The most significant action on the June 15 City Commission meeting was the withdrawal of Ronnie Taylor`s request to replat two lots into three. However, Taylor`s replat request which precipitated a call for a moratorium on zoning changes has opened discussion of a temporary moratorium on changes. Much of Tuesday`s meeting was devoted to a review of the Dock Street Project and a request for funding approval.
The June 15 meeting opened with a break in tradition. Local minister Rev. David Binkley gave the invocation, contrary to the usual practice of having a Commissioner give the prayer. Rev. Binkley`s prayer included a request that no action be taken by the Commission that would harm a neighbor.
Ronnie Taylor`s withdrawn request to replat two lots into three at the comer of "F" Street and Fourth Street became a non-item with an echo. Soon after Taylor made his request two neighbors to the lots asked the Commission to invoke a moratorium on zoning changes until the Comprehensive Plan revision has been completed. At the June I Commission meeting Marguerite VanLandingham proposed an alternative, a temporary moratorium that would apply to only those actions that would require a quasi judicial hearing.
Commissioner Vanessa Edmunds spoke in favor of a moratorium. She reviewed concerns voiced at the community Charrette regarding housing density and destruction of the historic character of Cedar Key. She quoted from a letter by Dr. John Andrews in support of a moratorium. She cited a concept new to Cedar Key whereby houses are bought only to be tom down to make way for a new house. Edmunds than made a motion to have the Commission and the Local Planning Agency identify needs regarding a moratorium. However, there was no second to her motion.
City Attorney David Coffey advised the Commission that it must ask the Planning Agency for advice regarding a moratorium. Commissioner Edmunds made a motion enlisting the Local Planning Agency. Commissioner Sue Colson suggested using existing regulations to say "no" to efforts to make changes before the Comprehensive Plan revision is completed. LPA Chair Greg Lang said that the results of the community Charrette indicated that a moratorium is a good idea.
Public comment followed. County resident Walt McJordan suggested that a moratorium might lead to a law suit. He was rebutted by Bill Seyfarth who said that communities use moratoriums in the face of need. Mayor/Commissioner Paul Oliver concluded the discussion by saying that the Commission must not live in fear of a law suit. Edmund`s motion passed unanimously.
City Attorney David Coffey, speaking as a citizen volunteer on the Parking Committee, presented a detailed slide show of the street and sidewalk changes underway on Dock Street. He remarked that it is amazing that the city has not been sued for injuries resulting from sidewalk conditions on Dock Street. Following Coffey`s comments, former Commissioner Cecil Quates requested that $46,200 be allocated from Community Redevelopment funds for paving, striping and sidewalk construction. | 