TOWN OF GOLDEN BEACH
One Golden Beach Drive
Golden Beach, FL 33160
OFFICIAL MINUTES
MARCH 7, 2006
CODE REVIEW WORKSHOP
7:00 P.M.
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
Mayor Singer called the meeting to order at 7:14 p.m. Roll Call taken by Town Manager.
Council Members in attendance: Mayor Singer, Councilmember Colella-Battista, Councilmember Iglesias, and Councilmember Lusskin
Staff in attendance: Chief Skinner, Town Attorneys Helfman and Gould, Dan Nieda, Zoraya Roncallo.
PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Town Attorney Helfman led the pledge to the flag
DISCUSSION WAS HELD ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
1. Seawall Ordinance - (Attorney Helfman presented the item)
Reported on the status of the Ordinance preparation at this time. The Town has tidal flooding coming into the Town. The Town Engineers completed a seawall evaluation of the Town and a complete survey of the Town that identifies where the tides are coming over the walls or property. Minimum height is determined to be 5.5 feet by the Engineer's study. This will be a new standard in the Code. The property owners that are in disrepair will be notified immediately and when they come in for their permit, they will have to meet the new height. The people that have seawalls in disrepair due to deterioration and do not meet our current code today and they will be given a notice/warning and then a citation shortly thereafter if they do not take action to repair it. Second phase is where the wall is not high enough but it
is not in disrepair. Mr. Helfman will determine a reasonable amortization period. That may be tied to an event such as construction on the site or tied to the conveyance of the property to a new owner.
The new Code Violation Ordinance has a mechanism to handle the most critical seawall now.
Mayor Singer - Clarified the steps this will take. Currently there is a requirement that each home has a 4 ft seawall.
Dr. Iglesias - Questioned what would happen if the seawall exists in good condition, but at 4ft, the water comes over the wall.
Dr. Feinman - Feels that the heights should be determined with the elevation of A1A.
Mr. Nieda explained that the Oceanside is always higher and should not be used as the determining height. State and Federal requirements are based on 100-year study and should be what we follow.
Mayor Singer - Directed Dan to determine the reasonable time line we should put into place.
Mr. Nieda stated that it should be 90-days.
Councilmember Lusskin - Requested that the Town Engineer and the Town Planner, Michael Miller to reach consensus on the height.
Councilmember Iglesias - Make photos during the Equinox. He would like to see the report.
2. Ordinance for maintaining landscaping under power lines - - (Attorney Helfman presented the item)
Councilman Iglesias brought this item forward due to last hurricane season.
Mr. Helfman reported that Key Biscayne has within the last 60-days adopted this Ordinance. This addressed within 6-ft of the power lines and the catch basins being covered pre-hurricane while people prepared for the storm.
Councilmember Iglesias - Concerned the construction landscaping plans should not allow plants or trees under power lines.
Councilmember Battista - Passed out the Coral Gables Ordinance to consider for general landscape issues.
3. Review of Michael Miller's Report that addressed various issues.
Mayor Singer - Would like to address Gazebos as it comes up regularly.
Councilmember Iglesias - Would like to address construction companies dumping excess cement on vacant lots.
Pools not properly fenced - (Center Island) we should not allow pools to exist without proper fencing.
Councilmember Lusskin - Wanted to know why they are not enforced. Loose tiles have been on the roofs since last hurricane and nothing is being done. These will be missiles if there is another storm.
Discussion was held on construction sites maintenance to be addressed. Demolition of houses should be addressed and a time limit. Also, a code for the completion of a construction site.
Dan Nieda explained that there are limits in the Code for 180-days if no action is going on with the permit. In a construction boom, there are not enough people to do the labor jobs.
Resident L Groll spoke on giving incentives to people that have are trying to take "knock downs" and fix them up for the betterment of the Town. Council members explained that incentive is the appreciation of your property value. Councilmember Battista felt he was requesting flexibility when we know he is working on the property. Everyone has to do what they do to their homes within the Code.
Councilmember Colella-Battista - would like Mr. Miller input and research on green space in other communities such as Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, and Bal Harbor.
ADJOURNMENT - 8:32 p.m.
Motion made by Mayor Singer Seconded by Councilmember Iglesias
Motion approved 4 Aye 0 Nay.
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