MINUTES

SHALIMAR PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD

REGULAR MEETING – November 29, 2000

The regular meeting of the Shalimar Planning and Zoning Board was called to order by Chairman Eddie Phillips on Wednesday, November 29, 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 Jimmy Jones – present

Member Rick Larsen – present

Others present were Tom Burns, Jim Spires, Mayor Gary Combs, and Commissioners Tom Callen and Gene Brown.

OLD BUSINESS:

I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE SEPT 27, 2000 MEETING – Roy Pimental moved to approve the minutes of the Sept. 27, 2000 meeting with the date change under Old Business. It was seconded by Rick Larsen and passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

I. INTRODUCTION OF NEW POLICE OFFICER – Mayor Gary Combs introduced Jim Spires as the new police department employee. He hails from Champaign, Ill. and is a retired Lt. Col. of the Reserves. Officer Gary Loafman will be the interim Police Chief for the Police Department, Mayor Combs said.

II. INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION OF ORDINANCES -Chairman Eddie Phillips said that the P & Z Board could do a better job if some of the ordinances were revised or redone, so the board would be in line with what the Commission wants us to do. As it stands right now the P & Z is asked to take the responsibility to make final decisions, he said, but if there is no unanimous vote the item comes before the Commission. If the P & Z has a 4-1 decision it also should have weight before the Commission. Mayor Combs said that there was an occasion recently when a resident claimed he did not understand the restrictions of a variance. So the Mayor pointed out that it comes down to monitoring the process once a variance is granted. Tom Burns, Town Administrator needs help with checking on the variances. The Mayor said maybe the Police Department could do more of the code enforcement. Tom Burns said that the Police Department and Jeff Dowda, the Maintenance manager are out on the street a lot and could keep an eye on all the building permits in town and check out the permits of contractors doing work in town against a list that would be updated once a week. Mr. Burns will also ensure that when he issues a building permit, there will be a mid and a final nspection. Member Jimmy Jones suggested to let the residents ask for the inspection, because when they are given the variance in writing, they have to sign it. Member Rick Larsen asked whether a member of the P & Z Board should go with Tom Burns to do the inspection. He also asked whether a welcoming letter could be send to new residents of the town with information about permits, the do’s and don’ts etc. If the Town Administration knows about new people moving in, this would be a nice gesture, said Tom Burns, but normally the Town does not find out until much later that somebody has moved in. Chairman Eddie Phillips said that the Town’s tree ordinance is still very vague and Comm. Gene Brown said that he is working on a very comprehensive tree ordinance, using information from Cinco Bayou, Mary Esther and the State. He said he is trying to make it as concise and condensed as possible. It will be about 10 pages. The first reading of the ordinance could be in January. Chairman Phillips said that the State does not give much information about preserving trees, only what trees cannot be planted. Jimmy Jones asked how a fine is put together if somebody violates the tree ordinance. Fines will also be stipulated in the ordinance.

III. LANDSCAPING – 865 BRANDE COURT – Carolyn Dengate of Brande Court built a pool in her back yard without a permit, said Roy Pimental. It is a dangerous lagoon with a waterfall and it does not meet the standards for a pool. Okaloosa County stipulates that anything deeper than 24 inches is considered a pool. The question arose, if the lady should tear everything out and redo all the concrete or should the project be termed landscaping with only certain items redone. Chairman Phillips and the rest of the board considered the item landscaping. Tom Burns was asked to have Mrs. Dengate bring new, improved plans back to the office, give her permission to keep the waterfall, but not allow her to make the waterfall into a structure (roof it).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

December 12, 2000 – Town Commission Meeting at 6 p.m.

December 27, 2000 – P & Z Board meeting at 6:30 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT: Roy Pimental moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. It was seconded by Rick Larsen and passed unanimously.