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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 1 74 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 75 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 1 1 76 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. 1 1 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 Alk CLERK OF COUNCIL