Planning and Zoning Meeting Minutes
Minutes of the May 10, 2021
Planning and Zoning Meeting
The Planning and Zoning Board 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. Call to Order
Chairperson Sigurdson
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C. Roll Call
Member Debra Pressley; Member Tim Saunders; Member Robert Nyce; Member Nora Choquette; Chairperson/Member William Sigurdson
STAFF PRESENT: Thad Carroll, Growth Management Director; Wendy Then, Senior Planner; Bill Lawrence, Town Manager; Becky Higgins, Development Coordinator; and Carol Osborne, Staff Assistant to the Town Clerk
OTHERS PRESENT: Paul Hannan, Commissioner Ward 4; James Rietz, Commissioner Ward 5; and Sasha Garcia, Attorney, Bowen Schroth
D. Public Comment
Chairperson Sigurdson asked if there were any comments from anyone in the audience.
Commissioner Paul Hannan suggested that each member explain their background prior to voting for chairperson and vice chairperson.
E. New Business
1. Selection of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
Each member gave a brief description of their background.
Member Nyce nominated Member Sigurdson to the position of Chairperson. Member Sigurdson asked if there were other nominations. Hearing none, Member Sigurdson accepted the nomination. Member Sigurdson was elected to the position of Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Board by an all in favor vote of 5 to 0.
Member Choquette nominated Member Nyce to the position of Vice Chairperson. Member Nyce accepted the nomination. Chairperson Sigurdson asked if there were other nominations. Hearing none, Chairperson Sigurdson asked for a vote. Member Nyce was elected to the position of Vice Chairperson of the Planning and Zoning Board by an all in favor vote of 5 to 0.
2. Approval of Minutes
Member Nyce made a motion to approve the April 12, 2021 Planning and Zoning Board meeting minutes as presented. Member Choquette seconded the motion, and the motion passed by an all in favor vote of 5 to 0.
3. Ordinance 2021-05 — Annexation — Voluntarily Annexing Property Being 2.79 Acres Owned by North Lake Presbyterian Church, Inc., Referenced by Alternate Key Number 1629586, within Lake County, Florida (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated that the applicant is present.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson asked if there were any comments or questions from the Board or the public.
Laurie Sciangula of 1615 Griffin Avenue asked if she will be forced to connect to the Town’s water and sewer systems.
Mr. Carroll replied that the Town does not require residential connections, especially if the property is in the county. He advised that if a septic system fails, and if the property is located near the Town’s utility lines, the property owner can request to be connected at their expense.
Chairperson Sigurdson asked where the Town’s utility lines are located in this area.
Mr. Carroll stated that a portion of the Town’s water lines are along CR 25. He stated that he cannot confirm which historical buildings are connected to the Town’s utilities. He confirmed that this proposed commercial development will be connected.
Member Nyce asked if there are other residential properties in that area that may have the same concerns as Ms. Sciangula, or perhaps would like to connect to the Town’s utilities.
Mr. Carroll replied that the cost to connect is a factor. Should a septic system fail, it could be less expensive to pay the Town’s impact fee to connect, depending on the distance to the Town’s utility lines.
Mr. Nyce asked if the homes north of Griffin Avenue are in Lake County.
Mr. Carroll replied that there are some properties in that area that are within the Town limits. He stated that he does not believe those are residential properties.
Chairperson Sigurdson asked if there were any further questions or comments. Hearing none, he asked for a vote.
Member Choquette made a motion to forward Ordinance 2021-05 to the Town Commission with the recommendation of approval. Member Pressley seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following roll call vote:
Member | Vote |
Pressley | YES |
Saunders | YES |
Nyce | YES |
Choquette | YES |
Sigurdson | YES |
4. Ordinance 2021-06 — Small Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment — Approximately 2.50 Acres; Change from Lake County Urban Medium Density and Approximately 2.66 Acres from Town of Lady Lake Single—Family Low Density to Town of Lady Lake Commercial General — Retail Sales and Services for Property Owned by North Lake Presbyterian Church, Inc., within Lake County, Florida (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated that the applicant is present.
Member Sigurdson asked if this was agricultural property in the past.
Mr. Carroll confirmed that this was a pasture in the past. The property will be evaluated during the site plan process and any mitigation issues will be addressed at that time.
Member Nyce stated his concerns regarding future development and population growth, and asked if the Town has considered how it will affect the Town’s water and sewer expansion, reserves, and impact fees.
Mr. Carroll advised that the Town has a wastewater treatment plant improvement project in place. He stated that water issue amendments are evaluated when they come before him, and that he is aware of the projects that could come online over the next decade. He stated when the Town’s consumptive use permit expires in 2026, staff will address the Town’s needs with the St. John’s Water Management District.
Member Nyce asked if this Board could recommend that the Commissioners review and evaluate impact fees, especially now with the new State legislation.
Mr. Carroll replied that Mr. Nyce could address this by sending an email.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson asked if there were any further questions or comments from the Board or the public. Hearing none, he asked for a motion.
Member Nyce made a motion to forward Ordinance 2021-06 to the Town Commission with the recommendation of approval. Member Pressley seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following roll call vote:
Member | Vote |
Pressley | YES |
Saunders | YES |
Nyce | YES |
Choquette | YES |
Sigurdson | YES |
5. Ordinance 2021-07 — Rezoning — Redesignating Zoning Classification for Certain Property Being 8.47 Acres Owned by North Lake Presbyterian Church, Inc., Referenced by alternate Key Numbers 1629586, 2689552, 3539605, and 2830476 within Lake County, Florida (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated that the applicant is present.
Greg Beliveau clarified that since the workshop with the Town Commission, he met with the Lake County Public Works director to coordinate the access points off Griffin Road and CR 25 to avoid conflict with the proposed Benchmark development.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson asked if there will be adequate access to this property from CR 25.
Mr. Carroll replied that this will be addressed at during the site plan process. He stated that Mr. Beliveau will be coordinating this with Lake County.
Member Nyce asked how close the entrances are to the existing traffic light.
Mr. Beliveau replied that the entrances exceed the required of 60 feet from the traffic light.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson asked if there were any further comments from the Board or the public.
Member Choquette made a motion to forward Ordinance 2021-07 to the Town Commission with the recommendation of approval. Member Pressley seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following roll call vote:
Member | Vote |
Pressley | YES |
Saunders | YES |
Nyce | YES |
Choquette | YES |
Sigurdson | YES |
6. Resolution 2021-104 — Granting a Variance to Authorize the Removal of a Historic Tree in Accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 10, Section 10—5.C).3).A)., of the Town of lady Lake Land Development regulations, on property Owned by M and L Lady Lake, LLC, Located at 401 US Highway 441; Alternate Key 1237998 (Thad Carroll)
Growth Management Director Thad Carroll presented the background summary for this agenda item (on file in the Clerk’s Office). He stated that the landscape architect is present.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson stated it appears that there are two trees rather than one tree.
Mr. Carroll clarified that this is considered a bifurcated tree since the two trees are joined at the base. The diameter is then measured at four and a half feet up, and if the measurement of any trunk is more than 36”, it qualifies as a historic tree.
Member Nyce asked for clarification on the location of the project; whether it is across from The Villages or if it will be offset. He stated there is a center lane for a left turn in to The Villages gate.
Mr. Carroll replied that it will be offset. He pointed out the location on the drawing.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson asked about the driveway on the upper side.
Mr. Carroll replied that it may the fire station, or if not, it is relatively close.
Chairperson/Member Sigurdson asked if there were any further comments from the Board or the audience.
Member Pressley made a motion to forward Resolution 2021—104 to the Town Commission with the recommendation of approval. Member Saunders seconded the motion. The motion passed by the following roll call vote:
Member | Vote |
Pressley | YES |
Saunders | YES |
Nyce | YES |
Choquette | YES |
Sigurdson | YES |
F. Chairperson and Members' Report
Member Nyce asked that a recommendation be made to the Commission from the planning and Zoning Board indicating the Board’s concerns with the escalating costs of future impact fees, and if the Commission would consider reviewing the Town’s position considering the new legislation that has recently passed.
Attorney Sasha Garcia advised Member Nyce to send an email to the Staff Assistant who will forward it to the Town Commission.
G. Adjourn
With nothing further to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
s/ Carol Osborne, Staff Assistant to the Town Clerk
s/ William Sigurdson, Chairperson