- Planning and Zoning Commission
- Planning & Zoning Meeting December 2, 2020 5:00pm
Planning & Zoning Meeting December 2, 2020 5:00pm
CITY OF TITUSVILLE
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION/LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING
December 2, 2020
City Hall, Council Chamber, Second Floor
555 S. Washington Avenue, Titusville, FL 32796
5:00 PM
Notice
All persons who anticipate speaking on any Public Hearing item must fill out an Oath Card to be heard on that agenda item and sign the oath contained thereon. These cards are located on the table near the entrance to the Council Chamber or may be obtained from the Recording Secretary. This meeting will be conducted in accordance to the procedures adopted in Resolution #24-1997
Those speaking in favor of a request will be heard first, those opposed will be heard second, and those who wish to make a public comment on the item will speak third. The applicant may make a brief rebuttal if necessary. A representative from either side, for or against, may cross-examine a witness.
Anyone who speaks is considered a witness. If you have photographs, sketches, or documents that you desire for the Commission to consider, they must be submitted into evidence and will be retained by the City. Please submit such exhibits to the Recording Secretary.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM
4. BUSINESS WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THE SPECIAL OR CALLED MEETING
A. Tree Protection Workshop
Review the materials provided and make a recommendation.
5. PETITIONS AND REQUESTS FROM PUBLIC PRESENT
6. ADJOURNMENT
Any person who decides to appeal any decision of the Planning and Zoning Commission with respect to any matter considered at this meeting will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose, 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.
The City desires to accommodate persons with disabilities. Accordingly, any physically handicapped person, pursuant to Chapter 286.26 Florida Statutes, should at least 48 hours prior to the meeting, submit a written request to the chairperson of the meeting that the physically handicapped person desires to attend.
The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in special session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, located at 555 South Washington Avenue on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
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Chairman Severs called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. Present were Vice Chairman Richardson, Secretary Speidel, Member Porter, Member Grant, Member Murray and Member Parrish. Alternate Member Riley and Alternate Member Noel-Copeland joined via telecommunication. Also in attendance were Senior Planner Gabriel Quintas, Assistant City Attorney Chelsea Farrell, and Recording Secretary Laurie Dargie.
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Business
Tree Protection
Chairman Severs gave a brief introduction and a timeline of events regarding the tree ordinance.
Chairman Severs asked if this meeting was advertised so that the Titusville Environmental Commission members could participate. Mr. Quintas said no. Chairman Severs asked if the Titusville Environmental Commission members who are in attendance would be all be allowed to speak if they spoke one at a time and the other Titusville Environmental Commission members left the room as to not break the Sunshine Law. Assistant City Attorney Farrell said yes.
Mr. Quintas gave a brief overview of the item.
Chairman Severs asked that each group is given time to present. Chairman Severs said he would like to hear from the representatives from each of the draft ordinances provided by the Titusville Environmental Commission for the TEC Ordinance, the Stuart Buchanan Ordinance and the Compromise Ordinance.
Vice Chairman Richardson asked if City of Titusville staff was involved in any of these meetings. Mr. Quintas said no. Vice Chairman Richardson said the intent of his motion was that City of Titusville staff would also be involved in these meetings.
Member Parrish said she understands Vice Chairman Richardson’s concerns because it is important to have City of Titusville’s staffs input for implementation and enforcement. Member Parrish said they are not obligated to make a decision at tonight’s meeting.
Laurilee Thompson of PO Box 307 Mims, Florida came to give a PowerPoint presentation.
Bryan Bobbitt of 4355 Blue Jay Place Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to this item. Mr. Bobbitt is the Chairman of the Titusville Environmental Commission and said that the PowerPoint Presentation from Ms. Thompson is spot on and the clear cutting of land needs to stop.
Kay St. Onge of 2360 Maryland Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to this item. Ms. St. Onge gave a handout to the Planning and Zoning Commission members and read from this handout.
Vice Chairman Richardson asked Ms. St. Onge if anything has been accomplished in the last six months. Ms. St. Onge said that the tree team did fulfill the obligation of the motion that he made.
Bruce Moia same to speak in regards to this item. Mr. Moia said he is the representative for the Buchanan Ordinance. Mr. Moia said that he feels that they were able to come to an agreement on all of the big issues.
Mary Sphar of 825 Clifton Cove Court Cocoa, Florida came to speak in regards to this item.
Chairman Severs asked Ms. Sphar to explain how the Compromise Ordinance was initiated. Ms. Sphar said that Rick Kern reached out to her and asked if they could meet to discuss coming to a compromise. Ms. Sphar said that they spoke about balance between developing and tree preservation and what would be acceptable to be passed by City Council.
Ms. Sphar spoke about the Compromise Ordinance.
Rick Kern of 3700 S. Washington Avenue Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to this item. Mr. Kern said that he had a good experience meeting with Ms. Sphar. Mr. Kern said he feels that they came to a good compromise regarding preserving trees and tracts. Mr. Kern said he feels that the TEC Ordinance relating to tree canopy is too much.
Member Murray asked for clarification regarding the vegetation inventory plan Section 11, C and D. Mr. Kern stated that a tree survey would still need to be done.
Ms. Thompson said that the Compromise Ordinance is just a starting point. Ms. Thompson said that smaller lots should not be a tool for developers to ask for higher density. The increase in density cannot continue to be allowed in small projects. Ms. Thompson read an email from Mr. Swann which commented on the difficulties of the new ordinance.
Kathleen Burson of 2950 Knox McRae Drive Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to this item.Ms. Burson passed a handout with information to the Planning and Zoning Commission members. Ms. Burson said that having City Council look at all trees 32 inches and greater would be too much and having only trees of 46 inches and greater is too few. Ms. Burson said that there needs to be more review regarding heritage trees. Ms. Burson said there is a great need to include and protect scrub oaks as well which do not meet the threshold for mitigation.
Michael Myjak of 4420 Alpine Lane Titusville, Florida came to speak in regards to this item. Mr. Myjak said the problem is getting rid of existing trees by replacing with smaller trees. The City of Titusville needs to save trees, not replace trees.
Chairman Severs said the meeting time is going over and the Planning and Zoning Commission will need to decide whether or not to continue this item at the 6:00pm Planning and Zoning Commission meeting or continue it. Member Murray asked that the meeting be continued at the 6:00pm . Vice Chairman Richardson said that there will be a couple more hours of discussion on this item and does not want the public present to have to sit through the entire 6:00pm Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Vice Chairman Richardson suggested continuing this meeting to another meeting date to allow for more discussion.
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Vice Chairman Richardson made a motion to continue the discussion of the tree ordinance to the December 16, 2020 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at 5:00pm. Secretary Speidel seconded. There was a unanimous voice vote in favor.
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Petitions and Requests from Public Present
None.
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Adjournment 6:07 p.m.