City Commission Work Session

1 MINUTES City of Holmes Beach City Commission Work Session August 27, 2024, 2:00 p.m. Patricia A. Geyer Commission Chambers 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217 Present: Commissioner Diggins, Commissioner Kerchner, Commissioner Morton, Commissioner Soustek, Chair Schaefer Staff Present: Mayor Titsworth, City Attorney Augello, City Clerk Johnston, Chief Tokajer, Director of Development Services Minor, Superintendent of Public Works/City Engineer Kamiya _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Chair Schaefer called the meeting to order at 3:25 p.m. 2. Roll Call 3. Comments By The Public None. 4. Unfinished Business None. 5. New Business 5.a Workshop - Major Site Plan Review - Outdoor Dining & Special Exception Request - The Doctor's Office City Attorney Augello explained that the City's current Land Development Code (LDC) requires the City Commission to review Special Exceptions at a Work Session prior to the quasi-judicial Public Hearing. She cautioned that anything heard during the Work Session relating to the Special Exception request is not evidence and is not to be considered during the Special Exception Public Hearing. Only evidence presented during the Public Hearing can be considered when making the final decision. Staff Comments Chair Schaefer stated there would be no action taken on the Special Exception request that evening - only City Commission consideration to move the Site Plan forward to Public Hearing. Director of Development Services Minor referred to his staff report and proposed Special Exception request. He pointed out the Applicant is requesting approval for additional outside parking, along with their existing parking arrangement. All Special Exception requirements have been met. 2 Applicant Comments Applicant Thomas (Sean) Murphy, 5312 Holmes Blvd., addressed the City Commission stating that due to financial reasons he was requesting a seating increase for The Doctor's Office. To increase his seating requires a Special Exception approval by the City Commission. He stated the business was able to survive during COVID, but there was debt. Approving a seating increase will allow him to change his liquor licensing to pay off some of the debt. He said with the current Site Plan he has been serving 85 to 90 people as allowed by the agreement and did not feel increasing the seating would impact the successfulness of the bar. A Special Exception for additional seating would require additional parking spaces which will provide for additional food customers. He has received the additional parking, and the agreement has been filed. The additional parking agreement will allow the parking to be moved from the downtown area to the Holmes Industrial Center after 5:00 p.m. His property can then be utilized for more charity, City, and civic events. Another use would be to allow small plays in the Garden area of the property. Holding small plays will require additional seating since everyone will be seated all at one time. Mr. Murphy felt he and his businesses have been good citizens of Holmes Beach for a long time. He did not feel this would be an adverse request for the City and noted his business has never had a complaint, and no Police Officer has ever needed to be called. Mr. Murphy stated that a financial solution to any parking usage will be solved with valet parking, which he believes needs to be utilized more often in Holmes Beach. Chair Schaefer acknowledged he had been to The Doctor's Office and that the surrounding establishments are primarily commercial except for some residents to the west. Mr. Murphy noted as requested by Mayor Titsworth, a Traffic Consultant did a formal parking study at his business. He and his wife tracked where people came from and how they arrived which included the Monkey Bus, parking, bicycles, electric vehicles, etc. He was surprised to see most people walked. In his opinion, seating should not be tied to parking spaces in the future and a different type parking study and approach will be needed. Chair Schaefer pointed out that Mr. Murphy had intentionally placed the bollards in front of The Doctor's Office garden area for safety purposes. That requirement has now been included in the in the City's LDC. Development Services Director Minor explained that bollards are a Building Official requirement for the safety of guests. Mr. Murphy pointed out the engineered design of the bollards cost $25,000 and that The Doctor's Office was the only restaurant that has those type bollards. Mr. Murphy confirmed the garden seating will be somewhat seasonal. For example, it is currently very hot to sit in the garden. He further explained that valet parking at a restaurant will increase efficiency by more than 25%. He felt public attitudes about valet parking have changed and he has an additional backup lease in place for that purpose. Public Comment Nancy Deal, 203 56th Street, said that for several years some residents have expressed concern about seating without accommodating parking spaces. 3 Ms. Deal read a letter written by resident Margie Motzer, 305 5th Street, relating to her concerns on the Special Exception request. Ms. Motzer's letter is attached as part of the official record. Mr. Murphy responded to comments made in Ms. Motzer's letter stating he had made application for a Special Exception for The Doctor's Office within the boundaries of the rules and hopes it will be considered. 5.b Workshop - Major Site Plan Review - 3 Unit Multi-Family - 5620 Gulf Drive Staff Comments Development Services Director Minor referred to his staff report and provided the general description of the proposed request and the history/requirements. The property was originally designed as a duplex in early 1970 and has had numerous upgrades since that time. The Applicant is now requesting to build a new multi-family dwelling (tri-plex) each containing two bedrooms in compliance with the R-4 District standards. Adjacent land uses surrounding the home were explained. The proposed design and building footprint are basically the same as they are today. It was Development Service Director Minor's opinion that the Applicant has followed all the requirements. Applicant Comments Robin Weidman, 4164 Westminister Road, Sarasota, FL, representing Beacon Home Design, stated it was hoped that the property could be built for a family home with a duplex on the other side. However, it was determined by staff that it must be built as a multi-family dwelling to abide by the code. There is no intent for the property to serve as a rental. Aaron Barnard, 4104 Wolf Ridge Crossing, Parrish, FL, stated that only 75% of the home design has been determined until they receive approval from the State. The exterior will be determined later. Mayor Titsworth pointed out that the City Commission will review the final Site Plan, and the final design will be approved by the Building Department. Public Comment - None. City Commission Comments Commissioner Kerchner felt forcing an applicant to build a multi-family structure versus a duplex made no sense. Development Services Director Minor explained that the A-1 Zone District only allows for specific homes and encourages hotels/motels. The District discourages the large single- family homes. He confirmed the neighboring properties were located in the A-1 Multi- Family Residential / Seasonal Tourist District and there was no rezoning request for the 5620 Gulf Drive property. 6. Announcements 7. Questions and Comments 7.a Questions and Comments from Mayor and City Commission None. 7.b Questions and Comments from City Attorney None. 4 7.c Questions and Comments from Staff None. 7.d Questions and Comments from The Public and Press The Doctor's Office Thomas (Sean) Murphy, 5312 Holmes Blvd., asked for clarification relating to City Attorney Augello’s comments relating to holding the Site Plan review during a Work Session. City Attorney Augello explained that the Public Hearing will be held during a regularly scheduled and noticed City Commission Regular Meeting. The Special Exception will be presented during a quasi-judicial meeting where persons will present evidence under oath. Only that evidence can be considered by the City Commission for making their final decision on the request. Islander Newspaper Reporter Moving Islander Newspaper Reporter Ryan Paice announced he will be moving to upstate New York at the end of the week. He spoke very favorably about his tenure covering the City of Holmes Beach since 2020 and he was appreciative of the staff interaction with him. Mr. Paice will continue to cover the City of Holmes Beach from his new home in New York at this time. He wished the City the best of luck moving forward. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 4:07 p.m. _________________________ City Clerk _________________________ Minutes Approved