HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-09-2005 Agenda PacketCity of Cape Canaveral
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL ANNEX
111 POLK AVENUE
MARCH 9, 2005
7:30 P.M.
Call to Order
Roll Call
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Motion Re: Approval of Meeting Minutes for February 23, 2005.
(Workshop Meeting and Regular Meeting)
2. Discussion Re: Requirements for Street Lighting - City Planner.
3. Discussion Re: Submittal Requirements for Special Exceptions and Variances -
City Planner.
4. Review and Recommendation to City Council Re: Proposed Ordinance to
Change Site Plan Approval Procedures - City Attomey.
5. Discussion Re: Oak Park Condominiums - City Attorney.
Pursuant to Section 286.1015, F.S., the City hereby advises the public that if a person
decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning and Zoning Board with respect to
any matter rendered at this meeting, that person will need a record of the proceedings,
and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the City for the
introduction or admission into evidence of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence,
nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise aMoWed by law. This meeting
may include the attendance of one or more members of the Cape Canaveral City
Council, Board of Adjustment, Code Enforcement and/or Community Appearance Board
who may or may not participate in Board discussions held at this public meeting.
Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings
should contact the City Clerk's office at 868-1221, 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
105 Polk Avenue • Post Office Box 326 • Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-0326
Telephone: (321) 868-1222 • SUNCOM: 982-1222 • FAX: (321) 868-1247
www myflorida.com/cape • email: c apoamaveral@c8.s oom
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
WORKSHOP MEETING WITH CITY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
A Workshop Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Board was held on February 23, 2005, at
the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Board Chairperson
Bea McNeely called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. The Secretary called the roll.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Bea McNeely
Leo Nicholas
Lamar Russell
John Fredrickson
Alice Filteau
Donald Dunn
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
1st Alternate
2nd Alternate
MEMBERS ABSENT
Walter Schoenfeld (Excused)
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Rocky Randels Mayor
Robert Hoog Vice Mayor
James Morgan
Buzz Petsos
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT
Steve Miller
OTHERS PRESENT
Susan Chapman
Todd Peetz
Anthony Garganese
Todd Morley
DISCUSSION:
Board Secretary
City Planner
City Attorney
Building Official
1. City Code Review - Chapter 102 - Landclearinq.
City Manager, Bennett Boucher explained that City Attorney, Anthony Garganese started
a working draft based on a prior City Council workshop and meeting with City staff. Mr.
Boucher gave a brief overview of the Board packet information and advised that City
Council adopted an ordinance placing a moratorium for land clearing permits for 60
days. Mayor Randels advised that this came about as a result of developers removing
vegetation at new project sites. He explained that the code is outdated and should be
updated to preserve existing vegetation.
City Attorney Garganese explained that he provided an incomplete draft, amending
Chapter 102, to encourage protection and preservation of the maximum number of
viable trees, enhance vegetation, and create green area.
Planning & Zoning Board
Workshop Meeting with City Council
February 23, 2005
Page 2
Lamar Russell commented drainage facilities can result in the removal of a lot of trees.
The Board members discussed the Ocean Woods development as an example for
saving trees. Discussion followed regarding retention ponds, water retention,
percolation, stormwater, common retention areas with adjoining properties, creating
incentives for saving trees, requiring a tree survey with an overlay of what trees are
existing and what improvements are proposed, reducing densities and increasing height.
The Board members and City Council reviewed and discussed the proposed updated
definitions, enforcement and penalties, mitigation, permits and application requirements,
and permitting exceptions for emergency removal from permitting requirements.
Followed were comments from the public followed. The Board members and City
Council reviewed the ordinance draft through page 8.
The next workshop meeting was scheduled for 5:00 p.m. next Tuesday, March 1, 2005,
before the regular City Council meeting.
The workshop meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Bea McNeely, Chairperson
Susan L. Chapman, Board Secretary
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 23, 2005
A Regular Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Board was held on February 23, 2005, at
the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Board Chairperson
Bea McNeely called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. The Secretary called the roll.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Bea McNeely
Leo Nicholas
Lamar Russell
John Fredrickson
Alice Filteau
Donald Dunn
MEMBERS ABSENT
Walter Schoenfeld
OTHERS PRESENT
Susan Chapman
Todd Peetz
Anthony Garganese
Robert Hoog
Todd Morley
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
1st Alternate
2nd Alternate
(Excused)
Board Secretary
City Planner
City Attorney
Mayor Pro-Tem
Building Official
All persons giving testimony were sworn in by City Attorney Garganese.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: February 9, 2005.
Motion by Chairperson McNeely, seconded by Lamar Russell to approve the meeting
minutes of February 9, 2005. Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
2. Recommendation Re: Special Exception Request No. 04-04 to Allow Outside
Storage of Recreational Vehicles, Trailers, and Trailerable Items in the C-2
Zoning District, (192 Center Street) - Ron Abeles, Petitioner.
Todd Peetz, City Planner, advised that the request was tabled at the previous two
meetings for additional information. He reviewed the submitted exhibit and noted that
the number of proposed parking spaces exceeded code requirements.
Ron Abeles, Petitioner, testified that he was petitioning to be allowed to have outside
storage of trailers and Trailerable items. He verified that he provided the additional
exhibit as requested by the Board at the last meeting. The Board members reviewed
and discussed the exhibit. Mr. Abeles verified that he was the property owner of the
entire area shown on the survey.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2005
Page 2
The Board members reviewed the special exception worksheet. Mr. Abeles verified that
all code requirements would be met with this request. He promised that it would not
become a junk yard. He agreed to install a tow away sign for inoperable and untagged
vehicles. Referring to the exhibit map, he testified that he would limit parking to 55
spaces, storage will only be located within the yellow highlighted area, and ingress and
egress will be limited as depicted on the survey in the orange highlighted area. The
Board reviewed each item of the application worksheet.
Burt Bruns, citizen, cautioned the Board on granting the request for the special exception
to run with property because Mr. Abeles may sell the property in the future. City
Attorney Garganese responded that the special exception for outside storage will be
limited to the items specified on the application. Todd Morley, Building Official advised
that any violation to the granted special exception would be turned over to code
enforcement.
Motion by Mr. Fredrickson, seconded by Mr. Nicholas to recommend approval of Special
Exception Request No. 04-04 with the condition that parking be limited to 55 spaces.
Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
3. Recommendation Re: Special Exception Request No. 05-01 to Allow Residential
Use in the C-1 Zoning District, Section 23, Township 24 South, Ranqe 37 East,
Block 1, Lots 1, 2 & 3, Avon by the Sea - Nancy Murray, Petitioner.
Todd Peetz, City Planner, gave a staff report of the request and advised that the
property was located on the corner of N. Atlantic and Washington Avenues.
Ron Wallen, Representative for the Petitioner, testified that they intended to construct
four townhouse units. He further testified that the auto shop, which exists to the South of
subject property, constructed a concrete wall which abuts this property and therefore,
there could never be an alley; the Tots are only 100 ft. in depth; the warranty deed
(Exhibit A) is a legal description of the entire property. Todd Peetz advised that the
property to the East is vacant and it would be up to the Board if they wanted to add
buffering around the property boundaries although, it is not required by code. The Board
reviewed Section 110-566 regarding buffering requirements. Discussion followed. Mr.
Wallen advised that he planned to provide a landscaping buffer around the entire
property. He noted that 50 ft. of Lot 1 will be a retention area for the entire property and
would need to be maintained by the property owner of Lot 1.
James Hale, citizen, asked if the existing Oaks trees and one Bottle Brush tree will
remain. Mr. Wallen responded that as long as the trees are not within the driveway area
the trees would remain. City Attorney Garganese responded that they would need to
abide by the requirements of the code in place at the time the site plan is approved.
Judy Hale, citizen, commented that she would hate to see the trees removed that are
within the City right-of-way.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2005
Page 3
Motion by Mr. Nicholas, seconded by Mr. Fredrickson to recommend approval of Special
Exception Request No. 05-01. Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
4. Motion Re: Revised Site Plan for Portside Villas - Allen Engineering, Applicant.
John Wilt, Representative for Allen Engineering, submitted a revised sketch of the
submitted revised site plan showing additional changes to the guardhouse at the project
entrance. He advised that the guardhouse would be removed due to setback
requirements but would like the entrance gate to remain. He advised that the other
revision was to increase the size of the swimming pool and cabana, which was shown
on sheet 1 of the revised site plan. The Board members reviewed and held discussion
regarding the site plan.
Motion by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Nicholas to approve the revised site plan for
Portside Villas for the pool change and cabana area only. Vote on the motion carried
unanimously.
5. Recommendation to City Council Re: Revised Site Plan for Madison Cav aka
Shores of Artesia, Phase II - Roger Smith, Applicant.
Todd Peetz, City Planner, advised that this request was a change to the vested site plan
to remove the swimming pool for additional parking. He noted that leaving the existing
garage structure would require a Variance because it does not meet the minimum
setback requirement. Mr. Smith, applicant, advised that he did not care if the garage
structure needed to be removed. He advised that he needed approval to remove the
pool to provide additional parking. Todd Peetz, City Planner, advised that current
ordinance requires three parking spaces per townhouse unit, but due to the fact that the
vested site plan was initially approved in 1984, it required only two parking spaces per
townhouse unit. Further, he advised that if the swimming pool and garage were
removed from the site, the project could gain a total of 19 parking spaces, having the
effect of voluntarily complying with today's ordinance. Mr. Smith confirmed that he was
the property owner. City Attorney Garganese commented that any changes to the
vested site plan would need to meet current code requirements. He advised that the
garage structure needed to be removed as part of the vested site plan agreement.
Motion by Mr. Russell, seconded by Mr. Nicholas to recommend approval to remove the
garage structure and remove the pool to provide the additional parking spaces. Vote on
the motion carried unanimously.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2005
Page 4
6. Recommendation to City Council Re: Draft Ordinance to Amend the Special
Exception Requirements for Minimum Lot Sizes and Distances for Vehicle
Rentals and Sales - Anthony Garqanese, City Attorney.
City Attorney Garganese gave the Board an overview of the proposed ordinance.
Discussion followed.
Motion by Chairperson McNeely, seconded by Mr. Russell to recommend approval.
Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business for the Board to consider the meeting was adjourned at
10:18 p.m.
Bea McNeely, Chairperson
Susan L. Chapman, Board Secretary
Memorandum
To: Planning and Zoning Board
From: Todd Peetz, City Planner
Date: March 2, 2005
Re: Agenda Overview for the March 9th P&Z Meeting
The following is an overview for the March 9th meeting.
1) The building official would like the P&Z board to discuss adding a street lighting
ordinance to the code. Attached are sample sections of a few other codes.
2) The building official would like the P&Z board to discuss adding additional
application requirements for special exceptions. Attached are the current application
requirements. The idea is to ensure that both the P&Z board and Board of Adjustment
have the information they need to make a decision. Of note that building elevations a
requested with residential special exceptions in commercial even though this
requirement is not in the code. Also sketch or concept drawing requirements should be
provided for certain types of special exceptions.
3) Review proposed ordinance changing the approval procedures for site plans.
4) The City attorney provided an opinion of the testimony provided during the site
plan review of Oak Park. It was asked that this be discussed at the meeting.
5) The P&Z Board and City Council may continue their review of the proposed tree
protection and land clearing ordinance pending additional information to be provided
by the City Attorney.
If you have any questions, or need further information please feel free to contact me at
407-629-8880.
Winter Park
Sec. 58-387. Utility and required street improvements.
(h) The subdivider shall furnish street lights in each new subdivision; these lights to be
of the mercury vapor type with a minimum of 4,000 lumens. All lights shall be mounted
on pre -stressed concrete, poles, or aluminum, stainless steel or other metal poles. Such
poles and the lights attached thereto shall be furnished and installed by the subdivider at
this expense. After such installation, the city will assume all payments for electrical
power for the operation of such. Construction details, spacing and location shall be
approved by the city engineer. The city will consider more efficient type light sources
provided they give the same amount of light.
Cocoa Beach
ARTICLE I. Sl'1h PLAN
Section 5-01. General.
In order to secure a final development order or building permit, a site plan shall be
submitted with every application for a change of use, modification to an approved site
plan or a request for building permit for any building or use that is required to provide
off-street parking except a single-family home or duplex on a single parcel. The plan
shall be drawn to a scale of not less than one (1) inch to twenty (20) feet, and shall
accurately depict and designate the required design standards of this chapter. The site
plan shall include location of structure in relation to property and lot lines, setbacks and
easements, off-street parking and loading spaces, service areas, walls, fences, public
streets, driveways, open spaces and sidewalks, utilities, showing the same underground
where required, drainage, and the location and type of signs, pole lights and site
lighting. In addition, lot areas, percentage of building ground coverage, floor elevations
and square footage in each structure shall be included as data on such plans. The location,
screening and control of noise -producing devices, and information concerning abutting
land areas, such as land use, zoning, existing structures and existing streets shall also be
included.
(Ord. No. 1349, § 2, 2-20-2003)
Melbourne
Sec. 29-6. Required improvements.
(8) Utilities.
c. Luminaries. Luminaries including street lights shall be installed within the street
rights -of -way and shall conform to the latest FDOT or Florida Power and Light design
standards in effect at the time of construction plan approval for residential development
or commercial development, depending on the type of subdivision. All street light utility
systems shall be provided with minimum separation and shall be designed to reduce glare
on non-public property. Street light locations shall be approved by the city engineer.
r\geY1-em
Luminaries shall be provided throughout the subdivision upon issuance of a building
permit for construction of fifty 50 ter cent of the units in the development. For the
purposes of public safety street lights may be installed in strategic areas in the
subdivision prior to construction of fifty (50) per cent of the units of the development.
Port Orange
Chapter 5 SUBDIVISIONS
Section 5: Utility improvements.
(a) Water and sewer. Utility improvements shall be constructed as outlined in chapter
11 of this code, including potable water, sanitary sewer, and reclaimed water systems.
(b) Electric. The developer shall be responsible for installation of electric utility lines,
with all lines to be constructed underground unless otherwise permitted in section 8,
chapter 11 of this code.
(1) Street BEm and walkway fights The developer shall forward approved
development plans to the power utility franchisee for street light and walkway light
design in com • fiance with the standard construction details.
(a) Street lights shall be generally provided at all intersections, and at major entry
roads into the subdivision as designated by the administrative official. Street lights or
walkway lights shall be provided at intervals along each street of between 300 and 400
feet.
(b) The develo l er shall pay the cit a sum established by resolution of the city council
for all street lights and walkway required to serve the subdivision at buildout and
located along public streets.
lights
(c) When street lights or walkway lights are provided by the power utility franchisee
for the subdivision, the developer shall arrange for installation and the city shall request
energization of street lights and walkway lights at major entry roads into the subdivision
and at all intersections before the final plat for the subdivision is recorded. The city will
request installation and energization of all other street lights and walkway lights at the
time that 25 percent of the platted lots in the subdivision have been issued certificates of
occupancy.
(d) When alternate design for street lights or walkwa is used, the developer
shall arrange for installation and energization of such
(e) Prior to installing any alternate design street
or walkway lights along public
streets, the developer and homeowners' association shall enter into an agreement with the
city. The developer or homeowners' association shall say all costs related to construction
and installation of such street lights or walkway lights. In addition, the homeowners'
association shall pay all maintenance and operatin . costs, including repair, replacement
and electricity, for such street lights or walkway
(f) Prior to installing any walkway lights along state or county roads, the developer
and homeowners' association or adjacent property owner shall enter into an agreement
with the city. The developer, homeowners' association or adjacent pro 9 ert owner shall
pay all costs related to construction and installation of such walkway lights. In addition,
the homeowners' association or adjacent property owner shall pay all maintenance and
operating costs, including repair, replacement and electricity, for such walkway
lights
lights
lights
lights
ARTICLE II. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT* Page 1 of 3
DIVISION 2. SPECIAL EXCEPTIONS
Sec. 110-46. Application; procedures.
The board of adjustment shall hear and decide only such special exceptions as the board of
adjustment is specifically authorized to pass on by the terms of this chapter. The board of
adjustment shall decide such questions as are involved in determining whether special exceptions
should be granted and shall grant special exceptions with such conditions and safeguards as are
appropriate under this chapter or other applicable ordinances or shall deny special exceptions when
not in harmony with the purpose and intent of this chapter. A special exception shall not be granted
by the board of adjustment, except according to the following:
(1) A written application for a special exception is submitted indicating the section
of this chapter under which the special exception is sought and stating the grounds
on which the special exception is sought and stating the grounds on which it is
requested.
(2) All proposed special exceptions shall be submitted to the planning and zoning
board for study and written recommendation. Such proposal shall be submitted at
least 14 days prior to the planning and zoning board meeting at which it is to be
considered. The board of adjustment shall consider the recommendation of the
planning and zoning board as part of the official record when hearing an application
for a special exception.
(3) The property owner for which a special exception is sought shall provide the
names and addresses of all affected property owners to the city at least 30 days in
advance of the planning and zoning board meeting. For the purpose of this section,
an affected property owner or owners shall mean any property owner of record
owning property which lies within a radius of 500 feet from any boundary of the
property for which a special exception is sought as reflected in the survey or that
portion of the map maintained by the tax assessor reflecting the boundaries of the
parcels affected.
(4) A notice shall be prepared and mailed by the office of the city clerk using
certified mail to all affected property owners, stating the time, date, and location of
the planning and zoning meeting and further indicating that the role of the planning
and zoning board is advisory in nature and that final administrative approval or
denial will be before the board of adjustment at a subsequently scheduled meeting;
provided however, that failure to receive such notice shall not affect any action or
proceeding taken hereunder or constitute a defect upon which any claim can be
made against the city.
(5) When any proposed special exception lies within 500 feet of the boundary of
any property under another government's jurisdiction, notice shall be forwarded to
the governing body of the appropriate government authority in order to afford such
body an opportunity to appear at the hearing and express its opinion on the effect of
said proposed special exception.
(6) Notice shall be given at least 15 days in advance of public hearing. The owner
of the property for which a special exception is sought or his agent shall be notified
by certified mail. Notice of such hearing shall be posted on the property for which the
special exception is sought and at the city hall and shall be published in a
newspaper of regular circulation within the city.
(7) Any party may appear in person or be represented by an attorney at the public
hearing. enD i�
http://library2.municode.com/gateway.dlllf lflorida/33136/33327/33329?f=templates$fn=docu... 2/16/2005
ARTICLE II. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT* Page 2 of 3
(8) The board of adjustment shall make such findings as it is empowered to make
under the various sections of this chapter, but in no case shall the board of
adjustment grant a special exception that in any way adversely affects the public
interest.
(Code 1981, § 645.21; Ord. No. 18-2002, § 2A, 12-17-02)
Sec. 110-47. Written findings certifying compliance.
(a) It is the intent of this section to promote compliance by the city board of adjustment
with this Code, state law and judicial precedent which provide for written findings of fact in
support of board decisions. Such findings should be more than mere conclusory statements
or recitations of legislative language. Before any special exception shall be issued, the
board of adjustment shall make written findings on forms which are on file in the city clerk's
office and which may be amended from time to time by a resolution duly adopted by the city
council. The written findings shall certify compliance with the specific rules governing
individual special exceptions, and that satisfactory provision and arrangement has been
made concerning the following, where applicable:
(1) Adequate ingress and egress may be obtained to and from the property, with
particular reference to automotive and pedestrian safety and convenience, traffic
flow and control, and access in case of fire or emergency.
(2) Adequate off-street parking and loading areas may be provided without
creating undue noise, glare, odor or other detrimental effects upon adjoining
properties.
(3) Adequate and properly located utilities are available or may be reasonably
provided to serve the proposed development.
(4) Adequate screening and/or buffering will be provided to protect and provide
compatibility with adjoining properties.
(5) Signs, if any, and proposed exterior lighting will be so designed and arranged
so as to promote traffic safety and to eliminate or minimize any undue glare,
incompatibility or disharmony with adjoining properties.
(6) Refuse and service areas, with particular reference to the items in subsections
(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.
(7) Required setback and other open space.
(8) Height.
(9) Landscaping.
(10) Renewal and/or termination dates.
(11) That the use will be reasonably compatible with surrounding uses in its
function, its hours of operation, the type and amount of traffic to be generated, the
building size and setbacks, its relationship to land values and other facts that may be
used to measure compatibility.
(b) In granting any special exception, the board of adjustment may prescribe appropriate
conditions and safeguards in conforming with this chapter. Violation of such conditions and
safeguards, when made a part of the terms under which the special exception is granted,
shall be deemed to be a violation of this chapter and punishable as provided by this chapter.
(Code 1981, § 645.23; Ord. No. 43-93, § 1, 12-7-93)
http://library2.municode.com/gateway.d11/f /florida/33136/33327/33329?f=templates$fn=docu... 2/16/2005
ARTICLE II. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT* Page 3 of 3
Sec. 110-48. Expiration.
Any special exception granted under this chapter shall expire if the applicant has not
obtained a certificate of occupancy or occupational license as appropriate and utilized the special
exception within 12 months of the date of its issuance; provided, however, the board of adjustment
may extend this time period by an additional 12-month period if the applicant can show good cause
for the delay. If the applicant desires an extension, the applicant shall submit its request directly to
the board of adjustment prior to the expiration of the first 12-month period. Additionally, a special
exception shall expire and become null and void if the use granted thereunder is abandoned or
otherwise ceases to exist or a period of 18 consecutive months. As used herein, abandoned shall
mean that the applicant has gone out of business, let all business licenses lapse or has otherwise
changed the use of the property in conformance with the Code of Ordinances of Cape Canaveral,
Florida. Once a special exception has lapsed due to abandonment, the applicant must resubmit its
special exception request pursuant to section 110-46 of the Code of Ordinances of Cape
Canaveral, Florida.
(Ord. No. 5-96, § 1, 6-4-96)
Secs. 110-49--110-60. Reserved.
http://library2.municode.com/gateway.dll/fl/florida/33136/33327/33329?f=templates$fn=docu... 2/16/2005
ARTICLE II. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT* Page 6 of 8
may extend this time period by an additional 12-month period if the applicant can show good
cause for the delay. If the applicant desires an extension, the applicant shall submit its request
directly to the board of adjustment prior to the expiration of the first 12-month period. Additionally, a
special exception shall expire and become null and void if the use granted thereunder is abandoned
or otherwise ceases to exist or a period of 18 consecutive months. As used herein, abandoned
shall mean that the applicant has gone out of business, let all business licenses lapse or has
otherwise changed the use of the property in conformance with the Code of Ordinances of Cape
Canaveral, Florida. Once a special exception has lapsed due to abandonment, the applicant must
resubmit its special exception request pursuant to section 110-46 of the Code of Ordinances of
Cape Canaveral, Florida.
(Ord. No. 5-96, § 1, 6-4-96)
Secs. 110-49--110-60. Reserved.
DIVISION 3. VARIANCES
Sec. 110-61. Variance.
Variance from this chapter shall be obtained only through action of the board of adjustment.
The specific terms of each variance are binding and may not be changed, except by a new variance
or by reversion to conformity with this chapter.
(Code 1981, § 643.13)
Sec. 110-62. Applications; procedures.
(a) The board of adjustment shall authorize upon appeal in specific cases such variance
from this chapter as will not be contrary to the public interest, when owing to special
conditions a literal enforcement of this chapter would result in unnecessary hardship. A
variance from this chapter shall not be granted by the board of adjustment, except according
to the following:
(1) A written application for a variance is submitted demonstrating that:
a. Special conditions and circumstances exist which are peculiar to the
land, structure or building involved and which are not applicable to other
lands, buildings or structures in the same district.
b. Literal interpretation of this chapter would deprive the applicant of rights
commonly enjoyed by other properties in the same district under the terms of
this chapter.
c. The special conditions and circumstances referred to in subsection (a)
(1)a. of this section do not result from the actions of the applicant.
d. Granting the variance requested will not confer on the applicant any
special privilege that is denied by this chapter to other lands, structures or
dwellings in the same district. No nonconforming use of neighboring lands,
structures or buildings in the same district and no permitted use of land,
structures or buildings in other districts shall be considered grounds for the
issuance of a variance.
(2) All proposed variances shall be submitted to the planning and zoning board for
http://library2.municode.com/gateway.dll/f /florida/33149/33340/33342?f=templates$fn=docu... 3/1/2005
ARTICLE II. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT* Page 7 of 8
study and written recommendation. Such proposal shall be submitted at least 14
days prior to the planning and zoning board meeting at which it is to be considered.
The board of adjustment shall consider the recommendation of the planning and
zoning board as part of the official record when hearing an application for a variance.
(3) The property owner for which a variance is sought shall provide the names and
addresses of all affected property owners to the city at least 30 days in advance of
the planning and zoning board meeting. For the purpose of this section, an affected
property owner or owners shall mean any property owner of record owning property
which lies within a radius of 500 feet from any boundary of the property for which a
variance is sought as reflected in the survey or that portion of the map maintained by
the tax assessor reflecting the boundaries of the parcels affected.
(4) A notice shall be prepared and mailed by the office of the city clerk using
certified mail to all affected property owners, stating the time, date, and location of
the planning and zoning meeting and further indicating that the role of the planning
and zoning board is advisory in nature and that final administrative approval or
denial will be before the board of adjustment at a subsequently scheduled meeting;
provided however, that failure to receive such notice shall not affect any action or
proceeding taken hereunder or constitute a defect upon which any claim can be
made against the city.
(5) When any proposed variance lies within 500 feet of the boundary of any
property under another government's jurisdiction, notice shall be forwarded to the
governing body of the appropriate government authority in order to afford such body
an opportunity to appear at the hearing and express its opinion on the effect of said
proposed special exception.
(6) Notice of public hearing shall be given as specified for a special exception in
section 110-46 et seq.
(7) Any party may appear in person or may be represented by an agent or by
attorney at the public hearing.
(8) The board of adjustment shall make findings that the requirements of
subsection (a)(1) of this section have been met by the applicant for a variance.
(9) The board of adjustment shall further make a finding that the reasons set forth
in the application justify the granting of the variance and that the variance is the
minimum variance that will make possible reasonable use of the land, building or
structure.
(10) The board of adjustment shall further make a finding that the granting of the
variance will be in harmony with the general purpose and intent of this chapter and
will not be injurious to the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public
welfare.
(11) It is the intent of this subsection to promote compliance by the city board of
adjustment with this Code, state law and judicial precedent which provide for written
findings of fact in support of board decisions. Such findings should be more than
mere conclusory statements or recitations of legislative language. All findings made
by the board of adjustment in accordance with this section shall be in writing on the
forms which are on file in the city clerk's office and which may be amended from time
to time by a resolution duly adopted by the city council.
(b) In granting any variance, the board of adjustment may prescribe appropriate
conditions and safeguards in conformity with this chapter. Violation of such conditions and
safeguards, when made a part of the terms under which the variance is granted, shall be
deemed a violation of this chapter and punishable as provided by this chapter. Under no
circumstances shall the board of adjustment grant a variance to permit a use not generally
http://library2.municode.com/gateway.dlUfUflorida/33149/33340/33342?f=templates$fn=docu... 3/1/2005
•ARTICLE II. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT* Page 8 of 8
or by special exception permitted in the district involved or any use expressly or by
implication prohibited by this chapter.
(Code 1981, § 645.25; Ord. No. 43-93, § 2, 12-7-93; Ord. No. 18-2002, § 2B, 12-17-02)
Secs. 110-63--110-85. Reserved.
http://library2.municode.com/gateway. dll/fl/florida/33149/33340/33342?f=templates$fn=docu... 3/1/2005
ORDINANCE NO. 03-2005
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 110 OF THE CODE OF
ORDINANCES, ZONING; AMENDING THE PROCEDURE
BY WHICH SITE PLANS ARE REVIEWED AND
APPROVED; GRANTING THE CITY COUNCIL FINAL
DECISION -MAKING AUTHORITY REGARDING SITE PLAN
APPLICATIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF PRIOR
INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
INCORPORATION INTO THE CODE; SEVERABILITY; AND
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City is granted the authority, under Section 2(b), Article VIII, of the State
Constitution, to exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly prohibited by
law; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Cape Canaveral City Code, the Planning and Zoning Board
currently reviews all site plans for final approval; and
WHEREAS, the City Council, as the City's elected body, desires to be held accountable to
the citizens of the City of Cape Canaveral with regard to final approval of development projects
within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that amending the City Code so that the Planning and
Zoning Board reviews and makes recommendations for approval or denial of proposed site plans to
the City Council, while the Council maintains the final approval authority over any proposed site
plan, would ensure that the Council remains responsible to the citizens with respect to their desires
regarding development within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, hereby finds this
Ordinance to be in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Cape
Canaveral.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard
County, Florida, as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby fully incorporated herein by this
reference as legislative findings and the intent and purpose of the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral.
Section 2. Code Amendment. Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Cape
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. 03-2005
Page 1 of 5
A-0Y161G, -\-cY11��
•
Canaveral, Florida, is hereby amended as follows (underlined type indicates additions and ,trrit�out
type indicates deletions, while asterisks (* * *) indicate a deletion from this Ordinance of text
existing in Chapter 110. It is intended that the text in Chapter 110 denoted by the asterisks and set
forth in this Ordinance shall remain unchanged from the language existing prior to adoption of this
Ordinance):
CHAPTER 110. ZONING
* **
ARTICLE VI. SITE PLANS
Sec. 110-223. Review procedures.
* **
* **
(f) All plans shall be made available to the planning and zoning board for its review and
recommendation to the city council. All sitc plans rcquircd uridh,r this aiticL shall b
rL,visWc for approval by plarurirrg aid z.onirig board. The building official shall prepare
a site plan checklist to be submitted to the planning and zoning board when a site plan is
reviewed.
(g) The planning and zoning board, following public hearing and review of any
submitted site plan, shall make a written recommendation to the city council recommending
approval, approval with conditions, or denial of inay apprevepprovc vvith conditions, .,i
de11 the application based upon the site plan's compliance with the city's Code and
comprehensive plan. Such recommendation shall include the reasons for the board's
recommendation and show the board has considered the applicable site plan criteria set forth
in this Article. he plan ,
Uf appeal to the amity vielow.
(h) Upon receipt of the planning and zoning board's recommendation, and following
public hearing and review of the submitted site plan, the city council shall make a final
decision on the application. If the city council determines that the planning and zoning board
has not made a recommendation on an application within a reasonable period of time, the city
council may, at its discretion, consider an application without the planning and zoning
board's recommendation. Any decision of the city council is final and subject to judicial
review.
(ih) If the city council plarrrrrrrg an Lurrrrrg bua, cl elects to grant conditional approval of
a site plan subject to any conditions or contingencies, the applicant shall have 90 days from
the date of conditional site plan approval to satisfy any such conditions and/or contingencies.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. 03-2005
Page 2 of 5
If all conditions and/or contingencies are satisfied, the final site plan approval date shall be
either the expiration of the 90-day period; or the date the building official certifies by
notation on all city site plan copies, that all conditions and/or contingencies are satisfied,
whichever first occurs. If the conditions and/or contingencies are not satisfied before the
expiration of the 90-day period the conditional approval shall be automatically withdrawn
and the application shall stand as denied. The 90-day compliance period may be extended
at the discretion of the city council , upon written request of the
applicant prior to the expiration of the 90-day compliance period, and where the applicant
demonstrates unusual circumstances or undue hardship.
(ii) The planning and zoning board and city council shall have no authority to consider
a proposed site plan unless:
(1) The applicant has adequately and completely addressed all items on the site
plan checklist prepared by the building official; and
(2) The applicant has otherwise complied with all matters contemplated under
this section.
At any me
table and resc d e any si an scheduled, consideration, ich is determi ed y the building
o icial n o ha e complied ith all of the req irements of this ction,: A finding b the building
/ffici that a sit p n is read for consideratio by e planning a zoning board or uncil
s 1 not be construed as binding the board or council to approve the site plan.
tlg held for that purpose, the planning and zoning board or city council shall
(lam) Following a public hearing on any application for site plan approval [before] the city
council plauiiiiig acid wiling buaid the city clerk board' sccrrtary shall send to the applicant,
by certified mail, return receipt requested, written notice of the action taken and the right to
judicial review an appca as p1oaided bclow.
ec. lltl-1L.S.J. Appeal.
Any persons) or the city aggiicvcd 1 y rslon of ttic pand Luiuiig t'uaia to t1i�
tlrc pand Lai isio�l by the city council is rc�id�rcd.
(a) Tlre-apphcal,t may7noti-ater-tirarrten-catenttar71-ays-after-rec:eiving-notice-offmal--actiarr.
wily cic1k a written ivquappCcd 1 caiiiig
rd iClatulg to sitc plan approval,
•
Of the city councu.
�ou�lcil shgacst. The city council shall hca', acid 1
appcal vVit• pp•
cal i
�t�lmlilation oil, tll
•
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. 03-2005
Page 3 of 5
Lol,11e11 scar,iTg.
V1lb�V VI IllAd uffei�d by 0.1iy ,ntL.rc ted pe
whetllel tli� �rlalllling allu coningboarcl-properir denied -an -application -for -site -plan —approval -in
awvldali�c wrtl, lily City Cock, a„d L,ity wuiYlvlmn n, plaii. vlilial iuou not
apply.
eny the appeal by majority vote In acLordanLL wi's
t{uviaiil i�.�juilcincnt Gvntaiilcd ui thv City Cliaitci. I'alluie to ,cad a iiiajoiity vvty will ltsult nt
vilial .,f it, app . Any dispute of fact inns t be dLei ded on the basis of a co l% Lnt and SUbStanti
viisio11 of the city council is fnal.
aild Teiiiedies sit forth in tliis section have been cxllads tcd.
Section 3. Repeal of Prior Inconsistent Ordinances and Resolutions. All prior inconsistent
ordinances and resolutions adopted by the City Council, or parts of prior ordinances and resolutions
in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Section 4. Incorporation Into Code. This Ordinance shall be incorporated into the Cape
Canaveral City Code and any section or paragraph, number or letter, and any heading may be
changed or modified as necessary to effectuate the foregoing. Grammatical, typographical, and like
errors may be corrected and additions, alterations, and omissions, not affecting the construction or
meaning of this ordinance and the City Code may be freely made.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, word or provision
of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction, whether for substantive, procedural, or any other reason, such portion shall be deemed
a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the
remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption
by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, this day of
, 2005.
ATTEST:
SUSAN STILLS, City Clerk
ROCKY RANDELS, Mayor
Bob Hoog
Jim Morgan
Rocky Randels _
Buzz Petsos
Steve Miller
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. 03-2005
Page 4 of 5
For Against
First Reading:
Legal Ad published:
Second Reading:
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for
the City of Cape Canaveral only:
ANTHONY A. GARGANESE, City Attorney
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. 03-2005
Page 5 of 5
BROWN, GARGANESE, WEISS & D'AGRESTA, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
Usher L. Brown'
Jeffrey P. Buak°
Suzanne D'Agresta°
Anthony A. Garganese°
John H. Ward'
Jeffrey S. Weiss
'Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
°Board Certified City, County & Local Government Law
VIA HAND DELIVERY
Planning and Zoning Board
City of Cape Canaveral
105 Polk Avenue
Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
Offices in Orlando, Kissimmee,
Cocoa & Viera
March 1, 2005
Debra S. Babb-Nutcher°
Joseph E. Blitch
Victoria L. Cecil
Lisa M. Fletcher
Amy J. Goddard
Katherine Latorre
Erin J. O'Leary
J. W. Taylor
Of Counsel
FILE COPY
Re: Oak Park Condominium Site Plan Approval / Perjurious Testimony
City of Cape Canaveral — General Zoning
Our File No.: 513-008
Dear Madam Chair and Members of the Board:
Please allow this correspondence to address the Planning and Zoning Board's
concerns regarding its site plan approval of the Oak Park Condominium project generally
located on North Atlantic Avenue and Shorewood Drive. Specifically, this correspondence
shall address the legal effect of and remedies for the allegedly perjurious testimony of
William "Dude" Braselton, Vice President of Oak Park of Brevard, Inc., at the September
22, 2004 Planning and Zoning Board meeting.
I. Background
The crux of this issue revolves around whether Mr. Braselton ever sought consent
from Coastal Fuels for the purpose of gaining ingress and egress to and from Oak Park via
Shorewood Drive, a private road. The Planning and Zoning Board has expressed its traffic
flow concerns with regard to Oak Park having a curb cut on North Atlantic since the
inception of this site plan review.
The site plan for Oak Park Condominiums was considered by the Planning and
Zoning Board at its August 25, 2004 meeting, at which City Planner Todd Peetz
commented that throughout the site plan review process, city staff has requested that the
applicant work with Towne Realty and Villages of Seaport for access to Shorewood Drive.
City Manager, Bennett Boucher, provided that Towne Realty and Coastal Fuels owned
Shorewood Drive and that no party involved with the Oak Park project had approached
Towne Realty for the purpose of gaining access to Shorewood Drive. Mr. Braselton
Aeftda
testified that he had contacted Tom Downs, developer of Villages of Seaport and Craig
Smith, representative for Coastal Fuels, regarding access to Shorewood Drive, but they
were not interested in negotiating shared access. Likewise, Mr. Braselton's attorney
commented that Coastal Fuels had flat out refused to work with Oak Park, and that further
discussions were fruitless. Despite Mr. Braselton's representations that he had made an
effort to contact the parties controlling access to Shorewood Drive, the Planning and
Zoning Board moved to table consideration of the site plan for two weeks to give Mr.
Braselton time to negotiate with the Shorewood Drive property owners.
At the September 22, 2004 meeting, the Oak Park site plan was once again
considered by the Planning and Zoning Board. At this meeting, Mr. Braselton testified,
under oath to the following:
"1 did contact the two property owners that we had spoken of last time. I
talked to Mr. Craig Smith of Coastal Fuels on August 31st and I talked to Mr.
Kohn Bennett from Towne Realty and Benko on September 14tt'. I have a
signed affidavit that I'll enter into the record showing that both those tasks
were completed."
Mr. Braselton did submit for the record a signed and notarized affidavit attesting to the
above information. Mr. Braselton next explained to the Planning and Zoning Board that no
agreement could be reached with the Shorewood Drive property owners due to additional
terms and conditions being imposed upon him by the property owners. When pressed by
the Board for the details of the terms and conditions, Mr. Braselton's answers were vague.
Excerpts from his relevant testimony follow:
"The two parties, Coastal Fuels and Towne Realty, who I talked to, they are
going to add additional conditions onto obtaining access onto Shorewood, as
well as a request for compensation. And as such, the request of the Board
to pursue -- that is really beyond the scope of any of the ordinances of the
City, and at this time we would like to request just a motion for approval."
* **
"The conditions entail parties beyond only Coastal Fuels and Towne Realty
as well as compensation for access onto the road."
* **
"Like I said there are additional conditions which those parties will impose
onto us which are inequitable and beyond something we feel we can satisfy."
* * *
2
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
"The trouble is, is if the list of people involved in an action grows, if I'm
negotiating, you know, with one person, you got one point of contact, you've
got one set of conditions, you've got one set of people you're ttying to satisfy,
but as the number of people you've got related to one item in an action
grows, it becomes expeditiously difficult to satisfy them and it also becomes
increasingly difficult to even know what they all want or align all their
interests together."
After much discussion, the Planning and Zoning Board moved to approve the site
plan for the Oak Park Condominiums with the condition that ingress and egress be limited
to a right in, right out traffic pattern on North Atlantic Avenue. The motion passed three
votes to two.
During an unrelated agenda item at its January 12, 2005 meeting, the Planning and
Zoning Board questioned Craig Smith of Coastal Fuels regarding his discussion with Mr.
Braselton and the issue regarding access to Shorewood Drive. Mr. Smith indicated that he
never spoke with Mr. Braselton, contrary to Mr. Braselton's testimony at the September 22,
2004 meeting.
II. Issue
The Planning and Zoning Board has now inquired as to the effect of Mr. Braselton's
allegedly perjurious testimony. Specifically, what is the Planning and Zoning Board's
remedy for relying on false or misleading testimony with respect to its approval of the Oak
Park Condominiums?
III. Short Answer
There is no foolproof evidence that Mr. Braselton committed perjury on September
22, 2004. As the matter stands, it is currently his word against Craig Smith's of Coastal
Fuels. It is also important to consider that much, although not all, of what Mr. Braselton
testified to has been corroborated by Kohn Bennett of Towne Realty as being true. Proving
that perjury took place will be extremely difficult to prove in order for the City to gain some
sort of meaningful remedy.
Assuming, Mr. Braselton did perjure himself, such perjury was, indeed, material to
the issues before the Planning and Zoning Board; however, there is currently no explicit
legal support for revocation of the site plan approval. Furthermore, if the City were to
attempt such revocation, it is likely this action will lead to additional, more complicated legal
issues, including presenting a novel quasi-judicial case of first impression to the courts
based on principles of equity.
IV. Legal Analysis
Section 837.02, Florida Statutes, relating to "perjury in an official proceeding,"
3
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
provides that perjury occurs when a person makes a false statement, which he or she does
not believe to be true, under oath in an official preceding, in regard to any material matter.
Such perjury constitutes a felony in the third degree.
Thus, the instant question becomes two -fold:
A. Did Mr. Braselton perjure himself during his September 22, 2004
testimony?
B. If yes, was his perjurious testimony material to the issues before the
Planning and Zoning Board?
A. Did Mr. Braselton Commit Perjury?
Whether or not Mr. Braselton perjured himself in front of the Planning and Zoning
Board, as it stands right now, is a matter of "he said/he said." Mr. Braselton testified that
he spoke with Craig Smith of Coastal Fuels on August 31, 2004 regarding gaining access
to Shorewood Drive, while Mr. Smith denies such conversation ever taking place. There is
no way to truly prove who is telling the truth, one way or the other. Mr. Braselton could
have knowingly misled the Planning and Zoning Board; Mr. Smith simply may not recall
speaking to Mr. Braselton; or Mr. Braselton may be mistaken as to the individual he spoke
with at Coastal Fuels. There is really no way to know for sure.
Several calls over recent weeks to Craig Smith have gone unanswered. I have,
however, been able to confirm that Mr. Braselton spoke with Kohn Bennett of Towne
Realty, as Mr. Braselton represented to the Planning and Zoning Board during his
testimony and in his signed affidavit. Mr. Bennett was kind enough to confirm that he met
with Mr. Braselton on September 14, 2004, and to recount the details of their meeting. Mr.
Bennett confirmed that he informed Mr. Braselton that Towne Realty maintained ownership
over a portion of Shorewood Drive and had an access easement for the remainder of the
road. In addition, Mr. Bennett explained that the Canaveral Port Authority maintained
ownership over a portion of the road and that the Port Authority would have to be party to
any agreement regarding access to Shorewood Drive.
Specifically, Towne Realty is party to an agreement entered into March 5, 1999, and
recorded at Official Record Book 4034, Page 0589, Brevard County, under the terms of
which Towne Realty and other developers paid to the Port Authority nearly $750,000 for
the design and construction of Shorewood Drive. (See Exhibit A). Towne Realty was also
party to an easement agreement dated March 15, 1999, and recorded at Official Record
Book 3980, Page 1998, Brevard County, which explicitly requires Towne Realty to exercise
a good faith effort to obtain, as a condition of allowing ingress and/or egress to/from other
lands on Shorewood Drive (e.g. Oak Park Condominiums), reimbursement for all of the
development and construction costs incurred by the parties to the easement agreement.
(See Exhibit B).'
1 Excerpts from the relevant pages of the agreements are attached to this letter. The agreements in their
4
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
The information provided by Kohn Bennett corroborates Mr. Braselton's testimony to
the Planning and Zoning Board on September 22, 2004 quoted herein indicating that an
additional party would have to be brought into any access agreement. Additionally, Mr.
Braselton's claim that monetary consideration would have to be granted to the other parties
involved in order to gain that access to Shorewood Drive proves to be true as well.
Apparently, these are the details Mr. Braselton alluded to during his testimony, but refused
to clarify. But vagueness alone does not show that Mr. Braselton was at all dishonest or
purposefully misleading in his testimony. Indeed, the fact that the majority of his testimony
proved to be accurate and truthful tends to lead to the opposite conclusion.
B. Was the Perlury Material to Mr. Braselton's Testimony?
Assuming Mr. Braselton did perjure himself, the next determination must be whether
such perjury was material to the issues before the Planning and Zoning Board. A matter is
"material" within the meaning of the perjury statute if it has the mere potential to affect the
resolution of the issue before the tribunal. Kline v. State, 444 So. 2d 1102 (Fla. 1984).
Section 110-222, Cape Canaveral Code, requires that applicants for site plan review
provide a "traffic flow diagram to ensure that an orderly and safe traffic flow is permitted
within the site and that no traffic problems are created by the proposed ingress and egress
routes." Because the City's ordinance requires information related to traffic flow, whether
or not Mr. Braselton sufficiently sought access to Shorewood Drive in order to provide a
safer traffic pattern becomes material to whether the Planning and Zoning Board approved
or denied the Oak Park Condominium Site Plan.
Even though a determination of materiality can be established, it remains unclear
whether or not perjury actually occurred. Additionally, despite significant time expended on
legal research, we could not find any explicit legal authority that would allow the City to
revoke its approval of the site plan based on false or misleading information. Any legal
attempt by the City to revoke the site plan would have to be made on principles of equity
and proving Mr. Braselton perjured himself in order to obtain the rights granted under the
site plan permit. Although we believe that under the right circumstances a strong case can
be made for revoking a site plan permit that was obtained by perjurious testimony of an
applicant at a quasi-judicial hearing, this is likely not the case given the facts known today.
V. Future Courses of Action
It is worth noting two steps the City can take to improve its position should another
situation such as this occur: (A) entering into an interlocal agreement with Brevard County
regarding curb cut permits; and (B) amending the City's code authorizing revocation of site
plan approval if based on false or misleading testimony.
entirety have been forwarded, under separate cover, to the City Manager for the City's files.
5
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
A. Interlocal Agreement
Prior to the City's site plan approval, Mr. Braselton was already in possession of a
curb cut permit issued by Brevard County for access to North Atlantic Avenue. The permit
was issued on February 8, 2004 and Mr. Braselton obviously relied on that curb cut permit
to design the Oak Park project. This permit put the Planning and Zoning Board in a difficult
position during the site plan process. The City may want to consider proposing an
interlocal agreement with Brevard County in order to prevent issuance of such permits prior
to the City's site plan approval process. The City would then be in a better position to
require ingress/egress points on county roads more to the City's liking.
B. Amending City Code
The City Code provides in section 110-171 for the temporary suspension or
permanent revocation of special exceptions granted to establishments serving alcoholic
beverages if it is determined by competent, substantial evidence that the special exception
was granted based on false statements, fraud, deceit, misleading statements, or the
suppression of material facts. The City may wish to add a similar section to Chapter 110
applicable to all land use decisions so that the City has the explicit authority to revoke or
suspend site plans and other land use decisions if and when presented with the current or
similar circumstances.
V. Conclusion
Based on the information presented herein, there is simply no clear and convincing
evidence showing whether or not Mr. Braselton's sworn testimony at the September 22,
2004 Planning and Zoning Meeting constituted perjury. Therefore, the City would not be
justified in pulling its previous approval of the Oak Park Condominium site plan, related
permits or issuing stop -work orders on development of the same. Should any additional
information or evidence come to light, the City may reconsider this issue.
Please contact my office should you require further information regarding this
matter. I will keep the City Manager informed regarding any new information or evidence
the City may want to consider.
Very Truly Yours,
Kate Latorre
Assistant City Attorney
Cc: Mayor and City Council
Bennett Boucher, City Manager
Anthony A. Garganese, City Attorney
6
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
Enclosures
7
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
uG/14/V3 14:Z8 VAX 414 27e '710
Y&M/ZILBER/TOWNE 005
4
•
Coo E1
0
ci:ru 091.3297
• an aoowPsea: 4034 / 0590
• construct a Nortb-South conutcoor, which will connect ratty Drive to too south
boundary of The Road (or the mad to be constricted) ee shown on Exhibit "C",
within two yearn from; the.date of this Agreement. Tha Developer and Ruin shall
bc allowed to use the North -South cormector and Yetty Drive for ingress and egr'ee5
to their properties temporarily until such limo as The Road is completed. Tho Port
..Authority- ag cca to prDvidc a second. access point to .the west of -the .Initial
Connection Point, shown on Exhibit"D", on remaining Ruffin land at a ]location to
betnutaallyagreed upon bythe pattioshcret° (the "ScoandConnection Paint'". Tho
•Port Authority. shall- initially pay for all design and construction costs of The Road
and othtr coats to compete The Road. In addition. the Port Authority will install a
twelve (12) inch diameter water main in The Road. Altar construction the Port
Authoritywill transfer the miler mama to the City of Cocoa. Tito Port Authority will
- -grant Developerar dRuffinamazement atthe YnitislConneotionpointorthoSecond
Connechcn Point or such locations as may bo mutually agreed by 'the parties,
provided that the connection is pad ofa loop syatemwluoh Wends moth through the
DeveloporLanrds and comnocts to the existing City of Cocoa watermain in the North
Atlantic Avenue Corridor. Developer and Ruffin ab►a►U bo responsible for obtaining
tho right to corn ct with the water main in Thelma from the City of Cocoa at their
eicponse once the City of Cocoa dctermiaes that there will be do detrimental effects
to water service at the Port.
It is agreed by the parties hereto that Port Authority shall have the right to install arty
and all necessary traffic control at the Initial Connection Point at such time that such
traffic control is deemed necessary by Port Authority. The cost of installing such
traffic control shall bo shared fifty percent by Port Authority and fifty portent by
Developer and Ruff
pesigr► and Consnotion Cog! of If►gic93d. Within ten (10) days of notice from
Port Authority to Developer and Ruffin that The Road has been completed and is
available for use by the Developer and Ruffin, Developer and Ruflin shall bc
obligated to pay S742,000.00 to Port Authority as a contribution towards the deign,
construction and other cars of The Road. The Developer's and Ruffin's obligation
to pay the cast reimbursement to the Port Authority.of $742,000.00 shall be scoured
by the posting by Developer ofa bond in the amount ofS742,000.00, subject to the
approval of the Port Authority as to the form Of tho bond and the bonding company.
Such bond shall be issued by Developer and its bonding company no later than thirty
(30) days atter execution of this agreement. Unti1'payment of the S142,000.00 by
Developer and Ruffin to Port Authority, Developer and Rutrui shall not have any
right to use the The Road and the Port Authority shall havd any and all rights to
barrioado and block access to Tho Road. It shall be the responsibility of the Port
Authority to maintain The Road at its coat.
4. Roeidwav and_Lltili4Y Easements_ Upon the completion of construction and payment
2
NM / 0M? 3H
£ ' •V•d 3S3NV dt9 8 SS13M NVWZIVS NMOd8 uo!4P4s xe3
-7t
M
tt9C 179L IZC XVd TT:ST S00Z/90/Z0
Wd60:e 500Z 80 clad
xe3 paniaJaa
named as an additional Insured as its interest appear under the general liability
policy of the constructing parry with respect to such work
(d) All work performed by the constructing party shall be the subject of
performance and payment bonds in the estimated amount of the cost of said
work, which bonds shall name the non -constructing party as an obligee
thereunder, provided, however, that if the constricting party Ls one of the
GRANTEES, then ToWNE may, in lieu of such bond, furnish to GRANTOR a guaranty
of the performance and payment for sald work In a form mutually agreeable to
the GRANTOR and TowNE, and In the event that the GRANTOR Is the constructing
party, then the GRANTOR may, instead of bonding his construction work, furnish
the GRANTEE with a guaranty comparable In form to the guaranty to be provided
by TOWNE.
13. Dedication of the Roadways and/or UnuTIES: Private Easement _Area.
The GRANTEES shall have the option, in their sole discretion, to dedicate the roadways
within the EXISTING EASEMENT AREA and NEW EASEMENT AREA to the CrrY. The GRANTOR
hereby agrees to join in any such dedication to the CITY so long as the City does not
place any condition on such dedication which would prevent the GRANTOR'S adjacent
lands from having access to and usage of such roadways. GRANTOR's dedication shall
include the landlord's fee Interest In the EXISTING EASEMENT AREA and NEw EASEMENT
AREA if required by the CRY. To the extent that the GRANTEES desire to dedicate any of
the UnunEs to third parties, the GRANTOR agrees to join in such dedication. In the
event that the roadways referred to above in this Paragraph 13 have not been dedicated
by the GRANTEES, and in order to develop the GRANTOR'S adjoining lands. dedication of
such roadways is required by the City, then GRANTOR shall be entitled, at his sole
option, to dedicate such roadways, and GRANTEES hereby agree to join in such
dedication. The easements, licenses, tights and privileges established, created and
granted by the provisions of this FOURTH AMENDMENT shall be for the benefit of and
restricted solely to the GRANTOR and the GRANTEEs and the other parties referred to in
Paragraph 14 hereof. This FOURTH AMENo41eNT is not intended to create, nor shall it be
construed as creating, any rights in and for the benefit of the general public or any rights
in or to any portion of the DEVELOPMENT PARCEL or the other easement areas or lands
described herein, including the GRANTOR'S adjacent lands, except as expressly set forth
herein.
In the event that any of the owners (or the City on their behalf) of the lends to the
south of the Shorewood Condominium Protect, the Development Parcel or the lands
presently owned by the Gamma, seek ingress and/or egress for themselves end/or
their properties over the roadways referred to in this Paragraph 13, then the GRAANTEEs
and the GRANr413shall exercise mutual good faith efforts to obtain, as a condition of
allowing such ingress an or grass. rei ursement for all of the development and
' construction costs (includi laid values) incurred by GRANroR and GMT Wtt1h
respect to suaces and egress rs granted and obtained.
`GRANTOR shall receive thirty percent (30%) of so reimbursement end anAtirrEEs spa 1
receive seventy percent (70%) of such reimbursement
14. Benefit This FOURTH AMEniomEMT shalt be binding upon and Inure to the
benefit of the parties hereto, their heirs, estates, personal representatives. trustees,
successors and assigns. This FOURTH AMENDMENT shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of all persons, parties and entitles acquiring any interest in or to the
DEVELOPMENT Paws., including but not limited to their guests, business Invitees,
condominium unit owners and condominium associations.
15. Construtlon. This FOURni AMENDMENT has been entered into by parties
of equal bargaining power and business acumen, and all partial have been represented
by counsel. in construing the meaning of this FOURTH AMENDMENT, both parties shall be
deemed to have drafted this FouRTN AMENGNENT, and no rule of favorable Interpretation
to one party over the other shall be employed except that this FOURTH AMENDMENT shall
be construed liberally in favor of the parties hereto to enable the GRANTEES to carry out
their development plans with respect to the DEVELOPMENT PARCEL and to enable the
GRANTOR to carry out his development plans with respect to his adjoining ands.
Page 5 of 15 Pages
111111111111111111
crw:9110511118
oReoewolo.: 3980 / 2002
oZOIJ
I�x / oxHss
Od • ' 'V'd 3S3NVOZIV9 ? SSIBM NVWZ1VS NMOd1 : uoL}ell YEA
tt9C 1/SL TZC XVd ST:ST SOOZ/90/ZO
Wd6O:e SOOZ 20 clad
: X2J pania3aa
Page 1 of 1
Susan Chapman
From: Todd Peetz [TPeetz@millerlegg.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 10, 2005 12:53 PM
To: Bennett Boucher; Todd Morley; Anthony Garganese
Cc: chapman-cape@cfl.rr.com; Andy Kirbach; Ed Gardulski; John Cunningham; Shannon McNally;
Beatrice McNeely
Subject: FYI 3/9/05 P&Z meeting
Just an update from last night's meeting
Items 1 & 2) There was a brief discussion on street lighting and required materials for special exception
applications. It was discussed as something for them to consider when we have the joint workshops on Chapter
110.
Item 3) Ordinance amendment to have the City Council be the final approval for site plans. Approved 4-1.
Concerns were raised over additional cost, time and the meaning of "reasonable period of time".
Item 4) Oak Park Site Plan Approval/Perjurious Testimony, The report prepared by the City Attorney was read.
The findings determined that at this point in time there was no clear and convincing evidence that the testimony
by Mr. Braselton on September 22, 2004 constituted perjury. The City Attorney was going to follow up with Mr.
Smith's Attorney.
The Attorneys recommendations include a joint planning agreement with Brevard County concerning the issuance
of driveway permits. Another recommendation was to include new code language that would allow the City to
temporarily suspend or revocation of site plans or other land use decisions based upon fraudulent or misleading
statements.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Todd Peetz, AICP
Senior Planner
Miller Legg & Associates, Inc.
631 South Orlando Ave., Suite 200
Winter Park, FL 32789
407-629-8880
407-629-7883 (fax)
CE News 2002 & 2003 "Top 50 Best Places to Work in the USA"
03/10/2005
BROWN, SALZMAN, WEISS & GARGANESE, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
Usher L. Brown •
Suzanne D'Agresta°
Anthony A. Garganese°
Gary S. Salzman°
John H. Ward •
Jeffrey S. Weiss
'Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer
°Board Certified Business Litigation Lawyer
°Board Certified City, County & Local Govemment Law
Offices in Orlando, Kissimmee,
Cocoa & Viera
April 14, 2004
The Honorable Chair and Members
of the Board of Adjustment
City of Cape Canaveral
105 Polk Avenue
Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920
Debra S. Babb-Nutcher
Joseph E. Mitch
Jeffrey P. Buak°
John U. Biedenharn, Jr.
Lisa Fletcher -Kemp
Douglas Lambert
Katherine Latorre
Michelle A. Reddin
Kimberly F. Whitfield
Erin J. O'Leary
Of Counsel
FILE COPY
Re: Special Exceptions - Procedures and Criteria
City of Cape Canaveral - Building Code Enforcement
Our File No.: 513-008
Dear Honorable Chair and Members of the Board of Adjustment:
This correspondence is written following a request by the Board of Adjustment for
a legal opinion regarding consideration and approval or denial of applications for special
exceptions under the City's zoning code.
Generally
A special exception is a legislatively established use of property, not specifically
permitted by right in a particular zoning classification, but which maybe appropriate under
certain conditions and safeguards.' To be entitled to a special exception an applicant must
show:
(1) that the proposed use is recognized as potentially appropriate under the
zoning classification;
'A special exception is not equivalent to a rezoning. A rezoning completely changes the
property's zoning classification (e.g. from R-1 low density residential to C-1 low density
commercial). A special exception does not change the zoning, but merely allows the board to
exercise discretion whether it is reasonable based on legislative criteria to permit a unique use
within a particular zoning district.
225 East Robinson Street, Suite 660 • P.O. Box 2873 • Orlando, Florida 32802-2873
Orlando (407) 425-9566 Fax (407) 425-9596 • Kissimmee (321) 402-0144 • Cocoa & Viera (866) 425-9566
Website: www.orlandolaw.net • Email: firm@orlandolaw.net
The Honorable Chair and Members
of the Board of Adjustment
April 14, 2004
Page 2
(2) that the criteria for the exception would be met; and
(3)
that public interest would not be adversely affected.2
Initially, the burden of proof in special exception proceedings is upon the applicant.
Therefore, a property owner requesting an exception must show that it has met each of the.
criteria provided above. If these conditions have been met, an application cannot be
denied unless there is substantial and competent evidence (presented by the City or a third.
party) to show that the criteria has not been met, such as the requested exception is
adverse to the public interest.3
The procedures to be implemented and the criteria to be considered by the Board
of Adjustment and Planning and Zoning Board for the.City of Cape Canaveral are provided
in sections 110-46 through 110-48 of the City Code. The process begins with an
application for special exception, which shall indicate the section of Chapter 110 for which
the special exception is requested and the grounds upon which it is sought and requested.
Planning and Zoning Board's Role
In Cape Canaveral, the Planning and Zoning Board is charged with review of any
application for special exception and for written recommendations to the Board of
Adjustment. Such recommendation may be for approval as submitted, approval with
conditions or denial. There is no requirement in the City Code or under current Florida law
that such recommendation be in the form of formal findings and conclusions of law,
however, such may helpful to the Board of Adjustment in its consideration of the
recommendation. Any such recommendation should by based upon consideration of
applicable special exception criteria.
Board of Adjustment's Role
In Cape Canaveral, the Board of Adjustment is given the final decision making
authority, subsequent to review and recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Board,
to approve special exceptions. Any approval granted by the Board of Adjustment may be
subject to conditions and safeguards that are reasonably necessary and appropriate under
Chapter 110 of the City Code or other applicable City Ordinances. Alternatively, the Board
of Adjustment can deny a special exception application where the special exception does
not comply with applicable special exception criteria.
2 AT&T Wireless Services of Florida, Inc. v. Orange County, 23 F. Supp. 2d 1355,1359
(M.D. Fla. 1998).
3 Florida Power & Light Company v. City of Dania, 761 So. 2d 1089 (Fla. 2000); Jesus
Fellowship, Inc. v. Miami Dade County, 752 So. 2d 708, 709 (Fla. 3`d DCA, 2000).
The Honorable Chair and Members
of the Board of Adjustment
April 14, 2004
Page 3
The Board of Adjustment, after consideration of the Planning and Zoning Board
recommendation and testimony and evidence submitted at the public hearing, shall make
formal written findings and conclusions of law based upon the considerations provided
below. Any interested party may appeal (by certiorari review) the decision of the Board of
Adjustment to the circuit court. See e.g., Footnote 3
Standard of Review
Each application for special exception should be considered and reviewed against
the following criteria to determine whether:
(1) such request is in conformance with the City's Comprehensive Plan;
(2) such exception is permitted under the applicable zoning category;
(3) the request is in compliance with specific rules governing individual special
exceptions (i.e. distance requirements between uses which sell or dispense
alcoholic beverages);
(4) In accordance with section 110-47, City Code, satisfactory provisions and/or
arrangements have been made concerning:
(a) Adequate ingress and egress to and from the property, including
automotive, pedestrian, and emergency access;
(b) Adequate off-street parking and loading to avoid creating undue
noise, glare, odor, or other detrimental effects;
(c) Adequate and properly located utilities are available or reasonably
provided;
(d) Adequate screening and/or buffering will be provided to protect and
provide compatibility with adjoining properties;
(e) Signs and proposed exterior lighting arranged to promote traffic safety
and minimize undue glare and incompatibility or disharmony with
adjacent properties;
(f)
(g)
(h)
Adequate refuse and service areas;
Required setbacks and other open space;
Height;
The Honorable Chair and Members
of the Board of Adjustment
April 14, 2004
Page 4
(i) Landscaping;
(j) Renewal and/or termination dates; and
(k) The use will be reasonably compatible with surrounding uses in its
function, its hours of operation, the type and amount of traffic, the
building size and setbacks, its relationship to land values and other
facts used to measure compatibility.
and
(5) Such exception is any way adversely effects the public interest.
Inconsideration of the above criteria, the boards shall examine the application,
which should be of sufficient detail that it addresses the criteria provided above. The board
should also considerthe testimony and evidence provided by the applicant or other
interested parties relative to the application. The boards may question the applicant and
interested parties relative to the application in order to flush out any other evidence
deemed relevant by the boards to determine whether or not the applicant satisfies the
special exception criteria. The board should also follow other applicable quasi-judicial rules
including an applicant's right to cross-examine adverse witnesses and accepting expert
testimony only from duly qualified experts.
Although not specifically required by the code, the Planning and Zoning Board has
required applicants to submit a conceptual plan so that the Board could adequately apply
the special exception criteria. We believe requiring a conceptual plan is a valuable tool and
necessary competent substantial evidence in considering the current special exception
criteria. However, the City may wish to consider amending the Code such that the
conceptual plan is legislatively imposed by the City Council. In City of Naples v. Central
Plaza of Naples, Inc., 303 So. 2d 423, 425 (Fla. 2nd DCA 1974), the court found that the
only criteria which may be considered are those which are set forth in the Ordinance itself.
Imposition of Conditions and Safeguards on
Approved Special Exceptions
The Board of Adjustment has the discretion, on a case -by -case basis, to impose
reasonable safeguards and conditions on the approval of any special exception. It is our
view that such reasonable conditions must tend to reduce any adverse impact which the
special exception use may have upon the community or upon its neighbors. Further, the
conditions must bear a relation to the standards set forth in the ordinance, cannot be
arbitrary or discriminatory, and must be supported and necessitated by competent and
substantial evidence. See Board of County Commissioners v. Snyder, 627 So. 2d 469
(Fla. 1993).
The Honorable Chair and Members
of the Board of Adjustment
April 14, 2004
Page 5
Importantly, any conditions and safeguards must be expressly and clearly made a
part of the special exception approval to be valid and enforceable. In re Kostenblatt, 640
A. 2d 39 (Vt. 1994) is instructive on the importance of this point. In Kostenblatt, the
Vermont Supreme Court ruled that a property owner was not bound by, his representations
at a zoning board special exception hearing, but only by the conditions imposed on the
face of the permit. Particularly, the owner represented that a proposed firing range would
have a maximum of five people at a time and would only allow 625 gun shots per day. The
board approved the special exception on only the express conditions relative to the days
and months of operation of the firing range. After the firing range commenced operations,
the neighbors complained that the property owner was violating the special exception
permit conditions because the use was exceeding the representations that the property
owner made at the special exception hearing. The property owner was, however,
complying with the express conditions imposed_ by the board on days and months'of
operation. Because the property owner was in compliance with the express conditions, the
court held that the property owner was not in violation of the permit as argued by the
neighbors.
Conclusion
Special exception applications must be approved by the Board of Adjustment if the
applicant demonstrates by competent substantial evidence that the application complies
with the standard of review criteria for special exceptions. The Board of Adjustment may
expressly and clearly impose reasonable conditions and safeguards on a special exception
permit. However, a special exception application may be denied if the application fails to
comply with the standard of review criteria for special exceptions, is not in compliance with
the comprehensive plan, or is adverse to the public interest.
We hope the foregoing is helpful and responsive to your inquiry. If you have any
questions please feel free to call our offices
Anthony A. Garganese
City Attorney
AAG/Ig
cc: City Council
City Manager
Planning & Zoning Board
Todd Peetz, City Planner