Workshop 5-26-09MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION WORKSHOP OF ATLANTIC BEACH CITY COMMISSION
HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBER, ON MAY 26, 2009 AT 5:00 PM.
City Commission Members present:
John S. Meserve, Mayor
Mike Borno, Mayor Pro Tem
John Fletcher, Commissioner
Paul Parsons, Commissioner
Cazolyn Woods, Commissioner
Staff present:
Jim Hanson, City Manager
Alan Jensen, City Attorney
David Thompson, Assistant City Manager
Sonya Doerr, Community Development Director
Erika Hall, Principal Planner
Rick Carper, Director Public Works
Alex Sherrer, Code Enforcement Officer
Mike Classey, Chief of Police
James Christman, Police Lieutenant
Dale Hatfield, Redevelopment Coordinator
Donna L. Bussey, City Clerk
Nancy E. Bailey, Administrative Assistant
The meeting, which was held for the purpose of discussing the following items, was called to
order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Meserve. He then explained the options to be discussed will not be
just for the Royal Palms neighborhood but will apply to the entire City. He further explained the
process for discussion at Workshops.
City Manager Jim Hanson stated Sonya Doerr, Planning Director, would be giving a presentation
on the issues. Ms. Doerr reiterated that while they are focusing on the Royal Palms subdivision,
these rules, if adopted, will apply to the entire City. Ms. Doer gave a slide presentation on the
issues.
1. Removal of the 25' front yard Building Restriction Line (BRL).
Ms. Doerr explained the subdivision plats in Royal Palms have a 25' front building restriction
line. She stated the standard zoning setback in the rest of the City is 20' and recommended
changing the BRL to be consistent.
The consensus of the Commission was to direct Staff to amend the subdivision plat for Royal
Palms to change the building restriction line to 20'.
2. Establish a new section in either Chapter 6 (Building & Building Regulations),
Chapter 12 (Nuisances) or Chapter 24 (Zoning and Land Development Regulations)
entitled: Neighborhood Preservation, Residential Property Maintenance and Upkeep
Standards.
The consensus was to direct staff to establish the new section entitled Neighborhood
Preservation, Residential Property Maintenance and Upkeep Standards.
Minutes -City Commission Workshop
Page 2
May 26, 2049
3. Discuss Debris on Lots, Household Items Outside, Dead Shrubs and Landscaping,
Exterior Upkeep of Buildings, and Discarded Toys.
Ms. Doerr presented slides showing examples of homes that aze poorly maintained.
Commissioner Woods stated she would like to include allowing storage units up to 150 s.f. to be
within 5' of the property line.
The consensus was to have staff develop an Ordinance with the recommended changes to the
Zoning Regulations using language from Ms. Doerr's staff report and to include allowing
accessory buildings to be within five feet of the property line.
Dale Hatfield stated the City will try to help those people who just don't have the means to fix
their property.
Commissioner Parsons stated he would also like to work with staff regazding revising the
parking regulations for recreational vehicles, boats and trailers. He suggested the following
language for staff s consideration: All vehicles, including boats, trailers, campers, etc. should
not be allowed in the front of houses nor in the side yard. They should be kept in the garage or
driveway but not allowed on the right-of--way. In the event there is no driveway, the vehicles
may be stored in a side yard, but no farther back than the front building setback line. There
should be no storage of any vehicles on the side yard of corner lots unless the view is blocked by
a conforming solid fence. Motor homes and non-complying vehicles should not be allowed
more than three or four days in residence. Far motor homes that are there for another reason, i.e.
travelling purposes, etc., the owner could request the City Manager grant a permit for a longer
stay.
4. Should chain-link fences be prohibited in front yards from this point on?
Ms. Doerr showed slides offences, other than chain link, that could be used for front yards.
Consensus was to allow the property owner to have the choice of fence material far front or back
yards and not eliminate chain-link fences.
5. Establish requirement for fences to be reasonably weU-maintained regardless of
what they are made of.
Consensus was to have a maintenance standard, regardless of what the fence is made of.
6. Parking on grassed areas of right-of-ways.
Due to time constraints, it was the consensus to discuss the pazking issue at a future workshop.
Mayor Meserve stated there needs to be a public notification regarding the regulations the
Commission is considering for cleaning up the City, so they can get the public's input.
Minutes -City Commission Workshop
Page 3
May 26, 2009
There being no further discussion by the City Commission, the Mayor declared the meeting
adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
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Donna L. Bartle, CMC
City Clerk