2023-06-15 IV. A. 5/18/2023 Draft Minutes 8=�a°� 'gm; CITY OF OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDA
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�F TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING
=t :.$ MAY 18, 2023
_ 'RAFT SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Ritter called the regular meeting of the Technical Review Committee (TRC)for the
City of Okeechobee to order on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 10:05 A.M. in the City Council
Chambers, located at 55 Southeast 3rd Avenue, Room 200, Okeechobee, Florida, followed by
the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. ATTENDANCE
The following TRC Members were present: City Administrator Gary Ritter, Building Official
Jeffery Newell, Okeechobee County Fire Rescue (OCFR) Bureau Chief Justin Hazellief, Police
Chief Donald Hagan, and Public Works Director David Allen. Okeechobee County
Environmental Health (OCEH) Director Dianna May, Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA)
Executive Director John Hayford, Committee Secretary Patty Burnette, and General Services
Secretary Keli Trimnal were also present. City Planning Consultant Ben Smith was available via
Administrator Ritter's cell phone (Zoom was inoperable). City Attorney Gloria Velazquez, and
the Okeechobee County School Board representative were absent.
III. AGENDA
A. There were no items added, deferred, or withdrawn from the agenda.
B. Motion by Building Official Newell, seconded by Public Works Director Allen, to approve
the agenda as presented. Motion Carried Unanimously.
C. There were no comment cards submitted for public participation.
IV. MINUTES
A. Motion by Building Official Newell, seconded by OCFR Bureau Chief Hazellief, to
dispense with the reading and approve the February 16, 2023, Regular Meeting minutes.
Motion Carried Unanimously.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Continued from the February 16, 2023, Meeting, Site Plan Review Application No. 23-
001-TRC, to construct 28 rental units in two phases (six duplexes, two single-family
homes and associated parking on each block)on 4.24±acres, located between Northeast
(NE) 3rd and 5th Streets and NE 2nd and 3rd Avenues, Lots 1 to 12 of Blocks 110 and 121,
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE.
1. City Planning Consultant Mr. Ben Smith of Morris-Depew Associates, Inc. briefly
reviewed the Planning Staff Report, noting this report is in regard to revised plans
that were submitted after the February Meeting. He is recommending the following
conditions are satisfied prior to the issuance of any building permit: updated
elevations and floor plans need to be submitted that are consistent with the site
plan; primary front setbacks shall be at least 25 feet for all structures; site plan
must provide lot coverage calculations and impervious surface calculations for
each lot;demonstrating compliance with Section 90-450 of the City's Land Develop
Regulations(LDRs);Applicant agrees that if utilities are not provided separately to
each structure and lot, parcels may not be subdivided unless a master
homeowners association is created to manage shared utilities; landscape plans
shall demonstrate compliance with landscape buffer standards per Section 90-
534(2)of the City's LDRs or the TRC may approve alternative landscape plans per
Section 90-539 of the City's LDRs; and Engineering review comments shall be
addressed as required by the City Administrator and Public Works Director.
2. Police Chief Hagan expressed concerns about the possibility of individual rooms
being rented out,given there are four bedrooms in each dwelling unit, disturbances
between tenants, and there being a possibility of parking issues. There would not
be enough parking spaces for renting out individual rooms if everyone had a
vehicle and then there could be issues with tenants parking in the rights-of-way.
Public Works Director Allen is concerned with future subdividing of the drainage
system as past practices have shown that homeowner associations have
disbanded and then the Public Works Department becomes involved with
maintenance. Administrator Ritter inquired as to whether there would be a
manager on site and also commented about his concern with parking.
DRAFT TRC MINUTES, May 18, 2023, PAGE 1 OF 2
V. NEW BUSINESS ITEM A CONTINUED
3. Mr. Steven Dobbs, Applicant Mr. Frank Mitchell Stephens, [Registered Agent,
Glenwood Park, LLC], and Mr. Russell Stephens, were present and available for
questions. Mr. Dobbs clarified that the Planner's contingencies are being
addressed at this time and will be met. Mr. Mitch Stephens advised that policies
should be met regarding the application process, placement, and evictions. He
further explained that he is not planning on low income housing although he is
trying to keep costs down by proposing a blended model. Meaning a building could
be rented to an entire family and a building could have individual rooms rented out.
4. No Public comments were offered.
5. Administrator Ritter disclosed he had spoken to Mr. Mitch Stephens, and Mr.
Dobbs.
6. Motion by Public Works Director Allen,seconded by OCFR Bureau Chief Hazellief,
to approve Site Plan Review Application No.23-001-TRC, as presented in[Exhibit
1, which includes the Planning Consultants analysis of findings and
recommendation for approval]with the following conditions being satisfied prior to
the issuance of any building permit: updated elevations and floor plans need to be
submitted that are consistent with the site plan; primary front setbacks shall be at
least 25 feet for all structures; site plan must provide lot coverage calculations and
impervious surface calculations for each lot; demonstrating compliance with
Section 90-450 of the City's LDRs;Applicant agrees that if utilities are not provided
separately to each structure and lot, parcels may not be subdivided unless a
master homeowners association is created to manage shared utilities; landscape
plans shall demonstrate compliance with landscape buffer standards per Section
90-534(2)of the City's LDRs or the TRC may approve alternative landscape plans
per Section 90-539 of the City's LDRs;and Engineering review comments shall be
addressed as required by the City Administrator and Public Works Director.
Motion Carried four to one, Police Chief Hagan voting No.
B. Administrator Ritter discussed with Committee Members some recent changes made
regarding the review of site plan submittals. The application submittals will now be
emailed electronically for review. As part of the review process, comments and/or
concerns are being requested back from the members before the actual meeting is
scheduled in hopes that the applicant would be able to address them, and approvals
would not be contingent on so many conditions. In addition,he mentioned to the members
that he was having the City's Attorney review Chapter 70,Article II, Division 4 of the City's
Code of Ordinances to see whether possible amendments could be proposed. This
chapter established the TRC. Currently, the members of this Committee are subject to
the Sunshine Act,thereby making it difficult for staff to speak with one another about the
applications. If staff could speak to each other, the review process of site plans may be
expedited quicker, thereby possibly saving the developers valuable money, time, and
resources. No official action was required on this item.
VI. CITY ADMINISTRATOR UPDATE
No updates provided at this time.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Ritter adjourned the meeting at 11:01 A.M.
Submitted by:
Patty M. Burnette, Secretary
Please take notice and be advised that when a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Technical Review Committee with
respect to any matter considered at this proceeding,he/she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made,which
record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.General Services'media are for the sole purpose of
backup for official records.
DRAFT TRC MINUTES, May 18, 2023, PAGE 2 OF 2