02-01-2011 Regular Meeting City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
February 1, 2011
Page 1
The meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order Tuesday February 1,
2011 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairwoman Cuqui Whitehead. Other members present were William
Henning, Jr., Bernadette Dubuss, Nick Jones, Raymond Loyko and Judy Proli. Also in
attendance were Curt Henschel, City Planner, Jack Morgeson, City Attorney, and Rae Chidlow,
Administrative Assistant.
MINUTES of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held January 4, 2011 were
approved as written.
REPORTS
There were no reports.
1. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
PROJECT NAME: First Baptist Church
OWNER/APPLICANT: Ben Bond
REQUESTED ACTION: Request for a CUP to allow a church recreational use in the R -1
Low Density Residential zoning district.
LOCATION: 2745 Hartwood Marsh Rd. (southeast corner of Hartwood Marsh
Rd. and Hancock Rd.)
EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant lot
FUTURE LAND USE: Low Density Residential
ZONING: R -1 Low Density Residential
City planner Curt Henschel stated that the applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to
allow a church recreational use in the R -1 zoning district. He stated that the First Baptist Church
is proposing to construct one recreational ball field on its vacant 40 -acre parcel.
Mr. Henschel stated that the following is a description from the applicant about the proposed
events to be scheduled at the recreation field:
Our current plans for our property on Hartwood Marsh Road are to construct an
Upward flag football /soccer field. Upward flag football is played with about 7
players on each team on Saturdays from about 9 AM to 3 PM. The season should
last about 8 weeks in September and October. The Upward soccer program is
played with 2 games going on at the same time on the same field with about 6
members on each team. The games should be scheduled from about 9AM to 3PM
each Saturday. The soccer program will last about 8 weeks in Apnl and May.
Practices for each league will be scheduled on weekday evenings before dark on
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday evenings. Both of these programs should help
take some of the load off of city leagues and their fields.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
February 1, 2011
Page 2
Mr. Henschel stated that construction of the field will only occupy a small portion of the 40 -acre
parcel. He stated that the parking for the field is proposed to be located along the northern
property line, and a temporary port-a -potty (with screening) is also proposed.
Mr. Henschel stated that after the discussion at the July 27, 2011 Council meeting, staff and the
applicant have proposed changes to the site to address the access and location of the ball field.
He stated that access to Hartwood Marsh Road is still a major concern for safe accessibility. He
stated that because Hartwood Marsh Road is a Lake County Road, proper access must also be
approved by Lake County.
Mr. Henschel stated that staff recommends approval of the request for a CUP to allow a church
recreational use on this R -1 Low Density Residential zoned parcel.
Ben Bond, 10583 Lake Hill Dr., stated that the Commission has seen the request before and
voted unanimously for recommending approval of this conditional use permit. He stated that
with the City's recommendation, they have made some adjustments to the site as requested to
make it better for the community and traffic flow.
Rick McCoy, 606 S. Main Avenue, Minneola, stated that one of the concerns was the people
getting onto Hartwood Marsh Road from the ball field. He stated that they have talked with the
county about lining the entrance and exit up with the charter school as a safer option. The other
option, supplying a signal at the other intersection, is beyond the scope of the church at this
point.
Jim Jacobs, 2722 Valiant Dr., stated that he is the president of the HOA for Regency Hills
subdivision. He stated that he does not have a problem with the church being there but is
concerned about the traffic.
Mr. Bond stated that the games will be on Saturdays. He stated that Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
and Fridays will be practices. He stated that it will be for two months in the spring and two
months in the fall. He stated that at the practices there will not be that many people coming and
going.
Commissioner Loyko asked why the county would want to run the right -of -way up to the charter
school.
Mr. McCoy stated that the county engineers feel it would be safer to align with the school. He
stated that the right -or -way will be a 50 -feet radius. He stated that more people will be there on
Saturdays when the games are scheduled.
Commissioner Jones asked if the driveway was going to be paved and how far will it extend.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
February 1, 2011
Page 3
Mr. McCoy stated that it will be a concrete apron and will come back no farther than the curb,
far enough to get the temporary port-a -lets in.
Commissioner Dubuss stated that it looks like the bathroom facilities abutt the property line.
Mr. McCoy stated that they are about 100 feet from the property line.
Mr. Bond stated that the bathroom facilities will be the nice bathrooms, not the type you see on
construction sites. He stated that the trees are about eight to 10 feet tall and the facilities will be
under the trees.
Chairwoman Whitehead asked how the church will stop the kids from crossing through
residents' yards to get to the ball fields. She stated that she is concerned with the traffic on
Hartwood Marsh Road.
Mr. Bond stated that they can move the bathroom facilities if that is a problem with the residents.
He stated there is a fence that goes around the subdivision.
Mr. Jacobs stated that it is not a closed -in fence, but it does go around the subdivision. He stated
again that he does not have a problem with the church being there, and that is part of the reason
why he moved there.
Commissioner Jones moved to recommend approval for request of the conditional use permit,
seconded by Commissioner Dubuss. The vote was 3 -3, so no recommendation for approval to
City Council was determined.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:31 pm.
,,i
Cu I • itehead, Chairwoman
ATTEST: \ ,
Rae Chidlow — Administrative Assistant