Exh 3AAGENDA ITEM #3A
MARCH 26, 2001
March 19, ZOOi
MEMORANDUM
TD: The Honorable Mayor
and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Tim
SUBJECT: Follow-u{~ items
The following are responses to questions and requests for additional information that were
made in recent Ci#y Commission meetings.
Public Hearing on Selva Marina Streets Delayed; The proposed public hearing date of
Apri12"for the Committee recommendations For the Selva Mazina Sfreets Project will
have to be delayed. City staffwill need first toget a permit from the St. John's Water
Management District for the drainage improvements and a complete set of plans must be
on ftle with the City Clerk prior to the hearing. While we are optimistic that this can be
done within the next several weeks, it cannot be accomplished before the Apri12"d date.
Once the permit has been received and the documents prepared, the Commission will
again be asked to set a new public hearing date for this issue.
Strategic Planning Meeting; As a reminder, the second and final strategic planning
meeting for this yeaz is scheduled for Saturday morning, Mazch 31~` beginning at 8:00 am
at the Sea Turtle Hotel in Atlantic Beach.
Variance for Lot at 1625 Beach Avenue; A copy of a staff report for the last
Community Development meeting was attached to the use by exception request.for the
cabinet shop, The Community Development Board considered the cabinet shop use by
exception at the same meeting as they granted a construction vaziance for a new home at
1625 Beach Avenue. A question was asked by a commissioner about why the
Community Development Board granted a variance for the house on Beach Avenue that
would be so close to adjoining properties. To provide an answer to the question, attached
is a copy of the minutes of the Community Development Board meeting of February 20,
2001 where this item was discussed.
AGENDA ITEM #3A
MARCH 26, 2001
DRAFT
MINUTES OF MEETING OF
COMMiJNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
February 20, 2001
A regular meeting of the Community Development Board was held Tuesday, February 2Q, 2001, in the
City Hall Commission Chambers. Present were Chairman Don Wolfson,. Robert Frohwein, William
Gulliford, Kazl Grunewald, Samuel Jacobson, Mary Walker, Community Development Director George
Worley, II, and Recording Secretary Susan Dunham.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
2. Aaaroval of Minutes of Meefine of January 16.2001
A motion was made by Mr. Gulliford, seconded by Mr. Grunewald and unanimously carried to approve
the Minutes of the Community Development Board meeting of January 16, 2001.
3. Recoenition of Visitors
None.
5. New Business
d. Presentation by Ivey, Harris and Walls (planners recommended by Staff to complete
Comprehensive Plan Amendments).
This item was moved to the beginning of the Agenda at the request of the Chair.
Mr. Worley introduced Ms. Amy Skinner of Ivey, Harris & Walls, 81 King Street, Suite A, St.
Augustine. Ms. Skinner advised that the City is in the process of looking at evaluations by
Community Affairs of the City's Comprehensive Plan. She stated she is looking through the
comments and responding to the comments.
Ms. Skinner advised that she has been with Ivey, Harris & Walls for three years and',was a planner for
the City of St. Augustine for eight years so she brings a city perspective. Ms. Skinner applauded
Atlantic Beach's effort to protect and promote. She stated that her timeframe is as follows: public
comments through the month of March and review the material April and early May. Ms. Skinner
stated that she would give elements of the plan to the Board members to review. Mt. Worley stated
he would provide the Boazd with a due date within a few weeks.
4. 01d Business -
a. Application for Variance filed by Jim and Monica Stranahan to reduce front, rear and side
yard setbacks to rnnstruct a home onanon-conforming lot located at 1625 Beach Avenue.
Mr. Stranahan, of 1620 Beach Avenue, introduced himself to the Boazd. Mr. Stranahan advised the
Board that he changed the overall layout of the house from the original plan to address the problem
with the northwest side of the home. He advised that he changed the following three items: (1) the
stairs were originally coming out over the front easement so he moved the stairs back to the side; (2)
the house is no longer a square box, it now goes up in stair steps; and (3) he moved the northwest
corner of the house in from 3'4" to 5' for easier access. Mr. Stranahan further advised that he does
not plan to remove the wall that is there since it is underground and it would affect the home;
however, he will move the house off of the wall. In addition, Mr. Stranahan stated that off-street
parking was added in front of the garage.
AGENDA ITEM #3A
MARDCH,~26, 22070-+1
Minutes of Community Development Board ~i~i' 1
February 20, 2001
Page 2
Mr. Grunewald asked if there would be extensive removal of earth for the side entrance garage. Mr.
Stranahan responded that approximately one foot of earth would be removed.
Mr. Stranahan stated that the square footage would be 3,200 and the height would be about the same.
Mr. Stranahan also stated that the original proposed house was approximately 5,000-6,000 square feet
and this home would be much smaller.
Mr. Frohwein asked Mr. Worley if he had given further thought with regard to where and how to
measure the 35 feet in building height and, if so, is the proposed home in compliance. Mr. Worley
responded that there are two finished grades, the main elevation of the lot and the straight elevation.
He stated that by examining the existing building and its height, it is his interpretation that the
proposed building would be approximately the same height as the existing building.
Discussion ensued with regard to the north properly line and the garage. Mr. Frohwein suggested last
month that the north property line be maintained at 5 feet. Mr. Frohwein asked if it'was.possible to
maintain five feet the entire length. Mc. Cote responded that they could-not square the garage up to
the building.
Mr. Wolfson noted that Mr. Worley recommended granting the variance on the existing building
foundation with aten-foot front setback. He stated that five feet versus ten feet is an issue, but the
requirement is 20 feet. He further stated that he was more concerned about. the five-foot setback on
the north side. Mr. Wolfson asked Mr. Stranahan if he anticipated placing a gate and fence on the
north side of the home. Mr. Stranahan responded that he did not because he has a row of palm trees
down that side of the home. Mr. Wolfson stated that he agreed with staff on the setback in front. Mr.
Worley pointed out that fencing is not the only way to block access, landscaping is another. Mr.
Stranahan offered to remove the bay window.
Mr. Frohwein stated that he concurred with staff with regard to the front setback and maintaining ten
feet. He further stated that it appears the plan could work with afive-foot north side setback and a
ten-foot front setback. Mr. Frohwein stated that given the size of this particular piece of property he
does not. fee] it is reasonable to expect athree-car garage.
Mr. Grunewald moved to approve the variance request with the exception of the bay window.
Mr. Gulliford seconded the motion.
Mr. Frohwein stated that he thinks this is a tremendous amount of building to put on this lot.
Some additional discussion occurred.
A vote was taken and the motion passed with Mr. Gulliford, Mr. Grunewald, Mr. Jacobson,
Ms. Walker and Mr. Wolfson voting in favor of the motion and Mr: Frohwein voting against.
5. New Business
a Application for Use by Exception filed by David and Rebecca Henry to operate a cabinet shop
at Lots 1-6, Block 18, Dormer's Replat.
Mr. Bill Henry introduced himself to the Board and explained that he had a cabinet shop in Neptune
Beach for fourteen years behind Ed Smith Lumber Company. He explained that he is looking to
expand his company. He further stated that there are a lot of industrial trades in the area and his
company would not have a negative impact on the area.