Bulkhead Requests 1-1-1

Bulkhead under construction for Brett Vincent near G and Fifth Streets.

Postponed, modified and denied, that was the fate of three petitions for bulkhead construction on the agenda at the June 20 Commission meeting. Also, a petition for a minor replat was tabled and an ordinance to "discourage repetitive architecture" was read and passed on first reading.

Tom Kellin's request for bulkhead construction was again withdrawn, postponed to an undetermined date. John and Connie Wonsik's petition for a new section of bulkhead near Pine Street met srong opposition from not only Building Official Bob Niffenegger, but several Commission members and a representative of a neighboring property owner. Although there was sympathy for replacing an existing bulkhead, extension of that structure was denied after long discussion that included four specific objections by George Sandora who represented the owner of an adjacent property. Sandora added that the dock proposed by the Wonsiks is on his client's property.

The most intense discussion of a bulkhead was about one under construction for Brett Vincent near the corner of G and Fifth Streets. Construction began prior to the Commission's decision that the bulkhead should run in a straight line from the ends of bulkheads on adjacent shorline properties. Vincent told the Commission that he thought there was "room for compromise" of the straight line. The Commission voted four to one, with Commissioner Pat O'Neal dissenting, to require a bulkhead in a straight line from point A to point B. Vincent told Cedar Key News that he has invested $18,000 in a project that is 75 percent complete.

Former Commissioner Kenneth Daniel petitioned for a minor replat of two waterfront lots in the Conservation Zone near the Number Three Bridge. However, the Commission requested more documentation of the areas of the two lots, and tabled the issue until July 18. The Commission's action met with the approval of two home owners who live near Daniel's lots.

Ordinance 410, which is designed to "discourage repetitive architecture and encourage variety..." was passed on first reading. The discussion prior to unanimous approval mentioned recent examples of rows of residential units with limited differences in design. Commissioner Heath Davis remarked that the ordinance is long overdue. Bruce Wilson, from the audience, asked who would judge the degree of repetition or variety. City Attorney David Coffey answered that it would be decided by a Quasi-Judicial Hearing.