Published by former Mayor George Gardner June 13 2012
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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084 |
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Commission upholds Lovett street subdivision
With three lawyers on the City Commission and two more arguing the merits, 60-year-old Siree Safwat had to sit through 1½ hours of debate to get unanimous support for preserving his home through subdivision of an undersized Lincolnville lot.
While commissioners wrestled with how to approve a subdivision without setting a precedent for similar requests, Siree's neighbors across Lovett Street, Joe and Gail Lavallee, put it simply: "These homes are an integral part of the neighborhood," said Joe; "Find a way to do the right thing," said Gail.
The properties, 10 and 12 Lovett Street, are owned by Siree and his sister, Mildred Baldwin of New York. Siree hopes to spend the rest of his life at 10, while sister Mildred, in New York, wants to sell 12. That would require subdividing an already undersized lot.
The Planning and Zoning Board in May decided, "practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship is so substantial, serious and compelling that relaxation of the general restrictions should be granted." The Planning and Building Department appealed, Director Mark Knight noting it violates the zoning code.
Commissioners decided to deny its department's appeal based on what Vice Mayor Leanna Freeman called, "preservation of the historic integrity of the neighborhood."
The commission is expected to consider a comprehensive plan amendment to address potential future subdivision pleas. |
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Foot Soldiers
Sculptor honored
Brian R. Owens, sculptor of the St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Monument in the Plaza, has received the Florida Historical Society's David C. Brotemarkle Award for 2012 for "achievements that advance our understanding of Florida history that do not involve literature."
The award was presented by Executive Director Dr. Ben Brotemarkle at the society's annual conference last month.
Establishment of the monument a year ago ended a seven-year effort by the citizen St. Augustine Foot Soldiers Remembrance Project to commemorate the foot soldiers whose peaceful demonstrations helped pass the Civil rights Act of 1964.
"I feel confident in saying that the Florida Historical Society holds this monument in the highest regard, as it does the people that the monument honors," said Brian. |
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$1 million investment
For Spanish Quarter |
"More than $1 million in capital improvements ... a committee of experts to review scripts, buildings and other elements for historic accuracy ... a quality control expert to assure the program's quality" were assurances given city commissioners Monday as University of Florida Vice President of Business Affairs Ed Poppell announced the selection of Pat Croce's Colonial Quarter LLC to lease the former Colonial Spanish Quarter.
Poppell added that current employees of the quarter will be interviewed for the opportunity to join the new venture, and the city will have opportunities to use the property on special occasions.
Croce's enterprise name, Colonial Quarter LLC, suggests the former Colonial Spanish Quarter will become a more general representation of the city's history, exhibiting four significant colonial eras. The Spanish Quarter was originally designed to interpret 1740s civilian life to complement the Castillo's 1740s garrison.
Poppell said the proposal will be submitted to the university's St. Augustine Board of Directors next week and then undergo financial and program scrutiny. Poppell anticipates a 5-year lease with 5-year renewal option. |
CRA proposed to
maintain Galimore |
City commissioners Monday called for study to create a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) for long-term maintenance of Lincolnville's Willie Galimore Center and pool, following a report by consultant Jerry Dixon suggesting revival of the pool and expansion of the center.
Dixon said the rehabilitation of the 25-year-old pool, locker rooms and concession stand would cost about $295,000, and improvements and expansion of the center $350,000. That expansion could include addition of a catering kitchen and classroom, and redesign of the access and parking area.
Operating costs for the pool are estimated up to $127,500 for a five-month summer period and up to $338,000 year-round.
Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline urged creation of a CRA to help fund the center and pool long-term. A CRA collects an area's property tax increases beyond a base year figure. It is a CRA for parking and traffic congestion that has been funding the Visitor Center parking facility.
The city has $400,000 from the county as it discontinued management of the center and pool. Dixon noted the facilities will never be self-supporting, and Sikes-Kline pushed the CRA concept to help close the gap. |
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7 ways to tour the city |
City Attorney Ron Brown will provide city commissioners with regulation ordinances from other tourist cities after describing to them Monday that there are seven types of tour operations here.
"You're familiar with the red tour trains, green trolleys, and carriages" he said. "These are regulated through franchise agreements with the city.
"Three others are sub-9s, that's vehicles for less than nine persons - the threshold for our current franchise companies.
"We have smaller electric vehicles, pedicabs, and segways. Then we've also found full-sized buses touring around the historic district."
"There's no reason we should regulate the trains and trolleys and not regulate these others," Commissioner Bill Leary said.
Review of other cities' ordinances is the first step in considering regulations here.
Image: www.pedicabofstaugustine.com |
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A flag for a gated community | |
To Mac McDermott of the St. Johns Veterans Center
Dear Mac,
Our condo community (The Cottages at Winding Creek) residents have long felt the absence of being able to display our Country's flag from their home. To remedy that I asked the Board of Directors if we could erect a 30 ft flagpole with a 5x8 flag and appropriate lighting. It was  approved but the Board was reluctant to release the funding when hurricane season was upon us.
As a solution, three ladies from the community have gone door to door asking for donations. Since many of our residents are absentee owners, we also mailed 147 letters. The response has been overwhelming. So many of our residents wanted to see us have our flag on display, especially our wonderful veterans. To date we have collected $3,200 and the flagpole was installed yesterday.
We have planned a dedication on Monday, July 2nd at 8am. Sgt. Major Daniel Blackman and three members of his Color Guard will be here to raise our flag for the very first time.
Mac, we'd like to invite any veteran in the area that would like to join us in this honor of our Country. Please extend an invitation on our behalf. Thank you.
The Cottages at Winding Creek is at the NW corner of Roehrs Road and US 1 South in St. Augustine. The main entrance is right off Roehrs Road. It is gated but gate will be open all day. Small American flags will line the path to the location of the dedication. I hope your gentlemen can join us. We are so excited.
Patricia Wood pwood30@comcast.net 904-794-1439
Image: http://karenswhimsy.com/american-flag-clipart.shtm
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History's Highlight |
Menendez' Asiento 3 years, 2 months, 27 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
One historian suggested the first MAFIA came ashore in North America in 1565 - Menendez And Friends In America.
The voyage began June 29 - a month beyond the May 31 departure specified in the asiento. But Pedro Menendez was a past master at negotiating contracts, even this royal agreement, and recent news that the French had in fact established a colony in Spain's La Florida made King Phillip's forgiveness all the easier.
Flagler College's Eugene Lyon's The Enterprise of Florida describes the tale of family and friends, commercial and shipping barters, even a period in jail - the complexities of the asiento that made Menendez' historic voyage possible.
One indisputable Spanish contribution to America's earliest history was capitalism, along with the abundant record-keeping it required, which gives historians a vivid picture of 16th century events. Menendez, outfitting his ships with munitions and soldiers to fight a war, and tools and settlers to establish a colony, also made room for an Escribano Público - a Notary Public - and 12,000 sheets of paper, to record the expedition's formal actions.
In modern terms, Menendez' investment in this voyage in the summer of 1565 was $5,920,625, while the Spanish Crown invested $4,622,625.
The asiento was a legal contract. Menendez' asiento with King Phillip II specified, "Take, with a year's supplies, 500 men, of which 100 farmers, 100 sailors, rest skilled men-of-war; must, within 3 years, place a total of 500 settlers, including skilled tradesmen, 10-12 religious, and 4 addl. Jesuits, 100 horses, mares, 200 calves, 400 hogs, 400 sheep; take galleass San Pelayo."
In exchange, the king gave this trusted, albeit headstrong seaman extraordinary concessions, among them, governmental and military powers in this new world "for two lives," land grants of "25 leagues squared," and "1/15th of profits, perpetual," largesse well beyond that granted to four previous, failed expeditions.
It was for Menendez to assemble all the necessary elements, while adding his own. For in addition to being one of Spain's ablest seamen, he was also a businessman, and the asiento gave him tremendous trade advantages in the active Indies market
From the signing of the asiento on March 20, 1565 to the final departure June 29, Menendez pulled the pieces together. His title of adelantado representing the king, his reputation as a keen businessman, and his proven ability as a commander at sea, gave him extraordinary capability to assemble an extraordinary fleet.
Painting by Mark Menendez of Andrews, NC, in the Missión Nombre de Dios museum
Excerpt from The Asiento in St. Augustine Bedtime Stories. Click for further information on this fascinating historic series. |
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The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com |
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