Handout - Louise Ann Hunley Remarks for Commission Meeting April 25, 2016 at 6:30
I would like to speak in opposition to the Tri-Bridge apartment development proposed for the corner of
Aquatic Drive and Atlantic Boulevard. The proposal is too large and too dense for that site. I offer three
(3) reasons for that assessment: 1)the propensity for flooding even without the large expanse of
impervious surface the development would generate; 2) the developer's incursion upon and proposed
"improvements"to the public, subscription-paid Dog Park to enable his oversized project; and 3)the
excessive number of cars and traffic the development would generate.
1. Flooding
• The area floods frequently even when Aquatic Drive does not, actually closing that intersection
to traffic.
• The developer's proposed dredging and enlargement of the Dog Park pond will not mitigate the
flooding caused by paving over the expanse he plans for his complex. Mr. Douglas Layton,
former Public Works director, met with me and several neighbors after the November 8th flood
event, showed us the drainage map for our neighborhood, and explained in detail how the
drainage system is designed. Deepening the pond and enlarging it to accommodate his extra
storm water runoff will, however,destroy a treasured amenity the community currently enjoys,
and pays to maintain. Dogs will no longer be able to enjoy wading and swimming in the water as
they currently do. In addition,the developer states he plans to pave a walkway in the dog park
and add a covered entrance as"improvements." Please note that we use the dog park to enjoy
a natural environment. If we wish to walk our dogs on pavement and use covered
entranceways,we have our sidewalks and homes to serve that purpose.
• Several of my neighbors have had permit requests to slightly enlarge their backyard patios
denied by city officials citing "Impervious surface ordinances."The irony of these denials and the
proposed construction of an enormous impervious surface on our street is not lost on us.
2. Incursion upon public park land by a private developer for private profit
• The city charter and the 2010-2020 Comprehensive Plan as well as the City Codes and
Ordinances are very clear regarding the preservation and protection of areas set aside to
improve the quality of life and the character of our city.To cite from the 2010-2020
Comprehensive Plan adopted for Atlantic Beach:
• Policy E.1.3.5: Private development shall not, by any means, restrict or prohibit access or use by
the public of any public recreational resource including the beach,the Intracoastal Waterway,
creeks, streams, marsh and wetlands areas.And the dog park with its wading and swimming
pond!
• This proposal came before the previous City Commission. In my conversations with a former
Commissioner,they made it quite clear that this proposal was never considered seriously due to
the density and traffic issues, which I will address next, and because of its detrimental effects on
the residents of Aquatic Drive and subscribers to the dog park. It would appear that Tri-Bridge
likes their chances much better with the current Commission. Aquatic Drive's residents and local
dog owners will not fare so well.
3. Traffic and residential density
• I learned during a conversation with Jeremy Hubsch of the zoning office that City of Atlantic
Beach residency regulations permit up to three (3) unrelated adults to occupy a single family
residence, but this restriction does not apply to apartment units. And as Mr. Hubsch noted,
enforcement of any residency regulation is virtually impossible. With 23 units, one can expect 70
cars in that space for residents alone. That number will increase with temporary guests. The
developer plans garages for the units, but they are not 3-car garages. Where will all the extra
cars park? I invite the Commission members to drive down Aquatic Drive any morning, but
especially weekends. The houses with one or two cars neatly parked in the driveways?
Homeowners. The houses with a truck on the lawn, a car across the sidewalk and one or two
cars on the street? Renters. Then, where will all these cars drive? Unless you are adding a
traffic light at Aquatic and Atlantic,they will need to either a)cut illegally through the mall
parking lot and risk a ticket from Atlantic Beach police, or b)cut down Aquatic and Cutlass to get
the light at Royal Palm. Otherwise,they risk increasing the number of accidents at that
entrance, which are already serious enough without the extra traffic the apartments will
generate.
4. Summary
Mayor Reeves and members of the Commission,you have sworn an oath to uphold the quality
of life of Atlantic Beach citizens and to maintain the character and ambiance of our city. You are
charged with upholding our codes, our charter and our Comprehensive 10-year plan.As your
predecessors on the Commission were aware, approving this project will clearly violate that
oath and the obligations of your office. I urge you to honor the wisdom, prudence and
forethought of the previous commissioners and deny any permits to Tri-Bridge Development for
this project.
In the words of Joni Mitchell's iconic song. "They paved Paradise and put up a parking lot...Don't
it always seem to go,you don't know what you've got till it's gone." Please, I implore you, do not
make our City of Atlantic Beach the poster child for the truth of those lyrics.
Thank you.
Louise Ann Hunley
591 Aquatic Drive
Atlantic Beach, FL
904-307-6852