05-03-2006 - Joint w/Council CITY OF EDGEWATER
City Council /Planning and Zoning Board
Land Development Code Workshop
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
6:00 p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Michael Thomas called to order the Land Development Code Workshop of City Council and the
Planning and Zoning Board at 6 :07 p.m., May 03, 2006 in the Community Center, 102 N. Riverside
Drive, Edgewater, Florida.
2. ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Michael Thomas, Councilwoman Debra Rogers, Councilwoman Judy
Lichter, Councilwoman Harriett Rhodes, Councilman Dennis Vincenzi, Edwin Vopelak, Pat Card,
David Ross, John Weiss, Charlene Zeese, Chris Balmer, Doug McGinnis Robert Lott (arrived at 6 :28
pm), and Hugh Sheean (arrived at 6 :24 pm). Also present were Interim City Manager Jon Williams,
Development Services Director Darren Lear, Planning Technician Bonnie Wenzel and Ken Hooper.
3. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE CHANGES
Mr. Hooper gave a background on the previous and current Land Development Codes. He also spoke
about some of the significant changes proposed.
Mr. Lear spoke about the letter from the Economic Development Board and the consensus of the
Planning and Zoning Board regarding the proposed changes.
Councilwoman Lichter stated that the Code's pertaining to inoperable vehicles have been discussed
several times, and it seems like the Code is going backwards.
Planning and Zoning Board Chairman Ed Vopelak stated that the recommendation for RPUD's was
only a discussion point from the Board, not a consensus.
Mr. Hooper explained the changes to Article IV.
Councilwoman Lichter asked if projects with a variety of lot sizes would be permitted under the
proposed code, would there flexibility of the RPUD Agreement be removed. Mr. Hooper stated that if
the changes as proposed were adopted there would be no flexibility within the PUDs. Councilwoman
Lichter stated the problem with this is the inflexibility, that the beauty of the PUD is flexibility. Mr.
Hooper suggested adding standards to the PUD criteria, such as no more than 30% of the lots within
a PUD are to be 60-feet in width or less.
Mr. Lear spoke about the Tree Committee recommendations within Article V.
Mayor Thomas asked to hear from the Planning and Zoning Board.
Dave Ross stated he had no objection to the 75-foot lot minimum for PUDs, or to a small percentage of
smaller lots within a larger development. He stated he felt it was a good idea to limit PUDs to a
minimum of 15-acre. He added that his vision for the City was to retain the semi-rural atmosphere,
that the City does not need to be urbanized.
Charlene Zeese stated she also agreed with the 75 lot minimum, but was okay with a percentage
of 50-foot lots within larger subdivisions.
Edwin Vopelak stated he felt the Board needed more time to review the proposed changes and make a
recommendation to City Council. He further stated that he agreed with Councilwoman Lichter about
the need for flexibility.
5 -3 -06 - Workshop 1
CITY OF EDGEWATER
City Council /Planning and Zoning Board
Land Development Code Workshop
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
6:00 p.m.
Pat Card stated he agreed with the Board needing more time to address the changes.
Sandy Jones stated that the perception is that City Council is quick to put this to rest. She said there
has not been enough time for due diligence and hopes Council will give them more time.
John Weiss agreed with Ms. Jones and asked if the proposed changes meet Council's vision.
Mayor Thomas asked if the Board had a specific time frame in mind. Chairman Vopelak stated at
least two (2) more work sessions. Ms. Jones asked for workshops to allow citizen input.
Chairman Robert Lott stated that the Board and Council must consider how the changes will affect
the Economic Development Board's (EDB) mission. He added that the EDB is looking at the entire
Code and would like to remain involved in the process.
Doug McGinnis stated he liked the idea of using net density, but added that everyone needs to look at
how the changes will affect the entire City. He stated more flexibility is needed and he was
concerned how the changes would affect redevelopment. He further added that we need incentives
for affordable housing.
Mayor Thomas called recess at 7 :05 pm, the workshop resumed at 7 :21 pm.
Mr. Lott stated the Code should include criteria to obtain variances and special exceptions.
Greg Blase, 3525 International Speedway Boulevard, provided with City Council and the Boards with
a list of VCARD's concerns with the proposed changes. He stated that most people do not know what
the City's vision is.
Don Simms, 2825 Business Center Boulevard Melbourne, spoke about his proposed Woodbridge
Lakes subdivision; he stated his development is proposing 70-foot lots.
Dave Kastinase VCARD asked if the City could promote workshops better.
Shannon Ruby Julien, 1625 Taylor Road suggested meeting notices be included in water bills.
Cecil Goodrich stated that two (2) workshops were not enough and felt everyone was moving to fast.
Barney Dillard 3515 S. Highway 1, liked the idea of the variance process.
Councilwoman Lichter stated her vision was to emphasize the river and boating within the City. She
stated we should fix what we already have. She would like to see a City Center and a Historical
Center. She added that variety for new development could not hurt. She would also like to see
flexibility within the PUD's.
Councilwoman Rhodes stated she agreed with Mr. Ross. She stated she would like to see
development slowed, but pursue commercial development. She added then when you take away
flexibility you do a disservice, and you take away Council's option to say yes or no to a development.
Councilwoman Lichter stated that if the Planning and Zoning Board wanted to take a year to review
the Code then let them.
5 -3 -06 - Workshop 2
CITY OF EDGEWATER
City Council /Planning and Zoning Board
Land Development Code Workshop
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
6:00 p.m.
Mayor Thomas stated he agreed with a lot of what was said. He added that you cannot stop growth,
but you can control it. He said he was not against a variety of lot sizes, but would like to see play
areas and trees.
Councilman Vincenzi stated he was happy with the workshop and like hearing the different opinions.
He said the issues at hand should be discussed over the next several months. He also added that he
agreed with the vision of some of the other Council members. Councilman Vincenzi stated he was not
against development, he just wants to see good development. He want to see good development that
does not affect the existing residents.
Councilwoman Rogers stated she does not want to see Edgewater become another Melbourne or
Stuart. She stated she was not against growth; she was against being stuck in traffic. She said she
feels very strong about the 75-foot lot minimum, but can see about 25-percent of new development
being 50-foot lots. She stated her big concern as far as lot size is property west of I-95.
Mayor Thomas stated the Planning and Zoning Board will have at least one more workshop to discuss
the changes before making a recommendation to City Council.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Bonnie Wenzel, Planning Technician
5 -3 -06 - Workshop 3