Item 8A AGENDA ITEM # 8A
OCTOBER 11, 2010
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA ITEM: Public hearing to consider a request from Lawton Hall for a Use -by-
Exception (File Number UBE- 2010 -04) to allow production of custom surfboards within an
existing warehouse space at 36 West 6th Street.
SUBMITTED BY: Sonya Doerr, AICP 1
Community Development Director
DATE: September 23, 2010
BACKGROUND: See attached Staff Report prepared for the Community Development Board
(CDB). The Community Development Board unanimously recommended approval of this request
at their September 21, 2010 meeting.
BUDGET: No budget issues.
RECOMMENDATION: Motion to approve Use -by- Exception File Number UBE- 2010 -04 as
recommended by the Community Development Board, finding that this request is not contrary to
the public interest or detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the general public, and that the
proposed use is compatible with adjacent properties and other properties within the surrounding
area.
ATTACHMENTS: Community Development Board staff report and minutes of the September
21st Community Development Board meeting.
REVIEWED BY CITY
October 11, 2010 regular meeting
AGENDA ITEM 5.a
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
i t I.1-, OCTOBER 11, 2010
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STAFF REPORT
September 21, 2010 Public Hearing
UBE- 2010 -05, Lawton Hall
To: Community Development Board
From: Planning, Zoning and Community Development Department
Date: September 07, 2010
Subject: UBE- 2010 -05
Applicant: Lawton Hall
3870 Grande Boulevard
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250
Requested Change: Request for a Use -by- Exception in the Commercial General Zoning District to allow
production of custom surfboards within an existing warehouse space.
Location: 36 West 6th Street
Existing Zoning: Commercial General (CG)
STAFF COMMENTS
The Commercial General regulations provide for the production of surfboards as a Use -by- Exception. The
making of custom crafted surfboards has long been a business associated with Atlantic Beach. Some of the
regions premier board shapers are located in Atlantic Beach. (For whatever reason, hand crafted custom
surfboards, fine very high -end custom cabinetry, and screen printing are trades this city is well known for.)
In years past, surfboard shops presented some problems because of the residues left from cutting foam core
and the sanding of fiberglass used in boards when these byproducts were not contained or disposed of
properly. The materials and technology now used in the production of surfboards has changed dramatically
over the past five years. It has been at least that long since the City has had any complaints or problems with
the numerous board shapers in the City. The newer materials used for the core of boards are more
environmentally friendly, and the tools now used have self containment devices that collect all dust and
particulate, and these are industry standards. The applicant has provided that his tools are "state -of -the -art"
and that no residue of any kind escapes containment filters. He has also noted that there is very little noise,
and none that can be heard outside of the building and that his business will be one of the quietest on the
street.
AGENDA ITEM # 8A
OCTOBER 11, 2010
West 6th Street is almost entirely developed with warehouse buildings, which for the most part are well -
maintained locations containing a variety of small businesses. There are some duplexes at the far opposite
west end of the street, but these are almost the entire length of the block from the subject location which is at
the east end in the same building as a portion of Mayport C & C Fisheries. A number of the occupants of
these residences work at these businesses. I inquired of a gentleman walking down the street, who informed
me that he was walking home from work.
Subject location
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This area is unlikely to ever be a suitable location for retail or service type uses. There is no
northbound access from Mayport Road, and traffic patterns are not conducive to business
activities that require significan t parking or that generate levels of traffic associated with retail
uses. The existing devel pattern of small warehouse suitable businesses is well
established in this area. It should be the City's objective to support uses that keep these spaces
occupied with small businesses that have minimal traffic impacts and that do not have negative
aesthetic effects on the corridor. The Applicant has stated that his business will have no visible or
outward impact of any kind, and that a tightly controlled environment is critical in order to
maintain the finish quality of his boards. Staff recommends approval of this request.
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AGENDA ITEM # 8A
Draft minutes of the September 21, 2010 regular meeting of the Community Development Board OCTOBER I I, 2010
5. NEW BUSINESS.
a. UBE- 2010 -05. Request from Lawton Hall for a Use -by- Exception to allow for the production
of custom crafted surfboards in an existing warehouse space located at 36 West 6 Street,
within the Commercial General District.
Ms. Doerr gave the Board an overview of the history and description of the subject property noting
that Atlantic Beach is well known for the production of high quality custom surfboards. She noted
that in years past, there had been issues with a couple of these shops who did not properly dispose
of residual products, but that a combination of better technologies and responsible shapers have
eliminated this problem She stated that it had been at least six years or more since there had been
any reported problems with board shapers. Ms. Doerr also noted that there are no adjacent or
nearby residential uses, and that this space is within and fully surrounded by well - maintained
warehouse buildings occupied by a variety of trades and small businesses, most notably C & C
Fisheries. She also noted that it is not likely that this area would ever be appropriate for retail and
service uses, because of the access constraints, lack of parking and other limitations for such uses.
This area provides an employment base for the neighborhoods to the west, and it should be a goal
of the City to support these small businesses.
Applicant Lawton Hall (3870 Grande Boulevard, Jacksonville Beach) described the processes he
would undertake at the location. In general, he would be custom - cutting surfboards to
approximately 90% completion for others who would then refine the boards to completion at their
locations.
Mr. Lambertson opened the hearing to public comment and with there being none, closed that
portion and returned the item to the Board for discussion.
Mr. Adams and Mr. Hansen inquired as to disposal methods of any waste by- products. Mr. Hall
said that the actual cutter is self - contained with a vacuum device to catch dust, fiberglass, etc. Mr.
Parkes commented that he believed the same type of mechanism was employed by the cabinet-
making shops. Mr. Hall confirmed and went on to explain that any excess epoxy or resin drops
into and is collected in a large container underneath his work surface into a material similar to "cat
litter" where it forms into clumps and can then be recycled or disposed of. He said there are no
materials or by- products that require any special disposal other than standard commercial waste
disposal, and that the tools make very little noise and disperse nothing from the building.
MOTION: Kirk Hansen made a motion that the Board recommend approval to the City
Commission of a Use -by- Exception to permit the production of custom surfboards within an
existing warehouse space located within the Commercial General Zoning District at 36 West
6th Street, finding that approval of this request is in compliance with the requirements of
Sections 24 -63 and 24 -112 of the Zoning, Subdivision and Land Development Regulations,
and finding that this request is neither contrary to the public interest nor detrimental to the
health, safety and welfare of the general public, and that the proposed use is compatible with
adjacent properties and other properties within the surrounding area. Harley Parkes
seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
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