04-24-2003 Regular Meeting•
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MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE
PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING APRIL 24, 2003
The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Planning and Zoning Board was held on
Thursday, April 24, 2003, at the Village Hall. The meeting was called to order by
Richard Fernandez, Chairman at 7:00 P.M. with the following persons present:
ITEM I: ROLL CALL: Richard Fernandez, Chairman
Tim Crutchfield (Arrived at 7:07P.M.)
W. Robert Abramitis
Donald Shockey (Arrived at 7:04P.M.)
Cesar Sastre
ALSO PRESENT: Al Berg, Planning & Zoning Director
Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney
Irene M. Fajardo, Recording Secretary
Mr. Sarafan swore in all those participating in the meeting.
The Board members disclosed that they had visited the sites.
ITEM II: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -March 20, 2003
Mr. Sastre made a motion to approve the March 20, 2003 minutes with the amended
corrections. Mr. Shockey seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
ITEM III: SCHEDULE ITEMS
PZ03-0320-01
Village of Miami Shores
Aquatic Center
10020 Biscayne Blvd.
Sec. 604: Modified site plan
Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended
approval of the amended application. The amended site plan meets code requirements as
there are 28 trees per acre in the revised plan. There are also plenty of low shrubs and
flowers around the perimeter and pool. The applicant has addressed the issues of
buffering neighboring houses as well as along Biscayne Blvd. The Board members asked
several questions in regards to the amended plan. They expressed their concerns in
regards to noise barriers, the location of the retention pond, and having landscaping
placed on the ridge adjacent to the residential area. The Recreation Director of Miami
Shores, Jerry Estep, and the landscaping architect, Thomas Laubenthal, were there to
present the case. Mr. Laubenthal explained some of the changes that were made to the
site plan and addressed the issues mentioned by the Board. Mr. Fernandez opened the
hearing for public comments. Miichelle Rodriguez, a resident at 1080 NE 104 St.
expressed her concerns in regards to the site plan. Mr. Fernandez closed the hearing for
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public comments. After further discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to approve
the amended site plan subject to adding some planting around the ridge adjacent to the
residential area and the finally being approved by staff. Mr. Shockey seconded the
motion for discussion. After discussion, a roll vote was taken and the motion failed 2-3.
Mr. Sastre made a new motion to approve the amended site plan as is. Mr. Shockey
seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-1.
PZ03-0220-08
Jorge and Nancy Fernandez Sec. 604: Modified site plan
10641 NE 11 Ct. Sec. 523.1: Requesting a variance -
to use wood for a retaining wall
where the code requires structural
elements to be masonry.
Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended denial
of both the variance to use wood and the amended site plan. Masonry requirements for
building materials provide longevity for structures. The proposed wide circular driveway
violates the code and worsens the drainage problem. Staff recommends that a CBS wall
be installed, that a double wide (18') driveway be installed with no circular design, and
that the original drainage plan, with the swale area, also be installed. Mr. Fernandez
disclosed that he had contact with Pat Soloperto, a neighbor of the applicants. The Board
members asked questions in regards to the maintenance of the septic tank, the retaining
masonry wall proposed by staff, the proposed driveway and the effect it would have on
drainage, the catch basin for the property, and the possibility of grading. The Board
• members also inquired the reasons why the applicants did not follow the original
approved site plan. The owner, Jorge Fernandez, his attorney, Robert Ballinger, and an
environmental consultant, Robert Mengi, were there to present the case. Mr. Ballinger
submitted sealed documents to the Board for evidence. The owner, Mr. Fernandez tried
to address the concerns mentioned by the Board members. He agreed to put a CBS wall
along the perimeter, and he explained why they did not follow the originally approved
site plan. The Board members inquired about the state code that required the owners to
build the structure using wood instead of masonry. Mr. Fernandez opened the hearing for
public comments. Surrounding neighbors of the applicants expressed their concerns in
regards to the modified site plan and the variance request. The residents stated that the
applicant's septic tank was put in without a permit and that the property's survey was
inaccurate. They discussed the flooding problems on the street and stated that the
retaining wall would not alleviate the problem. Mr. Fernandez closed the hearing for
public comments. A poll was taken by the Board members to decide whether a variance
would be necessary. Most of the members agreed on the special condition of the property
which satisfied one of the requisites for a variance. However, most of the Board
members also agreed that the applicants did not submit further evidence to prove that
they had no additional alternatives which was another requisite for a variance. After
further discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to deny the variance request. Mr.
Shockey seconded the motion for discussion. Mr. Shockey stated that the applicants
should bring further evidence including the state code that states that the built structure
has to be made out of wood. Motion passed 5-0. The Board members then made a
• second motion for site plan approval. They stated that the plan needed to be reworked
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and that a drainage ditch should be added on the sides of the property to try to alleviate
the flooding problem. Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to deny the modified site plan.
Mr. Shockey seconded the motion for discussion. The Board discussed the issue of water
retaining on the property, grading, the negative effect of the proposed driveway, and
having a 6' fence when the code only allows 5.' The motion passed 5-0.
PZ03-0320-06
Captain Dan's Fish Market
Mohammad/Mark Ibrahim
Mark Campbell
8833 Biscayne Blvd
Sec. 604: Site plan approval -
sit -down restaurant/outdoor
cafe, signs
Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended
approval of the application subject to adding 5 additional canopy trees and parking. Mr.
Berg explained the modifications made to the plans in regards to signage and parking.
The architect, Mark Campbell, was there to present the case. Mr. Campbell stated that
the owners did not have a problem about adding more canopy trees. After a brief
discussion from the Board, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to approve the modified site
plan. Mr. Sastre seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
PZ03-0424-01 Eamon McErlean Sec. 604: Site plan approval
77 NE 106 St. garage enclosure
Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended
1111 approval of the application provided a window is added and provided that the awning in
the front is removed. The Board members discussed staff's recommendations. They
inquired about a 3' cutback on the driveway and planters under the window. The owner,
Eamon McErlean, was there to present the case. Mr. McErlean agreed to add a window,
a 3' cutback on the driveway, and planters under the window. After a brief discussion,
Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to approve the site plan subject to adding a window and
planters under the window, and a 3' cutback on the driveway. Mr. Shockey seconded the
motion. Motion passed 5-0.
•
PZ03-0424-02
Beauty Supply
Boris Moroz
9009 Biscayne Blvd.
No one was there to present the case.
PZ03-0424-03
Sec. 504/504.1: Neon signs
Rey Gomez Sec. 701: Appeal of Administrative official -
1173 NE 104 St. paint.
No one was there to present the case.
PZ03-0424-04
Planning & Zoning
Regina Vlasek/Jolly Mutt Sec. 400/401: Site plan
Shapar Realty Co. (owner) new use approval
217 NE 98 St.
3 5/712003
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Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended denial
for the change of use. Staff questioned whether the proposed use is on the right location.
Mr. Berg inquired about the scale of the business, the maintenance, the walking of the
dogs, the cleaning of the dogs, and the number of animals. The Board members
discussed the different uses allowed on the different zones and the fact that B-2 allows
animal clinics without overnight boarding. The applicant, Regina Vlasek, was there to
present the case. Ms. Vlasek addressed the issues mentioned by staff and stated her
credentials. The Board discussed the various interpretations of the code that might allow
the boarding of animals. Mr. Fernandez opened the hearing for public comments. Two
residents from Miami Shores were there to support the new use. They stated that the new
use would be an asset to the Village. Mr. Fernandez closed the hearing for public
comments. The Board continued to discuss the different interpretations of the code that
might allow the use proposed. After further discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion
to approve the site plan with the new use. Mr. Sastre seconded the motion for discussion.
Most of the Board members agreed that if the use is not specified by the code then it
should not be allowed. After a brief discussion, the motion failed to pass 1-4.
PZ03-0424-05 Kurt Gustinger Sec. 604: Site plan approval
1216 NE 93 St. garage enclosure
Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended
approval of the partial garage enclosure. The owner, Kurt Gustinger, was there to present
the case. Mr. Gustinger explained that the partial garage enclosure would be used for
. storage. After a brief discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to approve the partial
garage enclosure. Mr. Sastre seconded the motion. Motion passed. 5-0.
•
PZ03-0424-06
Miami Shores Country Club Sec. 604: Site plan approval
Tennis Facility tennis lights
800 NE 100 St.
Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended
approval of the site plan for the tennis lights. The owner, Alberto Pozzi, was there to
present the case. Howard Orlen, a representative from Visionaire Lighting and Bronho
Selik, the electrical engineer and product manager, were also there on behalf of the
country club. The Board members explained that the study shown did not show specifics
in regards to the lighting. The Board inquired about the type of lighting proposed, the
new hours of operation for the tennis courts, a photo meter for the existing lighting in the
area, the light spillage, a possible landscaping plan to buffer the noise and the proposed
lights, and finally, having the modified plans sealed. Mr. Fernandez opened the hearing
for public comments. Several residents that live in the properties near the tennis courts
expressed several concerns in regards to the lighting plan. Some of the concerns were:
1. Hours of operation: How late will the tennis courts be open? Can they close at
9:00P.M.? Instead of the proposed time of 10:00P.M?
2. New tennis court hours would bring more traffic to the neighborhood.
3. Trash increase.
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4. Noise increase at hours when some of the residents are sleeping.
5. The need for more landscaping. New trees should be installed to replace the old
ones and therefore maintaining the aesthetics around the area and buffering the
lights and noise coming from the tennis courts.
A resident also stated that a veto was made in prior years to not approve any lighting on
the tennis courts. Mr. Fernandez asked the clerk to obtain any records that would show
prior actions in regards to the lighting on the tennis courts.
Some of the members from the Country Club's Advisory Board were also present to state
their opinions in regards to the lighting plan. The members stated that the new hours of
operation for the tennis courts would be a beneficial factor for the community that would
increase property value. Mr. Fernandez closed the hearing for public comments.
After the Board members discussed several of the concerns made by the residents, Mr.
Sastre made a motion to table the case until sealed revised plans are submitted showing
the prdcised light spillage on the area, results of a photo meter for the existing lighting in
the area, and a landscaping plan that might buffer the noise and the proposed lights. Mr.
Crutchfield seconded the motion. Motion passed 5-0.
W. NEXT MEETING.
The next meeting will be on May 15, 2003
• V. ADJOURNMENT
The April 24, 2003 Planning and Zoning meeting was adjourned at 11:30P.M.
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