Conservation Zone Debate Putover til Jan. 17

The Cedar Key Commission met December 6 facing a twenty-five item agenda that included reconsideration of three ordinances passed earlier this year, four new ordinances, two petitions and sixteen assorted items.

The most unusual items were the three ordinances up for reconsideration. With only Commissioner Heath Davis objecting, the Commission voted to reconsider each ordinance that denied requests to change land zoned for conservation to residential zone. The requests came from Mr. and Mrs. Ross Buck, Mr. and Mrs. James Meade and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sensenig. The requests were relative to marshland and upland areas near the ends of Anna and Sandra Streets.

The Buck's request was addressed first. The Buck's attorney, Leonard Ireland, said that he had presented evidence in support at the Buck's request many times at earlier meetings, and yielded the floor. Marguerite VanLandingham, who has led the resistance to changing the Conservation Zone status of the Buck parcel to Residential status, defended the validity of the Conservation Zone map, the inclusion of uplands in Conservation and the public interest in conservation. She cited The Cedar Key Comprehensive Plan, and numerous other documents, with special emphasis on rare species of birds and upland terrestrial animals and plants. In addition, she pointed out the absence of a comprehensive survey of the parcel for imperiled species. Neighbors of the parcel, Don Campbell and Rick Aeberly, spoke in favor of retaining Conservation status.

The Commissioners focused on the need for a survey of the plants and animals. VanLandingham pointed out that Buck had filled and landscaped part of the Conservation Zone. Mr. Buck defended his actions, saying that he had used organic fill material. City Attorney David Coffey immediately said that Buck's testimony of making changes "may be violations when the land was in conservation status." Commissioner Pat O'Neal asked that because of the landscaping, the issue be tabled until the possibility of violations could be investigated. Mr. Coffey recommended that as well. Commissioner Sue Colson made a motion to find facts and revisit the revisitation at the January 17 Commission meeting. Her motion passed unanimously.

Discussion then turned to the parcels owned by the Meades and the Sensenigs. Following remarks by two Commissioners regarding known or alleged clearing of those parcels, the Commission voted unanimously to reconsider the ordinances January 17.

In other business, a petition to build a residence in the Historic District was found deficient by the City Attorney. Negotiation at that time resulted in the petitioners agreeing to locate the building at the sidewalk, as are other buildings in the block and to get the approval of the Historic and Architectural Review Board regarding the color of the house. Also, the Commission approved the final reading of replatting a lot, extension of a moratorium on six building actions, and removing the Building Official as Chair of the Historical and Architectural Review Board. Also, an ordinance to limit boat slips in new marinas to ten passed unanimously on first reading. Personnel matters included promotion of a police officer to Corporal and setting aside $6,000 toward the City Clerk's retirement fund.