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04-26-1990 Regular MeetingA regular meeting of the Miami Shores Village Planning & Zoning Board was held on April 26, 1990 at Miami Shores Village Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:36 p.m. by Chairman Richard Fernandez, with the following members present: Richard M. Fernandez, Chairman Robert E. Cook Larry T. McClure Thomas Laubenthal Terrell F. Chambers, Jr. (arrived at 7:40 p.m.) 1. '"UMINUTES - APRIL 12, 1990 A motion was made by Mr. McClure and seconded by Mr. Laubenthal to table acceptance of the minutes as Mr. Cook was absent. 2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF VARIANCE TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION OF WOOD PICKET FENCE FRANK HEGEDUS, 940 NE 95 STREET Mr. LuBien Introduced the case stating, this was a request for a variance to allow Mr. Hegedus to remove a broken, falling down wooden fence and erect a new wooden fence. Mr. Hegedus was present and related the following information to the Board. Mr. Hegedus had contacted Mr. Gaggstatter of the Historic Preservation Board and requested their Input. The Historic Preservation Board and said they did not like the wooden fence due to the age of the home and Its historic value. They felt that a wrought Iron fence would be more In keeping with the home. Mr. Hegedus agrees and Is seeking Input on the appropriate fence. His desire Is to provide a safe yard for his children to play In and the wrought Iron fence will meet his need. Mr. Fernandez advised Mr. Hegedus that due to a lack of written proof of choice from Mr. Gaggstatter and the full description of the choice of materials to be used and the final plans for placement that Mr. Hegedus was not ready to seek a variance from the Planning and Zoning Board and should gather all the necessary Information and return at a later date. Mr. Hegedus agreed. 2. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF EXISTING ACCESSORY BUILDING A. A. GRILLO, 514 NE 94 STREET Mr. LuBien presented this case by first directing the Board's attention to Section 2 of the minutes of the October 23, 1986 meeting of the Planning and Zoning Board. Review of this section shows the original Intent and use of the accessory building and Its description and Intent to belong to the corner lot. Mr. Grillo presented his views of the building. Mr. Grillo and his wife have a rough texture and Spanish roof on their new home and want to provide a new roof for the accessory building so that It will be In harmony with the main house. Both buildings have a textured finish on the walls. Mr. Grillo Is very much wishing to comply with the Code and will do whatever is necessary. Mr. LuBlen had been Instructed by the Board to withhold an Certificate of Occupancy to the Grillo's until the conclusion of the Mr. Grillo's appearance before the Board. After some discussion Mr. Grillo also advised of a typo on his address It should read 511 NE 94 Street. After Board discussion with Mr. Grillo and Mr. LuBlen, Mr. Fernandez directed Mr. LuBlen to work with Mr. Grillo to view the plans for the accessory building and If Mr. LuBlen feels that It is a harmonious treatment that the Board does not have to review his case again and Mr. LuBlen may Issue the Certificate of Occupancy. 4. APPLICATION FOR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE JOSEPH A. PROPHETE, 9714 NE 94 STREET Mr. LuBlen presented this case and advised the Board of some problems he has had. This location was originally a bakery and the new occupant uses the rear of the building to lawfully operate a catering service. Mr. LuBlen has had several conversations with this tenant concerning the renting out of the remaining unused part of the building. Mr. LuBlen has advised the tenant that she can not rent the front half of the building. However, this tenant has placed a for rent sign In the window and has sent a few prospects to Village Hall In an attempt to obtain a license for the front half of the building. Mr. Prophete was present and spoke on his desire to open a video store in Miami Shores and this location was good for him as it Is a small area. Mr. Fernandez stated that the Code would not allow a business to be operated without an address which the back business would not have. He advised that If the building was split from street to alley, thus allowing a street address, the Board would consider it. Mr. Laubenthal stated that each business must have sanitary facilities and that the front -back split would provide no facilities for one of the business. Mr. McClure stated that he had no problem granting a license for the business but not at this address with this setup. Mr. Mr. Prophete stated he would look Into some other location options. 4A. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF VETERINARY CLINIC JIM MCCOY AND BRUCE MAJILTON, 9375 PARK DRIVE Mr. LuBlen advised the Board that this request had been withdrawn. At 8:14 Mr. Fernandez called a five minute recess. Mr. Fernandez reopened meeting at 8:19. Mr. Laubenthal requested to discuss new topic at end of meeting. A motion was made by Mr. Cook and seconded by Mr. Chambers to discuss new business at end of agenda. 5. WORKSHOP -SEWER PLANNING Mr. Fernandez opened the discussion by calling attention to the memo he wrote April 16, 1990. Mr. Fernandez did not want this to be taken as an official position statement from the Board but rather to be used as a springboard for discussion by the Board. Mr. Owen Henderson from the Chamber of Commerce was recognized as being present. Mr. Laubenthal expressed his desire that the Chamber could poll Its business members to provide a wish list of what they would look for in choosing a new location or to make the decision to stay in an old location. Mr. Laubenthal also expressed a desire to listen to the May 8, 1990 meeting and then meet to prepare a position paper. Mr. Laubenthal also spoke about Mr. Steve Johnson serving with Ms. Stofik on the Business Development Committee whose report will be read at the May 8th meeting. Mr. Laubenthal also expressed his concern for the residents near the retail areas and how the Impact of change could affect them. Not only If retail business Installs sewer lines but growth potential. Mr. Johnson arrived at the meeting. Mr. Laubenthal spoke concerning the Chamber of Commerce's concern In declining retail members due to many business closing. He also noted that Miami Shores has more than one retail district. He cited Biscayne Boulevard and 6th Avenue as cases In point. Mr. Chambers spoke about trying hard to keep what we have and add to it rather than to lose It all and have to start from the beginning. Mr. Fernandez spoke about his concerns that the owners of the retail property might not be able to afford the cost of a sewer system now due to low occupancy rates. Mr. Laubenthal spoke about height changes that could occur and how far reaching this could be. He cited the Quayside development and how even In the Horace Mann School area, which Is as far away from Quayside you can get and still be In Miami Shores, the residents spoke out against such structures. Mr. Fernandez then called on Mr. Cook for his Input. He also requested that the Board try to Identify the problem and not Just deal with the Impact of sewers. He felt that the Board had not fully Identified the problem and that a clear objective and course of solutions could not be formed until they did. He spoke concerning different paths that the Village might follow In Its efforts to the revitilizatlon of the downtown district. He advised his leanings towards a more professional atmosphere with retail service related business, i.e. sandwich shops, office supplies etc. " m-4 mmmmr-3--. He also fel t that the r et a l I 11.700 business left might not be able to withstand the possible 6 months of disrupted streets due to instal- lation of sewers. Mr. Fernandez cited that recent big retail centers were not doing well, i.e. Bayside, Bakery Centre to name two. His concern with Miami Shores down- town area was that we have over 20 owners who would have to agree to design, cost, types of business, etc. and with the slim chance anyway of success perhaps profes- sional development would be more advantageous for us. Mr. Henderson agreed that the membership In the Chamber of Commerce has drifted to professional services. Mr. Fernandez also cited that our large financial institutions were cutting back on personnel, this seems to Imply that they view business slowing down in the Shores. He also suggested that the Chamber speak to the managers of these Institutions and seek their Input about the declining business and what they would suggest about recovery. Mr. Fernandez feels that If the Village opts to Install sewers It Is folly. The dollars necessary to pay for this could possibly come to bear on the residential area. Section 101A of the Zoning section of the Miami Shores Code was cited as the original purpose of the development of the Miami Shores area was to be a community of single family homes with supportive retail business, It was Intended to be a residential community not a business district. He also advised that the Board has a responsibility to the residents In the adjacent area to the retail district. Many people have spent money to beautify their homes in this area and If sewers are added and the possibility higher buildings, the Impact would be greatest on them. Mr. Laubenthal discussed the need for a broader tax base which Is needed by all areas. He cautioned that In the search for an Improved downtown area we should not expect that retailers who are living with significantly less than 100% occupancy will not hurry to support an Item that will cost a lot of money up front with a unspecified provable gain In the near future. He suggested that we should first endeavor to get 100% occupancy then discuss the possibility of growth. Mr. Fernandez spoke In support of the many groups that are studying the problem, Downtown Revitiilzation Board, Business Development Committee, themselves, etc. He advised that at the May 8, 1990 meeting when all the Input will be received that they should all attend with an open mind. Based upon the requests of the various Ideas the Board would then be ready to make an Informed policy statement. Mr. Cook wants to seek property owners Input on problem and solution. Mr. Fernandez stated that after the May 8th meeting the Board would have more input from all concerned. Mr. Cook agreed to that statement. Mr. Fernandez asked If any objected to his memo. He also spoke out against mixed use land use. He cited that areas where it was used the property owners faced the problem of low end rent for the rental property that was set aside for living space. He pointed out that this was his Ideas and perceptions and in no way represented Board position. Mr. McClure acknowledged that the memo was as Mr. Fernandez stated. He also noted that the need for a two -fold plan was a good Idea. A long-term and a short-term plan was needed to secure the growth the Board and community wants. Mr. Laubenthal also stated that he liked the Idea of a professional atmosphere and supporting retail. Mr. Fernandez expressed the Idea that there was more than one way to go and some special Information was needed as to demographics, etc. was Important. Mr. McClure wanted to know what some possible resources for this information was. Mr. Cook stated that there are professional services available for a cost to provide current information. Mr. Laubenthal noted that the footprints we have now Is what the Board should follow. The current buildings with much unrented and unused space should be filled before any sweeping changes In the skyline was proposed. The Board could consider hiring an expert to draft one or two proposed directions to go with the instructions on how to best meet each one and then, after reviewing, the Board could decide which plan to recommend. Mr. Cook questioned as to who they could get. Mr. Laubenthal suggested that a clear definition of the objective was needed. Mr. Fernandez cautioned that too large a scope would be expensive. Mr. Cook suggested field trips to planned communitles, i.e. Arvida, to see how they planned their support retail business. Mr. Henderson was advised that no such retail business existed In these communitles. Mr. Johnson stated that this meeting was the most reasonable discussion of the problem he had heard In 2 years. In the beginning he was all for sewers, however, now he feels that they are not the short term answer that the Village needs. Mr. Fernandez encouraged everyone to come to the May 8th meeting. Discussion was tabled for this topic. 6. Mr. Laubenthal advise the Board that the Codes and Ordinances did not have language providing for clear understanding of prohibited uses In the Village are. He further stated that with the high rate of vacant properties the Shores could be receiving business Inquiries for the possibility of opening of X rated business. Mr. Fernandez stated that he has spoken to Mr. Fann about providing language for the resolution of this problem. Mr. Cook moved and Mr. Chambers seconded to direct Mr. LuBlen to hold any applications of Occupational Licenses for such business activities until such language Is available. Laubenthal 7. Mr. Nis6-I.urc moved and Mr. Chambers seconded for the approval of the minutes and they were approved by all the members In attendance that night. (Mr. Fernandez, Mr. Laubenthal, and Mr. Chambers.) 11 141 fe Addition under 5, Mr, Cook in his business does a great deal of travel and has noticed that in other communities similar to lia'nyt Shores those Which have tourist traffic have more retail stores, while those which did not leaned more toward pro- fessional business.,in the downtown area, Mr. Laubenthal moved and Mr. Cook seconded that the meeting be closed and It was voted unanimously at 9:34 p.m. Secretary ('//2# 1 •