Loading...
01-22-2009 VC WS-M~~ ~_J MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION VILLAGE COUNCIL OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA JANUARY 22, 2009 Present: ROLL CALL William Manuel, Mayor David B. Norris, Vice Mayor Darryl Aubrey, Sc.D., President Pro Tem Edward M. Eissey, Ph.D., Councilman T.R. Hernacki, P.E., Councilman Jimmy Knight, Village Manager Leonard Rubin, Village Attorney Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk Mayor Manuel called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. All members of Council were present. All members of staff were present. SPECIAL USE PERMIT - DONNINI MOTOR CARS LLC This item was removed from the 1/22/09 Regular Session agenda and placed on the Workshop Session agenda for discussion only Village Manager Jimmy Knight explained that Administration received a request from Donnini Motor Cars LLC for a Similar Use Special Permit to operate limited auto sales within the CC Transitional Zoning District. Mr. Knight stated that the applicant asserts the proposed use is similar to a professional office or commercial use that would be permitted in the CC Transitional Zoning District. Mr. Knight noted that automobile sales is a prohibited use in this zoning district; however, the proposed use provides for vehicle sale and delivery by appointment, limited display, and limited hours of operation. Mr. Knight advised that, in establishing similar use, determining whether the impact on adjacent property owners will be greater or lesser than a currently permitted use must be considered. Mr. Knight noted that if the Special Use Permit is approved, it is specific to the applicant and use requested, and can be revoked if any of the conditions are violated. Mr. Knight detailed conditions and restrictions that would be attached to the permit. Dodi Glass, AICP, of Gentile, Holloway, O'Mahoney & Associates, Inc., representing Donnini Motor Cars, gave a presentation on the application for Similar Use Permit. Jim Donnini answered questions and reviewed details of the proposed business operation. Discussion ensued on issues including parking, signage, vehicle deliveries, lighting, ingress and egress, security measures, and amount of inventory. Council expressed concern with the number of cars to be stored onsite. Village Attorney Len Rubin stated that full-service automobile dealerships and accessory uses are permitted only in the Commercial District; however, the type of auto sales being proposed is not specifically addressed in the Code of Ordinances. Mr. Rubin advised that Council must determine whether this type of limited auto sales is similar to a professional office. Discussion took place on whether the proposed use qualifies as a similar use. Council consensus was that the project does not qualify as a similar use to professional offices unless there is no inventory. This item will not be brought back for Council action unless staff and the applicant can develop conditions that bring it in line with the requirements for similar use. Minutes of Village Council Workshop Session held January 22, 2009 Page 2 of 2 GOLF MEMBERSHIPS • Village Manager Jimmy Knight and Mike Gray, Director of Golf Operations, reviewed ideas for increasing golf memberships at the Country Club. Proposals included reducing the cost of Summer Memberships from $700 to $495, and allowing first-time members a $250 credit (portion of the cost of Summer Membership) toward the cost of a yearly membership. Mr. Knight discussed implementing a member loyalty initiative, which would grant a 5% discount to current members who renew their membership and pay in full by August 1, 2009. Furthermore, any current member who introduces a new member would receive an additional 5% discount for a newly signed resident member and 10% discount for a newly signed non-resident member. Mr. Knight noted that increasing the number of members may alleviate the need to increase membership rates. Discussion took place on the need to attract non-resident members. Ideas proposed included offering a "good neighbor" discount to residents of neighboring cities who wish to join, and/or reducing the cost for non-resident memberships. Mr. Knight gave an update on the number of rounds played to date, compared with last year, along with details on membership revenue and golf course expenses. Council preference was that the cost of memberships not be increased. Council consensus was to approve Summer Memberships at $495, with first-time members receiving a $250 credit toward the cost of a yearly membership. Regarding a member loyalty initiative, Council consensus was in favor of granting returning members a 5% discount on yearly membership, if paid in full by August 1, 2009, as well as a 5% or 10% discount on yearly membership for current members who recruit new members resulting in signed resident or non-resident memberships, respectively. It was determined that recruiting multiple new members will equate to an increase in the applicable discount, subject to the membership cap. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to come before the Council, the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. Melissa Teal, CMC, Village Clerk