TOWN OF GOLDEN BEACH
One Golden Beach Drive
Golden Beach, FL 33160
OFFICIAL MINUTES
JUNE 23, 2005
TOWN COUNCIL WORKSHOP
6:30 P.M.
A. Meeting called to order by Mayor Singer at 6:40 pm.
B. Present: Mayor Glenn Singer, Vice Mayor Judy Lusskin, Councilman Joe Iglesias, Town Manager Bonilyn Wilbanks-Free, Town Attorney Stephen Helfman, Police Chief James Skinner, Building Official Daniel Nieda, Building Manager Linda Epperson, Code Enforcement Officer Jorge Garcia, Building Regulatory Board Chairperson Samuel Sorota and Town Clerk Cathy Szabo
C. Chief Skinner led the Pledge.
D. Presentation by Michael Miller and discussion of Town Code:
Mr. Miller suggested administration to draft a master list of interests by subject; point by point; including zoning codes, heights, encroachments, percentage of second floor ratio, landscape codes, and seawalls.
Town Attorney Helfman suggested putting the vision of the town overtime in writing through codes.
Councilman Iglesias addressed his concerns regarding gazebos, more green space, and more second floor ratio.
Vice Mayor Lusskin requested a “clean cut look”. Mayor Singer agreed and mentioned Indian Creek, Bal Harbour, Weston and Star Island where enforcement is strictly enforced.
Building Official Nieda gave an explanation of the process from a courtesy notice to Notice of Violation.
Alice Meltzer, 122 Golden Beach Drive suggested following Coral Gables.
Mr. Miller mentioned that in Pinecrest, no two homes that are side by side are the same.
Town Attorney Helfman advised that an Architectural Review Board creates guidelines i.e. color codes.
Jorge Garcia clarified the Process of Code Violations, i.e. overgrown grass has 7 days to cut grass and is sent 1) Courtesy Notice, 2) Notice of Violation, and 3) Special Master.
Samuel Sorota, Building Advisory Chair recommended to increase the building bond.
Building Manager Epperson asked if administration fee is not paid can building permit be held?
Town Attorney Helfman opined yes and recommended to review if it’s being implemented and/or revision of the ordinance to impose stricter restrictions and enforcement action immediately starting with $500 a day fine.
Mayor Singer suggested that every violation should have a fine.
Building Official Nieda suggest curb and gutters to alleviate drainage problems and to uniform streets taking swales and regulate. Establish uniform landscaping and mailbox ordinance and move from street to wall line. Zoning: regarding 3 zones; language is muddled; elevations and percentage regarding lot size; floodplain; building heights especially Ocean Boulevard; pervious area too permissive, allows 65% should be 40-50%-link to drainage; garages-contradiction in the code.
Mayor Singer concerned with seawall erosion of surrounding properties that are neglected. Also construction sites, code enforcement procedures, and ordinance violations.
Gutters, curbs, and mailboxes should be in coordination with the stormwater project.
Mr. Sorota addressed his concerns regarding application hardship without denial:
· 7 criteria-enforced
· 1st and 2nd floor ratio: vaulted space –clarify-counted
· Setbacks-strictly enforced
· Boat and dock issues
E. Adjournment 8:20 pm.
ATTEST:
Cathy Szabo
Cathy Szabo, CMC
Town Clerk
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