11-03-1998 Regular Meeting• • • • • r
CITY OF CLERMONT
MINUTES
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 3, 1998
The meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order Tuesday, November 3,
1998 at 7:30 P.M. by Chairman Robert Smythe. Members present were Joseph Janusiak, Bill
Rauch, Marilyn MacLauchlin, Darryl Bishop, Keith Mullins, Michael Floyd and Scott Grubbs.
Member Joseph Wiebush was absent. Also attending were Lanny Harker, Director of Planning,
and Mimi Ogden, Planning and Zoning Specialist.
MINUTES of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held October 6, 1998 were
approved as presented.
1. REQUEST FOR REZONING
APPLICANT: Don M. Casto Organization
LOCATION: Parcel generally located at the northeast corner of State Road 50 and the proposed
Oakley Seaver Blvd. (Containing approximately 6.5 acres).
REQUEST: Rezoning from UE Urban Estate Residential District to C-2 General Commercial
Business District.
Planning Director Harker explained that the subject property is situated approximately 1,300 feet
west of the northwest corner of S.R. 50 and Citrus Tower Boulevard (formerly East Jack's Lake
Road). The site would lie on the northeast corner of the proposed extension of Oakley Seaver
Drive. It would be located adjacent to the property previously approved for the proposed
shopping center. It is also located within 1,900 +/- feet of the existing Clermont Regional
Shopping Center, and within 2,100+~- feet of the US 27- SR 50 interchange. The site and
surrounding area is in transition to urban oriented land uses.
The City adopted and State approved Comprehensive Plan indicates this area as a portion of one
of Clermonts designed commercial nodes. Therefore, rezoning to C-2, General Commercial
Business District, would be in conformance with approved directives for future City growth and
development.
Surrounding zoning is UE to the north and west, C-2 to the east, and R-3 with an approved CUP
for professional office uses to the south (south side of SR 50).
Surrounding land use is professional office (Lake County) and vacant property to the south;
vacant property to the north and west; vacant property (CUP approved shopping center site) and
the hospitaUcollege site to the east.
Based upon consistency with surrounding zoning and developing land use patterns, and
conformance with the City adopted Comprehensive Plan, Staff recommends approval of the
rezoning from UE (Urban Estate Residential District) to C-2 (General Commercial Business
District).
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At this time Chairman Smythe asked all those present who wished to speak in regard to this case
be sworn in.
Persons sworn in were Rick McCoy, P.E., of 713 West Montrose Street, Clermont, Florida
Mr. McCoy stated he would be happy to answer any questions the Commission may have.
A motion was made by Marilyn MacLauchlin to recommend approval to the City Council as
presented by staff, seconded by Joseph Janusiak, approved by a unanimous vote.
2. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: Don M. Casto Organization
GENERAL LOCATION: Parcel generally located north of State Road 50, lying west of Citrus
Tower Blvd. and east of the proposed Oakley Seaver Blvd.
REQUEST: To amend Resolution No. 986 by amending the legal description, adding an
additiona16.5 acres (approximately).
Mr. Harker stated that the applicant is requesting amendment of the previously approved
Resolution No. 986 to include the 6.5 acres parcel discussed earlier in Agenda Item 1. The
subject parcel would increase in size from 23.5 acres to a total of 30 acres for the proposed
shopping center project. There is no request to increase any of the other parameters for the
proposed shopping center project.
Staff recommends approval of the proposed use with the following condition:
1. Approval of the proposed use shall be conditioned upon compliance with all previous
conditions specified in Resolution No. 986.
2. Condition 1 of Section 2 which specifies the square footage and type of development to
be permitted shall be amended to indicate thirty (30) acres as opposed to twenty-three and one -
half (23.5). No other parameters for development of the shopping center shall be amended.
A motion was made by Bill Rauch to recommend approval to the City Council as presented by
staff, seconded by Joseph Janusiak, approved by a unanimous vote.
3. REQUEST FOR REZONING
APPLICANT: Robert B. Reese, Brossier Company
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OWNER: Casto Clermont Limited Partnership
GENERAL LOCATION: Parcel generally located at the northwest corner of State Road 50 and
the proposed Oakley Seaver Drive (Containing approximately 8.5 acres).
REQUEST: Rezoning from UE Urban Estate Residential District to C-2 General Commercial
Business District.
Planning Director Harker explained that the subject property is situated approximately 1,400 feet
west of the northwest corner of S.R. 50 and Citrus Tower Boulevard (formerly East Jack's Lake
Road). The site would lie on the northwest corner of the proposed extension of Oakley Sever
Drive. It would be located adjacent to the property previously approved for the proposed
shopping center. It is also located within 1,800 +/_ feet of the existing Clermont Regional
Shopping Center, and within 2,000+\- feet of the US 27- SR 50 interchange. The site and
surrounding area is in transition to urban oriented land uses.
The City adopted and State approved Comprehensive Plan indicates this area as a portion of one
of Clermonts designed commercial nodes. Therefore, rezoning to C-2, General Commercial
Business District, would be in conformance with approved directives for future City growth and
development.
Surrounding zoning is UE with an approved CUP for a mixed density residential project to the
north and west, C-2 to the east, and R-3 with an approved CUP for professional office uses to the
south (south side of SR 50).
Surrounding land use is professional office (Lake County) and vacant property to the south;
vacant property to the north and west (CUP approved residential project); vacant property (CUP
approved shopping center site) and the hospitaVcollege site to the east.
Based upon consistency with surrounding zoning and developing land use patterns, and
conformance with the City adopted Comprehensive Plan, Staff recommends approval of the
rezoning from UE (Urban Estate Residential District) to C-2 (General Commercial Business
District).
A motion was made by Marilyn MacLauchlin to recommend approval to the City Council as
presented by staff, seconded by Bill Rauch, approved by a unanimous vote.
4. REQUEST FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
APPLICANT: Wal-Mart Stores
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LOCATION: Parcel generally located south of State Road 50, east of U. S. Highway 27, north of
Hook Street and lying both east and west of Grand Highway.
REQUEST: A request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow the construction of a 212,839 +/-
square foot retail store including a garden center (Wal-mart Supercenter Store) in the C-2
General Commercial District and M-1 Light Industrial District.
Planning Director Harker explained that the subject site is located in the southeast quadrant of the
interchange at S.R. 50 and US Highway 27. It encompasses approximately 28.4+\- acres of
property on both the east and west sides of Grand Highway. It extends from Hook Street on the
south to SR 50 on the north, and from US highway 27 on the west to a lie consistent with the
Community National Bank building on the east. An additional 5.06 +/_ acres adjacent to Lake
Wilma will be required to be included as part of the overall project scenario if completed as
requested.
Initial plans for the "Supercenter" indicate 187,589 square feet of interior commercial space and
25,250 square feet of garden center related space. The project would also include two (2) out
parcels, each approximately 1 acre in area.
The project application and conceptual site plan provided for consideration indicate that five (5)
variances would be required in order to accommodate the project. In addition to the requested
variances, closure and realignment of a portion of the existing Grand Highway would have to be
approved by the City Council in order to permit physical construction.
The five (5) variances requested are as follows:
1. A request for Parking space reduction from 1,065 spaces required to 988 proposed for the
Wal-mart Supercenter site. (Note, this request does not apply to the required spaces for
the out parcels.)
2. A request for fifty percent (50%) utilization ofnon-standard size (9' x 20') parking spaces
as opposed to ten (10%) as permitted by City Code.
3. A request to vary from the City road design standard for the proposed realignment of
Grand Highway. The proposed curve design is requested to be provided with a 140'
centerline radius and 25 mph design speed as opposed to the required 300' centerline
radius and 30 mph design speed.
4. A request to provide stormwater retention off-site as opposed to providing on-site
retention as required by City Code.
5. A variance for tree replacement. Conceptual site plan tree count data provides 6,340 tree
inches on-site and replacement of 336 inches.
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PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION
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The applicant has provided an extensive transportation analysis that indicates with certain defined
roadway improvements and signal timing adjustments the proposed Supercenter would permit the
adopted level of service (LOS "C") to be retained. Without the identified improvements or
identified signal timing modification the adopted level of service would not be attainable. A copy
of the necessary improvements have been provided in your packet for review and consideration.
Mr. Harker asked that the representatives of Walmart be allowed to present their request to the
Commission.
At this time Chairman Smythe asked all those present who wished to speak in regard to this case
be sworn in.
Persons sworn in were:
Steve Godfrey, P.E. of Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., 1080 Woodcock Road, Orlando, Florida
Kamran Khosravani, P.E. of CP&H Engineers, Inc., 500 Fulton Street, Sanford, Florida
Richard Langley of 700 Almond Street, Clermont, Florida
Judson Pankey, E.I. of CP&H Engineers, Inc., 500 Fulton Street, Sanford, Florida
Kelly Anderson, of CP&H Engineers, Inc., 500 Fulton Street, Sanford, Florida
Mr. Richard Langley stated that he is representing Walmart and noted that this project was
originally presented to the City in 1993. Mr. Langley noted that the Planning and Zoning
Commission is here to review the proposal and make a recommendation to the City Council. The
main concerns are weather or not this project would comply with the Citys Comprehensive Plan,
its suitability to this site and any adverse effects it may have on that area or the community at
large. The project is compatible with the comprehensive plan and is consistent with the uses in
the surrounding areas. Walmart has purchased this property and a five acre site south of Hook
Street. The primary concern seems to be traffic. Extensive research has been done and much
work has been done with ECFRPC, FDOT and Kimley-Horn. It has been concluded that when
Walmart makes the recommended improvements, that is going to be a better intersection that it is
today. The slope of the retaining wall on the south end at Hook Street was previously a concern,
however, by purchasing this off-site water retention area, they have been able to reduce that slope
to a 3:1 which is what is acceptable according to the Citys Land Development Regulations.
Mr. Langley further stated that the projects that have already been approved by the City will
render this intersection to be obsolete within three (3) years, unless some improvements are done
to the intersection. Walmart is undertaking in excess of one million dollars in traffic
improvements to help with this intersection. Walmart is also dedicating additional right-of--way to
provide a total of eighty (80) feet ofright-of--way for Grand Highway and Hook Street. Grand
Highway originally had a grade in excess often (10) percent. By curving Grand Highway slightly
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to the east around the site the grade has been reduced to around eight (8) percent. This relocation
of Grand Highway will also relieve the problem that would exist if it were to remain in its present
location, at the time Hook Street is improved the turn lanes would have been virtually impossible.
Mr. Langley further noted other improvements that would be done at the intersection of Hook
Street and U.S. Highway 27, accel and decel lanes to be constructed, timing devices will be
improved and median improvements will be made at the entrance to Racetrac gas station. Mr.
Langley then noted the five variances that Walmart is requesting and explained the reason for each
request.
Chairman Robert Smythe asked Mr. Langley what the applicants hardship was for requesting the
five variances.
Mr. Langley stated that the hardship is the existing contour of the property, have attempted to
work with this contour in the placement of the store, as well as purchasing the additional property
for water retention.
Member Joseph Janusiak asked when the traffic counts were taken (i.e. what time of day).
Steve Godfrey, representative of Kimley-Horn & Associates, stated that three (3) conditions were
examined. The first being daily basis, both what occurs today and what will occur in the future
from all the developments that are presently approved within the City and in the surrounding area.
Also analyzed afternoon peak hour conditions, which is one of the highest demand times. Also
examined Saturday traffic conditions.
Mr. Godfrey stated that there is difficulty today at this intersection due to the coordination of
signals needing to be improved. Lane additions will also improve the operation of the
intersections. This intersection (Grand Highway and State Road 50) will get worse because of the
developments that have already been approved, unless improvements are made. With the
improvements that have been identified in the traffic study the level of service at this intersection
and all along Highway 50 will meet the LOS of C and will be better than it would be if there were
no Walmart and no improvements.
Mr. Godfrey further noted that there are two specific improvements that have been identified
which will make the interchange operate better, an additional southbound left turn lane on the
U.S. Highway 27 off-ramp going from the north to turn left, to go east on State Road 50. This
allows the green light time to be shortened and allow more green time for the through traffic
going east and west on State Road 50. The second improvement would be to the left turn lane
for traffic heading west on State Road 50 to turn south on U. S. Highway 27. The taper would be
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cut parallel to the existing taper and basically start the left turn lane in advance of the interchange.
It is not the most ideal situation, but have determined that there will be adequate storage to
accommodate projected traffic.
Mr. Godfrey explained that at the Hook Street intersection have identified the need for a long
right turn lane and a long left turn lane. This intersections signal will operate as efficiently as
possible by having separate lanes for left, through and right.
Discussion continued regarding the proposed roadway improvements.
Member Keith Mullins asked what month the traffic counts were taken.
Steve Godfrey stated that counts were taken the first three months of the year at the Grand
Highway intersection. A full body of counts was also taken in July of this year and counts were
taken in other parts of the year by FDOT.
Kamran Khosravani noted that the traffic study criteria was done to satisfy ECFRPC, FDOT and
the City of Clermont.
Planning Director Harker agreed that the study was extensive and was complete.
Member Scott Grubbs stated that adding a lane south bound on Highway 27 to go east on
Highway 50 is not where the majority of the traffic is going to come from to this site, it will come
from the west, east or south. Traffic coming from the east on State Road 50 and crossing
Highway 50 to enter onto Grand Highway, which will stop up the light.
Mr. Godfrey explained that what they are trying to accomplish is more green time for traffic to
move east/west through this interchange.
Further discussion followed regarding transportation issues and the proposed off-site water
retention area.
Chairman Smythe asked Planning Director Harker what Staffs recommendation is.
Planning Director Harker stated that Staff is recommending that the Commission pass this on to
City Council for their decision as there are five (5) variances which the Commission does not have
the authority to deal with and there is also the issue of the partial closure and realignment of
Grand Highway. All of these issues are at the City Councils discretion.
Chairman Smythe asked Planning Director Harker what the Citys' position is on variance request
#3, regarding the radius and proposed curve design.
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Judson Pankey explained that the Citys' requirement for a minor collector road, such as Grand
Highway, is a design speed of 30 mph with a radius of 300 feet. The road has been designed with
a speed of 25 mph with a 140 foot radius. The speed limit of 25 mph has been set for safety, due
to the topography of the area.
Chairman Smythe stated that it would appear that the radius has been changed to conserve area so
that more parking could be added, and further noted that they are still short of parking. spaces.
Judson Pankey stated that it will be safer for the Walmart customers if this radius is maintained
because they will be inside the site and will not need to cross the highway. If the radius was
constructed to code, parking would have to be located on the other side of the realigned Grand
Highway. As far as the number of parking spaces being short, the City of Clermonts parking
requirements are some of the strictest he has ever seen. Over the last 2 years there have been 8 to
10 Walmarts built in Florida and the proposed Clermont store will have more parking than any of
the others, with the exception of one that was built in north Florida that does not have a garden
center, theirs will be located outside in the parking lot. Walmart knows their type of business
very well, and will provide more than ample parking.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Keith Mullins to recommend this request be
forwarded to the City Council as presented by staff, seconded by Bill Rauch, the motion was
approved by a unanimous vote.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
'~
Robert Smythe, Chairman
ATTEST:
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=:~/_,
Mimi Ogden, Plann~'ng and Zoning Specialist