CITY OF ARASOTA City of Sarasota Board of Adjustment Minutes October 28, 2020 The following are the motion minutes of the Board of Adjustment meeting held virtually on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. The meeting came to order at 1:30 p.m. Vice Chair Israelson reminded everyone in attendance to silence their phones and to speak into the microphones. Roll call was taken. PRESENT: Chair; Paul Israelson, Vice Chair, Philip DiMaria; BOA members, Olga Hanlon, Matthew Ruch, and Edward D'Agostino; Gretchen M. Schneider, General Manager, Development Services and Secretary to the Board; Angela McLeod Wilkins, Administrative Assistant, Development Services ABSENT: None LEGAL COUNSEL: Mike Connolly, Deputy City Attorney Mr. Israelson made a motion to approve the August 26, 2020 meeting minutes. Mr. DiMaria seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. Ms. Schneider welcomed new members Olga Hanlon and Matthew Ruch to the Board of Adjustment. Ms. Schneider prompted a vote for Chair and Vice Chair. Mr. D'Agostino nominated Mr. Israelson for Chairperson. Mr. Ruch seconded the motion. The vote passed 5-0. Mr. Israelson nominated Mr. DiMaria for Vice Chairperson. Mr. D'Agostino seconded the motion. The vote passed 5-0. Mr. Connolly explained the quasi-judicial procedures and stated that applications for Affected Person status have been received. Ex-parte communications and site visits were announced. Ms. Schneider recited the Pledge of Conduct and everyone intending to speak was sworn in. Time Limits were announced. Mr. Connolly called on citizen Danielle O'Donnell who had submitted a request for Affected Person Status, and her representative, R. Charles Scott. Ms. O'Donnell and Mr. Scott were present. Mr. Connolly clarified that both Ms. O'Donnell and Mr. Scott would be presenting and recommended that the Board grant 5 minutes for their presentation. Mr. Connolly recommended that the Board grant Affected Person Status to Ms. O'Donnell and Affected Person status was granted. NEW BUSINESS Variance Petition No. 2020-VAR-05. Robin Strong, LLC, owner, requesting a side yard setback variance of.8 feet from of the minimum side setback requirement of 6 feet. Address: 2258 Hillview Street. Zoning Code: Table VI-203. Legal description: Survey on file in the Development Services Department. Zone district: RSF-4 Residential Single Family. Jeffrey Hostetler, agent for the owner. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Schneider provided an overview of the requested variances. Jeffrey Hostetler, agent for owner, presented to the Board. The Board members questioned Mr. Hostetler. Affected Person, Ms. O'Donnell and her representative, Mr. Scott presented to the Board. The Board did not have any questions for Ms. O'Donnell or Mr. Scott. Mr. Hostetler provided a rebuttal. The public hearing was closed. The Board discussed the variance request. Mr. D'Agostino made a motion to deny the request for variance. The motion was seconded by Ms. Hanlon. Page 2 The motion passed 5-0 to deny the variance. (Israelson - yes; DiMaria = yes; D'Agostino - yes; Hanlon - yes; Ruch - yes) ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Mr. Di Maria stated the importance of sensitivity to low density residential properties that abut commercial, mixed-use, and high-density residential properties. Ms. Schneider explained the requirements of varying buffer types and the options available to contractors to satisfy the requirements of the Zoning Code. The Board discussed the possibility of a zoning text amendment for buffers and the walls that can be within buffers. The Board also discussed options for the application ofincreased buffer wall heights up to 8 feet and the process by which zoning text amendments are recommended to the City Commission. All Board members agreed to have Ms. Schneider draft a letter on behalf of the Board of Adjustment to the City Commission and bring it to the next meeting for review by the Board. Citizen Melinda Delpech provided input in favor of the flexibility for 8 foot walls, specifically pertaining to the Strand development project. Ms. Schneider stated that there will be a meeting on November 18th and noted that Mr. Shamsey will be attending as Legal Counsel for the meeting. The meeting will be in person at City Hall in the City Commission Chambers. Ms. Schneider also reminded the Board that, if there is a meeting in December, it will be held on December 16th, and stated that the 2021 calendar had been emailed to each member. Ms. Schneider informed the Board that the City Commission would like Advisory Boards to appear in front of the City Commission to provide an update on their activities at some throughout the year. She noted that Mr. Israelson had indicated that he would provide input on the Board's behalf. There was no scheduling of special meetings. The meeting adjourned at 3:48 p.m. a Cpader Elned CHAIRPERSON of the Board of Adjustment SECRETARY to the Board of Adjustment Page 3