CCPC Minutes 03/16/2006 R
March 16, 2006
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
Naples, Florida, March 16, 2006
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Planning
Commission, in and for the County of Collier, having conducted
business herein, met on this date at 8:30 a.m. in REGULAR
SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN:
Mark P. Strain
Bob Murray
Brad Schiffer
Lindy Adelstein
Tor Kolflat
Donna Reed Caron
Paul Midney
Robert Vigliotti
Russell Tuff
ALSO PRESENT:
Joseph Schmitt, Community Development & Env. Services
Marjorie Student-Stirling, Assistant County Attorney
Page 1
AGENDA
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION WILL MEET AT 8:30 A.M., THURSDAY, MARCH ]6,2006, IN THE
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING ROOM, ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, COUNTY
GOVERNMENT CENTER, 330] TAMIAMI TRAIL EAST, NAPLES, FLORIDA:
NOTE: INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS WILL BE LIMITED TO 5 MINUTES ON ANY
ITEM. INDIVIDUALS SELECTED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF AN
ORGANIZATION OR GROUP ARE ENCOURAGED AND MAY BE ALLOTTED 10
MINUTES TO SPEAK ON AN ITEM IF SO RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
PERSONS WISHING TO HAVE WRITTEN OR GRAPHIC MATERIALS INCLUDED
IN THE CCPC AGENDA PACKETS MUST SUBMIT SAID MATERIAL A MINIMUM
OF ] 0 DAYS PRIOR TO THE RESPECTIVE PUBLIC HEARING. IN ANY CASE,
WRITTEN MATERIALS INTENDED TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CCPC SHALL
BE SUBMITTED TO THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY STAFF A MINIMUM OF
SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING. ALL MATERIAL USED IN
PRESENTATIONS BEFORE THE CCPC WILL BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF
THE RECORD AND WILL BE A V AILABLE FOR PRESENT A TION TO THE BOARD
OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IF APPLICABLE.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THE CCPC WILL
NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND
THEREFORE MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND
EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ROLL CALL BY CLERK
3. ADDENDA TO THE AGENDA
4. PLANNING COMMISSION ABSENCES
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 20, 2005, AUIR MEETING; JANUARY 5, 2006, REGULAR MEETING;
JANUARY 5, 2006, AUIR MEETING; JANUARY ]3,2006, AUIR MEETING; JANUARY ]9,2006, REGULAR
MEETING
6. BCC REPORT- RECAPS - JANUARY 25, 2006, AUIR MEETING; FEBRUARY 6, 2006, AUIR MEETING;
FEBRUARY 8, 2006, LDC MEETING; FEBRUARY ]4,2006, REGULAR MEETING
7. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
8. ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Petition: BD-2005-AR-8828, Ruediger Brungsberg represented by Ne]son Marine Construction Inc. is
requesting an 18-foot boat dock extension from the 20-foot protrusion allowed, which will replace the
existing dock and extend 38 feet into the waterway. The subject property is located at 222 Barefoot Beach
Boulevard, Lot 2, Bayfront Gardens, Section 6, Township 48, Range 25, Collier County, Florida.
(Coordinator: Joyce Ernst)
B. Petition: BD-2005-AR-8642, John Phillips, represented by Turrell & Associates, is requesting a 32-foot boat
dock extension from the allowed 20 feet for a protrusion of 52 feet into the waterway. The subject property is
located at 224 Malibu Cove, Southport on the Bay Unit 1, Lot 21, Section 6, Township 48 South, Range
25 East, Bonita Springs, F]orida. (Coordinator: Joyce Ernst) CONTINUED FROM 2/] 6/06
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C. Petition: V A-2005-AR-8857, Laura and Angelo Puleio, owners of Enzo's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant,
represented by Carlo F. Zampogna, of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A., requesting a variance from two
side yard setbacks to allow for renovation of the interior and an addition to provide restroom facilities and
storage. The new addition encroaches 11.66 feet into the required 25-foot side setback leaving a 13.34-foot
side yard on the southern side of the property and also encroaches 14.99 feet into the required 15-foot side
setback leaving a O.OI-foot setback on the western side of the property. The subject property, consisting of
0.47 acres, is located at 4351 Bonita Beach Road, in Section 5, Township 48 South, Range 25 East, Collier
County, Florida. (Coordinator: Heidi Williams)
D. Petition: CU-2005-AR-8081, La Playa Golf Club LLC, represented by Fred Reischl, AICP, of Agnoli,
Barber & Brundage Inc. and R. Bruce Anderson, Esquire of Roetzel & Andress, is requesting a conditional
use allowed per LDC Section 2.04.03 of the RSF-3 (Residential Single Family) zoning district for a Golf
Course Maintenance Facility. This proposed conditional use will permit a reconfiguration of the site and
construction of a new maintenance structure. The subject property, consisting of 2.5 acres, is located at 220
Cypress Way East, in Section 24, Township 48 South, Range 25 East, Collier County, Florida.
(Coordinator: Carolina Valera) (CONTINUED TO 4/6/06 Due To Advertising Error By Petitioner)
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. Continuation of Comprehensive Planning Department EAR-Based Growth Management Plan amendments
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. To discuss specific dates for the 2006 AUIR Special Meeting. Possible dates would be October 11 th and 2nd,
2006.
B. Requesting approval from CCPC for hearing to be held on Oct. 5, 2006, with carryover to Oct. 19, for the
Adoption of EAR-Based Amendments
11. PUBLIC COMMENT ITEM
12. DISCUSSION OF ADDENDA
13. ADJOURN
3-16-06/CCPC Agenda/RB/sp/mk/hr
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Good morning. It is now 8:30. If you'd
all rise for Pledge of Allegiance.
(Whereupon, the Pledge of Allegiance was united in unison.)
Item #2
ROLL CALL
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Madam secretary, will you
please take the roll call.
MS. CARON: I will. Mr. Kolflat?
COMMISSONER KOLFLAT: Here.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Mr. Schiffer?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Here.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Mr. Midney is absent. Ms. Caron
is here. Mr. Strain?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Here.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Mr. Adelstein?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Here.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Mr. Murray, Mr. Vigliotti, and
Mr. Tuff are not here.
Item #3
ADDENDA TO THE AGENDA
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. First thing I want to do
today is reaffirm the agenda. We're going to have three cases to hear
this morning. Once we're past those, we're going to move into where
we left off on the EAR amendments. First one of which is to finish
up the solid waste portion of that. The intention today, as announced
in our last meeting as we continued the EAR hearings for today, was
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March 16, 2006
to finish the amendments in order in the book as we were provided.
Then the 30th of this month, we'll finish -- we'll go through and do
the cleanup items that staff brings back on those amendments. There
have been some questions if we were going to go back and revisit
some of the other items today. That is not the intent, nor was that the
direction given in our last meeting, so we will purely follow what's in
the book today when we get to that agenda item. And that will start
right after our three hearings this morning.
Item #4
PLANNING COMMISSION ABSENCES
So with that, planning commission absences for the next hearing,
which is the March 30th meeting, do we have the members here
planning to be there?
MS. CARON: I'll be there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I just want to make sure we have a
quorum.
Item #5
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - DECEMBER 20, 2005, AUIR
MEETING; JANUARY 5, 2006, REGULAR MEETING;
JANUARY 5, 2006, AUIR MEETING; JANUARY 13, 2006, AUIR
MEETING~ JANUARY 19.2006 REGULAR MEETING
The approval of the minutes. Ray, it looks like we have one,
two, three, four, five sets of minutes. The first one being December
20th. That was our A UIR meeting. Is there recommendation for
approval?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So moved.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made and seconded. Any
discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: All in favor.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed? Minutes of
January 5th regular meeting.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So moved.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Second.
MS. CARON: I have one correction to make. On page 31 it
should say TCEA the bottom of the page. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Now is there a motion with the
correction?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Seconded by Mr. Schiffer. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Those opposed? None. The minutes of
January 5th AUIR meeting. Is there a motion to approve?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made by Commissioner
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March 16, 2006
Adelstein. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Seconded by Commissioner Schiffer.
Discussion. All those in favor?
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That you. January 13th, is there a
motion to approve?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Commissioner Adelstein made a motion
to approve. Is there a second?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer seconded the motion. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: January 19th regular meeting. Is there
a motion to approve?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So moved.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made by Commissioner
Adelstein. Seconded by?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Commissioner Schiffer. All those in
favor signify by saying aye.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed? Well, that was
easy. Bet we don't go through the rest of the day that fast.
Item #6
BCC REPORT - RECAPS - JANUARY 25, 2006, AUIR
MEETING; FEBRUARY 6, 2006, AUIR MEETING; FEBRUARY
8, 2006, LDC MEETING; FEBRUARY 14, 2006, REGULAR
MEETING
Ray, you had a pile of recaps sent to us too. You have anything
you want to add to that?
MR. BELLOWS: Just on the February 28th meeting, the
conditional use for the earth mining and the containment variance.
The earth mining conditional use petition, the motion failed by a vote
of two to three. The variance, the containment variance was
approved. The PUD extension for restaurant plaza was passed four
to one. The PUD rezone for the Rock Edge PUD was continued to
June 6th, and the development order amendment extending the DRI
for the Vineyards was approved five to zero. And then on last
Tuesday, the Board approved the variance for The Hamilton which
was 2.5-foot variance from the required 37-foot front yard setback
and that was approved four to one.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you, Ray. Chairman's
report. There's been so much we've been doing lately, I've just been
embroiled in reading so I don't have anything to add to that today.
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March 16, 2006
Item #8A
PETITION: BD-2005-AR-8828
With that, we'll move into advertised public hearing. The first
one is petition BD-2005-AR-8828. I might say this wrong, but it's
Ruediger Brungsberg represented by Nelson Marine Construction.
18- foot boat dock extension.
Will the court reporter please swear in anybody that's wishing to
speak in this. Please rise.
(So sworn.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any disclosures from the
Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hearing none, we'll move into the
presentation by the applicant.
MR. NELSON: For the record, Ben Nelson with Nelson Marine
Construction. I'll just simply say, if there's any questions, I'll be glad
to answer them. It's a fairly straightforward dock extension in the
ares that you've probably seen a lot of before with these dock
extensions with the mangrove fringe and depth of water. There is
some accompanying documentation there showing the protrusions
around the area. If you have any questions, I'd be glad to answer for
you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: What would be the size of the
boat that would be going in here?
MR. NELSON: It's around a 30 foot.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Let the record show that Commissioner
Midney has arrived at 8:36.
Any other questions of the Board? Mr. Kolflat.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Just a question. I boated all the
coastal waters of Florida from Mobile to Jacksonville and also the
Bahamas. I've never seen a slip like this on an angle into the dock.
Would you share with me the purpose of the angularity of the slip on
the dock?
MR. NELSON: Yes, sir. What we found is that in some of
these areas because of the length of the boats, and as you're aware a
lot of these areas became more affluent, and, of course, as the people
seem to want to have the bigger boats and the water depths here to
accommodate those size boats. So what happens is, it makes it easier
for them to get in, because their neighbors -- and even though you'll
have 25-foot setbacks with a 30-foot boat, it's really nice to be able to
come in at an angle, and it allows the customer of just a better chance
of coming in there safely. It really is a safety aspect.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: That's very interesting. thank
you.
MR. NELSON: You're welcome.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Caron and Mr. Adelstein.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yeah. It looks to me from your
drawing the dock could actually come closer to the mangrove fringe
and you would still be okay in water depth.
MR. NELSON: Well, we're trying to --
MS. CARON: We don't need--
MR. NELSON: Well, minus four is what we're looking for.
That four foot of water at low tide is what you always strive for. And
that minus four will come to the actual edge of that angle where it
comes at right there. If we moved it out any further, if you look at
the drawing, you move the minus four line across on the site plan
view, that comes around where the bow of the boat is. And the
reason you're trying to get into that deeper water is because you don't
want to cause any environmental damage because of the bow of the
boat hitting into the sand and disturbing the bottom soils and stuff. So
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March 16,2006
really when you do these, if you've got plenty of width across the
waterway, especially when there's a lot of other docks out there that
are protruding the same distance, it's always better to be in that
deeper water environmentally because you won't cause any bottom
scouring. And that's what the DEP tries to get you in, into that
deeper water.
MS. CARON: And a smaller boat with less draft.
MR. NELSON: Yeah.
MS. CARON: As part of the backup material, there is a letter
from the DEP.
MR. NELSON: Yes.
MS. CARON: That says that the permit from them expire -- or
one of the permits expires December 17, 2005.
MR. NELSON: Well, the Army Corps of Engineers permit, they
have a nationwide permitting system. And that is routinely
re-approved as the days and the months and the years go by. And
that has already been extended, that nationwide permit.
MS. CARON: So you have an up-to-date permit?
MR. NELSON: That is a nationwide permit. That's under SPGP
permitting, is year to year is extended. So, I mean, that is extended
on another permit. But that is the applicant's responsibility to renew
those if it's applicable, yeah.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Adelstein?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes. I see on your top of
your survey that one inch equals 30 feet; is that correct?
MR. NELSON: On the drawing?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes.
MR. NELSON: On the site plan it's one inch equals 20 feet is
what I have here. And at the top on the cross section is one inch
equals 10 feet. Are you looking at the survey itself? There's a
drawing and a survey.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes.
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March 16, 2006
MR. NELSON: The survey is one inch equals 30 foot, yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: And if I put a one inch ruler
right here, it will show me the 30 feet? Because it isn't --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We have an eight-and-a-halfby 11.
Did you do your survey on an eight-and-a-halfby 11 sheet of paper?
MR. NELSON: You're talking the survey by Mark Allen?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes.
MR. NELSON: The only thing I can think of, if it doesn't match,
it may have been reproduced for you. And maybe in that
reproduction, maybe it lost some of the scale. Yeah, this is on legal
size -- this is on legal size, so it may have been reproduced
differently.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Otherwise it comes out with
30 feet being the whole length of the dock.
MR. NELSON: Oh, in the survey. The survey actually shows
the existing. There's an old existing dock that's going to be replaced
there too. That's what the survey shows.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I see. Thank you.
MR. NELSON: You're welcome.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Let the record show Commissioner
Murray showed up at 8:40. Thank you.
MR. NELSON: Boy you can't get away with anything around
here, can you?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Have to make sure the record is
complete.
MR. NELSON: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions of this gentleman?
Hearing none, we'll ask for a staffs report. Thank you, sir.
MR. NELSON: Thank you.
MS. ERNST: For the record, Joyce Ernst from Zoning Land
Development Review. First of all, I wanted to thank Commissioner
Kolflat. He brought up some issues that were addressed in the staff
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March 16, 2006
report. And I guess if you notice when you read over the staff report,
they have been added to the staff report and that is the criteria for the
primary and secondary criteria. That has been copied exactly the
way it is in the land development code. And it shows how staff
evaluates each one of those criteria.
In addition to that, in the staff report, page two under staff
comments, that's also been revised. And what happened was, the old
land development code contained a statement regarding the number
of primary and secondary criteria that should be met in order to either
deny or approve the petition. And this was omitted from
recodification of the LDC. And staff is working to put that back into
the land development code, and hopefully it will be put back in the
next segment of amendments to the LDC.
Now, I put up the aerial and this located-- this is located in
Bayfront Gardens, which is in Lely Barefoot Beach. And as the
applicant said, there's an existing dock there that will be replaced
with this U -shaped dock. And similar docks have been approved for
other areas in both Bayfront Gardens and South Port. Similar
U-shaped docks.
And also I wanted to -- I noticed the pictures that you had that
were copied originally in color, and when they copied them, they
weren't very clear. So I'm going to show you some of the pictures
that were included with the staff report. Now this first picture is
standing on the existing dock looking across the canal or the bay.
And as you can see, the waterway there is quite wide, so staff feels
that this facility will not have an impact on navigation.
The second picture is also standing on the dock and looking to
the north. Now, you really don't see too much except the mangrove
shoreline. And this picture is standing on the property close to the
shoreline in approximate location of where this boat dock will be
located. And there you can see again, the mangrove shoreline and
the existing residence to the north.
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March 16, 2006
And then the last picture is standing on the subj ect dock again
looking to the south. And there you really can't see much of the
property to the south. The lot to the south is undeveloped. Because
of the -- this being in the flood zone and all the homes have to be
elevated, and because of the mangrove shoreline, staff feels that this
facility will have little impact on the view of adjacent property
owners. I have not received any comments for or against this
facility. The facility complies with the criteria for recommendation
of approval and, therefore, staff recommends approval. Can I answer
any question?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any questions of staff? Hearing none.
Thank you, Joyce.
Ray, are there any public speakers?
MR. BELLOWS: No registered speakers.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That will close the public hearing.
Entertain a motion.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I move that we approve
BD-2005-AR-8828, subject to staff recommendations.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There's a motion to approve by
Commissioner Adelstein and a second by Commissioner Kolflat.
Any discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion carries unanimously. Thank
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March 16, 2006
you.
Item #8B
PETITION: BD-2005-AR-8642
The next item was one that we previously heard and was
continued for a correction on a survey. I hope that most of our
questions were resolved prior to today based on the prior hearing,
and --
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Mr. Chairman, did you want
disclosure at this point?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir. I was just -- let me finish up if
I could what I was going to say. That once we get into this if we've
answered all our questions from the prior, we don't really need to go
into them again hopefully and just receive the survey for the record.
Now with that, is there any disclosures? Mr. Kolflat?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Yes. I had a conversation with
Rocky Sculfield. I also exchanged some emails relative to concerns I
had on this petition.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody else? I have to disclose that I
received an email from Commissioner Kolflat concerning this matter.
I did not open the email and it still to this day has not been opened. I
believe the rest of the commission received the same email.
MS. CARON: We received the same email.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. With that we'll move into the
applicant's presentation. Oh, you need to be sworn in. Court
reporter, please swear in.
(So sworn.)
MR. SCULFIELD: Good morning. Rocky Sculfield
representing Dr. Phillips up in San Mateo Drive and South Port. I'll
just put the corrected survey that was -- this is a continuance of a
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March 16, 2006
previous hearing. The only discrepancy was brought up by
Commissioner Schiffer, which the riparian line on the north property
line did not match the permit drawings. That has been corrected by
the surveyor. It has been distributed. This is the correction on the
north property line right here for this riparian line. And that's the --
Commissioner Strain mentioned a while ago. if there's any questions,
I'll be happy to answer them.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any questions from the
commission?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I have one.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer and Ms. Caron.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Rocky, what is shows -- just,
why isn't he making the riparian line a nice dark dash line like he did
on the other side? I mean, what are you saying is, it's going due east
at this point.
MR. SCULFIELD: Well, that riparian line is the dash line -- the
riparian line is -- I don't know if you can see it. If you have an
original. You probably -- I don't know if you have an original or not.
The riparian line is a faint line. That dotted line across there is some
other survey sect line that's not -- he did the riparian lines the same
on both. But that -- you see down below there where that other
dotted or dash line is? There's two of them. There's one here and
one right by the riparian line. Those are sect lines that the survey
used on the plat. That doesn't really refer to it, Repairian line. But, I
understand what you're saying in the future, that probably should be
a little bit darker.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And also the question, you
seem to have a good expertise. How do you determine the riparian
line? Do you go out and try to approximate what you call the thread
of the channel, which I assume is like the center line of the shore or
something.
MR. SCULFIELD: It's either the center line -- in this case Little
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March 16, 2006
Hickory Bay would be the center line of the channel, which they call
the thread. Or if it's a marked channel, it would be the center line of
the marked channel. And then you start at that channel or the thread
line and you draw a 90-degree angle to that line, perpendicular to that
line to the lot line on the shore. And what that does, riparian lines
were made so everybody who has a waterfront property has access,
but it cannot be denied access to their property. That's where riparian
lines came from. In order to make that equiable, instead of, you
know, before they used to take whatever angle property lines were
on, and they just extend them. Well, that would give one guy a great
view -- I mean, access and the neighbor next to him on a reverse pie
shaped lot on the water, he would have virtually no access. So that's
why they go to the thread of a channel, and it kind of gives
everybody a fair shake on access to their property.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And like the property adjacent
to you, which is a small sliver of land. I guess it's mostly a road
access, but it is a lot. I mean --
MR. SCULFIELD: No, that's a 30-feet easement. That's a road
easement. The county -- it's a utility and road easement.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But on the appraiser's website
it's a lot --
MR. SCULFIELD: They're calling it lot 108, but that is --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: That's an easement through it,
but --
MR. SCULFIELD: That is -- it's called a lot but it's an actual
easement on the PUD.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And I guess the other question
is, how important is the riparian line? In other words, we measure
setbacks in the land development code from the property line
essentially it's from the corner. But like the concern we had before is
the riparian line as shown was going through the dock and
everything. Do we measure setbacks off of that riparian line?
Page 15
March 16, 2006
MR. SCULFIELD: The setbacks are measured from the riparian
lines. And the state views it the same. State has 25-foot setbacks.
The county has 15 - foot setbacks, but they are measured from the
riparian lines.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Then I guess the point
is. It would be nice to see better documentation how to establish it.
For example, if you look at the one that is an extension of the
property line on the other side, I know it's not relevant to this matter,
but it isn't even really perpendicular. With computers now, we can
go to that point and go perpendicular to an arc. So that line would
actually not be exactly shown there either.
MR. SCULFIELD: Well, it's awful close. It's probably within a
degree or two. If you drew on this survey, this channel is very
narrow right here. If you drew a line right through the middle there, it
would be pretty close to perpendicular, that line to the center line of
that little channel coming in.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I guess in the future it would be
nice to have a larger scale thing showing the thread, showing the
riparian being perpendicular to that. That's it. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Caron?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yeah. Mr. Sculfield, on -- I'm not
sure which. This one. This lovely colored drawing we have.
MR. SCULFIELD: Is that -- is this the one?
MS. CARON: Yeah. The entire dock area is 52 feet?
MR. SCULFIELD: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER CARON: All right. But how much actually
is beyond the mangroves?
MR. SCULFIELD: Well, the mangrove fringe, you see which
would be the western, or the head of the slip.
COMMISSIONER CARON: CARON: Right.
MR. SCULFIELD: The mangroves you can see actually come
out and encroach into that u-shaped slip.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER CARON: How much is beyond --
MR. SCULFIELD: That's the overhang.
COMMISSIONER CARON: How much of the dock goes
beyond that mangrove area? Of the 52 feet--
MR. SCULFIELD: Right. Approximately 28.
COMMISSIONER CARON: CARON: Okay.
MR. SCULFIELD: 28 feet.
COMMISSIONER CARON:: Good. That's what I needed to
know. Thanks.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions from the
commission? Hearing none, we'll move to the staffs comments, if
any. Thank you, Rocky.
MS. ERNST: For the record again, Joyce Ernst from Zoning and
Land Development Review. You know, aside from what Rocky had
said that other similar U -shaped docks have been approved in this
area in South Port. And staff feels that because of the location of this
property and the mangrove shoreline, that this facility will have very
little impact on the adjacent property owners. Just to the north of
this, let me just show you the area one minute. That small piece of
property we're talking about just north of this is actually Malibu
Cove right of way. It's a right of way and provides access to this
property and the property next door as well as the one just north of
that Malibu Cove. And you can see to the south and to the west of
this property, it's the bay -- Little Hickory Bay. So as I said, it will
have very little impact on the view of adjacent neighbors. Where this
dock facility will be located, the waterway is quite wide. So staff
also feels this will have little impact on navigation. I have not
received any comments for or against this facility. It complies with
the criteria for recommendation of approval, and therefore staff
recommends approval. Any questions?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any questions from staff?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: No.
Page 1 7
March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Joyce, I have two.
MS. ERNST: Oh.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Is this survey as submitted sufficient to
meet the criteria of the code in regards for your review and staffs
review?
MS. ERNST: Yes, it is.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I knew you'd say yes, but I wanted to
have that for the record since it's been questioned so much.
MS. ERNST: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And lastly, we heard comments that the
setback for this is measured from the riparian line. I don't have a
land development code book with me today. Do we actually
reference setbacks in the land development code from the riparian
line?
MS. ERNST: Yes. It does actually say that the setback is
measured from the riparian line.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you very much. Are there
any public speakers, Ray?
MR. BELLOWS: No registered speakers.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hearing none, we'll close the public
hearing and entertain a motion.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I move that we approve
BD-2005-AR-8642 subject to staff recommendations.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Second.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Motion made by Commissioner
Adelstein, seconded by Commissioner Murray. And I believe he
meant BD.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yeah, BD.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Comments? Commissioner Caron.
COMMISSIONER CARON: I just have one comment. That's on
the little dock that's being left. I'm concerned that once this is over --
well, there's a stipulation in there that there can't be any mooring at
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March 16, 2006
this dock. I don't think we have any control over that. I think the
little dock should go in favor of the new dock, which I have no
problem with.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other comments? Hearing none
we'll call for the motion. All those in favor of the motion as stated
signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed? Motion carries.
We're at seven to zero this time. Thank you.
Item #8C
PETITION: V A-2005-AR-8857
The next item on our agenda is petition V A-2005-8857. All
those wishing to speak in this matter please rise and be sworn in by
the court reporter.
(So sworn.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Disclosures?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yes. I had a meeting with Mr.
Pires.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I visited the site, inspected the
site.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The only thing out of the
ordinary is I reviewed the documents on file for the construction
documents.
Page 19
March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I met with Mr. Pires office
too.
MR. MURRAY: No contact.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I had a meeting in discussion with Mr.
Pires and Carlos. And, Carlos, I would screw up your last name if I
tried to say it, so -- and we discussed the almost, page by page, the
staff report, so, hearing no other disclosures, we'll ask the applicant
to make a presentation.
Heidi, are you up there to -- did you want to start? I'm surprised
if you did. I thought we usually start with the applicant.
MR. PIRES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, members of the
planning commission. For the record, Anthony Pires with Carlos
Zampogna of Woodward, Pires & Lombardo law firm representing
the petitioner in this case, this application. And this is a variance
application with regards to an existing commercial restaurant
operation requesting a variance for the fact from the required 25-foot
side yard setback to 13.34 feet as it relates to commercial structures
abutting a residential. It's really side yard because you know in a
corner lot you have two fronts and two sides. And the one variance
is for the setbacks as to the back portion of this. This southerly
portion abuts a residential neighborhood. And the other variance is a
request for the variance acquired 15 foot setback to zero point zero
one feet on the west side. And all this is to allow an addition that
houses restrooms and storage.
This application does not request a variance for any additions to
seating capacity. The only seating capacity will be the fact that we
have ADA handicapped reliant rest rooms. That's all we have. That's
what this is designed to do. It's approximately 400 square feet. No
additional tables are being provided by virtue of this. There's no
density increase. No density increase. It's merely to provide and
replace the existing approximately 149 square foot restrooms that
were there previously with handicapped ADA compliant restrooms,
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March 16, 2006
family rest room facilities. The prior restrooms have been converted
to wait stations and waiter stations and service stations. No
additional tables, no chairs with regards to that. I think it's always
helpful to have aerial photographs and photographs in these types of
applications. And also to recall, this restaurant was first built in
1990. And at that time the CC zoning regulations provided as to side
yard setbacks, the setback was zero or five feet. And it was built in
compliance with the requirements of back in 1990 -- 1991, the land
development code changed the criteria with regards to the setbacks,
and we have the current LDC requirements with regards to setbacks
that are issued in this particular application today. You can see the
aerial photograph depicting the particular restaurant. It's highlighted
in yellow. To the south -- I have some additional photographs I
might be utilizing. It might be difficult to see but we have some
other photographs from the ground. The addition is in this general
area for the restrooms. This is a commercial parcel to the west. This
structure is approximately 10 feet from this property line. Along the
south, or back portion of the restaurant, there's a fence on this
residential side, landscaping then another fence on Americline's
property. There's FP&L's power lines that run through here also. So
you have sort of -- I'll call it the cream sandwich, or oreo sandwich
effect. You have fencing on the south side of the residential side,
landscaping, and fencing on our client's property.
There was a photograph that was included in your agenda packet
that we would like to explain and describe also. It wasn't all that
flattering, I guess, but I want to describe and explain this particular
photograph. I don't know if you can see it on the visualizer. On the
photographs -- this is in your agenda packet. This fence is actually
on the property to the west. It is not on our client's property. This is
the approximate location of the property line. So this area here is
part of the commercial property to the west. This is the southwest
corner of the bathroom addition. This is looking due east along the
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March 16, 2006
rear portion of the restaurant. This is the bathroom addition here.
You'll notice -- and once again, in this photograph you can see the
basketball net from the neighbor's backyard in some of the
vegetation. There's a gap in the vegetation, and we'll explain that.
During Hurricane Wilma, some of the oak trees that were back
touching the power lines and caused a bit of a fire issue. So they've
been taken back. And some of the other vegetation has been
damaged. We will replace the vegetation in this particular area to
bring it up to standards and also to account for the issues that
occurred with Hurricane Wilma.
Another photograph taken yesterday I think also will assist you.
Thank you, Ray.
This was taken yesterday afternoon. This again depicts -- this
fence is on the commercial property to the west. It's a south property
line of the commercial property to the west, looking again due east.
And you can see the vegetation in here, and you can see the fence,
the other fence on the residential property. So you have sort of that
buffer that's composed of fencing in our client's property, which is
recently constructed, vegetation is the filler, I guess, and fencing on
the residential property. And here is the gap in vegetation that we
would propose and working on replacing the vegetation. There's two
oaks growing in there now to bring it back to the way it was before.
Just to give another perspective of the neighborhood. This is --
and all these will be made part of the road. This is a photograph
looking west at the neighboring commercial parcel. This is the fence
to the west and this is part of the building on the west side. It
actually comes backs. This is the corner of the bathroom addition.
This is looking west. So the commercial property to the immediate
west extends pretty far south in that particular location.
A question arose as to location of the dumpster between the
buildings. Some people construe that to be an obstruction. Our
clients did not place that dumpster there. There is a dumpster. This
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March 16, 2006
is the front of our client's property. This is the rear and this is the
bathroom addition. This is the commercial property to the west.
That dumpster has been there for two months, placed there by one of
the owners of one of the commercial condominium units next door.
Our client asked when that would be removed. It has not been
removed. But that is not on our property. It's not been utilized by
our client. We understand demolition work has been underway in
one of the units next door, and they've been working on getting a
permit for the last couple of months. Again, this is another
photograph from the front, from Bonita Beach Road facing south.
Our clients, front of our client's building of the property to the west,
and there's the dumpster, not on our client's property. So, I want to
address that issue because I didn't want that to become a point of
contention.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Pires, just to help me with some of
my confusion. So you are not putting -- the building is already on
the zero property line?
MR. PIRES: The building was first built in 1990 at the location
of -- yeah, on the property line on the west side pursuant to the
zoning regulations for C4 existence at that time pursuant to the
building permit, building code and zoning ordinance in existing up
until October 1991, yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MR. PIRES: And this addition, the bathroom addition, is the
southerly extension along the westerly property line. To maintain,
once again, that continuous line of construction that maintains the
10- foot separation, it still maintains the substantial distance between
-- I'll call it the back property line, you know, where the residential
community is, neighborhood is, and the building. And the person in
the back -- I think Ray Bellows has placed for you a survey which
may be of some assistance. Again, this is facing south. The original
building is this configuration from here to here, here to here.
Page 23
March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Your aerial is what threw me. That
yellowed-in aerial you showed, it didn't look like the building was on
the property line. That's why I was --
MR. PIRES: Sometimes I think the property appraiser's aerials,
I'm not sure what the tolerance is for the variation, and that's the
aerial that you saw, but the building is on the property line per the
survey.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you.
MR. PIRES : We have had some issues raised with regard to
some of the neighbors. There's some letters of objection you may
have received in your packet. I think it's always helpful to know the
relationship of the properties if they're making objections or not to
the applications. I think the Elliotts wrote a letter that might be in
your agenda packet as to the objections that they have. These -- this
is the Elliott property and this is the restaurant. The restaurant is
right here, Elliott is right here.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You went off of the screen with your
pointer.
MR. PIRES: I'm sorry. The Kerrys wrote a letter of objection.
And the Kerrys are at 120 First Street. The restaurant is up here.
The Kerrys are located right there.
Also, an objection was filed -- and we'll get into that in a little bit
-- one of the commercial unit owners to the west. But two
commercial unit owners to the west have provided letters of no
objection, in fact, support. If I can give these to Ray to make part of
the record.
Camarade and Careden who own some condominium units in the
commercial property to the west have no objection to this
application. Remax over in this unit two buildings away, they have
no objection. And Mr. Bevin or Bevan, B-E-V-A-N, who owns -- this
is the restaurant again. This is Mr. Bevans residence. He signed a
letter of no objection. He also owns this lot right here. So, this is the
Page 24
March 16, 2006
restaurant and he had no obj ection.
As to these two neighbors to the immediate south, they have not
provided letters of no objection, but our clients have had
conversations with them. In fact, this gentleman, this family, they
come in frequently to the restaurant and dine there, at least once a
week. They're out of town but they've told my client, my
understanding is, they have no objection. My client has had
conversations with the people that live here and they have no
objection, is my understanding to this application. In fact, my clients
have tried to work with these people in the past with any issue
they've had. There was an issue at one time about a dumpster
location here, and my clients worked with them and the county to
relocate the dumpster to another location to avoid any issues, to be
good neighbors with the neighbors to the south.
To give an idea of the sort of relationship with the various
parties who have sent written correspondence in, this is the property,
the restaurant up here. This is the unit property to the west, which
one party has objected, one has not.
The property further to the west, they've indicated no obj ection.
Mr. Bevans' property, no objection. And then Kerry and Elliott are
back here in the pink. And you have, as I said, the people right
behind have verbally advised my client that they have no objection to
the variance request.
As to obj ections raised by one of the property owners in the
commercial unit to the west, we were not advised of that previously
until we were provided a copy of the correspondence that Mr. Pritt
represented them supplied to the county staff.
And in that regard, once we advised our client that one of the
property owners next door, commercial property owners owning a
commercial condominium unit, had an objection, my client called
there yesterday and said what the heck is going on? I didn't think
you-all had a problem. He talked to Susan Myelic. And a gentleman
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March 16,2006
arrived in the restaurant shortly after that and he said he was one of
the manager's of the company, the LLC, that owns that unit. And my
client, Angelo Puleio explained the variance request. It wasn't
additional seating, it was merely bathroom additions. Then the
person said, well, then we don't have any problem with that. And
that was repeated again apparently in the hallway this morning. But
in conversations with Mr. Pritt, they indicated they wished to talk to
us about parking, shared parking arrangements. And the unit is for
sale. So I'm not sure what is going on with that particular objection.
There is no utilization of the property to the west for this variance.
It's not increasing seating capacity. It's not a red herring for anything.
And I wish Mr. Pritt would have called me ahead of time. Possibly
we could have explained in greater detail what the variance is for.
The staff has done a really good job of analyzing this particular
variance application. And we make the recommendation to you that
you forward it with the recommendation of approval to the Board of
Zoning Appeals with the very stipulation we have no problem with
that. As outlined in the staff report, the variance would not allow any
increase of the existing encroachment. It's the minimum variance
required to allow the bathroom facilities to remain. It does unify the
back of the building. The property to the west is already developed
with commercial uses, has provided adequate separation between the
buildings, except for the dumpster that we've been trying to get rid of
for two months. It doesn't have a negative effect on the
neighborhood. In fact, as I mentioned to you, the property owners
immediately to the south have a very good relationship with my
clients. They have advised they have no objection to this request.
And the property owners that do have an objection are far removed
from the property. The property is very well buffered and screened
on the south side. This doesn't really add to any issue with regards to
that as far as it doesn't have any negative effect. And therefore, we
would request that you all recommend to the Board of County
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March 16, 2006
Commissioners and the Board of Zoning Appeals this variance
applications with the stipulation as provided.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Mr. Adelstein?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I got the copies of your
proposed variance that you sent out. How many did you actually
send out? How many did your firm send out? You've got three of
them back. How may did you actually send?
MR. PIRES: You mean letters of no objection?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Right.
MR. PIRES : We sent 16 letters out.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: And three of them were the
ones that came in saying they didn't mind, correct?
MR. PIRES: That's correct. Once again, two have advised
verbally that they have no objection, but they didn't put it in writing
in response to that mailing that we had.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any other questions? Mr.
Schiffer.
MR. PIRES: Excuse me. If I can be corrected, it's 12 letters
that were sent out, Mr. Adelstein. I have been corrected. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Could you give me like a
history of what happened and why the building was stopped? You
applied for a permit. You submitted documents. I kind of looked at
the document. There's really no site plan. There's nothing on
setbacks noted, but what happened in the construction? The reason
we're here today is somebody stopped this.
MR. PIRES: I think during the construction, the permit was
applied for. The permit was issued and then when the spot survey
came in, the county staff thought that there might be an issue with
regards to the construction at this particular project and a stop work
order was issued. Our clients then wanted to continue working on it
because they wanted to -- they're at the stage of construction.
They're at the tie beam stage when the county noticed on the spot
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March 16, 2006
survey that there might be an issue with regards to the setback. And
so being at the tie beam stage, our client has substantial amount of
funds already invested in the proj ect.
We asked the county commission -- or, my clients did -- if they
could proceed ahead, you know, and be applying for the variance,
recognizing they would be proceeding at their own risk with regards
to the variance application-- with regards to the building
construction. And then they would be processing the variance. So in
order to protect the investment that they already had, protect it
against the weather -- also have a functioning restaurant, they
completed the work.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So, in other words, at the tie
beam stage. So they're out in the back and they're building this wall
ready to pour the tie beam, and the county says, stop work. You
know this--
,
MR. PIRES: The tie beam was already poured, is my
understanding. And they already had -- my understanding is they
already had cut into the main building and they wanted to protect the
main building from weather and also mitigate the damages.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: In the file there, the building
director gives them the okay to go at their own risk for the interior
build out only. What do you think that meant?
MR. PIRES: For the bathroom addition. That's what the--
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The permit also showed
renovations to the inside of the existing building.
MR. PIRES: There have been removal-- for example, the
bathroom removed and now it's a wait and serve station.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. So you think when the
building official said the interior, he meant the interior of the addition
also?
MR. PIRES: I'm not sure if I understand that question.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: In the file the building official
Page 28
March 16, 2006
-- you said they went before the commission to get approval to do
this?
MR. PIRES: The county commission, just to be able to basically
have a stop work order lifted to allow the construction to continue at
their own risk while they were working through the variance process.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Then the building
official -- I guess, Joe can answer that.
MR. SCHMITT: For the record, Joe Schmitt, Community
Development Environmental Services Division. First, understand for
those who are not aware of the process, it's up to the applicant that
within 10 days of placing slab, it's their responsibility to come in
with the spot survey. And the review of the spot survey, that's when
we detected the encroachment. We issued a stop work order. By
that time the applicant was well beyond -- of course, they proceed at
their own risk. They were well beyond the stage where they probably
should have been, but that's normal most everywhere in the
construction business. They submit the spot survey.
The petitioner petitioned the board. I can't recall the dates. I can
look at my notes, but we encouraged the petitioner to petition the
Board of County Commissioners. Understanding this was an error.
It was an error, I believe if I recall, this was an owner builder doing
some of the work and placed the wall. It was certainly just an error,
not done in anyway towards in malice or trying to deceive in anyway
the county. It just was simply an error in placing the wall with the
alignment of the home. They petitioned the commissioner. We
supported the commission in regards to allow them to continue with
the building, certainly at their own risk as they proceeded through the
variance process. And that's basically how they got to this point.
They assumed the full risk with the understanding that they had to
proceed with this variance before the appropriate boards through the
planning commission and the Board of County Commissioners.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I do have questions for Joe and
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March 16, 2006
Mark, but should I wait for the staff report and stay with Mr. Pires?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: It's up to you. There may be more
questions. It's up to you. Do you want to hold or continue?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'll stay with the petitioner's
sides then I'll go to Joe.
Tony, in the permit you're requesting 150 seats. Isn't that in
excess of what was existing?
MR. PIRES: The permit application has a notation for 150 seats,
but we are not requesting 150 seats. In the construction, it has
nothing to do with additional seats or tables. It's to -- I notice that
notation is on there, but the permit application is for some of those
interior remodeling and the bathroom.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But the bathrooms can handle,
by the plumbing count, in excess of 150 seats. So in other words, the
bathroom addition is not a bathroom addition to build a 75- foot -- 75
seat restaurant. It's to build a restaurant that would be probably in
excess of 150 seats. So where would that seating be controlled?
MR. PIRES: The additional bathrooms are to make them ADA
and handicapped compliant. The restrooms -- if you look on the
plans, the restrooms are very small prior to this time -- were very
small bathrooms. And they're approximately 130 to 140 square feet
is all. The bathrooms indicate on the plans, it says 396 square feet. I
did my math 39 feet times 12 feet. And I came up with 468 square
feet for the bathroom additions. And that's handicapped accessible
and family bathrooms. And there is no additional seating provided,
and no additional seats or tables have been provided. And the
seating capacity is what it was at the time.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But the bathrooms are provided
for more than you would need for 150 seats even. In other words, the
way the plumbing code is, it's 75 seats per, let's say, lavatory toilet
combo. So it's a very large bathroom.
So when you say it's not -- how do we know it's not 150 seats?
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March 16, 2006
The plans say 150 seats. The bathroom says more than 150 seats.
Where have you limited the seating?
MR. PIRES: The actual physical number of chairs in the
restaurant is less than 150. I think it's around 80, if I'm not mistaken.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Today?
MR. PIRES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So they have the facilities to
bring in another 80 seats. But anyway --
MR. PIRES: I don't know if they have the space to do that, Mr.
Schiffer, quite frankly, in the building.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
MR. PIRES: And they have other constraints that would come
into play when they had to occur also. I don't think they physically
have the space within the dimensions to achieve that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. So the owner is the
builder of this?
MR. PIRES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The owner submitted the plans,
got the plans done, filled out the application, which didn't have any
setbacks on it. The plans have no site plan on it that shows at least
the new construction. Do you agree or have you looked at the plans?
MR. PIRES: Part of the -- if you recall, the staff report says if
there's an approval of this variance application that there also needs
to be a concomitant site development plan amendment to reflect this.
I didn't see a site development plan amendment as part of the site. I
believe you're correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. I'm done. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Commissioner Adelstein?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Get some clarification from
you also regarding, at one time there were two other prior property
grant variations. All three of these though are in one area; is that
correct?
Page 31
March 16, 2006
MR. PIRES: That's correct, yes, sir. But generally, this is more
westerly where the other ones were more easterly. They are the back
portion.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: If, in fact, you went and
worked on that back end again, why weren't you able to get rid of the
situation why you still had the right to work on it instead of waiting
for it to be finished and then you're still going to go in for another
variance? Couldn't you fix it while you were doing the work prior to
meeting your --
MR. PIRES: I'm not sure if I understand the question. They
went before -- there was a stop work order issued --
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I understand that. Now
you've got the chance to go back in and finish up the work.
MR. PIRES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Why wouldn't you be able to
fix the variance at that time too also.
MR. PIRES: As far as processing the variance application?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: You have a situation where
you're allowed to do the work. If you did the work and the variance
then became obselete, didn't need to be -- if you moved what needed
to be moved in order to do it at that time.
MR. PIRES: Well, we really couldn't.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: It's the 39 by 12 foot approximately
size. And once again, a tie beam was poured. There's really -- it
would have to be demolished to bring it back to the original
configuration and then go back and apply for variance. And there's a
substantial amount of money already invested at that time.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I know it's a lot of money
invested, but the situation here we've got three of them in one area
and now you're asking for another variance.
MR. PIRES: But once again, the construction was already
underway. The only way to have, sort of brought it back to the prior
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March 16, 2006
condition would have been knock this addition down and then
process the variance, I guess. And because, once again, the County
Commission recognizing, they told us clients were proceeding at
their own risk.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: At their own risk. Now that
they haven't got it done, what right do you have to ask for another
variance?
MR. PIRES: No, we're not asking for another one, it's part and
parcel to the variance package in that whole building. There's no
additional variance. This is the third variance application.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: This is the third variance,
right? That's what I'm saying, you don't think -- never mind. I
understand what your statement is. I just don't understand why you
didn't clear it up before you did it, finished it.
MR. PIRES : Well, at the time they applied for the permit, they
didn't think they needed it. And by virtue of them making the
application to the county and the county issuing the building permit
and letting them proceed with the construction at the beginning, that's
what -- I think Mr. Schmitt was indicating was sort of an error on
both parts.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I don't see where you get a
basis for your claim for this entitlement. I don't see it at all.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions? Mr. Kolflat?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: For follow-up on your response
to Brad Schiffer relative to the seating. Is the seating 150 seating; is
that correct?
MR. PIRES: No, sir, it's not.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: What is the current seating?
MR. PIRES: I don't know the actual physical count. The
occupational license is issued for 85 to 149 seats, but the actual count
is -- well, it depends upon whether the private dining area is being
utilized in this particular way. I think it's like 135.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: 135?
MR. PIRES: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: What is the comparable parking
area required for a 135-seat restaurant?
MR. PIRES: I'm not sure. I don't have that analysis. Once
again, this was built when the parking requirements were different
than what they might be today.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Ray, do you know that?
MR. BELLOWS: I can tell you what the current code
requirement is, but I can't tell you what it was approved for at the
time this building was built. The code has changed, the parking
requirements changed. So what happens is, the building becomes a
legal nonconforming building. Also, the setbacks have changed as
was depicted on the survey. The building abuts the western property
line which is no longer allowed. You would have to have a setback
off the property line. We are dealing with the pre-existing
nonconforming building. Therefore, they're vested in at the current
standards and for parking. However, if there is an addition to the
building that requires additional parking, they would have to provide
it.
MR. PIRES: And I think that's the issue here. We're not
providing additional seating. We're providing a larger bathroom
facility. The old bathroom facility is no longer used as a bathroom.
It's a server station.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Now the permit that you filed
says interior and references bathrooms as being the work that's
maintained?
MR. PIRES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: There's no statement in that
permit that says it would be exterior work done, expanding the
building wall.
MR. PIRES: But the plans show that it's an addition onto the
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March 16, 2006
rear of the building. Look at the plan that has that depicted. It's in
addition to the southerly portion of the building on the outside.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: But looking at the permit, there
was no way to asertain there was an exterior modification going on in
this application.
MR. PIRES: Yes, sir. If you look at the application and all the
materials that were supported with the application and supplied as
part of the application, it's clear on that application that this was
exterior bathroom addition to the building. That was part of the
whole application. So it's not just the cover sheet of the building
permit, but it's the actual whole packet that is reviewed for purposes
of making the determination as to whether a permit would be issued.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Back to the seating. The permit
states that obviously it shows 150 seats in the plan, but it also states
in the area calculations that the seating capacity is 150 people. The
new seating capacity is 150 people, so, what words are we supposed
to believe and what words are we not supposed to believe on the
plans submitted? And there's a survey in the plans submitted that
does not show -- the only survey, does not show any additional work
to the exterior of the building. Granted the structural plans for work
on the exterior of the building. But if you look at, or you show me
which would be better. A survey that shows, for example, the G.I00,
it shows that as an open yard where the building is.
MR. PIRES: Bear with me while I go through the permit
application.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I think it's important before the
staff comes in and says maybe the staff made a mistake, is that this
set of plans has no indication whatsoever that there's any exterior
work on the building. The setbacks have never been filled out on the
application. I don't think an exterior or new building frame could
even be built by an owner builder on a commercial property. So the
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March 16, 2006
staff must assume it was just interior work.
MR. PIRES: Mr. Schiffer, this is part of the building
application. Perhaps this can address some of it. This is page D-I00.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Show me where --
MR. PIRES: Right in this area here. This is the area that sort of
circled and tethered as part of that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Right. But in that circle it's
shown as an exterior space. I mean, a good clue is the three propane
tanks in there. They don't go well in bathrooms. In other words, my
point, had that survey, exactly what you had there, blackened in that
area and said new addition, I don't think we'd be here today.
MR. PIRES : Well, I guess part of the question is, this isn't the
Board of Zoning and Adjustment Appeals involving building
permits. This is in regards to the variance. So I guess part of the
issue is -- and this was a boundary survey also that we, as of March
2004, which is under construction. But with regards to the issuance
of the permit, the staff had this information and material at the time
that indicated this was an exterior addition.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Well, show me -- there's
structural plans for an exterior addition. There's no site plans
showing where that structure is even occurring.
MR. PIRES: Right here.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Well, what makes you--
MR. PIRES: It says Enzo's addition. This area indicated back
here.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Where does it say Enzo's
addition?
MR. PIRES: Right here.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: On the title block, yeah.
MR. PIRES: I'm sorry?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But there's just a cirle there and
there's nothing that says that's even where the new addition is going.
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March 16, 2006
And like I said, it shows a sidewalk, it shows propane tanks out there.
That's just a copy of the survey, the existing survey.
MR. PIRES: This is -- part of the materials submitted to the
county, and the pages indicate -- it's circled there as far as where this
work was going to occur. And, again, this page has the restaurant -- I
mean, the restrooms depicted, it's page A-I 00.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Brad, your question is maybe better
asked of staff in regards to this issue. I think the applicant submitted
what they thought were the required documents and staff reviewed
them in some manner. Maybe when staff gets here, those questions
can be better answered by them, if that works for you.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I agree.
MR. PIRES: And again, also Enzo's addition back here has
where it's tied into part of the framing plan. But I think it would be
more appropriate as Mr. Strain indicated, for the staff.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions for the applicant?
I have several.
Mr. Murray, go right ahead.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: No, no. I was just going to
suggest, Mr. Chairman, that Mr. Pires indicated some documents he
wanted to enter into evidence. You needed a motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I need your mike.
MR. MURRAY: Whether you needed a motion to accept those
documents he offered into evidence.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I haven't received any documents from
him.
MR. MURRAY: He had indicated he had a number of pictures
and things that he wanted to enter into evidence.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ifhe does, he needs nine copies -- or
the number of copies for here so we can review it, otherwise I'm not
sure it helps us any.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's why I brought it up, sir.
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March 16, 2006
MR. PIRES: I don't have nine copies, but I'd like to make those
part of the reoord.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. attorney, is that okay? Ms.
attorney. Marjorie. I'm sorry.
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: Thank you. He can submit them
for the record. I think maybe it would be helpful if there were
sufficent copies for the commission. But, Mr. Bellows could put
them up there, or pass them up to you and you can view them.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. We'll do it that way. If that's
fine with the county attorney, then we'll have a motion to accept
those pictures into evidence.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So made.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made by Mr. Murray. Second
by?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Seconded by Commissioner Caron.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: All those in favor signify by saying
aye.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Mr. Pires, I have several
questions for you.
MR. PIRES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Apparently, this was discovered at the
time a slab survey was issued. Spot survey.
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March 16, 2006
MR. PIRES: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Did the spot survey, was it consistent
with the building plan application?
MR. PIRES: I'd say, yes, sir, and here's a copy of it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The reason I'm asking is then, I'm
trying to figure out where it was originally missed. Apparently, it
was originally missed on the original submission --
MR. PIRES: That's correct. That's my understanding.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So it shows up back after they went
ahead and built, and it showed back up at the time you submitted a
spot survey. And then it wasn't -- your spot survey was not
inconsistent with your building application, but that's when it was
noticed by staff that there may be an issue.
MR. PIRES: That's my understanding.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Can you explain, there's some existing
easements on this property. I guess for me it's easier to see in a
visual manner how they overlay with what you're doing today.
MR. PIRES: From our perspective, the existing easements don't
have any effect on what we propose today. I only have one copy, but
this is a boundary survey that shows this area and shows some of the
easements. If I can put this on the visualizer. Were those easements
to the rear of the building?
MR. PIRES: On the back side.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm sorry. I keep using the word
easements. I mean variance.
MR. PIRES: Oh, the variances?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The variances which were previously
issued to the rear of the building as well.
MR. PIRES: All the activity is taking place at the back of the
building. That's correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Can you show me on this plan
just by pointing out the limitations of those prior variances. I'd like
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March 16, 2006
to see how much deviation you have from the prior variance from the
one you're asking for today.
MR. PIRES: Ifwe look at the area that's designated as a cooler
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
MR. PIRES: And this area here also, they were a product of the
prior variances. And this is the area that is the subject matter of the
existing variance. As you can see, it's no further south than what was
indicated and allowed by the prior variance.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There was no overlap then?
MR. PIRES: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's the only question I had. Thank
you. Mr. Murray?
MR. MURRAY: Mr. Pires, on one of the photos -- I think
perhaps it was the earliest photo that you showed -- it seems to me
that the structure had now been completely enclosed. It appeared
that way; is that correct?
MR. PIRES: That's my understanding, yes, sir.
MR. MURRAY: On the survey that you just showed, the site
plan there, there was some indication too that there was some
propane cylinders, chain link fence previously. The building is now
completely enclosed. What happened with those propane cylinders?
Where are they now?
MR PIRES: This survey reflects that the propane tanks are over
on the east side. Located here, here, and here.
MR. MURRAY: So they've been relocated?
MR. PIRES: Yes, sir.
MR. MURRAY: Okay. I didn't pick that up. I thank you very
much.
MR PIRES : Yes, sir. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If there's no other questions of the
applicant, I'd like to hear from the staff, please. Thank you.
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March 16, 2006
MS. WILLIAMS: Good morning, Commissioners. For the
record, Heidi Williams, principal planner with Zoning and Land
Development Review. I'd like to start with a little bit of the history
of this project. The restaurant was constructed following an
approved site development plan in the earlier nineties. The parking
was established at that time by the current land development code
standard. The approved site development plan has 150 seats on that
SDP. At that time parking was calculated using the square footage of
the restaurant and parking was shown as 37 spaces, which was
actually above the requirement at that time. The building was
constructed with a zero foot setback along the western property line.
That was in compliance with the code at the time. Arising from
some conflicts with the residential neighbors to the south two
variances were sought. One in 1993 to enclose a quote, can washing
facility. I believe that the variance resolution and some backup
material regarding that '93 variance was included with your backup
material. That was prior to enclosure of that structure.
A second variance was granted in 1994 after construction of that
was completed and there was a little bit of a discrepancy. The
second variance was to bring the intended encroachment into
compliance at that time. This variance clearly solves some nuisance
problems for the neighbors. It was a good example of working
together with the neighborhood to clean up some of the conflicts that
can occur when residential and commercial are adjacent.
The applicant then obtained a permit to provide the current
addition, the one we're speaking about today, for storage and
restrooms. This was obtained from the county, and as we have
already discussed, after construction began it was discovered that
there were further encroachments into the required setbacks. The
current land development code has a 15- foot setback along the
western property line. That's considered a side yard adjacent to
commercial. The southern property line is also a side yard based on
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March 16, 2006
the fact that there are two street frontages to this property. Because
that is adjacent to residential, that side yard is a 25-foot requirement.
Once these encroachments were discovered, the applicant was issued
a stop work order by the county. And also as previously discussed,
they petitioned the Board of County Commissioners to be permitted
to proceed with construction so there was no damage to the structure
already started.
The variance requested today is a little bit complicated, so I'd
like to go into it in detail. The western property line would require to
bring this addition into compliance, a 14.99 foot variance to the
15-foot setback. The structure is 0.01 feet feet from the property
line. It extends the line of the original building. The original
building is, as Ray mentioned, legally nonconforming. So that
portion of the structure is acceptable to the county. The new addition
has to meet today's standards, and so would be required for, I believe,
its 12 feet of length on that side.
Along the southern property boundary the new addition requires
a -- has a 13.34 setback according to the boundary survey, which is
an 11.66 foot encroachment. It was also discovered by this survey
that the first addition to the south side of the restaurant, although it
was attempted to be in compliance, it still has a minor encroachment.
This could be fixed by an administrative variance process.
However, since we are going through the full variance process, it
would make sense to roll it all into one application. There is, like I
said, a very minor difference between the approved encroachment
and what is there today. I believe it's less than six inches. So the
proposed resolution should this be approved, would include that the
entire structure could be brought into compliance with today's code
from that standpoint.
The variance process has eight criteria to consider. They are,
staff analysis in the staff report. Overall the new addition does
extend pre-existing conditions. There were protections placed along
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March 16, 2006
the southern property line as discussed by the previous variances
including fencing and landscaping.
The applicant has discussed that there were -- there was some
damage to that. And, although I do recommend approval with three
prior stipulations, I would add that the new commitment to replace
the vegetation be another stipulation of the recommendation for
approval. It would be suggested that it be limited to those structures
shown on the survey today, that a site plan amendment be required
and no further encroachments be permitted on this site.
Could I answer any questions?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schmitt first, if you don't mind.
MR. SCHMITT: Yeah. I just wanted to add to some
stipulations because Mr. Schiffer brought up an issue that, up until
now, hadn't really been noticed. And I believe there is a problem in
regards to permit. Permit was, it's a commercial building. The
permit was issued under the application as an owner builder, and an
owner builder cannot apply for a permit for a commercial building.
So, there is a problem in the permit. Now I know that has nothing to
do with the variance. The permit has gone through the entire review
process. The plans have all been reviewed. But, I am going to have
to have the applicant reapply for a permit with the licensed general
contractor. It cannot be an owner builder. And I've looked through
all the affidavits, all the applications. This was an expressed permit.
It was -- description of work clearly says interior build out, add
restrooms. And this involved exterior work. Why that was not
caught. I can't explain that. It's gone through the review process.
It's gone through the entire review process noting interior work,
though the exterior plans reviewed and approved, so there will have
to be a re-application with a licensed general contractor, or a licensed
contractor to comply with the Florida Building Code.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, Mr. Schmitt. Any
questions of staff? Mr. Schiffer?
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Hedi, how many seats is that
restaurant able to have?
MS. WILLIAMS: The original site development plan in 1990
does show 150 seats. So that was approved at that time.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So that's a moot point. How
come an SDP revision or amendment wasn't required to build an
exterior thing like this? From my experience, you change a
doorknob, I got an SDP amendment.
MS. WILLIAMS: I'm not sure why it was not required at the
time, but that is a stipulation of the recommendation of approval that
it be brought up to date.
MR. SCHMITT: Ask Mr. Schiffer, I can only assume it came in
under the application of interior build out so it was never sent from
the building department over to the planning department for review.
And I note that it even had been reviewed by the planning staff. You
go through the entire application, and I believe --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Joe, you don't have to do that.
MR. SCHMITT: It was missed. I mean, this came in as an
interior build out, and it definitely included exterior work. It should
have required a site plan and that's part of the stipulation.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And here's the point I'm
making. Reviewing the application data, reviewing the application
itself, it doesn't state that there's any addition. This set of documents
gave the impression, the impression to fool many areas of the
building department, that it was only an owner builder. A little
interior build out. So I think the fact that we find ourselves here is
really due to the way the documents were prepared and sent to the
city. Okay. That's enough.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody else have any questions of
staff?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I have one.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Kolflat.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Joe, you mentioned earlier
about the option that person has to go ahead and build recognizing
his responsibilty. I personally feel this is an undue implicit influence
on the planning commission to make a judgment on the merits of the
case by itself. Because we come here now recognizing that this
applicant has obtained more unnecessary hardship than he would
have otherwise obtained if it had been stopped the build out at the
time the detection was noted.
MR. SCHMITT: I understand your position. The applicant
through public petition, petitioned the Board of County
Commissioners asking for permission to continue, it was clearly on
the record that if they were allowed to continue, it was at their own
risk. Yes, you may feel compelled based on the fact that where they
are in the process, but many months ago, it was clearly stated on the
record that there was no guarantee that this variance would be
approved and the Board of County Commissioners, understanding
the situation at that time, allow the applicant to proceed at their own
risk as they proceeded through the variance process.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: What, if any, is the course that
anybody on this commission could take to reinvestigate or reanalyze
that position as far as the allowance to continue construction?
MR. SCHMITT: I hear your question, but I'm not really sure
what kind of answer you're looking for. You mean, policy in general?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: This is something that would
come up in the review of the LDC that would be brought up as a
suggestion to change the LDC, or could it be just brought up in the
meeting under new business of this meeting?
MR. SCHMITT: It is not an LDC issue. It was strictly the
petitioner petitioning the Board of County Commissioners being
asked to allow to go forward and proceed at their own risk. Staff
basically advised that the applicant still had to proceed through the
variance process, they clearly understood. Mr. Pires may want to
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March 16, 2006
highlight on that, but they clearly understood that they were
proceeding at their own risk. Like a builder today does a spot
survey. If they go up the tie beam, they know clearly they're
proceeding at their own risk. Because it clearly states at spot survey,
once you place the slab, the applicant is required within ten days of
receiving an approval of a spot survey. If they wait 30 or 40 days
and put block down and go all the way up the tie beam, they do it at
their own risk. There's no compelling reason that this panel should
feel obligated to sway its vote because an applicant now has basically
built out and has the interior completed.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLA T: You do recognize there is an
implicit influence there?
MS. SCHMITT: I do. I do, but at the time that this was asked,
and again today, as Ms. Williams mentioned, the staff -- I guess if
you want to define as maybe egregious or as complicated as this may
be, it does not exceed what already exists as far as the encroachment.
And this will clean up a lot of the past history we've had with this
building. So, there is a give and take. I understand. There is a give
and take here.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray.
MR. MURRAY: Two things. One, Joe, the impact of a new
permit being required, how does that impact, if at all on this meeting
today with respect to variance? In any way?
MR. SCHMITT: Only as a requirement, I would add a
stipulation that they -- I need to talk to my building director on this
because, just as Mr. Schiffer pointed out, I mean, this is not a legal
permit. They would have to reapply with a licensed general
contractor. It will not impact the variance. Unless you want to delay
the variance and have this come back with the proper application, but
it's -- it's exclusive, so to speak. The variance is the variance. The
permit process is the Florida Building Code. And I just need to get
the permit to be legal.
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March 16,2006
MR. MURRAY: I appreciate that.
MR. SCHMITT: We'll probably not have to go through any
re-review, but I need to talk to my building director in regards to how
to make this right. But that, as Mr. Pires said, that is another issue
through either the Board of Adjustment and Appeals, or some other
process as Mr. Schiffer certainly is well aware of, if there are any
problems or issues regarding the building permit.
MR. MURRAY: Another question is, if the building were
destroyed to the 50 percent plus one, or whatever, reconstruction
would be -- if it were attempted, would have to go to the proper
setback line. What would that do with respect to all of the other
factors? Here by the granting of a variance, does that mean that that
new footprint is what would be accepted, or would they -- would
have to go back to the original line, and then would that impact on
the parking and the residence?
MR. SCHMITT: Normally--
MR. MURRAY: Or is that a brand new?
MR. SCHMITT: That's part of the build out, basically the
rebuilding process and normally if 50 percent or more of the building
is destroyed, it would have to be rebuilt in accordance with the
current standards, yes.
MR. MURRAY: So they should know that and the stipulation is
not required should this get that far?
MR SCHMITT: It's already part of the - part of our code of
laws.
MR. MURRAY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Heidi?
MS. WILLIAMS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Could you turn to page seven of your
staff report, item F? Requested variance would extend in existing
condition across the edge of the property. Is that the right
terminology? What edge of property is it extending across?
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March 16, 2006
MS. WILLIAMS: Well the rest of the sentence refers to the
residential neighbor. So I would - I believe I wrote that referring to
this southern property line.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: But it's -- is it going across the southern
property line?
MS. WILLIAMS: Not across the property line, but along that
property line. Along the same side of the building as the earlier
encroachment that was approved.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. When I read that, I knew you
didn't mean it's -- the building is being built over the property line,
but it seemed to read that way. It also said that -- because this
building has two fronts, that this is considered a side yard in this back
area. If it was a rear yard, what setback would be required?
MS. WILLIAMS: It actually has the same requirement of a
25- foot setback, whether it's called a rear or a side, just technically to
be completely accurate, it is a side -- considered a side yard. But the
required setback happens to be the same in this case.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you, Heidi. No other
questions of staff.
Ray, do we have any public speakers?
MR. BELLOWS: We have three registered speakers. The first
speaker is Robert Pritt followed by Robert Varing.
MR. PRITT: Mr. Chairman, may I approach?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir. Mr. Pritt, you supplied us with
eight colored photographs and two pages of a letter that, I think some
of us may have already received. It is your intention for these to be
submitted into evidence?
MR. PRITT: Yes, sir, I wish to have this submitted into
evidence. The letter I think already did come to you in the
supplement. I already prepared the supplement. There are no
changes to my letter. The photographs are photographs that I took, I
think, it was the day before yesterday depicting the situation on the
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March 16, 2006
property. And I would ask that that would be --
MR. MURRAY: I would so move.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray, you're moving to admit
this into evidence?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yes, I am, sir.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made by Mr. Murray, seconded
by Mr. Adelstein. All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER STRAIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed? Motion carries. It's
submitted into evidence. Thank you.
MR. PRITT: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, members of the
commission, my name is Robert Pritt with the law firm of Roetzel &
Andress. I'm here on behalf of SUMA Holdings owned by Sue
Mayelic who is here in the audience. She has filled out a speakers
card. I have it here. But declined to -- is declining to speak unless
you wish to ask her questions and I will talk in her behalf. Also,
Hialea Holdings owned by Jean Rhoades who is also here and has
filled out a card, and likewise, I'll speak in their behalf. But they'll
be available to answer any questions in case you have them.
SUMA is unit 116 immediately to the west in the building,
immediately to the west of the subject parcel. And that 118-- unit
118 is immediately to the west of unit 116, so that is their interest in
the application that is here before you today.
A lot of what I have intended to say has already been said. And
I'm not sure what we just put up here. I had something else up here.
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March 16, 2006
May I have my document back, please?
This is the document that we received in our public records
request with the staff. And unfortunately, it's not very easy to read.
Let me point this out as to what it says. Again, you may have it. I'm
not sure. But in this area here this says existing kitchen here,
existing dining room, and it has bathrooms, existing bathrooms,
restrooms right here. Thank you, Ray. And this says existing dining
area here. And this portion down here it says 150 people. So that's
where we got the information concerning what the intentions are of
the property owner. And what it appeared to us to be, and does
appear still to me to be, is a situation where in fact the -- where, in
fact, the restaurant area is being expanded in order by taking out the
restrooms and putting them in the back. And that does have the
effect of making for more area for the restaurant. And our position
on that is that if you're going to do that, then we need to recognize
the practical effect, and the practical effect is that it has an effect on
the needed parking. And the parking right now -- I counted the
spaces. It's 41 spaces. There are currently 41 spaces there. And
under your current code at 150, your current code would provide for
67 spaces. I do have a copy of the Collier County Land
Development Code 4.05.04 restaurant, sit down. One per 60 square
foot for public use areas including outdoor eating areas, or one per
two seats, whichever is greater. And then for non-public use areas
kitchen storage, freezer, et cetera, one per 200 square feet. Now I
understand that the analysis has been done that a certain number of
spaces was vested. But it seems to me that when you're adding onto
the interior of the restaurant, for whatever purposes that happened to
be up to the owner, by moving the restrooms out of the building and
into a building in the back, that that is going to have an effect on the
parking. So we know it's already under -- it's already over utilized in
parking. There's not nearly enough parking for the restaurant that is
currently there. The restaurant keeps expanding, and it keeps
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expanding to the south and to the west. You'll notice that it's not
expanding to the east or to the north, and there are reasons for that
I'm sure, having to do with perhaps loss of entrance, and loss of view
from both of the roads, especially Bonita Beach Road. But it does
have a deleterious affect on the overall parking situation.
The units 116 and 118 that are next door, and if we could go --
Ray, I would now like to go back to the one that you have here. We
can pull that up. My point was that what's happening is as -- as the
building is expanding, it's expanding to the back at the expense of the
neighbors and it's continuing the expansion along the property line to
the expense or detriment of the neighbors to the west. The
commercial neighbors to the west. All of which allows this area here
to be -- to continue to be utilized without any change. And there are
other ways that you can expand a building. You don't have to go
back into the neighborhood in the back. You don't have to go to the
neighbors to the west. There are two other directions. And
obviously, they don't want to go those directions for their own
purposes, but, frankly, that's not -- I think that that's something at
least relevant for you to consider that there might be other options
that they would have available.
Now, why are we concerned about this? Well, a couple of
reasons. One, the front door -- the main entrance has been moved
down -- moved back to the west. And you'll see in the first
photograph that I have here, you'll see there's a door there and I
believe there's an arrow there and a sign that says please use other
door. So it's referring people to the west to enter into the restaurant.
And that is, human nature being what it is, the people are going to
tend to want to park closer to that door, and therefore it's actually
pulling the parking down to the parcel to the west. So that's
primarily what the concern is on behalf of my clients. And other
than the normal concerns concerning the overuse of a parcel it's -- as
one planning commissioner I used to know out in Sanibel, she always
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March 16, 2006
used to say, that's just too much on too little. And I think that's what
we're getting to with regard to Enzo's. I'd be glad to answer any
questions that you may have.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any questions of the commission?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I would.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray, go right ahead.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I'm looking at the photo here
and the roof overhang on the building for the client that you
represent, and also behind there it almost appears as though there's a
structure, although it's difficult to see clearly. I recognize we're not
talking about your client's property, but at the same time I'm
wondering and making comparison, unless it's an illusion based on
shadow, it certainly seems that the roof structure extends further than
the original building line. Is there -- was that subject to a variance?
MR. PRITT: May I put up another photograph?
MR. MURRAY: Please do.
MR. PRITT: I'm not sure that helps. Both of those buildings do
have shadows on them, and it's kind of hard to tell, but I think that as
far as I know, the building that my clients are in, complies with
setback requirements and there's nothing back there. If there is, then
somebody can correct me on it, but I don't think so. I did not
personally go back and eyeball it, but I don't think so. I don't think
there are any encroachments.
MR. MURRAY: Okay. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Pritt, I'm looking at some of your
photographs from the front of the building side by side, both your
clients' building which seems to have been either for sale or for rent
and then Enzo's building.
MR. PRITT: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: How is this addition detrimental to the
appearance of those buildings? The photographs I'm looking at, you
can't even see it.
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March 16, 2006
MR. PRITT: Well, as far as the looks of the building are
concerned, I don't know that its detrimental as far as visual is
concerned, but our concerns have to do with the building -- the
Enzo's building being expanded at the expense of parking. And but
I'm glad you brought that up. I would like to make a point on that. I
think it's in my -- at least alluded to in my letter. By the Enzo's
building being right up to the property line within one-tenth of an
inch of the setback, it narrows -- it continues the narrowing of the
line in the back. I don't know what effect that may have in the future,
but that building is right on the property line. It may be that it would
be beneficial for the property next door, my client's property. And
they're only some of the owners in this building. But, it may be
beneficial for that property to be expanded, to be fixed, to be
upgraded. Maybe expanded, maybe not. But, it certainly makes it
more difficult the further along that line you go to do anything that
may cause two buildings to come together or to maintain anything
further along the back. And frankly, I think it was pretty
unnecessary to put that where it was, but that's the main concern.
The other thing, one of the things we thought about, and I just raised
it today. I don't know if it would work or not, but it could be -- there
could be a parking agreement between the parties so on and so forth,
but none of that has ever been suggested.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Pritt, you're getting a ways off from
where my question was from.
MR. PRITT: Sure.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: But since you did bring up the parking
arrangement, there was a discussion earlier by Mr. Pires that in the
hallway there was some mention of that. Do you see that as a
potential solution to your applicant's concerns?
MR. PRITT: Well, I raised the issue, and you want to go ahead
and proceed. So, we're not in the hallway anymore. We're here
testifying in front of you. I do think that that is a -- is something
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that's worth talking about because we're moving the parking with the
front door and everything, we're moving the parking down closer to
this building. And then I think we're exacerbating the situation.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I need to finish up some of my
questions.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Sure.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: First of all from staff. The building
door, is there any way pursuant to the code, could they ever come in
with any kind of application that would allow them to build closer
than the required setback under today's code for the building that's
there?
MR. BELLOWS: For the record, Ray Bellows. The building to
the west, you're asking if they wanted to expand?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If they wanted a zero setback, could
they get it?
MR. BELLOWS: No. Unless they applied for a variance and
received the variance.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So I don't think there's a concern there
then because they can't expand to the east from what it sounds like.
MR. BELLOWS: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: As far as the capacity of Enzo's, can
they in any way legally have more than 150 seats in that restaurant?
MR. BELLOWS: No. The land development code would not
permit it based on the parking requirement.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. If they came in with an
application for more than 150 seats and didn't provide any more
parking, would they be able to be successful in that application?
MR. BELLOWS: I don' believe so, no.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So there's really not a parking issue.
MR. BELLOWS: Well, that's true. The board would have to
approve --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So the parking issue that seems to be of
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March 16, 2006
a concern cannot happen, unless someone were to operate illegally,
which means that could happen anywhere in the county at any
business in the county any time they want it to happen?
MR. BELLOWS: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm trying to get to the bottom of where
the real concerns are. As far as the joint parking arrangement from
staffs viewpoints, is there any advantages to having a joint parking
arrangement with the facility next door?
MR. BELLOWS: Yes. The code does allow for those type of
situations where the hours of operation are different. The restaurant
typically has a larger need for parking at night, while retail uses are
typically closed at that time. So there is that arrangement that can
occur.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And if that arrangement did occur, the
retail establishment could benefit from the additional parking they
would gain by the joint relationship, more or less. So if the other
party was refused a joint relation, the expansion of the retail business
might not be as capable or as great.
MR. BELLOWS: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't have any other questions. Does
anybody else?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Adelstein. I'd like an explanation
for one of your sentences. It says the applicant did proceed -- didn't
proceed at its own risk, and when that is done, there's a lawful basis
upon which the claim of any right of entitlement.
MR. PRITT: I'm sorry. Where was that?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Third paragraph, last
sentence. Second to last sentence.
MR. PRITT: The applicant did proceed at its own risk, and
when that is done, there's no lawful base upon which to claim any
right or entitlement. Yes. The law is very clear on that. There's a
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March 16, 2006
case, I know all of the attorneys in the room are very familiar with.
Pinecrest versus Shidell. You probably heard it also. But essentially,
what that says is that you're proceeding at your own risk all the way
up through -- in that case it was a Court of Appeals process. And if
you do something that -- if you go ahead and build and you are
granted permission to build, even though it was at your own risk, if
that permission is not granted, then you must tear it down. You must
take it out. I stood before this planning commission about two or
three years ago on a very similar matter and went to the county
commission sitting as the board, and essentially that's what I was told
in that case also. So I think that's -- there's no question that's the law,
and I don't think anybody would dispute that. So you build at your
own risk. Any other questions?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, Sir. We'll take a 15-minute
break right now.
(Whereupon, a brief recess was taken.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, Ray. If you'll all come
back to your chairs, we'll get going again. We left off with the public
speakers. We're on our second speaker.
MR. BELLOWS: Robert Varing followed by Robert Elliott.
MR. V ARING: Good morning. My name is Robert Varing and
I live at 76 First Street. I also have a home at 72. They're both
together. I guess my only concern is that if a variance is issued for
this particular property, that additional variances that are applied for
would be granted based on well this person got one, why can't we.
Living on First Street in Bonita Shores, and I'm sure most of you are
aware that we're only a mile from the beach, that is Bonita Beach,
that this time of year the traffic on Bonita Beach is horrendous. And
a lot of people try to avoid the light on the corner of Vanderbilt Drive
and Bonita Beach by coming down First Street and going through the
Shores creating a lot of traffic problem. If you continue to -- it
would be my opinion, that if you continue to grant variances for
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businesses on Bonita Beach Road that with the existing construction
of the Bonita Village and the Bonita Walk and many of the new
construction sites hat are taking place, that we're going to be -- you're
talking about encroaching, or encroaching on the residency of Bonita
Shores. That's my only concern. That's my complaint, I guess that
would be registered. And I appreciate the opportunity to talk to you
people. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, sir.
MR. BELLOWS: Robert Elliott.
MR. ELLIOTT: My name is Robert Elliott. I live at 86 First
Street. This variance request, in my opinion, will have no direct
impact on me or my property. I am concerned about precedence it
will set for future commercial expansion on Bonita Beach Road that
borders a working class residential community. If this request was
made to properties that border an upscale gated community, I don't
think it would pass. And I think this should be treated the same way.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, sir. Ray, are there any
other speakers?
MR. BELLOWS: No other speakers. We normally allow the
applicant to rebut for a very short rebuttal. Mr. Pires, did you have
anything else you wanted to add to your presentation?
MR. PIRES: Just briefly, if I can? Thank you very kindly. The
response to some of the comments made by Mr. Pritt, if there's a
desire on the parts of his clients to enter into a shared parking
agreement, my clients are willing to do that. It appears that's the
concern he expressed. Also just for note, his clients own two of the
condominium units in the commercial condominium. Other owners
of the condominium units in that commercial condominium unit to
the west have indicated no objection to this particular project.
Additionally, I think there was a question asked as to how far back is
the line of construction for the building where his client has their
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units. This has been shown before and introduced as part of it. And
this is again looking -- this is the addition to the back of Enzo's. And
this is the back portion of the building to the immediate west. So it
does extend further south, I believe, than the line of construction of
our client.
With regards to the point that needs to be clarified that the
existing, or the prior bathrooms are gone and they are server stations.
That no additional seating has been provided. In fact, 13 tables have
been removed. That this was for bathroom facilities, plain and
simple. And the issue as to the parking spaces has been resolved by
the fact that there is an SDP. We ask that you grant the -- make
recommendation of approval for the granting of the variance with the
stipulation as outlined by the staff and Mr. Schmitt today.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray?
MR. MURRAY: Mr. Pires, it may be moot, but Mr. Pritt also
brought up the question of the door and use of the other door. Is
there -- you know what I'm referring to?
MR. PIRES: Yeah. And I'm not a traffic or parking expert. I
don't know how people -- I'm not a retailer or marketing, so I think
that's pure speculation or supposition.
MR. MURRAY: Okay. My question would be really on the
idea that, would it take much to change that process and go back to
the other door that is currently suggested to go elsewhere?
MR. PIRES: Once again. I don't -- to my mind, that doesn't
have anything to do with this particular application because it's an
entry. Where do you put the door, the middle or the right.
MR. MURRAY: I appreciate that.
MR. PIRES: And ifhis concern is parking and ifhe wants to
enter into a shared parking agreement, we're willing to do that.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I think that answers the
question.
MR. PIRES: And that appears to be the only reason why they're
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really here, and we're willing to do that. Absolutely. That's being
good neighbors.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yeah. The building is showing
there -- it actually isn't a building. Isn't it a cooler? I see the four
panels. I see the refrigerant lines. I see the compressor.
MR. PIRES: It appears to be attached to the building. That's all
I'm saying. There's some construction.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Like your client has a cooler
attached.
MR. PIRES: It's a structure. Our client is further north than
that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
MR. PIRES: I think the comment made by Mr. Pritt was that
none of his client's building extends further south.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions of the applicant?
Hearing none, thank you, Mr. Pires. Heidi, can I ask you one
question?
MS. WILLIAMS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are coolers such as shown in this
diagram required to have variances as well for their intrusions in the
setback, if there are any?
MS. WILLIAMS: The structure would have to meet the setback
requirement. I don't have knowledge about this particular cooler,
whether it was constructed. I would naturally assume that it was
constructed possibly prior to the setback requirement.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MS. WILLIAMS: But the zoning map does not show a variance
for that property.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Oh, it doesn't? So would that cooler--
would that cooler require a variance, do you think, by looking at this
picture?
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March 16, 2006
MS. WILLIAMS: If it were constructed prior to the setback
requirement. If it were constructed in a way that it was legal at the
time, it would not. Unless it were to be replaced and upgraded, then it
would need to meet today's standards.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you, Heidi. Hearing no
other questions, we'll close the public hearing and entertain a motion.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I'd like to share with my fellow
Commissioners my analysis of this petition. In order not to ramble,
I've written this out. The building addition increases the building
floor area of 15 percent. If the property owners to the west were
allowed the same encroachment requested in this petition, their retail
floor space could be enlarged by 38 percent. Granting this variance
will confer on the petitioner a special privilege denied these other
buildings to the west. Another factor to consider is whether a literal
interpretation of LDC imposes an undue hardship on the applicant.
A January 23rd, 2006 memorandum to the BCC from Jeffrey
Klatskow through David Weigle presents some general principles on
variance law and the term unnecessary hardship. From that
document, and I quote, for purposes of supporting a zoning variance,
a legal hardship will be found to exist only in those cases where the
property is virtually unusable or incapable of dealing a reasonable
return when used pursuant to the applicable zoning regulations. In
seeking a variance on the ground of unique or unnecessary hardship,
the property owner cannot assert the benefit of the self-created
hardship. Stated differently, when the owner by his or her own
conduct creates the exact hardship that the owner alleges to exist, he
or she should not be permitted to take advantage of it. Applicable
case law is also cited in this memorandum. Since the property has
been usable and capable of dealing a usable return for 16 years, and
the alleged hardship was created by the owner, a literal interpretation
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of LDC does not work in undue hardship on the applicant. In
conclusion, granting this variance will confer a special privilege on
the petitioner denied others in the same zoning district, a literal
interpretation of LDC does not impose an unnecessary hardship on
the applicant. The petition does not meet these two requirements in
the LDC, and I believe should be denied.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Kolflat.
Heidi, I've got one more question. Do you have any knowledge
of anybody else in that neighborhood requesting a variance such as
this?
MS. WILLIAMS: Not to my knowledge, no.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mark, I have one more
question.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Heidi, in just thinking back into
the way the codes were written and the way they worked, you know,
we're assuming in the old code that this was a side setback. And,
Ray, you may -- in my knowledge of the old code, you would choose
one front setback. This would be a side street and the old code didn't
necessarily have to be, you know, you had to meet the street
setbacks, but I think this could be a rear setback. The building is
placed 25 feet. So I don't think this ever was a situation where there
was, you know, the setbacks were less than 25 feet in this yard. Do
you see where I'm saying? Obviously the new code has a different
way of doing it. The new code treats both streets as front streets.
The old code didn't. The old code you would take the smallest street
or something else. So this could be -- and the fact that the building
was built at 25 feet, people didn't take -- you know, they take
advantage of what they can get. I think that the interpretation, or
could it be the interpretation that this was a lesser setback in the old
code, may not be right.
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MS. WILLIAMS: Well, Mr. Pires has just handed me a copy of
ordinance 90-13 revision 89 that does define a rear yard. And it has
in parenthesis that in the case of through lots and corner lots, there
will be no rear yards, but only front and side yards. And I think that
the difference -- I mean, the current code, the difference in the
setbacks between the western side and the southern side for this
particular corner lot, there is an increase setback because it's adjacent
to residential versus adjacent to commercial. So even though they're
both side yards, they have different setbacks. And I'm not sure -- the
previous code did not have this distinction between commercial use
and residential use. Or if it did, it had a zero next to commercial and
it had the 15 next to residential. Actually, I'm not hundred percent
certain on that, but there was a distinction it was just different at the
time.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So you think when this building
was built, it could have been built on the property line alongside that
residence?
MS. WILLIAMS: No, I don't believe it could have at that time.
That's why it's not on the property line.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: What would the setback be at
that time?
MS. WILLIAMS: I know that I did look at that and I'm not -- I
don't have that in front of me.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray?
MR. MURRAY : Yeah. Heidi, I have a question that just was
provoked here. We saw a picture earlier that showed a fence, a space
that was an easement apparently for FP&L and then another fence.
The setback was from the fence directly owned by, I assume, owned
by the property owner of the residential?
MS. WILLIAMS: Setbacks are measured from the property line.
MR. MURRAY: From the property line. Presumably that fence
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would be there or near that property line, correct?
MS. WILLIAMS: I believe some of the surveys did assume that
the fence was on the property line. I think future surveys have shown
that the fence is not exact.
MR. MURRAY: And I appreciate that. I just want to be clear in
my mind that the setback we're talking about goes past the first fence
that the commercial property and past the easement area and up to.
MS. WILLIAMS: Yes. The setbacks to the property line, and
may include the easement. In this case it does.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. We're still looking for a motion.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'll make a motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I move that we forward petition
V A-2005-AR-8857 to the County Commission with a
recommendation of denial.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I second the motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion has been made by
Commissioner Schiffer, seconded by Commissioner Kolflat.
Discussion?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The issue is that really the
documents that went to the building department gave them no idea
that they were building an exterior building. There's no site plans.
There's no fire separation distance. There's no way anybody
reviewing these plans would know where this building was,
therefore, I don't think the building department properly reviewed it.
It shouldn't have been given an owner builder permit. The owner
shouldn't have been able to do this. And the problem really was that
the document they submitted, and I'll be polite, confused the building
department.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other discussion? My part of it, I
will not support the motion. I see no detriment to the public welfare
or harm to the public in this matter. The people most contiguous to
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this in the south are not here to object. In fact, they've been asked
their opinion. They've not voiced an objection. In fact, we verbally
heard that they didn't have an objection. The fact that they had an
existing easement or variance that allowed them to go the same
distance out from the building, just the fact that they simply
continued this a little bit further west on that commercial property
offers no problem that I can see to anybody in that area. Therefore, I
would not support this motion. Any other discussion?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Commissioner Caron.
COMMISSIONER CARON: I think that there are a couple of
things that we need to thing about here. I don't think there's any
problem with the neighbors to the back. I quite frankly didn't
understand the entire discussion by Mr. Pritt on his side -- I think it
was a non-issue. However, the greater issue here is our land
development code. And the fact that these people have already had
two other variances, they should have known that if they want to do
anything else back there, it was going to require a variance, and,
thus, should have come in for something before the fact not
after-the- fact. And let us discuss it all then before they got to the
point where they're going to have to tear something down that they
don't want to have to tear down. Or, you know, redo bathrooms to
make them ADA compliance. I really think we need to adhere to our
land development code. We, in the past, I believe have handed out
variances, after the fact variances, especially without consideration
whether or not there were land related conditions. And I will support
the motion.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Is there any further discussion?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'd like to say one thing. It is
not in the county's best interest for health and welfare that a building
permit could be applied for an interior building to add restrooms and
then build exterior structures.
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't think anybody insinuated that or
said that, Brad. But hearing that, we will call for the motion. All
those in favor of the motion as stated, signify by saying aye.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Aye.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Aye.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Aye.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Those opposed?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Opposed. Motion carries, six to one.
Item #8D
PETITION: CU-2005-AR-8081 - CONTINUED TO 4/6/06
Petition D -- or item D on the agenda. Petition
CU-2005-AR-8081 was continued to 4/6/06.
Item #9 A
OLD BUSINESS: CONTINUATION OF COMPREHENSIVE
PLANNING DEPARTMENT EAR-BASED GROWTH
MANAGEMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That takes us to old business. Old
business will be resumption of the EAR amendment process that is
continued from our meeting last week. At that particular time we
were discussing solid waste. And we were going into public
speakers at the time.
Mr. Krasowski was about to speak when we ran out of time due
to the fact this room had to be occupied by another group. So, as
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soon as we all get ourselves together here and staff changes their
seats.
I wish to remind the commission that when you wish to speak,
please be recognized and speak into the mike and slowly enough so
the court reporter can accurately reflect what you say.
Just for the tone of this meeting, the discussion will be between
the applicant -- not the applicant in this case, but the county staff
and/or the public to this commission. And the commission then will
decide what questions they want to listen or respond to to the various
parties. The conversation is not supposed to be between the public
and the staff at this meeting. It's supposed to be to us. We'll try to
retain and maintain that decorum.
With that said, David, if you're ready, we can resume where we
left off last week. And I believe Mr. Kra -- Bob, I'm going to say
your name wrong a thousand times. You might as well get up here
and say it correctly.
MR. KRASOWSKI: It's Bob Krasowski.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: It's one of those rare names that sounds
exactly the way they're spelled. Break it down in three syllables and
it just goes right along.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, Bob, I know you sent out an
email with some information on it, and I appreciate the heads up on
your information. I received it last night. And I know you asked for
extra time. I'd like you to limit yourself to ten minutes. I think that's
fair and consistent with the others. So if you could proceed from
there, we will certainly listen to what you have to say, and if we have
any questions from what you have to say, we'll ask those of staff.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Okay. That's fine. Thank you. I think
you're generous with your time allotment. For the record, my name is
Bob Krasowski. And I'm here as a private citizen. Although, I've
been involved with solid waste issues in Collier County for many,
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March 16, 2006
many years. In the '80s when there was an effort to bring a trash
incinerator here, and mid eighties and in 2000 another effort, and
now there's another effort being geared up to. It's a continuation of
the last one.
The basis of my orientation to this issue is that I understand what
burn technologies are they pollute, they would reduce our air quality
standards and then also they waste resources that can be used in other
ways. So I object to that. And so for years now we've been
encouraging alternatives. So here you have in front of you the
supplement to the growth management plan. And I wanted to speak
to those issues. And my suggestion in the letter to you was that this
entire sub-element is very poorly organized and that it should be
organized in a way that prioritizes the different steps that we would
go through as a community to address an over abundance of waste
materials being discarded. And those steps would be first to reduce
waste then to reuse, then recycle, then compost, which would be a
part of treatment. So it would then be treatment and then a disposal
objective. The way these documents are organized, you have your
headline statement, and introduction, and then you have your
objectives and policies. So I think those items I mentioned should be
objectives. And then the policies that would implement, or serve
those objectives should be listed under that.
I've worked up a plan and will share it with you at a later date,
but I didn't want to send it out prior to this presentation because for
now, I've wanted to deal primarily with the document that solid waste
department had generated. I and the sewer waste Collier County
group had been working for many years with the Solid Waste
Department. Most recently under when Jim Mudd, now county
manager, was public utility director, and we have developed many
programs including the non-residential resource recycling program
which was adopted by the Board, as opposed to the one that was
submitted by the county waste department. They went with our
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March 16, 2006
strategy. And we've been working with the school board to divert
recycables from the waste stream there. But, it's never
acknowledged. And we're not looking for fame here or even for
fortune. This is a volunteer effort. But we'd like these people to be
honest about what's happened in the past and what's going on.
Recently I talked to some people in the solid waste and they've
been now considering implementing what's called in California
resource recovery park, which is a set aside portion of land that is
provided for people who absorb recyclables and encourages
businesses to do that before the stuff gets to the landfill. This
concept was brought here by Dr. Paul Connet, and who we had
brought here in the early nineties. And the new leadership in the
solid waste department has been misinformed that this concept was a
creation of one of their previous directors. So there's a whole
inappropriate transfer of information regarding this whole thing. And
not to digress too far, but at the state level now and last year and now
there are the incineration industry has gotten enough impetus, or
enough inertia going on their programs where any county that's
looking to expand or add a new landfill, which we tried to do in the
nineties on the new landfill, if you researched that. It was a whole
big deal in the mid nineties. Any county now looking to do that is
encouraged to consider incineration technologies, burn technologies.
And then once an incinerator is in place, you're not allowed to take,
by law, take recycled materials out of that waste stream. That's
committed to go to that incinerator for 30, 50 years, however that
incinerator -- however long it last. So if we had that here in Collier
County, according to law, any dedicated materials to that incinerator
could not be changed, taken out to be recycled. And also, if the
incinerator were to run into financial viability problems, then that
community would be exempt from the requirements, the legal
requirements to recycle, and the incinerator could take from that
waste stream whatever it needed to maintain its operation.
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March 16, 2006
So, in essence what's been done is incineration is being put in
front of reduce, reuse, recycle programs. And here in Collier
County, these programs are just like a first blush very poor effort,
very poor effort, in implementation. They're there in name only
because, in my estimation, because the plan is to bring an incinerator
in place of the landfill or somewhere else. The suggestions I've
made, as far as policy, would be implemented understanding we don't
want the air pollution and the waste of resources that an incinerator
brings. As we as a community, would be committed to reducing,
reusing, recycling and composting.
I have a lot of information over the years that is just too much to
share with you at this time to re-enforce my position on each one of
these objectives. But in other places, and interestingly enough --
well, in other places like California, Oregon or Washington, those
states, there's been a lot of work over the years to develop these
concepts and practices. In the mid nineties when Commissioner Py
and Commissioner Carter were on this board, the solid waste
consultant to the County, Malcolm Perney, offered five options for
the handling of our waste. Four of them were incinerator type of
proposals, and then one was Bright Star, the operation from Australia
you might be familiar with. And then another one was putting it on a
train and shipping it out to Georgia or a truck or something like that.
And then so we got involved in that. We brought up what was called
scenario six, and it develops and implements a strategy that we're
USIng.
The public utilities director at that time, Mr. Mudd, was directed
by the board to put out a request for proposals for a zero waste
analysis of Collier County's material discards. And he never did it.
He was directed by the board as a matter of record on the videotape
and the minutes, and his explanation after about six or seven months
when we checked back on it was that, by looking at each individual
component of composting and recycling and these things, he was
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March 16, 2006
able to put together what he perceived would have been the zero
waste program. We had a workshop design here at one time prior to
that when we brought in experts.
This is what we suggest the county should do is adopt a plan as
I've suggested in my mailing to you. Use those values and
hierarchies. I could work to develop another plan, which would have
to be certified and stamped and developed as our work, not the
county's work, and we would share that with you and get on a discard
management program and not a temporary holding pattern that fills
up our landfill. While we're not doing what we're doing, just because
in the future, these people are thinking they're going to have an
incinerator in there. Weare committed to 100,000 tons a year to the
landfill. We have to prove that to stay at the level of cost per ton.
We drop behind -- below that, our cost per ton goes up. But we're
putting in almost 300,000 tons a year now -- or more than 300,000
tons a year now. We could divert that material to recycle, reduce to
that 100,000 and then the per capita would drop and the landfill
would last a lot longer as the landfill maintenance strategy. And then
I think it would be an interesting question to ask the solid waste
department what is the actual per capita disposal rate of the
residential people into the landfill when you take out the business
garbage bag. They average everything out. Everything going into
the landfill is not just from residences. It would be nice to have a
waste stream analysis that would tell us that kind of stuff so we could
attack the problem.
Also, another concept that wasn't in the material I sent to you
was that I believe we should place a five or ten dollar per ton fee on
the tipping fee at the landfill to get these recycling and alternative
programs going. If it's a ton per person per year, it would work out
to be five dollars a person across the board. But if we analyze who is
really putting the weight and tonnage into the landfill. And then
another aspect is they've eliminated the multifamily recycling
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collection in the document they've provided you that was crossed out
as you remember.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think last time we asked that that be
put back in.
MR. KRASOWSKI: I would certainly support that. It's the most
difficult area to work in as far as recycling. It should be done. And
we should work with the schools on a recycling program. What
they're doing there, the institutional part of that, not just kind of
laying back and waiting for the new initiative for the incineration
thing to go through. I've also asked on a number of locations, and
what I sent you for increased transparency. Before the solid waste
department and the public utilities unit secretly design and develop
and prioritize what they want for a program for solid waste, it should
just be discussed in workshops including the public so that we can
have input to this. The program that we have developed, and it's
going on today, is isolated to the desires of a certain point of view.
And also the information that input that's given by their Malcolm
Perney, light consultants, who are pro incinerator promoters and
expanded landfill promoters. But, I've seen at the solid waste
authority meeting in Tampa the incineration technology meetings
they have there, the representative from Malcolm Perney here
representing and promoting the Bright Star facility, which is a form
of incineration, it's two different chambers, program that we opposed
from the very beginning that it was suggested in the early nineties
that the county spent -- must be more than a million dollars on this
consultant to develop along those lines that their program came to
conclusion that the Bright Star facility was the one they ultimately
had come to consider. And then the thing went belly up. Its parent
company dropped and took a 40 million dollar loss two days before
the county commission voted positively to pay Malcolm Perney to
continue $70,000 for that component to continue with the
negotiations with Bright Star. This is after a $20 call to Australia.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Bob, I think you're getting, first of all,
we're here to discuss -- I appreciate you comments on this issue. And
you've certainly used up your ten minutes.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Yes. And I appreciate that.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We're going to -- I've got--
Commissioner Caron is going to have a question here in a minute.
You did distribute some questions. I'll ask some of those that I
understand of staff and the rest of the commission may want to do the
same thing. I have to ask that we end your presentation right now
except for response to questions.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Very good. I thank you very much. As
I've said, there's tons of material and I hate to drift on it. But it's all
relevant to what you people will help decide as far as directing what
happens in the future. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hold on a second. She's got some
questions.
COMMISSIONER CARON: I actually didn't have a question,
but I did want to assure you that in the policy that's been presented to
us on disposal and recycle and recovery, it says the county shall
promote public awareness of and participation in solid waste disposal
issues by requiring all issues to be addressed in advertised public
hearings.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Okay. Yes. I read that and would go a
step further as to these advertised public hearings. They have a
hearing and the whole representation is favorable to incineration or
what they hide as integrated waste management plan. What I'm
saying is a workshop format where they sit down and citizens have
adequate amount of time to address the various issues. Really open it
up. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, Bob.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Thank you, sir. Phil, or whoever can
represent us, or can represent the county in solid waste.
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March 16, 2006
MR. RODRIGUEZ: For the record, I'm Dan Rodriguez. Solid
Waste Management Director.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you for being here today. There
are some follow-up questions that we may have as a result of the
input provided by Mr. Krasowski.
First of all, before I have any questions, does anyone on this
panel have any questions?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. So we'll just move into policy
1.4. Have you seen the email that was sent to us?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: I did see it late last night. I didn't have an
opportunity to break down each question.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I received it late last night as well.
There were some elements here that I do understand. There were a
lot that I do not. And at this time and stage of this process, it would
be hard for me to suggest, or even to the panel or to the board, a
recommendation over staffs at this point because historically, right
now, staff is the one that presented this document. But I do want to
ask you some reasonable cleanup items. Policy 1.4 that Ms. Caron
just touched on, does reference public meetings, but there is a
difference between a public meeting and a public workshop.
Meetings are more informational. Workshops are more participatory.
Does your department have any reason why you wouldn't want to
include public workshops as well?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Basically the public hearings and
workshops, all of our direction is gained from direction for the Board
of County Commissioners. So any direction that we receive would
be in front of the public, in front of the board in open forum.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Would you have any concerns besides
the advertised public meetings, we just add the words and public
workshops?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: If that's the recommendation of the Board
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of County Commissioners, absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There's no objection to the panel?
Okay. And David, are you taking notes on these changes, or
who is doing that?
MR. WEEKS: Kris.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Oh, Kris. Okay. Good. As long as
somebody is. That would be under 1.4.
Under policy 2.4, one of the questions raised was to delete item
four. By doing -- what does item four mean in the eyes of your
department?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: That's just basically looking at any
technology that's in the industry and giving the Board of County
Commissioners the opportunity to review it, and review the facts and
the feasibility of implementing it in Collier County.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Conservation technologies then go
beyond just incineration?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So it could be any technology whether
it's environmentally sensitive or not.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Right. We wouldn't want to limit the
opportunities for the board to make a decision.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I fully agree with you. 2.5A, the tons of
solid waste per capita per year. We had it at five complete fiscal
years. Is five -- how did you choose the five years as the standard?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Actually, that was the -- I believe the
original AUIR guidelines was five years and I believe this year we
just moved that to three. That's correct, Commissioner.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So we need to make a correction. In
2.5A from five to three.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: That's correct. And the reason for that is
because of the success of the waste diversion and recycling in Collier
County within the last three years.
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Under policy 3.1 we did reinstate the
multiresidential recycling program. I think that's back in the positive
language from our last meeting, which was one of the
recommendations.
There's some other comments I just, at this time I can't follow
them. Policy 3.3, county shall promote public awareness of, and
participation in, solid waste disposition issues by requiring all issues
to be addressed in advertised public hearings. And would you mind
adding the words and public workshops?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody object to that? Mr. Midney?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: No, no objection. I have a
question.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Go right ahead, sir.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Oh, okay. Comment and a
suggestion. I have an experience with the mulch because over at the
Immokalee Airport there was a lot of Wilma mulch that was piled up
and eventually chipped. I put in a request for myself for mulch for
my own garden and I was told that, well, they might if they had time.
But most of it was going to the incinerator in Lee County. And in
the end I didn't get any. And I think that shows that there is the
existence of an incinerator, does prioritize mulch goes because they
have demands and priorities for it. I think that an incinerator will
affect the air quality in Collier County. As the years go on and we
do have more and more motor vehicle traffic and industrialization.
And so I would I like to see some prioritization, as Bob suggested,
reduce, reuse, recycle, compost and then disposal. Would you have
any objection to anything like that being in there?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: As long as we do not eliminate any
opportunity for the county manager, Board of County Commissioners
to bring in a technology that would better serve the community.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Well, I'm not talking about
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eliminating anything, I'm talking about prioritizing.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: That would be a board decision.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, as far as prioritization, did you
have any specific language suggested changes, Paul, that we could
direct staff, or -- I'm trying to figure out how to implement what
you're trying to say.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: And I don't have any language,
but I would like to see something that indicates prioritization rather
than just the way it is now.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: On March 30th we're going to have
what's basically going to be a final and hopefully a cleanup meeting
on outstanding issues. Would you mind taking a look at this issue and
commenting back to us as to the viability of it, or reasons why it's not
viable?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: In reference to the composing?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, actually I think it's referencing to
the overall layout. I think Mr. Krasowski started it out when he
indicated that reordering goals and objectives. I'm not saying he's
right, but I don't know ifhe's wrong, and I'd certainly like any good
idea that comes forward, we ought to consider it. If you can take a
look at that suggestion in his email. And it does occur in the third
sentence in his email. And I think this almost mimics what
Commissioner Midney was saying. it talks about reorganizing the
objectives under different order. Now, I don't know there's a
downside or upside to that. But I think if it's something better for us
to do, we ought to at least take a look at it. And since we're coming
back on the 30th anyway, would you mind taking a look at that and
coming back to us letting us know your thoughts on that?
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Will that take care of it for you,
Paul?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yes.
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions from the panel on
the solid waste issue?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Caron.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Did you get all of 2.4 cleared.
We were supposed to get the language. I just have a note that says --
clarified language.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: From our last meeting, you mean?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah. The items that we did at the last
meeting in regards to this won't be responded to until the 30th.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The 30th is our cleanup meeting.
COMMISSIONER CARON: That's fine.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And all the issues that we previously
discussed are supposed to be followed up and staff is going to finish
up their comments and provide a clean draft for us to vote on by that
point. So, if that's okay.
Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I don't know if I mentioned this
last time. Could you bring in a revised index? Because the current
index is showing stuff that long ago has been reorganized.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Okay. Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. That's all the questions for solid
waste. I thank you for coming back in. I know you had to wait
another week to come back but thank you for your time.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: Thank you for the opportunity to speak to
you. And thank you for your support of the recycling program and
solid waste.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I like the job the recycling is
doing. I pull my two out and that little one with the yellow top is
heavier and fuller than the one that was garbage. And that's absolute
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March 16, 2006
reverse of what it was a year ago.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: It sure is. And recycling on the whole is
averaging 55 percent increase over last year. And February which is
the shortest month in the last quarter here, is actually going to be our
biggest month of recycling. So it just continues to grow and grow.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Who knows, it might lead to a tax
reduction.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: There you go. Thank you again.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Mark, I would just like to add
that you are going in a positive direction in Naples, but in Immokalee
you're not making any progress at all. I'd like to see -- it was
mentioned that it was a contractor problem that the contractor didn't
have the capacity to improve the recycling. I'd like to see that
addressed.
MR. RODRIGUEZ: I'll look into that. Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Just remember to bring it up on the
30th, Paul.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I'm very sorry. On the 30th I'm
getting a grant that I wrote. I have to be absent from that meeting.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'll tell you what, I'll make a note of it
and so will probably a bunch of the rest of us. Thank you.
Kris.
MR. VAN LENGEN: Mr. Chairman, Thank you. Kris Van
Lengen, comprehensive planning. I just want to make one further
clarification. Something we just discussed today, which is the
promotion of public awareness through advertised public meetings
and public workshops. There are three different policies in the
sub-element that refer to that issue. So, I assume that your direction
is to fix all three of those.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think our intention was to be
consistent amongst all three unless --
MR. VAN LENGEN: Okay. And the last one 3.3, it talks about
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March 16, 2006
promoting public awareness participation in disposal issues. I
believe that should read recycle and recovery issues. It's meant to
reflect the objective under which it falls. I think that was it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think that's a good point.
MR. VAN LENGEN: Unintentional error. One last comment I
would like to make. At the EAC meeting several weeks ago,
Environmental Advisory Committee meeting, a recommendation was
made that was not carried forward. And it was as follows: Add A
provision to create a program to study, recommend and implement
regulatory restrictions on the packaging of retail goods sold in Collier
County. We did not carry that forward as we felt it was beyond the
scope of the EAR report. Also the implications of that type of policy
are so far reaching that it would be the type of policy consideration it
would be best aired in a series of public meetings. So, that I guess
our recommendation is that that be considered in a future GMP cycle.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think that's an issue because of the
cost. You may certainly want to weigh that before the board before
anything else.
Ms. Student?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: I would agree that that may well
be beyond the scope of what's required for this element. And it may
also be beyond the scope of the authority vested in the Board of
County Commissioners.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Just have to go a different path. Okay.
With that I had asked for the convenience of a member of the public
who was here today that we move the Golden Gate master plan
element up on our list, as there's only -- that's the only issue for the
public that seems to be here today to finish up on. So I think it will
be -- hopefully not too lengthy discussion, but --
Mr. Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Krasowski.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, anyway.
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March 16,2006
MR. KRASOWSKI: Mr. Strain, I also registered to speak on the
housing element. I believe that's still to come today?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes. I didn't -- I'm trying to -- I'm
sorry. I thought you were here just for the one element.
MR. KRASOWSKI: I just wanted to make sure you understood.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We will get to that. Thank you.
So why don't we move our way through to the Golden Gate
master plan element, and then after the board -- the panel is done, we
can ask for public comment.
MS. MOSCA: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Commissioners.
For the record, Michelle Mosca, with the comprehensive planning
staff. The changes proposed by the EAR report for the Golden Gate
area master plan generally include reformatting the master plan for
ease of use and clarity, as well as addressing change in conditions,
eliminating all of the density bonus provisions, except for the
affordable housing bonus and the conversion of commercial zoning
bonus.
Additionally, although not specifically identified in the EAR
report, staff has proposed a provision for affordable housing. And
this additional density will be allowed by right in the urban
designated area up to four dwelling units per acre. And guest houses
will be allowed to be rented in the estates destination. And this is
similar to the language that was proposed in the flu, which you all
know you embraced.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And which I believe we recommended
be removed.
MS. MOSCA: Yes. And finally, staff has some additional word
smithing missing that we've done, but we'll propose that for the 30th
meeting. And with that, if we'd like to move forward with the
questions and go step by step.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We used to -- we've been taking these
page by page. Something you just said, I wanted to make clear to
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March 16, 2006
staff, the 30th is not a reinvention of the wheel by staff for things that
weren't brought up. We are supposed to be reviewing everything in
draft form now so the 30th is just a cleanup and it goes fairly
efficiently. Any new stuff that isn't discussed by us, I mean, it's
going to be like starting over again, so --
MS. MOSCO: Well, I know that David Weeks had sent an email
out last night with the definition change for work force, affordable
work force housing. I don't know if you've all had a chance to read
that, but that's been added.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, the emaillast night said it would
be handed out in hard copy today. I, last night, had enough to do to
finish up my review of stuff. Anything beyond last night isn't going
to get addressed by me at least today. Although, I would like to ask
staff if you're going to produce so much data for us on the 30th that it
runs beyond the time frame we've allocated, I don't mind. But there
seems to be other people in this county administration that get upset
when we take too long to review things. I want to make it perfectly
clear, it isn't our problem. We're trying to review it, but if we get too
late and it's got to start all over again, that isn't something we should
be penalized for.
MS. MOSCA: I understand. That's not what I'm proposing for
the 30th. It would be just a matter of general wordsmithing because
a sentence, for example, does not make sense. It doesn't read well.
So not anything substantive.
MR. COHEN: Mr. Chairman, for the record, Randy Cohen,
comprehensive planning director. The intent of our department is to
follow your direction with respect to making the corrections as
directed previously. I don't anticipate any new language coming
forth from our department other than the language that you
previously directed with respect to housing. That's what you should
be seeing on the 30th.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, sir. Okay. We'll start, as
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we did in the past on page one. Are there any questions from the
panel on the first page? Ifnot, we can move to page two.
On page two, Michelle -- I mean, under policy 114, I think the
four is intended to be crossed out. I'm not sure. I think it's supposed
to be 115.
MS MOSCA: Yes, that's correct. Four should be crossed out.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The conditional use request within
Golden Gate Estates shall adhere to the guidelines outlined in the
conditional uses subdistrict. Do you mean within southern Golden
Gate Estates? I mean, it's under the southern Golden Gate Estates
Natural Resource Protection overlay.
MS. MOSCA: Actually, no.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There isn't any conditional uses in the
southern Golden Gate Estates.
MS. MOSCA: Not, that's not intended to be under the southern
Golden Gate Estates.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So that whole policy is in the wrong
place, possibly?
MR. WEEKS: Let me jump in. David Weeks, comprehensive
planning manager. Policy 1.1.4 only addresses overlays and special
features. And the only one of those is the southern Golden Gate
Estates natural resource protection overlay. Policy 1.1.5 is a new
policy. It has nothing to do with those overlays and special features.
It's a separate independent policy from 1.1.4. As is policy 1.1.3 is
only pertaining to different -- well, they're pertaining to different
areas.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The way it was reading following the
southern Golden Gate Estates natural resource protection overlay, it
seemed like it was a conditional use allowance for the southern
Golden Gate Estates and I didn't know there were any.
MS. MOSCA: I think because of the languages not included for
the rural sediment area, et cetera, so it just looks like it's out of
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context.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. That's fine. Any other questions
on page two? Questions on page three? Questions on page four?
Page five and then page six? Have already as a board -- go ahead.
Go ahead, Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The commercial zoning bonus,
could you explain that a little bit? I mean, is the intent there that if
you have commercial zoning and you tend to keep some of it, you
can add residential for every acre you remove?
MS. MOSCA: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So you still have to keep the
commercial?
MS. MOSCA: No, you do not. It's the conversion of
commercial zoning. And that falls under the same -- the flu also has
that provision. So if you're converting commercial zoning, or even a
portion of commercial zoning, for every one acre, you may receive
up to 16 additional units.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But the way it's worded and the
way you crossed it out, I'm not sure. If the project includes
commercial zoning -- therefore, I'm doing a proj ect, by that it has to
include commercial zoning. A bonus of up to 16 residential units
may be added for every one acre of zoning that is converted. I mean,
we're trying to do mixed use and stuff like that. Is wise to -- first of
all, the way it's worded, doesn't it sound like it has to have
commercial zoning?
MS. MOSCA: It does read that way. That's existing language
and maybe we need to rework that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: If you don't cross out, either
you know, what you crossed off conversion of -- in other words, I
think the way it was before gave the intent that you weren't.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chariman, I think staff can take a crack at
this. I agree with Mr. Schiffer. If we pretty much reinvert the
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paragraph and start off with the conversion of the zoning from
residential to commercial then explain what that commercial would
have to be to qualify.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Can you suggest some language when
you come back on the 30th?
MR. WEEKS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Now that I've done that, the
intent that this says now without you changing it is, that you have to
have a mixed use project to use these units. I think that would make
sense. Is there a lot of little pockets of commercial zoning, or is this
not an opportunity to have mixed use zoning?
MS. MOSCA: Well I know David had mentioned in the past
with the flu. I think this provision has probably been used twice.
David, I might have to defer to you. But I believe there was a project
proposed on Davis where they were going to retain a certain portion
of commercial and then convert some to residential units. Is that --
MR. WEEKS: Let me jump in again. This provision is, as
Michelle mentioned, is also in the future land use element under
density rating system there. The purpose for this provision is an
incentive for property owners to rezone property from commercial to
residential. And the incentive is to rezone from commercial that is
not consistent with the future land use map. It's property that is
generally speaking, it's going to be striped commercial, or it's
isolated in its location. It's commercial that is not consistent with
how the county has said we want commercial to be located. So it's an
incentive to get rid of that commercial and replace it with residential
development. As Michelle said, that is correct. It's only been used
twice, that I'm aware of, since the plan was adopted, but nonetheless
I think it's appropriate to keep a provision there. There's a separate
provision in the future land use element called commercial mixed use
subdistrict. What that does is allow for commercially zoned
properties to have mixed use. To have residential development. So
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there is an opportunity to have a mixed use development and does
not require to rezone that property. It's two different issues.
Promoting mixed use versus promoting rezoning of isolated or strip
commercial that the county would like to see go away.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And the owner could decide
which way to go.
MR. WEEKS: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions on page six? Well
I have one. We discussed in the flu the fact about adding four units
by right for affordable housing. Didn't require rezone or public
hearings. We're back with the same language in item B in the density
rating system, if I am not mistaken. And I think we have struck it in
the flu. I don't know why we want to leave Golden Gate City. Their
problems there about constrained roadways are worse than the rest of
the county. So, the Board is in agreement. I recommend that
language be struck here as well.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any opposition? Hearing none, on
page seven, the same language occurs under affordable housing
bonus by right. It's the same language we just went through in the
flu, and I would recommend it be struck here as well. Anybody
objecting? Okay.
Any questions on page eight? Page nine? Page ten? Page II?
All strike out -- page 12 is all striked out. Page 13 is all striked out.
Page 14 is all striked out. Page 15 is the problem child. I'll start off
with discussion there.
Michelle, I don't know how this happened, but I certainly think
that allowing the rentals in Golden Gate Estates of guest houses will
cause a huge burden to the people out there that are already
overburdened with traffic and congestion and septic systems and
wells and about every other element that you can possibly think of
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that's maxed out right now. This language by allowing these rentals
of guest houses would radically increase the number of guest houses
in Golden Gate Estates. And I think this is horrible language to
allow in this document. So my recommendation would be to strike it.
I don't know what the rest of the panel wants to say about it, if
anything.
COMMISSIONER CARON: I think we did that last time.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, we did but we didn't do it unde
the GGMP so I wanted to make sure that the panel doesn't have any
objection to striking it here as well.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Since I was a lone wolf on that
last vote, wouldn't -- your concern was in Golden Gate, so could we
make a deal here where we strike it here and allow it back in the
other areas?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Brad, I can tell you. I live there and I
know how bad it would be where I live. I don't think it would be
good for anybody in this county to be having doubled their density
potentially the way this could be written. It's just wrong.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But I think, a guest house is a
good way to add density to an area. First of all, they're small.
They're monitored by the owner of the property. They're a class -- I
mean, I grew up in neighborhoods in New England where we had
nice little garage apartments and stuff like that. And that's really
where the teachers -- that's where the people starting out really did
live.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, Brad, Golden Gate Estates is the
largest subdivision, I believe, in the world. It's not small.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'm fine with it here, because
that was your big concern. I'm saying, now that we take it out here --
because I was surprised to see it here because your comment back
then was you didn't want it here. And I understand the geometry of
Golden Gate, and I understand the way the lots are, and I think you
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might be right. But I think the rest of the county maybe should have
that opportunity.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Next week we're going to rehear the
language that we talked about. That would be a better opportunity to
rebring up your argument.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Student?
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: I just want to state for the record
that there should be some distinction. I think you going in that
direction, why you would not allow in the Estates, but in other parts
of the county to avoid any equal protection of the law.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I mean, if we get to that point, I'm sure
we can make that --
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: I just wanted you-all to be
thinking about it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Adelstein?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I'm just a little confused. The
principal dwelling may also be leased or rented as well? They can't
rent it now?
MS. MOSCA: Yes they can. I think it was jut for clarity.
MR. WEEKS: In the -- excuse me. In the instance where you
have a guest house, no, you cannot rent the principal dwelling. If
you simply have a principal dwelling on your property, certainly you
can rent it out.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So you should also take out
the last statement also for the whole?
MR. WEEKS: The whole thing?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Well, you didn't go that far.
MR. WEEKS: My understanding then it's the paragraph.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We all in agreement on that then?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Is there any -- I can't believe there's a
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public speaker on this particular issue in Golden Gate Estates.
MR. WEEKS: Ms. Pat Humphreys.
MS. HUMPHREYS: My name is Pat Humphreys. And I am on
the Board of Directors for the Golden Gate Estates Civic Association.
Weare against legalization of renting guest houses in the Estates.
This will put a further burden on the Estates residence that are
already experiencing serious problems because of early build out of
homesteaded property, and overburned road systems, school systems
and essential services. This plan appears to allow a form of track
housing that is designed for low density on large lots. It would create
an absent landlord situation that was never meant to be part of the
Estates' way of life. We respectfully request that you do not grant
this amendment, that would threaten to change a unique area in
Collier County that is trying to maintain its characteristics as a low
density and environmentally friendly family-oriented community.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That you.
MR COHEN: Mr. Chairman, for the record, could you clarify if
you're talking about that last paragraph in that particular section just
so we make sure that's the language that you want spoken?
MS. HUMPHREY: Who's talking?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: This gentleman right here is Mr. Cohen.
He's talking about the paragraph that talks about the Golden Gate
Estate rentals is on page 15, and it's item -- the second paragraph of
item two, Estates destination. I believe that's the issue you were
addressing as the rentals of the Golden Gate Estates houses.
MS. HUMPHREY: The guest houses?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, ma'am, right.
MR. COHEN: And you want that provision stricken, correct?
MS. HUMPHREY: Yes, sir.
MR. COHEN: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you very much, Ms. Humphreys.
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March 16, 2006
MS. HUMPHREYS: You're welcome.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. We'll move on to page 16.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mark, just -- the guest house is
still allowed, it just can't be rented.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So it's not the whole paragraph.
It's part of the paragraph?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, the part pertaining to the rental
application.
Again, Randy, maybe you can clarify. That whole paragraph is
underlined as new. We already have provisions in the land
development code that guest houses are allowed to be built. So why
would we need that paragraph at all? I know where Brad's question
saying, you know, it's just one word or so in there, but I'm
wondering, why be redundant if the code already allows for guest
houses and has the criteria for guest houses. Why is that entire
paragraph being restated here in the CIR?
MR. COHEN: I think it would be appropriate for the land
development code to be consistent with the comprehensive plan, and
this would insure that consistency existed in that rationale that would
actually be there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: But the land development code is
supposed to implement the EAR or the GMP which is supposed do
be conceptual. You're not getting into the same minutia in the GMP
as you are in the EAR.
MR. COHEN: Part of the reason for adding that, of course, ties
in with the proposal to allow the rental. But presently the Golden
Gate master plan is completely silent to guest houses. It simply says
nothing about them as to whether they're allowed, not allowed. It's
just silent. So staff was proposing that as to clearly indicate to all
readers of the master plan that, in fact, guest houses are permitted. I
do not think there would be any adverse impact if we deleted that
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entire paragraph.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: It's already said in the development
code, you have guest houses out there already. So, obviously, people
have figured that out. I can't see why the need is to repeat it here. It's
just, I think, it causes more confusion in consistency in case you
change the LDC in the future. So I would assume just see the whole
thing struck if nobody has any objection to it.
MR. WEEKS: I would note as well, Mr. Chairman, that the
proceeding, the very first paragraph under this state's designation, we
do make reference to guest houses.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
MR. WEEKS: By that language remaining there, that certainly
suggests that they are in fact allowed.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
MR. WEEKS: It would just simply further support the notion of
deleting that paragraph.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right. Okay. Thank you. Now we'll
move onto page 16. Page 17, the second bullet from the last one it
says eastern 2.2, question mark. I'm sure the question mark needs to
be removed.
MS. MOSCA: It needs to be removed, yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. It's not a huge issue but one you
may want to look at. Okay. Page 18. The rest of the element is
graphics. It should wrap up Golden Gate area master plan element
for this discussion. And with that -- thank you, Michelle. Phil, you're
here for a reason. I'm trying to move people who don't have to wait
all day. I'm trying to help you so, what is your next issue.
MR. GRAMATGES: Yeah. For the record, this is Phil
Gramatges. I'm here to cover natural ground water and aqua resource
development.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Oh, that's good. Thank you for telling
me. That's probably going to take all day. That's a heavy one, but
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let's go into it -- I'm just kidding.
COMMISSIONER CARON: You just sent us into cardiac
arrest.
MR. GRAMATGES: I'm ready, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Let's try to get that over with before
lunch, and that will help you out.
Okay. Page one of the natural ground water act for recharge
sub-element. are there any questions?
MR. GRAMATGES: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
MR. GRAMATGES: I do have an issue on that page. In fact,
after reviewing this with the director, Mr. Smith, who unfortunately
could not be here today, there are a couple items that we would
suggest making changes on. And if you don't mind, I would like to
do that as you review it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think that's a good idea.
MR. GRAMATGES: We do have one on page one under
objective one, line one. The county shall continue to review on a
biannual basis. That's an error. It should be biennial basis, meaning
every two years. We suggest you change that language to read every
two years instead of biannual. And then further down that paragraph
on the fourth line it again says biannual. I suggest to change that to
biennial.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Good catch. You guys should be doing
a lot of the reports.
MR. GRAMATGES: It gets confusing after a while, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anything else on that page, sir?
MR. GRAMATGES: No.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: On policy 1.1 you said the county shall
-- and it says periodically revise and update it's three-dimensional
computer models. Periodically could be anything in anybody's eyes.
You have a reference time frame?
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MR. GRAMATGES: Well, not really. The reason the word
periodically is written in there is because we don't have a set time
period to do this. The way we work this pollution control -- and I say
we meaning public utilities engineering is whenever there is a change
in a well field, or whenever we are going to create a well field, we
notify them. And at that time they run their analysis to determine
whether or not there's any changes. We anticipate that there will be
long periods of time so there will be no changes in any of our wells
or well fields. And consequently, it would be -- it would not be very
useful for us to do this when there's no changes. So, the use of the
word periodically.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If you do it based on criteria, there's a
need.
MR. GRAMATGES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Tie it to a need?
MR. GRAMATGES: Yes, a need.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Maybe you could suggest, since we're
going to have to have some language changes on this small language
to clean up anyway, is there a way you could take a look at that
between now and the 30th and suggest something that indicates a
criteria that defines periodically?
MR. GRAMATGES: I'll be happy to do that.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. On page two. Any
questions?
MR. MURRAY: Again, you have updated periodically in 1.2 at
the end of the sentence.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And 1.3 on the first line and 1.4 on the
first line, so --
MR. GRAMATGES: Yeah, once again, the term periodically
comes up and it's for the same reason.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I wish Ms. Student was here. I'd like to
ask her how we take a element in the GMP that references an
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ambiguous word like periodically and translate that into an
implementation document, which is the next level down. So,
somehow that needs to be taken a look at. And if you can come to
grips with the language that meets the legal review as well, I
appreciate that for the 30th. Does that work for everybody?
MR. WEEKS: I was going to just make a comment certainly
staff will work to make changes on the language. But not every
single policy or provision in the growth management plan has to be
implemented through the land development regulations or other
subsequent regulations. For example, the future land use element has
various provisions that are implemented through a rezone action.
There is no need to amend or create land development regulations to
implement some of those provisions. I think it's the same case here.
I don't know that we would create a provision that requires our code
and law ordinances or land development regulations to implement
this policy. Whatever the language ultimately is, it will be
implemented through the act of, in this case, doing the study or doing
the monitoring.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I didn't know that. I thought
everything had to be followed up from a concept in this document to
an implementation in some other document. Well, if there is a way
to clean up the word periodically, it might help.
Ms. Caron?
COMMISSIONER CARON: I'm back on page one. But,
couldn't you say that the county shall automatically revise an updated
dimensional computer model based on as additional criteria became
available? Would that --
MR. GRAMATGES: If you look at page one, the very last two
lines in parentheses, with rates, numbers and locations of wells
within well fields, I had geologic information. That is the basis for
us to determine whether or not there is a significant change that will
require a change in the wording. We certainly will look at this and, in
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fact, I believe I just received some suggested language changes. And
we'll bring this on the 30th and make every attempt to clarify to your
satisfaction.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. We'll move to the rest of
these pages, but at the last page, I'd like to ask Ms. Student to confer
with Randy during the meantime and see if she can get a grasp on the
word periodically and recommend something to us.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Which?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We're on the ground water recharge
element. And we're on policy 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4. Ms. Caron?
COMMISSIONER CARON: I just have a question on page two.
It's a word I don't know. What is karst, K-A-R-S-T? I just don't
know what it is.
MR. GRAMATGES: I'm sorry. Where are we at?
COMMISSIONER CARON: I'm looking for education here.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Policy 2.1. It's the bottom of page two.
MR. GRAMATGES: Oh. I would refer to Mr. Rob Ward who is
from the pollution control department because I am not too sure that I
know what it means either.
MR. WARD: Rob Ward, Pollution Control. Karst refers to
dissolution holes in limestone, i.e. sink holes. And the fact that water
can be carried through the subsurface at a much higher rate through
these dissolution holes than if it was actually traveling through a
formation or the porosity of the aquifer is actually an underground
openIng.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: You learned a new word.
COMMISSIONER CARON: I learned new things today.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Student.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes. I've noted where the term
periodically appears. And I think it's fine for us to come up with a
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reasonable, say every two years every three years, whatever, and
insert that in there instead of periodically.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: In lieu of that, some criteria that they
could --
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Or a triggering event.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, triggering event. That would
work.
MR. GRAMA TGES : Yes, we'll look at that and suggest some
wording changes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Mr. Schiffer?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: In 1.5 you're going -- are you
going to remove map one and two, or just update map one and two?
MR. GRAMATGES: Are we still on page two?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yes. It's policy 1.5.
MR. GRAMATGES: Yes. And please, can you restate the
question?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The maps that are in the GMP
are from 1995 data. Obviously this is saying you're going to update
it through at least 2000, maybe even wait and get 2006. But are the
maps still going to be in the GMP? Are you going to update the
maps? You've crossed it out, that's why.
MR. GRAMATGES: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Can we stop the cross through
right before map one? Are you taking the maps out or are you just --
MR. GRAMATGES: No. The maps are looked at and are
brought up to date on a regular basis. I'm not sure as to how
regularly now. But they certainly are kept up to date whenever new
information is received.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But the intent is that you're
going to revise the map with new information, and it's still going to
be included in the GMP though. It is now in the GMP based on the
'95 data?
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MR. WARD: I believe the maps that are referred to in policy
1.5 are actually the maps produced by the South Florida Water
Management District. Their intent is to publish a new map in 2006,
which should supersede and be revised and replace their maps that
they previously produced in 1995.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But there are two maps in the
GMP. I'm looking at them. So you're going to reproduce those with
the new data; is that correct?
MR. WARD: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So could we eliminate the
strike through between 1995 and the parentheses map one so that --
and the reason I think that's important is that shows what those maps
are.
MR. GRAMATGES: We will look at that for relevance and
certainly we'll bring any changes to the meeting on the 30th. Or an
explanation as to why we couldn't make it.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Can we move onto page three.
Mr. Murray.
MR. MURRAY: On 2.4, I wrote myself a little statement here.
Collier County shall evaluate the necessity for adopting more
stringent ground water. Reach our standards for high and recharge
areas within two years of the governing board. I wrote that with
whatever thought I had at the time. I'm reading it now and I don't see
the same thing jumping out at me. Just give me a moment. Never
mind.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I agree. Whatever you had was
fine.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mr. Murray, you know, we
reserved these so long ago then we get here and have trouble
wondering what the tab was for anyway. So it does happen. We have
to send notes to ourselves in the future.
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March 16, 2006
MR. MURRAY: I thank you for your pity.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page four.
COMMISSIONER CARON: I have a question on page four.
On policy 3.5. Why are we even waiting? Why don't we have this
planning group set up now?
MR. GRAMATGES: Well, if I may address that question. I
mean, this kind of work requires considerable amount of thought and
it requires a selection of committee members that would be
knowledgeable and would enable us to reach the right conclusions.
We felt that the time period was appropriate.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Supposedly you've been thinking
about this since 1997.
MR. GRAMATGES: Yes.
COMMISSIONER CARON: So--
MR. GRAMATGES: It hasn't been done.
MR. MURRAY: They need some more time.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Why not change it to '06?
MR. GRAMATGES: We feel we don't have enough time
between now and October '06 to do all that is necessary. Like I said
before, this is something that would require a considerable amount of
thought and certainly a process of trying to identify proper members.
And the reason why we chose October 1 st, we felt this would give us
sufficient time to do that properly.
COMMISSIONER CARON: What's happened so far? How far
along are you in that process?
MR. GRAMATGES: I don't believe we are far along at all.
COMMISSIONER CARON: So you haven't started it, yet it's so
serious. I mean, it -- somebody should have started talking about this
in '98 -- '97 or shortly thereafter. It's now almost ten years later.
MR. GRAMATGES: I'm not trying to represent that we have
not talked about it. It's simply that we are not far enough along to be
able to select a group and have started this project.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Basically you couldn't accomplish the
goal by October of this year, is that what you're saying?
MR. GRAMATGES: No, we could not. We don't feel there's
enough time to accomplish that by October of this year.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: It may be by default we're looking at
another date. Mr. Schiffer?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The scary thing is, is there any
planning being done between the county, City of Naples and the
South Florida Water Management? I mean, the scary part of your
answer is that there's no planning amongst those three groups.
MR. GRAMATGES: Well, we do plan with the South Florida
Water Management District. I can tell you that because we do it
within public Utilities Engineering. As to any coordination between
the City of Naples or other communities, I need to refer this back to
Rob Ward.
MR. WARD: Mr. Chairman, just a brief comment. It's probably
the same comment that Mr. Weeks wanted to make as well. These
amendments won't be effective by October 1, 2006. So that's one of
the reasons why the October 1, 2007 date is in there. A date earlier
than October 1, 2007 prior -- I mean, after the adoption of the
amendments and the effectiveness could be appropriate.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I mean, is staff willing to
commit to a date they could do it sooner than October 1, 2007?
MR. GRAMATGES: We will certainly bring that to a
discussion internally, and we will bring a new date to you on the next
meeting.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. September 30th, maybe?
MR. GRAMATGES: We will certainly take that into
consideration.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you.
MR. GRAMATGES: May I, sir? We are proposing a change
here on the policy 3.4. The last line here states database used on the
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county's three-dimensional ground water model. We are proposing
to strike out the word used in the county's three-dimensional ground
water model. I believe it is redundant and is confusing.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Do you know that same language
though is used on page 10 of the CCME policy 3.3.2?
MR. GRAMATGES: We will make sure they're consistent.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Because staff is in the process. David
and I spoke about this in the break, of responding to our concerns on
that policy already so you may want to coordinate with him to get
that language corrected.
MR. GRAMATGES: Most certainly.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Question on that?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Is the intent to not be providing
three-dimensional data?
MR. GRAMATGES: No, not at all. It's just we don't want to be
limited to be used only in the county for the three-dimensional
ground water model.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Maybe the intent of that is so
you don't waste time to two-dimensional modeling and you stay with
three-dimensional modeling. It's an old clause.
MR. GRAMATGES: We realize that. However, there is a
number of different instruments that we could use for modeling. And
we don't want to rule out two-dimensional modeling either.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. I mean, I'd like to leave
it the way it was.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, staff needs to come back with an
argument based on their suggested changes. And if we don't agree
with you, we'll have to request it be left as it was.
MR. GRAMATGES: Okay. Sure.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anything else on page four? If not we'll
move to page five.
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COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I have a five.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Go ahead, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: On policy 5.5, the last words
allowing small businesses to participate and then you put, to some
extent. This was not good wording, but secondly, why are we
limiting it at all?
MR. GRAMATGES: We will cross out the word to some
extent.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That language was already
acknowledged or recommended by this panel to be crossed out on
page four of the solid waste element policy 2.8. If you look at that
policy, it's identical to this policy. So if you need both of them, that's
fine. But if you are going to keep them both, the language ought to
be consistent. And we did recommend those last words be struck, so
-- Mr. Schiffer's comments to be consistent with prior policy was.
Mr. Murray?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Just a question on 5.3.
Reference to private property rights to identify, continue to identify
costs under the mechanisms of private property rights. What does
that really mean? What is that actually saying to us?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray? I mean -- I'm sorry. Ms.
Student.
MR. GRAMATGES: We'll volunteer to answer that question for
you, Mr. Murray.
MR. WARD: There is a computer model that has been put
together, that three-dimensional model that we've been referring to
by Dr. Michael Voorhees. And further development of this model to
look at the areas that are east of 951 would incur some cost of more
investigative drilling and/or development of said model to more
thoroughly identify the areas where there's high permeability in
between the surficial and Tamiami aquifer. And cost would be
incurred by further developing that model.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Student.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: I think that the other aspect has to
do with there's a recharge area on private property and the property
owner might not be able to use it for anything. It's to monitor and
look at that situation and see where we were. And so there wouldn't
be a taking.
MR. MURRAY: Yeah. What was going through my mind is
what typically now seen in PUDs and other documents where the
county's waste water people and the folks here, they want to have a
space for the ASR and so I'm just wondering what that really
references. So that's what you're saying.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yeah. I think in this case is, if you
recall that, I guess the applicant is approached with the situation and
then they agree to allow it on their property. But a mechanism to
make sure that private property rights are protected.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Thank you.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Without taking.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any other questions on the
last page of this element, which is page five?
MR. GRAMATGES: If I may, Mr. Chairman. There are two
changes we would like to suggest on this page.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
MR. GRAMATGES: Under objective five, the first line, the
county shall implement existing plans. The word existing should be
struck out. It is really redundant and confusing.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Certainly.
MR. GRAMATGES: Furthermore under policy 5.4, the second
line, petroleum storage tank cleanup program. The storage tank
cleanup program as such is an old program, and we would like to
replace the word cleanup with inspection. We feel that we have
accomplished everything that the original program intended to
accomplish.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Would it hurt just in case there's an
occasion where you might not have accomplished everything, to use
the word cleanup and inspection program?
MR. GRAMATGES: I have no objection to that. We're not
trying to preclude cleaning up if we need to, no.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I would prefer it that way, ifno
one else has an objection?
MR. MURRAY: I agree with you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There might be a lot of buried tanks up
there we don't know about yet.
MR. GRAMATGES: Yes. I have been advised that the county
no longer manages the cleanup program that has been transferred to
the state. And therefore, we are only managing the inspection
program. Whenever we find something that needs cleanup, we refer
it to the state and they act on it. So consequently, if they were to add
cleanup and inspection is probably not consistent here. Since we
have no way to just continue that program.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If you can't, you can't. I guess it has to
remain inspection. Mr. Murray?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Was that surrendered to the state
as a function, or the state acquired it by its initiative?
MR. GRAMATGES: I need to ask Mr. Ward.
MR. WARD: The petroleum --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Please identify yourself for the record.
MR. WARD: Oh, I'm sorry. Robert Ward, pollution control.
The petroleum cleanup program is a program that is administered by
the DEP and they give that out to some counties or districts. We had
received a three-year contract which came to its conclusion last May,
I believe it was. Anyway, it was last spring. And the state did not
renew the Collier County contract for this because we brought it
below their number of cleanup -- active cleanup sites that they saw
economically feasible to subcontract the county to take care of that
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program. We do still hold the contract for the petroleum tank
inspection program. And we have referred all the files from the
cleanup program on the remaining sites in the county that are in the
cleanup program to the DEP. And they are administering that
program on their own.
MR. MURRAY: That's known as Brownfield?
MR. WARD: No. Brownfield is more hazardous waste sites.
This is petroleum.
MR. MURRAY: I thought it was petroleum as well, but okay,
go ahead.
MR. WARD: Generally speaking, no. The petroleum cleanup
program is completely revolving around petroleum sites
predominantly around cleanups where there are underground storage
tanks.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any other questions of this
element? Hearing none, we have completed it. Phil, thank you very
much for your time today. And Roy, thank you guys.
MR. GRAMATGES: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I appreciate it. With that we will take
Mr. Krasowski.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Mr. Chairman, I understand you're going
to be going on to the housing element. If I would be allowed to just
make a couple of brief comments, I won't have to stick around for
lunch and I can go to the school board meeting.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody have a concern with that?
MR. KRASOWSKI: Thank you. I appreciate it very much.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Brief comment like five minutes worth?
MR. KRASOWSKI: Oh, even less than that.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Oh, good.
MR. KRASOWSKI: What I would like to do is just introduce a
couple of concepts here in regards to housing. At the state level, the
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state has generated a Florida Energy Plan that the governor is behind.
There's many components in that that I like or don't like. But one of
the things it does address is solar, using solar energy. So, what I'm
suggesting here is we have to integrate these innovative and newer --
they're not new, but refined and they're very useable now programs.
And I'd like to mention a couple. And what I'd like to see is certainly
that these be required on all housing that receives consideration
subsidies or deferrals in Collier County, and actually all new
buildings and houses should have some of these things. And this is
the one, the biggest most -- is that every new building built in Collier
County should have a waste heat recovery system that allows for its
air conditioning unit to heat its hot water. Now when we research
this we'll find that that's available now and it is an energy saver. The
more energy we defer and save, the less need there is to build energy
generating plants. And, of course, my big complaint, the sold waste
burning. The filthy thing that pollutes the air and ruins the
environment and causes disease and stuff for children and
defenseless women.
The other thing would be passive solar heating, not to blind
anybody. The passive solar heating as opposed to what we get from
the photovoltaic cells that generate electricity. It's still a pretty
expensive thing, and there's an economics of scale that applies to
that. But putting solar heaters on hot water heaters is very long-term
energy efficient and economical, it's just an upfront cost. But what I
would think is that the county should develop some type of ability to
relate to these things. The government just moves along like
tomorrow is going to be like yesterday in a lot of regards. And
things have got to change. You know, we need energy, we go out
and pollute to make more energy. Well, there's a lot of new
innovations we can put in place. Like passive solar heating, certainly
the heat capture, the heat exchange capture and then also the third
thing, which is in this plan. And a lot of these things involve
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programs that involve architects and designers and builders to work
along these lines.
Another thing that is a big energy saver are the Energy Star
appliances. On all these counts, the state has economic applications
that help defray the cost, the additional cost of these things. I think
Collier County, no appliances should be sold that aren't the most
efficient of appliances. Now if the county government can identify
the cost of an appliance into the future, and then maybe be able to
provide help in purchasing that appliance up front, but add the cost,
monthly electric bills, it still would be lower in bills because of the
energy saved, but it would defray the cost over the period of the
purchase of the rental of the utility. But I'd like to just introduce
those concepts now. I hope you can put them in somewhere and at a
later date work on them even harder.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm glad you did. I think it's a good
point, and I can assure you we'll be discussing it.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Well, thank you very much. Have a nice
day.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: By the way, you took the full five
minutes.
MR. KRASOWSKI: Did I?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah.
MR. KRASOWSKI: I didn't go over though, did I?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: No, you didn't.
MR. KRASOWSKI: That's amazing.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, Bob.
And we will take a recess for lunch. We'll be back here at 1 :00.
Thank you.
(Lunch recess was taken.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. We're back in session. It's one
o'clock. We'll start off where we left off and that would be the
housing element which I bet you need Cormac here.
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COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: That's what I'm saying.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to go back to the e-mail
that I sent you last night to all the planning commissioners. And as
you'll recall there were some changes proposed to the housing
element and Golden Gate and Immokalee master plans. Those
changes primarily pertain to the term "affordable housing." And we'll
go back to the very first meeting on -- on these EAR based
amendments. And I brought to your attention that -- that we would
need to change those terms.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
MR. WEEKS: And the e-mail last night was identifying those.
Similar, there was a couple of changes made that correlated with
some of your direction on the -- on the CCME, Conservation and
Coastal Management Element, pertaining to stormwater being
allowed within preserve areas.
Let me get to the point. I'm assuming from the earlier comments
made at the beginning of the meeting and the fact that the e-mail was
sent to you so late that you don't want to discuss those matters today.
You want to wait until the 30th. Would I be correct in --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, David, all I'm going to do and my
-- and if the board wants to do something different then, obviously,
we will -- we will, but my intention was to move through the
document that you've already presented to us, that we've already had
time to read and digest. And I cannot sit here on the fly and read
new documents. So whatever comments we have in the remaining
elements of this EAR, I was hoping you could take those, combine
them with the ones that you sent out and give us a better and more
complete package prior to our March 30th meeting.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Though I would prefer
getting a copy of it today which I will not use today, but I would like
to have a copy.
MR. WEEKS: Sure. We -- we could provide you those hard
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copies of what was sent to you in e-mail last night. But as you're
saying, Mr. Chairman, you've already made -- been through the
Golden Gate Master Plan and directed changes, so we're going to
have to come back with the revisions there. So I very much
understand and agree with the concept of -- of merging your
direction from today with the e-mailed information from last night.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, while we're on the subject, can
you tell me what day next week you're going to provide this board
with the documents that we will need to review on the 30th?
MR. WEEKS: Our target date is -- is Thursday to give you a
full week.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I just wanted to make sure we
had ample time and that will work. Thank you.
With that, then, we'll move into the housing element of the --
MS. FERNANDEZ: Good afternoon, Commissioners. For the
record, Nicole Fernandez, senior planner with the comprehensive
planning department.
As far as the housing element is concerned there are changes just
about on every page of the document and most of them are relatively
minor in nature. However, if you'd like to go page by page as you've
been doing with the other ones, that's fine.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think we'll keep the same pattern.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And -- so that takes us to the first page
of the housing element. Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yes. On page 1 about in the
middle it says, Demolition of new construction. I suspect it should
be demolition with new construction?
MS. FERNANDEZ: Yes, that's correct.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Let's go down to the
paragraph below. And it says, Confirms that Collier County is
30,949 units short of providing affordable housing. Where are these
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families that we count? I -- I -- I understand that we're short, but I
just wonder where do we get this information? Where -- how do we
know that these families -- these -- these are Collier County families?
There's -- there's some place right now right; is that right?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, before you go there, I think
Cormac will agree that using that number is misleading.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
MR. GIBLIN: For the record, Cormac Giblin, housing and
grants manager.
If I could provide some background to what the number means.
I think that will be helpful. The second -- and it is explained in the
second half of the same paragraph. It says, The 30,949 unit deficit is
divided roughly between one-third rental, two-thirds owner-occupied
housing. Furthermore, this figure represents the current deficit
experienced by those residing in Collier County. It doesn't take into
-- individuals into account who may work in the county, but unable
to affording the housing.
Just before -- just before the sentence I started at it says, These
residents are cost-burdened and are spending more than 30 percent of
their gross monthly income on housing expenses. So that is what the
number means is that that is the number of households currently
residing in Collier County who are cost-burdened. And by definition
spend more than 30 percent of their gross monthly income on
housing.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. And I -- I think I read it
some place, God knows now where, but that this was determined by
some consultant or some data from -- from census or --
MR. GIBLIN: This data comes to us directly from the State of
Florida.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: State of Florida.
MR. GIBLIN: Through the Schinberg Center for affordable
housing.
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COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
MR. GIBLIN: And it is the data that the DCA uses to evaluate
each county's effectiveness in meeting the goals, objectives and
policies of -- of their housing element.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And not to pursue it too far, but
-- but you don't know whether that's anecdotal or whether they
actually have a surveyor--
MR. GIBLIN: I've spoken extensively to the gentleman who
runs the -- this center and is responsible for the numbers. He's given
me their methodology or at least the factors that go into his
methodology. I can tell you that it is the purpose of the center and
the purpose of the cost-burdened housing analysis was to provide all
local governments in Florida a single source for what I would say
would be the most accurate or -- or the most accepted data to
measure all the comprehensive plans against statewide.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. I just want to make a
comment. I realize yours is an uphill battle. I'm not negative in any
way, but I think it's imperative that we have -- and everybody
understands that the data that is supplied are -- can be qualified and --
and dependent upon to be real. And it -- when you refer to units, if
we consider 2.8, is that the average we use per family 2.8, something
like that? That's a lot of folks.
MR. GIBLIN: Well, no. You're right.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's a heck of a lot of folks.
MR. GIBLIN: This is -- this is 30,949 units.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. And I appreciate that.
The 2.8 was the family -- average family. And I may not be
accurate. But I guess what I'm getting at is it confounds me because
when I go around the county and I look at the housing when you go
past the main avenues, there aren't that many homes. And I just
wonder where all these folks are now living. And if -- if that -- if this
data or these data account for that, then -- then fine. But it's just I
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really want to be able to depend upon this in order to support it.
That's really where I'm coming from.
MR. GIBLIN: Well, to be counted in that number, you must be
living in Collier County already. You may be --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Good.
MR. GIBLIN: -- doubled up, tripled up to make ends meet.
You may be paying -- and by definition you are currently here in the
community, but you're paying unaffordable housing expenses.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. That's a very good
response. Thank you. Does it include the people out in Immokalee
who are here only part of the time doing their thing?
MR. GIBLIN: Depends. Some of the factors that go into that
are census data and rental -- rental income data. If those people are
included in the census and claim Collier County as a -- as their
permanent residence, then it would. For migrants I would assume it
doesn't.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah. So those are in actually,
if we think about it that's in addition to the number of needed.
Would I make -- is that a fair supposition?
MR. GIBLIN: That would be fair. But I think that the greatest
addition to this number comes from the number of uncounted
households who don't live in Collier County to begin "Yith to be
considered in the number. People commuting from Lee County or
Dade County or Charlotte County on a daily basis who are unable to
-- to reside in Collier County in the first place to even be --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: But as you said, though, they
are not in this.
MR. GIBLIN: They are not.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So -- but that's a magnitude
beyond?
MR. GIBLIN: Exactly.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Thank you for that.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer then Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yeah. Is there a way to get a
copy of that study because your definition, I was curious. Because
essentially what you're saying, if I was making a million dollars a
year spending over $300,000 a year in living expenses, I would be
considered in this category?
MR. GIBLIN: That's correct. That's correct. And this 30,949
unit number--
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Right.
MR. GIBLIN: -- is encompassing of everyone who makes zero
income up to the -- the maximum, up -- up to unlimited income.
That is a gross number. We can then further -- that the study using
the data, you can then break it out: Number of this income, number
of that income, renters, owners, number of senior citizens, number of
-- by household size. It's very -- it's a very powerful tool. And if we
were to, for the sake of this discussion, limit this number to only
those -- those households that 80 percent of median or less who are
low income?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Under 50 percent of --
MR. GIBLIN: There's no break point at the 150, but there is one
at 80. And it's about 24,000 households are at 80 percent or less of
median and cost-burdened. So that's low-income residents and
cost-burdened.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. But the question was,
you can make this data available to us somehow?
MR. GIBLIN: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Because I hope we're not
worrying about millionaires that just had to get too close to the beach
and --
MR. GIBLIN: I will tell you that some of -- some of the -- some
of this number is inclusive of all income categories.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I wish there were a way --
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: An observation. I think that, you
know, if you're depending on sort of, like, a windshield survey and
driving around to determine where the low-income housing is, you'll
tend to underestimate it. Because low -- where the poor people live,
it's usually in areas that you don't see. It's hidden away back in the
woods. People really doubling up. At least I know that's true in
Immokalee and among the migrants. So I would tend to say that this
is an underestimate rather than an overestimate.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Caron then Mr. Murray then Mr.
Adelstein and Mr. Kolflat.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Actually, I believe Mr. Murray is
next.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: They already have. .
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's okay. I -- I -- I was just
going to engage. But I think that would rip on it. We're fine. Thank
you very much.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Do you have any comment, Ms. Caron?
COMMISSIONER CARON: No, not at this point.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Adelstein.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I've got a problem in my own
mind. Why we went up to take 1,000 units as the goal. I did some
research and found that -- well, I'm on page -- okay. I'm talking
about 82,000. Go ahead.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We're still trying to get through page 1.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Go ahead.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So let's finish. Mr. Kolflat, do you any
questions on page I?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Yes. As I understand this, at
30,000 units approximately here you indicate that this is going to be
500-some units per year, is that correct, is the target?
MR. GIBLIN: That is the old target. That was -- that was the
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existing target prior to this amendment cycle.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: What is it -- yes. What is the
present target?
MR. GIBLIN: On the next page when we get into Objective No.
1 we propose to change the target from 500 to 1,000 units per year.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Well, that still is 30 years
duration to solve the problem; is that right?
MR. GIBLIN: That -- that would be correct. And plus, the
problem keeps growing every year so it's probably longer than that.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: The other -- other question I
had in my mind is that the first paragraph on Introduction seems to
stress or make a point that government is going to correct this
problem. I don't believe that government is solely responsible for
this problem, but is there any way we can incorporate something here
in the private sector being involved in solving?
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, we've looked at the language very
carefully. And we don't propose that government is going to solve
this problem. We -- what we do and if you look at the last sentence
in the first paragraph we say that, Thus, there's a need for Collier
County to find ways to encourage the provision of affordable housing
for these families.
So we see our goal as providing an environment so that public
and private solutions can be found to meet -- to meet the need, but --
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Well, I was hoping possibly
there would be some wordage in that introduction that would convey
that feeling that it has to be done jointly. It's not one party's
responsibility.
MR. GIBLIN: Again, I think that's what we're trying to reach
when we say, Encourage the provision of rather than provide.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Cormac, middle of the sentence,
the sentence you're referring to on page 1 with the 30,949 units short.
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It says 30,949 units short of providing affordable housing. I'm going
to read you something and tell me if it's accurate or not. Thirty
thousand is the estimated number of residents currently living in
Collier County or are paying more than 30 percent of their income on
either mortgage payments or rent. That number is generated by the
State of Florida and residents above 30 percent threshold are
classified by the state as cost-burdened. To suggest that the county
needs 30,000 affordable or work-force housing units is misleading.
If it's misleading, I don't believe that sentence reads correctly
because the way the sentence seems to read is that there's 30,949
units short of providing affordable housing.
MR. GIBLIN: I will agree that the -- the word "short" probably
could be substituted with -- with a different word because it is not a
measurement of a shortage. It is a measurement of a current
condition. That said, the Growth Management Plan doesn't specify
that we are to provide -- provide affordable housing only to certain
income levels of household. It says that the county shall provide
affordable housing, period -- to all residents, actually, then period.
So I think that it can be cleaned and to made -- be made more
specific, but I don't believe that it's -- that it is incorrect as written.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, the quote I was reading was from
the county manager.
MR. GIBLIN: Well, right.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I would certainly agree with his
statement that it is misleading. I don't believe at all that there's any
statistics that show what the affordable housing need is in Collier
County. And "affordable" meaning in the criteria that we've
established as a definition throughout this first page, we refer to
affordable numerous times. And every time we refer to it, the
mind-set in people that read this is affordable according to a
definition that we have.
Your mind-set in using the 30,000, it seems to be, is that if a
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millionaire can't afford a home that he's paying over thirty --
one-third of his income and all of a sudden he's -- he has an -- he
qualifies for being an affordable need. I don't think that's a true
statement in regards to how the public is going to be reading this. So
why would we want to mix in people who don't necessarily fall into
the affordable category into this picture? I don't understand the
necessity of doing that.
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, I'll say that -- let me start by
saying I agree with you. But the problem we run into is that let's take
two years ago, for example, we had a definition of "affordable" that
was capped at a certain level. And now we have a definition of -- of
affordable housing that is capped at a higher level. What we're trying
to do on this page is be all-inclusive so that if next year the board
decides to raise the definition again, we don't require any more
changes necessary to the comp plan.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, won't they arrange it by the
definition -- by changing the definition of "affordable housing" like
they just most recently did? They're not going to create another level
of housing or if they do, they're going to change a definition. I
honestly don't see the need to accommodate through any kind of
affordable reference multi-millionaires living in homes above their
means. That is misleading to the public and misleading to anybody
that would be reading this.
And, Mr. Cohen, you had a comment.
MR. COHEN: I was going to make the suggestion, Mr.
Chairman, the -- the definition in -- of affordable housing normally in
the specificity is normally found in the objectives of the policies that
follow the introduction. A lot of times introductions are a little bit
more general in nature. And I would suggest probably it may be a
better means of achieving the goals and objectives of what's
affordable with the specificity and the objectives and policies and
modifying the introduction to be a little bit more general in nature.
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For example, rather than stating that we're 30,949 units short of
providing affordable housing, we could just say that the Schinberg
study confirms that Collier County has 30,949 units that are
cost-burdened. I think it's disingenuous to say, you know, that it's
affordable housing in that capacity based on what the definition is.
And I think probably we can come up with some alternative language
in the introduction that basically takes into account your concerns
with respect to grouping in of what is considered to be cost-burdened
by the Schinberg study and what is actually affordable housing and
what that definition would be when it's forthcoming.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: What is the purpose of this housing
element in it being in the GMP? Is it -- is it the purpose to tell the
world that we have cost-burdened millionaires or is the purpose to
address a social -- a social need that could be affordable housing?
And if it is, why don't we just focus on what the need is instead of
something that is probably silly to be looking at?
MR. CO HEN : You know, and if -- and if the reference is to -- to
remove, you know, what is considered to be cost-burdened, if that's
considered to be -- you know, and I look at that study because I'm
cost-burdened personally based on the study. And I don't consider
myself in need of affordable housing. I'm an example of somebody
that falls into that category. And there are a lot of other people along
those lines.
So -- so when I see that, I think some type of alternative
language in the Introduction would -- would be a good route to take
in this particular instance. And then address the affordable work
force and the housing language that David provided you -- to you
earlier today in the goals, objectives and policies.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I think if the purpose of the
Growth Management Plan is -- is to provide concepts for social
situations in Collier County such as affordable housing, make it read
for what it's there for and don't put statistics in that don't really apply
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to that segment that you're trying to specifically target. Because by
using that, it also puts an onus on the other elements of this same
element that we're going to be discussing in the quantities that you've
isolated in those elements. And I want to make sure that we're
playing from a level playing field and we're using accurate statistics.
And I don't see that number as witnessed by the county manager as
being a true statement of affordable housing.
Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Just as a -- as a question relating
to that. If using myself for -- for an example for this purpose only, if
as a retiree I reach a certain point where my purchasing power
because I'm on a retirement program and I can no longer afford to
live in my condominium, that means I can come to the county
government and I can be subsidized for the balance of my needs
because I have reached that threshold?
MR. GIBLIN: I'm sorry. I don't -- you own your--
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: In other words, I will have
reached the 30 percent -- in excess of 30 percent because I no longer
have enough money. I don't have the purchasing power. The condo
fees and everything have gone up. So I could now come to the
county and I could say , You need to help me because I -- I have to --
I have to -- I'm living in now it's affordable housing. The housing is
not affordable housing, but I'm in a situation where I'm
cost-burdened.
MR. GIBLIN: And -- and that's the reason that some of those
people may be -- may be in that situation that are included in that
30,000 gross number. Mr. Cohen's, I think, suggestion that we
follow up that number with a breakdown of -- and this many are --
are in the low-income category.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Sure.
MR. GIBLIN: Or this many are in the gap and lower-income
categories, I think would be a good suggestion to incorporate into
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March 16, 2006
that introduction.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: But you didn't answer my
question and I didn't -- I know you didn't not -- I know you meant to
answer it, but, so, I just want to find out if my -- in the future I can
come to the county and get some of my rent paid?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: No.
MR. GIBLIN: We don't -- we don't have those kind of
programs.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think Mr. Midney was first.
MR. COHEN: I think it's kind of the consensus of the board that
you'd like us to reword and redraft that entire paragraph to where it
actually makes sense.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, Ms. Caron has a better
suggestion, but Mr. Midney raised his hand first and please let the
record acknowledge that Mr. Tuff has finally graced us with his
presence.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: He's a few minutes late.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Good morning. I just woke up.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Those newspaper guys.
Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. I would agree. I
understand that you're using this Schinberg study because it's
probably one simple authoritative measure. But it probably would be
good to add to it or incorporate or even maybe substitute it something
that recognizes federal poverty guidelines and only to include the
ones that are below a certain level.
I -- I was talking a few days ago with a nurse who is making
good money working for Naples Hospital, but her rent is $1,500 a
month and it's about to go up. So, you know, you start getting into
extraneous issues when you start using just strictly 30 percent.
Because the way things are going, that's going to include a lot of
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people.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Caron.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yeah. My suggestion was just to
-- just to strike this paragraph. I don't even see the need for it. I
think it certainly reads fine down to, Collier will continue to address
affordable housing deficit. I mean, I'm not sure what's gained by that
paragraph.
MR. GIBLIN: Reference -- references to the Schinberg study --
again, like I said a minute ago, that is -- those are the numbers that
the state holds every local jurisdiction accountable to. And so in our
-- in our EAR report those were the -- we made reference to the
Schinberg study. And most of the changes -- and I'll agree with
Nicole -- there are not many substantive changes throughout the rest
of this housing element. But the ones that are point back to an
increase or a -- a -- a demonstration of what the need is in Collier
County. And so that's why the numbers are in there in the -- in the
beginning.
COMMISSIONER CARON: How about this, Cormac, why
don't you say -- why don't we strike this paragraph, but you can add
the Schinberg Center language in the final paragraph by just saying
when it gets to governmental agencies, you can put in parens that we
used the most up-to-date housing data available from the state
through the University of Schinberg Center?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I would have to agree with the
commissioner. I don't see the necessity for this ambiguous,
inaccurate paragraph.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Nor do I.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I -- I agree.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Just a question. Mark, where
do we have -- excuse me. Where do we have definitions in the GMP,
anyway, or are the bolded words, you go to the LDC for the
definition?
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: In this particular element I understand
from Randy's introduction a couple of weeks ago that he just bolded
all the references to affordable whether they were a definition or not
just to show where it occurs to highlight it to us. Because so many
changes in the overall EAR amendments were affecting affordable
issues.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And then it'll drop back in the
final?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Now, as far as dropping this paragraph,
we have one, two, four of us are suggesting that --
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Which paragraph are you talking
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The entire -- that second -- that whole--
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: The third paragraph?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: It doesn't help anything. It's actually
going to bring in more unsubstantiated, let's say, data to confuse the
issue.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: No. I agree, Mark. I think if
we give the impression that we're worried about affordable housing
for millionaires, that'll bring a lot more people to town than
guesthouses.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: As a matter of fact, I'm going
to apply tomorrow.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Done. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Is everybody -- is everybody okay with
that?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yup.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Our recommendation, then, is to
drop that paragraph.
Any other issues on page I?
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March 16, 2006
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Did staff have any changes to page I?
MS. FERNANDEZ: Yes. There are several changes on page 1.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You need to kind of chime in on each
page as we go along so we can also understand what changes you're
talking about.
MR. GIBLIN: Sure.
MR. WEEKS: Excuse me, Nicole. Mr. Chairman, I think I
should go and pass out our changes then so that --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Oh, are these the ones on the sheets that
you sent us last night?
MR. WEEKS: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yeah, you should.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I didn't get -- I didn't get that
e-mail so...
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I got it, but they didn't send a printer
with it.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Three and a half pages.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: When David sends out these large
e-mails, he's going to start couriering out printers to our home.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Three and a half pages? Let me
have it, then, in case I missed something. No, I got these earlier.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't think -- we can see your
changes, Miss. So rather than have you walk through each one of
them, if there's any changes on here -- they're all in red I would
assume?
MS. FERNANDEZ: Yes, correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If there's anything on here that stands
out to a member right now that wants -- that needs discussion, we can
go into it. Other than that, we'll just -- we'll continue to review on
that till the 30th.
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COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Mark?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: What is affordable work force?
That seems to be the main change.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Affordable work force, anywhere on the
document where you found affordable, that term, it was changed to
reflect consistency with the new definition that's found in the Land
Development Code.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: And does that kind of tend to
eliminate the millionaire thing that we were just talking about?
MS. FERNANDEZ: Yes. It only goes to 150 percent of median
income.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: So there you eliminate all the
wealthy people right there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah. But that doesn't -- well, I
understand that, yeah. That's where this -- this is -- that's honestly
where this element is directed.
So if I understood what happened at the commission meeting
with regards to the LDC definitions, didn't they incorporate a new
definition for GAP housing?
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, when -- when the Board of
County Commissioners took up the LDC amendments and the
definitions, they're presented with basically two options which came
to this board as well in the weeks prior to that. One option was an
all-inclusive definition of affordable work-force housing ranging
from zero to 150 percent of median.
Another option was leave affordable work-force housing as it
was and create a new definition of GAP housing which would be
from 81 to 150 percent of median income. What the Board of
County Commissioners did at their adoption hearing, though, in a
sense was they did both. They adopted a new definition of
affordable work force housing that was all-inclusive and they also
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adopted a definition of GAP housing which was 81 to 150. So for
purposes of the comp plan or anywhere that we see the word
"affordable" work force housing from now on it is an all-inclusive
definition of anything from zero to 150 percent of median.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, the only concern I'm going to
have is as you well know there are going to be policies coming
before the board that will be very specific to affordable work force or
to GAP. Now, if a policy's created for GAP housing and doesn't
reference affordable work force, how does it fit into any of the
definitional changes you made here?
MR. GIBLIN: You'll see when we move through this -- through
this element that anywhere that the percentage of median income is
important to the definition or to the policy or to the program, it is
followed up by the range that it's specifically speaking to.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Student, I know you're aware of the
ongoing issue with the definitions and the -- the concerns between
affordable and GAP housing and the fact that a matrix is going back
before the board on the 28th of March, I believe, or somewhere close
to that.
If they separately -- if the definitions are as Cormac has said and
separate criteria are in the LDC to define when and how GAP is
incentivised and implemented, does GAP have to be separately
annotated in the GMP in order to be implemented in the LDC.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: I think what we might need to do
is look at how that, you know, comes about and then when we have
this element back add it if need be. I haven't worked as fully with
Cormac as another member of our office has on that. And I -- I think
I probably want to defer to Cormac a little bit on it too, but --
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, the way I understand the current
definitions as adopted by the board, it will be similar to posting a
speed limit, 55 miles an hour for all cars or 55 mile an hour for all
cars and Cadillacs. I think the first one covers everything. And to
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say cars and Cadillacs would be redundant.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN : Well, I just would -- if staff could make
sure that this is not going to trigger a problem like I just reiterated to
you, that would be better by the 30th and let us know.
Onward to page 2.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I have a problem with it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Adelstein.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Why was it changed from
500 to 1,000 units? How many units did we actually do this past
year?
MR. GIBLIN: That is one thing that we track. This last year, the
last fiscal year we created just over 500 affordable units as under the
-- the old existing definition, a combination of rental and
owner-occupied units.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Now, that's -- that's basically
true, but it's a fiction in this respect. At the end of the year -- before
the end of year Joe Schmitt made this comment, that over 4,000
affordable unit housing had been approved by the -- by us, by the
county commissioners. The only problem is that they haven't been
started yet because of the paperwork they have to go through to do it.
Actually, over 4,000 units are now waiting to get that permission.
So in actual fact, there's over 4,500 units been done this past year in
19 -- in 2005.
MR. GIBLIN: No. I'll have to correct you there for a second.
The 4,000 is cumulative of all previous approvals that have not yet
been built, not just in the past year.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: All affordable housing units
have already been approved by -- but not built out. This is now Joe
Schmitt's statement. Okay? Over 4,000 units all have been
permitted, all of it's been done. They just have not been built yet for
other reasons. So we've already got over 4,500.
MR. GIBLIN: That's correct. But I thought your question was
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how many in the past year.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I'm talking about the -- that
many were approved in the year 2005. Forty-five hundred units have
been approved if you've got five hundred already out there. Because
Joe said over 4,000 units have been approved this past year in '05,
they just not have -- have not started building them yet.
MR. GIBLIN: No. That's incorrect, sir. It's around 4,000 have
been approved to date.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN : You want to read this? I
mean, it's -- Joe Schmitt's stating this to me. Not to me, but
somebody else and I got a copy. That over 4,000 units are on the
books now.
MR. GIBLIN: Right. But they all didn't come on the books
within the past year, which I thought was your question.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Well, either way it's -- if
you're getting down that we've got over 4,000 units still, the problem
isn't you giving a number from 500 to 1,000. The problem is to pull
the cork out from stopping these things from getting built. It doesn't
make any difference how many you suggest. Because, obviously,
they're not getting anywhere. So that problem should be handled
rather than to figure out whether it's 500 or 1,000. It just doesn't
make any difference.
MR. GIBLIN: Again, I -- I see your logic there. And I can tell
you that 2,000 of that 4,000 are the town of Ave Maria that are
approved but yet unbuilt. They're going to be built out over -- over
many, many years.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So we take that 2,000 out.
MR. GIBLIN: Right.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So there's still over 2,000
more here in the county for the purpose of affordable housing.
MR. GIBLIN: Most -- most of those numbers are meaning
approved as in zoned. Then after zoning, you have to go through site
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planning and building permits, all of that. And so it may take three
years from zoning approval to rooftop.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Again, so we're saying is to
come up with an idea -- a statement that we must do 1,000 instead of
500 is kind of a nomenclature because basically the problem isn't that
we want to do them. The problem is it takes this much longer to get
them approved and then back into -- starting into the ground. So
something else has to be changed.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Nicole Fernandez for the record.
I just would like to add that this was a recommendation made by
the EAR report adopted in 2004 to evaluate that number. And in
addition to that the EAR report did document that in recent years the
production levels did exceed 1,500. And as of fiscal year 2003
approximately 2,500 units were produced, affordable housing units.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Okay. So either way we're
getting to the point where that number doesn't mean much.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, go ahead, Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I don't really know what this
discussion is going to. It seems as though some people in the panel
seem to be saying that the affordable housing is not that significant
because look at all the units that are coming online. The affordable
housing problem is terrible. It's abominable and we're nowhere near
close -- coming close to what we need to have done.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney, I can assure you I don't
think anybody's -- at least I'm not and I don't think Mr. Adelstein is
trying to insinuate where you were going. I think the problem is the
statistics that need to validate it are been -- have been brought into
question, not by this panel but by -- I sat on two. I sit on another one
right now. And we can't get good statistics. So until we do, it's very
hard to implement policies without knowing just because our gut
says we need more, which we do, how much more is it? There's no
doubt we need more.
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Go ahead, Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. I agree with you
somewhat, too. It's very hard to get statistics. And as an example,
the Arrowhead community in Immokalee, 500 units supposedly is
going to be affordable housing. They started off saying that they
would be -- a lot of them would be at the $150,000 range, but now
due to the increase in costs and property values, the cheapest is going
to be $250,000. So it's like -- and they're not even built yet. I think
there's seven built. But it's very hard to get statistics that matter.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney -- or Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah. I'm going to attack the --
the word "create," not because I wish to but because under Policy 1.2
I asked the question, Collier County and its municipalities will work
together to accomplish a countywide goal of creating a sufficient --
how can Collier County -- can it require other governments to
respond?
MR. GIBLIN : We have interlocal agreements with both the City
of Naples and the City of Marco Island in terms of affordable
housing in particular. Again, I would myself question the word
"create. "
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Because you're not in that
business.
MR. GIBLIN: We are not building. And Collier County doesn't
build any affordable housing. We create an environment hopefully
where the private sector will step forward and create affordable
housing.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And in that vein could you
confirm something for me? With the interlocal agreements with the
City of Naples and Marco Island, aren't they enabled to buyout of
having to construct any affordable housing that they -- in lieu of that
they can actually give money. Is that true?
MR. GIBLIN: That is the way both are structured, yes.
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COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So they're never encumbered by
actually having to construct an affordable housing unit? Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Cormac, you mentioned earlier that
Ave Maria has 2,000 affordable housing units.
MR. GIBLIN: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Is that within the town of Ave Maria?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And are they a 15-year deed restricted
or --
MR. GIBLIN: It varies. Some are restricted only for five. Like
moderate income households are restricted for five years and then
low incomes are restricted for the fifteen.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. When you count units in
affordable housing, does that mean you count ones that are outside
your program?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. How are you accounting for all
the existing units that were purchased affordable in this county sitting
here today? There's 111,000, just to let you know.
MR. GIBLIN: For example, Ave -- the town of Ave -- the
affordable units in Ave Maria were not as part of any housing
program. They didn't use a density bonus. They didn't use impact
fee deferrals. It was -- it was --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You said you're counting those; right?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Good. How are you counting the others
in Collier County that under -- that aren't part of your program?
MR. GIBLIN: The ones we count need to be occupied by a
low-income buyer or low-income renter.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So the ones in Ave Maria are going to
be monitored for that occupancy?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir.
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. So the people living in Collier
County that bought their home here and are affordable income -- if
they're not registered with your department, then you don't
acknowledge they're living in an affordable house; is that right?
MR. GIBLIN: If they are -- if they buy a home on the open
market in Collier County and they are low income, then they would
qualify for various programs offered by our department; down
payment assistance, impact fee deferrals and the such. It's our hope
that we can get the word out enough to where anyone who buys an
affordable home who meets the definition comes and takes advantage
of those, but there may be some that don't. But yet affordable homes
solely in the private market that do take advantage of some of the
programs that are available to them are counted in the number.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's the only way you have it tracking
them is if they come in to you?
MR. GIBLIN: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I have two other questions, Mr.
Murray, and then I'll --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's fine.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: -- if you don't mind.
Obj ective 1, the -- your first sentence, The number of new
affordable housing units. How does that account for any resale or
any non-new -- new -- ones that are created and maybe sold and
moved to a different person? How are you accounting for those?
MR. GIBLIN: Again, through that same process that if it were
an existing home that was sold privately and then because our
programs also enable the assistance on a -- on an existing home, that
number would be counted. That would be counted towards the total.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So, again, though you only pick up the
people that come into your program?
MR. GIBLIN: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. The 1,000 -- the 500 to a 1,000
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unit count that you have here, in the current EAR, the EAR that was
produced last year that this amendment is based on, do you
remember the statement in there about the 500? The statement was
that it's working at this time. So if it's working, why are we changing
it?
MR. GIBLIN: I think the statement -- the intent there was that
we are meeting 500. When I said -- when we wrote--
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Working?
MR. GIBLIN: -- it's working. It means that we are currently
producing at least 500 per year.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ifwe set the goal higher than what we
can realistically keep maintaining for a period of time, I mean,
obviously, like any other kind of goal a government sets, if the
private sector may fail to go by that goal, does that mean the
taxpayers would then have to subsidize the housing further to get it
created? I'm not saying that's right or wrong, but I want to
understand the implications of the 500 to 1,000.
MR. GIBLIN: The numbers that Nicole read into the record a
minute ago, clearly for the past few years, probably for the past ten
years or so we've been creating over 1,000 units per year. So I think
that we're safe with the -- in terms of setting an attainable goal, the
first part of your question.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
MR. GIBLIN: We're confident that we could meet that 1,000
even -- that even the new information now that affordable work force
will also include the GAP level makes it even easier, I think, for the
county to meet that 1,000 units.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ifwe did meet it, would it -- would it be
looked at just like the water shed management plans have been for 18
years? You kind of just ignore it then and go on with life.
MR. GIBLIN: That would be up to the next -- the next EAR
report and --
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MR. GIBLIN: -- see what the state has to say about it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray, did you have anything else
to say?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah. I wanted to follow up on
the question of the city and -- and Marco and GAP housing. GAP
housing now is under the -- it's under the definition. So have you
thought it out? Has it been even qualified yet as to whether or not
GAP housing would be a buyout rather than -- than them having to
build GAP housing in those communities?
MR. GIBLIN: I can't say that that -- that the conversation has
gone that far. The -- the definitions as you know were only approved
about two weeks ago.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: No, I understand that.
MR. GIBLIN: And that would be something to look at when the
interlocals come up for -- for reapproval. They're each on a
three-year cycle with Marco's coming up later this year.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And so would you be an
advocate of them including GAP housing as an -- as an opportunity
to buyout or would you exclude that and allow those types of homes
to be built within those communities even though it's within the
definition of affordable work force?
MR. GIBLIN: I'm not sure I understand your question in terms
of allowing them to buyout. Right now, for example, the agreement
we have with Marco Island is that they make a payment to Collier
County quarterly of 10 percent of their building permit fees. That is
whether it be residential, commercial. Whatever building permits
were pulled on Marco Island, they pay Collier County 10 percent of
that total on a quarterly basis not to -- not to be less than $50,000 per
year. For the past three years it's -- it's averaged about $125,000 per
year.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And in return they're not
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compelled to build any work-force housing?
MR. GIBLIN: In return the state does not hold them
responsible.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's what I'm referring to and
that's -- if that makes it clearer to you, that's what I was talking about
buyout. They're not required to build homes, that type of housing
there? I hope --
MR. GIBLIN: Correct.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: -- we understand each other.
My question to you is to think about is the GAP housing and what
the implications are there when you do come to renewal of
agreement whether or not now that it's been included within your
purview, whether or not that will be an encumbrance or whether that
will be something else that -- that pops up?
MR. GIBLIN: We'll keep that in mind also --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Thank you.
MR. GIBLIN: -- with the -- with the City of Naples.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. I would like to see
something. It's good to say we want to produce 500 or 1,000 units of
affordable housing a year, but that looks as though we're actually
getting ahead by that amount. We're not taking into account the loss
of housing. Because all the housing that -- almost all the housing
that's -- that's destroyed or has to be demolished or whatever because
it doesn't meet code is low-income housing. And the result is that
we're losing lots and lots of houses that were low-income especially
after Wilma.
And in Immokalee what's going on is that a lot of houses
because of the terrible shortage of farm worker housing, what used to
be families, there's one two houses down from mine. It used to be a
family of three kids and two parents who lived there. They moved
out and now there's nine single men in there. And that's going on all
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over Immokalee where they're just -- even Habitat for Humanity
houses I know of where they've just been taken over by single men.
So can you put in something there that you're not -- that takes
into account the loss of the housing.
MR. GIBLIN : Yes. And I was briefly flipping through. I -- I
thought one of the later policies addressed that because I have had
conversations with -- with our code enforcement department. And in
terms of tracking that, how many units have come out of service
every year and that question has been asked in the past by our
Affordable Housing Commission. And so it is something that we're
trying to keep an eye on.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: But shouldn't it be included when
you're counting about a gain of 500 or 1,000 houses, shouldn't you
subtract what's lost?
MR. GIBLIN: I agree. And another -- another loss in addition
to storm related or trailer condemnations would be current affordable
rental apartments converting to unaffordable condos.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: That's another problem.
MR. GIBLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: All right. Ms. Caron.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yeah. I really have what I think is
an extremely serious question here. How do we ever plan to get
ahead of the game if you are only requiring areas like Marco Island
and the City of Naples to contribute $125,000 toward affordable
housing? These are the people -- these are the areas that demand the
services of these people. We're taking on all of this burden in the
county for $125,000?
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, that -- that was the deal that the
Board of County Commissioners entered into with each of them. I
think the City of Naples agreement's going on maybe nine years now
and this will be the first three years of -- of the Marco Island
agreement. And it was necessary for each of them to come to the
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county to partner on the housing element for their plans to be
approved. So certainly we do have a bargaining chip over each of
them.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Let me tell you, I mean, it's sort of
a classic thing that happened recently when you had your affordable
housing workshop was you had the City of Naples. The hospital was
there sitting at that table saying how much they need housing for
their nurses and -- and even some doctors and technicians. And yet
they had just sold property that they owned to Jack Antaramian to
build housing and not one unit was affordable. I mean, I just don't
understand the logic that's going on here. Where is the thinking?
And the only answer that ever comes out on anything is, let's give the
developers a density bonus. I mean, I'm just -- I'm shocked.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I share your shock. I certainly do. I
had no idea that marketplaces like Marco Island and Naples which
are the attraction are getting off so lightly and we're carrying the
burden.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I'm so surprised. I'm glad I
brought it up.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: One hundred and twenty-five thousand
dollars doesn't cover one house for one person servicing one -- one
lobby of one hotel on Marco Island. It doesn't make any sense at all.
MR. GIBLIN: I -- I agree with the -- with your -- your
conversation. And just that the -- the concept of providing high-cost
areas the ability to partner with the overall county to share in that
housing situation is -- is not unique to Collier County. Like, you
know, Sanibel, Captiva, they all have interlocal agreements with Lee
County.
So it is -- in areas where it is difficult to develop affordable
housing like Marco Island, like the City of Naples is not an
uncommon avenue for them to look -- look at.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray then Mr. Schiffer.
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COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Then on specific under Policy
1.2, then, I think you need to look at the wording. Because it says
that municipalities will work together to accomplish the
communitywide goal creating a sufficient supply of market rate. I'm
not sure, then, that those interlocal agreements constitute an adequate
venture together.
And if you look at Policy 1.4 on the following page, although I
know I'm ahead, and, again, it relates to agreements. And we talk
about equitably throughout the county. So I think those things need
to be looked at because, if not, then the attention brought to them at
some point will make this look fallacious. I'm probably too strong.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Cormac, on the -- and, again,
remember I still want those numbers just to review. Because I think
what we're learning here is we have to review this ourselves. Where
is the information? Do you have a web site that we -- that we could
visit and get this information? We asked that the AUIR start to
include some of the elements that aren't just concurrency like yours.
But how -- how do we know what's going on? How do we know
what the municipalities are doing? Where would we go look to be
brought up-to-date and up-to-speed on that.
MR. GIBLIN: So -- I apologize. When you started your
question, I thought you were --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Do you do an annual report?
Do you do something that we could be reading to see, you know,
where the funding's coming from? Where -- for example, we've been
$1,000 a unit's been going. Where's that been going? How do we
study that?
MR. GIBLIN: Sure. Two answers. The first in regards to the
interlocal agreements, I can certainly provide copies of those
interlocal agreements to all of you to -- to review.
The second part was the $1,000 per unit voluntary contribution
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from developments that have been approved, let's say, in the past
year or so. To date not $1 has actually been received by the county.
Those are commitments that are tied to milestones that are in some
cases years away. So to date not $1 has been received.
When they do start to come into the county, they'll be deposited
to a local affordable housing trust fund and then used to implement
programs that will be identified for the use of those funds.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But, I mean, do you have like a
-- do you do an annual report or anything on your web site where
people can review and see the funding, where it's going, what's
happening or is it a --
MR. GIBLIN: Our department's programs are basically split
between two fund -- two or three funding sources. We have state
funds for the Ship Program and that has an annual report. And we
have federal funds through CDBG and home programs which has its
own annual report. I believe the federal programs report is available
on our web site. I can't say for certain whether the state is, but
certainly all of that information is available at our -- at our
department. And also made -- presented in a public fashion to the
Affordable Housing Commission at least once a year.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Cormac, I got one language suggested
change on that page. It's a small one and maybe we can get on. On
Objective 1 and I'll read the first sentence. The number of new
affordable housing units shall increase by 1,000 units each year, and
I'd insert the words "by requiring 250 units per year from Marco
Island or cash equivalent, comma, 250 units per year from the City of
Naples or cash equivalent, comma, and the balance from Collier
County." And then go on "in an effort to continue to meet" --
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: That's a really good idea.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: You go. That start's -- good.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Very good.
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March 16,2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I mean, it might send a message.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's about all it's going to do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't know.
MR. GIBLIN: David, can our comp plan hold other
municipalities accountable for something?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: It doesn't hurt to ask.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Didn't I hear you say they couldn't get
approvals without our -- without a cooperative agreement with us?
MR. GIBLIN: Without that -- they couldn't get their own comp
plans approved.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, there might be a hammer there
we ought to start using instead of putting the burden on -- entirely on
Collier County. There's dead silence from the County Attorney's
Office.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: I would just say that I think that
our interlocal agreement would have to be amended to reflect that.
We just can't do that without entering into an agreement with them.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Oh, I realize that, but it might spark that
agreement to be -- be more realistic. So, anyway, that language is --
does the rest of the board like that?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I like that.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I like that.
COMMISSIONER CARON: We all like that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The commission can take it out.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Well, if it's equivalent, it would
be a Jim Dandy dollar --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, okay. Well, let's move on. How
about page 3? Does anybody have any questions on page 3?
Ms. Caron.
COMMISSIONER CARON: At the top of the page, Cormac,
Policy 1.4. I just -- where it says in the second line, Which include.
I think it should read, Which may include. Because, again, we're
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back to the old sawhorses here. Only density bonuses and only
impact fee deferrals are -- are the only thing we ever talk about here.
And I think "which may include" because there are a whole laundry
list of other things we should be talking about.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I have no problem. Anybody?
Mr. Kolflat.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLA T: Yes. Marjorie, I wanted to ask
you relative to this statement we just made which I support. I think it
ought to be in there. If it goes in the comp plan, whether the Board
of Commissioners approve it or not is not relative? Doesn't this board
have to approve it, period?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: The Planning Commission makes
the recommendations on the plans to the Board of County
Commissioners. And then the Board of County Commissioners
chooses to -- whether or not to take those recommendations and
adopt the comp plan. So the final authority is on the Board of
County Commissioners.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I misunderstood that.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Do we have any concerns over
the changing -- adding the word "may" to Policy 1.4?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: No concern.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Excuse me. For the record, Nicole
Fernandez. I just would like to add that it reads further, Which
include but are not limited to density bonus agreement, et cetera, et
cetera. So would you like us to delete "but are not limited to?"
COMMISSIONER CARON: No. No. I want both of them in
there. Because I don't want it to be limited in any way. Believe me.
And the way it reads now, you could include other things, but you
would also have to include or you would be expected to include
density bonuses and impact-fee deferrals. You might do something
else in addition, but you would be expected to do those things as
well. So I don't want it to be limited that way. Maybe we don't give
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any density bonuses. Maybe it's totally something that's not even
listed there or maybe it's a combination.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Do you have anything?
Page 4, any questions on page 4?
Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: 2.5, I don't like the idea of
crossing out the other housing. I think Collier County should
continue to -- this is an important thing. This would reduce the cost
of all housing. Reduce the cost of all housing might even help that
poor affordable burdened millionaire. So I definitely don't think that
-- I think that should maybe read, Processing time of cost of housing
and affordable housing and keep into identified areas to be
streamlined. If you could bold that last statement, I'd be happy.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: On Policies 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 and
perhaps subsequently, I haven't looked yet. You're using "and city
staff," yet earlier we spoke about your municipalities. Is consistency
desirable there? Under Policy 1.2 we spoke about Collier County
and its municipalities. Or is this very specific to the city in this
particular case?
MR. GIBLIN: Again, where are you?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. I'm looking at -- on page
4, Policies 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5. And it says, Collier County and city
staff. And it says, Collier County and the city -- and the city;
however, if you go back to page 2 and you look at it where in Policy
1.2 you say, Collier County and its municipalities. I'm just wondering
for consistency.
MR. GIBLIN: Yeah, we can -- we can do that.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
MR. GIBLIN: The interlocal agreement we have with both
cities reference a lot of these things.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So it makes sense; right?
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March 16,2006
MR. GIBLIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page 5.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Page 5.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The density bonus system, you
want to just periodically review it or -- or how is that being
reviewed? Obviously, that's become how we decide we're going to
get private industry to participate. Or this might be the only thing
we're using to get private industry to participate. I'm not comfortable
leaving it where it isn't periodically adjusted.
And also I think there should be a way that we kind of see what's
even happening. We've had petitions come through here. We're--
there's no score card. There's no way of seeing what really -- how it
is being used, how often and stuff.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, that's the -- the first one you're
suggesting is use something more specific than the word
"periodically"; is that correct?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Could you look at doing that
and bring us back a corrective language on the 30th?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And I think because of the
problem we have now, at least every year, if not less.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Is there anything else on that
page?
Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Going to Policy 2.10 just
a wordsmithing thing, I think. And it starts out, the Collier County
operations support. If you go down to the third line toward the end
where it says, urban designated areas, comma. I believe the word,
"its" rural residence is appropriate there.
But more importantly I think under 2.11, consistent with the
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county's concurrency management system, my question I wrote to
myself, would you ever say no? There have been times when you
have brought forward requests for approvals that were inconsistent
with the county -- county's concurrency management program
because it was a need that was deemed to be more significant or at
least equal to the contradicting or conflicting issues.
So I'm not trying to put you on the spot, but I'm wondering in
that case, will continue to coordinate, local utility provides and
ensure the necessary infrastructure, I'm not really clear what you're
saying there. Consistent with county's concurrency management
system. Is it -- is it that you -- you -- if you were talking about
building in an area where the infrastructure was not there, you would
say no?
MR. GIBLIN: I think that's the intent of this is that we wouldn't
allow a very large affordable housing development to be located
somewhere that isn't on water or sewer infrastructure services.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Need you say that, the LDC
would cover that, would it not?
MR. GIBLIN: Or what -- but -- but more specifically I think
what this policy is saying that we will do is encourage it or
encourage either those developments be located where those services
exist or bring the services out to where the affordable housing is
going to be.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Provide more incentives.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. If everybody else is
satisfied with it. I just had the question. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Cormac, back to the first paragraph, the
second sentence. The purpose of the affordable housing density
bonus ordinance shall be to encourage the blending of affordable
housing density bonus units into market-rate developments. Would
that by the words "shall be to," because those are pretty strong road --
words, does that eliminate the impossibility of stand-alone affordable
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March 16, 2006
housing communities, that being able to benefit from that housing
density bonus ordinance?
MR. GIBLIN: Well, I think that the purpose of the density
bonus -- I think -- I think the sentence is correct, but it also should
not -- I agree with you. We should not preclude the opportunity of
100 percent affordable development be built.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right. Well, that's what I think by the
words "shall be" to encourage. I'm wondering if it can be used for
more than just what it's intended to be, shall be encouraged to be. So
with that, you may want to look at modifying that language to
accommodate the ability of stand-alone projects.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: How about "is to encourage"?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, they can come back with some
kind -- on the 30th if that's okay.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Sure.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mr. Chairman, on that point?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Maybe we do want to avoid
stand-alone projects. I mean, some of the failure of affordable
housing in other areas and we are kind of new, we don't want to
make the same mistakes other ones had is exactly that.
MR. GIBLIN: I appreciate what you're saying, Commissioner.
But what -- a stand-alone affordable housing development may be a
Habitat For Humanity community or, you know, or a low-income
housing tax credit rental development. And it is -- it is kind of
imperative that those two type scenarios be all affordable.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But it could also be Bedford
Stivenson (phonetic) and we don't want to tear it down. I don't know.
I mean, I guess we could do that through our review process to
prevent the dangerous housing.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think as a concept we wouldn't want
to necessarily make it impossible to do that, but then through other
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implementation we can make sure it's done right, at least the best
anybody can.
Any questions on page 6?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Just a question, the Policy 3.5
initiating an Old Naples study. Is that something we're supposed to
be doing or --
MR. GIBLIN: No, sir. Those are City of Naples policies.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But wouldn't -- I mean, are they
in our comp plan or do they -- okay. So they're a subset of our --
MR. GIBLIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: All right. Up at the -- the
policy you're deleting which is old 3.11, why wouldn't we want some
system of at least inspection or something? Remember Naples had a
problem with after the storm repairs weren't made. Affordable
housing units were being abandoned or being -- people were being
evicted from them. Wouldn't we want to prevent that?
MR. GIBLIN: I'm sorry. Which policy are you--
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: It's old 3.11. You're trying to
cross it all out.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think we're on page 6. Is that -- that
one -- you're on the next page?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I went up to the next page.
Sorry .
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Let's just finish page 6.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Otherwise we'll be all over the place.
Anybody else got any questions for page 6?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, that's great. Sorry, Brad.
MR. COHEN: Can I -- can I get a verification on -- on -- on
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page 5 under Policy 2.10. Mr. Murray made a reference to having
the word "its" in front of rural residence. I don't think that was the
intent of that policy. I think it was trying to be all-inclusive with
respect to addressing residents in urban designated areas as well as
the rural residents and also farm worker families. I think it's an
all-inclusive sentence.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's true. So you think it's
superfluous?
MR. CO HEN: I -- I think the intent there was to -- was to
address and provide affordable housing, in essence, from what I can
read from that, almost countywide. And Cormac can correct me if
I'm wrong.
MR. GIBLIN: That is the intent.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, Mr. Weeks.
MR. WEEKS: The sentence structure I think is improper there.
On that Policy 2.10, the third line we state, Affordable housing to
residents of the county's urban area -- areas, and then we say rural
residents. We should say rural areas.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
MR. COHEN: And I think that would--
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That would fix it.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: That's what jumped --
somewhere jumped out, yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Cohen.
Now we're on page 7. Mr. Schiffer, I think you wanted to follow
up on your conversation.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yes. Cormac, why are we
taking that other -- I think we should -- and I think we should be
proactive in the -- the maintenance and inspection of these units.
MR. GIBLIN: Again, this is the City of Naples policy and it
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March 16, 2006
was my understanding that they had accomplished that by a 1999
statement.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Well, then can we write, The
city shall continue or something? I mean, why -- I mean, normally
what we've done when we've accomplished it, we worded it to be an
ongoing thing, not crossed it out.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Nicole Fernandez for the record.
We did have communication with the City of Naples and they
did indicate that that had been accomplished and they've adopted a
maintenance code. However, we can contact them again and -- and
get direction for them also.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I think we should have
something in there that it's continuing.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Why don't you get together with the
city and come back with some proposed language after your
conversation with them? Ask them for the 250 units.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yeah. Ask them for the 250
after you go through this.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I have a question about 3.6.
What's the intent of that paragraph? What are we trying to get at
about the large homes on small lots?
MS. FERNANDEZ: Again, Nicole Fernandez for the record.
That was based on direction from the City of Naples. They used
to use the language "mega houses." They no longer use that
terminology. And have directed us to change it to larger homes on
smaller lots.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: And what are we trying to
accomplish by looking at those impacts?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Stormwater issues primarily.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And trying to avoid housing
envy.
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March 16,2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Are we finished with that
particular question? Could you bring me down to Obj ective 4 under
County Policies. Just a recommendation back to municipalities
again. And then also the word "periodically. " Would -- would
yearly for accurate numbers be effective there as opposed to
periodically? Are you constrained in any way? How often do, in
fact, you do this?
MR. GIBLIN: That's -- Commissioner, that's where I was going.
You know, a comprehensive housing survey may take eight or nine
months on its own so --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah.
MR. GIBLIN: -- to finish one and then start again a couple
months later might -- might be too much studying the problem.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: But how -- if you are required to
make up dates each year you -- wouldn't you want to have a
confidence that the Schinberg information and other factors which
you said Schinberg is not all inclusive of your statistical base, you
have other components that have been added and, therefore, you have
a potential. Wouldn't you want to have -- maybe twice, maybe every
two years? I mean, what I'm driving at and I'm not trying to tell you
how to make your operation run, but it would seem to me you'd want
to be more clear than periodically because what is periodically?
MR. GIBLIN: Let me ask a question. When you say we're
going to be updating every year, getting -- updating what every year?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: You know those units, the
30,000 units that you -- that information comes to you -- part of that
would be associated with this, would it not?
MR. GIBLIN: In an indirect way. I mean, this would identify
those units that are falling off of the -- you know, that are being
dilapidated or repaired.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Which would tell you how
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important it is to get your number -- I mean, in some way it's part of
the total package. I recognize these are all burdens in terms of
workload, but I would think you'd want to be more clear than
periodically unless you want to say -- well, it's your choice. I mean
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Why don't -- why don't they come--
why don't you let -- why don't staff come back on the 30th with a
clean -- we've asked for the word "periodically" in other areas to be
cleaned up. Why don't you look it over and come back with a
suggestion to clean that verbiage up?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And I also had in that same
paragraph at the end of it, what is -- my question, what has been the
history, the success rate? Because you have my yellow here is, shall
be reduced by 5 percent per year through rehabilitation or
demolition. Have you actually achieved your 5 percent?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And you've exceeded it
hopefully?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes. We've had conversation with code
enforcement again.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Terrific.
MR. GIBLIN : We have a very extensive -- a lot of the
information that's presented here in this chamber needs to -- has to do
with new housing or new developments or -- or incentives for -- for
new homeownership. But fully about half of the staff in -- in our
department is dedicated to homeowner repairs and rehab and
rehabilitation.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And some of these same people
are the ones that need the right homes, the new homes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Adelstein.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I'm just not sure with this
statement, within certain targeted areas. What are you trying to say
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there?
MR. GIBLIN: We're saying that we can't undertake a housing
study of the entire county at one time. So it would target certain
areas, be it -- we've recently done a specific housing study for the
Immokalee community.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: For some -- for some reason
the word in this thing, the word "targeting" is rather offensive. And I
don't think there's any reason in any area. You don't need to label it
with a target.
MR. GIBLIN: What this -- that language specifically is also
included in what we call our -- our -- our CDBG action plan. We
have specific targeted neighborhoods, targeted areas.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Specific areas is the same
thing. You have a specific area in mind. I'm only saying leave out
the word "targeted." You don't need it.
MR. GIBLIN: The word "targeted" area, the term "targeted
area" is a term that we use in other documents and they are
specifically enumerated. I under -- I under -- I know what you're
saying, that it has a certain connotation to it.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN : Yes. And you can have them
and all you have to do is still say -- you're making the statement.
You know what you want. So to just say certain targeted areas
would accomplish the same thing because you know you're targeted.
Just not being in writing. At least that's what I feel.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm sure you guys will cogitate on it for
a little bit before you come back here March 30th.
The Policy 4.1 where you utilize the periodic comprehensive
housing inventory, since you reference the housing inventory in the
prior paragraph, could you just simply say, Utilizing the most recent
comprehensive housing inventory? Because you're going to redefine
the word up above.
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 8, any questions?
Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Cormac, since the last time we
did this -- this was done seven years ago, Marco's become a city. Is
that why -- how come we're not including this as a city, just Naples?
Should we not be -- or should "city" be pleural?
MR. GIBLIN: It really depends on where in the document we're
talking about.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Right in this area here
(indicating). In other words, obviously when this was written the
City of Naples existed so we, therefore, shared comprehensive
wording. But should we -- what should we be -- how do we handle
Marco? Are we going to handle it the same way or are we going to --
MR. GIBLIN: Well, in some instances it is applicable to say
Collier County and its municipalities has been identified. But some
instances as where we define city policies --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Right.
MR. GIBLIN: -- would be specific only to the City of Naples.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But does the City of Marco
have a similar policy?
MR. GIBLIN: No, they don't.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So they don't have a housing
policy?
MR. GIBLIN: Their policy is to piggyback onto the county's
policy.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: But they don't because they simply give
us $125,000 a year?
MR. GIBLIN: Yeah. That's how they accomplish that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: That's how they buy in.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman, the distinction is the City of
Naples and Collier County agreed back in 1989 and continues to
have a joint housing element. And that's why we have specific
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policies as you're seeing here for the City of Naples and then those
that apply to the county or to both. But the City of Marco Island and
Everglades City do not have such a joint element with us.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, that explains it. I'm not sure it
makes it right, but it does explain it.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Have you approached them to
get them to come in and join in these policies or are they --
COMMISSIONER VIGLIOTTI: For David, if that is combined
and they request those funds together, now don't they get more
money back by cooperating with us? So, actually, they make more
money than they actually spend out or at least it used to work -- by
joining with the counties, they end up getting more funds back. The
county does. The county can give them more money than they
actually put in.
MR. GIBLIN: That has to do with our federal entitlement funds,
the CDBG program. The City of Naples used to have to apply for
CDBG funding on its own. And then by combining their population
with the county's and making it a unified approach to the -- to the
Federal Government we are able to -- actually they were -- you're
right. They're able to get more than they were -- than they had
previously.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer had not finished his
question.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I was just saying, have you
approached Marco to get them to maybe join in with this? I mean,
why aren't the -- why aren't they -- I mean, obviously they weren't
covered by this prior. When they incorporated they abandoned these
objectives or do they have their own comp plan or how are they
doing it?
MR. GIBLIN: They have their own comp plan. What they don't
have, I believe is they don't have their own housing element. Their
housing element is accomplished by partnering with the county.
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COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Is there any other?
Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Are we still on page 8?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, we are.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. On 4.3, again,
periodically. And that's the relocation policy of the city and the
county . Wouldn't you say the county and its municipality?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And I also have under 4.4 my
question to myself, How does that fit with spreading it around? Let's
see what I meant. In the event of an actual replacement -- okay. I
think we've covered that issue. It's beat to death. Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Move on to page 9. Any
questions on page 9?
Mr. Adelstein.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: 5.2, periodically again.
MR. GIBLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And, again, under Objective 5,
since you're still under county, would be Collier County and its
municipality? Would that be appropriate here?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I tell you what, from here on and the
rest of this element, anywhere where you see the word "county" and
the "city," could you just automatically check it before the 30th to
add -- add the language that Mr. Murray's saying that we haven't got
a --
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: And periodically.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: -- and periodically. So there. Those
two are done. Okay? Any other thing on page 9?
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Mr. -- Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: 4.7, why was that eliminated?
MS. FERNANDEZ: For the record, Nicole Fernandez.
For the EAR report it was moved to Policy 8.2 in an effort to
provide updated information regarding the Immokalee area.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay? Okay. Let's move on to page
10. Any questions on page 10?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I'm almost afraid to say. All
right. No. I'll pass on this.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We took all the city out of it, huh?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Actually, on page 10 I could
bring you an Objective 6. Should it be Collier County shall or is will
-- what is the will of Collier County to do this.
MR. GIBLIN: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Shall.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. And up at 5.6, the last
sentence. The survey shall also review and make similar
recommendations regarding any previously unidentified historic
structures or sites, were any other have been previously identified
and recorded. We've achieved some of that goal?
MS. FERNANDEZ: I'm not aware of -- of anything.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. So that's -- that's
unknown. But by 2008 we're going to do it. Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page 11.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I've got one, Mark.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Just looking up at 6.2. Make
sure we can still do foster homes. I'm sorry. 6.4. The way we
worded that, it's still that they'll be allowed. I mean, shall be
allowed. I mean, it's a permitted use as governed by the Land
Development Code. I mean, you're crossing out "will be allowed,"
but the way you did it, Collier County shall allow. I'm just kind of
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talking out loud. I just want to make sure they're still allowed.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Yes, it is. That was just simple
wordsmithing.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. All right. Thank you.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
MR. WEEKS: I think you need on Policy 6.4, check the phrase
too. The current phrase is group homes and foster care facilities.
But I think group care facilities, if I'm not mistaken, is the correct
terminology to correlate with that Florida statute. I know in the
future land use element we used that term. We could -- we could just
check with the County Attorney's Office.
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: Yeah. That -- whatever the
terminology is in the statute should be consistent with it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Mr. Kolflat.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Under Objective 7, we talk
about mobile home developments. Is there -- what about
premanufactured homes in the high-hazard area?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You need to pull your mic a little closer
to you, Mr. Kolflat. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLA T: Objective 7 it just talks about
mobile home developments. And one of my questions, what about
premanufactured home developments in the high-hazard area? Isn't
that also a problem?
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioner, there -- there are different levels
when you say premanufactured homes. Some are certified as -- to the
Department of Community Affairs specifications. And those --
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I'm thinking about the ones that
blow apart in a hurricane.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Well, some hurricanes that's all
homes. But the mobile home is not a permanent structure. That
would be covered by the building code. So, in other words, if you
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did make a premanufactured home in Florida, it would have to meet
the building code. It's not a lesser standard. A mobile home is
governed by the transportation department. That's a lesser standard.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's correct. Mr. Adelstein.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: 8.1, is that brand new or is
that something that's been going on? It says -- when was the last
time this was actually done?
MR. GIBLIN: That is an ongoing policy.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: It's been ongoing?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir. We've done that through our
Immokalee initiative and through code enforcement sweeps in that
area. And the board actually has a workshop scheduled later on next
month.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I want to make sure.
MR. GIBLIN: It's an ongoing policy.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Hearing no other questions,
we'll go on to page 13.
Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Policy 8.6, I have a question
here. Just for the record, do all of these folks have to be citizens?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I had the same notation.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You just resolved me a question.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: We haven't talked.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I know.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Okay, you guys. Two words.
MR. GIBLIN: It depends on what -- which funding source is
used. Certain federal funding sources require not citizenship but
legal residents and others do not.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Permanent legal residents.
MR. GIBLIN: The -- a good example of this would be the
dormitory built in Immokalee, a dormitory was used using funding
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sources through the U.S. Department of Agriculture that don't require
l,egal residency. Other developments that -- that we've partnered in
use sources that do require legal residency. So this -- this policy is --
could be used for either.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY : You have a great job.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: You mean we actually would
open our units to unlegal element -- people, not legal, you mean?
MR. GIBLIN: When you say our units, I'm not sure. I mean,
again, Collier County doesn't own any units.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I know, but any of the units
in Collier County, some of them could be used by people who are not
legal, a legal in the state?
MR. GIBLIN: Some -- some could depending on the restrictions
that come with the funding.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I'd like to make a comment about
that. The reason for that is that the reality is that there are a lot of
farm workers who don't have legal documentation. And if they don't
-- right now they're just being crowded, horribly crowded into any
kind of living conditions at all. And it's a -- it's an improvement for
the community that these people have somewhat decent housing.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: May I just respond to that?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Go ahead, Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Under no circumstance should it
ever consider that I am negative toward the humanity. I just
sometimes try to square off what the law represents and what we
intend to represent. And I just want to have it clear. Sometimes I'll
provoke issues just for the purpose of reminding ourselves about
where we are.
MR. GIBLIN: Commissioners, especially after the Hurricane
Wilma disaster in Immokalee, I attended several meetings out there.
And of course the primary housing agency or the primary funding
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agency after a hurricane is FEMA. FEMA will not house or pay for
housing for undocumented or illegal residents. And so there was a
huge unmet need in Immokalee of people who are here who couldn't
be helped using those programs. So, you know, it is a dual-edged
sword.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions on page 13?
Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. I had a -- not on that -- not
on the issue we've already done, but on 8.6. The last sentence, The
county anticipates that 100 farm workers per year will become
homeowners. For a planning document, I don't think it's really
correct for us to use what's going to be anticipated. It almost seems
like we're trying to brag about what's going to happen. I don't think
that the intent of that would be diminished if you just remove the last
sentence.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Works for me.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Planning means something that
we're actually going to do or promote. It doesn't really matter what
we anticipate is going to happen.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: How's that sit with you, Cormac?
MR. GIBLIN: I -- I understand the comment.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: How's it sit with the rest of the board?
Anybody have a concern over that?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I might want to do 120.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Any other questions on page 13?
I have one up on top. Cormac, the last sentence, you have the word
"observed." Why?
MR. GIBLIN: That -- that deals with the housing survey. And
so it was talking about things that were observed.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: But couldn't you just say the program is
to correct conditions and leave out the word "observed"? I mean,
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what if they don't observe the condition. Doesn't it have to be
corrected?
MR. GIBLIN: No. It would be, but we wouldn't know--
necessarily know about it if we --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Or someone could have reported it and
it wasn't observed by the person making the inspection. That's the
only reason I'm bringing it up.
Okay. I think that wraps up the housing element. Thank you
very much.
Ms. Ford, I think I'm going to prove that I misled you earlier. I
think we're going to be here longer than we thought. We can take a
break now before we get going on the parks and rec or we can come
back -- or we can go for the next parks and recs element. Anybody?
Why don't we take a 15-minute break, give the court reporter a
break and come back in 15 minutes from now, 3:41 -- 2:41. I'm
sorry. Thank you.
(Short recess was taken.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, David. Okay. We'll
resume our meeting and we'll be starting with the recreational
element, recreational open space element. Unless staff has an
objection, we'll just work through the pages like we have the rest of
it.
MR. SCHMITT: No objection, Mr. Chairman. But I'd like to
note one thing.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN : Your name for the record, I bet.
MR. SCHMITT: For the record, Corby Schmitt, senior planner.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you.
MR. SCHMITT: In your summary under Recreational and Open
Space Element is a comment from staff.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Would you bring the
microphone closer, please.
MR. SCHMITT: I certainly can.
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COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Thank you.
MR. SCHMITT: And that misdirects you to some extent. The
change or the correction has not been made in the recreation and
open space element. It's actually been made to the numbers that
appear in the capital improvements element.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Can you refer us to specific language
on page 1 that you're talking about?
MR. SCHMITT: I'm sorry. It's actually page 4 in the summary.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: In the summary?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Summary? We're working right off the
elements. Your summaries are nice, but I think the elements are
more accurate. Do we have a need to go back to the summary when
we're going to hopefully revisit the issue --
MR. SCHMITT: If it doesn't become an issue, there's no need
now.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Good. You could have really had us
going down a dark path leading us back there. Let's start with page 1,
then. We're on the recreation open space element. Does anybody
have any comments on page I?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I have -- I have a question.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Kolflat.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I have a question on -- golf is a
very significant recreational activity in Collier County from what I
read. There are many, many golf courses per capita. Is there any
thought of addressing that subj ect as to the preservation or the
encouragement of development and perpetuation of golf courses in
the community as a recreational facility?
MS. TOWNSEND: Amanda Townsend, operations analyst with
parks and recreation.
At this time -- I'm -- let me ask you to clarify -- clarify your
question. Would that be public golf courses or golf courses available
to the public or --
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COMMISSIONER KOLFLA T: Golf courses as a recreation that
they would be looked upon favorably.
MS. TOWNSEND: At this time the position of the parks and
recreation department is that there are many privately owned golf
courses in the community, some open to the public, some not. And
that the need of the community is met through private ownership at
this time. The parks and recreation department has at other times
looked at publicly owned golf courses, but currently there is nothing
in our planning to.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: But even if they're privately
owned, they are subj ect to zoning -- zoning requirements, aren't
they?
MS. TOWNSEND: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: All right.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Are there any other questions on
page I?
Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And just a question. Lands that
are purchased through Conservation Collier, do they show up in this
element?
MS. TOWNSEND: No, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: So--
MS. TOWNSEND: Conservation Collier lands are currently not
included in parks and recreation, either community or regional park
inventories.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: They're just pure conservation
and --
MS. TOWNSEND: That is correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: -- with public access to them?
MS. TOWNSEND: That is correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions?
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(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hearing none we'll move on to page 2.
Any questions on page 2?
I guess by information, that 270 per capita was actually voted in
Tuesday, wasn't it?
MS. TOWNSEND: I know that --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: For parks and recreation?
MS. TOWNSEND: -- I know that it was improved -- approved
in the AUIR process. Tuesday -- Tuesday the --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Impact.
MS. TOWNSEND: -- the impact fee was approved. That's
correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's correct. Any questions on page
2?
MS. TOWNSEND: I'll note one small change on page 2. Policy
1.1.1 (C 1) will end county population, end parens, weighted.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I had circled that and asked -- my
question is, what population and you've just answered that single
question. Thank you.
Any questions on page 3?
MS. TOWNSEND: I have one small revision for page 3.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MS. TOWNSEND: In addition to the list under Policy 1.4.2,
Rookery Bay National Estuary and Research Reserve.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: On your Policy 1.4.1, you -- it says,
Through the land development review process, Collier County shall
continue to encourage developers to provide recreation sites.
Are you referencing public or private sites?
MS. TOWNSEND: Private.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Well, how are you establishing a
level of service for those? I mean, how --
MS. TOWNSEND: There is no level of service established for
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neighborhood parks which is -- is what this would refer to.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right. And how do we hold the
developer to require them?
MS. TOWNSEND: The parks and recreation department
participates in PUD document review.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I know that. But if a ten-acre unit
comes in, do they say they want nine acres in parks versus a 4,000
acre unit, do they want one acre in parks? How do -- where's the --
how is that getting worked out?
MS. TOWNSEND: I apologize, but I don't participate in that
review process. And so what exact formula is used as far as acres per
population within the -- within the PUD, I do not know.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Well, I'm concerned about that
policy especially with the word" encourage" not having anything tied
to it. I'd like -- I'd certainly like on the 30th that to be clarified.
MS. TOWNSEND: Most definitely.
MR. COHEN: Mr. Chairman--
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes.
MR. CO HEN: -- for the record, in -- in reading the second
sentence of that particular provision which has the tie-in to the
capital improvement element, obviously, the intent of that policy as
written is not to provide just for -- for private parks. I think parks
and recreation needs to take a look at the -- the policy in it's entirety.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And my second comment was leading
up to that, Randy. And I was hoping someone would answer in a
more leading response then I would have a -- basically, if you're
requiring these parks, if they're public, then they need to be included
in the AUIR capacities established for how many park acreages we
have. Because that certainly will reduce the amount of parks needed
and save taxpayers substantial amounts of money.
MS. TOWNSEND: Most certainly if they are public, they will
be included in the inventory.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Then I think that on the 30th if
we could get clarification on that paragraph, that would certainly
help.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mark, on that same point.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: When a private developer
establishes a park within this community, does he get a reduction in
impact fees both for parks and rec or --
MS. TOWNSEND: Not that I am aware of.
MR. COHEN: For the record, I think it depends. If it's a private
park, the answer would be no. If it's a neighborhood park because
that's not included within our impact fee network, the answer would
also be no. If you're dealing with community parks and regional
parks, then they would be looked upon from a credit perspective.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. But at the same time if they're
being required to create them, they're being created because there
obviously is a need, if that need is met or helps reduce --
MR. COHEN: Right.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: -- the need for those people to leave
that area and go to another county park, then by all means, those
neighborhood parks need to be included in all of our recreational
elements in the AUIR calculation.
MR. COHEN: And -- and Ms. Townsend earlier indicated, there
-- there is not a neighborhood park criteria within the AUIR. All we
address is community parks and regional parks. And there's -- there's
no -- there's no calculation for neighborhood parks, whether it's in the
impact fee network or in the AUIR itself.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I understand that. That's kind of where
this paragraph is leading to. If you're going to encourage someone to
do something, you need to establish the criteria. I'd like to know
what that is before we go ahead and recommend this as okay. That's
the only where -- that's the only thing I'm trying to find out is some
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clarification on the ultimate intent there.
Brad.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And let me try the same thing
simpler, though. The county has, let's say, tennis courts so much per
capita. If the development itself provides it, do you reduce it from
the per capita? In other words, can we assume that the people within
the development are taken off of the population for that per capita --
MS. TOWNSEND: Yes. Yes. I -- during the AUIR process,
Marla Ramsey developed a matrix that I don't know if she shared
with this board, but I know she did with the BCC. And it basically
looks at a -- we have a set of guidelines. We use the statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Planning Guide as a tool. Also
the national standards from National Recreation and Parks
Association as a tool to establish for each different type of facilities.
Say, tennis courts or shuffle board courts or Bocce courts, et cetera, a
number per thousand of population that would be appropriate. And
we do adjust those recommendations that come from the state and
national standards in accordance with our community trends.
So, for example, if there is a state or a national suggestion of a
level-of-service guideline that is considered -- that is met within our
community through -- through what is offered privately, then we may
reduce our guideline for that.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If there's no other questions on three,
let's move to four.
Mr. Murray and Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: In Policy 1.5.1 you end the
second sentence with, On an annual basis. Would an inventory be
appropriate more as a continuous basis?
MS. TOWNSEND: I do believe you're correct. This is an
initiative that the parks and recreation department will be beginning
in earnest very soon to -- to keep that kind of inventory so that the
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matrix that I just explained to you on a facility-by-facility basis
becomes more meaningful.
Up to this point it's been very difficult for us to inventory all the
recreational facilities that are privately owned or privately offered.
And -- and, yes, that will be an effort that we will start to do on a
continuous basis.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So you can either use
continuous or continuing? That's what you would change it to?
MS. TOWNSEND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: That was actually my question
too. My suggestion was is kill the last sentence and then up at the
front, Collier County shall maintain a current inventory of recreation.
And then I think that, should we start putting these things on web
sites and stuff so -- so that everybody can have access to it currently
too? Is it on a web site somewhere?
MS. TOWNSEND: No, it is not.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I mean, could the GMP make
people put stuff on a web site or is that an LDC --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I think from what we've seen and
the elements reviewed it doesn't make people do anything because
most of the deadlines haven't been reached. But I think you can
probably request that there be some kind of language in here that
allows some public dissemination of information. We've done it.
We just got off discussing that with solid waste, for example, where
they are going to have public recommendations or whatever. Maybe
there's some language that could be added here to open up the
statistics of our park system to the public through a web site?
MR. COHEN: I think -- I think a more general direction, you
know, from -- in recommendation from this body as well as the board
to -- to the parks and recreation department to maintain, just like we
do on our web site, you know, an updated plan or an inventory on
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their web site would be more appropriate rather than putting it in the
plan itself.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I understand what you're saying.
I'm not sure direction or request is how much strong of a policy that
would we help, but why don't you find out if it's possible and have
someone get back to us and let us know.
MR. COHEN: We'll-- we'll take a look at it.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Can I have my balance of
question?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Go ahead, sir.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And on Objective 2.1 it says, By
the year 2010 the county parks and recreation department will
develop a neighborhood park plan to identify general areas where
neighborhoods might request sites for future neighborhood parks.
Now, it's not in the level of service. It's essentially intended to
be in developments or communities. I -- I don't understand what this
will get you or what you are trying to achieve, then.
MS. TOWNSEND: In fact, that was the change that I was going
to mention to this board. I believe that we will be taking out a
reference to a neighborhood park plan in both Objective 2.1 and
Policy 2.11.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If you take out Neighborhood Park Plan
in 2.12, then it would read, To provide an open space area that is
suitable for use -- how would you read that or is the whole paragraph
going to be deleted, 2.1.2?
MS. TOWNSEND: I'm sorry. I'm not seeing a reference to a
neighborhood park plan in 2.12.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Oh, I see. The reference is just a
neighborhood park. You're not -- you're not taking out the words
"neighborhood park. " You're taking out the reference to a
neighborhood park plan.
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MS. TOWNSEND: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Then let's start back up on 1.5.1.
It says, Collier County shall maintain an inventory of recreational
facility commitments made by developers. The inventory going to
be of public or private acreage?
MS. TOWNSEND: Both.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. So now you're going to keep --
now you're maintaining the inventory. And on the bottom one, 2.1.2,
County shall amend the land development code to require the
developer of a PUD having a residential component to provide an
open space area that is suitable for uses in a neighborhood park that
is compatible pursuant to Policy 5.4.
So an inventory's going to be created whether it's public or
private. You're going to keep a tally of that inventory. You're going
to require basically every development coming through to have such
an inventory. Then are you going to include that inventory as part of
the acreage to meet the level-of-service needs of the -- in the AUIR
for both community and for your park system as a whole?
MS. TOWNSEND: To clarify, we are going to create an
inventory particularly more than acreage. Recreational facilities are
what are important to -- to inventory those privately owned ones so
that we know we're meeting -- that -- so that we know need is being
met throughout the community whether by private or public means.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MS. TOWNSEND: If the acreage in a PUD were to -- were
community or regional park acreage, the acreage within a PUD
would not be regional park acreage. I don't think that -- that one
would dedicate land that large. Then if it -- if it's publicly offered,
then it would be included in the inventory. If it's not offered to the
public, then it would not be included in the inventory.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. If you're going to keep track of
these inventories and now we're talking facilities then so we don't get
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mixed up with acreage. You're going to require this to be from every
residential component. You've got an inventory. You've got a
requirement. Why wouldn't you want to use that inventory to offset
your facility's capacity needs in the AUIR? People will be going
there and using those facilities in lieu of going somewhere else, will
they not?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: No.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm asking staff.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mark, a suggestion. I think a
way to do it might be, for example, if the community provides tennis
courts at the level above, which would probably be the case, the
state, then you could take that population off of the calculation for
tennis courts.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's where I'm going.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I want to make sure that's happening.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: If it's not an acreage issue, it's if
population is being provided someplace else, then they should not
have to be --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's why--
MS. TOWNSEND: And now -- now let me -- let me clarify one
thing. We -- the -- we keep track of a number of tennis courts to
make sure we're meeting community needs. We need to know both
what's available publicly and what's available privately to adjust the
number of tennis courts. However, when we're talking about the
AUIR, then it's not the number of tennis courts but facilities-value
conglomerated.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. And I know that there's a level
of service established that the AUIR is based on. And I know it's a
facilities document. And that if you don't meet the level of service
through that document's analysis, then either impact fees or taxes
have to be created to bring the level of service back up.
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March 16, 2006
MS. TOWNSEND: Precisely.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: All I'm trying to find out is if there's a
way that that level of service can be helped by utilizing the counts of
facilities within private communities because they are the ones using
the residents within those communities. I want to make sure we're
using them. That's where I'm trying to go.
MS. TOWNSEND: We -- we use those counts to then determine
which facilities to put in the publicly owned parks. However, I
believe the facility's value needs to come -- to meet AUIR standards,
needs to come solely from that which is available to all of the public.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I'm not getting my question
answered. Maybe, Mr. Murray, you seem to want to talk.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I'm concerned now with the flip
side of that issue. If you have tennis courts and these are essentially
all designated in private areas. You've got tennis courts in there and
you use that to offset the need in the community for tennis courts,
then the community is essentially deprived of that amenity and that
opportunity for that recreation. Then they would be forced to go
elsewhere or further away from their community to have that benefit.
So I'm -- I'm struggling with this.
MS. TOWNSEND: The -- the -- the number of private tennis
courts would reduce the level of service or number of tennis courts in
-- that are -- that are available to the public, but it certainly would
never completely eliminate it.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Well, I think it's a matter of
quantity that can play into this. I'll use an example, Bocce court.
Okay . You have a Bocce court over in one community neighborhood
rather and it's surrounded by walls. And there are a whole bunch of
people that want to play Bocce but because you already have one
here, you got to travel nine miles to get to the next one.
And I use that expressly as an absurd example, but maybe not so
absurd. So I'm concerned about that. I don't -- I'm not happy with the
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March 16, 2006
idea of counting private items owned and operated. We don't -- we
don't facilitate, we don't maintain and we're counting so that we can
reduce externally what the community needs.
MS. TOWNSEND: No, sir. I don't think it's a reduction at all.
It's simply a shifting of which facilities are provided. Because the
AUIR and perhaps this comes to Mr. -- Commissioner Strain's
comment. The AUIR is still going to require a certain facility's value
in publicly available facilities. The issue then only becomes which
facilities those are.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Or which population is used to
contribute to the need of those facilities which goes to where my
question was coming from which is the part that I didn't finish
explaining, but Mr. Adelstein had a question.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN : Yeah. How often do you go
back to older units to find out what they are developing? For
example, we have a condominium association next door called The
Glades. In this last two years we put in eight more golf -- tennis
courts, one Bocce ball court. We don't know if you ever come
around to decide -- to see what we have done.
MS. TOWNSEND: That point is very well taken and -- and I
believe that will be part of that continuous inventory that we -- that
we specified in the language of 1.5.1.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Okay. I mean, as long -- it
should get into this somewhere.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And, Bob, where I was trying to go
with this is if a private community as a population that generates a
need for tennis courts and they within their community provide those
tennis courts, that's great. The county doesn't need to control them.
They can require them and that's fine. When a county goes to
calculate its need for its population for tennis courts, are we double
counting the population within the community that already has their
own tennis courts? I'm not saying short the public any. I'm saying
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March 16, 2006
let's not require tennis courts for double -- double counting
population. If you already have tennis courts provided in the private
sector, why are we providing them in the public as well?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: And I appreciate that. My
concern rested with the notion that the possibility exists that the
county would utilize the combined numbers to modify the need to
provide adequate facilities. And I'm looking for something that will
make certain that we don't use it as a form of denial in any way.
MS. TOWNSEND: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't think we're going to get any
further with this one today.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Agreed.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 5. Is there any questions on page
5?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: In Policy 2.1.3 I noted here
"shall be designed." Is the county responsible for the designing of
that? When we say designed, is that just in the general sense of the
word "design"?
MS. TOWNSEND: Any neighborhood parks that the parks and
recreation department retrofits into existing communities would
conform to this criteria. How much responsibility the parks and
recreation department would have for the design of a neighborhood
park within a PUD is probably somewhat limited.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay.
MS. TOWNSEND: It would, of course, have to conform to
code, but I -- although we have review to make sure that the facilities
are available, I'm not sure how much leeway we would have to
specify how they would be designed.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I got you. What brings up the
next question for me, it says, Where appropriate and economically
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March 16, 2006
feasible. Suppose it is appropriate but not economically feasible,
what then? Just looking at it from the question of, you know, where
you put it where it's appropriate and then you tie economically
feasible to it, it can put yourself in a box. Maybe you ought to look
at that language a little bit. Would anybody agree with me on that?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: My question --
MR. COHEN: Can I clarify for the record with -- with -- with
Ms. Townsend. I believe it's a two-pronged approach there. Where
-- where you're looking at, one, it needs to be appropriate. And, two,
it also needs to be economically feasible. So taking one out would --
would not be the case. I think there's been some examples
countywide where locations were appropriate, but when they looked
at the land value of some of those particular areas, it just wasn't
economically feasible to put a neighborhood park in those areas. So
I think that's why the two are tied in -- in together -- in together.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Well, okay. But it strikes --
strikes me that if it's appropriate, it's not economically feasible, why
would -- you know --
MR. COHEN: I think the word "appropriate" -- I think the word
"appropriate" pertains to location more than anything.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Maybe--
MR. COHEN: And maybe it needs to say where the location is
appropriate.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. I think you're better at
least extending it out that -- at that level.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. David.
MR. WEEKS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Who wrote this policy -- this particular
element? Is that written by your staff?
MR. WEEKS: That was written by our former staff member.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: A lot of this is written--
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March 16, 2006
MR. WEEKS: I won't throw him under the bus this time by
mentioning his name.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Well, then I've got to go back to
Policy 2.1.2. David, I know that you know how to write these things
so that they are more implemental -- more able to be implemented
properly. If you read that paragraph, it's extremely ambiguous. It's
going to require a developer of a residential PUD to do a -- to
provide a suitable neighborhood park.
I'm just concerned about we've had some ten-acre residential or
twenty-acre residential PUDs come in here and we've had some
massive PUDs come in here. How suitable -- there's just too many
ambiguous terms in there. Could someone clean it up by the 30th so
that we can look at it a little bit harder.
MR. WEEKS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Is there any questions on page
6?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: In the first policy, what were
we trying to do when we rewrote that? I mean, the old one seemed
fine is that we were going to give people who wished to dedicate
land incentives. But now we're encouraging. So is that trying to
accelerate that or what is -- what is -- why was that rewritten?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Just looking here at that language
and it seems to be written again by a previous staffer and throughout.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Well, I think it means two
different things. The first -- the old way meant that we were going to
give them tax credits and other incentives for those people that
wished to dedicate land or to -- yeah, to dedicate land. This one
seems to sound like we're trying to be more proactive in that. Is that
the intent or --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think there's a lot of this element,
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March 16, 2006
maybe others that we've had a lot of questions on that weren't written
by the staff standing before us today. I can ask that, you know, you
share -- you understand our concerns. Could you go back and look at
this and get us a new draft before the 30th? I think, Mr. Schiffer, that
you've made your point. Does that sound adequate to you?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: That's good. And then the next
one, I'm not sure why we crossed that out.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Yeah. Regarding 3.16 it's similar
to another entry in the document. We just avoided duplication.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Which one is it similar to? I'm
sorry. I couldn't find it. I'm sure it's there.
MS. TOWNSEND: I believe it's in two other places in the
document.
MR. COHEN: For the record, the language is exactly the same
as in Policy 2.1.5.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. With that, we will end the
recreation open space and look forward to a red draft by next
Thursday.
And then we'll move into the intergovernmental coordination
element. What's that? What do they call things when it's -- is that an
oxymoron, intergovernmental coordination element? We're going to
talk about the coordination of affordable housing between the cities
and us. With that, why don't we move right to page 1 of that tab,
Introduction. Anybody have any questions on page I?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Just to make sure, public safety
includes the fire department. True?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Any questions on page 2,
basically a listing?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Kolflat.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Should Bonita Springs be up
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March 16, 2006
here in the top?
MR. COHEN: No, sir. It's in Lee County.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But it's a shared boarder.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah. It says shared borders with the
following jurisdictions. The city -- we do share a border with the
city, don't we? Yeah. Bonita Beach Road.
MR. COHEN: Yes, we do. I'm trying to -- just trying to think
going up Livingston we do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: We do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Mr. Kolflat, does that answer
your question?
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: Are they going to include it?
MR. COHEN: Well, I think his question was, should it be in the
first part which was Bonita established within Collier County and the
answer to that's no.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: No.
MR. COHEN: And then it's listed as the first bullet point of
ones where we share jurisdictions and that's the appropriate location.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I know that David picked up on
me, maybe he made a note, East Naples Fire and Rescue District. It's
in that listing.
MR. WEEKS: I recall your comments, sir. Yes, sir. We'll
check on the correct name.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. We'll move on to page 3.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 4.
(N 0 response.)
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 5.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: It's going to be like a home run, you
know, page 6.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 7.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Congratulations.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: David, you must have wrote this one.
Well, we got through the ICE. That was the quickest element of this
whole bag here today.
MR. WEEKS: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you, sir.
The next element since we've done the CCME, the flue and we
finished Golden Gate, we're on the Immokalee Area Master Plan, it's
lAMP in your book. It's towards the back, third one from the back.
MS. MOSCA: Good afternoon. Again, for the --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hi, Michelle.
MS. MOSCA: -- the record, Michelle Mosca, comprehensive
planning staff.
Mr. Chairman, would you like me to provide a summary? I
know you've kind of deviated. Would you like to just start on the
first page of the element?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I like the process we started unless the
commission feels the need to change it. We seem to be able to focus
on the areas that interest us and it might save some of your time.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 1.
COMMISSIONER VIGLIOTTI: Clarification on the Golden
Gate one. Since I missed that is there a -- is that coming back yet?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER VIGLIOTTI: The final.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Coming back because you weren't here.
COMMISSIONER VIGLIOTTI: There was a whole lot of stuff
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March 16, 2006
in it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There was? I would suggest--
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: You've only got two things.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You might want to get together with
Dave Weeks before he rewrites that and things that are relevant, he
may want to know before the meeting next week for the rewrite next
week.
COMMISSIONER VIGLIOTTI: Right.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Unless the board -- if we have time
today, we can go back into it, but that'll be at the discretion of the
board. I don't mind going back into it if we finish up. Immokalee
master plan, we're on page 1.
Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Objective 1.1, why has that been
eliminated?
MS. MOSCA: I believe it's been eliminated. My understanding
is that we have population standards methodology that we follow
in-house. I was -- again, my understanding is that it's more -- I guess
it's -- it's a better way to do population than what's being provided for
in the objective.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: So we have another way of doing
it?
MS. MOSCA: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Maybe if you referenced how it
-- where it went, it might be helpful to me.
MS. MOSCA: Well, we provide population estimates and
proj ections for Immokalee on an annual basis as well as the seasonal
population and it's distributed countywide.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Including the housing units?
MS. MOSCA: That's how we come up with the population
figures. I might have to defer to David with the dwelling units. For
the population, do we provide those as well or --
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I'm familiar with the population.
I see those figures a lot. But an inventory of the housing stock, I
think it's important to maintain that so that we know where we are.
How much we're losing. How much we're gaining and the
population changes.
MS. MOSCA: And that may be accomplished with the housing
element. I think this policy's related to that in the housing element.
We discussed that earlier.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anything else on page I?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If not, we can move to page 2. Any
questions on page 2?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hearing none we move to page 3. Any
questions on page 3?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 4.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I'm sorry. Mr. Chairman, I'm a
little confused at something. I'm looking at what came over the
Internet. And I see at page 3 here --
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: We're not using those today.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: We're not bothering with this at
all?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Not today. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You mean, Mr. Murray, I haven't had
time for any of that --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I either. I just -- I got confused
because they didn't correlate. Okay.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: They won't.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Staffs going to include what was sent
out last night in the rewrite that's coming to us next week.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: On page 4, Michelle, I have one on
Policy 2.2. Collier County staff in cooperation with various
Immokalee community groups. And the word is "shall" seek
partnership opportunities with the local redevelopment agency.
Now, I'm wondering if that "shall" ought to be "may." I'm not sure--
I don't know what the community redevelopment agency is in regards
to how it operates in Immokalee, but is it something that we want to
make as a mandatory partnership with the county or does the county
want to be able to have -- do things on its own or with other
agencies?
MR. CO HEN: Mr. Chairman, for the -- for the record, right now
the community redevelopment agency by -- by law in Collier County
is the Board of County Commissioners. That's how it's set on out.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MR. COHEN: It -- well, the agency itself. In Immokalee it's the
Immokalee Redevelopment Advisory Board. So when we talk about
the agency in this context, in essence at this point in time we are
talking about the Board of County Commissioners serving in that
capacity.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So if I read that, then, does it mean
staffs currently not cooperating with the Board of County
Commissioners? I mean, honestly, why are we putting it in here that
staff has to cooperate with the BCC? Aren't they -- I mean, isn't that
what they're supposed to do?
MR. COHEN: I think what it probably should read, because I
think the intent was for the cooperation to occur with the
Redevelopment Area Advisory Board -- correct me if I'm not --
wrong, Michelle.
MS. MOSCA: The advisory committee I would suggest is that.
MR. COHEN: Okay. We'll go ahead and we'll rewrite that
policy accordingly.
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March 16, 2006
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Okay. Any questions on page
5?
Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Thank you. Policy -- I'm sorry.
It looks like Roman numeral II, three, two, why was that deleted on
the second paragraph on page 5?
MS. MOSCA: My notes indicate that the board already has the
ability to do this.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Okay. The last paragraph where
it says that the BCC recognizes the need to support the agricultural
industry shall ensure an adequate number of decent, safe, affordable
housing units are available. How in the world are they going to
ensure that? That sounds like a very difficult task.
MS. MOSCA: Actually, we're proposing to rewrite that
paragraph.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I wish it could be possible. That
would be great.
MS. MOSCA: And the housing department had some questions
about that as well. So we'll be rewriting that.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Any other questions on five? I just
want to go back just for a minute to Policy 1.2.2 on page 4. If it
indeed should have been the Community Redevelopment Advisory
Committee, then I think it makes Mr. Strain's suggestion of may
rather than shall even more important. Because you don't want to
force the Board of County Commissioners to have to rely on this
group. They will. So I think "may" is a better word there.
MS. MOSCA: I have no objection to changing that to "may."
COMMISSIONER CARON: I mean, not that they wouldn't, but
MS. MOSCA: Right. I understand.
COMMISSIONER CARON: You don't want to put any
encumbrances on them. Page 6?
Page 1 79
March 16, 2006
(No response.)
COMMISSIONER CARON: Seven? Oh, sorry. Seven?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Six.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm back. Are we done yet?
COMMISSIONER CARON: Seven -- page seven we have a
question.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: First paragraph on the last two
lines. Collier County will collect data resulting from the Immokalee
Housing Initiative Program survey, respond to the housing needs
identified to identify the current housing documents in order to
address the affordable housing in the area. In the housing study of
Immokalee by county which will reduce the cost of housing
development for very low and very low income individuals, why was
that last sentence removed?
MS. MOSCA: What we've done here -- actually, there's a
change to this language as well. The -- let me first address the
phased study that has been completed. So we'll be changing that to
Collier County has collected and will use this data.
And then if you look at the newly proposed language, will use a
catchall "affordable work force" which would include those
categories. So we've deleted that last line.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anything else on page 7?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: No.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I need to back up to page 6, if you don't
mind. I had one question on Policy 2.1.2. It refers to blighting
influences. Do we know what those are?
MS. MOSCA: We do, but how do you describe them? Someone
help me.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I'm wondering if there's a better
way. It's -- I don't know how -- how that -- what's that -- how that's
going to play out in implementation? David, who wrote this?
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March 16, 2006
MS. MOSCA: This is existing language.
MR. COHEN: Mr. Chairman, it's existing language and I'm sure
the rationale for it is because of the redevelopment area that exists
out in Immokalee and the reference in the redevelopment statute to
urban -- to the blight is one of the reasons for establishing a
redevelopment area. That's why it's there. I have a problem with the
language because the state is changing the meaning of the words
"blight" in terms of that statute as well too. So I think we need to
take a look at that statute and rewrite it accordingly.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. There are going to be a lot of
things to be considered by a lot of people as blighting influences so...
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: It's a vague term.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: My pickup truck by some.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think we're on page 8 now. Anybody
have any questions on page 8?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page 9?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And now page 10?
MS. MOSCA: The staff does has -- have a correction on page
10 under that policy. Amanda had mentioned previously about the
neighborhood park plans. So we will take a look at removing that as
well as Objective 2.1 which refers to the neighborhood park plan.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page II?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 12?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 13? Well, if I'm going too fast,
say something. I'm assuming that if anybody had an area they were
going to question, they would have had it highlighted or circled by
now.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: We're not shy.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Pardon me?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: We're not shy. Don't worry.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page 14?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I actually do.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Just to get this straight, what
are the densities going to be since you're rewriting the density
chapters. Essentially there's going to be a base of four. You could
get up to four more in some cases by right by building affordable
housing and then that's it. It's capped out at eight in Immokalee?
MS. MOSCA: By right, no. You're allowed up to 16 units per
acre unless it's capped. If it's not affordable housing and it's capped
within the subdistrict.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
MS. MOSCA: So with the affordable housing, that would get
you up to possibly the 16.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And transient lodging --
lodging you've increased to ten. That's on page 14, like, in the
middle. It's from eight to ten.
MS. MOSCA: That's for the recreational tourist subdistrict, yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's like hotels or is that -- RT is
generally a residential tourist. So it can have hotels or does it have a
conversion if you go to --
MS. MOSCA: Hotels, bed and breakfasts, those types of
facilities.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: In Immokalee, who's living in
RT units, Paul?
MS. MOSCA: RT is around Lake Trafford area. We're actually
talking about the subdistrict -- oh, I'm sorry . We're just talking about
the subdistrict.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. But why did you
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increase it just out of curiosity?
MS. MOSCA: Well, the board had sanctioned a group similar to
the Golden Gate Restudy Committee. There was one also sanctioned
for the Immokalee area and that was a proposal by that committee to
raise it from the eight to ten.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Are all these changes
suggestions from that board?
MS. MOSCA: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. Thank you.
MS. MOSCA: That's my understanding as well as staff
recommended changes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: On that same density rating
system, I know that at the meeting that I missed affordable housing
by right was voted down pretty strongly by the board. But in
Immokalee we have a peculiar situation in that we have a severe need
for very low-income housing. And I would like to see affordable
housing by right in Immokalee. I mean, you may not want it in the
rest of the county, but we desperately need it. And I would like to
see that recommended as going into the -- this element.
MS. MOSCA: And we have that on page 16.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, we haven't got -- that's on -- we
are getting to that page and I understand what one you're talking
about, Paul.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: All right. I put it in the wrong
section then.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's okay.
MR. COHEN: Mr. Chairman--
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
MR. COHEN: -- for the record I know in the past when
counsel's not here when we talked about doing things for certain
parts of the county and not other parts, you raised equal protection
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questions, so I would ask my staff to actually check with the County
Attorney's Office if that's the intent of the board to go in that
direction.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: In the absence -- the county attorney's
not here, that's what we got to do. So Paul, you're --
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I'm ahead of myself.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Let's talk on page 15 and then we'll get
to your issue on page 16. Any issues on page 15?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah. Well, its reference is also
on D, the last sentence where it speaks about density achieved by
right.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yup, sure is.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So we could tie that into the
discussion when you get to 16.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
MR. WEEKS: On page 15 under the continuation of Item A,
third line -- second line -- third line from -- from the end of A that is
above paragraph B starting on the right-hand side, it says, via -- via
conditional use is referring to the mixed-use development. And as
you recall in the future land use element we deleted that phrase. I
would think we'd want to do it here for consistency.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I would agree.
MR. WEEKS: And, likewise, I know we didn't discuss it in the
Golden Gate Master Plan, but I would assume that would be the
commissioners' desire that we check and if that same language is
there to delete it as well.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir. I think we just missed it.
Now, as far as affordable housing by right in Immokalee, has the
committee that's out there, Michelle, commented about these
particular elements of this plan?
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MS. MOSCA: This -- the -- well, the plan itself or are you just
talking about the affordable right question?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The right of affordable housing with
additional density, is that something the committee is endorsing?
MS. MOSCA: I don't believe they've seen this language. This
was recently proposed over the last, I'd say couple weeks or so. I
might be wrong. I might have to defer to David.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And I -- is there any way that they
could take a look at this and get back to us by the 30th?
MS. MOSCA: I will e-mail it to all the committee members.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If you would do -- if you would do that
paragraph and the paragraph on the following page -- we talk -- at
least -- or this whole element, but especially the paragraphs referring
to these density bonuses, if I was one of those committee members
like I was when I was in Golden Gate, this would have this kind of a
doubling of density in my community, I certainly would want to
know about it.
MS. MOSCA: Okay.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman, for clarification, go on with what
Michelle was saying, we can e-mail that to them, but they will not
have a committee meeting between now and then.
MS. MOSCA: That's correct.
MR. WEEKS: So we cannot get formal action from them, but
we certainly can contact them individually.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Tuff.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Well, just that you had said that they
were opposed to it unless I heard that wrong. But I thought you said,
well, they were -- the committee was opposed to having that by right
and that it --
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I don't think it's been discussed.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: -- or else I misunderstood that and
you said you didn't agree with what that committee said.
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COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: No. That's not what I meant to
say. I meant this committee.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Don't count me in.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Except for Brad.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And I don't think this committee
weighed in on this -- these elements in the Immokalee master plan.
And actually I would have wanted to have you here for that
discussion which you are. All I'm saying is Paul's here. And you
had indicated the committee reviewed this, but if they didn't review
these, it sure would be nice to know what their thoughts were on it.
MS. MOSCA: Again, they reviewed the changes to the master
plan, but did not review the affordable-by-right provisions.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. And I know some of those
committee members. They're vocal enough. They may want to
respond before the distribution of the data by next week or even by
the 30th if they can so...
MS. MOSCA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And, Margie, we had--
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: But -- that's good. But really it
should go before the whole committee so that it's not just certain
members, you know, who may be against this. It should go before
everybody, you know, and get a balanced view of the whole thing.
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: They're not having a meeting
now.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: The meeting -- next meeting
won't be until April.
MS. MOSCA: Commissioner Midney, what I'll do is send it to
the CRA Advisory Committee as well as the Immokalee Master Plan
and Envisioning Committee. They have been meeting jointly. So I'll
make sure that it gets to all of those members.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: One problem with that
Immokalee master plan committee is that they haven't had broad
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community participation up to this point because all their meetings
have been on Wednesday mornings. And their first meeting of that
committee that's going to be in evening hours is not going to happen
until April. So I don't think that the people who are on that
committee are necessarily representative of the entire community.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Who in the community -- see,
Paul, when I got the Golden Gate master plan element, I sent it to the
Golden Gate Estates Association right away because I knew they'd
be concerned. Was this forwarded to anybody in Immokalee besides
you when you got the element?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I don't know. Was it forwarded
to anybody?
MS. MOSCA: I don't believe so. But we could also forward it
to the civic association out there and maybe --
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: That would be good.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah. I think that would be a -- I think
you need to have -- this is a huge, huge issue. This will double the
density if it's implemented or it could. And I think because of that,
everybody that could weigh in on it might want to.
MR. COHEN: Mr. Chairman, counsel has a few comments she'd
like to make.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Ms. Student.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes. I was informed by Mr.
Cohen when I was out in the hall taking care of a message that the
proposal was to allow, I believe, density by right for affordable
housing in the Immokalee area. I have two concerns with that and
probably have to consult with staff further.
Again, equal protection concern and also the growth
management laws require that our comprehensive plan be internally
consistent. And we have an existing problem 1.4 in the housing
element that has a bit of an amendment to it. But it states, Collier
County shall seek to distribute affordable housing equitably
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throughout the county using strategies which if you change it may
include but are not limited to density bonus agreement and impact
fee deferrals.
So my concern would be if you allow it by right in Immokalee
and not other places, that that may result in undue concentration of
affordable housing in the Immokalee area in violation of this policy
of the comp planning rendering it internally inconsistent which is not
permitted by the growth management laws.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: I don't think that the people of
Immokalee are going to complain if there's enough affordable
housing out here. We need more.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: I understood DCA might
complain, however, because they're the ones that review it for
consistency with the growth management law. So I just have to put
that on the record as a possible problem.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Isn't it currently available to have
affordable housing density bonuses in Immokalee just like they're
applicable everywhere else?
MR. GIBLAN: Commissioners, yes. For the record, Cormac
Giblin, again.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Short answer. Can you just say "yes"
so I can finish my train of thought or "no." Whatever you want to
say. Is the affordable density housing bonus by application through a
public process available to Immokalee like it is to the rest of the
county?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Now, let me --
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: I think this is by right, though, and
I think by right --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Can you just wait till I finish--
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: -- my question, please?
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MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If it's available in Immokalee like
everywhere else and, Paul, I guess my concern is why does it need to
be by right if it's so wanted in Immokalee? Why don't people just
simply bring it forward and go through the process and get it
approved?
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Well, because anytime that you
have something where, you know, you have lower-income people,
there's going to be certain people who don't want it. And the need is
so great that if we were to have this affordable density bonus by
right, it could improve the supply of desperately needed affordable
housing in Immokalee.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. I'm -- I understand what you're
saying. I think we need to weigh in with some groups. And, Margie,
did you have something you want to finish up saying?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: My only point was -- I think I said
it already, but if it's by right, then it would probably result in more
there than other places in the county and have a concern about that
equitable distribution language. Now, I'm not finished yet -- excuse
me.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And he's not been recognized to speak.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: We can show the need -- we can
show the need there and then it differs from other parts of the county,
perhaps DCA wouldn't have a problem with it. And, also, if we
could show that it would lessen equal protection issues so, you know,
we could give it a shot. I'm just raising the issue because it is an
issue.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. I agree. That's a very
valid point. And ideally we would want affordable housing equally
distributed in the county. I agree with you completely. But in
Immokalee we have the agricultural industry. We're the hub of it.
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So we have a much greater need for affordable housing in Immokalee
because our work force, the people who work and live here are
different from the composition in the rest of the county. That's why I
think something that's different for Immokalee could be appropriate.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Go ahead, Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'd like to support Paul on this
too. Anytime we isolate an area for a special study, I think, Margie,
doesn't that give us the right to do things differently in there? For
example, we provide multi-use in Bayshore differently than anyplace
else.
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: That was part of my point that I
made when I said if we could justify it by showing the need there
being greater than other parts of the county --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: That's done.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: -- difficulty the individuals have
with travel issues --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: That's done.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: -- and having vehicle, it may very
well not be a problem.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Brad--
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: And I did put that on the record.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: -- you can't talk over here because the
young lady here is having --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I know that, but I'm just saying
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Brad, but you just did it to me. Let's all
talk one at a time, please. Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Those are the points Paul's
making and I think we should go ahead and do that. Leave it in here.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And one comment, the Golden Gate
Area Master Plan when we wrote it, we wrote it very specific to
Golden Gate and we changed a lot of the rules in the county for
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Golden Gate. Immokalee Area Master Plan is doing the same thing
supposedly for Immokalee. That might be one way to implement this
program specific to Immokalee just like we did in Golden Gate.
And, now, Cormac, did you have some comments?
MR. GIBLIN: Yes. For the record, Cormac Giblin. Listening to
your discussion in the back of the room, quite frankly, I had the same
concerns that the county attorney first -- first brought to your
attention about internal consistency, concentration, allowing density
by -- as much in favor as I am of providing affordable housing
density by rights, I see it problematic if you start to identify only in
certain areas of the county because it may be at odds with other
elements of our comp plan or the fair -- the Fair Housing Laws.
That said, though, there could be mitigating factors that could be
presented to allow it in certain areas. But I just wanted, again, to
caution you along the same lines as the county attorney.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. Ms. Caron and Mr.
Midney.
COMMISSIONER CARON: As Mr. Spring said with the
Golden Gate Area Master Plan we've made exceptions. In Bayshore
we just did it, for example, in the coastal high hazard area. We now
have twelve units an acre there when it's supposed to be no more than
four. So I think are -- you know, well -- we make exceptions all the
time for specific needs of specific areas.
MR. GIBLIN: Again, not here to talk you out of it, just wanted
to --
COMMISSIONER CARON: No.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Midney.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. And I would just like to
add one other thought. And that is a lot of people think look -- look
at Immokalee and they sort of feel sorry for us. Oh, you know, those
poor people out there. They live in this community. But, actually,
most of us in Immokalee like being a working-class town. We don't
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feel anything bad about it. You know, there are some people who
aspire to be, you know, more middle class or more upper class. But I
think the majority of people are happy in Immokalee the way it is
and they wouldn't mind more housing to serve the people who really
need it. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Are there any other comments
on page 15?
Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Sixteen I'm on.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Any other comments on page
16? Go ahead, Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And it's -- it's in the section on
affordable housing by right. The last sentence, I'm not exactly sure
what that means. Does -- does that limit somebody from going over
eight units or it says a density achieved by right shall not be
combined with density achieved through the rezoned public hearing
process. So if I have a parcel that by right I would have eight units,
if I go in for a rezone, what does that exactly mean? Does that -- do I
jeopardize that eight?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: It sounds like it.
MR. WEEKS: That's -- that's to make sure that someone doesn't
do -- I'll say do exactly that. If you're going through the rezone
process, that public hearing process, then you can ask for the total
amount that you qualified for. That is the base of four and then the
maximum bonus of eight for a total of twelve or if you qualify for
more from the base. But you can ask for the total amount of density
that the site is eligible for.
What we would not want to occur is someone come to the
county commission through the hearing process and, let's say, have
approved four-unit per acre bonus plus their base of four, if that's
what it is, for a total of eight. Then come back and say I want
administratively another four units added on top of that. I think that's
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inappropriate.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Administratively?
MR. WEEKS: Correct.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: No, but--
MR. WEEKS: After you've gotten -- excuse me. After you've
gotten the public hearing -- through the public hearing process,
you've gotten a certain density approved, then go through an
administrative process to add even more.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay. I understand it now. In
other words, the public hearing would come first and then I'd come in
knocking on the door versus the other way around.
MR. WEEKS: That's -- that's the chief concern. Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page 17. Questions on page 17?
Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: The way they're worded at the
top, using PDRs, I could actually get a site above 16 residential units
then?
MS. MOSCA: That's a percentage. David, I'll have to defer to
you for this, the existing TDR program.
MR. WEEKS: Right. We discussed this with the flue as well.
It's the -- the prerural fringe TDR program. The TDR ratio is based
upon the receiving land zoning and it can only be a percent, either 5
percent or 10 percent depending upon that receiving land zoning of
that density. My example, again, is if you had a piece of property
receiving land zoned RMF 16, then it's a 5 percent cap for the TDR
that is 0.8 dwelling units per acre. So the maximum density you
could achieve would be 16.8 --
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
MR. WEEKS: -- units per acre.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Page 18?
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(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And the last page, well, with the
exception of the graphic is page 19 . No questions there. Do we have
any questions on the graphic page?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I kind of do. Has anything
changed on the graphic? You handed out a new one today. Is that
because there was a change?
MS. MOSCA: There was a change. It relates to the CCME
policy that talks about the wetlands connected, the Lake Trafford
Cam Key Strand System. And it states in the CCME that it will be
delineated on the future land use map.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: So quickly.
MS. MOSCA: That was handed out today as well, but I put it up
there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: See, Paul, you can have an impact.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: It does work.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: But where is that on the map?
Can you point to it or something?
MS. MOSCA: Yes.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: See here it's in the light line?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yes. Okay. I got it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Michelle, I think we're done
with the Immokalee element.
MS. MOSCA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'd like to ask you just to hang around
for a few minutes while we finish up. We may go back and revisit
some Golden Gate issues.
MS. MOSCA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay? Is that okay? Are you -- were
you -- or are you in a hurry to leave?
MS. MOSCA: That's fine.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
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March 16, 2006
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Mr. Chairman, just to clarify,
we left in the affordable housing by right in this; correct? We didn't
vote it out.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right. They're going to -- they're going
to distribute that information to the civic associations or groups in the
area and get the best feedback we can by our next meeting. And let
us know any comments that come in.
MS. MOSCA: Again, for the record, Michelle Mosca. What I'd
also like to do in addition to sending the e-mails to the various
committees that we spoke about, we'll also put it on the agenda for
the first meeting of the joint committees and that's advertised as well.
So at least we'll have that information to bring forward to the BCC.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah. I think that would be a real good
idea.
COMMISSIONER MIDNEY: Yeah. That'll be good. Because
the BCC will get the benefit of all that weighing in even though we
won't.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's right. David, did you have
something else you wanted to toss in? She got it. Okay.
The last element we have is the economic element. It's the very
last one in the book. I was wondering why you were hanging out.
By the way, Nicole is leaving us to go to Tampa.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We're sorry to hear that. We keep
losing good people within the county. So good luck in Tampa.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: David.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman, you skipped the Marco Island
Master Plan and though it's very straight forward, we'd like to have
your comments there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, it's two sentences and there's
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nothing there. It says, Deleted in its entirety. Okay.
MR. WEEKS: I just wanted your acknowledgment. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I -- does anybody want to acknowledge
that the Marco Island master plan is not here?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I think the chair --
COMMISSIONER CARON: It's duly noted.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think it's duly noted. Page 1 of the
economic element. Does anybody have any questions?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Page 2 is real useful. Everything's been
renumbered. So why don't we move on to page 3. Questions on
page 3?
Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah. Just -- just almost for fun
here. Under 3.14 and A, little A, in impact fee payment assistance
program for either new or expanding targeted industries. Are we
concerned with that word?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, there are a couple times it's in B
as well.
MR. COHEN: Mr. Murray, I believe that language is exactly--
exactly mimics the economic incentive ordinances and that's why it's
present there, accordingly.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: I don't have a problem. I know
somebody else did so I brought it up.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Any other questions on page 3?
Because if we go back to the same Item A that Mr. Murray was
touching on, now this economic element is there to entice new
business and develop local work force for such businesses.
Now, we have this big need for affordable housing. All this
work force means new businesses that are coming in, we have no
housing for them. Yet under this policy, we're giving them an impact
fee incentive credit to come here, create new buildings, add to the
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congestion to the roads and work force, but yet we have no program
to house them -- provide adequate housing. So I'm not sure why an
impact fee payment assistance program is needed to entice new
business. I'm not -- I don't understand the reasoning behind that. It
seems contradictory.
MR. COHEN: The only answer I can give to you -- to you, Mr.
Chairman, is approximately two years ago the EDC in concert with
the policy direction of the -- of the Board of County Commissioners
directed its staff to look at economic incentives. And those are the
four economic incentives that were adopted by the Board of County
Commissioners. And, therefore, that's why they were included in the
policy.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, even more strange is C. A
property tax stimulus program providing payments to offset the costs
associated with the relocation and/or expansion of targeted industries.
We have so much here now we can't handle it. I'm wondering why
we keep looking for more until we are at a point we can work with it.
MR. GIBLAN: Commissioners, if I may, Cormac Giblin, again,
for the record. Not to say that I'm an expert in this -- in this area, but
the economic development programs used to be located in our
department. And to take advantage of those programs, you must
meet specific criteria as set forth by the county and the EDC,
meaning that 51 percent of the employees of your business are paid a
wage higher than the county's median wage. So, in theory,
businesses taking advantage of these types of incentives would not be
creating a need for additional work force housing because they're
paying their people basically what they need to be paid to live here.
And that's -- that's the reason for trying to attract these
high-wage-paying-targeted industries.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, Cormac, if they're paid a high
wage, that means they buy a higher priced home. That means they
hire somebody to do their lawn, fix their air-conditioning, take care
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of their disposals, whatever they got to do, wax their cars. Who only
knows. And, in essence, they're creating a bigger need for affordable
housing by the fact they don't do most anything themselves. They
have other people do it for them.
MR. GIBLAN: I agree. It's a -- it's a--
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't know too many executives that
cut their lawns.
MR. GIBLAN: It's a continuing cycle and, you know, other
incentives that we have. To get to your question about the need for
affordable housing and how does commercial and -- and private
industry create or address those needs. Again, we talked the other
day about an inclusionary zoning type ordinance that would help
alleviate those concerns on the development of new residential
development. The county's also working to institute a linkage fee
ordinance that would assess a fee to commercial type endeavors
again to address those concerns.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: But with those policies here, it looks
like these particular businesses might end up being, what did they
say, they might have assistance in how to pay those or be exempt
from paying those. So while I'm on that page, Policy 3.15, it talks
about an impact fee deferral program for owner-occupied
single- family homes and structured within the Immokalee enterprise
zones. Are those all affordable housing homes?
MR. GIBLAN: Commissioner, those are affordable in terms of
the parameters set forth for that program which are slightly different
than the parameters that we used elsewhere in the county. There's--
they are -- since they're not using grant money or federal or state
money, the county developed its own criteria for those incomes and
home prices.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are those prices outside the affordable
housing categories we have in Collier County?
MR. GIBLAN: Right now with the inclusion of GAP, probably
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not. They were until we had GAP.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So we actually had an impact fee
deferral program for more than affordable housing?
MR. GIBLIN: We did in Immokalee.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Mr. Tuff and Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: No. Let him go first.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Well, just for the record, I'm not
agreeing with you on those just for the fact that one is -- some -- a lot
of this is directed towards Immokalee, the aerospace and all these
things were -- I think there is a need. You know, what maybe is
needed downtown Naples isn't the same thing that may be needed in
Immokalee or Everglades City or Golden Gate Estates, things that
are comIng up.
So I think, one is it diversifies an area and brings a boost to
possibly Immokalee. But then also as we keep going, real estate
builds and grows and all of a sudden the real estate's all gone and
done, these are too -- say, we don't have to have a crash 20 years
from now, because we have a different source of income provided to
this county. And I guess I -- I like these a lot in there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, I wasn't suggesting any language
changes. I was trying to understand it so I could write a good story
about it. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Excuse me, then.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: As long as we're writing stories,
I'll get involved. Quite frankly, I agree with Commissioner Tuff.
These are economic stimulus attempts. And I recognize that the
affordable or any housing will follow it. At least it brings the future
potential for it. And I -- I realize you are bringing it out because of
the kind of crazy condition that it will initially spur. But over the
hump, it'll be very, very effective particularly out in Immokalee
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where the trade port is intended to bring a lot of -- a lot of economic
stimulus.
So I know you know that. And I recognize what your statement
is absolutely true given the lag time we have from appreciation when
we permit it to when it's built, but maybe that can be accelerated in
the future and we'll do better in building the housing. My little piece
of change there.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Are there any other comments?
Mr. Cohen.
MR. COHEN: Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have two
recommendations both with respect to 3.14 and 3.15. I would
recommend striking the words "and shall maintain." The rationale
for that is all these ordinances were adopted by ordinance and the
board may want some flexibility in modifying those ordinances or
may eliminate one of those ordinances. And if it's in the comp plan,
they're going to be bound by the comp plan and they won't have that
flexibility if they see a program's not working or they want to modify
it in some manner.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I think that's a good idea.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody have any objection?
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: No.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: There's virtually nothing on page 4, but
I'll acknowledge to David that it exists.
MR. WEEKS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Is there anything else at this point? If
not, we're done with the -- with this particular element.
Thank you, Nicole. I appreciate it. And as I said, good luck in
your future job.
MS. FERNANDEZ: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Now, Golden Gate Area Master Plan,
Mr. Tuff was not here when we hit this this morning. He had some
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comments to make. If the board would like to indulge him, we can
go through his comments and try to limit it mostly his or follow-ups
to his and we might get through it in a reasonable amount of time. Is
that okay with everybody?
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Fine.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Russell.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Okay. Ifwe go to page 3, I -- I say
we're encouraging the use of working with the water company out
there since they changed the name of it and the community wants --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: What policy number are you on?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Sorry about that. Policy 1.2.4.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: And by the way, when staff -- ifhe gets
to an element that we've already discussed or trashed, could you just
let him know and then maybe that'll save time too. 1.2.4?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Well, I -- we want to encourage
expansion of that, but -- by naming that company by name, they have
been very unresponsive, uncooperative and very disgraceful for our
community. And I -- yes, we want to encourage that to happen, but
maybe not saying them by name. Whether the county would take it
over or -- or -- it's saying that we're going to work with these folks to
make their water so they -- to have more capacity and they can't
handle the capacity. They're doing a poor job with what they have.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: How about the current authority.
-- the current utility's authority?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: David, do you understand where he's
trying to go with this?
MR. COHEN: I -- I think, you know, and maybe I can intervene
here. Because that -- that -- that meeting actually occurred this week,
the annual meeting with -- with county staff. I think maybe it's
appropriate to -- to leave the name of that authority there or with
some additional language, "or its successor." In essence, if it's
bought, you know, on out by somebody else or it changes hands,
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which it has done in the past, I think it is appropriate to name them at
this point in time.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, if we add the words "or their" --
"or their successor," that would cover it, Russ. Is that what you're
indicating?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. That would be fine.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: My -- my big questions were on page
6. And now we have a new sheet to go with it, but they were both
the same. These came out of the -- to me or else I wasn't paying
attention, but they came out of the blue. And way back when the
Golden Gate Master Plan had met way back when, a lot of these
things -- unless you've already discussed --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, Item B on page 6--
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Yes.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: -- was recommended deleting -- being
deleted.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Got it. Perfect.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Anything else on page 6 that
you may have hit?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Sixteen dwelling units.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We didn't -- we talked about rewording
some of the first line, but --
COMMISSIONER TUFF: That's what I had, okay, circled on
that.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. That's going to come back to us
on the 30th with some rewording.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Okay. And then the next one on 3 by
right.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: What page are you on?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: On page 7.
COMMISSIONER CARON: Yeah. It's a strike.
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CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That one was struck out as well.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: You guys are good. All right. That's
all I had. Yeah, you got it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That's it?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Wait. Wait. Let me double-check
that. No. On page 8 I have highlighted for employees who worked
within the Golden Gate City or Golden Gate Estates --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Where -- where are you at?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: On the part -- the part that was
crossed out under the four for the downtown commercial center.
And I was just wondering why that was crossed out because that was
the whole intent of what we've talked about. And then it kind of
disappeared there.
MS. MOSCA: Again, for the record, Michelle Mosca. You're
referring to for employees who work within Golden Gate?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Yeah.
MS. MOSCA: This has been changed to reflect the changes in
the land development code for the actual zoning overlay district. It
was changed to promote or intended to promote resident business
ownership. That was a discussion by the committee, the ad hoc
committee.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Okay.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Comfortable with that?
COMMISSIONER TUFF: And then on the top of page 11 I saw
the 16 residential units per gross acre, again, there. Maybe you
already discussed that.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't have any markups on that page,
Russ. You might want to bring your issue out.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Well, just that I didn't see how that
could fit in with the -- that was for the --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: This is a mixed-use activities center.
That's consistent with the other mixed-use activity centers in the
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county. So I think it was added here just to make consistency with
the others in the county.
MS. MOSCA: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm learning, David.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: And then on page 15 I have a little
circle here. Single-family residential available -- on the very bottom
residential estates subdistrict.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We struck the second paragraph in two.
COMMISSIONER CARON: He needs to slow down so she can
hear.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Oh, sorry about that. All right.
Okay. That's got it. Then on page 16 and I just had how and why
and who determined that on -- on the interchange activities
subdistrict center. And I have to remember what I wrote. Oh, just
was taken out of the Golden Gate Master Plan and that was -- was a
proper thing to do?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yeah. Interchange? We're not -- I'm
not sure it's taking it out. It's in the Golden Gate Area Master Plan
section.
MR. WEEKS: We simply relocated it. That's why it's shown.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: And on page 17, I just had a
question. It says two point question mark acres I have right in the
middle of the page.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We fought for hours on that one.
MS. MOSCA: I decided we were going to keep the question
mark in there.
COMMISSIONER TUFF: Okay. That's a good idea. But,
otherwise, we got it then. You guys did good.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Thank you. I think that wraps up
today's issues in regards to the -- we still have agenda, gentlemen --
in regards to the EAR. And I think the next thing that's going to
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happen -- David, is it sometime late next week we'll get a draft of the
changes for our discussion on March 30th; is that correct?
MR. WEEKS: That is correct, sir.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: What time in the morning is the March
30th meeting?
MR. COHEN: It's -- you need to continue the meeting to --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: We're not -- we've still got an agenda to
MR. COHEN: The other -- the other -- yeah. I believe it begins
at 8:30.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: 8:30. Okay.
MR. COHEN: The other -- the other question I have and -- and
David can weigh in on this as well, too, is it the board's preference
when we complete an element in terms of its changes to have that
particular element sent to you individually or do you want to see
them all at one time?
MR. WEEKS: Well, yes, please let me weigh in. Certainly we
could e-mail them to you individually as they're completed, but for
your packet delivery that would only make sense to do it altogether.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'd rather see the packet delivery unless
if you could e-mail me a new printer, that would work.
MR. COHEN: Is that old one wore out?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't know whatever the board's
feeling is. If you want to e-mail them out, but I'm not sure we'll all
be able to benefit from that. But certainly we'd like the new packet
as we talked about by the end of the week.
COMMISSIONER KOLFLAT: I'd rather have the packet.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: If it comes in an e-mail and you want to
ignore it, then just do so and then we'll still get the packet out as
David has indicated. Is that okay? And, Margie, when we finish the
meeting I was going to request a continuance of it. Do we want to
continue the meeting before we finish it?
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March 16, 2006
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Well, you're done with this part of
it.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Right. It was part of to day's meeting so
we didn't --
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: So I think when you're done with
this particular piece of it, it's appropriate to continue it until the 30th.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: At 8:30 or as soon thereafter as it
can be heard.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. Is there a motion to continue this
meeting on the EAR amendments to 8:30 on March 30th in this
room?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: So moved.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: A motion's been made by
Commissioner Adelstein. Seconded by Commissioner Caron. All
those in favor signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion carries.
Item #10A and Item #10B
TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC DATES FOR THE 2006 AUIR SPECIAL
MEETING. POSSIBLE DATES WOULD BE OCTOBER 11 TH
AND 2ND, 2006; REQUESTING APPROVAL FROM CCPC FOR
HEARING TO BE HELD ON OCT. 5, 2006, WITH CARRYOVER
TO OCT. 19, FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE EAR-BASED
AMENDMENTS
New business, to discuss specific dates for the 2006 A UIR
Special Meeting. Possible dates would be October 11 th and 2nd
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(sic), 2006. Whose ball of wax is that?
COMMISSIONER CARON: And would it really be the 11th
and 12th?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, wait a minute now. Whose in--
who from staff is bringing this up? Is that your bag, Randy?
MR. COHEN: That would be my item in terms of asking you to
set specific dates with regard to the AUIR. That consideration would
be done and a target date is October to allow you ample
consideration, obviously, and the board as we have to have a CIE
adopted by March 1st of the following year.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: You know, when we did this last AUIR,
we were told that the new one's going to have to be done much
earlier. Looks like it's not going to be done much earlier, is it?
MR. COHEN: Yeah. What transpired was is that originally by
statute the Department of Community Affairs had a December 1 st
date for all governmental entities to submit their AUIRs -- I mean,
the CIEs. Obviously, getting CIEs from every governmental entity in
the state at one time to review would be a task that they couldn't
undertake. So they came out with a schedule. And our scheduled
date for Collier County with respect to the CIE now is March 1 st.
And it will be -- it will be there after March 1 st from then on. And
we'll adjust the AUIR accordingly when it comes to this body as well
as the BCC.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Well, now, you're looking for the
October -- let's start talking about your dates. You got October 2nd
for the AUIR, which is going to be a rather intense meeting. You've
got -- you're suggesting October 5th for the adoption of the EAR
based amendments, which are the book we're going through today,
but in final format. October 5th is also our regular meeting. And the
alternative dates right now are in between. You got one on the 11 th,
but on the 19th that's our regular meeting which is another suggestion
by you for the EAR based amendments for the adoption cycle.
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October is going to be a pretty packed month. It doesn't make a
lot of sense to hold the AUIR on the 2nd of October with the EAR
adoption amendments going to be on the 5th with a regular meeting.
I think we're going to be maybe overwhelmed with several three-ring
binders.
David.
MR. WEEKS: Just one point to stress, Item B under New
Business, the EAR based amendments. I really want to stress that
those are tentative dates. It all depends on exactly when we transmit
these amendments, that is when the board takes their final action on
them, starts the clock ticking as to how long DCA has to review them
and then when they come back to us with their obj ections,
recommendations and comment report. And then we hold the
adoption hearings.
So there's -- there's -- we -- we cannot definitively control that
date, whereas, the AUIR, that is within the county's control. So those
-- those dates are tentative. They mayor may not be held in October
or on those dates specified.
I would further say that because those are regular agenda
meeting dates, I would suggest to you that you direct us not to
include any other items on that agenda, no rezones, conditional uses,
et cetera.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Murray.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Mr. Chairman, yeah, I -- I
having read Mr. Schmitt's report that he puts on the Internet every
week. He had in here GMP amendments adoption on that date. And
I put it into my PDA because of that. And is that -- is that a little
different than what we're talking about that we want to do or is that
the same thing? I mean. The EAR, GMP, AUIR, tell me where we
are?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: The AUIR is not the same as the EAR.
MR. COHEN: I would imagine that Mr. Schmitt's reference was
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to the EAR -- EAR based amendments.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Amendments. And that's what
Joe meant when he put in GMP amendments; right?
MR. COHEN: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: So he had already planned that
was a date that was likely.
MR. COHEN: We understand that's a target date. But as David
indicated, you know, with respect to, you know, when -- when it's
actually transmitted in -- in the work that we receive back from DCA
that it is subj ect to change based on the substantive aspects of -- of
that order.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Mr. Schiffer.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: Yeah. First of all, rather than
the way this is scheduled, I'd rather do one to two dates and then
finish it and do another one. This leapfrogging from one to the other,
I'm not comfortable with. And, also, why are we planning something
seven months in advance? Can't we wait? You know, David's saying
these dates might be nowhere near it. Why don't we just wait till we
get near it?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I don't have a problem with that, but if
staff doesn't. I think the AUIR issue was more of a coordination with
the productivity committee that we now are linked with for that issue.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: We are?
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: So I don't mind holding off unless the
staff has a reason that they need these dates early. Maybe ask us
during the summertime in two months, three months ahead of time
might work a lot better. Some of us may not even know if we're
going to be here or not.
MR. WEEKS: Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Yes, sir.
MR. WEEKS: Perhaps once we receive the ORC fee, ORC
report back from -- from DCA, then we will know definitively what
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our time line is for adoption of these amendments. So perhaps at that
time we can come back to you for dates.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. That's a good suggestion, Mr.
Schiffer. Thank you. Let's just defer these decisions until we get
closer to the dates on it. If anybody objects, please say so.
Otherwise, we'll follow through with that.
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hearing none, I'm hoping the public's
here to comment.
Ms. Student.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes. I had a telephone call from
Mr. Schmitt. And he said that he gave some incorrect information
concerning Enzo' s Pizza to the board. And he was concerned that
that may have affected your decision. And he found that it was
proper to have the owner/builder apply if it was for $25,000 or less of
improvements. Which it was. It was for $15,000 worth of
improvements. So long as that was the principle business of the
owner, which it was, and he wanted me to ask you if you would
consider reconsidering the item and then setting it for the actual
reconsideration, you know, at a later -- later time.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. In order to reconsider, what
rules are we following? Who can make the reconsideration? It takes
one member to make it. Is it a member of the assenting or descenting
position.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: It's a member that voted with the
majority, so that would be someone that voted against.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: That voted against the majority?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: No. That would be --
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Against the--
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: And the majority voted
against it.
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: As the majority voted against as
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part of the majority.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Okay. That's what I'm asking. So that
means --
COMMISSIONER MURRAY: Everybody but you.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Anybody but me. You know where my
heart is so you guys --
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I don't see any reason to go
back and do it again.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: And let me state one thing.
He's basing that on the $15,000 that they put on the application. So
if that was the accurate piece of information on the application, that
would be a really inexpensive building.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: I'm not sure we ought to debate it
unless we're going to reconsider it. So let's just decide if we're going
to reconsider it or not. Does anybody here want an offer for
reconsideration in Enzo' s Pizza's application that we heard this
morning?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Hearing none. Thank you, Margie. We
have no other discussion. Do I need a motion to adjourn?
COMMISSIONER ADELSTEIN: I move you adjourn. The
meeting be adjourned.
COMMISSIONER SCHIFFER: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN STRAIN: Motion made and seconded and we're
over. Thank you all.
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*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 4:04 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
MARK STRAIN, CHAIRMAN
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY COURT
REPORTING, INC., BY DANIELLE AHREN AND CAROLYN J.
FORD, RPR.
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