Council unanimously approves Palmer Trinity zoning requests The Village Council of Palmetto Bay unanimously approved a recommendation from the planning and zoning department to accept zoning requests regarding Palmer Trinity School in a zoning public hearing on Sept. 9.
As the meeting began, Mayor Eugene Flinn disclosed that he had received some emails on the issue and had forwarded them to the village clerk. Both he and Councilmember Tim Schaffer said they had visited the site in question. There were no other disclosures and all members of the council said they could be impartial on the matter.
Planning and Zoning director Darby Delsalle came to the microphone to explain what was involved.
“They have what amounts to four requests,” Delsalle said. “The first involves SW 176th Street, which they’re seeking to be able to utilize that entrance after 7 p.m. at least 24 times in a calendar year, not to exceed three times in any given 30-day period. At present the current condition requires closure of that entrance at 7 p.m. seven days a week. Their second request involves existing portable classrooms that are located on the site.”
He stated that the school asked to be allowed to keep those structures for now and use them for staff office space so that the building’s office space could be used as classrooms. The third request was to add four additional modular buildings. Those would be on the property during the construction phase. The fourth request involved a pathway that had been identified as an access path for maintenance but they would also like to use it as a pedestrian or bike path.
“We didn’t really see anything in these four items that violated any specific aspects of the site plan or the codes for educational facilities,” Delsalle said. “Staff does recommend approval.”
Eileen Mato, the attorney for the school, said, “We are pleased that we have worked with staff cooperatively and have a positive recommendation from staff.”
A resident living in the 7800 block of SW 79th Terrace in Palmetto Bay came to the microphone during public comments with a question.
“One of the things that is most important to me is the sidewalk on 184th Street,” he said. “I’d like them to confirm that it is still going to be provided, and that the sidewalk be angled to the adjacent properties so that when the sidewalk is eventually put in by the county you don’t have to make a 90 degree angle to go from their property, which is further back, to the adjacent properties, and that vegetation that is planted by the sidewalk is not of the type that could cover the sidewalk.”
He also asked that the school not have events on Saturday nights when the Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS) has their viewings and at other times during the year.
“I think it would be good if they could coordinate with them.”
Another resident living who lives in te 7900 block of SW 176th Street said he was in support of the school’s plans but as he lives on the street that will be used more for events, and as a jogger he asked that some street lights be added along there so joggers and pedestrians could safely travel along that path. He suggested those lights be turned off during SCAS gatherings.
There were no further comments so they closed the public hearing portion. After discussion, the council unanimously passed the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Department.
