Development Review Committee

CITY OF PUNTA GORDA, FLORIDA DEVELOPMENT REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 2025, 9:00 A.M. 120 LAISHLEY COURT PUNTA GORDA, FL 33950 MEMBERS PRESENT: Carl Benge, Urban Design / Chair Bryan Clemons, Public Works; Ronald Cohowcz, Building; Justin Davoult, Police; Angelina Ezzi, Fire; Robert Ruth, Utilities CITY STAFF PRESENT: Rachel Barry, Zoning Official; Adrianna Gehrke, Planner; Alexandra Friend, Board Recorder CALL TO ORDER Mr. Benge called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS There were none. 1) APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1.a August 22, 2025, Meeting Minutes. Exhibits: Cover Page August 22, 2025, Minutes Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the August 22, 2025, minutes, SECONDED by Mr. Davoult. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2) PERMIT REVIEW 2.a 25-191556 - Punta Gorda Seafood & Music Festival, January 16-18, 2026, at Laishley Park. Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting a tax exemption certificate along with the name of the alcohol vendor was required for Urban Design approval. He stated the Harborwalk must stay open and accessible during the event. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Davoult. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2.b 25-191557 - Punta Gorda Seafood & Music Festival, April 17-19, 2026, at Laishley Park.

Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting a tax exemption certificate along with the name of the alcohol vendor was required. He stated the Harborwalk must stay open and accessible during the event. Mr. Davoult noted Police comments had been submitted in the staff report ahead of the meeting, providing a reminder that 2 detail officers were required for both events in Items 2.a and 2.b. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Clemons. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2.c 25-191559 - Walk for Life, March 7, 2026, at Gilchrist Park. Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting the Harborwalk must stay open and accessible during the event. He stated Urban Design approval required a tax exemption certificate, a certificate of insurance, and the information for the shuttle service. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Clemons. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2.d 25-191561 - LLSN Craft Fair, January 24-25, 2026, at Laishley Park. Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting the Harborwalk must stay open and accessible during the event. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Clemons. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2.e 25-194019 - Charlotte High School Homecoming Parade, October 9, 2025 Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting the road closure and fee waiver request would be heard by City Council at the September 24, 2025, meeting. Ms. Ezzi stated fire was amenable to having the fire truck in the parade. Mr. Davoult stated Police would provide in-kind services for the event detail. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Clemons. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

2.f 25-191575 - Premier Auto Auction, December 1-9, 2025, at Charlotte Harbor Event Center Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting the Harborwalk must stay open and accessible during the event. Mr. Davoult stated Police would provide the requested detail officers. Mr. Jim Finch, Charlotte Harbor Event Center General Manager, noted part of the Harborwalk near the event center was closed, requesting staff provide clarification regarding the portion of the Harborwalk that needed to remain open and accessible. Mr. Benge replied same would be done. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Clemons. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2.g 25-191570 - Pedal and Play in Paradise, March 20-21, 2026, at Laishley Park Exhibits: Cover Page Application Mr. Benge reviewed the event application, noting a certificate of insurance and the alcohol license were required for Urban Design approval. Ms. Ezzi stated Fire would provide a bike medic team each day of the event. Mr. Davoult stated 2 detail officers were required. Mr. Ruth MOVED to approve the application with the conditions identified this date and listed in the staff report, SECONDED by Mr. Clemons. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 3) APPLICATION REVIEW 3.a VR-01-2025 - Initial Determination of Vested Rights for those properties located at 297 E Virginia Avenue and 407 Wood Street Exhibits: Cover Page Application Survey, Site Plans, and Legal Desc. DRC Staff Report Mr. Benge reviewed the application for initial determination of vested rights, reviewing the criteria that should be met to establish same. Ms. Rachel Barry, Zoning Official, stated Chapter 27 of the City's Code of Ordinances provided property owners the opportunity to establish vested rights for properties that were affected by the recent repeal of the Land Development Regulations (LDRs), reviewing the process and criteria for same. Mr. Jason McMahon, Don B Construction, stated he purchased property under the previous LDRs with the intent to build row housing on same, noting he had met with staff on multiple occasions to ensure the proposed design was

allowable at that time. He indicated he had spent a substantial amount of money investing in the property. Mr. Cohowcz stated building plans had not been submitted for the property. Mr. McMahonn stated he planned to submit building plans once the design process was complete, noting the design concept was new to the area. Ms. Barry stated the property had been zoned as TPG Neighborhood Transition which allowed for row housing, noting the property was now zoned City Center and did not allow for residential use. Mr. Cohowcz questioned if investors or customers had been acquired for the proposed development. Mr. McMahon replied affirmatively, noting he could provide documentation of same. Mr. Cohowcz expressed desire to review the documentation. Discussion ensued regarding the classification of the development and the requirements for same. Consensus of the Committee was to table the application to the September 26, 2025, meeting. 3.b DRC-10-2022 - 1323 Aqui Esta Drive, DRC Extension Request Exhibits: Cover Page DRC-10-2022- Extension - Application Staff Comments Mr. Benge reviewed the extension request and the history of same, noting Urban Design, Zoning, and Public Works departments recommended the request be denied. He then confirmed the applicant was not present. Mr. Clemons MOVED to deny the extension request, SECONDED by Mr. Ruth. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. STAFF COMMENTS There were none. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:33 a.m.Chair Board Recorder