Board Minutes PZ 12-01-26_unbound
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & ZONING
10050 NE 2nd Avenue
Miami Shores, FL 33037-2304
www.miamishoresvillage.com
Main Number: 305-795-2207 Fax Number: 305-756-8972
David A. Dacquisto AICP, CFM, Director
MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
Village Hall Council Chambers
10050 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores
January 26, 2012
Thursday, 7:00 P.M.
I. ROLL CALL Roll Call.Present: Richard Fernandez, Chair, Sid Reese, Paul Madsen,
Robert Abramitis, David Dacquisto, Director of Planning and Zoning (Not voting),
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney (Not voting).Absent/Excused: John Busta, Norm
Bruhn, Building Official.
II. BOARD MEMBER DISCLOSURES
III. ACTION ITEMS: PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. None scheduled.
IV. MINUTES Motion: Motion to approve minutes. Action: Accept, Moved by Sid Reese,
Seconded by Paul Madsen.
Motion passed unanimously.
a. December 8, 2011
V. SCHEDULED ITEMS
SWEARING IN OF WITNESSES BY VILLAGE ATTORNEY:
“Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give
will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
TABLED ITEMS
None
NEW ITEMS
1. PZ-12-11-2011271: 1009 NE 94th Street, (Owner) April Malmsteen (Applicant) Same
(Agent) Robert Stok, Esq.; Pursuant to Articles VII of Appendix A Zoning, Errors and
Variances; Sec. 702 Hardship variances: Sec 518. Fences walls and hedges. (a)
Maximum height: Variance to allow gate exceeding 5 ft. height limitation and solid metal
fence.
Mr. Dacquisto provided background information, summarized the information on the staff report
and read the staff recommendation and conditions of approval into the record.
Applicant’s attorney Mr. Robert Stok questioned Mr. Dacquisto as to his statement that the height
of the fence is 6.3 feet. Mr. Stok stated that the height of the fence at the highest point is 6.3ft but
the bulk of the fence is only 6ft. Staff agrees that part of the fence is not 6.3. Mr. Stok asked staff
about complaints by neighbors complaining about height fence. Staff answered that he personally
Miami Shores Village, Planning Board Meeting
Agenda: January 26, 2012
2
did not receive complaints. Mr. Stok asked about traffic near area. Staff did have any knowledge
or opinion on matter. Mr. Stok had no further questions.
Board members questioned Mr. Dacquisto about problems with fence height and materials used.
Mr. Dacquisto informed them that those questions go to the Code Enforcement dept. Mr.
Abramitis questioned what were the problems with the gate, height or materials or any other
matter. Mr. Dacquisto informed them that the solid metal plate behind the ornamental metal is not
normally allowed and board. Mr. Abramitis also questioned what the appropriate height of fence
allowed in Miami Shores. Mr. Dacquisto stated that a side fence or gate cannot exceed 5ft. Mr.
Madsen asked if the building inspection failed the gate. Mr. Dacquisto confirm ed that the
inspector failed the gate. Mr. Madsen states that the owner’s said in their documents submitted
that the building official had approved the gate but that the applicants information was incorrect.
Mr. Chairman, wanted to know about the contractor, Mr. Dacquisto did not have information at
hand. Hedge was also question about height measurements. Mr. Chairman also questioned if
they met any of the 4 criteria items for a variance and Mr. Dacquisto stated that they did not meet
any of the 4 criteria. Mr. Chairman re-called other past fence issues with same problem and Mr.
Dacquisto informed them that in one case the owners removed fence and complied with city
requirement.
Mr. Stok makes his presentation and says that the requested variance is because of their
celebrity status and fans seek to intrude on their property since they also have a young son. The
family has had several intrusions. They have privacy concerns because of harassment. A
restraining order was placed for a fan as well. Paparazzi have also been at the residence. Mr.
Stok presented why it is important to have Mr. Malmsteen as a resident in this community.
Discussion about fence and gate height when 6ft foot gate is in question and fence is 4ft. Mr. Stok
reiterates Mr. Malmsteen’s status.
Board discussion, question from Mr. Abramitis, about height of gate before property was bought.
There was no knowledge of prior gate height. Mr. Chair made calculations and analyzed criteria
about variance.
Mr. Sarafan clarified that Mr. Stok said granting approval or denial in this case was the board’s
discretion and Mr. Stok confirmed that statement.
Public Hearing opened
Public Hearing closed.
Comments from the board. Mr. Reese acknowledged what a nice house the Malmsteen’s have
but cannot see the granting the 6 ft. fence variance since in the past record shows that others
have been rejected on the same issue.
Motion: Motion is to Deny variance request, Action: Deny, Moved by Paul Madsen, Seconded
by Sid Reese.
Motion passed unanimously.
2. PZ-12-11-2011272: 9730 NE 2nd Avenue, (Owner) Rubin Matz, (Applicant) Care
Vantage Medical Centers of Miami at Miami Shores, (Agent) Hector Suarez; Pursuant to
Articles V and VI of Appendix A Zoning, Special site plan review and approval for wall
signage.
Mr. Dacquisto provided background information, summarized the information on the staff report
and read the staff recommendation and conditions of approval into the record.
Miami Shores Village, Planning Board Meeting
Agenda: January 26, 2012
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Staff states that sign meets code approval with staff conditions.
Public Hearing opened
Public Hearing closed.
Motion: Motion to approve with staff conditions., Action: Accept, Moved by Sid Reese,
Seconded by Paul Madsen.
Motion passed unanimously.
3. PZ-12-11-2011273; 1263 NE 101st Street, (Owner) Claudio Rodriguez, (Applicant)
Same, (Agent) James G Smith II; Pursuant to Articles IV, V and VI of Appendix A Zoning,
Special Site plan review and approval. New residence. Withdrawn
Discussion about Meeting Calendar. Mr. Dacquisto asked about September dates. September
meeting set for the third Thursday. All board members agreed.
10 minute intermission.
VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7:50pm
Mr. Chairman brings up discussion about Downtown parking since there have been many
discussions on matter. In previous occasion property owners in advance were informed to appear
at meeting to discuss all of the ideas that had been brought up yet no one appeared.
Mr. Chairman thinks it is important to bring up topic every once in a while to see if any new ideas
come forward and see if board would like to make any recommendations or not.
Mr. Dacquisto discusses items below: The board can take a look at it again and see if you would
like to entertain code changes or advise town manager.
a. Downtown parking, downtown parking requirements and regulatory
options.
i. Retain parking requirement. = Do not have to do anything.
By changing parking requirements one thing leads to another and there are ramifications to any
decision. Mr. Dacquisto discussed Miami Beach and Coconut Grove parking requirements.
Conversation would be whether this board feels that we should keep a parking requirement for
Downtown. Mr. Dacquisto explained the upside and downside as well.
Eliminate parking requirement.
1. No new parking for existing or new use in existing building.
2. No new parking for specific new uses in existing building.
3. No parking requirement in downtown.
ii. Modify parking requirement.
1. Allow leased parking to meet parking requirement.
a. Assigned parking.
b. Parking anywhere.
c. Parking within block.
d. What to charge, nominal fee, actual value.
2. Approve moratorium on parking requirement and assess the
effect.
Miami Shores Village, Planning Board Meeting
Agenda: January 26, 2012
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iii. Manage parking.
1. Enforce meters.
2. Time limit at parking meters, village parking lots and on street.
iv. Resident only parking.
1. Charge vs. free.
Mr. Sarafan suggest to look at 2 things, one to define the problem you are seeking to solve and
two you look at the purpose of the rule requiring parking spaces. Is the purpose to protect the
residential areas from overflow or is the purpose to promote business activities or for the
shoppers so that they can have a place to park. Those two general headings should lead to a
result. Suggestions to think of for process.
Mr. Chairman discusses information given and examples given by Mr. Dacquisto. Mr. Abramitis
asked Mr. Dacquisto if it was possible to obtain information of what was turned down in the last
five-10 years because of parking, how much was turned down and what was it. In the past
restaurants have been an issue but usually there’s a second problem that includes DERM.
Analyzing what has been turned down in the past because of parking. Mr. Reese asked about
someone that bought parking and was approved to build and Mr. Dacquisto said that the owners
were not pursuing use at the moment. Mr. Dacquisto stated that restaurants are problematic
because of the septic system and DERM approval is difficult to get. Mr. Abramitis would like to
know what has been turned down. Mr. Dacquisto said medical offices were problematic and
clarified that some Medical offices were approved because we asked the village manager to
lease spaces but board only approved them with Tom providing parking. Can we continue to do
this? Or do we want to continue to lease parking. We need guidelines.
Mr. Chairman said that one of the items we have, that could be considered would be to establish
lease guidelines. Second would be signage limiting parking/ parking meters. Long term solution a
municipal parking lot centrally located. Question at hand is what is the true demand? W ho really
is being stopped from opening a business?
Mr. Chairman would like to discuss in the next meeting to take a look at our current requirements
for medical and see if valid to the current circumstance for B1 district. One the things for next
meeting, developing a set of lease guidelines, potentially posting signs up in the parking lots and
parking meters, potentially saying no parking requirements, review and potentially easing of
parking requirements utilizing some sort of sunset provision. Mr. Dacquisto will draft up a range of
information for purposes of discussion.
Board and Mr. Dacquisto discussed traffic problem around 9999 building. The dilemma is if a
business were successful would we create the problem with overflow parking. Mr. Abramitis
stated if we were changed the code by throwing the gate open would we create a situation where
the people who were grandfathered in could stay forever and no new business could open
because they could never meet the parking requirements and then be stuck with vacant space.
Mr. Dacquisto said the vacant space will go back with the other rules. Mr. Sarafan asked how
much additional demand are you creating. How do you evaluate a vacant space? Mr. Dacquisto
analyzes what was there before. Mr. Abramitis stated that no one is being prohibited ever from
bringing in retail establishment in here because everybody meets the retail requirement. Retail to
retail, office to retail, retail to office. Restaurants are off the table because of DERM issues. The
only thing left to consider are doctor’s offices and Mr. Sarafan said there’s whole list to look at.
Retail to retail not a parking change, office to retail not a parking change.
Next agenda should include additional discussion if ready to bring more information to the table.
v. Other. Biscayne Bay, Bay front parking.
Miami Shores Village, Planning Board Meeting
Agenda: January 26, 2012
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Board discussed issues at or around 5 to 6am in the bay front parking. After discussion, Mr.
Sarafan recommended to bring up information to village Manager, Mr. Tom Benton and the Chief
of Police. Mr. Chairman accepted suggestion and will speak to them personally.
VII. NEXT WORKSHOP
a. None scheduled.
VIII. NEXT REGULAR HEARING – February 23, 2012
a. Regular agenda.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Pursuant to Chapter 286.0105, Florida Statutes, if person decides to appeal any matter
considered at such meeting or hearing, he 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 based.
Miami Shores Village complies with the provisions of the American with Disability Act. If you
are a disabled person requiring any accommodations or assistance, including materials in
accessible format, a sign language interpreter (5 days notice required), or information, please
notify the Village Clerk’s office of such need at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance.