Loading...
01-03-2008 Regular MeetingCity of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 3, 2008 Page 1 The meeting of the Planning & Zoning Commission was called to order Thursday January 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman David Pape. Members present were Sy Holzman, Nick Jones, Gail Ash, Robert Boyatt, Bill Gray and Cuqui Whitehead. Also in attendance were Jim Hitt, Planning Director, Jack Morgeson, City Attorney, and Rae Chidlow, Administrative Assistant. MINUTES of the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting held November 6, 2007 were approved as written. REPORTS Sy Holzman announced he was resigning from the Planning & Zoning Board. 1. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PROJECT NAME: Mon Ami du Clermont -tea room/restaurant OWNER: Joy Ray APPLICANT: Deborah Stedelin REQUESTED ACTION: Request for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a Restaurant within the Central Business Zoning District LOCATION: 637 Eighth Street EXISTING ZONING: CBD (Central Business District) EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant building FUTURE LAND USE DISTRICT: Established Business District - 1 - (EDB-1) FUTURE LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Central Business District - (CDB) Planning Director Jim Hitt stated that this Conditional Use Permit was previously requested and approved by City Council on August 28, 2007. However, it was not signed within the required 90 days, and the applicant is requesting the same CUP for a restaurant to be located at 637 Eighth Street. The previous use was an office. The proposed restaurant would serve a variety of soups, salads, quiche, sandwiches, desserts, coffees and teas. No alcohol is proposed. Mr. Hitt stated that the applicant is up-dating the electrical and plumbing and also installing a grease trap in accordance with City regulations. City of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 3, 2008 Page 2 Mr. Hitt stated that staff recommends approval of this Conditional Use Permit request to operate a Restaurant located at 637 Eighth Street, with the following conditions as listed. Deborah Stedlin stated they wish to open a tearoom with a lunch menu and afternoon tea. She stated that she is hoping to expand this in the future. Commissioner Holzman moved to approve the request, seconded by Commissioner Whitehead. The vote was unanimous to recommend for approval to City Council. 2. REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PROJECT: King's Crossing OWNER: Kings Crossing, LLC APPLICANT: Jimmy Crawford REQUESTED ACTION: Request a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Planned Unit Development (PUD) to allow up to 70,000 square feet of commercial/office (of which 40,000 is retail) LOCATION: The north & south corners of the east side of the intersection of Highway 27 & Citrus Tower Blvd. SIZE OF PARCEL: 42.31 acres +/- (24.12 ac. wetland, 18.19 ac. upland) EXISTING ZONING: PUD (Planned Unit Development) EXISTING LAND USE: Vacant FUTURE LAND USE DISTRICT: Undeveloped District - 7 (UD-7) FUTURE LAND USE CLASSIFICATION: Commercial Planning Director Jim Hitt stated that the applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow for up to 70,000 square feet of commercial, retail & office. A maximum of 40,000 square feet of this area is allowed per the Comprehensive Plan, leaving 30,000 sq. ft for commercial and office uses. Mr. Hitt said this area is part of the Tuscany Village CUP (Resolution No. 1442), which includes this development and the western side portion. He stated that because each development is now City of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 3, 2008 Page 3 owned by different owners, the King's Crossing owners wish to proceed without the "sign-off' of the western side owners. He stated that other than utility issues which each share, this would effectively separate the developments. Mr. Hitt stated that a land use amendment was approved by City Council on August 14, 2007 permitting 40,000 sq. ft. of retail on the King's Crossing portion of the CUP. He stated that Council had said during the hearing process, that the 40,000 sq. ft. of retail was to be located only on the north side. He stated that the applicant is requesting the retail be spread out on both the north and south sides. He said that the new conceptual site plan for the east side is included with this request which reflect the requested changes. Mr. Hitt stated that staff recommends approval of the request for the amendment of the CUP allowing up to 70,000 square feet of commercial, retail and office, of which 40,000 sq. ft. of retail is allowed on the north side of Citrus Tower Blvd. (no retail on the south side). Brian Denham, 2670 Eagle Lake Dr., stated he was here to answer any questions pertaining to Kings Crossing. Commissioner Whitehead stated she is concerned about the wetland areas. She asked if City Council wanted the retail only on the north side. Jim Hitt, planning director, stated that Council would like for all the retail to stay on the north side. He stated that as far as the wetlands, they will not be allowed to build near or in the wetlands. Commissioner Whitehead asked why the applicant thought they need to spread the retail on both the north and south sides. Mr. Denham stated it was for the viability of the center as a whole. He stated there will be office, restaurant and retail uses, and being able to spread it all out will allow for more flexibility. Commissioner Gray asked Jim Hitt why Council would only allow a certain amount of retail space. Mr. Hitt stated that Council wanted to limit the amount of retail, and it wanted to keep most of the office space together. Mr. Denham stated he would like to address the wetland issue. He stated that the City of Clermont does not allow for any development in the wetlands. He stated the pine trees will hopefully remain as a buffer between the development and the wetlands. Commissioner Boyatt asked what staff recommends for the south side of the development. City of Clermont MINUTES PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION January 3, 2008 Page 4 Mr. Hitt stated that staff recommends commercial and office uses. Commissioner Jones asked if what is being presented was the final layout for the development or is it going to change. Mr. Hitt stated this will be pretty close to it, but they are allowed to be changed as long as it is not substantial. Chairman Pape stated the City needs to be sensitive as to how much retail they allow because the surrounding areas are now getting their own retail. He gave the example of the Cagan's Crossing area. He stated that there is still a market out there for office space. Mr. Denham stated they do have commitments from two tenants for restaurants. He stated the restaurants are looking for retail to go in there. Commissioner Jones stated he hopes it is flexible enough to make the development successful. Chairman Pape stated he would like to not see any more retail until what is out there already, or what is coming, is filled. Mr. Morgeson stated that one of the reasons for restricting the retail to be on the north side could have been traffic issues. Commissioner Whitehead moved to approve the request as according to staff's report, seconded by Commissioner Ash. The vote was unanimous to recommend for approval to City Council. There being no further business, the meeting was adj TEST: Rae Chidlow -Administrative Assistant