Planning and Zoning Board

Regular Meeting

January 8, 2007

 

The Planning and Zoning Board of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida met in regular session on Monday, January 8, 2007 in the Community Center, 509 Ocean Avenue beginning at 7 p.m.

 

Present were Chairman Dave Campbell, Regular Members Steve Schwartz and Mike West, and Alternate Member Susan Dieterle. Absent was Jayne Waters.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Jim Bursick, Interim Town Attorney Gary Sack, Planning Official Dennis Ragsdale, and Town Clerk Lenore Milan.

 

Chairman Campbell called the meeting to order.

 

Member Schwartz made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 5, 2005 meeting, which was seconded by Member West.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Member Schwartz made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2006 meeting, which was seconded by Member West.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Member West made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2006 Special meeting, which was seconded by Member Schwartz.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

The Clerk was instructed to attach a memorandum stating that these minutes were presented to the Board over a year later, and they approved these minutes to the best of their ability.

 

Member Schwartz made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 3, 2006 meeting, which was seconded by Member West.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Member West made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2006 meeting, which was seconded by Member Schwartz.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Alternate Member Dieterle made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 26, 2006 Special meeting, which was seconded by Member Schwartz.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Alternate Member Dieterle made a motion to approve the minutes of the July10, 2006 meeting, which was seconded by Member Schwartz.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

Alternate Member Dieterle made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2006 meeting, which was seconded by Member Schwartz.  The motion carried unanimously.

 

***

 

The first item on the agenda was the appointment of a Chairperson.  Chairman Campbell was re-appointed as Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board.

 

The next item on the agenda was the appointment of a Vice Chairperson.  Member West was appointed Vice Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board.

 

The next item on the agenda was the appointment of a Liaison to the Board of Adjustment.  After a brief discussion, it was decided that the delegation of a liaison would be rotated, with Member Schwartz stating he would attend the next Board of Adjustment meeting.  Member Dieterle made a motion to appoint Member Schwartz as the liaison, which was seconded by Vice Chairman West.  The motion carried.  Member Schwartz would attend the January 18, 2007 Board of Adjustment Meeting.

 

The next item on the agenda was the discussion and possible action related to Ordinance 2006-12 Walls and Fences, as requested at the December 4, 2006 Regular Planning and Zoning Board Meeting.

 

There was a discussion regarding six foot fences to deter robberies on Riverside Drive. Member Schwartz requested that all previous Ordinances regarding walls and fences be made available to the Board, and that this item be tabled until February meeting, which was seconded by Vice Chairman West.

 

***

Chairman Campbell read the Ordinance 2006-17 PODS, in title only.   There being no comments from the public, Member Schwartz made a motion to submit this Ordinance to the Town Commission for their approval, which was seconded by Vice Chairman West.

 

The next item for discussion was accessory buildings on waterfront lots and dock sizes.  Mr. Ragsdale, the Planning Official distributed aerials of docks, some with boathouses for the Board’s review.  There was a discussion regarding instituting an amortization; requiring that in so many years all docks must be in compliance and regarding the omission, in the Ordinance, of how many feet a boat can extend.  Member Schwartz requested that Mr. Ragsdale contact the Coast Guard, that they should have a standard, and inquire as to how much would be for safety.  Chairman Campbell spoke about grandfathering the existing docks until they are damaged and need to be rebuilt.

 

A discussion ensued regarding the Homeowners Association’s rule possibly providing some ideas as to what criteria they went by.  They also discussed the size of boats; that they can not be longer than the dock, views and that enclosed boathouses should be excluded as allowed.

 

Mr. Ragsdale spoke about accessory buildings on property lines; he believed all accessory structures should have setbacks.  It was decided that this item be back on the agenda to include enclosed boathouses. 

 

***

The next item on the agenda was a discussion regarding underground electrical lines throughout the Town, as requested by Vice Chairman West.

 

Chairman Campbell advised that the Board had just received this pertinent information from Vice Chairman West.  Vice Chairman West stated that he just wanted to distribute it and explain and then bring these items back for discussion.

 

Vice Chairman West proceeded to explain the information to the Board, he advised that it would cost about $3,000-$4,000 per house, that the Town may be able to receive Federal funding.  He stated that DOT has Federal funding, also, Florida Power and Light could finance, grants would be available; if financed, and there would be a cost of $26.00 per month per customer for twenty years.

 

Alternate Member Clay entered the meeting at this point and sat in the audience.

 

Vice Chairman West stated that the Board needed to consider a Code change along the lines of service drops of utilities; under new construction it should all be underground. Any renovations or additions, or if a main panel has to be changed would be an opportunity to go underground.

 

There was a discussion regarding advising property owners doing construction to their homes, since we will eventually go underground they would inquire as to why they weren’t told at that time when they were making their change. 

 

Chairman Campbell stated that the Visioning process would be a good time to discuss this item.

 

With regard to the Visioning process, Mr. Ragsdale advised that he was scheduling the first kick-off Workshop to do some brainstorming with this Board and citizens in an open forum on January 30th or 31st.  It was decided to have the Workshop Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at 7 P.M. in the Community Center.  Advertisements should include newspaper and PSAs, and article in HomeTown News and Florida Today, and on the Town’s Website.

***

Member Dieterle made a motion to adjourn the meeting, which was seconded by Vice Chairman West. 

 

The meeting duly adjourned at 8:32 P.M.

                                                                        ________________________

                                                                                                David Campbell

                                                                                            Chairman

ATTEST:

 

__________________

Lenore R. Milan

Town Clerk