05-21-1985 Special Joint w/P&Z Board
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CITY OF EDGEWATER
Parks and Recreation Board/Planning and Zoning Board
Special Joint Meeting
May 21, 1985
Minutes
Chairman Jones called the joint meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. in the
Shuffleboard Clubhouse.
ROLL CALL
Members present - Parks and Recreation Board: Messrs. Jones, Sheridan,
Montgomery, Mrs. Curry and Mrs. Gilchrist. Planning and Zoning Board:
Messrs. Wheeler, Finn, Poland and Mackie. Excused: Mr. Bennington and
Mr. Quaggin. Absent: Mrs. Ann Thomas. Also present: Mrs. Taylor,
Secretary.
NEW BUSINESS
Planning for Recreational Land
Mr. Jones said the meeting was called to get an understanding of the Planning
and Zoning Board, and to find out if there needs to be a zoning change when
land is acquired for recreation. He introduced the Board members. He ex-
plained that the Parks and Recreation Board could use assistance in locating
land for recreation.
Mr. Sheridan said that he was not so concerned about what land is available,
but wants to know who has the input so that the Parks and Recreation Board
can find out where they are supposed to go. He asked if the Planning and
Zoning Board is doing the comprehensive planning for the City, and was
advised that it is not. Mr. Sheridan also asked if there is a special
zoning for open spaces, parks and recreational areas, and was advised that
there is no such zoning district. He pointed out that the ordinance says
there should be five acres for every 1,000 population; at the present time
the City has about 20 acres, including 16 acres of leased land. It was
noted that the recently acquired 14 acres on Roberts Road is under con-
sidered for annexation. Mr. Jones said that the City is ~hort on recrea-
tional sites, especially in the Florida Shores area. He suggested that
the Planning and Zoning Board could set aside certain areas especially
for recreation. After further discussion, Mr. Sheridan said he would like
to know why there have been no areas designated as recreational areas.
Mr. Wheeler suggested that the Parks and Recreation Board go to the City
Council. The property owned by the City of New Smyrna Beach and the D.O.T.
property wereconsidered. Mr. Poland said there is a possibility of getting
either parcel, i.e., the right of eminent domain. He said that the City
could condemn it and force them to sell it. They can't refuse, he stated.
Mr. Sheridan said he felt there would be a problem with this and suggested
that this is a question to be answered by an attorney. Mr. Poland said he
reco~~ends to the Parks and Recreation Board that they write to the City
Attorney requesting information as to the legality and steps required to
exercise the right of eminent domain over both or either of those parcels.
He is sure, he said, that the Planning and Zoning Board would give every
assistance they could offer. He said that if it needs to be rezoned or
there needs to be a new zoning for public land for parks and recreation
it is his opinion that their Board would make such a recommendation to the
Council. He suggested that a request be make to the City Attorney to see
if this would be possible. Mr. Sheridan explained what has taken place
thus far concerning attempts to acquire the property.
Acquiring property for recreation and parks for the Florida Shores area
was considered. Mr. Finn recommended that someone talk to the Magnuson
Corporation to locate blocks in that section of the City which are still
undeveloped. Mr. Sheridan said he was advised by Mr. Williams that someone
from the City was supposed to get in touch with him to discuss this but
had not done so to date. At a later time Mr. Sheridan advised that he
called on Mr. Williams again and was informed that there is some land
which they will sell at a reasonable price because it doesn't conform to
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zoning because of the size. He explained to Mr. Williams that what the
City needs is a whole block. Mr. Finn said that the Association is only
given so much to sell at each time. The person to deal with is the
Magnuson Corporation in Miami. Mr. Jones suggested that the Parks and
Recreation Board would need to find out that section with the higher
concentration of children and try to find land there. Mr. Poland
recommended that the property which the City wants should be condemned
and purchased while it can be afforded, as was done in New York. It
is the Board's job to convince the Council that this must be done, he
stated. (Several conversations here at one time; transcription impossible.)
Mr. Jones said what the Board will have to do is try to find property which
it thinks would be suitable for recreation and make recommendations to the
City Council. Mr. Poland said that they need a minimum of six to eight
whole blocks in Florida Shores for parks. Mr. Sheridan said the City could
never afford to pay for it. Mr. Poland suggested that they trade property
in Florida Shores for part of the 14 acres just acquired. This suggestion
was talked about at length. Mr. Jones said that the Board had plans for
a large recreational complex for the 14 acres. Plans are still being
formulated for that site. What they need in addition are small block parks
in the Shores. Perhaps one site a year could be purchased. Mrs. Gilchrist
said that around some of the lakes there is empty land. If the Planning
and Zoning Board could rezone the remaining land around these lakes for
recreation this land would be reserved.
Mr. Sheridan said since the Planning and Zoning Board is supposed to do
the planning he asked why they could not make a recommendation that certain
areas be designated for recreation. Mr. Mackie said that the Planning Board
could not do that but if the Parks and Recreation Board had a location which
the Planning Board could help with they will push it all the way. Mr. Sheri-
dan said he understood that Planning and Zoning Board is doing the planning
for the City. Mr. Poland responded that nobody is doing any planning for
the City. He mentioned that they are just volunteers.
Mrs. Bennington pointed out that the Planning and Zoning Board got the
recreational impact fee ordinance passed so that the Parks and Recreation
Board could buy what they needed to buy. Mr. Sheridan said that what he
is asking for is direction, to let them know what direction the development
is going, the population trend, etc. That is the help they want. Mr. Poland
said that is the function of a City Planner; that is the function of a paid
employee of the City, which the City doesn't have. They are trying to get
done with volunteer boards what they are too cheap to pay to get done by a
City employee.
Mr. Jones said he is confident that the Planning Board will give it their
best efforts. He noted that the Board had sent a memo to the City Council
suggesting that they hire a City Planner and that suggestion was tabled,
so the Board will have to keep working at it. In the meantime the Parks
and Recreation Board can begin working on a 5-year plan for recreation on
its own, he stated. Mr. Poland again suggested that they pick out a piece
of property and then go to the City Council and ask them to condemn it.
Reference was made to the Comprehensive Plan. Mrs. Bennington said that
a committee was formed a couple of years ago to work on updating the Plan
but they realized that they needed professional help.
Mr. Sheridan recommended to the Planning and Zoning Board that it consider
a separate zoning for open space, parks and recreation. Mr. Poland said
that then you would run into spot zoning. Mr. Sheridan argued that parks
and recreation is not spot zoning. Another thing the Board wants to know,
Mr. Sheridan said, is in what direction the population is 'going.
Mr. Montgomery moved for adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Mrs. Taylor
Parks and Recreation/
Planning and Zoning Joint Meeting
- 2 -
May 21, 1985