HomeMy WebLinkAboutP & Z Packet 3-26-08
City of Cape Canaveral
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL ANNEX
111 POLK AVENUE
MARCH 26, 2008
AGENDA
7:30 P.M.
Call to Order
Roll Call
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: March 12, 2008.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Review and Recommendation to City Council Re: Proposed
Ordinance Amending Chapter 98, Clarifying Requirements for
Consideration and Approval of Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plats
Consistent with the Requirements of Chapter 177, Florida Statutes.
2. Discussion Re: Mixed Use Districts.
OPEN DISCUSSION
ADJOURN
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 allowed bv law. This meetina mav include the
. - '-' . J - - - ---
attendance of one or more members of the Cape Canaveral City Council, Board
of Adjustment, Code Enforcement and/or Community Appearance Board who
mayor 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
:::lrlvrmr.A of thA mAAtino
-- -. - --. - - - -. -.. - ... - - -- - -..;;;)-
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: ccapecanaveral@cfl.rr.com
PLANNiNG & ZONING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 12, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Board was held on March 12, 2008,
at the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Chairperson
Bea McNeely called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Secretary called the
roll.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Bea McNeely Chairperson
Lamar Russell Vice Chairperson
Donald Dunn
Harry Pearson
John Johanson 1 st Alternate
Ronald Friedman 2nd Alternate
MEMBERS ABSENT
John Fredrickson
OTHERS PRESENT
Susan Chapman Board Secretary
Robert Hoog Mayor Pro T em
Shannon Roberts Council Member
Kate Latorre Assistant City Attorney
Todd Morley Building Official
Todd Peetz City Planner
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: February 27, 2008.
Motion by Donald Dunn, seconded by Lamar Russell, to approve the meeting
minutes of February 27, 2008. Brief discussion followed. Vote on the motion
carried unanimously.
2. Review and Recommendation to City Council Re: Proposed Ordinance
Amending Section 22-40, Clarifyinq which Properties are Subiect to
Community Appearance Board Review.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2008
Page 2
Todd Morley, Building Official, explained that when Ordinance No. 04-2003 was
written, the intent was to require Community Appearance Board approval for any
change to the exterior of a building or roof color in the commercial zoning district.
When the change of color issue was discussed and codified in 2003, the
codification had the unintended effect of appearing to remove all residential
development from the scope of the Community Appearance Board. Mr. Morley
advised that the solution was to insert the words "in all zoning districts" in the first
sentence of Section 22-40(a). Mr. Morley read the code section for the record.
Discussion followed.
Chairperson McNeely asked if the Community Appearance Board had been
informed of the proposed code clarification. Mr. Morley responded that the
Community Appearance Board was not made aware of the proposed code
amendment, because the purpose was to preserve the original intent; however,
he could inform the Board before the change is presented to the City Council.
Assistant City Attorney, Kate Latorre, advised that she would present the
proposed code clarification to the Community Appearance Board at their meeting
Monday evening.
Motion by Harry Pearson, seconded by Lamar Russell, to recommend approval
of the proposed ordinance amending Section 22-40, clarifying which properties
were subject to Community Appearance Board review. Vote on the motion
carried unanimously.
3. Review and Recommendation to City Council Re: Proposed Code
Amendment. Section 110-28. Courtesy Notices.
Todd Morley, Building Official, advised that city staff performed a survey on how
other municipalities send zoning related notices to affected propeliy owners. He
summarized the results of the survey as follows: 12 municipalities responded;
2 of -12 send postcards; 7 or 12 send regular mail; 2 of 12 send by certified mail;
and 1 of 12 send the notices by regular or certified mail depending on the issue.
Mr. Morley advised that City staff also reviewed the history of undelivered
certified courtesy notices from the last four special exception requests. He
summarized that approximately 22% of the notices did not make it into the hands
of the property owner. The Board members reviewed the survey. Brief
discussion followed. Mr. Morley explained that if the City mailed bright orange
postcards, it is likely that more property owners would receive them, \'vhich would
result in increased owner/citizen participation. Mr. Morley read the existing
definition of a courtesy notice from the City code. He explained the benefits of
sending the courtesy notices via regular mail as follows: the notices would be
less of an expense to the applicant; less staff time monitoring return receipts; and
there may be a greater likelihood that the courtesy notice would end up in the
owner's hands with little effort on their part.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2008
Page 3
He read the proposed change to the ordinance allowing courtesy notices to be
processed by regular mail or post cards. Brief discussion followed. Kate Latorre,
Assistant City Attorney, encouraged the Board to consider the Building Official's
recommendation, because the notice was simply a courtesy notification to
affected property owners, not a requirement. The Board members reviewed Mr.
Morley's proposed code amendment. Brief discussion followed.
Motion by Lamar Russell, seconded by John Johanson, to recommend approval
of the proposed code amendment, with the City Manager deciding if the notices
would be sent certified or regular mail depending on the issue. Following
discussion, Mr. Russell withdrew his motion. Discussion followed.
Motion by Lamar Russell, seconded by Harry Pearson, to recommend approval
of the proposed code amendment as drafted by the Building Official. Vote on the
motion carried unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Discussion Re: Mixed Use Districts.
Todd Peetz, City Planner, explained that the Florida Redevelopment Association
may be attending the Board's meeting on April 9th or May 14th to educate the
Board on community redevelopment. Lamar Russell noted that the Board would
also be educated on lessons learned. Following discussion, Mr. Peetz advised
that the first meeting with an associate from the Florida Redevelopment
Association would educate the Board on mixed-uses and lessons learned; and
then the associate would come back at another meeting to discuss how the City
could benefit from the Community Redevelopment Agency.
Todd Peetz advised that he performed research as requested by Mr. Dunn at the
last meeting on failed mixed use districts. He explained that he performed a
Google computer research and he found only one article about a mixed use
development that was not developed because of the economy. Mr. Peetz
pointed out and highlighted some of the articles contained in the Board packet.
During discussion, the Board looked forward to a speaker coming in and
educating them on mixed uses. Mr. Russell commented that the City could add
pictures in the City code of expectations of mixed uses the City favored and shO\^J
illustrations of do this, not this. Mr. Russell suggested that the Board members
review the existing residential planned unit development code to familiarize
themselves on types of mixed uses.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
March 12, 2008
Page 4
OPEN DISCUSSION
Donald Dunn thanked City staff for providing the most recent traffic study. Todd
Peetz, City Planner, advised that a representative from Luke Transportation
could come and speak to the Board to explain the traffic study and make
suggestions on what the City could do when the traffic counts meet their
maximum. Ron Friedman noted that most of the City's traffic comes from
Orlando and Cocoa Beach and travels through the City bringing the count up.
He explained that traffic counts were subjective, not objective. He pointed out a
mistake on the report, in Appendix C, that Bayside town homes should not be
listed in the vested category, because the project was built-out in 2006/2007.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.
Bea McNeely, Chairperson
Susan L. Chapman, Secretary
'Meeting Type: Planning & Zoning
Meeting Date: 3/26/08
I AGENDA I
I
Hending l?LJ!J . Business
Item #1
No.
AGENDA REPORT
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
THE CITY OF CAPE CANA VERAL
SUBJECT: Review and Recommendation to City Council Re: Proposed Ordinance Amending Chapter 98,
ClarifY Requirements for Consideration of Approval of Subdivision Preliminary and Final Replats
Consistent with the Requirements of Chapter 177, Florida Statutes
DEPT./DIVISION: Building Department
Requested Action:
Review ful.d Recommend to City Council approval, approval with amendments, or denial of proposed
ordinance amending Chapter 98.
Summary Explanation & Background:
The current platting ordinance is recognized as being out of date to with Chapter 177, F.S. and with what the
County Clerk requires in order to record a plat. The proposed ordinance is to rectify the inconsistencies with
the Florida Statutes and bring the ordinance current with other related issues, i.e. number of copies to be
submitted.
Exhibits Attached: Copy of proposed ordinance
I I
I Planning Official's Office Department I
I I
I I I
I I
I
S I.A P pl~ e0v iz4 \' h. fhr ~-h' 0 "'-
Planning & Zoning Board a 'Vl~ we-I' ; -~ :' 'k LV 01 av--e- LJC!
Meeting Minutes r~VI'5;v-:j ~q ~ ? -I)
October 10, 2007
Page 2
2. Recommendation to City Council - Ordinance Re: Clarifvinq the Criteria
Required for Preliminary and Final Subdivision Plat Review and Approval.
Todd Peetz, City Planner, explained that the city had recently begun processing
final plats for recording, and upon submitting final plats to the County Clerk for
recording, the County Clerk required additional information than what is required
by city code. He advised that the proposed ordinance clarified the criteria
required for preliminary and final subdivision plat reviews and approvals, in
compliance with the Brevard County Clerk and Chapter 177, Florida Statutes.
The Board members reviewed and held discussion regarding the proposed
ordinance.
Motion by Lamar Russell, seconded by Donald Dunn, to recommend approval of
the proposed ordinance, with minor changes, as discussed, to include that the
final plat be recorded within fourteen (14) days of City Council approval. Vote on
the motion carried unanimously.
OPEN DISCUSSION
Todd Morley, Building Official, reviewed the current requirements for preliminary
and final plats and replats, indicating that the current ordinance has multiple
duplicate entries and requires depictions of elements that are more appropriate
for site plan review. Lamar Russell asked that Mr. Morley present his findings to
the Assistant City Attorney for consideration of an ordinance revision which
would remove any unnecessarj and duplicate requirements.
Draft lvfarch 19,2008
ORDINANCE NO. -2008
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 98,
SUBDIVISIONS, OF THE CAPE CANAVERAL CODE OF
ORDINANCES RELATED TO PLATS; AMENDING AND
CLARIFYING THE CRITERIA REQUIRED FOR
PRELIMINARY AND FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT REVIEW
AND APPROVAL; PROVIDING A PROCEDURE FOR
REVIEW AND CONSIDERA TION OF LOTS SPLITS;
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, ofthe State
Constitution, to exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly prohibited by
law; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to clarifY the requirements for consideration and
approval of subdivision preliminary and final plats consistent with the requirements of Chapter 177,
Florida Statutes; 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 ofthe City of Cape
Canaveral.
Section 2. Code Amendment. Chapter 98, Subdivisions, of the Code of Ordinances,
City of Cape C'lnaveptl, Florida, is hereby mnended as follows (underline4 type in4i?~tes a4ditions
and sttiKcout type indicat~s deletions, while asterisks (* * *) indicate Il deletion from this Ordinfl:nce
onp~texjsrillg in Chapter 98. It is intended thfl;t the text in Chllpter 98 denoted by the asterisks and
set forth in this Ordinance shall remain unchanged from the !ang\lage existing priorto 'lqoption of
th!sOrdinance): .
. t ..: .
Cij~T~fi 9~, ~WDWl~lONS
, , I '.', . ~: f "'. ' :
Cit" of Ca-e Canaveral
. ,., " . ,...i'. "..'. ,.F., .,......, ...
Ordinance No. -2008
Page 1 of 16
Draft March 19,2008
.;.- **
ARTICLE II. PLATS
DIVISION 1. GENERALLY
Sec. 98-31. Division of land; review and approval required. Rescl ~ed.
!ill.. Any subdivision of land into two (2) or more parcels shall be subiect to the
requirements ofthis article.
iliL No owner of real property shall sell lots or tracts of land from such property without
first havin!! divided such property in accordance with the requirements hereof. Before such
lot or tract is divided. the lots or tracts proposed to be divided shall be surveved bv a duly
licet1sed survevor and approved by the city council bv plat or lot split resolution in
accordance with the specific applicable provisions ofthis article and Chapter 177. Florida
Statutes. No permit shall be issued for the construction of any buildin!! or structure or for
an electrical hookup on any lot or tract sold in violation of this chapter: provided. however.
that anv such violation can be remedied by complving with the provisions of this article.
Sees. 98-3~f- - 98-3540. Reserved.
DI'IISION 2. rREArrLICATION
See. 98 36. Submittal and h:;view plOccduI es.
((1) In 01 del ttTpromote de v e10pment oflalid ~ itl,ili tlte municipal boundatiC'; l' fthe city that
i.'; I,a1 moniou.'; ~\ itb and otheI ~ isc in eUll,pliance w itI, the eomplcheII.'ii yc plo:l1l, .sUIl uu!!dil1g
development alid all applicable CudC5, appli",ants fuI site plan applOval ale cncoulag"d to
utilize the pleapplieatioll conf\:JCllcc al1d sClecnil,g plocess available to all site plan
applicants. Tllc pI eapplication scrccning ilhd COI1KICI1CCS aI c intcnded to a.'isist thc applicant
in bccomintS lllOlC awClIl;;Cof e1Ild,therefore, morc likely to comply ~ith guidelines applicable
to the plOjcct fOI vvhieh a "ite plan vv'ill be "ubn,ittcd. IIowever, the applicant is cautioned
that the pi eapplication sCIccning plOce55 is not intended to be a .';ubstitute tOI the fOllnal site
plall 5ubli1ittal aild levicw plOecdUles. NOt is it expected tllat tile applicant can rely upon
cOllditioltal applovals leceived dUling t1.e pleapplicatioil plOeess as billding tIle city ill allJ
mannel dmillg subsequent site plan subnlittal and ICview plOecdUles.
(b) PI iOt to the site plan subnlittal and lev iew plOecdme3 PlOy ided ill sectiollll 0-221 ct scq.,
the applicant is elleouragcd tu vul!K! vvitII tL", buildil:g dvpartnl\-,lit in oIdel to 1""I"y\' a
}.Jl\.-lin1il1(uy vilvvkiist tv assist th" al-'~I~\.JaHt ~lJ. vuul!JIY~Hb V,tith cCi-tairl i-c'-1uii-CijjCnts oftllc
eit) Code. Tltc checklist, pIep1:ued by the building department, will, at a mihimum,
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. - -2008
n.-......~ t") .....-f" lL -,,",- .,
1 dbC L.. VI IV / \
. S'
!, !
\ !
\~
Draft March 19, 2008
faillilicuizc tltc applicant with state and city laws, Icgulatiom and Oldinal1ccs Vvith wllicll a
site plan is cxpected to comply. This stcp docs !lOt I CqUi1 C an application fee n01 thc filing
of a plat. \Vhilc not mandatOly, the pleapplication plOccdUle, in OldCl to bc plOductivc,
should bc utilizcd applOximatcly tcn days pliOl to fonnal site pIal1 submittal by the applicant
in accOldancc vvith thc plOvisions ofthi5 article.
e c) Thc applieailt will plO v.idc fi vi) copies of the plOposed skctcL plan to tk buildillg
departli1cnt fi vC days pliO! to thc pI capplication con Eel elicc.
e d) Thc plOposcd sketch plan so p10 v idcd shall contain a location map sho wing thc
Ic!ationsllip of tLc plOposcd 5ubdi v is ion to existing cHid plOposed facilities as illdicated in
the COWPl ChC1l5i ve plan, alld shall cOlitain gcnClal iI.follilation illeluding, but Il0t limited to,
the following.
(1) Genoa! illfollllatioll on the existing site conditions, \!'vate1 nlanagclllent facilities,
soii conditions, floodplain data, topoglapl(y, tIees and vegetation, adjacent
cOlTIlI1unity facilities, utilities and suIlounding plOpCltj coliditiOl.s.
(2) Gellelal dCSCl iptiol1 ofthc pIOposcd de vclopmcnt including plOposed l1Umbel of
lots, applOximatc lot \i'v idth and depth, building size and type. rlOposed stagc5 of
devc!opll1ent, ifapplOpiiatc, should be SIIOwli.
(3) In sketch fOlm, a plan showing thc plOposcd pattcnl of stleets, lots and watel
l(janagemcnt facilities ill I elation to existing hatmal conditions of the site and its
sun oundings.
Sees. 98-37 98-40. Reset ved.
* * *
DIVISION 13. PRELIMINARY PLAT
Sec. 98-41. Information required.
The following information shall be provided to the City no later than 30 davs prior to the
meeting at which the planning and zoning board will review the preliminary plat:
@) A completed application on a fonn proscribed by the city manager requesting review
of the preliminary plat under this division.
(hi Fourteen (14) copies of the preliminary plat~ vvhich shall:
.>,."'-,L
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
DDJTt:> 1. r.-F It:..
J. U.5...... -J Vi lV
Draft March 19, 2008
ill Conform to the requirements of Chapter 177, Florida Statutes, this Code, and
any other applicable statutes and regulations.
ill Bear the certification of a registered surveyor celiifying the accuracy of the
surveyor plat.
ill Be drawn at a uniform scale not smaller than one (1 ) inch eq uals one hundred
(l00) feet.
ill Indicate the title, scale, north arrow and date on each sheet.
ill Show, at a minimum. the following existing conditions on the plat:
tAl Primary control points or descriptions and ties to such control points.
to wh ich all dimensions. angles, bearings and similar data on the plat shall be
referred.
@} Boundary lines (including bearings and distances), lot lines. lot
numbers and block number.
.(Q Location and description of monuments.
.em Easements, including location, width and purpose.
ili2 Streets on and adiacent to the tract~ name and right-of-way width and
location: type width and elevation of surfacing: any legally established
centerline elcvations: walks: curbs: gutters: culverts. etc.
ill. Minimum building: setback lines.
{ill Size data including total acreage, number of lots tYpical lot size in
acres, parks. public open space, etc.
(H) Utilities on and adiacent to the tract, including location of sanitary,
storm and combined sewers, water mains, gas lines, fire hydrants.
underground and overhead electric, telephone and cable television service,
utility poles and streetlights: if water mains and sewers are not on or adiacent
to the tract, indicate the direction and distance to the nearest available water
main and sewer.
{n Location map sho\ving the site in ielation to the existing corrnTIunitY'l
""-'-
including the name of the development and its location and main traffic
Cirj of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
Page 4 of 16
Draft March 19,2008
arteries.
ill Topographic information showing round elevations of the tract based
on a datum plane approved by the city engineer as follows:
ill For land that slopes less than approximately two percent (2% ),
show spot elevations at all breaks in grade, along all drainage
channels or swales and at selected points not more than one hundred
feet (100') apart in any direction.
@} For land that slopes more than approximately two percent
(2% ), either show contours with an interval of not more than five teet
(5') if ground slope is regular. and such other information as is
sufficient for planning purposes. or show contours with an interval of
not more than two feet (2'). ifnecessarv because of irregular land or
need for more detailed data for preparing plans and construction
drawings.
00 Other conditions on tract. including water courses. marshes. rock
outcrop, wooded areas, houses, barns, shacks and other significant features.
OJ Other conditions on adiacent land. including approximate direction
and gradient of ground slope and any embankments or retaining walls:
character and location of buildings. power lines. towers and other nearbv
nonresidential land uses or adverse influences: owners of adiacent unplatted
land: abutting platted land. with reference to subdivision plat by name,
recording date and number: and approximate percent bui Idup, tvpicallot size
and dwellinl! type.
(M) Zoning designation on and adiacent to tract.
ilil Proposed public improvements. includin!l roadwavs. space reserved
or dedicated for parks. playgrounds or other public uses or other maior
improvements planned by public authorities for future construction on or near
tract.
{Q} A current title opinion of an attorney licensed in Florida showing that
record title to the land as described and shown on the plat is in the name of
the person or legal entity executing the dedication. The title opinion or
certification shall also show all mortgages not satisfied, released or otherwise
tp.rrnlrl<:l+Ari h" 10H1
"'......1 Ul.HIUl..\..I\..1 U Y La. Vy.
Cirj of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
D,-..-.-..r::.......-C'1C
1 a.t;CJ VI IV
Drafi March 19, 2008
1El Photographs of the tract at the request of the planning and zoning
board.
i9 A filing fee, as established by resolution of the city council.
@ Other preliminary plans, if available, which clarify the application.
(a) The followiltg infonMtioll shall be Plovided to tIle city a 1l1il1imUIll oDD days pliO! to
tl.e meeting at whieh the subdivision prdimimny plat will be levievved by the planl1ing and
zoning boal d.
(1) Lettel lequesting leview of tile PlcliminalJ plat UlldCl t11is division.
(2) Loeatiol1l11ap, silo wing tIle site ill I elation to tile existing C0l11111 unity, including
thc name of the dev-elopment and its location alld nlain t1affie arte! ies.
(3) Topoglapllie map, show illg tJ.c pi olAJsed layout of the stleet5, utilities, lots and
otho fcatUles, including a Hortll allOw, i1l1cIation to the cdsting conditions 011 a
topogl.:lphic SUI v cy.
(4) rlcliminalJ plat, sufficiently compIcted to be 1 ecolded, showing casements, ete.
(5) Other plcIilJ1imuy plans, consisting ofplOfilcs showing existing glOUlld sUlfaees
and plOposed 511 eet gl ades, including extensions ful a 1 casonabIc distance beJolld tJ.c
limits of tl.c plOpo0cd ",ubdi v hivn; typical GruSS s...etions of the plOposed gHldiIlg,
dlainage, lOadway and sidewalks, Plcliminaly plan of plOp os cd sallital)' scwelS witll
grades and sizes included.
(6) Draft of plOtceti Ve euv Clhlllts, vvh.."...,Ly th..., subdi v isiO!l plOpose5 to legulak laltd
u;:,c in tbe subdivision and odiC! ('vise plOtcettl.c plOpo",ed devclopmelit. Inhere is to
be a Ilollleow ]Iel '5 association established, copies of the J.lticle5 of ineo! pOi atioll and
the by leub "hall be pi 0 v idc.d.
(b) Th...rc. slt.;tl! be a minimum ofnil1c copies oftlle docUlllentsli5tcd ill subsectioll (a) oftllis
scction submitted by t!.c applicaltt.
(c) A filing fee as e.stabli.slted by the city in an amount deemed neec.s5al)' to cOvel t!.c e05t
ineulIed in !evievxing and applOving submittals shall aeeoIl1pallY the applicatiOlI.
Sec. 98-42. ~pographic data. Reserved.
Topoglapllic data, as I equilcd as a basis for the ;:,ubdi vision plclimillaly plat ill sec.tion 98-43,
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
P<::1n.:::>?. A-t 1?.
.I. us"'" v VI .tv
Draft March 19, 2008
shall include existing conditio!15 Cl5 foIlo ~ .'>, except \Iv hell otk! vv i.'>e .'>peeified by tl.e pla!il1ing and
zoning bOaId.
(l) Doundal y line.'>. Deal ings and di5tanee5.
(2) easements. Location, \Iv idth and pm pose.
(J) StIeet5. On and adjaeelit to tIle tlaet, name a:lid light-of-~ay ~idth alid loeatioll, type,
width and elcvation of SUI facing, any legally established eeliteIlille ele vatioli5, walk!>, cUI bs,
guttel5, culverts, etc.
(4) UtiIitie5. 011 alld adjaeCllt to tIle tUlet, 10eatiol1 alld 5ize and invert clevatioll of.'>anital.v,
stOlll1 and cOl1lbilled .'>e~er.'>, location alid size of ~atel mains, location of gas line.'>, file
hydlants, elect! ic and tclepholle pole.'> and stleetligIlts, if ~atCl maim and .'>e vyCl.'> al e 110t on
01 adjacent to the tIact, indicatc thc dileetion and distance to and siz", 0f l1(al(.'>t one.'>
,
sho~ing invcrt elevation of.'>c~(,Is.
(5) GlOund elcvation.'>. On tllC tUtet, ba.sed all a datum planc appIOycd by th-.: -.:itv enlrine,-f
as foIlo~.'>. - ~
a. 1701 tllat land that slopcs Ie.'>.'> than apPlOximatcly two pClecnt, .'>hovy spot elevations
at all bleaks in gUide, along all drainage channels 01 .'>wales and at selected points not
mOl e thall 100 feet apart in all diI cetions.
b. for land that slopes mOl" tllan apPlOximatcly two pel cent, GitlIel sho~ eontoUls
~ith an intClyal of not male than five feet, if glOund .'>Iope is lcgulal, and such
infOlmation as is sufficient fiJI planning purposes 01 show contoUls \'vith an intel val
"fllot nlllrL than t,'nJ 1\.(t, ifnccc.'>.'>ary, bccau.'>c vi illCguLl! !a!.d v! !JLLd fvl mulL
ndailcd data t:JI P! Lpaling plan.'> and constlUction dl av, ings.
(G) Subsm face eOliditiol1.'> Oil hact. Location and lC.'>tllt.'> oftc.'>ts made to a.'>certain wb.'>U1 face
.'>oil, rock and glOulld~atel eonditi01l5, depth to glOundwatcl, ullk.'>.'> test pits ale dly <1t a
dcpth offi v c feet, location and I esults of soil pcrc01atioil tc:;ts, ifindi vidual .'>(,'" age di.spo.sal
.'>ystems al e plOpo5cd.
(7) Otl1o cOltditiolt.'> on tlaet. WatelcoUlsc.'>, mal.'>bes, lOck outClOp, woodcd alcas, i.'>olated
plcselVablc tlce.'> onc foot 01 mOle in dialM:tel, houses, balll.'>, .'>hacks and othcl .'>ignifieallt
featUl cs.
(R) ntbd ",j.rliti"n~ "I' Ad}.., I.t la'F~ Apple i. . t d; f" .J 'j" r f · !~-~
\~ - ~-~ -...........-............... '-' "-' ........ ___u l~..l:L ~ ula C _ lIce IOu allU .e;!aL!vl!_ v_ g!UUllU,") u}J~;
. 1.J' 1 1 . . 11 1 .. .
IhvLu.Ulllg allY vllLUCllll\.lIrellb VI I dillnmg wails; eClaractCi and 10eatIol. ofbuildiltgs, lailt oad:;,
po wer lines, tm.ycrs and otIrC! nedl by 1t00d c.'>idclttialland uscs 01 ad v else influcncc.'>, OVY no s
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
n___-""'T_r"t/
rage 101 10
Draft March 19, 2008
of adjacent unplatted land, fO! abutting platted land, lcfn to wbdi. ision plat by name,
leeolding date and llunlbCl, and sIlo.. applOxiluctte pelcent buildup, typieallot size and
dwelling typc.
(9) Zoning. On and adjacellt to tile 1Iavt.
(10) Proposed public iWplOVcillClltS. IIigh\Vay5 01 otllcl majol inlplO venlcnts plalIllcd by
public authOlities fOl futUle eOllstlUctiolt on 01 neal tlact.
(11) Key plan. Showing location ofthc bact.
(12) Photoglaplls. Oftk tlact, at the Icqucst oftllc plannil.g <uld zollilig boald.
(1J) Title ana certifieatcs. PI csent tract designation accoI ding to official I ecol ds ill office of
applOpliatc I eCOl del, title undCl ~ hid I plOposed subdi v i5ion i5 to be I CCOI acd with names
and addlesses of OwnelS, notation stating aCleage, scale, nortll alrow, datum, benchmalks,
ccrtificatiolt of legistcred ci v il cngil1CCl 01 SUI veyOI, datc of SUI vey.
Sec. 98-43. Scale, pIoposals. Reserved.
The ptelit1iillaly plat (genctal subdivision plat) shall be dlawn at a ul1ifutm scale of not
smallel than one inch equals 100 feet. It shall show all existing conditions requitcd in section 98-42
and shall show all glades. The plat shall inelude tk following.
(1) Stleet.'>. Names, ligl.tsof way alid lOad..ay width::>, applOximatc grades and gradiCllt,
similat data fOl alleyS, if ally.
(2) Otlicll;ghts of-way or easelllCllt.s. Loc.1tioll, o\idth and pUlpOSC.
(J) L)(,ation of utili tic.::.. Ifnot shoo\l. Oll otllel c.:.l.ibit5.
(4) Lots. Lot lines, lot numbels al.d block l1Ulllbels.
(5) Public use site5. If any, to be I esel vcd 01 dedicated fOI palh, play gl oUlLds 01 OthCl public
uses-:-
(G) OthCl sites. If any, fDI It'1UIti-fanlily d~dlings, shopping cClitels, chmcI.cs, industty 01
othel nonpublie uses, excIusi v c of single- faluily d weIlillgs.
(7) Setbacks. Mininlum building setback lillC3.
(8) Size data. ltlcIudilig total aCI cage, number of lots, typical lut sizc and aCI cs in pal ks,
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. - -2008
Pages of J6 (-~\
I 1\
\ j
\/
,-
Draji March 19, 2008
public OpCll space, ete.
(9) Otllo data. Owncl, scale, nortI, allOvY and date.
(10) "Vicinity map. AppLOximately J j~ inches-by J j~ inches in size, showints tIle site in
I elation to the existing eomrllultity.
(11) Dlailtage plan.
a. Proposed firdshed elevation of eaeL building sit... altd the filst floor level.
b. PLOposed olded] disposal of sur face ~atCl I ultoff with the 5ystem eapabilitie5
ha v iltg a lllinin,um abjlity to ,iCeolllrllodate tile first incl, of rainfall, all s ~alcs and
retention/detention areas will be located "ith grades and elcvati01lS provided. All
5I'valc.') and letcntionldetention aleas shall beal a note tI,at tltey .'vill be sodded.
e. All existing and pLOposed draiItage facilitie5 (cui velt.'>, pipc'), etc.) with 5izes and
gl ades.
d. Centelline ele v ation of any 5tJ eet e0l1tiguou5 to the sitc. Dnle5s \'v ai v cd by the cit)
enginecr and the building official, fiLst floor elevations 5halI bc a minimum of 12
inches above th~ CLOwn of tIle sheet.
c. Location and n,ethod of linkage vvitl, off-site drainagc facilitics/ditche., to
accommodate the site'., .,Ul face watc:;l 1 tinoff outfall, including documents indicating
legal, aece55 aeL055 plivate property, if applicable. The city ellgineel and building
official may val)' the detail requiled eonccrning sub$cctiolts (11)a., c. and d. ofthis
scetion.
See.. 98-44. Otbei pi eliminary plans. Reserved.
ThcplcIiminary plat "llltll be dGeOl11panied by profiles shovving thc elevatiol15 of exi5ting
gl oHnd 3UI face, pr oposcd fill, pr oposed !it! eet gl ade", alld pi opo5cd homc5itcs, illcl uding extensiOh5
for a rCa501l<LblG dIstance beyond the lin,iIs anile pr aposed 5ubdi v i.'5iol1, typical el 05S seetious oHhe
proposed gl adiltg, LOad\'vay and 5ide\'valk, thc plcliminar} plan ofpLOposed 5anitary and stollmvatCl
SC~C[S with glades and size5 indicated, and inf01n,ation 1 egar ding the impaetthat a ten-year, 25-,)'ear
and lOa-year flood \'vith a 24-hour duration will have on tIle impLOvcd tract. All cIcvatiolt5 .shall be
based on tl,c N.G.V.D. of 1929. In additiolt, at the di5cletion of the planning and zOlling board, a
traffic il1lpact 5ur vCl 01 altaly.si.s maY be requilcd.
Sec. 98-45. City review.
CiPj of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. - -2008
Pagc 9 of 16
Draft March 19, 2008
(a) Upon the documents required under this division being presented to the city, the
building official shall review and forward to the appropriate city reviewing: staff cnginccI a
copy oftllc location nlap, topogwphic map, plclilliinaly plat all documents submitted and
such other documents as he or she deems appropriate to enable the city reviewing staff
cnginecI to review the appl ication subdi v isioltand either approve the application sllbdi vision
or point out areas that are inadequate or improper. The city attorney shall review the title
opinion, protective covenants, articles of incorporation and bylaws and shall make
recommendations, if necessary.
(b) Within ten thirty (30) days, the city reviewing staff cnginLcl will return in writing all
comments, recommendations and questions to the applicant. TIle applicJ.llt shall thcnllavc
tell vvoIking days to eOI1tply r<ith the city enginccI's wlittCll lequest al1d sublliit tIle
infol111<1tion as COlI cetcd and/ol modified to the city.
ill Should any comment or recommendation made by a member of the city reviewing:
staff require the app licant to revise its subm ittal, the reviewing staff shall review the revised
submittal and return all comments, recommendations and questions to the building official.
who shall then forward all documents to the applicant.
@ Upon receiving satisfactory reviews from all of the city reviewing: staff. the building
official shall schedule the application for consideration by the planning: and zoning board.
Sec. 98-46. Planning and zoning board and city council review.
(a) The planning and zoning board shall review the subdivision preliminary plat and other
material submitted for conformity with this Code and may negotiate on changes deemed
advisable and shall recommend, in writing, its approval or disapproval to the city council
within 30 days. All recommendations, conditions and changes shall be noted on two copies
of the preliminary plat by the chairman of the board or designated representative.
(b) Upon receipt of the planning and zoning board's recommendation, the city council, at
their next regularly scheduled meeting, shall vote to either accept or reject the board's
recommendation.
Sec. 98-47. Time limit.
The city council's approval of a preliminary plat shall be valid for a period of six months
unless a one (l) time. If an appliedllt has not obtained a eonstIUetioll pellllit, been glauted Olle six-
month extension oftime has been granted by the city council for on a d<:mollstIatiol1 of good cause
shown by the applicant. lfthe final plat approval is not obtair~d within the time period provided in
this section, ell ul<ld~ fiual plat ap}Jroval vvithin six months of the city councii's preiiminary plat
approval, th~ plcIiminaIy plat apploval shall be revoked and the applicant must re-apply under the
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2008
Page 10 of 16
Draft March 19, 2008
provisions of this chapter.
Sees. 98-48--98-55. Reserved.
DIVISION J 4. FINAL PLAT
Sec. 98-56. Conformance to preliminary plat.
The subdivision final plat shall conform substantially to the preliminary plat, as approved by
the city council planning and zoning boal d, and if desired by the subdivider, it may constitute only
that portion ofthe approved preliminary plat which the subdivider he proposes to record and develop
at the time; provided, however, that such portion conforms to all requirements ofthis chapter. The
final plat shall correct anv inaccuracies indicated on the preliminary plat.
Sec. 98-57. Number of copies.
Fourteen (14) Nine copies of the subdivision final plat exhibits required for approval under
this division shall be prepared as specified by this chapter and by state statute.
Sec. 98-58. Data required for final approval.
The subdivision final plat shall be drawn by the subdivider to conform to the requirements
of the city council and the boald of county commi55ionGl5 for approval and filing with the county
clerk. Six One (1) transparencxies (Mylar) or printable coPXtes of the final recorded plat shall be
prepared by the subdivider for the records of the city and shall be submitted to the city clerk with all
appropriate fees to enable the city clerk to record the documents in the public records of the county.
The final plat shall comply with Chapter 177. Florida Statutes. and shall provide show the following
additional information:
(1) rIimalY contlOl point.'> or de.5cIiption" and til;;s tv stteh vUllt!ul points, to \\hid, all
dimcnsiolls, angles, beal il.gs and similal data 011 the plat shall be I cfCll cd.
(2) Tl<:1Ct bOUl.dal y lillG", I ight-of-way liltc.'> of .streets, edS':llll.:llL., <ll1d otl1e! IigLL~-uf.w ily <Hid
plOpCl ty line5 of 1 c5idential lots altd otllcl .sites, vv ith aceuI ate dimcl,sioIl5, beaIing5 01
deflection angles and ladii, al e.s al.d centlal angles uf all ellI vC.'5.
(J) Namc and ligl.t-of-vvay widtl. ofead. stIcct 01 othclligl.t-of-\\ay.
(4) Location, din.cllsion alld PUI pose of any eJ.SClllent.
(~) l' JUIIIL"l ~v ~d\.-lit;fJ ~a\..lh-lut niid bluck.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. - -2008
Page 11 of 16
Draft March 19, 2008
(G) rUlp05e to \<Vhieh sites ale dedicated 01 lesel ved.
(7) Mininlum building setback line on all lots and otllel sites.
(18) Location and description of all pennanent reference monuments.
(9) Names of feeOI d 0 \<VIle15 of adjoiniltg Ullplatted land, at tIle option of the planning and
zOllillg boald.
(10) Rcf'Clenee to lecoldcd subdi vision plats of adjoilting platted land by I ceO! d name, date
and nUltlbel.
(II) Co tifieation by 1 egistCled SUI veyOI 01 1 egistel ed engilteel certi1) ing to aCeUlaCy ofthc
SUI vCJ 01 plat.
tfZJ Certification oftitlc showing that applicant is the land Owncl.
(2H) Dedication statement by owner dedicating streets, rights-of-way, including waterways
and all sites for public use. The dedication must be executed by all persons or lerlal entities
whose signature would be required to convey record fee simple title to the lands being
dedicated in the same manner in which deeds are required to be executed. The dedication
shall include the name of the plat and the typed names of any witness, notary, or other person
required to sign dedication.
(14) Titl\;;, scale, north (11 (o\'"I' and date on each s!tcet.
(15) CI05S sections altd plOfiles of:;hcct5, sho\<V ing glades applOved by the city cngineel. The
plOfilcs shalllJc dtawn to city standald scales and elcvations and 5bII k L<lS"d 011 a datunl
plal1c apptvy"d Ly tl1... "it) ...ngill,-,el.
ill All mortgagees having a record interest in the lands subdivided shall execute. in the
same manner in which deeds are required to be executed. either the dedication contained on
the plat or a separate instrumentioining in and ratifying the plat and all dedications and
reservations thereon.
ill Draft of protective covenants, if applicable, whereby the subdivision proposes to
regulate land use in the subdivision and otherwise protect the proposed development. Ifthere
is to be a homeowners' association established. copies of the articles of incorporation and
the bylaws shall be provided.
Sec. 98-59. Documents required prior to approval.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
T\___ "frt _.1:' 1f
rag\; IL VI 10
Draft March 19, 2008
The following items shall be required before subdivision final plat approval can be granted:
(1) Documentation A cel tificCltc from the city reviewing staff cnginccl certifying the
proposed subdivision is acceptable.
(2) Eithcl ClAn irrevocable letter of credit, performance bond or certified check acceptable
to the city attorney which will enable all unfinished improvements to be accomplished by the
city, if need be.
(3) Protective covenants in form for recording, ifrequired.
(4) Certification of approval by the board city council.
(5) An updated title opinion of an attorney licensed in Florida showing that record title to
the land as described and shown on the plat is in the name of the person or legal entity
executing the dedication. The title opinion or certification shall also show all mortgages not
satisfied, released or otherwise terminated by law.
(Q5) Other data as may be necessary which shall be determined by the city councilor
planning and zoning board.
Sec. 98-60. Application for approval.
Application shall be made for subdivision final plat approval;. a minimum oftvvo ~cck3 pI ior
to tl,,, meeting at wl,ich it is to bc considered.
W Upon the documents required under this division being presented to the city, the
building official shall review and forward to the appropriate city reviewing staff a cOPy of
all submittals and such other documents as he or she deems appropriate to enable the
reviewing staff to review the subdivision and either aDprove the subdivision or point out
areas that are inadequate or improper. The city attorney shall review the opinion of title,
protective covenants. articles of incorporation and bvlaws and shall make recommendations.
if applicable.
ill Within 30 days, the. reviewing staff will return in writing all comments.
recommendations and questions to the building officiaL who shall then forward all
documents to the applicant.
ill. Should any comment or recommendation made by a member of the city reviewing
staffrequire the applicant to revise its subdivision subm ittal. the reviewing staffshalj review
the revised submittal and return all comrnents, recommendations and questions to the
building official, who shall then forward all documents to the applicant.
City of Cape Canaverai
Ordinance No. -2008
Page 13 of 1G ~....-,\.
/ \
( \
~j)
Drafi March 19, 2008
@ Upon receiving satisfactorv reviews from all of the city reviewing staff, the building
official shall schedule the application for consideration by the planning and zoning board.
Sec. 98-61. Recommendations of planning and zoning board.
When all requirements under this division have been satisfied, the planning and zoning board
will vote to recommend approval or disapproval of the subdivision final plat, and these
recommendations will be submitted to the city council at the next regularly scheduled council
meeting. The city council shall vote, in resolution form, to either accept or reject the board's
recommendation.
Sec. 98-62. Recording.
The citv shall record aooroved subdivision final plats. The final plat shall be recorded with
the countv prior to anv certificate of occupancy being issued for the applicable plat. The city
manager shall be responsible for adopting administrative procedures for ensuring that all final plats
approved by the city council are recorded within thirty (30) days of said approval. developcl must
leeOJd the .subdivision final plat l'Vith the coullt)' alld supply the cit) .\itll VvIittCll plOof of thc
t cCOJ ding, beroIc a ccrtificate of oceUpallCy vv ill be gt alltcd.
Sees. 98-613 - 98-65. Reserved.
DIVISION 4. LOT SPLITS
Sec. 98-63. Lot splits.
The citv council may. by resolution at a public hearing. grant waivers from the platting
requirements ofthis article for divisions ofland that constitute a lot split:
(a) For purposes of this section. the term "lot split" shall mean a division of a tract of
land or lotthat will result in the creation of exactly one (I) additional lot or tract of land
provided the following conditions are met:
ill The lot or tract of land to be split is a previously platted lot or legal
description of record.
ill. Each lot or tract of land created hereunder shall abut a public or approved
private street. unless perpetual cross-access easements already exist on the lot to be
split or are determined not to be necessary. or, if necessary. are provided by separate
instrument.
ill The lot split shall in every respect meet the criteria established elsewhere in
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. -2008
Page 14 of 16 ~
(- . \
\L5)
Draft March 19,2008
this article and the city code forthe category of zoning and other relevant codes under
which the property is zoned.
ilil Every lot split shall be processed in the following manner:
ill An application form provided by the building department shall be completed
and filed with the department. accompanied with the following:
fh... An application fee approved by the city council by resolution:
.!L Fourteen (14) paper copies of the proposed lot split:
L A statement indicating whether new streets. water. sewer. drainage
structures. or other infrastructure are required off-site to provide sufficient
access or municipal services to the subiect land: and
fL Legal descriptions and acreage of the two proposed lots or tracts of
land and a scaled drawing showing the intended division shall be prepared bv
a dulv licensed land surveyor registered in the state. If a lot or tract ofIand
contains any principal or accessory structures. a survey showing the structures
on the lot or tract ofland shall accompany the application.
ill Upon approval of the lot split by resolution of the city council. the resolution
shall be dulv recorded in the public records of Brevard County and recorded on the
appropriate city maps and documents.
@ No finiher division of an approved lot split is pennitted under this section. unless a
12illtJsprepared and aoproved in accordance with this article.
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 ofthe 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.
C1.....~.4.,:....._ ~ SeverabiIiry. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, word or
.:n;\:UUIl .J.
provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
City of Cape Canaverai
Ordinance No. - -2008
T'\_ _ _ , r _ r "I / -~\-
rageJ.)(l1 It)
( \
( l ~ \
\_!J
Draft March 19, 2008
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
,2008.
ROCKY RANDELS, Mayor
ATTEST: For Against
Bob Hoog
Leo Nicholas
Buzz Petsos
Rocky Randels
SUSAN STILLS, City Clerk c. Shannon Robelis
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. -2008
Page 16 of 16
Meeting Type: Planning & Zoning
Meeting Date: 3/26/08
I AGENDA I
I
Heading Discussion
Item #]
No.
AGENDA REPORT
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
THE CITY OF CAPE CANA VER_AL
SUBJECT: Discussion - Continued Discussion on Mixed Use Districts
DEPT./DlVISION: Building Department
Requested Action:
Discussion to provide staff direction pertaining to mixed use districts.
Summary Explanation & Background:
The Planning and Zoning Board on several occasions have discussed the mixed use development. This is a
continuation of a previous meeting about location(s), height, density, intensity, open space, traffic pedestrian
access, types of uses, appearance and any other issues that are important to the Planning and Zoning Board.
Attached are recent/current news articles discussing mixed use districts around the country.
I
Exhibits Attached: Recent news articles.
l I Department
I Planning Official's Office I
I
I I
, I
(~~
.. .. .. .~~~HU~UVHJ .VV<H I V.JI < VI ...,VVV I vUY v1 UllvUG;:' llUll1UerS to evalUate Plan' S !lnanclal re... .Page 1 of 2
------. ---..---.-..-------.-...--.-------------1
· . . ,"~'r""'.' - /F"-'-"~-'~
Current; 360~.. .A~'fl{O' D .
K;'InC::lC:~ltv A rnm ,,,,,,,,,:. .~~T~~'~'e',.",~e-~
II .'",1lI 1i14!$V___""'...,. -'W~.....-..... ill II . ,m I .,.... fi~.(-..,:'....f'.-.., -',u---".'f~..,;;"",.,'~/,.~?:t:'!-(;
" "" Complete Forecast w&'2:eRI.~!l'!.GJ:!;}l~.~
. - ~ '::, '. '- -. f4j;)~\I~ i.lt~.~~ .11'00. W -.1dKii! _
-;, . ><', -, TIMtt'Gar' . '-a. V P~pulTIAa
~ :':;,' '; AumSHOWBONUSCASH, , ,. ,
: ..' i il~J;~'OT&:'gill!llll.~MQ~II4AD!li~'f!!:~cllaatt;l:rc~ms~'! -,.,~~;;;;;-. I . .,. ., -." .
: , . . ': "R"",ti_i'tesW.tfo""Oll~f. ~dp.Ii1ii3!iiiW:M>llllly. .~_. ,~'1 >1i5.~ ;:;Wq<<rff1' llfFEIlS'
-_.~--_._~-_._--
(i( r' , ' Welcome Guest
Search ~.J KansasCity.com -...j Archives C) Web Search powered by YAHOO! SEARCH Loginj Register I Sign in to Classifieds
.1;21;", .~W . .;%~;
) MaungeyoUJ account News;. Neighborhood News> Blue Valley & Leawood Wednesday, t....1ar 19. 200e
Cll,,~Io'~cialS11lfl~tas Blue Valley & leawood
lSlllIstriba lOctigital ...-SI., -,."'---'~;~-";;;:~:;::,~-c:::=~:-=:::====::;=~";;;:==_:::;=:..=_"C;,,._;;;:=;;;;,;==_====
TQ.'p...~g.!?? Posted on Tue, Mar. 18, 200810:15 PM emai! print reprint or license
Cars. . . ..... . AIM cteUcio.us Digg It
Real Estate
RLeriiallssh", City crunches numbers to evaluate
oca oppmg I' fi . I I"
. KCAuto Deals p an s nanCIa rea Ities
'S~~o~1 th .
'. Newspaper Ads MEREDITH RODRtGUEZ The Kansas City Star e same pnce,
All Class.itieds A bold new vision to redevelop Metcalf Avenue proposes to break the corridor out of the YOU)- ust get tn(TU.@
. Create an Ad usual mold of suburban development.
: ~~~ an Ad But the multi-milli~n dollar question remains: Is this model for more dense mixed-use -;;"~::_::~-::;~'~-" :-:--;.:;::::';;.~;;;",
development 111 thiS area realistic? ~.~ ~.",JJ<tQK;itPD4r~8."
~.~~~i~~~
Also, does Vision Metcalf have enough muscle to compete in Johnson County's future
growth and development markets? Or does the dieam dissipate under the crunch of
News numbers?
. Breaking News Economics Research Associates, a financial consulting firm. tested and analyzed the
.. Changing Climate vision's fiscal feasibility. Using today's market to predict tomorrow's, the study determined
. Columnists that - yes - the mixed-use development foreseen in the Met~lf Corridor plan would Get Your Computer Back in the Fast
. Consumer News probably generate enough profit to make the project worthwhile. .. . Lane
. Elections . ._
o Interactive graphics "Irs a reality check on the Vision from an economic standpoint: city Director of Finance .<~f9
. Lottery Kristy S~lIingssaid ?fthe financial analysis. "It's a snapshot that says this plan can be ,c"."._..,,'.'
. Nation economIcally Viable. iLmrtj". ,;J" Home Equity Basics
. Neighborhood A successful urban-style merger of home, office and retail along one pedestrian-friendly n..l '..'.' .... c:
News, . road as illustrated in Vision Metcalf relies on certain stipulations, however. For starters, :;~~'cl
. ObituarIes the estimated return from the Vision assumes Overland Park will invest $141 to $181 __ 2.:
. News Projects million in public funding and will make unprecedented use of tax incentives. ..."..... ,fL...'.......I...'........ Find the Best Deal on Refin.ncing
. PolitiCS ." .' .r. Your Home
. Readers' "We'lI have to prime the pump with public dollars: said City Council member and Finance " . i:,..'"
Representative Committee Chairman Jim Hix_ "It concerns me a great deal.' . _;";:.
. Weird News Predictions assume that tax increment financing, or TIF, and other tax breaks for . -~-::-_'~
...vV.orld.., developers will help pay for public infrastructure. Included in that infrastructure are
c:;ol~rn-",i~"._. _.".___._ amenities such as a transit line down Metcalf, parking structures buill behind buildings.
?P"rt.s_.,.__.. _ ___ and eco-friendly wind turbines. Such infrastructure is needed to support the increased
..E:.nt"rt_~Ir:lI11."l1t _ _ _, _ _, population density that the Vision requires to be cconomi~lIy viable.
.~.j.~.~2J.Pf!qtos The analysis suggested that the city create TIF districts. The districts allow tax g~in5
I..,~.~I--~~?,?:::.- generated by an area's redevelopment to be used to finance public property projects. Too
F ,I'l,ivil1\j ;__... new public infrastructure helps private investors by making the distrIct a more appealing
~.~.~.~.".~.?9?~.~.~.,~_ place to do business and in turn helps the city by making it a higher tax-generating area.
gpIrlion "A TIF district can take the increment out of an area to bury power lines: said Slallings.
citing one example of proposed pubiic infrastructure Improvements that could be financed
EXTRAS through Ihe incentive. "Now that makes the location more valuable to the redeveloper:
Press Release Centra! In that way, Vision Metcalf relies on not only public but also private partnerships. The
Past Articles uitimate rerum on public funding depends on getting businesses io redevelop oider
, The Star's Front Page established properties.
. h:o~a.1 TfC1ffi~ . . ..... nmm__' "just because a land-use consultant says it would be nice to have a four-story building at
Maps & Directions this location, doesn't mean private doi/ars will agree," Hix said, "Nothing Is going to
'(ello\VP"ge~. happen unless private doi/ars agree that the vision will return an appropriate investment
Local Coupons . on their dollars. The more private money comes in, the more public money."
Disc.ussi()I1Boards . With public and private funding in place, redeveiopment could generate $4.9 million to
Visitor's Guide $22.5 million in total sales taxes and $11.2 and $49.6 million in total property taxes each
Weddings year, according to the ERA report.
~~:;M;~~i~\:ducaiion Predictions of how much growth results from the Vision Metcalf initiative are not intended
.-.- to be firm.
The "targel density," or hoped-for growth, presented by Nelessen is 9,500 residential
SERVICES units, 6.15 million square feet of retail, 8.19 million square feet of office space, 50,900
'. R$~ paiking spaces and 145,O?O civic ~quare feet. The projections of reality range from 35 j
I Place an.Ad percent of the target density up to 100 percent.
I' Contact Us
Advertise Next page>
I About The Star '"
Cd f.E..th. To reach Meredith Rodnguez, City Hall reporter, call 816-234-7722 or
o e 0 ICS d'l d . @k
I Star Speakers Elureau sen an e-mal message to mro nguez a csar.com
i Star Awards I
I Star Tours
I The Kansas c;it\r $!ore Recent Comments ,
I Rp thp fir.:;:t to nA<.':t ':l r.....m,......,"""''" ",,:,-,...... fhr. ......."'" h~!........ !
-, ..., .,...... "w... W"""~'" uo,,'~ ,,'c 'u"" uc'uw I
! Post Your Comment ..--..
I \
~
http://www.kansascity.com/news/neighborhood/leawood/story/ 536475 .html 3/19/2008
JJvVvlV}lC,l 1. lCm::> .pID lL;UllLVllULUWn tTOjeCI - LO~Iar vroup Page 1 of2
Regional
March 18, 2008 L8J E-mail this article
Written by Linda Oftedahl ~ Print this article
home page Developer Plans $lB Icon
news
l\fidtown Project
corporate info
products New 3.7 Million-SF Mixed-Use
Development To Break Ground in Ql
careers 2009
.....",..........
support Icon
contact us Partners LLC
.......... will develop
add a listing Icon
. . ... ............ Midtown, a
comps express $1 billion,
............
photo express 3.7 million-
square-foot
premier (gross), mixed-use development at the
properties intersection of Lyndon B. Johnson
,.., ..._>............ Freeway and Dallas North Tollway in
power brokers Dallas. d del.icia.us
........ ............ 'tftJ .Qlgg I
costar international
......."............ '"'' ".........., The first phase, set to break ground in
January of next year, will consist of a
715,OOO-square-foot office tower, 500
residential units, 525,000 square feet of
retail and entertainment space, a
SO,OOO-square-foot food district and a i
boutique hotel and destination spa.
The Icon t.lidtown 20-acre site has
roughly 600 feet of frontage on Lyndon
B. Johnson Freeway at Noel Road where I
an estimated 300;000 vehicles pass by
each day.
"Midtown will be Dallas' first family-
friendly, mixed-use walking district
featuring Main Street architecture and
lushly landscaped streetscapes," said
Paris Rutherford, president of Icon
Partners. "It \o'./ill be the place in north
Dallas where people will come to walk,
shop and just spend time hanging out."
~.1idtown!s office building will contain 34
stories and 715,000 square feet of office
space, It was designed by architect Ross
~~"\
\~)
http://www.costar.comlNews/Article.aspx?id=62DCDFA2CE3 nOF 4CD3A 1459BD3C 1FC7 3/19/2008
.uevelOper nans :)) IlJ Icon 1Vllatown .prOject - Co:::ltar Group Page 2 of2
Wimer of Skidmore Owings and will be a I
LEED certified development. The building
is designed with 30,OOO-square-foot
floor plates that shift three degrees from
floor to floor.
I Development Design Group of Baltimore
I and Gromatzky Dupree & Associates of
Dallas have designed other components
of the development. United Commercial
Realty/Chain Links of Dallas is preleasing
the retail space. CB Richard Ellis' Dallas
team will handle the office space. Icon
will market the residential space.
Icon Partners is a Dallas-based real I
estate development company with
I experience in all aspects of real estate I
I development. I
;
, I I
Copyright <9 1997-2008 CoStar Realty Information, Inc. All Commercial Real Estate I Anti-Piracy I Webinars I RSS I Site Map
rights reserved. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of
Use
,~
/-'
I \\
~
http://www.costar.comlNews/Artic1e.aspx?id=62DCDFA2CE3 7 80F 4CD3A 1459BD3 C 1 FC7 3/19/2008
rUIJuer serrao! sne rezoned ror mIxed-use development Page 1 of2
Subscribe now Customer Service Sign In Memher Center EO-mail preferences
_.SEV..E"R"--\:::::--.';;';';.'. ;'..................'.......
.. , ':to'-, '.,-f ',. ,,'.'
...... ,-- , ',' ..- ,_; ',.,; I"
. .
"_;-""'"'''''''' ;;".",-_-_./N;.;".'._'~;;;_;".,..,/'.;;,".;'"f}':;'''''''''".';.;....,.;,."....,.,...,.-.".;_.,__..".....,...;,-,__~>..;,__'''''
Help
Business Loca1 News ~Ja[jon & VVorkJ Obilu3(jes \iVeather N1E Sheriffs Sales @)site () web
CLASSIFIEDS lIIllI LJL
Aurosl~III""F"I'I'" . Health Care . Community
REAL ESTATE 11~1:l1.,. :Ed!.lcatlon. Employ_nt and Morel
JOBS ---.g.i. V Li d BU$lnll$$
SHOPPfNG fii"hHljh! your ll!;mp",!ly'~
E-mail this page Print this page Most E-maiied I Most printed
Former school site rezoned for mixed-use skyb,!J. s.com
development emal
"';l updates.
'.Click-2-Usten
Sign u}J OJ"
By Samantha Sommer miss out.
Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 12. 2008
SPRINGFIELD - City commissioners approved rezoning for a mixed-use
development on the fonner Simon Kenton school site, calling it the right kind of
development.
Springfield Regional
C .. d T d M h h M<>dical Center
ommlSSloners agree ues ay, arc 11, to rezone more t an 11 acres at 1221 E. The Science + Spirit
Home Road from multiple residential and commercial office districts to a planned of Medical Excelle"""
development district. Save MOlley with our
11 V']] G ., h - . dId Baat Rate Loans
Latest headlines Ie 1 age reene project IS t e first mlXe -use p anne
----.--.--------- --- ------- development district, which provides a blank slate that
. . . Champion Factory Direct
~ Arrows' McKee is allows for detalled, negotiated zonmg. .
county's ML Basketball Wlndows'Sldlng"!'.t!" Rooms
~ City schools extend "This really would be unique to Springfield and really be s;,,,,.. 1953
school year I h f h' h " C .. . I -- I
t etypeo t mgt at we want, _ommlsslOnerDanMartin (~AL__'...-,. P-.'''l
). Your tax rebate: iRS I ' I ~ _r~UI,U[efY 1 , OSH:JVe Y I
~0~~ates facts from saId. I g~~~J1! 100*, FREE CHECKI~
, IRS warns of scams The project calls for small-scale retail up front and 28
aimed at taxpayers, condos to the rear of the site. Top Jo bs
espeCially using e.mail
~ ~!obson reflects on Iraq The retail area will feature a village motif with stone or
blick store fronts designed to look like separate buildings,
Get latest headlines clearly marked pedestrian walkways, ornamentalUghts and Photos More...
via RSSfeeds 4 acres of green space. ...t.w,., ........... ....
Some neighbors had spoken against the project at earlier f';.'.. ,.
publi, mecii,ll', "P""'ogoooccm, ,bo" ",ffie =d "" I,,, of ,om, wooded ro"". '. ,m ....'.. '......... '... i. ;,
But no one opposed the project on Tuesday mght.., .. .?'~... .... .."
'. . Season 6: American The
The development IS the type that Spnngfield needs to attract younger people back mto Dancing With Idol Season 7 Forbidden
the city, Commissioner Karen Duncan said, the Stars Kingdom
Commissioner Kevin Otl'.reilI thanked eRD, the developer. Videos More...
'We'ce "lid" ,bou' , lo~1 dwelopec eelog hi, oWo moo,y to try to m,ke, diffeceocc 0", 'M' ,"" w""',o ........... ...~,..,.../~..:J..
. S . gfi 1 - n O'N '11 'd One is dead affer his mini van traveled .....
m pnn e d, el sal . through a stop sign and collided with a . ..,
semi truck at South River Road and ' '~ ,. . if-
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com. Ohio route 72, south of Clifton. -. "."
(t~)
~/
http://www.springfieldnewssun.comlhp/content/oh/story/news/local/2008/03/111sns03120... 3/19/2008
VV l::;Cl'H:;W::;.com yonage uaIlY Keglster Unlme Page 1 of 1
t~1 Classifieds I Johs ! Autos I Homes I'Rentals
ENVISIONING A REwARDING CAREER?
PORTAGE
D ....It\... IE..~ R. EG......IS....r E R .. High: 46"F Gov. Jim Doyle has signed
. . ' : ',.. ". '. . ". . . .' . Low: 25~F Into law a requirement that
P~rtly Cloudy hospitals provide rape
victims with emergency
contraception upon their
Columbia County's Daify Newspaper Wednesday~ March 19, 2008 request. Do you agree
with this move?
~--~-'---"--- --------~------~~._-,---~--
LOCAL I SPORTS I OPINION I FEATURES I OBITUARIES I ARCHIVES I CALENDAR I SPEAK UP I READER SERVICES ,0
t) Yes
I' LOCAL email slory prinl story 0 No
------...--_.___._.___n_____.....___._____._.____________._______.________..__~___.~__._._.___._._.,__.._.______..._.___._~_...._
Downtown TIF district takes OTHER STORIES IN LOCAL 01 don't know
. . Johnny gets his gun
big ste p . Body exhumed in Columbus murder case
By Craig SaUBr t Pulsfus may be city's new municipal court judge current rti!J.lli?
The plan to create a tax incremental financing (TIF) district in the downtown . DNR questioning site of lime quarry in MarceHoll
received almost nothing but positive reviews Monday from city officials and , D.J:ily Register wins open government award .
residents. advertisement
Following a public hearing in which eight of nine people testified in favor of the adv€' rtisement__................ ;' ...... .. .......: .....':. ..............'..........'..
plan. the city's Plan Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the ., " __ ,:t" ;" ," ";,' ~.
Common Council approve creating me district. " 1 "", _ '.
':CO "..r-
One person said Monday lhat she did nol have enough infonnation to lean ,> MOST VIEW ED ..... ,.... . g
positively or negatively on the project <;5;'::~77'.'r7;"70'r,,"
Proponents, ~owever, said the TIF ~ould b~ng a~out positive change and new t: The chase to see Johnny Depp "W;"H._'HJ')"RJE
development In the downtown. SpecIfic projects like redevelopment of the . Johnny gets his gun> ,~!:j/:,::_::;\,,:: ::'>'>"'\,'<:i'i:::'::h'::i;:',,::i:""~,f'~;:
Woolen Mills and old Hill Ford properties into mixed-use residential and . State trooper arrested for Ih€ft..,.'S..........':.'....................'.......,.....I.............;....:......:......,..'Z.'>~.';:............-....'..........E.....:..............d........
commercial spaces, they said, would be directly affected. ::,[-:~\L_'::,/i;_:,: ,',,','.;, ','....',', ,",
, Police Notebook: Tuesday, March 18,2008..,../,,:'2/ .e/e
'" am in favor of this project, J think it is essential for the Woolen Mills project to . Body exhumed in Columbus murder case ::::_;:;:<,'.:'i:,,::~.'i::;y::.::'g:>:iJ::::!;HS:,;~i;?:';':::,~H!,:!','"
progress to have this kind of city involvement; said Woolen Mills Project Site . Pardeeviile woman accused of taking medications fromi~:.;ii!A;"rT":~.:,..;,~:,n.. :\,,",~
Manager Roger KreJchlk. anolher home . IVI..l'\:.cl;:gl!.:E 1:'\..0
Deforest developer and owner of the old Hill Ford site Greg Iverson was
similarly encouraging of the TIF pian. WISCNEWs
"I think this is a great Idea for you guys to do a TIF district, and I am Inoking
forward to doing some development downtown when this is enacted,;; Iverson extras contact us
said. "I think il is a greal start to re-planning the downtown Portage area."
. Sportrnen's Showcase . Reader services
Martin Schmidt, the owner a Cook Street property and formerly the owner an . Daily Sudoku Puzzle f Subscribe here
antique shop Ihere said the TIF wouid help redevelop his buildings. , Reach slaff
"VIle have numerous developer., w8!Hng for this moment to occur. They have I Newspapers In Education
been waiting for years for this to occur.;; SChmidt said. "My building will be
redeveloped jf this goes through. I have very personal hopes that this gets
accomplished in a hUiTy'."
The city's financial advisor Ehlers and Associates said that spending of up to
$4 million in facade and infrastructure improvements and grants to developers
could eventually net the city $16 million in increased tax value. after all is said
and done.
The $4 million would be garnered from agreements with the area's other taxing
entities - Columbia County, MATC, and the Portage School Disinci - to hand
over any increased tax revenue gained as a resuH of development projects
completed in Ihe TIF dislrict during the lime period it would be enacted.
TIF time periods generally last 20 to 30 years.
If at the end of Ihat time, if the dollars spenl on the district have not been
recouped, the cily incurs Ihe debt.
The city's financial consultant Ehlers and Associates, however, said that they
expect the downtown TIF to meet its objectives and pay for the city spending.
City Public Works Director and Utililles Manager and member of the
commission Bob Redelings said he thought that a TIF would do just as the
citizens said, spur development.
"j am certainiy in support of it. Some of these projects are on the fence and
ready to go and I think this will be Ihe catalysl that gets them off the ground and
gets positive things 10 happen in the downtown," Redelings said.
Before the plan can take affeci il will need to be approved by the Common
Council and later by a Joint Review Board.
~ 1003 Portage Daily Reg1s1er
~
('0)\
(f3/
http://www.wiscnews.comlpdr/news/277 542 3/19/2008
vv mSLOn-~alem JOUrnal I lIanstonnatlOn: LVl1xed-use project would reuse Reynolds buildi... Page 1 of3
Classifieds I Jobs I Cars I Homes I Place an Ad Advertise I Special Section I Contact Us I Search
From the Journal
Subscribe Navy
CustGrYl{~r Sendee
Store Coupons
Newspaper Ads
Sea rch .. Online partner of the March 19, 2008
Home BeCOfne ,p1 todt:Jf:!r
News
Ask SAM .All
Business
Entertainment Thursday, February 21,2008
Health Transformation: Mixed-use project would reuse
Hurricane Center Reynolds buildings
Living
Local News !;l By Richard Craver
JOURNAL REPORTER
Clemmons Journal
Courts Give your opinion on this story
Crime/Safety
Development ,
Ec nomy An announcement IS >> a d v e r tis e men t <<
Ed~cation expected by early April on
Elections the proposal to develop 60
Environment acres of Piedmont Triad
Federal Government Research Park in downtown
Health Winston-Salem.
Kernersville Journal
Local Government Officials with the research
Lottery park and Struever Bros.
News by County Eccles & Rouse, a Baltimore Yes No
Regional News company doing a $720
Scott Sexton million waterfront project in ()Yes Special Features I
State Government that city, continue to No
Multimedia negotiate, Doug Edgeton, Y~~~-~_Y~-'_.'--~~_.
the president of the research cD AliGn Tato
NationlWorld park, said yesterday. .;. Showcase
News Updates , , Qf Homes
Opinion "We expect to have a major
Special Reports announcement in late tliarch >> web too I s <:<
Sports or early April a bout the Print Story I Email Story I News Tip?
north district," Edgeton told
Today's News about 160 people attending >> rei ate d mat e ria I <<
Weather a technology-council
Yesterday's News meeting of the Greater
Winston-Salem Chamber of CilyGuide 2007-2008
Associated Press Commerce, The prospect for Faitl1& Values
Community the mixed-use development
810gs "looks great, but we're not I
Calendar there yet in the details,"
Journal in Education
Celebrations
Houses of Worship Officials with Struever could Promotions
not be reached for
Obituaries comment, but the company I r~WE~~~p1f~~ll
MilestoneslVolunteer already features the project A view of work being done to remove railroad tracks
Journal in Education prominently on its Web site, from the central part of the Piedmont Triad Research
~~~r~~~~h~~~~:0~a:;~ t~~lf~~ BaHey Power Plant. i~101~ J{~'~~'/ii - '\
Personals
Struever says on its Web t4)
~/
http://www.journalnow,com/servlet/Satellite?pagenarne= WSJ%2FM GArtic1e%2FWSJ _ Ba... 3/19/2008
VV lllc, LUll-0 dlClll JUUrUal I 1 ransrormanon: lVl1xeC1~use prOject would reuse Reynolds buildi... Page 2 of3
Marketplace site that it plans to
CarSeeker "transform 1.1 million
HemeSeeker square feet of the R.J. SPECIAL FEATURES
Jobs Reynolds historic tobacco
warehouses into an urban
ApartmentSeeker Iive-work-play community,
Coupons with Wake Forest University
Special Sections Health Sciences as the
Sea rch Classifieds primary driver. Incorporated
Newspaper Ads into the space will be
medical laboratory and
JournalNow & You research space, a variety of
Place a Classified Ad residential options and
Place Other Ads commercial space."
Buy a Photo The proposed project would
Contact Us reuse buildings left vacant
Corrections years ago as part of a
E-Mail Update reorganization by R.J.
Games Reynolds Tobacco Co.,
including the landmark Complete ACC coverage, live blogs, photo
Join Our Panel Bailey Power Plant and its Get Your
galleries, commentary, and video reports from
Search Our Site signature smokestack. the tournament
Search Our Archives 1 D=e:'
j.it I
Site Map If the agreement goes Get the scoop on TRAIl" NIX Patch
through, officials said, it Trail Mix, the
Web Feeds would boost the city's push Journal's new political blog.
Subscribe to Paper toward a biotechnology >> Read more
Town Hall economy. FREE*
When the project surfaced in November, the company said it planned to
develop the 60 acres in phases over five to six years, At that time, the
contract for the project had been expected to be signed by January.
Edgeton said he has no concerns about the agreement falling through. He
said that Struever Bros. has the finances to take on the job, which is
estimated to run into the "hundreds of millions of dollars."
There are about 1.28 million square feet of space that can be renovated _
one~third for residential units, one-third for retail and one-third for
biomedical labs. The first phase would include 16 acres and the renovation
of some of the old buildings north of Vine Street, officials said.
The research park has been at the forefront of Winston-Salem's push to
transform its economy from one based on tobacco and textiles to one
based on genes and science.
About 885 peop!eevvork at the research park among 41 tenants, a work
force that Edgeton said was slightly ahead of projections made in 2003.
Among the companies are 33 that are not affiliated with Wake Forest
University Health Sciences, which owns the research park. There are eight
Wake Forest programs at the park, including the Wake Forest Institute for
Regenerative Medicine.
Besides the plans for the north district, Edgeton said that steady progress
is being made on a project involving the central district of the park,
Raiiroad tracks are being removed to make way for new research
buildings, and pians for a new connector rail line are being developed.
Other hurdles to clear are burying transmission-tower lines at the site and
putting in a storm water-retention system that would flow into Salem
Creek. Edgeton said that it could take two years to complete the rail-line
project and as long as five years to phase in the storm-water system,
Separateiy; Edgeton said that the park is close to choosing from among six -.---
/,-- ~'\
candidates for the third tenant in the Wet Lab Launch Pad, which made its / \
( Zy
\'''-~-'''./
http://www.joumalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename= WSJ%2FM GArticle%2FWSJ _ Ba... 3/1912008
What Counts Most as a Planning Commissioner?
by Elaine Cogan
Recently, I was asked by a group of planning board members from different parts of the country to
name the three most important attributes of a commissioner. We had been talking about the need to
understand planning terms; to be neutral and fair; to pay attention at meetings; and other such
important matters. But when pressed to name the three most important aspects of their jobs, I
surprised at least some of them by answering," patience, persistence and passion." Here are my
reasons. I will be interested in hearing whether these attributes seem reasonable to our readers.
Patience is an essential attribute if you are to be an effective decision maker, especially in the
contentious situations that often confront the planning board. You need to exercise patience over
your own desire to rush to judgment after a cursory review of the "facts" as they are presented by
staff, or seem to be borne out by your own experience. You also need to be patient with other board
members who may have a different perspective or be slower to grasp complicated concepts. Most
importantly, you must be patient with the public at that inevitable public hearing or meeting. Though
citizens often care deeply about a subject, they may become excited and emotional or e~press
themselves innless than perfect grammar or syntax. This is not to excuse rude or disruptive behavior,
which must, of course, be controlled. However, do not exhibit your impatience. Tapping a pencil on
the desk, whispering to a neighbor, interrupting or answering rudely are common habits that should
be avoided. Each citizen deserves to be heard with patience, no matter how misguided you may think
they are.
Have patience with the planning process, and with the citizens to whom it is important, and you may
be surprised how often the quality of your final product is improved.
Persistence is the second of these important traits of a planning commissioner. In some ways, this
may seem to be the reverse of patience, because it infers a certain amount of willingness to keep
espousing a point of view in light of opposition. But, whereas patience is a commodity that cannot be
overused, persistence should be used sparingly. A commissioner who is stubborn and entrenched can
quickly become ineffective. "We all know Joe. He never has an open mind on anything." Thus, the
board may hear you but not listen, because they know you are not really listening to them.
However, there may be times when you have weighed all the information, listened patiently to the
public, and come to a conclusion that still is not popular or supported by the majority. If your
colleagues respect you, they will respect your persistence. You may even win them over.
In your striving to be dispassionate, that is, fair and open, it is easy to dismiss passion, but they are
not the same. Yes, you must always be an active listener to different points of view, but this should
not mitigate having a real passion for planning as a vital contribution to your community's livability
and future.
Planning commissioners should be advocates for an orderly process that has the best interests of the
What Counts Most as a Planning Commissioner?
community as its overriding goal. They should be passionate about the values that make their
community a special place and vigorously oppose the forces that would seem to undermine it.
If you are not passionate about your willingness to devote many hours to a non-paid often thankless
job, why do it? ' .
This triad of traits can be the basis of a truly effective planning board member. What are YJurs?
Special thanks to Elaine Cogan. Elaine is a partner in the Portland, Oregon, planning a~d
communications firm of Cogan Owens Cogan, a consultant to many communities undertaking
strategic planning or visioning processes.
-