1982-08-03
~
~
HIT
CHAIRMAN TO CALL ON CITY ATTORNEY, BUILDING & ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND BOARD MEMBERS
FOR REPORTS AND/OR REQUESTS
MEMBER FERNEAU:
Member Ferneau stated he agreed with Chairman Burk that in the future this incomplete-
ness be taken care of before an applicant comes before the Board. If guidelines are followed,
hopefully, this won't happen again.
CHAIRMAN BURK:
Chairman Burk stated each member had some information plus a textbook for the Planning
Course Correspondence they signed up to complete. They would need to schedule a time,
other than a regular meeting, to go over the lessons and write up an answer to send to
the school.
Chairman Burk stated a group leader, which he didn't care to be, would need to be
chosen. He suggested perhaps Vice Chairman, James Kirk, should be the group leader. If
anyone wanted to volunteer to be the group leader, that was fine also.
As Member A1tobe1lo was absent when this course was discussed and voted on, Chairman
Burk explained to him how and why the course was initiated.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board, Member Ferneau moved to adjourn
the meeting. Seconded by Member A1tobe110. Meeting adjourned at 8:55 P.M.
A'O~~
/Da1e Burk
Planning Board Chairman
City of Okeechobee
ATTEST:
oj
¡{{d ~ ¿/z~dZ
Ruth E. Berndt
Planning Board Secretary
City of Okeechobee
A TAPE OF THIS MEETING IN IT'S ENTIRETY IS ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1982
The Planning Board/Board of Adjustments and Appeals convened in regular session in
the Council Chambers at City Hall in Okeechobee on Tuesday, August 3, 1982, at 7:00 P.M.
Members present were: Frank A1tobe110, Jim Wright, and James Kirk. Member absent,
Darrell Ferneau. Chairman Dale Burk resigned as of July 31, 1982, to continue his education.
Others present were: Building and Zoning Administrator, Mallette Westbrook; City
Attorney, David Conlon; and Secretary, Ruth Berndt.
-
-
-
-
-
-
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS
Since the Board is without a Chairman, Vice Chairman, James Kirk,ca11ed the Board
of Adjustments and Appeals into session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chairman Kirk asked the Members if there were any corrections or objections to
the minutes of the meeting of July 6, 1982. There being none, Vice Chairman Kirk stated the
minutes stand approved a presented.
EMORY L. WALKER - VARIANCE
Vice Chairman Kirk stated Emory L. Walker has requested a variance on Lots 10, 11,
and 12, Block 177, City of Okeechobee, for a 3 foot set back instead of a 20 foot set back.
He also stated he found no objections recorded on this request.
Member Wright stated he thought the reason, to preserve a large tree, a very legitimate
reason for a variance.
Vice Chairman Kirk asked if anyone in the audience had anything to say--for or against--
this request. There being no comments, Vice Chairman Kirk stated they would proceed with
the variance findings.
Concluding the findings, Member Altobello moved the request of Emory L. Walker for a
variance on Lots 10, 11 and 12, Block 177, be granted. Seconded by Member Wright. Unanimous
vote, Yea. Motion carried. The variance granted as per minutes of July 6, 1982 meeting,
on contingency of rezoning by City Council.
J. O. PEARCE, JR. - APPEAL OF DECISION BY ZONING ADMINISTRATOR
Vice Chairman Kirk stated Mr. J. O. Pearce, Jr. wishes to install a 200 foot tower on
his property at 1118 S. W. 15th Street.
Vice Chairman Kirk asked Mr. Pearce if he wished to address the Board.
Mr. Pearce stated he wanted to put up the tower so he can check on his ranch hands on
his pastures 25 miles North of town and 25 miles South of town to find out if everything is
all right or if they need help, etc. He stated he now has to drive this mileage and a radio
would save time and money. He intends to put the tower in a horse pasture near his home.
Both hisJ~fl3 Mr. Pearce are involved in Civil Defense and in the event of a disaster, this
tower and radio would be turned over to the Civil Defense. Mr. Pearce introduced George
Swit, a radio tower constructor, who told the Board that this intended tower should not
interfer in any way with the neighbors televisions or radios, etc. He elaborated on the
subject and told the Board if they had any questions, he'd be glad to answer them.
Member Altobello asked if he was a professional certified tower installer.
Mr. Swit stated he has an Electrical Contractor's License and works allover South
Florida. He has installed towers in Okeechobee previously, but not recently.
Vice Chairman Kirk stated the height was the reason for being turned down, not
interference.
Attorney Conlon stated that with a tower of this height, interference would be a legi-
timate concern. The RSF regulations state 30 feet height is the maximum in this area.
Member Altobello asked Mr. Pearce if he didn't have to make application through a
government agency.
Mr. Pearce stated they had made application with the FAA and the FCC and there are
some restrictions.
Mr. Swit explained the restrictions concern height by the FAA.
Following further discussion, Member Wright stated the Pearce's activities with the
Civil Defense was a good thing and Vice Chairman Kirk added the jester of turmngthe faci-
lities over to the Civil Defense was also commendable.
1J8
OGT
Vice Chairman Kirk asked Administrator Westbrook if he wished to speak concerning
this request.
Administrator Westbrook stated the reason he had turned down the permit was because
the District Regulation reads a height limit of 30 feet in an RSF area and he (Westbrook)
does not have the power to extend this limit. All his decisions are based on the District
Intent and Regulations.
Vice Chairman Kirk asked if anyone in the audience had anything to say concerning this
issue. After receiving no response, Vice Chairman Kirk asked for a motion. Member Wright
moved to grant the erecting of a 200 foot tower. Seconded by Member Altobello. Motion
carried.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Member
Altobello moved to adjourn; seconded by Member Wright. Motion carried.
PLANNING BOARD
Vice Chairman Kirk called the Planning Board into session.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Vice Chairman Kirk asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of
July 6, 1982 meeting. There being none, Member Wright moved to accept the minutes as pre-
sented. Vice Chairman Kirk stated they approved as presented.
WALTER RONNIE WATTS - REZONING
Vice Chairman Kirk stated that Walter Ronnie Watts requested rezoning of Lots 11 and
12, Block 182, City of Okeechobee, from Residential General-2 to Commercial, to put a thrift
store and an office in an existing building.
Mr. Watts was asked if he wished to address the Board. He gave a resume of his
intentions concerning this property.
Administrator Westbrook stated that Mr. Watts had improved the place quite a bit
compared to what it was.
There being no objections, the Board proceeded with the findings concerning the
rezoning.
Concluding the findings, Vice Chairman Kirk asked that since everyone had heard the
findings reviewed, do we have a motion?
Member Altobello moved the request for rezoning from Residential General-2 to Commercial
on Lots 11 and 12, Block 182, be granted. Seconded by Member Wright. Unanimous "Yea" vote.
Motion carried.
Vice Chairman Kirk stated the recommendation for rezoning would be sent to City Council.
MOSE B. JOINER - REZONING
Vice Chairman Kirk stated Mose B. Joiner requested rezoning from Residential General-2
to Commercial on Lots 1 and 2, Block 163, City of Okeechobee, to build three and possibly
four retail stores.
Mr. Joiner was asked if he wished to address the Board. Mr. Joiner stated his intentions
concerning the property. He also pointed out the area to the South is Commercial, and to the
West and Northwest is Residential General-2.
At this point, Vice Chairman Kirk asked if anyone in the audience had anything to say
on this matter.
Mr. Jerry Anderson, who was speaking for his sister, Lizzie Kersey, said she owns
Lots 3 and 4, directly west of Mr. Joiner's and she would object to this rezoning as her
house is quite close.
-
-
-
-
-
-
Member Wright commented this would be advantageous to Ms. Kersey as it would make her
property more valuable. Mr. Anderson said they didn't care about that.
Member A1tobel10 injected that the growth of the area is that Commercial is putting
everything out. The whole area is expanding toward Commercial.
Discussion ensued between Mr. Joiner and the Board concerning parking area proposed
for the building. After much discussion, Attorney Conlon suggested the plan be finalized
before going to Council if the Board is considering to grant a rezoning.
Member Wright stated he would like to see the plans redrawn and then presented to
the Board. He then made a motion to continue this item and have Mr. Joiner get with Mr.
Westbrook and return with revised plans next month. Seconded by Member A1tobe110.
Motion carried.
ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN
Vice Chairman Kirk stated that since Chairman Dale Burk had resigned, they would need
to hold an election of officers, and nominations were open.
Member Wright nominated James Kirk for Chairman. Seconded by Member A1tobe110. There
being no other nominations, James Kirk was elected Chairman.
Member A1tobello nominated Darrell Ferneau for Vice Chairman. Seconded by Member
Wright. Unanimous vote "Yea". Darrell Ferneau elected Vice Chairman.
City Administrator Fellows informed the Board that hopefully the Council would fill
the other chair at their meeting of August 10, 1982.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Planning Board, Member A1tobe1lo moved
to adjourn. Seconded by Member Wright. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
ATTEST:
Ú2d (tl;¡JM~uff
Ruth E. Berndt
Planning Board Secretary
City of Okeechobee
A TAPE OF THIS MEETING IN ITS ENTIRETY IS ON FILE IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1982
The Planning Board/Board of Adjustments and Appeals convened in special session in the
Day Room of the Fire Department in Okeechobee on Tuesday, August 31, 1982, at 7:00 o'clock P
Members present were: Chairman, James Kirk; James Wright, Thomas Miller, and Darrell
Ferneau. Member Frank A1tobe1lo arrived at 7:06 P.M.
Others present were: Building and Zoning Administrator, Mallette Westbrook; City
Attorney, David Conlon; and Secretary, Ruth Berndt.
12.1