FPL’s initiative for the undergrounding of utilities captured the council’s attention due to its potential to enhance storm resilience and day-to-day operations. The project aims to convert 622 houses and 4.73 miles of overhead lines to underground utilities, which is expected to take two to three years to complete. Council members engaged with FPL representatives, raising concerns about the duration and communication of power outages during the conversion, which are anticipated to last 3 to 4 hours. The utility company aims to notify affected customers 24 to 48 hours in advance. The discussion also covered the strategic placement of transformers, the process of obtaining easements, and the methods of outreach to residents, including potential community meetings to address inquiries and concerns. Furthermore, the council examined the impact of potential scammers impersonating utility employees, with FPL assuring that while instances of impersonation have occurred, they are not considered a widespread issue.

The council’s deliberations on development incentives for the Town Center District were equally significant, especially regarding the creation of Civic open space. Four key spaces were identified, with the council debating the possibility of increasing the open space requirement from 5% to 15% of a development, possibly in exchange for waivers on building height or density. Varied opinions emerged on balancing tradeoffs and ensuring that the community’s interests were preserved. The council referenced the Village master plan and considered feedback from the planning process, stressing the importance of Civic space at the One Main Street property.

The discussion expanded to include the overarching concept of development incentives in the village master plan. The council expressed little interest in increasing building heights or density across the village but remained open to reconsidering these aspects specifically in the Town Center District. The potential introduction of environmentally friendly regulations, such as Dark Skies fixtures, was debated, as these are not currently included in the village’s Land Development regulations.

The council also tackled the subject of zoning and density regulations. Surprised by the high density achievable with two-story buildings, members discussed density bonuses often tied to workforce and affordable housing. The debate extended to parking requirements, with some members advocating for the flexibility provided by waivers and density bonuses, while others exercised caution regarding the potential impact on public feedback.

Further discussions centered on the village master plan’s prioritization of civic open space and the possible impact of dedicating 15,000 square feet to open space, considering the loss of productivity and income. Varied approaches to residential density were presented, with illustrative examples and comparisons to other multifamily buildings in the vicinity. The council also considered the implications of granting development incentives, including affordable housing provision and natural resource preservation.

The possibility of adding the entire District, specifically the One Main Street property, to the Civic open space raised concerns about subjectivity and potential impacts on infrastructure, public safety, parking, and traffic. Public comments brought up issues such as the Unity of control for shared parking and the changing concept of the Paradise Park project.

Finally, the council addressed the flexibility needed for developers to create quality projects without overly regulations. They commended the presentation and highlighted the need for optionality in development regulations. The council concluded with a need for further elaboration on regulations, particularly concerning waivers for height, density, and parking, and how they would impact the village. The potential use of rooftop space for an additional story of a building was a contentious point, with members divided on allowing this for additional height without specific restrictions.

The meeting concluded with updates on regulatory compliance with new EPA standards for PFCs, presented by the utilities director, touching on the prevalence, testing challenges, and compliance efforts. The council also reviewed the potential impact of a village-initiated ordinance on local businesses and considered adding the architectural feature topic to a future workshop agenda.