01-25-83 v 1;4-
MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD
OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH, FLORIDA
January 25, 1983
7:00 PM
City Hall
PRESENT: W. Gregg McCaulie - Chairman
Ron Gray
Ruth Gregg
Guy Jennings
Commissioner John W. Morris
AND: A. William Moss, City Manager
Mary L. Dombrowski, Recording Secretary
AND: Joan Pullen
Eileen Olson
Tim Shea
Stan Cole
Jim Cheshire
John Heard
John Carter
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman McCaulie.
Commissioner John Morris advised the Advisory Planning Board members that the
City Commission had appointed Mrs. Ruth Gregg to the Advisory Planning Board
for a period of four more years, with her term to expire on January 25, 1987.
Chairman McCaulie requested the Board to direct their attention to the first
item on the agenda.
Application for "Use by Exception" Submitted by JAHAH, Inc., on Behalf of the
Sunrise Community Evangelical Free Church
The Advisory Planning Board reviewed an application submitted by Mr. Shea on
behalf of the Sunrise Community Evangelical Free Church. The church has
requested a "Use by Exception" for a tract of land currently zoned RG-2. The
request for a "Use by Exception" is for a church in a area zoned RG-2.
The chair asked for any questions from the Board. Guy Jennings advised that
because of a conflict of interest he would abstain from voting on the matter at
hand. Mr. Jim Cheshire, Pastor of the Church, stated that the church planned
to construct a building on the five-acre site directly east of Cornell Lane
(extended) . Mr. Gray questioned whether or not a school would be part of the
church activities. Mr. Cheshire responded that there were no plans for a school.
Mr. Morris advised of the future expansions of the City, and that bars and
restaurants serving alcohol in commercial zones around the church may affect
church activities. Mr. Cheshire responded that that would be no problem and that
the church would have to live with what might happen. Mr. Cheshire advised that
the church was ready to begin construction immediately. Mr. Gray questioned the
status of Cornell Lane. Mr.Cole, representing the church, advised that Cornell
Lane would serve as access on the west side. Their deed would provide a 30-foot
easement to the church through the south part of the property. Mr. Gray advised
that Cornell Lane was necessary for access. Mr. Cole advised that the plans did
not provide for Cornell Lane to extend to Aquatic Drive, although the church
would prefer that Cornell Lane have an access onto Aquatic Drive. Mr. Moss
Page 2
ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD
advised that the developers of Aquatic Gardens (Ron Crofton) would agree
to allow Cornell Lane to enter into the development if Cornell would serve
as his secondary means of ingress and egress. Mr. Moss stated this was not
an acceptable trade-off and that access to the Aquatic Gardens should be
further north. Mr. Moss advised that Ron Crofton preferred not have access
onto Cornell Lane from Beaches Aquatic Drive. Mr. Cole stated that the
Cornell Lane was not paved up to the property line. Mr. Moss stated that
the City -would insist that the church improve Cornell Lane up to the
property. Mr. Cole stated that the church had agreed to do so.
Discussion ensued regarding water and sewer. Mr. Moss advised that the same
engineer working on the Crofton project was also assisting the church in
their water and sewer needs. Chairman McCaulie summarized the plans and
again asked whether the church intended to build a school. Mr. Cole advised
that the school had not been discussed and that one was not projected. Mr.
Morris stated his main concern for additional development on the property
centered around the adequate provision of police and fire protection to the
area. Mr. David White, representing the church, stated that they cannot do
anything more at this time, but did not want to be restricted for future
development. Chairman McCaulie advised that the City did not want to give
a carte blanc to the church for all types of activities. Discussion continued.
regarding traffic congestion on Mayport Road, the potential for development
around the area, etc. Mr. Cole reiterated that the church would be granted
a 30-foot easement from the property owners to the south to allow access to
Atlantic Boulevard. They would also use Cornell Lane to Mayport Road. Mr.
Moss advised that he was not comfortable with the access to Atlantic Boulevard.
Because the street going to the south would be private, the City would not be
in a position to maintain the street. The potential for future conflict exists.
Mr. Cole advised that the sales agreement assured that the property owners
to the south would maintain the private drive. A discussion regarding access
to the Beaches Aquatic again ensued. Mr. Moss advised that Mr. Crofton was
concerned with traffic going through his development onto Cornell Lane. Mr.
Moss also advised that the City is not in a position to require Crofton to
change his plans after granting preliminary approval of the Aquatic Gardens
Subdivision. He also advises the State may require that the Publix Shopping
Center use Aquatic Drive as a means of egress and ingress.
Chairman McCaulie called for the question. Offering clarification, the church
was advised that a "Use by Exception" would apply to the church and not for
a school or any other use. Mr. Gray made a motion that the "Use by Exception"
as requested be approved. Mrs. Gregg seconded the motion. The motion was
approved unanimously, with Mr. Jennings abstaining.
The chair called for consideration for the second item of the agenda.
Consideration of a Request to Change Zoning Classification Submitted by Ruth
Mae Spivey - Owner - Donner's Replat - Block 23, Lots 2 & 3
Mr. Jennings advised the Board the he would refrain from discussion and voting
on this matter because of a potential conflict of interest. Mrs. Olson, repre-
senting Watson Realty, stated that the property in question was zoned RG-2.
The building on the property was originally constructed and operated as a
restaurant. The property, located at the southeast corner of Church Road and
v.
Page 3
ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD
Mayport Road had previously been used as a restaurant. Mr. Gray noted that the
building was the only commercial property on that part of Mayport Road. Mr.
McCaulie asked how long the property was out of use. A Mr. Heard responded
that the last light bill was paid September 28. Mr. Moss requested that know
what the last business was that used the establishment. Mr. Heard from Watson
Realty advised that it had been an ice cream parlor, and prior to that a
bar-b-que. Representatives of Mrs. Spivey advised that she wished to sell
the property to an individual who wanted to use the building as a tailor shop.
Mr. Gray as Mrs. Gregg why the property was zoned residential. Mrs. Gregg
responded that the City was trying to get all residential uses together.
Mr. Heard advised that the property in question is worthless as a residential
unit because the property faces Mayport Road.
Mr. Moss advised that the general area, while previously zoned business,
actually developed into a residential area. In order that the new zoning
ordinance limited businesses and replaced it with a zoning designation of
high density residential.
Mrs. Gregg asked if it was possible to rezone for a daytime operation only,
and advised that the intent was to get away from the bars. Mr. Olson
responded that the rezoning request to Commercial Limited was restrictive
and would not allow bars. He suggested there would be no traffic increase
due to a tailor shop.
A discussion ensued regarding Page 3-17 and the meaning of "non-conforming use".
Commissioner Morris suggested the Board address the question of the best use
for that land. Mr. Jennings again called for a study for Mayport Road. The
chair called for a motion. Mr. Gray moved that the Advisory Planning Board
approve the request and rezone the property Commercial Limited with a provision
to the City Commission that this is a special case. Because of the existence
of a building, that this is the best use of the property. Mrs. Gregg seconded
the motion. Mr. Gray and Mrs. Gregg voted to approve the motion. Chairman
McCaulie voted to deny the motion. Mr. Jennings abstained.
Mr. Moss then advised that if approved by the City Commission, the property would
have to be rezoned through the ordinance procedure, and that the neighbors would
have a chance to respond to the request. Motion passed with one nay and one
abstention.
The chair called for comments and questions regarding item number three on the
agenda, a request by James L. Carter to rezone property from RG-2 to a
commercial designation. The property in question is on the corner of Mayport
Road and Jackson.
Mr. Carter advised that he was not aware of the rezoning of his property from
commercial to multi-family residential. He asked that the property be rezoned
to its original zoning. After considerable discussion, the members of the
Advisory Planning Board generally expressed opposition to a zoning change at
this time. Mr. Carter withdrew his request for the time being.
. .
Page 4
ADVISORY PLANNING BOARD
The chair called for any other comments. Mr. Moss suggested that the Advisory
Planning Board plan to meet on a regular basis on the third Tuesday of every
month at 7:00 PM unless there was no business to be considered. Mr. Moss
also suggested that should matters arise which require the immediate attention
of the Advisory Planning Board, special meetings or a rescheduling of the
monthly would be arranged. The Board suggested that an ad be placed one time
in the Beaches Leader to advise the public of the regular scheduling.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.
W. Greā¢ , 1cCailk - Chairman