CITYOF SARASOTA Planning and Development Division Neighborhood and Development Services Department MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING BOARD/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Planning Board Jennifer Ahearn-Koch, Chair Members Present: Chris Gallagher, Vice Chair Members Susan Chapman, Mort Siegel, and Vald Svekis City Staff Present: Michael Connolly, Deputy City Attorney; David Smith, General Manager-Neighborhood & Development Services Gretchen Schneider, General Manager-Planning & Development Harvey Hoglund, Senior Planner; John Nopper, Coordinator-Public Broadcasting: Linda Strange, Sr. Planning Technician I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Ahearn-Koch called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and General Manager Smith [as Secretary to the Board] called the roll. II. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE DAY There was one change to the Order of the Day; Item III.C.2 CI Bank of Sarasota will not be heard this evening. III. LAND USE ADMINISTRATION PUBLIC HEARINGS A. Reading ofthe Pledge ofConduct David Smith read the Pledge of Conduct aloud. Attorney Connolly reviewed suggested time limits for the legislative public hearing and Board Members agreed to the suggested time limits by consensus. Attorney Connolly administered the oath to all intending to speak regarding the hearing this evening. B. Non Quasi-judicial Legislativel Public Hearings 1. THE QUEUE [1750 RINGLING BLVD.]: Application 13-SV-03 requests vacation of (1) a portion of two platted 20 ft. wide alleys; (2) a drainage easement which traverses the parent tract located at 1750 Ringling Blvd.; and (3) a +/-10: X 110 ft. strip of property lying adjacent to Morrill Street. [Harvey Hoglund, Senior Planner). Applicant Presentation: Attorney Michael Furen of the Icard Merrill law firm, Jim Bridges of Jebco Ventures, and Matthew Morris of Morris Engineering & Consulting accompanied Mr. Furen. Mr. Morris presented an overview [by powerpoint of the project that consists of 40 Minutes of thel Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 2 of 8 residential townhouse units. The buildings will be 2 and 3 stories and 2 buildings have frontage on Ringling and Morrill Streets with pedestrian access from sidewalks on those streets. Parking will consist of garages for each unit as well as centrally located guest parking spaces. This application proposes alleyway and drainage easement vacations. The existing drainage pipe will be relocated in a new street constructed to serve the proposed townhouse project. A diagram indicated those areas in red. The alley portions requested for vacation are remnants of larger alleyways that were vacated in the past. There is a small portion of existing right-of-way along Morrill displayed in red] that they propose to vacate as well. The reason for these requests is to provide sufficient room within the development for traffic and emergency vehicle circulation. The existing alleys provide no benefit to the general public at this point since they do not fully connect to street right-of-ways and the alleys are not completely improved. The proposed vacations provide for responsible development of the site and do adhere to city requirements under Downtown Core & Downtown Edge zoning. Mr. Morris displayed photos of the alleys. Attorney Furen noted that city Staff has reviewed the request thoroughly and suggested the alley running west be included in the request because it simply does not comply with the Engineering Design Criteria Manual for effective, safe, adequate widths for alleys. Staff has found the request is consistent with the Sarasota City Plan and Sec. IV- 1306 of the Zoning Code governing the vacations. PBM Svekis asked about the westward alley to Pine Place. It does not affect the proposed townhouse project SO why vacate it? Attorney Furen indicated that Staff felt that alley served no useful purpose and suggested it be included in the areas to be vacated. If that is a concern, that portion is not necessary for the project. PBM Siegel asked where access is for the house abutting that alley; parking is behind the house and there is access from Morrill. PBM Chapman requested an understanding of internal circulation, ingress and egress. Access will be from Morrill [a primary street] as staff requested, if access would be from a primary street, they preferred Morrill rather than Ringling in view of future improvements along Ringling. There are two proposed access points to the project - one from Osprey Court and one from Morrill, a right in/ right out access. Osprey Court is a 20 ft. wide alleyway. Ms. Chapman noted that the law firm that used to be on the site had access from Ringling Blvd. Mr. Furen again noted the staff request to use Morrill. Chair Ahearn-Koch asked Mr. Furen to expand on some of the neighbors suggestions since a site plan has not been developed yet. The applicant is here tonight to take the next step to being able to proceed. The assumption of neighborhood residents is that people would knowingly violate the traffic pattern that will be abundantly clear for Morrill Street. Discussion about access and setbacks and code requirements continued. Staff Presentation: Gretchen Schneider, General Manager-Planning & Development, and Alex DavisShaw, City Engineer presented details of the application on behalf of Planning staff. The application consists of right-of-way and drainage easement vacations. Staff is in support of them. It was pointed out that the existing alley [off of Pine Place] dead-ends sO a Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 3 of 8 vehicle moving down that alley would need to use private property to turn around and exit; and staff recommended the alley be vacated past the applicant's property for that reason. The drainage easement was discussed. Ms. DavisShaw noted the circulation plan for the project has not yet been submitted or reviewed. The Engineering Department is specifically looking at the vacation request for alleys that do not meet EDCM requirements. These are segments that cannot be used for public circulation. Clearly removing them from the right-of-way map because they do not facilitate circulation is beneficial. When the site plan is submitted for review, staff will evaluate the access points and how close they are to intersections. Ms. Schneider indicated that the Zoning Code in this zone district allows for 0 to 5 ft. of setback. There is some slight setback from the sidewalk to thel building. Trash pickup was discussed for the house abutting the alley [connecting to Pine Place] and, again, the question regarding the reason from the vacation of it. The reason staff suggested vehicle ingress/egress not be from Ringling was discussed further as well as ingress/egress from Osprey Court. The cross section of Morrill and sidewalk widths were discussed. City Engineer Davis-Shaw noted that there are no future plans to provide either pedestrian access, vehicular access, stormwater or any other public benefit in the segment of the alley being discussed. Ms. Ahearn-Koch indicated the alley could perhaps be a pedestrian walkway for the people who will live in the proposed townhouses to get out to Ringling Blvd. or other neighborhoods. Ms. Davis-Shaw indicated that in this particular location staff did not see that it would make sense for a pedestrian or bike connection. Mr. Siegel stated the Planning Board is to deal with the facts as they exist today. The Board could speculate about things that could happen 10 or 20 years out. He does not believe discussion of the possible future use of this segment of alley is relevant. The Board is to deal with what's before them. He has heard nothing about members of the public walking these alleys. Citizen Testimony: Kate Lowman, 517 Madison Court, is President of the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association. They are delighted with the prospect of townhouses going in on this site. The land has been sitting vacant for some time now. They have reservations about some of the requested ROW vacations; specifically the alley connecting to Pine Place and the ROW on Morrill. In both cases, their concerns are about traffic issues. She believes the project needs more access points, not fewer. That said they look forward to new neighbors. Erika Brigham, 652 Ohio Place, said the building south of Osprey Court is a 12-unit apartment building; it's 2 stories. They measured and Osprey Court is actually only 18 feet wide from curb to curb. Making the left hand turn from Osprey Court to Osprey is a danger. She asked where the Atrium project was to exit. The advantage of going out the alley to Pine Place is that there's nothing north ofi it, and it would be easy to design something with sidewalks. It could be designed to be the primary ingress/egress. The Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 4 of 8 report indicates there's no public benefit with the alleys to be vacated; but they believe there is a great deal of benefit to the general public since it will be a much safer and cleaner way in and out. Dan Bridinger, 320 Ohio Place, supports the project. The entrance/exit on Morrill is 4 ft. away from Ohio Place which is narrow. His concern is traffic; there are kids and animals that play in the street. There's a halfway house in the neighborhood, and as he wants the development to thrive, he believes if new residents learn of the halfway house it would cause difficulties and the project may not succeed. Nancy Richardson, 1685 Laurel Street, she displayed photos of the area to discuss traffic issues. Applicant Rebuttal: Mr. Morris spoke about the cross section of Morrill. It's two 11 ft. or 12 ft. wide lanes and a 4ft. sidewalk. In discussions with Engineering Department staff, they indicated it is sufficient based on the CrosS section and land development code. Attorney Furen thanked everyone for their comments. He noted the terminology in the Code regarding ROW vacations clearly states: "no benefit to the general public" but does not reference a few private people. When that terminology becomes the focus, he believes the Board could agree with their point. They will, however, take into consideration all the comments as the project goes forward, although he cannot commit to any change this evening. The applicant wants to be able to take the next step with the project and without the vacations that's not possible. They urge a recommendation for approval. Also, they have talked with staff about conditions, specifically a condition that relates to an easement for Verizon. They can't determine why the requirement is there or where the easement will be and for what purpose. That will be addressed between now and the Commission meeting. The reason the developer does not want to use the alley that runs to Pine Place is that the halfway house is there, and they do not want to have people who purchase in the community use it as a point of ingress or egress. Staff Rebuttal: The Atrium project included 99 residential units, 4,000 s.f. of retail space, and 40,000s.f. of office space and an additional 8,000 s.f. as it related to a building maintenance office and restrooms and 364 parking spaces. It was a large project developed under C-CBD zoning and approval for it expired in 2007. There were 2 exits onto Ringling Blvd. and 1 exit on Morrill. Vice Chair Gallagher asked if that plan would have vacated the same properties. Ms. DavisShaw noted that when the Atrium plan was done those remnants were not responded to at all. Discussion of the conditions of approval took place. Regarding the Atrium exits, the project was reviewed under C-CBD zoning not under downtown zoning and primary streets did not exist at that time. Also, it was a much Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 5 of 8 larger project and needed a variety of exits for circulation. Ms. Chapman indicated it seems it would benefit both the project and the neighborhood if exits existed on Ringling rather than Morrill. Ms. DavisShaw indicated that a site plan application has not been submitted or reviewed. Staff is looking at this particular vacation request strictly on the merits of vacating these remnant segments. Vacating these remnants of alleys does not change the ability to have access on Ringling or Morrill. Circulation will be reviewed when their site plan is submitted. Mr. Gallagher noted the applicant was not seeking a vacation of the western portion of the alley. It seems the alley is of some benefit to the 3 abutting properties. Mr. Connolly cited the ROW vacation criteria set forth in Sec. IV-1306 of the Zoning Code that is what the Planning Board and City Commission need to consider in making a decision. PBM Siegel said he sees a significant safety issue using the alley to Pine Place which does not have the public persona that Morrill or Ringling has. Ifhe owned a home there, he would be much more comfortable knowing that the alley had been vacated. Ms. DavisShaw discussed changes that may take place with the Mobility Study and staff's work with Laurel Park. Laurel Park has requested, for areas that have historic 4 ft. sidewalks, that new developments be allowed to continue with 4 ft. sidewalks to match the fabric of the community. Chair Ahearn-Koch closed the public hearing. Mr. Svekis noted the Mr. Bridges is a responsible developer in his view. He believes it's S suffocating when a good project is brought forward but is micro managed to such a degree that it may not be profitable. MOTION by PBM Svekis and second by PBM Siegel to find Street Vacation 13-SV-03 consistent with the Sarasota City Plan 2030, and the standards for review specified by Section IV-1306 of the Zoning Code, and recommend that the City Commission approve this petition subject to the following conditions: 1. As a condition precedent to second reading of the street vacation ordinance, the applicants shall execute and record a utility easement in favor of Verizon Florida, LLC. 2. The effective date for vacating the drainage easement shall coincide with installation of a replacement drainage pipe sO that service to neighboring properties will not be interrupted. 3. As a condition precedent to the effective date of the vacation of the easements would be the issuance of the first building permit for the townhouse project. PBM Gallagher does not see the compelling reason to vacate the western portion of the alley connecting to Pine Place; he suggests that the vacation for the alley ends at the applicant's property line and does not include the western most portion. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 6 of 8 MOTION TO AMEND by PBM Gallagher and second by PBM Chapman that the vacation of the alley shall end at the applicant's property line and does not include the western portion of the alley adjacent to Pine Place. Mr. Svekis believes it would be better for the surrounding community if the entire alley were vacated. VOTE: Svekis, no; Chapman, yes; Siegel, no; Gallagher, yes; Ahearn-Koch, yes. The motion to amend to find that the vacation of the alley shall end at the applicant's property line and does not include the western portion of the alley adjacent to Pine Place, carried 3-2. [Svekis, Siegel no]. Ms. Chapman indicated her concern regards the circulation pattern of the ultimate project and that's not before the Board this evening. Mr. Gallagher believes the criteria for approval have been satisfied. He suggested, however, that the width of the sidewalks and side setbacks be considered by the civil engineer and architect. Ms. Ahearn-Koch thanked the applicant for the design of the project and for working with the neighborhood. She asks they keep lines of communication open to consider traffic and safety on Morrill. VOTE: Svekis, yes; Chapman, yes; Siegel,yes; Gallagher, yes; Ahearn-Koch, yes. The motion to find Street Vacation 13-SV-03 consistent with the Sarasota City Plan 2030, and the standards for review specified by Section IV-1306 of the Zoning Code, and recommend that the City Commission approve this petition AS AMENDED subject to the three enumerated conditions above, passed unanimously, 5-0. C Quasi-judicial Public Hearings 2. CI BANK OF SARASOTA [1519 MAIN STREET!: Application 13-ADP-01 requests two adjustments regarding the required retail frontage for property located within the Downtown Core [DTC] zone district The stments relate to an ATM machine and a night depository locatod at C ouilding. The applicant is seeking an adjustment from the re that 70% of the frontage be glazed and proposes 66%1 be glazed in order to allow for the ATM and night depository. The amount of habitable space in the second layer would be reduced a like amount. [Harvey Hoglund, Senior Planner]. IV. SARASOTA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD PRESENTATION - Ken Marsh, Director of Long Range Planning Ken Marsh made a powerpoint presentation, a yearly update on school enrollments and school facilities projects. Public Schools are a public service that is not under control of the City. The Florida Constitution calls for public schools in Florida to be County wide. Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 7 of 8 His presentation is attached. Charter schools, virtual schools, citizen participation in school master plans were among the topics discussed. V. CITIZEN's INPUT No citizens wished to speak. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Minutes of the January 9, 2013 Planning Board meeting were approved by consensus after correction of several typographical errors. VII. PRESENTATION OF TOPICS BY PLANNING BOARD Mr. Svekis referenced an article by Jacob Ogles [SRQ Magazinel entitled "Rewriting Sarasota' s Zoning Code". He read a few excerpts that included City Manager Barwin's remarks about the city's Zoning Code. Mr. Svekis spoke with Mr. Barwin about the article and believes there are things in the Code that need to be changed. He suggests the Planning Board recommend that the City Commission proceed or at least study further the issue of a formal change of the Zoning Code. Ms. Chapman wonders if things like the North Trail Overlay District would be put on hold while a form based Code is worked on. Mr. Smith said nothing should be put on hold because it will take a number of years to go through the process of changing the Code. Mr. Siegel said making changes to Zoning Codes takes a long time. Selecting certain sections of the Code and focusing on them and establishing priorities is the way to go at it. MOTION by PBM Svekis and second by Vice Chair Gallagher that the Planning Board recommend that the City Commission examine the issue of changing the Zoning Code. Members remarks included: Bradenton's form-based code developed through a consultant; a transect-based code; and the Board's work on the Comprehensive Plan which will continue with signage. VOTE: Svekis, yes; Chapman, yes; Siegel, yes; Gallagher, yes; Ahearn-Koch, yes. The motion that the Planning Board recommend that the City Commission examine the issue of changing the Zoning Code, carried unanimously,5-0. Mr. Smith noted this would be presented to the Commission through a Planning Board Report to the Commission and that the Chair would present it. Ms. Chapman asked about records the city might keep on thej percentage of projects that have been approved, projects that have been approved and not built, etc. in view of remarks she has heard that Sarasota is anti-development: Minutes of the Regular Planning Board Meeting February 13, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sarasota City Commission Chambers Page 8 of 8 Chair Ahearn-Koch remarked that she visited Booker High School and it is a fabulous facility. Discussion about Mr. Svekis' previous suggestion that someone from the Planning Board attend the City Commission meeting to present the Board's position concerning applications. Mr. Siegel suggested a workshop with the full Commission to talk about this issue and others. Mr. Gallagher believes the Board can rely on the Commission to review the minutes and the tape. MOTION by PBM Svekis that the Planning Board has an attendee at Staff's presentation to City Commission and that attendee being from the prevailing side of the issue; that's person' s role would be to interject any needed clarification on what's being presented by staff. Motion failed for lack of second. MOTION by PBM Siegel and second by PBM Susan Chapman to contact the City Commission, through David Smith, to learn of their interest of holding a workshop with the Planning Board to discuss issues such as PBM Svekis has presented among others. VOTE: Svekis, yes; Chapman, yes; Siegel, yes; Gallagher, no; Ahearn-Koch,yes. The motion carried 4-1. David Smith stated the Commission will ask for topics for discussion. Members will come up with topics at the next meeting. VIII. PRESENTATION OF TOPICS BY STAFF No topics were presented by Staff. IX. ADJOURNMENT The Planning Board adjourned at 8:45 p.m. & & S & Re Po & A e : a a & S & DA e S R Pp P Re : & S de p RA E 2/12/2013 K-12 ENROLLMENTS, 1963-2012 SCHOOL FACILITIES *3Ee UPDATE "ess 1sce City of Sarasota oe 1oGE Planning Board 1vosa 13500 February 13, 2013 xo Ken Marsh, AICP SARASOTA TREND OF ENROLLMENT TRENDS, BIRTH COHORT * KINDERGARTEN ACTUAL AND PROJECTIONS 3400 3200 1c0 13c0 0 20P +-Resident Births ZA30 -Kindergartners Five Years Later 2ce - - * e d a e - - - A 00 P - * A * * - 4 - CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS [cont.) Demographically, Sarasota County continues to COFTE and district projections portray a trend have a very high percentage of citizens over age in which even fewer students will attend 65. The birth rate is one of the lowest in the traditional public schools, and instead choose state. undistricted, charter, or virtual school settings. Totals school enrollment has been relatively flat fora a few years -J just the second: such occurrence Charter enrollment now accounts for about int the past 40 years. The district has long valued 12% of total enrollment, and is expected to a variety of public schoold choice options; 37% of rise to 15% by SY 2017. students attend a school other than their districted school. 2/12/2013 ENROLLMENTS CONCLUSIONS Icont.] SCHOOL 2007-08 2012-13 2017-18 Alta Vista 682 563 574 Bay Haven 588 583 583 No additional growth-related schools will be Booker HS 1,536 985 930 needed for at least the next five years. Brookside MS 1,075 844 782 Phoenix Academy 172 194 194 Thec district now has the opportunity to Sarasota HS 2,533 1,958 1,954 significantly reduce its reliance on relocatable SCTI- Fire Academy n/a n/a n/a classrooms. implementing a multi-strategy Southside 646 772 785 plan may result in no: such units at middle and Tuttie 727 671 685 Traditional Schools" Totals 7,959 6,580 6,487 high schools within a few years, and an increase in elementary schools without Sarasota Miltary Academy 524 967 989 relocatables. Sarasotas School or Arts &: Sciences 604 748 750 Suncoast School for Innovative Studies 236 403 443 Charter Schools Totals 1,364 2,118 2,182 AIO Gtys Schools" Totals 9,323 6,698 8,669 Recent Capital Projects in City New Capital Projects in City New Schools No growth-related schools for next five years None Major renovations at Sarasota HS, 2013-2016 School Rebuilds Rebuild of Bay Haven cafeteria, media, art, Booker HS almost complete and music, plus classrooms to replace Other major projects portables, 2013-2015 [tentative) Added: staff and visitor parking at Bay Haven 2