Do You Hate Centex More Than You Love Palm Coast?
Sept. 19th meeting of the Planning & Land Development Board showed some do. That didn’t surprise me, but the ineptitude of the P&LDB did. I’ve seldom seen so many words condensed into so few thoughts.
September 20, 2007 –
The P&LDRB cannot approve or deny the Centex PUD amendments. That job belongs to the City Council. The P&LDRB’s duty is to evaluate the appropriateness of the amendments as they relate to the city’s land development code, then to pass their recommendations on to the City Council. The P&LDRB failed to realize that if the revised PUD is not passed, the existing PUD remains in force. They should have simply evaluated the amendments, determining whether or not they conform to existing codes, made recommendations for changes if appropriate, then voted to recommend or deny approval by City Council. Instead, they nit picked, and pontificated their way through the documents as if they were new submissions and as if the P&LDRB had the final authority.
The full meeting lasted five hours. The first three hours were confined to the two Centex PUD issues. The total time taken by commenting citizens, thorough city staff input, and developer presentations could not have totaled more than 20 to 30 minutes. The remaining 2 ½ hour vocal was provided by the board as it meandered aimlessly. It seemed like a lot longer than 2 ½ hours. In fact it seemed like board member David Hertle alone accounted for at least 6 hours. Meanwhile, chairman Nate McLaughlin failed to keep the meeting on point, allowing as well as participating in blathering discussions well beyond their charter. These issues could have been dealt with in less than half the time.
In the end, the board voted to approve both PUD amendments “with recommended changes.” The recommended changes were essentially outside the scope of their duties and will be considered mostly irrelevant at the upcoming City Council meetings. McLaughlin, in a not so subtle effort to redefine his image for future elections, was the only dissenting vote on both amendments. As the deliberation droned on, I looked around the room. I saw several audience members shaking their heads, moaning and chuckling at the same time. It was like watching an early elimination round for American Idol. The lack of talent itself is somewhat funny. But at the same time you feel a sense of unease because you are embarrassed for the participants.
The reality is that a PUD is a negotiated zoning agreement. It grants development rights. It cannot force development. Whether Centex or another developer owns the property, construction will not commence until is makes business sense. The city cannot force them to do otherwise. The proposed amendments do not grant any additional entitlements. They do give whoever owns the property additional options to develop, making it more likely that development will begin sooner. A good convention & resort marina hotel would be a great plus for
Meeting
You pull no punches, keep telling it like it is. Question: Did the local elections change the landscape so far as future commercial growth is concerned here in PC/Flagler?
The Centex PUD Drama
Although it was a painful ordeal to sit through the Planning and Land Dev.Board
meeting last night,there was a bonus positive outcome. Those nonsense claims that the City Government has the legal right to dictate completion schedules and impose performance bonds on private development on private property were finally (I hope) publicly put to rest, along with the unfounded rumor that the PUD promosed that the Golf Course would remain open and accessible to the public.
hate is not in our vocabulary
Lets give Centex their PUD request, take the land for the Golf Course and move on. Many of us are tired of hearing comments of take em to task and sue, sue, sue. It’s time to move on.
Palm Coast PLDRB
The quality of the members of the PLDRB and other \”advisory boards\” to the City Council is directly pointed to the Council, and I will also insert the County Commission and their ludicrous policy of appointments to these boards. I have applied for this particular board twice, and believe that the most recent selection was probably the proper choice, time will tell.
However, their appointments are made from the 3 or 4 lines of info included on the \”application\”. The City Council appoints without knowing, having spoken with, interviewed or conducted any inquiries of any of the applicants. How is it possible to look at a few lines of text and determine qualifications? Obviously because of the make-up of most of their boards, it isn’t possible.
PLDRB/Centex
Toby, You obviously do not understand the full impact of the PUD amendments. Though I agree that the planning board has become in some cases incapable of staying on topic with excessive advocating and not enough adjudicating.
However, the amendments basically, in plain English say that the PUD will in effect become a blank sheet of paper to be filled in later exclusively by the LUA without PLDRB or Council approvals and can be changed to meet any request of any developer for an indefinite period of time. I am sorry for your view of the meeting and your obvious contempt for the PLDRB. We put in long hours of study and research and are not as limited in our input as you described. The Palm Coast PLDRB is according to F.S. 163 and our LDC the planning and land regulation governing board and not only determines proper land use but also the details of that usage. Very few items actually go to the city council for approval beyond the PLDRB and this board doe’s take very seriously it’s obligation to sift through the staff findings and determine if it is consistent with LDC and the Comprehensive Plan. This board is not a rubber stamp nor should it be for the administration. The PLDRB are responsible directly to the city council and all matters before this board are considered in full context on behalf of that council.
I take offence to your statement as to my political posturing. Nothing that I do as a member of the PLDRB has anything to do with anything other than the matter before me and it’s consistency with LDC and Comp Plan and the philosophical nature and relevance to good planning.
foot orthotics
I’ve only been reading since the last few posts, but I am enjoying your views more and more. I’ll be back for more and will be sure to subscribe!
Reply to Jack
The primaries reinstalled two incumbents, but their election was a forgone conclusion. I think both Netts and DiStefano have matured a bit and are more realistic in their views towards responsible development and the critical need for a greater industrial and commercial tax base. Canfield was a lame duck. The real swing votes have yet to be elected. We will be watching their positioning and relaying our thoughts to website readers.