Departments



Articles

Less

News: Better Cell Phone Service plus Revenue for the City?
December 18th, 2008

News: New Water Main Plan
December 15th, 2008

News: Santa in Cedar Key
December 9th, 2008

News: Dolphin Research Draws a Crowd
December 5th, 2008

News: Area Authors Win Statewide Honors
December 3rd, 2008

News: Four Arrested for Cedar Key Burglaries
December 2nd, 2008

News: Fire-Rescue Boat Arrives
November 24th, 2008

News: Cedar Key School Speech Winners
November 19th, 2008

News: Garbage Billing Agreement in Flux
November 19th, 2008

News: City Attorney to Work for Fixed Fee
November 19th, 2008

News: Change Has Come
November 12th, 2008

News: Commissioners Yearty and Parker Indicted for Bribery
November 6th, 2008

News: Republicans Victors in Two Levy County Races
November 5th, 2008

News: Voting Results in Cedar Key, Nov. 4, 2008
November 4th, 2008

News: Tree Survey Being Conducted
October 31st, 2008

More

Planned Housing Density "Defined"

Planned Housing Density "Defined"

Jim Hoy

Discussion of proposed redefinition of housing density in Cedar Key's Comprehensive Plan consumed much of the Commission's February 13 workshop. As at the January 31 workshop, City Hall was at a capacity crowd, in contrast to past planning meetings.

Following comments by Local Planning Agency Chair Greg Lang, several of the four Commissioner present responded prior to questions and statements from the audience. Former Mayor Helen Johannesen pleaded for "use of common sense." Bob Treat repeated his request that land use maps be accurate and Joseph Hatin remarked that the Commissioners seem to have made up there minds in advance. All four Commissioners took strong exception to Hatin's accusation.

The central issue of housing density is a proposed change from the current limit of 4.9 houses per acre in a low density area and complicated limits on currently platted downtown lots that are 25 by 100 feet. There is no map showing a medium density zone. Furthermore, there is an ordinance that requires lots to be at least 7500 square feet. A proposed medium density zone would allow five to 14 houses per acre. Superimposed on density calculations is a principle of "rounding up or down" that would make actual densities significantly higher or lower than 5 or 14 houses per acre. Margie Vanlandingham specifically addressed the possible great increase in density over 14 per acre under rounding.

City Attorney David Coffey stated that the variety of buildings in the downtown area is what is loved about Cedar Key. Mayor/Commissioner Paul Oliver said that we will do whatever it takes to maintain the character of the town.

Discussion of the Historic District flared up again despite Mayor Oliver's request not to revisit that issue. Sue Seyfarth pointed out the fee for making changes as simple as the design of a screen door is $200 rather than $100 as stated at the last workshop. Walt McJordan asked if there is any appeal open to a property owner whose building has been designated as a "contributing historic building." City Attorney Coffey replied that contributing structures are identified in the Comp Plan and that is the law.

Click for printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend

 

 

© 2013
Cedar Key News

cedarkeynews@gmail.com