By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer
MARGATE A year ago the city of Margate revisited its master plan with the help of municipal planners Fred Gruel and Susan Heyer. With all the tear-downs going on in the city and the McMansions popping up on every other street, the city Commissioners wanted to get a handle on new larger homes that tend to dwarf the smaller original bungalows and ranchers that date back decades.
The master plan was amended to include bulk regulations standards and controls that establish the maximum size of residential buildings and structures on a lot, the buildable area within which buildings can be located, and restrictions on coverage, setbacks, yards and height.
A height limit of 30 feet was set for single-family homes excluding ocean- and bay-front homes and those fronting Ventnor Avenue.
But a year later, Margate City Commissioners felt that the regulations had not gone far enough. Their concern is that big box-like homes will become the norm in home design. City commissioners have said repeatedly that the larger homes could adversely change the character of neighborhoods.
Heyer and Gruel were invited back once again to tweak the master plan in February. They have come up with a plan that will cut the maximum height to 25 feet, a level that would eliminate new three-story homes in Margate outside the bay and beach fronts and Ventnor Avenue.
The revised plan, which will come before the Margate Planning Board Thursday night, has developers and prospective home builders holding their collective breath.
Projects that are on the table and already approved by the Planning Board would not be affected by the new restrictions. But projects now in the hands of architects that may be months away from coming before the city planners are the ones worrying builders. At issue is whether there will be a grace period when and if the new height limits are approved, and if so, how long will it be?
Commissioner Sigmund Rimm and Mayor Vaughn Reale are leaning toward a 60-day grace period, whereas Commissioner John Swift is in favor of a 90- to 120-day grace period.
If the Planning Board approves the new height limit recommendation, it will go back to the city commissioners to set a grace period.
The Planning Board meeting is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30 in Margate City Hall.
TOP
