10-24-1996 VC PH1-MMINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING
• OF THE
VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA
HELD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1996
Present: V. A. Marks, M. D., Mayor
Tom Valente, Vice Mayor
Larry Kelley, President Pro Tem
Gail Vastola, Councilman
Charles O'Meilia, Councilman
Dennis W. Kelly, Village Manager
George W. Baldwin, Village Attorney
Kathleen F. Kelly, Village Clerk
ROLL CALL
Mayor Marks called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. All members of Council were
present. All members of staff were present.
PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING
• The purpose of the Public Hearing was to hear comments from the Public concerning Bill
841, a proposed ordinance amending C-3 Zoning District to allow automobile service
stations as an additional land use in C-3 Zoning District when approved in response to
a specifiic P.U.D. application.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Manny Grinn, 536 Greenway Drive, spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance,
stating the opinion that this amendment to the C-3 zoning district is site specific, and
overrides all policies and decisions, and that such a change would be hurting the small
business being built across the street.
Tillie Gardner, 1117 Marine Way, voiced her opposition to the proposed ordinance. Mrs.
Gardner felt that with 13 gas stations on Northlake Blvd., and another being built across
from the Twin City Mall, a gas station at the mall location is not needed.
Paul Castro, Lake Park Town Commissioner, 230 E. Ilex Drive, Lake Park, told the
Council that the approval process should be consistently honored in order for the
developer of the property to be able to trust the process that has been laid out by both
municipalities, and urged the Council to honor the vote of the joint Council/Commission,
• which was to approve the application of the developer to put a gas station at the Twin
City Mall site.
Minutes of Public Hearing
• held Thursday, October 24, 1996
Dick Hudson, Lake Park Building Official, 434 Foresteria Drive, Lake Park, spoke in favor
of the proposed bill, and told the Council that one-stop shopping, which reduces the need
to travel, would be beneficial to development, and that the proposed amendment would
increase the variety of uses within the P.U.D.
Attorney Sam Cantor of Boca Raton, representing the developer of the P.U.D. site, told
the Council that this request to allow a gas station is not a new idea. Mr. Cantor stated
that early discussions with staff included the prospect of a gas station, but that he had
been urged to wait until there was a definite applicant for that type of use. After locating
a tenant for this type of use, he notified staff that there would be a request for a change
of use. Mr. Cantor further stated that they are trying to bring in quality retailers to a
neighborhood shopping center.
RECESS
The Public Hearing recessed at 7:30 p.m. for the purpose of opening the Regular
Session. The Public Hearing reconvened at 7:33 p.m.
• Dennis Koehler, Attorney for Martin Steinhardt, owner of the Citgo station being locatd
across the street from the proposed Amoco site, spoke in opposition to the proposed
amendment to the C-3 zoning district, and summarized his previous arguments against
its passage. Mr. Koehler reiterated his argument that the issue is not one of cooperation
or allegiance to past votes of a joint group, nor one of shopping opportunities such as
neighborhood gas convenience. Mr. Koehler pointed out that the definition of the zoning
district is regional business district, and suggested that the developer's request to add a
gas station use does not serve the public interest, nor does it serve the health, welfare
and safety of the residents of North Palm Beach.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at
7:36 p.m.
~~~
thleen F. Kelly, CMC, Village erk
• 2