CAPTIONING
OCTOBER 13, 2009
BOCC LAND USE
MORNING SESSION


***This is not an official, verbatim transcript of the 
***following meeting.  It should be used for informational 
***purposes only.  This document has not been edited; 
***therefore, there may be additions, deletions, or words 
***that did not translate.

>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER 
13th, 2009, REGULARLY SCHEDULED LAND USE MEETING OF THE 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
WOULD EVERYONE PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE AND INVOCATION, 
GIVEN BY OUR CHAPLAIN, COMMISSIONER AL HIGGINBOTHAM.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  AS WITH THIS DAY, THERE ARE MANY 
IMPORTANT DAYS IN HISTORY, AND IT WAS ON THE 13th OF 
OCTOBER IN 1792 THAT THE CORNERSTONE WAS LAID FOR THE WHITE 
HOUSE.
LONG LIVE AMERICA.
PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS.
FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US AND GAVE 
US AND FOUGHT FOR US THIS RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE, TO AGREE, TO 
DISAGREE IN AN OPEN AND CIVIL MANNER.
WE ASK THAT ALL OF US BE RESPECTFUL OF ONE ANOTHER.
GOD, HELP ME TO CONDUCT MYSELF IN A MANNER WHICH IS IN 
ACCORDANCE TO YOUR TEACHINGS.
AMEN.
>> AMEN.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
MS. HARVEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO REVIEW THE CHANGES TO THE 
AGENDA.
>>PAULA HARVEY:  I WOULD.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M PAULA HARVEY WITH PLANNING AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT.
ON THE PRINTED AGENDA THERE ARE TWO ITEMS THAT ARE PROPOSED 
FOR LATER PROCESSING.
REZONING PETITION 09-685, APPLICATION BY CARIBBEAN ISLES, 
INCORPORATED.
THE APPLICANT'S REQUESTED A REMAND TO THE NOVEMBER 16th 
ZONING HEARING MASTER HEARING.
AND REZONING PETITION 09-780, APPLICATION BY BRICKLEMYER, 
SMOLKER & BOLVES.
THE APPLICANT'S REQUESTING A REMAND TO THE NOVEMBER 16th 
ZONING HEARING MASTER HEARING.
ONE CHANGE TO THE PRINTED AGENDA IS ON PAGE 9, ITEM I-1, 
LEASE TERMINATION AGREEMENT FOR OFFICE SPACE AT CENTERMALL 
ON FLORIDA AVENUE.
STAFF IS REQUESTING THIS ITEM BE CONTINUED TO THE BOARD'S 
REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 4th.
THOSE ARE OUR CHANGES, COMMISSIONERS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN WE HAVE A MOTION?
>>KEVIN WHITE:  [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOT A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CHANGES, 
COMMISSIONER WHITE.
DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  SECOND COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  AT THIS TIME COULD WE HAVE A MOTION TO 
APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>>JIM NORMAN:  I NEED TO ABSTAIN --
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
>>JIM NORMAN:  -- ON B-5.
IT'S JUST A SALVATION ARMY EXPANSION OF A WAREHOUSE, BUT I 
JUST OUT OF PURE PRECAUTION --
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
CAN WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE REMAINING --
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SO MOVE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN: -- CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA, SECOND COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THEN CAN WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE B-5.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SO MOVE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  COMMISSIONERS HAGAN, WHITE, AND 
HIGGINBOTHAM, MAY I HAVE YOUR VOTE AGAIN, PLEASE.
THANK YOU.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
COMMISSIONER NORMAN ABSTAINED.
>>PAULA HARVEY:  OKAY.
AT THIS TIME, IF YOU'RE HERE FOR A "B" APPLICATION, YOUR 
APPLICATION'S BEEN APPROVED.
AT THIS TIME, ANYONE WHO INTENDS TO PRESENT TESTIMONY, 
EVIDENCE, OR TO OTHERWISE BE HEARD ON ANY MATTER SCHEDULED 
FOR CONSIDERATION AT TODAY'S MEETING, PLEASE STAND AND 
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND SO THE CLERK MAY SWEAR YOU IN.
[PARTICIPANTS SWORN IN]
>>THE CLERK:  THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MS. HARVEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE 
FIRST ITEM.
>>PAULA HARVEY:  WE'LL BEGIN WITH ITEM D-1.
THIS IS AT THE BOTTOM OF PAGE 4 OF THE PRINTED AGENDA, 
REZONING PETITION 08-1338.
THIS IS A PETITION BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES, REPRESENTED BY 
SHEILA LOPEZ, FOR REZONING A PIECE OF PROPERTY OF 12 ACRES 
ON THE EAST SIDE OF HARNEY ROAD, NORTHEAST OF HILLSBOROUGH 
AVENUE.
THIS PETITION IS CURRENT -- CURRENTLY ZONED RMC-20.
THEY'RE ASKING FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR A RESIDENTIAL 
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING FACILITY AND ENCAMPMENT FOR THE 
HOMELESS.
THIS PETITION, COMMISSIONERS, HAS BEEN BEFORE YOU 
PREVIOUSLY WHERE YOU RECEIVED A GREAT DEAL OF PUBLIC 
COMMENT UNDER ORAL ARGUMENT.
YOU REMANDED THE PETITION FOR THE ZONING HEARING MASTER TO 
CONSIDER A SET OF CONDITIONS THAT WERE PUT TOGETHER BY 
STAFF WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE APPLICANT.
THE ZONING HEARING MASTER DID, IN FACT, REVIEW THIS 
PETITION AGAIN AT PUBLIC HEARING ON AUGUST THE 25th.
HE'S OFFERED A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS 
THAT HE PROVIDED ATTACHED TO HIS RECOMMENDATION, AND THEY 
ARE IN YOUR BACKUP.
THERE WERE A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THAT HE PROVIDED 
FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, HE IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL BUT ONLY 
FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD OF TIME, UP TO A MAXIMUM OF FOUR 
YEARS.
HE HAS ASKED THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDE FOR A HURRICANE 
EVACUATION PLAN.
HE'S ASKED FOR PROCEDURES SPECIFIC TO THE CONDITIONS THAT 
EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENS IF A RESIDENT IS TO BE EJECTED FROM 
THE FACILITY AND HOW THEY'RE TO BE HANDLED.
HE'S PROVIDED FOR NO LESS THAN $2 MILLION OF GENERAL 
LIABILITY INSURANCE TO BE HELD BY THE APPLICANT, 
CONFORMANCE WITH THE SEPTIC -- OR THE SEWAGE TREATMENT 
REQUIREMENTS OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THIS SITE, AND 
ALSO THE APPLICANT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE SITE DEVELOPMENT 
PROCESS.
WE'LL BE -- WE'RE READY TO OFFER ANY ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS 
THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE, BUT AT THIS TIME WE NEED TO OPEN FOR 
ORAL ARGUMENT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN WE HAVE A MOTION TO OPEN.
>>MARK SHARPE:  SO MOVE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MOTION COMMISSIONER SHARPE, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER WHITE.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
THANK YOU.
MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  AND ADAM, BEFORE WE GET STARTED, DO YOU WANT 
TO ADDRESS THE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE REQUESTS THAT WERE MADE?
>>ADAM GORMLY:  YES, THANK YOU.
THERE HAVE BEEN THREE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE REQUESTS FILED BY 
OPPONENTS TO THE PETITION.
I'VE REVIEWED THOSE REQUESTS AND MATERIAL THAT'S BEEN 
SUBMITTED, AND IT'S MY RECOMMENDATION THAT IT DOES NOT MEET 
THE CRITERIA IN THE CODE FOR CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL 
EVIDENCE AND WOULD REQUEST THE BOARD MAKE A MOTION TO THAT 
EFFECT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN WE HAVE A MOTION.
>>JIM NORMAN:  SO MOVE.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  MOTION TO CONFIRM WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S 
RECOMMENDATION BY COMMISSIONER NORMAN, SECOND COMMISSIONER 
FERLITA.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 6-1.
COMMISSIONER WHITE VOTED NO.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, MS. JAMES.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M JUDY JAMES, 325 SOUTH BOULEVARD.
I REPRESENT THE APPLICANT.
OUR SPEECH IS PREPARED THIS MORNING, SO THE NEXT FOUR TO 
FIVE SPEAKERS AFTER ME ARE PART OF THE FORMAL PRESENTATION.
AT THE BOCC HEARINGS THIS SUMMER, CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND 
OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY SPOKE TO YOU FROM THE HEART ABOUT 
THE NEED TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS IN 
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, AND THEY OFFERED UP A SOLUTION.
THERE IS A NEED FOR PERMANENT HOUSING, NO DOUBT, BUT THE 
PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION IS TO PROVIDE A CONTROLLED 
SHORT-TERM EMERGENCY REFUGE FOR THE HOMELESS IN AN 
ENVIRONMENT THAT PROVIDES SECURITY, SANITATION, LODGING, 
SOCIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.
THE OPPOSITION HAS LABELED THIS PROJECT TENT CITY, BUT THE 
PROPOSAL IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT.
HILLSBOROUGH CARES IS PROVIDING THE HOMELESS THEIR OWN 
INDIVIDUAL SHELTER, A PLACE TO STOW THEIR BELONGINGS, A 
SECURE AREA WITH OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS, A COMMUNITY 
CENTER THAT PROVIDES FOOD, LAUNDRY, AND COUNSELING AND 
PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO REENTER AND GAIN A 
FOOTHOLD BACK TO A PRODUCTIVE LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 
RESIDENTS WILL MAKE A COMMITMENT TO HELP THE HOMELESS AND 
HAVE AN AREA TO CONCENTRATE THAT COMMITMENT.
THE CREATION OF HILLSBOROUGH CARES IS A MEASUREMENT OF OUR 
COMMUNITY AND REFLECTS OUR CHARACTER FOR HELPING THOSE IN 
NEED.
YOU ASKED US TO COME BACK WITH PROPOSED CONDITIONS THAT 
WOULD CARRY FORWARD THE PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED.
STAFF PROPOSED CONDITIONS, WE AUGMENTED THEM, AND ANOTHER 
PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD BEFORE THE ZONING HEARING MASTER.
THE HEARING MASTER THOUGHTFULLY AND CAREFULLY LISTENED TO 
ALL PARTICIPANTS AND SIGNIFICANTLY STRENGTHENED THE 
CONDITIONS.
WE AGREE TO ALL OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES EXCEPT ONE.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO STEP TO THE ELMO FOR A MINUTE AND GO 
OVER THE SITE PLAN AND SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WERE MADE.
CAN YOU GET THE WHOLE THING ON THERE?
THERE YOU GO.
OOPS.
THERE YOU GO.
THANK YOU.
HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN -- I'M SORRY.
THE ACCESS POINT ONTO HILLSBOROUGH AVENUE WAS DELETED AND 
WAS DESIGNATED AS OPEN SPACE.
THIS 100-BY-200-FOOT AREA WILL BE SET ASIDE AS OPEN SPACE.
THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS TO HILLSBOROUGH AVENUE.
WE MOVED THE CHAIN-LINK FENCE THAT GOES AROUND THE BORDER 
OF THE PROJECT UP TO THIS POINT HERE.
BY DOING THIS, WE CREATED THE ONLY ENTRANCE -- THE MAIN 
ENTRANCE ON THIS SIDE AT HARNEY AVENUE, WHICH MEANS THAT 
THE -- ANY -- EXCUSE ME -- THE ENTRANCE TO THE PROJECT WILL 
BE ACROSS FROM LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AREAS ON THE COMP PLAN.
THIS IS OUR SITE.
EVERYTHING IN GRAY IS LIGHT INDUSTRIAL.
AS YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE COMP PLAN THAT MEANS NO RESIDENTIAL 
AREAS IN THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL.
BY DOING THAT, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SITE AGAIN -- THIS IS 
OUR SITE RIGHT HERE.
WE'VE ELIMINATED THE HILLSBOROUGH AVENUE ACCESS, USING THIS 
AS THE ACCESS POINT.
IT IS OVER 2100 FEET FOR SOMEONE TO WALK ON HARNEY ROAD 
DOWN TO HILLSBOROUGH, CROSS THE FOUR-LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, 
ENTER PAST THE COMMERCIAL AREA HERE, AND THAT'S A 2100-FOOT 
SEPARATION BY WALKING DISTANCE.
ACTUAL PHYSICAL DISTANCE IS 718 FEET.
THERE IS HOMES ON HARNEY ABOUT A THOUSAND FEET SOUTH IF YOU 
WALK THAT WAY.
BY CONTRAST, LET ME POINT OUT TO YOU UNDER HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY'S CODE, A COMMUNITY JAIL IS REQUIRED TO BE 200 FEET 
FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND 30 FEET FROM NONRESIDENTIAL 
USES.
WE'VE ALMOST TRIPLED THE DISTANCE THAT'S REQUIRED.
THE SECOND MAJOR CHANGE THAT WE MADE TO THE SITE PLAN WAS 
TO PROVIDE FOR A 50-FOOT BUFFER ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING 
TRUCK SALES.
THIS AREA IS NO TENTS OR CASITAS IN THE AREA.
IT WILL BE A BUFFER AREA.
THESE REGISTRATION TENTS HAVE BEEN MOVED NORTH OF THE ENTRY 
ROAD.
WE THEN PROVIDED FOR A 20-FOOT BUFFER AROUND THE WHOLE 
PROPERTY WITH A SIX-FOOT FENCE.
ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS, ANY STORAGE TRAILERS MUST BE 
LOCATED EAST OF THE RETENTION POND.
WE DID SHOW THE DUMPSTER LOCATION ON THE SITE PLAN.
IT'S INTERNAL TO THE PROJECT, AND NOW, IF YOU'LL LOOK AT 
YOUR ZHM RECOMMENDATION AND THE STAFF CONDITIONS, WE 
CREATED A DEFINITION OF A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.
I'M JUST GOING TO GO BACK TO THE ELMO.
IT'S A LOT EASIER TO WORK FROM THERE.
THANK YOU.
WHEN WE FIRST CREATED THE DEFINITION OF A HOMELESS 
ENCAMPMENT, IT WAS WRITTEN TO PROVIDE THAT IT MAY PROVIDE A 
LIST OF SERVICES; HOWEVER, LISTENING TO -- AFTER LISTENING 
TO THE CONCERNS OF THE CITIZENS, IT WAS WRITTEN TO REQUIRE 
-- REQUIRE THOSE SERVICES BE PROVIDED AND TO MAKE IT 
MANDATORY AS TO WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF A HOMELESS 
ENCAMPMENT.
CONDITION NUMBER 3 REQUIRES THAT THE LODGING UNITS SHALL BE 
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MINIMUM HOUSING 
CODE AND THE BUILDING CODE AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.
THEREFORE, THE PROJECT BY CONDITION WILL HAVE TO BE IN 
COMPLIANCE WITH ALL CODES AND WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF 
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
AS YOU WILL -- AS YOU DIRECTED, THERE WILL HAVE TO BE 
FURTHER HEARINGS ON THESE CODES.
WHATEVER THE CHANGES ARE MADE TO THOSE CODES IN THE FUTURE, 
WE HAVE TO MEET THEM.
IF THE CHANGES ARE NOT MADE TO THE CODES, WE WILL NOT BE 
BUILDING THE PROJECT AS WE HAVE PROPOSED.
THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESIDENTS IS SET AT 250.
THAT'S 250 PEOPLE, NOT 250 TENTS.
THAT'S A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF RESIDENTS.
MAXIMUM STAY IS 90 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.
AND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE 
HEARING.
AT THE HEARING MY CLIENTS ALSO AGREED THAT THIS WOULD BE 
DEFINED AS A TEMPORARY USE.
THERE ARE TWO OTHER USES ON THIS PROPERTY.
THERE'S A CHURCH AND SUPPORT -- FAMILY SUPPORT USES.
THE TEMPORARY USE IS LIMITED BY A TIME FRAME.
THE HEARING OFFICER PROPOSED FOUR YEARS FROM THE DATE OF 
APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, AND IF THE PROJECT IS 
NOT SUCCESSFUL AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THERE WOULD BE A 
PUBLIC HEARING AND IT WOULD NOT BE RENEWED.
IF THE PROJECT WERE SUCCESSFUL AND WE WANTED TO GO FORWARD, 
WE COULD COME BEFORE YOU, ASK FOR ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING, 
AND ASK FOR IT TO BE EXTENDED.
NOW, AS TO THE FOUR YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE HEARING, I 
WOULD ASK THAT THAT BE EXTENDED.
THAT IS OUR ONLY CHANGE TO THE CONDITIONS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FIVE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF SITE 
DEVELOPMENT PLAN APPROVAL.
THERE ARE STEPS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE TAKEN, NOT LEAST OF 
WHICH IS FUNDRAISING, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION.
THIS PROJECT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A CONNECTION TO PUBLIC 
WATER AND SEWER.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE NOT INEXPENSIVE.
THEY'LL REQUIRE ENGINEERING AND PERMITTING AND ALSO 
DIFFERENTIATE THIS PROJECT FROM OTHER TENT CITY APPROACHES.
WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND LAVATORIES AND SHOWER 
FACILITIES, NOT PORTA JOHNS AND NOT PORTABLE SHOWERS.
IN ORDER TO PERMIT AND CONSTRUCT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND 
IMPROVEMENTS, WE ARE REQUESTING A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF 
TIME, WE BELIEVE, TO GET THIS UP AND GOING AND TO PROVE 
THAT THE PROJECT WILL WORK.
THERE'S A -- THIS IS A MAJOR CHANGE TO THE APPROACH.
IF THE USE ACCOMPLISHES ITS GOALS, AN EXTENSION THROUGH A 
PUBLIC HEARING CAN BE REQUESTED AFTER THE FIVE YEARS.
THIS ESTABLISHES A DEADLINE TO DETERMINE THE SUCCESS OF THE 
PROJECT.
THE COUNTY CURRENTLY HAS A TEN-YEAR PLAN ADOPTED IN 2005.
IT IS NOW ALMOST 2010.
THE COALITION HAS LEARNED HOW HARD IT IS TO GET SOMETHING 
GOING IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
WE NEED A REASONABLE TIME.
THEREFORE, WE TIED OUR SUCCESS TO THE COUNTY'S TIME FRAME 
IN THEIR PLAN.
ONE ISSUE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS TODAY BEFORE YOU IS 
THE STUDY PERFORMED BY PINELLAS HOPE.
THE AUTHOR OF THAT STUDY, PROFESSOR SONDRA FOGEL, IS HERE, 
AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS TO -- OF HER TO GIVE 
YOU HER FINDINGS AND NOT RELY ON MISSTATEMENTS THAT HAVE 
BEEN MADE IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THE SUCCESS RATES OF PINELLAS 
HOPE.
GOING BACK TO THE CONDITIONS, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR A 
LOG-IN, REGISTRATION, WITH BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR WARRANTS 
AND SEXUAL PREDATORS.
NO OUTDOOR COOKING FIRES ARE PERMITTED.
THE TENTS WILL BE OF FIRE RETARDANT MATERIALS.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS WILL BE PROVIDED.
HURRICANE EVACUATION PLAN WILL BE PROVIDED.
AS STATED BY PAULA, THE PROJECT WILL MEET THE HEALTH 
DEPARTMENT STANDARDS SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN CHAPTER 64E-
5.009 --
>>KEN HAGAN:  QUIET, FOLKS.
>> -- FOR THE NUMBER OF TOILETS.
THESE ARE THE SAME LDC REQUIREMENTS THAT WOULD BE IMPOSED 
ON A PUBLIC CAMPGROUND OR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARK.
A 24-HOUR ON-STAFF PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED.
ON-SITE SECURITY IS REQUIRED, AND A $2-MILLION GENERAL 
LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY WAS ADDED TO THE REQUIREMENTS.
THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNED RAISED ABOUT CRIMINAL REPORTS.
PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THE TESTIMONY OF THE OFF-DUTY 
POLICE OFFICERS AND RESOURCE PERSONNEL THAT WORK AT 
PINELLAS HOPE AND CONSIDER THE LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WERE 
PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED INTO THE RECORD FROM MAYOR BAKER.
THE PREVIOUS TESTIMONY FROM THESE GENTLEMEN HAVE BEEN 
SUPPORTIVE OF PINELLAS HOPE AND WHAT IT HAS ACCOMPLISHED.
THE HEARING OFFICER DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS 
APPLICATION, AND AS YOU READ THE SUMMARY OF HIS FINDINGS, 
HE STATED, THE REVISED CONDITIONS OF ZONING PROVIDE FOR THE 
PERMANENT USE OF CHURCH AND FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES AS 
PRINCIPAL USES WITH TEMPORARY USE OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT 
FOR WHICH TEMPORARY LODGING UNITS; I.E., THE TENTS AND 
CASITAS, WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED WITHOUT COMPLIANCE WITH THE 
MINIMUM HOUSING CODE AND FLORIDA BUILDING CODE.
COMPATIBILITY HAS BEEN ADDRESSED WITH SPECIFIC CONDITIONS 
OF APPROVAL AS AMENDED ATTACHED HERETO.
THESE -- THIS APPLICATION WAS FILED LAST NOVEMBER.
IT'S BEEN A DIFFICULT, LENGTHY PROCESS, BUT WITH THE INPUT 
THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED AND THE HELP THAT WILL CONTINUE, IT 
IS A BETTER PROJECT.
THE ALTERNATIVE OF JUST SAYING NO AND IGNORING THE PROBLEMS 
OR CREATING REQUIREMENTS THAT WOULD CREATE AN UNBUILDABLE 
PROJECT ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
IT WILL ONLY CAUSE THE PROBLEM TO WORSEN.
WE NEED TO PLAN TO ADDRESS THE EMERGENCY NEEDS OF THE 
HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE CONDITIONS HAVE BEEN THOUGHTFULLY AND CAREFULLY 
RECOMMENDED BY THE ZONING HEARING MASTER TO DO THIS.
PLEASE APPROVE THIS PROJECT WITH THE ONE MODIFICATION THAT 
I DISCUSSED OF LENGTHENING THE PERMIT LIFE BY FIVE YEARS 
FROM THE DATE OF THE SITE PLAN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO HAVE FATHER BOB FROM THE CHURCH 
SPEAK.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS FATHER BOB MORRIS, VICAR GENERAL FOR THE DIOCESE 
OF ST. PETERSBURG, 6363 9th AVENUE NORTH, ST. PETERSBURG.
BISHOP LYNCH AND THE DIOCESE OF ST. PETERSBURG IS COMMITTED 
TO RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL MANDATE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF 
THE POOR AND THE HOMELESS, AND THE CENTRAL PART OF OUR 
CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING IS A PREFERENTIAL OPTION FOR THE 
POOR AND COMMON GOOD, MINDFUL OF THOSE THAT ARE LESS 
FORTUNATE AND ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS FOR TRANSITION INTO OUR 
COMMON NEEDS AND COMMON GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WITH RESPONSE TO THAT, WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF CATHOLIC 
CHARITIES' PROPOSAL TO LOOK FOR EMERGENCY TRANSITIONAL 
HOUSING, TO PROVIDE A PARTNERSHIP WITH BOTH PRIVATE AND 
PUBLIC SECTORS TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS, INCLUDING SOCIAL 
SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, OTHER CHURCHES AND 
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS PARTNERING TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF 
TRANSITIONING FROM HOMELESSNESS TO INDEPENDENCE.
AND WE SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE AND ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER IT 
AS WELL.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, FATHER.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE AS PART OF THE APPLICANT TEAM?
>> YES.
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M RICHARD LINKIEWICZ, ST. PETE POLICE, 1300 1st AVENUE 
NORTH.
>> I'M DEPUTY TIM MYERS WITH THE PINELLAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S 
OFFICE, 10750 ULMERTON ROAD, LARGO, FLORIDA.
>>KEN HAGAN:  HOLD ON ONE SECOND, SIR.
MR. GORMLY, HAVE THESE FOLKS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK?
>>ADAM GORMLY:  WE DON'T HAVE -- NO, WE DO NOT HAVE ORAL 
ARGUMENT FROM THESE GENTLEMEN.
I'M NOT SURE THAT THEY HAVE -- DID YOU-ALL SPEAK AT THE 
ZONING HEARING MASTER HEARING?
>> YES, SIR.
>> NOT ON AUGUST THE 25th.
NOT ON AUGUST THE 25th.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MR. HART, PLEASE SIT DOWN.
MR. GORMLY.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THEY -- THEY ARE PART OF THE APPLICANT'S 
TEAM.
THEY'VE NOT FILED ORAL ARGUMENT.
THEY WILL NEED TO LIMIT THEIR COMMENTS TO THOSE MADE AT THE 
ORIGINAL ZONING HEARING MASTER HEARING AND NOT PROVIDE ANY 
EVIDENCE THAT WASN'T PROVIDED AT THAT HEARING.
>>KEN HAGAN:  DO YOU UNDERSTAND, SIR?
>> OKAY.
RYAN LAXTON, HOMELESS OUTREACH OFFICER, OPERATION PAR, 2100 
4th STREET SOUTH, ST. PETERSBURG.
>> I'VE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR 21 YEARS.
I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT THE CRIME RATE, AND 
I'LL TELL YOU, I'VE ARRESTED MY SHARE OF BURGLARS, CAR 
THIEVES, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE 
YOUR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, EVERYONE NEEDS TO KEEP THEIR EYE 
ON THEIR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS.
I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE POSTERS OUT HERE HAVING A GENTLEMAN 
LAYING BY A TENT WITH A BEER BOTTLE BY HIM.
IF I COULD JUST HAVE TWO MINUTES TO EXPLAIN WHAT OUR INTAKE 
PROCESS IS.
IF WE DO COME ACROSS AN INDIVIDUAL HOMELESS WITH AN ALCOHOL 
OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE, WHAT WE FIRST DO IS WE'LL TAKE 
THAT PERSON OFF THE STREET.
MY PARTNER HERE WORKS FOR OPERATION PAR.
WE'LL GET THEM INTO OUR DETOX FACILITY.
THEY'LL DO SEVEN DAYS OF DETOX, THEN OUTPATIENT OF ANOTHER 
TEN TO 14 DAYS, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE THEM TO A PLACE CALLED 
TURNING POINT WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER PROBABLY 30 
TO 60 DAYS.
AND THEN WE END UP TAKING THEM OUT TO PINELLAS HOPE, SO 
AFTER THAT TIME, THEY'VE HAD ABOUT 30, 50, OR 70 DAYS OF 
CLEAN TIME, AND THEN WE TAKE THEM OUT THERE.
>> I JUST WANT TO -- GO AHEAD.
>> I JUST WANT TO INTERJECT.
I AM HERE --
>>KEN HAGAN:  PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE, SIR.
PLEASE SPEAK INTO THE MICROPHONE.
>> I AM HERE WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 
SHERIFF JIM COATS.
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  SIR, PLEASE CONTINUE.
>> I'M NOT HERE IN AN OFF-DUTY CAPACITY, I'M HERE IN AN 
OFFICIAL CAPACITY.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES PROVIDE THE OFF-DUTY DETAIL THERE 
AT PINELLAS HOPE.
I AM ONE OF THE OUTREACH OFFICERS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I AM ALSO A CONTINGENT AND THE LIAISON BETWEEN PINELLAS 
HOPE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ITSELF.
WITH THAT OFF-DUTY DETAIL, WE DO PROVIDE A DEPUTY SEVEN 
DAYS A WEEK, 365 DAYS A YEAR DURING THE EVENING SHIFT 
HOURS.
THAT DEPUTY IS THERE TO UPHOLD THE SECURITY AND THE SAFETY 
OF THE CAMP ITSELF.
ON THE OUTSIDE OF THAT, BOTH MYSELF, ST. PETERSBURG POLICE 
DEPARTMENT, PINELLAS PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND CLEARWATER 
POLICE DEPARTMENT ALL COME TOGETHER AND WE AUGMENT THE 
SECURITY DURING THE DAYTIME HOURS AS WELL.
WE HAVE OFFICERS COMING FROM THE OUTREACH TEAMS IN AND OUT 
OF THE CAMP ON A VERY FREQUENT BASIS.
THE ONLY OTHER THING I WANTED TO TOUCH ON WERE THE ACTUAL 
CRIME STATISTICS.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CRIME 
STATISTICS ITSELF.
ONE THING THAT NEEDS TO BE MENTIONED AND LOOKED AT, A LOT 
OF TIMES THE CLIENTS THERE AT THE CAMP --
>>KEN HAGAN:  QUICKLY, SIR.
TIME'S UP.
>> -- ARE ACTUALLY -- THEY'RE REPORTING CRIMES THAT NOT 
ONLY HAPPEN WITHIN THE CAMP BUT FURTHERMORE HAPPENED IN 
OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY THAT THEY'VE VISITED THROUGHOUT 
THE DAY.
THEY JUST USE THAT OFF-DUTY DEPUTY TO BE ABLE TO CONVEY 
WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM AND REPORT ANYTHING NEEDED.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THANK YOU, SIR.
APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS.
WE HAVE TWO FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP IN SUPPORT.
DAN MOLLOY, DONNY RHODE.
ARE EITHER OF YOU PRESENT?
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?
I'M SONDRA FOGEL.
I AM AT 15312 SHERWOOD FOREST DRIVE, TAMPA, FLORIDA.
I'M AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK AT 
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA.
I'M ALSO THE FIRST AUTHOR ON THE PROCESS EVALUATION REPORT 
THAT'S BEING REFERRED TO AND ALSO THE FOLLOW-UP REPORT THAT 
HAS CURRENTLY BEEN COMPLETED.
LET ME SAY THAT REPORT IS A JOINT EFFORT WITH MY COLLEAGUE, 
DR. KATHLEEN MOORE, AND ALSO THE PINELLAS COUNTY HEALTH AND 
HUMAN SERVICES, WHO ARE COAUTHORS ON THIS.
I HAVE ATTENDED MANY OF THE MEETINGS HELD TO DISCUSS THE 
PROPOSAL OF HILLSBOROUGH CARES, AND I'VE BEEN VERY 
IMPRESSED BY THE PROCESS.
I REALLY HAVE APPRECIATED HEARING THE MULTIPLE VIEWPOINTS, 
BUT I'VE BEEN VERY DISHEARTENED BY THE MISQUOTES AND MISUSE 
OF MY REPORT, AND AGAIN, IT'S A COLLABORATIVE REPORT, THAT 
HAS BEEN USED TO STEREOTYPE THE IMAGES OF HOMELESS 
INDIVIDUALS AND TO MAKE ACCUSATIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS AT 
PINELLAS HOPE.
I'M GOING TO BRIEFLY JUST SAY THAT BOTH OF MY REPORTS ARE 
VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF PINELLAS HOPE.
LET ME ALSO SAY THAT BOTH OF THE REPORTS ONLY CAPTURE OF 
THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF OPERATION OF PINELLAS HOPE.
THAT MEANS FROM DECEMBER 1st, 2007, TO APRIL 30th, 2008.
PINELLAS HOPE HAS CONTINUED TO OPERATE FOR OVER TWO YEARS 
AND HAS CERTAINLY LEARNED HOW TO OPERATE A TENT FACILITY 
AND A SHELTER FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT I THINK 
HILLSBOROUGH CARES WILL BENEFIT FROM.
A KEY POINT TO NOTICE, THAT IN THIS FIVE-MONTH PERIOD, 
PINELLAS HOPE FULFILLED ITS CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY.
IT MET ITS GOAL.
IT REDUCED STREET HOMELESSNESS AND IT TRANSITIONED OVER 
40% -- AND I WILL SAY 51% OF THE RESIDENTS BACK INTO STABLE 
HOUSING.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES WAS ABLE TO DO THIS BECAUSE IT HAS A 
LONGSTANDING REPUTATION OF WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE COMMUNITY HAD SUPPORT, THE PEOPLE OF PINELLAS COUNTY, 
THE LEADERSHIP THERE HAD BEEN DISCUSSING WAYS ON HOW TO 
DEAL WITH THIS MASS PROBLEM THAT THEY HAD.
DUE TO THE BUDGET CUTS THAT CAME IN 2007, THEY WERE UNABLE 
TO INSTITUTE THEIR PLAN FOR A ONE-STOP CENTER, HOMELESS 
CENTER.
LET ME BE CLEAR THAT MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN PINELLAS COUNTY 
OR IN PINELLAS HOPE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE 
UNDEREMPLOYED OR THEY ARE UNEMPLOYED.
I WILL SAY THAT SOME PEOPLE DO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH THE 
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT THAT IS DUE BECAUSE OF ISSUES 
WITH THEIR YOUTH, LIVING AND SURVIVAL ISSUES, AND OUR 
CURRENT LAWS THAT TARGET STREET BEHAVIORS.
I STATE VERY CLEARLY ON MY REPORT THAT PINELLAS HOPE IS NOT 
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION 
ISSUES.
PINELLAS HOPE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE REFERRED TO THE CAMP, 
WHO WANT TO COME TO THE CAMP, CAN COMPLY WITH THE RULES AND 
THE ENVIRONMENT, THEY MUST BE ABLE TO FUNCTION 
INDEPENDENTLY, THEY MUST BE SOCIALLY APPROPRIATE, AND THEY 
ARE SCREENED BY THE HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM.
LET ME ALSO SAY THAT HILLSBOROUGH CARES WILL NOT BE FOR 
THOSE INDIVIDUALS SUFFERING FROM SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS OR 
ADDICTION PROBLEMS.
I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS RESOURCES FOR 
THAT -- THOSE SEVERE ISSUES, AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD 
ALL AGREE THAT OUR VULNERABLE CITIZENS NEED TO BE 
PROTECTED.
I KNOW, HOWEVER, THAT THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH HOUSING FOR ALL 
THAT NEED IT.
LET ME JUST TALK ABOUT THE TENTS NEXT.
OVERALL, THE RESIDENTS, THE USERS OF THE FACILITIES, LIKE 
THE TENTS.
EVEN IN THE FOLLOW-UP REPORT, RESIDENTS DIDN'T COMPLAIN 
ABOUT LIVING IN TENTS.
WHAT WE DID LEARN -- AND THIS WILL NOT SURPRISE YOU -- IS 
THAT MANY OF THE RESIDENTS SAID IT'S VERY STRESSFUL AND 
DIFFICULT TO BE HOMELESS.
THERE ARE FEW PLACES TO TAKE CARE OF PERSONAL HYGIENE 
ISSUES.
THEY HAVE CONTINUOUS FEARS OF OTHERS, AND THEY DISLIKE 
BEING SEEN HOW THEY'RE SEEN IN THE COMMUNITY.
BEING ABLE TO BE SAFE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS HOMELESS IS 
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, AND IT IS OFTEN THE HOMELESS WHO ARE 
TARGETED OF VIOLENT CRIMES BECAUSE OF THEIR VULNERABILITY.
I THINK HILLSBOROUGH CARES WILL OFFER SAFETY AND WILL HELP 
THEM NOT OVERPOPULATE AND BE TARGETED OF NUISANCE LAWS THAT 
BRING THEM INTO JAILS.
THE CONTINUED THEME IN BOTH THE REPORTS IS THAT AT THE 
SITE -- AND RIGHT NOW I'M TALKING ABOUT PINELLAS HOPE -- 
THE ABILITY TO CONNECT TO SERVICES, THE ABILITY TO BE 
TREATED HUMANELY, THE ABILITY TO EAT A MEAL, THE ABILITY TO 
KEEP THEIR BELONGINGS SAFE AND BEING ABLE TO GET NEEDED 
SOCIAL ASSISTANCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
IN OUR FOLLOW-UP REPORT, WE FOUND THAT IN OUR SMALL 
SAMPLE -- AND LET ME AGAIN -- SMALL SAMPLE OF PILOT PROGRAM 
USERS -- MORE INDIVIDUALS WERE RECEIVING SOME KIND OF 
INCOME AFTER BEING CONNECTED WITH SERVICES OR WORKING, MORE 
INDIVIDUALS WERE IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING OR ON THEIR OWN IN 
THEIR OWN APARTMENT, AND THE MAJORITY OF FORMER PILOT 
PROGRAM USERS WERE VERY SATISFIED OR SATISFIED WITH BOTH -- 
WITH ALL THE LIVING CONDITIONS, THE SOCIAL SERVICES, AND 
CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
WHAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING LOST IN THIS CONVERSATION IS THAT 
HILLSBOROUGH CARES WILL NOT OPEN UNTIL CATHOLIC CHARITIES 
HAS MOUs WITH ALL OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND THAT 
THE COMMUNITY WILL COME TO AGREEMENT ON HOW THIS WILL 
OPERATE.
THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.
IT WILL NOT HAPPEN IN THE -- IN -- LIKE PINELLAS HOPE WHICH 
WAS ABLE TO OPEN IN FOUR MONTHS AFTER APPROVAL.
THAT COMMUNITY WAS MUCH FURTHER ALONG IN DISCUSSIONS ON HOW 
TO HELP THE HOMELESS.
IN CONCLUSION, LET ME SAY THAT BOTH REPORTS OFFER 
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION, WHICH I'M SURE YOU'RE 
ABLE TO READ.
MANY OF THESE WILL BE APPLICABLE FOR HILLSBOROUGH CARES, 
BUT I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, THERE IS NOTHING IN MY REPORT 
THAT SUGGESTS THAT HILLSBOROUGH CARES SHOULD NOT OCCUR.
HILLSBOROUGH CARES WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN PINELLAS HOPE.
IT WILL HAVE TIME LIMITS AND IT WILL HAVE TO HAVE THE 
COOPERATION AND COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF MANY ORGANIZATIONS 
AND CITIZENS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
IT IS WITHOUT QUESTION THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING 
OUR HOMELESS SERVICES AND SERVICES PROVIDERS TOGETHER TO 
COLLABORATE AND OPEN THIS DISCUSSION ON HOW TO CREATE 
CHANGE AND SERVICE OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
THIS IS A LONG-NEEDED CONVERSATION, AND THE MODEL PROPOSED 
BY CATHOLIC CHARITIES IS WORKABLE.
THERE IS NOTHING TO SUGGEST THAT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY -- 
HILLSBOROUGH CARES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SERVE OUR HOMELESS 
CITIZENS, AND -- AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT -- AND BE 
RESPECTFUL OF THE NEEDS OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY.
THANK YOU.
>> LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. RHODE.
IS MR. MOLLOY -- IS HE PRESENT OR WANT TO SPEAK?
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>> MR. CHAIRMAN, I'M GOING TO WAIVE THAT.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THOSE IN OPPOSITION, YOU'LL BE GIVEN 15 MINUTES.
THERE'S A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP, SO I 
WOULD --
>> I'M DONNY RHODE.
THE LADY THAT JUST SPOKE I THINK YOU THOUGHT WAS ME, BUT 
THAT'S NOT ME.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WELL, THEN PLEASE COME FORWARD, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIRMAN.
MY NAME'S DONNY RHODE, AND I HAVE AN OFFICE HERE IN 
DOWNTOWN TAMPA.
I HAD FILED MY REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT BASED UPON MY 
ADVOCACY IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT, FIRST OF ALL, AND 
SECONDLY, BECAUSE I HAD HOPED THAT THE COMMISSION MIGHT 
CONSIDER ADDING A COUPLE OF CONDITIONS TO THIS THAT THE 
APPLICANT SEEMS TO BE GENERALLY IN FAVOR OF THAT I DON'T 
THINK WOULD PLACE AN UNDUE BURDEN ON THE OPERATION OR THE 
CREATION OF THIS OUTREACH PROJECT.
ONE OF THOSE WAS THE INCLUSION OF A MORE PRECISE 
EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT.
THAT WOULD INCLUDE THINGS SUCH AS JOB SKILL ENHANCEMENT 
WHERE IT WAS POSSIBLE, JOB SEARCH SKILLS, THINGS OF THAT 
NATURE.
I ACTUALLY TOOK IT UPON MYSELF TO DRAFT A TRANSITIONAL 
HOUSING DEFINITION THAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER FOR ADOPTION.
I KNOW THAT MRS. JAMES HAS -- HAS PUT FORTH A DEFINITION OF 
A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.
MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO REFER TO THE -- THE EFFORT AS 
TRANSITIONAL HOUSING DEFINED AS THOSE ACCOMMODATIONS THAT 
ARE PROVIDED BY A CHURCH, SOCIAL, OR OTHER CHARITABLE 
ORGANIZATION ON A TEMPORARY BASIS TO ANY PERSON DISPLACED 
FROM A PERMANENT RESIDENCE DUE TO ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE, 
AND TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT SECTION, THE PROVIDER 
MUST CERTIFY AND DEMONSTRATE TO THE BOARD THAT IT WOULD 
OFFER AND REQUIRES A CONDITION OF THE RESIDENCY 
PARTICIPATION IN A SUPERVISED EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT 
DESIGNED TO SUPPORT, ENCOURAGE, AND FACILITATE REASONABLE 
TRANSITION OF THE TEMPORARILY DISPLACED INDIVIDUAL BACK TO 
SUITABLE PERMANENT HOUSING.
ONE OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS THAT THE HEARING OFFICER HAD 
INCLUDED WAS THE -- THE $2-MILLION LIABILITY POLICY.
MY CONCERN WOULD BE THAT SINCE CATHOLIC CHARITIES CANNOT 
ADDRESS ALL OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 
BY ITSELF THAT THE EFFECT OF THAT REQUIREMENT COULD BE TO 
DISQUALIFY OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS FROM BEING ABLE 
TO UNDERTAKE A PURPOSE LIKE THIS ON THEIR OWN WHO AREN'T 
AS -- AREN'T CAPITALIZED AS WELL AS CATHOLIC CHARITIES MAY 
BE.
FOR THAT REASON, IF IT'S WITHIN THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION 
TO LIGHTEN THAT REQUIREMENT OR TO ELIMINATE IT ALTOGETHER, 
I'D ALSO BE IN FAVOR OF THAT.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, SIR.
OKAY.
NOW WE'LL GO TO THE -- THOSE THAT ARE IN OPPOSITION.
DR. FOGEL SPOKE OUT OF -- OUT OF LINE.
SHE WAS SIGNED UP FOR THE APPLICANTS, AND THEIR TIME HAD 
EXPIRED, SO SINCE SHE SPOKE FOR SIX MINUTES, I'M GOING TO 
GIVE THE OPPONENTS AN ADDITIONAL SIX MINUTES, SO YOU'LL 
HAVE 21 MINUTES TO PRESENT YOUR SIDE.
AGAIN, WE DO HAVE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE 
SPOKEN -- OR THAT HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, SO I WOULD 
ENCOURAGE YOU TO HAVE FOLKS THAT WILL SPEAK FOR YOU AS A 
GROUP, IF POSSIBLE, AND YOU'LL BE GIVEN 21 MINUTES.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS HAL HART.
I LIVE 6525 WALTON WAY IN TAMPA.
I'M ALSO AN EAST LAKE PARK RESIDENT, AND BEFORE I START 
MY -- THE PORTION OF MY ORAL ARGUMENT PRESENTATION, THERE 
ARE A COUPLE OF MATTERS THAT I WANT TO ADDRESS WITH THE 
BOARD.
WE SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED AS A GROUP OF LAY PEOPLE TO KEEP 
A WATCHFUL EYE ON WHAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE GOING ON BEHIND 
CLOSED DOORS, ESPECIALLY IF THE INTENT OF THIS ORDINANCE 
THAT'S BEING NEGOTIATED IN THE BACK ROOM IS TO ACCOMMODATE 
CATHOLIC CHARITIES, A PARTY TO THIS REZONING.
THE DOCUMENTS THAT I HAVE REQUESTED BE ADDED AS ADDITIONAL 
EVIDENCE DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THE FACT THAT MR. GORMLY 
AND JUDY JAMES HAVE BEEN HAVING E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH 
RESPECT TO AN ORDINANCE, AND THE RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION 
OF THIS BOARD, WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE AGENDA ON 
SEPTEMBER 2nd, DISCUSSES VERY SPECIFICALLY THAT THE 
ORDINANCE IS TO ADDRESS CATHOLIC CHARITIES' NEED FOR 
SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, TO DESIGN AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL ALLOW 
TENTS AND HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.
NOW, WHEN I APPEARED BEFORE THIS BOARD ON SEPTEMBER 2nd AND 
A I BROUGHT THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION AND I SAID, THIS IS ITEM 
A-78, A-79, I WAS TOLD, OH, NO, THAT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING 
TO DO WITH THE REZONING ISSUE.
IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT, AND THIS IS A -- THIS IS A 
PROCESS THAT'S BEEN GOING ON TO OUR EXCLUSION, AND I THINK 
THAT'S BEEN INTENTIONAL.
AT THIS TIME I'D LIKE TO WITH PERMISSION OF THE BOARD HAND 
OUT A COPY OF THE E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE AND THE RECOMMENDED 
BOARD ACTION AS WELL AS THE DRAFT ORDINANCE THAT'S BEEN 
GOING ON SEPARATE AND APART FROM THIS PROCEEDING.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MR. GORMLY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COMMENT ON 
THAT?
>>ADAM GORMLY:  YES.
THE INFORMATION THAT MR. HART WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT IS THE 
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE THAT HE SUBMITTED.
IT DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA IN THE CODE FOR CONSIDERATION 
OF ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE.
I'D ALSO SUBMIT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IF -- IT'LL BE 
THE SUBJECT OF A FUTURE PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE BOARD.
WHAT HE'S REFERRING TO IS THE DRAFT CHANGES TO THE MINIMUM 
HOUSING CODE THAT THIS BOARD DIRECTED BE UNDERTAKEN TO 
PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION FOR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT HOUSING THAT'S 
DIFFERENT THAN DWELLINGS AS THEY'RE DESCRIBED IN THE 
ORDINANCE CURRENTLY.
IT'S A SEPARATE PROCESS THAT WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY THE 
BOARD PURSUANT TO A PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE CHANGES 
TO THAT ORDINANCE.
IT'S AN ORDINANCE OF GENERAL APPLICATION TO THE COUNTY, AND 
MR. HART DOES HAVE A COPY OF EXCERPTS THAT WERE REQUESTED 
TO BE SENT BY THE ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANT AS WELL AS THE 
ATTORNEY FOR THE OPPOSITION, WHICH I BELIEVE IS HOW MR. 
HART OBTAINED THOSE DOCUMENTS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
SO YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE NOT --
>>ADAM GORMLY:  CORRECT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  -- SEE THE INFORMATION.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THAT'S CORRECT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
PLEASE CONTINUE, MR. HART.
>> HIS RECOMMENDATION -- BASICALLY WHAT HE'S SAYING IS THAT 
UNDER THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE THAT THROUGH THE EXERCISE 
OF DUE DILIGENCE, I COULD HAVE DISCOVERED THIS BY AUGUST 
25th, THE LAST LAND USE HEARING.
THESE DOCUMENTS DIDN'T EVEN EXIST AT THAT POINT.
THESE DOCUMENTS DIDN'T EXIST UNTIL THE FIRST WEEK OF 
SEPTEMBER.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT SENT TO ME, THIS IS 
SOMETHING THAT WAS SENT TO JUDY JAMES, THE ATTORNEY OF 
CATHOLIC -- FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT EVEN SHARED WITH KAMALA 
CORBETT, WHO REPRESENTS A BUSINESS OWNER IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I DIDN'T OBTAIN THIS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THEY DIDN'T 
OFFER IT TO ME.
I GOT IT BY HAPPENSTANCE.
THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WAS SHARED WITH US, THIS IS 
SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING THIS REZONING.
IT TALKS ABOUT CREATING AN ORDINANCE BECAUSE THEY'RE ASKING 
TO BE ALLOWED TO PUT UP TENTS, AND OUR MINIMUM HOUSING 
STANDARDS DON'T ALLOW THAT.
THIS HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THIS REZONING, AND I 
CONSIDER THE FACT THAT MR. GORMLY HAS ENGAGED IN THESE EX 
PARTE COMMUNICATIONS WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES' ATTORNEY, IN 
MY OPINION, IS IMPROPER, AND I QUESTION HIS ABILITY --
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  MR. -- HOLD ON ONE SECOND, MR. HART.
MR. GORMLY, WOULD YOU PLEASE COMMENT ON MR. HART'S REMARKS.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  YES.
THE TERMS THAT MR. HART'S USING, EX PARTE COMMUNICATION, 
ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THE COMMUNICATION I HAD WITH 
MS. JAMES.
THE ATTORNEY REQUESTED A COPY OF A DOCUMENT, WHICH I HAD, 
PURSUANT TO A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, PROVIDED THAT 
DOCUMENT TO HER.
THE REASON WHY IT'S NOT APPROPRIATE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 
EVIDENCE REQUEST IN THIS CONTEXT IS IT'S NOT RELEVANT TO 
THE APPROVAL OF THE REZONING ITSELF.
THE FACT THAT THERE IS A COMMUNICATION MADE IS NOT 
DISPOSITIVE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AS TO THE APPROPRIATENESS OF 
THIS ZONING APPLICATION.
>> YEAH, RIGHT.
[CROWD NOISE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  FOLKS, FOLKS, PLEASE SHOW SOME RESPECT.
CONTINUE, MR. GORMLY.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  I BELIEVE THAT WHEN MS. CORBETT COMES UP 
HERE, SHE CAN CORRECT THE STATEMENT THAT MR. HART MADE 
BECAUSE THE DOCUMENTS WERE PROVIDED TO HER AS WELL VIA E-
MAIL PURSUANT TO HER REQUEST, AS ANYBODY WOULD HAVE THE 
ABILITY TO DO THAT MAKES A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST.
>> MY POINT IS, SIR, AS A LAYPERSON, AM I SUPPOSED TO BE E-
MAILING MR. GORMLY OR ANYONE ELSE THAT'S CONNECTED WITH 
THIS BOARD OR REPRESENTS THIS BOARD EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK 
SAYING, IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT, OR IS IT A 
MATTER OF DUE PROCESS THAT HE WOULD FEEL COMPELLED AS YOUR 
REPRESENTATIVE TO VOLUNTARILY MAKE AN -- TAKE AN 
AFFIRMATIVE STEP TO PROVIDE THIS TO ME?
HE DID NOT PROVIDE THIS TO ME.
IT WAS PROVIDED TO MS. CORBETT AFTER SHE ASKED FOR IT.
AS A MATTER OF DUE PROCESS, I THINK IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO 
WITH THIS PROCEEDING BECAUSE IF MR. GORMLY IS THE ONE WHO'S 
SITTING HERE SAYING OUR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE IS NOT ALLOWED, 
THEIR ADDITIONAL NONREGISTERED SPEAKERS ARE ALLOWED, AND 
THE FACT THAT HE'S BEEN INVOLVED WITH THIS PART OF THE 
PROCESS TELLS ME THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE THE REPRESENTATIVE 
FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SITTING HERE MAKING 
RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE ADDITIONAL 
EVIDENCE SHOULD COME IN.
AND I WOULD ASSUME HE ALSO OBJECTS TO THE FACT THAT A PART 
OF MY ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE REQUEST HAS VERY MUCH TO DO WITH 
IMPROPER EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ONE OF THE 
COMMISSIONERS ON THIS BOARD, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, AND THE 
DIOCESE.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  MR. HART, YOU MADE YOUR COMMENTS, YOU'VE 
HEARD FROM OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THE BOARD CONFIRMS OR REAFFIRMS HIS -- HIS LEGAL OPINION.
I WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU -- FOR THE REMAINING 
MINUTES YOU CONCENTRATE ON THE CONTINUANCE AND THE ISSUE AT 
HAND.
THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER HAGAN, I DID NOT INTEND TO USE UP A PORTION 
OF MY ORAL ARGUMENT OR ANYONE ELSE'S ORAL ARGUMENT WITH 
RESPECT TO ARGUING THE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE ISSUE.
I WOULD THINK THAT THAT WOULD NOT BE COUNTED AGAINST --
>>KEN HAGAN:  NO, SIR.
NO, SIR.
NO, SIR.
>> WELL, WE --
>>KEN HAGAN:  AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECT -- FOLKS, SHOW A 
LITTLE RESPECT.
OKAY.
IF YOU ATTENDED THIS EARLIER -- IF YOU ATTENDED THE EARLIER 
MEETINGS, THEN YOU REALIZE HOW I VOTED IN THIS -- IN THIS 
PROCEDURE AND THESE CASES, OKAY.
LET MR. HART SPEAK.
THE CLOCK IS RUNNING, AND THEN THE BOARD WILL DISCUSS THE 
ITEM.
PLEASE CONTINUE, SIR.
>> THE SECOND POINT I'D LIKE TO MAKE HAS TO DO WITH AN E-
MAIL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ROSE FERLITA AND THE DIOCESE 
WITH RESPECT TO THIS ISSUE.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  COMMISSIONERS, IF I COULD INTERJECT HERE.
THIS AGAIN WAS PART OF THE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE REQUEST THAT 
MR. HART SUBMITTED.
IT'S COVERED BY THE BOARD'S MOTION TO NOT ACCEPT THAT AS 
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE AS RELEVANT TO THIS PETITION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  PLEASE MOVE ON, MR. HART.
>> THANK YOU, SIR.
AT THIS POINT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON TO MY ORIGINAL ORAL 
ARGUMENT, AND THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ISSUE OF HOUSING 
FIRST.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES MET WITH THE HOMELESS COALITION, THEY 
MET WITH RAYME NUCKLES, AND THEN THEREAFTER MET WITH THE 
MEMBERSHIP OF THE COALITION, AND IN BOTH OF THOSE MEETINGS 
THEY PROMISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROPOSE TENTS, AND HERE 
WE ARE TODAY.
THEY WENT FORWARD WITH A ZONING APPLICATION AND HAVE 
PROPOSED TENTS.
THIS HAS MADE SEVERAL OF THE HOMELESS COALITION MEMBERS 
UNHAPPY, UNDERSTANDABLY SO.
BUT I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF WHY WOULD A HOMELESS COALITION WHO 
IS OPPOSED TO PUTTING HUMAN BEINGS IN TENTS BE GRASPING AT 
WHAT THEY CALL AND HAVE CALLED RECENTLY IN THE MEDIA A 
BAND-AID APPROACH TO OUR PROBLEM?
AND I THINK THIS IS WHY.
WHEN WE LOOKED AT OTHER COUNTIES AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING 
IN OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, SPECIFICALLY 
MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD, WHAT WE DISCOVERED WAS IS VERY 
PROACTIVE COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS INVOLVED IN THE 
PROCESS.
TO THIS POINT I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANY SUBSTANTIAL 
CONTRIBUTION BY OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO OUR HOMELESS 
COALITION MEMBERS TO BUILD BEDS AND ADDRESS OUR HOMELESS 
PROBLEM.
THE DESPERATION THAT THEY FEEL IS THE DESPERATION THAT WE 
FEEL AS RESIDENTS OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY AT THE THOUGHT 
THAT WE HAVE 9500 HOMELESS PEOPLE.
PINELLAS -- PINELLAS COUNTY'S HOMELESS POPULATION SINCE THE 
TENT CITY OPENED HAS INCREASED BY 20%.
WE THINK THERE'S A REASON FOR THAT.
CONVERSELY, OUR HOMELESS POPULATION HAS DECREASED BY 10% IN 
THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
IF YOU LOOK AT -- AND THIS IS IN THE RECORDS -- THE STUDY 
DONE BY -- THIS IS ACTUALLY A PRESENTATION THAT WAS DONE TO 
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN PINELLAS COUNTY.
IF YOU LOOK AT THIS DOCUMENT, THIS IS WHAT IT SAYS.
THIS IS THE FOLLOW-UP STUDY CONDUCTED BY USF IN PARTNERSHIP 
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN RESOURCES.
IT SAYS, 16% WERE CONFIRMED TO HAVE MAINTAINED HOUSING SIX 
MONTHS AFTER BEING SUCCESSFULLY DISCHARGED FROM PINELLAS 
HOPE.
PINELLAS COUNTY INVESTED $2.1 MILLION TAX DOLLARS INTO THIS 
PROJECT FOR THE FIRST 18 MONTHS, AND THIS IS THE RESULT.
IF YOU ASK ANY HOMELESS SERVICE IN THIS COUNTY WHAT A 
SUCCESS RATE IS, THEY WILL TELL YOU 40%, 50%.
SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ARE 
OVER 90% 12 MONTHS OUT, AND I THINK IF YOU LOOK LONG AND 
HARD AND GIVE THIS A LOT OF THOUGHT, YOU WILL ALSO HEAR 
THEM SAY, WE DON'T LIKE TENTS, WE DON'T WANT TENTS, WE KNOW 
TENTS ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, BUT WE HAVEN'T BEEN 
ABLE TO GET ANYTHING ELSE.
SO I THINK THAT WE HAVE AS MEMBERS OF THIS COUNTY, THAT YOU 
HAVE AS MEMBERS OF THIS COUNTY AND MEMBERS OF THIS BOARD -- 
I THINK WE HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND TO THIS PROBLEM, I THINK 
WE HAVE FAILED TO GET CREATIVE TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO 
THIS PROBLEM, AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT MY COMMUNITY IS 
ONBOARD TO DO THAT VERY THING IF IT MEANS A RESTAURANT TAX, 
WHATEVER IT MEANS, MY COMMUNITY IS IN THIS FOR THE LONG 
HAUL, BUT MAKE -- LET ME MAKE THIS CLEAR.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT TENTS, WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS PROJECT, 
WE WILL NOT PARTNER WITH THEM.
[APPLAUSE]
ALL OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE LEGALLY ALLOWED TENT 
CITIES IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE DONE SO VIA A TEMPORARY USE 
PERMIT, 90 DAYS ONLY, A MAXIMUM OF A HUNDRED RESIDENTS.
THERE ISN'T ANOTHER JURISDICTION IN THIS COUNTRY THAT HAS 
DONE THIS FOR THE LONG-TERM OR PERMANENTLY REZONED A PIECE 
OF PROPERTY.
NO OTHER COMMUNITY HAS CHANGED ITS CODE TO ALLOW THIS USE 
FOR THIS LONG FOR THIS MANY PEOPLE AND WITH SO FEW 
CONDITIONS, NOT SEATTLE, NOT SAN FRANCISCO, NOT NEW YORK, 
NOT MIAMI.
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>> THE EAST LAKE-ORIENT PARK AREA IS TRYING TO REDEVELOP, 
AND THIS APPROVAL WILL SINGLE-HANDEDLY UNDERMINE TWO YEARS 
OF WORK BY OUR COMMUNITY PLANNING COMMITTEE -- AND OUR PLAN 
WAS RECENTLY APPROVED IN JUNE -- AND ALL OF THE RESIDENTIAL 
ASSOCIATIONS IN THE AREA WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO 
IMPROVE OUR COMMUNITY.
THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO END HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COUNTY.
IF WE START DIVERTING TAX DOLLARS TO TENT CITIES WHEN THOSE 
TAX DOLLARS AND THE HUD FUNDS AND OUR AFFORDABLE HOUSING 
FUNDS COULD INSTEAD BE USED TO BUILD BEDS, SHELTERS, 
SERVICES IN THIS COUNTY, WE WILL START DOWN A SLIPPERY 
SLOPE THAT WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RECOVER FROM.
[APPLAUSE]
MY COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY ENGAGED 
IN THIS PROCESS, THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY INVOLVED 
IN THIS PROCESS, AND THAT THESE RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS WERE 
COBBLED TOGETHER AFTER OPPOSITION TESTIMONY WAS CLOSED ON 
THE 25th.
WE WERE NOT -- WE DID PRESENT RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS.
WE PUT THEM IN THE RECORD.
THEY WERE IGNORED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE LIABILITY 
INSURANCE, AND WE THINK THAT'S NOT HIGH ENOUGH.
THE EXISTING CODE DOES NOT PERMIT THIS, AND AT THE VERY 
LEAST -- AT THE VERY LEAST, CAREFUL STUDY IS REQUIRED TO 
DETERMINE WHETHER THIS IS THE RIGHT PATH THAT WE SHOULD GO 
DOWN.
WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK LONG AND HARD AT WHAT OTHER 
JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING AND NOT DOING, AT WHAT OTHER 
HOMELESS COALITIONS ARE DOING AND NOT DOING, WHAT THEY 
THINK WORKS, WHAT THEY THINK DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE PROGRAM 
AFTER PROGRAM AND STUDY AFTER STUDY HAVE SHOWN TENTS DO NOT 
WORK.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  THERE'S NINE MINUTES LEFT TO SPEAK.
>> OKAY.
MY NAME'S PAUL COTTER.
I'M AN EAST LAKE PARK RESIDENT AND A 30-YEAR AIR FORCE 
VETERAN, AND I DEFENDED THAT FLAG FOR 30 YEARS.
MY RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED THAT PINELLAS HOPE IS INFESTED 
WITH A CRIMINAL ELEMENT, MANY OF THEM CAREER CRIMINALS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MR. GORMLY.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  COMMISSIONERS, IF I COULD INTERRUPT.
THESE PHOTOS THAT ARE BEING SHOWN HERE WERE ALSO THE 
SUBJECT OF THE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE REQUEST.
>>KEN HAGAN:  SO THEY CAN'T BE SHOWN?
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THAT'S CORRECT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  SORRY, SIR.
>> WELL, AREN'T THEY ON THIS -- THIS PEOPLE ON THIS HERE 
LIST?
THAT'S WHERE I GOT THEIR NAMES.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THERE WERE INCIDENT REPORTS THAT WERE 
SUBMITTED INTO THE RECORD AND MADE PART OF THE RECORD; 
HOWEVER, THESE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE BEING PRESENTED WERE NOT 
PART OF THE RECORD AND WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE 
BOARD'S CONSIDERATION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN YOU PLEASE REMOVE THE --
THANKS.
>> OKAY.
OKAY.
MANY OF THEM CAREER CRIMINALS IN THE RANGE OF 30% TO 35% OF 
THE POPULATION.
THE PINELLAS SHERIFF'S OFFICE ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORT 
CONFIRMS THAT.
OF THE 113 NAMES OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE REPORT, 20 HAVE 
BEEN IN STATE PRISON.
WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT SMALL CRIMES EITHER, AND WE'RE 
WORKING OFF JUST A 113-NAME LIST I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN OFF 
THAT -- RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, SEXUAL BATTERIES, GRAND 
THEFT.
SOMEBODY STOLE $2,000 FROM THE PINELLAS HOPE SAFE.
A RESIDENT AT A FUNDRAISER HAD HIS WALLET STOLEN.
SEVEN RESIDENTS LIVING ON THE PROPERTY HAD OUTSTANDING 
WARRANTS.
ONE HAD BEEN IN STATE PRISON EIGHT TIMES.
CRACK COCAINE WAS FOUND ON THE PROPERTY.
FELONY BATTERY, THREE OF THEM, OVERDOSES THREE, NUMEROUS 
ALCOHOL INCIDENCES.
I GUESS THEY DIDN'T LISTEN TO MR. MURPHY ABOUT NOT DRINKING 
AND DOING DRUGS.
AND THAT'S ONLY WHAT THEY DID ON THE PROPERTY.
ONE RESIDENT WAS ALREADY DIAGNOSED AS BIPOLAR WITH SUICIDAL 
TENDENCIES AND SCHIZOPHRENIC WHO WAS ON PROBATION FOR 
BURGLARY OF AN OCCUPIED STRUCTURE.
HE JUST WALKED OFF THE PROPERTY.
AS THEY WERE GOING TO -- THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE HIM BAKER 
ACTED, BUT HE JUST LEFT.
THE GUY'S SIX FOOT TWO, 225 POUNDS, MORE THAN I CAN HANDLE.
HE HASN'T BEEN SEEN LATELY, THANK GOD.
HE'S A STILL A FUGITIVE.
THAT WAS A RESIDENT OF PINELLAS HOPE.
AND THIS IS ONLY WHAT'S REPORTED ON-SITE.
THIS DOESN'T ADDRESS THE 54 RESIDENTS THAT COMMITTED CRIMES 
AND WERE ARRESTED THAT WERE LIVING AT PINELLAS HOPE.
75 RESIDENTS COMMITTED 776 CRIMINAL CHARGES WHILE LIVING 
THERE, JUST 75 OFF THE 113 PEOPLE.
IT APPEARS LITTLE OR NO SCREENING OF THE INMATES IS DONE.
I SUPPOSE DUE TO INCOMPETENCE.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO TELL THE KIDS FROM EAST LAKE PARK THAT 
MUST PASS THE ENTRANCE TO HILLSBOROUGH CARES TWICE A DAY.
THEY GO TO SCHOOL AT TAMPA TECH.
WHAT ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF KIDS THAT ARE AT THAT TRANSIT 
BUS TERMINAL AT TAMPA TECH?
WHO ARE WE GOING TO BLAME FOR OUR LACK OF FORESIGHT?
ALSO THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL HOUSE IS 265 FEET FROM THE 
ENTRANCE.
IT'S ON HARNEY ROAD.
AND THEY HAVE KIDS, BUT I GUESS THEY'LL KEEP THEM IN THE 
HOUSE, SO, YOU KNOW -- BECAUSE THEY'D BE SMART.
REMEMBER, THE ONLY SECURITY THAT'S BEING PROVIDED IS THE 
SECURITY INSIDE.
THERE'S NO SECURITY ON THE OUTSIDE OF THAT FACILITY, NONE.
[APPLAUSE]
YOU KNOW, IT'S A SCARY SITUATION.
NOW, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT THE PEOPLE INSIDE, NOT 
THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE.
AND LIKE I SAY, THERE'S A LIST -- I MEAN, I CAN PROVE ALL 
THIS DATA.
I HAVE SO MUCH DATA ON THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT IN THAT PLACE, 
IT'S -- IT'S REALLY SCARY.
THERE'S NOT LITTLE NICKEL/DIME STUFF, THERE'S -- THERE'S 
ONE GUY ON THAT LIST THAT WAS PICKED UP, HE HAD AN ARMED 
ROBBERY OR WAS ARRESTED FOR THE ARMED ROBBERY, WENT TO 
PINELLAS HOPE, AND THEN HE WENT OUT AND DID AN ARMED 
BURGLARY.
TYPICAL, PICKING UP FUGITIVES FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE.
I DON'T KNOW -- THE POLICE OFFICERS THERE, I DON'T KNOW, I 
GUESS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.
OFF -- LET ME GIVE YOU OFF THIS LIST, ATKINS, STATE PRISON 
FOUR TIMES, TEN TIMES FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY.
HE'S SITTING IN JAIL FIVE MONTHS NOW.
HE WAS IN PINELLAS HOPE.
BOWMAN'S A FUGITIVE FROM GEORGIA.
CAMPBELL, HIS REAL NAME IS STAHLBERG, HE'S IN STATE PRISON 
TWICE, FIVE YEARS FOR ROBBERY WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.
HE'S NOW IN JAIL FOR ROBBERY.
CHASTAIN, A WARRANT OUT OF VOLUSIA COUNTY.
COX, OUTSTANDING WARRANT FROM HERNANDO COUNTY.
DUBOIS, 18 MONTHS PROBATION.
ALL LIVING IN PINELLAS HOPE.
FRANKLIN SERVED A ONE-YEAR SENTENCE IN STATE PRISON FOR A 
CRIME HE COMMITTED WHILE IN PINELLAS HOPE.
>>KEN HAGAN:  SIR, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S 
FIVE MINUTES REMAINING.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO SPEAK.
>> OKAY.
I'M ALMOST DONE.
GOODY'S A FUGITIVE FROM CALIFORNIA.
HEARD HE'S GOT THREE DIFFERENT ALIASES, AND YOU CAN FIND 
THEM EACH IN THE PINELLAS DATABANK.
HUSSEY -- HUSSEY WAS STATE PRISON, HAD 14 ARRESTS PRIOR TO 
GOING TO PINELLAS HOPE, AND WHILE HE LIVED AT PINELLAS 
HOPE, HE WAS ARRESTED THREE TIMES IN A 25-DAY PERIOD.
>> [INAUDIBLE]
>> OKAY.
AND ONE OTHER RESIDENT WAS MR. GAGORIS.
AFTER HE GRADUATED, HE WENT OUT AND COMMITTED A MURDER, BUT 
THAT'S THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THERE.
THIS IS NOT A HOMELESS ISSUE, IT'S OUR SAFETY.
WE LIVE THERE.
YOU DON'T LIVE THERE, WE LIVE THERE.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS GREGORY LOCKETT, REVEREND GREGORY LOCKETT, 3105 
ORIENT ROAD, FORMERLY HOMELESS, FORMERLY ALL THESE THINGS 
THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SAID, ORIGINAL ORGANIZER OF THE TENT 
CITY IN ST. PETERSBURG THAT CAUSED ALL THE PROBLEMS AND 
STUFF OVER THERE.
I'M AN ACTIVIST NOW, AN ADVOCATE FOR THE HOMELESS.
I HAVE AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE REFUGE OF TAMPA, FAVOC, 
FALSELY ACCUSED VICTIMS OF CRIMES, AND I OPPOSE THIS 
PROJECT WITH THE TENT CITY DEAL.
WHEN I STARTED TENT CITY, IT WAS SENT A MESSAGE OUT TO A 
BUNCH OF THE SO-CALLED ONES THAT HAD ALL THE DECISIONS THAT 
COME OUT AND DO THE RESEARCH AND ASK US THESE QUESTIONS AND 
GO BACK AND PUT IT ON A PIECE OF PAPER.
THE MESSAGE WAS THAT WE DESERVE HOUSING, WE NEEDED THE 
HOUSING.
THE MESSAGE WAS STOP SELLING OUT TO THE HOMEOWNERS AND THE 
DEVELOPERS AND STUFF AND START BEING SMART AND STOP BEING 
STUPID AND USE THAT MONEY TO REJUVENATE YOUR TOWN, YOUR 
CITY.
[APPLAUSE]
THAT'S THE MESSAGE.
THE MESSAGE WASN'T TENTS.
YOU GOT SO MUCH PROPERTY AND STUFF AROUND HERE, YOU CAN 
SAVE SO MUCH MONEY JUST BY DOING THE RIGHT THING WITH IT.
THE HOMELESS COALITION -- AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, I'VE 
BEEN INVOLVED WITH A LOT OF THEM, AND IF YOU GUYS DON'T GET 
BEHIND YOUR HOMELESS COALITION HERE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A 
BLACK EYE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THIS IS GOING TO COME BACK 
AND BITE YOU IN THE BUTT.
[APPLAUSE]
NO THREATS.
I'M TELLING YOU THE TRUTH.
YOU KNOW, WHY THEY DIDN'T LIKE JESUS, BECAUSE HE TOLD THE 
TRUTH.
I'M GOING TO SPEAK THE TRUTH TO YOU.
I HEARD SOMEONE COME UP AND SPEAK ABOUT WHAT THEY DO IN 
THEIR JOB, I HEARD SOMEBODY SPEAK ABOUT HUMANITY.
I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I'VE BEEN THERE, AND NOBODY HERE THAT'S MENTIONED NO WORDS 
DON'T KNOW ONE DOGGONE THING ABOUT IT.
THEY DON'T KNOW ONE THING ABOUT THAT HURTING SOUL THAT'S 
OUT THERE, BUT THEY DO KNOW ABOUT THE SCAVENGERS, THE 
JEZEBELS THAT'S GOT EVERYBODY SUCKERED AROUND HERE AND GOT 
YOU WRAPPED AROUND YOUR FINGERS FOR SOMETHING TO MAKE THEIR 
PROFIT AT THE EXPENSE OF A COMMUNITY, CHILDREN, OR EVEN THE 
HOMELESS.
[APPLAUSE]
I -- YOU KNOW, I -- I'M THROUGH.
YOU KNOW, I REALLY DON'T EVEN WANT TO COME UP AND TALK TO 
YOU PEOPLE NO MORE ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT'S A JOKE.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  HOW MUCH TIME IS LEFT.
WE HAVE ONE MINUTE REMAINING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
KAMI CORBETT FOR THE RECORD, 100 NORTH TAMPA STREET, SUITE 
2700.
AS MR. HART MENTIONED, I REPRESENT DAIMLER TRUCKS OF NORTH 
AMERICA, WHO IS THE OWNER OF SELECT TRUCKS, WHICH IS THE 
PROPERTY THAT IS JUST ADJACENT AND ABUTTING TO THE PROPOSED 
HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT, AND I'D JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT OUT 
A LOT OF THE TESTIMONY YOU'VE BEEN HEARING AND TALK TO YOU 
ABOUT THE ZONING HEARING MASTER'S RECOMMENDATION AND THE 
PROBLEMS THAT I SEE WITH -- THE PROBLEM THAT I SEE WITH HIS 
NEW RECOMMENDATION.
ON JUNE 10th HE ISSUED A RECOMMENDATION FOR DENIAL BASED ON 
THE FOLLOWING RELEVANT FINDINGS:  BASICALLY THAT THERE'S 
NOT AN APPROPRIATE -- APPROPRIATELY DEFINED LAND USE IN THE 
EXISTING LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
ALSO, THERE'S NOT A REVIEW PROCESS FOR REVIEWING SPECIAL 
USES, AND THEN ALSO THE PROPOSED SHELTERS, THE TENTS, DON'T 
MEET MINIMUM HOUSING CODES.
THOSE THREE ELEMENTS STILL EXIST TODAY.
THEY DIDN'T CHANGE WITH THE PROPOSED CONDITIONS.
PERHAPS MAYBE I COULD AGREE TO DISAGREE WITH MR. SCAROLA 
ABOUT WHETHER THE PROPOSED CONDITIONS ADDRESS COMPATIBILITY 
OR NOT, BUT THOSE THREE FIRST CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN 
ADDRESSED.
THEY'VE SORT OF BEEN WASHED OVER AND SAYING, WELL, WE'RE 
CLOSE, WE'RE CLOSE.
THE APPLICANT HAS DEFINED A USE.
THAT'S GIVING AWAY YOUR LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO DEFINE 
USES IN YOUR LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
YOU SAW THE PROBLEM WITH MR. RHODE'S TESTIMONY.
HE HAS A DIFFERENT VERSION OF WHAT A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT 
SHOULD BE.
YOU CLEARLY HAVE THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO AMEND YOUR 
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ALLOW A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT.
I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO SO BY PD, 
AND MY CLIENT INTENDS TO EXERCISE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU 
APPROVE THIS TODAY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. CORBETT.
OKAY.
AT THIS TIME, THE APPLICANT HAS FIVE-MINUTE REBUTTAL.
[APPLAUSE]
IS THE APPLICANT STILL HERE?
DO YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR FIVE-MINUTE REBUTTAL?
>> IN REBUTTAL, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO STATE THAT THE 
COMMENTS REGARDING THE MINIMUM HOUSING APPLY TO THE USE OF 
CASITAS, NOT TO THE TENTS.
THE TENTS ARE AN EXEMPTION TO THE FLORIDA HOUSING CODE AND 
WOULD BE PERMITTED.
THE CHANGES THAT ARE REQUESTED WOULD ALLOW THE USE OF THE 
CASITAS, AND THEN I WOULD ALSO LIKE YOU TO GO BACK AND 
LISTEN TO WHAT MS. FOGEL SAID ABOUT THE SUCCESS RATE AT 
PINELLAS HOPE.
IT WAS 51%, NOT 16%, AND THAT REPORT IS IN YOUR RECORD.
FINALLY, JUST ONE OTHER REBUTTAL STATEMENT.
I'D LIKE YOU TO LISTEN AGAIN TO THE DEPUTIES THAT TESTIFIED 
ABOUT THE GOOD THINGS THAT HAPPEN AT PINELLAS HOPE AND 
THEIR SUCCESS OVER THERE IN TERMS OF THE -- WHAT THEY HAVE 
DONE.
THEY DO -- AS PART OF THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED, THE 
PINELLAS PARK PD DOES DO OFF-SITE SECURITY ALSO.
AND THE LAST POINT, THEN TO HEAR FROM MR. MURPHY, IS THE 
LETTER FROM MAYOR BAKER ABOUT WHAT A SUCCESS PINELLAS HOPE 
HAS BEEN OVER THERE.
IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS, AND IF THAT'S NOT AN EXAMPLE OF A 
LONG-TERM COMMITMENT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR 
HERE.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU.
>> FRANK MURPHY, PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC CHARITIES, 623 
POINSETTIA ROAD, BELLEAIR, FLORIDA.
I KNOW THIS IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE, AND TO BE HONEST, YOU 
COULD ASK ANY OF YOUR POLICE OFFICERS, SHERIFFS, POLICEMEN 
ON THE STREET, THAT DEALING WITH THE HOMELESS, THERE ARE 
MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS BECAUSE OF THEIR PAST, PAST 
WITH CRIMES AND PROBLEMS THEY'VE CREATED FOR THEMSELVES, 
BUT THERE'S ALSO A LOT OF THEM WHO SAY, I KNOW LONGER WANT 
TO BE HOMELESS, I WANT TO TAKE A STEP TO BECOME INDEPENDENT 
AND GET OFF THE STREET.
THOSE ARE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE'RE TRYING TO SERVE.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE, YOUR SUPPORT 
AND YOUR HELP.
THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY EASILY, BUT WE 
HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE AND GET TO WORK ON IT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. MURPHY.
PLANNING COMMISSION.
[APPLAUSE]
PLANNING COMMISSION.
>>MELISSA ZORNITTA:  THANK YOU.
MELISSA ZORNITTA WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF.
THIS SITE HAS A FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF OFFICE 
COMMERCIAL-20.
IT'S LOCATED IN THE TAMPA SERVICE AREA OF THE URBAN SERVICE 
AREA.
THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES CONTAIN A NUMBER OF POLICIES IN 
THE HOUSING ELEMENT AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED ELEMENTS 
RELATED TO ASSISTANCE FOR THE HOMELESS; HOWEVER, IT WAS 
STAFF'S FINDING THAT EVEN WITH THE CONDITIONS OF ZONING AS 
PROPOSED BY THE APPLICANT THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES STILL 
RESULTING IN A FINDING OF INCONSISTENCY.
THE USE IS NOT DEFINED CURRENTLY IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT 
CODE, NOR ARE THE TYPES OF UNITS ADDRESSED IN THE MINIMUM 
HOUSING CODE, AND THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONTAINS A POLICY 
STATING THAT DEVELOPMENTS MUST MEET OR EXCEED ALL OF THE 
LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
WHILE THE CONDITIONS ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS THIS, SINCE THOSE 
CODES HAVE NOT BEEN CHANGED AT THIS TIME, THE FINDING OF 
INCONSISTENCY ON THAT BASIS REMAINS, AND BASED ON THIS, 
PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF FOUND THE PROPOSED REZONING 
INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  HEARING MASTER.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THE HEARING MASTER -- THE HEARING MASTER 
RECOGNIZED THAT THE APPLICANT PROVIDED CONDITIONS IN THE 
SITE PLAN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES IN HIS INITIAL 
RECOMMENDATION FOR DENIAL.
HE RECOGNIZED THAT THE USE WAS DEFINED AS A HOMELESS 
ENCAMPMENT AND THERE WAS A CURRENT PROCESS TO OUTLINE 
SPECIFIC CONDITIONS INTENDED TO ENSURE COMPATIBILITY 
THROUGH THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, AND HE FOUND THAT 
THAT WAS MET THROUGH THIS PROPOSAL WITH HEIGHT, BULK, 
PLACEMENT, SCREENING, HEALTH, SAFETY, AND OTHER STANDARDS 
THAT WERE INTENDED TO ADDRESS COMPATIBILITY OF THE PROJECT.
WITH THAT, HE DID RECOGNIZE THAT THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT 
WAS THE MOST CONTESTED ISSUE IN TERMS OF COMPATIBILITY, AND 
FOR THAT REASON, RECOMMENDED THE HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT BE A 
TEMPORARY USE WITH A TIME PERIOD TO REVIEW THAT USE TO 
ENSURE THAT IT'S COMPATIBLE AND THAT THE SURROUNDING 
DEVELOPMENT PATTERN IS MAINTAINED.
HE DID FIND THAT THE CONDITION WAS ADDED TO ENSURE THAT THE 
HOUSING UNITS WOULD COMPLY WITH THE MINIMUM HOUSING CODE 
AND THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE AND FOUND THAT THE PETITION 
WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE FUTURE OF HILLSBOROUGH 
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, SPECIFICALLY POLICY A-2.8 AND A-2.2 OF 
THE FUTURE LAND USE ELEMENT, POLICY 1.7.2 AND 1.7.6 OF THE 
HOUSING ELEMENT, AND POLICY 3.2 OF THE ECONOMICALLY 
DISADVANTAGED ELEMENT.
WITH THAT, HE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH SOME ADDITIONAL 
CONDITIONS THAT ARE CONTAINED IN YOUR BACKUP AND WERE 
SUMMARIZED BY MS. HARVEY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN, AND IT HAS 
CERTAINLY BEEN AN EMOTIONAL MORNING FROM -- FROM THE 
TESTIMONY, AND I FIND SOME OF IT REGRETTABLE.
I'M SORRY THAT THE PASTOR LEFT SAYING THAT THIS WAS A JOKE 
BECAUSE I'VE TAKEN THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AND HAVE -- WITHIN 
THE CONFINES OF THE TESTIMONY AND INFORMATION THAT I HAVE 
HAVE DONE WHAT I FEEL IS MY HOMEWORK.
I THINK IN TIMES LIKE THESE, THESE TOUGH FINANCIAL TIMES, 
THAT WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO'S WILLING TO STEP FORWARD 
AND REACH OUT A HAND OF GENEROSITY, THAT'S WHAT THIS 
COUNTRY'S BEEN FOUNDED ON.
WHETHER IT WAS IN THE VERY BEGINNING, WHETHER --
[CROWD NOISE]
MR. CHAIRMAN, I HAVE THE FLOOR.
>>KEN HAGAN:  YES.
FOLKS, PLEASE SHOW SOME RESTRAINT.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  AND THAT THIS COUNTRY'S BEEN BUILT ON 
COMPASSION AND LOVE AND CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND THAT THIS 
COMMUNITY, MADE UP OF EVERYONE HERE -- AND IF ANYONE HAS AN 
UNDERSTANDING -- ALTHOUGH I'VE NEVER BEEN HOMELESS -- OF 
THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS THAT WERE BROUGHT ON BY NO FAULT OF 
MY OWN BUT HAVE HAD TO USE THAT SAFETY NET OF GOVERNMENT 
AND WAS ABLE AND AFFORDED BECAUSE OF -- OF GOVERNMENT TO 
BOUNCE BACK AND TO REBOUND AND WAS GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE, I 
UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE.
AND WITH THIS ECONOMY AS IT IS, WE -- WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE 
THAT, AND I THINK THE COUNTY HAS TO BE EXTREMELY AWARE AND 
DELIBERATE IN THE STEPS AND THE ACTIONS THAT THEY TAKE.
AND AS I PREPARE TO MAKE MY MOTION, I ALSO WANT TO COMMEND 
THE -- THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR THEIR -- THEIR 
COMMENTS THIS MORNING.
AND TO THAT, I'LL MAKE MY ADDRESS -- I'LL COME TO THE END, 
BUT IN MAKING MY MOTION, THE INCIDENT REPORT, VERY THICK.
AND LET ME JUST READ A FEW OF THEM.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PETIT THEFT, SOLICITING, DOMESTIC 
BATTERY, BURGLARY, GRAND THEFT, BURGLARY, WARRANT FOR 
ARREST, NEIGHBOR DISPUTE, PETIT THEFT, TRESPASSING, PETIT 
THEFT, BATTERY -- I COULD KEEP GOING, BUT I'LL END WITH 
RAPE, AND WITH THAT, I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR DENIAL.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  SECOND.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER WHITE.
>>KEVIN WHITE:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
FIRST OF ALL, I'LL MAKE MY OPENING STATEMENT LIKE I DID ON 
THE LAST ONE.
I WANT TO COMMEND CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR ALL THAT THEY'RE 
TRYING TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITY, FOR TRYING TO ASSIST AND 
HELP THE HOMELESS COALITION AND THE HOMELESS IN OUR 
COMMUNITY.
IT IS A VERY WORLDWIDE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE, AND IT NEEDS 
TO BE ADDRESSED IN A CLEAR AND CONCISE MANNER, BUT NO ONE 
SEEMS TO HAVE THE ACTUAL SOLUTION.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE APPLICANT SAID WAS, WE NEED TIME 
TO GET THIS PROJECT TOGETHER TO MAKE IT WORK AND THAT 
PINELLAS COUNTY WAS SO FAR AHEAD IN THEIR PLANNING THAT IT 
ONLY TOOK THEM FOUR MONTHS TO GET THIS TOGETHER.
IF YOU -- IF CATHOLIC CHARITIES HAD TAKEN THE TIME TO GO 
OUT TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, TO GO AND FIND AN APPROPRIATE 
PLACE TO HAVE THIS ENCAMPMENT --
[APPLAUSE]
-- THIS ROOM WOULD NOT BE SO FULL TODAY.
THERE ARE OTHER APPROPRIATE LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THIS 
COUNTY IN INDUSTRIAL NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DO NOT ABUT 
PERMANENT RESIDENCE WITH CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO 
ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT THEY 
COULD HAVE LOOKED AT, BUT NO, WE JUMPED AT THE VERY FIRST 
SITE THAT WE SAW, AND WE'RE TRYING TO PUT A SQUARE PEG IN A 
ROUND HOLE.
[APPLAUSE]
AND FOR ONCE I JUST HAVE TO TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE PLANNING 
COMMISSION.
WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE, BUT I'M GOING TO TOTALLY AGREE WITH 
THE PLANNING COMMISSION, AND THE -- AND THE -- AND THE 
HEARING MASTER'S RECOMMENDATION, WELL, IT'S -- IT'S 
CONSISTENT WITH OUR FUTURE LAND USE AND OUR FUTURE ELEMENT, 
BUT IT IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH OUR PRESENT, AND IT IS AN 
ABOMINATION TO TRY AND PUT 250 POTENTIAL TRANSIENTS AND 
VAGRANTS -- AND I WAS LISTENING TO THE PINELLAS COUNTY 
DEPUTY THAT CAME UP, AND WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, THEY 
SAID, WELL, THIS IS A TRANSITIONAL TYPE PROCESS, BUT THIS 
DEPUTY SAID, WELL, WHEN WE FIND SOMEONE LAYING IN THE 
STREET WITH A BEER BOTTLE, WELL, WE TAKE THEM TO DETOX.
THESE ARE NOT -- THE PERSON ON THE SIDE OF THE STREET WITH 
THE BEER BOTTLE IS NOT SOMEBODY THAT'S TRYING TO 
REHABILITATE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THEM AND WE'RE GOING 
TO REHABILITATE, KEEP THEM DRY, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO 
TAKE THEM TO THE CAMP.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WE WANT, THAT IS NOT WHAT THIS COMMUNITY 
NEEDS, THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS COMMUNITY SHOULD BE INUNDATED 
WITH, AND I WANT THIS COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THIS 
COMMISSION AND THIS COMMISSIONER, WE HEAR YOU, AND WE 
RESPECT YOUR WISHES, BUT NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE WANT TO DO 
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR THE HOMELESS, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO DO 
WHAT'S RIGHT FOR OUR CITIZENS THAT LIVE HERE, THAT PAY 
TAXES, AND -- AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE TO 
LIVE.
AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION FOR DENIAL.
[APPLAUSE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  WELL, ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK CATHOLIC 
CHARITIES, THE APPLICANTS, FOR COMING FORWARD, AND I ALSO 
WANT TO THANK MR. HART AND THE CITIZENS WHO'VE -- WHO'VE 
COME FORWARD WITH THEIR -- WITH THEIR TESTIMONY.
WHEN I FIRST GOT ELECTED TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION, 
AN ISSUE WHICH REALLY HAD NOT BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF MY 
AGENDA BUT BECAME ONE AS I BEGAN TO DEAL WITH MR. NUCKLES 
AND OTHERS WHO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE DAILY FROM THE HOMELESS 
COALITION WAS THIS PROBLEM OF HOMELESSNESS, AND THE 
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WHICH -- WITH WHICH WE'RE SUFFERING 
TODAY ONLY, IN MY MIND, MAKE THIS A MORE CHALLENGING 
PROBLEM, AND AS I SAID THE LAST TIME, THERE ARE -- THERE'S 
NEVER GOING TO BE A REMEDY WHICH IS GOING TO SATISFY 
EVERYONE.
THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A SOLUTION 
WHICH ARE GOING TO REQUIRE US TO -- TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF 
UNCERTAINTY AND TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF -- OF CONCERNS, 
LEGITIMATE CONCERNS, AND SOME OF THEM CONCERNS WHICH ARE 
FEARS, BUT WE CAN'T FORGET -- AND I -- AND I EVEN BELIEVE 
THAT THE CITIZENS WHO'VE COME IN OPPOSITION CAN'T FORGET 
THAT THE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, AS WE SAID 
BEFORE, ARE HUMAN BEINGS.
THEY'RE HUMAN BEINGS, MANY OF THEM WHO HAVE COMMITTED -- 
WHO'VE DONE THINGS THAT WE WOULD NOT DO, BUT THEY'RE HUMAN 
BEINGS NONETHELESS AND SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT.
WHAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO AS WE LISTENED TO THIS 
CONVERSATION IS -- IS WORK TOWARDS A SOLUTION, EVEN IF IT'S 
A TEMPORARY SOLUTION, SOME WAY OF SOLVING THE PROBLEM, AND 
CATHOLIC CHARITIES STOOD UP WHEN OTHERS HAVE REALLY NOT 
OFFERED MUCH MORE THAN JUST VOCAL SUPPORT AND SAID, ALL 
RIGHT, WE'RE PREPARED TO STEP IN AND HELP.
THE -- THE CHALLENGE THAT I HAD WHEN WE REMANDED IT BACK -- 
AND I STILL DO STRUGGLE WITH THIS.
FIRST OFF, I DO NOT SUPPORT ANY EXTENSION.
I'LL BE VERY CLEAR THAT IF THIS DOES GO FORWARD, I WILL NOT 
SUPPORT THE EXTENSION OF FIVE YEARS BUT REMAIN AT WHAT THE 
LAND DEVELOPMENT -- WHAT THE HEARING OFFICER RECOMMENDED, 
BUT THE CHALLENGE I DO STRUGGLE WITH IS THIS: THIS IS GOING 
TO BE CHALLENGED, I BELIEVE, LEGALLY.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LEGAL CHALLENGE.
AND KAMI, WHO SPOKE IN OPPOSITION, MADE A POINT WHICH -- 
REGARDING THE -- YOU KNOW, WHAT -- ARE WE LEGISLATING 
THROUGH A PD RATHER THAN THROUGH THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE?
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REALLY HAD NOTHING IN IT, AND I 
KNOW YOU'VE BEEN STRUGGLING MIGHTILY TO TRY TO CONFORM TO 
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE SO THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH THIS 
ISSUE, BUT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE HAS NOTHING IN IT 
WHICH REALLY DEALS WITH THIS ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, 
TEMPORARY -- AT LEAST TEMPORARY SETTLEMENT OF HOMELESSNESS.
AND I'M CONCERNED THAT -- AND I WILL LISTEN TO THE OTHERS, 
BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT IF WE GO FORWARD AS IS -- AND WE'VE 
BEEN DEALING WITH OTHER ISSUES OF SIMILAR -- WHERE WE'VE -- 
WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO WALK INTO A LEGAL CHALLENGE -- IF 
THIS IS INDEED THE BEST DIRECTION, AND, I MEAN, I WAS 
REALLY RATHER THAN DENYING THINKING OF MORE OF A REMAND 
AGAIN, AND -- AND ALSO -- I'M JUST SAYING I'M -- WHEN WE 
TALK, WE TALK -- THIS IS HOW WE COMMUNICATE.
SO I'M -- I HAVE NOT -- I AM STILL -- I WANT TO HEAR WHAT 
COMMISSIONER FERLITA AND THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO 
SAY, BUT I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S A WAY FOR US TO, "A," 
MAKE THIS CONFORM WITH THE TEN-YEAR PLAN THAT THE HOMELESS 
COALITION HAS PUT TOGETHER THAT I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH 
SINCE I GOT HERE.
>> YES.
>>MARK SHARPE:  AND -- AND I KNOW THAT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE.
I WANT TO SAY TO THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES, I KNOW THAT'S BEEN 
A CHALLENGE BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN SOME CONCERN THAT THIS -- 
THAT THIS SOLUTION IS NOT A PART OF THE OVERALL TEN-YEAR 
PLAN THAT -- THAT THE HOMELESS COALITION HAS PUT TOGETHER.
SO THAT'S ONE ISSUE OF CONCERN.
AND THE OTHER ISSUE OF CONCERN IS JUST THE PROCESS WE'RE -- 
THAT WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH, WILL WE BE ABLE TO SURVIVE 
A CHALLENGE.
THOSE ARE THE TWO CONCERNS THAT I HAVE.
I'LL LISTEN TO THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SOME REMARKS AND STATE MY POSITION.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROJECT IS CERTAINLY NEEDED NOW BECAUSE 
OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS RESULTING 
FROM THE DOWNTURN IN OUR ECONOMY.
IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES, YOU MAY HEAR SAD STORIES FROM 
INDIVIDUALS WHO NEVER ENVISIONED BEING HOMELESS, WHO WOULD 
BE PROVIDED SHELTER, COUNSELING, AND DIGNITY BY ALLOWING 
THEM TO TEMPORARILY STAY AT THE PROJECT.
OFTENTIMES INDIVIDUALS WHO STAY AT THIS ENCAMPMENT ARE JUST 
LIKE THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ONCE RESIDED IN ADJACENT 
NEIGHBORHOODS.
PINELLAS COUNTY NO.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THE ZHM HAS RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH A 
LONG LIST OF CONDITIONS REGARDING SAFETY, HEALTH, 
NEIGHBORHOOD PROTECTIONS, BACKGROUND CHECKS, SECURITY, 
LIMITED ACCESS ON HARNEY.
INDIVIDUALS STAYING IN THIS CAMPGROUND OR IN THIS 
ENCAMPMENT WILL NOT BE WANTED OR DANGEROUS CRIMINALS.
THE ZONING --
[CROWD NOISE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  FOLKS, PLEASE.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THE ZONING HEARING MASTER CONDITIONS 
REQUIRE BACKGROUND CHECKS TO BE PERFORMED BEFORE ADMISSION.
UNRULY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS WHO CHOOSE TO BE HOMELESS WILL 
NOT BE ATTRACTED TO STAY AT THE ENCAMPMENT GIVEN THE RULES 
AND THE LIMITATIONS THAT THEY WILL OPERATE UNDER.
>> WERE YOU LISTENING?
>> SHHH!
>>ROSE FERLITA:  IF SOMEONE IS TURNED AWAY BECAUSE THEY 
FAIL THE BACKGROUND CHECK, EXCLUDING ACTIVE WARRANTS, THE 
SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL BE NOTIFIED.
ANYONE ELSE REQUIRED TO LEAVE THE ENCAMPMENT FOR RULES 
VIOLATION WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE BUS TRANSPORTATION AND 
WILL NOT BE LEFT TO ROAM --
[CROWD NOISE]
-- IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WONDER HOW -- HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU-ALL HEAR ME 
INTERRUPT YOU-ALL WHEN MR. HART WAS MAKING SOME 
INAPPROPRIATE ACCUSATIONS?
[CROWD NOISE]
ZERO TIMES, SO ONCE YOU-ALL FINISH, I WILL CONTINUE MY 
COMMENTS.
IT'S CALLED THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
[CROWD NOISE]
>>KEN HAGAN:  FOLKS.
SECURITY, PLEASE BE READY TO REMOVE SOME INDIVIDUALS HERE 
SHORTLY.
PLEASE CONTINUE, COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  MR. CHAIRMAN, AND PERHAPS IF THE THOUGHTS 
ARE INTERRUPTED, I MIGHT PERHAPS NEED TO START AGAIN AT THE 
BEGINNING, AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES.
I GAVE YOU THE COURTESY.
YOU GIVE ME THE COURTESY AS WELL.
I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.
OFTENTIMES -- ACCORDING TO THE CONDITIONS, THIS USE IF 
APPROVED IS TEMPORARY AND THE APPROVAL WILL EXPIRE AFTER 
FOUR YEARS.
THE LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS PLACED ON THIS PROJECT 
ACCORDING TO THE ZHM ARE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE CODE 
REQUIREMENTS AND PROTECT THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
SITE -- IT'S NOT THE PERFECT SITE PERHAPS FOR THIS USE, BUT 
IT'S THE BEST SITE AVAILABLE.
WE DID A LOT OF RESEARCH WITH OUR REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT TO 
FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS MORE 
APPROPRIATE, MORE SUITABLE.
OBVIOUSLY, BASED ON THIS INTERACTION WITH YOU, THIS 
DECISION IS NOT AN EASY DECISION, NOR WILL IT NECESSARILY 
BE POPULAR WITH THE RESIDENTS, BUT IT'S NECESSARY TO HELP 
MANY INDIVIDUALS IN NEED.
I, IN FACT, YES, VISITED PINELLAS HOPE.
I SAW WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.
I WAS ABSOLUTELY REASSURED AND ASSURED AGAIN BY OUR LEGAL 
COUNSEL THAT THAT WAS APPROPRIATE, AND I DID THAT JUST TO 
SEE WHAT PINELLAS HOPE WAS ABOUT.
I'VE HEARD MANY THINGS, MANY COMMENTS, SOME NASTY, SOME 
NOT, ABOUT WHAT THIS MIGHT DO ABOUT POLITICAL FUTURE 
ENDEAVORS FOR ROSE FERLITA OR SOMEBODY ELSE WHO DOES NOT 
SUPPORT A DENIAL, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, WHEN YOU COME DOWN TO 
THINKING WHAT'S RIGHT AND WHAT'S WRONG, IT'S NOT ABOUT ROSE 
FERLITA, IT'S ABOUT THE HOMELESS, AND IT'S ABOUT SUPPORTING 
WHAT I THINK THEY NEED AND WHAT WE WOULD HOPE SOMEONE WOULD 
SUPPORT FOR US IF BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD WE WERE THOSE 
HOMELESS.
SO THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, IT'S THE ONLY THING I CAN 
DO, AND I WILL NOT SUPPORT A MOTION TO DENY.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
[APPLAUSE]
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  THANK YOU.
AND WELL STATED, COMMISSIONER FERLITA, AND WE FROM TIME TO 
TIME AGREE AND TIME TO TIME DISAGREE, AND I ALWAYS 
APPRECIATE THE DIGNITY IN WHICH YOU INTERACT HERE AND WITH 
THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE, SO --
>>ROSE FERLITA:  BACK TO YOU AS WELL, MR. HIGGINBOTHAM.
THANK YOU.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  THANK YOU.
AND TO CLARIFY MY MOTION, IT IS NOT TO SUPPORT BUT IN 
PARTICULAR BECAUSE IT DOES NOT MEET THE OBJECTIVE -- 
OBJECTIVE B-1 IN OUR LAND USE PLAN, WHICH IS NEIGHBORHOOD 
PROTECTION.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS A FUNCTIONAL UNIT OF THE COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT.
THERE IS A NEED TO PROTECT EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS AND 
COMMUNITIES AND THOSE THAT WILL EMERGE IN THE FUTURE.
TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES, ALL 
NEW DEVELOPMENT MUST CONFORM WITH THE FOLLOWING POLICIES.
[APPLAUSE]
SO I'M JUST RESTATING THAT.
AND I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A SECOND, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE 
SURE THAT WAS IN THE RECORD AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
MY POSITION ON THIS ISSUE HAS NOT CHANGED FROM THE -- FROM 
THE VERY BEGINNING.
AS I'VE STATED PREVIOUSLY, I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE MISSION 
OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND WANT TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO OUR 
HOMELESS PROBLEM.
I ALSO -- I DO APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS AND 
BUFFERS THAT HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THIS PROJECT; HOWEVER, IT 
IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND I SIMPLY 
DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR THIS 
PROJECT.
SO I WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION TO DENY.
[APPLAUSE]
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO DENY BY COMMISSIONER 
HIGGINBOTHAM, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER WHITE.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER BOARD COMMENT BEFORE WE VOTE?
OKAY.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 4-3.
COMMISSIONERS BECKNER, FERLITA, AND NORMAN VOTED NO.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
THANKS FOR COMING DOWN.
THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN DENIED.
[APPLAUSE]
WHY DON'T WE TAKE A BRIEF FIVE-MINUTE RECESS, AND THEN 
WE'LL RETURN.
[RECESS TAKEN]
>>KEN HAGAN:  GOOD MORNING.
WELCOME BACK FROM OUR BRIEF RECESS FOR OUR REGULARLY 
SCHEDULED LAND USE MEETING.
MS. HARVEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE SECOND ITEM.
>>PAULA HARVEY:  COMMISSIONERS, ITEM D-2, WHICH IS AT THE 
TOP OF PAGE 5 OF THE AGENDA, IS REZONING PETITION 09-747.
THIS IS A SIX-ACRE PIECE OF PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTH 
SIDE OF OLD GIBSONTON DRIVE AT THE EXIT RAMP FOR I-75.
THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO UTILIZE THE SITE FOR A 
STORAGE IN CONJUNCTION WITH INTERNET SALES OF TOY HAULERS 
WITH RVs.
HE'S PROPOSING TO STORE SOME OF THE UNITS THAT HE 
ESSENTIALLY WILL -- WILL SELL ON THE INTERNET.
HE'S ALSO PROPOSING TO REMAIN AS A RESIDENCE IN THE SINGLE-
FAMILY HOME THAT'S ON THE SITE.
YOU'LL NOTE IN THE CONDITIONS THAT HE HAS CONCURRED WITH 
THE LIMITATIONS TO NOT HAVE ANY SIGNAGE ON THE SITE, TO NOT 
HAVE ANY LIGHTING ON THE SITE, SO PRINCIPALLY WE ARE 
TALKING ABOUT A STORAGE SITUATION.
STAFF HAS REVIEWED THE PETITION.
WE DID RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
THE ZONING HEARING OFFICE ALSO RECOMMENDED APPROVAL; 
HOWEVER, THE PLANNING COMMISSION DID FIND THAT THIS 
PARTICULAR PROJECT WAS INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE 
PLAN.
ORAL ARGUMENT HAS BEEN FILED.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN WE HAVE A MOTION TO OPEN?
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SO MOVE.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  IS THE APPLICANT HERE THIS MORNING?
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES TO PRESENT YOUR --
>> ALL RIGHT.
GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS PAUL KOLODZIEJ, AND AS YOU-ALL MAY HAVE READ MY 
APPLICATION, I'M NOT GOING TO BORE YOU WITH ALL THE 
DETAILS.
I'LL JUST SKIM OVER SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS.
FIRST OF ALL, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A PROPERTY LIKE THIS 
FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND I THINK I FOUND AN IDEAL 
SITUATION, A PIECE OF PROPERTY ALONG AN INTERSTATE ON WATER 
THAT I CAN DO MY BUSINESS, WHICH IS QUITE UNIQUE.
I HAVE AN INTERNET-BASED RV DEALERSHIP WHERE WE SELL TOY 
HAULERS THAT ARE RV WITH RAMP DOORS ON THE INTERNET.
WE DO ALL THE NATIONAL SHOWS.
WE'LL BE AT DAYTONA TOMORROW ON BIKETOBERFEST.
WE DO STORAGES.
WE DO ALL THE BIG EVENTS.
AND WE DO A LOT OF NATIONAL AND INTERNET BUSINESS.
I HAVE A LOT IN WISCONSIN, AND I DO WANT TO BASICALLY 
RETIRE AND LIVE IN FLORIDA.
I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE MY BUSINESS HERE, AND THIS PROPERTY 
WAS UNIQUE IN THE FACT THAT IT'S IN A FUTURE USE DISTRICT 6 
THAT WOULD ALLOW A MIXED-USE, WHICH I'M PROPOSING TO DO.
MY NEIGHBORS SUPPORT WHAT I'M WANTING TO DO BECAUSE OF THE 
FEAR OF POTENTIALLY RESTAURANTS, CONDOS, OR HOTELS THAT 
COULD COME IN.
I DO WANT TO LIVE AT THE HOUSE.
I DO WANT TO CONTINUE THE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CURRENTLY 
THERE.
THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL NATURAL TREE SETTING AND CANOPY, AND IT 
WILL BE A STATE PARK-LIKE SETTING THAT I'LL KEEP MY RVs AND 
TAKE THE PICTURES TO PUT THEM ON THE INTERNET.
I'LL JUST PUT UP ONE PICTURE TO TAKE A LOOK AT.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'RE THE ONLY PROPERTY IN THAT QUADRANT OF 
I-75 AND GIBSONTON DRIVE THAT IS NOT A PD ZONE, AND WE'RE 
ASKING TO BE PD ZONED.
MY DIRECT NEIGHBORS DO SUPPORT US, LIKE I SAID.
THERE IS SOME OPPOSITION.
THERE'S A SMALL COMMUNITY DOWN THE ROAD THAT SEEMS TO 
OPPOSE EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING THAT'S COMMERCIAL IN THE 
NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I CAN RESPECT AND UNDERSTAND THAT.
THAT'S THEIR RIGHT TO VOICE THEIR OPINION.
ALTHOUGH I DO HAVE THE NOISE AND THE POLLUTION OF THE 
INTERSTATE, THAT IS WHY THIS PROPERTY WAS CHOSEN TO BE AN 
SMU-6 PROPERTY, BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION ON THE INTERSTATE.
AND WITH THAT, BASICALLY THE ZONING HEARING ADMINISTRATOR 
DID CONCUR WITH WHAT MY PLANS ARE, AND I GUESS I PROBABLY 
DON'T NEED TO BORE YOU WITH ANY FURTHER DETAILS OTHER THAN 
THE FACT THAT I WOULD ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO REZONE THIS 
SO I CAN LIVE THERE AND CONTINUE MY BUSINESS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, SIR.
IS THERE AN ANDREA WICKMAN HERE IN SUPPORT?
COME DOWN.
GOOD MORNING, MA'AM.
>> HI.
MY NAME IS ANDREA WICKHAM.
I AM ONE OF THE IMMEDIATE RESIDENTS, AND WE DO SUPPORT IT.
WE DO OCCUPY PROBABLY 21 ACRES BETWEEN SEVEN RESIDENTS THAT 
ARE NEXT DOOR, AND THEN WE HAVE A LITTLE NEIGHBORHOOD 
BESIDE THEM.
AT THE LAST MEETING THE NEIGHBORHOOD MENTIONED THEIR 
PROPERTY TAXES.
SORRY.
AND I WOULD THINK THAT OUR PROPERTY TAXES WOULD PROBABLY 
STAY THE SAME, IF NOT INCREASE.
I DON'T THINK WITH THE TOY HAULER BUSINESS GOING IN THAT IT 
WOULD DECREASE ANY PROPERTY TAXES.
I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD BE AN ISSUE.
AND IF ANYTHING, WE WOULD BE MORE AT RISK CONSIDERING OUR 
TAXES ARE THREE AND FOUR TIMES HIGHER THAN THE 
NEIGHBORHOODS COMBINED ANYWAY.
THEY ALSO MENTIONED A LADY THAT TRANSPORTS HERSELF TO WAL-
MART FOR GROCERY STORE PURPOSES BY WHEELCHAIR.
IF THAT'S A CONCERN, THEN MAYBE WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT 
PUTTING IN A SIDEWALK FOR HER TO GET FROM HER HOME ALL THE 
WAY TO WAL-MART, AND WAL-MART WAS ONLY PUT IN THREE YEARS 
AGO, SO I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THERE PRIOR TO 
THAT.
PAUL ALSO OFFERS THE ABILITY TO BRING MORE BUSINESS TO THE 
AREA AS FAR AS SHOPPING, GAS, MAYBE EMPLOYING ONE PERSON TO 
MAINTAIN THE GROUNDS WHILE HE'S OUT OF STATE.
IT ALSO GIVES US ADDITIONAL TAXES AND FEES.
HE WOULD ALSO SET UP FOR THE LOCAL SHOWS IN THE AREA, SO I 
THINK IT'S A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR THE COUNTY AND 
EVERYTHING.
GIBSONTON IS A UNIQUE ZONED AREA.
IT'S THERE FOR THE CARNIVAL PEOPLE, IT HAS FLEXIBILITY TO 
ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY'S NEEDS, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK THAT'S 
WHY 90% OF US CHOSE TO LIVE IN GIBSONTON, FOR THOSE 
ABILITIES.
I STILL THINK THAT IT'S A VERY EASY SITUATION TO 
ACCOMMODATE.
I DON'T THINK THE INFLUX OF TRAFFIC WOULD BE AN ISSUE.
IT'S JUST LIKE HAVING A COUPLE PEOPLE OVER BECAUSE IT'S 
STILL AN INTERNET BUSINESS, AND IT'S MAINLY FOR STORAGE 
FACILITIES.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MS. WICKMAN.
THERE WERE FOUR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP IN 
OPPOSITION.
ANY OF THOSE FOLKS HERE TODAY?
PLEASE COME.
YOU HAVE 15 MINUTES.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M ROBERT HOLLEY.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION FOR ALAFIA 
RIVER ESTATES, AND BASICALLY MY OBJECTIONS COME FROM MR. 
HEY'S REMARKS AT THE LAST MEETING FROM THE PLANNING 
COMMISSION, AND I'M GOING TO READ SOME OF THOSE POINTS INTO 
THE RECORD HERE.
THE INTRODUCTION OF AN RV SALES SERVICE AT THE END OF OLD 
GIBSONTON DRIVE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF 
NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL USES, AND ALAFIA 
RIVER ESTATES REPRESENTS THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSES BACK IN 
TO THAT POCKET IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE HAVE 14 -- 13 LOTS DEVELOPED OUT OF 17 IN OUR 
NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE IN HOUSES LIVING THERE.
THERE ARE -- OTHER -- MOST OF THE OTHER LOTS HAVE HOUSES ON 
THE WATER, AND THEN THE PROPERTIES ARE VACANT UP TO OLD 
GIBSONTON DRIVE, AND THEY'RE USUALLY SIX- TO EIGHT-ACRE 
PROPERTIES, SO THEY'RE LARGE PROPERTIES, AND I THINK THAT 
WHAT -- BY ALLOWING BUSINESS BACK IN HERE, YOU WOULD BE 
PUTTING IN A POSITION -- THE PEOPLE THAT OWN THOSE 
PROPERTIES WOULD BE ABLE TO SELL OFF THE FRONT OF THEIR 
PROPERTIES AS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AND STILL KEEP THEIR 
HOMES ON THE WATER, AND I'M NOT NECESSARILY SURE THAT IS 
GOOD FOR THE AREA.
IT'S A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD NOW.
THERE IS NO BUSINESS BACK IN THERE NOW.
THERE IS BUSINESS ZONED IN FRONT OF THE AREA THAT IS ON 
GIBSONTON DRIVE THAT IS COMMERCIAL, THERE IS A LOT OF 
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON U.S. 41, AND ALL OF THIS PROPERTY IS 
AVAILABLE TO -- TO THE TOY HAULER'S BUSINESS.
I MEAN, HE CAN PUT HIS LOT NEAR TO HIS HOUSE ON OTHER 
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED RV SALES SERVICE DEALERSHIP WOULD CREATE A 
NUMBER OF EXTERNAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS SUCH AS TRAFFIC ON 
SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL USES.
THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR CUSTOMERS, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN 
INTERNET BUSINESS.
IT WOULD ALSO SET A PRECEDENT WITHIN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, 
POSSIBLY ALLOWING FOR FUTURE PARCELS FRONTING ALONG THE 
NORTH SIDE OF OLD GIBSONTON DRIVE TO TRANSITION TO A MORE 
NONRESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL TYPE USE, AND THIS IS ONE OF 
OUR BIGGEST FEARS.
ONCE THERE IS A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON THE END OF THE 
STREET, THE LADY THAT JUST SPOKE, MS. WICKHAM, HER 
PROPERTY, THE FRONT OF IT IS UNDEVELOPED.
SHE COULD ASK HERS TO BE COMMERCIAL.
I'VE GOT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NEXT DOOR.
I'VE GOT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET.
WHY CAN'T MY PROPERTY BE COMMERCIAL?
WHAT I SEE IS THE RESIDENTIAL AREA DETERIORATING INTO A 
BUSINESS AREA, AND IT WILL HAVE A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON 
US.
WE LIKE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, WE LIKE LIVING BACK IN THERE, 
IT'S QUIET, IT'S OFF THE MAIN DRAG.
WE'RE COMFORTABLE THERE, AND WE THINK THAT THE INTRUSION OF 
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY BACK ON THE RIVER SIDE OF OLD GIBSONTON 
DRIVE WOULD HAVE A VERY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR -- US AND 
OUR WAY OF LIFE.
THE SUBJECT SITE IS ALSO LOCATED ALONG THE ALAFIA RIVER, 
WHICH IS IDENTIFIED WITHIN THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AS 
DIRECTLY INFLUENCED THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERNS AND PROVIDING 
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND 
RECREATIONAL BENEFITS TO UNINCORPORATED HILLSBOROUGH 
COUNTY.
THOUGH THIS SITE IS CURRENTLY WELL TREED, THERE IS NO 
ASSURANCE PROVIDED WITHIN THE RECORD OR WITHIN THE 
CONDITIONS OF THIS REPORT THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THAT THOSE 
TREES WOULD STAY THERE, THAT HIS PROPERTY WILL REMAIN IN 
THE STATE THAT IT IS NOW.
THERE'S NO GUARANTEE THAT EVEN OUTSIDE THE DISPLAY AREA 
THAT HE WILL KEEP THE PROPERTY IN A PRISTINE WOODED AREA 
LIKE IT IS NOW.
IT'S BASICALLY VERY RURAL BACK IN THERE WITH HOMES.
OUR HOMES ARE ON ONE-THIRD-OF-AN-ACRE SITES.
SOME OF THE PROPERTY NEXT TO US, THEY'VE REQUESTED ZONING 
TO CONDOMINIUMS.
THAT PROJECT FAILED BECAUSE OF THE PRESENT ECONOMY, BUT 
CONDOMINIUMS IS SOMETHING THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO US.
WE THINK IT SHOULD BE RESIDENTIAL.
THE CONVERSION OF THE SITE TO A COMMERCIAL USE HAS THE 
POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A VISUAL INTRUSION ON THE ALAFIA RIVER.
THE STAFF HAS FOUND THAT THE REQUEST IS INCONSISTENT WITH 
POLICIES 35-4 AND 39-6 OF THE CONSERVATION AQUIFER RECHARGE 
ELEMENT DEALING WITH RIVERS, RESOURCE, AND SPECIFICALLY THE 
ALAFIA RIVER.
THE PROPOSED RV SALES SERVICE DEALERSHIP WOULDN'T MEET THE 
INTENDED USE OF THE CONCEPTS SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED IN THE 
LIVABLE COMMUNITIES ELEMENT, RIVERFRONT REVITALIZATION 
MIXED-USE AREA STRATEGIES WITHIN THE GIBSONTON COMMUNITY 
PLAN.
IT DOES NOT MEET THE INTENT OF THOSE CONCEPTS.
THIS IS BY THE -- YOUR OWN COMMISSION -- I MEAN THE 
PLANNING COMMISSION.
THESE STATEMENTS APPARENTLY WERE NOT TAKEN INTO 
CONSIDERATION WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO ALLOW A PERMIT 
TO MAKE THIS COMMERCIAL.
BASED ON THESE CONSIDERATIONS, THE PLANNING COMMISSION 
STAFF FOUND THE PROPOSED PLANNED DEVELOPMENT INCONSISTENT 
WITH THE FUTURE USE OF THE HILLSBOROUGH PLAN.
THESE ARE BASICALLY THE SAME THINGS THAT WE'RE SAYING.
IT'S A NICE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE WANT IT TO STAY THAT WAY.
WE LIKE LIVING THERE, WE'RE TAXPAYERS.
I HAD A LOT MORE OF MY CONSTITUENTS HERE BEFORE NOW, BUT 
THE -- THE PREVIOUS MEETING APPARENTLY LASTED LONGER THAN 
WE EXPECTED.
PEOPLE HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK.
I HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK, SO I PROBABLY WON'T EVEN BE ABLE 
TO HEAR YOUR JUDGMENT, BUT I HOPE YOU TAKE THIS INTO 
CONSIDERATION.
WE'RE HOMEOWNERS.
WE'RE LIVING BACK IN THERE IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD.
THE INTRUSION OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTY INTO OUR RESIDENTIAL 
NEIGHBORHOOD WILL HAVE A -- A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON EVERYTHING 
THAT HAPPENS BACK THERE IN THE FUTURE.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. HOLLEY.
ANYONE ELSE?
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS JOE MINCHER.
I READ -- 9906 ALAFIA RIVER LANE OFF OF GIBSONTON DRIVE 
THERE.
I OBJECT ALSO TO ZONING IT FROM COMMERCIAL TO RESIDENTIAL -
- OH, EXCUSE ME -- TO RESIDENTIAL ON THERE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU -- YOU KNOW, DO YOU KNOW WHAT A TOY 
HAULER IS?
IT'S -- I GOT A PICTURE OF A COUPLE HERE IF YOU WANT TO SEE 
ONE.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  SIR, CAN YOU CLARIFY IF THESE WERE THE 
PICTURES THAT WERE SHOWN AT THE ZONING HEARING MASTER 
HEARING?
>> NO, THEY'RE JUST PICTURES OFF THE INTERNET.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  OKAY.
IT WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE TO SHOW THEM HERE TODAY.
>> I GUESS YOU CAN'T SHOW THEM THEN.
OKAY.
THE POINT -- THE POINT BEING HE'S TALKING -- ON GIBSONTON 
DRIVE -- ON THE OLD GIBSONTON DRIVE, IT DOESN'T HAVE A LOT 
OF ROAD GOING BACK UP THERE.
THE ROAD'S TORE UP, AND HE'S TALKING ABOUT PUTTING 30 OF 
THESE TOY HAULERS BACK IN THERE.
IT'S NOT -- ORIGINALLY HE TRIED TO DO 50 IN THERE, AND I 
THINK YOU GUYS TURNED IT DOWN TO 30 IN THERE, BUT THE -- I 
MEAN, WHERE HE SAYS THERE'S NO TRAFFIC GOING TO BE IN 
THERE, WHY WOULD YOU PUT A BUSINESS IN THERE IF YOU'RE 
NOT -- INVEST ALL YOUR MONEY IN THERE IF YOU'RE NOT GOING 
TO TRY AND GET SOME REVENUE BACK OUT OF IT?
SO IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO -- THAT'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC 
BACK -- GOING BACK UP INTO HIS LOT RIGHT THERE PUTTING IN 
30 OF THESE WHAT THEY CALL TOY HAULERS, WHICH ARE 
ACTUALLY -- YOU KNOW, THEY RUN OFF OF FIFTH WHEELS.
YOU HAVE TO PUT THEM ON THE BIG BACK OF A TRUCK AND 
EVERYTHING AND HAUL THEM AROUND, SO THAT'S ONE OF THE 
PROBLEMS.
ALSO CONVERTING THE PROPERTY FROM RESIDENTIAL TO 
COMMERCIAL.
OKAY.
APPRECIATE IT.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MR. MINCHER.
>> THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  IS THERE A MR. JERNIGAN OR MARZUCO HERE?
>> NO, HE'S IN THE HOSPITAL.
HE COULDN'T MAKE IT.
AND THE REST OF THEM ARE NOT HERE EITHER.
THEY HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, SIR.
THE AM CAN'T, YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES IF YOU WANT TO MAKE ANY 
REBUTTAL COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I GUESS TO -- I CAN RESPECT MY NEIGHBOR'S CONCERN.
IT DOES SOUND SCARY, AN RV DEALERSHIP YOU PICTURE AS A 
TYPICAL BIG PAVED PARKING LOT, A LOT LIKE THE WAL-MART THAT 
JUST BUILT ACROSS THE STREET FROM US, BUT HONESTLY WHAT WE 
DO IS VERY MUCH INTERNET BASED.
WE'RE DOING SOMETHING VERY UNIQUE IN THE INDUSTRY.
THE PARK-LIKE SETTING, I LOVE -- THE PICTURES ARE GOING TO 
BE BEAUTIFUL ON THE NET.
IF PEOPLE DO COME TO SEE A UNIT OR PICK UP A UNIT, IT'S NOT 
GOING TO BE A PAVED PARKING LOT.
30 UNITS IS NOTHING.
THE LARGE DEALERSHIPS STORE HUNDREDS OF UNITS ON A SINGLE 
LOT.
BUT THAT'S WHY WE TOOK THE VERTICAL SEGMENT OF THIS 
HORIZONTAL MARKET.
THE FACT THAT IF I WAS AN RV DEALER, I WOULD NEED HUNDREDS 
OF UNITS TO BE IN BUSINESS.
I TOOK ONE SEGMENT, LIKE IF YOU TOOK DIESEL PUSHER 
MOTORHOMES AND SPECIALIZED IN THAT, YOU COULD DO 30.
I TOOK TOY HAULERS, AND YOU KNOW WHAT, 30'S ENOUGH TO DO 
IT.
WOULD I LIKE 50?
YEAH, 50 WOULD HAVE WORKED.
IN THIS DOWN ECONOMY WE BOUGHT SOME MORE THIS LAST WINTER 
BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC HARDSHIPS IN DEALERSHIPS AROUND THE 
COUNTRY, IN WISCONSIN.
WE STORED THEM.
WE CAN LIVE WITH 30 HERE.
WE WANT TO LIVE HERE.
WE WANT TO STAGE THEM HERE, WE WANT TO DELIVER THEM AND 
SELL THEM HERE, WE WANT TO DO THE SHOWS HERE, AND AS FAR AS 
THE CONCERNS OF THE NEIGHBORS, I RESPECT THAT.
THE ROAD IS OLD GIBSONTON DRIVE, WHICH USED TO BE GIBSONTON 
DRIVE.
IT'S A BIG HEAVY, WELL-BUILT ROAD.
IT CAN WITHSTAND A COUPLE TOY HAULERS GOING DOWN IT.
MY GOSH, THE DUMP TRUCKS THAT COME DOWN THE ROAD AND THE 
GARBAGE TRUCKS ARE BIGGER AND HEAVIER THAN THAT.
AS FAR AS -- AS FAR AS THE PROPERTY GOES, WE'RE ADJACENT TO 
THE FREEWAY.
I UNDERSTAND THE NEIGHBORS.
THEY HAVE A NICE LITTLE GATED COMMUNITY AT THE BEGINNING OF 
THE PROPERTY OR THE DRIVE AS YOU COME IN.
THEY'RE DIFFERENT.
THAT'S A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
I'M AT THE END ON THE INTERSTATE, AND YOU CHOSE TO MAKE IT 
SMU-6, TO MAKE IT A MIXED-USE.
I AM YOUR MIXED-USE.
MY NEIGHBORS WOULD RATHER HAVE ME BE YOUR MIXED-USE THAN A 
RESTAURANT, A BAR, A GRILL, A MARINA.
THEY THINK AN INTERNET-BASED BUSINESS THAT I LIVE AT AND 
RETIRE AT, KEEP MY BOATS AT THE DOCK, WOULD BE MORE 
INVITING TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD THAN ANY OTHER OPTION, SO 
I'M ASKING AND I BEG YOU, PLEASE, FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
YES, I MADE A VERY LARGE INVESTMENT IN THIS PROPERTY, BUT 
WITH QUITE A BIT OF DUE DILIGENCE, TALKING TO COUNTY STAFF 
AND NEIGHBORS, I MADE THIS CHOICE, AND I'M HOPING THAT YOU 
WOULD ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE WITH THE CHOICE I MADE AND 
HOPEFULLY NOT MAKE THAT I MADE A BAD CHOICE, SO WITH THAT, 
I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO APPROVE THIS.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, SIR.
PLANNING COMMISSION.
>>MELISSA ZORNITTA:  THANK YOU.
THIS SITE HAS A FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF SUBURBAN 
MIXED USE-6.
IT'S LOCATED IN THE URBAN SERVICE AREA AND WITHIN THE 
BOUNDARIES OF THE GIBSONTON COMMUNITY PLAN.
THE PROPOSED USE OF A COMMERCIAL BUSINESS WITH OUTDOOR 
STORAGE IS PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT STAFF 
FOUND TO BE PREDOMINANTLY RESIDENTIAL IN NATURE.
WHILE THERE ARE NONRESIDENTIAL USES AT THE INTERCHANGE OF 
GIBSONTON DRIVE AND I-75, THIS PROPERTY IS NORTH OF OLD 
GIBSONTON DRIVE WITH AN ACCESS ROAD THAT WOULD GO PAST A 
NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
THE ENTIRE NORTH SIDE OF OLD GIBSONTON DRIVE IS ALL 
CURRENTLY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WHILE THE OTHER QUADRANTS OF THIS INTERCHANGE ARE 
NONRESIDENTIAL USES, THOSE USES EITHER HAVE PRIMARY ACCESS 
ONTO GIBSONTON DRIVE OR AT A MINIMUM, THEIR ACCESS DRIVES 
DO NOT GO PAST OTHER RESIDENTIAL USES.
THEREFORE, WE FOUND THAT THIS AREA, WHILE IT'S ADJACENT TO 
INTERSTATE 75, WAS UNIQUE AND HAD SOME UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES 
GIVEN THE RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY ADJACENT TO IT.
ADDITIONALLY, IT IS WITHIN THE GIBSONTON COMMUNITY PLAN, 
AND THIS AREA IS DEFINED AS A RIVERFRONT REVITALIZATION AND 
MIXED-USE AREA, AND THEIR STRATEGIES CALL FOR ATTRACTING 
WATERFRONT-RELATED USES AND TO INCORPORATE NEW OR 
REVITALIZED HOUSING AND PARKS FOR THIS AREA.
THEREFORE, STAFF FOUND THAT THE PROPOSED COMMERCIAL USE 
WITH THE OUTDOOR STORAGE WOULD NOT BE CONSISTENT WITH THEIR 
COMMUNITY PLAN AS WELL.
BASED ON THIS, THE PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF FINDS THE 
PROPOSED REZONING INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  HEARING MASTER.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THE HEARING MASTER FOUND THAT THE APPLICANT 
IS PROPOSING A UNIQUE DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT WHERE RV TOY 
HAULERS ARE MARKETED VIA THE INTERNET AND EITHER DELIVERED 
BY THE APPLICANT OR PICKED UP AT THE SUBJECT AREA BY THE 
CUSTOMER.
HE FOUND THAT THE APPLICANT'S PROPOSAL IS AN APPROPRIATE 
TRANSITION OF USE FROM THE INTENSITY OF I-75 TO THE 
RESIDENTIAL USES FURTHER -- FURTHER TO THE WEST ALONG OLD 
GIBSONTON DRIVE.
FOUND THAT THIS -- THE TRANSITION WAS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH 
BUFFERING, SCREENING THAT BEST UTILIZES THE NATURAL 
RESOURCES OF THE SITE AND ALSO ACCOMPLISHES THIS TRANSITION 
IN A WAY THAT IS MOST LIKELY TO PROTECT THE SIGNIFICANT 
TREE CANOPY ON THE SUBJECT SITE.
WITH THAT, HE FOUND THE PETITION TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE 
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, INCLUDING THE VISIONS, GOALS, AND 
STRATEGIES OF THE GIBSONTON COMMUNITY PLAN, AND RECOMMENDED 
APPROVAL.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER FERLITA.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
PLANNING COMMISSION, I APPRECIATE YOUR POSITION ON THIS, 
FIRST OF ALL.
GIBSONTON IS IN MY SPECIFIC DISTRICT, DISTRICT 1, AND 
GIBSONTON HAS HAD SOME STRUGGLES IN THE PAST, AND THEY'VE 
STOOD FIRM AND TALL TO TRY TO GET THAT DONE.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE WITH MR. HOLLEY AND MR. MINCHER, AND 
I'M SORRY THE REST OF YOUR NEIGHBORS, SIR, HAD TO LEAVE, 
BUT THIS IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE COMMUNITY PLAN IN 
GIBSONTON, AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT IS FOR US OR ANYONE TO 
CHIP AWAY AT THAT COMMUNITY PLAN.
IT IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE PREDOMINANT PATTERN OF 
RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO IT, AND I THINK THAT 
THIS WOULD START A PATTERN THAT WOULD NOT BE COMPLEMENTARY 
OR HELPFUL TO THE COMMUNITY PLAN FOR GIBSONTON.
BASED ON THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FOR DENIAL.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION TO DENY BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA AND A 
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE MOTION?
OKAY.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  NEXT ITEM.
>>PAULA HARVEY:  COMMISSIONERS, THE NEXT ITEM ON THE 
AGENDA, ITEM D-3, IS MAJOR MODIFICATION 09-775.
GATEWAY VICTORY, INCORPORATED, IS ASKING FOR A 
MODIFICATION -- OR IS ASKING FOR A MODIFICATION TO A ZONING 
APPROVED IN 1989.
THIS IS AN APPROXIMATE NINE-ACRE SITE LOCATED AT THE SOUTH 
SIDE OF EAST LUMSDEN ROAD, WEST OF LITHIA-PINECREST.
THE PROJECT THAT'S APPROVED THERE TODAY IS A MIXED-USE 
PROJECT OF OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL.
IT IS PARTIALLY DEVELOPED WITH A DRUGSTORE AT THE CORNER.
THEY'RE PROPOSING IN THE CENTER PART OF THE SITE TO ADD THE 
ALLOWABILITY FOR AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY USE.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES ARE ESSENTIALLY HOUSING FOR 
ELDERLY PERSONS REQUIRING CARE BUT SHORT OF THEIR BEING 
NURSING HOME TYPE OF PATIENTS.
THEY'LL ACTUALLY BE LIVING THERE.
IT WOULD BE THEIR RESIDENTS, BUT THERE IS CARE PROVIDED AT 
THE FACILITY.
STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL, ZONING HEARING MASTER 
RECOMMENDED APPROVAL, AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOUND IT 
CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
ORAL ARGUMENT HAS BEEN FILED.
>>KEN HAGAN:  CAN WE HAVE A MOTION TO OPEN.
>>ROSE FERLITA:  SO MOVE, MR. CHAIRMAN.
>>KEVIN BECKNER:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FERLITA, SECOND 
COMMISSIONER BECKNER.
PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 7-0.
>>KEN HAGAN:  IS THE APPLICANT HERE?
PLEASE COME DOWN.
GOOD MORNING, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M JOHN BODZIAK.
I'M THE AGENT AND ARCHITECT FOR THE PROJECT, AND I WOULD GO 
OVER A FEW HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROJECT WITH YOU AND ANSWER 
ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.
AS YOU KNOW, THE PROPERTY IS A HEAVILY WOODED ALMOST NINE-
ACRE -- JUST SLIGHTLY UNDER NINE-ACRE SITE THAT PREVIOUSLY 
WAS APPROVED FOR AN OFFICE, PROFESSIONAL, AND COMMERCIAL 
USE.
THERE IS A CVS THAT WAS DEVELOPED ON WHAT WAS A PORTION OF 
THE SITE UP AT LUMSDEN -- ON LUMSDEN ROAD.
THE -- PRESENTLY THE -- THE PRESENT ZONING AND PD THAT WAS 
APPROVED WOULD ALLOW A VERY INTENSE DENSITY THAT WOULD 
VIRTUALLY LEVEL QUITE A BIT OF THE FOLIAGE THAT'S ON THE 
SITE.
THE PROPOSED USE THAT WE HAVE HAS -- IS A FAR LOWER 
INTENSITY THAT CREATES VERY EXCESSIVE SETBACKS FROM THE 
STREETS.
FOR EXAMPLE, 75 FEET IS PROBABLY THE CLOSEST TO A STREET, 
AND THAT WOULD BE OFF OF BELL SHOALS.
THE PROPERTY AS PLANNED WOULD PRESERVE -- BECAUSE OF THE 
LOW INTENSITY WOULD PRESERVE APPROXIMATELY 85 -- OVER 85% 
ACTUALLY OF THE GRAND OAKS THAT ARE LOCATED ON THE 
PROPERTY, EVEN WITH THE RETENTION THAT WOULD BE BUILT IN.
SOME OF THE RETENTION WOULD BE ABOVEGROUND RETENTION, ONLY 
BECAUSE OF MEETING THE FLOODPLAIN ISSUES.
THE -- HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY OF THE RETENTION WE INTEND -- 
OR ADDITIONAL RETENTION WE INTEND TO DO WITH THE ADS 
SYSTEM, WHICH IS THE UNDERGROUND DRAINAGE SYSTEM, WHICH 
ALLOWS US TO PRESERVE A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF THE TREES ON 
THE PROPERTY.
THE OVERALL TREES ON THE PROPERTY ASIDE FROM THE GRAND 
OAKS, WE'D PRESERVE IN EXCESS OF -- APPROACHING 70% OF THE 
EXISTING FOLIAGE ON THE PROPERTY, SO I THINK THAT KIND OF 
EMPHASIZES TO YOU THAT WE HAVE A VERY LOW PARKING RATIO 
THAT REQUIRES VERY LITTLE PAVED AREA.
WE HAVE VERY LOW BUILDING COVERAGE ON THE SITE, 
APPROXIMATELY 100,000 SQUARE FEET ON THE 130-BED FACILITY.
THERE ARE TWO.
THERE'S A 30- AND A 130-BED FACILITY.
THE INTENSITY IS VERY LOW FOR A NINE-ACRE SITE, AND IT 
ALLOWS US TO REALLY PRESERVE THE NATURE OF THIS SITE IN A 
MAJOR WAY.
THE -- IN THE UPCOMING YEARS, THREE- TO FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, 
IT'S PROJECTED THAT THERE WILL BE A NEED FOR APPROXIMATELY 
SEVEN MILLION BEDS, AND THE NEED IN FLORIDA'S GOING TO GROW 
DRAMATICALLY AS IS BEING SEEN BY A NUMBER OF THE FACILITIES 
THAT ARE OUT THERE.
THIS IS A FIRST-CLASS FACILITY THAT WE HAVE FINANCING IN 
PLACE FROM PRUDENTIAL HUNTOON, WHICH DOES A MAJOR AMOUNT OF 
THESE PROJECTS.
WE HAVE ONE CURRENTLY UNDERWAY OVER IN WEST ST. PETERSBURG.
ASIDE FROM PROVIDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN CONSTRUCTION, 
THIS IS A PROJECT THAT'S PREPARED TO GO AHEAD VIRTUALLY 
IMMEDIATELY.
THE -- AS I STATED, THE SETBACKS ARE EXCESSIVE, THE 
RETENTION'S MINIMAL, THE DAMAGE TO THE SITE AS FAR AS 
COVERAGE GOES IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS, AND THE -- WE'RE 
ATTEMPTING -- WE THINK THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE USE FOR THE 
SITE.
THE -- I WOULD SUPPOSE THAT I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY OTHER 
QUESTIONS, BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD CONSIDER THE 
HEARING MASTER'S RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL, AND IF YOU'D 
LIKE, I HAVE A PHOTOGRAPH OF WHAT WE PROPOSE.
IT'S A FIRST-CLASS ONE -- A ONE- TO TWO-STORY STRUCTURE, 
WHICH I THINK THE PHOTOS'S BEEN PRESENTED, IF I'M NOT 
MISTAKEN, PREVIOUSLY.
WAS IT?
I'M NOT SURE.
NOW MAYBE -- CAN I PRESENT THAT OR IS IT -- IF WE'RE NOT 
SURE, SHOULD I JUST NOT DO THAT.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  I THINK IF YOU'RE NOT SURE, YOU SHOULD --
>> YEAH, WE'LL PASS ON THAT.
BUT I THINK THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE SITE THAT IN THESE 
ECONOMIC TIMES IS -- IS -- OH, I WANT TO MENTION ONE OTHER 
THING, THAT I MET WITH A NUMBER OF THE RESIDENTS THAT HAD 
OBJECTIONS.
THERE WEREN'T A LOT OF THEM, BUT THERE WERE A FEW HERE, AND 
I WANTED TO -- AND BETWEEN THE RESIDENTS AND STAFF, THE 
DETERMINATION WAS MADE THAT ON THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SITE 
PLAN, THERE WERE ESSENTIALLY TWO ACCESSES ON BELL SHOALS.
THERE WAS A LOT OF OBJECTION TO THE FACT THAT WITH TWO 
EXISTING ACCESSES, US ADDING A THIRD WOULD CREATE TOO MUCH 
ACCESS ON BELL SHOALS, SO IN CONVERSATION WITH STAFF, THE 
FURTHEST, I GUESS -- WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT? -- SOUTH 
ACCESS TO PARCEL "D" WE COULD ELIMINATE, AND WE COULD 
COMBINE THE OTHER TWO ACCESSES, ESSENTIALLY BRINGING IT 
FROM A PROPOSED THREE DOWN TO ESSENTIALLY A ONE ACCESS TO 
THE ROAD, WHICH WOULD CREATE I THINK A MORE VIABLE 
SITUATION FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT SEEMED TO BE THE MAIN OBJECTION THAT MOST OF THE 
PEOPLE HAD WAS TRAFFIC TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND IT'S 
BECOMING TOO MANY ACCESSES WITH THROUGH -- THROUGH AREAS, 
SO WE -- ASIDE FROM ACCEPTING THE STIPULATIONS THAT WERE 
BROUGHT UP BY THE HEARING MASTER, WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO 
READ INTO THE RECORD THAT WE ARE WILLING TO COMPROMISE THE 
ACCESSES TO BELL SHOALS, WHICH I THINK HELPS THE 
NEIGHBORHOOD OVERCOME ITS FEARS OF TOO MUCH TRAFFIC.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, SIR.
AT THIS TIME THOSE IN OPPOSITION, WE HAVE TWO INDIVIDUALS 
THAT HAVE SIGNED UP.
MS. KERSHNER AND MS. WILL.
GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING.
I'M LOIS KERSHNER.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, STAFF, AND INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS, MY 
ADDRESS IS 1305 BELL SHOALS, BRANDON, FLORIDA.
BEFORE I START MY REMARKS, I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON THE 
GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE.
HE MENTIONED A MEETING WITH THE RESIDENTS OF THE 
NEIGHBORHOOD.
I ASSUME HE'S REFERRING TO THE FEW WORDS WE EXCHANGED AFTER 
THE ZONING MEETING THAT WAS HELD IN AUGUST BECAUSE IT WAS 
NOT REALLY A MEETING, AND CONSENSUS WAS NOT ARRIVED AT 
THAT.
ANYWAY, I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE SOME ISSUES THAT WERE IN -- 
MENTIONED IN THE SEPTEMBER 15th RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAND 
USE HEARING OFFICER.
THE FIRST IS WHAT IS A MINOR EXIT?
THERE WOULD BE ONE MINOR EXIT OFF BELL SHOALS.
THE ROADS AROUND THIS PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, LUMSDEN, 
LITHIA-PINECREST, HAVE FAILING RATINGS.
BELL SHOALS IS A CONSTRAINED ROAD, SO TRAFFIC SHOULD BE 
LIMITED ON THAT.
IF A NEW DRIVEWAY IS CUT ONTO BELL SHOALS FROM THIS 
PROPERTY, MANY DRIVERS WILL USE THIS EXIT RATHER THAN USING 
THE LUMSDEN EXIT, AND WHEN DOES A MINOR EXIT ONTO BELL 
SHOALS BECOME A MAJOR EXIT DOWN THE ROAD AS FAR AS TRAFFIC?
A DRIVEWAY ONTO BELL SHOALS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT 
SURROUNDING STREETS, HUMMINGBIRD, BAMA, ORANGEWALK, AND 
BROOKER WITH INCREASED TRAFFIC.
CREATING AN EXIT FOR A LIVING FACILITY SHOULD NOT BE 
ALLOWED.
LET ME REPEAT, THIS SECTION OF BELL SHOALS IS CONSTRAINED.
IT'S ONE OF THE FEW CONSTRAINED ROADS IN THAT AREA.
A DRIVEWAY ONTO BELL SHOALS IS NOT NEEDED UNLESS THERE IS 
GOING TO BE TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THIS FACILITY THAT WILL BE 
IMPACTING THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
WHEN GATEWAY VICTORY WAS GOING TO DEVELOP THIS PROPERTY IN 
1989 WITH HIGHER COMMERCIAL USE, RONDA STORMS, THE COUNTY 
COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT 4 AT THAT TIME, RALLIED AGAINST 
IT BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.
THIS IS TWO DECADES LATER, AND THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS HAVE 
ONLY ESCALATED IN THIS AREA.
I HAVE ANOTHER CONCERN.
THE LAND USE HEARING OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATION FINDING OF 
FACTS POINT NUMBER 4 STATES, SINCE AN ASSISTED LIVING 
FACILITY GENERATES LESS TRIP ENDS THAN EITHER COMMERCIAL OR 
OFFICE USE, IF APPROVED, THIS MODIFICATION MAY -- MAY 
REDUCE TRIP ENDS TO AND FROM THE SITE.
THE IMPACT OF THIS FACILITY ON THE SURROUNDING ROADS AND 
TRAFFIC SHOULD BE STUDIED IN-DEPTH AND SUPPORTED BY FACTS.
THE TRANSPORTATION REPORT ASSOCIATED WITH THIS MODIFICATION 
APPLICATION DOES NOT REFLECT THE "D" RATINGS FOR LUMSDEN, 
LITHIA-PINECREST.
IT IS A FACT THAT THIS AREA IS SEVERELY CONGESTED AND IT IS 
A PROBLEM AREA.
PLEASE MAKE A DECISION ON FACTS, NOT ON HOPEFUL HYPOTHESES 
SUCH AS, MAY GENERATE LESS COMMERCIAL USES.
TRAFFIC PROBLEMS SHOULD BE RESOLVED IN THIS AREA BEFORE ANY 
COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IS ALLOWED TO PROCEED.
I LIVE IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA AND HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE 
IMPACT OF THIS PROPOSED PROJECT.
IF THE TRAFFIC IS ROUTED DOWN BELL SHOALS, IT WILL HAVE A 
PROFOUND EFFECT ON LOCAL HOMEOWNERS' QUALITY OF LIFE.
PLEASE PRESERVE AND PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERATION OF MY REMARKS.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MA'AM.
GOOD MORNING.
>> MY NAME IS GLADYS WILL.
I'M AT 1006 HUMMINGBIRD LANE, BRANDON, FLORIDA.
MY CONCERN IS THE TRAFFIC.
THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN REZONED AND MODIFIED AND -- SEVERAL 
TIMES.
CVS BOUGHT A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY THAT WOULD HAVE 
INCLUDED SOME RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT THE COUNTY AT ONE TIME 
DEEMED NECESSARY.
OTHER RIGHT-OF-WAYS ON LUMSDEN HASN'T OCCURRED, AND AS A 
MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE HEARING OFFICER'S 
REPORT, THE FIRST 11 PAGES IS STRIKING OUT ALL THAT RIGHT-
OF-WAY INFORMATION BECAUSE IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE AT THIS 
POINT IN TIME, AND SO THIS GRAPHIC SHOWS THE CVS STORE ON 
THE CORNER OF LUMSDEN AND BELL SHOALS, AND THEN YOU NOTICE 
THERE'S A LITTLE SQUARE THAT'S STILL THERE IN PART OF THE 
ORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY REQUESTED REZONING ON.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO PUT THERE, BUT LUMSDEN, 
BASED ON 2008 REPORT FROM THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY ROAD, WAS 
AN "E" ROAD.
THE BELL SHOALS/LITHIA-PINECREST INTERSECTS RIGHT THERE, 
AND BOTH OF THOSE ARE FAILED ROADS.
THEY'RE "F."
YOU CAN'T GET ANY WORSE THAN THAT EXCEPT THEY APPEAR TO BE 
DOING THAT.
WE HAVE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC FROM OTHER 
DEVELOPMENTS, BLOOMINGDALE, FISHHAWK, THAT COME THAT WAY TO 
GET TO LUMSDEN TO GET ON THE EXPRESSWAY.
WE HAVE FIVE -- FOUR SCHOOLS IN THE AREA.
TWO ARE DIRECTLY ON BELL SHOALS.
THE OTHER TWO ARE WITHIN A BLOCK OR HALF BLOCK FROM BELL 
SHOALS, AND I WROTE SEVERAL E-MAILS BECAUSE I KNEW THAT 
THEY WERE WORKING ON THAT AREA TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THOSE 
ROAD SITUATIONS OUT THERE.
I REALLY NEVER GOT A DIRECT ANSWER, ALTHOUGH I DID SEE 
SOMETHING IN THE NOTES THAT INDICATE THEY MIGHT HAVE 
RECOGNIZED THAT, BUT I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ROAD 
SITUATION.
WE -- AND THE FACT THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE'S 
GOING TO HOLD BECAUSE HE STILL HAS ABOUT FIVE ACRES THAT HE 
CAN DEVELOP INTO SOMETHING, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY 
LIMIT TO THAT, WHAT THEY CAN DO.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, MA'AM.
AT THIS TIME THE APPLICANT HAS FIVE-MINUTE REBUTTAL.
>> FIRST, I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT THE -- A PROJECT OF THIS 
TYPE, THERE -- CARS ARE PROHIBITED TO THE RESIDENCE.
THE 130 RESIDENCE IN THE MAIN BUILDING WOULD HAVE NO CARS.
ACTUALLY NONE OF THE RESIDENCE WOULD HAVE CARS AVAILABLE TO 
THEM.
THE NUMBER OF PARKED SPACES ON THIS SITE IS REDUCED AS 
SHOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 72, I BELIEVE, CARS FROM WHAT WOULD 
BE ALLOWABLE AS A HUGE PARKING LOT WITH IN EXCESS OF 
150,000 SQUARE FEET OF COMMERCIAL OFFICE SPACE, SO I THINK 
THE IMPACT OF THIS ON THE ROADS IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS, AND 
AS I SAY, 130 BEDS WITH NO CARS ALLOWED IN THE FACILITY 
IS -- IS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE IMPACT ON TRAFFIC.
THE STAFF AT PEAK IS -- IS ABOUT 18 PEOPLE, SO ASIDE FROM 
OCCASIONALLY VISITORS, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY DON'T OCCUR AS 
OFTEN AS WE OFTEN THINK THEY WILL, THIS IS A VERY LOW 
IMPACT ON TRAFFIC.
THE STAFF RECOGNIZED THIS?
DISCUSSIONS, AND I WANT TO SAY ALSO A PROJECT OF THIS TYPE 
THAT'S PREPARED TO GO AHEAD WOULD CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY 
WITH IMPACT FEES THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT ON THIS PROJECT TO 
HELP CORRECT THE PROBLEMS ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURROUNDING 
THE SITE.
ADDITIONALLY, I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS THE FOUR-ACRE SITE 
THAT THE LADY POINTED OUT IS NOT A PART OF THIS PROJECT AND 
HAS NOT BEEN A PART OF THE APPROVAL PROCESS AT ANY TIME ON 
THIS PROJECT.
SO I THINK YOU SHOULD -- I APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION.
>>KEN HAGAN:  THANK YOU, SIR.
PLANNING COMMISSION.
>>MELISSA ZORNITTA:  THANK YOU.
THE SITE OF THIS MAJOR MODIFICATION IS LOCATED IN THE 
RESIDENTIAL-4 LAND USE CATEGORY.
IT'S ALSO WITHIN THE URBAN SERVICE AREA.
AS IT IS CURRENTLY APPROVED FOR COMMERCIAL AND OFFICE USES, 
STAFF FOUND THAT THE PROPOSED ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY 
WOULD BE A COMPLEMENTARY USE TO -- TO MODIFY TO IN THIS 
CASE.
IT WOULD BE -- PROVIDE A TRANSITION BETWEEN THE 
COMMERCIALIZED INTERSECTION AT LUMSDEN AND BELL SHOALS AND 
THE REPRESENTATION DEVELOPMENT IN THE SURROUNDING AREA.
THE SITE DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE PROPOSED 
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE 
SURROUNDING AREA AS WELL.
BASED ON THIS, PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF FOUND THE PROPOSED 
MAJOR MODIFICATION CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
THANK YOU.
>>KEN HAGAN:  HEARING MASTER.
>>ADAM GORMLY:  THE HEARING MASTER FOUND THAT THIS MAJOR 
MODIFICATION WOULD ADD 160-BED ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY TO 
AN EXISTING PLANNED DEVELOPMENT THAT CURRENTLY HAS 
COMMERCIAL OR OFFICE USES ENTITLED TO IT.
THE AMENDED PLAN ILLUSTRATES A CAMPUS STYLE ASSEMBLAGE OF 
ONE- AND TWO-STORY BUILDINGS, AND THE APPLICANT HAS 
SUBMITTED AN ARCHITECTURAL STYLE OF THE BUILDINGS THAT 
WOULD BLEND THE APPEARANCE WITH THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT 
TO THE EAST AND SERVE AS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE MORE 
INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL USES AT THE ADJACENT INTERSECTION AND 
THOSE ADJACENT RESIDENTIAL USES.
FURTHER FOUND THAT SINCE AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY 
GENERATES LESS TRIP ENDS THAN OTHER COMMERCIAL OR OFFICE 
USES, IF APPROVED, THIS MODIFICATION MAY REDUCE TRIP ENDS 
TO OR FROM THE SITE AND ALSO RECOGNIZED THAT IN ORDER TO 
ENSURE THAT ROADWAYS CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT AN ACCEPTABLE 
LEVEL OF SERVICE, THE APPLICANT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COMPLY 
WITH THE ADEQUATE PUBLIC FACILITIES ORDINANCE, WHICH IS THE 
CONCURRENCY REGULATIONS, TO REQUIRE IMPROVEMENTS BE MADE BY 
THE DEVELOPMENTS RELATIVE TO THEIR IMPACT ON ROADWAYS.
WITH THAT, HE FOUND THE PETITION TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE 
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND RECOMMENDED APPROVAL.
>>KEN HAGAN:  COMMISSIONER SHARPE.
>>MARK SHARPE:  I APPRECIATE THE DISCUSSION THAT WAS 
PRESENTED BY THE -- BY THE INDIVIDUALS SPEAKING IN 
OPPOSITION, BUT I AGREE WITH THE CASE MADE BY THE 
APPLICANTS, BOTH THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE LAND USE 
HEARING OFFICER, PARTICULARLY THE SUMMARY WHICH SAYS THAT 
TRAFFIC IMPACTS FROM THIS FACILITY, WHICH I BELIEVE TO BE 
NEEDED, CAN BE EXPECTED TO BE LESS INTENSIVE THAN THE 
EXISTING USED USES, AND MOVE FOR APPROVAL.
>>JIM NORMAN:  SECOND.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SHARPE, SECOND BY 
COMMISSIONER NORMAN.
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM.
>>AL HIGGINBOTHAM:  THANK YOU.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ABSTAIN TO AVOID AN APPEARANCE OF 
CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER COMMENTS, PLEASE RECORD YOUR VOTE.
>>RECORDING SECRETARY:  MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
COMMISSIONER HIGGINBOTHAM ABSTAINED.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
MS. HARVEY, ANY OTHER ITEMS THIS MORNING?
>>PAULA HARVEY:  NO, SIR.
>>KEN HAGAN:  OKAY.
WE'RE -- THIS CONCLUDES THE MORNING AGENDA, AND WE'LL 
RETURN AT 1:30.
THANK YOU.


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