- April 23, 2024
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The City Commission will vote on March 3 whether to allow Boot Hill Saloon Outpost, 1089 N. U.S. 1, a special exception to have itinerate vending and live outdoor music during special events, including Turkey Rod Run and Jeep Beach, from 2 to 10 p.m. In addition, the business seeks to have live outdoor music four times per month on a Saturday or Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.
At the Planning Board meeting, some nearby residents spoke in favor and some against. Some protested having more outdoor activities on North U.S. 1, saying it decreases property values and it’s not fair to homeowners to have music every weekend. There were also residents who said they enjoyed the entertainment and hope the musicians are allowed to play later.
The Planning Board recommended approval of itinerant vending and outdoor music during special events, except Turkey Rod Run and Jeep Beach, saying other businesses have not been approved to have activities during those events.
“It’s not fair to other vendors,” said board member G.G. Galloway.
The board also recommended approval of outdoor live entertainment four times per month. The rules, as published in the meeting agenda packet, state that if there are two code violations exceeding the time limitation or the maximum decibel levels in any one-year period, the right will be revoked.
A local storage company is seeking to have parking of boats and recreational vehicles in the parking lots of its three facilities in the city, which is currently against the zoning at those locations.
The Planning Board heard the request from Andy Clark, of All Aboard Storage, at their Feb. 13 meeting, and the City Commission will consider the matter in two readings on March 17 and April 7.
Storage of the boats and RVs in parking lots has been a common practice even where it violates code. Clark told the board that the location at 321 Hand Ave. has had that type of storage for 30 years. The other two locations are 501 S. Nova Road and 509 S. Nova Road.
Because the vehicles are parked in car-size parking spots, they are not large RVs, but typically trailers.
The Neighborhood Improvement Division, which issues code violations, is currently going through a list of about 20 possible similar violations. According to the meeting agenda packet, a similar violation was issued to a local storage facility, and the owner provided a list of other facilities that are storing boats and trailers in parking spots. It does not name the cited company. Planning Director Steven Spraker said some of the storage places have been found to be in proper zoning and at least one has ceased that type of storage.
The Planning Board recommended approval for two of the lots, because the parking is behind walls or buildings, but said a masonry wall should be constructed at the 321 Hand Ave. site, because the parking is visible from the street.
The board members said Hand Avenue is mostly residential and getting more heavily traveled, so the aesthetics are important.
“This is almost the gateway to Central Park,” said board member Angeline Shull.
The motion by Shull to require a wall, as well as work with city staff on vegetation, was passed with Galloway voting no. Galloway said the owner should have the option to not build a wall if he parks the boats and trailers in back of facility in a spot not visible from the street.
All Aboard Storage is seeking a zoning change from Service Commercial to Planned Business Development and a development order at its three facilities to continue storing boats and RVs.
Two complaints from neighbors came up during the audience comment portion of the meeting, One mentioned trash from 321 Hand Ave. blowing through the adjacent neighborhood; and another said water from the retention pond at 509 S. Nova Road floods a nearby yard.
“It’s nasty,” said Kevin Robinson, who lives across the street from 321 Hand Ave. He said he cleans up trash along the street after it blows from the lot.
Clark responded, saying the company will handle the trash problem.
“We’ll definitely get on it,” he said.
He said they expect customers to take trash with them after cleaning out their units, and board member G.G. Galloway suggested he get a small dumpster.
A neighbor of the facility at 509 S. Nova Road, John Cox, said the retention pond at the facility overflows into his lawn and swimming pool.
Spraker said city staff will come out and look at the retention pond problem.
Galloway said water flowing from one property to another is a problem that should be taken care of sooner rather than later.
“You can call me,” he said. “I’m going to take this on.”
A property owner in the rural area west of Interstate 95 is requesting preliminary approval to subdivide a 25-acre tract at 519 Leeway Trail into five-acre lots. The property is zoned rural estate/agriculture which allows a five-acre lot size.
Before the Feb. 13 Planning Board meeting, land owner Ruth Pellicer said she had no immediate plans for the lots but may sell them some day.
Before the land could be developed for single-family homes, each lot would need a building permit which would require a stormwater plan and a tree survey.
The acreage is in an area where residents have well water and septic tanks. According to meeting background material, no water or sewer would be extended by the city except in conjunction with an Assessment District, created at the discretion of the city. Such district would require a request of no less than half of the property owners.
The Planning Board recommended approval of the preliminary plat and it will go to the City Commission on March 17. A final plat will also require approval.
