Town of Shalimar

Planning and Zoning Board Minutes

March 31, 2004

The meeting was called to order by the Board President Jimmy Jones at 6:05 p.m.

ROLL CALL FOR THE RECORD:

Others present:  Mayor Gary Combs , Police Commissioner Rik Larson, Town Manager Tom Burns, Steve Peterson (Owner of Shalimar Yacht Basin), Jim Murray, Gail Murray and James Murray (Owners of SunQuest Cruises), Brad Gable (Resident), Mack Kirkland (Resident), Ray Starks (President of Sung Harbor Association), Pat McLain (Resident), Scott Wooley (Resident) and Joe Wood (Resident).

OLD BUSINESS:

I.  APPROVE MINUTES FROM February 25, 2004 :  A motion was made by Sandra Dove-McLain to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2004 meeting as written.  The motion was seconded by Johann Behnken and passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

I.  SUNQUEST OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE DISCUSSION: 

Mr. Jim Murray started the discussion on the SunQuest occupational license as per the request of Chairman Jones.  Mr. Murray stated that the vessel in question is a 125-foot passenger yacht that is 26-feet above the water line with a maximum passenger limit of 150 people.  This maximum includes 2 deck hands, a 9-person wait staff and the Captain.  The yacht has 3 decks which include the main deck which is enclosed, a second deck which is partially enclosed and the third deck which is an open sun deck.  The Sunquest's purpose is for private charter to include weddings, church groups, school groups, sunset dinner cruises, etc.  Mr. Murray stated that the primary hours of operation will be 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.   The SunQuest will not be a seasonal operation, they are planning on it being a year-round business and the boat will be docked there year round.  Member Dove-McLain inquired about the service of alcoholic beverages on the vessel.  Mr. Murray stated that there will be alcohol served (a "cool-bar" to include beer, wine, mixed drinks, etc.).  Chairman Jones asked if the Coast Guard has completed their inspections on the vessel, Mr. Murray stated he had attended some meetings about clean water and pumping water to pump stations.  He said that the vessel needed to pump to a pump station, but never stated if the vessel was inspected.  Member Dove-McLain asked Mr. Murray why he chose Shalimar as the docking location for the SunQuest.  Mr. Murray stated that their initial plan was to dock at The Landing in Fort Walton Beach and stated that "it had it's own set of problems" because it was a city-owned facility, and there was an issue on complaints on the boat and grant money for the boat.  He said the process started to get too long and drawn out so they abandoned that idea and decided to look for another location.  Mr. Murray then handed out some literature on the boat.  Town Manager Burns asked Mr. Murray if there would be anybody living on the boat.  Mr. Murray stated that there would not be any people living on the boat. 

Chairman Jones asked Mr. Peterson (Owner of the Shalimar Yacht Basin ) how many parking spaces there were at the Yacht Basin .  Mr. Peterson stated that there are 178 parking spaces.  There are 405 boat slips including the barn area.  The additional business personnel that operate from the Shalimar Yacht Basin are as follows: 2 people at Quality Rod and Reel, 4 people at Auer Marine Service, 4 people at Tropical Yacht Sales, 3 people at Jack's Marine Service, 14 employees and 7 people helping at the Shalimar Yacht Basin, and a possible 18 people between the 3 charter boats and the 2 commercial boats at the Shalimar Yacht Basin.  Mr. Peterson also gave a detailed description of his history in the boating industry and a history of his dealings in the local area.

Chairman Jones asked Mr. Murray about the boat picking up people at other docks.  Mr. Murray stated that there would be a passenger pick up location at Sandestin, Destin Harbor and possibly on Okaloosa Island .  It was Chairman Jones' understanding that the boat would pick up passengers at other locations and not solely at the Shalimar Yacht Basin .  Mr. Murray agreed.  Chairman Jones addressed the traffic problems on Old Ferry Road and Gardner Drive . 

Chairman Jones brought up the issue of parking spaces at the Shalimar Yacht Basin .  The board was determining how many spaces were allotted for the employees of the above mentioned businesses, the customers of the Shalimar Yacht Basin and the additional parking that would be required for the charter vessel.  Chairman Jones also brought up the issue of people parking on the right-of-way on Gardner Drive .  Member Behnken also expressed his concerns with the traffic flow on Gardner Drive and Old Ferry Road .  Member Behnken also asked about the pump-out of the SunQuest.  Mr. Peterson stated that he does have the facilities at the Shalimar Yacht Basin to pump out the vessel.

Chairman Jones opened the floor for questions.

Manager Burns asked what Mr. Murray's plans were when a Hurricane comes into the area.  Mr. Murray stated that they would take the vessel to Freeport .  The issue was brought up again by Town Commissioner Larson about the traffic on Old Ferry Road .  Mr. Murray speculated that most of the passenger activity would probably be in the other locations that were specified above for passenger boarding.  Member Behnken also mentioned that there was a problem with the large amount of boat traffic in the Shalimar Yacht Basin area.  Member Behnken also stated that the problem with the boats racing out of the area has decreased tremendously since Mr. Peterson has owned the facility.  Manager Burns asked how many trips the SunQuest planned on making out of Shalimar as opposed to the other locations.  Mr. Murray speculated again that he feels that the bulk of the passengers and trips will be originated from other locations.  Commissioner Larson brought up the possibility of a 6-month trial-basis to make sure that there was not going to be any problems with the issues that were brought up in the discussion.  Manager Burns stated that he did not know if that was a possibility to have a time-restricted permit, but it was something that he would check into.  Mr. Murray stated that the time-restricted permit was something that he would prefer not to do.  Manager Burns also stated that there was a conflict of interest with the Town of Shalimar 's attorney and that he may need to seek outside legal council on these matters.

Chairman Jones concluded that to keep the traffic flow off of Gardner Drive  and onto Old Ferry Road , the owners of SunQuest should include a map and directions to the  Shalimar Yacht Basin in their advertisement. 

A motion was made by Member Wagner to recommend approval to the Shalimar Commission on an Occupational License for the SunQuest vessel.  The motion was seconded by Member Dove-McLain.  An amendment to the motion was made by Member Behnken that all of the ramifications by Manager Burns be resolved prior to the issuance of the occupational license.  The motion was seconded by Member Dove-McLain and passed unanimously.

ADJOURNMENT:  The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m.