Fort Walton Beach Council minutes — 07-10-1973 Regular — reading text

191 MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL OF FORT WALTON BEACH, FLORIDA July 10, 1973 INTRODUCTION FIRE SUBSTATION A regular meeting of the City Council of Fort Walton Beach, Florida was held at the City Hall on July 10, 1973 at 7:30 p.m. with the following members present: COUNCILMEN: George Palmer C. H. Rigdon, Jr. H. C. Van Buskirk, Charles H. Hill Art Schweizer Hurdis Brock James K. Baughman Mayor McLaughlin Also present were: City Attorney, City Manager. Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Invocation was given by Mr. Van Buskirk and Mayor led in the Pledge to the Flag. Mayor welcomed visitors and stated that Since there were several visitors pre- sent concerning the fire substation site, this matter would be taken up first. Mayor presented the following report from the fire substation committee: (Committee members are Mr. Brock, Mr. Schweizer, Mr. Van Buskirk) "Recommend that sites at Kenwood Park, and Mooney Road arid Country Club Drive be the sites this committee would rec- ommend to be centrally located to the fire protection area. Committee is aware of the fact that there wotld be problems in both sites; however, the concern of the committee is fire protection. Committee has looked at sites on Racetrack Road as high as $100,000.00 and it is not the feeling of this committee that the City should expend tax funds in this amount for a pore 492 fire substation site. Recommend that no action be taken by the Council for two weeks to allow public reaction to these sites." Mayor asked how many people were against the fire substation and there were a considerable number of opponents present. There were three supporters of the site present. Mr. Van Buskirk stated that because of the continuing interest in the fire sub- station site, quite obviously the people do not want it put in this neighborhood. Mr. Van Buskirk moved to abandon the proposed sites and pinpoint the proper- ty behind Pryor as the fire substation site, including putting a fence around it. Motion was seconded by Mr. Patmer. Mr. Baughman voiced concern about both actions being in a single motion. Mr. Van Buskirk stated that the committee has been trying to choose a site for 14% years and a decision needed to be made now since enought study has been made to make a determination. Mr. Baughman also voiced his concern about the school children in this area. Mr. Van Buskirk pointed out that the bulk of the school children board school buses at the front of the school and would, therefore, be away from the fire substation. , Mr. Palmer stated that the City will not be paying but $1.00 per year for the lease of this property. He added that the citizens' committee and the Council committee had investiggtddthhis site and agreed that it would be ade- quate for their needs. He also stated that the ingress and egress at this site was very good. i Mr. Rigdon asked Fire Chief Lee his opinion of the site and Chief Lee stated that he has looked at it and it is adequate for the fire substation. Chief Lee also stated that he felt it would be safer to have the station in an area with older children*than younger children. * rather HUGH HANDLEY REQUEST 193 Mr. Schweizer asked how many years the lease on this property would be. City Manager explained that there was no definite time limit, however, Mr. Bruner stated that he would work with the City as long as the property was needed. City Manager stated that he felt the lease would be for at least 50 years. Mr. Baughman asked Chief Lee if he was convinced that this site would be safe for the school children. Chief Lee stated that he felt it would, and the equipment cottld always move more slowly until they were out of the school zone. Mayor stated that with Council's per- mission, Mr. Handley's request for a variance would be taken up at this time. Mr. Rigdon stated that he was the one who had moved to table this matter and personally he felt that this was a residential area and there is an imagin- ary line that is drawn to try to stop encroachment from going beyond that point. He added that he felt this commercial encroachment should stop. Mr. Handley interrupted at this point and was cautioned by the Mayor. Mayor stated to Mr. Rigdon that he needed a motion to get this matter off the table so that it could be discussed further. Mr. Rigdon moved to remove the request from the table. Motion was seconded by Mr. Van Buskirk and carried unanimously. Mayor stated that Mr. Rigdon could now proceed with his remarks. Mr. Rigdon stated that, "Since I live down in that area I am a little more familiar with it than some of the other people present. The property is zoned R-2 for dwellings; there is a house on one side and a church on the other, and all our studies that we have made around here say that we will have to stop someplace as to rezoning and spot zoning.. -+-you can call it anything you Want to, but it's spot zoning. I am personally against us changing the zoning because, one of these days, we're going to wake up and they are going to zone the Bay down on the far end the way we keep 194 going with everybody wanting to rezone... and I am against us changing the goning from what it is at the present time." Mayor recognized Mr. Handley. "In the first place, Mr. Mayor, Council, this entire area from the point where Dr. Galloway's dentist office and past the church to the property that I am talking about--and one resident--and | from that point all the way down to Eglin Parkway is primarily commerctal. Now, what is currently in there is a set of two-family or one-family dwel- lings in a low rental income bracket. This area right now could be rented to families in the Air Force--small fami#i lies--and any individuals that would like to come in and rent. If you were to change to light commer¢tial, what you would have is in the evening hours you would have probably very, very little in the way of traffic....an extremely small amount. Now you have families, children, there is only one residence there....behind the property _is a vacant lot....next to the property is the church which is not utilized on a daily basis for the entire congrega- tion. What I would like to do is show the Council the proposal of what they want to do with this." Mayor asked if these were the same drawings that were shown at the last meeting. Mr. Handley replied that there were those and some additional. Mayor stated that if Mr. Handley had some additional, the Council would be glad to see them but he saw no reason to go over the same material again, unless there is something that it would add to it. Mr. Handley stated that there was nothing that would add to it except for the fact that it would improve the overall outlook of the property from | the street. Mayor stated that first of all, he doesn't have a motion to either approve or deny the request as yet--he was just giving Mr. Handley an opportunity to speak. Mr. Palmer asked Mr. Handley why he had come to Council rather than going to the Boards. Mr. Handley stated that he did 195 go to the Boards. Mr. Palmer asked Mr. Handley if he went to the Board and did they both approve the request. Mr. Handley stated that the first board (MHP) approved it and the second board (MPB) tabled it because of the spot zoning question. "They suggested that because I have a contract between the seller and a prospective buyer who wants to develop the property and put in small business...barber shops, small attorney's offices, insurance adjusters, this type of thing, it would not interrupt anybody's peace of mind if I...I very simply by- pass them and request to come to this Council." Mayor stated that it came directly to the table at that time. Mr. Handley continued that, "Council tabled it for two weeks to givensome- body the chance to object and, as I understand it, nobody has objected." Mayor recognized Mr. Rigdon and Mr. Rigdon said, "you just heard one". Mr. Rigdon stated,<"Mr. Mayor, due to the fact..." Mr. Rigdon was interrupted at this time by Mr. Handley. Mayor stated, "Just a minute, Mr. Handley-- Just a minute, Mr. Handley." Mr. Rigdon continued, "due to the fact..." Mr. Handley interrupted again, stating, "Whose, whose did I hear?" At this time, Mayor rapped his gavel and stated, "Mr. Handley, Mr. Handley, would you sit down?" Mr. Handley replied, "No, sir, I will not." Mayor asked Mr. Walker to call the police and stated that he believed Council could arrange for Mr. Handley to sit down. Mayor stated, 'Mr. Handley, you are out of order and I am going to ask you one more time to sit down." Mr. Handley asked, "Is it a request, sir, or...."' Mayor said, "I am going to ask you one more time to sit down," and again Mayor asked City Manager to call the police. Mr. Handley stated, "If it is in the form of a request, I will sit down.'' Mayor stated, "I said I was going to ask you." Mr. Handley sat down. Mr. Rigdon was recog- nized by the Mayor and stated that due to the fact that this wasspot zoning, he moved that the request be denied. Motion was seconded by Mr. Van Buskirk and carried unanimously. 496 Mayor asked for any other business that needed to be taken out of order or any business not listed on the agenda. Mr. Schweizer stated that Colonel Gates was present concerning an easement request and Mr. Rigdon stated that it was part of the fire protection com- mittee's report. Mayor stated that it would be taken up when it came up on the agenda. Mayor recognized Mr. George Mitchell from the Kenwood area. Mr. Mitchell stated that he would like to request that the park area just discussed as - REQUEST TO CLEAN UP the fire substation site be beautified KENWOOD PARK and cleaned up at this time. Mayor stated that it just needed a remander and not any formal action, and Mr. Mitchell had just accomplished that. MINUTES Mayor presented the minutes from the : regular meeting ef June 26 and the special meeting of July 2, 1973 for Council's approval. Mr. Van Buskirk moved that minutes be approved as submitted. Motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. COUNCIL AS COMMITTEE Mayor presented recommendations from Council as Committee: HOHNADELL REQUEST 1. Recommend that request from Mr. Hohnadell for water service to his property on 4 Wedgewood (Lot 6, Block E, Country Club Estates) be held in abeyance until Council sets policy for all such requests, past and future. Decision to be reached by next Council meeting. FISCHER REQUEST 2. Recommend approval of Mr. Charles Fischer's request regarding building 7-story condominiums if he meets all existing requirements. Meeting to be held with Building Inspector to veri- fy compliance with high-rise regula- tions recently approved. Approval recommended for remodeling of building at 122 Miracle Strip Parkway to be used temporarily while construction of mamn project is proceeding. (Approximately 2 years). VARIANCE FOR ST. MARY'S MEMBERSHIP AT GOLF COURSE FOR 18 YEAR OLDS x. OVERSEEDING OF GOLF COURSE PERMISSION TO BPERATE CONCESSION STAND PURCHASE OF GASOLINE STORAGE TANK REQUEST FOR VARIANCE - MOBILE HOME CITY COMMITTEE FOR PAVING §& DRAINAGE PARKING LIMIT ON _MIRACLE STRIP PARKWAY WATER AND SEWER SERVICE FOR CITY FAIRGROUNDS 3. Recommend approval of variance fior St. Mary's School for construction of 4 ft. fence (brick) around property-- partial section on City right-of-way. 4. Recommend 18 year olds be granted membership in Golf Course and be charged full membership dues. §. Recommend not to over-seed the Golf Course this year because of thi cost of rye grass seed at this time. Savings to City to amount to $8,000. Mr. Schweizer voted "No." 6. Recommend that Fort Walton Beach Junior Women's Club be allowed to operate concession stand at football games at Jet Stadium during the 1973 season with the stipulation that the Recreation Department Cheerleaders be allowed to sell homemade items to help finance team's trophies and ban- quets}