This came to my attention in an article in Clay Today. I am using part of their article in this blog, and paraphrasing my own parts.
Apparently, the county issued Camarda Brothers a permit to erect a sign in front of their new building. I looked on the county website, and it is explicit in what information must be included in an application for a sign. If the Carmada sign application was entered correctly on the form, the county needs to fix their error. The Carmada's invested heavily in the sign since it was permitted. County staff comments produced say "Please note that part of the history of the development is that the applicant was erroneously issued a permit for a ground sign that exceeded the maximum sign area per the sign ordinance." OOPS! Hey mistakes happen. Whoever makes a mistake, usually eats it. So, Camarda goes for a request for a zoning change to a zone that would allow the existing sign. County staff: a problem exists, changing the zoning isn't needed. Of course they cited making a precedence that might come back to haunt them. Yada, Yada, Yada, back and forth..... The Fleming Island Advisory Committee; "BB zoning is not something we have not looked favorably on. Sign use = Special exception. A member asked, is the sign just a mistake. Response from attorney (unintelligible, and not answering the question - what attorneys do best), Zoning is the issue here, not the sign, as far as zoning, the sign is irrelevant. Yada, Yada, Yada. They point out, they have never had added a BB zoning in more than 20 years. Sorry guys, it's your mistake. Bottom line; DENIED!
So, what's next? I suspect that Mr. Carmada will get an attorney. I would. Someone would eat this mistake, and it wouldn't be me. Because a committee doesn't like a zoning district, or hasn't handled one in twenty years, it doesn't let them off the hook. Whoever signed the permit, shouldn't be let off the hook. My humble opinion is that two wrongs don't make a right, but what's fair is fair. Take care of the mistake made, and move on. The people involved in all this are the same ones who are giving people on the south end of Pine Avenue lots of additional traffic on Hibernia Road. How, by approving two strip malls and a Publix providing their access to US 17 via both sides of Hibernia Road close to a stop light. I don't know what kind of planning if any was done to arrive at that mess. Yes, I am a NIMBY on this issue.
Dislaimer: I don't know anyone personally who is involved in this mess. I would like to thank Clay Today and their article for giving me the opportunity to get on another high horse. It's raining and I'm bored. Clay county government is always such an easy target.
The county is such an easy target because they place themself in that position on a consistent basis.
Ronnie Robinson has an attorney over a sign issue. They just change the rules anytime they want so the Thrasher Horne can have a sign. What do you expect?
I know making rules and following the rules have been a very hard thing for the county. Equal protections under the laws. Not which one of my friends can I help this week.
In Clay County if they get caught doing something it is a misdeed or mistake. If we get caught doing something its a crime. I guess that is considered equal protection under Clay County laws or maybe they think they are above the laws.