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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 1 1 00058 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. 1 00®59 Tybee Island City Council October 4, 1984 Page Three 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 1 1 1 00060 Tybee Island City Council October 4, 1984 Page Four 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. 1 1 1 COOS1 Tybee Island City Council October 4, 1984 Page Five 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. 1 # 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 1 October , 1984. 1 ®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. 1 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 1 1 00064 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 1 1 000 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 5 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