SEBASTIAN — What “started as a safety upgrade” of the parking lot at the Sebastian Mulligan’s has turned into a larger project, including relocation of the dumpster, constructions of a marina office and a deck extension for fishing tournaments and entertainment, said representative David Phillips.
Phillips, of Sustainable Engineering and Design in Vero Beach, told the city’s Planning and Zoning Board Thursday that the project started as away to address safety in the parking lot, which is currently crushed rock and shell. He noted that ladies in heels have had difficulty walking from their vehicles to the eatery.
“It’s grown from there,” he said. The project will also include a second access point onto Indian River Boulevard, allowing for better traffic flow with one-way in, one-way out.
The board ultimately approved the proposed improvements with a 5-2 vote, including several conditions placed on the development changes.
Those conditions include:
• Provide copy of Army Corps of Engineers permit for the 16′ x 30′ observation deck prior to issuance of building permit.
• Revise gates of vinyl fence to swing away from the walkway or swing 180 degrees
• Applicant to coordinate with City staff regarding relocation of sabal palms out of the site triangle.
• The proposed observation deck shall be limited to uses described on the site plan. Any proposed change of use for this deck must obtain City approval and provide the requisite parking to support such use.
• The applicant must provide a maintenance schedule for the pervious parking on-site
• Limit the number of charter boats operating from the site to meet parking requirements
• Attempt to strike an agreement between the applicant and the city regarding how often and under what conditions live entertainment would be held on the observation deck.
“I think it’s a fair compromise,” said board member Joel Roth of the additional conditions placed on the development.
Board members expressed concern regarding the planned 10-foot-by-10-foot marina office, which the owner, George Hart, plans to use to handle renting boat slips and booking charters.
Board members, and owners of Native Tackle Supply, were concerned about allowing the office to offer various items, such as ice, sodas and tackle for sale.
“I think it’s completely reasonable,” City Planner Jan King said of a marina office selling a few marina-related items. She explained that the marina offices at both Capt. Butcher’s and Capt. Hiram’s sell a limited number of items.
“We’re going to harm” the shop across the street, said board member David Reyes told his fellow board members if they approved retail in the office.
Board Chair Ed Dodd said he would be reluctant to classify the small amount of merchandise at the office as “retail.”
“The city can’t take responsibility and say who and cannot go into business,” he said.
Mike Alonzo, one of the Native Tackle Supply’s owners, told the board that already Mulligan’s has four charter boats operating from the docks behind it. He added the extra charter boats put the restaurant over capacity for parking.
City staff could not confirm Alonzo’s statement but said it would be investigated.
Both he and another speaker, Maria Jovanovich, also questioned the relocation of the dumpster from where it currently sits to the northwest corner of the property, near Indian River Boulevard.
“It’s a hazard,” Jovanovich said of the proposed site for the dumpster, which would be shielded with fencing and a solid gate.
She said having the dumpster located so near the exit of the Yacht Club, it would block drivers’ and pedestrians’ line of sight, causing a safety issue.
City staff disagreed with the assessment.
With the project’s approval, construction could begin in the near future on the parking lot and marina office. The observation deck, which could be used for fishing tournaments and live entertainment, won’t be allowed to be built until the applicant receives a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.