REZ-2001-01 (WQOP) Staff Report CC 2nd
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Rezoning of WQOP (Queen of Peace radio station) property
This item is continued from the January 02, 2002 meeting.
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP, Community Development Director
DATE: May 24, 2002
BACKGROUND: This rezoning to Special Purpose District (SP) will bring the existing radio station use into compliance with the amended zoning regulations, which became effective January
1st of this year. The zoning of this property was designated as Open Rural (OR) at the time this area was annexed to the City of Atlantic Beach. Radio antennae and associated uses
were permissible under the Use-by-Exception provisions within the Open Rural Zoning District. The Open Rural District, however, has been eliminated as a Zoning District Classification.
The proposed rezoning was considered by the Community Development Board at their December 18, 2001 meeting. The CD Board, recommended approval of the rezoning requesting that the
following additional conditions be placed on the property.
There shall be no onsite wetland impacts.
Any additional construction shall require site plan approval by the Community Development Board prior to the issuance of any future Development Permits.
The front (southernmost side) of the property shall be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 24-177.
There shall be no signs, and any existing signs shall be removed.
The Applicant has advised staff that FCC regulations require certain signs and notices to be placed upon radio transmission towers, and the applicant also wishes to place signs on the
property identifying the radio station. A maximum number, size and height of signs (in addition to that as required by FCC regulations) is suggested within the proposed ordinance,
although these dimensions may be established as the Commission finds appropriate.
This rezoning to Special Purpose District specifically limits the use of this property to the existing radio station use and accessory uses customary to a radio station. Any future
change in use would require approval by the City Commission, and in the case that the existing use is ceased for more than twelve months, the establishment of any future use would require
approval of the City Commission and consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.
Additionally, the CD Board has recommended that any additional construction on this site require approval of a site plan by the CD Board. A recommendation related to allowable building
height was not provided by the CD Board; however, Staff recommends that a height criteria be established. A maximum building height is proposed (Section 3.c.iii of the proposed Ordinance)
at 15-feet, or one-story, for the main Building and 12 feet for any Accessory
Structures. With the exception of height and signage criteria, the recommendations provided above are those as provided by the CD Board at their December 18, 2001 meeting. Since that
meeting, the Applicant has met with Planning Staff and the City Manager to discuss further conditions related to maximum height of buildings, signage, landscaping and re-painting of
the existing building to a color that would “blend” with the surrounding marsh and wetland environment. At this time, the applicant has not further advised Staff related to these earlier
discussions.
Staff offers the following conditions, and modifications to the CD Board’s conditions, for the Commission’s consideration. (These conditions are contained within the attached proposed
ordinance.)
There shall be no filling of onsite jurisdictional wetlands beyond those for which permits have been issued as of the effective date of this rezoning.
Any additional construction, which increases the Floor Area of the existing Principal Building or replaces the existing Principal Building, shall require site plan approval by the Community
Development Board prior to the issuance of any future Development Permits.
The maximum height for the Principal Building shall not exceed one-story and (15) feet, and the maximum height for any Accessory Buildings shall not exceed twelve (12) feet, except that
the height for antennae shall be such height as licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and approved by the Federal Aviation Commission (FAA).
The southern side of the property, extending an east-westerly distance of approximately one-hundred (100) feet and the western side of the property, extending a northerly distance of
eighty (80) feet shall be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 24-177 to provide a ten (10) foot wide continuous buffer around the building and accessory equipment. The property owner
shall consult with City staff to determine plant materials appropriate to this marsh environment. Landscape shall be continuously maintained in a healthy condition.
The existing buildings shall be painted in a color that blends with the natural environment surrounding this site. The property owner shall consult with the Community Development Director
to determine an appropriate color.
The maximum number, size and height of any Signs (in addition to those as required by FCC regulations) shall be:
one Freestanding Sign, not to exceed sixty (60) square feet of Sign Display Area and twelve (12) feet in height; Such Sign shall be a monument style, externally and ground illuminated
Sign and shall be constructed of wood, high-density urethane or similar materials, provided that no plastic or vinyl Sign face shall be used. The base of such Sign shall be landscaped.
one Wall or Fascia Sign not to exceed twenty-four (24) square feet of Sign Display Area. Wall or Fascia Sign shall be non-illuminated.
RECOMMENDATION: Subject to the above conditions or those as recommended by the Commission, motion to approve Ordinance Number 90-02-171 (File Number REZ-2001-01), a rezoning to Special
Purpose District (SP) for lands as described within attached Exhibit A, adopting the proposed ordinance and suggested findings.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed ordinance and supporting materials.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: ___________________________