Item 8EAGENDA ITEM # 8E
DECEMBER 14, 2009
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Removal of 25-foot platted Building Restriction Lines (BRL) in the Royal
Palms and Atlantic Beach Villa subdivisions
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP ~,~
Community Development Director
DATE: November 30, 2009
BACKGROUND: Encouraging redevelopment and improvements to certain areas within the
Royal Palms subdivision was a goal included in this year's Strategic Plan. This has been an ongoing
effort throughout the year with good success. One of the options supported by the City Commission
was the removal the 25-foot platted Building Restriction Line (BRL) such that the standard 20-feet
residential front yard setback would apply. As a refresher, attached is a page from an earlier staff
report explaining this topic. Staff also recommends this same action for the Atlantic Beach Villas
subdivision, which was platted at about the same time and also has similar front yard BRLs that are
greater than the standard 20-foot residential front yard setback. (Atlantic Beach Villa is the area on
the east side of Mayport Road along Saratoga Circle and Forrestal Circle.)
In researching how to best proceed with this, we learned that the original 1960s plats are hand drawn
plats, and there are no CADD or electronic versions of these old plats. It would be cost prohibitive to
redraw these from scratch. The City's current annual contract surveyor, L.D. Bradley, and the City
Attorney concur that making this change by affixing a note to the plats, and re-recording the plats is
an acceptable manner through which to make this change. (Coincidentally, L.D. Bradley prepared the
original Royal Palms Plats.)
In short, this change will make the lots in these subdivisions subject to the same 20-foot front yard
setback as other residentially zoned subdivisions in the City. There are a small number of PUDs that
have different front setbacks, but 20-feet is the required front yard setback for all standard residential
Zoning Districts.
BUDGET: Small amount of funds to have plat notes added to the original plats and re-record these
documents.
RECOMMENDATION: Motion to direct staff to proceed with revision to the Royal Palms and
Atlantic Beach Villa subdivisions as described herein, and authorize the Mayor to sign the revised
plats.
ATTACHMENTS: Portion of an April staff report related to this issue.
REVIEWED BY CITY MAAi~AS'
December 14, 2009 regular meeting
AGENDA ITEM # 8E
DECEMBER 14, 2009
• Specifically to Royal Palms, however, staff suggests an amendment to the subdivision plats,
which were approved in 1960-61, to remove the 25-foot Building Restriction Line (BRL),
such that the standard RS-1 front setback of 20-feet would apply. The front property line on
most lots in Royal Palms is set back about 15-feet from the street curb. The split-rail fence on
the below lot is on the property line, so even with the standard 20-foot setback, the house
would still be set back 30-35 feet from the street. This house is also a good example of why
the 25' BRL should be removed. The house is built right up to the BRL. If the owner wished
to update the house by enclosing the exiting recessed entry and add a covered porch, the
current BRL would prohibit this.
Many other houses have small shed
roof extensions over their front doors,
which are becoming old and dated in
appearance. The 25' BRL would
prohibit a "real" front porch, since the
walls of the house are at the 25' BRL.
Elimination of the BRL combined with
the existing provision that allows an
open porch to extend 48 inches into the
front setback would provide ample
room for an attractive and functional
front porch addition to these homes.
~~.
.~
~~ ~,