06-20-89 v MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
June 20, 1989
7:00 P. M.
CITY HALL
PRESENT: Gregg W. McCaulie, Chairman
Louis B. MacDonnell, Vice Chairman
Ruth Gregg
John Bass
Samuel T. Howie
Kathleen Russell
Don Wolfson
AND: Rene' Angers, Recording Secretary
Brenda Dockery
AND: Paul Eakin and Sam Waters
George Bull Jr.
Steve Durant and John McManus
Carmen Agosto
Karl Grunewald
Chairman McCaulie called the meeting to order at 7:00 p. m The
Chairman asked for comments or corrections to the minutes of the
meeting of April 18; 1989. There being none, Mr. MacDonnell
motioned that they be approved as presented. Mr. Wolfson
seconded the motion which carried unanimously.
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OLD BUSINESS
A. APPLICATION FOR FENCE VARIANCE BY JOHN H. McMANUS; PART OF
GOVERNMENT LOT 1, FRACTION OF SECTION 9, TOWNSHIP 2 SOUTH, RANGE
29 EAST. 2120 BEACH AVENUE, ATLANTIC BEACH.
Mr. McManus was not present. Therefore, the item was moved to
the end of the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
A. APPLICATION FOR REZONING FROM RG-1 TO RG-2 BY SAMUEL WATERS;
LOT 5, BLOCK 3, LEWIS SUBDIVISION.
Paul Eakin, attorney representing Mr. Waters, stated that the
property had been approved for replatting into duplex lots but
that the City of Jacksonville stipulated that Church Road be
opened prior to plat approval. Mr. Waters felt that opening and
culverting Church Road would be a financial burden and that it
would also decrease the value of his property; that Chruch Road
would become a thoroughfare for Mayport Road traffic.
Several board members expressed concern for accessibility to the
project by the police and fire departments; Mrs. Russell calling
the area an obstacle course. Mr. Wolfson was concerned for
circumventing Jacksonville's authority. He felt the rezoning was
requested for financial reasons and pointed out that Mr. Waters
purchased the property in 1985 under RG-1 zoning.
Mr. MacDonell stated that without rezoning, Mr. Waters could
only construct one two-unit structure on the parcel. He motioned
to recommend approval of the application for rezoning. Mr. Bass
seconded the motion which carried 5 to 2. McCaulie and Wolfson
voted NAY.
B. APPLICATION FOR SIDE YARD VARIANCE BY HENRY BATTS; LOT 23,
BLOCK 13, REPLAT OF ROYAL PALMS UNIT 2A; 369 ROYAL PALM DRIVE.
Mr. Batts was not present. Therefore the item was deferred until
the following meeting.
C. APPLICATION FOR REAR YARD VARIANCE BY CHARLES PERRITTI; LOT
36, BLOCK 6, ATLANTIC BEACH; 415 SHERRY DRIVE.
Mr. Perritti submitted photographs of his lot and letters from
affected property owners supporting the addition of two new
bathrooms in line with the existing residence. Mr. John Weldon
of 380 Fifth Street, Atlantic Beach, spoke on behalf of the
Perrittis' and explained the addition was needed to accomodate
Mr. Perritti 's elderly mother who would be moving to the
residence within the next six months.
Mr. Wolfson motioned to grant the rear yard variance as
presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. MacDonnell and carried
unanimously.
D. APPLICATION FOR FRONT AND REAR YARD VARIANCE BY MAXIMINO
AGOSTO; LOT 1, SECTION 1, ATLANTIC BEACH VILLAS; 87 FORRESTAL
CIRCLE SOUTH.
Carmen Agosto stated that they were requesting a waiver of front
and side yard requirements in order to construct a carport on the
west side of their home. She explained that this was the only
feasibile location for the addition due to a Florida Department
of Transportation easement which abuts her property.
Mr. Wolfson pointed out that shrubs along the Agosto's property
were causing a visibility problem for traffic pulling onto
Mayport Road.
After further discussion, Mr. Howie motioned to approve the
variance contingent upon approval by the DOT and sufficient
trimming of the shrubbery abutting the property. Mr. Bass
seconded the motion which carried 5 to 2. MacDonell and Wolfson
voted NAY.
E. APPLICATION FOR REAR YARD VARIANCE BY KARL GRUNEWALD; LOTS 6
AND 7, BLOCK 37, SECTION H; 92 WEST EIGHTH STREET.
Mr. Grunewald stated that he was reqesting a variance that would
allow construction of a new office and showroom for K&J Custom
Cabinets, within three feet of the rear property line and in line
with the existing building next door.
Several members of the board expressed concern for emergency
vehicle access and the danger of fire spreading easily to
surrounding buildings. Mr. Grunewald presented the Board with
affadavits from adjacent property owners that they had no
objection to the variance and stated that the building would be
constructed of pre-fab metal and that no flamables would be
stored on the premises.
Mr. Wolfson suggested that a two story building would be better
use of the property but Mr. Grunewald felt a two story structure
would be out of character for the neighborhood.
After further discussion Mr. McDonell motioned to grant the
variance as presented. Mrs. Gregg seconded the motion which
carried by a five to two vote. McCaulie and Wolfson voted NAY.
F. APPLICATION FOR USE BY EXCEPTION BY LORIN V. AND JOAN B.
WILLIAMS; LOTS 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, NORTH PART OF 19,
PARCELS 1, 2, AND 3. ATLANTIC BEACH "A".
George Bull, Jr. , architect, representing the owners, stated
that they develop the Bennett 's Motel property with a retail
center, including a restaurant and bank, and that they were
requesting an exception to the parking requirements and an
exception to allow on premise consumption of alcoholic beverages
in a Commercial General zoning district. Mr. Bull pointed out
that the retail shops and offices would not be occupied during
the restaurant peak hours; that restaurants generally have
approximately 50% occupancy in the day time; and that the
Atlantic Beach parking requirements were much more restrictive
than the other beach communities and St. John's County. Mr. Bull
felt that the property serves as the "gateway to Atlantic Beach"
and that the center would be an attractive addition.
Several board members were concerned about one ingress/egress on
Atlantic Boulevard and possible traffic problems at peak banking,
shopping and rush hours and for beach-goers using the lot. Mr.
Bull stated that they have been working with the Department of
Transportation on designing the entrance and that if a
traffic problem did arise, they were prepared to hire a security
guard.
After further discussion Mr. Howie motioned to recommend approval
of the applications subject to compliance with Chapter 24 of the
Code of Ordinances. The motion was seconded by Ms. Russell an
carried by a six to one vote. Mr. Wolfson voted nay.
OLD BUSINESS
A. APPLICATION FOR FENCE VARIANCE BY JOHN MCMANUS. PART OF
GOV'T LOT 1, FRACTIONAL SECT. 9, TOWNSHIP 2 SOUTH, RANGE 29 EAST,
ATLANTIC BEACH. 2120 BEACH AVENUE. (Conflict Declared by Member
Russell )
Steve Durant, attorney representing Mr. McManus, stated that they
were requesting a variance to leave the fence in it 's present
state. A lengthy discussion ensued relative to whether the
fence, or portions of the fence, were grandfathered-in, whether
any part of the fence was legal at any time. The City Attorney
determined that the portion of fence constructed prior to
annexation of the Seminole Beach area was grandfathered-in.
Further discussion ensued. Mr. Wolfson motioned to allow the
fence to remain at the height of the sections that were
grandfathered-in and that, in keeping with he administrative
hearing, the front portion be brought into conformity with the
height regulations. The motion was withdrawn and Chairman
McCaulie motioned to allow the fence to remain in it 's present
state. Mr. Wolfson seconded the motion which failed by two to
four vote. McCaulie and Wolfson voting AYE. The original
motion made by Mr. Wolfson was re-introduced and seconded by
Chairman McCaulie. The motion carried unanimously.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
A. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT SUGGESTIONS
Mr. Wolfson suggested that the City consider purchasing a
personal watercraft to aid the lifeguards and police in their
duties. After general discussion, Mr. Wolfson motioned that the
city continue negotiations with various personal watercraft
manufacturing companies to purchase a vehicle or to perhaps
exchange the use of a vehicle for positive publicity. The motion
was seconded by Mr. Howie and carried unanimouisly.
There being no further business before the board Chairman
McCaulie declared the meeting adjourned at 9:32 p. m.
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vi\NkE4V
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W. re g1ulie, Chairman