Challenge in the alley 

   A contested plan to vacate a Davis Shores alley used to access the "Little Beach" in Salt Run goes to public hearing and final action Monday before the City Commission.

" There have been numerous applications over the years to vacate the alleyway, all of which have been denied as the petitioner/property owners of the abutting lots on either side of the alleyway appealed to the various commissions to leave the alleyway unopened but not vacated," City planning and Building Director Mark Knight says in a commission memo.

 

Alcohol for a marketplace?

And a change in the city's Alcohol ordinance "to permit a restaurant located within 100 feet of an established church to allow consumption of intoxicating beverages on the premises of the restaurant, only if the restaurant derives more than fifty (50%) of its gross revenues from the sale of food" goes to public hearing and final action Monday.

It was prompted by Attorney George McClure, representing the owners of the former Exchange Bank building, as they contemplated turning the bank lobby being vacated by Wells Fargo Bank into a Boston "Faneuil Hall" style marketplace.

 

Par for mini golf?

City Manager John Regan will lead discussion Monday on the future of the bayfront mini golf site, which has prompted debate ranging from creating an event venue to continuing a lease to Ripley Entertainment, whose low bid in a city bid procedure was set aside by a 3-2 commission vote at the urging of Mayor Joe Boles.

Several commission debates and workshops have so far failed to produce consensus. Ripley, the current tenant whose primary value in the site is a red sightseeing train stop and ticket booth, has paid the city $25,000 rent for a number of years.

In bidding on the bayfront site last year, Ripley asked for a 5-year lease with two renewals, with a sliding payment rising from $42,176 to $46,561 through the first period, based on a 3% Consumer Price Index. Historic Tours of America, which operates Old Town Trolleys, offered $32,000 a year for 5 years with 5-year renewal.

 

Discussion on the fence

"I have subsequently reviewed the situation numerous times and cannot find reason why the permit should not have been issued" for a wood fence at Dolphin Drive and St. Augustine Boulevard, City Planning and Building Director Mark Knight will report to commissioners Monday as a privacy fence at the Whetstone Anchorage Inn is debated.

Commissioners at their previous meeting promised a full discussion with residents and Whetstone representatives.

"I asked Ms. Whetstone about the possibility of constructing a fence along the north property that provided more visibility, such as a wrought iron fence, based on concerns I received about blocking the view from Anastasia Boulevard to the river," Knight writes in a memo to commissioners.

"Ms. Whetstone identified her desire/need to construct a privacy fence to make the space more usable for her guests ... using the space for things such as a hot tub/Jacuzzi or picnic/relaxation area and the disadvantage of using it for such without a privacy fence."

 

One way to connectivity

   One-way design and sidewalks along Duval and St. Johns streets "are a unique design that brought the right blend of engineering and 'building a community' concept to the table," says County Public Works Director Neal Shinkre of the recent project in West Augustine.

One way Duval Street

"Originally the Calhoun Center had access only by the Osceola Elementary Road (and) existing rights-of-way were limited to only 30 feet," Neal says. "By providing connectivity and a community feel to the Calhoun Center and West Augustine neighborhood, the one-way concept provides a 16 foot paved road, 4 foot bike path and 6 foot sidewalk.

"The new roads provide for better vehicular traffic flow between West King Street and the Calhoun Center and accommodate local pedestrian and bicycle traffic within the community.  This was a successful neighborhood revitalization project that provided new roads, drainage, sidewalks, bike lanes and water and sewer connection to the neighborhood."

Model for Lincolnville?

Prosser Hallock Senior Planner Tony Robbins included one-way side streets in a design for a Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) recently approved by the City Commission.

"The restriction of motor vehicles to one side of the road would enable sidewalk improvements on the other side (either new ones or repair to existing)" says Robbins. "The community has a very good system of existing sidewalk locations; what is needed is filling in gaps and repair of dilapidated/unsafe pavement."

 

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