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ST. LUCIE COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
P & Z Regular Meeting
January 21, 2016 Convened: 6:00 PM
Adjourned: 6:45 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Chair Cathy Townsend
A. Pledge of Allegiance
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Cathy Townsend Chair Present
Bobby Hopkins At-Large Board Member Absent
Edward Lounds Board Member Absent
James Clasby At-Large Board Member Absent
Stephanie Morgan Board Member Present
William Smith Board Member Present
Charles Grande Board Member Present
Robert Lowe At-Large Board Member Present
James Taylor At-Large Board Member Present
Marty Sanders Ex-Officio Board Member Absent
C. Announcements
None
D. Disclosure(s)
None
2. MINUTES
P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, January 21, 2016 6:00 PM
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There was an issue with the attendance at the November 2015 meeting of Mr. O'Dell; who was replaced by
Mr. Taylor. The attorney explained the confusion and the Board agreed to amend the November minutes to
reflect Mr. O'Dell not being at the meeting and removing him from all votes.
St. Lucie County Planning & Zoning Commission minutes for the meeting of Thursday,
November 19, 2015
RESULT: ACCEPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Charles Grande, Board Member
SECONDER: Robert Lowe, At-Large Board Member
AYES: Townsend, Morgan, Smith, Grande, Lowe, Taylor
ABSENT: Bobby Hopkins, Edward Lounds, James Clasby
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Ordinance - Affecting the use of land in St. Lucie County, Florida, relating to the removal of
exotic vegetation.
Currently, the St. Lucie County Land Development Code requires that the Public Works Director
provide notice to the property owner that a public nuisance exist because of the invasive
species and demand the owner of the property remedy the situation and request a hearing
before the Board of County Commissioners. The proposed changes leaves the Category 1 in the
latest edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council "Most Invasive Species List" as a nuisance
but the section will now be enforced like the other codes, whereas any hearing would be in
front of the St. Lucie County Code Enforcement Board. The amendment provides for conflicting
provisions, severability and applicability, provides for filing with Department of State and
provides for adoption and codification and effective date. Staff recommends that the Board
approve the amended "Removal of Exotic Vegetation" Ordinance for two public hearings before
the Board of County Commissioners dates to be determined.
The Board had a brief discussion on this agenda item.
Public Hearing Open
No one spoke
Public Hearing Closed
P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, January 21, 2016 6:00 PM
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RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Charles Grande, Board Member
SECONDER: Robert Lowe, At-Large Board Member
AYES: Townsend, Morgan, Smith, Grande, Lowe, Taylor
ABSENT: Bobby Hopkins, Edward Lounds, James Clasby
5. WORKSHOPS
A. Ordinance - Affecting the use of land in St. Lucie County, Florida, relating to Signs.
This is an ordinance affecting the use of land in St. Lucie County, FL relating to signs by
amending Chapter 2.00.00 (Definitions); amending Chapter IX Signs; amending Section
7.10.24G (Signs and Lighting Standards)of the St. Lucie County Land Development Code to
ensure sign regulations are content-neutral unless there is a required content-based distinction
for public safety purposes; providing for conflicting provisions, severability and applicability,
providing for filing with Department of State, providing for adoption & codification and
effective date.
On August 1, 1990, the BOCC adopted the St. Lucie County Land Development Code (LDC). On
August 2, 2005 & December 17, 2013 the Board amended "Chapter IX Signs" of the LDC. On
June 18, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Reed v. Town of Gilbert. In Reed, the Town's
sign ordinance distinguished among several classes of signs that were exempt from permitting:
Ideological signs; Political signs, Temporary directional signs relating to a qualifying event. In
light of the Reed opinion, staff is proposing to amend the sign regulations in the County's Land
Development Code to further reduce content-based distinctions without frustrating the
purpose of the Code and to narrow the remaining content-based distinctions to those
necessary for public safety. Staff recommends the Planning & Zoning Commission review,
discuss and make recommendations on the proposed changed to the sign ordinance.
The Board discussed regulation issues, category of signs, non-commercial temporary signs,
commercial temporary signs, size and number of signs, feather flags, political signs in Ft. Pierce,
Port St. Lucie and St. Lucie County being all consistent. Maximum sign size in zoning districts
and removal of campaign signs were also discussed.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
Leslie Olson, Planning Director announced that this was Kara Wood's last meeting as interim Planning
Manager; the new Planning Manager, Bonnie Landry will start on Monday, January 25.
A. Motion to: Election of Officials
Heather Young, the assistant county attorney stated at the January meeting the Code provides
for the election of officers for the coming year.
Chair Townsend nominated Ms. Morgan for 2016 Chair of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
P & Z Regular Meeting Thursday, January 21, 2016 6:00 PM
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Chair Townsend nominated Mr. Hopkins for 2016 Vice Chair of the Planning & Zoning
Commission.
Chair Townsend made motion to approve Mr. Hopkins' nomination
Ms. Morgan seconded the motion to approve Mr. Hopkins' nomination.
Motion passed unanimously.
RESULT: PASSED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: William Smith, Board Member
SECONDER: Charles Grande, Board Member
AYES: Townsend, Morgan, Smith, Grande, Lowe, Taylor
ABSENT: Bobby Hopkins, Edward Lounds, James Clasby
B. Approve the 2016 Planning and Zoning Commission meeting schedule
RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Robert Lowe, James Taylor
SECONDER: Charles Grande, Board Member
AYES: Townsend, Morgan, Smith, Grande, Lowe, Taylor
ABSENT: Bobby Hopkins, Edward Lounds, James Clasby
7. ADJOURN at 6:45pm
There being no further business to be brought before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
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.