HomeMy Public PortalAbout20100311CCMinutesFinal
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20100311City Council Minutes
Mayor Buelterman called the Consent Agenda meeting to order at 6:30pm on Thursday. March
11, 2010. Council Members present were Mayor pro tem Shirley Sessions, Wanda Doyle, Bill
Garbett, Frank Schuman, Kathryn Williams and Paul Wolff. Also present were City Attorney
Bubba Hughes, City Manager Diane Schleicher and Zoning Director Jonathan Lynn.
Danny Adams-Student at Savannah State University addressed council on a class project he is
working on and using Tybee as a base for a community analysis: “What does Council perceive as
the greatest needs of Tybee Island?” Once the analysis is done he will also submit a proposal
for improvements or ways to meet those needs. The mayor had previously given him a few
issues such as the flooding on Hwy 80, getting sand back on the beaches.
Shirley Sessions asked for his email for corresponding. Wanda Doyle gave suggestions of
parking, trash and bathrooms as areas of concerns & needs for improvements. The number
one priority would be parking. Kathryn Williams suggested her number one priority would be
litter. Paul Wolff asked for communication tools to better communicate between staff,
residents and visitors as how everyone can help with the previous mentioned areas and visitors
can feel more of a part of the island.
Mayor and council discussed postponing the approval of the February 25th minutes. Kathryn
Williams stated, and was confirmed by the city attorney, the way the synopsis is written does
meet the legal requirement of having the minutes ready at the next meeting.
Mayor Buelterman and council agreed to limit reports to council to ten minutes in the future
and also cut down on how many on the same night.
Mayor Buelterman listed the following items on the Consent Agenda:
Seaside Sisters-Special Event Beer, Wine, Liquor Alcohol License Application
Date: 03/31/10 Applicant: Sallie Armstrong Location: 202 Fifth St. (Gym)
Seaside Sisters-Request for waiver of user fees ($200) for use of Gym on 3-31-
2010 for the Flip Flop “Last Song” Movie Premier Party Applicant: Susan Kelleher
Funds raised are being given to the Marine Science Center. The City Manager
confirmed applicant would be submitting the $500.00 deposit for the use.
Friends of the Tybee Theater-Special Event Beer/Wine Alcohol License
Application. Date 04/17/10 Applicant: Gordon Matthews Location: Lighthouse
Grounds
Procedural Policy for Council to be drafted by City Attorney for council’s review.
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Kathryn Williams stated this is in response to GMA’s recommendation to adopt
your own policy in lieu of using Robert’s Rules of Order.
Mayor Buelterman adjourned the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Buelterman called the regular meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00pm.
Those present at the Consent Agenda were also in attendance for the regular meeting. Mayor
Pro Tem Sessions gave the invocation and everyone recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Citizens to Be Heard: Please limit comments to 3 minutes. Maximum Allowable time is 5
minutes.
Hillary Brodofsky gave a report and power point presentation on the Priceless Gifts Campaign
Fundraiser. Council submitted their collection jars with the funds they have been collecting.
She will announce totals at a later meeting. Wanda Doyle congratulated Hillary and her staff on
a good job of utilizing the gym facilities and making more programs available to the citizens of
the community as well as the YMCA members. Shirley Sessions suggested Ms. Brodofsky
nominate one of our youth volunteers to the United Way for the Youth Volunteer recognition
and awards for potential scholarships.
Henry Levy addressed council in favor of the boat storage facility and asked for council to help
the applicant not hinder him.
Bill Blakely addressed council and asked for council to defer Audit Committee appointment on
the Agenda this evening and advertise opening a little longer for other candidates who may be
interested so council would have a larger selection to appoint from. He also asked for the
committee to be allowed to meet with potential members to get more background information
on their qualifications and they can learn what the committee actually does. There is nothing
pressing at this time so the delay in the appointment would not be a critical issue.
Wanda Doyle asked how long the ad was advertised. Vivian Woods, Clerk of Council responded
the ad ran from February 10th thru February 25th when council directed her to advertise it. Mrs.
Doyle also stated Jan Fox, the person on the agenda for appointment, is not a green horn. She
has a very good background, was the CFO for the city for many years, so she doesn’t
understand why this is an issue tonight when it hasn’t been for months.
Paul Wolff stated he appreciated Mr. Blakely’s input and respected his opinion, this is a
specialized committee and Mrs. Fox has done a lot of good work for the city and helped put our
financials in order when it was really needed. He does not have any problem with re-
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advertising for openings. We do have a lot of talent on the island and the committee and chair
should have a say on who they accept or don’t because they have to work pretty well together.
He did ask what the committee really does as his understanding was they really just review the
audit and make sure the procedure runs as smooth as possible. Mr. Blakely replied that is
pretty much it. Going down the list; hiring the outside firm that does the audit and this was
done this past year. Then making sure of the scope of work being done and if any conflicting
issues come up between the audit and staff assisting in resolving them. After the audit is done
they review it and the financials, approve them and present them to the city for your approval.
Mr. Wolff then asked if they interact with staff asking for records, etc. Mr. Blakely replied not
at all. That is not the function or what an Audit Committee does. The committee also makes
sure what accounting principles the city is following because the policies an organization is
following can have a significant impact on the results they present.
Kathryn Williams stated when she was previously on the audit committee they actually
recruited members because some people won’t necessarily respond to ads. At that time the
committee’s scope of work was a lot more, such as with contract compliance, etc. She does not
understand why and when that changed. They would actually meet twice a month and worked
quite a bit with the staff. She asked if the committee would be interested in doing more. Mr.
Blakely replied they would do what the council directed. Shirley Sessions asked how often the
committee meets. Mr. Blakely replied three or four times last year. He does not have meetings
for the sake of having a meeting. If something needs to be done a meeting can be called. The
first meeting this year will probably be the end of April or first of May. Ms. Sessions asked
when the city begins its budget process. The City Manager replied we have already started
internally. The council workshops with department heads will begin in May. Ms. Sessions
asked if the Audit Committee as anything to do with the budget process. Ms. Schleicher
answered no. She also stated when she came on board that is when the contract compliance
issues were just being resolved. It was her understanding that had been a directive from
council to have the Audit Committee work with staff in correcting this. Times like that would be
when the committee would interact with staff. Ms. Schleicher also said right now the
committee would not have any contact with the staff except some with the Finance Director as
she attends meetings where they are discussing the audit and maybe at times when her input
at meetings would be valuable. Ms. Sessions asked how the meetings work. Are the meetings
posted so council or the public can attend. Are there agendas and minutes? Ms. Woods, Clerk
of Council answered most committees on the island do send her minutes after they are
approved. I know their meeting schedules a year ahead of time and I fax them to the
newspaper and the community is notified of the meeting dates. However, the Audit
Committee has reserved their meeting times and she is not aware of their meetings and not
able to advertise until she receives notice of it. If the meetings are quarterly then I am only
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going to receive the minutes quarterly. Whenever I do receive minutes I give to council in their
packets and post them on the website.
Mr. Edwin Longwater addressed council in opposition to the proposed dry boat storage facility
due to its invasion of the beauty and history of the cultural heritage of the Lazaretto Creek area,
parking, and dangers to already congested area.
Reports of Staff, Boards, Standing Committees and/or Invited Guest Limit reports to 10
minutes
Lauren Lewis of the US Census Bureau addressed council on the 2010 Census. Residents should
start getting their Census Forms around March 15th. Normally they come via your mailboxes
but, since Tybee’s majority has PO boxes, and the Census Board does not deliver to PO boxes,
Tybee residents will have someone knocking on their door to take their census around May. If
you do receive mail at your house you will get your form by mail. She stated census workers
will never go into your home, unless invited. If they ask you to come in that should be a red
flag. They should never ask for anyone’s social security numbers. The Census Bureau does not
share your personal information with any other Federal Agency. They will have ID badges but
will not have a picture on it. She encouraged everyone to participate. Georgia is looking to
gain big. Possibly another congressional seat and Georgia is one of the top five growing states
and could get 400 billion dollars to be distributed based on the Census information. This goes
to roads, community organizations, schools, hospitals, so forth. Chatham County also looks to
gain big. According to the 2000 Census the county population was 232,000. They are
estimating that has grown to at least 265,000. If we have a count of over 250,000 we are a true
metropolitan area and with that comes hundreds of millions of dollars more for grants and
other eligibilities. Living in a coastal community in case of natural disaster, such as a hurricane,
we also need to know how many people live here. She hopes Tybee has a great census.
Frank Schuman asked how the rental properties would be handled. Ms. Lewis replied their
door will be knocked on also, as they go to every address. She suggested if a property is a
vacation rental to attach a card to the front door or front window to alert the census worker of
that so it will cut down on them coming back three or four times. Wanda Doyle asked if the
City Manager could contact the rental companies and let them know when the census workers
will be here and maybe they could post all their properties. Ms. Lewis stated that would help a
lot. Also post it in newsletters, meetings, etc. Mayor Pro Tem Sessions asked for it to be put
on the water bills also.
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Lindsey Fruchtl and Vicky Buck of the Tybee Tourism Council gave the First Quarter Report. The
2010 Marketing budget is approximately $450,000. 50% of that goes to advertising and
promotions for Tybee Island. The focus and key initiatives this year will be on the internet, our
website, advertisements on other websites. Our Facebook page has over 18,887 fans, which is
even more than Savannahs. She asked for input and suggestions for content on the website.
They have started a blog. They have expanded the Wedding section. The addition of the
chapel on the island is going to help increase this huge market and we need to capitalize on
that. Photos will be updated on the website. They will be increasing their event marketing.
Sponsoring events on Tybee like the Mardi Gras, Irish Heritage, Tybee Wine Festival, etc. They
have a business card size handout being used with Tybee Events listed. Print and radio
advertising is being used in Augusta, Macon and Atlanta. Projects coming up are Georgia Tech
on the Phase 2 of the Market Study. Working with Better Hometown, now that we know who
are coming-why are they coming? This will help us better target our advertising Partnering
with the State of Georgia on a “Last Song” sweepstakes promoted in the UK. Miley is big there
and in Germany, and this will help give us some international exposure. International visitors
stay longer and spend more money. They have had booths at area trade shows and displayed
one of their trade show backdrops. Ms. Buck recently attended Tourism Day, representing
Tybee and presented the Governor with a check for 850 Million Dollars of tourism revenue.
The Ga Dept of Economics Tourism Division has also been sponsoring boot camps for training in
the areas of Group Tour Markets and Family Reunion Markets. They have been doing some
marketing with the military and Tybee will have a representative at the Pentagon on May 11th
for a show there. We also are featured in the vacation planner for the Savannah Chamber of
Commerce.
Kathryn Williams commending them on a great job promoting our island and asked for them to
explain where the other 50% of the budget goes, not all on salaries. Ms. Fruchtl stated on
operational expenses. We operate the Visitor’s Information Center and have overhead
expenses like any other business. Ms. Williams asked about the sponsorship of events. Ms.
Fruchtl replied they send a RFP to non-profits to submit their request in November at budget
time. We have a review process and award promotion dollars to help with PR for the events.
Mr. Wolff congratulated them on doing a great job on promoting the island and suggested
fewer ads and more travel pictures and also suggested adding music to the background of the
website. Ms. Fruchtl said they had looked at that but it seems web surfers sometimes do their
looking at work and if they go to a site with music they just click right off.
Danny Hill, Chairman of the Ethics Commission, addressed council and Tybee residents on the
vacancies on the commission. He asked if you have Ethics then please step forward and fill one
of those vacancies. He also asked council to have legal representation retained for the
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commission. He asked for clearer directives for what the council wants in review of the current
Ethics Ordinance.
Kathryn Williams asked the City Manager if funds were in the budget for legal assistance for the
commission if needed. The City Manager replied not now. But it could be added in the next
budget cycle. She asked for the City Manager to work with the City Attorney and determine
how much would be needed and look at doing this. The Mayor agreed. Mr. Hill stated the
commission is set up to have 10 members, 7 primary and 3 alternates. At the present we have
5 primaries and 1 alternate.
Chantel Morton gave an Update and power point presentation on the Better Hometown
program. We are still in the Start Up stage in receiving the designation. One more step will be
met this month when the board members attend a Hometown Conference in St. Mary’s.
Continued education is a primary part of the designation. Continued efforts are being done
thru the four point committees to assist with areas of issues such as parking, trash, esthetics of
the business corridors, economic restructuring and promotions of events such as “Third
Thursdays”.
Consideration of the approval of the minutes of the regular meetings of the Tybee Island City
Council.
2/25/10 City Council Minutes approval postponed by council
Consideration of Boards, Commissions and Committee Appointments
Audit Committee- Jan Fox
A Motion by Wanda Doyle to approve was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Shirley Sessions.
Paul Wolff stated he would like to take the recommendation of the chair and open this back up
for more applicants and let the committee be part of the review process. Ms. Doyle stated Ms.
Fox’s resume speaks for itself so my motion stands.
Mayor Buelterman asked if committee chairs are notified when applications are received for
openings. Ms. Sessions asked doesn’t the Beach Task Force make recommendations to council
for appointments. We have had this applicant’s information for a while. There is another
opening and we already have others that have indicated interest so that would be an
opportunity for the other openings. Mayor Buelterman suggested, and Ms. Sessions agreed if it
hasn’t been done before then maybe we can let the committee chairs know before it comes to
council, of applications received. Ms. Doyle commented these are posted. Ms. Williams stated
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she understood the concern of the chair but it doesn’t seem fair to change rules midstream
when people have followed the rules and submitted what they were supposed to.
The vote was Doyle, Sessions, Garbett and Williams in favor. Schuman and Wolff opposed.
Beach Task Force-Arnold Seyden
Mayor Buelterman asked if this had come from the Task Force. City Manager stated yes. He has
already started attending the meetings.
A Motion by Kathryn Williams to approve was seconded by Paul Wolff. The vote was
unanimous.
Consideration of Approval of Consent Agenda
A Motion by Wanda Doyle to approve was seconded by Frank Schuman. The vote was
unanimous.
Old Business
Site Plan Approval for location of a dry boat storage facility and parking; subdivision of
lot (Section 4-050L) Petitioner: Paul Burns Address: 4 Old Hwy 80 PIN 4-0024-01-005
Zone M-D Public Hearing originally held on 02/11/10 and Council tabled.
Mr. Lynn stated after the text amendment was brought forward and approved at the last
meeting, Mr. Burns withdrew his subdivision request and moved forward with his site plan
approval which was given to council earlier this evening. The difference in this site plan is he
has actually removed the line for the subdivision and just asking for the site plan approval for
the dry boat storage.
The City Attorney stated the public hearing was actually held at the last meeting. Ms. Williams
asked if any of the trees in the setback were going to be removed. Mr. Hughes stated the
applicant’s attorney is not present as the public hearing was already heard. Mr. Lynn stated
Mr. Burns had asked Mark Boswell to answer any questions. Mr. Boswell stated all the trees in
the setback and buffer are staying. The only other tree being removed is a small cottonwood
shown. Ms. Williams confirmed with Mr. Boswell that all cedar trees will remain.
Paul Wolff asked about the cedar trees in the areas delineated for parking for the trailers. Mr.
Boswell stated they are just going to work around them. Mr. Burns addressed council and
stated this is already being done. Mr. Wolff confirmed with Mr. Burns the structure would be
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open racks not an enclosed structure. Mr. Burns stated open racks and Mr. Lynn stated open
racks with a roof on top.
Mr. Garbett stated no walls on the side and asked Mr. Burns to address the appearance issue.
Mr. Burns stated it could be gray or black steel. The roof could be blue like is being used on the
hoist. The height would not be above 35 feet.
Mayor Pro Tem Sessions asked for clarification from Mr. Hughes about the lawsuit mentioned
earlier by Mr. Longwater that the city had been involved in for years and won. It is her
understanding we are still in litigation and that has not been resolved. Mr. Hughes stated that
is correct, it has not been concluded.
Ms. Williams stated with all the parking issues we already have if council approves this and it
does become a parking problem, whose problem is it the city’s or the property owner. Mr.
Lynn stated here it would be the property owners because it is all on private property. Ms.
Williams asked if there is parking allowed on Old Hwy 80. Ms. Schleicher answered on one side.
Ms. Williams asked if it is metered. Ms. Schleicher answered no, but it could be.
Mayor Buelterman asked about the email or letter received from Pam O’Brien referencing
something brought up earlier and not addressed.
Ms. Woods stated it was a letter and her question was it was her understanding that the
planning commission reviewed the plans on a conceptual basis and somehow between the
planning commission meeting and the council meeting the plan changed to not be on a
conceptual basis. Her concern was the planning commission did not get to make a
recommendation on a regular plan it was on a conceptual basis and didn’t know how that
happened. Mr. Lynn stated when staff received the application from Diversified Designs; we
noticed the word conceptual on the plans. We asked the applicant if he wanted to move
forward as a conceptual as it would not go to council but to the planning commission for
comments back to them to reapply. They said no they wanted it to go to council. Even though
the application stated conceptual staff moved forward based on the applicant saying they
wanted to move forward with it going to council. Mayor Buelterman asked the city attorney if
this was ok, nothing procedurally was done wrong. Mr. Hughes replied no, in fact, he believed
they had actually changed the site plan before it actually went in front of the planning
commission.
Mr. Schuman expressed his concern with having enough parking for all the businesses that are
down there. Mr. Boswell stated he had reviewed other similar facilities in other cities to come
up with the required parking spaces.
Ms. Williams asked if there was a way to assure the twenty-five foot buffer is not used for
parking. Mr. Lynn stated he is working with DNR and staff would consult them before
permitting and have a letter on file that he knows exactly were that buffer is and nothing goes
in it.
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Mayor Buelterman stated there were multiple public hearings held with council and the
planning commission when the uses were being considered for this area. This was one of the
allowed uses. If there were any opposition to this use it should have been addressed at that
time.
A Motion by Wanda Doyle to approve Site Plan was seconded by Bill Garbett. The vote was
Sessions, Doyle, Garbett and Williams in favor. Schuman and Wolff opposed.
Mayor Pro Tem Sessions asked for city staff to look at possible pay to park being added along
Old Hwy 80.
Public Hearings
Zoning Variance for porch expansion at existing single-family dwelling (Sec 3-020)
Petitioner: John-Paul White for Renee Shamp, owner. Address: 66 Van Horn PIN 4-
0021-04-006 Zone R-1.
Mr. Lynn stated the applicant is requesting the extension and expansion of the existing porch
that runs along the length of the house. This porch is not going to create any new
encroachment on any setbacks but the house does exist as a non-conforming use due to house
on the side yard setback on Fort Ave side of the property is three and half feet from the
property line where it was constructed. That constitutes it being a non-conforming use and
that is why they have to request the variance. The porch and expansion will not encroach any
further in any setback and they will still be able to meet all applicable setback requirements.
Mr. Wolff asked if this is all going to be elevated or will it be a ground level deck.
Mr. White stated porch will be expanded from where it exist out about 7 feet on the Van Horn
side of the house, and in the same footprint underneath will be a deck out about 5 feet and
about a foot off the ground. Mr. Wolff asked if the deck underneath is going to be 5 feet or 10
feet. That is what he seems to remember from the Planning Commission. Mr. White stated
there has not been a final decision she just wants a deck underneath and enough room to put
the water hogs she has. Mr. Wolff asked about the size and cost of those. Mr. White stated he
thought about 50 gallons and were about $300-$500 each.
Ms. Williams asked if it met the green space requirements. Mr. Lynn stated yes.
A Motion by Paul Wolff to approve was seconded by Wanda Doyle. The vote was unanimous.
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Ms. Williams stated this property is a prime example of why residential (not Commercial) non-
conforming uses need to be looked at during the workshop on the Article 3 Text Amendment.
Mr. Garbett asked about the hardship rule on non-conforming use variance requests.
Mr. Lynn stated that is going to be looked at during the review of Article 5.
Site Plan Review for addition of buildings and pole barn. (Section 5-020 (B) and Section
5-080) Petitioner: Gerald Schantz Address 1115 E. Hwy 80 PIN 4-0026-03-021 Zone
C-2 Planning Commission recommended approval with 3-2 vote.
Mr. Lynn stated the applicant is requesting to add an additional building to this property, a
modular or manufactured building in addition to a commissary/pole barn, which he will use to
serve food and allow his patrons to eat under. The building will have to meet code of course.
This request goes in conjunction with what was requested on July 11, 2009 by council. This is to
add on to a site where a mobile kitchen was permitted in June of 2009. The current site plan
involves expansion of the use of this lot to incorporate a covered area for patrons to sit as well
as a building that is going to be 12’ by 28’ in size that will have a commissary food prep storage
area inside, a small office area and ADA restrooms. He has added five more parking spaces
bringing parking to a total of thirteen spaces which meets the Land Development Code.
There will also be additional pervious material to replace a portion of the white rock to comply
with our storm water management ordinance. The applicant has taken the tree considerations
into effect on this lot to make sure they comply with the Tree Ordinance. They will add four
new trees to bring the total to nine. He does wish to construct a 36” by 60” brick pad which will
be to the northern side of the current mobile chuck wagon which he will place a propane grill
for the outdoor cooking and is requesting approval for that brick pad.
Ms. Session asked for Mr. Lynn to address the buffer abutting C2 properties. Mr. Lynn stated
our LDC requires a 20’ buffer between commercially zoned properties and residential
properties. The properties on Laurel right behind this location are zoned C2, they are not
residential. According to some conversations with Mr. Hughes those properties had coincided
with TBR which is a transitional type of district, but right now that area is zoned C2 so those
buffers would not come into play at this point. Ms. Sessions stated just for the record, they had
received emails asking specifically when this change was made. He stated he was not sure
when it was changed or if it was always C2 but residential uses had been allowed.
Mayor Buelterman read a letter from Diane Killorin of Laurel Ave. (which is attached as part of
these minutes) addressing the same question.
Mr. Hughes responded the problem is the two overlap. You can be in TBR and use it under TBR
zoning as C2 and TBR within the 200 foot strip. You can build a residential home you just have
to use residential setbacks. If you look at the map it shows C2. As far as he knows it hasn’t
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moved. It has always been that and never changed from TBR to C2, it just overlaps. The city
has talked about changing it when the process first started over a year ago. There was a
meeting with the planning commission where they discussed mixed use. They didn’t want to
do away with the right to have a residential along that strip. As long as you permit both
districts to overlap you are going to have these kinds of problems. One thing that is going to
help is the change in the proposed Article 3 which would change the buffer requirement so it
doesn’t apply just when a district abuts another district. When you have a commercial use
abutting a residential use then there is going to be a buffer requirement regardless of what the
districts are. Right now it is just district to district.
Mayor Buelterman asked Mr. Lynn to email Ms. Killorin and let her know what Mr. Hughes had
just explained.
Ms. Doyle asked for clarification of what a pole barn is? Mr. Lynn stated it is just a covered area
where patrons are going to be allowed to sit. No walls. Mayor asked if it was like a picnic shed.
Mr. Lynn said yes. Mr. Shantz also responded it would be like a pavilion. He will be using
reclaimed lumber. It will look like it’s always been there and be visibly appealing.
Ms. Williams asked what kind of signage is planned. Mr. Shantz stated he has not given it full
thought yet but it would be minimum.
Mr. Wolff commented on the upkeep of the property such as lawn maintenance and the broken
fence, and Mr. Shantz’s commitment to keep the impact with noise, lighting, etc. to the
neighbors at a minimum. Mr. Shantz responded absolutely. He has already started clean up
and that is why he has positioned the pavilion the way he has so it is the furthest away from the
neighbors. The fence is his neighbors and he hasn’t fixed it yet and hopes to expand it, they
have discussed making it a little nicer. But he will do all he can to keep everything neighbor
friendly and tidy so his customers will also like it and want to come back.
Mayor Buelterman and Ms. Doyle reminded at the end of the day it is the city’s responsibility to
monitor and make sure this things are done.
Ms. Williams asked about him volunteering to put a vegetation buffer in since shortly it was
going to become required anyway. Mr. Shantz replied he didn’t know how much space he
would have due to parking requirements but he would try. Even though he could use it for
more parking he did leave all the vegetation on the side where the neighbor that wrote the
letter lives.
Mr. Schuman asked when Mr. Shantz shuts down the business for the season to please keep it
maintained. Mr. Shantz stated he hopes to not be shutting down but has hired a maintenance
man and will keep it maintained.
Gregory Wilets stated he still doesn’t understand exactly what this is going to look like and is
concerned how it all is going to fit. Mr. Lynn explained the site plan to Mr. Wilets and that
parking requirements had been met and there is room on the lot for everything. Mr. Wilets
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stated the pieces look distorted. Ms. Doyle confirmed with Mr. Lynn that these were
engineered drawings. Mr. Lynn also confirmed all setbacks are being met.
Mr. Wilets also expressed concerns with the outdoor cooking and smoke intrusion into the
neighborhood and the overall appearance of the business as a restaurant as people come onto
our island.
Mayor Buelterman asked if there was anything that could help with the smoke. Mr. Lynn said
maybe but that is a health department issue and Mr. Shantz will have to work with them when
they come out for inspections; there is nothing really in our ordinances. The city attorney
confirmed this unless it becomes a nuisance.
Ms. Doyle stated she understood where everyone is coming from in the neighborhood but this
is a small island and people get smells from all over. The property is zoned C2 and this is an
allowed use. The applicant had done everything he is supposed to do and met all codes so as
much as she feels for the neighbors we have to let this businessman do what he has applied to
do.
Ms. Sessions stated she agrees it may not be as pleasant to look at as she would have wanted
but our code does not deal with architecture designs as long as it meets code.
Ramsey Khalidi, a Historical Building Architect and Developer, previously worked on the River
Street project, addressed council on the appearance and materials of the project. He is acting
as a consultant to Mr. Shantz’s architect and is providing the green sustainable materials like
the pervious paving with reclaimed brick. The lighting is a big issue. His will be down lit. The
pavilion will be constructed in a simple pagoda type style with antique heart pine reclaimed
lumber that is coming from the river walk. The podiums will be deep enough to meet wind load
requirements; the metal will be a standard sea metal roof. It will allow a very pleasant
experience to have a picnic here on Tybee. He felt everyone will be pleased and will be
considerate of everyone during the process.
Barry Brown addressed council, as a property owner around this property, in support of this
project.
Edwin Longwater addressed council in support of this project and felt Mr. Shantz will be a good
neighbor.
Ms. Williams asked about the outdoor cooking. Will the concrete pad be used to fry shrimp?
He replied no that is for the propane cooker for the meat.
Ms. Session complimented Mr. Shantz on the very well thought out proposal and
improvements over the plan brought to council last time.
Mr. Lynn also stated the narrative on this application would be used as a model for future
developments. It has followed the code letter by letter.
Jim McCusker addressed council in approval of the project and Tybee thrives on its uniqueness
and this goes right along with Tybee’s little quirkiness and what we treasure.
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Mayor Buelterman read a letter from Rebecca Jordan Starling in support of the project.
(Attached as part of these minutes)
A Motion by Wanda Doyle to approve was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Shirley Sessions. The
vote was unanimous.
Consideration of Ordinances, Resolutions
2nd Reading of Ordinance to Amend Section 46-38 of Article 9 Regarding Sick Leave
A Motion by Paul Wolff to approve was seconded by Kathryn Williams. The vote was
unanimous.
Executive Session
A Motion by Paul Wolff to go into Executive Session to discuss Litigation and Personnel was
seconded by Kathryn Williams. The vote was unanimous.
A Motion by Paul Wolff to end Executive Session was seconded by Frank Schuman, the vote
was unanimous.
Adjournment:
A Motion by Paul Wolff to adjourn was seconded by Kathryn Williams. The vote was unanimous
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Jason Buelterman, Mayor
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Vivian O. Woods, Clerk of Council