Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the June 9, 2021 5:30 p.m.
Parks, Recreation, and Trees Advisory Committee Meeting

The Parks, Recreation and Tree Board Advisory Committee meeting was held in the Town Hall Commission Chambers at 409 Fennell Blvd., Lady Lake, Florida. The meeting convened at 5:30 p.m.

A. Roll Call

Chyrle Lowery, Member, Betty Cantelmo, Member, and Chairperson/Member Dr. Richard Jones

ABSENT

Member Doris Turlo

Staff Present

Mike Burske, Parks and Recreation Director; Wendy Then, Senior Planner; Thad Carroll, Growth Management Director; and Carol Osborne, Staff Assistant to the Town Clerk

B. Public Comment

Chairperson Jones asked if there were any public comments. There were no comments.

C. New Business

1.   Approval of Minutes

Member Lowery made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2021 Parks, Recreation and Tree Advisory Committee meeting. Member Cantelmo seconded the motion. The motion passed by an all-in favor vote of 3 to 0.

2.  Consideration of the Conceptual Landscaping Plans and Two Landscaping Waiver Requests for the 7-Eleven Lady Lake Gas Station — New Major Site Plan MJSP 03/21-003 — A Proposal to Redevelop the Sire into a 4,650 Square Foot Convenience Store Featuring a Gas Canopy with Six Fuel Dispensing Pumps and 24 Fueling Stations, 26 Parking Spaces, a 980 Square Foot Drive Through Car Wash Building and a Dumpster Enclosure; Proposed at the Southeast Corner of North Highway 27/441 and Griffin Avenue, Located on a 1.29 Acre Parcel; Identified by Alternate Key 1237998 (Wendy Then)

Senior Planner Wendy Then presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office).

Chairperson/Member Jones commented that the waiver requests are reasonable. He asked if there were any further questions or comments.

Member Cantelmo asked if there were any other options or is this proposal the most practical.

Ms. Then advised that due to maintenance of the plants, other convenience stores in the area have opted to omit landscaping. She advised that the applicant is providing some landscaping with their project. Regarding the tree waivers, she stated that the infrastructure and the conflict with the overhead power lines is a common concern. She advised that these waivers have been approved in the past with other developments.

Chairperson/Member Jones asked when the development will begin.

Ms. Then advised that the applicant will be moving forward as soon as possible. She stated that there are many permits that must be obtained from different agencies.

Member Cantelmo made a motion to forward the recommendation of approval to the Commission for the conceptual landscaping plans and two landscaping waiver requests for the 7-Eleven Lady Lake Gas Station. Member Lowery seconded. The motion passed by an all-in favor vote of 3 to 0.

3. Review and Discussion of the Trail Project for the Property on Old Dixie Highway (Mike Burske)

Parks and Recreation Director Mike Burske reviewed the status of the project and requested input from the Board members. He stated that to keep uniformity, he researched the cost for lights similar to the lights at the charter school and found that they are very expensive. He stated the cost for shelters and benches are not expensive. He is considering installing approximately three or four of each along the trail. He advised the plans will be updated soon and will be presented at a future meeting.

Member Lowery stated that she feels the cost of the lights is worth it for safety reasons.

Member Cantelmo agreed and stated that adequate lights can be purchased for less cost.

Mr. Burske advised that the area will be well-lit.

D. Chairperson and Members' Report

There were no comments from the Chairperson or the members of the Board.

E. Adjourn

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

s/ Carol Osborne, Staff Assistant to the Town Clerk

s/ Dr. Richard Jones, Chairperson