BCC Minutes 06/19/2002 S (LDC Amendments)June 19, 2002
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
AMENDMENTS
PUBLIC HEARING
Naples, Florida June 19, 2002
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Board of County
Commissioners, in and for Collier County, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 5:05 p.m., at County Commission
Meeting Room, 3301 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida, with the
following members present:
CHAIRMAN:
JIM COLETTA
DONNA FIALA
FRED COYLE
TOM HENNING
JAMES D. CARTER
ALSO PRESENT:
Susan Murray, Planning Services Dept.
Majorie Student, Asst. County Attorney
Joseph Schmitt, Comm. Dev. Admin.
Michael Pettit, Asst. County Attorney
Edward Riley, Collier Fire District
Thomas Wides, Public Utilities Op. Director
Norman Feder, Transportation Admin.
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COLLIER COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA
June 19, 2002
5:05 p.m.
NOTICE: ALL PERSONS WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM
MUST REGISTER PRIOR TO SPEAKING. SPEAKERS MUST REGISTER
WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER PRIOR TO THE PRESENTATION OF THE
AGENDA ITEM TO BE ADDRESSED.
COLLIER COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. 99-22 REQUIRES THAT ALL
LOBBYISTS SHALL, BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY LOBBYING ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ADDRESSING THE BOARD OF
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS), REGISTER WITH THE CLERK TO THE
BOARD AT THE BOARD MINUTES AND RECORDS DEPARTMENT.
REQUESTS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD ON SUBJECTS WHICH ARE NOT ON
THIS AGENDA MUST BE SUBMITTED IN WRITING WITH EXPLANATION
TO THE COUNTY MANAGER AT LEAST 13 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF
THE MEETING AND WILL BE HEARD UNDER "PUBLIC PETITIONS".
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD
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.
ALL REGISTERED PUBLIC SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO FIVE (5)
MINUTES UNLESS PERMISSION FOR ADDITIONAL TIME IS GRANTED BY
THE CHAIRMAN.
IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS ANY
ACCOMMODATION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCEEDING,
YOU ARE ENTITLED, AT NO COST TO YOU, TO THE PROVISION OF
CERTAIN ASSISTANCE. PLEASE CONTACT THE COLLIER COUNTY
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June 19, 2002
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LOCATED AT 3301 EAST
TAMIAMI TRAIL, NAPLES, FLORIDA, 34112, (941) 774-8380; ASSISTED
LISTENING DEVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ARE AVAILABLE IN
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. AGENDA
Ae
Added:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 91-102, AS
AMENDED, THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,
WHICH INCLUDES THE COMPREHENSIVE REGULATIONS FOR
THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA,
BY PROVIDING FOR: SECTION ONE, RECITALS; SECTION TWO,
FINDINGS OF FACT: SECTION THREE, ADOPTION OF
AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, MORE
SPECIFICALLY AMENDING THE FOLLOWING: ARTICLE 2,
ZONING, DIVISION 2.1. GENERAL; DIVISION 2.2. ZONING
DISTRICTS, PERMITTED USES, CONDITIONAL USES,
DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS INCLUDING REVISIONS TO THE C-1
THROUGH C-5 AND INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICTS LIST OF
PERMITTED AND CONDITIONAL USES; DIVISION 2.4
LANDSCAPING AND BUFFERING; DIVISION 2.6 SUPPLEMENTAL
DISTRICT REGULATIONS; DIVISION 2.7 ZONING
ADMINISTRATION AND PROCEDURES; DIVISION 3.2
SUBDIVISIONS; DIVISION 3.3 SITE DEVELOPMENT PLANS;
DIVISION 3.13 COASTAL CONSTRUCTION SETBACK LINE
VARIANCE; DIVISION 3.15 ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES;
ARTICLE 6, DEFINITIONS DIVISION 6.3 INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO THE DEFINITION FOR THE TERM HOTEL SUITE;
SECTION FIVE, ADOPTION OF AMENDED ZONING ATLAS MAP;
SECITON SEVEN, CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY; SECTION
EIGHT, INCLUSION IN THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND
DEVELOPMENT CODE; AND SECTION NINE, EFFECTIVE DATE.
Be
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NUMBER 91-102, AS
AMENDED, THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE
FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY,
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June 19, 2002
me
FLORIDA BY PROVIDING FOR: SECTION ONE: RECITALS;
SECTION TWO: FINDINGS; SECTION THREE:AMENDMENTS TO
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE, MORE SPECIFICALLY
AMENDING SUBSECTION 2.2.30. AND SUBSECTION 2.2.31.
RESPECTIVELY TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF THE
MORATORIUM ESTABLISHED BY ADMINISTRATION
COMMISSION FINAL ORDER IN CASE NUMBER ACC NO. 99-002
RELATING TO THE INTERIM NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION
AREAS WITHIN THE RURAL AREA SUBJECT TO SAID ORDER AND
FOR THE RURAL AREA (INCLUDING THE RURAL FRINGE AND
EASTERN LANDS AREAS) SUBJECT TO SAID ORDER UNTIL SUCH
TIME AS THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO
IMPLEMENT SAID FINAL ORDER BECOME LEGALLY EFFECTIVE;
SECTION FOUR: CONFLICT AND SEVERABILITY; FIVE:
INCLUSION IN THE COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT
CODE; AND SECTION SIX: EFFECTIVE DATE.
ADJOURN
INQUIRIES CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE BOARD'S AGENDA
SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COUNTY MANAGER'S OFFICE AT 774
8383.
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June 19, 2002
June 19, 2002
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Ladies and gentlemen, take your
seats, please. Welcome to the June 19th LDC public hearing. Would
you all stand, please, for the Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the
meeting commenced as follows:)
Item #2B
ORDINANCE 2002-30 AMENDING ORDINANCE 91-102, THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE
UNINCORPORATED AREA OF COLLIER COUNTY BY
EXTENDING THE DURATION OF THE MORATORIUM-
ADOPTED
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Good evening, Susan.
MS. MURRAY: Good evening, Commissioners. My name is
Susan Murray. I'm the Interim Planning Director. And this is the
second of two required public hearings for the first cycle of the 2002
Land Development Code Amendments.
And this evening, you will be taking final action on the Land
Development Code items that you heard at your first hearing
approximately three weeks ago. As well, I know Marjorie Student
needs to get some information on the record.
This amendment cycle actually has two ordinances associated
with it, one of which the county attorney's office is handling, and we
thought we would just go ahead and get that out of the way first and
then the remainder of the items.
MS. STUDENT: Thank you, Susan. For the record, Marjorie
Student, Assistant County Attorney. And the separate ordinance is an
item that you saw before as part of a side sheet, and it's a
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June 19, 2002
housekeeping matter that really extends the moratoria out in the rural
area that was the subject of the Governor and Cabinets final order
from June 22nd, 2002, which is Saturday, until such time as the comp
plan and the necessary implementing land development regulations
become legally effective.
Again, it's a housekeeping matter that we must do because we
got an extension from the Governor and Cabinet of the final order.
And it was broken into a separate ordinance because we must have it
in Tallahassee by Friday, so we will FedEx this out tomorrow and it
will in the Secretary of State's Office Friday.
And that is why it was broken down into a separate ordinance,
because typically, we have to do a little tweaking and so forth on the
regular LDC ordinances and we have a full ten days under statute to
get it out.
But this one must go quicker, so that's why it was done, and
accordingly, I would need a separate motion and vote, and as part of
that motion, a finding of consistency with the comp plan.
I don't know if there is anyone signed up to speak on this item
and I have copies of the ordinance here, but after you open it to the
public and close it, you can vote and dispose of this one. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Do we have any public speakers?
MR. SCHMITT: We have no registered public speakers on this
item.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Mr. Chairman, I would move for
approval.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'll close the public hearing and we
have a motion for approval by Commissioner Carter and a second
from Commissioner Fiala. Is there any discussion? Commissioner
Henning.
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June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I'm finding that it's in
compliance with the growth management plan.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: You make that part of your motion,
too?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I second it.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Is there any other discussion? All in
favor say, aye.
THE BOARD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: The ayes have it five to zero.
MS. STUDENT: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Thank you.
REQUEST TO HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON JUNE 25, 2002,
REGARDING SHADER LOMBARDO INVESTMENT
COMPANY VERSUS COLLIER COUNTY- APPROVED
MR. SCHMITT: We have one additional item from the county
attorney's office. Mike?
MR. PETTIT: Good evening, Commissioners. I thank you for
indulging us to get this item on. This is a request. We need advice on
a pending litigation matter with respect to settlement negotiations and
strategies related to litigation expenses in a lawsuit called Shader
Lombardo(phonetic) Investment Company versus Collier County.
And under Section 286.011, subsection eight of the Sunshine
Law, we are requesting that we meet in executive session or closed
session on June 25th, 2002.
This would come up under the County Attorney's Agenda Item,
which is typically at the end of your, I think it's about the last item on
your agenda, so it would be later in the day.
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June 19, 2002
And those in attendance at the session, in addition to the Board
would be me and David Weigel and Tom Olliff. Basically, this is a
request that we are making in order to comply with 286.011.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA.. Okay. Do you need a motion and a
second?
MR. PETTIT: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: So moved.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Second.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: We have a motion from Mr. Carter
and a second from Ms. Fiala. Is there any questions or dicussion?
All those in favor, indicate by saying, aye. THE BOARD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: The ayes have it five to zero.
MR. FEDER.. The only other thing is, again, it will come up on
the -- on the May -- or the June 25th agenda as a recommendation. I
don't know whether Mr. Weigel will require you to vote again at that
time, to go into executive session but -- and then, if there is going to
be action taken, we would have to come back out and have a separate
item for any action because you can't take action in executive session.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Thank you.
MR. PETTIT: I'm sorry. Michael Pettit, Assistant County
Attorney.
Item #2A
ORDINANCE 2002-31 AMENDING ORDINANCE 91-102, THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AS
AMENDED _ ADOPTED WITH CHANGES
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June 19, 2002
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'll try to -- in fact, that goes for
everyone on staff. If you would please open -- open your
presentation with your name and title.
MS. MURRAY: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Again, Susan
Murray, planning services department. Just very quickly, and just a
reminder, the way the package is organized, you have a set of
summary sheets that summarizes each of the amendments.
You have the recommendation by the EAC, DSAC and DSAC
subcommittee and planning commission all outlined as well as
comments from your first public hearing. If you wish, Mr. Chairman,
I can go directly to those items where you had specific comments and
review what we changed pursuant to your comments at the last
hearing.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: In the course of this, if any of the
commissioners here wish to go over any details, we'll do so.
MS. MURRAY: You may stop me at any time. I would be
happy to do that. We worked again from the handwritten pages in the
middle of your thick document. And I'll go ahead and begin with
Section 2.1.15. You had no comments.
Next, on Section 2.2.6 and 2.2.7, page two, the Board asked to
amend -- and this is to do with the residential multifamily setbacks.
The Board asked us to amend the language to prevent bottom-level
garages from being included in the setback measurement.
If you look on page two, you will see that that language was
amended to take the measurement from the first floor of the structure.
And again, we are working from the handwritten pages, yes, in the
middle.
MR. SCHMITT: It is -- on the stamped square, it says page ten,
but in the middle, it's page two, to add to the confusion.
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June 19,2002
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I have a question. Now, this
applies only to argument 12 and argument 16. Have we taken action
with respect to other zoning categories?
MS. MURRAY: We have taken action with respect to other
zoning categories to eliminate the wedding cake.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Wedding cake?
MS. MURRAY: Yes.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And this is the same thing. It's
just for a different zone.
MS. MURRAY: That's correct.
COMMISSIONERCOYLE: Okay. Thank you.
MS. MURRAY: If there are no other comments, the next item
will be on page four, and this has to do with the commercial zoning
districts. And the request here to -- and I'll actually refer you to page
eight.
And this amendment affects each of the commercial zoning
districts, so I'll just work from page eight, because this is the only
change, knowing that it effects all the remaining commercial zoning
districts as well.
The request was to determine -- to define the term, adjacent --
and -- and this is where I need a little help from the Board. The
feeling I got was that the Board did not want to have an alley
separating commercial versus residential as a way for this regulation
not to apply.
And so the amendment here requires that where commercial
property boundaries are within 50 feet of a property boundary of
residentially-zoned lands, any parking or overnight storage of fleet
vehicles would have to occur in a completely enclosed building.
That's one option.
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June 19, 2002
The other option is for me to define the term adjacent as sharing
the common property line exclusive of an alley separating property
boundaries. And I can could do that or I can define the term adjacent
as commercial property line abutting a residential property line.
So where there was an alley, those obviously would not be
adjacent by the definition and those properties would be excluded
from this regulation.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No -- no. I'm sorry. I was just
going to point out this was Commissioner Henning's --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay. Your hand was going up and
down. I wasn't sure.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Just to clarify it. Ms. Murray,
what we are trying to do is by putting the word in, adjacent, is to
capture residential -- when the separation is an alley and commercial,
we want to capture that as those vehicles need to be in an enclosed
building?
MS. MURRAY: Yes. If you -- the way we had proposed it to
you the first time was, is if the properties were adjacent, if you had
commercial adjacent to residential, and you directed us to define the
term adjacent. The discussion came about up about alleys, and you
asked if alleys would -- if an alley separated a commercial piece from
a residential piece, would that still be adjacent, and my -- the feeling I
got from you is that you probably did not want to exclude properties
that incorporated an alley between commercial and residential. I may
be wrong.
If you don't want to exclude alleys, I can -- I can amend this to
read adjacent -- define adjacent exclusive of alleys, so if an alley
separates a commercial and residential piece, the regulation would
still apply, or if it's acceptable to you that -- that an alley -- if an alley
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June 19, 2002
separates commercial from residential, that that's sufficient buffering
distance and the regulation would not apply. I can write that as well.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Correct. I, you know, thinking
about it, looking out there in the community, an alleyway separation
is -- is not enough to have that outside. I would think it would have
to be enclosed.
There are many examples, and that's the concern that I think that
everybody had was there are a lot of examples out there that's going
to create a huge hardship, so I'm okay with commercial enclosed
when it is adjacent by an alleyway.
MS. MURRAY: Okay. The way it's drafted now is there is a
50-foot separation requirement and that -- that's another way of
creating a distance buffer. But if an alley separation is all that you
are concerned about, I would rather strike through this 50-foot and
just exclude alleys from the adjacency definition so that if an alley
separated commercial from a residential, you would have to abide by
this regulation.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Carter.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I'm a visual person so I have to
think through this for a minute. If it's residential on one side of the
alley and the other side of the alley was commercial, and that
commercial establishment might have ten service vehicles, if the
alley is a separation, then I could park them in a lot next to my
building, which people from the other side could see, if an alley is the
separation.
But if I'm understanding this, I couldn't do that. I have to have
an enclosure to put my ten vehicles in so that the neighbors across the
alley could not see them; is that correct? MS. MURRAY: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle.
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June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Just a question for Commissioner
Henning. Would -- would a small narrow street qualify or is that the
-- the intent of the restrictions? Should you say alley or should you
say street? And I don't have a preference. I'm just raising the issue
for clarification.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: My only concern of the last
LDC cycle is I didn't know what the word adjacent meant. And when
somebody goes to the Land Development Code, what does that mean,
adjacent? Adjacent, abutting and things like that, just for clarification,
I'm okay with the language that we just discussed.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay. Now, one more time. Let me
see if I can clarify it. What we are looking at is language that says
that if the commercial, C- 1 right through C-5, is located across from
an alley from a residential location, residency, that they would not be
allowed to store their vehicles overnight. They would have to put
them inside the -- the establishment itself?.
MS. MURRAY: If you look on this visual, it's a very brief
visual, imagine this is the main road --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Uh-huh.
MS. MURRAY: Okay? And you have a commercial piece off
the main road, behind the commercial piece, you have an alley, and
then behind the alley you have residential.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: But now, if the residence was on the
other side of the road, this wouldn't apply? MS. MURRAY: Correct.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'm not too sure -- a couple of
questions, if I may. Is there many partials that this is going to affect?
I know what the reason for this is and where it came from. I believe
it's District 3 where this probem has arisen from, but what kind of
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June 19, 2002
impact is this going to have on the general commerce throughout
Collier County?
MS. MURRAY: It predominantly will impact Golden Gate
City, but the -- the rule would read that you just couldn't park
vehicles -- fleet vehicles there unless you had an enclosed building.
So you could either park them somewhere else, or you could
construct an enclosed building.
determine --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA:
I'm not sure if it qualifies to
Well, and, I'm sorry. What I'm trying
to do is I -- I know why we are doing this. There was an unsightly
situation on the Parkway that you could see, and I know we are trying
to address something globally for that situation.
And I'm -- I'm trying to find out what the ramifications of this
rule would be past where we are trying to make that one correction.
And this is what's got me concerned. Who am I destroying by
putting this particular rule out where these people may have been
doing business for years and now -- and they get -- have been getting
along great with the residents behind them.
Because when you look at an alleyway, the residents that are in
the back there, it's going to be their back part. That's going to be
looking back in at them. Am I correct?
MS. MURRAY: More than likely, yes --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Yeah. And in all fairness, in the
other way, you would have them -- their front door looking at the
front door of the commercial, across the road. I'm not too sure if I'm
comfortable with this. I would like to hear some more discussion
from my colleagues. Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Chairman Coletta, if you were
in a residence and there was an alley separation, 4:00 in the morning,
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June 19, 2002
when you start hearing car doors banging, engines starting up, loud
mufflers, is that a quality of life issue for you?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Very much so.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: But if the vehicles were stored
indoors, you are still going to have the same quality of life issues.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'm just not too sure how far we are
reaching past where the intended goal was. And that's the only
reason I'm bringing this up for discussion.
Is there going to be hundreds of businesses that have been
continuing on a regular basis with no complaints from the neighbors
behind them, if somebody is going to find themselves unable to
operate because of this ordinance?
Is it something that is so specific that it's going to be addressing
future actions or this one example that's on the Parkway?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Maybe we could ask someone.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Is there someone from zoning or
code here that we might be able to ask that question of?.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No. Nobody from code
enforcement.
MS. MURRAY: Again, it's really only going to apply to
businesses that have fleet vehicles. A lot of these businesses don't.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: How many vehicles constitute a
fleet?
MS. MURRAY: It's not defined in the--
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Is it more than one vehicle? If you
have got two vehicles that are labeled the same, is that a fleet?
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June 19, 2002
MS. MURRAY: I think the term fleet really refers to those that
are directly associated with the business. It's not necessarily the
number.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: The ones that are going to be parked
there in the evening?
MS. MURRAY: Correct.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Do you think possibly it might be
advantageous to establish a number so if there is a small business out
there this is going to impact and they only got two vehicles or three
vehicles? What do you think, Mr. Henning?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Not much.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You know, I think you bring up a
good point actually. I was just thinking, I never thought of that until
you said that.
But I'm thinking now, in my area, we have a triangle, for
instance, where you have residential at one end of the triangle and
you have all these tiny little businesses at the other, and nobody has
enough room to enclose anything, and -- and I'm wondering if that
might affect them.
I never hear a complaint from them. Maybe we could just --
maybe we could define this particular change to Golden Gate City?
Would that work?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: No, ma'am.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: No?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Let's identify --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: You want county-wide?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Well, you cannot -- either it can
be an urban -- you could apply it to your urban area.
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June 19, 2002
MS. MURRAY: You're going to -- most of your older
subdivisions is where this is going to come into effect. It will affect
Naples Park.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I was just thinking about Naples
Park too, yeah.
MS. MURRAY: And the impacts obviously increase with the
number of vehicles. If it's the Board's direction, we could certainly
attempt to define the number of vehicles. Obviously the visual and
noise affects would be greater with a greater number of vehicles.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Carter.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: But, in Naples Park, you would
have to have the business and the vehicle tied together. It doesn't
mean that a guy who works for ABC Soundsytems and drives the
vehicle home at night and parks in his driveway at his home is
affected by this.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Right.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: But it's, you know, it's -- it's --
I'm sorry I even raised the question. I guess, if there was a buffer, I
consider an alley a buffer. I would guess a fence where I couldn't see
the vehicles, and three or four, or maybe if you wanted to go five or
more, maybe you are nitpicking this, and I don't want to do this.
And I don't know how many situations out there exist like this,
but my experience in the past is, when you do something like this,
and finally the community finds out about it by code enforcement, the
people where they are affected the most, could be, Commissioners
Coletta and Henning, you will have more phone calls than you were
looking for and then you've got to come back to another LDC process
and say, "Wait a minute. I think we are too restrictive," so I don't
know.
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June 19, 2002
It's your call because it's your communities that are affected
probably more than others. What I question is, it a problem or is it a
foreseen problem, and if you leave the alley in there as the buffer,
what happens?
MS. MURRAY: That's an option you may want to consider,
you know, considering this at a later time in the year and bringing it
through the community character, because obviously the aesthetic
and functional impacts of this affects community character in the
neighborhood as well and that may be an option for you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: If-- if I may, on that particular thing,
if we do bring it back -- not -- and I'm not saying I'm totally opposed
to the idea. It's just, I don't know, first, if this has been a problem with
complaints, and I don't know what the overall impacts are going to
be.
Those two things missing, I might be affecting people adversely
by this type of decisioning putting them out of business.
Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Susan, when do we have the
next LDC cycle?
MS. MURRAY: The next LDC cycle will start early this fall
and will terminate in the beginning of January of next year.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. I encourage the Board
Members to look at their district and see how it would affect the
existing businesses that you want to protect.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I want to protect anybody out there
who is not doing any harm.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Okay. How about -- do you
want to protect the quality of life for our other residents in their
neighborhoods?
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June 19, 2002
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Sure. But if their quality of life
means they have never made a complaint, then their quality of life
won't be affected one way or another.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: What about, like, that hospital
facility over there on Davis Boulevard that just opened? I think it's a
DSI or something.
I don't know that they back up to anything residential, but if they
would have their bloodmobile, whatever, delivery cars for DSI that
they would have parked in their back yard, but they don't have a
covered structure and it's in a residential neighborhood, then they
wouldn't be allowed to park it there unless they had a covered
structure; is that correct?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Chairman Coletta, I would like
to strike this language and continue it on to the next cycle so that
again, we can look into the districts out here and what the effects
would be.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Thank you, Commissioner Henning.
I think that's an excellent idea. We don't take a motion or vote on
that, do we?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Maybe we could enlist the
Chamber of Commerce to help us along and have them poll their
businesses or something. What do you think?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I think that's an excellent idea, too. I
don't think you are going to find that many that it affects, but even if
it's only one --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, probably not, but, I mean, if
nobody responds, we know that we made every attempt.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: You are right, Commissioner Fiala.
If there isn't anything else on that, can we move on?
Page 16
June 19, 2002
MS. MURRAY: Sure. Okay. Section 2.2.16.2 on page 30, you
had no comments. Section 2.2.20.2.1 on page 32, the request was to
add Smartgrowth category. And if you turn to page 32, you can see
the highlighted and underlined language that states that proposed
PUD developments shall demonstrate consistency with Smartgrowth
principles as adopted in the most recent policy items in Smartgrowth
by the American Planning Association.
And that policy guide lists many, many criteria in the reasons for
Smartgrowth, so that was added, per your request. The next section
on 2.2.21.5.1, on page 33, you had no comments. Section 2.2.24.8 on
34, no comments. The Immokalee Mural Section 2.2.28, page 36, no
comments.
The next, page 38, I need to call your attention to one change.
That's the farm market overlay. You had asked -- again, there was
some confusion over what the applicant wanted, and let me remind
you, again, this is a paid amendment and the applicant is here if you
wish to talk to them.
You had -- there was some confusion on whether or not SIC
codes that were proposed were adequate to cover the applicant's
intended use, so we did ensure that the correct SIC codes are in the
document. As well, we added-- there was some concern over
adjacency to residential.
And we did add some requirements here and I apologize, they
are not bolded, but there is a separation requirement which is very
similar to the same requirement we have for automobile service
stations and convenient stores that sell gasoline. And there is a
separation requirement from residential -- residentially-zoned land,
and that's where I need to make the clarification in Item C.
There shall be a minimum distance of 500 feet shortest airline
measurement from all residentially-zoned, and I need to strike that or
Page 17
June 19,2002
used the land. Our concern was the residentially-zoned land and then
we put a maximum lot area of two acres.
And again, per your direction, you were concerned that, again
reminding you this is only a two-block area, but you were concerned
that this use might expand into something very grandiose along that
two-block area, so we put a maximum lot area of two acres on there.
So we feel with the separation, this is the maximum lot area that
we should target to a very limited area in that overlay.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: One of our concerns that we brought
up, and I think you may have addressed it, but I'm going to say it out
loud so you can hear it again. It was the fact that the overlay area
was fairly large to begin with and we were concerned about bulk
storage overrunning the whole area, but by having that two acres in
there, do we more-or-less limit it to just one.9
MS. MURRAY: Between the separation requirements, between
similar operations is one -- one way you are going to stop that from
happening. Between the separation distance from residential use and
the lot area, there are three rules we put into place that we think will
avoid the expansion of that use in that whole area.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: With respect to your elimination
of residentially-used land, I presume you are -- you're intending that
if the property is zoned something other than residential, but there are
homes in the area, that this separation requirement does not apply; is
that correct?
MS. MURRAY: That's correct. Those would be
nonconforming uses.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Let me ask you a question about
that. One of the reasons that we, I think, one of the reasons we have
the 500-foot separation is for safety. Does it really make much
Page 18
June 19, 2002
difference whether it's zoned residential, or is it more important that
people are living there?
In other words, if-- if people happen to be living there, even
though it is nonconforming use, do we have an obligation to ensure
the separation for safety purposes?
MS. MURRAY: I -- I would concur with that, yes. I think the -
- when you have nonconforming uses of land, generally the
mindsight is that they are nonconforming, eventually they will go
away and conforming uses will take their place, but that does take a
period of time in some cases, so --
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I would not like to put someone in
danger because they happen to live in an area that's unconforming
use. I don't know how the other Commissioners feel about that.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Well, I'll tell you some of the
research I've done on this and what I can remember from the previous
time. We are talking about people living -- and in Immokalee, it's not
that uncommon, I mean, there has been cases where people take
residency under vehicles to save the cost of rent, but I think that
becomes a problem under code.
It is not a place where residents are permitted to be. And Leo
Rogers, the fire marshal of Immokalee has told me he sees no
problem with this particular thing.
MS. MURRAY: Ed Riley is here from fire as well if you have
any questions of him.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. I would like to determine --
the issue is not whether someone is living illegally in the area. The
issue is whether or not they happen to have a residence and it is in an
area that's not zoned residential, and that's a fairly frequent
occurrence. Do we have an obligation to be concerned about their
safety under those cirucumstances?
Page 19
June 19, 2002
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Would you take the podium, sir?
MR. RILEY: For the record, Ed Riley, fire district of Collier
County. I don't see that it would be an issue in that particular area.
There are a number of restrictions for that type of operation no matter
where it's located. As Chairman Coletta had mentioned, we have
dyking requirements and massive -- even if other structures are on
site that are not living structures, we have separation distances that
are determined by the size of the tank.
So there are a lot of safeguards in the operation on the way it's
supposed to function, and there are already codes in effect to handle
that.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Why do we have the 500-foot
separation for the residentially zoned property?
MR. RILEY: I -- we don't have one in the fire code that
specifies from residential. It's strictly from other structures. It
depends on the size of the tank, so it doesn't differentiate between
residential or non-residential.
So I don't know why the 500 feet is specifically in here. I think
it was to address the concern that the Board had of what the code
was.
MS. MURRAY:
fire codes or anything.
Yeah. It really wasn't a safety in terms of any
It was really just to kind of prevent
proliferation of these kinds of lots.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Any other questions?
MS. MURRAY: Okay. Section 2.3.5, which is on page 41,
automobile parking in conjunction of residential structures. I really
regret having to tell you this, but there was an advertising error that
we did not catch until after the first public hearing, and as such, this
was not advertised properly within the entire title of this ordinance,
so we will bring this back over the summer during your special cycle.
Page 20
June 19, 2002
But, again, this ordinance is pretty much in effect already. This
really was just a rewrite to simplify the language. The rewrite we had
proposed was not substantially different from what is in effect now,
so the -- the existing language will remain in effect until we can come
back and advertise it properly.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: One question on that. How are
we going to enforce the -- the comer lots and the two front yard
issues in the interim?
MS. MURRAY: Well, the ordinance reads as stands, and the
point you brought up last time was, I think the way the ordinance was
currently worded, if afforded properties with two fronts parking over
and above I think what the ordinance was intended to allow.
And we did do that analysis and found that to be the case and
actually started structuring language to amend that, to reduce that.
Unfortunately, due to the advertising error, it was probably the one
critical thing that cannot be changed.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Ms. Student.
MS. STUDENT: Mr. Chairman, one of the things we were
going to ask the Board for direction on, Ms. Murray and I discussed
this, that we don't have to necessarily have another hearing as long as
we when we alter the permitted list of prohibited uses, what we
would do was take this to a regularly schedule planning commission
meeting in July, in your July 30th regularly scheduled meeting. So
that would take care of it rather quickly if we receive direction from
you tonight to do that.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I say do from that prospective.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's fine with me.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I think we've got a--
Page 21
June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Yeah. I'm fine with that. Do
we want to -- does that give the Board Members enough time to
review the language as far as fleet storage? Does that give the Board
Members enough time to take a look at the examples of their district?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I think they are only inquiring to
this one singular item.
MR. SCHMITT: For the record, Joe Schmitt, administer of
community environmental services. What -- we are only referring to
this one. The other one we will bring back during our Fall cycle.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Can we bring that -- do I hear
that you want to do both of those? Is that what you are saying?
MS. STUDENT: There may be a legal concern with that
because it appears to be connected to the list of permitted conditional
uses, and we have to have the two night meetings, and with the
summer schedule, we wouldn't be able to do that, so --
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Thank you.
MS. MURRAY: The next section, 2.4.4.11.8 on page 41, you
had no comments. The next section, 2.6.9.1 and two, about
municipal wells, you had no comments, but I believe Joe would like
to put some comments on the record.
MR. SCHMITT: Yes. For the record, this -- this issue came up
during the planning commission. And one of the issues was --
frankly, was the -- concerning bypassing the conditional use process.
When you're talking about facilities like lift stations or those
type of activities -- and we made a commitment during the planning
commission to do the proper landscaping.
We would also -- we talked about doing the siting improvement or
site development plan. I think where I would like direction from the
Board is -- that was a recommendation of the Board. What does the
Page 22
June 19,2002
Board desire? And understand we are going to be good neighbors
and our intent is to be a good neighbor in this process.
But rather than spend a lot of money and staff time doing the
site development plan, what we really are talking about is -- is
landscaping these facilities properly to ensure that they are buffered
properly.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: You know, we have to be really
sensitive about the tax payers money. MR. SCHMITT: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Because that's really what we
are talking about.
MR. SCHMITT: Yes.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: That's what I'm concerned
about. I know that Tom Woodus and Mr. Delaney are going to be
very senstitive about these issues. Comments from the Board.'?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Carter.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: The last meeting that item was
on, it said agenda and I pulled it. And they deferred -- it's exactly the
same point that you pointed out, Commissioner Henning.
I saw a situation where the county would be spending a lot of
money over a period of time. It's like a little here and a little there,
but it ends up being a lot of bucks over time.
And the utilities department, as Mr. Schmitt outlined, are
accountable for making sure they are good neighbors, and if that did
not necessitate taking that permit-driven process, but one that is -- I'm
going to say, good common sense, but we don't have to pay for tax
payer dollars where there should be an administrative function.
MR. SCHMITT: Well, we -- we have the administrative
function. Our commitment was -- and I'll let Mr. Woodus elaborate
Page 23
June 19,2002
since he is up here, but our committent to lift stations or pump
stations is to make sure they are buffered properly. And like I said,
the Planning Commission, as you well know, all they can do is
recommend. They are recommending that we basically do a site
development plan for each of these.
I think that was a bit overboard. Our intent is primarily to
ensure that we were good neighbors and they are buffered properly
and that when we talk about the tax payers dollars, we spend it
towards the proper landscaping and not the effort of going through an
approval of the site development plan.
MR. WIDES: Commissioners, for the record, Tom Wides. I
think Mr. Schmitt has said it very well. We do have -- we do have a
$7500 SDP that we have already committed too, so we will have to
bring that back to you. We already had the work done on that one,
but we would like to have the option as we go forward to do as we
have done in the past, which is, in fact, landscape these facilities
adequately, and that is what, in fact, we agreed to.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Is everyone in agreement on that?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Dibble the ducks by ducks.
MR. WIDES: Commissioners, thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: You have such an eloquent way of
putting it, Commissioner Carter.
MS. MURRAY: The next section, 2.6.35.7, Alligator Alley
Cormnunication towers, you had no comments. The next section,
2.7.2.3.4, and working off the top of page five of your summary
sheet. I don't mean to be going so fast.
Your request was to allow the planning commission members to
determine the necessity of a second meeting, and again, this was their
meeting rather than the Board of County Commissioners, and so we
went ahead and made that change.
Page 24
June 19,2002
The next section, 2.7.3.4 on page 49, this has to do with PUD
sunsetting and we are going to need your assistance on this. And I'm
going to be really candid with you, there was still a whole lot of
confusion after we left the hearing as to what your direction was.
And I'm going to tell you how we structured it and I hope you
are going to tell me if it's right or wrong. But this has to do with
PUD sunsettings and if you recall, we have some PUD's, the older
PUD's that have a five-year sunsetting provision, and we have the
newer PUD's that were most recently adopted with a three-year
sunsetting provision.
And the way we understood the direction, from you, the way we
understood was that, number one, if, in the event of a moratorium or
other action of government that prevents the approval of a final
development order, of any final development order, so that means
obviously a site development plan or a building permit, once you
have an established PUD, that moratorium or action of government
that's preventing the approval of that final development not be
counted toward the sunsetting provision, for both the three and five-
year PUD's.
Now, there was some language added in there. Bruce Anderson-
- I believe he put it on the record at the time, but he did follow up
with me later, suggesting -- and you will see it there highlighted, and
this is at the bottom of page 50.
If, in the event of a moratorium or a litigation challenging the
development or other action of government, so that was an addition
from the last time we spoke about this issue.
That's one piece of the puzzle and I see five nods, so I assume it's --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I don't think you have got nods all
the way through yet. Tell me, Commissioner Coyle or Commissioner
Henning.
Page 25
June 19,2002
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Just a remark concerning perhaps
a typographic error on page 50, paragraph-- numbered paragraph
one, fourth sentence down, subsequent action on the Board of, I think
on and of are reversed. It should say subsequent action of the Board
on, so --
MS. MURRAY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: The last paragraph on page 50.
You know, I can agree to if it's due to county government, that's fine.
But I don't think that we should carry the burden for every -- every
type of litigation, you know, federal or state. You know --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: That's action of government.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Right.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: We are talking about-- explain the
last part that Bruce Anderson was trying to add to this.
MS. MURRAY: Bruce wanted to add the part that's underlined
and bolded, if, in the event of a moratorium or litigation challenging
the development or other action of government, so his addition was
or litigation--
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Well, litigation could be anyone
challenging it for any reason. So in other words, if someone -- let me
ask you this hypothetical question: I got a development. All of a
sudden I realize that because of money restraints, I can't go on.
I can have another element of my business sue me and put it into
court in such a way that it will tie it up for awhile; is that correct?
that possible?
MS. MURRAY: The way this is structured, I would assume
that.
to be honest with you.
Is
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'm not all that comfortable with that
How do you feel?
Page 26
June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'm not either. I'm thinking that
before we have made a decision, somebody is suing us for that
desicion and now, all of a sudden, they get the benefit of this
moratorium because they are suing us. Is that our-- MS. MURRAY: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I don't want to put that.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Carter, any comment?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I think I could arge on both sides
with my great legal expertise. But I am troubled by that where civil
litigations could be as a result of issues I don't think are directly
attributed to what we are trying to do in terms of PUD reviews and
slow that down.
I can see government. I could see situations where a litigation
was brought against what was going on there by another entity. That
-- that is outside of the control of the people who are trying to
develop it.
I mean, they didn't ask for this litigation. When somebody said
you are destroying the red-headed, you know, nimble bee, and all of a
sudden, there is litigation and you say, "Wait a minute. I didn't know
there was any around there." Well, somebody says, "You know, I
also see pink elephants in the morning so I know they are out there."
Now, that sounds factitious, but there are groups that can bring
that kind of litigation and stop projects and that concerns me, and I
don't know how to work through that language, one, to protect the
concerns of my fellow commissions, which I share, and at the same
time, maybe the word is frivolous if one could define that.
They would have to go to legal counsel for frivolous lawsuits,
frivolous litigation. Then, I'm a little more comfortable, because
frivolous litigation is not where I want to be.
Page 27
June 19, 2002
MS. MURRAY: I don't know if the county attorney's office has
any comments.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Yeah. Is there a way to structure
that so -- a bona fide delay. I can accept that, but if it is a frivolous
litigation suit, then I don't think that is in the control of how it began
because, we, in government, at that point, representing the people
were very comfortable where that process was going.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: May I ask another question?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Of course, Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. So bona fide would
probably be in the eye of the beholder anyway, but the question I
want to ask is, so something had been approved originally by another
commission, we come on board, constituents say, you ought to take
another look at this. This isn't right.
We go back, take and look at it and we reverse that decision.
Okay. Now, we get sued, but we -- we wholeheartedly believe in
what we have done. Now, will that lawsuit -- does that then allow
them to keep this PUD while they sue us?
MR. MURRAY: They way you described it, yes. If it's -- if it's
something that prevents the approval of a final development order
related to the project, then the answer would be yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So there is no incentive not to sue
us, right?
MR. SCHMITT: If, in fact, they wanted to delay any work on
the PUD, that would be a --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Great incentive.
MR. SCHMITT: -- great incentive--
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Right.
MR. SCHMITT: -- to initiate some kind of lawsuit.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Right.
Page 28
June 19,2002
MR. SCHMITT: So, yes.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I -- I think the thing we were
trying to do is -- is to be fair, but when somebody comes before us
with a PUD, it's something they are going to invest a lot of money
into.
They -- they might very well, and certainly in most cases, do try
to secure financing in order to do this sort of thing, and they have
investors involved.
And -- and I think what we were trying to do is shorten the
review time but still be fair, and we heard testimony both from staff
and other people that, in many cases, one cannot even go through the
permitting in three years.
Now, why would we give someone a three-year review process
knowing they can't get the permits and then close the door in three
years without giving them a chance to do it? That's -- that's one
thing.
The other situation is that we cannot -- no one can predict
whether there is going to be a lawsuit against that developer. And
our objective was, if the developer wasn't making a good faith effort
to proceed, it certainly shouldn't count during that period and we
certainly should have a chance to reconsider it.
But if-- if the developer has tried to make a good faith effort to
proceed and -- and they have been prohibited from doing so by
actions of the government, that is failure -- failure to issue permits in
time or a moratorium or some third party comes in and sues the
developer, or in some other way holds up the development process,
why would we want to hold those people responsible for that?
Page 29
June 19, 2002
Why would we want to cause them substantial financial harm
because some third party who wasn't involved has lodged a lawsuit
against them?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I think you are talking about an
upperend -- a really responsible developer. I think we have some of
the other ones where -- where they would and have used any little
loophole they can to either hold our feet to the fire or in some cases,
cheat somebody out of something.
I'm -- I'm thinking of some in my head right now. I think that I
would like to strike this portion, this portion about litigation. I
wouldn't mind handling it on a case-by-case basis, but I -- I think it
might be an advantage to people who we don't want it to be an
advantage to.
MR. SCHMITT: Well, I--
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Can we go to Ms. Student for just
one second? She may have an answer for us.
MS. STUDENT: I was going to bring up the point, in a
reasoning situation, what usually happens if the developer gets
denied, he might sue the county because you denied them, but there is
no PUD for him to extend anyway because he got denied.
If he got approved, he's probably not going to sue the county,
because PUD's are consensual in nature in the ideal world. He is
agreeing to, you know, everybody gets together and agrees.
The only scenario, and I don't believe I have seen it in my tenure
here, is if he is approved and if something he feels to be an
unreasonable thing he has in the PUD, then he might sue over that.
That's the only -- that -- that portion of the PUD he might try to
do, but that's not very likely that that would happen. Otherwise, if
he's approved, there could be suits by neighbors or environmental
groups, and then there is the other situation where you might have a
Page 30
June 19, 2002
declaratory action coupled with an injunction where an
environmental group or neighboring property group might have a
problem with some of the language of what the document means.
They would sue to end any further development until it's ironed
out as to what the language means because they think it means one
thing. It may be injurious to them or whatever. So those are the
scenarios that I can see that would happen in the PUD situation.
And the only one -- I don't see somebody just deliberately suing
to get some time, additional time in the PUD because lawsuits are
very costly, and, I mean, they might.
But lawsuits are very costly, so the only scenario that, as I said,
if they didn't like one of the requirements placed as a condition under
PUD and they sued on that. If they get denied and then sue us, we
don't have a PUD to extend.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: But I -- I think the confusion is
this, and I think if-- if I'm correct in stating that, we can solve it
really quickly, that this is not talking about a suit that a petitioner or a
PUD holder files. It is talking about a suit filed by a third party, not
the petitioner or the PUD holder, but some third party who wishes to
intervene in the process.
So if-- if that's the concern, and-- and I understand that if a-- if
a PUD holder wishes to sue us, that should not be reason for delaying
or extending the sunsetting process, but a third party litigation over
which neither of us have any control, should not cause a sunset
process.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: The third party litigation, to me,
I think, answers that question. Yeah. If we just insert third party, we
would be okay.
MS. STUDENT: We can say litigation brought by third party or
third party is challenging a development.
Page 31
June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I'm thinking of one in particular
where the residents were -- had already -- many residents had bought
into a PUD on Davis Boulevard. Their developer only built a portion
of their clubhouse, a portion of their pool, a portion of the amenities,
stopped entirely.
And these neighbors had to actually sue to get the rest of their
development going. By this provision, we would give this fellow a
bonus, wouldn't we?
MS. STUDENT: No. I don't know, because I don't think that
would be challenging. We might want to put the word challenge on
the development order in there because challenging the development
is a little broader.
But I think in that case the owners might have some contratual
basis or even, you know, outside of the zoning and land use process
in suing that developer. So if we say third party litigation
challenging a development order that limits the type of litigation in
the process.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Yeah. And not only that, but had -
- had we had this provision at the time that happened, we would have
left the residents with virtually no recourse, because what would have
happened is the PUD would have sunset because the time limit was
reached. They had their suit, but the builder couldn't proceed with
the PUD because we sunsetted the provision.
So then they have no recourse at all. They could not require that
the builder proceed under the PUD.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay. Hold off just a second.
MS. MURRAY: I -- I just want to make sure you understand
what happens when a PUD sunsets. It does not expire. It does not go
away. It does not change or be rezoned to something else.
Page 32
June 19, 2002
A sunsetting PUD when -- when the time is tolled, it takes staff
action to bring that PUD before you for consideration and at the
present point in time, you have three options.
You can opt to extend the PUD for up to two years. You can
direct staff to initiate a rezoning, or you can direct the applicant to
submit an amendment.
So you will always have those -- well, you will have those
options, unless you decide to amend the code otherwise, and the
applicant obviously would be before you explaining why they
probably needed an extension unless they don't mind getting their
PUD amended.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Let me help get this process along
here. I agree with Donna. I would like to see this struck from the
record. What we we can do is separate this if we want to keep it all
together and vote on it at the end.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Well, if you are going to separate
it out, Commissioner, if I'm understanding you, if you want to vote
on it separately at the end, my question would be, I really don't
understand why you would want to deny ---
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Good question, Commissioner
Carter. I'm -- I'm opposed to that as the consortium of that language.
Commissioner Fiala, I believe you still are?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. And, you know, I guess what
really bothered me was I wish Bruce would have talked to us about
inserting that because we were the ones talking to -- planning to
insert these things.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: He's here.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yeah. But didn't you say he asked
you to insert this?
Page 33
June 19, 2002
MS. MURRAY: I just don't recall. I thought it was brought up
at the meeting and then he did contact me after the meeting.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No. It was brought up at the
meeting. As a matter a fact, I thought it was submitted in writing as a
recommendation. I'm not sure, but I may be wrong.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Did Mr. Anderson pay his
$15007
MS. MURRAY: No. This was at your direction. He's just -- a
comment toward --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I would like to move along on this in
one direction or the other. What is the pleasure of the commissioners
here?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I recommend we keep it as it is,
but put the third party litigation here. It addresses Commissioner
Fiala's concern.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I would add the word order,
development order as recommended by counsel and that, to me,
clarifies the language.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, I don't feel comfortable with
that inserted there, but that's my opinion.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I still have a serious problem with it.
I would like for it to be on the record as being in opposition to this
insertion.
MS. MURRAY: There is another part of this I need to discuss
with you to get your clarification on as well, so if you are ready to
leave that issue, I'll go to the next one.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Please, go ahead. We'll come back
to that.
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June 19, 2002
MS. MURRAY: Okay. The part we were unclear about was, if
you remember, and this again, goes back to your workshop when we
discussed the three-year and five-year PUD's and the tools you had in
your tool box to address PUD's when they have sunsetted. Again,
sunsetting does not mean they go away.
It just is a point in time in which the Board is required by the
code to take further action. And you have three choices with respect
to the PUD's. The first choice is to require the owner to submit an
amended PUD.
The second choice is to give them an extension of up to two
years, and the third choice is to direct staff to initiate proceedings to
rezone. What we thought we heard -- what we thought we heard you
say was that for five-year PUD's, you wanted to eliminate the option
to extend them, and that is the way it's drafted here. If that is
incorrect, if you would please let me know, and I will insert the right
language.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I think that is incorrect, but
whether or not the rest of the Board agrees with me is a different
question. But I would say that your description of restrictions of that
clearly on -- on the summary sheet, I -- I think your -- your
description of our decision on the first meeting on 5/29/02 is
absolutely right.
It does not differentiate between the three and five-year
provisions and -- and I think what we said we wanted to do is -- is not
deprive ourselves of an option. I -- I thought that's what we decided,
but -- but once again, there -- there might be disagreement on the
Board.
MR. SCHMITT: Mr. Chairman, just to get us to kind of where
we got here, we, in the workshop and then subsequently in some of
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June 19, 2002
the guidance, initially, what we thought you wanted was us to give
the five-year PUD's before you so that, in fact, it gave you an
opportunity to amend to require newer LDC definitions to go into
new PUD's and that -- that was the vehicle to do it.
Once they -- they reached -- the language that was added is the
language that gave the applicant or the developer in the event of the
delay, through either government action and, of course, what was
written here is litigation, gave the -- does not count.
So therefore, that was the governmental action they would not
count towards their calendar ticking down on the PUD, and that's the
way this is written right now. If you read on page 50, and it says that
in the event of a moratorium, a person may take further action with
the government that prevents any approval of any final development
order that the -- the duration of a suspension of the approval shall that
be counted against the three-year sunsets.
So for all intensive purposes, what that language that was
written does is give them time not to count them, which I think met,
Commissioner Coyle, your objective of not counting governmental
delay towards their lack of being able to commit to their -- their
obligation under the PUD definition, so that's how we kind of got
where we are.
We have the tool that gets us that PUD before you and we also
have the language that gives -- gives the developer the benefit of the
doubt for not having it count against him, if, in fact, he is tied up
through the permitting process or some other sort of governmental
approval process. So that -- that's the way it's written out. I think
that's what we wanted.
Now, if that's incorrect, I guess we really need some
clarification because that's -- that -- the intent was to try to get the
five-year PUD's to a three-year PUD, both from a standpoint of
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June 19, 2002
amending to update based on the LDC changes, but also to get them
into that three-year cycle, excluding those that were delayed for
governmental things.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'm sorry, Commissioner Coyle, but I
have to go in order.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you very much. Yes. That's
exactly what we said. At that meeting, I -- I made the suggestion that
this is one opportunity we had to -- to reign in some of this rapid
growth, get a better hold on it, and readdress all these old PUD's.
Now, there are two that were out there that were brought to us
with really legitimate reasons why they haven't been able to. We
have it and we could address them, but at the same time, it allows us
to tweak some of those antiquated provisions that were included in a
PUD that was 20 years old.
And this is exactly what we've pledged to do and -- and this is --
everything you said I agree with. That's what I believe.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle, and then I've
got some comments.
COMMISSIONER COYLE' I -- I agree with that position for
those very old PUD's, but right now what we are saying is that a PUD
approved in 1997 is -- is going to expire even though they might not
have been able to proceed because of a failure of government to issue
permits or because the third party lost it.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: I thought we addressed them.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Well, that's what he's saying.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And so if you don't provide some
options, then -- then you're simply not being fair and-- and people
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June 19, 2002
have spent a lot of money, a lot of time in putting these things
together.
They've gotten loans. They have put investments together and
now you are going to say because some third party stepped in and
sued you and held you up for a couple of years, I'm going to cause
you to go through this whole process again.
You -- you have not given yourself an option otherwise to -- to
even extend it. You've locked yourself in a situation where it's just
going to sunset, and then they are going to have to come in with a
revised PUD and--
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Let me say -- tell you the way I see
it. Tell me if I'm wrong. One, what we are saying is that in the event
of a moratorium or other governmental action, then we won't count
that time against them, number one; that's correct.
Number two, if anything else prevails and that's about ready to
sunset, they come before us and ask if we can call it again. If there
are other mitigating circumstances that we can't quite cover that
apply, we can do that at that point in time when they come before us;
correct?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: No. You have removed your
opportunity to extend the PUD under the five-year. That's exactly
my point. You have taken away your option to make any decisions
based upon reasonable circumstances.
Now, I would suggest you do one of two things, either retain
your option to review it and extend it if you think it's the proper thing
to do, or secondly, give someone an exemption based upon a
moratorium, litigation by a third party or other action of government.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I have no problem with bringing it
back for the Commission to review. I do still have a problem with
litigation challenging the developer because of the way that it is.
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June 19, 2002
And no matter how you word it, it's going to have so many holes in it.
I trust this commission or future commissioners to be able to make
that decision when it comes before them--
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You're -- you're absolutely right.
And that's why I say we should put the option in to extend it if we
think it's reasonable, which means we make no distinction between
three-year and five-year PUD's.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: But you agree on the removal of the,
or litigation to do that?
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You don't need to if you retain
your options to retain--
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Then I'm with you.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You only need one, either, or, but
you don't need both of them.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay. Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: So have we just given our right
away or-- not right. Let me say this again. I pledged to myself to
get a firm grip on development and -- and finally have an opportunity
to get a hold of every PUD and readdress it that isn't already in.
Yes. There are a couple of circumstances where we need to be
more lenient, but I want to get a firm, yet fair grip on this
development and I think this is an opportunity for us to do that and
we have to take that opportunity. We can't give it away.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I agree with you, Commissioner
Fiala. If I may first and then we'll go right to you, Commissioner
Coyle. I do want to bring this to some sort of conclusion pretty
quickly. We have a large agenda ahead of us today. I agree with you,
Commissioner Fiala. What we are saying is the fact that the right to
readdress this by the petitioner is still preserved.
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June 19, 2002
In other words, if they come before us, we can send them
packing. Sure, it's going to be a little more work for us, but if they
think they have just cause and they want to spend the money to be
able to bring this back before us to continue their PUD from
sunsetting because they think they have just reason, then we have to
hear them. I -- that's basically what I'm understanding that
Commissioner Coyle is saying. I think you are basically saying the
same thing.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Right. There are a couple out there
that we can -- that we just have to --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: But I don't want it to automatic,
where all of a sudden, they get it extended without question every
time. In other words, it would mean nothing.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: That's right. Then we wouldn't be
making any adjustment at all. I think if we add too much leninecy
into this thing, then we have no teeth anymore. Then, we go right
back to where we were, so what have we accomplished?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I'm going to let Commissioner Carter
say something. I don't want him to lose train of thought.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I -- I -- I really am puzzled, truly
puzzled. If the goal is to bring the five years back and review, which
I think everybody is in agreement on, they come back and what the
timeline is, whether it's three or five, wanted some criteria which
says, I'm not going to discriminate because of a moratorium, or there
is some other government action, then these people have done
everything they possibly could do, but it's outside of their control --
and frankly, it's outside of the Board of County Commission's
control. Now, help me with that. What is wrong with that? Any
member of the commission.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Nothing.
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June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Okay.
that part, right?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Right.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Okay.
So nothing is wrong with
third party litigation challenging the development order.
you are uncomfortable with, if I'm understanding.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Right. Right.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Because that -- I have to
understand it. Is that what you are uncomfortable with?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Well, that's -- the thing I'm
uncomfortable with is when we bring this PUD back, that I think
what I wanted to do then is be subject to the new PUD three-year
rules.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: It can't be if it's a five-year old
PUD.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It can be if we make it that way,
right?
MS. MURRAY: If you amended it to --
MR. SCHMITT: You would have to amend it.
MS. MURRAY: You would have to amend it to be subject to
those rules, so if you extended it as far as you could extend it, it
would remain under the criteria for the five-year unless you directed
an amendment.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: We've got some consensus going
here. I think Commissioner Carter just said it. You want to say it
again, please?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Help me, Commissioner Coyle,
because I think I -- I'm not sure I got it and maybe I think in your
case, you said you've got it, so help me with that.
So the hang up is the
That's what
Page 41
June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER COYLE: I'm -- I'm not sure I do but let me
try and explain it this way. If-- if you retain your option to grant an
extension because of extenuating circumstances, then you have the
ability to take a look at this and make a decision if reasonable, good
faith efforts were made on the part of the developer to proceed.
If they did not proceed, you have options. We have removed our
options here. You don't have that option now. So -- in -- in the -- in
place of that, we have said, okay, since we don't have any options,
here are the circumstances for which your PUD will not be sunsetted.
And those options are essentially, if there were circumstances
beyond your control, you tried but you couldn't do it because of
government or something else, and -- and -- and so I would suggest to
you that this latter, the language that exists now is more restricted
then keeping your option to review it, because if it comes back to you
for review, you want to take a look at it and you're deciding, well,
this one looks good and that one looks bad.
There is a lot of subjectivity there. If you keep the -- the -- the
wording as it currently exists, there's not that much subjectivity
whatsoever, and if they don't meet those requirements, it terminates.
If-- you have a lot more control in my opinion with respect to
getting a five-year PUD to -- to move underway or to sunset if you
use the language that is currently existing. There is absolutely no risk
to the Board to accept that language.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Let's go down the line one at at time
so we can move on. Let's start with Commissioner Carter.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Now, I -- I've been in agreement
with Commissioner Coyle all along on this and the puzzlement for
me is -- and I think everybody wants to accomplish the same thing,
but I think the legal definition may be causing the confusion and I
don't know how to get over that hurdle.
Page 42
June 19, 2002
But I'm comfortable with what's in here if it means giving up the
one section in there. I can do that in order to get this on the books
and have the protection, but let me tell you, I'm not totally confident
with that because if you look to the other side of it, we, the
government could be exposed.
I suppose someone else will have to take that risk. I think this is
a ensurance statement, to me. I can give that up myself if we can just
get this thing resolved and not lose the opportunity to get this --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Fiala.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: The main things I was concerned
with is the loopholes we have seen so often. We open things up just a
little bit for a few good guys and what happens is other people come
in and use these loopholes against us and sue us because of it, so I
wanted to tighten this up as much as I could on a case-by-case basis.
If somebody was -- through no fault of their own, a moratorium,
road, whatever it was, to even get to their PUD, you know, there was
no road to open to even get there, it's not their fault. Then we could
address something like that, but we are only talking about a couple of
them. I think this opens it up to giving too many people too many
loopholes.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Well, we probably have --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Probably.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: -- a philosophical difference on
that because I operate on the -- that 99 percent of your people out
there that are in this business are trying to live by the laws we have
created in doing it and doing it appropriately.
One percent would cheat their mother if they could and you're
not going to stop these kinds ofbehaviours, so that's where I'm trying
to get to, without punishing the people who are the 99 percent. If
that's too high, pick your number but that's where I am.
Page 43
June 19, 2002
Commissioner Carter.
MR. SCHMITT:
before --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay. Let me go down the line.
Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I make a motion that we adopt
Section 2.7.3.4 in removing the bold underlined addition on this last -
- at the last paragraph, and I also find it consistent with the growth
managment plan.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay. We have a motion, from
Commissioner Henning. I don't think there is any --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: I'll second it for--
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Yeah. If anything, we can get it up
and if we don't approve it, then we can move onto the next one. So
we have a motion from Commissioner Henning and a second from
Let's go right down--
We have a public speaker registered for this
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay.
MR. SCHMITT: -- you vote. I don't know if you want to hear
the public speaker.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Yes, we do. By all means.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: It depends on who the public
speaker is.
MR. SCHMITT: Bruce Anderson.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Oh, well then.
MR. ANDERSON: For the record, my name is Bruce
Anderson. I cannot explain it any more clearly then Commissioner
Coyle has done. But I want to give you -- sometimes it's hard to -- to
understand these concepts unless you have a specific factual situation
that you can put your arms around, and I want to give you one.
In the last month, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that if a
developer gets a zoning approval and somebody challenges it, but he
Page 44
June 19, 2002
goes forward and builds anyway while the challenge is pending, the
courts can order him to tear down everything he constructed.
In Collier County, we have a very specific case where a
developer who will come up for PUD sunset review next year, got
approval, unanimous approval as I recall, from the County
Commission after working closely with the neighbors to achieve a
satisfactory PUD.
They thought everything was well and fine, and a year, you
know, several months later, they -- they started to construct the PUD.
And the neighbors filed suit claiming that the county had incorrectly
advertised the hearing at which the zoning was approved.
The developer is assisting the County Attorney's Office in
defending that suit. It's been pending for more than a year. The
developer can't go forward, yet you would propose to subject him to
PUD sunset review next year when the whole reason that he can't go
forward is because the county may have incorrectly advertised the
hearing at which it was approved? Where is the fairness in that?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Bruce, in here it says due to the
action of government. That would be an action of government. You
would be protected. It's the action of government that caused the --
the misadvertised meeting and we're right back to square one. Am I
correct, Bruce, or am I wrong?
MR. ANDERSON: I would like to have an opinion on the
record from the county attorney to that effect.
MS. STUDENT: Well, it depends because I -- I can foresee that
if the county prevailed in that lawsuit, then it wasn't an action of
government but the guy still got held up. So you can't use that
provision. The guy still got held up for the length of time it took to
determine whether or not it was an action of government.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Mr. Schmitt.
Page 45
June 19, 2002
MS. SCHMITT: May I make a proposal, Mr. Chairman, that
this language, I think what we can do is strike out all the underlined
portion on page 50, strike out the underlined portion on 49 and just
allow all three options for either five or three-year PUD's.
That way the applicant will come back to you, you have the
option then to extend, if, in fact, there are mitigating circumstances to
warrant that extension. But if there are not, then you would direct the
applicant to go back and amend the PUD and that would put that
five-year PUD to a three-year PUD and-- and those kind of rules
would then apply,
But that gives you the three tools out of the tool box that are
available for both three-year and five-year PUD's without penalizing
a situation that Mr. Anderson is addressing tonight, and I think that
may solve the problem.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I amend my motion to reflect
that.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And I second it.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: No. Mr. Coyle, we have a second
from Commissioner Carter.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: Oh, I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Do you have something,
Commissioner Carter?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: You say the bold and underlined
on page 50?
MR. SCHMITT: Yes. And we would eliminate that, we would
eliminate the -- the first line on page 49 that is underlined where it's
under 2.7.3.4 and just start with, "should the development services go
all the way through." That gives you the three options and we are not
delineating between a three and a five-year PUD, we are just
describing succinctly what your options are.
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June 19, 2002
The applicant will then come before you and state their case and
then you make the determination whether or not, one, they can get an
extension, two --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Okay. I got it. I second it.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: We have a motion and we have a --
MR. SCHMITT: The only thing we have to clarify is do you
want to strike out that portion or do you want to leave that in the
event of a moratorium or other action -- government action -- COMMISSIONER CARTER: I do. I do. It's not in the
underlined section.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Yeah.
MR. SCHMITT: That way the --
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: It's spelled right out.
stay
MS. STUDENT:
that way or --
MS. MURRAY:
And three years stricken through, does that
No. We said that we would remove that. On
page 49, we would remove that from that first sentence.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: And to give the Board some
comfort, that is exactly what we said at the last hearing. MR. SCHMITT: Yes.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: That is exactly what we proposed
at the last hearing and that is exactly what is put on page five of the
summary sheet of our observations at that time. We did not
differentiate between three and five year, and that's exactly what we
said before.
MR. SCHMITT: Well, yes. That's what we heard you say, but
we had some mixed signals and we really were never comfortable
with where -- what the final analysis was.
Page 47
June 19, 2002
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: I think we are there. We got a
motion and we got a second amended. Mr. Anderson, I'll allow you
another minute. Go ahead.
MR. ANDERSON: May I ask a clarification question? Ms.
Murray said you were going to strike the three year on page 49. Are
you still going to strike the three-year reference on page 50?
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: It's my understanding that we are.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: The five-year reference on page
50 at the very end?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA:
MR. ANDERSON: Okay.
The three-year.
I'm sorry.
MR. SCHMITT:
already.
MR. ANDERSON:
struck.
COMMISSIONER COYLE:
between three and five-year.
Yes. That's -- that would -- that's stricken
Okay. I just wanted to make sure that was
There is no differentiation
MR. SCHMITT: What -- what will happen though, is the staff
will -- will track those and then when they come before the Board,
the Board will then have the option to do what those three
requirements say.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: In a way, we are way ahead of the
game because in the past we just let these things continually slide.
MR. SCHMITT: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Okay.
MS. MURRAY: I'm sorry. One more point of clarification.
Litigation, did you want to insert brought by third partys and the
word development order?
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: No.
Page 48
June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER CARTER: No. Anything that was
underlined is out.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Does that tighten it up enough
where it gives us --
COMMISSIONER CARTER: It does for me.
COMMISSIONER COYLE: You'll still get your five-year thing
sunsetted. You'll get to that point.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Any other discussions? All those in
favor, indicate by saying aye.
THE BOARD: AYE.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Opposed? The ayes have it five to
zero.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I would just like to ask the
deputy, if we ever do that again, abuse a subject like that, you shoot
US.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Mr. Schmitt, thank you again for
jumping in. If you want to do it a little sooner the next time, that will
be fine.
MR. SCHMITT: Yes, sir.
MS. MURRAY: I can roll through the others very quickly
except you do have a public speaker for the last one. That is the
remainder of the amendments.
And I do have to read these for the record very quickly, 2.8.3.4.1 and
2.8.3.4.2; you had no comments and there were no changes; 3.2.8.3.4,
no comments.
On the top of page six, regarding fire hydrants, section 3.2.8.4.8,
you did have some questions. We didn't make any changes but Ed
Riley is here if you still have those questions or maybe in the interim
you have had them answered.
Page 49
June 19,2002
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Henning does have
questions.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: I met with Ed Riley and I
understand the amendments and know why they are there and I think
we should move forward with them. Commissioner Coyle is in the
bathroom, so let's move on.
MS. MURRAY: Section 3.7.1.10.4, you had no comments, and
the last is 3.13.8 and there is a registered public speaker for that item.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Would you call that speaker up,
please?
MR. SCHMITT: Don Pickwork.
MR. PICKWORK: Good evening, Commissioners. For the
record, I'm Don Pickwork. I'm representing the Lely Barefoot Beach
Property Owners' Association. I apologize for not addressing this
before you at the very last hearing. I was engaged to help them with
this last week.
And I'm really here to really ask you to give some direction,
because I'm here to talk about something that's not in this section, and
it goes back to this.
As you know, the single family homes at Lely Barefoot Beach
are built right along the coastal construction setback line. The
residents out there in the course of doing -- doing voluntary
reconstruction a year or so ago, have placed narrow strips of sod in
front of their residencies, which, you know, is good for asthetics and
cleanliness and also for allowing aerial lifts and things like that for
servicing the homes.
There has been an ongoing concern with code enforcement on
this and the solution was to rectify it legislatively by putting some
language into the Land Development Code in this cycle which would
cure the problem.
Page 50
June 19, 2002
That language was removed during the earlier processes before
it got to you all, before I had an opportunity to address that. And the
residents obviously are concerned right now that with the adoption of
this ordinance without that language, that code enforcement will now
descend upon them. And we think there is a legislative solution to
this.
There's no question that these narrow strips of sod are certainly
not going to cause an -- an adverse impact on the beach. I mean,
plus, the legislation was drafted by your environmental people, and I
have also talked to Fred Gore about it.
So I guess all I'm really asking for tonight is, I don't -- I don't
think, you know, to try to redraft legislation here is not a good idea.
You end up with something that just causes trouble later.
All I would like is a Board direction to work with us on this so
that we can move forward and bring something at the next cycle. I
don't think there is a planning inconsistency problem and I know that
opinion was expressed, and that's why it was taken out. I read it and I
don't think that's the case, but we can address that. And that's all I'm
asking for is the opportunity to work through this. CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Mr. Schmitt.
MR. SCHMITT: Yes. Can I reply? That -- this language, we --
the staff had taken the liberty to add that language based on the
requests to meet the needs of the residents out there at Lely Barefoot
Beach. That language was vetted before DESAP twice. It was vetted
before the EAC twice. It was vetted before the planning commission.
Every one of them voted against it saying there was absolutely
no empathy at all towards the situation that the folks had basically
created for themselves out there, the situation, so we struck that
language from -- from the recommendation.
Page 51
June 19, 2002
Now, my -- my only recommendation would be that if the
residents want to pursue this and add that again, that they file and
apply for an LDC amendment and we'll -- we'll try it again, but the
residents can apply this time. But I can tell you right now, it was not
successful.
We tried -- we tried to reach a compromise all the way through
the process. In fact, we were fairly well criticized for trying to reach
that compromise and we saw it was going no where. And it went no
where in front of all three of those -- those commissions.
So the -- the choice is yours. I don't even have the language that
was originally there, but basically what we were going to allow are
pavers and other nonpervious(sic) type material to be behind the
homes and really to understand that was to allow the residents to -- to
get in behind their homes and do proper maintenance, but frankly,
and -- and brutally honest, the planning commission said they created
that problem themselves and they have to deal with it.
So that's where we are at. There was frankly a lot of opposition
to allow these kind of things beyond the coastal construction setback
line.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Well, I'll -- I'll allow you to comment
MR. PICKWORK: If I could, just because I -- I appreciate what
he is saying but I'm not sure that's all entirely accurate, nor do I
believe it's the whole story as far as they self-created a hardship and I
think there is a lot more to that story.
We would like the opportunity -- I understand that a number of
committees met and didn't like this, but I -- I think the residents of
Lely Barefoot Beach deserve the opportunity to present this issue to
their elected representatives and -- and have that determination made.
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June 19, 2002
I think there are substantial equities in favor of doing this, and --
and I think that when -- that when the opportunity to present the
entire story is given to you, I -- I feel reasonably confident that not
withstanding the fact that some people down below didn't like this
amendment, you may see this a little bit differently.
And I would look for the opportunity for you all to make that
decision because I think that's where that decision is supposed to be
made.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Of course, I always sympathize with
what needs of the residents are, but in this case, it's gone through the
whole process.
We are at the end of a process and I suggest that -- my mind
thoughts are that you bring it back with our full blessing in the next
cycle so that we can take a look at it again.
MR. PICKWORK: That's -- that's all we want.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: At this point in time, I'm not about
ready to undo the work that everybody else has been behind, so I
encourage you to come back next cycle.
MR. PICKWORK: I'm not asking to undo any work, just to
bring it back the next cycle. That's all we are asking.
MR. SCHMITT: And we concur. I think that's something we
can bring it back and apply for an amendment.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Fiala and
Commissioner Canner next.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Oh, mine is so quick. Fourth line
down, page 58, I bet you meant FDEP requirements, just so you don't
have to bring it back for a scrivener error.
MS. MURRAY: Thank you. Commissioner-- Mr. Chairman,
that's all we have. I guess, Marjorie, if you could remind the Board
of what they need to do.
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June 19, 2002
MS. STUDENT: Yes. In your -- first off, for the record, this is
land code amendments, so only four votes to pass it. As part of the
motion, of course, I need the consistency with the comprehensive
plan finding.
And also, we may need to make some non-substantive changes
to catch typos and things like that, so I would like to make that as part
of the motion that it's okay to make the non-substantive changes.
MS. MURRAY: And I would also like to say for the record, we
are excluding the amendment to Section 2.3.5, although it is in your
packet. That's just for the record.
COMMISSIONER HENNING: And I would include that in my
motion.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: We have a motion from
Commissioner Henning.
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Second.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Carter for the second.
Is there any other discussion?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Yes. Fast question. That also
excludes the one we are bringing back about the parking?
COMMISSIONER HENNING: Correct.
MS. MURRAY: Yes, ma'am. That's correct. I didn't clarify
that but that was what I said, yes.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Any other discussion? All those in
favor, indicate by saying aye. THE BOARD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: And the ayes have it four to zero.
MS. MURRAY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Commissioner Coyle is absent at this
moment in time.
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June 19, 2002
COMMISSIONER CARTER: Mr. Chairman, just before we
close this thing, I understand Mr. Pickwork's request for the Lely
Barefoot Beach residents. The last' memorandum I read was they
were looking, and if they bring this back, for consideration of putting
15 feet of grass, no other materials, in front of these condos to
accomplish the objective to be able to -- to work on them.
So I think that's where they are and I think that's a proper process to
bring it back to the committees, and perhaps, if they limit it to one
item in one area, they may have different receptivity in terms of that.
CHAIRMAN COLETTA: Before we go to the next meeting,
I'm going to adjourn this meeting and we are going to take a ten-
minute break.
(Whereupon, the hearing was adjourned.)
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair- Time 6:45 p.m.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF ZONING APPEAL/EX
OFFICIO GOVERNING BOARD(S) OF
SPECIAL DISTRICTS UNDER ITS
CONTROL
JIM COLETTA, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:
Page 55
June 19,2002
DWIGHT~.E. BROCK, CLERK
'l~ese minutes approved by the Board on ~
as presented ~ or as co~ected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED BY: Naples Court Reporting, Inc.
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