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Property owner asks for RV access flexibility; residents press council on event passes, profanity and trash cleanup
Summary
During public time at the June 2 meeting, Dr. Stewart Darby asked for leeway to use his Atlantic Beach lot with an RV while building; resident Gloria Lance urged changes to event passes, stronger profanity clauses in performer contracts and better trash contractor performance. Council and staff pledged to review the RV ordinance and event operations.
At the start of public time on June 2, property owner Dr. Stewart Darby asked Atlantic Beach council for greater flexibility under Ordinance 2-2024, which currently limits nonresident RV visits to three weekends a year (Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day). Darby said he is building on 30th Avenue and would pay any fees but requested additional opportunities to use his lot for family gatherings while construction continues.
"I just need a little bit of leeway and flexibility to come to Atlantic Beach to my property," Darby said, explaining he would call for approval and pay the fee when visiting about three times a year.
Mayor Pro Tem John David and Councilwoman Carla Taylor said staff would review the ordinance and follow up with Darby.
Later in public time, resident Gloria Lance thanked council for moving public time earlier in the agenda and raised operational issues from Memorial Weekend. She said some residents and guests had difficulty reaching 29th and 30th avenues because access was routed through event chutes; others reported being directed by officers to use a resident's address to re-enter. Lance also complained about profanity in event music and inconsistent trash collection, urging council to address contractor performance and add contract language restricting profanity.
Council members and staff responded that the town held an after-action briefing, will tighten contract language for performers to limit profanity and will revisit how resident passes and vendor/access control are managed to reduce disruption. Ms. Cheatham and Mayor Pro Tem David said they'll examine the pass process and trash contractor arrangements before next year's events.
No formal action on ordinance language occurred at the meeting; council directed staff to review the RV ordinance and event contracts and report back.
