Commission Meeting Minutes

8. Ordinance 2020-08 (First Reading) — Tabled from Nov. 2, 2020 & Jan. 20, 2021 — An Ordinance of the Town Commission of Lady Lake, Florida, Adopting the Eleventh Amendment to the Amended Development Order for the Tri-County Villages Development of Regional Impact (DRI) Lake County (Thad Carroll)

Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the ordinance by title only.

Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He then turned the presentation over to the team representing The Villages.

Ms. Jo Thacker, Attorney with the firm of Nelson/Mullins, provided further information on the request for an amendment to the DRI. She stated in the revised DRI, they are requesting that the Commission approve extending the project build-out, the phased dates, and for the Development Order to specify multi-family residential. She pointed out that the Town’s current zoning allows all commercial uses, which includes multi-family, although the Memorandum of Agreement included with Ordinance 2020-09 restricts the multi-family uses to age-restricted  and the upper floors of four specific buildings, although only if commercial tenants are no longer present. Ms. Thacker noted that The Villages will not change the look of the Spanish Springs Town Square and will not replace restaurants or retail tenants with apartments.

Darrin Taylor, AICP, a Certified Planner with the firm of Carlton Fields, introduced himself as a consultant for The Villages for land use planning. He reiterated that the proposal is for age-restricted multi-family residential only on the upper floors of four buildings, and that this use is already consistent with the Town’s comprehensive plan and future land use plan. He presented further information on The Villages plan for adding this use which will allow for a mixed-use walkable community. Mr. Taylor stated that in comparing residential uses to commercial uses, it creates less impact on matters such as traffic, requires less parking, generates less light and less noise; and allows for 24 hours of life in an area. He noted that no new buildings will be constructed; renovations will occur only inside of four buildings on the Square other than the plan for the fake balconies of the Van Patten building to become real balconies for people living there.

Mayor Kussard asked if there were any questions or comments from the Commissioners.

Commissioner Rietz stated that this is his hometown and asked if Mr. Taylor would do this to his hometown. He asked about parking; stating many households have two vehicles and golf carts, as well. He also asked where golf carts would be able to be plugged in.

Mr. Taylor responded that he would absolutely have this in his hometwon; he believes this is a good use. He requested that Mr. Dzuro answer questions regarding the parking.

Mr. Martin Dzuro stated their request is for another tool for uses in Spanish Springs Town Square. He stated he is a resident and has lived in the area for 35 years. He stated there will be no changes to the Square if apartments were built on the upper floors of four of the buildings in the Square. He used Katie Bell’s as an example; stating the Town’s Land Development Regulations (LDRs) required 209 parking spaces for patrons and employees. Seven age-restricted apartments on the upper floors of that building would require only 16 parking spaces. Mr. Dzuro stated that at most, 44 apartments could be installed in the four buildings and all would require only 100 spaces. He stressed that limited apartments would result in little or no impact on amenity uses.

Commissioner Rietz verbalized that he felt that was still taking parking away from people visiting the Square. He asked for further clarification on available parking and whether there would be reserved spaces for the apartments.

Mr. Dzuro confirmed that parking spaces would be reserved for the apartments, and that they would free up over 600 spaces that were required for commercial uses. He stated that electric plug-ins for carts have yet to be planned, although they are currently available for the Brownwood Lofts.

A video showing a new restaurant, Augustines 1812 House, moving into Spanish Springs was shown.

Commissioner Vincent commented that he had questions that were not answered, and that he did not feel his concerns have been responded to by this team. He stated that he would have preferred to see The Villages provide a plan on paper when this was brought forward.

Mayor Kussard thanked Mr. Dzuro for answering all her questions prior to this meeting. She stated he has answered many of the concerns presented by the residents of her ward, and that many have changed their minds when considering what they would do if they lose their spouses and want to down-size. They would welcome living in an apartment rather than having to maintain a home, and still be able to stay near their friends.

Mr. Dzuro commented that the folks in the area are wanting apartments as seen by the recent development of apartments on CR 466, and the Meucci property. He stated there is an overwhelming desire for rental apartments  today; that is the market now.

Commissioner Rietz commented that much of the growth is to the south. He asked about established tenants currently in Spanish Springs. He also commented that building apartments will ruin the nightly entertainment at the square.

Commissioner Vincent asked where the parking will be located and what the plan is for the parking.

Mr. Taylor reported that the developer is not required to have a site plan at this point. He stated the amendment to the DRI must be accomplished before any plans are drawn up. He reiterated the parking is more than adequate.

Mayor Kussard asked Mr. Carroll to comment; stating parking will be addressed at the site plan stage.

Mr. Carroll stated that these apartments will reduce the impact of parking and traffic for the square. He stated that the parking will most likely be adjacent to the buildings once the site plan is developed. He noted the rezoning stage precedes the site plan stage, which is what is before the Commission tonight.

Mr. Dzuro stated that if the amendment to the DRI is approved, a very detailed set of plans will be provided to show parking, garbage disposal, golf cart charging, etc. He noted that the Memorandum of Agreement limits the residential uses to the four buildings.

Commissioner Vincent asked why they are restricting themselves.

Mr. Dzuro replied that the reason is because they listened to the residents’ concerns.

Commissioner Rietz asked what will happen if apartment residents start complaining about the noise of the entertainment on the square. He stated he is afraid the entertainment will end as a result.

Mr. Dzuro replied that the people who lease these apartments will know up front about the entertainment, and if they find it to be too much, they can move.

Commissioner Vincent asked if any other type of tenants were offered the use of the upper floors of these buildings.

Mr. Dzuro replied that The Villages has a commercial sales office that works very hard to lease that space.

After further discussion, Mayor Kussard asked if anyone from the public had questions or comments.

Jim Cipollone of 2162 Madero Drive in The Villages of Sumter County stated he does not believe that The Villages can be compared to St. Augustine. He noted that with all the events that happen in The Villages such as car shows, etc.,  parking does not seem to be an issue. He stated, however, that he believes building apartments at Spanish Springs Town Square will change the lifestyle residents of The Villages currently enjoy, and he expressed his gratitude for the current lifestyle offered by The Villages’ developer.

Patsy Obern of 1524 Cervantes Place of The Villages of Sumter County stated she started a push-back group called  V2PW and had been vehemently opposed to apartments in The Villages, especially at Hacienda Hills Country Club area. However, she stated she met with Jennifer Parr last week and had an opportunity to view renderings for Spanish Springs. She stated the MOA offers containment. Ms. Obern stated that she has other recommendations that could be included in the MOA which includes decal parking for all tenants and designated parking.

Mayor Kussard offered for Ms. Obern to share her other written recommendations with the Commissioners by turning them in to the Town Clerk since she ran out of time for her public comment.

Ms. Obern declined to share since she was not allowed to continue speaking.

Evelyn Krawczyk of 1101 Presa Place in The Villages of Sumter County stated her concerns are regarding the language of the proposed changes, and she presented suggestions in a hand-out to Commissioners (not made available for the record to the Clerk) for the language in the MOA restrictions which included the number of apartments and parking. She stated this was done in the one for Sumter County and she feels it could be done in Lady Lake as well.

Barbara Dilaura of 1102 San Antonio Lane of The Villages of Sumter County (Hacienda West) asked if residents are able to ask questions at the site plan stage. She asked if Katie Bell’s was still vacant, and if the balconies were made real, how they would be maintained.

Mayor Kussard informed her that there are no  questions at the site plan stage other than public comment. She asked Mr. Dzuro to reply to the question regarding the balconies above Katie Bell’s.

Mr. Dzuro stated that the balconies would most likely be real balconies rather than fake balconies.

There were some complaints from the audience regarding public comment being cut off at three minutes.

Mr. Carroll noted that public comment is limited to three minutes in fairness to all. He stated there will be a second reading with public comment available if this is approved tonight. He also noted that if this moves forward, the public can monitor this project because it is all public record.

Mr. Carroll stated that the Town has stringent commercial design standards, as does The Villages. He stated they will make sure the balconies are maintained according to those standards by Code Enforcement, and The Villages has deed restrictions that will need to be adhered to as well.

David Scheim (sp?) of the Atlanta metropolitan area commented that he and his wife are looking at relocating to this community, the Spanish Springs area in particular. He stated that he feels that the addition of apartments right in the town square may be a grave mistake.

Janet Fraley of 1145 W. Boone Ct. of The Villages in Lady Lake commented that she is single and would love to live in an apartment above Chico’s.

With no further comments from the public, Ms. Thacker returned to the podium and requested that the Commission look at this issue in a factual manner, not an emotional manner. She noted that a property manager will take care of these apartment leases and will allow people to get out of their lease if they decide after six months that the entertainment is too much for them. She stated that the Town’s zoning currently allows for multi-family, and the MOA will restrict them to four buildings. If this is approved, site plans will be presented for the Commission’s review and approval.

Commissioner Vincent commented that he does not understand why the DRI is being changed.

Mayor Kussard noted that the Commission is still the final decision. She asked for a motion.

Commissioner Holden made a motion to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2020-08, and upon a second made by Mayor/Commissioner Kussard, who passed the gavel, the first reading of Ordinance 2020-08 failed by the following roll call vote:

Commissioner	Vote
Hannan	NO
Kussard	YES
Holden	YES
Vincent	NO
Rietz	NO

9. Ordinance 2020-09 (First Reading) — Tabled from Nov. 2, 2020 & Jan. 20, 2021 — An Ordinance of the Town of Lady Lake Requesting Amendment of the Planned Commercial “CP” Zoning Classification for Certain Property Owned by the Villages Operating Company; Located in the Vicinity of Main Street, Alvarez Avenue, and Del Mar Drive in Lady Lake, Florida; Providing for a Second Supplemental Agreement to the Regulations of The Village Downtown Center (Thad Carroll)

Town Attorney Derek Schroth read the ordinance by title only. He asked The Villages attorney to comment on whether she feels this ordinance is moot because Ordinance 2020-08 was not approved.

Ms. Thacker did agree that this ordinance is moot. She asked that the Commissioners reconsider certain components of the DRI under Ordinance 2020-08, and bring those back in another ordinance.

Mr. Schroth stated for the record that the Commission would not proceed with the presentation of Ordinance 2020-09. In the event that another proposal is developed which is substantially different from Ordinance 2020-08, it can be brought back before the Commission for consideration.

Mr. Carroll clarified that it is the applicant’s intention to ask that the Commission consider each of the four components; in particular Item One regarding deleting the requirement for the state review of the development order from the DRI, and the item amending the build out date to 2025.

Mr. Schroth stated a new ordinance would have to drafted and noticed, and brought back before the Commission.