HomeMy WebLinkAbout_1997 01 20 City Commission Workshop Minutes
WORKSHOP
CITY COMMISSION
JANUARY 20, 1997
The City Commission Workshop Meeting was called to order by Mayor Paul P. Partyka at 6:30p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Mayor Paul P. Partyka, present
Deputy Mayor David McLeod, present
City Manager Ronald W. McLemore, present
COMMISSIONERS:
Larry Conniff, present
Michael Blake, present
John Langellotti, present
Cindy Gennell, present
Manager McLemore stated that there was a Closed Executive Session planned for after the workshop
for Collective Barganing with the Fire Union; the City Attorney is ill and cannot attend so the
Closed Executive Session is postponed until next Monday. Discusison on having the Closed
Executive Session on that date.
Manager McLemore stated that the Commission will get their agenda packets tomorrow afternoon.
Community Development Division
B. Requsts the City Commission to review with Staff and Consultant the draft Design Guidelines
for the "Town Center" and the "New Development Area" of the State Road 434 Corridor Visioning
Project:
Mike Wadley, Consultant, explained the new Draft which includes the updated issues, revisions to
the Town Center and dated pages of changes from the last workshop. Mr. Wadley said that Manager
McLemore has slides to show the Commission that he had taken of Martin Downs. Mr. Wadley said
he has a table to give to the Commission that summerizes the pertnant points of all the signs.
Manager McLemore gave his presentation and showed the Commission slides of signage for
shopping centers, subdivisions, and office complexes in Martin Downs.
Mr. Wadley reviewed the issues from the last workshop.
Manager McLemore stated that the City Attorney had written an opinion (and said he doesn't have
the written document) but spoke with the Attorney regarding his opinion over the telephone and to
sumerize what the document says is: Manager McLemore said the question he asked was "can you
eliminate billboards that are currently in place" and the answer was "yes you can under two different
schemes 1) you can take them by emminent domaine, if you are ready to pay for them; 2) you can
establish an amoritization schedule that would allow the property owners to recoup their investment
in that of a reasonable period oftime." Manager McLemore said if this is to be the corridor we want
it to be, then billboards will probably not be something that works; however recognizing that there
are large investments in this, our recommendation was to work out an amoritization schedule that
people think is reasonable. Manager McLemore said his next question was "can you then prohibit
additional signs" and the opinion ofthat was" yes you can prohibit signs", there are technical things
City Commission Workshop
January 20,1997
Page 2
to be worked out to make sure that that particular law is defensable, so basically the Commission
needs to decide what they want to do. Discussion.
Mr. Wadley continued his presentation.
Commissioner Gennell asked about parking space sizes. Mr. Wadley stated that the parking space
sizes are lOx 20.
Commissioner Gennell asked about having a minimum size for letters.
Mayor Partyka asked about having comparisons from other Cities.
Discussion on height of signs.
Mr. Grimms stated he is working on a sign ordinance. Discussion.
Commissioner Blake mentioned having the signs more unifonn and landscaped.
Commissioner Gennell asked about having standardized lettering on multi-tenant signs.
Mr. Wadley reviewed the section on Additional Signs, such on corner properties and which would
allow the granting of a variance. Manager McLemore asked about the latitude of granting a
variance. Mr. Wadley stated that there any changes would be no more than 10%, in location, height
of letters, height of signs, etc. Discussion.
Mayor Partyka call a bread at 7:53 p.m. Mayor Partyka reconvened the workshop at 8:05 p.m.
Mayor Partyka stated that the Commission will hear Item A of the agenda
City Manager
A. Requesting the Mayor and Commission select a date to tour Winter Springs High School:
Discussion on a time that the Commission can tour the High School.
It was determined that the Commission will tour the High School at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February
4, 1997.
Mayor Partyka reconvened the Workshop.
Item F - Commercial Outdoor Advertising - Billboards
Mr. Wadley said his and Staffs recommendation is that off-site advertising such as billboards are
prohibited. Discussion.
Manager McLemore read the memo from the City Attorney as to his recommendation on billboards.
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January 20.1997
Page 3
Commissioner Gennell asked Mayor Partyka what was the position of the 17/92 Task Force's
position on billboards on 17/92. Mayor Partyka said they have made a recommendation and said
he will get a copy ofthat, but the concept is longterm to eliminate billboards; short term to do things
with developers in terms of a developers agreement with limitations to improve etc. Mayor Partyka
said that was only a recommendation from the Task Force and said the overall issue is the County
Commission has not resolved that issue. Discussion.
Commissioner Gennell asked if the City had the option of prohibiting all future billboards in the City
and leaving the three that the City has in tact. Manager McLemore said the Commission has that
option but they are not recommending the Commission do that.
Mayor Partyka asked the Commission if they wanted to review the billboard issue at this time.
Discussion. It was the consensus of the Commission to discuss the billboard at this time.
Mr. Wadley stated that the amorization schedule for non-conforming signs, setting billboards aside,
was the document that the committee was comfortable with; the billboards was one where City Staff
and property owners were not in agreement. Discussion.
Margaret Cassells, 1785 Alaqua Dr., Longwood, stated that she and her family owns the property
to the north of S.R. 434 and east and west of Spring Avenue. Ms. Cassells said they have two
billboards and her concern is that when the committee of property owners met with Staff, nothing
was resolved, the document as far as the billboards are concerned does not reflect anything of the
property owners. Ms. Cassells said the answer to this issue is quite complex, and has gotten a legal
opinion on thie subject. Discussion.
Mike Schrimsher,