MINUTES

SHALIMAR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD

REGULAR MEETING – MAY 31, 2000

 

The regular meeting of the Shalimar Planning and Zoning Board was called to order by Chairman Eddie Phillips on Wednesday, May 31, 2000 at 6:30 p.m.  He also led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:

                        Chairman Eddie Phillips – present

                        Co-Chair Roy Pimental – present

                        Secretary Ursel Behnken – present

                        Member Patty Culjak – resignation effective

                        Member Jimmy Jones – present

Others present were: Rick Larson, Tom Burns - Town Hall Office Manager, Duke and Laura Porritt and John Watts.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

I.                    APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 29, 2000 MEETINGRoy Pimental moved to approve the minutes of the March 29, 2000 meeting as written. Seconded by Ursel Behnken and passed unanimously.

 

II.                 MITIGATION REPRESENTATIVE REPORT – Gene Tucker was not present.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

I.  INTRODUCTION OF  RICK LARSON, P & Z BOARD APPOINTEE – Rick Larson, 24 Old Ferry Road, was appointed to the P & Z Board. The Board concurred and this item will now go to Town Commission for approval.

 

II.  TREE REMOVAL REQUEST BY DUKE PORRITT – 2554 PALM SHORES DR. – Mr. Porritt requests to cut down two trees in his front yard; one is too close to the driveway, which is leaning across it and cracking the sidewalk and driveway.  The other is growing at an excessive angle and he fears it might topple onto Palm Shores Drive in a storm. He plans to replace the trees. Eddie Phillips stated he walked the property and found that tree No. 1 is a problem and No. 2 is hanging over the street, but it is not dying. Roy Pimental stated if we would allow removing a tree because it is leaning into the road, we could cut all the trees in Shalimar.  Ursel Behnken moved to cut down tree #1 at the driveway, but trim tree #2 and not remove it. Seconded by Roy Pimental and passed 3 to 1 with Jimmy Jones voting no.  Mr. Porritt was told that he has the option to challenge this decision at a Board of Adjustment meeting or with the Town Commission.

 

III.  TREE REMOVAL REQUEST BY JOHN WATTS – 56 SHALIMAR DR. – Mr. Watts requests to have two trees removed. One tree is in the middle of the driveway, the other hinders three other trees from growing up, he stated. He has planted eight hollies,2 birches, several Bartlett pears, 5-6 ligustrum and azaleas. He started cutting down the trees when he was told that he needed a permit. Mr. Phillips suggested that Mr. Watts trim tree #2 so the other trees underneath have room to grow. Roy Pimental moved to remove tree #1 (in the driveway) but not # 2, but suggested to trim #2 to allow the other trees to grow up. Seconded by Ursel Behnken and passed unanimously.

 

IV.  OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES – Town Hall Office Manager, Tom Burns stated some of the ordinances are not easy to understand and he would like to have bullet sheets for the following subjects: trees, pools, docks, seawalls, fences and minor construction. He would like the help of the P & Z members. Eddie Phillips stated that he and Ursel Behnken had already started on helping him with the tree ordinance, as he sees a benefit in giving walk-in residents a copy to go by. Roy Pimental said that the P & Z Board should make revisions as the board sees them, as the By-Laws state the P & Z has the power to do so. He pointed out that all the rules and ordinances need to be consistent. Jimmy Jones said that the requested $75 for variances is high especially when the variance is not granted. We should review the codes to make sure that the ordinances are in agreement with the code. Eddie Phillips would like to ask the Board to consider the task of reviewing the code, by having a workshop meeting, bringing out conflicting ideas and in fairness to the residents not charge anything until a variance is granted. He suggested a workshop on Tuesday, June 6 at 5 p.m. and focus on trees and pools.

 

V.  Jimmie Jones moved to refund Mr. Porritt $75. Seconded by Roy Pimental and passed unanimously.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Roy Pimental moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Seconded by Ursel Behnken and passed unanimously.