HomeMy Public PortalAbout01/20/1994 * Workshop MeetingJanuary 13, 1994
MAYOR: William F. Koch, Jr.
VICE MAYOR: Alan L Armour
COMMISSIONERS: James E. Cross
A. Curtis True
Kathleen S. Wallace
CWORKSHOP MEETING BEING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF
STREAM ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994 AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION
CHAMBERS OF THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA.
C.
AGENDA
I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
IV. ANNEXATION STUDIES
1. F.I.N.D. area north of Place Au Soleil.
2. Northeast area along AlA.
V. Adjournment.
SHOULD ANY INTERESTED PARTY SEEK TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE TOWN
COMMISSION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING, SAID PARTY
WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS, AND FOR SUCH PURPOSE, MAY NEED TO
INSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD
INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
286.0105, F.S.S.
WORKSHOP MEETING HELD BY THE TOWN COMMISSION OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM
ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 1994 AT 4:00 P.M. IN THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS OF
THE TOWN HALL, 100 SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA.
I. Call to Order. Mayor Koch called the meeting to order at 4:00 P.M.
II. Pledge of Allegiance. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Comm. Armour.
III. Roll Call.
Present and
G Participating:
Also Present and
Participating:
William F. Koch, Jr.
Alan I. Armour
James E. Cross
A. Curtis True, M.D.
Kathleen S. Wallace
E. Scott Harrington
John Randolph
Rita Taylor
Robert Schultz
Charles Russell
Henry Wright
George Kirkpatrick
Charles Stewart
William Lynch
Joan Orthwein
Lawrence Stahl
Mayor
Vice Mayor
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Town Manager
Town Attorney
Town Clerk
Police Chief
Pres. Place Au Soleil Asso
Town Resident
L' Hermitage Resident
Somerset -Town Resident
Town Resident
Town Resident
Ballantrae Resident
IV. ANNEXATION STUDIES.
1. F.I.N.D. area north of Place Au Soleil.
Mayor Koch explained that the purpose of the workshop is to make
the residents aware of what has been requested by some neighboring property
owners with regard to annexing to the Town of Gulf Stream. He further
explained that one area is north of Sea Road to St. Andrews along both
sides of AlA and that three developments in that area have made the request.
The Mayor went on to explain that there is also one parcel north of Place
Au Soleil that is owned by the Florida Inland Navagation District which
the Town is considering for annexation. Mayor Koch asked Town Manager Har-
rington to explain the circumstances with regard to the F.I.N.D. property.
Mr. Harrington began by advising that the State Statutes provide several
ways for annexations to take place and then explained each one. He then
advised that this particular parcel was in an unincorporated area
located between Gulf Stream and the City of Boynton Beach on the north.
Mr. Harrington reported that this area is used for depositing dredged
material from the Intracoastal but at some point in time the property could
be sold for development and it was felt that it would be in the best
interest of the Town for the Town to control future development there.
All of the details are contained in a report entitled Florida Inland
Navigation District Area MSA 640 /640A Annexation Analysis that was prepared
by Mr. Harrington and which is made a part of the official record of this
meeting.
Mr. Charles Russell, President of Place Au Soleil Homeowners Association,
was recognized and advised that the association was on record by resolution
as supporting the annexation of this parcel and urged that the Town move
ahead to accomplish it.
Workshop Meeting -Town Commission
January 20, 1994 Page 2
2. Northeast area along AlA.
The Town Clerk read a written request from Gulfstream Villas
Condominium Association, Inc. asking that this property, known as Units
1 -4, GulfStream Villas Condominium Association, Inc., be annexed by the
Town of Gulf Stream.
}
Mayor Koch explained that with this request, there are now four
parcels requesting to be annexed with the other three being Ballantrae,
GulfStream Villas South Condominium Association, Inc. and L'Hermitage
Condominium Association, Inc. and then asked Mr. Harrington to present
his analysis of the area.
Mr. Harrington explained that there are a total of 12 parcels of developed
property in this area. He gave the statistics of each parcel as well as
the costs and benefits if the annexation were to become a reality, all of
which are contained in the Northeast Annexation Area Analysis Summary
Report which is attached and made a part of this record. Mr. Harrington
believed the ultimate elimination of the unincorporated pocket must be
considered as a means of improving governmental efficiency but did not
believe that Gulf Stream must actively pursue this elimination. Rather,
Gulf Stream, Boynton Beach, the county, and properties in the area need to
make responsible decisions to ensure their actions will not preclude the
ultimate elimination of the pocket.
The Town Manager reported that in previous discussion regarding annexation
possibilities, the Town Commission expressed little interest in pursuing
a referendum that would annex unwilling property owners but did indicate
that costs involved in voluntary annexation should be borne by the an-
nexing properties. He advised that the Commission was adamant that the
residents of Gulf Stream be given an opportunity to share their thoughts
on the issue prior to them arriving at any final decision. This is the
primary purpose of this meeting, he said.
In conculusion, Mr. Harrington suggested that the Town pursue on of the
following policies: 1) Pursue only those voluntary annexations that
are least likely to be challenged. 2) Pursue voluntary annexations
and, if necessary to deter a challenge, a Joint Planning agreement with
the county to address the future of the remaining properties in the pocket.
3) Pursue a referendum to annex those properties of interest to the Town
where a voluntary annexation is desired but not possible. 4) Pursue no
annexations at this time but identify those conditions that must change
( before the issue will be considered again.
Mr. Henry Wright, 570 Wrights Way, Gulf-Stream, F1. asked what effect the
annexation would have on taxes and the Gulf Stream residents. Mayor Koch
replied that it would result in a small decrease in Gulf Stream Taxes
and would give the Town zoning control over future development /redevelopment.
Commissioner Armour questioned who would pay for the legal work, if it would
be necessary to increase personnel and if it would be necessary to redo
the existing ordinances. Mr. Harrington replied that if it were to be a
voluntary annexation, those requesting same would pay the costs. He addeded
that no increase in personnel would be necessary and that some of the
existing ordinances would most likely need some amendments.
Workshop Meeting -Town Commission
January 20, 1994 page 3
Commissioner Wallace observed that the current Palm Beach County Code
does not permit densities as high as the development that is currently in
place. Town Manager Harrington stated that this is correct but that the
County Comprehensive Plan allows up to 12 units per acre, the maximum density
in the zoning code permits only 6 units per acre without a planned unit
development or providing affordable housing. Mr. Harrington went on to
advise that the Gulf Stream Code is similar to the current County Code and
that Gulf Stream could develop a new district just for that area.
C
Commissioner Wallace asked if the Town could annex the ones that wanted
to be annexed and not be forced to take the others. Mr. Harrington
beleived that if the Town took those and created a pocket, the Town would
be forced to provide an agreement with the County for the future.annexation
of the remaining properties.
George Kirkpatrick, representing the L'Hermitage, was very much in favor
of being annexed and indicated a willingness to pay expenses so related.
Mr. Sam Hoops, representing the Sea Horse which is not one of the current
4 parcels requesting to be annexed, asked if his development could be
grandfathered to assure the continued use of the resturant if they were
to be annexed. He was advised that this is someiAing that would have to
be studied since Gulf Stream does not have provisions in the code for any
commercial uses.
Charles Steward of the Somerset thought this was to be a meeting where
one would just say yes or no and not get into all the nitty gritty details.
He believe those details should be up to the Commission to solve and not
be a consideration at this point. He stated that he was in favor of an-
nexation and that the Commission should move forward with it.
Joan Orthwein, 543 Palm Way, Gulf Stream, F1., believed that the consideratic
should be as to what the benefit would be to Gulf Stream and if these
developments in the unincorporated pocket would be in keeping with the
character of Gulf Stream.
Commissioner Wallace, referr.ing:to the Staff Report, noted the balance
of power would shift from the control of single family residents to multi-
family residents. She saw advantages for those in the proposed annexation
area in that public safety services for them would be better and they
would have a Gulf Stream address which would increase the value of their
property. However, she was uncertain as to the benefits to existing Gulf
( tream residents.
William Lynch, 945 Emerald Way, Gulf Stream, F1., favored the annexation
in that future development in the area would be in the control of Gulf
Stream. He cited an unfavorable example of the City of Boynton Beach
permitting the establishment called Tiffney's adjacent to the Place Au
Soleil Subdivision.
Commissioner Armour stated he would like control of the unincorporated
area but believed the pros and cons must be balanced and added that he
believed it would be necessary to add additional personnel in the future.
Workshop Meeting -Town Commission
January 20, 1994
page 4
Charles Russell, Pres. of Place Au Soleil Homeowners Association stated
he did not envy the Commission in making this decision but urged that they
not delay in the process for annexing the F.I.N.D. property.
Lawrence Stahl of the Ballantrae stated the reason for their request to
C be annexed is that elimination of unincorporated pockets is a fact of life.
Because many of the residents of Ballantrae use the recreational facilities
and have friends living in town, they would like to become a part of the
community. He stated they also would like to be a part of the town with
close services available and that the residents of Ballantrae appreciate
the efforts of Gulf Stream toward this.
Commissioner Armour praised Mr. Harrington for his work in researching
this matter and preparing the report that will aid in the final decision.
The Commission believed that there had not been adequate input from the
residents of Gulf Stream and directed that a brief letter be sent to all
property owners asking that they contact the Town Manager or members of
the Town Commission with their comments and questions. It was agreed that
the matter of annexation be discussed again in March.
Prior to adjourning the meeting, Mayor Koch advised he has a conflict of
long standing with regard to the Commission Meeting of February 11, 1994
and will not be present at the meeting. He suggested that the matter of
choosing the Task Force members for the zoning code review be held at
a special meeting where he could participate. Commissioner Wallace
stated she had a problem with this in that it had been previously an-
nounced that the selection would be made at the meeting of February 11,
1994 and she felt that it would be unfair to change that without proper
notice to everyone. She added that she did not feel meetings should
be changed unless there were holidays or something of that nature that
causes a conflict. Other members of the Commission suggested that
perhaps a special meeting could be held on Wednesday, February 16, 1994
at 9:00 A.M. since this important matter should have a full commission
participation. It was agreed that the selection would be made at a
special meeting on February 16, 1994 at 9:00 A.M.
V. Adjournment.
Mayor Koch adjourned the meeting at 6:05 P.M. on a motion to do
so made by Commissioner Armour which was seconded by Commissioner Cross
with all voting in, affirmative.
G
Rita L. Taylor, wn Clerk