Comment Up
There was no reasonable explanation as to why the visionaries on the City Commission wanted to kick the former Planning & Zoning board to the curb--a Board that had done a highly professional job. This was unprecedented in the City of Lake Worth. Bullying from the dais is unacceptable to most reasonable people. The Commission has the final word anyway. Even the Member Log of the P&Z was altered to reflect that all their terms expired on 6/26/12. They made sure that all of their ducks were in a row.Now we have a predominance of people on this Board who are more inclined to have their "vision"... higher buildings in the downtown with the taller buildings already here as exceptions. They even want higher buildings in certain residential areas.
Someone asked a question on this blog regarding education of the final members of the new "visionary" Planning & Zoning Board. Although education is important and certainly necessary when choosing a "qualified" candidate as that entails a profession of some sort such as law, architecture, etc., (a new requirement for this Board), higher education is not everything in life and does not guaranty success or that someone will be better at this volunteer position than someone without a degree.
Usually college graduates make more money than those who do not. There are always exceptions and huge success stories come to mind: Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs. My grandfather was an immigrant from Scotland with a 9th grade education but he was the most educated man I have ever known and a big success in his life, actually living the American Dream that so many get the opportunity to do in this great country through hard work.
Palm Beach State College, degree in Hotel Management
Greenwich University and U. of Pennsylvania, planner 1983
Capital University, JD in 1978
Allegheny College BA 1969 and U. of Buffalo, JD in 1974
Attended Palm Beach Junior College, former Real Estate Broker
University of Michigan, BA 2004 & JD 2007
I found his answers to questions to be in alignment with my own other than his wanting to attract more young people to the city. We have an abundance of young here with the average age at about 34. Attracting more affluent would help build up the neighborhoods and those people are usually older than our average age with over 56% of our populous under the age of 44. The average age has drastically changed over the last several decades.
NYU, AA 1983
39 comments:
Now let's see the former P&Z's board educational backgrounds.
In having several discussions with many people about whether the Suzanne Mulvehills, Chris McVoys and Lynn Andersons of the world were knowingly misrepresenting because they were agenda driven or if they genuinely did not understand the topics, no conclusions were made. Last night pushed me in the latter direction.
Repeatedly, Commissioners Mulvehill and McVoy asked candidates for preferences and desires with respect to height. All the candidates, especially Messrs. Palen and Rinaldi tried to explain to them that their personal opinions were not relevant to the P&Z Board’s Function of interpretation existing Ordinances and LDR’s which were to be Staff produced at the direction of Policy Decisions of the City Commission.
Interpretation of the input from a Comprehensive Plan Process should be restricted to elected officials, not the P&Z Board.
Even Presentations to the P&Z board that do not conform are governed by Rules for Variances and Conditional Use permits. So once again, the P&Z decisions are primarily objective and should not be subjective or expansive.
With the past board having an orientation towards writing Code & LDR’s as well as influencing Staff work with their own Agenda, Preferences and vision---it was obvious that the P&Z Function was being perverted by some.
With the Experience and Educational background of the currently constituted P&Z Board, returning to the Function of Interpreting Current Code & Ordinances as well as faciliting the smooth flow of process will have a better chance of being achieved.
Where are the Women Appointees?
No woman applied for this important board?
Gee, Jack. Commissioners have every right to ask any question they want. These are POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS and as such, we, as a public, need to hear the questions and how candidates answer them.
Your approach is equally as bad as not allowing the people to vote on how they want their city to look.
As you live in Delray, what is your purpose for hanging around our city? We are all concerned about the influence of you developer minded people who are only looking to make the big bucks off this city to the detriment of all the rest of us.
The immediate past P&Z did not pervert the system. I believe that past boards perverted the system particularly when The Lucerne was allowed.
While Commissioners do have every right to ask any questions they want, don't you think it is unfortunate when they ask irrelevant questions?
BTW--what part do you think you have in analysis of candidates' questions. Isn't it a useless act without positive contribution?
I don't understand the "your approach" to which you refer in your second paragraph.
I never see you painting houses of indigent people, cleaning up their lawns and mowing their grass, as I have. You are never walking beside me in crime walks, sat beside me on COP rides, done any Neighborhood Association or CRA lot cleanups. Where are you on the Hab for Hum home building weekends? Nor have you painted benches at the beach or cleaned up alley ways. Do some of those things and then you earn the right to challenge me on how I choose to fulfill my Civic Responsibilities.
Your last paragraph is indicative of my original---do you really not know that the P&Z's last recommendations on the Lucerne were overridden by the City Commission?
I'm a little confused by Jack's bloviated comments. Sounds like, all of a sudden, input from the P & Z is irrelevant. If so, why do we need all the "professionals"?
I would also ask why would state statutes require Planning Board review of all land use documents prior to them being presented to elected officials, if their input is irrelevant?
I'm not surprised that a couple of attorneys were able to sidestep direct questioning about the number one land development issue in our city. Let's give them a hand.
And no surprise that someone whose only interest in our city is to profit from real estate transactions would be unhappy with vested residents guiding the planning process. Outside interests in action here, I would say.
And now we have Mr Greg Rice on our planning board, who owns at least one investment property in the area around which there is much conflict today regarding building heights. Shall we trust that his personal opinion on land development will not influence his Planning Board votes? We should, according to Jack. Unfortunately, most of this board will probably not let the opinions of thousands of residents influence them either.
The first post is a joke! But the real joke is the appointments, yes all political. Three lawyers, one planner, three with community college, or AA degrees, one realtor, not sure if he has a cert or a degree from PBJC, the three with AA's do not seem qualified, we do not need realtors who all they care about is them greedy selves selling more houses and condos and building and developing. The one is a slum owner who does not even keep up his own dilapidated building and grounds. Dios mio, we might really be in trouble now. Education matters, but so does common sense and people who assume responsibility for themselves. Lynn we will be watching these guys closely, why aren't there any women here? All these guys are all people with huge egos, what will this mean for our city now? Thanks Lynn for the info. Keep us posted.
What I would really like to know is how many of these guys and how much did each of them give any of the newly elected officials? Lynn how can we find this out? Is there a place I can go to find out if their names and amounts show up on some campaign donation list with city hall? It is a sin that a slum owner is on an important board like this, the politics of all of this is so unethical and offensive. What a sin!
You know, I just want to know the TRUE inner MOTIVES for these people wanting to be on this powerful board? What are their real reasons?
Why is it that you only have ONE example to use? You would think the Lucerne is 100 stories high.
Which of the new board members is pushing to build higher?
By name please.
Jack, it was Maxwell who kept pushing the questions on 'yes, variances should be encouraged'.
Jack--Please take some friendly advice, go to some other blog and bloviate.
I am on the Board of my condo association and as such am busy every single day. We have many elderly in my complex who are also poor. I contribute in many other ways to this community where I live. It is time for the younger people to step up, not relying on 70 year olds to do all of the work.
Congratulations to you that you are such an upstanding citizen and like to paint houses etc. Why don't you work as hard in your own town?
You don't admire me? That's rich and I feel rather complimented to say the least. the Next time I see you I will shake your hand for being such a LW hero.
So, it sounds like Rice doesn't have a college degree after all, just a realtor lic or cert from the community college, right? I agree with Laural on her assessment on him and his motives.
Your last paragraph is indicative of my original---do you really not know that the P&Z's last recommendations on the Lucerne were overridden by the City Commission?
did you know that Loretta Sharpe was on the P&Z and voted for the heights. Also there were only to be 22 units but she wanted 82 thus the heights were passed. She eventually resigned or something from P&Z and became the exclusive agent to sell all of the 82 units. What a gal. What a team. Jack Sharpe, what a guy.
12:57--you are about as naive as it gets.
One person for sure against heights in our downtown is Waples. One person against single family neighborhoods changing is Parrilla. One person who says the people's voice is very important is Zacks.
Off to petition. Don't get your panties in a wad. If you want to help petition and do something constructive by allowing this issue to get on the ballot where it should have been all along, call me.
I wouldn't be so sure about Waples, he agreed with William Waters assessment that the graphics used by the new pac are not representative of what could be built in LW.
Not to get off subject, but how were these guys chosen. it seems to me that everybody who applied was approved? Were people not allowed to interview?
Pinkie answer the question about the unqualified past P&Z board's education and work background.
The best way to learn anything is to do the work yourself. You are so interested, LOOK IT UP. Do you really expect everyone to do your work for you? What do you think this is? City government? The visionary Commission? Go play with your marbles or one of your developer friends. Have a ball.
Anonymous 1:57 PM
You don't want to beleive it but Mr. Waples is also correct. It's not just the hights, it's the LDR's and codes that would not permit the examples being used in the computer generated campaign pieces.
Mr. Waples is a credible person. He still voted to keep heights low in downtown.
It is my understanding that the "height" of the Lucerne was never an issue and was always allowed to go 65'. The variances were granted not by the P&Z Board, but by the commission. The variances dealt with parking spaces per unit, setback from the street and square footage of units. Maybe a few more.
I personally don't care for the (lack of) architecture and if compared to our landmark 65' tall Gulfstream Hotel, ........
The point is height was not the issue and THIS commission has voted to LOWER the maximum height in DOWNTOWN from 65' DOWN to 45'.
Additionally, they have voted to LOWER the maximum height West of Dixie from 100' DOWN to 45'.
I just went through Downtown Ft. Pierce today and saw what a "low rise" city really looks like. Pretty much a sprawling slum with lots of vacant lots because... .you guessed it, nobody wants to invest in an area that you can only build two stories.
If you get the signatures to place the ballot initiative for a Charter Change, how will that affect the previous Charter Change that NO ONE took advantage of? None, zero, NADA 100 foot buildings were built West of Dixie. Not even in the greedy boom years of the evil developers.
I'm happy to see Robert Waples was reappointed. At meetings I attended, he was a voice of reason. If what you say is true, that he wants Downtown heights restricted further that the currently approved 45', I'm sure he will have good arguments for his position.
Does a Charter Change have to get 60% approval of the electorate or just a majority?
Simple majority...50% plus 1.
Mrs.Sharpe,Was not on the P&Z Board
When the Lucerne was approved.
The Pier Group was the Exclusive Agent for selling the units there.
Mrs.Sharpe worked for The Pier Group
at one time,but had left and gone to Castles Realty in Manalapan before the Lucerne was built.I don't think she ever sold anything there.
It is all about "height" Rice.
"You don't want to beleive it but Mr. Waples is also correct. It's not just the hights(sic), it's the LDR's and codes that would not permit the examples being used in the computer generated campaign pieces."
If memory serves, in my 15 years here, the only building built on lake and lucerne were the Lucerne and Romano's Green Building. True, the owners of the Gulf Stream proposed a structure over 2-3 stories, but it was never built. Are we just talking about the height next to the Gulf Stream?
Didn't Ms. Sharpe practice nepotism when she was Commissioner by getting her son hired to manage the Golf Course and then some money went missing? Was that ever resolved or just swept under the rug by her friends in the city.
Sue
Anonymous 8:59 AM,
Mark Twain said, "it's a poor uncreative mind what can spell a word only one way."
Greg, I just don't get you or it, you can keep your property at the 300 block on North C Street so beautiful, but then the one at 1306 Lucerne is a sorry eyesore, and it is on our main city thoroughfare. Why don't you bulldoze and clean this deplorable mess up? You are supposed to be a leader in this city, right? If you want to earn any respect, assume responsibility for your blight and slum property, clean it up mister. Do we need to "spell" it out for you any further?
I agree with this poster, isn't he embarrassed to keep a place in this condition?
"Greg, I just don't get you or it, you can keep your property at the 300 block on North C Street so beautiful, but then the one at 1306 Lucerne is a sorry eyesore, and it is on our main city thoroughfare. Why don't you bulldoze and clean this deplorable mess up? You are supposed to be a leader in this city, right? If you want to earn any respect, assume responsibility for your blight and slum property, clean it up mister. Do we need to "spell" it out for you any further?"
I can still hear Loretta's voice saying "So we go from 29 to 80...O.K."
That was the entire P and Z discussion on this radical and inappropriate increase in density.
Loretta worked for the Pier Group at this time.
Next Mr. John Paxman said "I'm concerned about the height." That was the entire discussion of the height although this "professional" board was violating the charter by approving a 75 foot building east of Dixie. It was brought down to 65 feet after I filed a challenge of the charter violation. So she was definitely on the P and Z when it was approved.
After the Lucerne was approved she moved to another company to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Her date of resignation from the P and Z is public record if anonymous would care to get the actual facts.
If this is the same idiot who has been dogging Greg about his commercial building on Lucerne, again, give up or call code enforcement. I went by there on the first day of your tirade. I had to pass scores of properties and buildings along the way that were in much worse shape than that one. This massive hole in the roof is not visible from the street. Any time it is graffitti'd, he has it painted over immediately. The only objectionable thing I saw was a pile of trimmings it looked like someone illegally dumped in the back of the building in the parking lot, which was subsequently cleaned up.
I am familiar with the inside of the structure and it has big arched metal beams exposed and would make an excellent specialty shop, if he desires to rent it out. If not, he can keep it any way, boarded up, painted and vacant. He pays taxes on it and has every right any other property owner has.
If you think it is not being kept up, call code. 586-1651
If they do find any violations, which I doubt, I'm sure he will rectify them long before any need for hearings or fines.
Please spend your irrationality on any, or many of the truly deserving slum owners. I'll support you all the way.
Greg, who are you kidding? If this slum property was over in Parrot Cove, Bryant Park, or College Park NAs it would be torn down and the lot would be pristine. It is because it is in Pequena Quatemala that you are allowed to keep it this way. Sorry, we still do not respect you amigo!
"If this is the same idiot who has been dogging Greg about his commercial building on Lucerne, again, give up or call code enforcement. I went by there on the first day of your tirade. I had to pass scores of properties and buildings along the way that were in much worse shape than that one. This massive hole in the roof is not visible from the street. Any time it is graffitti'd, he has it painted over immediately. The only objectionable thing I saw was a pile of trimmings it looked like someone illegally dumped in the back of the building in the parking lot, which was subsequently cleaned up.
I am familiar with the inside of the structure and it has big arched metal beams exposed and would make an excellent specialty shop, if he desires to rent it out. If not, he can keep it any way, boarded up, painted and vacant. He pays taxes on it and has every right any other property owner has.
If you think it is not being kept up, call code. 586-1651
If they do find any violations, which I doubt, I'm sure he will rectify them long before any need for hearings or fines.
Please spend your irrationality on any, or many of the truly deserving slum owners. I'll support you all the way."
Greg, I noticed you changed the spelling of your name above just like you want to change the name of our city. Nothing is quite that easy. Just because you and Maxwell want a name change doesn't mean it will happen. What a joke.
Greg, I do not think it is becoming of you to call someone an idiot, especially if you are some big name or leader or on the P&Z Board now, now is your chance to clean up this city, starting with your own slum property first, we should not have to look out our window at it each day and see this dump. If others have an opinion other than yours, and we feel your place is an eyesore, we have the right to express that, it is not a tirade, it is fact and the fact of the matter is, 1306 Lucerne is not a pretty site, plain and simple English, comprendes? Sticks and stones can break our bones, but names cannot hurt us, assume responsibility for your neglected eyesore in our city por favor!
"If this is the same idiot who has been dogging Greg about his commercial building on Lucerne, again, give up or call code enforcement. I went by there on the first day of your tirade."
The only person dogging Rice is Rice himself, take action, clean up your property, hold your head high and be a man, spend some of your $ to improve your city eyes sore. The rest of the citizens here in the City of Lake Worth should not have to see this type of blight, boarded up, and deplorable building on one of our main streets, or anywhere in this city, in western downtown or Vernon Heights, it is just unacceptable, if it bothers you so much that so many people call attention to this dumpy place of yours, then do something about it! Stop passing the buck!
Where is all the outrage about 1624 north dixie hwy. The former Trayvon Martin memorial. Windows broken out(now boarded up) and glass all over the side walk. Not to mention the roof that is ready to blow off into someones yard. What nieghborhood is that in? Go after all of them and not just the "political" ones.
That was my point when I posted about the idiot. There are many more properties and buildings much more deserving of your venom than Greg's. I will say it again, I went by when you first started your rant. It is well taken care of. Why don't you offer to buy it from him? With the Arts Lofts going up almost right next door, I'm sure it would be a good investment.
Did you ever call code enforcement, or are you just going to keep harassing him anonymously through this blog?
Greg, there are no houses or people living in front of 1624 North Dixie, yes it is bad, very bad, like your place, but no one lives in from of it, like we all do, we have to see this sorry eyesore everyday, the ups and downs of it, when it is overgrown, and graffited, the broken windows on the Taco Rest side, and the rats all over that side, it is not pretty, you clean it up and it goes back to being a dump, a vicious cycle amigo, you just don't get it, we live in front of this rats nest of yours, we call and have complained to Codes many times over the years, many times, you know, you get notices to clean it up. We want it cleaned up once and for all, we are tired of living in front of this rats nest, we shouldn't have to move, you should keep your place looking better chico, just because we can't vote yet or are not from here originally, we should not have to live next to this sorry eyesore amigo. Got it, please get it to a pristine state and keep it that way, make our city look better Sr. Rice.
"anonymous said...
Where is all the outrage about 1624 north dixie hwy. The former Trayvon Martin memorial. Windows broken out(now boarded up) and glass all over the side walk. Not to mention the roof that is ready to blow off into someones yard. What nieghborhood is that in? Go after all of them and not just the "political" ones.
June 28, 2012 3:29 PM
anonymous said...
That was my point when I posted about the idiot. There are many more properties and buildings much more deserving of your venom than Greg's. I will say it again, I went by when you first started your rant. It is well taken care of. Why don't you offer to buy it from him? With the Arts Lofts going up almost right next door, I'm sure it would be a good investment.
Did you ever call code enforcement, or are you just going to keep harassing him anonymously through this blog?"
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