John Dowless

The agenda for this meeting included a call to order, roll call, and review of upcoming meetings. Key discussions involved the continued discussion of proposed parking regulations, specifically the tiered/duration model for interim use of legacy buildings. This model outlines requirements for short-term (Tier 1, 2 years), transitional (Tier 2, 5 years), and long-term (Tier 3, indefinite) waivers in exchange for property improvements. The discussion covered detailed requirements for property stewardship, vehicular use area repair, access management, and administrative prerequisites for each tier. The Board also planned to review the February 9, 2026 Planning & Zoning Meeting Minutes.

The agenda for the City Council meeting included several key items across different sections. The Consent Agenda featured the approval of the January 20, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes. Under Ordinances (First Reading), there was consideration of Ordinance 2026-01, pertaining to a scrivener's error regarding tattoo and body piercing regulations. New Business involved a resolution regarding FMIvT Unit Participation and a report on Harbour Island Bridge Repairs. The Boards & Committees section listed items for Variance 2026-01, Site Plan Review for Mosaic Salon, and Special Exception 2026-02 for Thrive Salon Suites Tattooing. Staff reports included updates on the Police Chief's Report for January 2026 and reports from the City Clerk and Code Compliance Officer for February 2026.

The Planning and Zoning Board meeting covered several agenda items. New business included a request for Variance 2026-01 concerning a boat dock at 4905 Lake Gatlin Woods Court, seeking variances for north and south side setbacks and dock size, which was recommended for approval with a condition maintaining window transparency. The Board also recommended approval for Site Plan Approval for 4901 S Orange Ave (Mosaic Salon) to convert the former funeral home into a two-suite commercial space, subject to recording a cross-access easement and replacing crape myrtles with evergreen understory trees. Additionally, Ordinance 2026-01 was recommended for approval to correct a scrivener's error in the code regarding body piercing in the Edgewood Central District. Discussion on Ordinance 2026-02 regarding proposed parking regulations was continued to the next meeting, covering market-driven parking, 'Legacy Shopping Centers,' and rules for unpaved parking. The Board also reviewed the agenda for the upcoming February 9, 2026 meeting, which includes the Variance 2026-01 request, the Mosaic Salon Site Plan, a Special Exception for tattooing, and an update on proposed parking regulations.

The City Council meeting agenda included several key items. Under New Business, discussions were planned for Harbour Island Bridge Repairs, direction on the Solid Waste RFP process (renewal negotiation versus full RFP), and a discussion on Parking Regulations. The agenda also covered administrative reports, including the Police Chief's December 2025 Report and the City Clerk's report detailing the status of the financial audit and Business Tax Receipts. Additionally, the Council was scheduled to consider the Special Exception application for a Tattoo Studio at 4712 South Orange Avenue, which had received a favorable recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Board subject to a transparency condition.

The Planning and Zoning Board meeting agenda included the approval of the November 10, 2025 meeting minutes. New business items focused on governmental structure and ordinance updates: the election of the Chair and Vice Chair for 2026, consideration of a Special Exception for a Tattoo Studio (Special Exception 2026-01) at 4712 S Orange Ave, a proposed ordinance to correct a scrivener's error related to tattoo establishments and body piercing (Ordinance 2026-01), and the proposal to repeal and replace the City's off-street parking regulations (Ordinance 2026-02). The discussion for the November meeting included making recommendations regarding several after-the-fact variance requests for setback, parking, and landscaping nonconformities at properties on Forrestal Ave. The Board also recommended approval for Ordinance 2025-12 concerning reasonable accommodation requests for certified recovery residences and recommended approval for Ordinance 2025-13 regarding street repaving requirements for private roads, expanding the scope to include all private roads.