Agenda Item 8BDraft Mlnw cs oftlte October 15. 2 01 3 regular mecling of the Community Del'e/opm cnt Boartl
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
November 19, 2013
1 . CALL TO ORDER.-6:06pm
AGENDA ITEM II 80
FI ·:BRUARY 10,20 14
Chair Brea Paul verified the prese nce of a quorum with the attendance of, Ke lly Elmore,
Harl ey Parkes, Patrick Stratton and Sylvia Simmon s. The meeting was ca lled to order at
6:06pm. Al so present was the Building and Zo nin g Director, Michael Griffin,
Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator, Jeremy Hubsch and Recording Secretary Jenny
Wa lker. Kirk Han son arrived at 7:00pm, Jason Burge ss was absent.
2 . ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES-October 15, 2013.
Brea Paul called for a motion to approve the minutes of the October 15, 2013 regular
meeting. Kelly Elmore moved that minutes be approved as written . Patri ck Stratton
seconde d the motion and it carri ed by a vote of 7-0 .
3. OLD BUSINESS. Non e.
4. REPORTS.
A. Boats and Trailers. Brea Paul aslted for a vote by s how of hands to talte the
Agenda out of order and discuss Boats and Trailers ahead of New Business
based on the number of citizens in attendance to spealt on this topic. Brea
Paul stated the Boats and Trailers Ordinance was discussed at the October 151h
meeting and the Board had aslted staff for some additional details to include
the actual number of violations that were actually present. Michael Griffin
spoke stating the Board aslted for s ome site boundary information, Code
Enforcement information and staff 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 found 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 Jacl<sonville, St. Augustine, Neptune Beach and St. Johns County
has the same regulations of no boats or trailers in the front 20ft front yard
setbaclt. jacl<sonville Beach allows one 20 ft boat in the front yard setbaclt.
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 asl<ed 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 Jot with generally a 20ft setbacl<, anything
Pa ge I o f 2
Draft Minutes of the October 15, 2013 regular meeting of the Community Development Board
AGENDA ITEM# 8B
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
beyond that 20ft setback is in the right of way. He then showed several
examples of compliant lots and noncompliant lots boats, trailers and campers.
Kelly 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 stating Code Enforcement will leave a courtesy notice first giving a
reasonable time. Mr. Elmore asked and if the homeowner states that it is a
visitor and it will be removed in a few days ? Mr. Griffin stated the City will
work with them before taking any code enforcement action. The firstspeaker
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
setback from street pavement:' He states that would put him in compliance.
The second speaker was Michael Hampton, 651 Begonia Street. He stated
someone from the City came out to his property yesterday and told him he
could take down 2 trees on the lot and move his boat back 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 parked right underneath her bedroom window. She is in favor of the
Ordinance the way it is. Final speaker is Chris Lambertson, 357 12th St.
Believes the issues with Boats and Trailers started because of the lack 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 setback for boats, trailers and recreational vehicles. Kelly
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 should 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 stated that she drove all 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 think
the Ordinance should be changed at alL Brea Paul says she concurs with all
the other board members, we have the most lax code already.
Kelly 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.
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