Brevard County, Florida 32903
February 26, 2008 5:30 PM Indialantic Town Hall
MINUTES NO. 08-03
MINUTES OF A ZONING AND PLANNING BOARD MEETING HELD IN THE INDIALANTIC TOWN HALL ON FEBRUARY 26, 2008
PRESENT:
John MacNeill, Chairman
Randall Greer, Vice Chairman
Mike McCabe, 2nd Alternate
Cliff Stokes, Building Official
Barbara Brownlie, Secretary
ABSENT: Rick Bertel, Member
Nancee Hay, Member
Tom Kleving, Member
Dan Sullivan, 1st Alternate
1. CALL TO ORDER AT 5:30 PM
Chairman MacNeill called the meeting to order at 5:50 PM.
2. APPROVAL OF PRIOR MEETING MINUTES
A. Minutes No. 08-02 – December 11, 2007
Mr. Greer moved to approve Minutes No. 08-02. Mr. McCabe seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
3. APPLICATIONS
4. REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS
A. Review current restrictions in Code Section 17-88 prohibiting wall/fences in the front set back region in single-family zoning areas along Riverside Drive and SR A1A – requested by the Board of Adjustment
Bud Evans, 330 Cocoa Ave, Chairman of the Board of Adjustment, gave background on a variance request recently denied by the Board of Adjustment. He explained that, although the Board could not find a hardship on which to grant the variance, it was their consensus that some relief should be available to property owners in high traffic areas.
Mr. Evans requested that the Zoning & Planning Board review and possibly recommend changes to the code concerning protective fences in the front set back areas to preserve privacy and diminish noise in high traffic areas.
Mr. MacNeill noted that there are other front fences along Riverside and questioned how those properties were granted variances.
It was clarified for Mr. Greer that a proven hardship is necessary to grant a variance.
The Board discussed the implications of changing the code in various areas.
Christine Platt, owner of the property at 808 N Riverside Dr, the subject of the denied request, described how she went through the process of requesting a variance based on the fact that four other properties had been granted such variances.
Ms. Platt emphasized that there is a safety issue based on the high vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Dian Milligan, 816 N Riverside Dr., noted the increased traffic and agreed it is time to readdress the code concerning this issue.
Laura Lewandowski, 125 8th Ave., Vice Chairman of the Board of Adjustment, explained that that Board is not interested in granting variances one property at a time to the point where they end up revising the code.
Ms. Lewandowski pointed out that the Board felt that all the properties against A1A and Riverside have the same characteristics and need consideration for exception to the current code.
Mr. Greer stated he would feel more comfortable implementing a change town wide.
The Town Manager pointed out problems with power lines located in the rear of properties and right of way access.
Mr. MacNeill suggested a referendum item on the November ballot to gauge residents’ opinions.
Mr. McCabe recommended using the newsletter to advertise the issue and get resident participation and feedback at a future meeting.
It was the consensus of the Board to have the Town Manager draw up some tentative guidelines for the Board’s review with the final results, incorporating their comments, to be ready for the April newsletter.
5. REPORT FROM BUILDING OFFICIAL
In addition to the written statistics, the Town Manager gave updates on several pending and expired site plans.
The Town Manager responded to a question from Mr. MacNeill concerning the Comp Plan review.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM.
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John B MacNeill, Chairman
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Barbara Brownlie, Secretary