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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.17.55MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING and ZONING COMMISSION, CITY BALL, SANFORD, FLORIDA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17th, 1955• Zembers present; All members present (9) Others present W. E. Knowles, City Manager John M. Gillon, Building Inspr. Chairman Brown called meeting to order. Since this meeting was an adjourned meeting of February 11th, 1955, for the specific purpose of Mr. Brailey Odham to.present the colored housing problem to the people of Sanford that were present, the reading of the minutes was dispensed with. Approximately 100 or more people were present in the City Com- mission Room. Chairman Brown then asked Mr. Odham to take the floor. Mr. Odham to the audience that whether they were for or against his proposed colored housing site, it showed that the people have a healthy interest in the zoning problems of their city. Mr. Odham explained the problems he is faced with as a builder and developer on the construction of individual colored homes and still abide with the regulations of VA and FAA financing, as the regulations are the same for the colored as well as the whites; that 60% of the colored homes within the city still have outdoor sanitary facilities; there are approximately 989 colored veterans in this county and in the past 5 to 6 years there has been only 2 colored VA homes constructed. Proposed specifications, as to plot outline, were then given to the Board members and one made available for the audience. (For any information regarding proposed site, refer to minutes of February llth, 1 955) , Further, Mr. Odham stated that he had been all over the City of Sanford with this idea in mind, and to date, this property to his knowledge was the only area that was suitable and which would still comply with FHA and VA regulations,' which are: 1 - city water and sewer facilities -2 - land suitable for septic tanks or 3 - your own disposal pltaht. During the discussion that developed, any large area of land that was mentioned, it seems that this land had already been investigated by Mr. Odham and involved the ever rising problem of the land standing in water and therefore being too low for septic tanks. Land in this condition would involve too much improvement cost for a developer to consider. Then too, the land was either not for sale or was school board property. After lengthy discussion, Chairman Brown then called for showing of hands as to "for" and "against ". On the call of "for ", only 3 hands were shown. a G� CL m Q Q: Q Z d F- 0 Minutes of February 17th, 1 955 Page 2 The audience was then asked for individual opinions. The following people rose and gave a statement which is briefly listed for the records of this meeting: 1 - J. H. Beck - 410 Magnolia Avenue Opposed - Owner of negro property in Georgetown. Sure you people do not know the darkies as I do, etc. 2.-- Zekiel Dixon - colored How many in this room believe in the golden rule- 3 - Harry Bout - 1316 Mellonville Avenue Did not consider it good policy so near the ball park and the fact that property nearby would decrease in value. 4 - Arnold Williams (employed by Police Dept.) - Box 1271, Sanford Should not be in the center of a white section. 5 - Floyd Palmer (insurance man) - 535 Valencia Drive Felt that the colored is entitled to a good home, but this is not quite the location. 6 - Mrs. A. C. Starke - 409 Mellonville Avenue Uphold them in their section, but not on the same street. 7 -- Mery Ozier - 1800 Mellonville Avenue Taking neither side; however, the planning officials have not acted early enough, they are about 10 years to late on this situation. This situation has become quite acute and this problem above all other things should be considered. 8 - Bill (W. C.) Hutchison, Jr. (lawyer and also member of Board of Adjustment) - Oak Avenue (Representing, among others, Mr. Leffler, Jr. and Sr.) Felt that the officials in zoning the City of Sanford in 1944 were concerned with the welfare, health and moral standards of the people and were cognizance of the fact that there were a few colored homes in this area and this existing condition could not be wiped out entirely, but rather contain it and consolidate it. Mr. Hutchison suggested the Western part of the city for any future individual colored homes. Further, Mr. Hutchison went on to state later in the meeting that the Planning Commission would accomplish nothing toward their aim to recommend this area as it could not be expanded any further than 40 homes at the most. 9 - Mrs. R. L. Morton - 808 Mellonville Avenue Certainly object. Minutes of February 17th, 1955 Page 3 10 - Mrs. J. A. Harriett - 1318 Mellonville Avenue Of Mr. Beck's opinion 11 - John Kader - 402-Colonial Way True we need a new, section for these people, but is this the section? 12 - H. H. Collier Opposed - Living within 4 blocks of this proposed site. 13 - E. C. Dobson - 1320 Douglas Not appropriate 14 - J. J. Davidson - 1320 Mellonville Avenue Opposed 15 - Tommy Stringer - 1306 Sanford Avenue (local real estate agent) This is not a personal affair, I'm a friend of the colored people and also worked with them during my employment on the recreational program of the City. They should have equal rights, but do not believe in intermingling. Believe no written law is going to solve this situation, but that nature will eventually work this problem out along with the future. Mr. Stringer also stated that this area as proposed might jeopardize the city's white attendance to the baseball stadium, along with the facts the colored would still have to go across town to the colored high school, plus the contemplating of a new highway to New Smyrna which would naturally make Celery Avenue a much travelled road for shoppers and tourists; thus the thought being to eliminate any cluttering in this area by colored businesses. The life of this area as It now stands should be prolonged. lb - Roy Wall (local plumber) - 1007 S. Sanford (business address) In favor of a project for colored people, but not one to say where it should be. Auer further discussion and a few more questions asked of Mr. Odham, Mr. Gut moved that Mr. Odham's request for re- zoning be denied because it is not to the best interest for the City of Sanford. Motion seconded by Mr. Collins and Mr. Lee. The roll call vote was unnanimous to reject the proposed area for recommendation to the City Commission. Mr. Housholder then stated he is thoroughly acquainted with the white and the colored people. This is a problem which comes with natural growth. We will never keep up with the growth, but our problem is to work the situation out. However, Mr. Housholder stated he would do anything within his power to getting these needed colored homes, even it it meant getting behind the Senators s at t � wou d s he p p co ore� on�e wanted to own Minutes of February 17th, 1 955 Page 4 own individual homes. .✓ After -2`5 minute recess, the remaining people and the Board went Into a discussion on possible sites for this housing program. Suggestions were as follows: Roseland Park section - Goldsboro section, south of 13th to Persimmon - make a survey of shacks that are vacant and see if they can't be torn down - from West 18th Street south (railroad property) -- East of the cemetery on Geneva Avenue - north of Geneva Avenue at the bend on 20th Street, - west of the fruit growers farm, consisting of 98 acres (rather low) -- area across from Cook's Grocery on old Lake :.ary Road. Dr. Starke then wished to make a statement. He felt that the property that was refused them at this meeting could have been utilized for people who wanted decent, clean homes and felt that there is too much property that is unused that could be bringing In taxes. Also, Dr. Starke felt that the city would be proud of the type of people that would have built in this area. He went on to say that he felt sure that all the colored people wanted 1 s an opportunity to do the things that they felt is their privilege d expect, and yet they don't want to do them at someone's ex- pense. They Just want to be let alone to live decent lives as a fellow man. After further discussion, the proposed sites narrowed down to the tact of land West of Crooms Academy. It was felt that this land, if it could be drained properly and the cost of Improve- ment not too enormous, might prove to be a site well -worth in- vestigating. Mr. Gut moved that the Planning Board, City Commission, County Commission, Realtors, and any interested builders or developers meet together on the above problem and see what could be worked out. Above motion was seconded by Mr. Wilson and carried. Mr. Brown then appointed Mr. Housholder and Mr. Gut as a committee to contact the County Commissioners and invite them to attend this meeting. Mr. Odham's final comment to the Board was that he would still like to build white houses on the land thft he hods an optign on in the former discussed area.s..w��..t Before final adjournment, Mr. Brown read a letter dated February 16th, 1955 from Chas. E. Meeks in which he asked that Lots 6 and 7, Block 16 of Chapman Tucker Addition be re -zoned so that he might build a block building thirty feet by fifty feet to be used as a Scale Repair shop, and also the branch office for the Howe Scale Company for entire State of Florida. This building to face Cypress Avenue on Lot 7 leaving Lot 6 for room for expansion as needed. Minutes of February 17tri, 1955 Page 5 Mr. Gut moved that it is recommended to the City Commission that Lots 6 and 7, Block 16 of Chapman Tucker Addition be re -zoned from R -1 to 0--1. The reason being that it straightens out the district line that was overlooked several months ago when the area to the North was re-- zoned. Motion was seconded by Mr. Vaughn and carried. Attached and also made a part of these minutes is a list of people who attended this meeting and wished to sign their names for the record. There being no further business, meeting adjourned. Recording Secretary: