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3-18-25 CDB Adopted MinutesMINUTES s t� Community Development Board (CDB) Meeting " Tuesday, March 18, 2025 - 6:00 PM r City Hall, Commission Chamber 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Present: Kirk Hansen, Chair Ellen Golombek, Vice Chair Jennifer Lagner, Member Harold Gear, Member Jeff Haynie, Member Absent: Angela Farford, Member Richard Arthur, Member Gregory (Greg) Beliles, Alternate Member Also Present: Robert Graham, City Attorney (CA) Amanda Askew, Neighborhoods Department Dir. (NDD) Abrielle Genest, Principal Planner Valerie Jones, Recording Clerk 11 2. 3. 4. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Hansen called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approve minutes of the February 18, 2025 regular meeting of the Community Development Board. The minutes were approved. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business NEW BUSINESS The Board decided to move Agenda Item #4C and #41) up on the agenda due to a large number of residents present for these cases. A. 2025 Beach Avenue ZVAR25-0008 (Brenna Durden) Request for a variance to Section 24-106(e)(2) to exceed the minimum 20 -foot rear yard setback, Section 24-82(b)(1) to exceed the maximum four (4) foot rear yard projection for an elevator shaft, and Section 24-85(b)(1) to expand a nonconforming use by increasing the elevator shaft height. STAFF REPORT: Planner Genest presented the information as explained in the staff report. She also provided a PowerPoint presentation. Ms. Golombek asked about the red line on the drawing was. Planner Genest said that is shows the allowable projection according to code. Ms. Golombek asked about the bridge connecting the 2 buildings. Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 1 of 7 Planner Genest said the applicant could answer that. Mr. Haynie asked about the language addresses aging in place. Planner Genest said Staff has had discussion with applicants in the past that want to age in place which can include installing an elevator. She said language was added to the Code to clarify that elevator shafts are allowed to project into setbacks. APPLICANT REPORT: Brenna Durden of 245 Riverside Avenue, Suite 510 in Jacksonville. She said she is representing Jim and Ellen Wiss to assist them with this variance request. Ms. Durden said the variance would allow them to age in place by adding a second floor over the garage, increasing the height of existing elevator and connecting the main structure to the garage. She presented a handout and went through it and addressed the 3 requests in this variance along with why she thought it met 3 of the grounds for approval. Mr. Haynie asked who would live in the added space. Ms. Durden said she would let the homeowner answer that. Collin Spelts of 1612 5th Street, Jacksonville Beach, introduced himself as the architect. He said that the main hardship is due to the fact that the main home is only 2 1/2 bedrooms. Mr. Spelts said that it made sense to go up to gain space and they won't exceed the height limit. He said there wasn't a way to put an elevator in another location. Jim Wiss of 2025 Beach Avenue introduced himself as the homeowner. He explained that as he and his wife age they realized they needed to make some changes to their home. Mr. Wiss said the added space above the garage could be used for a care giver. He said that his wife just went through hip replacement and wasn't able to get up the stairs which further confirmed there need to expand the elevator. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Hansen opened the floor to public comment. There were no public comments. BOARD DISCUSSION: There was no further discussion MOTION: To APPROVE ZVAR25-0008 based on condition #1 "exceptional topographic conditions of or near the property". Motion: Harold Gear Second: Ellen Golombek Kirk Hansen For Ellen Golombek (Seconded By) For Jennifer Lagner For Harold Gear (Moved By) For Jeff Haynie Against Motion passed 4 to 1. Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 2 of 7 B. 91 Stanley Road PLAT25-0001 (Karin Vangura) Request for a preliminary plat approval as required by Chapter 24, Article 4 of the Code of Ordinances within the Commercial General (CG) zoning district at 91 Stanley Road. STAFF REPORT: Planner Genest presented the information as explained in the staff report. She also provided a PowerPoint presentation. She mentioned that this process requires final plat approval by Commission. APPLICANT REPORT: The applicant was not present. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Hansen opened the floor for public comment. • Cynthia Oneal of 538 Atlantic Beach Court spoke against approval of this request. She is. concerned about sewage and infrastructure. • Gloria Moore of 1805 Mayport Road spoke about concern regarding approval of this request. She said there are flooding issues, parking issues, sewage and infrastructure issues including road maintenance. BOARD DISCUSSION: Director Askew addressed the drainage questions and said the City did a study and recognized that there are significant drainage problems in that area. As a result Commission voted and purchase the Dora Street property and are planning a stormwater park to accommodate and relieve the know drainage issues in this area. Director Askew said the developer will be responsible for making sure the street is paved, and all the utilities are the proper size to accommodate the additional improvements. Chair Hansen asked if the Board approved this request, then the applicant would have to bring everything up to code before they can do anything. Director Askew said that was correct. Mr. Haynie said that Director Askew addressed his concerns and would recommend approval. MOTION: To RECOMMEND PLAT25-0001 to the City Commission for approval based upon the utilities being brought up to code. Motion: Harold Gear Second. Jeff Haynie Kirk Hansen For Ellen Golombek For Jennifer Lagner Against Harold Gear (Moved By) For Jeff Haynie (Seconded By) For Motion passed 4 to 1. C. 42 East Coast Drive UBEX25-0001(Andy Pitler) Request for a use -by -exception to allow on -premises consumption of alcohol within one hundred (100) feet from a residentially zoned property within the Central Business District (CBD) at 42 East Coast Drive. Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 3 of 7 STAFF REPORT: Director Askew presented the information as explained in the staff report. She also provided a PowerPoint presentation. Director Askew said this request goes along with ZVAR25-0006. She told the Board that if they approve the use -by - exception it would have to be approved subject to the approval of the variance request. Ms. Golombek asked if there would be food preparation on site or would they be serving food prepared elsewhere. Director Askew said the applicant had mentioned bringing catered food in but that would be a question for the applicant. She said there isn't a kitchen on site. Ms. Golombek asked if the applicant would have to come back before the Board if they wanted to serve food. Director Askew said they wouldn't have to come back before the Board because the use is allowed. She said they would have to come back if they increased the seating from the current 60 seats. Chair Hansen asked if being within 100 feet of residential was unique. Director Askew said there are several restaurants in the area that fall within close proximity to residential areas. Chair Hansen disclosed that the applicant approached him for advice and Chair Hansen referred him to Director Askew. APPLICANT REPORT: Andy Pitler of 290 Beach Avenue introduced himself. He said, along with his partners, that the idea was to create a nice place to have a relaxing lounge to enjoy a cocktail, beer or wine and be able to engage in conversation along with limited noise. Mr. Haynie asked if there were any plans for entertainment or music. Mr. Pitler said they don't have plans for live music but will have background music and possibly a disc jockey on a Friday or Saturday night. There hours of operation are 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Mr. Haynie asked if they would have signage. Mr. Pitler said they would have signage approved by the landlord and the City. He said the signage would be subtle and probably cover the doors for a cleaner look. Ms. Lagner asked which days they would be open. Mr. Pitler said currently the plan is to be open 7 days a week. Ms. Golombek asked if the other businesses in the business were okay with having the bar and the hours of operation. Mr. Pitler said he hadn't spoken to all the occupants but the one's he spoke to were excited to have a place within the building to have a drink after work. Ms. Golombek asked how Mr. Pitler would keep the lounge from becoming rowdy. Mr. Pitler explained that the building had concrete walls with only one front door which should minimize noise. He said they would abide by any City requirements or complaints. Ms. Golombek asked if the idea of a restaurant was mentioned originally but wasn't possible due to various restrictions. Director Askew said the use for a restaurant is supported but the parking was the issue. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Hansen opened the floor to public comment asking comments to be limited to 3 minutes. • Clark Robertson of 311 Ahern Street spoke against the approval of this request. • Bryan Moll of 186 East Coast Drive spoke in favor of the approval of this request. • Mitch Reeves of 1663 Sea Oats Drive spoke in favor of the approval of this request. • Frederick Kerber of 375 1 st Street spoke against the approval of this request. • Bill Scrogins of 133 Beach Avenue spoke in favor of the approval of this request. Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 4 of 7 • Gibson Trub of 1946 Beach Avenue spoke in favor of the approval of this request. • Alan Winter of 308 Ocean Boulevard spoke in favor of the approval of this request. • Wendy Craven of 250 Beach Avenue spoke in favor of the approval of this request. • Rocky Russell of 460 Ocean Boulevard spoke against the approval of this request. • Jason Albertelli of 337 Ahern Street spoke in favor of the approval of this request. • Joan McLoud of 176 Magnolia Street spoke in favor of the approval of this request. BOARD DISCUSSION: Chair Hansen reminded the Board to think about this request separate from the variance for parking. Mr. _Haynie said he was concerned about noise, but the applicant will have to abide by the same codes as other businesses in the area. Ms. Golombek was concerned that once the Board grants the request that the applicant can change it without coming back to the Board. She said she didn't see how the applicant could control the type of clientele unless they have a bouncer. Ms. Golombek said she worries about the noise affecting the neighborhood. Ms. Lagner said she is in support of this request. Chair Hansen said that there are many places in the City where commercial is next to residential. He spoke in favor of this request. Mr. Haynie asked if a use -by -exception could be revoked. Director Askew said it can, and the use -by - exception only goes to the applicant and not another establishment. Mr. Gear asked how revoking would happen. Director Askew said it would be up to Staff to go in an cite a valid code related reason MOTION: To APPROVE UBEX25-0001 without conditions. Motion: Jeff Haynie Second. Jennifer Lagner Kirk Hansen For Ellen Golombek Against Jennifer Lagner (Seconded By) For Harold Gear For Jeff Haynie (Moved By) For Motion passed 4 to 1. D. 42 East Coast Drive ZVAR25-0006 (Andy Pitler) Request for a variance to Section 24-161(f)(2) to exceed the maximum four hundred (400) foot distance for required off-street parking. STAFF REPORT: Director Askew presented the information as explained in the staff report. She also provided a PowerPoint presentation. Mr. Haynie asked if there were any variances or conditions granted for the building permit. Director Askew said there weren't any conditions, but they did go through the waiver process to exceed the maximum height for an elevator shaft, but it was not approved. Ms. Lagner asked what Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 5 of 7 the total square footage of the building was. Director Askew said she did not know without looking at the plans. Staff mentioned the off-site parking agreement will need to be filed with the Clerk of Courts if the variance is approved. APPLICANT REPORT: Andy Pitler of 290 Beach Avenue introduced himself. He understood the concern for parking in the town center and he has worked for months with the City trying to figure out how to navigate requirements. Mr. Pitler said that they found the off-site parking spaces at the dentist's office that is 730 feet away. He said that there were several other businesses that received variances for off-site parking further than 400 feet away. Ms. Lagner asked about the on-site parking. Mr. Pitler explained that there are on-site valet spaces of a minimum of 15 of those spaces after 5:30 p.m. He said they will have valet parking with a valet drop-off on Ahern or a place on the west side of the building. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Hansen opened the floor to public comment. • Elias Hionides of 47th 11 th Street spoke in favor of the approval of this request. He said that there are 47 parking spaces after 5:30 p.m. for valet parking. BOARD DISCUSSION: Ms. Golombek asked what would keep other people from parking in those 47 parking spaces. Director Askew said that technically it's private property. MOTION. To APPROVE ZVAR25-0006 based on condition #2 "surrounding conditions or circumstances impacting the property disparately from nearby properties". Motion: Harold Gear Second. Jeff Haynie Kirk Hansen For Ellen Golombek For Jennifer Lagner For Harold Gear (Moved By) For Jeff Haynie (Seconded By) For Motion passed S to 0. 5. REPORTS 6. PUBLIC COMMENT Chair Hansen opened the floor to public comment. • Brinkley Harrell reiterated his issues with Chapter 24 that he mentioned in the February meeting. He mentioned the existing 50 -foot lots in RS -2 don't meet the minimum 75 - foot lot width requirements and the code should change to allow 50 -foot lots. He also suggested that the City should give pools 100% credit. Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 6 of 7 7. Attest: ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Hansen declared the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m. PP lV .1 /� ILL W,F .- d. Askew Kirk Hansen, Chair Community Development Board (CDB) March 18, 2025 Page 7 of 7