City of Fort Pierce Minutes of a Regular Meeting

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Regular Postponed Meeting February 22, 2011 Ms. Olson said there are some really great things they offer to encourage redevelopment in their Historic Districts. One is, they allow applicants to receive variances from the zoning code; whereas, outside of that Historic District, it would be difficult and expensive. The variances through the Historic Preservation Board are $10. It is just a great incentive to encourage redevelopment. They took a small parcel and used every bit of that parcel to build a very nice church that will benefit the neighborhood. It is within a tight urban area, so it is pedestrian friendly. They are adding bike racks, so they waived some of the required parking, which made a lot of sense for this site plan. The neighbors appear to be very happy about it. Commissioner Alexander said the bike racks, this is a first for him. How many people are they going to see riding a bicycle to church in their Sunday best? He is thinking of how much space it would take up for a bike rack instead of having additional parking space? Ms. Olson said it is not going in a parking space. Commissioner Alexander asked it's not? requirement of having a bike rack? So why is there a Ms. Olson said because they are waiving parking, people are going to need more ways to get to church than by car. Also, it helps the overburdened roads. Infrastructure is very expensive, so they want to encourage bicycling. Installing bike racks, it is not that expensive. Maybe those will be used by the youth group on Sunday night. Commissioner Alexander said okay, he can go along with that. But when he does not see it applied to any other church that comes before them... This is the first time he has heard of bike racks. Ms. Olson said generally they do encourage bike racks in any new development. By the way, Staff is recommending approval with the condition that the building permit is not issued until the minor replat is finalized. There is a minor replat issue, but it is almost done. Mayor Benton declared a Public Hearing in session and asked if anyone in the audience wished to be heard. Mr. David Phillips, Sustainable Engineering & Design, said he would like to thank City Staff for helping out on the project. He can attest that the project being located in the Historical District was a direct benefit, because there were a lot of things they just couldn't physically do to make this thing happen. They got great support from a lot of the community folks. It is a good church. Some of the design elements, they are putting in sidewalks and bike racks, it is a communityfriendly church. There was a lot of elements they put into the project. They are using a lot of green parking. It is a very tight footprint, less than one-half acre. 8 _________________________________________________________________________ Page 8 of 45 City of Fort Pierce Minutes of a Regular Meeting held on February 22, 2011 Copyright © 2011 City of Fort Pierce Florida
Regular Postponed Meeting February 22, 2011 Mr. Robert Brown, 601 North 15th Street, said he is a lifelong resident of Fort Pierce. He was born and raised a couple of blocks west of where he currently lives, at 907 North 17th Street. He taught school here in Fort Pierce for fifteen years. He practiced pharmacy for in excess of 30 years in this area. He is currently the director of MAD DADS Fort Pierce Chapter. He is here to speak in favor of the church at 1404 Avenue E. On North 15th Street between Avenue E and Avenue I there are only three owners of property that live in that area. He is one of those owners. The other two owners are in agreement that they do need something as positive as that church instilling moral values and building character. They have enough of the one-stop hot spots get shot places in their neighborhood. They do want to see that church able to do whatever is necessary to get them functional. He is here to offer his support and the support of the other individuals that live in the area for that church. Mr. Sammie Smith, Andros Roofing & Construction, said they are the contractors for this project. He would like to call Mr. White up to say a word about back in the days when they first moved here to start a church and how they have progressed. Mr. Ted White, 2804 Sheraton Boulevard, said his real home is 1404 Avenue E, he is the owner of that property, he was raised there as a young man. It is a lovely community. When they came back there, his wife decided to convert the house into a House of Prayer. It was a mess, so he has to get up at 2:30 or 3:00 o'clock in the morning to run those vigilantes away; and after they found out that it was a church, it helped the area with the crime. The neighbors love them. They will be good for that neighborhood and this community. Seeing no one further and hearing no one wishing to be heard, Mayor Benton declared the Public Hearing closed. Motion was made by Commissioner Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Becht, to approve the Applications for Conditional Use and Site Plan submitted by Betty Ann White for construction of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, House of Prayer at 1404 Avenue E, with the following condition: No Building Permit shall be issued until the Minor Replat has been approved by the Interim Director of Planning. Commissioner Perona said they have had churches come before them before that weren't a good fit for the neighborhood, because neighbors came out against it in droves, even little Christian ladies who would say they don't want this across the street. It is really good to see a good fit. It shows that the administration of the church and the contractor and everyone else have done the right thing. It is a definite asset for that area and he commends them for that. Those voting in favor of the motion were: Commissioners Alexander, Becht, Perona, and Benton. Those opposed: None. ----- Ordinance No. L-208 entitled, "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 14, SECTION 14-2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT 9 _________________________________________________________________________ Page 9 of 45 City of Fort Pierce Minutes of a Regular Meeting held on February 22, 2011 Copyright © 2011 City of Fort Pierce Florida
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City of Fort Pierce Minutes of a Regular Meeting

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