big Cypress Basin. We anticipate putting in a weir
in the Golden Gate canal that runs along the east side and
putting a back pump in there so that when the water is available
within that canal, when there's excess water available, we could
pump it back and use the lake as a storage area, which would
take some of the peaks off the storm downstream and would also
by stacking the water higher than the natural water table would
increase the recharge and actually increase the water available
for wells and for the water supply.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. What I was really looking for
was the short answer, that within a year or two years that's
going to have water in it, which is not going to affect the water
table for these people's wells the way it has over the last two
years.
MR. SIMPSON: Well, the -- this -- the assumption is that this
has affected the water table --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Well --
MR. SIMPSON: .- because we have -- we don't discharge any
water. All water is kept on site.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Let's assume that I think that it's
affected their wells. In two years that hole in the ground is going
to have water in it?
MR. SIMPSON: Yes, sir. Actually, it's only just cells that don't
have water because all the other areas are where we store the
water on site. So, it's just a small area that doesn't have water.
And we move that about every year to two years. Then it's just
one cell at a time and there will be four cells on this site.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay. Hours of operation. With the
approval of this new condition you can live with seven o'clock in
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November 16, 2000
MR. SIMPSON:
MR. REISCHL:
MR. SIMPSON:
problem.
the morning and eight o'clock in the morning, nine o'clock in the
morning?
MR. SIMPSON: Well, the existing stipulation, I think -- and I
have to ask staff to look on the report, but I think that it's 6:30 in
the morning until 7:30 in the evening. Is that correct or is it 6:30
in the evening?
MR. REISCHL: I don't recall there being any restrictions on
hours of operation in Phase I.
It might be the excavation plan.
Okay. That might be the excavation.
That's probably where it is. But that's no
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: What I'm asking you for is before
we make some up, do you want to throw out something you can
live with in the way of hours of operation?
MR. SIMPSON: Yes, sir. The -- what's in the existing
excavation permit, and I believe it's 6:30 to 7:30. I could be
wrong but that's not a problem at all.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And hours of operation for trucks
coming in and out?
MR. SIMPSON: That's basically the same. There is one -- one
thing that the -- one stipulation that the county has put on the
excavation permit and that's if there were any municipal jobs.
Sometimes they have to do things like beach renourishment.
They have to put the material out at low tide.
Sometimes road construction, they prefer to do it at night
because the traffic is a lot lower impact to the traffic and the
roads.
So, there was a stipulation regarding municipal jobs that they
could specify different hours of operation if it was solely going to
a municipal job, but that's the only time that it would outside
those normal operating hours.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: That would almost need to be in an
emergency situation, not a standard operating procedure, would
it?
MR. SIMPSON: Right. Not a normal operation, but the
stipulation is there if the municipality required it we could
operate outside those hours.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, what days of
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November 16, 2000
the week? I didn't hear that addressed?
MR. SIMPSON: Five days a week. Sometimes we do
maintenance on the equipment and -- excuse me. Six days a
week. We do maintenance on the equipment on Saturdays and
sometimes Sunday afternoon, so we do move it around a little
bit, but as far as the trucks, there's -- you know, that's all just
during the normal five-day work week and very light on Saturdays
if there is any.
But we need the -- the weekends really to do our maintenance
and preparing a water management system and things like that.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Mr. Simpson, has Bobby
Cadenhead gone out of the beach sand business? MR. SIMPSON: I hope so. Excuse me.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' Do you have a contract?
MR. SIMPSON: With the --
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY.' With the county?
MR. SIMPSON: With the county, no, sir. We're in negotiation
with the county, but we do have contracts with a couple private
concerns that the DEP has allowed us to -- in fact, they're --
they're giving blanket certifications if the material comes out of
our pit.
Hideaway Beach is getting some and last year we sold over
10,000. I think it was somewhere in the neighborhood of 16,000
yards to the county for the Hideaway Beach area, and some of it
went down on 7th Avenue South, I believe, along where they
were doing the improvements.
We do have some that's being -- that's being sold up in the
City of Bonita for the Bonita Beach area. But that's -- there's
quite a bit of demand but it's not a large volume. It's just
something that's constant.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: That's coming out of an
existing site?
MR. SIMPSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Glenn, while you're up here -- in fact, I
was in hopes when you came up here you would answer some of
the questions, I hope, for some of the other speakers because I
would like to finish the public before we get into rebuttal.
But while you're there can you address -- and I know you have
some expertise in this matter -- that the sediment that I seem to
have in some E-Mail and letters that I got?
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November 16, 2000
MR. SIMPSON: Well, yes. For everyone's information, I do
environment permitting as my profession. I have been qualified
numerous times as a water resource manager, water resource
specialist and doing expert witness work in litigation.
And I have a good understanding of -- of the way the water
functions in that area, not to mention I've lived there since 1968.
There's -- the issue about the change in the water quality is
basically something that's a natural phenomenon because the
water has a lot of tannin in it which is makes an orange color.
If you have a lot of rain in the normal rainy season, you have
less of the tannin that shows up in your water. If you don't have
the rain, the tannin tends to concentrate and you don't have the
flushing effect and you'll have more tannins, more orange color
to the water.
Some of the concerns I've heard expressed is about the water
quality and we've noticed it, too, but it hasn't -- the problem
doesn't have anything to do with our operation. The problem is
related to just the natural conditions because we have had a
very, very dry summer and I've lived here pretty much all my life
and it's the driest this time of the year as I've ever seen it, so you
can expect that to be a normal function.
The other issue is affecting the wells and the draw down
affecting the wells. What we do is we're not allowed to
discharge any water on site. In fact, by changing the land use,
the Water Management District requires us to hold on site up to
the hundred-year storm with no discharge.
Normal operations, you can start discharging water at a
25-year storm event, which in this area seems to come every five
to ten years. But we have to hold the water on site up to the
hundred-year storm.
If we're dewatering, even if the water level in that area gets
up to that level, we still can't just discharge because it's not a
storm event. So, we keep all the water that we pump on site and
like I was mentioning the cells, we pump from one cell to another
and we stack the water up in the cell that was being stored.
That recharges the area.
Another thing that we will be doing on this project, along the
western boundary and the southern boundary we also put in an
infiltration trench. When we pump -- no matter where we pump
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November 16, 2000
the water to hold it, it always flows into that infiltration trench
and it creates a barrier around the project where water is being
recharged into the ground, so that it will minimize any off-site
impacts you may have by drawing down at any point.
It's a practice that's been approved by the Water Management
District and we've been doing it for years on many other projects.
And it is especially effective on a project like this.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. And one final question she
brought up and I'm confused and I've been by your site. What is
the traffic issue on Friendship Lane, because I thought your
trucks came right off of your property on Immokalee Road?
MR. SIMPSON: Yes, sir, and we have no intention of changing
that.
I think the issue comes from the fact that we do have -- even
with our existing operation, we do have legal access to
Friendship Lane because of easements that are part of our deed.
But we don't use those. We have no intentions of using those.
That's the county has our access for our pit operation through
the Immokalee Road access and we intend to keep that.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: So, there's no dump trucks going down
Friendship Lane?
MR. SIMPSON: No, sir, not unless they're dumping dirt down
there.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: And I certainly think you ought to
keep your legal access to that, but as a stipulation in approving
this, I want to make sure that we state that all your truck traffic
is going to come in from your--
MR. SIMPSON: Perfectly fine.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: What -- are you leaving -- when
you're all done with this project completely, are you going to be
able to drive around the edges of it or --
MR. SIMPSON: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay.
MR. SIMPSON: In fact, we do have a reclamation plan that is
approved by the state that basically describes what we have to
do for closure. But our intention is to, at this point -- I mean, we
can't put a trailer park out there. We can't do anything else
because of densities.
We could put single family homes around it, but I'm not sure
the demand at this point is there but we are going to keep it
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November 16, 2000
where it's aesthetically pleasing. We're going to enjoy it as best
we can as a recreational facility until for some reason it does
have a different higher and better use.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I see several estate homes there in
the future if you leave enough room to build one.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I have one final question that the lady
brought up. And correct me if I'm wrong, but you do have a bond
requirement?
MR. SIMPSON: Yes, sir. Yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Rautio, I think -- or Commissioner
Rautio has a couple of questions.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Did -- she said something about
access to the mining operations. Is that an issue?
MR. SIMPSON: The site is fenced and maintained. The fences
are maintained. The last thing we want is to have any access
other than through our main road.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO:
access --
MR. SIMPSON: Yes
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO:
So, you have pretty restricted
-- because it's fenced. Okay.
MR. SIMPSON: There's an existing access through the -- for
the orange grove right now, which will be taken out as soon as
we close, but it's a locked gate anyway.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. One other thing. Somebody
said something about the staff being blasting neutral. I just
wanted to be clear on whether we're -- we were or weren't going
to allow blasting.
MR. REISCHL: Well, my initial recommendation was to
prohibit blasting. Mr. Simpson asked if they could get -- I think
he said two or three times to be able to get through cap rock.
Stan Chrzanowski will have a more detailed answer.
MR. CHRZANOWSKI: Good afternoon. Stan Chrzanowski,
Development Services.
MS. STUDENT: Excuse me. Were you sworn?
MR. CHRZANOWSKI: No.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Court reporter.
(Mr. Stan Chrzanowski was sworn by the court reporter.)
MS. STUDENT: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to raise some points of
order because this is an example of we're supposed to have the
public speakers and then like a rebuttal by staff.
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November 16, 2000
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Well, I --
MS. STUDENT: We're getting kind of far afield and things like
this can happen where people come up and aren't sworn when
we start to do that and we have a resolution that sets up our
procedures that are applicable to the Planning Commission.
And I mean we can have some latitude, but I'm getting
concerned when other people are popping up and there's
dialogue and we're not following our procedures quite like the
way the resolution is set up.
COMMISSIONER PEDONE.' Mr. Chairman, I believe at this
point --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And I agree with you. And we will
address that issue as a commission.
MR. CHRZANOWSKI: Excuse me. I wasn't here for the start
of this because I hadn't intended being here for this hearing. I'm
here for the next one.
The blasting on the first phase was not an issue because they
were not intending on going to a depth where they would need to
blast.
So, as part of the stipulations, we asked if they minded if we
put in a stipulation that there was no blasting, and they said no
problem. But now he's going a little deeper and there is a cap
rock layer that he may need a couple of times to blast to get
through.
It's not one of these operations where every week they're
blasting. Staff is blasting neutral. We have no problem with it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Thank you.
I would like to get back to the public before we get into the
rebuttal. Like I said, I hope that --
MR. NINO: I've got some more speakers here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE.' -- you know, that Mr. Simpson would
clear up some of the questions prior to testimony. Ron?
MR. NINO: Yes. Robert Schultz, June Grogloth. Yes.
And you were sworn in, ma'am?
MS. GROGLOTH: Yes.
MR. NINO: And would you give your last name and spell it for
the court reporter, please?
MS. GROGLOTH: Grogloth, G-r-o-g-l-o-t-h. And this is my
property here. I'm on the corner of Friendship and Immokalee
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November 16, 2000
Road. And my concern is -- all right. I am having well trouble.
Like I had been there eight years and the minor things I've
always taken care of, but since June I've had to put in two check
valves, complete new pipes, and I had Bob Stringer, the county
man, out and the old filter that I'd had, when he knocked it, there
was sand that I was drawing up.
And I do not have at the present time when he was there but
now my pump is beginning -- the pipes are beginning to leak
again, which to me is a sign again that the filter is building up
again with the sand. And it becomes -- and I put in a complete
new holding tank, so forth and so on.
But, anyway, trying to be a good neighbor and not complain to
anybody with all the night workings and I just keep my door
closed and the air conditioning going, which is very costly. And,
in fact, my light bill last month was $143 for a widow, not doing
much cooking and that. It's quite expensive.
But, anyway, it -- I'm not for going on with more. I did agree to
the first because I thought that being a good neighbor that
money wise that the kids could get on their feet, but now it
seems like it's just money greed. I'm sorry.
And I understand that he's even had some fossils and had
some people go -- had a fossil trip even where they charged $40
a head, I understood.
And I have lost 12 trees in the one corner of my ten acres
where the cows are, and one fell on the fence, of course, and the
cows ended over in the -- I walked out on the lanai and here's the
cows on the hillside. And I said, Susie and Molly, get back home.
But, anyway, I had to have the trees cut down and had to have
the fence fixed, so forth and so on. It's just a lot of extra things
that I don't think that needs to be done and put up with.
We are agricultural out there and the people getting the
notices, it's 300 feet. 300 feet is nothing when you -- when you
consider this here is my next door neighbor that lives here.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Ma'am, you'll have to give testimony to
the microphone, please.
MS. STUDENT: Besides that's the requirement of the code
and we follow that requirement.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And I understand that.
MS. GROGLOTH: My next door neighbor is here and that's
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November 16, 2000
more than 300 feet, so he doesn't even get a -- or this person
either.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MS. GROGLOTH: So, they get a complaint from one or two
people, that's not true.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you, ma'am.
Next speaker?
MR. SCHULTZ: Robert Schultz.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Will you spell your name for the court
reporter?
MR. SCHULTZ: S-c-h-u-l-t-z.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. SCHULTZ: I'm against this going through because I'm
kind of new out there, but I've been over there a year. I've seen
a difference in the well water out there. I've seen these land
mining operations where I understand they were supposed to be
business hours.
They've worked 24 hours a day. They start early in the
morning as early as 2:15 in the morning. I've seen dump trucks
out there that early. I mean, I've been -- I used to work nights.
I'm out of work right now, so I've been up a lot of nights.
I mean, a lot of these people might be sleeping when I'm up.
I'm right, right there. I live just on -- she lives on one side of the
road and I live on the end, and we're right, right up against that --
I'm right up against the grove.
So, if they start digging in the grove, I'm going -- I'm putting up
with noise now every night. They've got them pumps running
every night.
Hey, I mean, when I first come out there it was quiet. You
can't even hear the birds anymore. They're chasing -- I've had
rattlesnakes out there where I've never had them before, never
seen them because they're digging up their homes, chasing them
out. How much more are they going to dig?
You know, it's going to be -- and the dust. They talk about the
dust out there. I've talked to one guy. He says the dust come
from Friendship Lane. Well, I'm getting all the dust because the
wind's coming out if the east. If the dust -- the dust was coming
from Friendship Lane, it would be coming -- the wind would be
coming out of the west.
I mean, this ain't right. I mean, I've got a vehicle out there
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November 16, 2000
MR. BALL:
CHAIRMAN
MR. BALL:
right here.
CHAIRMAN
MR. BALL:
used to be silver. Now it's white from the dust and that's not
coming from Friendship Lane.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Commissioner.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Have you called code enforcement
about the --
MR. SCHULTZ: No. I don't know nothing about it. I'm kind of
new out there.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Okay. You'd certainly wonder.
MR. SCHULTZ: I don't know nothing about it. I'm just -- I
mean, they want to do their operation, I mean, work on regular
business hours, but seven, eight o'clock in the morning start,
leave at five. Forget about the rest of it. I wouldn't mind it but
then shut down all the noise.
I mean, we're way out there. You know, that's where people
moved out there to get away from this noise and stuff. I mean,
unless you want them on top of you and see how you feel. You
know what I mean?
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
That all the speakers, Ron?
MR. NINO: Yes, it is, unless James Williams is on this one but
I have him on farm op.
MR. BALL: My name is Michael Ball, B-a-I-I. I got caught up --
cut out when Lynn got called up. You didn't get a chance to call
my name back.
Me and Glenn, and we go back a ways --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Just a point of order. They ask that you
point where you live on that map, please. Right here.
WRAGE: Thank you.
And that gentleman that was just here, he lives
WRAGE: Thank you.
I'm not used to this. I don't usually talk in front of
a bunch of people. I'm just a country boy and that's -- this don't
go over too good, but we -- we used to rent for Glenn up in the
very front, right -- right here we had a trailer and we rented from
him for two and a half, three years? Something like that. Two
and a half or three years.
We got to know him pretty good. We knew the orange grove
was in trouble and that's why we didn't fight the first time when
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November t6, 2000
they started digging it up because they told us they were going
to dig up one little piece at a time and pay it off and get out of
debt and they'd be out of debt by the time this was all done and
taken care of.
And that's why we didn't fight it. You know, we didn't want
them to go down the tubes or nothing or get in trouble, you know,
but now it's like he said earlier, you know, they're getting greedy.
They bought this other pit over here, 640 acres now, and they
want to get this -- this one here is another hundred and two acres
and go twice as deep, stay three or four times as long doing it.
I don't know who -- this gentleman here that said only 80
trucks come a day, I don't know where he got his numbers from
but a minimum of 250 trucks are coming in and out of there a
day.
I don't know where you get your 80 trucks or a hundred trucks
but you was way off on that.
And there's no way that this pit is any comparison at all to an
orange grove even in season. During the season -- the last
season they got harvested, five semis were loaded up and left
that grove. That was the whole harvest.
When we have 250 dump trucks, which is equal to one semi,
every day coming in and out, there's something major wrong
here. And the road coming back from the pit going back to town,
it's already disintegrating and it was just built, just about two
years ago redone. They're getting potholes and waves in it.
And if you come out there -- have you been out there? Have
you seen the --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I go by there just about every other day.
MR. BALL: Have you seen the tire tracks from dump trucks
trying to stop from hitting -- stop hitting the buses that were
stopped, people -- to the people turning in there?
There's a big safety issue here that we need to stop these
trucks going down there or slow down on them or -- and then
that's -- don't take it -- that's not Glenn's fault. Okay.
That's not his fault that these trucks are speeding and doing
that stuff, but if he didn't have the pit there, they wouldn't be
going there to have to get the dirt. You know what I mean? Let
him go down to the one he's got over on Oil Well and dig and quit
turning us into lake front property. We didn't want to be lake
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November 16, 2000
front property, man. We like the --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And I appreciate all that. Okay?
MR. BALL: Okay. Yeah.
When they were loading the trucks, it takes three minutes to
load a truck. They were backed up there end to end. And they
were loading them at three different places, so you can calculate
how many trucks come out of there in a day.
Here lately they've said they're out of fill. They've called a
bunch of people up and told them -- you know, called the actual
truck companies up and said we don't have no fill no more. You
can't come here no more.
So, they have to go to the other pit that they bought down on
Oil Well Road. And that's where most of the trucks were for.
There was one more point that I wanted to bring up which I
can't remember so --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: That's all right.
MR. SCHULTZ: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Any questions of the petitioner of staff?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: I have a question for the
petitioner.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: For Glenn or Bruce?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Yeah. Glenn. This may sound
like a stupid question so if you'll forgive me?
MR. SIMPSON: It's from you, it's not stupid.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: I know the trucks, when they
do back up make all that very obnoxious beep, beep, beep noise.
Is there -- and I realize it's a safety concern, but is there any
possibility that that could be turned off while you're on site?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: No.
MR. SIMPSON: I wish it could. It's the loaders, the front end
loaders that have the back-up alarm on it. And we're required by
OSHA standards to have that functional at all times, and if for
some reason it fails, we have to stop using that machine until we
get it fixed.
The -- that is the biggest noise generator of anything out there
is that alarm because you can hear it, the back-up alarm, for
some distance. I don't think it has to be as loud as it is, but it's a
government regulation.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Can you turn it down?
Page 137
November 16, 2000
MR. SIMPSON: Maybe some mud daubers will build a home in
it. That might help. I don't know if they'd get us for not cleaning
mud dauber nests out.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Is there really a problem with
starting, say, 5:30 in the morning? I mean, are your people really
running them that late or two o'clock in the morning as this one
gentleman seemed to have alleged?
MR. SIMPSON: If there's a truck out there at two o'clock in
the morning, I'd like to find out who it was, because we haven't --
we don't have anybody that operates at those times.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah, but how about the digging?
MR. SIMPSON: We haven't been digging that -- we have dug --
a couple of times we've had to dig in the evenings but about nine
o'clock is as late as we dig. Our operators get kind of fussy
when we want them to put in more than 12 to 14 hours a day.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Any further questions? If not, I'll
close the public hearing. And I would definitely entertain a
motion.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY.' I don't -- I'll make a motion and I
would ask for some -- some help and comments with some of the
stipulations.
I would move that we approve -- recommend for approval
CU-2000-11 with the stipulation that the hours of operations for
trucks be from seven a.m. to five p.m., the operations for digging
be those same hours, maybe extended on Saturday till noon, that
any maintenance operations that requires, you know, noise be
limited to those same hours.
I don't think the neighbors would have a problem if a
mechanic is over there or, you know, working. That's not making
noise on Saturday or Sunday, but if they've going to be, you
know, backing equipment up and moving it around that -- that
those be limited to the stated hours.
I have, I guess, maybe a question for staff here.
Ron, a lot of these conditional uses, do they come back in five
years?
MR. NINO: They can if you so recommend. I mean, we have
had conditional uses granted whereby after five years they have
to revisit you and the board.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY-' I'm going to make that part of my
stipulation and I'm doing that~ Glenn, as an effort to make sure
Page 138
November 16, 2000
that you all put out an effort to be good neighbors because a lot
of your neighbors are not happy with you right now. I can tell
you that from talking around and I understood the need for, you
know, the product and the proximity to the end use of it, so let's
all try to work together on that.
Were there any other --
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: How about number of trips a
day? There was some stipulation or some indication --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. I think the number of trips is
going to significantly decrease when they get into this next
product because they're going to want to get top dollar out of it
from the county for sand and they're not going to be selling it for
the fill that they did on the front, so I think we're going to
automatically see that.
I know what else. I want to stipulate that none of the trucks
can come and go from anywhere other than the main entrance
off of Immokalee Road, that they cannot use Friendship Lane or
access through the -- the side entrances.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Do you want to make any
provision for municipal uses? MR. SIMPSON: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. I think that, you know, if
we've got some emergency that government needs the ability to,
you know, to call for product, whether it be, you know, the sand
or asphalt or anything else to fix a problem, so, yeah, I think that
stipulation in there really protects the public.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: It would be emergencies
though. Quite often they'll do road work at night, routine road
work.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Let's put the stipulation that county
can access the pit for an emergency situation and not simply as
a matter of convenience to work at night.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Any notification that the people
would have to know or they just call code enforcement and say
they're working and code enforcement is informed that --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. I would just tell the -- you
know, tell the neighbors that if, you know, if you're out there 5:30
and you hear a beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, call code
enforcement because they're 15 minutes past the time that the
motor should be shut off.
Page 139
November 16, 2000
That will conclude my motion.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Moved by Commissioner Priddy,
seconded by Commissioner Abernathy. Any further discussion?
MR. REISCHL.' Mr. Chairman, the petitioner had asked to
remove the staff's blasting condition. Did you want to leave that
in there, no blasting?
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: I don't think you can break it up
with a headache ball. You almost have to have maybe a limited
number of blastings.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I would --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I think the first go around that there
was a commitment to the neighbors that there would be no
blasting, that was the commitment that was done on the other
pit, so, yeah, I'll leave that in there.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. And with that point, I'll -- who
made the second to that motion? Commissioner Abernathy.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO-' Commissioner Abernathy.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Do you agree to that?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. With that, I'm going to call for the
-- any further discussion?
All those in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: It's closed.
MR. ANDERSON: Mr. Chairman --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE-' I have closed the meeting.
MR. ANDERSON: We want to make sure we understand the
stipulations, all of them.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. I'll ask Mr. Priddy to repeat all
that.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Hours of operations, 7:00 a.m.-5:00
p.m., monday through Friday, can be open from 7:00 a.m. to 12 on
Saturday.
Glenn, those are the same -- those are the operations all the
big -- all your big competitors have. If they can make it, you can
make it. Your neighbors are not happy with you. The other thing
for us to do is turn it down.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Yeah. I think in all reality we need to be
having a discussion amongst us.
Page 140
November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay.
MS. STUDENT: The public hearing was closed.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: The public hearing has been closed. I'm
sorry.
MR. ANDERSON: Can it be reopened?
MS. STUDENT: There has to be a motion to reopen it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: I've got a motion here and we're having a
discussion.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Okay. We're clear on the hours.
Okay. Return in five years for the conditional use to continue.
There was no blasting, no excessive trucks off of Friendship
Lane, and I believe that was --
MR. REISCHL: And the emergency governmental contract.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: The emergency governmental
contract.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: And that's your agreement, too, with the
second?
COMMISSIONER ABERNATHY: Yes, sir. Call the question.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: All in favor of the motion, signify by
saying aye.
Opposed? Carried.
Thank you. Pass your finding of fact down to the vice-chair,
please.
With that, we move to our final of the day of conditional use,
2000-14, Townsend pit fill --fill pit. Sorry.
All those in -- wish to give testimony on this, please rise, raise
your right hand and be sworn in by the court reporter.
(The witnesses were sworn by the court reporter.}
MS. MURRAY: Susan Murray for the record.
I just want to put on the record that this petition was
scheduled to be heard by the EAC at the beginning of November.
However, they did not have a quorum.
The findings and recommendations on the environmental staff
have been incorporated and the staff report that you have and
we would request that you forward those to the Board of County
Commissioners as well.
The property is located approximately three miles east of the
intersection of U.S. 41 and County Road 951 on the north side of
U.S. 41 east. I'll try to keep this real brief. It's 42.5 acres, has
approximately 800 feet of frontage on U.S. 41.
Page 141
November 16, 2000
The petitioner plans to dig a 20-acre lake, approximately like
372 feet wide by 2488 feet long. They informed me it would take
about a year to do that with approximately 20 dump truck trips
per day, plus ten ancillary trips per day.
As you can see from the site plan, the haul road will be
located on site and the site has direct access to U.S. 41, so any
permitting or turn lanes or anything will be under the jurisdiction
of the FDOT.
As such, there will be no access of trucks through any private
lane -- private roads or neighborhoods or anything like that. The
closest dwelling unit is approximately 1500 feet to the
southwest of the subject site and surrounding the site is
primarily agricultural, fallow agricultural lands that are used for
grazing purposes.
With that, I'll say that we are recommending for a
recommendation of approval with -- subject to staff's stipulations
and if you have any questions I'd be happy to answer them.
Stan Chrzanowski is here as well to answer any questions you
might have with respect to stormwater issues.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Just a comment. Although I kind of
know where this is, please, a map of where it is in relationship to
the county.
MS. MURRAY: I'm sorry. I realized it wasn't in there.
Actually, I was going to put it up, but the map is really lousy.
You can't tell. So, if you're familiar, it's just west of the Krehling
plant in the same area if you're familiar with the area. My
apologies.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
Any questions of staff?
COMMISSIONER YOUNG: Where is the Krehling plant?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Krehling is up north. We
know where Krehling is.
MS. MURRAY: The East Trail.
MR. NINO: East Trail plant.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. I'll ask the petitioner to describe
more accurately where it is.
MR. ARNOLD: We can do that.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Mr. Arnold.
MR. ARNOLD: We also have an aerial.
For the record, I'm Wayne Arnold representing the applicant.
Page 142
November 16, 2000
This property is located about 200 feet west of Krehling's
industrial facility out on the East Trail, about three miles east of
951. It's immediately north of the undeveloped portions of
Fiddler's Creek. That's now currently ag fields of that portion of
Fiddler's Creek.
And as Susan indicated, our neighbors are currently all
agricultural land users and we're proposing to utilize about half
of the 42-acre site for lake excavation. With that fill material
primarily the fill right now is located in northern Collier County.
There's still a lot of activity in the south Naples-Marco Island
corridors and we think that the material and the need is in that
area. We are asking for your approval.
I do have Tim Hall here with Turrell and Associates, also Mr.
Smith here from Grady Minor and Associates who are here to
answer any questions.
We've talked to staff throughout the process. We don't have
any problems with their stipulations or conditions.
The only clarification I think that we had, and we had
discussion with Stan Chrzanowski, there's a stipulation that
references a limnologist because of some mesometric (sic)
conditions that could be applicable to the site given the water
table levels and proximity to the gulf. And we don't know of any
certified limnologist in the Naples area.
I know that we've dealt extensively with a company, Mesmer
and Associates, who are primarily geologists, who've done
extensive work and have also been involved in Fiddler's Creek to
the south who would have the same situation potentially with
their lakes.
And I guess I would just ask for some clarification on the
record from Mr. Chrzanowski whether or not there might be
someone other than a limnologist that might also meet their
satisfaction.
MR. CHRZANOWSKI: And I thought, Mr. Arnold, that if I talked
to the gentleman and he seemed to know what he was talking
about about lakes that I would agree that he was probably
qualified. If he understands my concern, then he's probably
qualified to answer it. I have no problem with Mesmer if they
want to use them.
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: Mr. Chairman, could you --
could you just define for me the term Iimnologist and what his
Page 143
November 16, 2000
specialty would be?
MR. CHRZANOWSKI.' A limnologist is a person that does fresh
water bodies. I think it's lakes and rivers, but in this case mostly
lakes. It's a science unto itself.
MR. ARNOLD: I think Mr. Chrzanowski and staff's concern
would be that because of the depth of the lake, which is
somewhere between 20 and 25 feet, that there could be a saline
layer developed that doesn't allow the water to circulate
properly and become a healthy lake environment.
MR. CHRZANOWSKI: And the county's fetch formula, which
has come up in 1973 by Black, Crow and Eides in a study is
based on a lake that is homogenous. And the wind causes the
lake to mix. If the lake is deeper than a certain level, the top of
the lake will mix but the bottom never will mix and you'll get an
anaerobic condition and the lake, the bottom of the lake, will go
stagnant and everything will die.
The problem occurs -- Lake Marco is just south of Fiddler's
Creek. Lake Marco meets the fetch formula by a few feet, but
yet in a study done by Deltona in '77, they found that the lake
was meromictic, which is the term that he was trying to
pronounce before.
MR. ARNOLD: Sorry about that.
MR. CHRZANOWSKI.' Which means that the top of the lake
mixes and the bottom doesn't. That is exactly the condition that
the fetch formula was trying to do away with, but since we know
that this lake matches the fetch formula and yet is meromictic,
the salinity of the water at the bottom of the lake is so high that
the density is not enough for the wind to overcome. So, we want
to make sure that doesn't happen here.
And I am not a limnologist but the person that -- that they
intend getting should understand that and will know the
concerns.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Thank you.
MR. ARNOLD: I don't really have anything else to offer.
I think that unless there's --
CHAIRMAN WRAGE.- Any questions of the petitioner?.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. What do you do just after you
dig the lake?
MR. ARNOLD: Right now we can't do anything and have no
other plans unless we decide to come back and expand that
Page 144
November 16, 2000
lake. It's outside of our boundary, as you heard Mr. Anderson say
earlier, that there really aren't any other land uses currently
besides agriculture and earth mining.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I mean, you can't build a home on
it.
MR. ARNOLD: No residential, no commercial. It doesn't
qualify for any other uses under your growth management plan
other than for agriculture and earth mining.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: See, that's always a concern of
mine when we do these smaller projects, is that we end up with,
you know, with no one that's got any interest; no caretaker, no,
you know, nothing left there.
I mean, I'm not opposed to the -- to the project but, you know,
it's like what do we do with this at the end? You know, they
walk away and leave it to the county to -- you know, as a burden
or does it get turned into an estate?
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: If it's near, by Fiddler's Creek,
I thought maybe they'll just take it in.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It's agriculturally zoned. Correct me if
I'm wrong, but you could have eight home sites. Is that correct?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Well --
MR. ARNOLD: Well, you can probably have one, I think, under
the current growth management plan and the Governor's order
that places a moratorium on the property. We qualify for one
today because it is only one parcel of land.
I would tell you that some of the other uses that -- that there
has been an expression of interest; a small rural church had
approached and looked at taking an option to have the front
portion where we show a maintenance facility and at some point
coming back and having a small church site there.
A cellular company, you can have small cell towers under the
agricultural zoning by right up to -- I think it's 50 or 75 feet.
Uses like that can help generate some revenue but long term,
right now there's no other plan other than to come and excavate
this material, and if all goes well, we may come back to you in
another year or so and expand that lake facility.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: You know, my only concern would --
you know, would be that we leave an acre, two acres, of
buildable ground so that something can be on that property on
Page 145
November 16, 2000
and on.
MR. ARNOLD: Right now the lake is approximately 20 acres.
The entire site is forty-two and a half. So, we've shown an
impact to the western side of that to get our haul road and some
of the other requirements to do the excavation on that site.
The front portion is about three and a half acres between the
lake and U.S. 41.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. And that's fine.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It would be -- it would be long enough for
a water landing strip.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Turn it into it.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Any further questions? Commissioners?
Anyone then from the public then wish to speak on this?
If not, we close the public hearing.
Motion.
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I'm not the only one that can make
motions.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Right. Okay. I move that we send
a recommendation of approval for Petition CU-2000-14 for
conditional use; one, earth mining, subject to the following
conditions, A through E, that were listed in our report.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: It's been moved by Commissioner Rautio
and seconded by Commissioner Priddy. Any discussion?
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
Those opposed?
Motion carried.
Before you go, Mr. Priddy, under old business --
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah, I'm coming back.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Okay. Not today but during the
chairman's report at the next meeting, I want to discuss the
problems that we've had with length of limiting the public.
We've had four that are the longest, worst meetings in the
four years I've been on this commission. And I think we need to
discuss that at the next meeting as to do we continue the
latitude of which I've allowed or do you think we should tighten
up. And I wanted you to think about that and we'll discuss it at
the next meeting.
Page 146
November 16, 2000
COMMISSIONER RICHARDSON: This is an example of a bad
meeting?
COMMISSIONER PRIDDY: Yeah. This is a bad meeting.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: Length. Lengthy.
COMMISSIONER RAUTIO: Long meeting.
CHAIRMAN WRAGE: No public comment?
I believe we are adjourned.
(Proceedings concluded at 2:15 p.m.)
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 2:15.
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
GARY WRAGE, CHAIRMAN
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY COURT
REPORTING SERVICE, INC. BY DAWN M. BREEHNE AND ROSE M.
WITT, RPR
Page 147
FORM 8B MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR
-c, OUNTY MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS
CITY /
[~ATE ON WHICH VO~E OCCURRED
· II !b -
COUNI~/!
NAME OF BOARD. COUNC1L_COI'~VIISSlON, AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE
cc£C '
THE BOARD, COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE ON
WHICH I SERVE IS A UNLT OF:
E3 CFFY [~OUNTY 1'3 OTHER LOCAL AGENCY
NAME OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION:
MY POSITION
Q ELECTIVE
J~ APPOINTIVE
WHO MUST FILE FORM 8B
This form is for use by any person serving at the county, city, or other local level of government on an appointed or e!ected board, council,
commission, authority, or committee. It applies equally to members of advisory and non-advisory bodies who are presented with a voting
conflict of interest under Section 112.3143, Florida Statutes.
Your responsibilities under the law when faced with voting on a measure in which you have a conflict of interest will vary greatly depending
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completing the reverse side and filing the form.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112.3143 FLORIDA STATUTES
~ .,rson holding elective or appointive county, municipal, or other local public office MUST ABSTAIN from voting on a measure which
inures to his or her special private gain or loss. Each elected or appointed local officer also is prohibited from knowingly voting on a mea-
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For purposes of this law, a "relative" includes only the officer's father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, father-in-law,
mother-in-law, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law. A "business associate" means any person or entity engaged in or carrying on a business
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ELECTED OFFICERS:
In addition to abstaining from voting in the situations described above, you must disclose the conflict:
PRIOR TO THE VOTE BEING TAKEN by publicly stating to the assembly the nature of your interest in the measure on which you
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WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE VOTE OCCURS by completing and filing this form with the person responsible for recording the min-
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APPOINTED OFFICERS:
'~'~'hough you must abstain from voting in the situations described above, you otherwise may participate in these matters. However, you
.st disclose the nature of the conflict before making any attempt to influence the decision, whether orally or in writing and whether made
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IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT WHICH THE VOTE WILL BE
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minutes of the meeting, who will incorporate the form in the minutes. (Continued on other side)
PAGE 1
CE FORM 8B - REV. 1198
APPOINTED OFFICERS (continued)
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DISCLOSURE OF LOCAL OFFICER'S INTEREST
I, :~'>J/ /x~/~"~)"~ , hereby disclose that on
(a) A measure came or will come before my agency which (check one)
inured to my special private gain or loss;
inured to the special gain or loss of my business associate,
inured to the special gain or loss of my relative,
inured to the special gain or loss of
whom I am retained; or
inured to the special gain or loss of
is the parent organization or subsidiary ot a principal which has retained me.
(b) The measure before my agency and the nature of my conflicting interest in the measure is as follows:
by
which
cJ
Date Filed
NOTICE: UNDER PROVISIONS OF FLORIDA STATUTES {}1
SURE
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REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, DEMOTION, REDUCTION IN SALARY, REPRIMAND, OR A
CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $10,000.
CE FORM 8B - REV. 1198
PAGE 2
COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DMSION
November 30, 2000
PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
2800 NORTH HORSESHOE DRIVE
NAPLES, FL 34104
Mr. Miles L. Scofield
3584-B Exchange Ave.
Naples, FL 34104
REFERENCE: BD-2000-25, James R. and Susan L, Anglin
Dear Mr. Scofield:
On Thursday, November 16, 2000, the Collier County Planning Commission heard and approved
Petition No, 2000-25.
A copy of CCPC Resolution No. 2000-33 is enclosed approv:r~g this use.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 403-2400.
Ross Gochenaur
Planner II
G:/admin/l] D-2000-25/RG/cw
Enclosure
James R. & Susan L. Anglin
61 Southport Cove
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Addressing (Peggy Jarrell)
Land Dept. Property Appra/ser
M. Ocheltree, Graphics
Minutes & Records (BD, PSP & PDI)
File
PHONE (941) 403-2400
FAX (941) 6~6-~-"~
CCPC RESOLUTION NO. 2000- 3 3
RELATING TO PETITION NUMBER BD-2000-25 FOR
AN EXTENSION OF A BOAT DOCK ON PROPERTY
HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED IN COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Florida in Chapter 125, Florida Statutes, has
conferred on all counties in Florida the power to establish, coordinate and enforce zoning and such
business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public; and
WHEREAS, the County pursuant thereto has adopted a Land Development Code (Ordinance
91-102) which establishes regulations for the zoning of particular geographic divisions of the County,
among which is the granting of variances; and
WHEREAS, the Collier County Planning Commission, being the duly elected and constituted
Planning Commission for the area hereby affected, has held a public hearing after notice as in said
regulations made and provided, and has considered the advisability of a 30-foot extension of a boat dock
from the permitted 20 feet to allow for a 50-foot boat dock facility in a PUD zone for the property
hereinafter described, and has found as a matter of fact that satisfactory provision and arrangement have
been made concerning all applicable matters required by said regulations and in accordance with Section
2.6.21. of the Collier County Land Development Code; and
WHEREAS, all interested parties have been given the opportunity to be heard by this
Commission in public meeting assembled, and the Commission having considered all matters presented;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the Collier County Planning Commission of
Collier County, Florida, that:
The petition filed by Miles L. Scofield, representing James R. and Susan L. Anglin, with
respect to the property hereinafter described as:
Lot 57, Southport on the Bay Unit 2A, as described in Plat Book 24, Pages 9 and 10, of
the Public Records of Collier County, Florida.
be and the same is hereby approved for a 30-foot extension of a boat dock from the permitted 20-feet to
allow for a 50-foot boat docking facility in the PUD zoning district wherein said property is located,
subject to the following conditions:
All docks, or mooring pilings, whichever protrudes the greater into the water, regardless
of length shall have reflectors and house numbers four (4) inches minimum size installed
at the outermost end on both sides.
In order to address the protection of manatees, at least one (1) "Manatee Area" sign shall
be posted during construction.
-21.-
o
Permits or letters of exemption from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection shall be presented prior to issuance of a building
permit.
All exotic vegetation as defined in Section 3.9.6.4.1 of the Land Development Code shall
be removed from the site and the property shall be maintained exotic-free in perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution relating to Petition Number BD-2000-25 be
recorded in the minutes of this Commission and filed with the County Clerk's Office.
This Resolution adopted after motion, second and majority vote.
Done this 16 day of NOVEMBER ,2000.
ATTEST:
Executive Secretary
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
COLLIER~~RIDA
Community Development and Environmental
Services Administrator
Approved as to Form and Legal Sufficiency:
Marjo~:~ M. Student ~
Assistant County Attorney
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COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
November 30, 2000
PLANNING SERVICES DEPARTMENT
2800 NORTH HORSESHOE DRIVE
NAPLES, FL 34104
Mr. Miles L. Scofield
Scofield Marine Consulting
3584-B Exchange Ave.
Naples, FL 34104
REFERENCE: BD-2000-26, Paul M. Kneeland
Dear Mr. Scofield:
On Thursday, November 16, 2000, the Collier County Planning Commission heard and approved
Petition No. BD-2000-26.
A copy of CCPC Resolution No. 2000-34 is enclosed approving this use.
If you have any questions, please contact me at 403-2400.
Sincer~ /,~
Ross Gochenaur
Planner II
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Enclosure
c~
Paul M. Kneeland
28801 Trenton Ct.
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Addressing (Peggy Jarrell)
Land Dept. Property Appraiser
M. Ocheltree, Graphics
Minutes & Records (BD, PSP & PDI)
File
PHONE (941) 403-2400 FAX (941) 643-6968 www. co.collier. fi.us
CCPC RESOLUTION NO. 2000- 3 4
RELATING TO PETITION NUMBER BD-2000-26 FOR
AN EXTENSION OF A BOAT DOCK ON PROPERTY
HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED IN COLLIER COUNTY,
FLORIDA.
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Florida in Chapter 125, Florida Statutes, has
conferred on all counties in Florida the power to establish, coordinate and enforce zoning and such
business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public; and
WHEREAS, the County pursuant thereto has adopted a Land Development Code (Ordinance
91-102) which establishes regulations for the zoning of particular geographic divisions of the Cotmty,
among which is the granting of variances; and
WHEREAS, the Collier County Planning Commission, being the duly elected and constituted
Planning Commission for the area hereby affected, has held a public heating after notice as in said
regulations made and provided, and has considered the advisability of a 25-foot extension of a boat dock
from the permitted 20 feet to allow for a 45-foot boat dock facility in an RSF-4 zone for the property
hereinafter described, and has found as a matter of fact that satisfactory provision and arrangement have
been made concerning all applicable matters required by said regulations and in accordance with Section
2.6.21. of the Collier County Land Development Code; and
WHEREAS, all interested parties have been given the opportunity to be heard by this
Commission in public meeting assembled, and the Commission having considered all matters presented;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the Collier County Planning Commission of
Collier County, Florida, that:
The petition filed by Miles L. Scofield, representing Paul M. Kneeland, with respect to the
property hereinafter described as:
Little Hickory Shores Unit 3 Replat, Block H, Lot 4, as described in Plat Book 6, Page 2,
of the Public Records of Collier County, Florida.
be and the same is hereby approved for a 25-foot extension of a boat dock from the permitted 20 feet to
allow for a 45-foot boat docking facility in the RSF-4 zoning district wherein said property is located,
subject to the following conditions:
All docks, or mooring pilings, whichever protrudes the greater into the water, regardless
of length shall have reflectors and house numbers four (4) inches minimum size installed
at the outermost end on both sides.
In order to address the protection of manatees, at least one (1) "Manatee Area" sign shall
be posted during construction.
3_
o
Permits or letters of exemption from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection shall be presented prior to issuance of a building
permit.
All exotic vegetation as defined in Section 3.9.6.4.1 of the Land Development Code shall
be removed from the site and the property shall be maintained exotic-free in perpetuity.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution relating to Petition Number BD-2000-26 be
recorded in the minutes of this Commission and filed with the County Clerk's Office.
This Resolution adopted after motion, second and majority vote.
Done this 16 day of NOVEMBER ., 2000.
ATTEST:
JO~N M. DUNNUCK, III
ExcVcutive Secretary
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Interim Community Development and Environmental
Services Administrator
Approved as to Form and Legal Sufficiency:
Marjor~ M} Student
Assistant County Attorney
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