The Local Planning Agency of the City of Monticello, Florida, met in regular session on August 12, 2008 at 7:00 P.M., at City Hall.  The following members were present:

 

            Steve Rissman, Chairman

            Tom Dunn

            Mike Bonfanti

            Rick Anderson

            John Jones, Ex-Officio Council Member       

 

Others present were:

            Emily Anderson, City Clerk/Treasurer

            Bruce Leinback, City Attorney

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Steve Rissman.   On motion of Mike Bonfanti, seconded by Tom Dunn, minutes of the July 8, 2008 meeting were approved.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

CONTINUATION OF CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT – PECAN HILLS PHASE II   Project Engineer Peter Okonkwo of Spectra Engineering noted that previous issues regarding lot setbacks and sidewalk plan details and the bond have been addressed.   He reported that deficiencies in Phase I have been addressed or will be addressed.

 

City Manager Steve Wingate reported that he has made several requests for the water and sewer taps to be located.  He also noted that there are no irrigation meters, and taps for irrigation were made directly into the water mains.  Agency Member Rick Anderson requested that the engineer provide an “as-built” drawing which shows the tap locations.

 

The Agency Members asked about the size of the homes to be built in the subdivision.  Project Engineer Peter Okonkwo noted that the plans reflect the buildable area, with proposed house sizes of approximately 1,300 square feet which meet the setback, but the code allows a minimum house size of 900 square feet.   Developer Gene Wilcox reported that Phase II would have probably have different minimum house size requirements since the lots are smaller than in Phase I.  Mr. Rissman noted that the minutes of last month’s meeting reflect that the size of the houses was to be firmed up by this meeting.

 

The Agency Members discussed continuing deficiencies in Phase I, including the broken stormwater catch basins.  Agency Member Bonfanti noted that all deficiencies noted by the city engineers were to be finished by August 4th.   Mr. Okonkwo noted that the bond should cover the deficiencies.  Developer Ed Freeman reported that a crew is on site correcting all deficiencies and reported that several homeowners do not want the sidewalk moved.  Mr. Freeman stated the asphalt is being repaired, new trees are being planted, the storm basins would be replaced this week, and assured Mr. Wingate that taps will be located.  Mr. Rissman noted the sidewalks were not cut appropriately and the finish is not correct.  Mr. Freeman noted that this is being corrected. 

 

 There was also discussion by the residents as to the homeowners association.  Rich Noakes of George and Associates noted that the homeowners must receive official notice as provided in the covenants regarding the turning over of the association.  He also clarified that the property owners only control their private property and not the public roadways and sidewalks.

 

There was discussion about the paving of the road.  Mr. Freeman reported that the asphalt repairs are scheduled this week. 

 

Resident Nadia Fryatt complained about the severe bumps at the concrete driveways, the dead tree on the empty lot, overgrown areas, unkempt flowerbeds, potholes, construction debris, broken manhole covers and existing sidewalks, which have to go across the street.  She also requested that Pecan Hills Phase II not be approved until Phase I deficiencies are corrected.  City Manager Wingate gave permission to take the dead tree down.  Attorney Leinback reported that the city is looking at the issue of the bond covering those deficiencies.  She also expressed concern about different architectural standards for Phase II. 

 

Mr. Noakes noted that the new sidewalks are being modified to have 1 ˝ feet of grass strip instead of the required three feet because the light poles were placed incorrectly.  The broken irrigation lines will ultimately be the responsibility of the homeowner since those lines were incorrectly placed within city right-of-way.  It was also noted that the driveway bumps would be alleviated when the road is paved.   Mr. Freeman again assured the residents that all concerns would be resolved. 

 

Chairman Rissman noted he was expecting to have, by this meeting, the minimum square footage of the homes in Phase II.  Rick Anderson expressed the desire to see that designation in writing.   Ms. Fryatt stated she would also prefer those standards also in the covenants and restrictions for Phase II.

 

Pecan Hills Phase I resident Laurel Gonser stated frustration that nothing has been done since last month as promised.  She also noted that the field north of the subdivision is overgrown as well as in the recreation area.   Potholes incorrectly repaired are also cracking again.  Mr. Freeman promised by the end of the month all deficiencies will be corrected and he will mow the recreation area and 200 feet of the pecan grove area.  He will also block off the grove area.  Mr. Noakes reported that the contractor is to notify the city engineers when the paving is done so that it can be tested.

 

Agency Member Tom Dunn made a motion that the item be tabled until September 9th to obtain a corrected plat showing 1,200 square foot homes.  Mr. Wilcox requested that the motion be re-stated to reflect that the project has conditional approval.  Mr. Dunn’s first motion received no second.  Mr. Dunn then made a motion to give conditional approval to the Pecan Hills Phase II preliminary plat with the following understanding:  a corrected plat will be presented showing that homes will have a minimum of 1,200 square feet shown on the plat and that a set of homeowners’ covenants will be provided showing proposed architectural controls.  The motion was seconded by Rick Anderson.  The vote was as follows:

 

                    For                                   Against

           Tom Dunn                           Mike Bonfanti

           Rick Anderson

           Steve Rissman

 

REQUEST FOR CONTINUANCE BY DEVELOPER OF APPLICATION FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT – MONTICELLO PINES PHASE I    On motion of Mike Bonfanti, seconded by Rick Anderson, the Local Planning Agency unanimously voted to continue discussion of the Monticello Pines Phase I preliminary plat.

 

PLANNING CONSULTANT DARRIN TAYLOR IN RE:  EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT REVIEW TOPICS

Annexation and Urban Services Area:  Mr. Taylor discussed the 33 square-mile urban services area and noted that 69 percent of that is rural, 13 percent is mixed use, and about 10 percent is city property.  The USA is mostly rural and in the county’s jurisdiction, and it is not economically feasible to serve the entire USA.  Mr. Taylor suggested that the current area shown does not serve a good function and, ideally, the urban services area designation should reflect the current planning period.  There are other issues in considering the urban service area, such as mobility, and maybe encouraging more dense development and mixed-use neighborhoods needs to be reflected in the urban services area.

 

Mobility:   The narrative on mobility focuses on the current suburban patterns and the expressed desire of the city to encourage new urbanism standards and mixed use development.  Creation of a mobility network would allow the city to see the gaps in ease of mobility between the various areas of the city.  The city can review the code to ensure that development is pedestrian-friendly. 

 

Regarding land use regulations, the city can consider requiring large parcels to be planned developments with master concepts.  The city could also provide controls on location, size and types of retail space in these master concepts.  By regulating commercial development within planned communities, the city can also promote commercial enterprises appropriate to these areas, while protecting the downtown viability.

 

Mr. Taylor also discussed with the Agency Members new requirements for comprehensive plans, including strategies for addressing climate change, energy efficiency and urban sprawl.  Mr. Taylor will use the current resource management section of the comprehensive plan to address these issues.  There are also new standards requiring any city building to be built to “green” standards. 

 

Mr. Taylor also noted that there is a state requirement for all plan components to be financially feasible.  He is working on a response which is due by December, 2008. 

 

There being no further business before the Agency, the meeting was adjourned. 

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                    _____________________

                                                                                    Emily Anderson

                                                                                    Clerk/Treasurer

 

These proceedings were mechanically recorded.  See Tape No. 2008-08 (3 tapes)