07/11/2007
MARINE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
July 11, 2007
Present: Paul J. Kelley Chair
Edward O’Brien, Jr. Board Member
F. David Hemerick Board Member
Mark A. Smith Board Member
Tim Trager Board Member
Don McFarland Board Member
Absent: Tom Calhoun Board Member
Also Present: Bill Morris Marine & Aviation Department Director
Bev Buysse Assistant Marine & Aviation Department Director
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:03 a.m. at the Marina.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 – Minutes Approval – May 9, 2007
Member O’Brien moved to approve the minutes of the May 9, 2007, meeting as
motion
submitted in written summation to each board member. The was duly seconded and
carried
unanimously.
The Chair acknowledged the passing of former board member Bill Stephan and his
service to the board. Board Member McFarland was welcomed.
3 – Old Business
In response to a question, Marine & Aviation Director Bill Morris anticipated Council will
review the Waterway Management Plan in September. It was requested that the City make a
list of all bottomland owners. It was hoped that the Beach Recreation Center would not be
subject to budget cuts. Mr. Morris said due to environmental issues, docks cannot be
constructed at that location. Mr. Morris said budget cuts have not yet affected Marina staff.
4 – New Business
Recreation Center Ramp – East end of Bay Esplanade
Mr. Morris reported damage to the recreation center boat ramp. It was remarked that
the ramp had shifted and a truck was caught on the slab. Mr. Morris said staff had marked the
end of the seawall and the four-foot drop-off. The ramp will not open until after repairs are
completed. A short-term fix was proposed using granite rock to fill the area surrounding the
ramp. A long-term fix is necessary due to liability concerns regarding the four-foot drop at the
end of the ramp.
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Member Smith moved that the ramp at the end of the seawall remain open, that rock be
poured surrounding the lathe slabs until the ramp is replaced, and that the “Caution Paved
motioncarried
Ramp Ends at Seawall” sign be removed. The was duly seconded and
unanimously.
Discussion ensued regarding a property owner who had acquired bottomlands between
Somerset Drive and the recreation center. It was remarked that the properties were purchased
to cleanup the area and some were re-sold to abutting property owners for costs incurred. Mr.
Morris said the City and property owner will discuss a long-term fix regarding submerged lands
by the City ramp. It was requested that the City review legal issues related to the purchase and
sale of the subject bottomlands.
Application submitted to DRC/CDB
Mr. Morris reviewed the status of applications submitted to the DRC (Development
Review Committee) and CDB (Community Development Board) for 69 Skiff Point, 200 Skiff
Point, and 699 Bay Esplanade. Sand Pearl’s plan indicates that only low profile pilings and/or
tie poles shall be used in the project’s boat docking facilities. No covered boat slips are allowed.
No boat lifts are permitted on slips 40 feet or larger. Lifts could be installed on more than 13 of
the 27 developer slips or on more than half of the total developer slips if they are reduced. It
was felt that none of the Sand Pearl Resort docks should create visual clutter. In response to a
concern, the Chair will report on low profile lifts at the next meeting. Concern was expressed
that public access to public property cannot be obstructed and that some of these docks are
being constructed on City-owned property.
It was felt that the channel by the project at 699 Bay Esplanade, where the property
owner wishes to combine two properties, is too narrow to extend docks into the channel as far
as has been requested.
Member Smith moved that no variances be granted to extend the docks for the project at
699 Bay Esplanade, as that channel is too narrow a navigable area.
Mr. Morris said the only variance being requested is for the southernmost dock. While
the State permits docks to extend no more than 25% across a navigation channel, City Code
bases dock length on the size of the subject property’s waterfront. If the property owner at 699
Bay Esplanade could not combine the two properties, the docks’ lengths would be limited to 93
feet. It was remarked that the properties are divided by a street and cannot be combined.
motion
The was duly seconded.
Discussion ensued regarding neighborhood building heights. It was remarked the 25%
rule should prevail in all cases.
Member Hemerick moved to modify the motion that a variance to extend the dock more
than 93 feet should not be granted. The seconder agreed. Members O’Brien, Hemerick, Smith,
carried.
Trager, and McFarland voted “Aye”; Chair Kelley voted “Nay.” Motion
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It was suggested that Seminole Launch Ramp parking spaces be restriped, and that
longer spaces be moved to the east end of the parking lot. It was felt locations should be
identified throughout the for natural sand and rock boat ramps. Mr. Morris said the County boat
slip task force had been disbanded. The County is reviewing the basin near the St.
Petersburg/Clearwater Airport for a public access boating facility.
Member McFarland moved that the Marine Advisory Board is concerned about the lack
of launch facilities in the County, and that the basin near the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport
be considered for a public access boating facility. The motion was duly seconded.
In response to a question, Mr. Morris said the County also is reviewing that area for
mooring fields.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
5 - Aqenda for next meetinq on Auqust 8. 2007
6 - Adiourn
The meeting adjourned at 9: 16 a.m.
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