Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 01-24-2012 - special - land dev code — reading text

Final Minutes — City of Fort Walton Beach Special Meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach Tuesday, January 24, 2012 4: 00 PM 107 Mirecle Strip Parkway Fort Walton Bwch, F 32508 1. CALL TO ORDER 4:00 PM Meeting was called to order on January 24, 2012 at Council Chamber, 107 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL. Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Mike Anderson _ Mayor Present Bobb Gri ................. Council Seat 1 Absent o ce gossorn Council Seat 2 Present Dennis Reeves Council Seat 3 Present Trey Goodwin Council Seat 4 Present Bobby Nabors Council Seat 5 Present Ball Ri don Council Seat 6 Present Dick R earson Council Seat 7 Present Also present: MPB members Dean Covey, Glenda Glover ( arrived at 4: 11 pm), Don Panzenhagen, Charles Scott, and Janet Wilson; Gail Easley, Consultant, Gail Easley Company; and David Theriaque, Theriaque & Spain Law Firm, sub -consultant for the LDC update 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Mayor led in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. DISCUSSION ITEM 1. Discussion of 2012 Draft Land Development Code Revisions The City's planting consultant and staff will present an overview of changes to the Land Development Code for City Council information/ discussion/ feedback. Stella Jones, City Planner, explained the purpose of this evening's meeting is to review and discuss the changes to the City's Land Development Code ( LDC) that have been undertaken the past year with the assistance of the Municipal Planning Board ( MPB) through several public hearings. She advised what is being presented is the final draft version, and introduced the City's consultant, Gail Easley. City Council ofFort Wa1mn Beach Page / Printed 112512012 218 Special Meeting Minutes January 24, 2012 Ms. Easley presented an overview of the revisions including new zoning maps, which recognizes 11 districts, reduced from the previous 26 districts. Ms. Easley discussed the structure and content of the revised LDC, stating it eliminates duplications, clarifies requirements, and streamlines requirements and procedures. Major issues discussed included eliminating shoreline protection and providing setbacks and wetlands protection; recognizing the Eglin map to ensure tall structures do not interfere with the mission of Eglin; the creation of a downtown design overlay district, which was discussed with the downtown merchants; and the addition of accessory dwellings with specific limitations on size and location. It was noted the issue of accessory dwellings was a topic of discussion with the MPB, and that the motions made by the MPB failed for lack of a majority; therefore, the issue has been brought before Council for recommendation. Other changes discussed included a requirement that protection of historic structures be based on state/ federal recognition rather than age; landscaping specifications; and sign standards to include removal of the compliance date, removing specific protection for landmark signs, and increasing sign size. David Theriaque discussed nonconfomtities and variances of the revised LDC; explained benign and detrimental nonconfomilties; and the appeals of administrative decisions and waivers. Mr. Theriage discussed at length the quasi -judicial hearing process and explained ex parte communication; the conduct of hearings and touched on due process, testimony, cross - examination, and the appeal of a decision. Discussion included the importance of disclosure of any ex parte communication by Council members in reference to any issue that may come before the Council. Ms. Easley stated that the next step in the process of adoption of the revised LDC is a public hearing before the MPB, acting as the Local Planning Agency ( LPA) to provide a recommendation to Council, to be followed by two readings of the ordinances before Council. The new LDC should be adopted and finalized by May 1, 2012 4. ADJOURNMENT: 5: 40 pm II r / Attes Oity Clerk / City Council of Fort Walion Beach Page 2 Printed 112512012