1                    CITY OF JACKSONVILLE

 

       2                    LAND USE AND ZONING

 

       3                         COMMITTEE

 

       4

 

       5

 

       6             Proceedings held on Tuesday, December 4,

 

       7   2007, commencing at 5:05 p.m., City Hall, Council

 

       8   Chambers, 1st Floor, Jacksonville, Florida, before

 

       9   Diane M. Tropia, a Notary Public in and for the State

 

      10   of Florida at Large.

 

      11

 

      12   PRESENT:

 

      13        MICHAEL CORRIGAN, Chair.

                CLAY YARBOROUGH, Vice Chair.

      14        RICHARD CLARK, Committee Member.

                MIA JONES, Committee Member.

      15        E. DENISE LEE, Committee Member.

                ART SHAD, Committee Member.

      16        JACK WEBB, Committee Member.

 

      17

           ALSO PRESENT:

      18

                RAY HOLT, City Council Member.

      19        GLORIOUS JOHNSON, City Council Member.

                JOHN CROFTS, Deputy Director, Planning Dept.

      20        SEAN KELLY, Planning and Development Dept.

                FOLKS HUXFORD, Planning and Development Dept.

      21        DYLAN REINGOLD, Office of General Counsel.

                SHANNON ELLER, Office of General Counsel.

      22        JESSICA STEPHENS, Legislative Assistant.

                MERRIANE LAHMEUR, Legislative Assistant.

      23

                                 -  -  -

      24

 

      25

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           2

 

 

       1                   P R O C E E D I N G S

 

       2   December 4, 2007                        5:05 p.m.

 

       3                         -  -  -

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  The time is about five

 

       5        minutes after 5:00.  We'll go ahead and call the

 

       6        December 4th, 2007, meeting of the Land Use and

 

       7        Zoning Committee to order.

 

       8             I am Councilman Clay Yarborough.  I'm the

 

       9        vice chair.  Councilman Corrigan will be here

 

      10        shortly.  He's at another function he's on his

 

      11        way from.

 

      12             In attendance we have Councilman Ray Holt,

 

      13        who's joined us this afternoon, and then

 

      14        Councilman Shad, Councilwoman Jones, Councilman

 

      15        Clark, and Councilman Webb who are part of the

 

      16        LUZ Committee, and then also Councilwoman

 

      17        Glorious Johnson is with us for a little while

 

      18        tonight too.

 

      19             It's usually customary for us to take

 

      20        visiting council members' items up first.

 

      21             First we have on page 15, item number 51,

 

      22        Councilwoman Johnson.

 

      23             If we will turn to page 15, members,

 

      24        item 51, 2007-1214.

 

      25             And I will just remind members of the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           3

 

 

       1        public, if you wish to speak on any item, please

 

       2        be sure to fill out a blue card that you see up

 

       3        there next to the podium and put that in, and

 

       4        we'll call you up at the appropriate time for

 

       5        the bill that you're here to speak on.

 

       6             2007-1214, we will open the public

 

       7        hearing.

 

       8             Do I have any speaker cards?

 

       9             Okay.  Seeing none, is there anybody in the

 

      10        audience who wishes to speak on this bill?

 

      11             AUDIENCE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We'll close that

 

      13        public hearing and I will entertain a motion.

 

      14             MR. SHAD:  Move the bill.

 

      15             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  There's a motion and a

 

      17        second.

 

      18             Discussion.

 

      19             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Ms. Johnson.

 

      21             MS. JOHNSON:  Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chairman.

 

      22             This church, which is near Steele Street --

 

      23        and I'll make it very short -- is about two

 

      24        blocks from my home.  This church has been in

 

      25        the community ever since I was born, so we won't

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           4

 

 

       1        discuss my age.  And now our pastor, Kim

 

       2        Daniels, has taken over this church, refurbished

 

       3        it, and she would like to keep it in that venue

 

       4        for the neighborhood.

 

       5             A lot of the members in our neighborhood

 

       6        attend that church, and she wanted it to have

 

       7        the significance that it should have, and that's

 

       8        to be a landmark, and make sure that, you know,

 

       9        she's following the procedures to keep it the

 

      10        way it was in the early years.  Let's say over

 

      11        60-plus years ago.  I'm just saying it because

 

      12        now you can guess my age.

 

      13             So I'd appreciate if you would support this

 

      14        bill so that we can probably also get funds to

 

      15        help renovate it and keep it in the beautiful --

 

      16        I wish someone would go by it.  It's in the

 

      17        neighborhood, but then it's a beautiful church

 

      18        and I want to keep it there and this will help.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  All right.  Any

 

      20        further discussion on -1214?

 

      21             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Open.  Seeing none, open the

 

      23        ballot.

 

      24             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      25             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           5

 

 

       1             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       6             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       8        approved item 51, 2007-1214.

 

       9             MS. JOHNSON:  Thank you very much.  And you

 

      10        all have a good evening.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Councilman Webb, did you --

 

      12             MR. WEBB:  Thank you, Mr. Chair.  Vice

 

      13        Chair, excuse me.  Acting Chair.

 

      14             Item number 31, we were going to open the

 

      15        public hearing and continue it on 1/15/08.  I

 

      16        think there were some people here who were just

 

      17        waiting for us to hear the magic words that we

 

      18        were, in fact, continuing that to 1/15/08.  So

 

      19        I --

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Item 31 is that?

 

      21             MR. WEBB:  Item number 31.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We'll do that right

 

      23        quick.

 

      24             MR. WEBB:  Thank you.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Item 31 is on

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           6

 

 

       1        page 10.

 

       2             Thank you, Councilman Webb.

 

       3             2007-1083, we will open that public

 

       4        hearing.  And I will note that that public

 

       5        hearing -- there are no speakers.  That public

 

       6        hearing will be continued until January 15th of

 

       7        2008 if anyone is here or interested in that

 

       8        bill.

 

       9             Thank you, Mr. Webb.

 

      10             Okay.  We also have Councilman Holt.  Am I

 

      11        correct, we're here -- you'd like us to take up

 

      12        2007-919, Mr. Holt?

 

      13             MR. HOLT:  (Inaudible.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  That's the one you're

 

      15        here for, which is on page -- that is in the

 

      16        middle of page 7, 2007-919, members.  And we

 

      17        will open that public hearing.

 

      18             And first we have -- were we going to do --

 

      19        if I can ask Ms. Eller, are we going to --

 

      20             Ms. Eller, for -919, were we going to

 

      21        procedurally do this a little bit different?

 

      22             MS. ELLER:  Yes, sir.

 

      23             This is an informal quasi-judicial public

 

      24        hearing on an appeal, and typically we grant

 

      25        each side the same amount of time.  In this

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           7

 

 

       1        case, the sides, if you will, are the applicant

 

       2        Mr. Mann, and then the Planning Department.

 

       3             So we began last time with about 15 minutes

 

       4        for each side with some time reserved for

 

       5        rebuttal, and I believe that's what was

 

       6        discussed at agenda.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  And then for those

 

       8        who are here to speak with the blue cards, how

 

       9        will we go about that?

 

      10             MS. ELLER:  About three minutes each.  And

 

      11        if you could just keep tabs on how much time has

 

      12        been spent on either support or opposition, and

 

      13        that way each side gets generally an equal

 

      14        amount of time as the minimum requirement.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  So we'll ask

 

      16        Legislative Services to keep an eye on the time

 

      17        for us, and we'll start out with Mr. Mann for

 

      18        about 15 minutes.

 

      19             MS. ELLER:  Correct.  And he may want to

 

      20        reserve a few minutes for rebuttal.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  All right.  Mr. Mann.

 

      22             (Mr. Mann approaches the podium.)

 

      23             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, I do appreciate

 

      24        any leeway you can give me.  I do need to build

 

      25        a record for this tonight.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           8

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

       2             MR. MANN:  I'm Charles Mann, 165 Arlington

 

       3        Road, representing the Heekin and the Sleiman

 

       4        family joint venture.

 

       5             This is a site that is located off on

 

       6        Batten Island, north of the ferry.  It is on the

 

       7        river side of Heckscher Drive.  It has

 

       8        previously been approved for five duplex

 

       9        buildings that are designed to look like large

 

      10        riverfront homes.  I've got a handout that will

 

      11        give you an architectural rendering of what the

 

      12        building will look like.

 

      13             When we came before the board previously,

 

      14        the engineering had not been completed on this.

 

      15        And to get the architectural effect that we

 

      16        want, we are seeking -- we filed a minor

 

      17        modification.

 

      18             The original PUD limited us to 35 feet.  We

 

      19        filed a minor modification for an additional

 

      20        10 feet of height on these.  It is solely for

 

      21        the pitch of the roof.  It is not going to

 

      22        increase the square footage, the heated area of

 

      23        the units.  It's just so we can have more volume

 

      24        ceilings and more pitch of roof to give the

 

      25        architectural requirements or effects that are

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           9

 

 

       1        called for in your Northside Vision Plan, which

 

       2        calls for a low country type architecture.

 

       3             Now, this is a plan that was approved with

 

       4        citizen input.  It was approved by the council,

 

       5        approved by the LUZ Committee, approved by the

 

       6        Planning Commission, and approved by the

 

       7        Planning Department, and so we're meeting the

 

       8        Northside Vision Plan.

 

       9             This area is also designated in the

 

      10        Northside Vision Plan as a mixed-use area for

 

      11        more dense residential properties, more dense in

 

      12        commercial uses combined.

 

      13             What we're seeking -- and the only thing

 

      14        that is before you tonight is an appeal of the

 

      15        minor modification that was denied by the

 

      16        Planning Commission.  We're not discussing

 

      17        height, we're not discussing increase in

 

      18        density, we're not discussing coastal high

 

      19        hazard area, we're not discussing water and

 

      20        sewer.  These issues should not be part of your

 

      21        consideration.

 

      22             You're here as judges, and you need to

 

      23        listen to the competent and substantial evidence

 

      24        that is going to be presented by myself and by

 

      25        the opposition and in the Planning Department

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           10

 

 

       1        report and decide who is right.  That's your

 

       2        requirement tonight, that's your request.

 

       3             But let's talk about a brief history.

 

       4        R-2006-1288 approved five buildings on this

 

       5        site, ten units.  We've passed out a handout

 

       6        that shows -- we went to great extent to make

 

       7        these buildings look like one large riverfront

 

       8        home of two units each.  We tried to take some

 

       9        of the architectural features from the Broward

 

      10        home, which is a historical site that is just

 

      11        north of this, and incorporate the pitched roofs

 

      12        into our architectural rendering.

 

      13             We met with the civic club that is on

 

      14        Heckscher Drive.  In our first meeting with

 

      15        them, they took a non-stance.  They did not

 

      16        support it; they did not deny it.  They just

 

      17        took a non-position on it.

 

      18             At a later meeting that we were not invited

 

      19        to, they revoted it and came out with a

 

      20        recommendation of denial.  We made no agreement

 

      21        with them that if they would support this, that

 

      22        we would not come back and change it as we need

 

      23        to do.  There has been no agreement to that, so

 

      24        we're not violating any type of agreement there.

 

      25             The Planning Commission subsequently

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           11

 

 

       1        approved this, the LUZ Committee of the City

 

       2        Council approved this, and it was approved by

 

       3        the full City Council.

 

       4             But let's stop for just a minute and talk

 

       5        about the things we know that are not going to

 

       6        change.  R-2006-1288(E) approved this site as a

 

       7        PUD.  It set certain design criteria, certain

 

       8        setbacks, certain footprints.  These footprints

 

       9        are not going to change.

 

      10             I'd like to hand out a copy of the

 

      11        footprints that were handed out in the original

 

      12        application.  The view corridors between the

 

      13        properties are not going to change.  An increase

 

      14        in height does not change that.

 

      15             We're not increasing the heating area in

 

      16        these units; we're not increasing the floor

 

      17        space; we're not increasing the heated and

 

      18        cooled air; we're not adding additional land to

 

      19        this site.  That's not going to change.  That's

 

      20        going to be as it was originally approved.

 

      21             We're not affecting concurrency.  There was

 

      22        a CCAS issued for this site, 38461.  There's no

 

      23        fair share agreement.  So we met the criteria

 

      24        for concurrency on this site for our ten units.

 

      25        We're in compliance with the Northside Vision

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           12

 

 

       1        Plan.  We've been through that before you before

 

       2        on these various meetings.  Again, it calls for

 

       3        low country architecture, which is dormers, very

 

       4        pitched roofs, very steep roofs, and we're

 

       5        trying to comply with that.  We're not

 

       6        increasing any land of the project.

 

       7             The Planning Department tells you in the

 

       8        report that we're in the coastal high hazard

 

       9        area.  At the original zoning hearing for the

 

      10        approval of the PUD, we had an expert witness

 

      11        there and a topographical map and submitted that

 

      12        as competent evidence, and it was accepted by

 

      13        the LUZ Committee and by council that this was

 

      14        competent evidence that we were out of the

 

      15        coastal high hazard area.

 

      16             But when you go to the Planning Department

 

      17        report, they base their denial on the fact that

 

      18        it's increasing density in the coastal high

 

      19        hazard area.

 

      20             They tell you that we're not on water and

 

      21        sewer.  Now, they've got that correct.  We're

 

      22        not on water and sewer.  There's no water and

 

      23        sewer on Batten Island.  The original PUD,

 

      24        -1288, was originally approved contingent upon

 

      25        a State permit for a FAST system.  That is a new

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           13

 

 

       1        system for sewage disposal and a State permit

 

       2        for a well.  But that's not an issue before you

 

       3        tonight.  That is, again, a regulation of

 

       4        density, and that's not the question.  It has no

 

       5        effect on height.  And that's the only issue

 

       6        that's before you.

 

       7             They go on and tell you that we're in a

 

       8        residential area, and I'd like to have a --

 

       9             Mike, that handout on the zoning, have you

 

      10        got it?

 

      11             Could you put this on the overhead?

 

      12             The Planning Department, in their staff

 

      13        report, tells you that we're in a residential

 

      14        area.  What they failed to tell you is

 

      15        contiguous to us, to the south, is a piece of

 

      16        CCG-2 property that runs almost all the way down

 

      17        to the ferry.  Beginning 150 feet north of us is

 

      18        another piece of CCG-2 property that runs for

 

      19        several hundred yards to the north of us.  And

 

      20        directly across the street from our site is a

 

      21        piece of property that is zoned CCG-2.

 

      22             In your CCG-2 zoning category, you can

 

      23        build to 60 feet by right.  The property

 

      24        contiguous to the south, immediately across the

 

      25        street, can both have 60-foot buildings put on

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           14

 

 

       1        them.  They didn't tell you that.  They told you

 

       2        we're in a residential neighborhood.

 

       3             They didn't go on and tell you that to the

 

       4        north of us is a shipyard.  They didn't tell you

 

       5        that to the north of that is a 60-foot-tall

 

       6        condominium building, and they didn't tell you

 

       7        that there's a 60-foot-tall dry stack, which is

 

       8        a boat storage, that is being built north of

 

       9        that.

 

      10             They didn't tell you that there's a

 

      11        restaurant to the south of us, that there's a

 

      12        commercial fishing project to the south of us,

 

      13        that there's a retail surf shop to the north of

 

      14        us.  They didn't tell you that there's a

 

      15        campground to the north of us.

 

      16             They told you that we're in a residential

 

      17        area.  Does this sound like a residential area?

 

      18        Yes, there are residences in this area.  They're

 

      19        across the street.  But part of that property is

 

      20        also zoned CCG-2 and you can build to 60 feet.

 

      21             They go on to tell you that we're setting a

 

      22        precedent by approving this.  Well, we've

 

      23        already discussed that we've got a 60-foot-tall

 

      24        condo building being built out there immediately

 

      25        to the north of us, that we've got a

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           15

 

 

       1        60-foot-tall dry stack to the north of us, that

 

       2        we've got a shipyard out there that has a very

 

       3        tall building to the north of us.

 

       4             But they didn't tell you that there's been

 

       5        five approvals of height variances out there

 

       6        from 35 feet to anywhere between 42 and

 

       7        46 feet.  We're not setting a precedent.  The

 

       8        precedent has already been set.  And here's a

 

       9        list of them if you'd like to see them.

 

      10             In our previous hearing, we handed out

 

      11        pictures of some of these homes and also the

 

      12        bill numbers for where they were approved.

 

      13             So these are things that we're not

 

      14        discussing tonight.  The only thing -- and they

 

      15        all relate to density.  The only thing that

 

      16        we're really discussing tonight is a height

 

      17        variance, going from 35 feet to 45 feet.

 

      18             Now, on your Planning Commission, you have

 

      19        some very -- people are very passionate about

 

      20        neighborhoods, which is a good thing.  And I

 

      21        have a very good friend that serves on that, and

 

      22        he and I chose to disagree on this.

 

      23             His words were, "With that, I will make a

 

      24        motion to deny MM-2007-07 and support the report

 

      25        made by the Planning Department to deny this."

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           16

 

 

       1        And his basis for that, "adopt the reasons as

 

       2        competent and substantial evidence as to why to

 

       3        deny this."  That was the only reason.  The

 

       4        Planning Department report was the only

 

       5        substantial and competent evidence that was

 

       6        noted in your Planning Commission report and the

 

       7        grounds for denial of this.

 

       8             So let's go to the Planning Department

 

       9        staff's report for just a moment.  There are

 

      10        three criteria that the Planning Department

 

      11        staff has used.  It says, "Staff reviewed the

 

      12        application for minor modification and for

 

      13        compliance with the following criteria."

 

      14             Item 2 we're in complete agreement with.

 

      15        We agree with the planning staff.  They say we

 

      16        do not affect driveways, streets.  That has not

 

      17        changed from our original impact.  Our original

 

      18        application says no alteration or impact on

 

      19        traffic.  We're in total agreement with that.

 

      20        So we agree with the Planning Department on

 

      21        that.

 

      22             Item 3, they say that we're doing a change

 

      23        to a condition put on the application by the

 

      24        council.  That is incorrect.  If it were an

 

      25        application -- if it was a condition put on by

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           17

 

 

       1        council, this would have to be a rezoning from

 

       2        PUD to PUD or from a zoning category to a PUD,

 

       3        whatever.  It would not be handled as a minor

 

       4        modification.

 

       5             We met with the Planning Department.  They

 

       6        told us to do it as a minor modification.  They

 

       7        processed the application for a minor

 

       8        modification, they took our check for a minor

 

       9        modification, they put it before the Planning

 

      10        Commission as a minor modification.  It was not

 

      11        until we got our Planning Department staff

 

      12        report that they mentioned that this was a

 

      13        condition put on by council.

 

      14             If you go to your original council

 

      15        ordinance, the only two things in that where

 

      16        there were conditions was, one, similar

 

      17        architectural style, and, two, the water and

 

      18        sewer condition to be approved by the State.

 

      19        There was nothing in there as far as a

 

      20        stipulation or a limitation on height.  That was

 

      21        in the original application.  That evidence has

 

      22        been submitted to this committee previously.

 

      23        That should not be a criteria for denial.

 

      24             If you go, then, to the only thing that

 

      25        they've based their report on that has

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           18

 

 

       1        substantial and competent evidence, if it does,

 

       2        is item 1.  They tell you that the applicant

 

       3        requests a -- request represents a change in the

 

       4        characteristic of the previously-approved

 

       5        zoning.  That's not true.

 

       6             (Ms. Lee enters the proceedings.)

 

       7             MR. MANN:  We have not increased the number

 

       8        of units, we have not added land to this, we

 

       9        have not increased the heated and cooled area of

 

      10        this.  The only thing we've asked for is an

 

      11        increase in height.

 

      12             They say the proposal is inconsistent with

 

      13        the surrounding development, which is primarily

 

      14        single-family residential.  As we've discussed

 

      15        previously, we've got a shipyard, we've got a

 

      16        dry storage, we've got a 60-foot-tall

 

      17        condominium building, we've got a restaurant,

 

      18        we've got CCG-2 property up and down there.

 

      19        That is not a primarily single-family

 

      20        residential area.

 

      21             The property immediately to the south of

 

      22        us, contiguous to our southern property line,

 

      23        can be used and built to 60 feet today.  All

 

      24        they need is a permit.

 

      25             "The proposed increase to 45 feet would be

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           19

 

 

       1        more in alignment with mid-rise development and

 

       2        would alter the character of the area."

 

       3             Folks, I think if the character is altered,

 

       4        it's altered in a positive area.  We're coming

 

       5        back with five buildings that are going to look

 

       6        like large riverfront homes.  We're not coming

 

       7        back with heavy commercial, we're not coming

 

       8        back with industrial, we're not coming back with

 

       9        really an intense use.  We're talking about

 

      10        residential uses on the river.  We're not

 

      11        changing the view corridors between these

 

      12        properties.

 

      13             It goes on and tells you that any

 

      14        development in these areas must conform to all

 

      15        applicable policies of the 2010 comprehensive

 

      16        plan regarding development in the CHHA, coastal

 

      17        high hazard area.

 

      18             As I said, it's been accepted by the

 

      19        council in previous meetings that we are not in

 

      20        the coastal high hazard area based on the

 

      21        substantial competent evidence that was

 

      22        introduced by our expert witness and the

 

      23        topographical map that was presented.  So any

 

      24        reference to the coastal high hazard area should

 

      25        be disregarded.  But, again, if you break this

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           20

 

 

       1        down, this is an institut- -- this is a function

 

       2        of density.  It's not a function of height

 

       3        increase.  They don't address that issue.

 

       4             It goes on and addresses the Emergency

 

       5        Preparedness Division of the Fire and Rescue

 

       6        Department of Jacksonville.  And, again, they

 

       7        talk about us being in the coastal high hazard

 

       8        area.  My client volunteered to pay into the

 

       9        hurricane evacuation fund as part of the

 

      10        approval agreement on the original PUD.

 

      11             But, again, they reference that we're in

 

      12        the coastal high hazard area.  The year 2006

 

      13        legislature changed the definition of the

 

      14        coastal high hazard area.  That was submitted to

 

      15        you previously.  We have submitted to you a

 

      16        topographical map that showed you that we are

 

      17        not in the coastal high hazard area.  That

 

      18        should be disregarded as competent evidence

 

      19        tonight.  Again, it does not address height.  It

 

      20        solely addresses density.

 

      21             They go on and give you objectives under

 

      22        the FLUM.  It says, "maintain, enhance and

 

      23        conserve natural environmental resources."

 

      24        You're in a CCG-2 corridor.  Our residential

 

      25        project will conserve natural resources.  They

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           21

 

 

       1        will conserve a view for the public of the

 

       2        river.  We're not going to impact the river with

 

       3        industry.  This is a lessening.  This is

 

       4        actually a downzoning of other uses that are in

 

       5        the immediate area, and it is preserving the

 

       6        coastal high hazard area and the river.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Mann, I'll just let you

 

       8        know, you have about one minute left.

 

       9             MR. MANN:  I'll make it very quick, then,

 

      10        sir.

 

      11             Objective 7.4, it says, limit density in

 

      12        the coastal high hazard area.  Again, they're

 

      13        talking about density.  They're not talking

 

      14        about a height minor modification.  We're not in

 

      15        the coastal high hazard.  So that should be

 

      16        disregarded.

 

      17             Again, it's policy 4. -- 7.4.8, it

 

      18        references clustering in the coastal high hazard

 

      19        area.  Again, density not height.  We're not in

 

      20        the coastal high hazard.  So that should be

 

      21        disregarded.

 

      22             They go on to tell you that we're in an

 

      23        area that's not served by water and sewer.

 

      24        That's been addressed at the original Planning

 

      25        Commission hearing, before the LUZ Committee,

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           22

 

 

       1        and before the council that this whole zoning is

 

       2        contingent upon a State permit for a FAST system

 

       3        and a well.

 

       4             Gentlemen, you've got a report before you

 

       5        that I feel is not substantial and competent

 

       6        evidence.  It does not address the issue at hand

 

       7        and should be disregarded.

 

       8             I ask that you find in favor of my client

 

       9        and overturn the Planning Commission's denial of

 

      10        the minor modification.

 

      11             With that, I'll yield to my expert

 

      12        witness.

 

      13             Thank you.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Mann.  And

 

      15        that was exactly ten minutes.

 

      16             Ms. Eller, I believe -- that was 15.  I'm

 

      17        sorry.  It was 15 minutes.  I apologize.

 

      18             Mr. Herzberg, you're here to speak also in

 

      19        favor.

 

      20             MR. HERZBERG:  Yes.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Would that -- as far as

 

      22        time, how do we allow for that, Ms. Eller?

 

      23             MS. ELLER:  That's fine.  He's a separate

 

      24        speaker and he'll speak for about three

 

      25        minutes.  And then as long as we give that same

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           23

 

 

       1        amount of time to anyone who's in opposition,

 

       2        we're not running afoul of the quasi-judicial,

 

       3        the informal rule.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       5             And I do want to mention Councilwoman

 

       6        Denise Lee has joined us.

 

       7             And, Mr. Herzberg, three minutes.  Go

 

       8        ahead.

 

       9             MR. HERZBERG:  Thank you, sir.

 

      10             My name is Mike Herzberg.  For the record,

 

      11        my address is 1 Sleiman Parkway, Jacksonville,

 

      12        Florida.

 

      13             I just want to briefly take a moment.  I

 

      14        think Mr. Mann has done an excellent job

 

      15        explaining the criteria for review upon which

 

      16        your role here is to determine whether or not it

 

      17        is compliant with those criteria.  And I think

 

      18        it is abundantly clear that there was not

 

      19        sufficient competent evidence for the Planning

 

      20        Commission to make its determinations.

 

      21             In fact, the departmental staff report

 

      22        simply quoting the fact that it would alter the

 

      23        character of the area is not in and of itself

 

      24        substantially competent evidence.  There would

 

      25        need to be additional findings, additional

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           24

 

 

       1        information to demonstrate that.

 

       2             In fact, I think a simple look at the

 

       3        zoning map of which you've been handed a copy

 

       4        clearly depicts the entire eastern side of

 

       5        Heckscher Drive, from the creek north, as being

 

       6        the CGC land use category and the CCG-2 zoning

 

       7        district.  That is the most intensive zoning

 

       8        district within the city of Jacksonville.

 

       9             The east side of Heckscher Drive, quite

 

      10        simply, is a separate and different animal from

 

      11        the west side of Heckscher Drive.  Additionally,

 

      12        the increase in height -- again, the increase in

 

      13        height here is not to increase floor area, it's

 

      14        not to increase liveable space.  It's, rather,

 

      15        to provide the architecture that was in the

 

      16        drawing, which I think you've been provided a

 

      17        copy of.

 

      18             It's a Victorian style architecture.  It's

 

      19        consistent and compatible with what's accepted

 

      20        and what's generally found to be in the

 

      21        Heckscher Drive community.  It's a beautiful

 

      22        building.

 

      23             I have an elevation here that, if we could

 

      24        put on the overhead just briefly, will kind of

 

      25        give you at least some idea, some general idea

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           25

 

 

       1        of really what we're talking about here.

 

       2             Roof pitches, as they go up, it becomes

 

       3        more expensive to do an increased roof pitch.

 

       4        It doesn't necessarily and in most cases does

 

       5        not give you any additional living space, but

 

       6        rather it lends a more attractive design to the

 

       7        building.

 

       8             More traditional buildings were built with

 

       9        higher roof pitches.  You will typically find in

 

      10        construction, especially in residential

 

      11        construction, lower pitched roofs on lower

 

      12        priced or moderately priced homes.  A 4/12 pitch

 

      13        is consistent with what we used to find with

 

      14        manufactured housing.  You get into site,

 

      15        conventionally-built homes, you get into 6/12,

 

      16        8/12.

 

      17             And when you get into the higher-end

 

      18        construction -- and really if you drive down

 

      19        Heckscher Drive, I don't think you would be

 

      20        hard pressed to find -- as a matter of fact,

 

      21        you've been handed copies of the three variances

 

      22        and six administrative deviations that have

 

      23        increased heights in the immediate vicinity,

 

      24        four of the five of those being within 2,500

 

      25        feet of the subject site, three within 1,700

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           26

 

 

       1        feet, and two within 1,000 feet.

 

       2             I think you would find that there is a

 

       3        substantial number of houses that exceed that

 

       4        35 foot height limitation.  But really, again,

 

       5        the height increase here is to achieve that

 

       6        higher roof line, which it is within the public

 

       7        interest to promote roof lines and design which

 

       8        is in keeping with the character of the area and

 

       9        really has the effect of beautifying the area,

 

      10        and that's really what this architectural design

 

      11        does.

 

      12             If there's any questions related to those

 

      13        administrative deviations or the variances, I'd

 

      14        be happy to go through those.  I will assure you

 

      15        that those deviations and the variances that I

 

      16        speak of and that you've been given copies of

 

      17        all pertain to the highest point of the ridge

 

      18        line of the roof.  The zoning code exempts those

 

      19        extensions of the roof line for cupolas,

 

      20        chimneys, and things of that nature.  So I can

 

      21        assure you that those were all heard to increase

 

      22        the actual ridge line of those roofs.

 

      23             With that, I'll close.  Thank you.  Stand

 

      24        by for questions.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           27

 

 

       1             Okay.  Our first other speaker is Bobby

 

       2        Taylor, to be followed by Cliff Payne.

 

       3             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  And, Mr. Cassada, if we

 

       5        could set the light tree.  If there's any way to

 

       6        do that, that might help our speakers just a

 

       7        little bit.

 

       8             Go ahead.  State your name and address.

 

       9             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  My name is Bobby Taylor.

 

      10        I reside at 9441 Heckscher Drive.

 

      11             I was president of the Heckscher Drive

 

      12        Community Club when this matter was brought

 

      13        before the board.  Also, the 60-foot condominium

 

      14        was brought at the same time.  The one we're

 

      15        talking about now, -919, came to us with just a

 

      16        bare site.  They have no renderings of the

 

      17        building.

 

      18             Now, the other one, the 60-foot condo they

 

      19        referred to, was also brought by this

 

      20        gentleman.  We were more concerned about the

 

      21        60-foot because it was clearly outside what is

 

      22        the norm for the neighborhood.  And in this

 

      23        matter here, he was staying within the 35 feet.

 

      24        And we took no position at that time.  We did

 

      25        vehemently oppose the 60-foot, which was

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           28

 

 

       1        overridden despite a letter from myself and the

 

       2        members of the Heckscher Drive Community Club in

 

       3        opposition to it.

 

       4             The dry stack that's referred to in this --

 

       5        which is north of this property, is at 35 feet.

 

       6        The Mayport Village, across the river, which is

 

       7        right next to the runway, which was approved at

 

       8        50 feet, was subsequently denied by the Navy

 

       9        because of possible encroachment with the flight

 

      10        pattern.

 

      11             Now, I'm sorry if they think it's not in a

 

      12        coastal high hazard area.  But if it looks like

 

      13        a duck and it quacks like a duck, it's a duck.

 

      14        And it's right next to the river.  And the only

 

      15        reason it might not be in the coastal high

 

      16        hazard area is prior to them purchasing the

 

      17        property, the land was built up and filled in to

 

      18        reach a higher elevation.  That's the only

 

      19        reason I can believe it made the coastal high --

 

      20        not in the coastal high hazard area.

 

      21             It is not in the character of the rest of

 

      22        the neighborhood.  There are some exceptions,

 

      23        but there are not a substantial number of

 

      24        exceptions higher than 35 foot in that area.  We

 

      25        oppose this.  There are residential immediately

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           29

 

 

       1        south of this.  This is also going to be

 

       2        residential.

 

       3             Again, the community did not oppose this

 

       4        originally because it was at 35 feet.  We feel

 

       5        that it is appropriate that it be at 35 feet.

 

       6        It fits the character of the neighborhood at

 

       7        35 feet.  If they're not going to add another

 

       8        floor, there's no reason why they have to make

 

       9        it 45 feet and further restrict the people's

 

      10        view of the river who live directly across the

 

      11        street in this -- from this property in

 

      12        residential property.

 

      13             There are substantial residential, there --

 

      14        I can only think of one or two multiunit

 

      15        dwellings within two miles of that on the

 

      16        river.

 

      17             We would like you to, again, deny this

 

      18        deferment -- or this exception, and let the

 

      19        builder build within the 35 feet.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Taylor.

 

      21             Cliff Payne, followed by Fran Zimnaruk.

 

      22             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      24             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  My name is Cliff Payne.

 

      25        I live at 9478 Heckscher Drive.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           30

 

 

       1             I oppose the modification.  I've heard one

 

       2        time something about once the camel gets his

 

       3        nose in the tent it's all over.

 

       4             The pieces of property that he was --

 

       5        Mr. Mann, that won't have to live out there, was

 

       6        discussing can be counted on one hand.  That dry

 

       7        stack storage, the campground, yeah, they're

 

       8        there.  But when you walk across the street or

 

       9        you walk further up the street or you walk

 

      10        further south down the street, that's where the

 

      11        residential comes in and that's where I live.

 

      12             I live in the residential area of Heckscher

 

      13        Drive.  There's only a certain area there that

 

      14        is commercial or high intensity, whatever, but

 

      15        that's been there and zoned that way for a long

 

      16        time and nothing was ever done with it and now

 

      17        it's starting to happen, and so all we're trying

 

      18        to do is keep it as unintrusive as we can.

 

      19             I live in one of the types of houses that

 

      20        Mr. Mann was discussing.  My house was built in

 

      21        '01 and it's a residential riverfront property,

 

      22        and the height is 35 feet.  Wish I had known, I

 

      23        could have gone and gotten it 45 feet.

 

      24             I oppose it.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Payne.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           31

 

 

       1             Fran Zimnaruk -- and I apologize if I've

 

       2        mispronounced your name -- to be followed by

 

       3        Ms. Nancy Altman.

 

       4             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       6             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Hi.  I'm Fran Zimnaruk,

 

       7        9861 Heckscher Drive.

 

       8             This should be opposed.  This Batten

 

       9        Island -- there's four original houses on Batten

 

      10        Island.  They say something about the Broward

 

      11        house.  The Broward house had been there in the

 

      12        1880s.  Yes, that's high, but that was 1880s.

 

      13        That's when Batten Island was completely

 

      14        surrounded by water.  The only way we got off

 

      15        was by boat.

 

      16             When they first came down with this

 

      17        proposal, it was beautiful.  For 35 feet, I

 

      18        said, oh, that's nice.  Very, very nice.  We

 

      19        agreed with it.  But I think it should be

 

      20        opposed because it does not conform with -- he

 

      21        was talking about the shipyard there.  That's

 

      22        only 35 feet.  Bronson Lamb owns that shipyard

 

      23        now, and he does very good with everything

 

      24        around.  We have had it -- I have had trouble

 

      25        with shipyards out there before.  We have gone

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           32

 

 

       1        down, got them working orders, and they all obey

 

       2        with those working orders.

 

       3             And I think this proposal should not go to

 

       4        45 feet.

 

       5             Thank you.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Ms. Zimnaruk.

 

       7             Ms. Altman, followed by Mr. Browne Altman.

 

       8             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      10             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Good evening and happy

 

      11        holidays to all of you.

 

      12             Thank you for listening to me the second

 

      13        time urging you to oppose this resolution.  Last

 

      14        month I submitted for the record this booklet

 

      15        containing pictures of the neighborhood, a

 

      16        letter written by the president of the Heckscher

 

      17        Drive Community Club, which consists of over 100

 

      18        members, and copies of petitions with 70

 

      19        additional signatures of neighbors and friends

 

      20        on Batten Island on Heckscher Drive.

 

      21             And I would like to also say that Mr. Mann

 

      22        was always welcome to come and visit and speak

 

      23        at the Heckscher Drive Community Club.  When he

 

      24        presented his plan, we did not oppose it.  It

 

      25        wasn't -- and he went through all the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        permitting, got all the permitting.  It wasn't

 

       2        until they appealed for the 45 foot was when we

 

       3        started to oppose it.

 

       4             The reason that this booklet was assembled

 

       5        was so that the community could demonstrate

 

       6        solidarity in opposition of this resolution

 

       7        because you see at this time, the first Tuesday

 

       8        of every month, the Heckscher Drive Community

 

       9        Club also meets.  So Heckscher Drive Community

 

      10        Club members are conflicted as to which meeting

 

      11        to appear and thus sent a few to represent the

 

      12        whole.

 

      13             Five 45-foot-tall structures standing side

 

      14        by side will not fit in with the existing

 

      15        neighborhood.  I measured the homes and the

 

      16        businesses on the western end of Batten Island

 

      17        where these five structures will stand and

 

      18        created a visual for you.

 

      19             Is it on?

 

      20             As you can see, the heights are low,

 

      21        nine -- I don't have a copy of it here.  Well,

 

      22        you can see.

 

      23             I went around and measured some of the

 

      24        buildings on this side of the island, and you

 

      25        can see on the map that all of them are low.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           34

 

 

       1        There's one that's 35 feet, and then there --

 

       2        the other one that's 35 feet on the river side

 

       3        is the boatyard.  The eastern and middle part of

 

       4        the island are very similar.

 

       5             At the last LUZ meeting, Mike Herzberg, the

 

       6        agent's expert witness, mentioned a 90-foot-tall

 

       7        boat shed.  And on this map, you'll see that the

 

       8        only existing boatyard on our island is a

 

       9        structure that is 35 feet.  I examined the

 

      10        architectural plans for the Yacht Clubs of

 

      11        America being constructed on Batten Island, and

 

      12        its tallest building will be 34.0 feet.

 

      13             The 60-foot condo that he's continually

 

      14        mentioned has not yet been fully permitted.  And

 

      15        to reiterate a point made last month, the local

 

      16        businessman with plans to build a retail center

 

      17        nearby lowered his plans from 42 feet to 35 feet

 

      18        because he knew that heights was a concern in

 

      19        our neighborhood.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Ms. Altman, your time has

 

      21        expired.

 

      22             Thank you.

 

      23             Mr. Altman.  And Mr. Altman will be our

 

      24        last speaker.

 

      25             (Audience member approaches the podium.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1             MS. ELLER:  Mr. Chairman.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Ms. Eller.

 

       3             MS. ELLER:  I'm sorry to interrupt.

 

       4             The Planning Department will defend their

 

       5        staff report and the position that has been

 

       6        taken by the Planning Commission, and it would

 

       7        be appropriate to have their testimony during

 

       8        the public hearing since they are, in essence,

 

       9        defending what the Planning Commission --

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  After Mr. Altman

 

      11        speaks, we'll go to the Department.

 

      12             MS. ELLER:  Correct.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Very well.

 

      14             Mr. Altman, good evening.

 

      15             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  I also have some visuals.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  If you could state

 

      17        your name and address for the record, please.

 

      18             AUDIENCE MEMBER:  First name Browne,

 

      19        B-r-o-w-n-e, last name Altman, A-l-t-m-a-n.  I

 

      20        live at 9759 Heckscher Drive.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      22             MR. ALTMAN:  All right.  I'm very glad

 

      23        Mr. Mann brought up what he thinks is the use of

 

      24        the land.

 

      25             Page 1 shows you what Mr. Mann would have

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           36

 

 

       1        you believe, that he's completely surrounded

 

       2        there by commercial property, northeast,

 

       3        southwest -- well, except for east on the

 

       4        river.

 

       5             All right.  If you go to page 2, this will

 

       6        show you what, in fact, is there.  Those are

 

       7        residential lots between the piece of property

 

       8        which I've colored red, which is there.  The lot

 

       9        on the end is the -- a restaurant.  And all of

 

      10        those lots between, which he says are

 

      11        commercial, no, they're not commercial.  They're

 

      12        residents.

 

      13             Also, on the other end of this property,

 

      14        there is a vacant piece of property.  That

 

      15        property owner has told us he plans to build his

 

      16        home there.

 

      17             The piece of property across the street,

 

      18        which is shown commercial -- notice that that is

 

      19        actually two lots.  That small lot was split off

 

      20        and a country store was there.  The people who

 

      21        bought the property behind it, where they have a

 

      22        summer home, bought that property for the

 

      23        specific reason so that commercial would not

 

      24        ever go in there.  So much to the story about

 

      25        being surrounded by commercial properties.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           37

 

 

       1             Page 3.  This is an aerial view of the

 

       2        immediate area.  You'll notice it is reasonably

 

       3        wooded.  You will see that there are no large

 

       4        buildings sticking up.

 

       5             All right.  And page 5, for the developer's

 

       6        information, I'd like for him to be well aware

 

       7        that he is in a military aircraft noise zone and

 

       8        that he is required, when he tries to sell these

 

       9        properties, to inform the people as such.

 

      10             All that this guy has is a plan.  Plans can

 

      11        be changed.  We have rules.  When someone buys a

 

      12        piece of property, they should have a reasonable

 

      13        expectation of what the rules say can happen

 

      14        around them is going to happen.  When we keep

 

      15        having more and more exceptions to the rules,

 

      16        exceptions to the rule -- this has been

 

      17        increasingly so recently.  When the exception

 

      18        becomes the rule, you have chaos.

 

      19             My last two items basically are questions.

 

      20        If we're not going to worry about the Planning

 

      21        Commission, we're not going to worry about what

 

      22        the Planning Department says, we're not going to

 

      23        worry about what the local representative says

 

      24        as far as whether this fits in, why bother?

 

      25             We can save $3.6 million if we're not going

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           38

 

 

       1        to do anything and follow the ruling of the

 

       2        Planning Department by simply eliminating it.

 

       3        And I'm sure we can find someplace else we can

 

       4        use $6.3 million rather than wasting it on

 

       5        people that we're not going to pay any attention

 

       6        to.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Altman.

 

       8             At this time, Mr. Mann, a five-minute

 

       9        rebuttal.

 

      10             MR. MANN:  (Inaudible.)

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Or the Planning Department

 

      12        first.  Okay.  That's fine.

 

      13             Mr. Kelly.

 

      14             MR. KELLY:  Thank you.

 

      15             To the Chair, I'll break it down, I guess.

 

      16             Initially, this was a rezoning in 2006

 

      17        which was heard and approved by LUZ in January

 

      18        this past year, January of '07.

 

      19             Initially, the Department did have a

 

      20        recommendation to deny the overall rezoning.

 

      21        The rezoning itself was vigorously debated both

 

      22        at Planning Commission and the LUZ level.

 

      23             We had a recommendation of denial and the

 

      24        rezoning was approved.  The height was a large

 

      25        component of the issues that surrounded the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           39

 

 

       1        rezoning.  In addition to the other elements

 

       2        that Mr. Mann relates to -- and that's not the

 

       3        requirements of this minor modification.

 

       4             Everything he said about coastal high

 

       5        hazard, hurricane evacuation, septic tanks, all

 

       6        that is already approved under the existing PUD,

 

       7        so really what it boils down to is height.

 

       8             The Planning Commission unanimously voted

 

       9        to deny the requested modification to go from

 

      10        the 35 foot in height to 45 feet in height, and

 

      11        I'd like to clarify in terms of the criteria

 

      12        what the Department's recommendation was:  That

 

      13        it is substantial competent evidence, that the

 

      14        Department's position was that this was strongly

 

      15        going to change the characteristic of the use

 

      16        and the character of the surrounding area.

 

      17             Again, the massing effects of this

 

      18        structure, which is one contiguous structure

 

      19        with multifamily units along Heckscher Drive at

 

      20        35 feet compared to 45 feet without providing

 

      21        any additional setbacks to mitigate for the

 

      22        additional height.  We felt one was going to be

 

      23        detrimental to the surrounding residential

 

      24        uses.

 

      25             Most -- all of the uses, other than the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

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       1        immediate property to the south, surrounding

 

       2        this property are single-family residential

 

       3        uses.

 

       4             The obstruction of the navigable waterway,

 

       5        again, was an issue.  And I'm going to go to the

 

       6        minutes.  And also specifically with regards to

 

       7        whether or not there was a change to a condition

 

       8        set forth by council.  There certainly was a

 

       9        change.

 

      10             The City Council adopted this ordinance

 

      11        with a specific condition related to an

 

      12        architectural elevation that was dated

 

      13        January 11th, and that architectural elevation

 

      14        was for a 35-foot-high structure.  So that was a

 

      15        lot of what the argument was about in the

 

      16        initial rezoning, as well as the minor

 

      17        modification.

 

      18             And I'll read from the minutes, and I think

 

      19        the Planning Commission -- Commissioner Hardesty

 

      20        kind of speaks for the members of the

 

      21        Commission.  There's two segments I want to talk

 

      22        about.

 

      23             From the minutes of the meeting, he goes

 

      24        into -- he talks about -- he goes, "And this

 

      25        project, as we'll remember, this was vigorously

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           41

 

 

       1        debated and I warned the commission -- and I

 

       2        hate to say I told you so, but I told you.  And

 

       3        this is clearly I told you so coming out at full

 

       4        strength is a very unique area of Duval County.

 

       5             "What is disturbing is that this is a PUD

 

       6        that is being chipped away.  This is part of

 

       7        what we have complained about time and time

 

       8        again on this commission.  When you come in and

 

       9        you put a project together and then you start

 

      10        chipping away at the details of it, this is

 

      11        certainly one of them.  It's a case in point."

 

      12             Additionally, he goes on that he found it

 

      13        very disturbing that there is a comparison

 

      14        similar to the historic Broward house, which is

 

      15        a historic structure that's across the street.

 

      16        And in relation to that structure, that that was

 

      17        on a very large lot and had substantial setbacks

 

      18        compared to this building.

 

      19             Essentially, you talk about a view

 

      20        corridor, that this is one massive structure

 

      21        that is going to go along at 45 feet.

 

      22             Again, Mr. Hardesty later on goes in and he

 

      23        goes, "If you read the transcripts of the

 

      24        summary, I mean, it's very clear that, as it was

 

      25        represented to us on the commission, it would be

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           42

 

 

       1        35 feet because that was a big deal as you

 

       2        remember in the discussion is the height

 

       3        situation.  And now we're nibbling and nibbling

 

       4        away at this thing.

 

       5             "We need to put an end to it and we need to

 

       6        send a message loud and clear that we're not

 

       7        going to continue to allow this slippery slope

 

       8        to be followed so that when we do reach a

 

       9        bargain and we do reach an agreement, that is

 

      10        one we live by and one we carry forward."

 

      11             And then he went on to ask essentially when

 

      12        had that been heard.  And this was something

 

      13        that was before them in June, which the original

 

      14        rezoning was just recently approved in January,

 

      15        so less than six months before that.

 

      16             And so, again, the staff's initial reasons

 

      17        for denying the rezoning are not really relevant

 

      18        to the minor modification.  I'd agree with the

 

      19        applicant as to all the other issues in the

 

      20        report, but the bottom line is that the

 

      21        character of the area will be adversely impacted

 

      22        and adversely affected by the increase in

 

      23        height.  We, therefore, recommended denial and

 

      24        the Planning Commission unanimously also

 

      25        recommended denial.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           43

 

 

       1             Thank you.

 

       2             (Mr. Corrigan enters the proceedings.)

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Crofts.

 

       4             MR. CROFTS:  I'd just like to add that I

 

       5        believe to say that -- for the record, that this

 

       6        particular property is consistent with the

 

       7        Heckscher Island River Center study is not

 

       8        completely accurate in the sense that, you know,

 

       9        this particular project attempts to align itself

 

      10        with certain attributes of that particular --

 

      11        those design criteria, such as high density and

 

      12        massing and two to three stories and those types

 

      13        of things.

 

      14             This particular project is certainly within

 

      15        the Heckscher Drive -- Heckscher Island River

 

      16        Center's study area.  Within that particular

 

      17        area -- I think the point is within these

 

      18        studies, there -- within that particular study

 

      19        area, there would be one or two, perhaps,

 

      20        isolated areas that may perhaps have the higher

 

      21        intensity that would be a nucleus, that would be

 

      22        a place with a sense of arrival, that would have

 

      23        some interaction, that would be waterfront

 

      24        development, that would have probably higher

 

      25        density development as part of the development.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           44

 

 

       1        It would be sort of an activity center or a

 

       2        nucleus within itself.

 

       3             I don't see this particular project

 

       4        necessarily being as part of that, so I don't

 

       5        want the committee to necessarily believe that

 

       6        this is automatically totally consistent with

 

       7        that particular Heckscher Island Drive study.

 

       8             This is a particular development within

 

       9        that particular study area.  But when we have

 

      10        attribution to the density and the height, that

 

      11        pertains to a particular higher intense area

 

      12        within that study area, and I don't see this

 

      13        development particularly as part of that.

 

      14             So I just wanted to clarify that.  So I

 

      15        don't think you can say that this is completely

 

      16        consistent with that particular project or work.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Crofts.

 

      18             Ms. Eller.

 

      19             MS. ELLER:  Yes.  With that, I've

 

      20        calculated -- and Legislative Services can

 

      21        confirm -- approximately about 20 minutes

 

      22        between the opposition and the Planning

 

      23        Department.  And I believe the applicant

 

      24        initially used about 18.  So about two minutes

 

      25        for rebuttal would be appropriate.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           45

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Mr. Mann.

 

       2             (Mr. Mann approaches the podium.)

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  We'll set the clock for two

 

       4        minutes.

 

       5             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, members of the

 

       6        committee, again, you've heard, "I don't want it

 

       7        in my backyard.  I don't like it."  You've not

 

       8        heard substantial and competent evidence either

 

       9        from the opposition or from the Planning

 

      10        Department as to why this minor modification

 

      11        should be denied.

 

      12             There is no place in the planning staff

 

      13        report that they reference the height.  They

 

      14        don't address it at all.  And that is the

 

      15        substantial and competent evidence that was

 

      16        submitted to the Planning Commission.

 

      17             The question is, is the minor modification

 

      18        a change in character?  No.  The number of units

 

      19        did not change, the size of the units, the

 

      20        footprint of the units have not changed.

 

      21             They keep referencing that we're not part

 

      22        of the Northside Vision Plan.  If you look at

 

      23        your Northside Vision Plan, if you're familiar

 

      24        with it, here is your Batten Island.  I don't

 

      25        know that you can see that.  That's the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           46

 

 

       1        approximate area that our property is located

 

       2        in.

 

       3             It says that they'll be creating mixed-use

 

       4        housing and retail development within the

 

       5        village center.  It goes on to say, no layering

 

       6        of development, establish a high-density village

 

       7        center.  Density relates to number of units.

 

       8        Intensity relates to use if you want to go back

 

       9        to Webster.  We did this in our earlier

 

      10        presentation and furnished that to you out of

 

      11        Webster's Collegiate.

 

      12             The village center development defines a

 

      13        sense of arrival.  This is one step towards the

 

      14        village center.  You've got a bunch of smaller

 

      15        properties out there and it's going to take a

 

      16        while for it to develop.  But the more

 

      17        residential you get out there, the more quality

 

      18        residential you get out there, the more the

 

      19        development is going to take off and go.  But,

 

      20        again, your choice is the substantial and

 

      21        competent evidence.

 

      22             The Planning Department report does not

 

      23        reference the height.  They do not give you any

 

      24        criteria for denial of this.  They don't tell

 

      25        you how we're going to impact schools, they

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           47

 

 

       1        don't tell you how we're going to impact

 

       2        transportation or concurrency, they don't tell

 

       3        you how we're going to affect traffic, they

 

       4        don't tell you how we're going to affect water

 

       5        and sewer, how this height variance is going to

 

       6        affect any of those things.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Mann, your time --

 

       8             MR. ALTMAN:  Because it looks like shit.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  If we could refrain from the

 

      10        comments from the --

 

      11             MR. MANN:  If Mr. Chairman would discuss

 

      12        profanity.  I don't know.  You know --

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Altman, we can't have

 

      14        that language -- Mr. Altman, if you could

 

      15        refrain from your comments.

 

      16             Mr. Mann, now your time has expired as

 

      17        well.

 

      18             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, with this

 

      19        interruption of this gentleman --

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'll give you 30 seconds to

 

      21        finish.

 

      22             MR. MANN:  Okay.  In rebuttal or into

 

      23        this -- I'm sorry for the outburst of this

 

      24        gentleman.  I don't know what got into him.

 

      25             But, again, your decision is based on

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           48

 

 

       1        substantial and competent evidence that was

 

       2        placed in your Planning Department report, and

 

       3        that's what you need to make your decision on.

 

       4        We took it apart, we showed you where they did

 

       5        not address the issue.

 

       6             We ask that you find in favor of my client

 

       7        for the minor modification and approve the

 

       8        height variance to 45 feet.

 

       9             Thank you very much.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      11             Okay.  At this point, what I wanted to do

 

      12        was, since this is in Mr. Holt's district,

 

      13        Mr. Webb has set the queue --

 

      14             MR. WEBB:  I'll yield to Mr. Holt.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Councilman Holt, and

 

      16        then we'll go to Mr. Webb for questions.

 

      17             MR. HOLT:  Thank you, Mr. Chair.

 

      18             I first want to start off and ask

 

      19        Mr. Crofts a question because I'm having a

 

      20        little bit of trouble understanding why they're

 

      21        coming back.  After having been approved at

 

      22        35 feet, Mr. Mann seemed to indicate that they

 

      23        needed the additional height in order to comply

 

      24        with the low country feel to get that higher

 

      25        pitch.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           49

 

 

       1             Did they have a plan, a site plan that

 

       2        included heights and such when they came in at

 

       3        35 feet?

 

       4             MR. CROFTS:  I will tell you, through the

 

       5        Chair, that there were architectural

 

       6        renderings.  I don't know if they were -- I

 

       7        can't recall if they were drawn to scale in

 

       8        terms of height, but it was clearly understood

 

       9        that those particular drawings were brought

 

      10        before the committee.  And it was clearly

 

      11        understood that the height limitation -- which

 

      12        we thought was an issue and why we recommended

 

      13        against it.  And originally we recommended

 

      14        against the previous rezoning as well, that that

 

      15        was -- be the maximum.

 

      16             And my whole point is as far as -- I never

 

      17        said that this particular development was not in

 

      18        the Heckscher Island Drive area, study area.  It

 

      19        is.  But all I'm saying is that when we

 

      20        reference the higher heights and the design

 

      21        issue and the bulk and the intensity, that that

 

      22        was part of an isolated pocket, if you will, but

 

      23        interrelated, that functioned within that study

 

      24        area, and I don't see this particular project as

 

      25        part of that.

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. HOLT:  What I was trying to get at was

 

       2        that Mr. Mann seemed to indicate that the higher

 

       3        pitch roof was necessary in order to bring it

 

       4        more in line with the low country feel.  Did the

 

       5        last architectural drawings have a similar

 

       6        architecture at 35 feet?

 

       7             MR. CROFTS:  I'm going to defer to somebody

 

       8        that's familiar with the application.

 

       9             But, like I said, there were renderings,

 

      10        there were architectural renderings, but I don't

 

      11        know if they were drawn necessarily to height --

 

      12        or to scale, that you could read that off in

 

      13        terms of, you know, this is the maximum.  I

 

      14        don't think that was depicted on there now that

 

      15        I see it.  This was -- it was a portrayal, if

 

      16        you will, a concept.

 

      17             And so the height is not denoted on the

 

      18        site plan, but all I'm telling you is that the

 

      19        35 issue was the very first and foremost one in

 

      20        that particular deliberation and ultimate

 

      21        decision by this body.

 

      22             MR. HOLT:  Okay.  This drawing is the same

 

      23        one that I'm looking at here, so it seems to me

 

      24        that at 35 feet they had the same architecture

 

      25        as at 45 feet.  So it doesn't seem to me that

 

 

 

 

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       1        the argument of complying with the low country

 

       2        architecture and getting that higher peak in

 

       3        order to comply with something in the North

 

       4        Jacksonville Vision Plan just doesn't seem to be

 

       5        accurate.

 

       6             The last time this came before this

 

       7        committee, I asked that you would support the

 

       8        Planning Department, the Planning Commission.  I

 

       9        think Mr. Hardesty's comments were very

 

      10        accurate, that they had an agreement at

 

      11        35 feet.  It was consistent with what's in the

 

      12        area, and then they're coming back to chip

 

      13        away.  I would concur with that.  And I would

 

      14        ask that you would support the Planning

 

      15        Commission, the Planning Department, and the

 

      16        neighbors.

 

      17             Thank you.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilman Holt.

 

      19             Councilman Webb.

 

      20             MR. WEBB:  Thank you, Mr. Chair.

 

      21        Mr. Vice-Chair, excuse me.

 

      22             A couple of questions for the Planning

 

      23        Department, either to Mr. Kelly or Mr. Crofts.

 

      24             Did you say that the Planning Department

 

      25        recommended denial of the original PUD?

 

 

 

 

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       1             MR. KELLY:  That's correct.

 

       2             MR. WEBB:  And it was passed by LUZ and the

 

       3        full council back in early '07?

 

       4             MR. KELLY:  Correct.  In January of '07.

 

       5             MR. WEBB:  I take it Mr. Mann's argument is

 

       6        that the Planning Department denied the minor

 

       7        modification in reliance on issues or criteria

 

       8        that were considered and denied during the

 

       9        matters before the council in hearing the

 

      10        original PUD.  Is that a fair assessment of what

 

      11        he's stating?

 

      12             MR. KELLY:  I would say, when we review for

 

      13        minor modifications, there's criteria that you

 

      14        apply to determine whether an application is a

 

      15        minor modification or whether it constitutes a

 

      16        major modification, which would be a PUD to PUD

 

      17        rezoning, and that is the criteria that you see,

 

      18        primarily the first three criteria.

 

      19             However, within the text of that criteria,

 

      20        basically we had gone back to our initial

 

      21        findings of the rezoning and elaborated on,

 

      22        again, the coastal high hazard, the issues.

 

      23             That was a component; however, there's not

 

      24        specific criteria as to a minor modification as

 

      25        to a request other than whether it qualifies as

 

 

 

 

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       1        a minor modification.  So we're left in a kind

 

       2        of default situation where we have to go back to

 

       3        the reasoning behind the original rezoning.  And

 

       4        we looked at that original rezoning and a lot of

 

       5        the reasoning for the original rezoning, again,

 

       6        coastal high hazard issues, hurricane

 

       7        evacuation.

 

       8             Again, the larger thing was height and

 

       9        massing of buildings, and so that component --

 

      10             MR. WEBB:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      11             That -- I think that addresses what

 

      12        Mr. Mann -- or I'm not sure if Mr. Herzberg

 

      13        addressed that issue, when they filed the

 

      14        application, the Planning Department advised or

 

      15        whatever that -- treated it as a minor

 

      16        modification.

 

      17             I mean, how does the Planning Department

 

      18        make that determination at the outset, whether

 

      19        something is a minor -- should be treated

 

      20        properly as a minor modification or a PUD to PUD

 

      21        rezoning?

 

      22             MR. KELLY:  A change to a specific

 

      23        ordinance that's adopted by council is a PUD to

 

      24        PUD rezoning.  And a change to some verbiage in

 

      25        a written description -- if, for instance, the

 

 

 

 

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       1        written description specified the height at

 

       2        35 feet.  In this instance, they came back and

 

       3        requested it to amend the written description to

 

       4        change the height from 35 feet to 45 feet, and

 

       5        that's the appropriate vehicle basically as a

 

       6        minor mod.

 

       7             MR. WEBB:  As a modification.  So it was

 

       8        properly treated as a minor modification.

 

       9             MR. KELLY:  Right.

 

      10             MR. WEBB:  So that begs the question, then,

 

      11        did the report -- what was the proper criteria

 

      12        for the consideration of whether or not a minor

 

      13        modification should or should not be granted?

 

      14        What is that criteria?  And did the report --

 

      15        did the Planning Department's report contain

 

      16        competent substantial evidence in support of the

 

      17        Planning Department's decision to not grant that

 

      18        minor modification?

 

      19             MR. KELLY:  Absolutely.

 

      20             I'll go back to my other comments.  And,

 

      21        again, we defaulted back to -- a lot of the

 

      22        reasoning behind the original denial, although

 

      23        it wasn't specific to the height request, the

 

      24        height issue does come into play when we're

 

      25        talking about consistency with the comp plan,

 

 

 

 

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       1        the character of the area, external

 

       2        compatibilities under a PUD rezoning.

 

       3             You've got an area predominantly surrounded

 

       4        by single-family residential uses, which was

 

       5        clearly delineated in the report, and you've got

 

       6        the character, again, of the development that is

 

       7        now being altered and intensified, which has the

 

       8        effect of a massing and obstructing views of the

 

       9        navigable waterway.

 

      10             MR. WEBB:  Okay.  I guess -- and through

 

      11        the Chair, beg your indulgence in this.

 

      12             I'll direct a question to General Counsel's

 

      13        Office.  It doesn't seem to make much legal

 

      14        sense to me in the sense that a minor

 

      15        modification clearly is different from a

 

      16        rezoning.  And to fall back upon the same

 

      17        evidence that may be res judicata with regard to

 

      18        what was decided at the earlier hearing seems to

 

      19        me inappropriate.  I mean, there should be a

 

      20        different criteria for consideration of a minor

 

      21        modification.  And to go back and to revisit

 

      22        facts that were already decided in the prior

 

      23        matter, that doesn't seem correct to me.

 

      24             MS. ELLER:  Through the Chair to

 

      25        Councilmember Webb, Dylan Reingold is here, who

 

 

 

 

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       1        is the attorney for the Planning Commission and

 

       2        also assisted the Planning Department through

 

       3        the process.  I'm going to defer to him since he

 

       4        did do the research on the specific criteria for

 

       5        minor mods.

 

       6             MR. WEBB:  Okay.

 

       7             MR. REINGOLD:  To the Councilmember, I just

 

       8        joined our group, so I'm just catching up to

 

       9        speed.

 

      10             The issue essentially was, what is the

 

      11        Planning -- and I'm going to rephrase it as what

 

      12        is the Planning Department reviewing when

 

      13        they're reviewing the minor modification

 

      14        requests.

 

      15             And Mr. Kelly pointed out essentially what

 

      16        makes a rezoning -- what makes an issue a PUD to

 

      17        PUD rezoning, what makes something an

 

      18        administratively modified, what makes something

 

      19        a minor modification.  I believe that was a

 

      20        question you had asked of Mr. Kelly.

 

      21             As Mr. Kelly stated, there are actually

 

      22        three criteria in the code that determine

 

      23        whether it becomes a minor modification or a PUD

 

      24        to PUD rezoning, and those are essentially as

 

      25        follows:  Whether there's a change in the

 

 

 

 

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       1        approved land use, in the amount, general

 

       2        location thereof, increase of the number of

 

       3        dwelling units, and also if there's any increase

 

       4        of nonresidential floor area.

 

       5             If it has those characteristics, it needs

 

       6        to come to the City Council as a PUD to PUD

 

       7        rezoning.  Also, if it's got driveways or other

 

       8        streets that significantly alter the general

 

       9        distribution of traffic, then that also has to

 

      10        come to the City Council as a PUD to PUD

 

      11        rezoning.

 

      12             And, finally, if the City Council

 

      13        specifically conditions the rezoning on a

 

      14        specific request written in the ordinance, then

 

      15        that's got to come back as a PUD to PUD

 

      16        rezoning.

 

      17             I start with that because if it meets those

 

      18        criteria, then the applicant -- that's just sort

 

      19        of the threshold question, where does it go.

 

      20        Does it get dealt with at the Planning

 

      21        Commission as a minor mod, does it come to the

 

      22        City Council as a rezoning, does it just be

 

      23        approved by the Department administratively.

 

      24             The Department still, when it gets the

 

      25        request to change the site, needs to still

 

 

 

 

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       1        evaluate all the original criteria and factors

 

       2        that it would use to judge a rezoning.  And the

 

       3        example in this instance essentially is, if they

 

       4        had gotten a request for a rezoning on day one

 

       5        that said we want to do all of these uses on

 

       6        this site and we're going to limit it to 35 feet

 

       7        in height, the staff may have said at that time,

 

       8        Oh, well, we agree with that.  We think that's

 

       9        consistent with the neighborhood, we think

 

      10        that's consistent with maybe the master plan of

 

      11        the area.  And, therefore, we're going to

 

      12        recommend approval.

 

      13             At the time, they may have said -- if the

 

      14        written description included a 40-foot height

 

      15        limitation or a 45-foot height limitation, they

 

      16        may have, at the time, said, you know what,

 

      17        we're going to recommend denial on this because

 

      18        we think that's inconsistent with the

 

      19        neighborhood, we think that's too high, we don't

 

      20        think it's consistent with the master plan.

 

      21             So in the cases like this, when you've got

 

      22        an original PUD rezoning, they agree with it,

 

      23        they recommend approval, and it gets approved

 

      24        at -- and, again, I just got here -- I believe

 

      25        it was like 30 feet or 35 feet.  And then the

 

 

 

 

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       1        applicant later comes in and says, "Well, I want

 

       2        to go to 45 feet," they need to essentially view

 

       3        it as they would have reviewed the original

 

       4        application.

 

       5             And so now they're going to -- they're

 

       6        looking at it and they -- "Well, in our staff

 

       7        report, we've addressed the criteria of the

 

       8        original zoning.  And if they'd come to us

 

       9        originally with 45 feet, we would have been

 

      10        opposed to it for the reasons stated in our

 

      11        staff report."

 

      12             I believe that's a very long-winded answer,

 

      13        but I hope that addressed your issue.  And if it

 

      14        did not, please ask me another question to

 

      15        follow up, sir.

 

      16             MR. WEBB:  No, that's fine.  Thank you.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Any further questions?

 

      18             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  I don't see anybody

 

      20        in the queue.

 

      21             Ms. Eller.

 

      22             MS. ELLER:  You need to close the public

 

      23        hearing.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We'll close the

 

      25        public hearing.  And now we'll entertain the

 

 

 

 

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       1        motion on the amendment to grant or to deny; is

 

       2        that correct?

 

       3             MS. ELLER:  Correct.

 

       4             A motion would be made either to grant the

 

       5        appeal or to deny the appeal, and that would be

 

       6        the subject of an amendment and a vote.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  If I can ask you a

 

       8        question, Ms. Eller, before we do that.

 

       9             I know at the previous meeting when we

 

      10        discussed this, I believe I moved an amendment

 

      11        to decrease it from the 45 to 42 that I believe

 

      12        Mr. Mann had agreed to.

 

      13             Is that -- and did we -- I know that it did

 

      14        not come out of committee that night.  Does that

 

      15        still apply now as we act or --

 

      16             MS. ELLER:  No.  The committee would need

 

      17        to consider any amendments, including any

 

      18        conditions to an amendment anew.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  If I could then,

 

      20        before we -- before we take a vote, Mr. Mann, if

 

      21        I could ask again the same question I posed to

 

      22        you last time, would you be willing to

 

      23        compromise and bring it down to 40 feet?

 

      24             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, I thought that

 

      25        I -- I would like to take a moment to discuss

 

 

 

 

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       1        this with my client.  My understanding was that

 

       2        we could only -- we couldn't do 40 feet, that we

 

       3        would do 42 feet if that was agreeable to the

 

       4        committee.

 

       5             Again, we're trying to get the pitch of the

 

       6        roof for an architectural feature.  I think we

 

       7        can lower it to 42 feet.  But let me check with

 

       8        my client, if you would.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.

 

      10             Mr. Corrigan, while Mr. Mann is -- Chairman

 

      11        Corrigan.  I'm sorry.  Let me recognize that

 

      12        you're here too.  I didn't do that.  I

 

      13        apologize.

 

      14             MR. CORRIGAN:  That's okay.  I'm not

 

      15        worried about it.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Chairman Corrigan.

 

      17             MR. CORRIGAN:  While they're discussing it,

 

      18        if I could, through the Chair, to Councilmember

 

      19        Holt, the district council representative, get

 

      20        his feedback on the 42 versus the 45.

 

      21             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, in talking with my

 

      22        client, we can go to 42 feet on this, if that

 

      23        would please the committee.

 

      24             The 40 feet would be flattening out the

 

      25        roof, I'm afraid, and not getting the

 

 

 

 

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       1        architectural effect that we want.  So if the

 

       2        committee could live with 42 feet, we would

 

       3        gladly accept it.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  I'll go back to

 

       5        Mr. Corrigan.

 

       6             Thank you, Mr. Mann.

 

       7             Chairman Corrigan to Mr. Holt.

 

       8             MR. HOLT:  Thank you, Mr. Chair.

 

       9             Through the Chair to Mr. Corrigan, I think

 

      10        that we need to remain consistent here.  And I

 

      11        think Mr. Mann has always said that he needed

 

      12        42 feet.  That's what their drawings said they

 

      13        needed in the first place.  They just called it

 

      14        45 because that's the next round number.

 

      15             But 42 feet is what they really needed.

 

      16        And that's what the Planning Department and the

 

      17        Planning Commission and the neighborhood is

 

      18        opposed to, and I am as well.  So I, again,

 

      19        would emphasize that I would appreciate it if we

 

      20        could support the Planning Commission, the

 

      21        Planning Department, and the neighborhood.

 

      22             Thank you.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Any further

 

      24        questions?

 

      25             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

 

 

 

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       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  At this time, I will

 

       2        entertain the motion either way, to grant or

 

       3        deny the appeal.

 

       4             MS. JONES:  I'll make a motion for the

 

       5        amendment to 42 feet.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Ms. Jones has moved

 

       7        to grant the amendment at 42 feet.

 

       8             Is there is a second?

 

       9             MS. LEE:  Second.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  And there's a second.

 

      11             Discussion on granting the appeal at

 

      12        42 feet?

 

      13             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Indicating.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Corrigan.

 

      15             MR. CORRIGAN:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      16             Through the Chair to Ms. Eller, can we do

 

      17        that?

 

      18             MS. ELLER:  Yes.  You may grant an appeal

 

      19        subject to any conditions.  And you've received

 

      20        indication from the applicant that they would

 

      21        agree to that condition.

 

      22             MR. CORRIGAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Further discussion?

 

      24             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Now, is this what we put on

 

 

 

 

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       1        the ballot, Ms. Eller?  A voice vote and then

 

       2        it's --

 

       3             MS. ELLER:  (Inaudible.)

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  All in favor of the

 

       5        amendment say aye.

 

       6             UNIDENTIFIED COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

       8             UNIDENTIFIED COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We'll have to do a

 

      10        show of hands.

 

      11             All in favor, please raise your hand -- on

 

      12        the amendment.

 

      13             (Indicating.)

 

      14             MR. WEBB:  (Indicating.)

 

      15             MS. JONES:  (Indicating.)

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Webb, myself, Ms. Jones.

 

      17             And all opposed.

 

      18             MR. SHAD:  (Indicating.)

 

      19             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Indicating.)

 

      20             MR. CLARK:  (Indicating.)

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Shad, Mr. Corrigan,

 

      22        Mr. Clark and --

 

      23             MS. LEE:  I'm sorry.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Councilwoman Lee, Ms. Jones

 

      25        moved to grant the appeal at 42 feet as opposed

 

 

 

 

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       1        to 45, and then we took the vote.  And it's

 

       2        three-three, waiting on you to agree with the

 

       3        amendment or be in opposition.

 

       4             MS. LEE:  I'll vote in favor.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  So that would be four

 

       6        in favor and three opposed.  The amendment

 

       7        carries.

 

       8             And now we'll be back on the -- we'll move

 

       9        the -- I'll entertain a motion on the bill as

 

      10        amended.

 

      11             MS. JONES:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  There's a motion.

 

      13             MS. LEE:  Second.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  And there's a second.

 

      15             Discussion?

 

      16             MR. WEBB:  (Indicating.)

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Mr. Webb.

 

      18             MR. WEBB:  Through to Chair to the

 

      19        committee, I am not -- I'm going to support the

 

      20        amendment, I'm going to support the 42, and I do

 

      21        so with great reluctance.  I do have some

 

      22        problems with opposing the wishes of a district

 

      23        rep, and so I don't do -- I don't make this

 

      24        decision lightly, but I do support the 42 feet.

 

      25             I would like some further discussion after

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           66

 

 

       1        the fact with the Planning Department, perhaps

 

       2        the General Counsel's Office on exactly what the

 

       3        effect is of issues decided, you know, what is

 

       4        the proper procedure for a minor modification

 

       5        versus a PUD to PUD rezoning.  And I think

 

       6        substantial due process issues are at stake

 

       7        here.  So in that regard, that's my view of the

 

       8        matter.

 

       9             Thank you.

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      11             Mr. Corrigan.

 

      12             MR. CORRIGAN:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      13             To the committee, I think I'm on the due

 

      14        process side as well.  I'm not as focused on

 

      15        this particular development.  I'm not -- it's

 

      16        not that I oppose this development or anything

 

      17        else.  I do have a problem if they bring -- when

 

      18        parties bring PUDs to this council and Planning

 

      19        and Development, I've always understood it as

 

      20        negotiated zoning where we give and take, we

 

      21        give special permission to do that.

 

      22             And my concern is that if we start allowing

 

      23        an additional ten feet on bills as they come

 

      24        back to us, we're going to see more and more of

 

      25        these.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           67

 

 

       1             I commend the Planning Commission for

 

       2        standing up for what they previously approved.

 

       3        And it may not be that big of a problem in this

 

       4        one.  That will be yet to be seen.  But I think

 

       5        it's critical that we stand by this.

 

       6             And if you're going to do a PUD, you need

 

       7        to pretty much get everything detailed ahead of

 

       8        time.  I know I have -- I said this last time.

 

       9        I have one in my district that was not going to

 

      10        be any higher than 52 feet.  I think it's

 

      11        currently at 83 feet now.  So we've got to quit

 

      12        ignoring the height issues as we come forward

 

      13        because many times we --

 

      14             Councilmember Holt, if he had been on the

 

      15        council, probably would have gone out and had

 

      16        meetings and negotiated and finally convinced

 

      17        the people that he represents that, okay, if you

 

      18        let this come, we think this is a good project,

 

      19        it's a little bit out of the ordinary, but we

 

      20        think you ought to allow it to happen.  And I

 

      21        know he's in a tough predicament because he

 

      22        wasn't here during the original bill and he is

 

      23        here now.  So I won't support the bill because I

 

      24        don't support the amendment.

 

      25             So thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           68

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

       2             Ms. Jones.

 

       3             MS. JONES:  Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chairman.

 

       4             I made the amendment because when we look

 

       5        at it -- I did look at it as a downgrading from

 

       6        the CCG and the fact that, when it was brought

 

       7        to us, that that wasn't discussed in the report.

 

       8             I think that when we look at making

 

       9        compromises, that 42 is a reasonable

 

      10        compromise.  And hopefully we'll be able to

 

      11        address the same issues that Mr. Corrigan just

 

      12        talked about and that you've spoken about in

 

      13        terms of making sure that we're clear.

 

      14             I think it's -- when something is brought

 

      15        to staff, if staff says this needs to be done as

 

      16        a minor modification, I think the applicants

 

      17        tend to do it based on what staff tells them

 

      18        that they need to apply for.  And I think that

 

      19        if they had been told that they needed to do it

 

      20        a PUD to PUD, that they would have done that and

 

      21        presented it in that fashion.

 

      22             And so that's why I support the amendment

 

      23        and made the motion.

 

      24             Thank you.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           69

 

 

       1             Any other speakers?

 

       2             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  At this time, we'll

 

       4        open the ballot.

 

       5             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       6             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             MR. CLARK:  (Votes nay.)

 

      10             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes nay.)

 

      11             MR. SHAD:  (Votes nay.)

 

      12             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      14             MS. LAHMEUR:  Four yeas, three nays.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you have

 

      16        granted the appeal at 42 feet on 2007-919.

 

      17             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, members of the

 

      18        committee, thank you very much for your time

 

      19        this evening.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Mr. Mann.

 

      21             Two very quick announcements.

 

      22             And thank you, Mr. Holt, for being here.

 

      23             One quick announcement and then we'll take

 

      24        a three-minute break so that Mr. Corrigan and I

 

      25        can switch and Legislative Services can

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           70

 

 

       1        reconfigure the computer.

 

       2             If anyone is here in the audience for item

 

       3        number 23 on page 8, which is 2007-1046, that

 

       4        item will be deferred tonight.  Councilman

 

       5        Gaffney is holding a community meeting on this

 

       6        item next Wednesday, December 12th, in the

 

       7        Renaissance Room, which is right across the

 

       8        atrium from these chambers, at 6:00 p.m. to

 

       9        discuss this.  So it will not be heard this

 

      10        evening.  So we just wanted to make anyone aware

 

      11        of that that may be here.  So that item will be

 

      12        deferred, 2007-1046.

 

      13             At this time, we'll take a take

 

      14        three-minute break and we'll be right back.

 

      15             (Brief recess.)

 

      16             (Mr. Corrigan assumes the Chair.)

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Ladies and gentlemen, we'll

 

      18        go ahead and get started back on the agenda.  I

 

      19        apologize about my delay.  I was actually at a

 

      20        road naming ceremony, which is where the bow tie

 

      21        came from.

 

      22             MS. JONES:  (Inaudible.)

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Yeah, it's a nice touch.

 

      24             MS. JONES:  (Inaudible.)

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  I went to a road naming for

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           71

 

 

       1        Shorcliff Way (phonetic).  It was a dedication

 

       2        for Shorcliff Way.  And everybody there was

 

       3        given a bow tie to wear, so I just kept mine

 

       4        on.  Thrilled to be here.

 

       5             We will go back and begin at the beginning

 

       6        of our agenda.  We have a number of items that

 

       7        are deferred and continued, so we'll run through

 

       8        those until we get to something that needs a

 

       9        vote.

 

      10             Item number 1, 2005-718.  We'll open that

 

      11        public hearing.

 

      12             Seeing no speaker cards, we'll continue

 

      13        that public hearing.

 

      14             Item 2, 2005-1161, is deferred; 2005-1228

 

      15        is deferred.

 

      16             Item 4, 2005-1399.  We'll open that public

 

      17        hearing.

 

      18             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      19        public hearing.

 

      20             Item 5, 2006-24, is deferred; item 6,

 

      21        2006-220, is deferred.

 

      22             Item 7, 2006-360.  We'll open that public

 

      23        hearing.

 

      24             Seeing no speaker cards, we'll continue

 

      25        that public hearing.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           72

 

 

       1             We are now on to page 4.  Top of the page,

 

       2        2006-520 is deferred.

 

       3             Item 9, 2006-658.  We'll open that public

 

       4        hearing.

 

       5             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

       6        public hearing.

 

       7             Item 10 and 11 are companion items.

 

       8        2007-144.  We'll open that public hearing.

 

       9             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      10        public hearing.

 

      11             MS. LEE:  (Inaudible.)

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Councilwoman Lee.

 

      13             MS. LEE:  (Inaudible.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Seeing no speakers,

 

      15        we'll continue the public hearing on item 10.

 

      16             Item 11, 2007-145.  We'll open that public

 

      17        hearing.

 

      18             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      19        public hearing.

 

      20             Top of page 5, 2007-384 we deferred.

 

      21             Item 13 on the agenda, 2007-566.  We'll

 

      22        open that public hearing.

 

      23             Seeing no speakers, we will close that

 

      24        public hearing.

 

      25             We have a substitute.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           73

 

 

       1             MS. JONES:  Move the sub.

 

       2             MR. SHAD:  Second.

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  We have a motion and second

 

       4        on the substitute.

 

       5             Seeing no discussion, all in favor of the

 

       6        substitute signal by saying aye.

 

       7             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

       9             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      10             THE CHAIRMAN:  The substitute carries.

 

      11             Do we have a motion to rerefer to LUZ?

 

      12             MS. JONES:  Move to rerefer.

 

      13             MR. SHAD:  Second.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second to

 

      15        rerefer to LUZ.

 

      16             Seeing no discussion on the rereferral,

 

      17        open the ballot, record the vote.

 

      18             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      19             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      20             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      21             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

      22             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      23             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      24             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      25             MS. LAHMEUR:  Five yeas, zero nays.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           74

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       2        rereferred 2007-566.

 

       3             Item 14, 2007-578.  We'll open that public

 

       4        hearing.

 

       5             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

       6        public hearing.

 

       7             Page 6, 2007-581 is deferred.

 

       8             Item 16, 2007-659.  We'll open that public

 

       9        hearing.

 

      10             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      11        public hearing.

 

      12             Item 17, 2007-803, is deferred.

 

      13             Page 7, item 18, 2007-835, is deferred.

 

      14        Item 19 has already been taken up.

 

      15             Item 20, 2007-928.  We'll open that public

 

      16        hearing.

 

      17             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      18        public hearing till January 15th, 2008.

 

      19             Item number 21, 2007-984, is deferred.

 

      20             We are on page 8, 2007-1011.  We'll open

 

      21        that public hearing.

 

      22             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      23        public hearing till January 15th, 2008.

 

      24             Item 23 and 24, 2007-1046 and -1047, are

 

      25        both deferred.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           75

 

 

       1             Top of page 9, 2007-1048.  We'll open that

 

       2        public hearing.

 

       3             Seeing no speakers, we will continue that

 

       4        public hearing.

 

       5             Item 26, 2007-1051, is deferred.

 

       6             Item 27, 2007-1061.  We'll open that public

 

       7        hearing.

 

       8             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

       9        public hearing.

 

      10             Item 28, 2007-1067.  We will open that

 

      11        public hearing.

 

      12             We have a speaker, Ms. Paige Johnston.

 

      13             (Ms. Johnston approaches the podium.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      15             MS. JOHNSTON:  Good evening.

 

      16             Paige Johnston, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard,

 

      17        on behalf of the applicant.

 

      18             This is a companion rezoning application

 

      19        which went with a land use change that was

 

      20        adopted two weeks ago at the last LUZ hearing.

 

      21        We had to wait on the PUD to work through a

 

      22        couple of the conditions with the Planning

 

      23        Department and with the school board, and we've

 

      24        all come to agreeable conditions.

 

      25             And this has been before the Northside

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           76

 

 

       1        CPAC, and we've also met with the councilmember

 

       2        on this, and we're available for questions.

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing no questions for

 

       4        Ms. Johnston, we will close that public hearing.

 

       5             MR. SHAD:  Move the amendment.

 

       6             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second,

 

       8        amendment to -1067.

 

       9             Seeing no discussion on the amendment, all

 

      10        in favor signal by saying aye.

 

      11             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      13             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      15             MR. CLARK:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      16             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

      18        2007-1067 as amended.

 

      19             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot,

 

      20        record the vote.

 

      21             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      22             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      23             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      24             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           77

 

 

       1             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       4             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, zero nays.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       6        approved 2007-1067.

 

       7             Top of page 10, 2007-1077 and -1078 are

 

       8        companion bills.  We'll open the public hearing

 

       9        on -1077.

 

      10             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      11        public hearing.

 

      12             Item 30, 2007-1078.  We'll open that public

 

      13        hearing.

 

      14             Seeing no speakers, we will continue that

 

      15        public hearing.

 

      16             Item 31, 2007-1083.  We'll open the public

 

      17        hearing.

 

      18             And seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

      19        public hearing to January 15th.

 

      20             Bottom of page 10, 2007-1085.  We will open

 

      21        that public hearing.  We have Richard -- is it

 

      22        Krauss?  I'm sorry, Richard.  Oh, Kravitz.  I'm

 

      23        sorry.

 

      24             Boy, you need to work on that spelling.

 

      25             (Ms. Kravitz approaches the podium.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           78

 

 

       1             MR. KRAVITZ:  Just for questions.  That's

 

       2        all.

 

       3             THE CHAIRMAN:  Wow.  That's good.

 

       4             Seeing he's here for questions only, seeing

 

       5        no questions, we will continue that public

 

       6        hearing with no further action.

 

       7             Thank you, Mr. Kravitz.

 

       8             Top of page 11, 2007-1086.  We'll open that

 

       9        public hearing.

 

      10             Seeing no speakers, we will continue that

 

      11        public hearing.

 

      12             Item 34, 2007-1087.  We'll open that public

 

      13        hearing.

 

      14             We have Charles Mann.

 

      15             (Mr. Mann approaches the podium.)

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening, again.

 

      17             MR. MANN:  Good evening, sir.

 

      18             Mr. Chairman, members of the committee,

 

      19        Charles Mann, 165 Arlington Road, representing

 

      20        the landowner.

 

      21             This is a holdover item.  There was an

 

      22        error made.  We worked this through Councilman

 

      23        Bishop, who had no objection to it, just to find

 

      24        out that it was actually in Councilman Redman's

 

      25        district.  We have since then met with

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           79

 

 

       1        Councilman Redman.  I would feel like, if he had

 

       2        an opposition of this, he would be here.

 

       3             This is actually a downzoning from a PUD

 

       4        that would allow commercial uses on this site to

 

       5        five residential lots.

 

       6             We'd appreciate your support.  Thank you.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you very much.

 

       8             Seeing no further speakers, we'll close

 

       9        that public hearing.

 

      10             MR. WEBB:  Move the amendment.

 

      11             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

      13        amendment to -1087.

 

      14             All in favor of the amendment signal by

 

      15        saying aye.

 

      16             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      18             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      20             MR. CLARK:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      21             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

      23        2007-1087 as amended.

 

      24             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot,

 

      25        record the vote.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           80

 

 

       1             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       2             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      10             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

      12        approved -1087.

 

      13             MR. MANN:  Thank you very much.

 

      14             THE CHAIRMAN:  Item 35, 2007-1120.  We'll

 

      15        open that public hearing.

 

      16             (Ms. Johnston approaches the podium.)

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing Ms. Paige Johnston up

 

      18        front, we will call on her.

 

      19             Good evening, again.

 

      20             MS. JOHNSTON:  Good evening.

 

      21             Paige Johnston, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard,

 

      22        on behalf of the applicant.

 

      23             This is a PUD rezoning for property that's

 

      24        adjacent to the St. Mark's Episcopal Church and

 

      25        Episcopal School.  The intent of the PUD is to

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           81

 

 

       1        allow for uses that are consistent with the

 

       2        school and the church uses such as for the

 

       3        accompanying use center uses that are adjacent

 

       4        to the property.

 

       5             I'm available for questions.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  Thank you.

 

       7             Seeing no questions, we will close that

 

       8        public hearing.

 

       9             MS. LEE:  Move the amendment.

 

      10             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  We have a motion and second

 

      12        on the amendment to -1120.

 

      13             Does the Planning Department want to

 

      14        discuss the amendment?

 

      15             MR. CROFTS:  If it's your pleasure, yes,

 

      16        sir.

 

      17             There are four conditions, and they are as

 

      18        follows:

 

      19             "The developer shall be subject to the

 

      20        original legal description dated October 5,

 

      21        2007."

 

      22             Number 2, "The developer shall be subject

 

      23        to the original written description dated

 

      24        October 5, 2007."

 

      25             Number 3, "The developer shall be subject

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           82

 

 

       1        to the original site plan dated August 17,

 

       2        2007."

 

       3             Fourth and finally, "The developer shall

 

       4        make any transportation improvements in

 

       5        accordance with the Development Services

 

       6        Division of the Planning and Development

 

       7        Department."

 

       8             That's it, sir.

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      10             Ms. Johnston, will you nod that you approve

 

      11        of those conditions?

 

      12             MS. JOHNSTON:  Yes, sir.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  She approves of those

 

      14        conditions.

 

      15             Seeing no discussion on the amendment, all

 

      16        in favor signal by saying aye.

 

      17             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      19             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      21             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      22             MS. JONES:  Second.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

      24        2007-1120 as amended.

 

      25             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           83

 

 

       1        record the vote.

 

       2             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       3             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      11             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you have

 

      13        approved 2007-1120.

 

      14             Item 36 on your agenda, 2007-1121.  We will

 

      15        open that public hearing.  We have a Richard

 

      16        Kravitz.  He's here for questions only.

 

      17             Seeing no questions for the speaker, we

 

      18        will continue that public hearing with no

 

      19        further action.

 

      20             Ladies and gentlemen, we're on top of

 

      21        page 12, item 37, 2007-1122.  We will open that

 

      22        public hearing.

 

      23             (Mr. Kravitz approaches the podium.)

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  "The Honorable."

 

      25             MR. KRAVITZ:  Not tonight.  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           84

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Every night.  When you're

 

       2        City Council past president, you're always "The

 

       3        Honorable" and you'll always be welcome.

 

       4             MR. KRAVITZ:  Well, first of all, my

 

       5        apologies for my handwriting.  So I'll write a

 

       6        little slower.

 

       7             Richard Kravitz, 1650 Margaret Street, for

 

       8        the applicant.

 

       9             Item number 37 seeks to rezone commercial

 

      10        office to PUD, a commercial center one block

 

      11        east of I-295.  It's about a half an acre, and

 

      12        we've worked with Councilwoman Mia Jones and

 

      13        some of the neighbors, and also extensively with

 

      14        the Planning Department.

 

      15             They've outlined nine amendments that we

 

      16        agreed to totally that should make it a much

 

      17        nicer center and give sufficient protection for

 

      18        the neighbors.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Perfect.  Thank you,

 

      20        Mr. Kravitz.

 

      21             Seeing no other speakers, we'll close the

 

      22        public hearing and we'll go to Councilwoman

 

      23        Jones, or you want to go to the Planning

 

      24        Department first?  What's your preference?

 

      25             MS. JONES:  Go to the Planning Department

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           85

 

 

       1        first.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Go to the Planning

 

       3        Department first to discuss the amendment,

 

       4        please.

 

       5             MR. CROFTS:  Yes, sir.  The amendment

 

       6        consists of the following nine conditions.

 

       7             "The development shall be subject to the

 

       8        original legal description dated October 8,

 

       9        2007."

 

      10             Number 2, "The development shall be subject

 

      11        to the revised written description dated

 

      12        October 10, 2007."

 

      13             Number 3, "The development shall be subject

 

      14        to the original site plan dated October 10,

 

      15        2007."

 

      16             Number 4, "Transportation improvements

 

      17        shall be made in accordance with the Traffic

 

      18        memorandum dated October 15, 2007, or as

 

      19        otherwise approved by the Planning and

 

      20        Development Department."

 

      21             The "Traffic" that I referred to in this

 

      22        condition is the Traffic Engineering memorandum,

 

      23        I'm sure.

 

      24             Number 5, "The light poles shall not exceed

 

      25        25 feet in height and fixtures shall be flush

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           86

 

 

       1        mounted with full cutoff screens."

 

       2             Number 6, "At the time of verification of

 

       3        substantial compliance, the developer shall

 

       4        submit a lighting site plan, including fixture

 

       5        types and footcandle illumination for the review

 

       6        and approval of the Planning and Development

 

       7        Department.  The lighting site plan shall show

 

       8        footcandle illumination levels at regular

 

       9        50-foot intervals placed on a grid.

 

      10        Illumination levels at all property lines shall

 

      11        not exceed .5 footcandles."

 

      12             Number 7, "The fuel island canopy shall not

 

      13        exceed 15 feet in maximum interior height.

 

      14        Canopy signage shall not exceed 10 percent of

 

      15        the canopy surface area."

 

      16             Number 8, "The hours of operation shall be

 

      17        limited to between the hours between 5:30 a.m.

 

      18        and 12:00 a.m."

 

      19             Ninth and finally, "There shall be no

 

      20        outside storage or display of merchandise."

 

      21             Thank you.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      23             Help me get in proper posture, give me a

 

      24        motion and a second, please.

 

      25             MS. LEE:  Move the amendment.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           87

 

 

       1             MS. JONES:  Second.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

       3        amendment.

 

       4             Mr. Kravitz, does your client agree with

 

       5        the amendment?

 

       6             MR. KRAVITZ:  Absolutely.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

       8             Councilwoman Mia Jones.

 

       9             MS. JONES:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

      10             And I appreciate being able to work through

 

      11        this with the applicant as well as the neighbors

 

      12        in addressing those issues.

 

      13             I did have one question.  We had talked

 

      14        about the aeration of the pond.  Did they decide

 

      15        to do that or not?  Do you know?

 

      16             MR. KRAVITZ:  It wasn't in the conditions,

 

      17        so I don't think that was one of the things we

 

      18        did.

 

      19             MS. JONES:  All right.  It was not

 

      20        critical.

 

      21             And the other thing is, I did want to

 

      22        declare ex-parte communication on October 15th

 

      23        in my office with the -- with Alberta Hipps,

 

      24        William Talley and Amy Austin to discuss the

 

      25        site plan and other issues and concerns that I

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           88

 

 

       1        had in terms of buffering and making sure that

 

       2        the neighbors were satisfied with what was going

 

       3        to be brought forth in this project.

 

       4             In addition, on August 20th, I also met

 

       5        with a representative of the applicant in my

 

       6        office concerning the site plan as well.

 

       7             Thank you.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Councilwoman

 

       9        Jones.

 

      10             Seeing no other discussion on the

 

      11        amendment, all in favor signal by saying aye.

 

      12             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      14             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      16             MR. CLARK:  Move the bill as amended.

 

      17             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  I have a motion and second

 

      19        on 2007-1122 as amended.

 

      20             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot,

 

      21        record the vote.

 

      22             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      23             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      24             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           89

 

 

       1             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       6             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

       8        approved 2007-1122.

 

       9             MR. KRAVITZ:  Thank you, members.  Thank

 

      10        you.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      12             Item 38 on your agenda, 2007-1123.  We will

 

      13        open that public hearing.

 

      14             We have one speaker, Mr. L. Charles Mann.

 

      15             (Mr. Mann approaches the podium.)

 

      16             MR. MANN:  Charles Mann, 165 Arlington,

 

      17        representing the landowner.

 

      18             Mr. Chairman, we've worked with the

 

      19        neighborhood addressing some concerns with them

 

      20        after the Planning Commission meeting.  There is

 

      21        one condition that we would like to add, but I'd

 

      22        like to yield to the staff or just stand by for

 

      23        questions.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you very much.

 

      25             Seeing no other speakers, this public

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           90

 

 

       1        hearing is closed.

 

       2             MS. JONES:  Move the amendment.

 

       3             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Second.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  I have a motion and second

 

       5        on the amendment.

 

       6             Mr. Crofts, you want to explain the

 

       7        amendment?

 

       8             MR. CROFTS:  Yes, sir.  The amendment is as

 

       9        follows:

 

      10             Condition number 1, "The developer shall be

 

      11        subject to the original legal description dated

 

      12        October 4, 2007."

 

      13             Number 2, "The developer shall be subject

 

      14        to the revised written description dated

 

      15        October 4, 2007."

 

      16             Number 3, "The developer shall be subject

 

      17        to the original site plan dated August 31,

 

      18        2007."

 

      19             The next condition, number 4, "The

 

      20        development of the property shall proceed in

 

      21        accordance with part 10 of the zoning code."

 

      22             Number 5, "All buildings must have an

 

      23        uncomplementary buffer/landscape area for

 

      24        part 12 of the zoning code or as otherwise

 

      25        approved by the Planning and Development

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           91

 

 

       1        Department."

 

       2             Number 6, "The lighting plan with full

 

       3        cutoffs for fixtures shall be provided for

 

       4        review and approval of the Planning and

 

       5        Development Department at the time of

 

       6        verification of substantial compliance.  Light

 

       7        levels shall not exceed .5 footcandles at the

 

       8        property line."

 

       9             Lastly, number 7, "The retention pond

 

      10        located within this particular development shall

 

      11        be aerated."

 

      12             That's it.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you very much.

 

      14             Mr. Mann --

 

      15             MR. MANN:  Mr. Chairman, the seventh item

 

      16        that Mr. Crofts added was the one that we wanted

 

      17        to be sure was in there.  It had been left out

 

      18        previously.  So I have no other additional

 

      19        amendments to add.

 

      20             Thank you.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Perfect.  Thank you.

 

      22             Seeing no discussion on the amendment, all

 

      23        in favor signal by saying aye.

 

      24             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           92

 

 

       1             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

       3             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill as amended.

 

       4             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on -1123

 

       6        as amended.

 

       7             Seeing no discussion on the bill, open the

 

       8        ballot, record the vote.

 

       9             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      10             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      11             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      12             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      16             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      17             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      18             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      20        approved 2007-1123.

 

      21             Thank you.

 

      22             MR. MANN:  Thank you, committee.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Item 39, 2007-1124.  We'll

 

      24        open that public hearing.

 

      25             We have one speaker, Mr. Wyman Duggan.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           93

 

 

       1             (Mr. Duggan approaches the podium.)

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       3             MR. DUGGAN:  Thank you.

 

       4             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'm sorry, Mr. Duggan.  If

 

       5        you could please hold.  Mr. Reingold has an

 

       6        issue to be raised.

 

       7             MR. DUGGAN:  I yield the floor.

 

       8             MR. REINGOLD:  Thank you very much.

 

       9             I just want to let the LUZ Committee know

 

      10        that on Thursday last week, Wyman Duggan agreed

 

      11        to a condition that he wear a bow tie and a

 

      12        jacket to this meeting.  Seeing as that

 

      13        condition has been met, I believe that this item

 

      14        can move forward.

 

      15             THE CHAIRMAN:  Well, Mr. Duggan, I'm so

 

      16        honored to be the only other person in the room

 

      17        with a bow tie on this evening.  So it is indeed

 

      18        an honor.

 

      19             MR. DUGGAN:  The honor is all mine,

 

      20        Mr. Chairman, to be looking like you.

 

      21             THE CHAIRMAN:  Until the votes happens,

 

      22        then it changes.

 

      23             Go ahead.

 

      24             MR. DUGGAN:  All right.  Thank you.

 

      25             This PUD amendment modifies the PUD that

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           94

 

 

       1        was approved in 2005.  It's a 52-acre retail

 

       2        commercial site between Gate Parkway and

 

       3        St. Johns Town Center.  We've made some

 

       4        modifications to the development totals and

 

       5        added a PUD conversion table.

 

       6             I'm available for questions, although I

 

       7        will discuss some -- I believe the Planning

 

       8        Department and I are on the same page with

 

       9        respect to the conditions, but I'll let them

 

      10        read that.

 

      11             Thank you.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  We'll come back to you after

 

      13        we go through those.

 

      14             Seeing no other speakers, we will let the

 

      15        bow tie man be the only one to speak on this

 

      16        public hearing.  So it's closed.

 

      17             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the amendment.

 

      18             MR. SHAD:  Second.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

      20        amendment to -1124.

 

      21             Mr. Crofts, would you read the amendment,

 

      22        please.

 

      23             MR. CROFTS:  Yes, sir.  The amendment is as

 

      24        follows:

 

      25             "The development shall be subject to the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           95

 

 

       1        original legal description dated October 20,

 

       2        2006."

 

       3             "The development shall be subject to the

 

       4        revised written description dated December 2,

 

       5        2007."

 

       6             Number 3, "The development shall be subject

 

       7        to the original site plan dated October 5,

 

       8        2007."

 

       9             Number 4, "Transportation improvements

 

      10        shall be made in accordance with the revised

 

      11        Traffic memorandum dated October 18, 2007, and

 

      12        the transportation section of the Planning and

 

      13        Development Department's memorandum dated

 

      14        November 30, 2007, or as otherwise approved by

 

      15        the traffic engineer and the Planning and

 

      16        Development Department."

 

      17             There's also a fifth condition --

 

      18             MR. DUGGAN:  Mr. Crofts, before we go on

 

      19        from that condition, number 4, it should be the

 

      20        original Traffic memorandum dated October 18,

 

      21        2007, not the revised.

 

      22             MR. CROFTS:  Okay.

 

      23             MR. DUGGAN:  And then the other memo was

 

      24        revised.  The revised --

 

      25             MR. CROFTS:  The first memo, the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           96

 

 

       1        October 18th was original, and the second one

 

       2        dated November 30th was revised.

 

       3             MR. DUGGAN:  Correct.

 

       4             MR. CROFTS:  Number 5 and finally, "The

 

       5        December 4, 2007, drawing titled Additional

 

       6        Setback Plan is incorporated as Exhibit J.

 

       7        Without waiving any right to just compensation,

 

       8        the applicant will provide the setback shown on

 

       9        Exhibit J for potential future

 

      10        acquisition/acquisitions by the City of

 

      11        Jacksonville for improvements to Town Center

 

      12        Parkway and Gate Parkway.

 

      13             "Any required minimum yard building

 

      14        setback, parking, signing, sidewalks, greenspace

 

      15        or landscaping nonconformity that would be

 

      16        created by such future acquisition/acquisitions

 

      17        shall be permitted."

 

      18             That's the amendment.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Mr. Duggan, do you

 

      20        agree with the amendment now that it's been

 

      21        phrased that way?

 

      22             MR. DUGGAN:  Yes, Mr. Chairman.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Thank you.

 

      24             Seeing no discussion on the amendment, all

 

      25        in favor of the amendment signal by saying aye.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           97

 

 

       1             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Well, the amendment has been

 

       3        approved.

 

       4             Apparently it's time to vote.

 

       5             MR. DUGGAN:  Merriane had 6:45 on the

 

       6        over/under, so she's trying to hurry up

 

       7        everyone.

 

       8             THE CHAIRMAN:  I can see that.

 

       9             Let's go ahead and open that ballot.

 

      10             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      11             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      12             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      16             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      17             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      18             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      19             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you have

 

      21        approved 2007-1124 with a whole bunch of

 

      22        ding-a-lings.

 

      23             MR. DUGGAN:  Thank you.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  Item 40, 2007-1125.  We'll

 

      25        open that public hearing.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           98

 

 

       1             Seeing no speakers, we'll continue that

 

       2        public hearing.

 

       3             Let's turn to page 13 of your agenda with

 

       4        me, please.

 

       5             Item 41, 2007-1126.  We'll open that public

 

       6        hearing.

 

       7             Seeing no one who wishes to speak, we will

 

       8        continue that public hearing.

 

       9             MR. KELLY:  To the Chair, -1126, there's an

 

      10        amendment.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'm sorry.  Thank you.

 

      12             We have a motion and second on the

 

      13        amendment for -1126.  I was just testing the

 

      14        committee.

 

      15             All in favor of the amendment signal by

 

      16        saying aye.

 

      17             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

      19             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  The amendment carries.

 

      21             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Motion to rerefer.

 

      22             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      23             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second to

 

      24        rerefer 2007-1126 to LUZ.

 

      25             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           99

 

 

       1        record the vote.

 

       2             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       3             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       4             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      11             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      13        rereferred 2007-1126.

 

      14             Item 42, 2007-1140.  We'll open that public

 

      15        hearing.

 

      16             Susan McDonald is here.

 

      17             (Ms. McDonald approaches the podium.)

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

      19             MS. McDONALD:  Good evening.

 

      20             Susan McDonald, 1301 Riverplace Boulevard,

 

      21        representing the developer, Bartram Park DRI.

 

      22             We are here tonight to request your

 

      23        approval of a notice of proposed change that

 

      24        actually has three changes.  We're modifying our

 

      25        phasing and buildout dates to add an additional

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           100

 

 

       1        seven years provided by statute, that it's not a

 

       2        substantial deviation, and then the legislature

 

       3        approved an automatic three-year extension.

 

       4             Secondly, we are changing our development

 

       5        rights such that we are increasing our office

 

       6        square footage by 100,000 square feet, but at

 

       7        the same time, we're decreasing our hotel by

 

       8        200 rooms.

 

       9             And our traffic analysis reflects that this

 

      10        results in no additional impacts as a result of

 

      11        this net increase and decrease at the same

 

      12        time.

 

      13             We're also getting just a 10-month

 

      14        extension to complete Bartram Park Boulevard.

 

      15        It's almost complete at this time, but we had to

 

      16        acquire additional right-of-way, and this is

 

      17        just to allow it to connect to Race Track Road.

 

      18             The Regional Planning Council has indicated

 

      19        that they do not find it a substantial

 

      20        deviation.  The Planning Department has

 

      21        recommended approval with no conditions.  And

 

      22        hopefully Councilman Webb will acknowledge that

 

      23        he finds it acceptable as well.

 

      24             Thank you.  And I'll be happy to answer any

 

      25        questions.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           101

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you, Ms. McDonald.

 

       2             Seeing no questions, that public hearing is

 

       3        closed.

 

       4             MR. CLARK:  Move the bill.

 

       5             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

       7        2007-1140.

 

       8             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot,

 

       9        record the vote.

 

      10             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      11             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      12             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      13             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      16             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      17             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      18             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      19             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      20             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

      21        approved 2007-1140.

 

      22             Item 43, 2007-1146.  We will open that

 

      23        public hearing.

 

      24             Mr. T.R. Hainline has turned in a card and

 

      25        is coming to the podium.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           102

 

 

       1             (Mr. Hainline approaches the podium.)

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  Good evening.

 

       3             MR. HAINLINE:  T.R. Hainline, 1301

 

       4        Riverplace Boulevard.

 

       5             This is the school concurrency bill, and I

 

       6        just want to say on behalf of the Joint Planning

 

       7        Committee that the staff, particularly Shannon

 

       8        and Bill Killingsworth, have done a great job on

 

       9        a very complex issue.  And Shannon has worked

 

      10        very hard to put everything in that document,

 

      11        and I thank her for that.

 

      12             So thank you.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  Well, Mr. Hainline, before

 

      14        you disappear, I want to say my appreciation for

 

      15        you chairing the Joint Planning Committee.  It

 

      16        was something I appointed when -- during my term

 

      17        as council president, and I think the committee

 

      18        did a great job, and I appreciate all your

 

      19        dedication and support.

 

      20             Thank you.

 

      21             MR. HAINLINE:  Thank you.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  We will close that public

 

      23        hearing.

 

      24             We have a substitute.

 

      25             MR. WEBB:  Move the sub.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           103

 

 

       1             MR. SHAD:  Second.

 

       2             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on the

 

       3        substitute.

 

       4             All in favor of the sub signal by saying

 

       5        aye.

 

       6             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Aye.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  All opposed.

 

       8             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       9             THE CHAIRMAN:  The substitute carries.

 

      10             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the substitute.

 

      11             MS. JONES:  Second.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on -1146

 

      13        as substituted.

 

      14             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot,

 

      15        record the vote.

 

      16             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      17             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      18             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      19             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      20             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

      21             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      22             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      23             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      24             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      25             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           104

 

 

       1             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

       2        approved 2007-1146.

 

       3             Job well done, T.R.

 

       4             Item 44, 2007-1190, is deferred.

 

       5             All the items on page 14 will be deferred.

 

       6        That's 2007-1191, -1192, -1193, and -1194.

 

       7             On page 15, the top two items will be

 

       8        deferred:  2007-1195 and -1196.

 

       9             We already did item 51.

 

      10             Item 52, 2007-1215.  We'll open the public

 

      11        hearing.

 

      12             Our first speaker will be Wyman Duggan.

 

      13             (Mr. Duggan approaches the podium.)

 

      14             MR. DUGGAN:  Wyman Duggan, 1301 Riverplace

 

      15        Boulevard, for the applicant.

 

      16             Mr. Chairman, I apologize.  After agenda,

 

      17        an issue came up with this.  We'd like to ask

 

      18        for a deferral.

 

      19             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  We can do that.

 

      20             We'll -- I have a second speaker,

 

      21        Mr. Harden.

 

      22             Mr. Harden, would you like to speak?

 

      23             MR. HARDEN:  I would like to speak when you

 

      24        consider the matter.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  Are you okay with the

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           105

 

 

       1        deferral?

 

       2             MR. HARDEN:  I'm going to do graciously

 

       3        what I have to do anyway, yes.

 

       4             I just want to know when you're

 

       5        deferring it till.

 

       6             I'm opposed to this.

 

       7             THE CHAIRMAN:  We will defer it until

 

       8        January 3rd, unless I hear information

 

       9        differently.

 

      10             MR. HARDEN:  Okay.

 

      11             THE CHAIRMAN:  Do you want to talk about

 

      12        that or no?

 

      13             MR. HARDEN:  No.

 

      14             Is there any chance that the Gators are

 

      15        going to be in the Sugar Bowl?

 

      16             MR. CLARK:  No.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Seeing that

 

      18        Mr. Duggan and Mr. Harden have both finished

 

      19        speaking, we will continue that public hearing

 

      20        with no further action this evening.

 

      21             MR. DUGGAN:  Thank you.

 

      22             THE CHAIRMAN:  Gators in the Sugar Bowl.

 

      23        Nice try.

 

      24             We are now on to page 16 of our agenda,

 

      25        2007-1216.  We'll open that public hearing, and

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           106

 

 

       1        we have Paige Johnston.

 

       2             (Ms. Johnston approaches the podium.)

 

       3             MS. JOHNSTON:  Paige Johnston, 1301

 

       4        Riverplace Boulevard, on behalf of the

 

       5        applicant.

 

       6             This is a development agreement that

 

       7        reserves capacity along New Kings Road for a

 

       8        project that was approved in 2006, and we're

 

       9        asking for a ten-year development agreement, and

 

      10        we request your support.

 

      11             I'm available for questions.

 

      12             THE CHAIRMAN:  Seeing no questions for

 

      13        Ms. Johnston, we will close that public hearing.

 

      14             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Move the bill.

 

      15             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      16             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

      17        2007-1216.

 

      18             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

      19        record the vote.

 

      20             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

      21             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      22             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      23             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      24             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

      25             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           107

 

 

       1             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

       2             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

       3             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

       4             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

       6        approved 2007-1216.

 

       7             Item 54, 2007-1217.  We'll open that public

 

       8        hearing and, lo and behold, Paige Johnston is

 

       9        back again.

 

      10             MS. JOHNSTON:  Last time.

 

      11             Paige Johnston, 1301 Riverplace, on behalf

 

      12        of the applicant.

 

      13             This is also a development agreement that

 

      14        reserves capacity along St. Johns Bluff Road.

 

      15        It's for a project that was approved last -- or

 

      16        actually earlier this year, and I'm available

 

      17        for questions.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  All right.  We have a list

 

      19        of 18 questions.  No, I'm just kidding.

 

      20             Seeing no questions, we'll close that

 

      21        public hearing.

 

      22             MR. YARBOROUGH:  So moved.

 

      23             MR. WEBB:  Second.

 

      24             THE CHAIRMAN:  We have a motion and second

 

      25        on 2007-1217.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           108

 

 

       1             Seeing no discussion, open the ballot and

 

       2        record the vote.

 

       3             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       4             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

       5             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

       6             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

       7             MS. LEE:  (Votes yea.)

 

       8             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

       9             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      11             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      12             MS. LAHMEUR:  Seven yeas, zero nays.

 

      13             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've just

 

      14        approved 2007-1217.

 

      15             MS. JOHNSTON:  Thank you, and happy

 

      16        holidays to you all.

 

      17             THE CHAIRMAN:  Thank you.

 

      18             Item 75, 2007-1223.  We'll open that public

 

      19        hearing.

 

      20             Seeing no speakers, we will close that

 

      21        public hearing.

 

      22             Do I have a motion on the bill?

 

      23             MR. WEBB:  Move the bill.

 

      24             MR. CLARK:  Second.

 

      25             THE CHAIRMAN:  A motion and second on

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           109

 

 

       1        2007-1223.

 

       2             Councilman Yarborough.

 

       3             MR. YARBOROUGH:  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

       4             Could someone just give us an

 

       5        explanation -- I guess it would be staff.  I

 

       6        don't see anybody from Mayor Peyton's office.

 

       7             But if we can just get a quick explanation,

 

       8        Mr. Chairman.

 

       9             MR. KELLY:  Certainly.

 

      10             Through the Chair to Councilman Yarborough,

 

      11        this is requesting an extension of an interim

 

      12        rezoning deferment bill that was passed

 

      13        initially back in 2006 which granted it for a

 

      14        year and it was set to expire December 31,

 

      15        2007.  This request is an extension basically

 

      16        for another 90 days.

 

      17             The Department has been working with the

 

      18        consultant, the Glatting, Jackson, Kershire,

 

      19        England group (phonetic) out of Orlando, and

 

      20        they are in the process right now of finalizing

 

      21        the adopted or the -- finalizing the zoning

 

      22        overlay for the Riverside Avondale study area.

 

      23             We hope to introduce the legislation in

 

      24        January or February, but we just needed this

 

      25        additional time basically to finalize and work

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           110

 

 

       1        with the steering committee and the rest of the

 

       2        neighborhood organizations as well.

 

       3             So we're just looking at getting this

 

       4        extended for another three months to finalize

 

       5        the overlay.

 

       6             THE CHAIRMAN:  Okay.  Seeing no other

 

       7        discussion, open the ballot and record the vote.

 

       8             (Committee ballot opened.)

 

       9             MR. CLARK:  (Votes yea.)

 

      10             MR. CORRIGAN:  (Votes yea.)

 

      11             MS. JONES:  (Votes yea.)

 

      12             MS. LEE:  (Votes nay.)

 

      13             MR. SHAD:  (Votes yea.)

 

      14             MR. WEBB:  (Votes yea.)

 

      15             MR. YARBOROUGH:  (Votes yea.)

 

      16             (Committee ballot closed.)

 

      17             MS. LAHMEUR:  Six yeas, one nay.

 

      18             THE CHAIRMAN:  By your action, you've

 

      19        approved 2007-1223.

 

      20             LUZ members and the public, beginning with

 

      21        item 56, the following items will be second and

 

      22        rereferred:  2007-1230, -1231, -1232, -1233,

 

      23        -1234, -1235, -1236, -1237, -1238, -1239,

 

      24        -1240, -1242, -1243, -1244, -1245, -1246,

 

      25        -1247, -1248, -1249, -1250 and -1266.

 

 

 

 

           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           111

 

 

       1             That has come to the end of our agenda.

 

       2        Are there any other items to be discussed by

 

       3        this committee?

 

       4             COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  (No response.)

 

       5             THE CHAIRMAN:  I'm not seeing any hands

 

       6        raised or buttons pushed.

 

       7             And this is our last meeting of 2007.  I

 

       8        want to thank the committee for a great first

 

       9        six months.  Looking forward to taking a break

 

      10        and coming back on January 3rd.

 

      11             Please note that our next meeting is on

 

      12        Thursday, January 3rd, a Thursday night.

 

      13        Forgetting NFL football, we'll come in and do

 

      14        LUZ.  I hope everybody has a great holiday, and

 

      15        I look forward to seeing you all next Tuesday.

 

      16             We are adjourned.

 

      17             (The above proceedings were adjourned at

 

      18        6:50 p.m.)

 

      19                         -  -  -

 

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           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203


 

                                                           112

 

 

       1                  C E R T I F I C A T E

 

       2

 

       3   STATE OF FLORIDA:

 

       4   COUNTY OF DUVAL :

 

       5

 

       6             I, Diane M. Tropia, certify that I was

 

       7   authorized to and did stenographically report the

 

       8   foregoing proceedings and that the transcript is a

 

       9   true and complete record of my stenographic notes.

 

      10             Dated this 9th day of December, 2007.

 

      11

 

      12

 

      13

 

      14                                 Diane M. Tropia

 

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           Diane M. Tropia, P.O. Box 2375, Jacksonville, FL 32203