HomeMy Public PortalAbout06/25/2009MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING HELD BY THE
ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW AND PLANNING BOARD OF THE TOWN OF GULF STREAM,
FLORIDA ON THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2009 AT 8:30 A.M., IN THE TOWN HALL, 100
SEA ROAD, GULF STREAM, FLORIDA.
I.
Call to Order. Chairman Ganger
called the meeting to order at
8:30 A.M.
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II.
Roll Call.
Present and Participating:
Robert W. Ganger
Chairman
Donna White
Vice -Chairman
Thomas Smith
Board Member
Absent with Notice:
Amanda Jones
Board Member
Scott Morgan
Board Member
Also Present and Participating:
William Thrasher
Town Manager
Rita Taylor
Town Clerk
John Randolph
Town Attorney
William Wietsma
Agent for
Quarter Track LLC
III.
Minutes of the Regular Meeting and
Public Hearing 5-28-09.
Mr. Smith moved and Mrs. White seconded that the minutes be
approved as circulated and all voted
AYE.
IV.
Additions, withdrawals, deferrals,
arrangement of agenda items.
There was one withdrawal from the
Agenda. Town Clerk Taylor
explained that the application was
submitted by a neighbor of the
residence who takes care of the property
and they indicated that
they wanted to appear at the July
meeting. Clerk Taylor reviewed
the application with the neighbor
and told her that if the
application was received by the following
Friday, the item could
be heard in June. The application
was submitted on the following
Monday so Clerk Taylor assumed it
was submitted for the June
Agenda. When the meeting notices
went out and the neighbor
received a copy she panicked because
the owner wanted to present
his case and would not be available
for the June meeting. Clerk
C,
Taylor sent out corrected Notices
and the item will be on the
'
July agenda. There were no other
changes of agenda items.
Mr. Ganger asked if postponing the item will place the residents
in peril and wanted to know if these were hurricane shutters
rather than decorative. Clerk Taylor confirmed that they were
just decorative and the windows had recently been replaced with
impact windows.
Regular Meeting
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Page 2
V. Announcements.
A. Meeting Dates
1. Regular Meeting & Public Hearing
a. July 23, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
b. September 24, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
c. October 22, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
d. November to be determined.
C�e. December 24, 2009 @ 8:30 A.M.
Chairman Ganger noted the next scheduled meetings so members
would plan accordingly. There were no ex -parte communications
declared.
The Town Clerk administered the oath to Mr. Wietsma.
VI. PUBLIC HEARING.
A. Applications for Development Approval
1. An application submitted by William Wietsma, as Agent for
Quarter Track LLC, the owners of property located at 555
Palm Way, Gulf Stream, Florida, which is legally described
as Lot 20, Polo Cove Subdivision.
a. LAND CLEARING PERMIT to clear the building site for
new construction.
b. SPECIAL EXCEPTION to permit 300 square feet of
covered, unenclosed roof projection that exceeds the
maximum permitted floor area ratio.
c. LEVEL 3 ARCHITECTURAL/SITE PLAN REVIEW to permit the
construction of a two-story single family Gulf Stream
Bermuda style dwelling with 2 car garage, consisting
of 5,568.5 square feet, and a swimming pool.
Mr. Wietsma noted that the existing structure was the old Rogers
residence and has a beautiful view. He displayed a site plan and
rendering of the proposed construction of a two-story single-family Gulf
Stream Bermuda style dwelling with a 2 -car garage, consisting of 5,568.5
square feet, and a swimming pool, and explained that the design has been
changed so that the front door, which now faces west, will face south,
and the garage is around the corner of the house. Everything complies
with the setbacks and the Code. There is a special exception for
additional outdoor space consisting of balconies and belvederes. The
only discouraged item on the house is the eave on the second floor which
is 22 ft. 6 inches rather than the typical 21 feet. Mr. Wietsma asked
`) the Board if they had a chance to review his proposal and if there were
any questions.
Chairman Ganger asked if Vice -Mayor Orthwein, a neighbor of this
property, was comfortable with the design. Mr. Wietsma confirmed that
she approves. Chairman Ganger asked if the landscaping in the
illustration is the proposed landscaping. Mr. Wietsma explained that it
was an artistic arrangement and not the landscape design he is proposing
at this time. He advised the Board that he will come back with a
revised landscape proposal as the project goes through. Mr. Smith asked
if the generator up against the house, which he had no doubt complies
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Architectural Review & Planning Board
Page 3
with Code and setbacks, could be moved by the garage. Mr. Wietsma said
it could not be moved by the garage because it would be in the front
yard and there is a street there. He pointed out that there was a 12
ft. ficus hedge along the property so the generator would not be visible
and the generator is quiet. Chairman Ganger asked about the proposed
color of the residence and Mr. Wietsma said the drawing shows it as a
very light pink. Chairman Ganger reminded Mr. Wietsma that another
O house he built in Town was considered to be too pink. Clerk Taylor
explained that the house he was referring to was the brightest shade of
pink allowed by Code.
Chairman Ganger asked for comments by the Board.
Town Manager Thrasher noted that, based on comments referring to the
landscape plan coming back to the Board for approval, the landscape plan
should become condition #5 in the approval of the Level III
Architectural/Site Plan, stating that the landscape plan would either
come back to ARPB or to the Town Manager for approval, however the Board
would like that administered. Town Manager Thrasher asked Mr. Wietsma
about the hedge on the east side of the property, noting that the
drawing shows it as a 6 ft. hedge. He asked if it was the hedge Mr.
Wietsma referred to as 12 feet tall. Mr. Wietsma said that the 6 ft.
hedge is around the generator and the 12 ft. hedge is an existing hedge
along the property line. Town Manager Thrasher stated that the 12 ft.
hedge appears to be on the neighbor's property. Mr. Wietsma confirmed
that it is on the neighbor's property and Quarter Track will trim the
hedge on their side. Chairman Ganger said the Board has the option of
conditionally approving the landscape plan as shown, subject to re-
review and approval by the Town Manager if minor modifications are made,
or by the Board in the event there are major modifications.
Mr. Smith asked where the 300 sq. ft. of special exception are located.
Mr. Wietsma replied that there is a total of 900 feet of covered,
unenclosed space, not in one specific area. Chairman Ganger went back
to the Code requirement of the 21 -foot second -floor eave height and
asked if the height was established purely as an exterior feature or was
it taken into account that owners would want 10 feet interiors on the
second story. Chairman Ganger explained that he was not questioning the
Code, only the logic behind this particular code. Town Manager Thrasher
said it has been in the Code for quite some time and was written this
way primarily to reduce the mass of the home. Mrs. White inquired about
the condition of the Driveway Removal Agreement. Town Manager Thrasher
explained that the pavers on all of the driveways go beyond the property
line and are located on Gulf Stream's right-of-way. When such is the
case, the Town requests a removal agreement so that in the event the
Town has to do work in that area, the costs are absorbed by owner, not
the Town, since the Town allowed them to be placed in the right-of-way.
Mrs. White also inquired about the condition of the electric lines being
buried and asked if this was a requirement for all new homes. Mr.
Thrasher stated that there is a code which requires all service utility
lines to be buried and applications such as this one are subject to that
code. It is helpful to the Town in discussions with FP&L concerning
right-of-way issues and the necessity for underground lines, he said.
Regular Meeting
Architectural Review & Planning Board
Page 4
Town Manager Thrasher went back to Mr. Smith's inquiry about the 300 sq.
ft. special exception and asked Mr. Wietsma to explain, in detail, how
the 300 sq. ft. will be used and to point out the open areas on the
floor plan. He asked Mr. Wietsma where the open areas are located and
why he qualifies for special exception of an additional 300 sq. ft. Mr.
Wietsma explained that the special exception is included in the Town
Code to encourage more outdoor space, giving relief to a building and
making it look more Anglo -Caribbean with covered patios and lots of
shadows, instead of a box -like building. In order to get a 300 sq. ft.
special exception, you need 900 sq. ft. of outdoor space, undercover and
he has taken advantage of the extra square footage many times, allowing
him to create a better design. He said there are two (2) open areas in
front, including a covered entry and a balcony, and a large logia in the
back of the house off of the living room, family room and library.
Also, the area off of the master bedroom is called a belvedere which is
covered, not enclosed. Mr. Ganger asked if the guardrail around the
belvedere is functional and Mr. Wietsma said it is and you can actually
go outside in that area. He said that 20% or more of the square footage
of this house is outdoor space, covered, but not enclosed. Mr. Ganger
asked about lights or fans in the covered outdoor spaces. Mr. Wietsma
said there will be lights, fans and probably some sconces.
Chairman Ganger asked if there was an existing dock. Mr. Wietsma said
there is an existing dock which will be replaced and the seawall is in
need of major repair. Chairman Ganger asked when building would
commence and Mr. Wietsma said they would start sometime this year. Mr.
Smith wanted to know if clearing the land between November and December
would be allowed and Mr. Wietsma said yes, but he would not begin
clearing until he has a permit to build. Chairman Ganger commented that
it was a lovely design and will improve the look of the area.
Mr. Smith moved and Mrs. white seconded to recommend approval of a land
clearing permit. All voted AYE.
Mr. Smith moved and Mrs. white seconded to recommend approval to permit
300 SF of covered unenclosed roof projection that exceeds the maximum
permitted floor ratio. All voted AYE.
Mr. Smith moved and Mrs. white seconded to recommend approval of the
^ Level III Architectural/Site Plan based on a finding that the proposed
demolition of the existing structures and the construction of a two-
story Gulf Stream Bermuda style single family dwelling with attached 2 -
car garage consisting of 5,566.6 SF and a pool meet the minimum intent
of the Design Manual and applicable review standards with the following
conditions:
1. Electric Service lines shall be buried if they are not already.
2. The dock, boat and lifts will conform to the section 66-369 in
entirety.
3. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the owner of
the property shall prepare and record a deed restriction which shall
provide that all unenclosed roof projection areas as approved shall
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Architectural Review & Planning Board
Page 5
remain so for as long as the structure is in existence or exceeds the
maximum permissible FAR.
4. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, the owner of
the property shall prepare and record a Gulf Stream Driveway Removal
Agreement.
5. The landscape plan, as shown, is conditionally approved; however,
in the event of any minor modifications, the landscape plan will be
submitted to the Town Manager for his review and approval. If major
modifications are made to the landscape plan, it will be brought back
before the Board for their review and approval, prior to commencement
of landscaping.
All voted AYE.
VII. Items by Staff. There were no items by Staff.
VIII. Items by Board Members.
Mr. Smith said he noticed in the minutes of the May meeting that there
is a need for ARPB Members and he asked about Suzy Lyons. Town Clerk
Taylor explained that Ms. Lyons is out of Town for the entire summer and
has not expressed an interest to date. Clerk Taylor said there was one
possible candidate, but they have not yet expressed an interest to the
Commission. Chairman Ganger asked Clerk Taylor if lack of interest is
due to insufficient advertising or not enough residents in Town during
the Summer to apply? Chairman Ganger offered to post information on the
Notice Board of the Civic Association. He was planning to post a notice
concerning undergrounding utility lines and will include a notice that
the Town is seeking candidates for membership on their Architectural
Review & Planning Board, with the requirement that candidates must be
registered to vote in the Town of Gulf Stream.
Chairman Ganger said, for his information only, he would like to go back
to the shutter painting item which was withdrawn from this agenda. He
said that when driving by the residence the color appears to be off-
white and asked why painting the shutters white is unacceptable. Town
Attorney Randolph felt that further discussion concerning this matter
should not take place during this session. Chairman Ganger wanted to
refer to the Code but didn't have it with him so Town Manager Thrasher
informed him that the Code discourages shutters without contrasting
color, referring the Board to Code Sections 70-102 and 70-240.
IX. Public. There was no public comment.
X. Adjournment. Chairman Ganger adjourned the meeting at 9:02 A.M.
Administrative Assistan