11-19-1985 Special
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
BOARD .OF ADJUSTMENT
November 19, 1985 7: 00 p. _mm.
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
The Chairman called the special meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
in City Hall, Edgewater.
ROLL CALL
Members present were: Messrs. Moran, Newell, Wolfe, Savini and
Chairman Garthwaite; Mrs. Martin. Mrs. Murphy arrived later. Also
present were: Mr. Lonnie Harvey, applying for a variance, and
many concerned citizens from Pelican Cove West.
Due to the density of the crowd, Mr. Garthwaite announced the
Board would go directly to New Business.
NEW BUSINESS
Lonnie Harvey request for 2 foot variance at 1629 Sabal Palm Drive!
Mr. Garthwaite announced Mr. Harvey was requesting a 2 foot
variance at 1629 Sabal Palm Drive, a house having existed there
since 1982. Mr. Newell asked Mr. Harvey when i:the room had been
added to the existing house, and Mr. Harvey said he had built a jacuzzi
and then enclosed it about two years ago. (Mrs. Murphy arrived at
7:15 due to car problems) Mr. Newell asked if this had never come up
before, and Mr. Harvey said no, not until he was ready to sell the
house and this problem came forward. Mr. Garthwaite informed the
Board Mr. Harvey had built the room without a permit arid if a variance
is granted, he will be fined by the Building Department. Mrs. Murphy
asked Mr. Harvey if the fence was legal, and Mr. Garthwaite said the
fence was legal, and it could be there even if the enclosed room
was not. Mr. Garthwaite then advised the Board that we have granted
these variances before; the only thing here is Mr. Harvey is two feet
into his set back, but failed to get a permit.
A discussion followed as to permissibility of enclosing without a
permit. Mr. Harvey stated he understood there is to be a special
meeting to discuss this problem. Mr. Garthwaite asked how he got
by without permits, and Mr. Harvey said he was told he did not need
a permit to enclose porches. Mr. Garthwaite then stated we are
getting away from the request and if there were no further questions
the Board is ready for a motion. Mr. Wolfe then made a motion to
grant the variance to Mr. Harvey, seconded by Mrs. Martin. Motion
CARRIED 7-0. Mr. Garthwaite then stated theiVariance is granted. v
The meeting was then adjourned at 7 :19, to retire to the Shuffleboard
Building, in order to accommodate the many concerned citizens.
Mr. Garthwaite called the meeting back to order at 7:46.
Larry Clark - Request for a variance of two feet to erect screen
rooms at 808 Egret Court. Mr. Garthwaite read from Article 4, Multi-
Family District - for single family dwellings and duplexes, Supplement
14, setting forth the set backs. Mr. Garthwaite informed the Board
the rear set back is where we are mainly concerned. Mr. Garthwaite
then announced this has been advertised and the abutting property
owners have been notified. Mrs. Clark appeared at the meeting, Mr.
Clark being in the hospital. Mrs. Clark then announced there had
been some confusion, as her husband's name is Edward, not Larry.
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Mr. Garthwaite stated this would be corrected, and asked if
there were any more questions. Mrs. Martin stated she was
confused as to the backyard set backs being 20 or 25 feet, and
Mr. Garthwaite stated when the places were built, the zoning
requirement at the time was 20 feet and since then is now 25
feet. Quite a discussion followed concerning the changes of
the setbacks. Mr. Garthwaite then announced the variance had
gone to the Press incorrectly; it should be a 12 foot variance,
but the Board could act on it as this had happened before and
the same procedure was followed. Mr. Garthwaite then announced
to the audience that the City had changed the Ordinance after
Pelican Cove had been plotted and the people did not create
their own problems concerning the 25 feet or any other set backs.
Mr. Garthwaite asked the Board to read from page 1535, Section
300, concerning buildings not exceeding ordinance requirements.
Mr. Garthwaite continued that most of the h6mes in Pelican Cove
West, even if you use the old set backs, did not leave enough
room on the back to erect a screen porch, and asked Mrs. Clark
if she had been so informed, to which she replied "No". Mrs.
Murphy stated she believes they might even have to have rezoning.
Mr. Henry C. Scherz then spoke, representing Pelican Cove West
Home Owners Association. (There was then a small break for
getting new tapes which had been misplaced when moving to the
Shuffleboard Building) Mr. Scherz then continued that the same
thing had happened in April, 1983, when Mr. J. C.Oarder, the V
developer, agreed to cooperate. Mr. Scherz also stated it would
be almost impossible to live here in Florida without a screen room
to protect oneself from the insects, etc. Quite a discussion /
followed and Mr. Garthwaite then stated that as the Board of
Adjustment, we have no say over what Mr. Carder does. Mr. Wolfe
added that subdivision laws have to be followed. Mr. Garthwaite
also stated if a developer is building homes, and if he is meeting
all the requirements for setbacks, there is nothing the City can do
to make him change unless they change the Ordinance; until some-
thing is done, the variances have to be granted, and the Planning
and Zoning Board must be presented with this problem. Mrs. Murphy
then asked how many people in the audience were told they could
build screen rooms, and they all raised their hands.
There then followed quite an audience participation, with Mr.
Garthwaite suggesting Mr. Scherz go to Council and request to
be put on the Agenda. Mrs. Murphy also suggested we go to the
City Attorney, because a wrong decision by the Board could cause
a court case. Mr. Wolfe then stated ~o the audience that the
Board does not make the laws, that they should go to Council,
get on the Agenda, ask for change for the~r 'subdivision. He
further stated the City could do something about it, this Board
cannot.
After a further discussion of this problem, Mr. Garthwaite
announced he would table the Clark and Lloyd variances until
the next meeting. Mr. Newell stated that perhaps if the people
could get some relief, perhaps none of them would have to come
before this Board. Mr. Wolfe then moved that the City Attorney
attend the next meeting of the Board, seconded by Mr. Newell.
Motion CARRIED 7-0.
Mr. Garthwaite then asked the secretary to make a list of several
questions to be asked of Attorney Alvarez, which included: Are
set backs at Pelican Cove West 20 or 25 fee~ Are they non-conforming
lots:? If we add' on to these homes, are we creating a non-conformance?'
In re: dividing wall between houses or patios? Should original plat
stand as is?
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Board of Adjustments
Minutes of November 19, 1985
Special Meeting
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Due to a malfunction of the recording tape, no further minutes
were taken. Checking time sheets, it was determined the
meeting was adjourned at 9:25
Minutes submitted by
Dorothy C. Garrity
Board of Adjustments
Minutes of November 19, 1985
Special Meeting
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