Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Merritt Island redevelopment chair urges board to coordinate more closely after sign variance
Summary
Marcus Herman, chair of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, told the Board of Adjustment that better staff-to‑board coordination or a courtesy call to the agency could avoid surprises after a prior sign variance and help the boards reach shared outcomes.
Marcus Herman, chairman of the Merritt Island Redevelopment Agency, addressed the Board of Adjustment near the end of its Jan. 14 meeting and urged better pre‑vote communication between the advisory agency and the board.
Herman said his board had reviewed and recommended conditions on a prior sign variance and was surprised when the Board of Adjustment later approved a larger sign than the redevelopment agency had supported. “If there was going to be a 40‑foot recommendation and you were going to go higher, someone should have picked up the phone and had a conversation with Myra,” Herman said, adding that the agency’s members represent residents and that early collaboration could reduce conflict.
Board members and staff said they already include advisory recommendations in staff comments but acknowledged tight meeting timelines can make real‑time coordination difficult. Several board members suggested a simple courtesy call from staff to the redevelopment agency or district office when a Myra letter is on file; the board and Myra agreed to explore more proactive coordination and to consider having staff or a representative attend future Myra reviews where appropriate.
What’s next: Board and Myra agreed to improve communications and to consider process adjustments so community advisory input is clearer during Board of Adjustment reviews.
