08-23-1999 Joint Workshop CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 23, 1999
The meeting of the Joint Workshop Meeting between the City Council and the Planning
& Zoning Commission was called to order Monday, August 23, 1999 at 7:05 p.m. by
Mayor Turville with the following Council Members in attendance: Council Member
Lamb, Council Member Brown and Council Member Wolfe. Planning and Zoning
Members in attendance were: Joseph Janusiak, Charles Forth, Elaine Renick, Bill
Rauch and Wanda Andrews. Also attending were Wayne Saunders, City Manager,
Barry Brown, Principal Planner, Tamara Richardson, City Engineer and Mimi Ogden,
Planning and Zoning Specialist.
City Manager Saunders explained that the proposed change to Chapter 86, Section
148 was to clarify when the timeframe for a Conditional Use Permit starts. Planning
Director Brown also noted that the proposed revision would state that construction must
begin within the timeframe established in the conditional use permit, rather than within
one year. Mayor Turville suggested, due to concurrency management and reservation
of capacities, that the timeframe should be limited. After a brief discussion it was the
consensus of the Council to change Section 86-148 to state construction must begin
within the timeframe established in the conditional use permit, which may not exceed
two (2) years.
Regarding the stormwater retention requirements in Section 94-221, City Engineer
Richardson noted that she has had discussion with the City Manager about revising the
City's regulations to match those of St. Johns River Water Management District, which
would alleviate the need for two different sets of water retention calculations for a
project. City Manager Saunders explained that under certain circumstances, the
SJRWMD regulations do not require a pond. The City would want to have their own rule
that would require a water retention pond in any case, even if the regulations of
SJRWMD would not require a pond.
City Engineer Richardson explained that she would like to do more research on the
changes to Section 110-194 Road construction and design standards. She feels the
City may want to mimic the design requirements of Lake County, which are based on
road classifications. Lake County's code is presently under revision, but once the
revisions are complete the City may want to review the new regulations.
Member Elaine Renick stated, regarding Section 110-265 (which has a provision that
sidewalks may be relocated to save "rare and unique trees"), she would like to remove
the wording "rare and unique trees" and have it simply state "in an effort to save tree's".
All those in attendance agreed with the change.
In reference to Section 122-32, Member Elaine Renick asked why the City allowed any
filling within the 100 year floodplain.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 23, 1999
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City Manager Saunders explained that the proposed addition to Section 122-32 is
consistent with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Planning Director Brown noted that 122-343(3) Fences and Walls should be changed to
state "subdivision entry features" rather than walls. Discussion followed with
Councilman Wolfe noting that the Council has approved a variance for the construction
of an entry wall at Summit Greens with a height greater than ten feet. City Manager
Saunders suggested that the paragraph be amended to state "shall not exceed ten feet,
without approval of the City Council". This would not require a variance, but would
require approval of the City Council. All those in attendance were in agreement to this
change.
Mayor Turville suggested that Section 122-343(2) be changed to not allow barbed wire
in business and commercial districts, only allowing barbed wire in industrial districts. All
those in attendance agreed.
Mayor Turville suggested that the Purpose and Intent of the Grading Guidelines be
amended to include some language that says the intent of the chapter is to maintain the
City's natural topography.
Member Elaine Renick asked why individual building lots were being exempted.
City Manger Saunders explained that this is referring to subdivisions that have already
been platted and built. A certain amount of grading has to be done on a lot to facilitate
the construction of a house pad. The size of a residential lot is so small, that the
requirements of the proposed grading ordinance would probably prohibit the
construction of a house.
Councilwoman Lamb suggested that the wording be changed to clarify individual
building lots so it will not be misinterpreted. City Manager Saunders stated this could
be clarified.
In reference to Grading (C), Mayor Turville expressed his concern that it would be
difficult for a commercial project to not exceed the 10 percent difference in elevation.
Councilman Wolfe stated that there may be some properties, because of their
topography, that a developer may not be able to build what they want to build on the
site. Mayor Turville agreed.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 23, 1999
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City Engineer Richardson stated that she has reviewed 5 projects that are either
presently under construction or in review and only one of those 5 projects would be
effected by the proposed grading ordinance. That one project being Lost Lake
Reserve.
Member Elaine Renick suggested that the grading ordinance include a statement which
would limit the size of an area that can be graded at any one given time, which would
help reduce the problems we are currently experiencing with dust.
City Engineer Richardson explained that most residential subdivisions are developed in
phases and do not grade more than is necessary for a particular phase. The ordinance
which allows the City to issue a grading permit could be amended to state that grading
can not commence until the development plans have been approved and only the area
included within the development permit can be graded.
Further discussion followed regarding a dust abatement plan. City Manager Saunders
stated that the plan should include a time frame, that once the ground has been
disturbed the developers will have a certain amount of time in which to construct or the
disturbed areas will have to be reclaimed.
Member Elaine Renick asked if Terracing (E), which requires fences or guardrails to be
provided along the boundary of terraces, was only referring to commercial.
City Engineer Richardson and City Manager Saunders explained that fencing and/or
guardrails may also be needed on multifamily projects as well as commercial. Mayor
Turville suggested "may be required" be added. Those in attendance agreed.
Member Charles Forth noted that in Section 118-2, Florida No. 1 grade or better has
been removed. City Manager Saunders explained that the City has had problems in the
past getting a Florida No. 1. Mr. Saunders suggested that some language be added
that describes the tree (i.e. central leaders), rather than saying Florida No. 1.
Member Elaine Renick stated that she feels Section 118-113 should be amended
regarding the size of replacement trees for trees that are removed that are 24" in caliper
or greater. The replacement trees should be larger than 6", to discourage people from
removing the trees rather than trying to build around them.
Member Wanda Andrews suggested that a requirement be added that replacement
trees must be a comparable type tree. City Manager Saunders explained that the
present ordinance requires that the replacement tree be one of the trees listed on the
City's preferred tree list.
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
JOINT WORKSHOP MEETING
AUGUST 23, 1999
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Member Charles Forth suggested that it be required that if someone wants to cut down
a tree 24" or above that an urban forester must determine if it is a specimen tree.
City Manager Saunders stated that anything over 24" would be required to be located
on a tree survey and Staff would then call in an urban forester if necessary.
Mayor Turville asked when Staff would be able to complete these changes to the Land
Development Regulations and present them to the City Council.
Director of Planning Brown stated Staff would have them ready to present to the
Planning and Zoning Commission at their next meeting September 7th. City Manager
Saunders stated he would then present them to the City Council for final adoption at the
end of September.
The meeting adjourned.
ATTEST:
Ha~or
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