Edgewater, FL - Edgewater City Council members will hear the second reading of an ordinance requesting an amendment to the official zoning map to include 1.26 acres of land located a 2001 South Riverside Drive as BPUD (Business Planned Unit Development). If the ordinance moves forward, the plans are to develop the old Cameron Marina into a 44 slip marina, a 152 seat restaurant, a bait and tackle shop and a kayak rental store.
Tomorrow's City Council meeting should be a full house, according to Libby Lavette, a member of the Edgewater Environmental Alliance. She is asking citizens opposed to the ordinance amendment to come to the meeting wearing red shirts and is hoping that people will take advantage of the Citizens Comment Period to express their opinions.
While Mayor Mike Thomas, District 1 Councilwoman Christine Power and District 3 Megan O’Keefe are in favor of the development, newcomer District 2 Councilwoman Kimberly Yaney and District 4 Councilman Gary Conroy made their feelings known on the project by voting no. Also saying no are a number of local residents who took the time to write letters to the mayor, mainly expressing concern about the large scope of the project and the effect on the local environment.
Lavette said the group has partnered with the Sierra Club in order to oppose the development proposal as it is written. Lavette said it seems that many Edgewater residents are upset. She held what she calls an "informational rally" on Saturday, June 22 on the property near the Cameron Marina with more than 120 people in attendance. The City Council and City Manager were invited but Lavette said only Councilman Gary Conroy, who is opposed to the development, showed up.
When asked what the next step will be if the ordinance is approved, Lavette said one option that nobody wants is to file a civil suit against the city of Edgewater and the developer, ASKI Development, LLC. She said a lawsuit benefits no one and the ones who will have to pay for it will be the residents. Land use Attorney Mary Solik of Orlando has already been retained by former city manager Ken Hooper and Montye Beamer. Lavette said she feels if the ordinance is approved and the citizens don't fight it, the project will be riddled with one problem after another, especially pertaining to permits.
Besides the ordinance, there is another big issue on the agenda. Under consideration is the contract for Glenn Irby to transition from interim to permanent City Manager, effective tomorrow (July 1). Information about the contract on the agenda states that Irby will be given an annual compensation of $135,000. He will have a city-owned vehicle and a city-provided cell phone.
The contract also allows for the fact that Irby currently owns a home in Lake County. The Charter of the City of Edgewater requires the City Manager to reside within the corporate limits of the City. Because he must sell the property to be able to relocate to the City of Edgewater, he'll be granted a time period of six months from the date of the Agreement for the City Manager to relocate to the City of Edgewater. The City agrees to provide up to $4,000.00 to the City Manager for moving expenses on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursement will be paid based upon invoices provided by the City Manager.
Tomorrow's meeting begins at 6 p.m. Edgewater Mayor Mike Thomas could not be reached for comment on the development ordinance.
