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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