Ltr from Pennington 5-3-11 MARGOL PENNINGTON, P.A.
Received
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
320 N. FIRST STREET. SUITE 609
JACKSONVILLE BEACH, FLORIDA 32250AY - 5 2011
Once of Ci'v C(f, -k
C. RUFUS PENNINGTON, III May 3, 2011 TELEPHONE (904) 355 -7508
BOARD CERTIFIED CIVIL TRIAL LAWYER FACSIMILE (904) 355 - 1505
E -MAIL: RUFUS @MARGOLPENNINGTON.COM
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The Honorable Mike Borno rt
Mayor of the City of Atlantic Beach ir.
800 Seminole Road ° 1'
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233 _ _ r
Date:
Re: Donald and Karen Wolfson
1725 Beach Avenue
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
ZVAR - 2011 -01
Dear Mayor Borno:
I am writing in support of Don and Karen Wolfson's request for
a variance for their vacant lot on the west side of Beach Avenue
across from their home. My wife and I live at 1733 Beach Avenue
and I also own the guest house across the street at 1734 Beach Ave-
nue.
I know that my neighbors who have unimproved lots on the
west side of Beach Avenue are very concerned about the adverse
precedent that would be set by denial of the requested variance.
While my property rights are not directly impacted (in that we already
have a guest house on our lot), I do wish to make two observations.
First, denial of the requested variance appears to be highly un-
fair, and legally unfounded, based upon the documents and history I
have reviewed. Denial of the variance based on personality, or politi-
cal, issues would be improper and should not occur in Atlantic Beach;
it would deprive the Wolfsons of the reasonable use of their lot; and it
would be a departure from previous decisions granting the same re-
quest. A single- family residence of a size proportionate to the Wolf -
sons's lot would be perfectly in character with the neighborhood, par-
ticularly the stretch of Beach Avenue from 16 Street northward.
Second, as a taxpayer I am very concerned that, if the variance
were to be denied, the City would be required to expend considerable
The Honorable Mike Borno
Mayor of the City of Atlantic Beach
May 3, 2011
Page 2 of 2
resources in the defense of the indefensible. I cannot imagine a great-
er waste of the City's funds.
I respectfully request that you vote to grant the variance re-
quested by the Wolfsons.
Sincerely,
• ufus Pennington, III
CRP :rpt
cc: The Honorable John L. " - cher
The Honorable Paul B. Parsons
The Honorable Carolyn R. Woods
The Honorable Jonathan Daugherty
Alan Jensen, Esquire