12-06-1983 Regular MeetingCITY OF CLERMONT
MIN~JTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
December 6, 1983
This regular meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission
was called to order by Chairman Jack Sargent at 7:30 p.m. on
Tuesday, December 6, 1983 in Jenkins Auditorium with the follow-
ing members in attendance: Henry Czech, Adelbert Evans, Debbie
Gaines, Nick Jones, Pat Parker and Jack Sargent. Also attending
were City Manager George Forbes and Planning and Zoning Techni-
cian Marilyn George. Absent were Albert Fogle and Bob Thompson.
MINUTES of the meeting held November 1, 1983 were approved as
presented.
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT. Mr. Sargent reviewed the request for
Extra-Tech Properties by William Favuzza for a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) to allow construction of 30 townhouse units on
4.37 acres of land in Blocks 19 and 20 at the eastern end of
Crystal Lake. He explained that this request was tabled at
the October meeting of the Commission, and that the developers
were asked at that time to make certain changes to their site
plan. He stated that a technical report regarding drainage
conditions was submitted to the Commission members minutes
before the meeting began.
The City Manager reviewed the requested changes to the original
site plan (see minutes of October 4, 1983 meeting) and stated
that the holding ponds had not been shown above the required
100 foot level, detailed drawings were not submitted as requested,
the requested single entrance on Broome Street was deleted,
and the traffic problems had not been addressed. He pointed
out that the density had been reduced and that the buildings were
shown as above the 100 foot level as suggested at the earlier
meeting.
Fred Morrison, the attorney representing Extra-Tech Properties,
stated that soil studies show that percolation will be good, and
that this will be the only development around Crystal Lake to
make an effort to control stormwater. He pointed out that the
density of development had been reduced, the Second Street drive-
way had been moved to the south and that a fifty foot buffer had
been provided at the north end of the development instead of the
required twenty-five feet. He stated that Broome Street is not
paved, and that if the City would pave it, the driveway could be
moved to the more desirable location. He emphasized that the
development meets the zoning requirements and satisfies the
guidelines of the Comprehensive Plan, serving as a buffer between
Low Density Residential and Commercial areas.
Robert Zahradnik, the architect for the project, reported that
soil borings proved drainage to be good, with no clay. He men-
tioned that there are twelve storm drains not emptying into the
lake. A biologist's opinion was cited, stating that the lake
is in a mesotrophic state, and that the drains planned by the
developer will catch most of the rainfall so that there will be
no detrimental effect on the lake.
Mrs. Sallie Benson spoke on the behalf of Sadie Tillis of Jack-
sonville stating no objection to the project. Citizens with
questions were Abner Berlin, Evelyn Kok, Doris Go1by, Dorothy
Case, and May Nielson. All are property owners in the area.
Their concerns were with the appearance of the buildings, whether
motorboats would appear on the lake, and whether there is a way
to stop the project.
Mr. Claude Smoak, whose property adjoins the proposed project,
stated that he feels the developer is attempting to plan the
project to satisfy both the neighbors and the City, but that
he believes the density is still too great and that environmental
factors are not properly addressed. He stated that he does not
object to a multi-family development per se. He expressed the
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING CONLNIISSION
December 6, 1983
Page two
opinion that the ingress and egress from the project should be
on Broome Street, because most traffic from the site would feed
onto East Avenue. He expressed fear that a precedent for future
development around the lake would be set.
In discussion of the project by the Commission, Nir. Evans stated
that he wants more time to study the technical data received
• just before the meeting. He noted that at the 100 foot level
the slope becomes sharper and that huge berms would be required
to retain the water in the holding ponds. Mr. Czech read from
The Job of the Planning Commissioner a section on fairness to
private property owners, stating that the law does not prevail
over good common sense.
Mrs. Gaines asked questions about ownership of the units and
the feasibility of having a comparison study on drainage done
by the City. Mr. Forbes stated that the City Engineer must
approve the applicant's drainage method before any permits
would be issued. Mr. Jones pointed out that piecemeal devel-
opment of the property in question would not allow constraints.
D4r. Sargent reviewed the five items again which had been recom-
mended by the Commission in October, and suggested that, since
the units are to be individually owned, the following phrase
be added to condition number 6: "and the City Attorney has
approved the documents relating to ownership."
Mr. Evans stated that better data was needed and made the fol-
lowing motion, seconded by Mrs. .Parker and unanimously carried:
THAT THE REQUEST BE TABLED TO THE MEETING TO BE HELD THE FIRST
TUESDAY IN JANUARY SO THAT THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL MAY BE RECON-
CILED:
1. The material submitted on drainage, runoff and water
quality taken October 18th and i9th and the portion
titled Inventory and Evaluation from the USDA Soil
Conservation Service may be digested and questions
asked may be reconciled by the petitioner, including
the parameters of the runoff coefficient and the temp-
erature of the water at the time the readings were
taken.
2. Drainage caused by the break in the degree of slope
be addressed so that the retention areas will be above
the 100 foot level.
3. The entrance to be to the south, by the extension of
Broome Street so that East Avenue's four lanes and
traffic light will be readily available to the residents.
• 4. Include recommendations from the October 4th meeting.
P'ir. Claude Smoak suggested that a visual representation and a
landscape plan should be included.
REZONING REQUEST. Mr. Sargent reviewed the request by Sherrill
B. Turner for rezoning of Lots 21 through 26 of Hillcrest Sub-
division from R-2 and R-1 to R-3, and mentioned that a similar
request had been made in the past and turned down, as he recalled.
The City Manager discussed the request in relation to the Compre-
hensive Plan, and explained that one of these lots is zoned R-l,
while the others are zoned R-2.
Mr. Turner stated that he would like to build two quadriplexes,
but if all of the lots were zoned the same he would be satisfied.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
December 6, 1983
Neighboring property owners in attendance who spoke against
the R-3 zoning request were George Cosgrove, Andrew Brophy,
Nell Edinborough, Jane Wilkins and Abner Berlin. They ex-
pressed fears that their property would be devalued if mul-
tiple family homes were allowed on the site.
A discussion among the members of the Commission followed,
during which it was pointed out that the requested rezoning
would result in a classic example of "spot zoning".
A motion was made by Mr. Jones, seconded by Mr. Evans and
unanimously carried TO RECOb1MEND DENIAL OF THE REQUEST AND
TO ALLOW THE PRESENT ZONING TO STAND.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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JOHN N. SARGE , Chairman
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TEST:
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arilyn G Geo ge, P & Z Te nician
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