HomeMy Public PortalAbout19790613CCMeeting73
Tybee Island, Georgia
June 13, 1979
The regular monthly meeting of the Tybee Island City Council was
held at 3:00 p.m. at the City Hall on Wednesday, June 13, 1979. Mayor M. J.
Counihan presided and the following members of Council were present: Edward
Jung, Jack Owen, Jerome Bettencourt, and Nick Alexander. Mrs. Karen Losey
was absent due to personal illness and Mr. William Fleetwood was away on
vacation. City Attorney Lance Smith and Georgia State Representative Bobby
Phillips were also present.
The meeting began with a public hearing to discuss a petition
for a Zoning Map Amendment requesting a change from Residential - 1 to Resi-
dential - Tourist for the property identified as PIN # 4- 3- 9- 5,6,7, and 8,
more familiarly known as the old theatre building property in Fort Screven.
Mrs. Wilma T. McCusker, part owner of the property, explained that the owners
would like to have the area zoned R -T so that it could become a townhouse site.
She stated that the owners do not plan to develop the site personally, but
would probably sell the land to a developer. However, she had some plans
which showed what a townhouse complex would probably look like, and explained
that the property has a sewer line on it, over which building could not occur,
which would limit the number of townhouses and would also be an excellent site
for off street parking.
Mr. Fred deBorde asked where the access to the off - street parking
would be located and Mrs. McCusker stated that the plans called for the entrance
to the parking area to be from Van Horne Street.
Earl Anderson, Zoning Administrator, explained that it is a requirement
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that each dwelling unit have no less than two parking spaces off street.
Councilman Alexander asked if the Department of Natural Resources
have inspected the site. Earl Anderson answered that the site is out of the
shore protection area.
Mrs. Louise White who is the owner of an adjacent property asked
if the view of the ocean would be blocked by the buildings. Mrs. McCusker
replied that she did not feel anyone's view would be blocked.
Councilman Bettencourt asked if the plan included only the lot on
which the old theatre is located. Mrs. McCusker stated that the old building
is in the center of a parcel of land which is comprised of four lots.
Mr. Fred deBorde stated that he lives directly behind the old theatre
site and that he agrees that it should be razed and something built on the
property. He stated that the ruins are a hazard due to rodents and snakes, and
provide a natural place for accidents to children who play there. However, he
states that the area is the only R -1 area left on the island and that he would
rather see it sold to individuals for private dwellings, so as to preserve the
residential atmosphere of the area. He asked the definition of an R -T zone.
Earl Anderson answered that R -T allows 7,000 square feet for single
dwelling unit, whereas R -1 requires 12,000 square feet.
Mr. deBorde asked if the R -T zone opened up the area for commercial
enterprises such as bars. Mr. Anderson stated that it did not allow any commercial
development.
Mr. deBorde then stated that he personally was against the re- zoning.
He believes it to be detrimental to the best development of the neighborhood.
Mr. Alexander stated that when David Thomas' petition for re- zoning
was approved in the past a problem for public works was created, in that the
new construction caused drainage problems.
Mrs. White stated that the ditch on Van Horne has only been cleaned
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one time in twenty years and that this is why there is a problem with her
property flooding.
Mr. Ernest Carpenter stated that the drain ditches should have six -
inch pipe, and that he understood that Mr. Thomas was supposed to put in this
pipe from Naylor Street to the highway.
Mayor Counihan then stated that, having heard from all interested
parties, the Council would take the petition under advisement and would announce
the decision at a later date.
The public hearing was then adjourned, and a five minute recess called
before the regular meeting began.
The Mayor called the meeting to order and asked if any visitors wished
to speak. There was no response.
The Mayor then opened the meeting for business legally presented.
The minutes for the meeting of May 9, 1979 and April 11, 1979 were
then approved as written.
The bills for the month of May, 1979 were approved as follows: for
General Government - $822.13, Water Department - $1,402.11, Sewer Department -
$2,844.96, Police Department- $2,746.22,Parking Meter Department - $435.74,
Fire Department - $91.18, Recreation Department - $450.50, Sanitation Department -
$1,115.10, Public Works - $3,356.84, and other expenses in the amount of $49.00.
Representative Bobby Phillips was introduced by the Mayor, and
he announced that Governor Busbee has approved a $12,000.00 grant from the
Governor's Emergency Fund to provide lifeguards and similar services for Tybee
during the summer season. He stated that he hopes to be able to secure a perm-
anent grant to alleviate the financial strain on the city in the future.
Mayor Counihan expressed his appreciation to Representative Phillips
for his work in securing these funds.
City Attorney Lance Smith made a statement concerning the First Reading
of the rules and regulations for use of municipal beaches. He stated that the
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ordinance is designed to eliminate some of the problems of beach maintenance
such as litter, and also to protect the users of the beach.
Councilman Alexander stated that he feels the ordinance is too
strict. He said that if passed, there will be no problem with litter because
there will be no people on the beach.
After further discussion a vote was taken and the ordinance passed
on first reading with one dissenting vote. The second reading was scheduled
for the next regular meeting.
Councilman Alexander stated that it is time the city moved ahead
with North End Parking so as to meet the requirements of the Corps of Engineers
and the Department of Natural Resources so that renourishment can take place
next year. He stated that he is investigating the possibility of doubling the
size of the North End parking lot and has already received a proposal for the
work. The Mayor stated that this will be undertaken as soon as possible.
Councilman Jung stated that the police department needs a four -wheel
drive vehicle for patrol of the beach. He stated that using it just during the
summer season it should last for at least five years, and that the best price
he had received was $6,386.00. He moved that the vehicle be purchased and
Councilman Bettencourt seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
Mayor Counihan stated that he and Councilman Alexander had talked with
Mr. Dunbar of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural
Resources prior to the meeting and that he may instigate legal proceedings to
close the landfill. He stated that a special meeting may be called when Councilman
Fleetwood returns to decide on a course of action.
Councilman Alexander stated that he had requested that the city sell
some land at First Street and Butler, but is withdrawing this request because he
feels that other matters are of more urgency at the present time. He feels that
the water tower repairs, north end parking and the landfill are of more immediate
concern to Council and to the public at this time.
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A business license for alcoholic sales was requested by a Mr. Orrell,
for the Riptide Restaurant. Chief Price, after investigation, recommended that
the application be denied. After discussion, Council voted unanimously to deny
the application.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Ai
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CLERK OF COUNCIL