Monday, August 13, 2007

St. Augustine City Commission to consider exception to height restrictions

St. Augustine City Commission to consider exception to height restrictions



KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/13/07


The St. Augustine City Commission will decide today whether the redesign of the San Sebastian Harbor project should include a 90-foot tower when the city caps buildings at 50 feet.

Commissioners said they approved the redesign -- which includes a Westin Hotel -- and the tower on first reading so they could have a public hearing on the issue before final approval.

Because the project is on the outskirts of central downtown, the developer wants a large tower or vertical structure to lure people to the site.

The Devlin Group, San Sebastian developer, gave the city a document showing five downtown buildings, such as the Cathedral-Basilica and Flagler College, whose height ranges from 80 to 110 feet.

But those buildings were constructed before the city's 1975 zoning rules were created.

The rules state the maximum building height is 35 feet, except for two areas in the city that allow buildings to be 50 feet, including where the San Sebastian project is located.

Other modifications in the redesign include a luxury Westin Hotel, which calls for less condominiums at the site and more hotel rooms.

The commission meets at 5 p.m. today in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, 75 King St.


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081307/news_4771531.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record

No comments: