Conservation Zone Changes Denied

The seemingly unending effort by three property owner to have their properties changed from conservation zone status to residential status were three items on the January 17 Commission meeting. another major item a proposed agreement between Levy County and the City of Cedar Key. Other agenda items included Brazilian Pepper eradication, an LPA report, a paving contract, and recognition of a young man`s work for the City.

The Buck, Meade and Sensenig properties near the ends of Anna and Sandra Streets continue to generate zoning status controversy. The property owners contend that zoning maps showing their properties in the Conservation Zone are in error. After rejecting the claim in mid 2005, and perhaps in the face of a law suit, the Commission voted to reconsider the claim. During the reconsideration in December 2005, property owner Ross Buck testified that he had modified his property after consulting with the Department of Environmental Protection. Subsequently the DEP issued a warning letter that indicates possible violation of regulation of filling wetlands. According to DEP representative Don Jensen, Buck must meet with the DEP to plan removal of oyster shell and rocks to restore the wetlands.

The situation on the Buck property opened discussion of vegetation clearing on the Meade and Sensenig properties. Commissioner Heath Davis asked if clearing had occurred. Leonard Ireland, who represents the property owners replied,"Not to my knowledge." However, Marguerite VanLandingham produced a letter from Building Official Robert Niffenegger that confirmed clearing "all the way to the waterline." City Attorney David Coffey said that the clearing went beyond what was authorized and that the DEP letter to Buck mentioned a great deal of unauthorized filling and that the filling was violation of the City Code and State Law.

The Commission voted unanimously to deny change of zoning to the Bucks and the Meades. After Mayor Paul Oliver passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Vanessa Edmunds, the Commission voted four to one to deny change in zoning to the Sensenigs, with Commissioner Edmunds voting for the change.

Leonard Ireland told Cedar Key News that the law suit against the City would go forward, but that no court date had been set.

Commissioner Edmunds gave a detailed report on a proposed agreement between Levy County and the City that would transfer ownership of many streets to the City while gaining support from the County for issuance of bonds for the Community Redevelopment Agency. Commissioner Davis expressed great concern about the ongoing cost of street maintenance. Commissioner Sue Colson noted the County had not done maintenance, but for the next twenty-four years CRA money could to the job. CRA Director Jackie Gorman said, "We need County support for bonding." She will develop expected cost for paving and maintenance going out thirty-five years.

Mary Stone, representing the Cedar Key Garden Club, appealed for the Commission and the audience to help eradicate Brazilian Pepper, a invasive and introduced weed. She said that suppressing the weed now will avoid great cost later if the weed spreads and grows. Currently, herbicide treatment and clearing is the plan.

Commissioner Davis recommended approval of Jimmy Gerrell`s paving firm for paving streets in the Hodgson Hill area. The contract will be limited to $200,000.

Greg Lang, Chair of the LPA, reported that the text of the revised Comprehensive Plan has been approved, but the associated maps are not yet finalized. He expects to have public hearing in mid-February prior to sending the plan to the Commission and subsequently to the Department of Community Affairs.

Mayor Oliver presented Dustin Berger with a plaque for his work for the City under the L.A.S.E.R program. Dustin has been assisting in work at City Park and City Hall.