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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11/15/2001MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW AND PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM, FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2001 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 Chairman Participating: Muriel Anderson Board Member Charles Frankel III Board Member Perry O'Neal Board Member Anne Strawn Alternate Member Also Present: Cynthia Neeves Alternate Member Absent with Notice: Hewlett Kent Vice Chairman Also Present and William Thrasher Town Manager Participating: John Randolph Town Attorney Rita Taylor Town Clerk William Wietsma Agent for Jones Amanda Jones Applicant Hewlett Kent Town Resident III. Minutes of the regular Meeting and Public Hearing of 10-25-01. Mrs. Anderson moved and Mr. Frankel seconded that the minutes be approved as circulated and all voted AYE. IV. Additions, withdrawals, deferrals, arrangement of agenda items. There were no requests for changes in the agenda. V. Announcements. A. Meeting Dates 1. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 12-20-01 @ 8:30 A.M. 2. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 1-24-02 @ 8:30 A.M. 3. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 2-28-02 @ 8:30 A.M. 4. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 3-28-02 @ 8:30 A.M. 5. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 4-25-02 @ 8:30 A.M. 6. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing, 5-23-02 @ 8:30 A.M. Chairman Wheeler called attention to the above meeting dates. V. PUBLIC HEARING. Chairman Wheeler asked if any of the Board Members had ex -parte communications to declare. All members had visited the site and Chairman Wheeler had spoken to the Town Manager and former Town Manager. The Town Clerk administered the Oath to William Wietsma, Amanda Jones and Hewlett Kent. A. Applications for Development Approval 1. An application submitted by William Wietsma Co., Inc. as Agent for David and Amanda Jones, the owners of property located at 2960 Polo Drive, Gulf Stream, Florida, which is legally described as part of Lot 20 and Lot 21, Gulf Stream Cove Subdivision. Architectural Review & Planning Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing November 15, 2001 page 2 Mr. Wietsma explained that Mr. & Mrs. Jones want to build an addition to the existing dwelling but are not anxious to give up any of the land- scaped area. The alternative is to add a second story. He further explained that the existing home is an eclectic style not recognized in the Design Manual, with a mansard roof that is prohibited. Mr. Wietsma C believed the proposed roof design ties in with the style of the roof on the rest of the structure. He further explained that it was felt it would be difficult to match the brick on the existing structure since it had weathered for a long period of time. It was decided to start the second story with a stucco band and then continue with roofing material. Mr. Wietsma closed his presentation by advising that the roof height is 2819" and that the chimney roof feature will not exceed 351. Mrs. Strawn asked what year the original structure was built and what material is planned for the new roof. Mrs. Jones advised the home was built in 1969-1970 and the roofing material would be an imitation slate. Chairman Wheeler asked that Mrs. Jones brings a sample of the imitation slate prior to purchasing it, and she agreed. Town Manager Thrasher pointed out that since there are no provisions in the Code that address this style of structure, he approached the review from the aspect of having the addition blend with the existing structure, which he believed has been accomplished. He advised there is a privacy issue with the property to the north. Noting there is a small window in the stairwell facing north, he advised that the owner has agreed to use obscured glass. Mr. Thrasher added that there is an existing hedge between the properties that is over 10' high and the property owner has agreed to plant 4 to 6 Malayan Coconut Palms so the fronds will fill in the space above the existing hedge. He further advised that the owner has also agreed to install an irrigation system to the existing Ficus hedge and fertilize to encourage growth to 15+ feet. Hewlett Kent, the neighbor to the north, believed the addition is consistent with the existing architectural style. He agreed that a mansard roof is prohibited in the Code and there are no standards set for eave heights in this instance. Mr. Kent noted that if the lower portion of the roof were to be measured as a wall, the roof would then be in the prohibited range. Mr. Kent expressed concern regarding the second story invading his privacy in the back yard and requested that the ficus hedge be grown to a height that would cover the second story, possibly 18' to 20' high. Mrs. Jones believed a 15' hedge would give the necessary privacy. She reminded that the palm trees she has agreed to plant will have approximately 12 feet of wood, placing the fronds at the top of the hedge. She was hopeful that they could have a gentleman's agreement that if, when the hedge reaches the height of 151, adequate privacy has Architectural Review & Planning Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing November 15, 2001 page 3 not been achieved, the hedge will be grown to a height that will provide adequate screening for privacy. Mr. Kent was agreeable to this. Chairman Wheeler felt the addition would be acceptable, noting the entire existing structure would be prohibited and the owner cannot be expected to demolish the structure because the style is prohibited in �} the current Code. He pointed out that it would be difficult to cover the entire roof, as the amount that could be seen would differ based on where a person was sitting on the adjacent property. He was inclined to agree that a 15' hedge with the trees would be reasonable. Mr. Wheeler then asked Mr. Wietsma if he could show a line of sight from Mr. Kent's yard to the second story that is proposed on the drawing that was displayed, and Mr. Wietsma placed a ruler on the drawing at the approximate angle. Chairman Wheeler asked Attorney Randolph if the Board had the authority to add conditions to approvals to solve privacy issues when there are no provisions in the Code to address this. Attorney Randolph stated that the Board has the authority to consider the impact the development would have on neighboring properties and the area, and attach conditions to address the problems. Mr. O'Neal believed changing the roof is a big improvement in the appearance. He asked if privacy was an issue with the lot to the south. Mr. Wietsma advised that due to the angle of the property and the placement of the structures on the lots, it has not been a problem. Mrs. Jones added that there is a very large sea grape tree that screens this area. Mr. Frankel remarked that this is a nice design and that he understood the desire for privacy and liked the idea of extra height. Mrs. Strewn liked the design of the front and back of the structure. She was concerned as to whether the applicant had met the required landscaped area with the two driveways. Mr. Wietsma advised there is 42% of landscaped area and the driveway on the north side will be a little narrower than shown in order to make space of the added palm trees. Mrs. Anderson favored the high hedge and plantings. Mrs. Neeves felt the proposed addition would improve the appearance of the house, but asked if the roof could be lowered. She also asked if the palm fronds would overlap. Mr. Wietsma advised the roof could not be lowered, as it must be pitched so the water will run off. He added that the top of the roof would not be seen from the ground due to the angle. With regard to the palm fronds, Mr. Wietsma assured that they would overlap. Architectural Review & Planning Board Regular Meeting & Public Hearing November 15, 2001 page 4 a. LEVEL 2 ARCHITECTURAL SITE PLAN REVIEW to permit the addition of a second story, consisting of 1,103 square feet, to the existing one story French Country style residence. Mrs. Anderson moved to approve the Level 2 Architectural Site Plan Review based on a finding that the proposed addition and renovations C, meet the minimum intent of the Design Manual and applicable review standards with the following conditions: 1) The 2" story window on the north elevation shall be obscured glass. 2) Plant as needed, four to six twenty foot Malayan Coconut Palms on the north property line. 3) Install an irrigation system to the existing 10' Ficus hedge on the north property line and fertilize to encourage growth to 15+ ft. 4) Bring a sample of the imitation slate (roofing material) for ARPB approval prior to purchasing. The motion was seconded by Mr. Frankel. Roll Call: Mrs. Anderson; AYE, Mrs. Strawn; AYE, Mr. Frankel; AYE, Mr. O'Neal; AYE and Chairman Wheeler; AYE. VII. Items by Staff. There were no items by staff. VIII. Items by Board Members. Chairman Wheeler advised that he understood that the Commission had not approved the roof design that was recommended by the ARPB for 3211 Polo Drive, but did approve the roof that was originally submitted that had no separation between stories. The Town Manager explained that the Commission was reluctant to approve a five-foot blank wall with no windows and had considered sending the matter back to ARPB after being advised that the ARPB had not actually seen the drawing with the 5' blank wall. He further explained that the applicant requested that they render a decision at the meeting, as he needed to demolish the existing structure by the end of November or be delayed for 5 months. The members of the Board asked that it be made a matter of record that they are annoyed. IX. Public. There was no comment from the public. X. Adjournment. Chairman Wheeler adjourned the meeting at 9:10 A.M. Rita L. Taylor, fown Clerk