CC Minutes 12/08/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION MiDutes of December 8, 2008 ~ Regular Meeting Page 2] of 24 B. SPR 08-23 Castlewood Apartments - Pedestrian Access/Opening on Bluebell Drive Staff Presentation: Ms. Barbara Lipscomb, City Manager, and Ms. Sandra Smith, Chief Planner, gave an overview ofSPR 08-23. SPR 08-23 is a request from the property manager of Castle wood Apartments for a building permit to erect a fence with an opening adjacent to the dead-end portion of Bluebell Drive. The fence was installed and a four foot opening was left between two wooden panels to create a pedestrian access point. The residents of Bluebell Drive presented a petition to the City Commission at the November 10,2008 meeting opposing the pedestrian access. The residents' petition states that an ordinance was passed limiting traffic access into the apartment complex via Bluebell Drive to emergency vehicles only. City records do reveal that Ordinance No. 738, adopted on July 6, 1992, established the zoning classification ofR-3 (multi- family) for the property to be developed, but there is no reference to traffic limitations in the ordinance. It was noted that Bluebell is a public road and that by its nature allows pedestrian use. The original approval of the site plan for Castlewood Apartments was conditional upon no vehicular traffic, and a memo written by the City Fire Marshal on July 3, 1993 specifically states that "The gate was designed to limit vehicular traffic not pedestrian." The site was designed with the one direct access onto Seminola Boulevard and an emergency access onto Bluebell Drive. The City's Park Division is continually seeking safe trave ways for pedestrians and bicyclists in an effort to expand the connections throughout the City. There are a great number of Castlewood residents who would prefer the direct access to Winter Park Drive. For planning purposes, it is appropriate to allow the pedestrianlbicyclist opening in the fence in conjunction with the fence permit. The opening which was left in the newly erected fence is not connected to a paved walkway, the fence heights of each panel are different, and the opening is very visible. Staff recommends relocating the pedestrian access so that it is adjacent to the emergency access gates. This location provides a paved surface to the access point and does not disrupt the continuity of the wooden fence. The location of the emergency access is on the northern perimeter of the road and is not visible from the street. If a pedestrian gate is provided, it should be of the same black metal construction as the emergency gates. Ms. Smith stated she contacted both the property manager of Castlewood Apartments and Ms. Deborah Delagelis, property owner of 1041 and 1043 Bluebell Drive, who presented the petition on November 10, 2008, to inform them of the item appearing on the agenda for consideration and staff's recommendation on the matter. Ms. Smith noted that the property manager of Castlewood Apartments had a schedule conflict and was unable to attend the meeting. Budget Impact: This item has no impact to the City Budget. Recommendation: The City Manager and the Community Development Director recommended approval ofthe request from the management of Castlewood Apartments for the pedestrian access at Bluebell Drive, including staff's recommendation that the pedestrian opening be located on a paved surface adjacent to the existing emergency access gates. MOTION: Vice Mayor Hufford moved to approve SP 08-23, request from the management of Castlewood Apartments for the pedestrian access at Bluebell Drive, Including staff's recommendation that the pedestrian opening be located on a paved surface adjacent to the existing emergency access gates. Motion was secouded by Commissioner Miller. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote 5 - O.