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07/29/1981 It ~ . , , , ' " . I .' .~. ~ r ; " " ~ .' .~ , ~"" " , Ol! benefit of the Hearing Officer. The auto sales facility itself was grandfathered in. James Hennagir stated the Saporitos began a car lot on this property over twenty years ago and it has been there much longer than the professional offices. On the east side of Ft. Harrison there is only one other residential property in addition to that owned by the Saporitos. It is important to the business to have the storage facility, as they buy problem cars for repair and resale. The operation does not include salvag~ and repair work is farmed out to Fulton Automotive. They do not advertise to buy junk cars; only those which can be repaired and sold. There is no direct view to the lots in question from the west' side of Ft. Harrison. He suggested the petition presented at the last hearing in opposition was not signed by affected persons. By reques~Mr. Hennagir read into the record the Clearwater Sun ads and stated they do employ a person to do odd jobs and minor repairs for drop-in customers, but this is not their primary activity. There have been as many as SO cars stored on the two lots at one time, but currently there are about 20. Prior to the last hearing they eliminated most of the objection- able cars and will try to maintain that policy. Virginia Morelli, adjacent property owner for 40 years, stated there has been a general trend toward improvement in this area. The lots in question have been used for storage approximately 1-1/2 years and repair work is being performed at the facility. A man whom she personally asked to do 50 obtained signatures on the earlier petition. Mr. Hennagir questioned how 80 signatures could appear on the petition submitted today as affected parties when there , are only two residences within the 200 ft. radius required by the code for notices. In summation, Harry Cline stated the proposed use is not in the public interest and the applicant is presently in violation of the code. This activity is a fairly recent turn of events and is an adverse change. The persons who signed the petition have property along Ft. Harrison or in the Harbor Oaks Subdivision immediately west; however, any citizen of Clearwater has the right to know what is going on within the City. He requested the Heating Officer weigh heavily the unanimous decision of the Board of Adjustment and Appeal. In summation, Leslie Conklin stated the area is improving arid the extension of a nonconforming use is detrimental. ~.~.:.~.:;,.-:; ,', ..,' .r 0\" c . .,' .. ...r, n" ." l _ . .'<, ~r:t~i~:~j~~~J?;!:><,,;;,.' . :;:'" . '. . . .','. ..\ ~'l ~\~"..i."'4'!\.~""} I' " ,",~. .r,1 . ~.. < .i.. .... .' ..~. ..... . "" ~. ." ~l ~ :]tt:~~lj;~J\~X~:~~:~'~:<+~:'...,~.,~:+:../J::~\:::~'F ",:'~;',~!.,'.';:~'~-o\~.;.\': ':l.S. . ~',".,- "~h>" ~: f: '.. I " ; '~,t.:....:. :'.:.: ~ . .,..:~ .' , '.~...:,~>i~.: ",..'J;.....P'~~().'f1t"".tIU'lI.,I..I~.,}.Jr....;'l,.....,'...lr.\I,,~r,.i....,7......f{I...'P.' .,. ~"~..~\.... ,I'! ~ ~: " ".~.... ' . ',fl.' ~.' .'~':.<':. .~~.~i.i.~/<.~I.J.. +p' ..,,'" /. .. I ~~ ~ ,.., -I-oi \~. -(1.' "t .',~ ... ~ "':5"'~' ').. ~ . , " ~ " 7/10/81'" ~', .~ l ' ';v'~~'I~'.f)~ .-~~\j~fRr) .r,'.~;~~,::::.'~]!.~':;:-f?:~,;;;L~.';"~';{:, ',,:k;.~ .i" t~ :.1 ., "~'}. ":'~" ";" ".....,..':;." '. '. './'. . ~ :'.' "'" '. ' ' . -',' '. < ..~};." ....~~1; 41,'.;;.?r'{,....f...>""",.f(>1'(it~I.'..t"i~~~..:...,!..~H......f......,- ....~ I...'<...'~:'........:' .. r _l~ ~ .<._ .! ..~ 1"", . .... . o ., In summation, the City Attorney questioned the compatibility of this activity with other uses in the area. The railroad forms an effective buffer from the concrete company and an activity of this type does not fit into the pattern of improvement. ~ In summation, Mr. Hennagir pointed out the sales activity will continue on Ft. Harrison whether the special exception is granted or not; therefore, Ft. Harrison will neither be upgraded nor downgraded since the lots in question are not on Ft. Harrison. Their sales have shown that the public is interested in the type of transportation their cars provide, and they should not be penalized by recent upgrading of the area. The railroad really does not separate the concrete company from the area. Any proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law should be mailed no later than July 20, 1981. The Hearing adjourned at 12:00 noon. .tw.,~q~ ~'. ~-/ ,Ci1:Y Clerk e, , I I i: I r j i J ~. . . I , ., " I, " ' . .'/ " ;,; < " ~ . .: . . .,' . J, r ~ ~ ~ .'..c !"; . ,.. . ~ v:..'IW - \ " , . 3/ ~ I, ~ n STATE OF FLORIDA DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS MARY SAPORITO, ) Petitioner, ) CASE NO. 81-1479 VB. ) CITY OF CLEARWATER, ) Responden t:. ) ~ ) FINAL ORDER Pursuant to Notice, the Division of Administrative Hearings, by its duly designated Hearing Officer, DONALD R. ALEXANDER, held a formal hearing in this case on July 10, 19B1, in Clearwater, Florida. APPEARANCES For Petitioner: Mr. James L. Hennagir 1007 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater, Florida 33516 \\ For Respondent: Thomas A. Bustin, Esquire P. O. Box 4748 Clearwater, Florida 33518 For Intervenorl Marie Paoletti: Harry S. Cline, Esquire P. O. Box 1669 Clearwater, Florida 33517 ,By application filed on April 1, 1981, Petitioner, Mary Rose Saporito, sought a special exception pursuant to ',Section 23.03 (1) ~ of Ordinances, to operate a automobile storage yard as a part of a used automobile sales business on Lots 6 and 7 of Block 34, Magnolia Park Subdivision, at 1007 South Fort Harrison Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. That same date, the City of Clearwater Zoning Enforcement Officer denied the application on the ground it did not conform to the require- ments of.Section 131.142(1), Code of Ordinances (now codified as Section 23.0J(1), supra). Pursuant to the provisions of Section' 35.09 (3), Code of ordinances, the decision was" appealed ~o the City of Clearwater Board of Adjustment and Appeal on '.. + <.' , . . e ~ 'e ", '. n n ground the request was "inconsistent with the coden. The instant case arises from an appeal of that decision filed by Petitioner on April 30, 1981, pursuant to Section 35.10, Code of Ordinances. That Section provides a process for any party in interest to appeal a decision of the Board to a Zoning Appeal Hearing Officer. Under a contractual agreement entered into by the City of Clearwater and the Division of Administrative Hearings, and authorized by Section 120.65(6), Florida Statutes, and Section 35.10(E) (1), Code of Ordinances, the undersigned Hearing Officer was designated as Zoning Appeal Hearing Officer. The final hearing was scheduled for June 25, 1981, in clearwater, Florida. It was subsequently rescheduled to July 10, 1981, at the same location. At the final hearing Petitioner presented the testimony of James L. Hennagir, who is president of Red Door Motors, Inc., the lessee on Saporitots property. ' Respondent, City of Clearwater, presented the testimony of John Richter, chief of the planning division of the City Planning Department. Intervenor, Paoletti, presented the testimony of Virginia Morelli who opposed the application and offered opposition Exhibits land 2, each of which was received into evidence. Additionally, an adjacent property owner, Leslie M. Conklin, presented testimony in opposition to the proposed zoning change. Under the provision of Section 35.10(3), Code ~ Ordinances, the record of the Boardts meeting on April 23, 19B1, its decision and the exhibits submitted at its meeting have been made a part of the record. The parties were given the opportunity to file proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law; however, none were filed. Based upon the entire record, the following findings of , fact are determined: . " FINDINGS OF FACT '., 1. Petitioner, Mary Rose Saporito, is the owner of 4, 5, 6 and 7, Block 34, Magnolia Park Subdivision, located . .' " ~ ~ ~ n at 1007 South Fort Harrison hvenue, Clearwater, Florida. The . property is currently leased to Red Door Motors, Inc. which operates a used car lot on tho promises. Lots 4 and 5 front on South Fort Harrison Avenue and are used to display automobiles ready for sale to the public. A sales office is alBo located on the premises. Approximately lB months ago, Lots 6 and 7, which adjoin Lots 4 and 5 on its eastward side and which had previously been vacant, were cleared. Shortly thereafter, Red Door Motors began obtaining a number of older motor vehicles which were in disrepair and that'r~quired substantial work before they were ready for resale. As many as 50 such cars were procured and stored on Lots 6 and 7 at one time. Because of complaints to the City registered by adjacent property owners, Petitioner was told it must obtain a special exception in order to store or park automobiles on the, lots'in question. 2. The property is situated within an area currently zoned by the City as CG (General Business District). This District permits apartment type developments, retail and professional uses. The Code prescribes no less than sixteen specified permitted uses and structures within the District, but does not authorize used cars sales. However, the front portion of the property (Lots 4 and 5) has been used for automobile sales for approximately 20 years, and as such, is a non-conform- ing use that may be continued subject to certain conditions. 3. A number of special exceptions to the permitted uses are authorized within a CG District, including a storage _ yard "when shielded from view from any public way." If the application is granted, and appropriate shielding requirements are met, the intended use will be consistent with the Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance. 4. Petitioner considers the entire property (LO~s ,4; 5, 6 and 7) as being a part of the used car lot. It intends ,t.o use' Lots. 6 and 7 to store older and disabled automobiles They will then be displayed I " . . ~ n. 'I' Only minor repairs (e.g., replacing tires, batterios, hrakes ~ and the like) will be done on the premises while major repair work will be done at a garage in another part of the City. The Petitioner represented that under no circumstances would the , e lots be used as a junk or salvage yard, a place to store obsolete automobiles or where parts would be taken off one automobile to be used on another. However, such activities did take place prior to the City advi~ing petitioner of its need to obtain a special exception. 5. With the exception of one lot (Lot B), the property in question generally covers the southern half of Block 34 which is bounded on the west by Fort Harrison Avenue, Magnolia Avenue on the north, Lotus Path on the south and railroad tracks on its eastern boundary. Directly to the north and east of Petitioner's p~operty are single-family residences and a grocery store. To the south (across Lotus Path) lie a series of offices used primarily by professional persons. Directly to the east are railroad tracks which separate Blocks 34 and 35. A cement plant covers a substantial part of Block 35. Across the street on the western side of Fort Harrison the predominate uses are multi- ,'; : family residences, single-family dwellings and office developments. The trend in recent years has been a general upgrading of the area with a focus on professional and retail offices. 6. The City's primary objection is that the proposed storage yard will not be consistent with the "character" of the CONCLUSIONS OF LAW " , 1. The Division of Administrative Hearings' has .' "..,.,._:.:'_jurisd~~tion of the subject matter and the parties theret:o . i~:i;;:':./?,~,/:r,:c..':,' ":,' :',', ' ',', ?~;~~.,~:';):?!\~~~~:;.~~.~~.~~,~.~t:o., Section 1~0. 65 (6), Flori~a Sta~utes, and ~ection (i.e.,t... ~.""I" . ~'>'~"']~"l:1.\. ,", i' '..It "'.~ ~~~~'{f?~~'~"~.~~'\::..: t.J(~;.;~~" ~ " ~.:}.~\ ':.~ :.:". . . . ~~V;'}'I~;~~~/~t~~\~"f)L~rf.:~..:.. ~\ ...., ~r. ;. ~ . ~. ) . ~f.(':1~c.-;'l"'~~~"!""""tt'::':i'" 'i1~Jr~..)f., .,J".~I'" " '"1', . ~.'" .. . fW:tt"i%"'i/;A.~:Jt~.n..,~~~~;~t;~l{':~:;tI::~(.;{'..:.j~.r'i' '{'," f' ',',' ,'. "T~':(' ~r.' -t"' "y..... h~.!l"": ......, .', \'H. I. . - . ixtli;t,....~<.~;II)~/~-...::r.';j~\{,;r,.~I.;,.'.',.,.':....."'; '.-, .,... ': ,': ,~ . .,'.. ( . . ~' \r:r~'~.;,)j ~~;'~'.J.u",(':..;y ~:f,':.,:, . ., ,. ,." ' ,.\ " , , ..' .., . , . ,,'" .";!..'?...._~ ~~\-........,., .;......~J'l. 'i.;" ";1/" ..:~,.> ." ". '., ", ',' . '. . , , .". ~*\%~W<~~~;i~l~~i~~\;!,;;j;!;,~;i;,~;) ,(: ,~;':.u ,';:,' '.',' ",; '::'( .... .. ,:'>,; '" ,:, '," ',' ':' ,': ~t..~,'4t..,-<",f~m:V:~~FI~~'~''''~'I''lJ"\~'\I~J''''J~......,\t,'I';.~~'1(4). ,", .1, ',1' .:", "{'to. '~.... .~~,: ......"...,.............+!. .....",. , ,...~', ,:l{\y:t.w..~"".. 1 ~ ~ IJ.~,.,,~" ~'.l.... '1."~ J,"; . ._,~.'" . 4,. ~. . . j' "" .... r ~ 1 .... ~.. ~. .. , ',. ' .J' ftL..~~..,,.~~ (\~ .;;Cl.~..>..t\:'lf,.r ....,...+.~...I./~. .,....,...'1.'., '. ,"q. >~.T, .'.'~ d. ...J~t....~..'I..,~... .,....1... "t \, ..~ ~~!;~~!.-~!y.L {.';tt~~~~~;(''',r~$;-::~.;;...''al:i~..I::!.~::~.;.~~I........~~ I;...';..~.., ~".\.'", ~'. .:/.'>.~.."~:::..t:1.:..~.i~ \'~:' .:.;.'" !~. ... ':.- , .~~.~M.~....-.-}'1.~..."!'~;I!"';.~; ,'ttt\:~.>t~:("~,~~'/,{'l"""=":Pi..,,...:"...'\:~.:..t'f'\':'".:"''': '~4' " '-", ..... ;/., ~ ,,' . "..1 .... ...' '1.,", '." . . . .' o ~ .. ~ n 35.10, ~ ~ Ordinances. 2. A spacial exception is an exception from the ., general provisions of a zoning ordinftnce contained in the' ordinance itself that is permissible unless shown to be contrary to the public interest. Section 163.170(6), Florida Statutes (BUpp. 1980). Under the zoning scheme adopted by the City of Clearwater, some 25 districts have been established for the purpose of classifying, regulating and restricting the uses of property within the City. section 3.01, ~ of ordinances: The property in question herein lies within District CG (General Business District), for which a number of special exceptions have been authorized. Section 23.03, Code ~ Ordinances. As is pertinent here, it includest inter alia: (1) Storage yards. When shielded from view from any public way (wall, solid fence and/or screen planting) . 3. In zoning cases, it is incumbent upon the applicant seeking a waiver from zoning regulations to show that all conditions necessary to qualify for the special exception have been met. Oldham v. Peterson, So.2d , Case No. 80-439 (Fla. 5th DCA Opt filed 4/29/8l). Once this showing af compliance has been met, the burden then shifts to those opposing the change to demonstrate that the proposed use would adversely affect the public interest. Rural New Town, Inc. V. Palm Beach County, 315 Sa.2d 478, 480 (Fla. 4th DCA 1976); Oldham, supra. 4. Section 35.09(7), ~ of Ordinances, enumerates eleven factors that must be considered, where applicable, in ~ considering requests for special exceptions. Further, it is necessary that the proposed use be "consistent with the intent of the Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and with the pUblic interest. II Section 35.09(6), Code of Ordinances. Here the city has conceded that the intended use is consistent with the '. .Land Use Plan and Zoning Ordinance (Testimony of Richter). ,. . :. t~.. I "';'-:;':~;~"" 'HOwever, no party has made specific reference to the criteria '~~. .~~ I'."'>":'~~):, .. .\.". . ~(/;:.:"',>,,,::';: :;:' ;,~~~~rat:ed in Section 35.09 (7), supra, in their evidentia~y ~t1.i'\~ffi:BiG;~~:A::": ';. . .. ~~'4.~1;;:~~i~:i~~~;r~~l~)l..;..~~~~.i~'1:\111':~Lf'" '.'.T'~~ .,'.... ~tfJ)~~'(,~{'l (,:..~~.,(.~~r'/~;:~"".I,~,:':;:I~'""""" "" .' } .. 1,,1''t1::it. u.lv/!.;.i.....t'~(.i~.ij.'J..I.,.f'" .~.!. .' . ~?}::'l\~~~tw;~l~~::~;i~~:~~~~~:;,:;~~.:~,'..".~.\.:\~i~ ','" :;.\,:.'.,. ~ ~ ..... . .~1oi.t.nY'\~ "~.?-~~/.~., ~;~}\:','J ~.~ "; , :.~ rl."',' . I". ," CS)"" '. . '; r~r/~';iJ.~;~~!:'!f:,~~~;{~:,t:~1:,:~~>\;>:'~> ~';:"'::';,'::~ ...>,'1.;: ">,:,~~ ," :'~. ,,: '!':"",:"::.,~,: . , w~Ot~~\t..:;~h;';l/:;;~/:' /:[:: r~';,,:,V:;'>:.'i.:' ;:1';\-' ~ '.:: ::, :: '. ' ....:,. ......- .....l:l'-1......~."A-~,'t:.......!;.'...-yf~'..:~.I...~.:I....~:':'~.('. ...~rh ~ .~,.1. "I~, " , ' , , , , ' : ~ \" ',". c I < c " . . . . ~ ~. '~ " . .' ,', ,.-- ..; ., 1,~. .'1 . " . '. ~ ' ','} , . ,. Q ,8 presentations or argument. But it is apparent from a ~eading ,(S> of the criteria that only paragraphs (e) and'(k) are of any significance to:,the case at bar.!! They require that consideration be given to the following: (e)' Screening and buffering with reference to type, dimensions, and character. A '$I '.e. . . . (k) That the use will be reasonably, compatible with surrounding uses in its function, its hours of operation, the type and amount of ,traffic to be generated, and building size and setbacks, its relationship to land values, and other factors that may be used to measure compatibility. Paragraph" (e) 'imposes a'requirement that screening .and buffe'rinq be used where circumstances so dictate. Here the character of the proposed use of the land is such that screening and buffering is clearly desirable. However, the Code itself requires that in order fdr a storage yard exception to be granted, it must be "shielded from view from any public way". Section 23.03(l), ~ of Ordinances. That being so, any grant would necessarily be conditioned upon meeting this ancillary requirement.l1 In essence, paragJ:aph (k)'requires that--the use be "reasonably compatiblell with the surrounding neighborhood. Petitioner testified that the storage yard would merely' be'an adjunct to an existing used car lot that has been in operation for some 20 years and would not disturb the general character of the neighborhood. Moreover, ~etitioner asserts that it will not engage in any undesirable activities such as salvaging operations and the storing of junk cars. But the Petitioner concedes the storage yard would simply be an extension of the used car business, and a place where older cars would not only be . '. "y 'The other criteria pertain to traffic flow, offstreet '.parking and loading, refuse and service areas, utilities, signs, .yarc;1s.and,open space requirements, height, landscaping and _,~\,.'. ?; '.' .:': }::eriewal' and/or' termination dates, none of which are of any \'1'Y:; ',; .. ,~.': ','. .' 'particula'r significance ~n resolving the request herein. {~~i:;l~~'l.f ,t.: ~ :>..' , . '; ..... _.,. . " F. .,l" ~ "~.'. .'. . .'. .. '. . . .' , tt~::~~~g;r':;;r"~::"":,,:' ':>'., ..}I':.The :t:ap~~ of ',the 'Bo'ard hearing, which have. been made a {i~~t" '<:;'Jitt~>.': ~;' pa~~, ,f~f.. ~is ,~ec.ord, indicate that pet~ tioner agreed to conform, 1~~~~)~t<(:w1~~~~~~~~ie~din~ requirements that m1ght be imposed under the ~~'I'''I~..:,;'~lL~,~d~. ':,', . .,. .': " . ~"'<{~r:~:t.~r~~~~:~'i'J,";'~:<~:';!';~"~1/ \:I."~':... . " .~: , . , '. .' .IJ;f.('r.~~J~" ,-' )'V.'L+~~' 'J ~...' , . . . '" .' , .. .' '~r.i;{(l~l,.\:l~~~'"i~.L\""t;~.\,.: I~;l"/"~"i~"" ~~:},\ ',f ....'} :.""'.~,.' _ .}.~ ;(.:.. ' '. t;t; .~~J~}.:.) ;.....:;t..,:..,("......~";",.)J~;,~...t 1: ~~..r:, '., "'''I'(~'>4'': .;,.i(O(I';~. .".1'.'" '\.~.rt' .~.. .". .~ ,', . "- J .. -. . ." . " . .. .. .... ~ Q refurbished for resale, but also an additional display area. ~ Thus, the operations on Lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 would be integrated, and in essence the entire area used for the purpose of selling automobiles. To extend the used car business itself t~ Lots 6 And 7 would violate the terms of section 35.08, ~ of Ordinances, for it would constitute an enlargement of a nonconforming use (used car sales) which is otherwise prohibited in District CG.~ That Section provides in part: (a) Within the districts established by the Zoning Ordinance...there exist...uses of land ...which were lawful before the Ordinance was passed or subsequently amended, but which would be prohibited or otherwise restricted under the terms of the Ordinance or its future amendment. It is the intent of this Ordinance...to permit these legal nonconformities to continue until they are removed, but not to encourage their survival or replacement. It is further the intent of this ordinance that such legal nonconformities shall not be enlarged upon, expanded or extended, nor be used as grounds for adding other lots, structures, uses or characteristics prohibited elsewhere in the same district. @) Because the operations on Lots 4,5, 6 and 7 can be considered as a single entity if the request were granted, Petitioner actually seeks to extend or enlarge a nonconforming use which is prohibited by the Code. Section 35.08, supra. Accordingly, the applica~ion must be denied. DENIED. \~l;::,~':':".:f/ ' " 1_.:{'};";::>:". ;: '... ,V A nonconforming use is a use that lawfully existed before :i,:>,;)',!.;'(,:....., ".:- the,:enac~~t:of,'a ,zoning ordinance and that is permitted to ::~'('..~;:;:~\.r~:'..,>-:,'..'reaairi 'after,'the', effective date of the ordinance, even though it w:.:.:,.~:':::,:.~<::..'.d~tI not. "comply ,withttle restrictions in the ordinance. . . ~~~~~,&~~~l;j(:'~",ei}:;r::',: ... ...... ..',' .' . .'. . . . f~ij.{~:?8l~f,~~rI1;~f~~ J~:'r:.t,;/~:~:, ~'.'~'ir\ :!~(.. '. ','. " ~ , t*'i..!.'I".:~tt~"-...1~i~)~iV'...l..f~. . J"''';;'J~r':/....~.' t ......"~ . " , ~ ~~?~rf-.....~(t;r.....t...!~.~...,.~': '.....~~ ,:'., ,',to.":.: I, ~~.. '"';. ~', . " L'. ',' '._. ;. . > I , , ,. ,','~' " !t " }:llf~ilt~f~&~~~ir1;(~I~}~;,Jit;:~lj~;"r,:,~(;\";,,:ziJ~";:~/'}:"~:;'::::;,::ii~,";J.;,<'\:>. ~ 'j~. ..c~ . '''''. , ' e, "'~ ~';, \fl\V :.'.& 0<.. . T.. . " i 6 . ,,' ~ " l' .\ J . I_'~H! 1!,J'.t\;" :'Y:' """:.,,,1; ',"I,.. ,.." ,,'. "." ...' '.", . .' '. ' '. . " ". : ,;. " . .>", ',':' .. ',L.- . '." ".'. ".' " , \ ,\:,11;. ~f.-lj't..""'.J':"j .1:t~~n,Jct'-'~r\' ~~.r~t"."l".l'> ".<--.'+' -J,".' . '. '.'; ~.. Ii, '., .~, 'I' " ~.] T...~......t~... '. . , '\~ifi~iJ&~~~[;t~,:,k;i};:'iHi{~:..);<" .. "" . ";'<>: ,;:..:{(~:::/{~{~;..,:(;:'f:'/' '1t.....~I~:l\~..jit~1k.;"',t rl~:,./ ~ .",",'. ':~' .t..tiiL.I~:"~, SJ.,h. ". .".~. r~'> .. ;0' . .... ,~I.' : 'I ': ~ '1'r-Jl'~i1~.:~~ l+.~"'... ."'~:~~.,:.>. d'..2~\ ~qR~ {~~G~f~;~~1'~{~:~:;,!~~!:1;:;,:;'~~%~(!.~(~.~; :;;: '~,\ :. .f,,;~,:~:;; <{:'. ~:,:~ ,',:, ~ ~ .:': "::~ > :;,:i:};':<;~ t;. ~~~'::~ii}{Y:'f;;~' \::t~<;:~ ~:;,~ ~',~;.~::~~;/f:,::.'~l1~~~ .'Ie,pr':' ;:;r.;t.' \,.,,\. fl,.,'. _<,.+1;', \", , ,'"11'" '+,'1 .,," ,.', -, .~","", '~"'. -,. ,j-" .'~", ,': ..,.','.', p," I~i.f'''' { :;IL' 1t:~ '. rt\'.~'\~~~~t.+-t~~ . '::.~ .l.~{i.. Ll~I;. ...........;. ,.,:.r~./ ~t',.~ l.:~"}i. '~..'"'' ~'t-;' i /. ~ ,~L ~l'... 'i/,~ ~~"... ~,"':'. .~....~~,.~ 1:..:;- ~ ~ ~.~+'~t1""'l')~tt-~ . ::. \, (y ;'\' .7' ~..1 'I....,'J...... ~ -i.}, ,:.:U, ~ \ 1; ; ,'e:, \ ..h.~"'L"'!"~! ;,:.:~ }~I~~ },;:r~~~t.'.&I~ ~ ..~,.'. it ~"'t.\ -: .: I:' " ~ .~; ..: '~. '. \~> :! t,f~~.... 'III ~ f....:L.Y......r}.$)F~Ii!r \ ~I ',I,.,. :.....-,'1..,.~~.., ~r-~ ~4, 1.'. t~. "":r"..'!~";l ..~t:"'~o;:"" '1'''''')'1-... .' t.::r..'...~ r ,. t,~. \l,..::.t ....... ~~ .":..': i. .10........ ';~tfj~(~);t>\~~I~t:;j~,.:t::~~n~~~,:!~Y{;~(~ll$~Z~r}~~1~Pj~~y~~r.~~i,:~~~i~~~:i1Ai\t!};t. ''ri'" "'1'f"">e~'h' ~':I,';>":"1;'\'~..h.lP"J."" ~' ..j up.:"",_ ....;jl' ...!W"~..,,>,, ,n 'Y""')i""'~ ,."', li:. ~'r.?1 ~:J:~~;)~A.;(~;1.f ;~~tU~fi!1~;.J:;\~t6!j,~::;c-)t}~~ t;1\t~ t'f.~ 'J~ij.~~ '::'f~ K;!;t~;~f~~!h~ ~~ ~ r:~~~t. ~~~'''''' \\. ~~{~ \( OONE'an4 ORDERED , . 'f Tallahassee, Plorida. this ~ day of July, 1981, in Copies furnished: Hearing Officer Division of Adminis rative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apa1achee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of~the Division of Adm6l1tstrative Hearings this day of ;' July, 1981. ' . . Mr. James L. Hennagir I Red Door Motors, Inc. ,1007S. Fort Harrison Avenue ',Clearwater,. Florida 33516 Mary,Rose Saporito 612 Jeffor4 Street Clearwater, Florida ThomaB A. Bustin, Esquire City Attorney C1ty of Clearwater p~ O. Box.4748 Clearwater, Florida 33518 Harry S.., Cline, Esquire P. O~ 'Box 1669 , Clearwater, Florida, 33517 Leslie M. Conklin, Esquire 430 Lotus Path, Clearwater, Florida Lucille Williams, City Clerk City of Clearwater P.' O. Box 4748 . Clearwater, Florida 33518 I' 0, 0'. c ,', I -I- ,', "[ '~'~'~'I'"~~, ' I I ;, :~r . .' ~ ~ , > ";' ......... ",.,' . . I ,~ - . "'. ,,/:t TABLE OF CONTENTS " . ~ , ~. ": ~.: , . ~... . , ,'.. '. l . <~. .. ...." . c I. . ,.., ;:.' ~~ . '.1' PAGE . .~~.' " ):::::': '~::)~. >, , ; , : '. .. ~. . ~. ~ :',/.~ ;,' ~>.~.-::~.!~:..)i.:/.. ,', . . > ~ . ", ,'. " c , .>". '<. ':,~ ~ ". ..' _ 'T<.." CITATIONS OF; AUTHORITY L PREFACE 2, .c:; : ' - ',I ~:~ ~E" ~"~:~~'\'..> . ..; ,':, ~:; ':',}:.;: ,I '.~: 3, .\~ "~".' ::: .' , '\' 'I' '4, '.> .~r')ltl~>-:~.!"c ~\ ..' , 5 . ';~.,:. '" :' ' ,: :; :/:. .. I" . ... D':, ~ l J .. ~. 6. 7, .~8'",,~( .,-.' .r,' ,.~'f. "'~, : \ t.", :. 10 .'...,,~jJ\ '.::.:'~' /.(...' ../ " ~ ,;;..'. /: \ '. 9. ",. 'STATEMENT' OF. THE CASE : ./. . " J, STATEMENT .OF ',THE FACTS QUESTION PRESENTED. ., ", ,ARGUMENT CONCLUSION ,..CERTIFICATE' OF 'SERVICE , " , , ," ( . ,., '.~ ' " .j.... .." .' :\ ,:,:fD, ':. . " ;- ~ ," . .' :' r . 1/" . . ',. . ! '.\ ....;. ','! . ~. ..' I, , ;! I',> .," .. l; ~. .. : : . . .~,;: ,: ,::1:/:,>/:,..::::' .' , .. ", , ""' , ' , I ,,' " .. ~.. .. .. .'j! 'p' ."~::~'cc,\:>-' .~.~.:." ~ . i~ ..' . ." ',. , " , '. ',_, ,1 _ '.,,>.,' jc :"l:r{ . ~', '1 },~, '. . , '0' , , I 1 ,\ :.' .. .~, . ~.rl + ....< .0.: . :.: " ," ." - : i :-. ,(, .T!, CITATIONS OF AUTHORITY ~ i,' '.: \ . " , 'f,," ., , PAGE./" ~ {. ; . ~ c ; I ~, , , >\.. I'" ~. ,c .f i . ,RURAL NEW TOWN INC. v. PALM BEACH 'COUNTY. 315So...2d, 478, 4th DCA.' 1975. . '.8 ,,' . . .,..... .t'l c ..=> ': IT '. '. ,'i'- ' ' . ' .' c/ -'r \' '. ~'~ '~;' L ~:. .: ( .;~ '... i:. " 0" < ': .. .' . ~ ~:/:1-:( I" . . i c >+,' '\ , , .', "- . ~ -.. .. " : ~ . , '.' t . ~ ',", : ' ,., "I. ," .', ,', " '.' :." .,', I, , , .... ""j," ',' 'l .; ',l' ::~I' '.. . :"J: 1, ".., ~;,' .. ",I ;1' ,", <"'r J "I ~ . ~ ,', ',=-I ~ ,. r .: ~ ' l " ," I. c . '~;'a;"""i ;c... ~: . .1," . "r' . ' ,-j',': 'I, ':, 'I' ",'. . ~, , '. :: . ,r ~ t . !~.: ';\ .... ., >~ ~ Ii. : . > t ..' J > ~ ,. , ,: _, 1, , .', ;. . ~. . ....( ( :. '" Ie . ,j:<,:,;::~:.'J.;"~'< :',...,:<::: c' . ~ ... ~ , . \ ~"'; , . . . \. : '~~.:' 'c,::. .~. , . '~." . ~ :':'" J ," v J.. " '+'; ;" ," .', c ~ ;;~.::. :;.....;.. "r~' ':, '.:':::>:, T;~::.::.,' \ ;~"'..~;-t::~. /'. .; T: ~.. :" "._ '. ' " '~ ..; . " < . T~ ._. '. ;. . ~ .....,..;~:~~~ 'I ~t ~ .~~ < ~L"I~'..~" . " .,' 'c~~. \..' '. .' , , ., ' . '~.' ." ". . . ~'.:c :""l"'~~'I. :' ..:;./~~.......,'..h,., ,,', . p' : , " .~ . , , + ,. .. .,.... ,~. , ,+ , I" '. ': ~ " I~". ,'. " . I I .1: ,.'" c.... . \ ~.: ~ > ., " ~ -, e' ....., . . I; '/' PREFACE ~. ;,...' "':' ..1.... .: ',". Appe~lant,'MARY SAPORITO, , , ) .,1..' . . Appell~e',',: CI'l'Y' OF CLEARWATER, will be referred will,be'referred t~,as "Appella~t'! ;.:. '. ", '. ~ .'.\ , to ,as ',t~ppellee',~',: \ .. ~ . " .- ,; '. ' . '. -:;""';'(:'.:. . ;~. ~~ .; ".: ,'.,,'; ,/\ ~!y,:: ':. -'.1 ." , ' ",le It.'. '; "r'. I,.', :c, 'I '> ,~ . '., ,1 . . ~ J . .:',,',;,1: ~ . ", . . >-..... . .':/' ,.';< '. ~' , ' '. " , ~. ..' ",r,"' .1,", " , ~J .i" , . ~. ',~ ,';\' " ," .... , \'<', . I '.>: " ',+:;:.:." "," .:/ .l" c', . " . '~~'. ' 'I' :' '1., >, ': 1'" :'I.~; t" " .' ," ~: ~ ': :' ".: "'1.' . , ~. ' .... .1 '0, ..' .i, '", " l\{C; .' ~ ,'e \ 'J, ",' ....\ h ,':' ,', . , ,,- . ".:. ~.. //.' " ",'"', !, ~- , , , , .\' ," '.. ': 'I','".' I :.':;,~ ,:", .' ~ "I . .;~ .~'t~::~Jc': ~; .. .. ,. i .,. . .~. ~ :.' +:1 . . c " :', q , . ~.. I > .:' II " :t, , '.I' .' < ~ . ',<, >,' ; ~~~ ~ ,t:,,; ',\ ,', : . ~;/}" :c:! ~. ":, ")j:.\. ~:<:{\';:\' . ~, .' '/r. . ,'<," 'I, T. P .... ., ,. :i :;,:::~~/ : ,< I ,~ ,', "<"~'.'i::~~J '~-;;'~ '" .," _+'" . ,,0 : .1 ',' . ' , " . '.: ,',' ... I ,I, ., '. ~:- l ;: ," . 1 "'. , , ~ ':. :.:i,.", e "':', The best STATEMENT OF THE FACTS ,) summary oft8cts is prepared \,' . \. . ~.\ < . in his "findings of fact" :made part of his .' 1-. :. .' . ..'': J:. ,> ~ by t~e. Hearing,,6f~ic~~-::. ~ ~ ,.,..' T' I I...... '..<'. L' . Final or,der 'of "Ju~'Y".'29, ~'\' ,'. .'. . 'L <'., ; "/":: ., .... ';, ':' 1981. .,; .... " . 'l. ::"~ '. ,. .:: r.. . .'.') ,,' ~ . , . /'. ",,- ~ I: ~:;..;o : ;. ;' : . -: ~ ~ > \ .; .~ i:;. ~ ::.~, ", I ,< . ~. :\.i. ,,' .1>" '.' . I. '> t . ,">l:"il " 'I' , {~'. !. I ~:' ~ ( , , , : \ .,..;,;.;..,".' . ~ ,," ~ . >: ~ ' .- ,'j, iT. J~~'~'~ . , .: .. ~', : . . 'I ~ ~.:, ;'.", .c' ',(:y.!' "I :.., '.~ '. T ", ", 1\ . .: ,. ~. .:. .''':.~'. ) " . . . . . . ,I" "' . :'j.'.. " ~. "!. . " 'C-:', .: I ~t i:~' r:?:' ~ q :~... " "':. ',,>, I..' ",.' ~; : ,:\ ...~ ,:c". :. . . 1 '" 'J. , , ., \,..." \ ',' ': ,. \ ~. :, . >:~~> :"j . r '.~_r . "',k ",'T" . :~... c. _: \ I ~' .'r' i w; ... .j ~ :" . '; . ~. , {> ",L. I':' " :. .~, ; ~: ~:. :.:, > >' ; ~. " ."'~' " '.:'e, " ....,. ,'. ',,' '.,.:" ;(:~:',: ': '1 e . .,~ . ..' '. . l'. // :' " : ..,.....1 , ' . ~ . . . : .'~, < ': ')'".: ,c. I," ' . .::: r' . " ~ r .., , '. , ' .', '., ,~ " , .' , i\' ,; .,:.' ,','.:',; ':"""/~":':::':";',:",':",'i::",':':",~\,,~': :,:,;.;..:/1:':';\',,:.':,','::..,:....;::'1.';..:,:.,:. \, . ;'},'}:/;<:>" " . .. ':. ,! ." '..', :. ~.. ., " "';" , .; J '" "~',':':~,<):, :~;;c ?:,:;.~,::~ :.;" <1 .'...., " ',. r " ,) '. .' l: '.,' 1 ~ '; :'." ;; , ... .,' , . ".,' r \"': J., I I :, . e QUESTION PRESENTED " " IS ,IT ERROR TO DENY AN APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EXCEPTION' , , OF A CITY ORDINANCE TO PERMIT AN AUTOMOBILE STORAGE YARD J - { . . ON T.H~ BASIS THAT THE .OPERATION MAY "BLOSSOM" INTO A RETAIL ,'DISPLAY AREA AND THEREBY BE PROH~BlTED UNDER ANOTHER 'ORDINANCE? .; ~. ',: ,< ., , t '. ~ ; . ,. J .; . :. , . ,,\ '}, . .', ;', ,. :', \. ~ : . , J. "',>. .\ '., :"e . .;. . '." .,', . , '; . +' ~ ~ " .,; .":,' ~... ", ~ ,> ;. . . ',I j . ~ , ," <; 'F , ~ ~ '( ','" " " ',... ',": .'>... ....3 .:..;", ~.~ :'. . '!', " I ~ . ~ . < ".)0 ,~ .:...... " . ... . . c...._~. ". . . t.~.:/.,I{.~ .;. "'~: .~j'c:,'" 1~:' ~": . . ,I <,!1,",;'~\, :. ~.~:::;~;> f.,".: ., " . ',....T.' ., . . ~ 7 'e 't~ '.' -: <, t . :' ," ,) ,~ " ..'. n n e ARGUMENT Appellant applied for a special exception for the purpose of operating an automobile storage yard, 'not an enlargement of a used car business. However, the Hearing Officer of Administrative Hearings concluded: 41 ~'because the operations on Lots 4, 5, 6 and 7 can be considered as a single entity if the request were granted, Petitioner actually seeks to extend or in enlarge a nonconforming use . which is prohibited by the Code. ,. (Section 35.08, Supra.) Accordingly, the application must be denied. It Appellant here contends that it was improper for the Hearing Officer to assume that Appellant was seeking to expand his used car business particularly when the application for the special exception was specific in its request to operate a storage yard facility. On Page 6 of the Final Order, the Hearing Officer states: "But it is apparent from a reading of the criteria that only Paragraphs (e) and (k) are of any signifi- cance to the case at barr." (e) Screening and buffering with reference to type, dimensions, and character. (k) That the use will be reasonably compatible with surrounding uses in its function, its hours of operation, the. type and amount of traffic to be generated, and building size and setbacks, its relationship to land values, and other factors that may be used to measure .compatibility. '" ", \\ . ~ I ,. t . ~. J " ". '. 'With to these two requir~ent8, the Hearing Officer the first requirement would be met by Appellant " . . > : f . ;.,.) ._, . u;