HomeMy WebLinkAboutInformal Minutes 04-22-2008BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST . LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
INFORMAL MONTHLY MEETING
Date: April 22, 2008 Convened: 2:00 p.m.
Adjourned: 4:10 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Joseph Smith, Chairman, Paula A. Lewis, Doug Coward, Chris
Craft, Charles Grande
Ohers Present: Doug Anderson, County Administrator, Dan McIntyre, County Attorney,
Mark Satterlee, Growth Management Director, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk
Update on Bert Harris filings.
The County Attorney advised the Board the ligitation has not been filed yet. He then
provided the informatin regarding the process. He advised the Board he would need to
discuss the issue one on one basis with the Board.
2. Site Plan Extension Requirements
The Growth Management Director presented the approved plans and advised them he has
requested extensions. He requested Board direction whether they wished to review the
extension policy further. He believes the present policy is generous.
Com. Grande stated he does not believes a one year extension or a two year extension are
given by right. It is a hearing process and it can go either way.
The County Attorney stated the Board has denied extensions, not many but they have.
He stated they may wish to look at the Land Development Code and see what is an
acceptable reason or not.
Com. Craft stated he wanted the opportunity to examine concurrency.
Com. Lewis stated she was looking to take market conditions into account when
reviewing extensions.
Com. Craft stated they needed to make sure the roads and the schools meet concurrency.
Com. coward stated they needed to prioritize what the Board's goals are. He was more
concerned with projects locking up tires. He is not concerned with short term flexibility
but was more concerned with long term.
The County Attorney stated he would compile a report summary as a starting point and
make changes if necessary.
Com. Smith stated he felt it should be clearing and building rather than just clear the total
area and it be where they are today, at a standstill.
Com. Grande stated maybe if you have a site plan approval for 2 years and then if they
are not building it should expire. This would be a good concept.
Com. Lewis stated she would like to make some adjustments because the problems are
happening now.
Com. Grande stated he does not see an existing problem with todays process.
Com.Coward stated he had never perceived this as a problem.
At this time the majority of the Board decided not to make any changes.
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3. Peacock Road, design and median opening
This road is on the west side of the Fairgrounds. Staff stated it was not desirable to have
mixed traffic with visitors and those bringing in trailors and or animals for the Fair.
The state has put the design and construction on the county. The interection on Midway
and Okeechobee does not have a signal and staff felt they should have full signalization
for evacuation purposes.
Staff recommended not to go through with the signalization design.
Com. Coward stated they needed to prioritize the limited dollars the county has. The
County has out a lot of money into the Fairgrounds only to have a huge deficit. He is
sure there are other projects who warrant priority. He has a problem investing on a
seocnd road to a facility that loses $900,000 a year.
Com. Lewis stated she would consider signalization before a major evacuation is
necessary.
The Deputy Chief from the Sheriff's office stated not having the median cut would cause
a problem with emergency vehicle necessity and response. This is a public safety issue.
Com. Coward stated they have not seen a return on their investment. They have lost
more than anticipated close to $900,000 a year and he cannot justify investing more
money.
The Board supported a warrant analysis.
Com. Coward stated he would like Board input on policy direction, the business plan and
making the deficit go away.
Ms. Keaton, Fairgrounds stated the Fair Associated cleared $100,0001ast year and the
bottom line is between 60 and 80.
Humane Society
The Board discussed a letter from the City of Ft. Pierce regarding the facility. The letter
indicates that if a cost benefit analysis result show that the Humane Society will reap
significant savings by staying in the current location and investing in renovations rather
than moving, it is their hope they will reconsider their plans and pass that benefit on to
the community in a variety of ways.
The Board concurred with the recommendation.
The meeting was adjourned.