City Commission Work Session

1 MINUTES City of Holmes Beach City Commission Work Session September 24, 2024, 5:00 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, Deputy City Clerk Lowe, Chief Tokajer, Director of Development Services Minor _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Call to Order Chair Schaefer called the meeting to order at 6:20 p.m. 2. Roll Call Mayor Titsworth and Chief Tokajer stepped out of the meeting at 5:55 p.m. and re-entered the meeting at 6:45 p.m. 3. Comments By The Public None. 4. Unfinished Business None. 5. Review of Holmes Beach Island Bazaar & Miniature Golf Site Plan, Outdoor Dining & Special Exception Request - 5327 Gulf Drive Applicant: Mr. Mark Smith, AIA & Jake Spooner City Attorney Augello cautioned that discussions at this work session cannot be considered at the Public Hearing unless they are re-brought up during the future Public Hearing. This work session is taking place because it is a requirement of the City's current Code. Director of Development Services Minor reviewed his staff report. The applicant is requesting a concurrent site plan, special exception, and outdoor dining approval for the development of a multi-use commercial facility consisting of retail, indoor and outdoor restaurant/dining, miniature golf, arcade, tour boat, ice cream shop and associated improvements. He noted a few mistakes in his staff report and that an updated version will be provided at the Public Hearing or the next meeting. City Commission discussion included:  Parking requirements.  Scrivener’s errors: pg. 17 2.a – review section for errors.

2  Use of amplification and if that will be allowed. Background music, live music, and possible restrictions.  Surrounding businesses are not allowed to have any amplification.  Types of turf and landscaping to be used. The City Commission encouraged the applicant to use Florida Friendly vegetation.  The proposed location of the stage and restaurant on the second floor. Concerns about the noise it will produce and how that will affect the neighboring properties.  Concerns regarding the increased activity the business will bring.  The results of the traffic study conducted by the applicant conducted. The City Commission requested a copy of the Traffic Study for review.  The types and heights of fencing that will be implemented, including screening material for the miniature golf course, bollards, and safety/ guard rails.  Stormwater and drainage.  Golf cart parking. Mark Smith, architect and applicant, reviewed the site plan for the property and addressed some of the City Commission concerns. He encouraged the City Commission to visit Mr. Spooner’s other business, The Fish Hole, in Bradenton Beach to view the type of fencing and the overall aesthetic of the business.  The proposed fence will be six feet high and is made of netting/wire mesh material.  They did not incorporate golf cart parking as those spots are not included in the code and would not count as part of their overall parking.  The inclusion of shade structures.  The City Commission requested the applicant identify where the stage will be located on the site plan.  Explained the floodproofing they will implement on the property.  Noted they will follow the City Code and all City Ordinances. Specifically, the City’s Noise Ordinance to ensure they are not a nuisance to surrounding properties.  Proposed lighting for the property and miniature golf course.  Hours of operation. Jake Spooner, applicant, stated the business is vested in this community. He gave a brief background regarding his time serving as a Bradenton Beach City Commissioner and his other business The Fish Hole. He hopes to recreate the same décor and motif as The Fish Hole, which looks like an old fishing village. Bradenton Beach's surrounding neighborhood has not made any noise complaints. He feels he is a good steward of his businesses and wants to be a good neighbor to the surrounding area. Ben Sato, 415 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, owner/chef at gRub Tropical BBQ, stated he will be creating the outdoor dining for the property. He noted they are proposing 10-foot turfed area with kids’ games and activities. Mayor Titsworth stated she is concerned about the amplification. The proposed location of the stage is on the second floor, and she feels the live music will travel further than they think. She gave the example of being able to hear the Ugly Grouper from her home, which is a block away.

3 She noted sound travels and cautioned the City Commission that the approval of the Site Plan will apply to any future restaurant owners. Mr. Spooner indicated he was willing to change the hours of operation and lower the decibels of any amplification and music than what is written in the Noise Ordinance. Chair Schaefer noted that the applicant had a lot of feedback to review and address before coming in front of the City Commission again, specifically concerns about traffic, safety, and noise. Public Comment Nancy Deal, 203 56th St, noted she has been to The Fish Hole, and golf balls will go astray. She stated The Fish Hole has a beautiful setting but is set back on the road. She encouraged the City Commission to visit that business and see the difference in ambiance. She expressed her concern about the overdevelopment of the Island and fears it will become a tourist trap. She noted that the property lacks parking, has an increased flood risk, general infrastructure challenges, will cause increased vehicular and pedestrian traffic in an already congested area, ingress and egress impossibilities, and competition with existing local businesses. Ms. Deal stated that Manatee County voters rejected candidates for the County Commission in the upcoming election due to their overdevelopment of the County. She urged the City Commission to consider what developments they accept in this community and if it is for the benefit of the residents. Margie Motzer, 305 56th St, shared with Mr. Spooner and Mr. Sato that the City Noise Ordinance states that you should not be able to hear noise 100 feet from their property. Chair Schaefer inquired when the First Reading would be held. Director of Development Services Minor stated there are noticing requirements they have to keep in mind when scheduling the Public Hearing. He will inform the City Commission once the date is chosen. 6. Announcements 7. Questions and Comments 7.a Questions and Comments from Mayor and City Commission Mayor Titsworth received an update from Superintendent of Public Works/City Engineer Kamiya regarding the storm surge. She noted there are several Hurricane Helene predictions ranging from 5 feet to 8 feet of storm surge. 7.b Questions and Comments from City Attorney None. 7.c Questions and Comments from Staff Chief Tokajer noted that the County put out a 10 a.m. evacuation order, but the City is not shutting down the island yet. As the track continues to change, the County and City will keep everyone updated on their official websites and social media. 7.d Questions and Comments from The Public and Press None. 8. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

4 _________________________ City Clerk _________________________ Minutes Approved