CITY OF SARASOTA Development Review Division Development Services Department MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Planning Board Dan Clermont, Chair Members Present: Michael Halflants, Vice Chair Members Daniel Deleo, Shane LaMay, Terrill Salem Planning Board Members Absent: City Staff Present: Mike Connolly, Deputy City Attorney Myra Schwarz, General Manger, Development Services Alison Christie, Development Review Chief Planner Donald Ullom, Senior Arborist Miles Larsen, Manager, Public Broadcasting John Nopper, Coordinator, Public Broadcasting Karen Grassett, Sr. Planning Technician, Development Services 1:43:53 P.M. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL PB Chair Clermont called the meeting to order. General Manager Schwarz [acting as the Planning Board's S Secretary] called the roll. PB Chair Clermont welcomed new PB Members Deleo and LaMay. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 1:45:12 P.M. III. CHANGES TO' THE ORDER OF THE DAY There were no changes to the order of the day. Attorney Connolly administered the oath to those wishing to speak at today's meeting and suggested time limits. The PB agreed to the time limits by consensus. IV. LAND USE ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC HEARINGS NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: At this time anyone wishing to speak at the following public hearings will be required to take an oath. (Time limitations will be established by the Planning Board.) 1:46:21 P.M. A. Reading ofthe Pledge ofConduct Secretary Schwarz read the Pledge of Conduct. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 2 of 10 Attorney Connolly requested the PB members disclose any ex-parte communications. PB Chair Clermont stated he spoke to a couple of the neighbors. Attorney Connolly stated Ms. Laurel Quarberg had requested Affected Person status on behalf of the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association; pointed out the required authorization from the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association Board was not provided; noted the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association is not within 500' of the proposed development; and stated he recommended Ms. Quarberg not be granted Affected Person status. After discussion the PB agreed that Ms. Quarberg could provide testimony under general citizenry. PB Member Salem questioned the PB's role in granting Affected Person status. Discussion ensued. B. Quasi-Judicial Public Hearings 1. Sarasota Veteran's Housing (1529 25th Street): Site Plan Application No. 23-SP-10 is a request for Site Plan approval to construct a two-story, 10-unit affordable multi-family apartment building, an accessory one-story laundry facility, and associated infrastructure on property with a street address of 1529 25th Street. The t 0.43-acre subject parcel is located in the Commercial Business Newtown (CBN) zone district and has a Future Land Use (FLU) classification of Urban Edge. Vehicular access is proposed from 25th Street. (Alison Christie, AICP, Development Review Chief Planner) Applicant Presentation: Mr. Michael Raposa, CEO of St, Vincent dePaul Cares; Mr. Kurtis Pelto, Engineer for the project; Ms. Ann Vickstrom, St. Vincent dePaul Cares; and Attorney Thomas Yi, legal counsel representing St. Vincent dePaul Cares appeared. Ms. Vickstrom discussed the proposal pointing out the project will provide attainable housing for veterans; and requested the PB approve the proposed site plan. Mr. Raposa discussed the history of St. Vincent dePaul Cares; pointed out the housing is for those earning less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI); and discussed the need for attainable housing. 1:59:28 P.M. PB Vice Chair Halflants questioned the occupancy of each unit; and suggested the porch areas be expanded, the stairways be relocated, and the area behind the first-floor units be fenced to allow for privacy. Attorney Yi stated the units could either be shared or could be occupied by a veteran and their family. Discussion ensued. PB Member Deleo commended St. Vincent dePaul Cares for the work they do in the community. PB Member Salem questioned if there would be twenty veterans occupying the units; asked if the veterans would be disabled; asked if the elevator was a requirement; stated the laundry facilities should be within the units; and stated he did not think the allowable square footage was maximized. Mr. Raposa stated there could be a mix of Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 3 of 10 veterans and veterans with their families; noted the veterans would not necessarily be disabled; and stated experience has shown that two bathrooms are a better use of the space than one bathroom and a laundry closet. PB Chair Clermont questioned if the parking would be adequate. Mr. Raposa stated generally less than 10% of the: residents have vehicles; and noted the proximity to public transportation. 2:12:19 P.M. Staff Presentation: Development Review Chief Planner Christie appeared and discussed the proposal stating the proposal is for a two-story, 10-unit residential building with a separate laundry facility; pointed out the parcel has a deed restriction that requires renting to those earning less than 80% of the AMI until 2072; stated the proposal meets all applicable standards; noted there is no minimum required parking in that zone district; and stated staff recommends approval with conditions. 2:13:55 P.M. PB Member Salem discussed his concerns regarding parking and questioned if the applicants had maxed out the allowable square footage on the site. Development Review Chief Planner Christie stated they had not maxed out the square footage. PB Member LaMay pointed out there is no required parking. PB Chair Clermont questioned if there have been issues with areas in the city that do not have required parking. Development Review Chief Planner Christie stated smaller projects in the downtown that are under a certain square footage do not have required parking. Discussion ensued. PB Chair Clermont questioned if the stormwater would be adequately managed. Development Review Chief Planner Christie stated stormwater would be retained on-site and noted the Engineering Department has signed off on the project and will be reviewing the building permit as well. PB Member Salem discussed parking related to the King Stone Apartments in the area that also has no parking requirements. PB Vice Chair Halflants pointed out there is room on-site to add parking; noted the applicants experience suggests there is adequate parking proposed; questioned if the application would go to the City Commission; and asked if the height limit is two stories. Development Review Chief Planner Christie stated the height limit is 35'. PB Vice Chair Halflants asked if a variance could be granted to allow for a third story. Attorney Connolly stated a variance to the maximum height cannot be granted. Discussion ensued. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the! Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 4 of 10 2:20:45 P.M. Citizen Imput: Mr. Jon Thaxton, Senior Vice President of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, appeared; submitted three letters of support for the project; provided a timeline of the history of the parcel; and pointed out no changes to the Comprehensive Plan or other City codes are requested. Ms. Laurel Quarberg appeared; stated she is the new president of the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association; said she was not opposing or supporting the project, just gathering information to take back to the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association. Mr. Thaxton volunteered to meet with the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association and address their concerns. 2:25:51 P.M. PB Chair Clermont closed the public hearing. PB Member Salem made a motion to approve the application with conditions 1 and 2 as listed. PB Vice Chair Halflants seconded the motion. PB Member LaMay noted a third story could be added. PB Member Deleo stated he supports the motion stating the project meets the purpose and intent of all relevant codes. PB Chair Clermont stated he supports the motion noting the need for attainable housing; and discussed the impact the decisions of the PB have on neighborhoods. The motion passed 5-0. 2:29:18 P.M. 2. 1800 Residences (1800 N. Tamiami Trail): Site Plan Application No. 23-SP-01 is a request for Site Plan approval to construct a three-story, thirty-three unit multi-family apartment building on subject property with a street address of 1800 North Tamiami Trail. The +1.11-acre site is located in the North Trail (NT) zone district as well as in the North Trail Overlay District (NTOD). The subject site has a Future Land Use (FLU) Classification of Urban Mixed Use. The applicant is proposing to utilize the NTOD standards for development. Vehicular access is proposed from Panama Drive. (Alison Christie, AICP, Development Review Chief Planner) Attorney Connolly called upon those who had requested Affected Person status. Mr. William David gentile; Mr. Arthur Siegel; Ms. Joni Adno; Ms. Mary Evelyn Guyton (representing Avery "Elizabeth" Bennett; and Ms. Aimee Sicora were present and granted Affected Person status. Ms. Candice Boldt; Ms. Rebecca Binz Seigel; and Mr. Henry Battie were not present and therefore were not granted Affected Person status. Ms. Laurel Quarberg, representing the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association, Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 5 of 10 was present but not granted Affected Person status due to not providing written authorization from the Central Cocoanut Neighborhood Association Board. 2:32:52 P.M. Applicant Presentation: Mr. Chris Gallagher, Architect; Mr. Phil Smith, Landscape Architect; and Mr. Mark Mueller, Engineer, appeared. Mr. Gallagher discussed the proposal noting the parcel is within the North Trail Overlay District (NTOD) and is zoned North Trail (NT); pointed out the minimum setbacks have been exceeded; four stories are permitted, and the applicants are only proposing three stories; stated the NTOD standards have been met or exceeded; and said the applicants are in agreement with the staff analysis and recommended conditions. 2:36:22 P.M. PB Vice Chair Halflants suggested the stairway on the south side be relocated to the east side; and requested additional information regarding the tree report. Mr. Smith discussed the process of analyzing the health of trees and the methods used to work around healthy trees. Discussion ensued. PB Member Deleo expressed concerns regarding compliance with the zoning code relating to trees; noted there is only the applicant's analysis to rely upon; and questioned the level of analysis that was provided. Discussion ensued. PB Member LaMay questioned the landscape buffer along US 41 as it relates to existing utilities; asked if all of the criteria in the NTOD has to be met; discussed the purpose of the NTOD; and stated the corner of the building at 18th Street and US 41, and the portion of the building that faces 18th Street, do not meet the design standards of the NTOD. Mr. Smith stated the landscape buffer: is required around the parking; and stated trees could not be planted where existing and/or proposed utilities are located. Mr. Gallagher stated the proposed balcony meets the design standards. Discussion ensued. PB Member LaMay suggested there should be shade trees planted along the sidewalk. Mr. Smith stated smaller trees are proposed due to available root space and the need to avoid utilities. Discussion ensued. PB Chair Clermont stated his agreement that design improvements are needed along 18th Street. PB Vice Chair Halflants suggested ways to improve the design at the corner of 18th Street and US 41, and along 18th Street. PB Chair Clermont questioned the location of the swimming pool, noting it is along the property line of the adjacent parcel. Mr. Smith discussed the proposed landscape buffer around the swimming pool area. Mr. Gallagher pointed out other factors thati timpacted where the swimming pool is located. PB Chair Clermont questioned if the entire Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 6 of 10 parking lot would be pervious. Mr. Smith stated the area around the tree roots would be pervious. 3:00:38 P.M. Staff Presentation: Development Review Chief Planner Christie appeared; stated the size, location, zoning and Future Land Use classification of the site; noted the site is within the NTOD and the applicants are using the optional NTOD provisions; said the proposal conforms to all applicable requirements; discussed access, parking, landscape buffers, and trees; stated the required Community Workshop was held on 9/23/22, and the project received DRC sign-off on June 9, 2023; stated staff recommends approval with conditions; and stated the City's S Senior Arborist is present. 3:02:58 P.M. PB Member Deleo asked Senior Arborist Ullom to state what his conclusions are after visiting the site and reviewing Mr. Smith's analysis. Senior Arborist Ullom discussed a previous report that had been prepared; presenting graphics; and stated Mr. Smith's report was consistent with what Senior Arborist Ullom expected. PB Chair Clermont questioned what the impact of significant trimming is on the health of a tree. Senior Arborist Ullom discussed the process for pruning that minimizes any impacts. Discussion ensued. PB Member Deleo questioned if Senior Arborist Ullom had conducted an independent investigation of the grand trees proposed to be removed. Senior Planner Ullom stated he had performed a Level 1 analysis while Mr. Smith performed a Level 3 analysis. PB Vice Chair Halflants questioned if Senior Arborist Ullom had reviewed Mr. Smith's report and agreed with his assessment; and asked if trees could be planted on the south side along 18th Street. Senior Arborist Ullom confirmed he reviewed and agreed with Mr. Smith's S report; and stated trees could not be planted along the south side of 18th Street due to the location of utilities. Discussion ensued. PB Chair Clermont asked if staff had any concerns regarding the treatment of the corner at US 41 and 18th Street. Development Review Chief Planner Christie stated the code language is broad, and noted the use of large balconies is one of the options. Discussion ensued. 3:09:53 P.M. Affected Persons: Ms. Aimee Sicora appeared; stated the project needed to be scaled down, the proposal is incompatible with the neighborhood, the parking is inadequate, and expressed safety concerns. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 7 of 10 Ms. Christina Stanhope, representing Mr. William David Gentile, appeared and stated concerns regarding the removal of trees, inadequate parking, incompatibility with the neighborhood, privacy, and the height of the proposed building. Mr. Arthur Siegel appeared and stated the meetings should be held after 5:00 pm; stated the proposal does not meet frontage requirements of the NTOD; expressed concerns with the trees being removed; said the proposal is not neighborhood friendly; said there are: no architectural renderings; stated the PB should deny the request; and asked about the life span of the trees. Ms. Joni Adno appeared and stated the proposal is incompatible with the neighborhood; stated concerns regarding the location of the parking; said the parking is inadequate and will lead to safety issues due to vehicles parking on the streets; expressed concerns regarding stormwater runoff and flooding, removal of trees, noise pollution, the location of the swimming pool, light pollution, and access to the site. Ms. Mary Evelyn Guyton, representing Avery "Elizabeth" Bennett, appeared and stated the project is incompatible with the neighborhood; said the parking is inadequate; and expressed concerns regarding traffic issues and the height of the proposed building. 3:35:15 P.M. Staff Rebuttal: Development Review Chief Planner Christie appeared; clarified the frontage calculations along US 41 referred to relate to the façade; noted the frontage along US 41 meets the 100% requirement; stated architectural plans are part of the public record and depicts the glazing which meets the requirements; and stated lighting is reviewed at the building permit stage, noting lights are not permitted to shine onto adjacent properties. 3:37:44 P.M. Applicant Rebuttal: Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Smith appeared. Mr. Gallagher discussed the side setback along 18th Street; the impact on trees if access is taken from 18th Street; stated the applicants considered constructing a four-story building with parking underneath noting that did not: meet the requirements for design at the southeast corner of the site; pointed out the proposed height of 35' is the same as what is permitted on the surrounding parcels; stated the building was placed on the site as far away from the single family zoning; said concerns regarding traffic were unwarranted; noted stormwater runoff will be retained on-site via a vault under the parking lot; and said shadow lines to the east will be minimized due to the location of the building. Mr. Smith discussed the landscape plan noting it is the minimum landscaping that will be provided; stated the landscaping of the northern portion of the site will contain very large trees; and discussed the tree risk analysis process. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 8 of 10 3:44:40 P.M. PB Chair Clermont closed the public hearing. PB Member LaMay pointed out the Zoning Code emphasizes pedestrian and multi- model transportation; stated if shade trees were planted along US 41 that would be a bonus; and stated the frontage along 18th Street fails to emphasize pedestrian and multi- model transportation. PB Member Salem stated the issue is with the Zoning Code requirements pointing out the small portion of the site that fronts US 41 is dictating what happens on the site; and said the proposal brings a character change to the neighborhood. PB Vice Chair Halflants stated his concerns regarding the trees have been addressed; stated his agreement with PB Member LaMay that the elevation along 18th Street needs improvement; said the scale along the highway is appropriate; and suggested fencing be installed to create four garden uses. PB Member Deleo acknowledged the neighbor's concerns; stated having mixed-uses abutting single family creates compatibility issues; noted the parking is code compliant; stated the City should do the same level of analysis of the trees as the applicants; and noted the landscape plan complies with the tree ordinance. PB Chair Clermont acknowledged there are compatibility issues; stated the need for additional housing units; and stated he has concerns regarding the parking, noting the parking meets code. 3:54:59 P.M. PB Vice Chair Halflants made a motion to find that Site Plan 23-SP-01 is consistent with the Tree Protection Ordinance and meets the applicable criteria of Section IV-506 of the Zoning Code and to approve the Site Plan subject to the conditions recommended by staff with the addition of a condition that the applicant will address the corner architecture provision of the North Trail Overlay District more significantly than has been done to date. PB Member LaMay seconded the motion. PB Vice Chair Halflants stated he understood the neighbor's concerns; discussed trees, compatibility, the location of the parking, urban design, and setbacks; and stated his main concern was the southern elevation. PB Member LaMay discussed the façade along US 41, the location of the parking and daylight plane requirements; noted the adjacent parcel is zoning for multi-family use; and discussed his concerns regarding the southern elevation. PB Member Salem stated he supports the motion. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 9of 10 PB Chair Clermont pointed out the proposed building is three stories and could be four stories; noted the sites proximity to an arterial road; and stated his agreement that the southern elevation needs improvement. PB Vice Chair Halflants suggested the Zoning Code be amended to prohibit assigned parking. The motion passed 5-0. V. CITIZEN'S INPUT NOTICE TO1 THE PUBLIC: At this time Citizens may address the Planning Board on topics of concern. Items which have been previously discussed at Public Hearings may not be addressed at this time. (A maximum 5- minute time limit.) There was no citizen' S input. 4:03:19 P.M. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. June 14, 2023 The minutes were approved as submitted by consensus. 4:03:35 P.M. VII. PRESENTATION OF TOPICS BY STAFF Items presented are informational only (no action taken). Any issue presented that may require future action will be placed on thei next available agenda for discussion. 1. Suggest a Special Meeting in September 2023 Secretary Schwarz stated a second meeting in September is recommended to consider a Zoning Text Amendment relating to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Discussion ensued regarding potential dates/times. The PB agreed to hold a special meeting on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. VIII. PRESENTATION OF TOPICS BY PLANNING BOARD Items presented are informational only (no action taken). Any issue presented that may require future action will be placed on the next available agenda for discussion. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 4:11:48 P.M. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting July 12, 2023 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 10 of 10 Layle Shy Duclunk Myra Schwarz Dan Clermont, Chair General Manager and Secretary to the Board Planning Board/Local Planning Agency