HomeMy WebLinkAbout06.20.2019Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 20, 2019 6:00 PM
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PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Regular Meeting
June 20, 2019 Convened: 6:00 PM
Adjourned: 7:08 PM
1.CALL TO ORDER
A.Pledge of Allegiance
B.Roll Call
Present
Board Member Billy O'Dell, Board Member Bobby Hopkins, Chair Craig Mundt, Board Member
Ed Lounds, Board Member James A. Taylor, Vice-Chair Bob Lowe, Board Member Lawrence
"Beau" Slay, Board Member Charles Grande, Board Member Marty Sanders
Vice -Chair William R. Smith
C.Announcements
No Announcements.
D.Disclosure(s)
No Disclosures.
2.MINUTES
Mr. Lowe motioned to approve the St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission minutes for the
meeting of Thursday, April 18, 2019; Mr. O'Dell seconded.
3.PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
4.PUBLIC HEARINGS
Excused
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A.FPL Pelican Solar Energy Center ‐ Conditional Use Permit
Presented by Jodi Nentwick, Senior Planner. The applicant Florida Power & Light (FPL) is
requesting a Conditional Use Permit for construction and operation of a solar generation center
based upon the consistency with the Standards of Review identified in Section 11.07.03 and
Section 7.10.28 of the Land Development Code and the goals, objectives and policies of the
Comprehensive Plan. This solar generation center qualifies as a targeted industry and St. Lucie
County conducted an expedited review.
Public Notification signs were placed on the property, and mail notices sent to all property
owners within 500 feet of the subject property, totaling 7 adjacent properties; one response was
received, in favor. The subject property address is 6201 Minute Maid Road, Fort Pierce, FL. 955
acres, zoned AG-5 Agricultural; this subject property is located in a low impact use, low traffic
area. The generation system will interconnect with FPL's transmission center (located in IRC
County). The solar generation system, 300,000 structural supported panels will provide electricity
to approximately 1500 homes. The applicant as also submitted a Major Site Plan application and
two waivers pertaining to the lot coverage and perimeter landscape buffers to be voted on by
the Board of County Commissioners.
Staff recommends approval subject to the following Planning and Development conditions:
1.The conditional use improvements and operational areas be consistent with Resolution
No. 19-XXX authorizing Major Site Plan approval in accordance to section 11.02.09
Standards for Site Plan of the St. Lucie County Development Code.
2.On-site construction activities and/or repairs to the solar energy facility be restricted
to 7am-6pm on weekdays 8am-5pm on Saturday.
3.Footcandle readings for all exterior lighting associated with normal operation of the solar
generation center shall be at zero (0) at adjacent properly lines. Repairs and maintenance
of the solar generation center equipment shall be exempt from this provision.
As well as additional conditions required to comply with Environment Resources Department.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Forward the petition of the proposed Conditional Use Permit for a
solar power generation to the Board of County Commissioners with a recommendation for
approval, subject to conditions as set forth in the Resolution.
Questions/ comments from Board Members regarding solar generation lighting, conditional use
expiration date, 25 year contract conditions regarding Kings Hwy solar location and public notice
response.
Applicant/ agent presentation by:
Bob Raynes, Gunster Law Firm, in response to the question of the Kings Hwy 25 year contract;
the reason for condition is that the area was developed (TVC area); No road being created.
Requested to change conditions on construction hours be lifted.
Kate Cotner, with FP&L: FP&L recently launched a 30 by 30 program install thirty million additional
solar panels by the year 2030; over a 100 new solar plant throughout Florida; each site will power
15,000 homes; currently have two sites in SLC.
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Scott, Senior Project Manager, with FP&L: Site is similar to the two other sites in SLC. 74.5 MW
project, total area developed, private right of way access, no residential neighbors, the nearest
home is 1.5 miles away, interconnecting to existing FPL infrastructure and start of construction as
early as 11/1/19.
Questions posed by Board Members regarding side set-back, unused land, location of northern
boundary off Oslo/ Minute Maid Rd., environmental impact, service life of solar system (25-30
years), future location in SLC.
Mr. Raynes requested amending motion to remove two conditions: working construction time, and
lighting. Sending recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners with the two conditions
removed.
RESULT: Recommend the Board of County Commissioners approve the Conditional Use; removing
two conditions: working construction time and lighting.
5.WORKSHOPS
A.Electronic Signage
Electronic Sign workshop presented by Leslie Olson, Director of Planning & Development
Services. The purpose of the workshop to review the St. Lucie County sign code relating to
electronic signage. The County's sign ordinance currently does not allow changeable signs. This
item was presented to the Board of Commissioners Informal Meeting on October 8, 2018. There
was a consensus that more information should be provided about other cities' requirements for
changeable signs.
The workshop objectives: Review St. Lucie County sign ordinance related to electronic signage;
address pros and cons of electronic signage; and gather public input regarding current ordinances
and possible changes.
Electronic signs (Flashing, animated, fire-emitting, changeable-message, or noise-making signs)
are prohibited, except for one (1) variable electronic message sign per parcel or group of parcels
under a uniform site development plan, provided that the message sign does not exceed an
overall area of thirty (30) square feet x ten (10) feet typical dimensions); the message displays
shall not scroll, flash, or blink, and message display copy shall not change more frequently than
once every five (5) seconds. Reference 9.03.00 Prohibited Signs.
Visual examples of electronic signs were displayed. Explanation of Billboards 9.02.02, off
premises signs.
Discussed pros and cons of electronic signage:
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Pros Cons
New technology Traffic safety concerns
1 sign= variety of options Visual clutter
Ease of changing message Impair vision
Messages can be changed and uploaded over the
internet, enabling advertisers to target ads to specific
days or certain times of the day
Distract motorist
Enforcement issues (timing of changes,
flashing, brightness, blinking and
scrolling)
Signs are by zoning district. Changeable signs are allowed anywhere that ground signs are
allowed. Currently regulations allow electronic signs, with restrictions, in the following zoning:
Commercial General (CG), Hutchinson Island Residential District (HIRD), and Commercial Office
(CO). Any billboard in St Lucie County is eligible to become an electronic billboard.
Questions/ comments from the board regarding illumination, zoning, current changeable signs,
mobile electronic signs, slot advertising, LED lighting vs back light, proliferation, driver
distraction/ safety, code enforcement staffing, PDS plan to draft new code and structural
integrity of signs.
Further research and discussion will be conducted regarding this matter.
6.OTHER BUSINESS
None.
7.ADJOURN
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at
7:08 PM.
Please Note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books that are filed with the Clerk of the
Circuit Court and available for inspection upon request.
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting Thursday, June 20, 2019 6:00 PM
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