GATE 11.15.2017 (Betsy Cosgrove)�etsy Cosgrove
i 16 Poinsettia Strect t Atlantic
Dear Derek,
Thanks for the opportunity to share some ideas re: how gas stations may H land
development plans in the future.
Overall, I would like to see an expansion of the powers of the Community Development
Board to review all commercial projects that are proposed adjacent to neighborhoods.
While I recognize this may not have prevented the Gate station from going in, the scope
and size may have been possibly reduced. More importantly, the community would
have felt better about this particular project. It is somewhat inconceivable that a project
of that scope and size, adjacent to a neighborhood that was vehemently objected to
was singularly reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director, without
seeking additional review from the supervising board, the Community Development
Board.
Suggestion:
Sec. 14-20. — Powers and duties.
The community development board shall have the power, duty,
responsibility and authority to:
(2) Exercise supervisory control over planning and land use within the city,
including review of all commercial building and development applications
submitted which are adjacent to a residential zoned area, following the standards
established by the city commission pertaining to such planning or land use
regulation as contained in the Ordinance Code of the City of Atlantic Beach,
Florida.
Here are some other thoughts —not only within the context of the edits you provided but
also within the context of other provisions/definitions that might be edited that were not
in your document. My suggested edits are in blue where they are different from your
draft or from an existing provision.
Working Draft: Automotive Service Station 10/12/17
Re: 24-17 —Definitions
Comments on your edits;
• Convenience store, stand alone shall mean an establishment of no more than
seventy-five hundred (7500) square feet of conditioned space used for the retail
sale of consumable goods and may include sit down restaurants.
Convenience store, with accompanying fuel pumps, shall mean an establishment
of no more than sixty-four hundred (6400) square feet of conditioned space used
for the retail sale of consumable goods and may include sit down restaurants.
o Note: The goal here is to eliminate confusion (not sure I accomplished
that). Example, if the Gate project were to be built again, are they a gas
station or a convenience store? An additional argument during the
hearing was that they qualified as mixed use.
Fuel pump shall mean fixed equipment that dispenses flammable or combustible
liquids or gases used as fuel in motor vehicles, typically designed as a single unit
capable of dispensing fuel to two motor vehicles at a time. No more than two self-
service dispensing pumps shall be located on one island — providing only for two
motor vehicles at a time.
Gas station shall mean establishments used for the retail sale of gasoline, diesel,
propane, hydrogen or other fuels intended for use in motor vehicles. Gas stations,
may not have an accompanying Convenience store greater than sixth -four
hundred (6400) square feet (see Convenience store above).
Additional suggestions:
Abutting property shall mean any property that is immediately adjacent to or
contiguous to the subject property, or that is located immediately across any road
or public right-of-way from the subject property. Adjacent property may be
substituted for Abutting property.
Automotive service, minor shall mean the limited, minor or routine servicing of
motor vehicles or parts, but shall not include heavy automotive repair. Facilities
containing more than two (2) work bays, and performing any type of automotive
service or repair shall be defined as heavy automotive repair. Automotive
service, minor is not the mere retail offering of automotive supplies (i.e. oil,
transmission fluid, windshield fluid, etc.) Convenience stores do not provide
automotive service.
Mixed use shall mean a development or redevelopment project containing a mix
of compatible uses intended to support diversity in housing, walkable
communities and a need for less automobile travel and a more efficient use of
land. Uses within a particular mixed use project shall be consistent with the land
use designations as set forth within the comprehensive plan. The combining of
two or more permitted uses will not purport to be considered a "mixed use" if the
uses chosen do not support the intent and spirit of this definition.
Surrounding neighborhood shall mean the residential area within 300 feet of the
subject property.
Sec. 24-110. -Commercial limited district (CL).
(7) Convenience stores, with accompanying fuel pumps
Re: 24-111- Commercial general district (CG)
-
Gar wa Minor automotiveservice,• car washes, not.•
Gas stations, subject to the requirements of Section 24-165, and
adjacent to a neighborhood.
Convenience stores, stand alone.
Sec.24-165 —Gas Stations
(c) Location of fuel pumps and structures. No principal or accessory building, no sign of
any type, and no gasoline pump shall be located within fifteen (15) foof three hundred
(300) feet of the lot line of any property that is residentially zoned. No fuel pump shall be
located within twenty (20) feet of any street right-of-way line.
(e) Number of fuel pumps. The maximum number of fuel pumps permitted within a
single development shall be seven (7), on a maximum number of seven (7) islands,
being able to fuel fourteen (14) motor vehicles at one time.
(f) Hours of operation. The-t�s�-Qper��ski�'� ',;ted f�� The
hours of operation shall not be limited provided the Z.3 station is not adjacent to a
neighborhood. If adjacent to a neighborhood, hours of operation shall be limited to 6am
to 12 am.
(g) Buffering/Screening. An eight -foot high visual barrier or screen, not less than 95
percent opaque shall be provided between the gas station and any adjacent residentially
zoned property.
Thanks again, I expect this is just the jumping off point and I will look forward to sharing other
thoughts as the process unfolds.
Regards,
Betsy Cosgrove
Reeves, Derek
From, Lorraine Smith <Ismith.gator@gmail.com>
Sent, Wednesday, November 15, 2017 12:45 PM
To: Reeves, Derek
Cc: Ismithgator@gmail.com
Subject. Future of Gas Stations Etc
TO: All Elected and Appointed Officials of Atlantic Beach
FROM: Lorraine Smith
112 Poinsettia Street
Atlantic Beach, Florida
Phone 904-635-8713
The following comments are in response to your request for our public input regarding the future of gas stations and
similar businesses in Atlantic Beach:
First of all and MOST IMPORTANT to me as a SaltAir resident living across the street and who is being directly and
negatively affected each and every day by the building of the Gate gas station and convenience store .. "ANY AND ALL
PROPOSALS for a gas station or any other business in the City of Atlantic Beach MUST be thoroughly reviewed and then
approved by the Community Development Board BEFORE being forwarded to other city officials and city staff for their
approval."
Unfortunately, this very crucial and important step was NEVER taken during the approval process of the building of the
Gate gas station! In my opinion, this unanimous approval by city officials has resulted in a disaster for BOTH our
neighborhood and for our entire community!
BIG MONEY AND EXCESSIVE POLITICAL POWER WON over our city codes and over our ethical values and over the safety
and protection of our community!
GREED AND BIG MONEY OVER MORALS!
1. Where should these uses be allowed? NEVER EVER in close proximity to an established neighborhood or school or
church! ONLY in a true commercial zone where residents and citizens and the environment are kept safe and not
directly affected by the toxic effects of gasoline, heavy and unsafe traffic by both vehicles and pedestrians, loud and
disruptive noise, bright lighting, and possible additional crime!
2. Who should approve these uses --City Staff or City Commission? Review and approval MUST be done by ALL city
officials including all members of the Community Development Board, all City Commissioners and all city staff as
required for their input into the safety and welfare of the Atlantic Beach residents.
3. Should there be limitations on hours of operation? ABSOLUTELY if any business is located in close proximity to
residential neighborhoods! No resident should be exposed to late night hours of loud and noisy traffic, loud noise in
general, and possible loitering by customers buying beer and wine until two in the morning! Not safe and it is
dangerous for all citizens! Possible crime is a major and very serious consideration for any long and nighttime business
hours. As is commonly known from statistics, most robberies and shootings at gas stations and convenience stores are
committed around two o'clock or so in the early morning hours!
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4. Are there any buffering or screening -- such as landscaping and fencing -- that should be required around these uses
and between certain uses? ABSOLUTELY! Also maximum buffering MUST be done for all commercial businesses in
Atlantic Beach.
5. Should there be a limitation on the number of fuel pumps at gas stations? If so, now many? I STRONGLY believe that
Atlantic Beach already has more -than -adequate gasoline stations and convenience stores located all around our city to
serve the needs of our citizens and the needs of any visitors to our city. Therefore, I STRONGLY recommend NO MORE
GASOLINE STATIONS AND/OR CONVENIENCE STORES in our city for the safety and protection of our residents and our
environment!
Thank you for your review and consideration of my comments regarding future gasoline stations and similar businesses
in our beautiful City of Atlantic Beach.
LET US DO NO MORE DAMAGE to our city than has already been done with the unfortunate approval of the Gate gas
station that I now see every time I walk out of the door of my home! This monstrosity of a gas station and convenience
store will continue to have a devastating and negative effect on our SaltAir neighborhood and on our entire community
of Atlantic Beach! —11 A **[]
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