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2/18/14 CDB Signed MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD February 18, 2014 1. CALL TO ORDER. - 6:00 pm Chair Brea Paul verified that all board members are present. The meeting was called to order at 6:OOpm. Also present was the Building and Zoning Director, Michael Griffin, Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator, Jeremy Hubsch, Recording Secretary Jenny Walker, and representing the military was Matt Schellhorn. 2. ADOPTION OF MEETING MINUTES - January 21, 2014. Brea Paul called for a motion to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2014 regular meeting. Kirk Hansen stated he had two small issues with the minutes. He said the minutes state that he requested a review of the six actions to recommend approval or denial on page 3 of 5, and he denies stating that. Mr. Hansen also stated he doesn't believe they need a variance at all, whereas the minutes incorrectly stated Harley made the statement. Mr. Hansen made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Elmore seconded the motion and it carried by a vote of 7 -0. 3. OLD BUSINESS. None. 4. NEW BUSINESS. Staff Report A. UBEX- 14- 00100010(PUBLIC HEARING) Request for use -by- exception as permitted by Section 24-111 (C) (6), to allow contractors, not requiring outside storage. Jeremy Hubsch, Redevelopment and Zoning Coordinator stated this UBEX -14- 00100010 is for American Well and Irrigation located at 1651 Mayport Road. The property was formerly owned by Christy Plumbing but was bought by American Well and Irrigation in 2013. The applicants were previously located at 49 Ardella Road, which is immediately east of this property. The applicants are required to obtain a Use -By- Exception per Section 24 -111 (c)(6), which says one is needed by "Contractors, not requiring outside storage, provided that no manufacture, Page 1 of 4 construction, heavy assembly involving hoists or lifts, or equipment that makes excessive noise or fumes shall be permitted. Not more than one (1) contractor related vehicle shall be parked outdoors on a continuous basis." They were approved in May of 2013 to open the office and retail showroom portion of their business, and were instructed by Principal Planner Erika Hall that they would need a Use -By- Exception to move the contracting portion of their business to the site. The site has a large parking and outdoor storage area that was used by the previous tenant. There is currently a backhoe and dump truck in this area, as well as trailers and work related vehicles. Contractor related vehicles and outside storage would not be allowed on this site if it hadn't previously been used by a plumbing contractor. Section 24 -85 (d) (3) states, "In the event that a nonconforming use of land is discontinued or abandoned for a period of six (6) months or longer, any subsequent use of such land shall conform to the applicable provisions of the comprehensive plan." This site was not abandoned for more than 6 months, therefore the City Commission has the ability to grandfather the use of contractor vehicles as part of the Use -By- Exception process if they so choose. If there is going to be outside storage and contractors vehicles on site, staff believes it is important to adequately buffer them from Mayport Road and neighboring properties. The property is adjacent to two single - family homes. Section 24 -177 (e) (1) (d) requires a 10' buffer strip where commercial uses are adjacent to single- family dwellings. The buffer strip shall have one tree for each twenty -five linear feet of buffer strip and shall be grassed. This property is located less that 100' from Mayport Road and thus must meet the Commercial Corridor Standards outlined in Section 24 -171. A 10' landscaped buffer is required along the Mayport Road facing portion of the development, except for driveways. The site currently meets this requirement. This section also states that chain link, barbed wire, razor or concertina wire shall be prohibited in any required front yard or yard adjoining a street. There is currently chain link along Mayport Road and both side streets that border the site. Staff recommends that additional visual screening be required on site if outside storage and contractor vehicles are allowed as part of this Use -By- Exception. A possible solution is to replace the existing chain link fence with a 6' to 8' opaque fence, or to plant a Page 2 of 4 Applicant Comment Public Comment Board Discussion Motion denser layer of shrubs that would visually screen activities and storage on site. Jeremy also presented pictures of the site. Staff is recommending that if this Use -By- Exception is approved the board put some conditions on the approval to ensure there is some screenage on Mayport Road so that the contractors vehicles and outside storage are not visible from the street. Mr. Hubsch discussed the 4 findings of fact for approval and denial. Jeremy Hubsch introduced the applicant, Joe Conselice and his daughter Michelle. Mr. Conselice stated their business has operated from 49 Ardella Rd. for about 15 years. He told about how he remodeled the property so far and everything they have done. He states that the backhoe and the big truck on site are scheduled to be gone in March. He also said they are willing to do whatever the city requests as far as fencing and buffers. Kirk Hansen asked applicant if there will be any heavy vehicle storage on site and applicant replied no there will not, nor will they be doing any work on site. None. Kelly Elmore asked how many UBEX's have been granted on Mayport Road in the last year. Mr. Griffin replied that we average a couple every few months. Mr. Elmore recommended that the applicant add a concrete apron on Ardella Road. Sylvia Simmons asked if the property is grandfathered in or does the board need to do it. Jeremy stated the board can grandfather the property in. Harley stated that what the board needs to remember is that Mayport Road is the access to one of the biggest industrial employers in North Florida, and it is not a residential corridor, but a state highway. Brea asked applicant what their long term plans with the empty lot is and Mr. Conselice states that eventually they plan on putting another building there. Motion made by Kelly Elmore to approve UBEX -14- 00100010 under the following conditions: a continuous hedge line be established along Mayport Road, along Jackson Road and along Ardella Road, to screen the chain link fence, that a supplemental water system be added to ensure the longevity of the hedge, and a city standard concrete apron from the edge of pavement to the right of way line Page 3 of 4 5. REPORTS. be placed on both Ardella Road and Jackson Road at the ingress egress points that are currently in place. The chain link fence will be allowed to remain. Mr. Hubsch suggested the board put a cap on the number of contractor vehicles stored on the site. The board recommended no more than 5. Entire motion was seconded by Kirk Hansen. Motion is passed unanimously. A. Commercial Corridor Standards. Michael Griffin stated that when this was discussed at the last meeting that he feels that the reason the flat roof section is in the code is to keep the air conditioner units from being seen from the road. Mr. Griffin suggested that is the board is going to make changes to the code then they should just adding that mechanical equipment on the rooftop should be screened from the view of the road, instead of having to rework the entire section. The board recommends that staff review the wording and try to ease up the language of the code to bring in architectural relief. 6. ADJOURNMENT - 7:00 PM Brea Paul, Chair CUs?' ACfse)2— Page 4 of 4