2006-09-19 (meeting minutes) vMinutes of September 19, 2006, Community Development Board Meeting
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF
THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
September 19, 2006
A regular meeting of the Community Development Board was held on Tuesday, September 19,
2006, in the City Hall Commissions Chambers. Present were Chairman Sam Jacobson, Craig
Burkhart, Lynn Drysdale, Steve Jenkins, Chris Lambertson, Community Development Director
Sonya Doerr, and Recording Secretary Bambi Dickinson. Dave MacInnes and Carolyn Woods were
absent.
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:03pm.
2. Approval of Minutes.
A motion was made by Mr. Burkhart to approve the minutes from the regular meeting of July 18,
2006 and August 15, 2006. Mr. Lambertson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
3. Recognition of Visitors. No persons spoke at this time.
4. Old Business. None.
5. New Business.
a. UBE-2006-05, Chris Wilson, d/b/a CW Specialties. Request for aUse-by-Exception for a
welding shop with mobile welding services in the Light Industrial and Warehousing Zoning
District, to be located within an existing multi-tenant facility (Atlantic Beach Commerce
and Storage) occupied by other light industrial and warehouse uses and located at 121
Levy Road.
Applicant was not present to represent the request. The item was delayed to be considered later
in the meeting. (Comments following final agenda item.) Chairman Jacobson commented that he
preferred that the applicant be present to discuss the request and suggested deferring it to next
month. Mr. Burkhart concurred since the business is already in operation and deferring it would
not be restricting the current operation. The item was deferred to the October meeting.
a. ZVAR-2006-07, Jack P. Robbins and Christopher M. Opladen. Request for a Variance to
reduce the required side yard setback from 9-feet to 4-feet, seven inches to allow an
addition to asingle-family residence located at 1435 Linkside Drive within the Selva
Linkside PUD.
Christopher M. Opladen introduced himself as the property owner of 1435 Linkside Drive and
reviewed his request for a Variance. The applicant is requesting this Variance in order to add a
handicap accessible master bedroom and bath to the first floor of the existing home. Applicant
stated he is a cancer patient and has recently been able to manage without his wheelchair but is
scheduled for more surgery in the future. Mr. Jenkins questioned applicant if he had spoken with
his neighbors regarding the proposed addition. Mr. Opladen indicated he had spoken with the
neighbors on both sides of the residence and both were "okay" with the addition. A golf course is
Minutes of September 19, 2006, Community Development Board Meeting
located behind the property. Ms. Doerr advised the proposed addition has already been approved
by the Homeowner Association's ARC. Mr. Lambertson suggested a possible redesign by
pulling the proposed master bedroom in closer to the house to reduce the setback. This might
reduce or eliminate the need for a Variance. Mr. Lambertson asked Ms. Doerr if 9-feet and 1-
foot was the PUD and for clarification. Ms. Doerr confirmed and advised that the applicant was
asking for the 9-foot side to be reduced to 4-feet 7-inches. Mr. Burkhart noted the home next
door is 1.5 feet from the line and that these two homes would be close together if approved. Mr.
Opladen stated the room was designed to be handicap accessible with wheel chair
accommodations and if the bedroom was repositioned his neighbors might object due to his
bedroom window would line up with their bedroom window. Mr. Burkhart agreed with Mr.
Lambertson that if the proposed master addition were lined up with the current Florida room
accessibility would not be affected. Mr. Jenkins stated he had originally focused on the irregular
shape of property but after reviewing Mr. Lambertson's suggestion he did not wish to go forward
on this issue when other possibilities needed to be examined without having to grant a Variance.
Chairman Jacobson expressed sympathy to Mr. Opladen's personal issues but has concerns about
granting the Variance request due to the fact it is the most common request this board reviews
(people who want to build in the side yard or setback areas). Mr. Burkhart recommended
deferring the Variance request instead of a vote suggesting that an architect could probably come
up with a plan that did not require a Variance. Mr. Opladen requested to defer the application at
this time. The item was deferred until the October meeting.
c. ZVAR-2006-08, a request for a Variance to reduce the dimension of parking space sizes
from 10-feet by 20-feet to 9-feet by 18-feet in association with the development of a new
office condominium project. Scott Morris introduced himself as the owner of the property
located at 1845 Mayport Road and reviewed his request. The proposed use requires only 35
parking spaces, but he would like to increase the number of spaces to 43 and decrease the size of
the spaces to 9x18 feet, noting the large stormwater pond required on the site. Mr. Lambertson
stated he wanted the record to reflect that he had sold this property to Mr. Morris but was in no
way associated or involved in Mr. Morris' business venture. Mr. Lambertson stated he did not
feel any conflict of interest, but preferred to abstain from the voting.
A motion was made by Mr. Burkhart and seconded by Ms. Drysdale to recommend
approval for the request for a Variance to reduce the dimension of parking space sizes from
10-feet by 20-feet to 9-feet by 18-feet for 43 parking spaces (plus ADAAG compliant spaces)
to serve a new office condominium project located at 1845 Mayport Road. The motion
passed unanimously with Mr. Lambertson abstaining from the vote.
d. Recommendation to City Commission related to revisions to Section 24-112 of the Land
Development Regulation, the Commercial General (CG) Zoning District regulations.
Chairman Jacobson requested that Ms. Doerr provide an introduction on the proposed
recommendations. Ms. Doerr advised that revisions to Section 24-112 had not been made since
2001, and the proposed revisions were indicated by blue font on the Board's draft. The City
Commission directed staff to draft regulations, which would limit large-scale retail uses within
the Commercial General (CG) Zoning District. The revisions have been prepared for the
Community Development Board's consideration. Ms. Doerr stated she had spent several weeks
researching this issue and had provided information related to other cities for the CD Board's for
review.
2
Minutes of September 19, 2006, Community Development Board Meeting
Chairman Jacobson asked for comments from the Board. Mr. Jenkins stated he did not foresee
any immediate threat of large-scale retail due to the lack of lots available in the community for
such development. In addition, if the intent was to limit large-scale retail, why add the additional
language changes that are noted in blue. Mr. Jenkins does not object to any of the issues but is
concerned about why so many changes at one time. Ms. Drysdale, reading from the Community
Development Staff Report, indicated that she understood that the proposed revisions to the CG
regulations are intended to accomplish two things: update, clean up and clarify general issues,
and second, restrict large-scale retail uses. Mr. Jenkins commented he felt this is a policy issue,
and the Commission should make the recommendations. Chairman Jacobson stated the whole
issue troubled him because essentially this is making law for today, tomorrow, and the future.
His concern is that if large-scale retailers are not good for communities, why do they continue to
be built and consumers keep patronizing these types of retailers. In addition, he noted the
possible sweeping implications because community members have complained in the past that
notice was not given about hearings on such issues. Ms. Doerr responded by expressing the
Commissions eagerness to receive recommendations that must come before the Community
Development Board first. She further reminded Board members that the Commission will have
public hearings to consider an ordinance, which would be advertised with the required public
notice. Mr. Jenkins stated he is not prepared to vote due to the fact he does not have enough
information, although mechanically, he is fine with the revisions. Chairman 3acobson also stated
he was not prepared to vote. Ms. Drysdale inquired whether a workshop was being suggested,
and Chairman Jacobson responded that he does not see the need for a workshop but requests that
notice be given about proposed changes since not one citizen was present. Ms. Doerr advised
that Shorelines had an announcement on Saturday, September 16, 2006. Mr. Burkhart stated the
community has known this issue would be addressed for some time now. Mr. Lambertson
inquired what the repercussions are for waiting thirty days. Ms. Doerr again responded the
Commission wishes to move forward to address this issue which necessitates an update to the
Commercial General regulations, and noted the proposed changes must come before the
Community Development Board first. The item was continued for further discussion at the
October meeting.
Chairman Jacobson announced that one Community Development Board member was leaving
and thirteen people had applied for the opening. Mr. Jenkins announced he was the member
leaving due to his business had grown and was finding it difficult to participate when having to be
out of town regularly. He stated he wanted to stay on during the recent months challenges and
now those had been resolved. Chairman Jacobson thanked Mr. Jenkins for his service.
The meeting adjourned at 8:48pm.
,~
. ;
~;
-;
Signed
~ ~~'~-
Attest
3