Planning Advisory Board (PAB) meeting on August 8, 2018 may be a long one

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
August 6, 2018 4:00 p.m.

If you are planning to attend or watch at home Wednesday’s PAB meeting, you might want to pack a sandwich – or your pajamas.  The agenda is loaded with 7 cases and a couple of items of Board business, some of which could generate considerable public input and discussion.  Here’s a sample of the cases the PAB will hear this week:

Case 2018-16: Voluntary annexation of approximately 189.27 acresof land located on the Intercoastal Waterway contiguous to the city limits; assigning a future land use map category of low density residential and zoning district of R-1 with PUD overlay as consistent with Nassau County ordinances 2006-80 and 2013-16.

This annexation would bring Crane Island into the city.

 

Example from city of Boulder, CO

Case 2018-19: Land Development Code (LDC) Amendment – accessory dwelling units for rent 

This case provides definitions and amendments to code, which would allow for accessory dwelling units, whether free standing or attached to the main structure, to be rented. The intent is to allow property owners to provide income producing affordable housing to meet community needs.

 

Case 2018-20: Land Development Code (LDC) Amendment – building heights and variances 

The city has received many complaints from residents that builders and architects have worked around building height requirements by providing significant roof structures that cause the final height of a building to exceed the 35-foot limit for residential properties.  The proposed change is provided below:

Another part of the case would disallow variance requests for relief from this code requirement.

Should the PAB recommend approval for any/all cases, approved by city staff, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) will consider their adoption at future advertised city meetings.

The complete agenda for Wednesday’s meeting and all back up material are available on the city’s website. From the agenda page, you can download the entire agenda or only the specific cases that draw your interest.

PAB meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in Fernandina Beach City Hall Commission Chambers, 204 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach, FL  32034.

 

5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Bruce C Smyk
Bruce C Smyk (@guest_52132)
5 years ago

I always was puzzled why the building height is measured from the finished grade and not the center of the street. Anyone know?

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
5 years ago

Bruce, I recall years ago hours and hours of discussion about the best way to do the calculation. I think the issue with the center of the street was that there were some lots on S. Fletcher substantially below the street grade and there were limitations to the amount of fill that could be brought in to raise the lot grade. So the result was that if the street grade was used, the house could be substantially taller than 35′ but under that limit if measured from the street.

Bruce C Smyk
Bruce C Smyk (@guest_52145)
5 years ago
Reply to  Dave Lott

I see. I have seen a few new homes constructed with truckloads of fill to raise the finished grade.
Thanks.

Bruce C Smyk
Bruce C Smyk (@guest_52146)
5 years ago
Reply to  Bruce C Smyk

I meant to raise the finished grade higher than the road.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
5 years ago
Reply to  Bruce C Smyk

Yeah, I think the whole infill issue got eliminated as there was the issue that a house significantly below grade would be subject to flooding. I couldn’t find anything in the LDCs about infill but may have missed it.