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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08031999BOA CITY OF SEBASTIAN BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 3, 1999 Vice Chairman Devito called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was said. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: VChmn. Devito Gregory Gore Paul R. Duffy(a) Louise Kautenburg(a) Clive Beckwith Keith Miller EXCUSED ABSENCE: James Schmitz ALSO PRESENT: Tracy Hass, Growth Management Director Jan King, Manager of Growth Management Dept. Rich Stringer, City Attorney Ann Brack, Recording Secretary ANNOUNCEMENTS: VChmn. Devito noted that Councilmen Joe Barczyk and Chuck Neuberger were in the audience. He then announced that Mr. Paul Duffy(a) will be voting in place of James Schmitz, who has been excused. MOTION by Beckwith/Miller I move to approve the minutes of July 6th ' A voice vote was taken. 5 - 0, motion carried. '~ OLD BUSINESS: None .~"~//'~ ~ .,..~. BOARD QF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 1999 NEW BUSINESS: A. QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING: 1. Steve Schlitt, owner, in regards to Lots 1,2 & 17, Vickers Subdivision, located at 1209 U.S. 1, is requesting a variance to reduce the parking requirements for this site from 32 to 21 spaces. He also wishes to utilize 6 compact spaces (29 percent of the total parking) whereas the code would only permit 3 compact spaces (15 percent of the total parking). VChmn. Devito opened the quasi judicial hearing at 7:07 p.m. He asked for ex-parte communications and all members responded that they had none. Steve Schlitt was present and was sworn in by VChmn. Devito at 7:08 p.m. Staff member Jan King was also sworn in at this time. Mr. Schlitt gave his presentation including a history of the subject building, and submitted a conceptual sketch giving an example of approximately what it will look like on the site plan. He noted that some of the parking that has been used at this site is not part of the parcel, and that this site has only five (5) actual spaces, and people occasionally park on top of the drain field to expand the parking. He proposes to take down a 1500 sq. ft. building in order to achieve the maximum amount of parking without tearing down the main building itself. He would also like to provide landscaping in front of the building to conform to the Riverfront District requirements. He noted that he has not gone to an architect yet, but submitted an exhibit of a conceptual drawing compiled by him, to give the Board an idea of what he has in mind for this property. He also noted the historical significance of this building, and the overwhelming support of the community. He referred to several more historical buildings in close proximity to the subject property, and how this variance process might affect the future uses of those buildings since they all have a problem with limited parking areas, and fall within the Riverfront District. Atty. Stringer noted a procedural matter of the chair accepting the exhibit into evidence if no one objects. He then gave an outline of the quasi-judicial procedure for this hearing. VChmn, Devito accepted the conceptual exhibit. Jan King gave staff presentation, indicating that this project cannot go to P & Z until the variance is obtained. She noted that the change of use is the factor that made this variance necessary. She also noted that when this application was presented to the Board at the last meeting, it was a split, 2 - 2 vote, which technically becomes a denial. But the parking has been changed and it is back before the Board tonight. She also referred to the proposal to remove a present 1,500 sq. ft. building for parking area. She then noted that the area to the rear of the main building where parking is presently utilized is not part of this subject parcel, but belongs to the Railroad. Jan gave information that this building is so old, there are no surveys or records to refer to, and the Railroad ownership just came to light recently. She gave further presentation and BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 1999 explanation and strongly recommended approval, Ms. King then referred to Resolution R-99-41, which was drawn up according to City Council instructions, and stresses the historical significance of the subject property, as well as some others in the city. Mr. Miller asked for staff's opinion on whether the proposed changes and use would be an improvement over what is presently there. Ms. King responded that it would. VChmn. Devito inquired about the above mentioned Resolution R-99-41. Atty. Stringer responded that this Resolution will refer to any historical properties in the Riverfront District. PUBLIC INPUT - Proponents Joe Generazio, 1058 Barber St., noted that he works for a competitor of Steve Schlitt, but he is still very much in favor of this project and gave examples of historic development in cities elsewhere in the United States. He also noted that without a parking variance for that property, its use is drastically limited or it may be torn down. He complimented Mr. Schlitt for the thought and money he is putting into this project. Arlene Westfahl, 754 Rolling Hill Drive, and President of the Sebastian Area Historical Society, was present and gave information on the research her group has been involved in doing research on historical properties. She referred to a brochure distributed by the Historical Society which locates historical sites and is available to the general public to promote education and preservation. She gave further information on this process. She also referred to having attended Riverfront Committee meetings, and commented that it was never the intention of this Committee to destroy historical buildings. She then gave information about the historical significance of the subject property. At 7:37 p.m., Atty. Stringer swore in Ms. Westfahl, since she gave facts in her presentation. Mr. Ray Coniglio, 941 Carnation Drive, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of what's happening in this community and encouraged this Board to encourage the type of action that is requested tonight. Ms. Sallydale Wimbrow spoke in favor of the application for a variance for the subject property, and commented that she is sure this Board will "do the right thing". Rene VanDeVoorde, a business owner in the area, praised the staff's recommendation, and noted that this site would be improved dramatically, and it may be the best that can be done. He is Vice President of the Historical Society. He deferred to Ms. Westfahl's presentation and strongly recommended approval. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 1999 PUBLIC INPUT - Opponents There were no opponents in the public. VChmn. Devito questioned Mr. Schlitt on his plan for the exterior of the building, and Mr. Schlitt responded that he would like to restore it to its original appearance, but he has to meet City codes, and any glass may have to be safety glass since there are no set- backs. He noted that he will work with the architects and the Building Department to arrive at a final plan. Atty. Stringer gave information on his comments to City Council. Mr. Miller verified with Ms. Westfahl that this building is on the State Historical register. Mr. Duffy asked if changes to the building would remove it from the Historical list, and Ms. Westfahl responded that it would not be removed. VChmn. Devito inquired about some wording in the resolution. MOTION by Gore/Beckwith I move that the application be accepted, that a variance to reduce the parking requirements for this particular site from 32 to 21 spaces be granted, the variance to utilize 6 compact spaces instead of only 3 compact spaces be granted. DiscuSsion: VChmn. Devito discussed an amendment with Atty. Stringer. (AMENDMENT By DeVito/Duffy ) I would like to make an amendment, the amendment being that when the Building Department reviews the proposal, or rendering, or whatever it might be, that they try to maintain, as closely as possible, without undue hardship on you, (Schlitt) the general outline and the general configuration of the building, because we're talking about a historical building. Atty. Stringer recommended that this could be a separate matter where the Board, by letter under the Chairman's signature, sends that recommendation to the Planning Commission, because they are going to be reviewing the site. VChmn. Devito agreed, and it was determined that the above amendment would, instead, become a letter from the Board of Adjustment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 3, 1999 MOTION by VChmn. Devito/Duffy(a) (The above stated AMENDMENT became a MOTION at this point, seconded by Mr. Duffy(a).) Roll call on the MOTION by Gore/Beckwith: Roll call: Paul Duffy(a) - yes VChmn. Devito - yes Gregory Gore - yes Clive Beckwith - yes Keith Miller - yes The vote was 5 - 0. Motion carried. Roll call on the MOTION by VChmn. Devito/Duffy(a) Roll call: VChmn. Devito - yes Paul Duffy(a) - yes Gregory Gore - yes Clive Beckwith - yes Keith Miller - yes The vote was 5 - 0. Motion carried. VChmn. Devito commented that that was relatively painless, rapped the gavel, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:52 p.m. (8/5/99 AB)