Planning and Development Board Meeting - November 12, 2024
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Planning and Development Board Meeting - November 12, 2024
The Hollywood Planning and Development Board met on November 12, 2024, at 6:00 PM in City Hall Room 219. The board considered three quasi-judicial items: two variance requests and one design and site plan review. Public comments were received on one item. The board approved two variances and deferred a major commercial project to the next meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes (October 8, 2024): Approved unanimously by voice vote.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 24-V-59 (308 Monroe Street): Jose Izquierdo, a resident of 801 South Ocean Drive, spoke against the proposed second-story addition, stating it would block his ocean view from his 11th-floor apartment. He expressed concern that the project would reduce property values and views. (He later acknowledged understanding the zoning after board discussion.)
Discussion Items
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Item 24-V-62 (3301 Hollywood Oaks Drive): Variance to construct a small gym addition into the required side yard. Applicant Rina Ben-David explained she has a connective tissue disorder requiring daily exercise. The existing structure would have an aggregate side yard of 17'10" instead of the required 27'. Staff found the variance consistent with four of five criteria, with criterion D (self-imposed hardship) inconclusive. The neighborhood association president expressed support. Board voted unanimously to approve the variance.
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Item 24-V-59 (308 Monroe Street): Variance to add a second story to a legally non-conforming hotel/motel, reducing the Surf Road setback from 10' to 5'8" and the Monroe Street setback from 4'9" (non-conforming) to 3'8". Applicant Isabel Laporte stated she needs the additional unit to finance building improvements and that the second floor will include a kitchenette (no full kitchen). Staff recommended approval with three conditions: (1) maintain building design consistency, (2) verify parking compliance, (3) landscaping. Board member Bob Gleakman opposed due to parking encroachment concerns. Board approved the variance 6-1 with staff conditions. (Two separate roll calls were taken, reflecting the two relief requests, both passing 6-1.)
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Item 24-DP-31 (2800 Oakwood Boulevard): Design and Site Plan review for a 120,000 sq. ft. commercial building with associated parking and an athletic field. The project is part of the Oakwood Plaza Planned Development. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including further refinement of the north and west facades. Multiple board members criticized the design as "warehouse-like" and "prison-like," noted the large surface parking lot contrary to earlier promises, and questioned the location of the athletic field next to I-95. The applicant requested a deferral to work on the design. Board voted unanimously to defer the item to the next meeting (December 2024).
Key Outcomes
- Variance 24-V-62 (Hollywood Oaks): Approved unanimously.
- Variance 24-V-59 (Monroe Street): Approved 6-1 (Gleakman opposed) with staff conditions.
- Design and Site Plan 24-DP-31 (Oakwood Plaza): Deferred to the December 2024 meeting.
- Old Business: Staff reported progress on a transportation master plan and GIS team development.
- New Business: Reviewed Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) actions and city commission approvals.
Meeting Transcript
I don't think she heard you. Roll call. Thank you. Diana Pitarelli, present. Kenneth Crawford. Present. Joseph Statlin. Here. Richard Blatner. Here. Sarah Defarmadar. Present. Minna Morgan. Present. Bob Gleakman. Here. Thank you. We do receive communication from Steven Morales and Robert Bayas that they will not be available tonight. Thank you. Thank you. Approval of the previous minutes. I hope everyone had a chance to review those, and I'm looking for a motion to approve. Madam Chair, uh move to approve as presented. Okay, we have a motion, a second for the previous board meeting minutes. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, that passed. Very good. I'm looking to know if there's any additions, deletions, or withdrawals from this evening's uh items. None. None. Very good. We're moving forward. Okay, city attorney announcements. Good evening. Yes, I'll read the city attorney announcements. Florida courts have determined that there are certain types of matters, including items one, two, and three, which are all three items that are on today's agenda, which are to be treated differently than other issues considered by the board. Most decisions of the board are legislative in nature, which means that the board is acting as a policy making body. In contrast, in quasi judicial matters, the board is applying existing rules and policies to a particular factual situation and is therefore acting like a judge or a jury in a courtroom. In such cases, the courts have decided that due process and fundamental fairness requires that more formal procedures be followed. Therefore, in quasi-judicial matters, all witnesses are sworn in and subject to cross-examination by the parties. In addition, the decision of the board must be supported by competent and substantial evidence presented at the hearing. However, here in Hollywood, we have adopted a rule allowing for waiver of the quasi-judicial formalities. And waiver can only occur if agreed to by staff, the applicant, and any member of the public who is present. So, madam chair, if you would inquire. Sure. Let me read in item number one.
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