Minutes 07-09-84MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEETING HELD AT
CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, JULY 9, 1984
PRESENT
Vernon Thompson, Jr., Chairman
George Ampol, Vice Chairman
Paul Slavin, Acting Secretary
George Mearns
Joseph Moore
Ben Uleck
.Lillian Artis, Alternate
Bert Keehr,
Deputy Building Official
Kenneth M. Rubin,
Attorney for Board
William P. Doney,
Assistant City Attorney
ABSENT
Robert Gordon, Secretary (Excused)
Harold Weinberg, Alternate (Excused)
Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:02 P. M.
He introduced the Deputy Building Official, Members of the
Board, and the Recording Secretary. Chairman Thompson
recognized the presence of Mayor Carl Zimmerman in the
audience.
MINUTES OF JUNE 11, 1984
Mr. Ampol moved, seconded by Mr. Mearns, to approve the
minutes as received. Motion carried 7-0.
Chairman Thompson called attention to Councilman Nick
Cassandra, who had entered the meeting.
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Thompson announced that there were three requests
for variances. He pointed out that this is not a Board where
a majority rules. Seven people will be voting tonight, and
five votes will be needed to approve a request. Any three
votes will deny a request.
Chairman Thompson pointed out that when a decision is made
by the Board, the only recourse that an applicant has is to
perhaps come before the Board at another time or take it to
Court. He stressed that the decisions the Board Members
make are most important. Chairman Thompson said the Members
also go out and visit the sites. Many times they do not
talk to people because it is not good to discuss cases out-
side of the Council Chambers. Chairman Thompson read the
six criteria on which a judgment is based.
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JULY 9, 1984
Case ~63 - Appeal of decision of an Administrative Office's
Official on the Zoning Code in reference to the
installation of a fence at the west end of
the Mariner Village property at No E. 12th Terrace
and Willard Way and the potential closing of
Marine Road submitted by the Boynton Mariner
Village Association, Inc.
Mr. Slavin, Acting Secretary, read the Memorandum from Betty
S. Boroni, City Clerk, dated June 19, 1984, which was
addressed to all of the Members, re the appeal of Mariner
Village. As all of the Members had copies of the documents
forwarded with Mrs. Boroni's Memorandum and as they were
public records, Mr. Slavin and Chairman Thompson agreed it
would not be necessary for Mr. Slavin to read them into the
record. Chairman Thompson said anytime anyone wanted a copy
of any of the documents, they could go into City Hall and
get one.
Chairman Thompson asked if anyone was present to represent
Mariner Village. Robert Lee Shapiro, Attorney for Mariner
Village Association, Inco, of the law firm of Levy, Shapiro,
Kneen & Kingcade, P.A., 218 Royal Palm Way, Palm Beach,
Florida 33480, said he was the author of the letter dated
May 17, 1984, which Mr. Slavin, Acting Secretary, referred to.
Chairman Thompson asked Attorney Shapiro if there was any-
thing he would like to tell the Board which might enhance
his client. Attorney Shapiro wanted to make a presentation.
He had an exhibit he wanted everybody to see.
Attorney Shapiro thought it was first important to point out
that this is not a request for a variance and is not governed
by the criteria outlined by the Chairman in his initial
presentation. This is an appeal from a decision of the
Building Department and the Building Official to stop work
or "red tag" a particular job that was taking place at
Mariner Village. In order for the Board Members to override
the decision of the Building Official in this case, Attorney
Shapiro said it requires under Section 10 of the Building
Code the concurrence of four voting members.
Attorney Shapiro advised that the criteria is somewhat
different as well because it does not require a particular
hardship nor does it require proof of those items set forth
in the criteria for obtaining a variance. He said their
position was very simple, and that he would put on a couple
of witnesses to verify the facts of what he says.
To summarize the situation, Attorney Shapiro said Mariner
Village is a townhome project located in Boynton Beach on
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JULY 9, 1984
N. E. 12th Terrace. As the Members could see, it was
represented by the residential units he pointed to on the
exhibit. The lands not shown in residential units were
owned by someone outside of Mariner Village, single family
residences along Manor Drive, and a mix of single family and
condominium residences on Rider Road.
Attorney Shapiro told the Board his clients went to the
city of Boynton Beach because they had a lot of serious
problems. They applied for a building permit to erect a
fence. Attorney Shapiro said they had a number of very
valid reasons, and he was sure when Mrs. Wahl testifies, the
Members would concur that the reasons were valid. Attorney
Shapiro added that they have had a number of security
problems and a lot of problems with unwarranted trespassers.
When they tell trespassers to leave, they have been extremely
belligerent.
Attorney Shapiro characterized the overall case as persons
in the city attempting to protect their rights to trespass on
property owned by his Clients. However, Mr. J. S. McDowell
went to the city and inquired of the city Building official
what was necessary to erect this fence. Attorney Shapiro
said the fence posts are the green dots on the exhibit, and
they cross Marine Road and continue up to the border of
their property.
When they inquired of the Building official what was required,
the Building Official advised Attorney Shapiro's clients to
submit an application for a building permit, together with a
sketch of the property and a letter specifying why a build-
ing permit was requested for this particular fence installa-
tion. Attorney Shapiro stressed that they did that~ and they
did everything that the city asked them to do. If the City
had said, "Jump through three hoops and go through site plan
review," Attorney Shapiro said they probably would have done
that at that time. However, based upon the advice of the
City Building Official, Attorney Shapiro said they were
issued a building permit.
In reliance on the building permit, they started construc-
tion of the fence, which Attorney Shapiro said has been
vandalized badly since then. For those who viewed the site,
Attorney Shapiro informed them that all of the fence posts
that had been pulled down had been pulled down by the
trespassers they are trying to protect themselves against.
Attorney Shapiro continued by saying they went ahead, signed
a contract, and their contractor went in and installed the
fence posts along the road. That work was progressing
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smoothly, when an official from the City issued what was
called a stop work order, or a red tag. Those that were
on the site saw it attached on one of the poles. Nobody
really explained to them what the stop work order meant
or what they allegedly had done wrong. They were supposed
to stop work on the construction of the fence.
Attorney Shapiro thought it was important to point out that
they reviewed the Ordinance very carefully and do not
believe in any way, shape, or form that a modification of
any site plan was required in the first place, and that the
interpretation has since been put on the site plan for
review committee requirements of the Ordinance. Attorney
Shapiro informed the Board Members that his client was
never made aware of this in advance.
The second thing Attorney Shapiro needed to point out was
this is private property. It is not property owned by the
City. It is not property maintained by the City but it is
simply private property which was dedicated on the plat to
the Mariner Village Association. If the City of Boynton
Beach were to take the position that every fence installa-
tion on every piece of private property in the City of Boynton
Beach required a separate site plan review, Attorney Shapiro
suggested that this Board would spend all of its life deal-
ing with fence installations in backyards.
Attorney Shapiro thought it was important to note there is
no security problems created by the proposed fence installa-
tion. Access to the units that are not owned by his client
or not governed by the Mariner Village Association is freely
available to N. E. 10th Street and Rider Road. Even though
part of Marine Road is their property, Attorney Shapiro said
they have left that part of Marine Road which gives access
to Manor Drive open. He did not think they had the legal
obligation to do that, but Attorney Shapiro said they are
trying to be good neighbors. They left it open so in the
event there is a Police call or a Fire call along Manor
Drive, these vehicles will have access to the single family
homes.
If you look at the configuration of the proposed fence,
Attorney Shapiro stated they are doing nothing but securing
their own property. He thought in America you had the right
to do that.
Attorney Shapiro said they heard some talk and are prepared
to prove the site plan that the City officials are now
demanding strict compliance with has been violated at least
four or five material times in that the initial developer
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and builder did not have to comply strictly with that site
plan. They have not gone to Codes Enforcement and required
the initial developer to go ahead and do those things which
are shown in the site plan. Attorney Shapiro said his
client thought that the method the City Officials have used
has been extremely unfair to their clients. Legally as well
as morally and fair play, Attorney Shapiro told the Board
his clients are entitled to put that fence upon the property.
Attorney Shapiro wished to call a couple of witnesses to
verify what he was saying because he thought it was an
important issue to his clients. He thought his clients had
the right to be safe in their homes. Attorney Shapiro said
Mr. McDowell would tell what he was told by the Building
Official.
Mr. Slavin asked if this was laid out by a Professional
Engineer or an Architect. Mr. Ampol answered, "No." Mr.
McDowell said they did the plan. Mr. Slavin determined the
plan before them was done by the unit owners.
Mr. Slavin said he may have misinterpreted a statement
Attorney Shapiro just said and, if possible, would have the
stenographers read it back to Attorney Shapiro. Mr. Slavin
noticed Attorney Shapiro said something about the Building
Official not checking or doing things in the original site
plan that the developer did or presented to the City when
Mariner was built. Attorney Shapiro verified that was
correct.
Mr. Slavin asked Attorney Shapiro if he was saying the
officials were lax in their inspections in checking on the
project during construction because that was the inference
Mr. Slavin got. Attorney Shapiro replied that Mr. Slavin
could draw that inference if he wished but his point was
they are being made to go through this process because of
"strict compliance" with the site plan. However, Attorney
Shapiro was pointing out that procedure, in this instance,
is not fair because there are a number of improvements shown
on site plans which, in fact, do not exist. Attorney
Shapiro said there are no records in the official records of
the City of Boynton Beach modifying the site plan, so Mr.
Slavin could draw any inference he wished from that.
If this plan was drawn by a Professional Engineer or an
Architect who would be conversant with the Zoning Codes and
the rules and regulations pertaining to them, Mr. Slavin
asked if they would have a problem today. Attorney Shapiro
replied affirmatively. In other words, Mr. Slavin said the
site plan would have been submitted at the time by a
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Professional Architect or an Engineer who does this type of
work and knows what the Codes are for the City of Boynton
Beach or whatever. Mr. Slavin said that was his answer,
because Attorney Shapiro had told him it was done by some-
body else.
Attorney Shapiro pointed out that when they applied for the
building permit, the fence company (who along with Mr.
McDowell worked out the plan for the fence) clearly de-
lineated on a reduction of the official plat, which the
Members had before them, where this fence was going. It was
no secret where the fence was. Although Mr. Slavin seemed
to draw some inference on the fact that this plan was not
prepared, Attorney Shapiro informed them that his clients
copied it from the official plat. That is what exists in
the fielde
Attorney Shapiro submitted to the Board that this fence
does not violate any provision of the Zoning Code of the
City of Boynton Beach. The fence complies with all of the
zoning requirements of the City of Boynton Beach. The
fact that the fence complies with the City Ordinance is not
in dispute. What is in dispute from the Building Official's
perspective is whether or not Mariner Village was obligated
to go through a site plan review.
Mr. Slavin understood that and did not question the legality
of the height of the fence and what it contains. He agreed
with Attorney Shapiro on all of those points, but said no
site plan was filed to put up the fence. Attorney Shapiro
disagreed, saying that was not true, because it was attached
to the application. Mrs. Wahl came forward and provided a
copy of the site plan to each Board Member.
Mr. Uleck had a copy in front of him saying the land was
surveyed by Richard L. Shepherd, Registered Land Surveyor.
He noticed the Fence Contractor laid out the drawing of the
fence comparable to the surveying plat he had in front of
him. Attorney Shapiro confirmed that was correct.
Mr. Uleck noted Attorney Shapiro's clients were donating
the road that goes from Manor Road to North 10th and asked
if the clients own the road. Attorney Shapiro replied, "Yes."
Mr. Uleck asked if they are going to give the fence to the
east. So the Members of the Board would understand, Attorney
Shapiro said their property line is the black line on the
exhibit. They are not going to block the access to Manor
Drive° Mr. Uleck said Attorney Shapiro's clients are giving
the residents the privilege of using their land but are
putting the fence to the east. Attorney Shapiro said they
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are putting the fence up for security. Mr. Uleck inspected
the property and could not see anything wrong with the fence.
Shaneen Wahl, 611-4 N. E. 12th Terrace, Boynton Beach,
President of Mariner Village Association, said since the
Board of Directors of Mariner Village took over from the
developer in October of 1983, security has been one of their
foremost worries. They had several break-ins, many tres-
passers, and many minor and nuisance pranks.
The residents purchased there because they wanted a nice
place to live. Mrs. Wahl said they just wanted to put their
fence up to secure their properties and to feel safe at
night° They have many men who travel, and they leave women
and children at home by themselves. Even as she stood here
tonight, Mrs. Wahl wondered if her home was safe.
Mrs. Wahl, Mr. McDowell, and Mr. Butterworth (who is an
Engineer) approached the City and made request after request
about closing off that road and building the fence. They
at no time tried to hide what they were doing. They wanted
to close off the road and secure their property.
Mrs. Wahl said they started construction on the fence, and
a gentleman from the Building Department appeared and told
them to stop. At that point and time, Mrs. Wahl asked him
why. Nobody knew why. Mrs. Wahl said she has a Board and
people she has to answer to, being a representative of
Mariner Village; and she cannot go back to them and say they
spent $2,000 but cannot build the fence and are just going
to stop and take it down. Mrs. Wahl reiterated that nobody
could give her an answer as to why they could not build the
fence. That was all they asked for, and no one could give
her an answer. Mrs. Wahl said they told her they would give
her an answer in two days and they did not know what it was.
She was told maybe she could do this or that when, in fact,
they were told if they applied for a building permit and
received one, they could proceed with building the fence.
Since those days when they started building this fence, Mrs.
Wahl said they have been subjected to not even courtesies.
Her name has been slammed around so bad, she has taken time
off work to try and get this straightened out and to look
into every possibility. Mrs. Wahl's income has suffered
drastically from this, but it is something where you just do
not "catch the ball and drop ito"
When Mr. Mearns went out to inspect the fence, he noticed it
had originally been installed in the middle of the road. He
asked if it was moved after it was red tagged. Attorney
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JULY 9, 1984
Shapiro answered, "Yes. It was moved under an agreement
between Mr. Doney's office and my office."
Mr. Ampol questioned what assurance the city had that they
would not block off Manor Drive later on, at a future date.
Attorney Shapiro replied they have no more assurance, but
on behalf of Mariner Village, his clients would be prepared
to enter into an easement for the benefit of those people on
Manor Drive. He added that the people on Manor Drive have
not been very nice to his clients, but his clients would be
nice to them in return because his clients have no intention
of blocking off Manor Drive from now on.
John S. McDowell, a resident of Mariner Village for 4-1/2
yearsw was the one who took on the job of investigating
whether they could build the fence. He went to the City
Hall and talked to Mr. Keehr, who sent him to Tom Clark, city
Engineer. Mr. McDowell discussed it with Mr. Clark. At
first, there did not seem to be any problem. Mr. Clark's
comment to Mr. McDowell was, "If you want to build a fence
around your own property, there is no problem."
Mr. McDowell thought they should refer to it as what it is
and said, "It is not 1-95 but a little tiny 18 foot wide
winding lane." When they talked about closing off that
"little lane", Mr. Clark said there may be a possibility
that they could run into some difficulties but suggested to
Mr. McDowell that they apply for a building permit. If
they went through the process, the Building Department would
either issue a permit or, if they did not, then Mr. McDowell
was told they would have to go before the Board of Adjust-
ment or some Board.
Shortly after that, Mr. McDowell did apply for the building
permit and gave a covering letter explaining that they
wanted to restrict entry to their own entrance and the
reason for it. Also, Mr. McDowell's next door neighbor had
a very bad accident. He indicated the point of the accident
on the exhibit and told about his neighbor being on a
bicycle and someone cutting down Manor Drive, running into
his neighbor, and the neighbor being in the hospital for
several months.
Everything seemed to be going so fine, and it amazed Mr.
McDowell that when they started to build the fence, he got
a call from Mr. Keehr saying they could not build it. Mr.
McDowell told Mr. Keehr, "Fine. Give me something in
writing." Mr. McDowell also talked to Mr. Tom Clark, and he
could not give him anything in writing. The next day, Mr.
Hamilton, the previous developer of the property, and Mr.
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Dwyer came over with the City Officials and put a red tag on
it. Mr. McDowell could not understand it.
Mr. McDowell said they have had an amount of problems with
break-ins, people coming in and using their facilities and
swimming pool, kids stealing fish out of their ponds and
playing in their gazebo. He told of a man throwing two bags
of trash in the canal. Mr. McDowell said they suggested
this was private property and the man said, "What are you
going to do about it?" They called the police.
Mr. McDowell told the Members that they have $6w500,000 worth of
property there that they purchased in good faith, and they
want to protect it. There was applause.
Attorney Shapiro reserved the right to come back providing
anything would be said contrary to this issue.
Chairman Thompson stated people had walked in and out of the
meeting such as Peter L. Cheney, city Manager, and a couple
of Councilmen.
William P. Doney, Assistant City Attorney, employed by James
W. Vance P.A., 1615 Forum Place, West Palm Beach, Florida,
said the Board had Attorney Kenneth Rubin to advise them if
they~had any questions as a Board. Attorney Doney came
before the Board as the representative of the Building
Department and the Building Official to explain why this
particular incident had been handled the way it had been.
To clarify what the Building Department's position is,
Attorney Doney said the issue is not whether a fence was
needed there or not. The issue is not whether there is a
security problem there or not. He had no reason to doubt
that these people may have trespassers, vandalism problems,
or other problems there and would like to keep others out.
Attorney Doney said the issue before the Board was whether
the Building Official properly issued a stop work order
based on the Ordinances of the City of Boynton Beach.
Attorney Doney said the Ordinance in particular they were
going to be referring to is the Site Plan Review Ordinance.
He showed to the Board the original site plan for the
property. Whether there have since been deviations he was
not aware of, Attorney Doney did not know. He submitted
that if there were deviations that were not caught, to allow
another deviation would not be proper as two wrongs do not
make a right.
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Attorney Doney handed a plan he had to the Board Members as
it was small for them to see and said it was actually the
same thing Mariner Village had. He asked the Members to
note it was reviewed by the Technical Review Board, the
Planning and Zoning Board, and although not stamped on
there, it was reviewed by the City Council. That is what
Mariner Village needed to develop the property. Everything
was proper. The original site plan shows no fences.
What happened next was there was an application for a build-
ing permit to erect a fence. Attorney Doney had the indivi-
dual here who issued the permit and said he would explain
how he reviewed the situation at the time and what dis-
cussion, if any, he had with Mr. McDowell concerning the
fence. In any event, Attorney Doney said a permit has been
issued. What happened beyond that, before work was done, the
site was being laid out, and Mr. Keehr was notified that the
fence was going up.
Mr. Keehr went out and notified the individuals involved
(the contractor and individuals from Mariner Village) that
the fence could not be erected because it is a modification
to the site plan. It is not whether the fence is on the
property or not. It is not whether the fence is a good
idea. In fact, the fence may be a great idea, but Attorney
Doney said they have to go about it the right way. The
right way is set forth in the City's Site Plan Review
Ordinance. That Ordinance, and particularly Section 19-27,
provides that if you deviate from the site plan~ your origi-
nal site plan becomes null and void.
Attorney Doney asked, "How do you keep your site plan from
becoming null and void?" If you deviate or want to make
changes, he said you need to have an amendment to the site
plan. That is the crux of the problem from the City Build-
ing Official's point of view. There is no amendment to the
site plan. There is no check to see whether this fence is a
good idea because there was no review by the City Officials.
There was a building permit issued but if they reviewed the
Site Plan Review Ordinance, Attorney Doney said they would
note that many factors are looked into.
Attorney Doney did not know how many were familiar with
City site plan procedures but informed them that there is a
Technical Review Board made up of City Staff, the City
Engineer, Fire Department, Police Department, and the City
Planner. People look at it for different factors. The
factors that are considered by the Technical Review Board
are such things as location of streets. Attorney Doney
said they have a site plan that was approved. The road is
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on private property. There is no question. Nobody is say-
ing that Marine Road is not on private property within their
property line. Attorney Doney asked, "But does that deny
access for safety vehicles? I'm not saying that it does, but
it might. It needs to be reviewed." Attorney Doney called
attention to Police and Fire vehicles that need to get in
there.
If the staff is given an opportunity to review it, Attorney
Doney said maybe the other way is fine, and maybe it is
sufficient access and there is no problem with the fence.
He reiterated that it has not been reviewed.
Attorney Doney continued by saying the City Technical Review
Board would also review points of entry and exit and would
review on original site plans or amended site plans
locations of walls, the types of walls and fences, and the
types of materials used for the fence. They look at those
sorts of things from a professional point of view from the
professional staff. After that happens in an original site
plan or an amended site plan, Attorney Doney said it goes to
the Planning and Zoning Board for a similar review. People
look at it. Conceivably again, there is no problem. Con-
ceivably, there is a problem with Marine Road being closed.
Again~ Attorney Doney reiterated, none of these have been
reviewed.
Finally, after the Planning and Zoning Board's approval or
consideration to whatever extent, the plan will go to the
City Council. After all of those bases are touched and
the proper approval gotten, Attorney Doney said it may be
perfectly correct for them to build exactly that fence, but
it is the Building Department's position (again as advising
the Building Official) that those steps must be gone through.
Somebody must take a look at it, from a professional point
of view, as to whether emergency vehicles can get in and
whether there are any other problems with the fencing.
Attorney Doney expressed that the Building Department is not
saying that the fence is not on their property or the fence
is a bad idea. The Building Department just does not know
at this point.
Attorney Doney said Mr. Bradbury was here to answer ques-
tions and was the individual who reviewed the plans that
were submitted and issued the permit. Attorney Doney called
attention to a small line (not a double line) showing Marine
Road. It was a line highlighted on the plan to show where
the fence would be. Attorney Doney did not know what con-
versations were had with others but stated that Mr. Bradbury
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would tell the Board that he did not really realize when
he issued the permit that a road was being closed, whether
on private property or not. That would have, at least,
alerted Mr. Bradbury to contact some other people about
checking into it.
Attorney Doney asked Mr. Bradbury to tell the Board what
he recalled about the application from the permit review
process, as it was applied for, and why he issued the permit.
Mr. Brian Bradbury, Plans Checker, City of Boynton Beach,
said the application came in on the 30th of March to install
a six foot chain link fence. He informed everyone that was
his writing on the application. Mr. Bradbury said one
question he did ask was to make sure it was on the "fellow's"
property. He said that was what Mr. Keehr wanted. Mr.
Bradbury called attention to the fact it says right on the
application it is to be set on property lying within Boynton
Mariner's property. Mr. Bradbury had no problem with it.
As a matter of fact, Mr. Bradbury said it is processed
almost immediately unless there is any question.
Mr. Bradbury saw no reference to any gates or anything at
all. If he saw a gate, it would have reminded him to go
over the initial progress of it. There was no mention of
gates, just a fence.
When he checked the fence drawing, Mr. Uleck asked Mr.
Bradbury if he had a surveyor's drawing. Mr. Bradbury
answered, "No." Mr. Uleck wondered how Mr. Bradbury could
approve something if he did not have the original surveyor's
drawing and questioned how Mr. Bradbury would know if the
markers were on the property of the people. Mr. Bradbury
referred to the bottom righthand corner which says, "I here-
by certify that the survey is in force," and said it was
signed by Richard Shepherd. Mr. Uleck asked, "And you went
ahead and gave him the fence and gave him the permit here?"
Mr. Bradbury replied, "Yes."
Normally, on a residential fence (not particularly this
one), Mr. Bradbury said they do not require a survey. Mr.
Uleck repeated that it did not require a survey at all for
a fence. He heard the Attorney say you had to have a layout
drawing and everything else. Mr. Uleck disagreed with the
City Attorney and said in all of the buildings that he has
seen here, they never had a fence showing on most of their
drawings or their plat plans. They got the stamp or per-
mission to put up the fence after the building was built.
Mr. Uleck said he could give many cases. Chairman Thompson
interrupted to remind Mr. U!eck every case is based on its
own merit and to hold it to!this case.
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Mr. Uleck did not know why it should be on the plat plan to
show a fence. If these people requested a fence and have a
surveyor's drawing, are in there and have been there, and
even gave permission to open up one road, and since it is
their property, Mr. Uleck did not see why a permit should
not be issued.
Mr. Ampol asked Mr. Keehr if he red tagged it or if one of
the members of the Building Department red tagged it. Mr.
Keehr said one of the members of the Building Department
red tagged the fence. The permit was issued and Mr. Keehr
believed construction did not commence until a couple of
weeks afterwards. He added, for Mr. Bradbury's sake, that
Mr. Bradbury was only with the department for one month
prior to the issuance of the permit. It may not be an
excuse for the Building Department but, in looking at the
plan, Mr. Keehr did not see a road in there himself, and he
has been looking at plat plans and surveys for many years.
Attorney Doney had no objections if Attorney Shapiro wanted
to ask something. When Mr. Bradbury issued the building
permit, Attorney Shapiro asked Mr. Bradbury if he knew
Mariner Village was a PUD and more than a single family,
residential property. Mr. Bradbury replied, "Yes, I did.
Attorney Shapiro asked Mr. Bradbury if he knew it was multi-
family and if he was familiar with the Ordinances of the
City. Mr. Bradbury answered, "No. I am not familiar."
Chairman Thompson asked if the Board was to allow cross-
examination like that here. Generally, in these types of
administrative hearings, Attorney Rubin advised that cross-
examination is allowed.
Attorney Shapiro asked if Mr. Bradbury said in a normal situa-
tion, generally it is not required to have a site plan
amendment for a private piece of property if they want to
put up a fence. Mr. Bradbury answered, "Yes."
Attorney Doney asked Mr. Bradbury, "Had you known when you
looked at this that Marine Road was being closed, would you
have issued the permit?" Mr. Bradbury answered, "No."
Attorney Doney had nothing else to add except one other
reference to the Site Plan Review and Approval Ordinance.
He pointed out that they were not talking about private
property rights. If they are gOing to say anyone can build
a fence on their own property if they want to, then Attorney
Doney said we do not need Zoning Codes, and we do not need
site plan approvals. He said they were talking about site
plan approval only for the structure of other than single
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
family or multi-family dwellings. Attorney Doney said they
have the original site plan and, obviously, it is a multi-
family type development, and they absolutely complied origi-
nally with the Site Plan Review Ordinance.
Attorney Doney pointed to one other Section in the site plan
Review (an Ordinance, which is Section 19-18). It says, "No
building permit shall be issued for the construction of any
building, structural or other development of the property,
other than for the construction of single family or two
family dwellings unless the site plan has been reviewed by
the Technical Committee and by the Planning and Zoning Board
and approved by the City Council.
Attorney Doney said they could sit here tonight and point to
Mr. Bradbury and say he issued the building permit, but he
did not think that was the issue. Mr. Bradbury admitted that
maybe he made a mistake. As Mr. Keehr pointd out, before
the posts were put in the ground, he approached the people
from Mariner Village and the contractor and said,"We can't
let you go ahead." It was not a matter of where the fence
was up, the permit was issued, and everything was by the
Boards and the City retracted it. It was done originally,
even though the permit had been issued.
In defense of the Building Department, Chairman Thompson
said at any time during the completion or even after the
completion, until the permit is lifted, the Building Depart-
ment has the right to red tag any job whether right or wrong
until it is cleared up. He asked that the Members keep that
in mind. Although the permit was issued, Chairman Thompson
said some are issued and red tagged before they get off the
ground.
Mrs. Artis asked if the site plan was not reviewed by every-
one that should have reviewed it except the City Council.
She referred to the one that was stamped and passed around.
Attorney Doney said that was the original site plan. It
was approved by the City Council but they do not stamp it.
It is recorded in the City Council Minutes. Attorney Doney
said it is the one when the project was first initiated and
constructed. That needs to be done again to show the fence
and Marine Road being closed.
If the people sign off on it, the Technical Staff, Planning
and Zoning, and the Council have no objection to it, then
Attorney Doney said the fence can go up after the work order
has been lifted and they have amended their site plan.
They can put it in just like that. If they wanted to put
it to the west of Marine Road and it is approved, they could
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
build it there. Again, Attorney Doney repeated it is just a
review procedure not somebody saying the fence submitted
here is a bad idea. No one-made that determination yet. It
has not been presented to that point.
Mrs. Artis asked if the red tag was issued because it had
not been reviewed by those Review Members after the change
was made. Attorney Doney replied affirmatively and added
that they should have been reviewed when they went about
erecting the fence or before they went about erecting the
fence.
Mr. Mearns asked what kind of mechanics and economics were
involved in the resubmission of a new site plan. He ques-
tioned what they were talking about. Attorney Doney replied
they would need to submit plans which would go to a
Technical Review Board, which is Staff Members that meet
informally from Engineering, Traffic, Police, Fire, and
different prospectives to review the site plan. He was
talking about different site plans and not about picking on
Mariner Village.
The Technical Review Board (TRB) makes a recommendation and
may say they approve the amendment with the exception that
something should be changed. They could do it with con-
ditions. They make the recommendation and submit it 'to the
Planning and Zoning Board for review at one of their public
hearings. After that is done, they can again approve, deny,
make recommendations, or put conditions on their approval.
The last word is the City Council. The City Council can
approve, deny, and impose conditions on approval and that
sort of thing.
Attorney Doney continued that it would take some time and
he supposed it would cost some money in the sense of the
people's time, and if they need an attorney or whomever else
such as a surveyor it would cost money. Attorney Doney did
not dispute that.
Mr. Mear~knew there would be concern with safety, the
entrance and egress of fire equipment, ambulances and what-
ever. He felt it would help for the preservation of the
people in that area. Apparently, before this was built,
it was OK. Presumably, with Marine Road open and N. E. 12th
Terrace, Attorney Doney replied there was adequate access
when it was approved. With Marine Road closed, he did not
know but said it could be fine.
Mrs. Artis asked if Mariner Village should have been notified
at the time of the request for the permit that they had to
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
have another review. Attorney Doney answered, "Ideally, yes.
Someone should have said a fence is an amendment to the site
plan, and you need to go through these Boards. It would
have been fabulous if it had been handled that way, but it
wasn't." Attorney Doney added that a permit was issued. Mrs.
Artis was trying to determine a hardship.
Attorney Shapiro thought it should be pointed out that
Attorney Doney~s reading from the Site Plan Review Code was,
in Attorney Shapiro's opinion, certainly misleading. That
Code talks about the initial review of site plans for the
development of a multiple unit project. However, the Code
does not refer to any amendment of the site plan subsequent
to the approval of the initial site plan. It does not say
that if you want to amend your site plan or if you want to
put up a fence after your site plan is reviewed that you
have to go through a whole new site plan process.
Attorney Shapiro stated that the City's Building Code and
the Zoning Code say if you want to do something after you
have your site plan reviewed, then you go and apply for a
building permit. They applied for a building permit and re-
ceived a building permit. As Mr. McDowell said, Attorney
Shapiro reminded the Members that his clients asked the man
at the time, and the man said, "Apply for a building
permit°"
Attorney Shapiro said they have let a contract; the contract
has time frames on it, and they are legally obligated now to
the contractor who installed their fence and relied upon the
people. He noted Attorney Doney said they have to let some-
body look at it and asked, "What the heck are we supposed to
do? We went to the people who would look at that, and it
is that man right there who reviewed the plans and reviewed
the amendments and request for a building permit~ and that
guy gave us the permit. In reliance upon the permit, we
went out, signed a contract, and started work. We asked Mr.
Keehr why we couldn't continue, and he wouldn't answer. The
reason he wouldn't answer is because there is something
fishy going on at Mariner Village!" There were shouts and
applause from the audience.
Chairman Thompson interrupted Attorney Shapiro to tell him
he was out of line. Attorney Shapiro continued to speak
about neighbors cutting down overhanging trees when Chair-
man Thomas again interrupted him to tell him he was out of
order.
Attorney Shapiro submitted to the Board that, in any event,
they got a building permit and submitted a plan to this man
- 16 -
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
who is a professional plan checker. Chairman Thompson again
broke in to tell Attorney Shapiro he was overlooking that
the Board heard there was a mistake made, and they were aware
of that. He told Attorney Shapiro that he has pinpointed it
over and over again. If no mistakes are made, Chairman
Thompson said this Board would not exist. The Board is here
because mistakes are made. Attorney Shapiro apologized for
losing his temper.
Notwithstanding what Attorney Doney said, Attorney Shapiro
said this Board has the legal power to say that they do not
agree with Mr. Keehr and Mr. Doney's interpretation of what
is required in the Site Plan Ordinance and whether or not
you can proceed and get a building permit and erect a fence
on your own property. Attorney Shapiro said that was the
point of the Board. It was not a legal issue of whether
Attorney Doney is right and they should have gotten a site
plan. Attorney Shapiro told the Members the Board has the
authority to view that plan and base its opinion on the
testimony of his clients as to why the fence is necessary.
and, by a simple vote of the majority, Attorney Shapiro said
the Board Members could decide that they choose to override
the red tag decision.
Attorney Shapiro begged the Members' indulgence, as his
clients think it is important. They think somebody is going
to get hurt there again. Somebody is going to get robbed.
Attorney Shapiro said they think their rights are going to
be severely prejudiced after they went through the whole
process that the City told them to go through. He did not
think it Was fair to make them delay for five months, and to
make them breach a legal contract which they entered into
in reliance upon what the City said because of what they
consider as influence on Officials of the City.
Attorney Shapiro believed the Members should agree with his
clients and lift the red tag. They could proceed because
they got a legally binding valid building permit. There
was applause.
Chairman Thompson said the Members had a case before them
which was an interpretation of one of the City's Ordinances
which requires that a Review Board review a site plan before
an addition of any kind is made. He wished to hear from the
Board Members.
Mr. Ampol asked if all of the homeowners within 400 feet had
been notified and if they had received any replies against
this. Mrs° Ramseyer, Recording Secretary, called attention
to the letter from Mr. and Mrs~ N. Mallory which she had
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
passed out to the Members before the meeting° A woman in
the audience said she had communications that just arrived.
Chairman Thompson requested Acting Secretary Slavin to read
the communications.
Raymond J. Kubes, 660 Manor Drive, was told by Peter Cheney,
City Manager, that all that was required was to come here
and speak "for" or "against". He wanted to speak "against"
but also had a petition from members of the neighborhood,
including Manor Drive and Rider Road.
Chairman Thompson requested Mr. Kubes to hold his question
and let the Acting Secretary read the communications at this
time.
Acting Secretary Slavin read the following communications
which were addressed to Chris Lazzara, 624-4 N. E. 12th
Terrace, Mariner Village, Boynton Beach 33435:
Mailgram from Jack and Anne Marie Vanderhyme, Middletown,
Virginia, saying they agree a fence would be the best solu-
tion.
Communication dated July 3, 1984 from Diane and Romulo
Espada, 624-1 N. E. 12th Terrace. They were in favor of
closing off the road and putting up the fence.
Letter from Findlay Sinclair, 500 Egret Circle, 98510, Delray
Beach~ 33444 (owner of 732-6 N. E. 12th Terrace) dated
July 3, 1984, supporting the issue of having the village
property properly fenced in order to enhance their rights of
security and quiet enjoyment. He stated that he would be
out of town but would appreciate hearing the results and, in
particular, why the city red tagged the job after a building
permit was issued.
Mailgram from E. W. Hall, P. O. Box 257, Belgrade Lakes,
Maine 04918, (Owner of unit 718-6) which read: "Imperative
that we have security by erecting fence enclosing of
streets."
Mailgram from George and Pearl Weisbrot, 743-7 N. E. 12th
Terrace, in favor of putting up a fence and closing off the
street.
Mr. Slavin also read a Mailgram addressed to Mrs. Shaneen
Wahl~ Mariner Village Association President, 611-4 No E.
12th Terrace, Boynton Beach 33435, from Albert L. Strunk,
3849 Mechanicsville Road, Whitehall, Pennsylvania 19052,
saying they need the fence at once to preserve private
property which Mariner Village residents maintain financially.
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
Mr. Slavin then read a memorandum from Betty S. Boroni,
City Clerk, to which was attached a letter from Mr. and Mrs.
N. Mallory, 650 Manor Drive, Boynton Beach. The letter,
which was hand delivered to Mrs. Boroni's office on July 9
at 5:00 P. M., stated they were strongly against the project
of Mariner Village closing off Marine Drive and cutting in
half their entrance and exit to their home at the end of
Manor Drive. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory also mentioned emergency
vehicles and felt it would be unsafe to close Marine Drive
and feared for the safety of the residents.
During the 3~ years they lived there, Marine Drive was
changed to a one way street. Mr. and Mrs. Mallory did not
complain then, but they feel this change would be unsafe for
all vehicles travelling in their area.
Raymond J. Kubes, 660 Manor Drive, Boynton Beach, told the
Board Members the real problem is Mariner Village is closing
a road that has been here for thirty years or better.
Mariner Village residents seem to feel that because they
purchased a road that has been in existence for 26 years
before they purchased it that they can do with it what they
choose without any consideration for residents in the area.
Mr. Kubes said none of them were notified of any activities
as far as Mariner Village wanting to close Marine Drive.
Mariner Village claims it is a little lane. Mr. Kubes
informed the Board Members that the "little lane" goes right
in front of his house. The map that was drawn for the
Board was deceptive because it makes it look like there are
"tons of room" of which there are not. Mr. Kubes was sure
the Members knew, if they visited the site, that there is
not a lot of room. In fact, Mr. Kubes said the fence would
obstruct the use of his garage totally.
Mr. Kubes showed an area that would be narrowed by approxi-
mately six feet, which the map did not show. He said it
made it look like the road is very continuous and showed how
the road comes. Mr. Kubes told the Board Members that
Mariner Village is running the fence through the middle of
the road. The distance from his garage to the fence is
about 5~ feet, and Mr. Kubes will not be able to manuever
his vehicles into a two car garage. The area looked like
it was running down the road line, but Mr. Kubes said it
is not. Mariner Village is about 4 or 5 feet into the road,
and there is no need for this.
Mr. Kubes said it creates a vehicle as far as traffic.
He indicated an area where vehicles are parking. For
vehicles going north on Marine Drive to try and enter Manor
- 19 -
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
Drive, it is almost impossible. Mr. Kubes observed garbage
vehicles and said they are running over Mr. Mahlmeister's
property in an attempt to pick up garbage. He could not
possibly conceive a fire truck with its length and size
making the turn safely in an expedient manner to handle any
type of a fire problem in this area.
Mr. Kubes pointed out that the fence does nothing about
fire hydrants that they are eliminating from his neighbor-
hood's use. For the Firemen to get to the fire hydrants that
protect his house and a development of apartments against
fire, Mr. Kubes said the Firemen will have to leap over this
6 or 7 foot fence to hook up their hoses, come back and put
out fires. To put out a fire at Mr. Kubes' house will take
an extra five minutes, at which point he would lose half of
his house.
Mr. Kubes called attention to the fact that it says nothing
about a wall and exits for apartments in this area that are
privately owned. He indicated their only exit, which was
towards N. E. 12th Terrace, and said the fence totally
blocks off their exit. If there is a fire, Mr. Kubes asked,
"Where are they going to go?"
Mr. Kubes also referred to maintenance of property and said
if there is a broken window, it would be impossible for a man
to get in there to fix it near the fence. Mr. Kubes said
the fence will also enclose his water meter so the City will
not to be able to get in there and read it. He asked if the
City is going to put in a new meter so they can gain access.
When you close off a road, Mr. Kubes said it is a major
change° A fence around your property is OK, but when you want
to stop access of emergency vehicles, you just cannot go
ahead without any review from the authorities that the
residents elect to take into consideration all possibilities
of any problems that can arise and by-pass them. Mr. Kubes
advised you have to go through the proper procedure, which
Mariner Village has not done. He felt if Mariner Village
wants a fence, let them follow the proper procedure every-
body else has to follow.
Mrs. Wahl noted they were speaking about fire hydrants and
a fire hydrant was in question. She said fire hydrant 94
was on the site plan, if it was not installed. Mrs. Wahl
passed out copies but did not have enough copies for every-
one.
Mr. Hogeland A. Barcalow, 744-1 N. E. 12th Terrace, one of
the first record owners of Mariner Village, a Member of the
- 20 -
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
Board of Realtors of Boca Raton, thought the fence project
was unreasonable and expressed it at Mariner Village's
annual meeting. Although Mr. Barcalow thinks security is
important, he thought the proposal here violated the origi-
nal PUD agreement for parking. Bob Hamilton and others had
certain spaces, and Mr. Barcalow said they do not have ade-
quate parking as it is. If they fence the parking area now,
which means it will no longer be available, it will defeat
the original proposal to the City of Boynton Beach.
Mr. Barcalow said many of the problems at Mariner Village
stem from the City Engineering Department not examining
closely and the Building Department not inspecting the
project as it developed but the fence, as he saw it, as a
citizen of Boynton Beach, is a hazard and has to be reexamined
and relocated.
Chairman Thompson asked if anyone else who had not spoken
wished to speak. There was no response.
Mr. Slavin was handed a petition addressed to Chris Lazzara
with nine names which gave Chris Lazzara their full support
for the installation of the fence and the closing of the
road as indicated on the building permit in the possession
of Mariner Village. Mr. Slavin noted ~4 read "Jack and Anne
Marie Vanderhyme," and the petition was dated July 9th. He
brought this up because on one hand they had a petition and
he read a mailgram dated July 8 from the Vanderhymes. A
woman in the audience explained that the Vanderhymes are on
vacation and it came late this afternoon.
Mr. Slavin had another petition with 41 names rigidly
objecting to the proposed closing of Marine Drive. The
road has been in use by the public approximately 30 years
and the people who signed the petition demanded their rights
to continued use of Marine Drive, Willard Way, and all other
roads existing prior to construction of Mariner Village.
Mr. Clarence R. Weir, 624 N. E. 12th Street, said upon
installation of the fence, Mariner Village will create
secure parking along the area just east of the fence line
along Marine Road. At present, they do have some parking
spaces which were supposed to have been a shuffleboard court
in the original documents. Mr. Weir said they have some
parking spaces along the south side of their property on
Rider Road. He was told by people living along Rider Road
that he has no right to park there because that property is
just parking for their buildings when, in fact, it is
Mariner Village's property. They are supposed to be able to
park there. Very often they go to park and cannot park
- 21 -
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
there because everyone else in the area is using their park-
ing. Mr. Weir stressed that they want to secure the road
for themselves.
Mr. Weir told the Board that Ray Kubes did not give the full
story on the entrance of his garage. Mr. Kubes very rarely
uses his garage and parks his cars and trucks out on the
road, and he would have room to make a righthand turn into
his garage which the Members could see if they inspect the
site. There were comments and also applause.
Another man wished to speak. Chairman Thompson said if the
man did not have anything different to say, he would appreciate
it if he would not tie up the meeting. He said they have
heard both sides, and the Board has other cases to hear.
Michael P. Smodish, Attorney for the homeowners on Manor
Drive outside of Mariner Village, whose office is at
3452 New Boynton Road, Boynton Beach, said the only two
things he had to add was that clients he has have deeds from
back in the 1960s in which they were guaranteed access to
what is the canal that leads into the Intracoastal before
Mariner Village was a "gleam in some developer's eyes".
This will be impeded, to put it mildly, if Mariner Village
is allowed to erect a fence on either side of Marine Drive.
The other thing Attorney Smodish had to add was it seemed
to him that everything that had gone on at the meeting
tonight was to the effect that there is absolutely no ques-
tion whatsoever that the portion of Marine Road that
Mariner Village wants to erect a fence on is the private
property of Mariner Village. Attorney Smodish was not so
sure that was correct when you have a road that has been in
use by the public for 30 years or more. He thought there
were some very complex legal questions as to the ownership
of that road and the use of the road beyond the authority
and jurisdiction of this tribunal to determine. Attorney
Smodish felt it would best be left to the determination of
the courts. There was some applause.
Chairman Thompson said the Board could have this reviewed by
the Boards, which would take time, as someone has said. He
was sure it would cause expense. The Board had the other
option of passing it, feeling perhaps that the City Inspector
perhaps did not interpret the law correctly. He thought
those were their options and asked the Members if they felt
the case should go back before the Boards or end right here.
The safety, as the Attorneys pointed out, was not the
Board's problem. The Board was not to question the fence
but just question the law that guides our Building Department.
- 22 -
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
Mr. Ampol asked what the width of Manor Drive is. Mr. Keehr
did not know. He drove down Manor Drive and estimated the
pavement width was probably 20 feet wide. There were shouts
of "No" from the audience. Mr. Keehr informed Mr. Ampol
that Marine Drive is much narrower. Mr. Ampol thought that
would create a traffic hazard.
Chairman Thompson again reminded the Members that they were
not concerned about the fence. That was not the problem of
the Board. Their problem was the interpretation of the City
Ordinance only. Chairman Thompson asked the Members to keep
their questions in that direction.
If the road is owned by'the residents of Mariner Village,
Mr. Uleck asked if Mariner Village was paying taxes on the
road and who was maintaining the road. Chairman Thompson
repeated that the Board was not concerned about the taxes or
whether it is a private road. They were just to determine
whether the City Official acted properly in red tagging the
job.
Chairman Thompson requested Mrs. Ramseyer to give a roll call.
The Members asked, "For what?" Chairman Thompson replied,
"To deny - to not to deny but to have it be reviewed by the
Boards. We first have to have a motion on it to have it
reviewed by all necessary Boards."
Mr. Slavin did not think that was in the province of the
Board. He said the Board's province was in the Ordinances
they have received. The City Attorney told them exactly
where the City stands and supposedly what their position is
in this matter so Mr. Slavin thought they should go along
with the guidelines. He did not know whether it was in the
Board's prerogative to say "Yes, the city Boards are to
review this or not."
Since it is very rare that a case of this kind comes before
the Board, at this time hearing all of the evidence,
Chairman Thompson asked Attorney Rubin if it was proper for
the Board to have the case reviewed by all of the Boards or
what decision the Board was to make at this point.
It was Attorney Rubin's opinion that at this point, 'the
status quo was that the project was red tagged. Therefore,
the status quo is that the Building Official issued a stop
work order. At this point, it was Attorney Rubin's opinion
that the Board needed to vote on whether the Building
Official was correct in issuing a stop order. According to
the Ordinance, it appeared that the Board could put certain
conditions on their decision. Primarily, it seemed that the
- 23-
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
question for the Board was whether the Building Department
was correct in issuing a stop work order.
Chairman Thompson said the Board heard the advice of their
Attorney, who in this case was a neutral party. If there
were no questions, Chairman Thompson said he would entertain
a motion to have this reviewed by the Boards which would be
in favor of the Building Department or, on the other hand,
not to have it reviewed by the Building Department which
would mean, if he was correct, to have the red tag lifted.
At this point, Attorney Rubin advised it would seem if the
Board voted that the Building Official was correct in issuing
a stop work order, it was his opinion that then the petitioner
of Mariner Village could apply to the proper Boards for the
amended site plan review. Attorney Rubin did not feel the
Board needed to address the question of whether the petitioner
of Mariner Village would be entitled to come back.
Attorney Rubin thought if the Board ruled that the stop
work order was issued properly, it would be up to Mariner
Village to go through the procedure that Attorney Doney had
outlined.
Motion
Mr. Slavin could sympathize with the people at Mariner
Village and their problems but said it was not confined to
them exclusively. However, as the saying goes, Mr. Slavin
said they have to go by the book. Mr. Slavin moved that the
Board be on record as saying that the City Official acted in
good faith according to the Ordinances and according to the
City Codes in issuing the red tag in stopping the construc-
tion of this fence. Mr. Ampol seconded the motion for the
same reason Mr. Slavin gave.
Mrs. Ramseyer took a roll call vote, and the motion carried
5-2 in favor of the motion that the Building Official of the
Building Department acted properly in red tagging the job.
Mr. Uleck and Mrs. Artis voted against the motion.
THE BOARD TOOK A RECESS AT 8:35 P. M.
The meeting resumed at 8:40 P. M.
Case 964 - Lot 3, Block 5, 1st ADDITION TO ROLLING GREEN,
recorded in Plat Book 24, Page 86, Palm Beach
County Records
Request - Relief from R-1-A zoning requirement
of 7,500 square feet minimum lot area to be
- 24-
MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
reduced to 6,420 square feet lot area to utilize
lot for permitted zoning use
Address - 1624 N. Eo 1st Street
Applicant - Clinton Jones, Agent for
John Pagliarulo Building Contractor, Inc.
Acting Secretary Slavin read the application, the six questions
posed to the applicant in paragraph 5 of the application and
the applicant's answers. There was also a Power of Attorney
signed by Karen R. Mingo, giving authority for Clint Jones to
act as her agent in acquiring information regarding the above
property. Mr. Slavin also read the Memorandum dated June 19
from Betty S. Boroni, City Clerk, which enclosed copies of
documents regarding the petition.
Clinton Jones, 1600 North Federal Highway, 911, Boynton
Beach, stated he works for John Pagliarulo Building Contractor,
Inc. He asked the Board to note that both Case ~64 and Case
965 are the same. Chairman Thompson said the Board would
take Case 964 now and Case ~65 later.
Mr° Jones told the Board Members the property cannot be
improved unless there is a variance. There is no other
available property to be bought surrounding the lot. Chair-
man Thompson reviewed the property and found it to be land-
locked. He believed when this was originally platted, they
were all 50 foot lots in the whole area plus or minus one
way or the other. Mr. Keehr advised these were 60 feet,
and these are even more than that. He asked what the survey
was. Mr. Jones advised one is 60 feet and the other one is
a little more. Mr. Mearns noted it was 60x107.
Mr. Jones said the variance is totally on square footage.
The house that they will put in that area will meet all
other requirements as far as boundaries around the house.
Mr. Slavin asked when the zoning was changed.
replied, "June, 1975."
Mr. Ampol
Chairman Thompson asked if anyone else wished to speak in
favor of the request. There was no response. He asked if
anyone wished to speak against the request. There was no
response.
Mr. Slavin pointed out that the contract of sale dated
4/12/84 specifically states that the above lot does not con-
form to the minimum building site of 7500 square feet and a
special exception must be signed. He asked Mr. Jones if he
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
was building a home for himself. Mr. Jones answered, "No,
I am not building it for my own personal use."
Mr. $1avin said the property is landlocked, an eye sore to
the City, and serves no purpose in its present state.
According to the plans filed for the purpose of this
building, Mr. Slavin asked if it will meet all setbacks
and everything else. Mr. Keehr answered, "Yes. He clari-
fied that there were no plans submitted. None are required
for this variance, but it will meet all requirementse The
Building Department will see to it that it meets all
requirements.
Mr. Jones asked if the variance will be transferable°
Chairman Thompson answered, "Yes. It is on the lando"
Being that the land is locked in and it is a hardship case,
Mr. Ampol stated he would rather see a building on there
that conforms with the Building Department instead of a lot
of garbage being dumped there° He moved to grant the
variance, seconded by Mr. Uleck.
Mrs. Ramseyer took a roll call vote on the motion, and the
motion carried unanimously 7-0 to grant the request.
Case 965 - Lot 9, Block 15, 1st ADDITION TO ROLLING GREEN,
recorded in Plat Book 24, Page 86, Palm Beach
County Records
Request - Relief from R-1-A zoning requirement of
7,500 square feet minimum lot area to be reduced
to 7,327 square feet lot area to utilize lot for
permitted zoning use
Address - 1521 N. E. 2nd Court
Applicant - Clinton Jones, Agent for
John Pagliarulo, Building Contractor, Inc.
Acting Secretary Slavin read the application, and the
answers to the six questions outlined in question 5 of the
application. He also read a letter of authorization signed
by John A Pagliarulo, giving John Pagliarulo the authorty
to act as his agent in acquiring information regarding the
above property. Mr. Slavin called attention to the documents
listed in the Memorandum from Betty S. Boroni, City Clerk,
dated June 19.
Mr. Slavin read a note dated June 22, 1984 from David L.
Marsh, 725 North Lakeshore Boulevard, Lake Wales, Florida
33853 asking the Board to give these people a variance. Mr.
Marsh wrote it will help the City and County.
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MINUTES - BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA
JULY 9, 1984
Mr. Slavin also read a letter from Fred Akers, 1610 N. E.
2nd Street, Boynton Beach 33435 saying if someone wants to
build a dwelling on that waste lot, he heartily recommended
letting him do so as it could be a great improvement to our
community.
Chairman Thompson advised this was also landlocked in. In
fact, it was a dumping ground. Mr. Slavin asked Mr. Keehr
if the property will support a house with all of the
requirements, setbacks, etc. Mr. Keehr replied, "Yes." He
informed Mr. Ampol there is room for a swimming pool.
Due to the fact that~this is a landlocked piece of property,
it constitutes a hardship, and because there is no other
property available, Mr. Mearns moved to approve the request,
seconded by Mr. Moore. Mrs. Ramseyer took a roll call vote,
and the motion passed unanimously 7-0 to grant the request.
Identification Cards
Chairman Thompson reminded the Members not to forget their
cards when they go out to view property.
Discussion re Case 963
Mr. Slavin told of receiving a call from Mrs. Wahl asking
him if he had seen the property and if he wanted to call
her, she would be happy to show him around and explain what
had taken place. Mr. Slavin informed Mrs. Wahl it is not
within the province of the Members to meet with people.
They are to do their own inspections.
Chairman Thompson said Mrs. Wahl also called him. He asked
the Members to recall that at the Workshop they had with
the Professor from the University of Florida, if someone is
there who would like to show you the property, it is fine,
but the Members are not to express their point of view to
anyone outside of here. Mrs. Wahl had called other Members
too.
Mr. Uleck called and went there. He had no idea of the
kind of fence or lot line and asked the Members if they had
any information on the fence or lot lines. Mr. Uieck asked
the Members how they would know what they are looking for.
A gentleman saw him ride by, and Mr. Uleck asked him if he
had a survey or plan. The man did, so Mr. Uleck asked to
see it. The man also had a drawing of his fence.
Mr. Uleck looked around and parked his car on the little
street they were talking about. He said that was where the
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JULY 9, 1984
young fellow had the big ranch home. Mr. Uleck questioned
why the man built that if the road was not his. While he
parked his car there, Mr. Uleck said they came from 12th
Terrace, and five cars went around him, almost knocked him
down, and almost got his back fender. He referred to
developers coming in and taxpayers having to go to court.
Mr. Uleck expressed that he did not agree with what the City
did to those people.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Board,
the meeting properly adjourned at 9:00 P. M.
Patricia Ramseyer
Recording Secretary
(TWo Tapes)
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