Planning and Zoning Commission - Regular Meeting

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

I'll make a motion to approve the minutes.

Can you pass that down? Good evening, everyone. So I wanted to start my report by paying a little homage to a General Gordon R. Sullivan. He is a former U.S. Army Chief of Staff from 1991 to 1995. He was a staunch believer in deliberate, proactive, and strategic planning. He also coined the phrase and wrote a national bestseller by the title of Hope is Not a Method. So the first thing that I usually bring to a meeting is the Florida Highway Safety Crash Dashboard. So in 2025, there were 5,484 crashes. I particularly highlight bicycle crashes and fatalities. In 2025 for Lake County, there were

Thank you. First of all, I wanted to congratulate David Colby in regards to the hobnob That was very well put together. It was a lot of people. I had a chance to speak to a lot of the candidates, and I think it was a great opportunity for the city to be able to speak to the different candidates. So congratulations on a well done. event this year. Also, I wanted to say that I attended the P&Z workshop that was done here. It was among the commissioners as well as DPZ. They wanted to get our input on the downtown action plan, so that was a nice gathering. And I also wanted to just congratulate an

Yes. Thank you, Chairman. Most people in the audience know me. For those that don't, my name is Commissioner Nemec. I'm also an advocate. for the safety and the roads of claremont you might say but i'm more focused on south lake of claremont uh it's been brought to my attention about school is opening up so please do drive careful number one Number two, I fought very hard to get on board with the county and the school level to get a crossing guard on Hartwood Marsh and Hancock. And I don't know if anybody knows from South Claremont, Hancock's going to be opening soon. But that's not the proble

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just one question. It does say advanced medical and surgical beyond general veterinary services, but the vet wouldn't turn down an animal coming in and needing something, correct?

But you already have that relationship set up. So if I come in with my dog who's not sleeping well, you could refer me to someone.

Good evening. I'm going to be asking you a question. I'll stay right here. So stay right there. Yeah. So I understand that it is an advanced medical surgical care for ophthalmology and it's by appointment only. Correct. There is no walk-ins. Correct.

And so usually what they do is they drop off the pet and then wait?

So you usually have about one or two patients? Yeah. Well, just during that specific time.

Perfect. So usually about 10, maybe 10 cases a day? A day. A day. Okay. And just asking because of. because of parking. So it seems like you have adequate parking there. Yes. So in regards to recovery, will the pets, the animals be able to relieve themselves outside? I mean, how does that happen afterwards?

OK, perfect. And have you identified an area at this location?

Okay. Perfect. Um, I think that's it for me in regards to questions for you. So you answered the questions that I had. So I appreciate it. Thank you very much. Okay, perfect.

Thank you, Chair. So this is essentially the same thing. I want to say it's very similar to what we approved. I want to say two meetings back, I believe. And I know that former building was Health and Wellness Center itself. So I don't have any questions. I think it's a good fit for the area. So thank you.

Commissioner nimick yes, I have a question for the applicant. You said you'll be walking the animals. Where exactly will you be walking through the parking lot.

It looks like this kennel say that's according to this looks like it's section North. Is that one large area.

Okay, do you have the conceptional plan that was submitted to us. See on your top left of the building you see those little lines going down one. You see that so is that going to be one large area was that going to be separated like kennels.

I didn't ask that question, sir. I asked if there's going to be sections. That's what I asked. No. So it's going to be one large area. One large area. And you're going to be walking those animals just in that section. How many staff do we have?

Yes, thank you. Just one question to the staff. So under, just looking at the code, because I have to understand the code, under section 125.337, which is under M1, M1, CUP, So it's not the allowed, but it's on the CUP side. It says vet clinics or kennels provided that all animal services and confinement areas, including runs are an AC and sound. attuned at buildings that's not part of the conditions is that something that you guys are requiring.

So that's only for boarding I just wanted to get clarification, thank you very much that's all I need.

Okay, any other question commissioner, you know, I just I'm I'm sorry I'm a stickler for that what what are those lines. In your walking area. on the conceptional plan. It's your building, isn't it?

I understand it. So how old is this conceptional plan up?

THANK YOU, SIR. SIR, SORRY, ONE QUICK QUESTION. WHAT ADDRESS WERE YOU AT?

MS. ANNA, I BELIEVE, I'M JUST CURIOUS, YOU BROUGHT UP COLORS. WHAT COLORS WOULD YOU SUGGEST? I mean, you know, saying I like different colors is nice to say, but what colors do you have in mind that would fit the aesthetic view?

What colors would you have in mind that would adhere to the downtown area?

Okay. Thank you. Thank you for your opinions.

There's a method to your madness, Chairman. Yes, number one question. How does this benefit downtown Claremont or the city of Claremont?

Good answer. You made a comment before. I'm just a little... Actually, let me write a question down to ask you. You made a comment on the property that's there right now. It was cheap, quick, and easy. Okay. I fell in love with this project. I really did. I like the aesthetic view of it. I'm probably going to get in trouble for saying this, but... I mean, the lumberyard apartments, that's going to be an eyesore downtown. All right. It's going to bring a city, a major city look into the downtown area. When I opened my packet, when I received it, I couldn't believe it. I said, finally, somebody

Great. Great answer. As the gentleman came up before, you know, I'm a stickler for waste. All right. You're talking about 16 apartments, even though let's say man and wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, boyfriend, boyfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend, whatever. And they're going to accumulate a lot of garbage. All right. So could you be more specific on, you know, I believe you said you're first going to start out with a dumpster and then you're going to go. Could you explain that more detail to myself, the board and the public?

Okay. I think I'm pretty much wrapped up. I... I do have to disclose, I did talk to Mr. Bianchi about this prior to this meeting. I did have the opportunity to speak with Planning and Zoning on all the projects. I don't have to say that every project comes up today. I declined to meet with them. That was my choice. I do just want to commend you one more thing on who came up with the idea of balconies. I love it. I mean, think about it. I mean, you go down to the lumberyard, it looks like New York City skyscrapers. This is bringing the South back to Claremont. I love it.

Uh, only two very quick questions. Um, and one actually is more so for staff. Um, just to remind me, city hall is 53 feet high, correct?

Okay, that's all I needed from you, Nick. Back for Mr. Bianchi. Remind me, because I'm trying to double check and look in through here. How high is this project?

Um, and then I guess just the only other thing I really have is, um, obviously your neighbor to the West at eight 47 is somewhat concerned about trash. And I know he's talked to, um, the city manager a little bit, but just, you know, continue to be a good neighbor. And if you have any issues, try to do what you can to make sure you can alleviate them. Be great. And then finally, this is more so not necessarily due to this project, but more so I guess to the west of it as well. For the West End, is there going to be any future consideration on? I don't want to say buffing it, but you know, I gu

bringing more development to the city. So this is great. Planning looks amazing and zoning looks well thought out. So great job. Thank you.

thank you um i just wanted to let everybody know that i just had a brief conversation um didn't have my packet so really wasn't a lot of conversation on this but i did speak with with patrick earlier last week um so anyways i do have a lot of questions okay first of all um thank you for putting together such a great package for us to visualize what you're planning to do on this on this site it's exciting just wanted to say that um but i do have some questions that um were brought up that added to some of the stuff that i'm going to be asking you so first thing is this a for sale or for rent pr

Do you have any rents pricing now in regards to what you're looking at?

Yeah, and I think adding the courtyard and the balconies will add on to that. So those were great ideas in regards to the benefits. Sure. Do you have, I know this is separate to the existing building, but do you have plans in the future to add on to your existing building that we're looking at here, the one-story West End Plaza that we know of?

So you're going to keep that as a... kind of like a, it's not really a food hall. I mean, you have a separated, but in regards to what you're planning on the first floor, I understand that you're going to be doing retail and restaurants, but based on what we have here, first level building floor plans, you know, in blue commercial space, I don't know if you want to bring that up. So in blue, I see, you know, there's everything separated by the square feet, the 1398, 1440. Are you looking at splitting those into two sections as one going to be one restaurant? Is one going to be retail? I mean,

So on the ones that you may have restaurants, because you did list restaurants as a possibility, will you have outdoor seating on some of them? Is that the reason why you're doing the galley? Well, the galley, I think you're doing it because of the balconies, but is there going to be some outdoor seating as part of this project?

So the retail is going to also open up to the courtyard in the back? Absolutely. Oh, it is. Okay. That's great. I guess going back to I think what was brought up dedicated pipe parking. I know bike storage is a plus in that. I see that a lot in some of the buildings that my developers, you know, build. A lot of it is also in, you know, they like to have them interiors because of the weather. I know you stated that you might do, well, you will be doing bike racks, but is there any possibility? I'm not, I know it's not a condition, but you know, sometimes having a bike designated area that's kin

that area should i mean be realized for that cover uh bike cover so it could be something more communal for the city i think it should be a community-wide initiative to have that place throughout the entire downtown and then uh i think the other question that was brought up which i think you had answered was the loading zones in regards to because i see a lot of it in winter gardens as well um the big trucks, especially if you're going to have a restaurant, you know, the big, whatever those big trucks, you know, the trucks, where do you think that is going to happen?

I mean, we have, I see that, you know, there's, there's sideways parking, I guess on eighth and then kind of diagonal parking. Do you have an idea of a designated area for, you know, the truck loading, you know, for the food as well as, You know, loading zones for people. I mean, you know, we have to consider the handicaps, you know, people. And so I don't know if you have any ideas of that since that was brought up. So. I know you had talked about a communal area.

Well, I see the city manager, so I'm happy he's here and he's listening. So these are good conversations. I'm trying to think of anything else. So there's no elevators in this building. It's all walk-ups. Correct. All walk-ups, yes. Perfect. And then I understand that you are exempt based on the settlement agreement. I wasn't sure, and I'll wait for the attorney when he gets here. Wasn't sure if that is, since he's here, Christian. I understand that there's a settlement agreement which basically exempts him from minimum parking requirements for the entire project. So should that, should that e

Okay. Yeah. And then the community benefits, that's already in, I understand that you're going to be doing the, the, the the courtyard open to the public uh but it's under the trust and it will be controlled by you all um artwork where is that artwork is that going to be in the courtyard is that going to be all over is it going to be in certain sections of the buildings yeah so it's definitely no secret that i i uh

this project right it's just you're gonna include it just doesn't they don't mandate what you have to do you're just gonna do it yeah so perfect and we don't have to put that in the resolution as well because it's part of the community benefit agreement so I see that perfect I think and then you're not required to have a traffic study or school concurrency because of the agreement as well correct

So I can understand that you'll probably be bringing the Florida natives as well. Not sure about the open outdoors. That's I guess that's a building code, which, you know, and I think, oh, there was a question on. I have to remember, I had it in my head. And yes, please. Thank you very much. All right, thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple of things. So for me, this project is the epitome of hope that I talked about earlier. In the first sentence, it says 12 or more dwelling units, but then in the second paragraph, it says 16 residential dwelling units. So the Brooklyn in me says that if somebody comes with the right amount of cash, it's a two-bedroom apartment, not a one-bedroom apartment. We're hoping, there's no guarantee, that everybody who lives here is walkable or is going to take a bicycle. We're hoping that people from downtown live here to work and walk in downtown, that a

Chair, I'm not calling for a parking garage, number one. Number two, on the design, there are four doors per side, per building. So four times four is 16.

Then shouldn't that number say 16 and not 12 or more dwelling units?

then why does it say 12 or more dwelling units? Why doesn't it say 16 units?

Yes, I do, Commissioner. All right. I'm sorry. I'm back on this sanitation with the waste. Okay. On the west side of the building, if you could put that diagram back up there. Staff, please. There you go. If you could zoom in just on the left side of the building, please.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bianchi. All right. Now, here you go. That a boy. That a boy. We're looking at 15 feet is your utility. I mean, you're Eastman, right? Yeah, thank you. I thought it was me.

Okay, and we're, I'm sorry, you didn't finish. You're limited access. That is where the dumpsters or the garbage are going.

Okay, that perfectly answered my question. Right. Okay, real quick. So for the record, all these tenants will be taking their garbage and waste walking out of their building, three stories down, walking across the shaded area, not across, going around the shaded area because that building's still going to be existing and they're going to be responsible for throwing out their own garbage.

No, actually, he brought up the question that I was going to bring up, which was the tenants and the retail and the restaurants, they're going to be throwing their trash basically to that dumpster. So who is going to be managing the apartments? Is it property? You're going to be a property manager? Are you going to have a third party property management company?

Got it. Enclosed with the wall so that this poor gentleman doesn't have to deal with that. So, you know, I've seen cases, you know, dealing with my apartment developers where they have those. containers with the wheels so i was just wondering because sometimes property management will take care of it um you know they leave their yeah you know they leave their trash outside in the basket and then the property manager comes in but those are larger so i was just unsure so it's I would like to see, hopefully, that come about to make that. I can't see that. But other than that, I like your project.

I'll set a motion for approval for Resolution 2026-2025R, West End Plaza Conditional Use Permit.

Thank you, Chair. I don't have any burning questions on this project.

You are confusing me. You realize that, right?

I apologize out there to the audience. No, I don't have any questions at this time, Chairman.

Nope. Lake County, low density, four units to one acre, which is what it is now. Final plat was 2.4 units. Is that what you were saying, John?

Okay. And then so we're going to the city of Claremont for three units to the acre. So that would be, if that was a vacant site, it would be three times 30, which would be 90. But you're saying that they're completely developed outright.

Yeah, I was just wondering because I still see some vacant land there. So I was just wondering what that was.

Yeah, I have no issues. I guess the homeowners are happy to be part of the city. So I'm assuming. So that's it for me.

I'll set a motion for approval on ordinance 2026-2020 for approval.

Oh, it's 19. Oh, 19. Yeah. We're going to do them separately.

I like to set... A motion for approval on ordinance 2026-2029. Am I, am I, am I, am I? Sorry, I got confused. It's not easy doing that. Ordinance for approval 2026-019.

I will. Oh, wait. Does his motion still carry?

Gotcha, sorry, sorry. I was just double checking. I have a motion for, I will make a motion to approve ordinance 2026-020. I'll second it.

I have questions. I text all this stuff. John, define a small site. So a small site would be anything like a single family, a duplex, who is?

Thank you. And then who is the development service director? Is that you, Kurt?

Wow. So you have another title, Kurt. So I just wanted to find out who that person was. Is that five titles now, Kurt? Private road gated entry. I just had a question. What is requesting me?

Perfect. And then I've been through an administrative adjustment process. back in the day when I had to do something with my house at a city, the requirement at that city on in regards to adjoining neighbors was defined a little bit better than what it is here. So I know we're saying adjoining neighbors and we always want to make sure that the neighbors, you know, But I think that we should define the neighbors, you know, as the contiguous property owners. Usually that's what the cities do. I don't know if you want to add that, but contiguous property owners as well as neighbors across the str

Okay. I think that's fair. Good answer. Yeah, I think that's fair. And other than that, I have no other questions. So thank you. You're welcome.

I just want to say thank you guys for whipping this up and making the change. I think it's been needed for a bit.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do regret not meeting with you yesterday, John, because when I looked to Solver, I said, oh... And by the time I found out, you already went home. So I'm going to ask a tedious question. So this is for the new projects being built. So everybody else would be grandfathered in to the old rules for the record?

Right. Because I've been at several council meetings where we granted the setbacks to be less than what they are, even according to this. And I sit in an audience, I couldn't believe the approvals that they were getting. So they would be grandfathered in because they're not doing nothing to modify their approval.

I was doing something. How's that sound? All right, David. I'm just a little curious about this retaining wall height. I'm sorry, John. This is my specular. Could you explain to me, perfect example, 67 feet of a retaining wall. That's A little bit, I would say 10 feet higher than this building or nine feet higher than this building.

No, it just didn't say percentage. I thought it said foot. Okay, you understand on the other page on the table. It says 35, it says 67. Okay. Because all I had was deja vu of hooks, the apartments on hooks. And that's when I said 67 feet. But that's a percentage.

Yeah, please. So we don't confuse the city council anymore than they are. I'm sorry, council. Did I amuse you over there?

I will submit a motion to approve ordinance 2026-029. Do we have a second? Second.

It was. That's why those people ain't here no more. When they showed up.

Come on, sweets. We're out of here. Okay? All right. Thank you. Adios.