Town of Shalimar

Planning and Zoning Minutes

January 7, 2004

The meeting was called to order by the Board President Jimmy Jones at 6:04 p.m. and he led the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag".  President Jones asked for a moment of silence in memory of board co-chair Roy Pimental who passed away on December 19, 2003 .

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:

Others present:  Shalimar Commissioners Ursel Behnken and Rik Larson , Town Manager Tom Burns, Donnie Barber (Barber Construction), Mark Siner (Choctaw Engineering), and residents Barry and Liz Barnes and Johann Behnken (volunteer for P&Z membership)

OLD BUSINESS:

I.  APPROVE MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 29, 2003 – Glenn Wagner moved to approve the minutes as written.  The was motion was seconded by Gene Tucker and passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

I.  VARIANCE REQUEST – Mr. Gregory Creel (owner, lot 3, Porpoise Point)

President Jones briefed the request and it was reviewed and discussed. The board members were in agreement that insufficient information was presented on the requested ancillary outbuilding/gazebo to make any decision on allowing such a structure within the water setback.  President Jones told Donnie Barber, representing Mr. Creel, that this issue would have to be considered as a separate variance request at a later date.  Gene Tucker moved to recommend approval of a water setback of 22.5 feet for the NW corner of the building (same as SW corner) and allow pervious entry steps on the west side of the structure to be located no closer than 8 feet from the current seawall, require all driveway and walkways to be constructed of pervious pavers, and that all other previously approved variances and stipulations approved for Myron Tassin remain in effect for the new owner, Mr. Creel.  The motion was seconded by Glenn Wagner and it passed unanimously.  President Jones reiterated that all approved variances and stipulations would be included in a letter to be signed by Mr. Creel. (Note; referenced October 29, 2003 motion for variance approval on this lot was as follows - President Jones made a motion to grant the three requested setback variances as depicted in the presented site plan with the following stipulations:

1.  That roof runoff from the proposed structure (approx. 1000 sq. ft. of surface area) be collected and directed to underground dispersion or directed into the current Snug Harbor retention area maintained by Mr. Tassin.

2.  That a document expressing agreement to the requested 2 ft. side lot setback be signed by Mr. Tassin.  Motion was confirmed by Manager Burns (acting as board secretary for taking minutes only), seconded by Member Tucker, and passed unanimously.)

(Note: Barry and Liz Barnes arrived after the discussion and motion on this request.  Manager Burns briefed Liz Barnes on the actions taken and she indicated her approval to him.)

II. INITIAL REVIEW OF HAMPTON INN SITE PLAN – (Board acting as Technical Review Committee)

President Jones briefed the board on an email from a Shalimar resident outlining several hotel concerns which he said would be addressed in the discussion.  Board members reviewed the site plan and asked questions of Mr. Siner of Choctaw Engineering.  Commissioner Behnken noted a reference in the Shalimar Code that requires hotels to be considered as a Planned Unit Development (PUD).  Manager Burns said that this requirement was not mentioned during initial administrative guidance to Choctaw Engineering and that this would be reviewed and discussed with Mr. Siner before the next P&Z meeting.  Board members were in general agreement that the site plan met all code requirements and noted that 67 parking slots were a code minimum.  ITEMS NOTED FOR ACTION BY CHOCTAW ENGINEERING PRIOR TO THE NEXT REVIEW INCLUDED: Inclusion of a sidewalk on the north side of the site along Richbourg Avenue, confirmation of a sufficient visibility triangle at the corner of Richbourg Avenue and Eglin Parkway, Florida DOT traffic concurrency approval including the road cut on Eglin Parkway, movement of the parking lot drain on the east side to accommodate an existing offsite tree, and review of any additional requirements dictated by the development being considered a PUD.  President Jones thanked Commissioner Behnken for her inputs to the board.

III. MINI STORAGE DRAINAGE AND LANDSCAPE PLAN REVIEW –

Plans were reviewed by the Board and discussed.  Concern was expressed about the appearance that a mere 6 ft., chain link fence and gate would present to the front/entrance along Erwin Fleet Avenue .  President Jones remembered Mr. Gates' comments during the Special Exception Use approval meeting, where he (Mr. Gates) assured the board that he would build a facility that was "first class".  Gene Tucker recommended approval of the plan for permitting, with the recommendations that the developer enhance the proposed landscaping on the NE corner of the site, that the developer seriously consider enhancing the appearance/materials of the front fence and gate to more align the facility with the present fencing standards of the residential area bordering Erwin Fleet Avenue, and that any security lighting be approved by Manager Burns before permitting.  The motion was seconded by Glenn Wagner and passed unanimously.

Prior to adjournment, President Jones told the board that he would be out of town during the next regular Board meeting scheduled for January 28, and he appointed Gene Tucker as Co-Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board. 

ADJOURNMENT:  Gene Tucker moved to adjourn at 7:40 p.m.   The motion was seconded by Glenn Wagner and it passed unanimously.