Published by former Mayor George Gardner February 6 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
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Request to rescind vote
on Madeira extensions
It's important that a negotiation of the terms for any extension be a part of that process, rather than an assumption.
Mayor Nancy Shaver
Mayor Nancy Shaver will ask the City Commission Monday to rescind its 3-2 vote to deny a planned unit development (PUD) time extension for completion of the Madeira development on the former Ponce de Leon golf course.
 At the last meeting, January 25, Shaver and Commissioners Leanna Freeman and Nancy Sikes-Kline voted against five year extensions for completion of the three development phases, Shaver suggesting "something you might do for us that reflects the public good component" in exchange. "It's important as a City for consideration of the public good to be an element of everything we do," says the mayor.
"A PUD is in essence a contract which includes the performance of certain obligations and when those obligations can't be met, as in the case of the Madeira project, it's important that a negotiation of the terms for any extension be a part of that process, rather than an assumption.
"If the Commission chooses to rescind its denial of the matter, those important discussions can go forward."
Shaver will seek the rescission during mayor and commissioner comments at the end of Monday's meeting which begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall and will be available on CoSA.TV. City Attorney Isabelle Lopez says, "If the vote to rescind is successful, the substantive hearing will be scheduled and noticed for the next meeting, February 22."
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... To ensure that his name is not forgotten, by naming the park land for Dr. Hayling with the hope it will forever be a place of harmony and peace.
A resolution before the City Commission Monday would name Riberia Pointe Dr. Robert B. Hayling Freedom Park, recognizing "his steadfast leadership in the Civil Rights movement and coordinating local efforts leading to national attention, and continuing to educate others of the struggles that brought about change throughout his life."
Dr. Hayling, who died in December at the age of 86, was considered by many the Father of the Civil Rights Act for his courageous efforts organizing peaceful protests in St. Augustine in the early 1960s.
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Final action on
7-Eleven site sale
Commissioners are expected to pass a resolution Monday for the Florida Department of Transportation to purchase from the city the former 7-Eleven site at San Marco Avenue and May Street.
It will formalize the agreement commissioners endorsed at their last meeting. FDOT would use the site for a large pseudo roundabout to ease congestion at the intersection.
Sale price is $1,097,687.50. The city bought the site from 7-Eleven for $1,458,000 last May. City Manager John Regan said another $152,000 is anticipated from the sale of 1 Nelmar Street, a house on an adjacent parcel that was part of the 7-Eleven site.
Commissioner Roxanne Horvath will ask, during commission comments at the end of the meeting, an "Update on the May Street intersection and Waterworks site design, including an upcoming staff level meeting between the County and City, and next steps."
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New St. Augustine Police Officers Michael Dale Brickey (left) and Spencer Orion Ayres pose with Chief Loran Lueders after swearing in to bring the force to 52. Said Chief Lueders, 'Both Ayres and Brickey are solid individuals and their profiles and personalities fit well within our organization." Ayres is a University of North Florida graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice; Brickey has previous experience in both Jacksonville and Orange County.
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HARB alternates on agenda
An ordinance to provide alternates for the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) goes before commissioners Monday on first reading, when they decide whether to advance it to public hearing and final action in a second reading.
A shortage of voting board members at some meetings prompted the action.
Two alternate members would be appointed by the commission. They must have previously served on HARB and "will only be called upon to participate and vote at meetings in the event of an anticipated lack of quorum or bare minimum quorum of the regular members," according to the ordinance.
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Tweak of Anastasia corridor standards
The city hopes to select a consultant in March to "Re-brand the 'corridor' label within the guidelines by identifying Anastasia Boulevard as a unique destination, district or sense of place, with its own identity."
It's part of an Update of 2016 action items for the 2016 Budget Year to be presented to commissioners Monday.
City Commissioner Leanna Freeman has asked that Anastasia Entry Corridor Guidelines be discussed during commission comments at the end of the meeting as well.
"This project will be a strategic update of the Anastasia Boulevard Entry Corridor guidelines," Planning and Building Director David Birchim says in a memo to commissioners.
"It will include an analysis of the existing corridor typology, re-branding the corridor as a unique destination, revising the signage and color regulations as well as revising the architectural features of each individual building typology."
Anastasia Boulevard businesses have challenged the Design Standards for Entry Corridors over creative painting of buildings and signage.
"The Design Standards for Entry Corridors in its current form applies site and architectural design standards to three specific corridors in the city: Anastasia Boulevard, King Street, and San Marco Avenue," writes Birchim. "Of the three corridors, this project will address the Anastasia Boulevard Corridor ... and will set an example for a future phase of revisions to the Design Standards for Entry Corridors."
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Hotel, PUDs, dorms in final action
A modification in plans for a San Marco Hotel patterned after the original Victorian San Marco Hotel, revisions to Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning, and definitions and regulations for hostels and college dormitories go to public hearing and final action at Monday's City Commission meeting.
Hotelier Kanti Patel plans to demolish the original 3D Theater building and his adjacent Best Western Inn at San Marco Avenue and West Castillo Drive for his hotel project.  The modifications include increasing rooms from 84 to 89 and parking spaces from 89 to 114. PUD revisions include requiring additional documentation, notifications outside defined neighborhoods and additional public hearings and reviews before the Planning and Zoning Board begins its review. And the addition of an ordinance defining dormitories and where and how they can allowed will be finalized. The act would allow dormitories as a permissible use by exception in the commercial low districts and hostel as a permissible use by exception in Historic Preservation Districts Two and Three.
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History's Highlight
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Holmes Ammidown
Among lesser known luminaries in residence in St. Augustine in the late 1800s was Holmes Ammidown - businessman, historian, and philanthropist. 
He is mentioned in Max Bloomfield's Illustrated Historical Guide in 1884: "What would St. Augustine be without its Plaza? Thanks to Holmes Ammidown, Esq., it is now an object of pride. Previous to his good work, it was the resort of stray horses and cattle."
In the Memorial of Holmes Ammidown, Clark Jillson describes him further: "I quote the following from a letter published March 30, 1883, only four days before his death in St. Augustine:
Mr. Ammidown is still engaged in literary pursuits. He is a genial, polished gentleman of the old school, wise enough to be a teacher of any "new school." Mr. Ammidown is a philanthropist. It may be said of him as of the Roman Centurion, "He loveth our nation and hath built us a synagogue." The existence of a public library, reading room and museum, in his native town (Southbridge, Mass.), attest his generosity.
His name is also associated with many valuable improvements in St. Augustine. He is one of the chief supporters of the Presbyterian Church in that city. In fact, everybody knows and loves the retired merchant and scholar, Holmes Ammidown.
"Although Mr. Ammidown's residence was in New York City his winters, of late years, have been spent in St. Augustine, Florida, where he made a host of new friends. His desire to do good was ever present, and his philanthropy was not left in Massachusetts or New York.
"He aided with a liberal hand the formation of a public library and reading room in St. Augustine, and while a resident there, carefully studied the history of Florida and published a large map of St Augustine.
"He planted a great variety of ornamental trees and shrubs to adorn the old plaza of the ancient city, and also suggested that a full supply of water for the city might be attained, after sinking artesian wells in the plaza and on his own premises."
(The Holmes Ammidown mansion was built in 1873 on Cordova Street, today the parking lot for the adjacent Old City House Inn. The inn itself was the stables for the mansion and later served Flagler hotels after the mansion was destroyed by fire.)
"One of the last acts of his life was a successful effort to obtain from the general government, suitable grounds in the city for the depot of the new railroad from Jacksonville."
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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 a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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