MIAMI SHORES VILLAGE

PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD

REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 16, 2003

 

The regular meeting of the Miami Shores Planning and Zoning Board was held on Thursday, January 16, 2003, at the Village Hall.  The meeting was called to order by Richard Fernandez, Chairman at 7:00 P.M. with the following persons present:

 

ITEM I: ROLL CALL:

 

Richard Fernandez, Chairman

Cesar Sastre, Vice Chairman (Arrived at 7:50 p.m.)

Tim Crutchfield (Arrived at 7:06 p.m.)

                                    W. Robert Abramitis

                                    Donald Shockey

 

ALSO PRESENT:       Al Berg, Planning & Zoning Director

                                    Richard Sarafan, Village Attorney

                                    Irene M. Fajardo, Recording Secretary            

 

Mr. Sarafan swore in all those participating in the meeting.

 

The Board members disclosed that they had visited the sites.

 

ITEM II: APPROVAL OF MINUTES-December 19, 2002

 

Mr. Abramitis made a motion to approve the December 19, 2002 minutes.  Mr. Shockey seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4-0. 

 

ITEM III: SCHEDULE ITEMS

 

PZ03-0116-01             Carlyle Cochran Tr.                  Sec. 504(f)(1): Wall and

                                    Quan Yin Medical Clinic           window sign

                                    217 NE 97 St.

 

 

Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended approval of the wall and window sign.  The applicant Dr. Robert Gastone was there to present the case.  The applicant did not want to add any further information.  After a brief discussion, Mr. Shockey made a motion to approve the wall and the window sign.  Mr. Abramitis seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4-0.

 

PZ03-0116-02             Go Cellular(tenant)                   Sec. 504: Cabinet sign

                                    Boris Moroz                            

                                    9017 Biscayne Blvd.

 

Planning and Zoning                                          - 2 -                                     January 16, 2003

 

Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended approval of the cabinet sign.  David Milgrem, the contractor for the sign company, was there to present the case.  Mr. Milgrem did not have any additional information for the case.  Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to approve the cabinet sign.  Mr. Abramitis seconded the motion.  The Board opened for discussion.  Mr. Shockey inquired about guidelines in the code in regards to the appearance of signs.  Mr. Berg explained the issue of harmony in regards to signs.  Mr. Abramitis expressed his concerns in regards to the need for guidelines and uniformity for signs.  After a brief discussion, the motion passed 4-0.

 

PZ02-1017-02             Daniel and Claudia Aulton                     Sec. 604: Site plan approval

                                    842 NE 99 St.                                      pond and fence/wall

                                                                                                enclosure

                                   

Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended approval of the site plan provided that the applicant relocates the fence so that its setback is 25’, even with the front of the house, and that the fence would be 4’ high and in compliance with the pool fence requirements.  The Board’s main concerns were the approval of the fence in the front yard, and the height of the fence.  The applicant, Mr. Aulton, was there to present the case.  He stated the changes he made from his previous applications.  The Board discussed the fence height and what the county allows.  They expressed their concerns in regards to safety and neighboring children having access to the pond.  The Board also discussed the proposed veneer rock for the pond and how it was not harmonious with the neighborhood.  Some of the Board members felt that the pond would be an attractive nuisance and that a 4’ high would be necessary in order to satisfy the safety concerns.  The applicant felt that a 4’ fence would remove the purpose of having a pond as a decorative element to the property.  After further discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to approve the request.  Motion failed due to a lack of a second vote.  Mr. Abramitis made a motion to approve the request subject to a 4’ high fence pursuant to staff’s recommendations.  Mr. Crutchfield seconded the motion.  Motion failed to carry since the vote was 2-2.  (Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Shockey voted no).  The applicant suggested that he would remove the pond and keep the courtyard.  The Board stated that they would need to see the completed plans first before approving the courtyard.   

 

PZ03-0116-03             Richard and Sylvia Halter                      Sec. 604: Site plan approval

                                    1155 NE 104 St.                                  new house

 

Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended approval of the application subject to the following:

 

1.                  Stucco banding and keystone window sills on the side elevations.

2.                  Finish floor elevation at 10’ with a site grading plan that prohibits rainwater from flowing onto the adjacent properties.

Planning and Zoning                                          - 3 -                                     January 16, 2003

 

3.                  A landscape plan that meets the minimum requirements.

 

The Board expressed their concerns in regards to the crown of the road and the property being raised to high above the surrounding properties.  They were concerned about drainage problems and the applicant not having a submitted drainage plan.  They also expressed their concerns in regards to the landscape proposal and the lack of architectural details on the property.  Some of the Board members mentioned that a two car garage in the front of the property would not be harmonious with the neighborhood.  The Board inquired about the impervious area and any future developments such as a pool or a dock.  The applicant, Richard Halter, was there to present the case.  Mr. Halter tried to address the Board’s concerns.  He stated that he would comply with staff’s recommendations and the Board’s concerns.  After further discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to table the case until the applicant complies with staff’s recommendations and the Board’s concerns.  Mr. Shockey seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4-0.

 

PZ03-0116-04             Marta Arfeld                            Sec. 701: Appeal of Admin

                                    55 NW 102 St.                        Official-paint.

 

Mr. Berg explained the basis of the request, the site conditions, and recommended denial of the paint color request.  The applicant, Ms. Arfeld, was there to present the case.  Ms. Arfeld submitted pictures of her property and other house with similar paint color.  She explained her efforts in trying to beautify her property.  Some of the Board members felt that the paint color matched the design of the house.  After further discussion, Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to overturn staff’s recommendation.  Motion failed due to lack of a second vote.  Mr. Shockey inquired about setting precedence by approving colors.  Mr. Sarafan explained that approving colors for houses does not set precedence since each request is handled on a case by case basis.  Mr. Abramitis made a motion to uphold the Building Official’s recommendation.  Mr. Sastre seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4-1.  (Mr. Crutchfield voted no).

 

A five minute break was taken.  The Chairman, Richard Fernandez, did not return due to illness.  Vice Chairman, Mr. Sastre, took over the rest of the meeting.

 

IV. Discussion/ Recommendation on Marbella Report (previously distributed).

      Discussion on 2nd monthly meeting for New Land Development Regulations.

 

The Board reviewed the report that was previously distributed by staff.  After making several changes to the report, the Board members agreed that Mr. Crutchfield would draft a report that the Board could review, approve, and then present to Council. 

(See attached narrative)

 

ITEM V.: NEXT MEETING- February 20, 2003

 

 

 

Planning and Zoning                                          - 4 -                                     January 16, 2003

 

ITEM VI: ADJOURNMENT- Mr. Crutchfield made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Mr. Shockey seconded the motion.  Motion passed 4-0.  Meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m. 

 

 

__________________________                                            ________________________

Recording Secretary                                                                 Chairman