HomeMy Public PortalAbout110_022_tybee city council City Councilmen,
In previous years,the recipe was simple and the money was easy:
1. purchase a legacy property
2. subdivide
3. flip the smaller parts
4. Repeat.
If there is any question as to whether the process of subdivision has improved the collective beauty of
our community, I would simply recommend you walk down any of the subdivided properties along
Butler Ave., and compare it to the intact property presently in Mr. Benton's trust.
It would seem that,when left to our own vices, we tend to overfish oceans, deforest areas of critical
vegetation, and subdivide properties into increasingly smaller parcels. Economists call it, The Tragedy of
the Commons—that is, no matter the impact to future generations, as individuals, we put our own
interests above that of a community.
We depend on you—the government—to protect us from our own self-interest. That was premise
behind the 2008 Tybee City Council who adopted a master plan which called for:
1. Development consistent with existing character
2. Preservation of low-density character
3. Encourage historic restoration & preservation
4. *Preserve legacy properties which stretch from Butler to the beach.
5. Preserve stately live oak trees.
Mr Benton's proposed subdivision runs counter to nearly every aspect of this council's current master
elan.
We further depend upon you to define and enforce a municipal code for the good of the community.
These address such items as permissible work hours for construction, noise in the evening, dogs on the
beach, and ingress/egress requirements. These are personal liberties that we, as a community, have
collectively agreed to forgo—for the purposes of community order and for public safety.
Mr Benton's lot has already been subdivided. In 1894,the lot was created by subdividing two 80 foot
wide parcels into THREE parcels,the resultant each being only 53 feet wide. Hence,the lot is already
unusually narrow. In fact, review of the Geographic Information System reveals that these three lots
already represent the narrowest lots on the beach side of Butler. Furthermore, Mr Benton's lot already
possesses non-conforming setbacks of just a few feet.
Even before this body has voted, Lot#1 of the proposed subdivision has been listed by Soloman Brokers
(MLS#113889), with the description, "can be further subdivided." If approved, I wonder how long it will
be before another individual comes before this body asking for further subdivision and additional
variance request?
Undoubtedly, Mr Benton will argue that previous subdivision of property up and down Butler Ave has
set precedent. Unfortunately for him, these have no relevance, as the current proposal must be viewed
within the context of our current policies, ordinances and vision.