Agenda Item 8DAGENDA ITEM:
SUBMITTED BY:
DATE:
AGENDA ITEM H 8J>
JAN UARY 13 .2014
AGENDA ITEM NO. ___ _
DATE :--------
C ITY OF A TLA NTrC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPO RT
Through Jots between Beach Avenue and Ocean Boulevard
Michael Gri ffin, CBO, CFM Bui ldin g and Zo ning Director ~
December 5, 2013
STRATEGIC PLAN LINK: None
BACKGROUND:
Attached is a copy of the November 19, 2013 staff rcpmt submitted to the Community
Deve lopment Boa rd (COB) to di scuss C it y Code Section 24-84 (c) which relates to tlu·ough lot s
a lo ng Beach Avenue and Ocean Boulevard . Thi s section req uire s double frontage lot s extending
from Beach Aven ue to Ocean Bou levard to have the front ya rd face Ocean Bou levard. As
ind icated to the CDB, I 0 of the 22 through lots already front and have a Beach Avenue address.
On ly 4 through lots are addressed and front along Ocean Boulevard, th e other lots hav e s ide
street addre sses. Currently the ordinance requires an existing through propctty to redirect the
front yard to Ocea n Avenue if the ex isting structure is demoli shed and rebui lt. Staff requests the
Commission eliminate thi s portion of Section 24-84 to allow through lots to front onto either
Beach Avenue or Ocean Bouleva rd . Below is a list of through lot addresses fronting onto Beach
Avenue.
120 Beach A venue
0 Beach Avenue (unpubli shed address)
250 Beach A venue
136 Beach Avenue
178 Beach A venue
328 Beach A venue
436 Beach Avenue
620 Beach A venue
360 Beach A venue
578 Beach A venue
The CDB voted unanimously (see attached draft minutes) to request Section 24-8 4 (c) be
amended to allow throu gh lots alo ng Beach A ve nue a nd Ocean Boulevard to front along Beach
Avenue. Our Public Work s Department docs not object to this amendment and docs not consider
thi s as addjng a trafi'ic impact thi s portion o f Beac h Ave nu e.
BUDGET:
RECOMM ENDATION :
ATTACHMENTS:
No Impa ct
Motion to request City staff to draft proposed ordinance amending
Section 24-84 (c) requiring through lots along Beach I\ venue and
Ocean Boulevard to have front yard face Ocean Boulevard.
November 19, 20 13 COB staff report and draft minutes.
REVIEWED BY CiTY MAN AGE R: -=~~;;:::~,~t:=-----------
(
City of Atlantic Beach Building and Zoning Department
800 Seminole Road
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Telephone (904) 247-5800
Fax (904) 247-5805
www.coab.us
Memorandum
To: Community Development Board
From: Michael Griffin, CBO, CFM Building and Zoning Director ~
Date: November 5, 2013
Re: Through lots between Beach A venue and Ocean Boulevard
AGENDA ITEM# 8D
JANUARY 13, 2014
This is to request a recommendation from the Community Development Board to the City
Commission that through lots between Beach A venue and Ocean Boulevard be allowed to have
front yards that access along Beach Avenue. City Code Section 24-84. (c) Double frontage lots
states, "Special treatment of Ocean Boulevard lots with double jrontage. For double frontage lots
extending between Beach Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, the required front yard shall be the yard,
which faces Ocean Boulevard."
Currently there are 22 total through lots between Beach A venue and Ocean Boulevard with 10 lots
addressed on Beach A venue, 5 lots addressed on side streets, 4 lots with Ocean Boulevard
addresses, and 3 vacant lots with no address. Given the current available access and street width
there does not appear to be a reason Beach A venue cannot handle the possible 7 properties that
may want to have access to Beach Avenue. Our Public Works Department has no objection to
allowing the remainder of lots to front onto Ocean Boulevard.
22 total through lots
4 lots with Ocean Blvd address
10 lots addressed on Beach Ave (orange)
3 lots vacant no address
5 lots addressed on side streets
Draft Mimtte.f oft he October 15. 20 13 regu lar meeting of the Community De11elopment Board
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
November 19, 2013
1. CALL TO ORDER.-6:06pm
AGEN DA ITEM II 8D
JANUARY 13,20 14
Chair Brea Pau l verified the prese nce of a quorum with the attendance of, Kelly Elmore,
Harley Parkes, Patrick Stratton and Sy l via Simmons. The m eeting was called to order at
6:06pm. Also present wa s the Building and Zoning Director , Michael Griffin,
Redeve lopment and Zoning Coo rdina tor, Jeremy Hubsch and Recording Secretary Jenny
Walker. Kirk Hanson arrived at 7:00pm, Ja so n Burge ss was absent.
2. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES-October 15, 2013.
Brea Pau l called for a motion to approve the minutes of t he October 15, 2013 regular
meeting. Kelly El more moved that minutes be app roved as written. Patrick Stratton
secon ded the motion and it carried by a vote of 7-0.
3. OLD BUSINESS. N one.
4. REPORTS.
A. Boats and Trailers. Brea Paul asked for a vote by s how of hands to talte t h e
Agenda out of order and discuss Boats and Trailers ahead of New Business
based on the number of citizens in attendance to speal{ on this topic. Brea
Paul stated the Boats and Trailers Ordinance was discussed at the October 15111
meeting and the Board had asl<ed staff for some additional details to include
the acb.lal number of violations that were acrually present. Michael Griffin
spoke stating the Board aslced for some site boundary information, Code
Enforcement information and -slaff did a survey of 80% of Atlantic Beach and
found that there were 21 boat violations, 13 of the violations the boats could
be relocated on the property and be fo und in compliance. 28 boats were
found in compliance. Five trailers and campers were found in violation and 9
trailers and campers were found in compliance. On the Code Enforcement
issues we average 10 complaints per month for boats and trailers or
recreational vehicles in the front yard. Mr. Griffin refreshed the boards
memory that Jacltsonville, St. Augustine, Neptune Beach and St. Johns County
has the same regulations of no boats or trailers in the front 20ft front yard
setback. Jacl(.sonville Beach allows one 20 ft boat in the front yard setback
Atlantic Beach is less restrictive than Jacl(sonville, Neptune Beach, St.
Augustine and St. Johns County by allowing the boat to be 15ft from the front
property line. The Board also aslted for some boundary information. Mr.
Griffin showed a plat of the Park Terrace subdivision stated that when plats
are set up houses are set up on the lot with generally a 2 0ft setbaclc, anything
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Omfl Mi nu tes of th e October 15. 2013 regulormecting of the Co /111/lll ll ily Development Board
/\GEN OA IT EM # 80
JANUARY 13,20 14
beyond that 20ft setbacl( is in the right of way. He then showed several
examples of compliant lots and noncompliant lots boats, trailers and campers.
I<elly Elmore questioned how long time wise can a boat or recreational vehicle
be in the right of way before Code Enforcement will ticket it. Mr. Griffin
responded slating Code Enforcement will leave a courtesy notice first giving a
reasonable time. Mr. Elmore aslted and if the homeowner slates that it is a
visitor and it will be removed in a few days ? Mr. Griffin stated the City will
worlt with them before taldng any code enforcement action. The firstspeal<er
was Mr. Paul Gunsaulis, 780 Begonia Street. Mr. Gunsaulis stated that because
everyone in Atlantic Beach has different lot lines, he feels the only way the City
can uniformly enforce the Boats and Trailers Ordinance is to change the
wording on b (2) from stating "15 ft setback from the lot line" to read "15ft
setbaclt from street pavement." He states that would put him in compliance.
The second spealter was Michael Hampton, 651 Begonia Street. He slated
someone from the City came out to his property yesterday and told him he
could tal<e down 2 trees on the lot and move his boat baclt and be in
compliance. He said it is absurd for him to remove trees and that too many
trees have been removed in Atlantic Beach already. He states again that "he
will not remove his boat, the City can fine him all they want, he will not move
his boat". The third speaker was Linda Spencer, 282 Magnolia Street. She
agrees with homeowners having home rights but her neighbors have their
boat parlted right underneath her bedroom window. She is in favor of the
Ordinance the way it is. Final spealter is Chris Lambertson, 357 121h St.
Believes the Issues with Boats and Tt•ailers started because of the lacl< of Code
Enforcement on this ordinance in the past. Mr. Lambertson believes that our
codes are too lax for boats aesthetically and the noise factor and that the City
should increase the setbaclt for boats, trailers and recreational ve hicles. l<elly
Elmore stated that this ordinance is in place for a reason and we do have the
most lax ordinance compared to surrounding municipalities. He feels the
ordinance s houkl be left just as it is. The ordinance withholds the standard
aesthetic throughout the City. Harley Parkes stated that he agrees with Mr.
Elmore. Sylvia Simmons state d that she drove alJ over the City and was
surprised at how few violations she saw. Ms. Simmons stated reducing the
requirement may result in creating more boats and trailers. She doesn't thinl<
the Ordinance should be changed at aiL Brea Paul says she concurs with all
the other board members, we have the most lax code already.
I<elly Elmore made a motion to keep the Boats and Trailers Ordinance as
written in place, unaltered Harley Parkes seconded the motion and it carried
by a vote of 6-0.
5. NEW BUSINESS.
A. SPA-13 -00100075 (PU BLI C II EAIU NG)-2 01 Mayport Road
Staff
Report
R equest fo r S pecia l Pla nned Ar ea (SPA) r ezonin g as permi tted by Sectio ns
24-J1 6 thro u gh 24-126, t o a llo w a m aximum of 80 reside n t ia l units. T he
property is c urre n t ly zone d Commerci a l Li mited (CL) a nd R es ide ntia l
Gen eral-M ulti-Family (RG-M). T h e F uture La nd Usc Des ig n atio n IJig h
ensity (_lUI).
Jeremy Hub sch, Red evelopme nt and Zoning Coord inator gave a
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Draft Minutes of the October 15, 2013 regular meeting oft he Community Development Board
AGENDA ITEM# 8D
JANUARY 13, 2014
Applicant
Comment
presentation about SPA-13-00100075. Mr. Hubsch showed an
aerial of the site and described the neighboring sites. Stated that
the site was formerly a development of 96 units that had been
previously torn down roughly 10 years ago. He then showed a
Future Land Use Map and discussed density of surrounding
properties and the zoning. Subject property is 7.2 acres and the
applicants are proposing a maximum of 80 residential units.
Maximum allowable density is 20 units in a Residential High
Density Land Use, and the applicants are proposing a development
with 11.2 units per acre, so it is below the maximum density. The
applicants are proposing 4 unit types, Single family, duplex, triplex
and quadplex. As it is currently designed, there will be only one
single family home. They will be providing 2 parking spaces per
unit and 20 visitor parking spaces. There will be a 10ft landscape
buffer along Mayport Road, which is required per our Mayport
Corridor Standards. There will be a Sft landscape buffer along the
entire Northern, Southern and Eastern property boundary, which
is not required by our code. The Commercial Corridor standards
for construction materials along Mayport Road will be met. It is
anticipated that the proposed 80 units will be mostly duplex,
triplex, and quadplex buildings. The applicants do not yet know
what customer demand will be like, and thus would like the
flexibility to alter the unit type shown on the site plan, while
maintaining the same general layout. The SPA clearly states that
any modifications that change the use, building height, density,
buffers and open space, and access points/driveways will need to
come back before the Community Development Board and
Commission as required per Section 24-124. Habitat for Humanity
plans to create an HOA to maintain the project in perpetuity, but
at this time the HOA documents have not yet been created. Mr.
Hubsch states that Per Section 24-62.c.2, the Community
Development Board shall "Indicate the relationship of the
proposed rezoning to the comprehensive plan for the city and
provide a finding that the requested change in zoning is consistent
with the comprehensive." He then discussed some of the goals,
objectives, and policies of the comprehensive plan that are
relevant to this project. Mr. Hubsch gave an overview of the
thirteen waivers that the applicants are requesting. He also gave
an overview of the boards required actions. He also stated that
staff does not have any recommendations at this time and will be
leaving the decision up to the board.
The applicant, Jay McGarvey, Chairman of Beaches Habitat stated
that they are very excited to present this model community for the
Page 3 of5
AGENDA ITEM# 8D
JANUARY 13, 2014
Draft Minutes of the October 15, 2013 regular meeting of the Community Development Board
Public
Comment
Board
Discussion
Motion
residents of Atlantic Beach. He states that this development will
dress up Mayport Road. He then introduced the President of
Beaches Habitat, Mr. Brian Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler presented
several examples of other neighborhoods that have developed
using the same traditional neighborhood design that Habitat is
proposing. He showed computer images of the before and after of
the site. He also showed example floor plans of the units. He
discussed parking, sidewalks, front and rear yards, landscaping and
drainage on the project. Kelly Elmore stated he is concerned given
the location and the density request, will crime and home values
become an issue. Mr. Wheeler stated that he feels there is a
difference in behavior of renters of high density apartments and
homeowners. He then discussed all of the requirements the
prospective homeowners must comply with before being given the
privilege of home ownership with Beaches Habitat. Mr. Elmore
then asked how the development is handling stormwater. Mr.
Wheeler pointed out that most of it will drain under the park to a
underground system created with the existing concrete that is on-
site and the rest is already currently flowing to Mayport Road.
Habitat will work with FDOT concerning the drainage issues.
The first public speaker was Matthew Chimumento, 632 Main
Street, stated he is very glad to see something going into the
"bombed out" shelter. His concerns were regarding how many
more of these type homes or developments are going to be coming
up in Atlantic Beach? Is Atlantic Beach going to become totally
focused on Beaches Habitat homes? He was also concerned about
the lack of storage with no garages and having the front and rear
porches start serving as garages with outside storage. The second
public speaker was Mike Whalen, business owner on Mayport
Road. Mr. Whalen stated he thinks this is the wrong location for
this project. Is Atlantic Beach going to become the "poster boy"
for Beaches Habitat. He thinks this is too many low income people
in one project and that this will turn back into what the Palms
turned into and that it will close businesses on Mayport Road.
Kirk Hanson had questions regarding if they grant the variances for
this SPA do they have to do the same for all future SPA's. The
board decided they are decided on a case by case basis. Brea Paul
was concerned about the park being turned into a retention pond
for drainage. Mr. Hubsch stated that then that change would have
to come before the board again.
Sylvia Simmons made motion to approve SPA-13-00100075 and it
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Draft Minutes of the October 15, 2013 regular meeting of the Community Development Board
AGENDA ITEM# 8D
JANUARY 13, 2014
was seconded by Harley Parkes. It was unanimously approved 6-0.
6. REPORTS.
A. Through Lots. Michael Griffin stated that this item is to request a
recommendation from the Community Development Board to the City
Commission to repeal Section 24-84. (c) The Land Development Code which
relates to double frontage lots which requires new structures built in between
Beach Avenue and Ocean Blvd. to actually front onto Ocean Blvd. Currently
there are only 4 lots with Ocean Blvd addresses and 10 lots addressed on Beach
Avenue, and 3 vacant lots with no address. Sylvia Simmons is concerned about
letting homeowners place 6ft tall fences right along Ocean Blvd. Mr. Parkes
stated that the economic value of having a Beach Ave. address is not arguable.
Kelly Elmore made a motion to amend the code to allow through lots between
Beach Ave. to Ocean Blvd. to front on Beach Ave. Mr. Stratton seconded the
motion. The motion was unanimously approved 6-0.
B. Tree Ordinance. Michael Griffin stated that the Tree Ordinance is not up for
discussion for this evening. Mr. Griffin stated this is just a heads up that this will
be coming up in the December meeting. Mr. Elmore stated he will be missing
the December 17th meeting. Brea Paul stated that Jason Burgess will not be
staying on the board and the new board member will be Linda Lanier.
7. ADJOURNMENT-8 :31 PM
Brea PauL Chair
Attest
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