SEBASTIAN – The Sebastian City Council is expected to take up several matters tonight including permits for special events at city parks and the possible leasing of parking spaces to a proposed new tenant at the former Flagship Marina.
Flagship Marina, which has been foreclosed upon, could become the new home for a restaurant, but the facility has half the parking spaces it needs to operate as the planned owner wants.
The facility is approved for a 105-seat restaurant, 15-slip marina and a single residence above the restaurant. In total, the site requires 42 parking spots.
However, the proposed owner of the restaurant has told the city that he needs 200-seat restaurant to make the venture viable – that would require an additional 48 parking spots, which the site cannot accommodate.
Tonight, the Sebastian City Council is expected to discuss options for finding parking for the restaurant, which could include leasing parking spaces at the “CavCorp” property – the grassy parking area behind Hess between US 1 and Indian River Drive on the north end of Riverside Park.
Also up for discussion tonight is another round of debate over rules for issuing special event permits for functions being held at city-owned parks.
In May, the council decided to send the matter to the city’s parks and recreation commission. The commission met in June and voted unanimously make only a couple minor changes.
Those changes included rate increases the council already had approved, adding language that clarifies that any group denied a permit by the city manager could appeal that decision to the city council, and updating the list of recreational facilities throughout the city.
Any event that is expected to have more than 150 attendees will be required to have a police officer present. Events drawing more than 300 people will have to have two officers.
The Sebastian City Council is also expected to address cutting park use fees in half for the Sebastian River Art Club and the Craft Club of Sebastian. Both groups are planning multiple events at Riverview Park starting this fall.
The 50 percent discount would amount to the groups paying $25 for the park event application instead of the customary $50.
The Sebastian City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1225 Main Street.
