Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 03-08-05 — reading text

Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Anderson in favor. Covey, and ORD. 1629- AMEND LDC. DEFINITION OF TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES ( MUW- 24) The City Attorney read the ordinance title by only. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH. FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY; PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; AMENDING SECTION 20- 696. REGARDING THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA, MUW- 24 MIXED- USE WATERFRONT DISTRICT, TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITY AND ADD MIXED- USE RESORT AS A PERMITTED USE; REPEALING CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The Mayor opened the public hearing. As there was none, the public hearing was closed. e Mr. Anderson moved to and it carried adopt Ord. 1629 on first reading. Mr. Patterson seconded motion unanimously with Holmes, Patterson, Campbell, Tucker, Pullen, Anderson in favor. Covey, and ORD. 1609- AMEND LDC. ADDING DESIGNATION OF MIXED- USE RESORT AND AMENDING PARKING FOR TRANSIENT LODGING The City Attorney read the ordinance title by only. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTION 20- 787, REGARDING NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED, TO INCLUDE THE TABLE AT 20- 787; ADDING REQUIREMENTS FOR MIXED- USE RESORT; AMENDING REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES; REPEALING CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. The Mayor opened the public hearing. Pravin Chauhan, local hotel owner and operator, stated the occupancy rate at his hotel averages about 60% throughout the year, and he has never experienced a shortage of parking spaces on his properties. His opinion is that one parking space per unit plus one parking space for every three employees is a reasonable requirement. Craig Tingle, attorney representing Pirate' s Bay Homeowner's Association, discussed the recommendations by both City Staff and the Planning Board, the independent study done by a e member of the MPB, and that having two spaces per unit for transient lodging is not good for business. Mr. Tingle asked Council to consider Staff's recommendation since they are the professionals and have the knowledge needed for these making types of decisions, and have the documentation to support their view. lda 2/22/ 05 ORD. 1609 ( CONTI Upon questioning, Mr. Tingle reiterated that he represents Pirate' s Bay Homeowners' Association and it is his opinion they would be effected by this ordinance. When the discussibn turned to the issue of the DRI, the City Attorney advised that issue will be e coming before the MPB and Council in the next several months and should not be discussed at this time. Chris Gibson, 249 Brooks Street, stated she foresees problems with parking in the residential areas where condos/ transient lodging may occur. The CDS Director advised transient lodging is not permitted in residential areas. Janet Wilson, MPB member, stated her intentions for checking the capacity of the parking lots was to ensure the Planning Board was making the correct decision and was not being dictated by developers. She informed it was never her intention to bring any kind of evidence before anyone. Tom Osborne, owner at Pirate' s Bay, stated there has been no problems with parking spaces since 1986. Karen Gercak, owner at Pirate' s Bay, advised there are times when parking is at capacity, sometimes filling into the Olive Garden parking lot. Charlotte Hoover, Miramar Management which manages Pirate' s Bay, stated sometimes parking does flow into Olive Garden, but the businesses have shared so there isn' t a parking problem. As there was no one else who wished to speak, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Tucker asked that the title of the Municipal Planning Board' s recommendation be read by title. The City Attorney read the Municipal Planning Board' s recommended title of Ord. 1609. e AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORITY; AMENDING SECTION 20-787, REGARDING NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED, TO INCLUDE THE TABLE AT 20-787; ADDING REQUIREMENTS FOR MIXED- USE RESORT; REPEALING CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY' AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Tucker was of the opinion that the MPB is comprised of concerned citizens with the City's interest in mind, and their recommendation should be considered. Mr. Tucker moved to adopt the Municipal Planning Board' s recommendation of Ord. 1609, on first reading. Dr. Pullen seconded motion. Discussion included the fact the City should not get into the policing of parking problems and that the individual property owner should handle their own parking problems; that Staff consists of professionals with training in these areas and that Council has an obligation to determine the best recommendation for the City. Council applauded Staff with their study and the presentation of all the facts. The Mayor called for the vote on the motion to adopt the Municipal Planning Board' s recommendation of Ord. 1609 on first reading, and it failed by a vote of 3 to 4 with Patterson, Tucker, and Pullen in favor and Holmes, Campbell, Covey, and Anderson opposed. Mr. Anderson moved to adopt Staffs recommendation of Ord. 1609 on first reading, and it e carried by a vote of 5 to 2 with Holmes. Campbell, Pullen, Patterson and Tucker opposed. Covey, and Anderson in favor and  107 2/ 22/ 05 REGULAR AGENDA- GENERAL PUBLIC' Frances Gaston discussed community service time she is required to complete for a trespass violation in Escambia County, and asked if there was the could assist her any way City since she is a resident of the City. She also mentioned some housing/ code issues. The City Manager advised Ms. Gaston her concerns would be looked into and she would be notified if the City can be of any help. Jim Murtha, Bay Drive, discussed campaign literature as it relates to building heights. GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION FUND QUARTERLY REPORTS Presentation of General Employees Pension Fund quarterly investment reports by asset consultant Merrill Lynch and investment manager Davis Hamilton and Jackson. Larry Cole of Merrill Lynch and Janna Woods of Davis Hamilton Jackson, discussed the quarters performance ending December 31, 2004. No action was required by Council. MAlNSTREET QUARTERLY REPORT/ REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR 2005 EVENT Presentation of Quarterly Report by Fort Walton Beach MainStreet Organization by Executive Director Margie Collins, including a request for the City to participate as a sponsor for the 2005 special event Okaloosa On Ice - a Winter Wonder Landing in the amount of $ 10,000. If approved, sufficient funds are available in the CRA contingency fund. Margie Collins, Executive Director of MainStreet, gave an update on the past year's events for MainStreet as well as the upcoming events for 2005. Bonnie Nabors reviewed the financial success of the Okaloosa on Ice, as well as the popularity of e the event with the citizens. She advised the double the Christmas lights at the plan for 2005 is to double the size of the ice rink and Landing, and requested Council invest $ 10, 000 for this year' s event. Mr. Covey moved to participate as a sponsor for the 2005 Okaloosa on Ice in the amount of 10, 000.00. Mr. Patterson seconded motion. Council discussion included funding of the event through CRA funds or the general fund, and that last year's investment of $10, 000 was to be a one- time investment. The. City Manager advised this particular funding request comes from current year dollars and future funding of the event could be discussed at time.