HomeMy Public PortalAbout19841004CCMeetingTybee Island, Georgia
October 4, 1984
The Tybee Island City Council met at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday,
October 4, 1984 at City Hall. Mayor Charles J. Hosti presided and the
following members of Council were present: Chris P. Solomon, David
McCutchen, Jeanne Hutton, S. J. Orsini, John1Wylly and Paul Jackson.
The meeting opened with a Public Hearing on a re- zoning
question. Mayor Hosti invited the petitioner, Mrs. Marion Dean, to
speak first, explaining her request. Mrs. Dean stated that, as a
widow, she is unable to live in the house at #24 Taylor Street. She
asked permission to raze the present structure and built in its stead
a six -unit townhouse development. She further stated that all six units
would be pre -sold, mostly to family and close friends. She stated that
the taxes on the property are so high that this would be the only means
of her continuing to inhabit the house. She added that she had been
before the Shore Assistance Committee and has a Coastal Permit for the
work. Mr. Nowell, architect for the petitioner, explained some of the
details of the preliminary plans to the Council - he presented several
copies of a site plan that had been given to City Hall several days prior
to the meeting. The site plan contained certain changes requested by
the Planning Commission at their meeting.
Councilperson Hutton asked what the total square footage
of the property is; Mr. Nowell replied that the figure had not been cal-
culated but is greatly in excess of the requirements of the local ordi-
nance. He stated that a great amount of the property cannot be used
for construction because of setback requirements. He added that the
structures are planned for two stories above the parking level - there
will be an elevator because the owner cannot climb stairs.
Mayor Hosti then asked if anyone in the audience wished to
speak in favor. Mr. Tom Tennell spoke, stating that he and his wife
would own one unit and that he sincerely believed the building would
be an asset to the community.
Mayor Hosti then called on the Planning Commission for a report
which was given by Mr. Carl Thompson, one of the committee who studied
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Tybee Island City Council
October 4, 1984
Page Two
the proposal on site and in detail. He stated that the committee met
with Mrs. Dean and the architect as well as the nearest neighbor. He
reported that the Planning Commission moved to approve the preliminary
plans for PUD provided all local laws are met. It was noted that this
is the last possible hearing of a PUD granted under the provisions of
the former PUD ordinance and that all future development wishing to use
PUD will have to be developing ten (10) acres or more.
Mayor Hosti then called for anyone in the audience who wished
to speak against the re- zoning request. The first speaker was Mr. Dick
Grosse who presented a letter of written comments and read the letter
aloud for the benefit of the audience. A copy of this letter is attached
to, and becomes a part of, these minutes.
The next speaker was Mrs.-Dottie Kluttz who stated that spot
re- zoning breaks down the integrity of neighborhoods and expressed her
fear that multi- family housing will become the norm rather than the ex-
ception, thus changing the character of the historic district. She said
that she has repeatedly heard that water pressure is not adequate in
the area and asked if this has been considered. She added that there
seems to be no playground designated on the site plan and that this is
one of the requirements of the ordinance.
A letter from Mr. and Mrs. Philip J. D'Arcy, II, neighbors
within the Fort Screven Historic District, was read. The letter gave
their objections which were similar in nature to those of Mrs. Kluttz.
The petitioner was then allowed a summation and stated that
no variance for firewalls will be requested. She noted that if firewalls
are a question then the whole area of Officer's Row is a fire hazard
threatening the neighbors, and noted that many of the historic old
buildings are apartments at present, very few are single - family homes.
She added that an area has been set asidd for recreation within the
site, but this recreation will probably take the form of shuffle board
or horseshoes since the units are pre -sold and there will be no children
living on the premises. She added, in response to Mr. Grosse's con-
cern about the retaining wall,that a new wall is planned.
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Tybee Island City Council
October 4, 1984
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Mrs. Dean then ended her summation by stating that she wishes to live
on Tybee and the only way she can do so is to remove the present dwelling
and build something with heat, air conditioning, and an elevator.
There was no opposing summation.
Mayor Hosti then read excerpts from the Planning Commission
minutes which reflected their decision to recommend approval.
Councilperson Solomon questioned the scale to which the site
plan is drawn; the architect answered hilt, and added that the final plans
will have to be approved by all city departments, including the fire
department and the water department, before the building permit is issued.
The public hearing was closed with a statement by the Mayor
that a vote will be taken later in the meeting.
The meeting was then opened for business legally presented.
Letters were read commending the city for actions taken in
the recent hurricane alert. These letters were from Ms. Margot Grafton
of Tybee Ocean Villas (dated 9 /11/84) and from Mrs. Terri Jackson of
Savannah Beach Nursing Home (dated 9/14/84). Mayor Hosti noted that
many city employees volunteered time to help evacuate the nursing homes
and to secure buildings and that the police did an excellent job of
handling calls and preventing problems during the evacuation. He also
expressed his thankfulness that the hurricane passed us by.
The re- zoning question then came under consideration.
Councilperson Wylly stated that this is the last of the PUDs that can
ever be granted under the old ordinance and adding that, in his opinion,
no development will occur in the foreseeable future since ten (10) acres
is now required. He then moved to approve re- zoning based on the tenta-
tive site plan, noting that the final plans will also come up for review
prior to actual construction. Councilperson Orsini seconded. Council -
person Solomon questioned what the total number of units will be. It
was noted that this, and all other questions will come again before
the City Council prior to the issuance of the building permit. Council -
person Hutton stated that if zoning is unreasonable then it should be
changed by means of the Master Plan now being developed; she further said
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Tybee Island City Council
October 4, 1984
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that every re- zoning is, in her opinion, another example of poor planning
on the part of the governing authority - she stressed that foresight, soph-
iisication and courage is needed to deal firmly with zoning issues.
The vote was then taken, as follows: in favor - four (4)
[Solomon, McCutchen, Orsini & Wylly]; opposing - two (2) [Hutton and
Jackson].
The minutes of the meetings of September 6th and 13th were
accepted as Written.
Bills were approved as follows: General Government - $6,054.33;
Public Works /Sanitation - $7,240.28; Recreation - $1,062.36; Fire Department
and First Responder - $850.01; Police & Parking - $4,055.58; Water /Sewer -
$9,243.68. Councilperson Solomon noted that the highest expenditure in his
department was for lumber to build new picnic tables for the parks. Council -
person Wylly stated that the bills do not reflect utility billings (gas,
electricity & telephone) since the early meeting date precluded receipt and
entry of all these bills.
During his committee report, Councilperson Orsini noted that
the Police Department made a total of 310 calls during the past month. He
publicly thanked the department for the excellence of their performance
during the periods of high water, tides & winds that accompanied the recent
hurricane alert.
Councilperson Solomon reported that eight (8) new picnic tables
were built last year and four (4) were stolen. The ones being built this
year are larger and will be harder to make off with since they will not fit
on the bed of an average pickup truck.
Councilperson Jackson noted that his department is in a trans-
itional period after the promotion of Mr. Harden to Superintendent; he added
that everything is going very—well.
Councilperson Hutton said that the hurricane scare ended the
beach season a little early; the department is entering into its winter
schedule. Street markers and building maintenance are planned for routine
attention next.
Councilperson Wylly reported that the erosion committee is
trying for funding for riprap to place against the seawall for stabilization.
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Tybee Island City Council
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Mayor Hosti added that he has talked with Congressman Lindsay Thomas who
hopes to bring Congressman Tom Bevill (appropriations subcommittee chairman)
to view the problem; he has talked to people at the Corps of Engineers and
to our local representatives at the state level (Senator Tom Coleman and
House Representative Bobby Phillips). He added that the administration is
giving the erosion problem a high priority and that everything possible is
being done to alleviate the problem.
City Attorney Tom Mahoney read an ordinance approving work-
men's compensation for volunteer firemen. Councilperson Solomon moved its
adoption and it was seconded by Councilperson Jackson. The motion passed
unanimously. It was then unanimously accepted on Second Reading so as to
become effective immediately. A copy of the ordinance is attached to, and
becomes a part of, these minutes.
A Proclamation declaring the month of October Fire Prevention
Month in the city was then read. Councilperson 'Orsini moved its adoption,
Councilperson Solomon seconded and the motion passed without dissent.
The meeting was adjourned with a unanimously accepted motion
by Councilperson Wylly.
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# 1984 -13
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA, CODE OF
ORDINANCES, TO PROVIDE THAT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WHILE
ON DUTY IN BEHALF OF THE CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND, GEORGIA,
SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES FOR PURPOSES OF
EFFECTING WORKERS' COMPENSATION COVERAGE.
BE IT ORDAINED, AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL IN OPEN
MEETING ASSEMBLED, that a new Ordiance be added to the Code of Ordinances
of The City of Tybee Island, Georgia, stating as follows:
Sec. 11-1-3,1 Volunteer Firefighters.
"All persons designated as firefighters and who are engaged
in any capacity in firefighting activities on behalf of The
City of Tybee Island, Georgia, are hereinafter designated
and classified as municipal employees to the extent that any
accident in which they may be involved while engaged in fire-
fighting activities on behalf of this municipality shall be
covered by all provisions of the Workers' Compensation Acts
and Statutes of the State of Georgia."
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all Ordinances and parts of Ordinances in
conflict with the above are hereby declared to be null and void and of no
effect.
ADOPTED THIS 4th DAY OF
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October
, 1984.
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®00 '53
October 4, 1984
Mayor & Council
City of Tybee Island
Tybee Island,Ga.
Gentlemen:
I placed certain objections to Mrs. Dean's application for zoning variance to
the Planning Commission, and I restate these to you:
1. In all previous cases where the Commission and Council have acted, the land
in question has been undeveloped, and the argument was development. That is not
the case here, where there is one lot, with one house on that lot. That lot was
sold by me for single family usage. Think carefully of the implications of what
you are doing before acting on this request.
2. Mrs. Dean's arguments are economic hardship. Are these documented? When one
cannot support a second or third home, it is customary to sell it.
3. The Planning Commission asked, but Mrs. Dean refused to specify, an architecture
and construction that would conform to the concrete structures surrofnding the
IIIproperty on South, North and West.
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4. Mrs. Dean's plans involve placing her construction so near my property line
that it will antail excavating a portion of the hill that provides the foundation
support to Battery Gault (my home). I hereby serve notice on Mrs. Dean, her
contractor, and the City that should Battery Gault settle(it weighs over 200,000
tons) as a result of said construction, I shall hold all parties legally liable.
Battery Gault is on the National Historic Register, thanks to the efforts of
Councilwoman Hutton and -- ironically - -of Mrs. Dean% sus. The only way it could
fail to outlast the sorry age we are passing through would be through undermining.
Sincere
d ouis Grosse
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October 4, 1984
City Council
TybeeIsland, Georgia
Dear Council members;
Circumstances prevent us from being present at tonight's City
Council Meeting but we feel we must again go on -record as being
against the proposed zoning changes in the Fort Screvan area.
The area we are referring to is owned by Marion Dean, who
wishes to tear down her currently standing dwelling and erect
a six unit condominium on the same site.
There are two reasons we are protesting this. Marion Dean
.currently .has- .a single -residence_.orr the property that was
zoned R1 When she purchased -and 'erected the structure. We
feel strongly that changing this will further erode the full
time residential atmosphere currently existing in Fort Screvan
and the north end of the island. Also, having another wall of
condominiums lining the beach could cause consideralbe damage
to the existing sand dunes.
We are surprized that the Planning Commission approved these
changes. We feel they made the decision to please the whims
of one person rather than consider the wishes of the entire
neighborhood, -of which we are a part.
We strongly oppose the proposed zoning changes.
Sincerely, /, ,
141 //Put 40"fe Mr. and Mrs. Phili J. D'Arcy, . Y ► I I
P.O. Box 935
Tybee Island, Georgia 31328
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P : R O C L A M A T I 0 N
WHEREAS, the month of October is traditionally designated
as National Fire Prevention Month throughout the United States;
and
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WHEREAS, the Tybee Island Volunteer Fire Department has
traditionally recognized this month with an annual Fire Prevention
Program; and
WHEREAS, this year the Tybee Island Volunteer Fire Department,
and in particular, the Fire Prevention Bureau of the Department, has
devoted many hours to preparing and presenting a program on fire
safety to the children who attend the three island Schools: St. Michael's,
Tybee Elementary and the Montessori Tides; and
WHEREAS, the City Council and the citizens of the City of Tybee
Island wish to honor the Tybee Island Volunteer Fire Department, both
for their special activities during the month of October and also for
their devotion to duty throughout the year;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council in Open
Meeting assembled, that the month of October, 1984 be designated as
FIRE PREVENTION MONTH in the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, and that
every citizen be urged to especially recognize and honor each
volunteer fireman this month.
CLERK OF COUNCIL