Planners back 28-ft. height limit in Margate; planning forum lets Margate residents weigh-in on proposed changes

By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer
MARGATE – Billed as a chance to help shape the look of the city for years to come, more than 175 residents filed into the Margate Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Aug. 11 to have a listen to and have a say in proposed planning changes.
A presentation by Fred Heyer of Heyer and Gruel Associates, municipal planners working on the master plan review for the city, gave property owners a tutorial on where city home heights are now, and where they would be under proposed limits.
Property owners had a chance to weigh-in on the subject.
Some, like Harry Mendelsohn, suggested that changes to the master plan would help Margate retain its charm. Others, like Ted Finkenhour, a former Planning Board chairman, said re-zoning in Margate is a must, particularly for historic areas such as Marven Gardens.
Still others, like Dan Ritzel, a Ventnor Avenue resident, said putting money into fixing up your home is a good thing and he feels people should be able to build what they want.
“Bigger is not necessarily better,” said Robin Scott, whose home on Amherst Avenue is sandwiched between large homes. “We are stewards of this island and we should try to retain the charm of the smaller homes. The south end is already destroyed. Ride along that bay and you are walled-in by boxes. I applaud the effort of the Planning Board.”
Agnes Schwartz, a Monmouth Avenue resident, said she came into the meeting thinking she knew exactly what was proposed and after the report, she was confused about the heights allowed in the different zones of the city.
Even the planners admit that all the nuances involved with updating the master plan can be confusing.
Roger Rubin, the land use administrator in Margate, said the Planning Board is recommending changes in the current building code to the city commissioners.
“We are recommending reduction in the size of the homes. Our populace has been asking and demanding we do something in a way that respects the rights and interests of property owners and families living in Margate and looking to have a home in Margate.”
The existing residential height limit in Margate is 30 feet above grade (11 feet above sea level or 34 feet above curb level, whichever is greater).
Under proposed changes, those limits would not change for homes in the beach block, South Parkway or multi-family dwellings. Rubin said those exclusions account for less than 20 percent of the properties in Margate. The rest of Margate would see a reduction in the height limit to 28 feet above grade.
Third floors would be permitted to comprise a maximum of 50 percent of the living space of the second floor; dormers would be limited to 15 percent of that allowed floor area.
Members of the Planning Board agreed that the dormer limit is necessary because they add to the bulk of the house, but also admitted that the limit did spark controversy.
With the reduction in height, the Planning Board is recommending the commissioners permit a substitution of space.
Property owners would be permitted to have a detached garage (currently prohibited); giving property owners the option of concerting existing attached garages to living space.
“They will gain about 200 to 250 square feet of living space and the garage will not be counted in their overall lot coverage,” said Rubin.
Under the planning recommendation, larger sheds would be permitted up to the lot line and fences up to 5 feet tall would be allowed in side and back yards.
“People are demanding privacy,” added Rubin.
If the zoning changes are adopted by the city commissioners, there would be a 60-day grace period meaning that plans submitted through Nov. 6 would still be approved under the current construction code.
After that date a builder would need a new permit that would reflect the changes made.
The Margate Planning Board is recommending the city commissioners make the changes to the city code.
Although planning boards uphold the local land use regulations, only the governing body is able to make the changes to the code and they do that on the recommendation of the planning board.
The Margate City Commission is slated to introduce the changes at its Aug. 17 meeting and hold the public hearing and vote Sept. 7.
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