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@ @ITEM 2001 -02 -22 City Council Minutes
Mayor Walter Parker called the special council meeting to order at 8:28 P.M. with
the following councilmembers present; James G. Burke, Jack Youmans, Shirley Sessions,
Anne Monaghan, Pamela O'Brien. Parker said that the purpose of this meeting is to hold
public hearings on the three proposed historic district ordinances. City Attorney Hughes
requested that Council hear each district separately.
Mayor Parker opened the public hearing on the Fort Screven district. Citizens
speaking in favor were Beth Hodges — Officers Mess Hall — does not understand the fear
— this is a positive move; Don Harris — 40 Officers Row — need a 2" d look before more
damage is done — City has caved in because of threat of law suits and have ignored public
outcry; Dottie Kluttz — National Trust came down in 99 to look at Stand and Back River
— also looked at Fort Screven and asked what we were doing? We can lose the status of
National Register — read ads from newspapers, they describe 1930 eras houses — people
are profiting from Officers Row — need to protect it. Rusty Fleetwood stated he owns
property that would be effected and he is against until there are specific guidelines.
Parker closed the hearing.
Mayor Parker opened the hearing on the Stand district. Those speaking in
opposition were Fred Clark # 5 8`" Place — has a home that looks like a ugly barn —
nobody has ever said that they came down to see the wonderful historic homes —
Savannah is entirely different from Tybee — City Council should keep control over the
guidelines; Dixie Shaffer — 9th Street — 56 years — tourist appreciates quirky island — will
be opening a can of worms that we will never be able to close; Dan Sheehan — 8th Street —
condos' are not a factor — older folks did not build up to water because they were scared
of hurricane and water — you need people from each area on the board to review before
you accept ordinance on Historic Districts; Ron Avery — 5 Gullick — would like to retire
down here — was a 1 bedroom cottage originally but has been added and pieced together —
vastly improved — if passed it will take an act of congress to do anything. Susan Dulany
spoke in favor — have watched Tybee changes and it is going down — can not comprehend
why any one would be afraid of guidelines — need to protect the island. Parker closed the
hearing
Mayor Parker opened the hearing on the Back River district. Speaking in
opposition were Laura Burke —1403 Chatham — owned 31 years — act of God to get the
house livable — no 2 houses alike — need to apply the districts to the entire island — make
it universal; Sallie Keller — want to know what the guidelines are before I opt in to
anything — someone is going have to determine what is appropriate — personal choices,
taste, preferences — not like the City of Savannah; Karie Spirides — no referendum was
held — oppose to the district — if worked tonight I would not have been able to voice my
opinion. Margaret Wylly said that she, her husband John and both of their children are
opposed to the Back River district. Jim Kluttz said that people have valid concerns —
when people say e are here to help you the first thing you think is let me out of here —
Clark recognized Lee Adlers' vision for Savannah — our ordinances are different from
Savannah — everything is subject to review by City Council — we do not know the
standards — the costs to develop the standards could be 5 to 20 thousand dollars — if there
are no districts then the money spent is out the window — the key is the standards — will
be made with your input — go ahead with districts and then offer your input for the
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standards and yes there will be problems. Earl Shaffer said he is not for or against, put
our trust in the elected officials. Parker closed the hearing.
Mayor Parker announced that there is a letter of support from Jeanne and John
Hutton for the Stand district. Letter from Nancy and Jack Boylston in support of the
Back River District. Letter from Estill and Harris Goldberg opposing Back River
District.
City Attorney Hughes said that the present ordinance does incorporate guideline
from the Department of the Interior — you can appeal to Mayor and Council. The
Historic Review board is not the same as Planning Commission — must follow FEMA
regulation unless exempt. The review board recommends to Council on Historic Districts
— Council can adopt, revise, and gain additional input.
Burke moved to reconsider the districts and bring back to Council at another time
— 30 to 60 days f study. Youmans seconded. Hughes said that Burke can not motion or
vote because he lives in the Fort Screven Historic. Hughes said to take each district
separate. Burke said that he amends the motion to Strand and Back River areas.
Youmans accepted the amendment. Jack Boylston told Council that there was a mistake
in his letter, he dopes not want to be in a historic district. Hughes said that the last thing
Council wants is a boundary problem as to what is in each district, where it begins and
ends. Hughes explained that State Law requires that the City identify property and
owners, the list is prepared by Property Identification Numbers, need to go through each
list and check over. William Frisk supplied the list of property owners. Hughes again
said that Historic Review Board supplied the boundary lines and the list of property.
Vote on the motion made by Burke was 2 in favor; 4 opposed (Sessions, Monaghan,
O'Brien and Pearce).
O'Brien moved to approve the Historic Fort Screven District with three
contingencies. 1) Educational workshops for the public held by the Historic Review
Board to establish guidelines. 2.) City Council will approve any guidelines. 3.)
Confirmation of properties within the proposed Fort Screven Historic District by Historic
Review Board. Monaghan seconded. Vote by Council was 3 in favor (Sessions,
Monaghan, O'Brien); 1 opposed (Youmans); 1 abstained (Burke).
O'Brien moved to approve the Stand Historic District with three contingencies.
1.) Educational workshops for the public held by the Historic Review Board to establish
guidelines. 2.) City Council to approve any guidelines. 3.) Confirmation of properties
within the proposed Strand Historic District by the Historic Review Board. Monaghan
seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous.
O'Brien moved to approve the Back River Historic District with three
contingencies. 1.) Educational workshops for the public held by the Historic Review
Board to establish guidelines. 2.) City Council to approve any guidelines. 3.)
Confirmation of properties within the proposed Back River Historic District by the
Historic Review Board. Monaghan seconded. Vote by Council was unanimous.
The meeting was adjourned.
Mayor Walter W. Parker
Clerk of Council
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