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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. Tybee Island, Georgia 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, Tybee Island, Georgia 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 1 1 1 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 1 1 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 1 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. 1