Loading...
645 Ocean Boulevard 15-ZVAR-1070 Resident Letters Christine Lester 625 East Coast Drive Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 November 17, 2015 To: Jeremy Hubsch, Director Atlantic Beach Building Department RE: Variance Application for 645 Ocean Blvd. This letter is to express concern about the referenced property owner's request for a zoning variance. The owner hopes to build a 3-story home on a non-conforming lot of approximately 4,000 square feet. I am against approval of this variance. Atlantic Beach is replete with non-conforming buildings and lots platted and sub-divided prior to the adoption of the current standard. Approval of this variance will encourage other property owners to hire an attorney to represent them before the Community Development Board. This variance request undermines both the letter and the spirit of our current zoning standard. Th k you for the opportunity to respond, j74A-4, Christine Lester Reeves, Derek From: Hubsch, Jeremy Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 3:53 PM To: Reeves, Derek Subject: FW: Attachments: Community Development Board .docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Jeremy Hubsch Building and Zoning Director City of Atlantic Beach 800 Seminole Road Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 (904) 247-5817 jhubsch@coab.us From: Buzzy Grunthal [mailto:bgrunthal@gmail.com] Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 12:00 PM To: Hubsch, Jeremy Subject: Jeremy, I am a resident of Atlantic Beach and I'm very concerned about the variance that the owners of 645 Ocean Blvd. are seeking. Unfortunately, I am unable to attend the Community Development Board's meeting tomorrow but would greatly appreciate my concerns be voiced. I have attached a letter that hopefully can be read to the Board. Thanks in advance for your consideration. Buzzy Leonard H. Grunthal, III Grunthal & Schueth Properties, Inc. One Independent Dr., Suite 1880 Jacksonville, FL 32202 904-356-1060 904-355-3634 (fax) 904-514-1594 (cell) 1 ., bgrunthal@gmail.com Website: www.g-sproperties.com This electronic communication and any files transmitted with it, or attached to it, are confidential and are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to who it is addressed and may contain information that is confidential, legally privileged, protected by privacy laws, or otherwise restricted from disclosure to anyone else. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivering the e-mail to the intended recipient,be advised that you have received this e-mail in error, and that any use, dissemination, forwarding, printing, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you received this e-mail in error, please return the e-mail to the sender, delete it from your computer and destroy any printed copy of it. Although our company attempts to sweep e-mail and attachments for viruses, it does not guarantee that either are virus-free and accepts no liability for any damage sustained as a result of viruses 2 Community Development Board City of Atlantic Beach RE: 645 Ocean Blvd.Atlantic Beach, FL ZVAR-1070 Application Members of The Community Development Board: My name is Buzzy Grunthal and I reside at 459 Ocean Blvd.Atlantic Beach, Florida. I was not able to attend this meeting to speak to the Variance being sought for 645 Ocean Blvd. so I asked that my letter regarding this issue be presented and read to the Community Development Board. I too sat on this board for a number of years and heard and addressed numerous Applicants seeking variances of all kinds. Fortunately, at that time we had very strict guidelines to help make difficult decisions and recommendations to the City Commission. I trust that these guidelines still exist today. The Applicant is seeking a variance to increase an existing non-conformity. By this I mean that the existing property does not conform to the minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet. According to the tax records the lot is 50'x 80' or 4,000 square feet. In addition, he is asking that the Board grant a variance to allow a structure (32' of height) that can only be built on a property that is 7,500 square feet or greater. By recommending to the City Commission that the Applicant be granted this Variance would be a mistake. In addition,you would be setting precedent and by doing so every non-conforming property could potentially be redeveloped allowing homes that do not conform to our existing building codes. It is a dangerous path that you would be leading the community of Atlantic Beach down. Thanks for your consideration and I don't see how you have any choice but to recommend to the city commission that this variance be denied. Buzzy Grunthal Reeves, Derek From: Hubsch, Jeremy Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 9:49 AM To: Reeves, Derek Subject: FW: 645 Ocean blvd. Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Another one Jeremy Hubsch Building and Zoning Director City of Atlantic Beach 800 Seminole Road Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 (904) 247-5817 ihubsch(a)coab.us From: DR. SCOTT YORK() [mailto:yorkodds©bellsouth.net] Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 6:37 AM To: Hubsch, Jeremy Subject: 645 Ocean blvd. Dear Jeremy, My name is Dr. Scott Yorko and I live at 679 Ocean Blvd. Please forgive my inability to attend tonights meeting in person. I am writing in opposition to the zoning variance being heard regarding 645 Beach ave. My concerns are multifold. First and foremost, one of the jobs of the board is to preserve the community of Atlantic Beach. The current rules and codes are in place for a reason. Because they do that. Allowing taller structures or architecturally inconsistent structures fails to preserve Atlantic Beach. Secondly, and most concerning, is that it is widely speculated and perceived by many residents that if you show up to the city with an attorney, you pretty much will get what you ask for. Case and point is the out of place, completely not Atlantic Beach home being built on Beach ave. between 5th and 6th ave. I will close in saying again, I oppose the variance at 645 Beach ave. The zoning and building codes in Atlantic Beach are in place for everyone. Not, everyone except those who don't like them. They serve the purpose of preserving the beach and protecting current residents. I also would caution that variances like these create a slippery slope. Once they begin to be granted there then is legal precedent. Then 32.5 feet in height becomes the standard, for example. I certainly understand variances for i.e. fence height for safety etc. Gross structure height and architectural harmony with surrounding area are not ones I feel should be granted. Where or how does it stop, if not by the board? Sincerely, Dr. Scott Yorko 1 Reeves, Derek From: Hubsch, Jeremy Sent: Monday, November 16, 2015 3:53 PM To: Reeves, Derek Subject: FW: Variance Request for 645 Ocean Boulevard Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Jeremy Hubsch Building and Zoning Director City of Atlantic Beach 800 Seminole Road Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 (904) 247-5817 ihubschcoab.us From: Tami Deitchman [mailto:tdeitchman©gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2015 3:59 PM To: Hubsch, Jeremy Subject: Variance Request for 645 Ocean Boulevard Dear Mr. Hubsch: I am writing to make the Board aware that with regard to the above variance requests, I am opposed to this request. The charming character of Old Atlantic Beach will be further compromised by the construction of such a large,modern style home on such a small lot. There are too many homes that already have been granted variances and there seems to be no end to it. The covenants and restrictions are in place for a reason. In this case, light and air will effect the adjacent properties because of the increased height as compared to the other properties in this area on similar size lots. Property values also may be affected since this area is considered to be part of the Old area of Atlantic Beach and this home is just another move away from the cottage style homes that have given this area of Atlantic Beach its charm and desirability. Aesthetically, it does not fit in with core foundation of the area. In addition,this variance request was already denied by the Board once already this year and should not really be readdressed again in the first place. Seriously consider the impact this home will have on this area and please deny this variance request. Sincerely, Tami Deitchman 1