01-03-2006 Regular MeetingCity of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
January 3, 2006
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The meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order Tuesday,
January 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman David Pape. Members present were
Sy Holzman, Maggie Miller, Elwood Treadwell, Peter Geigel, and Roger Pierce.
David Outlaw was absent. Also in attendance were Curt Henschel, Principal
Planner, Daniel Mantzaris, City Attorney and Jane McAllister, Planning and
Zoning Secretary.
MINUTES of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held December 6,
2005 were approved as written.
REPORTS
There were no reports.
REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
OWNER: Congregation Sinai
APPLICANT: Steven A. Silpe
REQUESTED ACTION: To allow for the operation of a house of worship in the
Kings Ridge PUD zoning district.
EXISTING ZONING: PUD, Planned Unit Development
LOCATION: 3551 Hancock Road
EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant.
FUTURE LAND USE DISTRICT: Undeveloped District -7 (UD-7)
FUTURE LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Mixed Use Classification 1 -Kings
Ridge DRI.
This request was introduced by Planner Curt Henschel who stated that the
applicant intends to establish a synagogue at this vacant site.
The site was previously used as a telecommunications site, and the Kings Ridge
PUD has been amended to allow this use. The owner/applicant intends to
construct a structure to be used as the synagogue on the property, which will be
. about 3,000 square feet. This will be used by the congregation for weekly
services, and handicap access will also be provided as required. A site plan, in
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
• January 3, 2006
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accordance with City regulations must be submitted and approved prior to any
permits.
Parking facilities for approximately 45 vehicles will be provided.
Staff recommends striking Number 11 from the General Conditions in the
Conditional Use Permit and approval of this request.
Chairman Pape asked if the applicant was present.
Steven Silpe, 2109 Grafton Avenue, Clermont, FL 34711 stated that he was the
applicant and that Norman Posner, President of the congregation would answer
questions on his behalf.
Norman Posner, 4109 Hammersmith Dr, Clermont, FL will answer questions.
Chairman Pape asked if anyone in the public wished to speak about this request.
There was no one.
• Commissioner Geigel stated that there was no site plan in the packet and that
the Commission needs one to be able to determine if there is enough parking
etc.
Commissioner Miller said the CUP request stated there will be 45 parking
spaces.
Mr. Posner said that there were actually going to be 36 parking spaces not 45 as
originally stated.
Commissioner Miller asked what the size of the congregation is at the present
time.
Mr. Posner said there were approximately 115 people in the congregation and
that 36 parking spaces would be enough to accommodate them.
There was further discussion as to whether there would be enough parking
should the congregation grow in the future.
Curt Henschel reminded the Commission that the applicant would have to go
through site review and that any parking issue would be resolved at that time.
• Commissioner Geigel stated that he did not believe there would be enough
parking for growth of the congregation.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
• January 3, 2006
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Mr. Posner pointed out that if necessary, overflow parking might be able to use
the parking facilities at Windy Hill Middle School or Hancock Park.
Commissioner Holzman moved to approve the request with the omission of
number 77 in the general conditions; seconded by Commissioner Miller. The vote
was unanimous in favor of the motion.
2. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT/OWNER: Ron Becker
REQUEST: To allow for the operation and renovation of an existing funeral
home.
EXISTING ZONING: CBD, Central Business District.
LOCATION: 806 West Minneola Avenue.
• EXISTING LAND USE: Becker Funeral Home.
FUTURE LAND USE DISTRICT: Established Business District -1, (EBD-1)
FUTURE LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Central Business District.
Planner Curt Henschel introduced this request by saying that the applicant
intends to expand an existing funeral home in the downtown central business
district. The applicant has found himself outgrowing the current space
requirements and is proposing to expand by enclosing the existing
garage/storage area and converting it into conference rooms and waiting rooms
for guests who attend the funeral services.
The existing garage/storage area occupies approximately 1350 square feet. The
applicant is not proposing to construct any new buildings or add additional
square footage to the existing buildings. In order to keep competitive with other
markets the applicant fees this is necessary for his business.
Staff feels there is adequate on site parking and recommends approval of the
request.
Planner Curt Henschel added that there is a letter in the packet from a
• neighboring property owner expressing concern about the runoff from the Becker
City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
• January 3, 2006
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Funeral Home. He said he expects that will be resolved with some sort of water
retention, possibly off-site.
Commissioner Pierce asked if on site water retention will be a condition.
Curt Henschel said it is not recommended as condition, but will be reviewed in
site review.
Chairman Pape asked if the applicant was present.
The contractor for the project Christopher Wagner, 11431 Dwights Road,
Clermont, FL stated there will be no additional square footage. It is a renovation
to the existing building and what is now garage space will be converted to
conference and waiting room areas.
Chairman Pape asked if anyone in the public wished to address this request.
There was no one.
Commissioner Holzman expressed concern with the runoff saying there is solid
• asphalt and there is no place for the water to go except to drain off onto the
property behind the funeral home. He recommends some sort of water retention
and suggested that since Becker has given Floyd Funeral Home cross access to
his property for the purpose of additional parking, that Floyd Funeral home might
be able to allow Becker to share his water retention pond.
Commissioner Pierce who is the architect for Floyd Funeral home said that it is
unfair for anyone to expect Floyd to bear the large expense for a water retention
area and to allow Becker to use it without assisting in the expense. He added
that the construction of the water retention pond is expensive and that Mr. Floyd
may not be able to afford to build the retention pond. He suggested the City work
with the Floyds and the Beckers to reach a compromise that will satisfy the need
for water retention on both properties.
Commissioner Holzman suggested that before this goes to City Council perhaps
the Floyds and the Beckers could work on the project mutually.
Commissioner Holzman moved to approve the request subject to stormwater
retention that would contain the water within the property of the two funeral
homes; seconded by Commissioner Pierce.
City Attorney Daniel Mantzaris suggested making a motion to approve the
• request with a recommendation that some means to alleviate the storm water
runoff onto adjoining properties be addressed.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
• January 3, 2006
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Commissioner Holzman amended his motion to approve the request with the
recommendation that some means to alleviate the storm water runoff onto
adjoining properties be addressed; seconded by Commissoner Pierce. The vote
was unanimous in favor of the motion.
Chairman Pape asked if there were any Non-agenda items for discussion.
Commissioner Pierce stated that there should have been a site plan submitted
with the request from the Sinai Congregation.
Commissioner Geigel stated that the Commission is supposed to have site plans
with Conditional Use Applications, and that staff was negligent in not providing
the necessary information so the Commission could make an informed decision.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
• David Pape,
ATTEST:
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C. McAllia~ter -Admin. Asst.
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