Small Town News

Planning Board narrowly passes two projects

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Two projects in front of the Jan. 4 DeFuniak Springs Planning Board narrowly received recommendations to move on to the DeFuniak Springs City Council for possible approval.

Petitioners Paul and Christine Guzowski requested approval for construction of a 16-by-24 foot proposed garage that would have encroached required front yard, rear yard and existing accessory building space in an R-1 Single Family Residential District. The construction in question would be situated on a corner lot, with the requested building front facing Crescent Drive.

Planning board member Jim Harman questioned the proximity of the building (an estimated three feet) to the right-of-way (ROW) of the street. "To construct something that close to the ROW is not the smartest plan in my opinion," said Harman. DeFuniak Springs City Planner Greg Scoville responded that many secondary buildings in the Historic District were already closer than some other neighborhoods due to the layout of the streets, alleys and property plots.

Board member Ryan Douglas said he had concerns about a possible traffic accident occurring as the petitioners were backing out of the garage and into the street. Guzowski responded that neither he nor his spouse had come close to any type of similar incident when backing out of a driveway on the discussed property. Board member Kermit Wright moved to approve the variance request and recommend approval to the City Council. Board member Don Truitt seconded the motion. Members Douglas and Harman voted nay, while Truitt and Wright voted in favor of the variance. Board chair B.B Campbell Sr., broke the tie vote and voted in favor of the variance to move on to a decision by the City Council.

Sam Johnston and Ca-haba Development Corp., Inc. hit a bump in the development road when requesting recommendation for approval to the city Council.

The final plan approval for construction of the 80 mul-tifamily dwelling units to be located on Shoemaker Drive, 500 feet north of U.S. 90 W., hit the snag when Board members realized that the developers had decided to change the use from condo sales to low-moderate rental units. Issues about traffic, access to the park located across the street, standard of living and crime were all issues the developer had to respond to during the meeting. The developer stated publicly, before the meeting, that funding was still being pursued for the project and had stated at prior City Council meetings that it was the downturn in the housing market that had prompted the change of use and funding issues for the property.

Truitt asked Johnston if he was aware of the traffic issues with the street. Johnston responded that the traffic study had shown minimal issues with the addition. Wright, Truitt and Harman told Johnston that they were concerned a neighborhood of single family homes might be negatively impacted by a low-income rental with that many units moving into the neighborhood. Truitt said, "We have had issues in our neighborhood and they tell me it's because we have a rental there. Crime rates will go up, the park across the street will be an issue." Harman said, "Maybe it's a 'not in my back yard' (NIMBY) thing but two or three of us five just a stone's throw from there." The Board also questioned how this property would set itself apart from other low-income rentals.

Johnston replied, "Our properties are A-rated. They will be as nice as any property you have here. We do credit checks, background checks, security checks and our management is hands on. We will contribute to the traffic light at U.S. 90W. and Shoemaker, we will also contribute somewhere around $300,000 to $400,000 in impact fees to the city for this development. So, are we supposed to move low-income rental homes to the middle of the woods?"

Douglas moved to approve and the motion died for lack of a second. Harman and Campbell switched places and Harman moved to the position of Chair for the Board. Campbell then made the motion for approval with all conditions having to be met. Douglas seconded the motion. The motion went for a vote. Douglas and Campbell voted yes and Wright and Truitt voted nay, Harman broke the tie vote as temporary chair and said, "with reservations, I vote yes." Both projects will now move onto the City Council agenda for approval or rejection.

Alicia Leonard can be reached at alicia@defuniakherald



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© 2010 The DeFuniak Springs Herald DeFuniak Springs, Florida. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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