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6-17-25 CDB Adopted MinutesMINUTES Community Development Board (CDB) Meeting Tuesday, June 17, 2025 - 6:00 PM r. City Hall, Commission Chamber 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 Present: Kirk Hansen, Chair Ellen Golombek, Vice Chair Angela Farford, Member Harold Gear, Member Richard Arthur, Member Gregory (Greg) Beliles, Alternate Member Absent: Jennifer Lagner, Member Jeff Haynie, Member Also Present: Amanda Askew, Neighborhoods Department Director (NDD) Abrielle Genest, Principal Planner (PP) Valerie Jones, Recording Clerk Rob Graham, City Attorney (CA) 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approve minutes of the May 20, 2025 regular meeting of the Community Development Board. The minutes were approved. 3. OLD BUSINESS There was no old business. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. 341 6th Street WAIV25-0003 James Lucas Request for a waiver from Section 19-1 to allow for the modification and continued use of an unpermitted parking pad in city right-of-way and Section 19-7(a) to exceed the maximum impervious area within the right-of-way at 341 6th Street. STAFF REPORT: Director Askew presented the waiver request for 341 6th Street. She explained that it was a request for a waiver from Section 19-1 to allow for the modification and continued use of an unpermitted parking pad in city right-of-way and Section 19-7(a) to exceed the maximum impervious area within the right-of-way. Director Askew provided details about the property, noting it was located on the north side of 6th Street, mid -block, and zoned residential single-family (RS2). She mentioned Community Development Board (CDB) June 17,2025 that the current parking pad was constructed without a permit in 2012 and consists of gravel. Director Askew also noted that there were multiple unpermitted parking pads along the street. She explained the relevant code sections, including 19-1(c) which prohibits obstructions in the right-of-way, 19-2 which authorizes staff to issue permits based on public benefit, and 19-7 which limits impervious area between the front property line and street pavement to 50%. Director Askew clarified that the applicant was requesting to rework the parking pad with turf block pavers, which would exceed the 50% impervious area limit, resulting in 51.7% impervious area in the right-of-way. She mentioned that the STOP committee had made recommendations regarding planting and landscaping in the right-of-way, noting that obstructions are not permitted and can be removed by the city if necessary. Director Askew outlined the evaluation criteria for waivers, stating that compliance must be unreasonable, conflict with public interest, and be practically impossible for approval. Board members asked questions about the city manager's ability to grant exceptions, the status of STOP committee recommendations, and whether the homeowner's request was triggered by any specific event. APPLICANT REPORT: James Lucas, the applicant, addressed the board. He explained that he and his wife had lived in Atlantic Beach for 37 years and started the improvement concept in April. Mr. Lucas detailed his communications with the city engineer and staff, emphasizing his willingness to comply with city requirements. He expressed surprise at learning the parking area was unpermitted when they bought the house in 2015, noting they had obtained five permits for other work without being informed of any issues with the parking area. Mr. Lucas stressed that their goal was to make the parking area smaller, change the material to something acceptable to the city, and maintain the 50% impervious rule while improving their property. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Hansen opened the floor to public comment. Brinkley Harrell spoke in support of the applicant, noting that several properties on 6th Street had similar gravel parking areas. He suggested the board consider deferring the decision to look at all properties in that block simultaneously. BOARD DISCUSSION: Board members discussed the prevalence of similar parking pads throughout Atlantic Beach and the challenges of enforcing regulations consistently. They debated the merits of approving the waiver given the applicant's efforts to improve the situation. Community Development Board (CDB) June 17, 2025 MOTION: To recommend APPROVAL of WAIV25-0003 to the City Commission subject to the parking pad maintaining 50% or less impervious ratio requirement coverage as defined by the City. Motion: Gregory (Greg) Beliles Second: Harold Gear Kirk Hansen For Ellen Golombek For Angela Farford For Harold Gear (Seconded By) For Richard Arth ur For Gregory (Greg) Beliles (Moved By) For Motion passed 6 to 0. B. 210 Mayport Road UBEX25-0002 (Alex Ertel) Request for a use -by -exception from Section 24-112(c)(6) to allow contractor business within the Commercial General (CG) zoning district at 210 Mayport Road. STAFF REPORT: Planner Genest, Principal Planner, presented the use -by -exception request for 210 Mayport Road. She explained that it was a request to allow a contractor business within the Commercial General (CG) zoning district. Planner Genest provided details about the property, noting that it was located on the northwest corner of Mayport Road and Second Street West. She mentioned that the business, Florida Turf Company, had relocated from another address on Mayport Road. She explained that the business falls under section 24-112(c)(6) of the code, which allows contractors not requiring outdoor storage, with limitations on manufacturing, construction, and equipment use. Planner Genest noted that this use is considered a use - by -exception within the CG zoning district. Planner Genest mentioned that under the previous zoning code, this business would have been permitted as a lawn care service, but that use was removed in recent updates. She also noted that a business tax receipt had been issued in error earlier in the year, which was discovered when the business applied for a sign permit. She presented images of the property showing cars parked on the eastern side and materials stored on the west side. Planner Genest explained that outdoor storage is not permitted in this zoning district but could be remedied with fencing and screening. Planner Genest outlined the considerations for use -by -exception requests, including ingress/egress, parking, potential impacts on adjoining properties, utilities, screening, signs, and compatibility with adjacent properties. Community Development Board (CDB) .lune 17, 2025 Board members discussed the nature of the business, its compatibility with the area, and potential impacts on neighboring properties. They also considered the fact that the business was already operating due to the erroneously issued permit. APPLICANT REPORT: The applicant was not present. 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 UBEX25-0002. Motion: Richard Arthur Second. Harold Gear Kirk Hansen For Ellen Golombek For Angela Farford For Harold Gear (Seconded By) For Richard Arthur (Moved By) For Gregory (Greg) Beliles For Motion passed 6 to 0. C. Ordinance 90-25-256 Text Amendment An ordinance of the City of Atlantic Beach, County of Duval, State of Florida, hereby amending the Land Development Regulations as adopted by Ordinance No. 90-24-253; This ordinance specifically amending Section 24-113(c), light industrial and warehousing districts to add gyms and health clubs as a use -by -exception, providing recordation and providing an effective date. STAFF REPORT: Director Askew presented the text amendment to Section 24-113(c), which would add gyms and health clubs as a use -by -exception in light industrial and warehousing districts. She explained that this amendment was requested by Commission in May 2025, prompted by an inquiry about an indoor batting cage. Director Askew provided background on the light industrial warehouse zoning district, noting its intended use for light manufacturing and storage. She mentioned that some municipalities allow gyms and health clubs in industrial areas, citing examples of CrossFit gyms in commercial industrial areas. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chair Hansen opened the floor to public comment. Richard Krilich of 501 Levy Road expressed concerns about sewage and water drainage issues in the area. He noted that many properties on the north side of Levy Road use Community Developmeni Board (CDB) .lune 17, 2025 5. 6. septic tanks due to the lack of a city sewer line. Mr. Krilich also raised concerns about potential water usage from gyms and health clubs, as well as increased parking lot runoff. BOARD DISCUSSION: Board members discussed the compatibility of gyms with the light industrial area and potential impacts on surrounding residential areas. They debated whether the amendment aligned with the comprehensive plan and zoning policies. MOTION. To recommend APPROVAL of Ordinance 90-25-256 to the City Commission. Motion: Richard Arthur Second. Harold Gear Kirk Hansen Against Ellen Golombek Against Angela Farford Against Harold Gear (Seconded By) For Richard Arthur (Moved By) For Gregory (Greg) Beliles For Motion failed 3 to 3. REPORTS Chair Hansen reported on two recommendations made by the board in the previous meeting: • The recommendation to remove mandatory on-site storage requirements for 400 square foot additions has been favorably received by the city commission, who have requested an ordinance to be drafted. • The recommendation to treat on-site parking the same as off-site parking for requirement purposes is being considered by the commission, who have requested an ordinance to be drafted. Chair Hansen noted that these items will be coming up for two readings before the city commission for approval. PUBLIC COMMENT Brinkley Harrell addressed the Board, commending them for their support in changing the trigger in Chapter 24 for on-site water storage requirements. He also raised concerns about the definition of impervious surface in Chapter 24-17, particularly regarding the 50% credit for swimming pools. Mr. Harrell argued that modern swimming pools can hold as much water as natural grass before runoff occurs and suggested changing the credit to 100% for the water surface area of pools. Mr. Harrell also brought attention to zoning issues in Chapter 24-101, specifically regarding lot sizes in RS2 zoning areas. He expressed concern about the inability to split conjoined lots in Old Atlantic Beach, leading to the construction of oversized homes. He suggested potential solutions, including consolidating zoning districts or modifying footnotes to allow lot splitting in RS -2 zones. Community Development Board (CDB) June 17, 2025 7. Attest: ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Chair Hansen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:03 p.m. /)7,4416- kxmanda Askew Kirk Hansen, Chair Community Development Board (CDB) June 17, 2025