05-09-2001
....
"""'"
......
CITY OF EDGEWATER
Planning and Zoning Board
Regular Meeting
Wednesday, May 9,2001
6:30 p.m.
Chairman Garthwaite called to order the regular meeting of the Planning and
Zoning Board at 6:30 p.m., May 9, 2001 in the Community Center, 102 N.
Riverside Drive, Edgewater, Florida.
ROLL CALL
Members present were Mr. Masso, Mr. Mullen, Mr. Vopelak, Mrs. Zeese,
Mr. Youkon and Chairman Garthwaite. Mr. Hellsten was excused.
Also present were Lynne Plaskett, Planning Director; Bonnie Wenzel, Planning
Secretary; Pat Drosten, Board Coordinator.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Masso made a motion to approve the minutes of April 11, 2001. Mr. Mullen
seconded. Motion PASSED 6-0.
. OLD BUSINESS
......
N one at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
VA-OIOI- Ray Lenois, Artesian Pools, authorized agent for Gene Mirabella,
owner, is seeking a variance of four-feet, ten-inches (4'-10") from the
required ten-foot (10') rear setback and one-foot (1') from the required five-
foot (5') setback from the home to construct a swimming pool.
Chairman Garthwaite opened the public hearing and asked Mrs. Plaskett to give
background information on this case. Mrs. Plaskett read the staff report and
background information into the record. She further explained that staff asked
Dennis Fischer, Building Official to explain to the Board what the five (5) foot
separation was in the code for. Mr. Fischer was unable to attend the meeting,
he did however supply a memo for explanation.
Mr. Masso asked what was meant by a signed and sealed drawing and what was
meant by the five (5) foot separation. Mrs. Plaskett explained how a pool could
undermine the house, and drawings signed and sealed would ensure the
integrity of the footers would not be undermined.
Chairman Garthwaite felt most of staff's recommendations have been answered
--.,. by Mr. Fischer's memo. He asked why it was stated that no construction
Planning & Zoning Board 05-09-oI.doc
1
.....
..."
variance be granted. Mrs. Plaskett explained how the new LDC allowed the
Building Official to grant a construction variance for mistakes.
'-'
Mr. Youkon stated he felt the setback requirements we have in place are not
necessary , and should be changed. Mr. Vopelak asked if the setback
requirements were the same for any structure. Mrs. Plaskett stated that there
are different requirements for different zoning areas. Although, pool setbacks
are the same no matter the zoning district. Mr. Masso felt changing the codes
would not make sense, as this was a special circumstance. Mrs. Plaskett agreed.
Chairman Garthwaite felt the pool should be located as close as necessary to
meet the requirements. He further asked if the agent would like to speak.
Mr. Jim Cole, Artesian Pools stated he did not understand the staff
recommendation number two (2). Mrs. Plaskett explained that staff did not
want the pool to be located any closer than five (5) feet to the property line.
Mr. Cole stated the pool would be five feet-two inches (5'-2") from the line.
There was discussion of the reasoning of the I 0- foot setback for pools.
Mr. Youkon asked if one (1) foot of decking could be eliminated near the house
to bring the pool into code. Mr. Cole stated it did not make sense to have such
a narrow pool.
..... Discussion ensued regarding the placement of the home. Artesian previously
stated that the house was set to far back on the property to allow for the pool
to meet the setbacks. Staff determined the house was within the required
setbacks.
Mr. Cole stated that Artesian has qualified people to layout the pool and will
have a new survey after completion. Mr. Masso asked what would happen if the
replat did not agree with the layout approved. Mr. Cole stated they would start
over.
Mrs. Plaskett read into the record a letter from the property owner's doctor
stating why she was in need of the proposed pool. Mr. Masso then asked what
size would the pool have to be to meet the setbacks. Mr. Cole stated eight (8)
feet wide, and further noted that was not normally done.
There was discussion regarding the five (5) findings of fact. The Board was
unsure if they were to approve all five (5) in order for the variance to be
granted.
Chairman Garthwaite called a IO-minute recess at 7:20 p.m.
~
Chairman Garthwaite resumed the meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Planning & Zoning Board 05-09-Ol.doc
2
......
..."
Mrs. Plaskett explained the new iDC and said the Board had the option to make
a motion to approve or deny the request. Mr. Youkon felt that "shall" in the
~ code meant, "have to". Chairman Garthwaite felt an interpretation from the
City attorney would be beneficiaL
Chairman Garthwaite closed the Public Hearing. The Board voted on the five (5)
findings of fact.
1. The granting of the proposed variance will implement specifically
identified policies and objectives in the Comprehensive Plan.
PASSED 6-0.
2. The granting of the proposed variance will not result in creating or
continuing, a use of either structure, the land or a combination of land
and structure, which is not compatible with adjacent land uses in the
area. PASSED 6-0.
3. The granting of the proposed variance is the minimum action available to
permit reasonable use of the property. FAILED 3-3, Mr. Mullen,
Mr. Y oukon, and Mr. Vopelak voted no.
"-"
4. The phYSical characteristics of the subject site are unique to the specific
site and not present on adjacent-sites. FAILED 1-5, Mr. Mullen,
Mr. Youkon, Chairman Garthwaite, Mr. Masso, and Mr. V opelak voted
no.
5. The circumstances creating the need for a variance are not the result of
actions by the applicant, or actions proposed by the applicant.
PASSED 4-2.
Discussion ensued as to whether or not another vote should be taken.
Mr. Youkon made a motion to report the results of the findings of fact and
send them to the City attorney for determination as to whether or not in light
of our findings of fact a variance can be granted. Seconded by Mr. Masso.
MOTION PASSED 6-0.
VA-OI02 - C.W. Ascherl, owner 2201 S. Ridgewood Ave., Lot 29, Friendly
Shores Mobile Home Park, is seeking a variance from the required 20-foot
front setback to three feet (3') to replace the existing 12' x 60' mobile home
with a 24' x 48' double wide mobile home.
Chairman Garthwaite asked Mrs. Plaskett for the background on this case. Mrs.
Plaskett stated that there was an error in the LDC that has been brought to the
glitch committee's attention, as a result of that Mr. Ascher! is not in need of a
,.... rear setback variance.
Planning & Zoning Board 05-09-Ol.doc
3
.~
...."
Chairman Garthwaite opened the Public Hearing.
~ Mr. Youkon noted that while reading staff's findings of fact he concluded
approval for the variance, while the staff recommendation is denial. Mrs.
Plaskett stated staff has recommended the same variance as the previous
requests from Friendly Shores. She further stated the reason for
recommending denial was that there seemed to be reasonable use by replacing
the home with one the same size. Mr. Vopelak asked if the double wide would
cover any more area than currently covered. Mrs. Plaskett explained the
coverage of the lot.
Mr. C.W. Ascherl, owner, stated to the Board that a 12-foot wide mobile home
could be purchased, but would be very expensive. He further noted that he was
requesting a one (1) foot variance to the front setback, and stated there were
already four (4) doublewides in the park.
Chairman Garthwaite closed the Public Hearing.
The Board voted on the findings of fact:
,..,.
1. The variance requested arises from a condition that is unique and
peculiar to the land, structures, and buildings involved and is a condition
that is not ordinarily found in the same zoning district. PASSED 6-0.
2. Strict compliance with area, setback, frontage, height, bulk, and/or
intensity requirements would result in unnecessary hardship for the
applicant as distinguished from restrictions imposed by this Article on all
other property in the same zoning district. PASSED 6-0.
3. The condition is not the result of the actions of the applicant or the
property owner. PASSED 6-0.
4. Granting of the variance will not create unsafe conditions or other
detriments to the surrounding properties or public welfare. PASSED 6-0.
5. The variance granted is the minimum variance that will make possible the
reasonable use of the land or structures. PASSED 4-2, Mr. Mullen and
Mr. Vopelak voted no.
6. The variance desired will not be opposed to the general spirit and intent
of this Article and the City of Edgewater Comprehensive Plan.
PASSED 6-0.
Mr. Mullen made a motion to grant the variance providing all conditions are
met. Mr. Vopelak seconded. MOTION PASSED 6-0.
........
Planning & Zoning Board 05-09-01.doc
4
..
'-'
...."
Consider rezoning certain parcels of land as part of the Comprehensive Land
Use Plan EAR Based Amendments. Designating a new zoning classification
'-' for each property from current County zoning to City classification.
Chairman Garthwaite read the agenda request. Mr. Vopelak asked about the
chart containing the comparison between County and City zoning. Mrs.
Plaskett explained why the chart was in the packets. The Board wanted to vote
on the rezoings with one (1) motion. Mr. Youkon suggested voting on the large
and small-scale amendments separately. Everyone agreed.
Mr. Masso made a motion to approve the proposed zoning for large-scale map
amendments. Mr. Mullen seconded. MOTION PASSED 6-0.
Mr. Masso made a motion to approve the proposed zoning for small-scale map
amendments. Mr. Vopelak seconded. MOTION PASSED 6-0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Planning Director's Report
None at this time.
2. Chairman's Report
__ None at this time.
Mr. Mullen asked Mrs. Plaskett if they could get some reasoning from the
City Manager's office and the Legal Department as to why they
discourage the Board members from meeting with potential developers.
The Board asked if they could get some type of identification as Board
Members since they visit sites.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting
adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by:
Bonnie A. Wenzel
Board Secretary.
:baw
~
Planning & Zoning Board 05-09-01.doc
5