HomeMy WebLinkAbout03191992BOA City of Sebastian
POST OFFICE BOX 780127 [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 [] FAX (407) 589-5570
PUBLIC MEETING
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
1225 MAIN STREET
iNDIAN RIVER COUNTY
FLORIDA
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, WILL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING ON
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992, AT 3:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBERS.
a~i/~ KING, S~TaRY
SEBASTIAN Bo~r~ oF Ar~ausTM~.N~
NOTE: ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED
AT THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY
AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105
F.S.)
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City of Sebastian
POST OFFICE BOX 780127 ~ SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 s FAX (407) 589-5570
AGENDA
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992
3:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
OLD BUSINESS: APPROVE NOVEMBER 13, 1991 MINUTES
PUBLIC HEARING:
PETER R. & PAMELA J. HOLYK, IN REGARDS TO LOT 1, BLOCK
43, SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 2, HAS REQUESTED A
VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT AN EIGHT (8) FOOT FENCE, WHEREAS
THE ORDINANCE ALLOWS A MAXIMUM OF SIX (6) FEET.
SUPERAMERICA OF FLORIDA, INC., IN REGARDS TO LOTS 1-4,
15-18, BLOCK 5, EDGEWATER SUBDIVISION, HAS REQUESTED A
VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A ROOF SIGN, WHEREAS THE
ORDINANCE PROHIBITS SAID ROOF SIGN.
AMOS L. AND JEAN L. BARROW, IN REGARDS TO LOT 5, BLOCK
1, SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 1, HAS REQUESTED A VARIANCE
TO CREATE A RESIDENTIAL LOT WITH A DEPTH OF
APPROXIMATELY 76 FEET, WHEREAS THE CODE REQUIRES A
MINIMUM OF 100 FEET.
CHAIRMANS MATTERS:
COMMITTEE MATTERS:
BUILDING OFFICIAL MATTERS:
NEW BUSINESS:
10. ADJOURN
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT
THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY
AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105
F.S.)
City of Sebastian
POST OFFICE BOX 780127 [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 [] FAX (407) 589-5570
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
1225 MAIN STREET
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
FLORIDA
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992, AT 3:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, TO
CONSIDER A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 20A-5.9 C 1 OF THE SEBASTIAN
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
PETER R. & PAMELA J. HOLYK, IN REGARDS TO LOT 1, BLOCK 43,
SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 2, HAS REQUESTED A VARIANCE TO
CONSTRUCT AN EIGHT (8) FOOT FENCE, WHEREAS THE ORDINANCE
ALLOWS A MAXIMUM OF SIX (6) FEET.
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WiTH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT
THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS iS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY
AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105
F.S.)
PUBLISHED:
MARCH 4, 1992
MARCH 11, 1992
City of Sebastian
POST OFFICE BOX 780127 [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 [] FAX (407) 589-5570
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
1225 MAIN STREET
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
FLORIDA
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992, AT 3:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, TO
CONSIDER A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 20A-15.8 C 2 a OF THE
SEBASTIAN LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
SUPERAMERICA OF FLORIDA, INC., IN REGARDS TO LOTS 1-4, 15-18,
BLOCK 5, EDGEWATER SUBDIVISION, HAS REQUESTED A VARIANCE TO
CONSTRUCT A ROOF SIGN, WHEREAS THE ORDINANCE PROHIBITS SAID
ROOF SIGN.
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT
THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY
AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105
F.S.)
PUBLISHED: MARCH 4, 1992
MARCH 11, 1992
City of Sebastian
POST OFFICE BOX 780127 [] SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32978
TELEPHONE (407) 589-5330 [] FAX (407) 589-5570
PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
1225 MAIN STREET
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
FLORIDA
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING
THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1992, AT 3:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL
CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA, TO
CONSIDER A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 20A-3.4 D 3 OF THE SEBASTIAN
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
AMOS L. AND JEAN L. BARROW, IN REGARDS TO LOT 5, BLOCK 1,
SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 1, HAS REQUESTED A VARIANCE TO
CREATE A RESIDENTIAL LOT WITH A DEPTH OF APPROXIMATELY 76
FEET, WHEREAS THE CODE REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 100 FEET.
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE BY THE
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT
THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE
PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF
THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY
AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL iS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105
F.S.)
PUBLISHED:
MARCH 4, 1992
MARCH 11, 1992
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
"SPECIAL MEETING"
MARCH 19, 1992 - 3:00 P.M.
MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER BY CHAIRMAN HUSK AT 3:05 P.M.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WAS LED BY CHAIRMAN HUSK.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT:
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
WALTER SHIELDS
MARY HEINICKE
ALFRED VILARDI
FRED BUECHLING, ALTERNATE (VOTING
FOR ALAN SHISGAL)
ABSENT:
ALAN SHISGAL, VICE CHAIRMAN
JOHN PRICE, ALTERNATE
ALSO PRESENT:
BRUCE COOPER, DIR. OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
RICHARD TORPY, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
OLD BUSINESS:
MOTION BY MARY HEINICKE, SECONDED BY ALFRED VILARDI, TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING HELD NOVEMBER 13
1991, AT 3:00 P.M., AS WRITTEN.
ROLL CALL: YES:
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
WALTER SHIELDS
MARY HEINICKE
FRED BUECHLING (FOR SHISGAL)
ALFRED VILARDI
NO: NONE
MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING: PETER & PAMELA HOLYK, IN REGARDS TO LOT 1,
BLOCK 43, SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 2, HAS REQUESTED A
VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT AN EIGHT (8) FOOT FENCE, WHEREAS THE
ORDINANCE ALLOWS A MAXIMUM OF SIX (6) FEET.
PAGE 2
CAROL NICHOLS, 686 BENEDICTINE TERRACE, OF WOOD 'N NICHOLS
FENCE COMPANY WAS PRESENT TO REPRESENT THE HOLYK'S WHO WERE
OUT OF TOWN. THE ELEVATION OF THE NEW HOME ON THE HOLYK
PROPERTY IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THE ELEVATION OF THE HOUSE ON
THE REAR PROPERTY. THEY ARE REQUESTING AN EIGHT (8) FOOT
FENCE ONLY ACROSS THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY AND TO TAPER DOWN
TO SIX (6) FEET ON THE SIDES, TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF
SOME PRIVACY. IT WAS NOTED THAT THE PROPERTY IS GRADED DOWN
TO THE PROPERTY LiNE AND THEREFORE WILL NOT ACTUALLY LOOK
LiKE AN EIGHT FOOT FENCE. IT WILL BE LOCATED AT THE LOW
POINT AND NOT ON TOP OF THE FILLED PORTION OF THE YARD.
BRUCE COOPER NOTED THAT THE ORDINANCE WAS CHANGED ABOUT A
YEAR AGO. PRIOR TO THAT TIME, THESE REQUESTS WERE REVIEWED
BY THE PLANNING & ZONING BOARD. NOW, THEY MUST COME BEFORE
THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT FOR APPROVAL.
STAFF, AFTER REVIEW, FIND THAT THE CONDITIONS DO EXIST AS
STATED BY THE APPLICANT. THE APPLICANT DID NOT CREATE THIS
SITUATION. H.R.S. MANDATED THE ELEVATION OF THE SEPTIC TANK
WHICH CREATED THE NECESSITY FOR SUCH A HIGH ELEVATION FOR THE
HOUSE. STAFF HAS RECOMMENDED FOR THE VARIANCE, AS OUTLINED
IN BRUCE COOPER'S MEMO TO THE BOARD DATED 3-19-92.
ALAN SHISGAL, BOARD MEMBER, ARRIVED AT APPROXIMATELY 3:15
P.M. AND SAT IN THE ALTERNATE POSITION.
MR. VILARDI NOTED THAT IF THE APPLICANT BUILT A RETAINING
WALL AND BROUGHT THE ENTIRE PROPERTY UP TO THE SAME
ELEVATION, A SIX (6) FOOT FENCE WOULD BE EVEN HIGHER THAN THE
REQUESTED EIGHT (8) FOOT FENCE AT THE PROPERTY LINE AS
PROPOSED.
MR. SHIELDS ASKED IF THE FENCE IS TO BE LOCATED IN THE
UTILITY EASEMENT. MR. COOPER NOTED THAT iT WAS TO BE LOCATED
IN THE EASEMENT, BUT BEFORE THE FENCE PERMIT CAN BE ISSUED,
THE UTILITY COMPANIES MUST SIGN OFF APPROVAL FORMS. THESE
FORMS ARE ON FILE IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS HEARING.
MR. COOPER ALSO NOTED THAT THE REAR NEIGHBOR DID NOT OBJECT
TO THIS VARIANCE AND IN FACT SUPPORTS IT.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 3:15 P.M.
PAGE 3
THERE BEING NO PUBLIC INPUT, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED AT
3:15 P.M.
MOTION BY MS. HEINICKE, SECONDED BY MR. SHIELDS TO GRANT THE
VARIANCE FOR THE EIGHT (8) FOOT FENCE DUE TO THE PECULIAR
CONDITIONS WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S REQUIREMENTS FOR
RAISING THE ELEVATION OF THE LAND.
ROLL CALL: YES:
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
WALTER SHIELDS
MARY HEINICKE
FRED BUECHLING (FOR SHISGAL)
ALFRED VILARDI
NO: NONE
MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING: SUPERAMERICA OF FLORIDA, IN REGARDS TO LOTS
1-4, 15-18, BLOCK 5, EDGEWATER SUBDIVISION, AS REQUESTED A
VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A ROOF SIGN, WHEREAS THE ORDINANCE
PROHIBITS SAID ROOF SIGN.
BOB WALTERS, REPRESENTING SUPERAMERICA, WAS PRESENT, ALONG
WITH GEORGE BRIGGS WITH SUPERAMERICA AND THE STORE MANAGER.
HE STATED THAT SUPERAMERICA WISHES TO PUT A SIGN UP ON THE
CUPOLA, THE PERMIT WAS DENIED BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT
BECAUSE IT WAS CONSIDERED TO BE A ROOF SIGN WHICH IS NOT
PERMITTED.
MR. WALTERS SUGGESTED THAT SINCE THERE IS A ROOF ON TOP OF
THE CUPOLA, THE SIGN WOULD NOT BE A "ROOF" SIGN, BUT JUST
ANOTHER WALL SIGN. THEY FEEL THAT THE VARIANCE IS NOT EVEN
NECESSARY.
ATTORNEY TORPY NOTED THAT THE CUPOLA IS JUST AN ARCHITECTURAL
FACADE. THE REAL ROOF IS BELOW THE CUPOLA. THE DEFINITION
OF A "ROOF" SIGN IS ANY SIGN WHICH IS ABOVE THE ROOF LINE.
THEREFORE, IF THIS SIGN IS TO BE PERMITTED, IT WILL NEED A
VARIANCE.
MR. WALTERS STATED THAT SUPERAMERICA AGREED TO CHANGE THEIR
STANDARD DESIGN FOR THE BUILDING TO A MORE "KEY WEST" STYLE
BUILDING WHEN ASKED TO DO THIS BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
PAGE 4
AT THAT POINT, THE REVISIONS WERE MADE AND THE CUPOLA WAS
ADDED. SUPERAMERICA REVISED THEIR PLANS WHEN REQUESTED BY
THE CITY, AND ARE NOW ASKING FOR SOME CONSIDERATION IN THIS
MATTER. THEY FEEL THIS WILL ADD SOME IDENTIFICATION TO THIS
BUILDING.
MR. WALTERS ADDED THAT MANY OTHER EXISTING ROOF SIGNS ARE NOW
IN THE CITY, SUCH AS SEBASTIAN AUTO PARTS, M & M AUTO PARTS,
SEBASTIAN INTERIORS, TRUE VALUE, KEENS FOOD TOWN, SEBASTIAN
CENTER, KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (WHICH HAS THEIR NAME IN THE
CUPOLA), MCDONALDS, ROSELAND SHOPPING CENTER, BAY STREET
SQUARE.
MR. COOPER NOTED THAT SEVERAL OF THESE SIGNS ARE NOT IN OUR
CITY LIMITS. ALSO, THERE ARE A LOT OF EXISTING SIGNS WHICH
ARE NONCONFORMING. ALSO, A FREE STANDING SIGN WHICH PROJECTS
ABOVE THE ROOF, IS NOT CONSIDERED A ROOF SIGN. THE EXISTING
SIGNS WHICH ARE NONCONFORMING ARE GRANDFATHERED IN. WE HAVE
TO DEAL WITH THE ORDINANCE AS IT STANDS NOW AND WAS ADOPTED
IN 1985.
MARY HEINiCKE NOTICED THAT AN EMBLEM IS ON THE CUPOLA NOW.
MR. WALTERS SAID THERE iS STRIPES ON iT NOW. MR. COOPER
NOTED THAT IT IS NOT THEIR LOGO. WHEN THEY CAME IN FOR
APPROVAL TO PUT UP THE SIGN, IT WAS DENIED. THEN THEY ASKED
FOR A LIGHTED STRUCTURE TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AREA. THIS WAS
APPROVED. HOWEVER, THE LOGO, ANY SIGNS OR ANY CHARACTERS
THAT DEPICT THEIR BUSINESS, WOULD BE CONSIDERED A SIGN AND
CANNOT BE APPROVED WITHOUT A VARIANCE.
MR. COOPER ALSO STATED THAT THE CITY DOES APPRECIATE THE
EXTRA EFFORT SUPERAMERICA EXTENDED BY CHANGING THEIR BUILDING
PLANS. HOWEVER, GRANTING THIS VARIANCE MAY SET A PRECEDENT
UNDER THE PRESENT ORDINANCE.
MS. HEINICKE ASKED IF THE REQUEST FROM TEXACO SOME TIME AGO
WAS SIMILAR TO THIS REQUEST. MR. COOPER SAID THAT TENNACO
WAS REQUESTING SIGNS ON THE CANOPY. THE INTERPRETATION BY
THE ATTORNEY WAS THAT iT SHOULD BE TREATED AS A FREE STANDING
SIGN.
MS. HEINICKE FELT THAT SUPERAMERICA HAD NO PROBLEM WITH
RECOGNITION IN THAT AREA. SHE COULD SEE NO HARDSHIP IN
NEEDING THIS SIGN FOR ADVERTISING OR RECOGNITION. SOMETIMES
LESS IS BEST. iT IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE STORE AS IS.
PAGE 5
MR. VILARDI NOTED THAT THIS BUILDING GENERATES A GREAT DEAL
OF TRAFFIC AS IT IS AND THAT THE ADDED SIGN WOULD NOT HELP
THE BUSINESS ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. HE ALSO ASKED IF A CLOCK
WOULD BE PERMISSIBLE. MR. COOPER STATED THAT THERE ARE
CERTAIN PROVISIONS FOR TIME AND TEMPERATURE TYPE SIGNS BUT
WOULD STILL FALL UNDER THE SIGN CATEGORY AND WOULD STILL
PRESENT A PROBLEM.
MR. COOPER ALSO STATED THAT THE PLANNING AND ZONING
COMMISSION WILL BE REVIEWING THE SIGN ORDINANCE VERY SOON TO
RECOMMEND POSSIBLE CHANGES. HE ALSO EXPLAINED TO THE
APPLICANT THAT THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MUST LOOK AT CERTAIN
CRITERIA TO GRANT A VARIANCE. IT CANNOT BE GRANTED JUST
BECAUSE IT IS WANTED, BUT SOMETHING MUST BE PECULIAR TO THIS
PROPERTY THAT WAS NOT CREATED BY THE APPLICANT. THE STRICT
GUIDELINES MUST BE FOLLOWED BY THIS BOARD.
MR. WALTERS ASKED iF TEXACO WAS GRANTED THE VARIANCE BECAUSE
IT WAS A SECOND FREE STANDING SIGN. MR. COOPER NOTED THAT
THE NUMBER OF FREE STANDING SIGNS IS NOT REGULATED AS LONG AS
YOU MEET 48 FOOT SEPARATION. TENNACO WAS NOT GRANTED A
VARIANCE FOR A ROOF SIGN, BUT FOR A SIGN ON A CANOPY WHICH
WAS CONSTRUED TO BE SIMILAR TO A FREE STANDING SIGN. IT WAS
NOT ABOVE THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING. YOU ARE ALLOWED ONE
SQUARE FOOT OF SIGN FOR EVERY FOOT OF' FRONTAGE. THEREFORE,
IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH ROOM, YOU COULD POSSIBLY PUT UP ANOTHER
SIGN.
MR. WALTERS SUGGESTED THAT HIS ROOF SIGN BE CONSIDERED A
THIRD SIGN AND THAT iT BE GRANTED AS SUCH. HOWEVER, MR.
COOPER REPLIED THAT THIS IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CRITERIA,
DEALING WITH FREE STANDING SIGNS, WALL SIGNS AND ROOF SIGNS.
MR. HUSK NOTED THAT PLANNING AND ZONING WILL BE TAKING UP THE
SIGN ORDINANCE ISSUE iN THE FUTURE AND COULD POSSIBLY HELP
SUPERAMERICA.
THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 3:35 P.M.
THERE BEING NOT PUBLIC INPUT, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS CLOSED
AT 3:35 P.M.
MOTION BY MS. HEINICKE, SECONDED BY MR. BUECHLING, TO DENY
THE VARIANCE.
PAGE 6
ROLL CALL: YES:
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
WALTER SHIELDS
MARY HEINICKE
FRED BUECHLING (FOR SHISGAL)
ALFRED ViLARDI
NO: NONE
MOTION CARRIED.
PUBLIC HEARING: AMOS & JEAN BARROW, IN REGARDS TO LOT 5,
BLOCK 1, SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 1, HAS REQUESTED A VARIANCE
TO CREATE A RESIDENTIAL LOT WITH A DEPTH OF APPROXIMATELY 76
FEET, WHEREAS THE CODE REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 100 FEET.
MR. JACK SPiRA, 5205 BABCOCK STREET IN PALM BAY, AN ATTORNEY,
WAS PRESENT TO REPRESENT THE APPLICANTS. THE PROPERTY IN
QUESTION IS LOT 5, BLOCK 1, LESS THE SOUTH 31.75 FEET OF
SEBASTIAN HIGHLANDS UNIT 1. A VARIANCE TO SECTION 20A-3.4 D
3 OF THE SEBASTIAN LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE THAT PROVIDES FOR A
MINIMUM LOT DEPTH OF 100 FEET IS REQUESTED.
THE APPLICANT HAD ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT A HOME
ON LOT 5. AS A RESULT OF AN ERROR, THE HOME WAS CONSTRUCTED
ON LOT 4 (ALMOST ALL), AND PART ON LOT 5. LITIGATION ENSUED
AS A RESULT OF THAT ERROR AND A SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED
BETWEEN THE PARTIES. AN OVERHEAD PROJECTION WAS SHOWN TO
POINT OUT THAT LOT 5 iS THE PIE SHAPED LOT, WITH LOT 4 BESIDE
IT. THE PARTIES AGREED TO DEED THE PROPERTY ON WHICH THE
HOUSE WAS CONSTRUCTED (LOT 4 AND PART OF LOT 5) TO THE
BARROWS. THE BARROWS WOULD THEN DEED LOT 5 LESS THE SOUTH
31.75 FEET TO THE FORMER OWNERS OF LOT 4.
THE SUBDIVISION HAS LOTS WHICH DO NOT MEET THE REQUIRED 100
FOOT DEPTH, BUT SINCE THE PLAT WAS RECORDED PRIOR TO THE
ORDINANCE, THESE LOTS ARE GRANDFATHERED IN. NORMALLY, THE
LOT COULD BE BUILT UPON AS IT STANDS NOW. BECAUSE THEY ARE
DEEDING 31.75 FEET OUT OF THE LOT, THE CITY'S POSITION WAS
THAT A VARIANCE WOULD BE NEEDED. IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THE
LOT DID NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED 100 FOOT DEPTH EVEN BEFORE THE
31.75 FEET WAS DEEDED OUT OF THE LOT.
MR. SPIRA ALSO NOTED THAT THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING
APPROVAL OF THE VARIANCE TO CONSTRUCT A HOME ON A LOT WITH A
76 FOOT DEPTH. ALL SETBACK REQUIREMENTS CAN BE MET WITH NO
ENCROACHMENTS.
PAGE 7
MR. SPiRA REVIEWED THE SPECIAL EXCEPTION REQUIREMENTS UNDER
THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND
CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST AS THIS LOT IS PIE SHAPED OR AN IRREGULAR
LOT. EVERY OTHER LOT IN THiS SUBDIVISION IS ALLOWED TO
CONSTRUCT UNDER THE SAME CRITERIA. MR. BARROWS DID NOT
CREATE THE CONDITION. THE ENTIRE SUBDIVISION IS ALLOWED TO
BUILD UNDER THE SAME CONFIGURATION AND DOES NOT CONFER ANY
SPECIAL PRIVILEGES ON THE APPLICANT. HARDSHIP CONDITIONS
EXIST IN THAT, IF THIS VARIANCE iS NOT APPROVED, THIS LOT
WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE BUILT UPON. THE APPLICANT IS ASKING
ONLY FOR THE MINIMUM VARIANCE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO BUILD ON
THIS LOT. IT IS NOT iNJURIOUS TO PUBLIC WELFARE OR INTENT OF
THE ORDINANCE.
MR. COOPER EXPLAINED THE REASON THE APPLICANT IS BEFORE THIS
BOARD. THE DEPTH IS MEASURED FROM THE MEAN (HALFWAY) POINT
BETWEEN THE SIDE PROPERTY LINES. BY REDUCING THE WIDTH OF
THIS LOT, THE POINT OF MEASUREMENT CHANGES TO REFLECT A
SMALLER DEPTH. THERE IS PLENTY OF SQUARE FOOTAGE REMAINING
ON THIS LOT. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THEY ARE INCREASING THE NON-
CONFORMITY BY DECREASING THE LOT DEPTH, A VARIANCE IS
REQUIRED.
ATTORNEY TORPY NOTED THAT THE ONLY REASON A VARIANCE IS
NEEDED IS BECAUSE OF THE ISSUE OF THE NONCONFORMITY. THE LOT
WAS ALREADY A NONCONFORMING LOT. THE LOT DOES NOT CHANGE iTS
ALREADY EXISTING DEPTH. WHAT CHANGES IS THE MEASUREMENT OF
THAT LOT DEPTH.
MR. COOPER NOTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO ADMISSION OF GUILT BY
ANY PARTIES, NEITHER BUILDER NOR SURVEYOR. THE ULTIMATE
PERSON WHO BOUGHT THIS LOT WAS THE SURVEYOR. STAFF HAS NO
OBJECTIONS TO GRANTING OF THIS VARIANCE AS OUTLINED IN THE
MEMORANDUM DATED 3-19-92 TO THE BOARD. HE RECOMMENDED THAT A
CONDITION ON THIS VARIANCE BE THAT THE FUTURE OWNERS OF THIS
PROPERTY NOT BE PERMITTED TO SEEK ANY OTHER VARIANCES FROM
THE MINIMUM YARD REQUIREMENTS.
MR. VILARDI STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE PROPOSED HOUSE LOOKS
LiKE IT WILL FIT ON THE LOT, HE WALKED THROUGH THIS LOT AND
IT LOOKS VERY SMALL. HE COULD NOT SEE WHERE A HOUSE COULD BE
BUILT WITHOUT ENCROACHING INTO THE SETBACKS.
ATTORNEY TORPY NOTED THAT THIS VARIANCE HAS NOTHING TO DO
WITH SETBACKS. THEY ARE ONLY ASKING FOR A VARIANCE FROM THE
TOTAL LOT DEPTH. THEY WILL STILL HAVE TO MEET ALL SETBACK
REQUIREMENTS.
PAGE 8
THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS OPENED AT 3:55 P.M.
MR. ROBERT MCCARTHY, 222 FIG STREET, IN UNIT 1, BLOCK 1, LOT
7 (IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE LOT IN QUESTION) WAS PRESENT
TO OBJECT TO THIS VARIANCE. MR. MCCARTHY ASKED WHY THE
SURVEYOR WAS NOT TAKEN TO TASK OVER THIS SITUATION. HE FELT
THAT THE LOT SHOULD REMAIN AS IS. HE ALSO STATED CONCERNS
ABOUT HIS WELL IN THE REAR YARD AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THIS
CONSTRUCTION WOULD BE TOO CLOSE. ALSO, SINCE SMITH SURVEYING
DID THE SURVEY SHOWING THE PROPOSED SITE IMPROVEMENTS,
PERHAPS IT IS ALSO WRONG. MR. MCCARTHY WAS ALSO CONCERNED
THAT LOT 6, BLOCK 1, UNIT 1 WOULD BE RENDERED UNBUiLDABLE BY
THE LOCATION OF THE WELL AND SEPTIC ON LOT 5. HE WAS
EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THE SURVEY BEFORE YOU MAY STILL NOT
BE ACCURATE.
MR. COOPER NOTED THAT WHEN THE CONTRACTOR APPLIES FOR THE
SEPTIC PERMITS, H.R.S. WILL BE REVIEWING THE SURVEY SHOWING
ALL EXISTING WELLS AND SEPTICS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO
ENCROACHMENT WILL TAKE PLACE.
MR. MCCARTHY NOTED THAT OTHER PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD BE
PRESENT, HAD THEY BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MEETING IN A TIMELY
FASHION AND ALSO BECAUSE OF THE HOUR OF THIS MEETING. HE
WISHED THAT THESE MEETINGS WERE IN THE EVENING SO THAT MORE
PEOPLE COULD ATTEND. MS. HEINICKE NOTED THAT THE PEOPLE WHO
COULD NOT ATTEND IN PERSON COULD HAVE ADDRESSED THE ISSUE iN
WRITING. HOWEVER, NO OBJECTION LETTERS WERE RECEIVED. MS.
HEINICKE ALSO NOTED THAT THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT IS NOT iN A
POSITION TO "GO AFTER A SURVEYOR" NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO, AND
NO MATTER HOW THE BOARD FEELS ABOUT IT.
MR. COOPER NOTED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION BOARD HAS NO AUTHORITY
OVER SURVEYORS. THEY ARE REGULATED BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA,
DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION. AGAIN, THERE HAS BEEN
NO ADMISSION OF GUILT BY ANY PARTIES.
MR. MCCARTHY NOTED THAT THE OWNER OF LOT 3 TOLD THE SURVEYOR
AT THE TIME, THAT THE STAKES WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE.
HOWEVER, THE SURVEYOR CONTINUED ON. MR. MCCARTHY FEELS THAT
NO HARDSHIP EXISTS.
MR. VILARDI WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE IRRIGATION WELL ON LOT 5.
PAGE 9
MR. SPIRA NOTED THAT BOTH PROPERTIES HAVE NEVER BEEN OWNED BY
THE SAME PEOPLE. THE IRRIGATION WELL WAS PLACED THERE BEFORE
ANYONE KNEW THAT THERE WERE TWO LOTS IN QUESTION. HE ALSO
NOTED THAT NO ADMISSION OF GUILT WAS EVER OFFERED BY ANYONE,
BUT THERE IS LITIGATION. THE SURVEYOR BOUGHT THE LOT AS SOON
AS IT WAS DISCOVERED SO THAT THE PEOPLE COULD NOT BE HELD UP
FOR AN EXORBITANT PRICE WHEN TRYING TO SETTLE THIS MATTER.
HE DID WHAT WAS RESPONSIBLE, EVEN WENT BEYOND. THEN THE
SETTLEMENT WAS WORKED OUT. THE LOCATION OF THE WELL AND
SEPTIC IS IRRELEVANT. ALL REGULATIONS, BOTH CITY AND STATE
WILL BE MET. KEVIN SMITH IS NOW THE OWNER OF LOT 4. SMITH
SURVEYING IS A SEPARATE ENTITY. MR. SMITH IS TRYING TO
RESOLVE THE SITUATION. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT HE PURCHASED
LOT 4 FOR $15,000, AND HAS LOT 5 FOR SALE FOR $10,000 (AFTER
THE SWAP). THIS ALSO DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ATTORNEY FEES.
THEREFORE, MR. SPiRA ASSURES THE BOARD THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL
WHO HAS NOT BEEN JUDGED GUILTY HAS PAID A LOT MORE THAT HE
POSSIBLY SHOULD HAVE.
MR. MCCARTHY NOTED THAT HE WAS NOT LOOKING FOR A BETTER VIEW
AS THE LOT CANNOT BE SEEN FROM HIS LOT BECAUSE OF VEGETATION.
HIS PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT THE SEPTIC SYSTEM PUT ON LOT 5
WILL NOT VIOLATE HIS WELL.
MR. SPIRA SUGGESTED THAT A CONDITION COULD BE PLACED ON THIS
VARIANCE THAT THE SURVEY TO DONE BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN SMITH
SURVEYING.
ATTORNEY TORPY NOTED THAT THIS COULD BE A VALID CONDITION OF
THIS VARIANCE.
MR. VILARDI SUGGESTED THAT THEY MAY BE CREATING AN
UNBUILDABLE LOT ON ANOTHER LOT BY GRANTING THIS VARIANCE (THE
WELL-SEPTIC SITUATION). HE SUGGESTED THAT THIS BE DENIED
UNTIL SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE WHEN PERHAPS CITY WATER WILL BE
AVAILABLE.
MR. COOPER NOTED THAT THE WELL ON LOT 7 WILL HAVE AN EQUAL
AMOUNT OF IMPACT ON LOT 6, AS DOES THE PROPOSED WELL ON LOT
5. HOWEVER, THIS IS JUST AN ESTIMATE.
MR. VILARDI SUGGESTED A MORATORIUM ON BUILDING ON THESE LOTS
UNTIL SUCH TIME AS WATER IS AVAILABLE. MS. HEINICKE NOTED
THAT IT HAS ALWAYS COME DOWN TO A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE
BASIS. '
PAGE 10
THERE BEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, THE PUBLIC HEARING WAS
CLOSED.
MOTION BY MS. HEINICKE, SECONDED BY MR. BUECHLING, TO
APPROVE THE VARIANCE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMING ON THE SURVEY
THAT MR. MCCARTHY'S WELL WILL NOT BE ENDANGERED BY THE SEPTIC
SYSTEM ON LOT 5 AS PER H.R.S. REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THE
SURVEY BE DONE BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN SMITH SURVEYING, AT THE
TIME OF THE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION.
ROLL CALL: YES:
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
MARY HEINICKE
FRED BUECHLING (FOR SHISGAL)
NO:
WALTER SHIELDS
ALFRED VILARDI
MOTION CARRIED.
CHAIRMAN MATTERS: NONE
COMMITTEE MATTERS:
MARY HEINICKE AGAIN ASKED MR. COOPER FOR BETTER DETAILED
LOCATION MAPS. JAN KING, BOARD SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE
PACKETS FOR THIS MEETING WERE PREPARED BY OTHER EMPLOYEES IN
THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, AS SHE WAS OUT SICK. THE BOARD DID
NOT RECEIVE A COPY OF THE TOTAL SURVEY REGARDING THIS LAST
CASE. SHE APOLOGIZED FOR THiS OVERSIGHT.
MS. HEINICKE ALSO INQUIRED ABOUT UPDATES FROM OTHER
COMMUNITIES REGARDING THEIR RULINGS ON DIFFERENT VARIANCES.
MR. COOPER PROMISED TO GIVE THE BOARD COPIES OF THE "ZONING
DIGEST" WHICH GIVES VARIANCES AND APPEALS FROM ALL OVER.
KEEP IN MIND THAT MANY ARE IN DIFFERENT STATES. ATTORNEY
TORPY NOTED THAT THE BOARD MUST REMEMBER WHEN YOU ARE
REVIEWING THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT EACH COMMUNITY HAS DIFFERENT
STANDARDS FOR APPROVING THESE. MAKE SURE THAT THE RULES THAT
APPLY TO THAT BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT ARE THE SAME AS THE RULES
WHICH APPLY TO YOU.
PAGE 11
BUILDING OFFICIAL MATTERS:
IN REFERENCE TO A PRIOR SUGGESTION ABOUT NIGHT MEETINGS FOR
THIS BOARD, STAFF RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE AGAINST SUCH ACTION
DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE INCURRED.
NEW BUSINESS: NONE
MOTION TO ADJOURN BY MS. HEINICKE, SECONDED BY MR. VILARDI.
ROLL CALL: YES:
JAMES HUSK, CHAIRMAN
WALTER SHIELDS
MARY HEINICKE
FRED BUECHLING (FOR SHISGAL)
ALFRED VILARDi
MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:30 P.M.
MOTION CARRIED.