What were the most significant items on the Clermont Planning and Zoning Commission agenda for May 2024?

Q: What were the most significant items on the Clermont Planning and Zoning Commission agenda for May 2024?

· **Downtown Market space pivots from food hall to entertainment -- tenant demand shifting:** The Victory Village Market's closure and replacement by Ax-Caliber (ax throwing/entertainment) signals that the downtown food hall/market concept did not sustain a viable operator. The PUD amendment removing the single-operator restriction reflects market reality that downtown commercial spaces need tenant flexibility to survive. · **Electronic signage modernization reflects commercial corridor competition:** Allowing LED message displays on monument signs (limited to 25% of sign area, 10-second minimum display) signals Clermont catching up with surrounding Lake County properties that already have electronic signs. The restrictive parameters (monument-only, no standalone, no flashing) show the city balancing modernization with aesthetic control. · **Three items tabled -- pipeline congestion or applicant readiness issues:** First Baptist Church ALF and River Church CUP both deferred to June, suggesting complex projects requiring more preparation or stakeholder engagement before presentation. This pattern of deferrals will create a heavy June agenda. · **Commissioner Bain pushing for transparency on tabled items:** Bain requested staff advertise when items are tabled, reflecting a push for better public notice practices. Combined with his earlier advocacy for Live Local Act workshops, this signals the board moving toward greater procedural transparency.

Meeting Reading

Clermont Planning and Zoning Commission

May 7, 2024

6 items on the agenda

**Downtown Market space pivots from food hall to entertainment -- tenant demand shifting:** The Victory Village Market's closure and replacement by Ax-Caliber (ax throwing/entertainment) signals that the downtown food hall/market concept did not sustain a viable operator. The PUD amendment removing the single-operator restriction reflects market reality that downtown commercial spaces need tenant flexibility to survive.
**Electronic signage modernization reflects commercial corridor competition:** Allowing LED message displays on monument signs (limited to 25% of sign area, 10-second minimum display) signals Clermont catching up with surrounding Lake County properties that already have electronic signs. The restrictive parameters (monument-only, no standalone, no flashing) show the city balancing modernization with aesthetic control.
**Three items tabled -- pipeline congestion or applicant readiness issues:** First Baptist Church ALF and River Church CUP both deferred to June, suggesting complex projects requiring more preparation or stakeholder engagement before presentation. This pattern of deferrals will create a heavy June agenda.

On May 7, 2024, City of Clermont's Planning and Zoning Commission considered 6 agenda items. **Downtown Market space pivots from food hall to entertainment -- tenant demand shifting:** The Victory Village Market's closure and replacement by Ax-Caliber (ax throwing/entertainment) signals that the downtown food hall/market concept did not sustain a viable operator. The PUD amendment removing the single-operator restriction reflects market reality that downtown commercial spaces need tenant flexibility to survive. **Electronic signage modernization reflects commercial corridor competition:** Allowing LED message displays on monument signs (limited to 25% of sign area, 10-second minimum display) signals Clermont catching up with surrounding Lake County properties that already have electronic signs. The restrictive parameters (monument-only, no standalone, no flashing) show the city balancing modernization with aesthetic control. **Three items tabled -- pipeline congestion or applicant readiness issues:** First Baptist Church ALF and River Church CUP both deferred to June, suggesting complex projects requiring more preparation or stakeholder engagement before presentation. This pattern of deferrals will create a heavy June agenda.

CHANGE LENS

THE READINGmeeting record

City of Clermont Planning and Zoning Commission -- May 7, 2024

Meeting Overview

Type: Regular Meeting Quorum: Yes (5 of 7 commissioners present) Duration: ~51 minutes (6:30 PM -- 7:21 PM)

Attendance

Present: Chair Krzyminski, Vice-Chair Niemiec, Commissioner Bain, Commissioner Grube, Commissioner Norton
Absent: Commissioner Colby, Commissioner Guerrero
Staff Present: Development Services Director Henschel, Planning Manager Kruse, City Attorney Mantzaris, Planning Coordinator Heard

Agenda Items

Item 1: Ordinance No. 2024-018 -- First Baptist Church SSCPA (Tabled)

Type: Comp-plan-amendment
Case Number: Ordinance 2024-018
Action: Tabled to June 4, 2024
Vote: 5-0

Item 2: Ordinance No. 2024-019 -- First Baptist Church PUD Rezoning (Tabled)

Type: PUD
Case Number: Ordinance 2024-019
Action: Tabled to June 4, 2024
Vote: 5-0

Item 3: Ordinance No. 2024-023 -- FEC (the Market) PUD Amendment

Type: PUD
Case Number: Ordinance 2024-023
Location: Northwest corner of West Avenue and Minneola Avenue (Victory Village and Market, downtown Clermont)
Applicant: Victory Coast Land Company LLC (represented by Marvin Puryear, SVN Saunders)
Request: Amendment to existing PUD (Ordinance 2021-003) to: (1) remove condition requiring single operator for the market building, (2) clarify non-residential uses per CBD Section 125-369 plus indoor recreational facilities, (3) modify roof sign variance to allow "Ax-Caliber" wording instead of "Market" with same dimensions and locations
Current Zoning: PUD (Central Business District)
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 4-1 (Commissioner Niemiec opposing; Commissioners Colby and Guerrero absent)
Notable Discussion: The Market building has closed and a new tenant, Ax-Caliber (an ax-throwing entertainment company), wants to occupy the space. The single-operator condition was placed by a former Council member and is uncommon in PUDs. Commissioner Niemiec expressed concern about mixing ax throwing with alcohol. Applicant explained safety measures: patrons limited to two alcoholic drinks per hour, no hard liquor sold. Shade structure not included in commercial square footage. Site plans for adjacent apartments have been submitted.

Item 4: Ordinance No. 2024-020 -- LDC Amendment (Withdrawn)

Type: LDC-amendment
Case Number: Ordinance 2024-020
Action: Withdrawn by staff

Item 5: Ordinance No. 2024-026 -- LDC Amendment: Changeable Copy Signs

Type: LDC-amendment
Case Number: Ordinance 2024-026
Location: Citywide (commercial)
Applicant: City staff
Request: Amend Chapter 117 to allow electronic message displays on monument signs within 25% of permitted sign area; minimum 10-second display period between messages
Staff Recommendation: Approve
Action: Approved
Vote: 4-1 (Commissioner Niemiec opposing; Commissioners Colby and Guerrero absent)
Notable Discussion: One public speaker (Jon Nordberg) opposed, citing driver distraction. Niemiec questioned why electronic signs already exist -- staff explained those are on parcels in Lake County, not city limits. Standard display duration is 8 seconds; Clermont requiring 10 seconds. LED signs must be part of a monument sign, not standalone.

Item 6: Resolution No. 2024-013R -- The River Church CUP (Tabled)

Type: CUP
Case Number: Resolution 2024-013R
Action: Tabled to June 4, 2024
Vote: 5-0

Public Hearings Summary

Number of speakers: 2 (1 opposing electronic signs, 1 raising non-agenda concerns about Firehouse 2)
General sentiment: Mixed; ax-throwing concept novel but accepted; electronic sign opposition
Key concerns:
- Ax throwing mixed with alcohol consumption (safety)
- Electronic message signs as driver distractions
- Non-agenda: Firehouse 2 location concerns (gridlocks, response times, diesel tank placement)

Key Signals

Downtown Market space pivots from food hall to entertainment -- tenant demand shifting: The Victory Village Market's closure and replacement by Ax-Caliber (ax throwing/entertainment) signals that the downtown food hall/market concept did not sustain a viable operator. The PUD amendment removing the single-operator restriction reflects market reality that downtown commercial spaces need tenant flexibility to survive.
Electronic signage modernization reflects commercial corridor competition: Allowing LED message displays on monument signs (limited to 25% of sign area, 10-second minimum display) signals Clermont catching up with surrounding Lake County properties that already have electronic signs. The restrictive parameters (monument-only, no standalone, no flashing) show the city balancing modernization with aesthetic control.
Three items tabled -- pipeline congestion or applicant readiness issues: First Baptist Church ALF and River Church CUP both deferred to June, suggesting complex projects requiring more preparation or stakeholder engagement before presentation. This pattern of deferrals will create a heavy June agenda.
Commissioner Bain pushing for transparency on tabled items: Bain requested staff advertise when items are tabled, reflecting a push for better public notice practices. Combined with his earlier advocacy for Live Local Act workshops, this signals the board moving toward greater procedural transparency.

[THE READING]meeting record