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09-01-2009 Regular MeetingCity of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION September 1, 2009 Page 1 The meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order Tuesday September 1, 2009 at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman David Pape. Other members present were Bill Banzhaf, Bernadette Dubuss, Robert Boyatt, Bill Gray, Robert Loyko, Judy Proli and Cuqui Whitehead. Also in attendance were Jim Hitt, Planning Director, Barbara Hollerand, City Planner, Dan Mantzaris, City Attorney, and Rae Chidlow, Administrative Assistant. MINUTES of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held August 4, 2009 were approved as written. REPORTS Planning Director Jim Hitt stated that Highway 27 will be widened to 6 lanes as part of the stimulus package from Cluster Oak Drive down to Lake Louisa Road and will start construction later this year. Mr. Hitt stated that Highway 50 will be widened from west of Hancock to Grand Highway and will start towards the end of next year. He stated that up to 2012 there will be a lot of construction. He stated that Lake County, DOT and the City will be working on the missing section of Hooks Street completed so that can work as a reliever for when the construction starts on Highway 50. He stated that the Hooks Street construction will connect from Highway 27 to where Lowes is located. 1. REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT OWNER: Hunters Trace Properties, Inc.; Bob Wade APPLICANT: Business Services Enterprises, LLC; Alan Siegel REQUESTED ACTION: Request Conditional Use Permit to operate a sweepstakes and Internet gaming operation in conjunction with a retail pre-paid phone card sales operation LOCATION: 761 S.R. 50 (west of U.S. 27 and McDonalds in the Walgreens plaza) PARCEL SIZE: 3.72 acres total EXISTING ZONING: EXISTING LAND USE: FUTURE LAND USE: C-2, General Commercial Commercial Commercial Planning Director Jim Hitt stated that the applicant was not present. Commissioner Boyatt moved to table the request for the Conditional Use Permit until October 6, 2009; seconded by Commissioner Banzhaf. The vote was 7-1 to table this item until October 6, 2009, with Commissioner Whitehead opposing. City of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION September 1, 2009 Page 2 2. INLAND GROVES PRESENTATION Planner Barbara Hollerand made a presentation on the City's development plans for the Inland Groves property park on Twelfth Street. Planning & Zoning Commission members asked questions throughout the informal presentation. Ms. Hollerand explained that this is the City's first passive recreation park. Her presentation showed the location of the park and described its natural features and resources through photographs. She presented the park's site plan, which showed planned amenities such as playgrounds, wildlife observation piers, nature trails and picnic areas. She also discussed the possibility of a future dog park on the site. Ms. Hollerand said that the City is responsible for managing the property by removing invasive exotic plants and conducting several restoration projects. She said the City has already contracted for a required burn plan for the property and that a required archaeological survey will be conducted before the end of the year. She said the City is exploring the property's appropriateness as a future gopher tortoise mitigation site. The City will be working with state agencies to conduct biological surveys on the property in the next few months. Ms. Hollerand explained that the Lake Minneola Scenic Trail/South Lake Trail will be extended along the edge of the property. This trail will eventually connect downtown Clermont to the Van Fleet State Trail in Sumter County. She also said that at least 12 educational programs will be offered at the park annually, with topics such as the archaeological artifacts found on the site, invasive plants and the history of citrus in the area. Ms. Hollerand concluded the presentation by showing photographs of the cleanup of the site by the City's Public Services crews. In addition to clearing a lot of the invasive vegetation, the crews collected and removed several tons of tires and other debris. She said the City will continue to implement the management plan and will be seeking additional grants for the park's development. The City expects to offer limited public access to the park by next year. In the next two years, many of the amenities will be constructed and restoration efforts should be underway. 3. REQUEST FOR LDC AMENDMENT APPLICANT: Administrative REQUESTED ACTION: Request to amend the Land Development Code to create a new zoning district for parks and recreation. Planning Director Jim Hitt stated that this new district is required by the conditions of the Florida Communities Trust management plan for Inland Groves. He stated that this is a basic zoning district strictly for City park properties. Mr. Hitt stated that the following new LDC sections will be created: City of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION September 1, 2009 Page 3 DIVISION 13. PR PARKS & RECREATION DISTRICT Sec. 122-280. Intent. Sec. 122-281. Permitted uses. Sec. 122-182. Site improvement regulations. The purpose of a parks and recreation district is to designate and ensure that publicly owned areas of the City are preserved for park, open space, and recreational purposes for the benefit of the residents and the overall environment. Permitted uses in the PR district are as follows: Publicly owned recreational facilities that may include both active and passive facilities. Conservation and wetland floodplain areas. All developments on City property that are erected within this district shall be approved by the City Council following a public hearing after receiving recommendations from the Site Review Committee. Commissioner Gray moved to approve the request for the Land Development Code amendment, seconded by Commissioner Proli. The vote was unanimous to recommend for approval to City Council. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50. TEST: Rae Chidlow -Administrative Assistant