Last evening, we discussed a notice of a Board of Adjustment hearing to take place 01-26-01 regarding a request by Manuel Carmona for reinstatement of use of this property for office space in a residential zoning district. Today, I spoke to John Hixenbaugh in City zoning, who explained that this project has been in review and has had a public hearing during the past 3 months. He states that the original request was to use the entire property for multiple offices,perhaps medical office space, and this proposal was rejected due to inadequate provisions for parking in an area already stressed regarding parking.

The revised request is to return the property to the use for which it was originally permitted and built, which was for an office and 2 small apartments. This end of Beach Dr. is zoned Residential/Multi-family and allows for 24 units to an acre, so the City staff considers the revised request a good compromise--less intensity, less demand for parking, a building that will be restored rather than demolished. At the Public Hearing, only one neighbor appeared, and that neighbor did not object to the revised project. Therefore, the City staff intends to recommend approval to the Board of Adjustment, and if approval is given, the only recourse is appeal through Circuit Court, according to Mr. Hixenbaugh.

The Board will do our best to respond to City notices of Board of Adjustment cases and public hearings in a timely manner, so that the neighborhood is aware and has an opportunity to respond.

Openess

Thanks for your openess in posting issues like this here so that the neighbrohood is aware of them. Lots of things come up between newsletters and this is a good place to make things known to people. The new openess and inclusiveness from the board is appreciated.

By JJ