SEBASTIAN — In spite of protests, pleas and warnings from local businessman and frequent local government critic Damien Gilliams, the Sebastian Planning and Zoning Commission on Oct. 2 voted unanimously to approve a request from Sebastian Inlet Marina and Trading Company – the official business name of the Capt. Hiram’s operation – that would advance a 2-story, 16-unit motel project on its property at 1615 Indian River Drive.
The project has been on hold since late last year. Construction is expected to get under way next March.
Back in December, after the City Board of Adjustment granted six variances relating to project setbacks, landscaping and parking design, Gilliams filed an appeal in Circuit Court protesting the way the BOA public hearing was advertised.
By City code, the project was put on hold until the appeal could be ruled on. Last month the Court dismissed the appeal, clearing the way for Hiram’s to bring the project back to the City.
Representing Capt. Hiram’s, Tom Collins came before the Commission Oct. 2 seeking approval of the application for a “major modification” to the resort site, as well as a conditional use permit and a landscape waiver.
Collins said the project has been in the works for four years, with extensive, ongoing communication with neighboring property owners.
Although a 3-story structure would have been within code, the decision was made for a 2-story building, which would better fit into the surroundings, Collins said.
Sebastian Senior Planner Jan King told the Commission the applicant “has complied with everything and has all required approvals.”
The landscape waiver concerned substituting hardwood trees for palms, which are more in keeping with the site location and use, and City staff has agreed.
King informed the Commission that Hiram’s has more than enough parking to meet all City requirements.
In answer to questions concerning entrance and exit roads, City Engineer Frank Watanabe said planned road relocations and widths were in keeping with requirements for vehicle access and safety, including emergency vehicle access, and noted that the county and the Fire Department have “signed off on it.”
There was some question as to whether the project had the required approval from St. John’s River Water Management District.
Collins assured the Commission that the “engineer of record” does indeed have the permit and has signed off on it, which he would not otherwise have done.
Commission Chairman Ed Dowd requested a copy of the St. John’s document as a condition of the Commission’s approval.
Stormwater drainage has been a major concern, voiced by several residents when the City Council approved the variances 4-1, at its Dec. 2, 2013 meeting.
This issue, according to King, “has been addressed to the satisfaction of the city.”
Stormwater will be contained on the property and will not adversely impact the lagoon. Watanabe explained that the system is required to be cleaned out on a regular basis and a quarterly report submitted.
At that same meeting, Council member Richard Gillmor, who cast the lone dissenting vote, had expressed concern about “taking a 3-family-unit space and creating 16 motel units. We’re putting 10 pounds of potatoes in a 5-pound sack,” he stated.
Commission member Louise Kautenburg initially had similar feelings.
At the Oct. 2 meeting, she told Collins, “At first, I thought it was too much. I visited the site and, having reviewed the plans, I see that the land accommodates the plan very well.”
Gilliams colorfully reiterated and expanded on his previous complaints.
“I beg the commission to table this,” he pleaded.
City Attorney Robert Ginsburg advised the Commission to vote on each part of the request separately, then vote on the overall request.
The vote was 7-0 on all four motions.
Collins is looking at a construction startup sometime in March 2015.
“We’ve got to get the building permits. Mickey Capp (Capp Construction) will be our contractor and he’ll need to bid out for the subs and suppliers. For 28 years, we’ve been working hard to fit well into the Sebastian Riverfront – doing a pretty good job,” Collins said. “It’s been a sometimes grueling but thorough process.”
