11-11-80 v I
MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD
OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
November 11, 1980
City Hall
7:30 PM
PRESENT: John F. Andresen, Chairman
Dick Rigsbee
Donna Ross
Catherine G. Van Ness, Commissioner
AND: Bill M. Davis, City Manager
Joan LaVake, Recording Secretary
ABSENT: Hal Mullins
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Andresen who asked Mr. Davis to
present the first order of business.
Mr. Davis addressed the Board, stating that Mr. George Bull had appeared before
the City Commission at their last meeting and the Commission had referred the
matter to the Planning Board for, in Mr. Davis' words, a furthering effort on
Mr. Bull's part for a continuation of his PUD zoning on his subdivision within a
PUD zoning.
Mr. Bull stated that, indeed, the subject property was all in that area designated
PUD which requires, now that we're outside the area that was previously approved
as a single-family detached home subdivision area, going around north of that
previous submission to do Selva Marina Garden, but that he was including in the
map (before the Board) the part that once before he had requested commercial zoning
on, which is a part that was south of that lot line but was in the original
concept which was submitted some four or five years ago. Mr. Bull stated that the
residential part of his application is for "patio" or "garden" homes which permits
one zero lot line. At this point, a lengthy discussion and close review of Mr.
Bull's plans ensued, with questions and explanations regarding the type of homes
and their placement on the lots. Chairman Andresen summed up the discussion,
asking Mr. Bull if he was correct in assuming that Mr. Bull anticipated these
homes being one on each lot but close enough together that they be covered under
one roof. Mr. Bull stated that that was correct, so that he would not have too
wide a departure from what he already had going successfully. All aspects of the
residential part of Mr. Bull's application were covered thoroughly by the Board
in a question and answer discussion with Mr. Bull.
Commissioner Van Ness questioned Mr. Bull, asking, regarding his "convenience
store", was it planned, as she understood it, that it could be a convenience
store as well as other retail-type store? Mr. Bull stated yes, that that was a
big piece of property for one convenience store, being 400 feet long; that it
could possibly be a professional office, and that he proposed to have his office
there as well. Commissioner Van Ness asked Mr. Bull if it was his intention to
allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on the property. Mr. Bull answered, only
those permitted in that type of operation; that there is not permitted a liquor
package store license. Commissioner Van Ness asked then did that not still leaVe
allowable the sale of beer and wine and Mr. Bull stated that it did, but that
consumption on the premises would be prohibited. Commissioner Van Ness submitted
that this would invite a lot of traffic from Hanna Park, causing a problem of beer
can litter. Mr. Bull stated that at such time that he built the convenience store,
he had some ideas about security that would eliminate all the problems that
these type stores have. Commissioner Van Ness advised Mr. Bull that she felt that
the residents in the area of the proposed convenience store strongly opposed it;
that they objected to putting a commercial area right in the middle of a
residential area. Mrs. Ross commented that it was her understanding that, under
PUD, the Board could approve commercial within an area like this, but that it was
her feeling that were that to be done it should encompass a larger area of
property where it could be combined with a buffer zone of some kind; not saying that
a commercial area was not needed in the north part of Atlantic Beach in some spot
in the future in connection with the master plan, but she did not like to see
that small a section be stuck in there. Mr. Bull stated that his plan called
for not only a convenience store, but a convenience store and other service type
establishments. Mrs. Ross clarified her statement, explaining that she felt
there should be a larger area around whatever is planned to be commercial to act as
a buffer into the residential which it abuts. The Chairman asked if there were
further comments from the Board, and Mr. Rigsbee stated that he could see both
the advantages and disadvantages of Mr. Bull's commercial proposal. Chairman
Andresen stated that his concern was the beach traffic; cars parked up and down
Seminole Road on Sunday afternoon and the beer cans filling every ditch, and 20th
Street littered from there to the ocean. Mr. Bull felt that these problems exist
even now and are caused by the public access provided by the City of Jacksonville.
Commissioner Van Ness reiterated her position, stating that, in her opinion, a
convenience store in that location would cause nothing but problems, having it down
there on a dead-end street where you have 200 feet of access to the beach through
people's yards, resulting in petty theft and a lot of other things.
Chairman Andresen asked the Board if each member understood what was before them.
After another lengthy discussion regarding the proposal, Chairman Andresen stated
that the Board could approve either the whole thing (the residential and the
Commercial), the residential, or none of it, those being the three options. The
Chair then called for any suggestions, recommendations or motions.
Mr. Rigsbee moved that the Board approve the residential and pass it on to the City
Commission. Chairman Andresen asked if Mr. Rigsbee's motion was intended not to
recommend the commercial, and Mr. Rigsbee answered no , that he understood that
it was to be voted on separately. The Chair stated that it did not, necessarily,
have to be voted on separately. With that in mind, Mr. Rigsbee stated that he
would like to move to recommend the entire plan, the residential and the
commercial, and pass it on to the City Commission. The Chair called for a second;
there being none, the motion died for lack of a second. Mrs. Ross moved that the
Board recommend to the City Commission approval of the residential portion of
Selva Marina Garden, excluding the commercial tract. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Rigsbee. The motion passed unanimously with three (3) ayes.
The next order of business to be brought before the Board was the PUD application
of Mr. Jim Cowart asking that the Board grant approval on Block 101 and 102,
Section H, Atlantic Beach, for the purpose of building a 24-unit apartment
building. After a lengthy discussion, involving comments from the Board regarding
the impact the plan would have on the neighborhood involved, a motion was made
by Mr. Rigsbee, seconded by Mrs. Ross, and unanimously carried that the PUD
application of Mr. Cowart be sent back to the City Commission with the Board's
recommendation that it be approved.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the Chairman declared
the meeting adjourned.
John F. Andresen, Chairman