Loading...
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. * * * * * 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. * * * * * vi\NkE4V :/'''' W. re g1ulie, Chairman