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Dunedin pauses to reflect on growth

A six-month moratorium on buildings taller than 50 feet will allow time to consider the city's future, commissioners say. Developers criticize the ban.

By MEGAN SCOTT
Published August 26, 2005

DUNEDIN - Commissioners made a move Thursday to define the character of Dunedin by approving a six-month moratorium on buildings taller than 50 feet, saying it is in the best interest of the city.

"I genuinely love this community," said Commissioner Deborah Kynes. "What I do today is not for myself.

"We want to preserve the eclecticism, the ambience - that's what I am here for, what I stand for."

The 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Dave Eggers voting against, temporarily ended a discussion that came down to how the city could encourage development while keeping intact its small-town atmosphere.

With at least four projects planned downtown, residents and commissioners became concerned that construction could get out of control and big box-type buildings could sprout up across the city.

"I appreciate what each of the commissioners have said about this town and where we want to go," said Mayor John Doglione. "I think our perspectives come from the heart."

Eggers disagreed, saying he did not see the need for the moratorium, which is supposed to give consulting group HDR time to review the city's land development codes.

The commission is scheduled to discuss the draft of another ordinance on Oct. 10 that will address height and building architecture of buildings, said Kevin Campbell, director of community services. He said it will not take away from the moratorium's purpose, but would provide further details on it.

Developers repeated their objections Thursday, saying a moratorium brands a city as being unwelcoming toward redevelopment. They also pointed out areas where they thought the ordinance was unclear, including a retroactive date of Aug. 4.

The moratorium does not affect developers who submitted a concurrency application, the first document developers submit for proposed projects, before that date.

"We object to the moratorium because it doesn't do anything," said Mike Mackenzie, a developer in Dunedin. "What is this for?"

So far, the moratorium affects only First Baptist Church on Wood Street.

The church, which wants to relocate, has a current height restriction of 80 feet.

The Rev. Gregory Varndell is worried what will happen to the value of his church if a developer is only allowed to build at 50 feet.

He unsuccessfully asked for an exemption Thursday from the moratorium.

"We would like to continue marketing the property at its current height restriction at 80 feet and enjoy the value that brings," said Varndell.

City Attorney John Hubbard said such an exemption was not possible. He reassured Varndell that the city would work with the church on a possible land swap in which Dunedin would take the property in exchange for giving the church property elsewhere.

Varndell, however, said he could not count on such a deal, since he has nothing in writing.

Vice Mayor Julie Scales said establishing the moratorium was a response to concerned residents.

"The citizens of the community feel we are listening to them, that they have a say in what this community looks like," she said. "This is their community. And that's why I am supporting this."

Megan Scott can be reached at 445-4167 or mscott@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 26, 2005, 01:36:21]