2022-11-17 Handwritten Minutes CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 17, 2022, BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING
HANDWRITTEN MINUTES BY KELI TRIMNAL
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Hoover called the regular meeting of the Board of Adjustment for the City of
Okeechobee to order on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at ) ' "° P.M. in the City Council
Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida, followed by
the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. ATTENDANCE
PRESENT ABSENT
,/ Madam Chairperson Dawn Hoover
v Vice Chairperson Doug McCoy
✓Board Member Phil Baughman ✓
'Board Member Karyne Brass
✓Board Member Rick Chartier V _
Board Member Mac Jonassaint
Board Member David McAuley Absent - L
Alternate Board Member Jim Shaw AtSen
Alternate Board Member Carl Berlin, Jr. ✓
City Attorney Gloria Velazquez ✓ VIA ZOOM
City Administrator Gary Ritter ✓
City Planning Consultant Ben Smith ✓ VIA ZOOM 3-
Board Secretary Patty Burnette Absent
General Services Secretary Keli Trimnal / ROLL CALLED
III. AGENDA
A. Chairperson Hoover asked whether there were any agenda items to be added, deferred,
or withdrawn. There were r
B. Motion by Board Member }- tit,' , seconded by Board Member
to approve the agenda as presented.
Chairperson Hoover , Vice Chairperson McCoy Board Members Baughman ,
Brass , Chartier , Jonassaint t% , McAuley . Motion Carried/Denied.
C. Chairperson Hoover asked whether There were any comment cards submitted for items
not on the agenda. There were tY 1 -- .
IV. MINUTES
A. Motion by Board Member �h k , % , seconded by Board Member
SUSS to dispense with the reading and approve the October 20, 2022, Board
of Adjustment Regular Meeting minutes.
�\ Chairperson Hoover ✓Vice Chairperson McCoy t , Board Members Baughman ,
Brass , Chartier ✓, Jonassaint , McAuley P6' ''..Motion Carried/Denied.
V. CHAIRPERSON HOOVER OPENED THE QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING AT
A. Special Exception Petition No. 22-003-SE requesting to waive the minimum separation
from off-site uses, and to waive the separation distances between communication towers
for a wireless telecommunication facility, in an Industrial (IND) Zoning District, (Ref. Code
Sec. 90-603 (c)(d)(e)), located at 1117 NW 9th Street.
1. Notary Public Keli Trimnal administered an oath to:
Keli Trimnal Handwritten Minutes, November 17, 2022, Page 1 of 6
V. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM A CONTINUED
2. City Planning Consultant Mr. Ben Smith of Morris-Depew Associates, Inc. briefly
explained this application was continued from the October 20, 2022, meeting to allow the
City Attorney, Planner and staff review the documents received just before the meeting
for the Special Exception Petition 22-003-SE. The request for consideration by the City of
Okeechobee Board of Adjustment is a Special Exception to allow for a communication
tower and associated structures. The request is for one parcel, totaling 5.19 acres, located
at 1117 NW 9th Street. The Applicant is proposing development within the subject parcel
of a 50-foot by 50-foot fenced compound that includes a communications tower, storage,
and two electric service H-frames as well as a 30-foot by 120-foot access corridor
between the compound and the northern property line fronting on NW 9th St. The
combined area of proposed compound and access corridor within the subject property
total 0.14 acres. Perimeter fencing of the compound is proposed. Color of tower will be
flat black, blue, or grey. The total tower height including lightning rods is 160 feet. Because
the height exceeds 45 feet, this use/structure is considered a special exception use. The
Applicant has submitted a concurrent application for site plan review by the City's
Technical Review Committee. Approval of the site plan will be contingent upon approval
of, and any conditions placed on, this special exception request by the City's Board of
Adjustment.
Planning Staff's responses to the Applicant's presentation on consistency with LDR's are,
communication towers are not specifically listed as a permitted use in the IND Zoning
District regulations. However, "radio, television or cable reception, transmission or
operational facilities" are listed as a permitted use and "permitted uses in excess of 45
feet in height" is listed under special exception uses. Additionally, it is stated under the
IND district maximum height standards that telecommunication towers are governed by
Land Development Regulations (LDR's) Section 90-601. It follows that all of Division 6 of
Article IV of Chapter 90 should apply to the review of this request and the associated site
plan. Division 6 is titled, "Communication Towers and Communication Antennas" and is
comprised of LDR Sections 90-601 through 90-604. Section 90-602(c) provides the
following: new freestanding communication towers shall not be allowed unless the
Applicant proposes the communication facility within the permitted city zoning
designations listed as follow "Industrial". The proposed site contains no buildings being
proposed at this time, only the tower, access corridor and fencing. All design requirements
are met with the exception of landscaping. The base of the tower is setback 220' from the
nearest residential parcel. The required setback for a 160' communications tower is a
maximum of 200'. The Applicant is not proposing any additional landscaping other than
what is already existing along the Southern property boundary. Per LDR Sec. 90-603(g),
landscaping and buffering is required around the perimeter of the communication tower
and accessory structures. Prior to site plan approval, those requirements outlined in LDR
Sec 90-603(g) must be addressed. The proposed use will not create any significant utility
or service demands. The proposed use should not generate significant traffic that would
necessitate traffic impact analysis.
Planning Staff's responses to the Applicant's presentation on the required findings are the
requested use is not contrary to the City's Comprehensive Plan requirements. The
proposed use is allowable with the IND Zoning District as a Special Exception Use. The
proposed use provides communication services to the community and should not have
an adverse effect on the public interest. The proposed use will be subject to all LDR
required landscaping. The subject site and location is reasonably appropriate for the
proposed use and will not be detrimental to urbanizing land use patterns. Improved
wireless communication service may improve living conditions in the area. It is not clear
whether development of this communication tower will be a deterrent to the improvement
or development of adjacent property. The submitted plans do not address the LDR
required perimeter landscaping, it is recommended that compliance with landscape
standards of LDR 90-603(g) be a condition of approval. The proposed use will not affect
residential density. The proposed use should not affect traffic
Keli Trimnal Handwritten Minutes, November 17, 2022, Page 2 of 6
V. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM A CONTINUED
congestion, drainage, or public safety. Existing drainage features are depicted on the
plans and are not proposed to be altered at this time.
City LDR's Section 90-603(e) requires that Applicants for special exception requests
pertaining to communication towers address the following standards. Camouflaging
techniques approved by the city are incorporated into the design of the communication
tower. The tower is designed for the collocation of communication antennas for at least
two communication service providers. The towers within the required separation distance
are all located in an industrial zoning district as a supplemental use. The proposed
location will minimize the visual impact of the proposed communication tower due to the
bulk height, use, or appearance of the adjacent structures and surrounding area. The
provided plans depict a maximum of four cell service providers to be accommodated with
this tower. The tower meets the required separation distances on an industrially zoned
property with an existing open storage use supporting the railway.
Based on the materials and statements provided by the Applicant and the foregoing
analysis, staff recommends approval with the following conditions: Applicant must submit
one consistent set of plans to be reviewed by the building official for conformance with
applicable code. Should total structure height exceed 160' or a design other than
monopole be proposed, plans may be subject to additional review by Board of Adjustment
and/or Technical Review Committee. Landscaping must be provided in conformance with
LDR Section 90-603(g). Submittal of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for
proposed tower design/height. The use of any portion of a tower for sign or advertising
purposes including, without limitation company name, banner, or streamer is prohibited.
Per Sec. 90-603(p), if the use of any communication tower has been discontinued for a
period of 180 consecutive days, the tower shall be deemed to have been abandoned.
Upon such abandonment, the owner/operator of the tower shall have an additional 180
days within which to (1) Reactivate the use of the tower or transfer the tower to another
owner/operator who makes actual use of the tower, or (2) Dismantle and remove the
tower. Per Sec. 90-603(r), certification of compliance with all current Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) standards, including FCC nonionizing
electromagnetic radiation (NIER), shall be submitted prior to receiving final inspection by
the building department.
3. Mr. Kyle Lotze, Agent for City Switch II-A, LLC, on behalf of Property Owner, CSX
Transportation Inc., was present and available for questions.
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Keli Trimnal Handwritten Minutes, November 17, 2022, Page 3 of 6
V. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM A CONTINUED
4. No public comments were offered.
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6. Motion by Board Member `r' °t..-1- , sec, - onded by Board Member V" �'br
t C-AC.. to approve Special Exception Petition No. 22-003-SE as presented in 4 �
[Exhibit 1, which includes the standards and findings as required for granting Petitions`X5` i
Orbper Code Section 70-373, and the Planning Consultants analysis of the findings and r
recommendation for approval] with the following special conditions: Applicant must.( �7
submit one consistent set of plans to be reviewed by the building official for
conformance with applicable code. Should total structure height exceed 160' or a ,(`
design other than monopole be proposed, plans may be subject to additional reviews • 4
by Board of Adjustment and/or Technical Review Committee. Landscaping must be ---) e
provided in conformance with LDR Section 90-603(g). Submittal of Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) approval for proposed tower design/height. The use of any 4
portion of a tower for sign or advertising purposes including, without limitation
company name, banner, or streamer is prohibited. Per Sec. 90-603(p), if the use of
any communication tower has been discontinued for a period of 180 consecutive days,
the tower shall be deemed to have been abandoned. Upon such abandonment, the
owner/operator of the tower shall have an additional 180 days within which to (1)
Reactivate the use of the tower or transfer the tower to another owner/operator who
makes actual use of the tower, or (2) Dismantle and remove the tower. Per Sec. 90-
603(r), certification of compliance with all current Federal Communication Commission
(FCC) standards, including FCC nonionizing electromagnetic radiation (NIER), shall
be submitted prior to receiving final inspection by the building department.
Chairperson Hoover "'' , Vice Chairperson��McCoy�DC�, B d Members aughman ' '
�\ Brass ✓ , Chartier v- , Jonassaint ✓, Mc u ey otion Carried/ enied—
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Keli Trimnal Handwritten Minutes, November 17, 2022, Page 4 of 6 � r�
V. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM B
B. Special Exception Petition No. 22-004-SE requests to allow a personal service within a
Commercial Professional Office (CPO) Zoning District, (Ref. Sec 90-223(2)) and to allow the
operation of one massage therapist office in the existing office building, located at 321 NW
4th Avenue.
N 1. Notary Public Keli Trimnal administered an oath to:
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2. City Planning Consultant Mr. Ben Smith of Morris-Depew Associates, Inc. briefly reviewed
the Planning Staff Report for Special Exception Petition 22-004-SE. The request for
consideration by the City of Okeechobee Board of Adjustment is a Special Exception for
a Massage Therapist office ("use") within an existing two-story professional office building
which contains multiple separate commercial units and one residential unit, which was
approved by the City's Board of Adjustment as a Special Exception in 2020. The proposed
use will occupy one 465 square foot unit on the second floor of the building. The use will
have operating hours from 8:00am to 5:00pm., with a potential for appointments to be
scheduled any day of the week. There will be one employee, which will be the massage
therapist, who will schedule only one client per appointment. The applicant is not
proposing to conduct any activities outside of the unit. The applicant notes that a hair
salon previously occupied this unit as a tenant, a use which is also classified as a personal
service pursuant to the definition provided in LDC Chapter 66-1.
Planning Staff's responses to the Applicant's presentation on consistency with LDR's are,
the proposed massage therapy service is consistent and compatible with the existing
CPO and personal service uses within the building, which itself is surrounded by
Commercial and public uses where shared parking is available, at least two parking
spaces should be reserved in the onsite parking facility, for proposed use. The proposed
use will not create any significant utility or service demands or generate significant traffic
that would necessitate traffic impact analysis.
Planning Staff's responses to the Applicant's presentation on the required findings are the
requested use is not contrary to the City's Comprehensive Plan requirements. The
proposed use is allowable with the CPO Zoning District as a Special Exception Use. The
proposed use should not have an adverse effect on the public interest, and no additional
landscaping or other screening be necessary as a condition of approval of this request.
The proposed use is reasonably appropriate for the proposed use and will not be
detrimental to urbanizing land use patterns. The property to the North, South, East and
West of the project site are already developed and are located in an urbanized area of
the City. The requested use will be located in an existing unit of an existing office building.
Therefore, there is no indication that the requested use will adversely affect the property
values or living conditions, nor be a deterrent to the improvement of development of
adjacent property. The proposed use should not affect traffic or generate any demand on
the local school system. The description of the proposed use provided by the applicant
states that the massage therapist will be the only employee and a maximum of one (1)
patient can be seen at a time.
Staff is recommending a condition of approval; that patients will not be permitted to park
on-site overnight. Demand for utilities will not have a significant impact on the OUA's
capacity. Based on the nature of the proposed use, the limited number of staff and
patrons, and the existing on-site parking facilities, the use will not create a burden on
streets.
3. Ms. Sheryl Wells, Property Manager for 401 NW 3rd Street, LLC, was present and
available for questions.
Keli Trimnal Handwritten Minutes, November 17, 2022, Page 5 of 6
V. QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING ITEM B CONTINUED
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4. No public comments were offered.
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5. No Ex-Parte disclosures were offered. ‘5 �'�, • - S'�C� ,�,
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6. Motion byBoard Member h � `--seceded byBoard Member
0h'Vo to approve Special Exception Petition No. 22-004-SE as presented in
[Exhibit 2, which includes the standards and findings as required for granting Petitions
per Code Section 70-373, and the Planning Consultant's analysis of the findings and
recommendation for approval] with the following special conditions: No vehicle in any
way associated with a patron shall be left at the facility overnight (between the hours
of 7pm to 7am). And, The Personal Service Use is limited to the following hours of
operation: 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Chairperson Hoover C\ ` , Vice Chairperson McCoy , Board Members Baughman ,
Brass , Chartier , Jonassaint , McAuley . Motion Carried/Denied.
CHAIRPERSON HOOVER CLOSED THE QUASI-JUDICIAL PUBLIC HEARING AT f_<
VI. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
VOL
VII. Chairperson Hoover adjourned the meeting at � i `I P.M.
Keli Trimnal Handwritten Minutes, November 17, 2022, Page 6 of 6
Keli Trimnal
From: Dawn Hoover
Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 3:39 PM
To: Keli Trimnal
Subject: Re: November 17, 2022
I believe so...
From: Keli Trimnal<ktrimnal@cityofokeechobee.com>
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2022 1:44 PM
To: Dawn Hoover<dhoover@cityofokeechobee.com>
Cc: Keli Trimnal<ktrimnal@cityofokeechobee.com>
Subject: November 17, 2022
Dawn,
I need to clarify the decision regarding the last application 22-004-SE, Massage business
Did I understand it correctly that you and Karyn Brass opposed and the remaining 5 were Yay?
I had visual with you and understood it that way, but it's not clear on the recorder.
Keli
Note: Please do not "reply all" to this email to avoid a potential Sunshine Law Violation.
Kepi T'rimna(
City of Okeechobee, general Services
Alcfministrative Secretary
55 SE 34 Avenue
Oieecho6ee, EL 34974
Phone: (863) 763-3372 ext. 9824
Direct: (863) 763-9824
`Fax: (863) 763-1686
e-maII ktrimnal@cityofoIeecho6ee.com
we6site:www.cityofokeecholee.corn
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