HomeMy Public PortalAbout04/27/20000
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW AND PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM,
FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2000 AT 8:30 A.M., IN THE TOWN HALL, 100
SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA.
I. Call to Order. Chairman Wheeler called the meeting to order at
8:30 A.M.
II. Roll Call.
Present and Chris Wheeler
Participating: Hewlett Kent
Muriel Anderson
Douglas Hornberger
Perry O'Neal
Also Present and Kristin Garrison
Participating: Rita Taylor
Mason Heydt
William Koch III
Avi Omer
Randy Ely
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Town Manager
Town Clerk
Agent
Resident
Contract Purchaser
Realtor
III. Minutes of the Regular Meeting and Public Hearing of 3-23-00.
Mrs. Anderson moved and Mr. Kent seconded that the minutes be
approved as circulated and all voted AYE.
IV. Additions, withdrawals, deferrals, arrangement of agenda items.
Town Manager Garrison requested to add as Item VII.B., An
informal review of a proposed Special Exception request in relation to
redevelopment at 555 Middle Road. There were no objections to this
addition.
V. Announcements.
A. Meeting Dates
1. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 5-25-00
2. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 6-22-00
3. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 7-26-00
4. There will be no meeting held in August 2000
5. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 9-28-00
6. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 10-26-00
7. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing 11-16-00
8. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing 12-21-00
Chairman Wheeler called attention to these dates and asked if there were
any schedule conflicts. With regard to the June meeting, Mr. O'Neal
advised that he would not be present. Mr. Hornberger and Mr. Kent
advised that there is a possibility that they may not be present as
well. Mrs. Anderson reminded that she would not be present for the July
meeting and Mr. O'Neal stated that he would also be out of Town. There
was no comment regarding the other meetings.
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Regular Meeting & Public Hearing
April 27, 2000
Page 2
VI. PUBLIC HEARING.
Chairman Wheeler asked that all persons who intended to speak
please stand to take the Oath. The Town Clerk administered the Oath to
Mason Heydt, Leigh Gove, Randy Ely, William Koch III and Avi Omer.
With regard to ex -parte communications, Mrs. Anderson advised she had
spoken with staff. Mr. O'Neal stated he had complimented Mr. Gove and
had spoken to staff. Mr. Kent advised that he had spoken to Mr. Gove
and Mr. Heydt regarding their plan and had also spoken to the neighbor,
Mr. Koch. All members had visited the site.
A. Applications for Development Approval
1. An application submitted by Leigh Gove & Mason Heydt,
as Agents (and contract purchasers) for Arthur Bryant II,
owner of the property located at 540 Middle Road, Gulf
Stream, Florida, which is legally described as Lot 16 and
the West 50' of Lot 17, Gulf Stream Cove Subdivision.
Mason Heydt explained that in order to make the submission deadline for
appearance at this meeting, they had an architect prepare very simple
black and white drawings to show the intended improvements, adding that
they have received favorable comments with regard to the fact they are
renovating the house rather than demolishing it and constructing a new
home. He then displayed a copy of the elevations that were colored,
explaining that the walls would be a sand beige and that even though the
front door is shown as brown wood, that would change to possibly white.
Mr. Heydt then explained that since the drawings were submitted, they
have added stone quoins and a Bermuda style chimney cap. He advised
that they are changing the existing windows and plan to make some
additional changes to the entry area. Mr. Heydt stated that they had
considered adding a balcony on the front but have decided against that.
He invited the Board to make suggestions for improving the design.
Mr. Heydt closed his presentation by calling attention to the landscape
plan which includes removing the paver driveway and replacing it with
brick edged loose Chattahoochee. He advised that all plant material
will be native.
Chairman Wheeler asked Town Manager Garrison to present her analysis and
recommendation.
C� Mrs. Garrison reported that the proposed form of the structure, eave
heights, setbacks, etc. meet the guidelines of the Design Manual,
however, she noted the simplicity of design and suggested that there
could be a little more embellishment such as adding quoins and a Bermuda
style chimney cap, which now have been added. The Town Manager pointed
out that the existing dwelling is a one story Gulf Stream Bermuda style
and the addition of a second story and garage improvement are designed
to be harmonious with the existing design and materials, and are in
scale. She recommended approval, provided the Construction Traffic
Management Plan submitted with the application shall be followed during
construction.
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Regular Meeting & Public Hearing
April 27, 2000
Page 3
Mr. Kent commented that he had advised the applicant that if additional
changes are contemplated, they should have something for this meeting to
show what is being considered. He observed that they have added the
quoins and chimney cap and he feels the proposed structure meets the
guidelines of the Design Manual.
Mr. Hornberger questioned the height of the structure.
The Town Manager advised that it was not noted on the drawings that were
distributed but that she had asked the applicant for this information
and that the elevation was resubmitted showing the maximum height to be
30'.
Mr. O'Neal noted that the existing picture window on the front
disappears and then reappears.
Mr. Heydt advised that there is an existing picture window but that when
the architect drew in all of the other new windows, he inadvertently
added the dividers in the picture window. Mr. Heydt further advised
that they want to leave the picture window as it currently exists.
Chairman Wheeler was pleased with the landscape plan but noted there was
no plant material list included.
Mr. Heydt advised that it was not ready for the submission but that he
would provide that information.
a. LEVEL 2 ARCHITECTURAL/SITE PLAN REVIEW to permit the
construction of a second story addition consisting of
1,685 square feet on the existing one-story Bermuda
style single family dwelling, a new dock and driveway
and re -landscaping.
Mr. Kent moved and Mrs. Anderson seconded that the Level 2
Architectural/Site Plan Review be approved as revised with quoins and
Bermuda chimney cap, based on a finding that the proposed plans are
consistent with applicable review standards, with the condition that the
Construction Traffic Management Plan submitted with the application
shall be followed during construction. Roll Call: Mrs. Anderson; AYE,
Mr. Kent; AYE, Mr. Hornberger; AYE, Mr. O'Neal; AYE, and Chairman
Wheeler; AYE.
With regard to any future changes made to these approved plans, the
Board authorized the Town Manager to review and decide minor changes,
especially in the area of the front entrance, but directed that any
major changes, such as but not limited to construction of a balcony, be
reviewed by the Board.
VII. Items by Staff.
A. Informal Review -520 Middle Road -Front Elevation Addition
Mr. Hewlett Kent was recognized and displayed a model of his home as it
would look after incorporating the 300 square foot addition to the front
entry section. Mr. Kent advised that he is proposing to extend the
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Regular Meeting & Public Hearing
April 27, 2000
Page 4
front entry portion, now covered with a roof, to add a new front hall
and sunroom. In addition, the driveway will be reconfigured, with 2
significantly smaller entrances, and will be old brick lined with a
loose pebble fill. New plantings will be added to the front of the
house and minor plantings around the pool will be replaced with
different materials.
�( it The Board Members were pleased with the proposed improvements and
complimented Mr. Kent on the model he had constructed.
B. Informal Review -555 Middle Road -Special Exception Request
Town Manager Garrison displayed a site plan of the proposed dwelling for
555 Middle Road and pointed out this is a point lot fronting both the
Intracoastal Waterway and the Cove. Mrs. Garrison reminded that recent
code changes had been made with regard to setbacks in order to bring the
Codes back more closely to what they were originally. The front
setbacks were changed in some districts and the rear setback was changed
in the Core District to try to preserve the water views and setbacks
that traditionally were built in Gulf Stream. Some properties were
impacted by the change and in order to insure that there would be
adequate buildable area, a Special Exception provision was added that
would allow one-story portions of the building to be constructed within
the old setback which was 30' prior to the change. This property is one
of those impacted. She explained that the blue line on the drawing on
the board is showing the outline of the property, the green line is the
30' setback and the yellow line is the current setback, which shows
quite a difference of buildable area on the lot. The Town Manager
explained that Mr. Omer, contract purchaser of the property, is in the
audience and the closing on the property is set for Monday. She further
explained that Mr. Omer had not been aware of the change in setbacks
when he went to contract. He has since learned about them and is
concerned about whether a Special Exception for the setback would be
favorably received, and is hoping to get a read on this before he closes
on the property, knowing that there could not be a decision made at this
time. Mrs. Garrison stated that if Mr. Omer were to bring in an
application for this type of Special Exception, she would recommend that
it be granted, since it does meet the criteria for the Special
Exception.
Chairman Wheeler asked if the homes on either side were built to the 30'
setbacks. The Town Manager replied that the home to the east was built
v to the 50' setback and the home to the south has one-story wings that
are built to the 30' setback and she believed it would conform to the
Special Exception provision.
In reply to a question from Mr. Hornberger, Mrs. Garrison advised that
the site plan reflects the structure that is proposed with the one-story
portions being to the 30' setback. She added that Mr. Omer has made
substantial changes in the plan since becoming aware of the latest
setback provisions.
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Regular Meeting & Public Hearing
April 27, 2000
Page 5
Chairman Wheeler questioned if the existing dwelling encroaches in the
50' setback and was advised that it does, and even a corner of the
garage encroaches into the 30' setback.
The Board reviewed the various choices included in the Special Exception
provisions and concluded that this property meets the standards for
review and does qualify for the Special Exception consideration.
The Town Manager asked Mr. Omer if he would like some input from the
Board in regard to the proposed design of the structure and he replied
that he would appreciate having this. Mr. Omer then displayed the
proposed elevations, explaining that Mrs. Garrison had suggested several
changes that he intends to make but that are not yet reflected on the
drawings.
The members of the ARPB had considerable discussion regarding the
elevations, especially regarding the buttery. They were in agreement
that the roof of the buttery should be covered in the same material as
the rest of the structure, the eave should be lowered to match the rest
of eaves and the wing walls removed. It was emphasized that the
structure is a little too "busy" for the "laid back" character of the
District. They also agreed that the structure as displayed is a mixture
of Bermuda and Mediterranean styles. Some suggestions were made and it
was agreed that a Gulf Stream Bermuda would be most favorably
considered.
Mr. Omer stated that he would contact his architect and direct him in
this regard in preparing for the formal hearings.
VIII. Items by Board Members.
A. Sign Code Review
Town Manager Garrison called attention to the summary of signage
regulations from other Towns as compared to Gulf Stream. She reminded
that the Board had asked for this as a result of reviewing an
application for a 6 square foot contractors sign. She further reminded
that the Board had shown an interest in recommending a reduction in the
permitted size. Mrs. Garrison reported that she had attended classes on
sign regulations at a recent conference and learned that regulations
should focus on the "manner" of the sign, rather than content. As such,
Owe should not make a distinction between contractor signs and real
estate signs.
Additionally, the Town Manager pointed out that a Code Revision had just
been completed and it is not a good practice to do frequent revisions.
She noted that in the case of the 6 sq. ft. contractors sign, the Code
provides that a contractors sign shall not exceed 6 sq. ft. and in the
future a policy could be established that no sign larger than 2 square
feet would be approved. In so doing, all signs would be regulated at
the same size without having to do a code revision. Mrs. Garrison
recommended that at the time that other Code Revisions are being
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Regular Meeting & Public Hearing
April 27, 2000
Page 6
reviewed, the sign code could be included and consideration be given to
reducing the size.
Randy Ely, speaking from the audience, advised he would be opposed to
making signs any smaller than 11,i square feet.
OThe Board Members agreed that contractor signs of over 2 -sq. ft. should
not be approved. They further agreed that any consideration for a
change in the maximum size or the type style should be left until the
next Code review.
Chairman Wheeler asked if there was anything more the Members would like
to discuss and Mr. Kent called attention to the elevations for 555
Middle Road, pointing out that there is a double banding over many of
the openings, resulting in a heavy and ornate appearance. A brief
discussion of this and other features followed.
IX. Public. There was no comment from the Public.
X. Adjournment. The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:35 A.M.
i� i
Rita L. Taylor, TdWn Clerk
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