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07-18-72 v MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA, JULY 18, 1972, 8: 00 P.M. PRESENT: Mr. R. L. Wardrep, Chairman Mrs. Jan Tierney Mrs. Mary Pace Mr. Glover Weiss, Members AND Mr. Bill Fogg, Commission Coodinator Mr. R. C. Vogel, City Manager The meeting was called to order by Mr. R. L. Wardrep, Chairman. He introduced Mr. Marvin Hill, Executive Director, and Raj Mehta of the Jacksonville Area Planning Board and proceeded to set the tone of the meeting by inviting all present to air their sugges- tions that in their opinion it would make the City a better place in which to live. He also explained the Advisory Board serves strictly in an advisory capacity to the Commission. Mr, Hill briefly explained the function of the Jacksonville Area Planning Board and its relationship to the City of Atlantic Beach. The Jacksonville Area Planning Board is charged with the respon- sibility of area wide plans which includes the cities of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Baldwin. He also explained that the citizens do not have to accept any of the plans as developed by the Jacksonville Area Planning Board. A petition was presented by Mr. George W. Mozo, Jr. objecting to apartments and/or duplexes on Lots 29, 31 and 33 Block 11 on 9th Street in Atlantic Beach. The petition was signed by the majority of the property owners in the area. The City Manager, Mr. Vogel, advised that no plans or application has been presented to the City of Atlantic Beach for the consturction on the above mentioned lots and he assurred all present should such an application be presented to the City, the Commission would conduct a Public Hearing. All interested property owners in the area will be ad- vised and they may voice their opinion at the Public Hearing. The Chairman, Mr. Wardrep, said that in his opinion City planning should be geared to offer a place of living for everyone regardless of his financial capabilities and basically this has been occur':ing down through the years in Atlantic Beach. MINUTES ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD JULY 18, 1972 Page Two Mr. Birchall, 335 Second Street, Atlantic Beach spoke with re- ference to the high density of people in the area and at the present time we have only one way out of the City. In his opinion the density in Atlantic Beach should be held to a minimum and development increased on the West side of the Intracostal Water- way. Mr. Hill responded by stating that Mass Transportation Planning will create development of underdeveloped areas. He also pointed out that the plans are a continuing process and it should be changed as new concepts are developed. He emphasized that the Planning Board is designed to respond to the Wishes of the citizens. Mrs. Ann Felder complained that in her neighborhood the neighbors were not complying with the single family concept. She also stated her taxes were too high and she did not receive adequate police protection, etc. Mrs. Felder was advised to write a letter outlinning her grievances and sent it before the City Commission Mr. Vogel, City Manager, stated it is impossible to ascertain whether extra families in a residence are visiting or live there permanently and that a city official will not be allowed to in- vade the privacy of any resident. The subject of garbage collection was brought before the Advisory Planning Board and several people in the audience complimented the City for maintaining daily garbage collection. It was pointed out by the City Manager that the expense of maintaining this daily service was exceeding the income in the amount of $33,000.00. It has been proposed to the Commission that either the rate be in- creased or the service cutdown so that income and expense will more closely balance. The Commission instructed the City Manager to attempt doing this by asking the citizens to cooperate by placing small trimmings and grass cuttings in disposable containers. Rev. Jordan complained that Donner Subdivision was not receivi7g proper garbage service. Garbage is scattered all over the street and that the garbage men do not pick up garbage daily. Rev. Jordan complained that the people in Donner Subdivision did not have direct access to the beaches. MINUTES ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD July 18, 1972 Page Three Mr. Paul Steckla asked that the letter he wrote to Mr. Wardrep be read to the audience. The letter outlined that in Mr, Steckla ' s opinion a comprehensive plan be developed for an orderly and precise development. The master plan should be completed and inflexible. Mr. Aldridge stated that zoning was only a tool to be used under a comprehensive plan. After lengthly discussion concerning a comprehensive plan, Mr. Hill of the Jacksonville Area Planning Board indicated that plans such as the development of urban area transportation, sewer, water, land use, recreation, etc. should be developed on a priority basis and dovetail to serve the citizens to achieve optimum. Steven Fcuraker stressed concern of the beaches for maintaining their identity and favored Atlantic Beach hiring an independent planner. He also objected to the Fcx Garden concept which he termed a wall city with a city. Other citizens expressed opinions on various subjects; insufficient parking near the oceanfront for the citizens that live west of Seminole Road; the failure of the city to have abandon automobiles moved frcm the street and private property. Commissioner Fogg addressed the meeting explaining he was the liaison for the Advisory Planning Board and the City Commission. He was very complimentary tc the Board for all the work accomplished thus far. He agreed with those in the audience that wish to re- main a community of single family dwellings. However, he indicated that was difficult for the Commission to legislate in the face of existing laws and development within the City. Frank. Shumpert stated that in his opinion progress was inevitable and the only sure way cf keeping Atlantic Beach the same was for the existing property owners to purchase all the remaining land and maintain the property for the private use cf the owner. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.