HomeMy Public PortalAbout19880211CCMeetingFebruary 11, 1988
The Tybee Island City Council held its regular monthly meeting
on Thursday, February 11, 1988 at Tybee City Hall. Mayor Walter W. Parker
opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m., by welcoming the large audience. Council -
members present were: Jean Davis,. Paul Jackson, John O'Neill, Bill Walsh,
Jack Youmans and Chris Solomon. Mr. Thomas J. Mahoney, Jr., City Attorney,
was also present.
The first visitor to speak was Mr. John Daley of the Chatham
County Health Department. He answered questions from the Council, and
the consensus of opinion was that the city is not presently prepared to
undertake to do housing inspections and will therefore continue its agreement
with the county for this service, in the amount of $1,492.00 for calendar
year 1988.
Fitz Simmons spoke next of a variety of concerns: (1) Whether
the Council is considering holding to our present two -year terms of office,
(2) the drainage hole on the south beach & sand fencing to help keep
sand off the south parking lots, (3) the actual expenditures for garbage
pickup service. He asked Jean Davis, Finance Chairman, whether the city
is in bad financial shape. The answer was "No." He was advised that
the 17th St. problem is awaiting the arrival of a pump that has been ordered.
The snow fencing will be provided by a State /Federal grant that is expected
shortly; it will also provide crossovers & revegatation of dunes.
Burt Barrett, Jr. spoke to compliment the council on fast action
in regards to the drainage of the Naylor Avenue area. He asked about
the Inlet Avenue right -of -way where trees planted without the city's know-
ledge were to be removed. Nell DeBorde also spoke on that subject, as
did several others. It was noted that all but three palms were removed
by late afternoon, and that if any were still left it was due to darkness
overtaking the workers.
Mel Gordon, a former employee of Tybrisa, and a mortgage broker
by trade, spoke about the pier /pavilion project. He said its location seems
uncertain, and that seveal councilmembers at least seem uncertain of the
status of the project. He said that stakes or something are needed so
people can see where the structures will go. Councilmember Solomon said
that there have been many public meetings at which the project has been
discussed, and that the model on display is not correct because of changes
mandated by the state, not the city.
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February 11, 1988
Page Two
Bill Linkenhofer spoke next, saying that he is the principal
owner of the Tybrisa, and that they'd like to see the pavilion moved to the
end of 16th Street. He said this would cause less parking loss and would
not block the view of his 21 timesharing units that bring in hundreds
of families each year.
The project architect, Jerry Lominack, was present and answered
some questions from the audience, and showed drawings. It was noted that
the changes from the model were required by the state DNR, to obtain the
necessary Coastal Construction Permit. It was suggested that the area
that the pavilion might occupy could be marked in some way, perhaps by
orange markers, so that the public could better judge what the impact
might be. The City Council concurred in a suggestion presented by former
Mayor Hosti and also by David deBorde, that a public meeting be held on
the subject as soon as possible.
A representative of the Tybee Athletic Association spoke to
recommend that the city help sponsor a Special Olympics Competition for
the handicapped children who are playing on statewide softball teams.
The meet would be held in four months, and Pepsi Cola has already offered
to provide soft drinks. Mayor Parker suggested that the Recreation Chairman
coordinate this with the Tybee Athletic Association.
Mr. Charles Hosti, former Mayor, asked for a report on the
audit.
The public was invited to speak to the Pestritto .Petition .for
subdivision if anyone wished; it was announced at the same time that the
Planning Commission had not sent a recommendation, holding up their decision
while asking for additional information regarding access. No one spoke.
The Graham petition for 44 Wrenwood, a rezoning request (R -1
to R -2) was heard. Mr. Michael Graham spoke at length in presenting his
request, and provided background information on the petition, which asks
for permission to subdivide a large lot, leaving the existing house on
the western portion, and building a duplex on the eastern portion. There
has been a question of access through Wrenwood, and concern for additional
traffic through the lane (which is presently used by the owner for access).
Speaking against the petition were: David deBorde, Dottie Kluttz, Jeanne
Hutton, Don Harris, Remick Lee. Chairman of the Planning Commission,
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February 11, 1988
Page Three
reported on the action of the Planning Commission which recommended the
rezoning providing two conditions concerning the access be met. David
Cornelius, the nearest neighbor, spoke against the petition, saying that
he is especially disturbed that finally, access by way of the lane might
be allowed. He said that, sooner or later, someone is going to have to
take a firm stand to prevent overdevelopment and that he is surprised
the Planning Commission has not done so.
Jim Kluttz spoke to say that he does not think it fair to the
citizens that petitions be postponed as often as they have been lately;
it is inconvenient for people to keep coming to meetings at which they
think an advertised public hearing will be held only to find that the
petitioner has asked for another postponement, and is not even present.
Charles Kirk spoke to the question of the Pestritto petition,
too, saying that the members of the Zoning Board of Appeals have been
disturbed by the fact that petitions they've heard can be re- submitted
with a few changes and go before either Planning Commission or City Council.
He said the process should be changed so that this doesn't happen. Also
in reference to the Pestritto petition, Mr. Hutchinson spoke for neighboring
property owners, saying he doesn't think Dr. Pestritto can subdivide because
there is a question as to whether he has right of access through an existing
easement.
John Sapp spoke next, presenting his petition for a subdivision
for a triplex adjacent to Salt Pines; he explained that no zoning change
is being requested, but only permission to subdivide in order to sell
each unit individually. He said that he has met the conditions set by
the Planning Commission, which had to do with firewalls and with water/
sewer connections. It was noted that the Planning Commission had recommended
approval, and no one in the audience wished to speak either for or against
the petition.
The meeting was opened for business legally presented.
After a reminder from the City Attorney that Code Sections
8 -4 -73 & 74 must be used by the City Council as a guide in making their
decisions on zoning questions, there was a short discussion of the first
• petition. Councilmember Walsh moved that the petition for 44 Wrenwood
be denied, and Councilmember Jackson seconded. Mayor Parker read the
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Tybee Island, Georgia
February 11, 1988
Page Four
criteria for making zoning decisions. The vote was then taken with a
result of'5 - 1, in favor of the motion to deny. Councilmember Youmans
cast the dissenting vote.
City Attorney Mahoney stated that the record should show that
the criteria for zoning were considered, but not to be thought all- inclusive.
He also asked, upon being presented with papers concerning a lawsuit against
the city for another zoning action, that the record show the city has
been sued because of its decision in a zoning petition heard in January,
1988.
Councilmember Solomon moved the Pestritto Petition be postponed
awaiting Planning Commission recommendation, Councilmember Youmans seconded
and the motion passed unanimously.
The Sapp Petition for subdivision of a triplex on First Street
was approved unanimously, on a motion by Councilmember Walsh, seconded
by Councilmember Jackson.
Councilmember Jackson moved, and Councilmember Solomon seconded,
a motion that a special meeting be planned for public discussion of the
pier /pavilion location. The vote was unanimous.
Minutes for the meeting of January 14th were approved.
Bills for January, 1988 were approved as follows:
Police /Parking $ 9,696.61
General Govt. 7,101.91
Public Works 15,528.56
Sanitation 14,912.59
Water /Sewer 14,641.31
Fire /1st Responder 926.80
Recreation 1,034.29
It was announced that an alcoholic beverage license for Dragon
Palace had been approved by polling Council on January 27, 1988.
Paul Burns spoke for the Chamber of Commerce, asking that the
city execute a contract with the Tybee Island Chamber in the amount of
$30,000. to promote tourism. He stated that the city is mandated by state
law to contract 40% of the hotel /motel tax revenues for tourism promotion
and that estimates are that 40% of the expected revenues will be at least
$48,000. There followed a discussion among the Council members of what
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Tybee Island, Georgia
February 11, 1988
Page Five
might constitute tourism promotion. Gary Greenhut, Savannah Convention
& Visitors Bureau, gave a brief explanation of what is covered, such
as civic centers, etc. He added the fact that tourism is Tybee's Number
One Industry. He stated that the results of a marketing study will be
available soon that should give a strategic marketing plan for Chatham
County as a whole. John O'Neill moved, and Chris Solomon seconded the
motion, that Plan A as presented by the Tybee Chamber be adopted. The .
vote was unanimously in favor. Councilman Youmans questioned whether
the two members of Council who are also Chamber Board members should be
disqualified from voting. Mr. Mahoney said that legally they are not,
but that ethically they might want to consider whether or not to vote,
adding that their interest is not personal. Councilman Jackson chose
to abstain. Councilman O'Neill said that he attended no meetings of the
Chamber Board and that everyone was aware from the beginning that he intended
to resign from the Chamber Board after having won election to City Council.
Mayor Parker said that he encouraged Councilmember Jackson to become a
member of the Board, so as to be a liaison between the City Council and
the Chamber.
The motion was repeated with Councilmember Solomon moving that
Plan A be adopted, and stressing to the Board the Council's desire that
the Tybee Chamber and the Savannah CVB work closely together for mutual
benefit. Councilmember Davis seconded and the vote was four (4) to zero
(0). The City Attorney noted that the two City Councilmen who are Chamber
Board members were not at the table when the vote was taken.
City Attorney Mahoney informed Council that he has written to the
holder of last year's lease on the Sandpiper at North Beach Parking Lot
and that another agreement will probably be needed, perhaps with a new
lessee.
The meeting was adjourned.
CL.. OF COUNCIL
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TELEPHONE POLL
January 27, 1988
The City Council was polled at the request of the Police Commissioner, Paul
Jackson, and asked whether they would approve an alcoholic beverage license
for the Dragon Palace Restaurant, in the name of Ross Thompson.
Chris Solomon
Paul Jackson
Bill Walsh
Jack Youmans
Jean Davis
John O'Neill
Yes
Yes
* Prefer to wait to see the report
from TIPD.
Yes
OK, provided it remains a
restaurant.
Yes
*Affirmative after report was in.
CLERK OF COUNCIL
NOTE: This business, occupying the site of the former Dragon Palce,
has been renamed SHRIMP & STEER.
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