Board of Adjustment

                                                                                    Regular Meeting

                                                                                    May 24, 2007

 

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The Board of Adjustment of the Town of Melbourne Beach, Florida met in regular session on Thursday, May 24, 2007 in the Community Center, 509 Ocean Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

 

Present were Chairman Robert Schaefer, Vice-Chairman David Wildman, Members Xochitl Ross and Lou Failla. Absent were Member Charles Tennant and Alternate Member Remark.  Also in attendance were Town Manager Jim Bursick, Planning Official Dennis Ragsdale, Town Attorney Gary Sack, Building Official William Whitelock and Town Clerk Lenore Milan. 

 

Chairman Schaefer called the meeting to order. 

 

Approval of Minutes  

 

Member Failla amended the minutes to read Member Ross made a motion that the Special Exception Application, as presented, be denied which was seconded by Member Failla.

 

Member Failla made a motion to approve the April 26, 2007, Regular Meeting Minutes, as amended, which was seconded by Vice Chairman Wildman.  The motion carried unanimously by those members present. 

 

Public Hearing

 

Chairman Schaefer read the Special Exception Application for consideration, he noted that the

Special Exception Application 1 – 2007 was continued from the April 26, 2007 Regular Meeting.

 

Special Exception Application 1-2007 Town of Melbourne Beach Land Development Code, Section 7A-36(d)(3), Special Exceptions:  Eating and drinking establishments.  The property is legally described as Lots 1 through 6, Exchwy R/W, Block 5, as recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 58 of the Public Records of Brevard County, Florida.   

 

This application was submitted by Djon Pepaj, restaurant owner.  The subject property has a street address of 1009-1011 Atlantic Street, Melbourne Beach, FL  32951.

 

Mr. Cliff Repperger, 1800 W. Hibiscus, of Gray Robinson, P.A., representing Mr. Pepaj, stated that he didn’t believe that this Special Exception is required, that this facility had a Special Exception, it was a restaurant before, not changing anything.

 

There was a discussion regarding a Special Exception running with the land, whereby the Town Attorney Gary Sack said no.

 

Chairman Schaefer proceeded to review each item on the application.

 

There was a discussion regarding the reduction made of the parking spaces from 87 to 81, the refuse and service areas brought to meet the necessary conditions, that the utilities were not an issue, the lighting shall conform and will comply, yards to have open spaces, the building heights remaining the same, the existing landscaping will be embellished, the hours of operations reasonable, and it was stated that they were willing to meet other and all criteria requested by the Board.

 

 

Mr. Dijon Pepaj, 1000 N. Riverside Drive was sworn-in, and spoke of the parking spaces and access issues.  He stated that the loading zone was moved and the seating was reduced from 200 seats to 81.

 

A discussion ensued regarding the timeframe for the completion of this project, with an 18-month timeframe which would begin 30 days after the issuance of a permit. There was a review of the parking spaces.

 

The meeting was opened to the public.

 

Mr. Will Lucas, 208 First Ave, was sworn-in and spoke about Boomerangs, the sights and smells was a concern, but he said he did welcome a restaurant there,  He asked about outside music and approval of stairs for a beach access.

 

Town Planner Ragsdale explained that the Town would have to approve any modifications to the plan and so would the Department of Environmental Protection.

 

Ms. Linda Nelson, 421 Ave A was sworn-in and asked if the applicant complied with the seats and parking spaces, that the present building was an eye sore and was happy to have a quality restaurant.

 

Mr. Bill Hoskovec, 526 Ave B, stated that Mr. Pepaj has made many attempts with this application; that the site plan issues are not the Board, but the Building Official’s responsibility to approve.

 

Town Planner Ragsdale advised of his many years of experience.    

 

Mr. Pepaj asked as to what, specifically was requested of him by the Board.

 

Town Planner Ragsdale explained that the engineer should seal the plans, the parking should include the dimensions and the drawing should show what you are actually doing.

 

Vice Chairman Wildman made a motion to continue this item to the June 28, 2007 meeting, which was seconded by Member Failla.

 

Mr. Pepaj was advised that a package for the Board of Adjustment was to be submitted to the Town Clerk by June 13, 2007.

 

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Chairman Schaefer stated that the next item on the agenda was Variance Application 5 – 2007 to allow for excavation for construction of auger cast piles at 801 Atlantic Street, submitted by David J. Packey and Claire Marie Tomaselli.

 

Mr. William Stoddard of Schulke, Bittle & Stoddard, L.L.C., 1717 Indian River Blvd, Vero Beach, was sworn-in., he spoke on behalf of the property owners.

 

Chairman Schaefer read the required questions and the answers that were given on the application. He then proceeded to thank Mr. Stoddard for one of the best applications ever submitted.

 

Vice Chairman Wildman made a motion to approve Variance Application 5-2007, which meets all requirements, requiring no conditions, which was seconded by Member Ross.  The motion carried unanimously by those members present. 

 

Chairman Schaefer stated that the next item on the agenda was Variance Application 08– 2006 Chevron Station

 

Chairman Schaefer stated that there was no one representing this variance present.  Town Attorney Sack advised that the Chevron Station continued this once before, the court issued an order, the Town will respond to that order in a couple of weeks.  He recommended it be continued until the July meeting.

 

Member Ross made a motion to continue the Chevron Variance Application 08-2006 to the August 23, 2007 meeting, which was seconded by Member Failla. The motion carried unanimously by those members present.  

 

Town Planner Ragsdale spoke about the interpretation of a Special Exception renewal and termination dates.

 

 Member Failla made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Member Ross. 

 

The meeting duly adjourned at 8:14 P.M.

 

 

                                                                                                _______________________

                                                                                                Robert Schaefer, Chairman

ATTEST:

 

 

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Lenore R. Milan, Town Clerk