HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.17.2022
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Regular Meeting
February 17, 2022 Convened: 6:00 pm
Adjourned: 8:15pm
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Taylor.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Pledge of Allegiance led by Chair Taylor.
3. INVOCATION
Invocation led by Board Member O'Dell
4. ROLL CALL
Present
Board Member Ed Lounds, Board Member Billy O'Dell, Vice-Chair Bob Lowe, Chair James A. Taylor,
Board Member Valerie Slack
Excused
Board Member Lawrence "Beau" Slay
5. ANNOUNCEMENTS
6. DISCLOSURE(S)
None.
7. MINUTES
A. St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes for the meeting of January 20, 2022.
RESULT: APPROVE
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MOVER: Vice-Chair Bob Lowe
SECONDER: Board Member Billy O'Dell
AYES: James A. Taylor, Bob Lowe, Billy O'Dell, Ed Lounds, Valerie Slack
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. WORKSHOPS
A. Public Workshop on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)/Tiny Homes
STAFF PRESENTATION:
Mayte Santamaria, SLC Planning and Development Services Department Director, introduced
the purpose of the meeting. Following the introduction, Ms. Santamaria introduced Leslie
Olson, a county citizen.
PRESENTATION:
Leslie Olson, 1001 S 8th St made a presentation defining ADUs and posing questions to start
conversations for discussion on the topic.
BOARD DISCUSSION:
Chair Taylor inquired about the size of the ADUs. Ms. Santamaria responded that in Monroe
County it would just be smaller than the primary residence but we can set parameters. Mr.
Benton also stated that TVC overlay allows for 625-1250 sq ft. Mr. Lowe and Mr. O’Dell
inquired about property taxes. Ms. Santamaria responded that if it was rented, they would
have separate taxes and that the Property Appraisers office would weigh in on those specific
questions. Mr. Lowe and Mr. Lounds inquired about the septic system. The staff made notes.
Mr. Mundt inquired about the origin of this topic. Ms. Olson responded that it was internally
generated and Ms. Santamaria stated that the comprehensive plan encourages the county to
look into this as well. Mr. Mundt also asked regarding surrounding municipalities. Ms. Olson
responded that they have the same regulations which is a guest home on the property that
cannot be rented. Mr. Lowe also inquired about research done. Ms. Santamaria responded
that we are in the preliminary information gathering stage and, depending on the interest of
tonight's meeting, we will be conducting research. Mr. Lounds inquired about HOAs. Ms.
Olson responded that HOA regulations are over County regulations. Ms. Slack commented
about rising sea level issues and how flexible places would be of good use. There are health
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and life safety issues; fire sprinklers, etc. Mr. Lowe inquired if a business can be run from tiny
homes. Ms. Santamaria stated that there are home-based business statutes with liberal
parameters and that the county is preempted. Chair Taylor would like to see ADUs no larger
than 1200 sq. ft. and that larger agricultural lots may have multiple ADUs. Chair Taylor also
inquired regarding the number of people that can live in a primary residence. Ms. Santamaria
replied that the state does not regulate the number of people that can live in a home. Chair
Taylor would also like to see a flat impact fee for the ADU and a separate mailbox for the
ADU. Ms. Slack suggested making impact fees based on the number of rooms, stormwater
impact, and energy usage with separate meters. Chair Taylor Suggested Impact fee incentives
for going green, kitchen definition, and variance for setbacks. Mr. O'Dell suggested limiting
the size and number of people and bedrooms and having a representative from the Property
appraisers' office, utilities in the next meeting related to ADUs. As per zoning, Chair Taylor
suggested having them available to current zones that allow for residence. Ms. Slack
suggested allowing for ADUs in commercial zoning for workforce housing. Mr. Benton stated
that industrial light and commercial zoning allows for single-family detached units. Mr. Mundt
requested a fee estimate for impact fees from each area to give an idea of the impact fee
amount for ADUs.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
1. Brenda DeLong - 5500 St Lucie Blvd. - In favor of the use of ADUs. Ensures that it’s not for
businesses but affordable housing, can be used for independence and energy efficiency, it is a
non-issue.
2. La Sonna Dee Hayes - 168 Imperial Way - In favor of the use of ADUs. Helps with
affordable housing, sewer is a non-issue, mobile homes should be allowed as well, separate
meters, parking is not an issue, setbacks without variances are issues.
3. Mayor Jacquline G. Clarke - 15516 SW Osceola St Indiantown, FL 34956 - Stated that the
board and herself came in to observe as they too have housing issues.
4. Kevin Garman - 8004 Fort Walton Ave 34951 - In favor of the use of ADUs. Can a 2-story
tiny home be built? Mobile homes should be allowed, alternatives to septic.
5. Paul Rodriguez - 1795 Walden Pond Drive - In favor of the use of ADUs. Useful for widows,
college students, single-parent families. Would like to see a tiny home community.
6. Kaleb Ray LeFevra - 4217 Sunrise Blvd - In favor of the use of ADUs. Looking into tiny
home development. Agreed with Ms. Slack on green technology incentives and impact fees.
Compost toilets instead of septic systems.
7. Erik Thieman - 3318 Orange Ave - In favor of the use of ADUs. Would like a workshop on
tiny homes. The Septic system is a non-issue.
8. Denise Allen- 702 SE Elwood Ave - In favor of the use of ADUs. The county needs tiny
homes for single women with children and veterans. Allow for a tiny home community with a
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community garden and transportation. Composting toilets is good. Preserve trees.
9. Brenda DeLong - 5500 St Lucie Blvd. Spoke again regarding the RV community. The
community came up with funds for an injured teen.
Mr. Balcer, Assistant PDS Director, announced the SLC Homelessness workshop on March
3rd, 2022 at 6 pm at the Fenn Center for those who spoke regarding the homeless issue in
the county.
Mr. Lounds suggested looking into the negative sides and answering them to turn them into a
positive. Also suggested that the ADU requested via a hearing to be open to the public.
10. Rock Werdt- 2225 SE Seamist St. - Developers are interested in building a tiny house
development and where to go from here. Mr. Balcer responded that there is nothing to
prevent this from being built according to the FL building code.
Chair Taylor stated that there is a need for affordable housing and a flat rate for impact fees.
Inquired about the restrictions of an RV as an ADU. Ms. Santamaria stated there is a 6-month
occupancy for an RV. Difficulties with wind or flood provisions potentially. Ms. Slack stated
that there are safety issues.
11. Maribel Torres Schnuer - 4206 Birkdale Drive - Believes that ADUs will bring down the
value of the home and community if implemented. Prefers a tiny home created on its own in
a singular parcel.
12. Bethany Partlow - 6451 NW Fontana St. - Inquired about Air B&B's and transient rentals.
Ms. Santamaria responded that it depends on the community goals because if it is for housing
transient rentals eliminate that opportunity. Suggested incentivizing lower-income and
encouraging long term.
13. Erik Thieman - 3318 Orange Ave -Currently there are mother-in-law suites in smart
growth concepts.
Ms. Santamaria concluded that the Planning and Development Services will do research and
return with a draft to a Board of County Commissioners’ informal meeting and then come
back to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
11. OTHER BUSINESS
12. ADJOURN
Ms. Slack motioned to adjourn at 8:15 pm.