01-03-2013 Regular Meeting City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JANUARY 3, 2013
Page 1
The meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order Thursday January 3,
2013 at 7:00 p.m. by Vice-Chair Nick Jones. Other members present were Rob Boyatt, Burnadett
Dubuss, William Henning, Nick Jones, Judy Proli, and Raymond Loyko. Also in attendance
were Jim Hitt, Planning and Zoning Director, Curt Henschel, City Planner, Dan Mantzaris, City
Attorney, and Rae Chidlow, Administrative Assistant.
MINUTES of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held December 4, 2012 were
approved.
REPORTS
No Reports
1. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
DEVELOPMENT NAME: Woodwinds Condos
OWNER/APPLICANT: Charles Sharkus, Jr.
REQUESTED ACTION: A Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development for a
proposed 108 unit condominium development
SIZE OF PARCEL: 10 acres
GENERAL LOCATION: East side of Grand Hwy. '/ mile south of Citrus Tower Blvd.
EXISTING ZONING: R-3, Residential/Professional District
EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant
FUTURE LAND USE: High Density Residential (up to 12 du/ac)
Planning and Zoning Director Jim Hitt presented the Staff report as follows:
The request is to allow a multi-family residential Planned Unit Development at a density of 10.8
units/acre. The applicant is proposing to build up to 108 upscale multi-story condos, including
some with basement garages.
This same Conditional Use Permit request was previously approved on August 22, 2006 (Res.
No. 1475); September 23, 2008 (Res. No. 1592); and, October 26, 2010 (Res. No. 2010-23).
Because of market conditions, the owner has not started construction within the required two
years and each Conditional Use Permit was rendered void. The owner wishes to retain their
development rights associated with approval of the Conditional Use Permit and variances.
By establishing a Planned Unit Development within the High Density Residential future land use
district, the developer is able to request a maximum density of 12 units per acre. With the
heavily sloped parcel the applicant is proposing to construct 9 residential buildings yielding a
10.8 unit acre maximum density. The proposed buildings will be terraced to cope with the
topography of the parcel.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JANUARY 3, 2013
Page 2
There are two variances associated with the proposed project.
1) Parking stall size(9' X 18' within garage area under each building)
2) Building height to exceed 45 feet.
Because of the density provided by the Future Land Use, and the proximity of the surrounding
neighborhoods to the south (North Ridge) and the east (the Fountain Apartments), staff
recommends approval of the conditional use permit request.
Charles Sharkus, 541 S. Trail, Stuart, stated that the difference in the height is to accommodate
the residential roof so the actual structure does not exceed it. He stated that the property is
heavily sloped so the buildings are designed to be built into the slope so the height will be higher
on one side. He stated that the reduction in the size of parking stalls is to accommodate as much
enclosed parking underneath the building to keep the resident's vehicles out of the weather.
Commissioner Loyko asked whether there would be a senior section within this development.
Mr. Hitt stated that under Section 2, allowing the project 80 units without litigation to the student
generation. He stated that the additional 28 units will have to be built by litigating with the
school board or it can be age restricted.
Vice-chair Jones asked if there would be 2 bedrooms, 3 bedrooms, or a mix of the two.
Mr. Sharkus stated that they have not decided on how many bedrooms for each unit at this time.
Commissioner Dubuss moved to recommend approval of the conditional use permit to City
Council; seconded by Commissioner Boyatt. The vote was unanimous to recommend approval
for the conditional use permit to City Council.
2. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
REQUEST: Request a Conditional Use Permit to allow an automobile repair center within a
C-2 General Commercial Zoning District
PROJECT NAME: Christian Brothers Automotive
OWNER: Hancock Commons, LLC
APPLICANT: Belair Development
LOCATION: Hancock Commons Development on Highway 50 (Lot 3 east portion)
PARCEL SIZE: 1 acre +/-
FUTURE LAND USE: Commercial
EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant outparcel
EXISTING ZONING: C-2, General Commercial District
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JANUARY 3, 2013
Page 3
City Planner Curt Henschel presented the Staff report as follows:
The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for an automotive repair center. The
proposal is to construct a new 5,200 square foot repair center with 9 bays for service, a sales
office, and inventory area for parts. As the site plan indicates, the bays will face west and not
Highway 50.
The C-2 zoning allows for a wide variety of uses but the proposed use requires a Conditional Use
Permit. The applicant is not requesting to perform any major repairs such as engine and
transmission replacement or body repairs. All proposed automotive work will be done within the
walls of the building.
There is one variances associated with the proposed project.
1) Reduction of required parking(form 42 required spaces to 31 spaces)
Staff believes this development is consistent with the uses in the area and recommends approval
of the Conditional Use Permit request for an automobile tire center.
David Goree, 738 32nd Ave., St. Petersburg, stated that this is an upscale automotive repair
center. He stated that their clientele is geared more towards maintenance and repair on higher
end automobiles. He stated that the company model and customer base is to provide Christian
single women a secure and safe facility to take their automobiles. He stated that they find that
Christian single women do not want to go to the typical garage to have their vehicles worked on.
Commissioner Boyatt asked how many employees.
Mr. Goree stated that they typically have an office manager and 5 employees so on a normal day
there will be 6 employees.
Commissioner Boyatt stated that with 6 employees that will reduce the parking spaces to 25. He
stated that there is another facility similar to this one who is stacking vehicles on the service
roads and it's not fair to others.
City Attorney Dan Mantzaris stated that the parking issue will be heard by the City Council but
their comments will be forwarded to the Council.
Commissioner Loyko stated that the parking is a concern for him as well. He asked if there was
another automotive facility opening in the same area.
Mr. Henschel stated that there is a Tires Plus going in 2 lots west of this location.
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JANUARY 3, 2013
Page 4
Mr. Goree stated that this has been brought to his client's attention and they do not feel it will
affect their business because they will not be doing tires.
Vice-chair Nick Jones asked if this was a chain store.
Mr. Goree stated that it is a chain automotive store.
Commissioner Loyko stated that he has a concern of the number of the same types of businesses
in this vicinity.
Commissioner Dubuss moved to recommend approval of the conditional use permit to City
Council; seconded by Commissioner Henning. The vote was 4-2 to recommend approval for the
conditional use permit to City Council, with Commissioner Loyko and Proli opposing.
Vice-chair Jones stated that Florida Department of Transportation is in the process of wanting to
close south bound traffic on Highway 27 to Highland Avenue. He stated that he feels this will
have a negative impact to property owners who own property on or adjacent to Highland
Avenue. He stated that he has prepared a statement requesting to allow access from southbound
Highway 27 onto Highland Avenue limited to a right turn only, that he would like to forward to
FDOT with the approval of the Commission.
Commissioner Dubuss moved to recommend the chair send a letter to FDOT; seconded by
Commissioner Boyatt. The vote was unanimous to recommend the chair to send a letter to
FDOT.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm.
Nick Jones, Vice-Chairman
ATTEST:
Rae Chidlow—Administrative Assistant
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
JANUARY 3, 2013
Page 4
Mr. Goree stated that this has been brought to his client's attention and they do not feel it will
affect their business because they will not be doing tires.
Vice-chair Nick Jones asked if this was a chain store.
Mr. Goree stated that it is a chain automotive store.
Commissioner Loyko stated that he has a concern of the number of the same types of businesses
in this vicinity.
Commissioner Dubuss moved to recommend approval of the conditional use permit to City
Council, seconded by Commissioner Henning. The vote was 4-2 to recommend approval for the
conditional use permit to City Council, with Commissioner Loyko and Proli opposing
Vice-chair Jones stated that Florida Department of Transportation is in the process of wanting to
close south bound traffic on Highway 27 to Highland Avenue. He stated that he feels this will
have a negative impact to property owners who own property on or adjacent to Highland
Avenue. He stated that he has prepared a statement requesting to allow access from southbound
Highway 27 onto Highland Avenue limited to a right turn only, that he would like to forward to
FDOT with the approval of the Commission.
Commissioner Dubuss moved to recommend the chair send a letter to FDOT; seconded by
Commissioner Boyatt. The vote was unanimous to recommend the chair to send a letter to
FDOT.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 pm.
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Nick •nes, Vice-Chairm. •
ATTEST:
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Rae Chidlow—Administrative Assistant