Is it done? >> Call this meeting of the CRB for May 5th, 2026 to order. Do we have microphones? Thank you. Welcome to everybody. I'd like to welcome our new city manager, Michael
Girardano. Thank you for being here. Members of the press, thank you for being here. Um, at this point, I'd like to pass it over to Pastor James for a short prayer. You open up. Thank you.
Let us pray. Eternal master and our God, we thank you for your many wonderful blessings. We thank you for this beautiful day that you have allowed us to just partake in. Lord God, you've kept us from uh all hurt, harm, and danger and brought us to this time. Now, Lord God, we pray that you would give us
wisdom that we might go in the direction that you would have us to go in this meeting with the CRB tonight. Lord, bless the members, bless their families, keep us in your will and in your care. It's in Jesus's name we pray. Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, sir. And roll call, please. >> Chairman Mcrist
>> here. >> Vice Chair Moser >> here. Board member Dard >> here. >> Board Board member James >> here. >> Board member Laughlin >> here. >> Board member Mona >> here. >> And board member Whan >> here.
>> Can I get a motion to approve today's agenda? >> I'll move. >> Second. I have a motion. I have a move and a second. Any public comment on the motion? >> All in favor? I
>> I >> I'd like a motion to approve last meeting's minutes. >> I'll move. >> I have a motion >> and a and a second. Okay. At this point, we will stand for the pledge. Could we
vote on that chair before? >> Could we vote on the minutes? >> Yeah, let's vote on the minutes real quick. >> Can we vote on the minutes, please? >> Yes. >> I thought we did. >> Now we just call. >> All in favor? Nope. All in favor? >> All in favor? >> I >> I. >> All right. Let's stand for the pledge,
please. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Any comments from the public on any
non-aggendered item? >> I have none, chair. All right, let's move to comments from board members. Any comments? None. >> No.
>> All right. Action items. Our first action item, item two, is a quasi judicial hearing. Lee, would you like to read the uh item? >> Absolutely.
>> So, this is a minor urban code conditional use for a mural on Flaggler Park restrooms located at 221 Southwest Flaggler Avenue. It's resolution number 02-2026 CRB, a resolution of the community
redevelopment board of the city of Steuart, Florida, granting a minor conditional use approval for public art mural named Heritage Vitalis on a property located at 221 Southwest Flaggler Avenue as described within the
attached legal description, granting approval to paint a mural on the exterior southern western and eastern wall of a building providing an effective date and providing for conditions of approval and for other purposes. I just wanted to
point out to remind the board that this is a public art so you guys are the final decision and not making a recommendation on this one. >> Thank you sir. Board members, do you have any exparte communications?
>> I do not. >> I do not. Um, I did, uh, Candace Callahan brought it up briefly a couple weeks ago at coffee, but we didn't get into details of the project >> and I have none. All those giving testimony, please
stand, raise your right hand, and be sworn in by our attorney, Lee. >> Thank you, Lee. You affirm that the testimony that you're about to provide will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So, help God. You may be seated.
and staff. Do you have a report? Do you have a uh item for us? >> I do. I have a presentation. >> Yes. >> Thank you, chair. Um good afternoon, CRB board members. Jordan Kingston, CRA program manager for the record. >> Um today, um the CR I'm going to be
presenting a mural matching grant application from Stuart Main Street. Um this application is proposing a mural on the walls of the public restroom building located in Flaggler Park. The application is processed with a minor code conditional use application approval which requires final approval
from the CRB. The minor conditional use application review requires the applicant to meet our public art criteria and public notice requirements in accordance with the city's land development code and the application has met both requirements. The proposed mural will be on the
exterior southern, western, and eastern walls of the Flaggler Park restroom building located at 221 Southwest Flaggler Avenue. The artwork will be highly visible to both vehicular traffic and park visitors. It'll be seen from Flaggler Avenue, the basketball courts, the playground pavilions, Hudson's
restaurant right there, and then Flaggler Center. So, it's ensuring a strong public exposure and engagement to see this mural. Um the proposed mural is titled Heritage by Talis and is designed specifically for the city of Stewart. The artwork is intended to enhance the
public space while highlighting the um ecological significance of the St. Lucy River. The mural aims to inspire residents and visitors to appreciate and protect its vital natural resources. The design reflects an enduring spirit of historic downtown Stewart by integrating
the elements of the city's maritime heritage, natural environment, and cultural resi resilience. And the project is expected to increase public engagement with the arts and enhance overall quality of life and foster community pride. The proposed mural correlates well with the surrounding
murals in the historic downtown district such as the house of refuge at sunrise. Um, welcome to Steuart happiest seaside mural town which was just done and then the old Colorado in then and now. The artwork will be executed by Samra Ash
who brings over 25 years of experience producing large-scale high-quality murals and the arts council of Martin County reviewed the rendering and recommended approval of the mural. They believe the proposal is fitting for the location of the Flaggler Park and vibrant nature elements are a good addition for the
weekly market on Main Street. In 2025, Stuart Main Street received a letter of support through resolution number 02-2025 CRA to commission a mural at the proposed location. The letter enabled Stuart Main Street to apply for a grant funding to support the selection of the
artist and creation of the public art. As the mural is proposed on city-owned property, the grant application required formal formal uh support for the project. Um it's also important to note that Steuart Main Street received additional letters of support um from
the um Martin County Tourism and Marketing Department, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, Downtown Business Association of Stewart, and Martin Artisans Guild and Hudson on the River. Um, at this time, staff would like to request a motion to approve the proposed mural subject to the following
conditions. The project shall comply with the attached mural rendering in exhibit D. And um, at this time, if you have any questions for staff, unfortunately, Candace from Steuart Main Street is out of town, but she did ask Christopher Vitali um, who's a member of Stuart
Stuart Main Street, um, to be present for today. And then also the artist um Samara Ash is also here if if you have any questions about the artwork itself. >> Does the petitioner have any comments? No comments. Okay. Any questions
from board members to staff or petitioners? >> I do um not so much a question but Since since this is one of the few areas where we actually have some >> say, >> it would be really nice if we could be
provided with any artwork that we're going to be making decision on ahead of time and be allowed to comment and maybe make minor revisions like we did on the last art project. We had a number of us
had some some differing ideas and we had no opportunity to say give us two or three versions of this little section of it next month or you know next week and maybe we can make a decision in between board meetings. But I just think it's
one of the few things we actually have any authority on and I would like to make a more a more involved decision and it's like yeah okay bam it's beautiful but you know what I'm saying that that that's my
question or concern or whatever. It'd be nice in the future if we had the opportunity to see the art ahead of time and maybe make some comments. Maybe there's one little corner like why why isn't this why don't we do this since it's a more of a Florida native species
of plant or animal. That's all that's all I have to say. >> Any other comments, questions? >> I have one question. Far as the maintaining of it. Um I know it was budgeted in to take care of it. How
often will it need uh maintenance if it's approved? So the um agreement that the applicant signs is a five-year maintenance agreement. So it needs to be be maintained for a minimum of five years. But after that um you know we do have
other programs. We've had people come forward before um to do a receal through the like business improvement grant program. So that's always an option or to have it um revamped or or complete new mural um to change things up. So five years is our minimum. five years.
Throughout the five years, his comment of having the the the the paintings brought before the board before they make a decision would be probably read into the main minutes. So, that would be a part of the minutes of the >> I would say that this is kind of your
opportunity to do that as well. Um because of Sunshine, you wouldn't really be able to hear each other's comments behind the scenes. Um it would um also depending on the timeline like I know for this specific um grant application Candace with Steuart Main Street is
trying to get additional grants to cover the remaining expenses. So she had to meet certain deadlines with that. So I I didn't get the application but 30 days before this and I had to meet an agenda item deadline for this as well. So I think maybe it could be um an artwork
basis depending on what it is if we have time to do that. But you're free to make conditions of approval at this time as well and discuss if you needed to make any changes. We can do that now. >> Okay. >> I'm not an artist, so I'm not even, you know, it's beautiful. I'm not going to
touch it. I just was curious about the maintaining of it. >> Anybody to the artist for showing up? That's uh with you live in Miami, so it's a pretty good little hike and appreciate that. Um, first question. Um,
I understand this went out for RFP. Uh, do you know we have some local artists in the area. Do do you know if they by chance, Jordan, do you happen to know if they receive the uh request for a proposal? >> I don't because I was not part of that RFP process that was done by Stuart Main
Street. Um, I don't know if Chris can possibly speak on that for us. Um, this is um, yes, please. This is Chris Vitali. He's on the Steuart Main Street board and he's representing Candace Callahan tonight. >> Hi, how are you doing? Um, so yeah, for
the RFP process, the RFP was sent out to um a pretty wide area. It was kind of across all of the state. Um, but it was distributed, you know, to local artists and it was basically open to anybody who wanted to submit a design or submit an
application. We did get some um proposals that were from local artists, you know, from here within the town or at least kind of within the county. Um and we got some that were from, you know, Samar's area and Miami and and
beyond and even further away. Um so the Main Street board kind of looked at everything and reviewed all of those proposals and determined that Samaras was the strongest design for what we
were looking to have done on that space in Flaggler Park. Um not that there weren't other talented artists in there, but um the designs simply weren't as strong as Samar. And she has a really um great experience with um a lot of other public art installations throughout the
state. um she can probably speak more on that if you'd like to hear more about the different um projects she's worked on, but she has great experience and um yeah, we just felt really strong about her proposal um more so than we did about the ones that were maybe a little bit closer to home, I guess. >> Okay. Because we have a couple of nationally recognized artists here, you
know, Mr. Smith or Mr. Hoffman. Um and Mr. Hoffman's done plenty of uh you know, marine type of uh paintings and such. I didn't know if if they like for example I never saw I'm not really an artist but I never saw you know a request for proposal so I didn't know how wide and diverse it went out. I'm
hoping those individuals got a shot at it. Um that's just why I ask. So uh second question I see in that in the agenda packet many there were many uh letters of recommendations um from different individuals. They're
all dated. Well, most of them are dated August 2025. Give or take a few days scattered about. Um, did they see that? That I'm guessing that was just a letter of recommendation to do with some artwork. They probably didn't see the artist rendering at that
time in August. Do you happen to know that? >> I is that right? Yeah. I Yeah. So the proposals were sent first and then the you know the legers of recommendation came in after kind of this process was initiated. Then all of the artists designs came in. Um so yeah I guess the
whoever the businesses are or the individuals that submitted those letters of recommendation at that time the design hadn't been finalized but they were expressing support to have the mural done and to kind of improve the facilities there and improve the optics of Flaggler Park. >> Very good. So we shouldn't confuse the
recommendations to have a mural with the recommendations for this particular mural. It was just a recommendation from these individuals for a mural. Okay. Very good. Now I do have a couple other questions and I know, you know, I'm going to sound
like a critic of an artist and you don't want to be a critic necessarily of an artist. It's their is their work. And I did do some research like the echoes of resilience you did in Lakeland was outstanding in my opinion. That's just my opinion. I'm not an artist. Okay. So, but there are some questions I had like
uh you me uh one of our fellow board members mentioned the maintenance. The maintenance cost was a $4,500 estimate. Um there's a lot of estimates involved and it ties back into what percentage were they just trying to ratchet up the
cost to to make sure they can get a a max match of 3,000? I don't know how that works. What are your thoughts, Jordan? My thoughts are the the mural overall cost is over $18,000. Um and so our match is only 50% up to 3,000. So they're only getting 3,000.
Okay. >> Um and based on our experience with past murals, Christopher um has done two himself through this program. It well exceeds typically our match. Okay. So that's not a concern of ours. >> All right. So that's not a concern. And the maintenance cost hopefully won't cost $4,500. Hopefully it'll it'll hold
up just fine. Um I think oh yeah there is one major one here. Now I tend to be a little bit whatever I don't know a little detail oriented or whatever. I like fishing and
this partic capital of the world. I would hope that we'd protect the integrity of the sailfish. This particular cellfish in that uh illustration that I saw looked kind of like a hybrid between a dolphin or a draado mahi mahi and a cellfish
and I'm not sure maybe the artist can answer the question it what was your thinking behind that kind of a hybridization of this particular fish or are you aware of what the sailfish actually looks like and are you um
within your range of artistic freedom Would you be willing to maybe make it look a little bit more like um the sailfish? That's what I'm asking. So, if you could answer. Thank you. >> Hi everyone. Thank you so much for being here. I am very happy to be here. I've
uh painted many of the cities nearby. Uh for the past 25 years, I've had a chance to be able to paint not only in the United States but also in Europe. So, it's a pleasure to be able to be in Stewart because I hang out here quite often. I also have land in Sebastian. So I I come eat here quite a bit. You have
good food by the way. And so there is a a short presentation. If you wanted to, I could share that with you. In regards to the piece itself and the marlin, I did want to focus in using old Florida hues. You know, when we used to look at those plants and those like animal
drawings and it had like pinks and it had yellows and all that. So, I wanted to show my focus in loving history in a new way so that the youth might uh be up to asking questions in regards to history without it being right in your
face. So, that's one of my tactics on getting uh younger generations to be able to desire to ask more about the piece. I can make a few changes. um several the the rendition itself of the fish. I know those are not the actual colors, but I can definitely make
changes in order to go ahead and make it look even more like a sailfish. It was more like a few tactics that I utilized where I um repeated certain patterns that are throughout the rest of the piece and I added it to the fish, but it's more like a visual in order to make
it uh have more sense visually, but that can be changed as well. For example, for echos of resilience, the one that you mentioned, which was uh sponsored by Disney in done for the Florida Wildlife Corridor. And by the way, we won best mural in the world, uh top 15 for um for
for that particular mural. So, that's huge for Florida. And we're getting awareness of these type of animals, our flora and fauna in in Florida as being commended in public art. Anyhow, I can make a few changes in order to make it look more um like, you know, like the
actual marlin. It was just uh taking some artistic license in that sense. And I do have by the way a really short uh symbolism presentation. If you wanted to, we could easily go over it in order to fulfill many of the questions that you may have. Many of the symbolrich
murals that I um that I design take weeks almost a month in order to be able to come up with these. And every single line, color, uh flora and fauna actually have a history behind it. Yet again, it's not in your face. in order for
people to ask questions, to have these conversations, and hopefully to bring awareness to these incredible resources that we have. So, I I have a uh some symbolisms there uh towards the end if you want. I can speak is it's up to you if you desire to do so. >> Yeah, we're okay. That's good.
>> Okay. >> Very good. Thank you. More questions. >> Appreciate that. >> Um I could jump here. I I think what Mr. Laughlin is referring to is >> is much more tailored than what you're you're answering. I think the biggest issue is the forehead of the fish.
That's it. I don't think there's any other aspect of the painting that that we're taking issue with. Just an Atlantic sailfish has a a much more sloped forehead than that kind of >> than the rounded dorado look. >> Yeah, >> I can definitely >> that's my understanding of the issue and
it was something I picked up on as well. >> Yeah. >> I just took advantage of this to give you more info for fun. >> I came all the way here so I want to share. >> Yes. Okay. Okay. Go ahead. >> Thank you. Is this on? Am I good? Okay.
>> Um, >> I I just want to say and I've kind of been beating this drum for a while. We've got great murals downtown, but I'm really happy to see something that's not quite so literal and is a little bit more playful. I think there's a space for all of it. And obviously, we're all going to have different opinions about
the art that we like, but it's great that we would have a variety um in downtown. Um, I I love the richness and color. And one of the things that I do like about it is, let's say in 5 years we don't update
it and we don't maintain it, I think even if this fades, it's still going to look really bold and nice. Um, even if it lightens with the sun over the next couple of years. Um, this sailfish doesn't bother me. Sorry, guys. Um, but
if if it's a sticking point to change the forehead, then then that's fine. Um, but I like that it's pink and it's not like every other sailfish that we have downtown because we have a lot of them. >> Anybody else?
>> I'll just do a followup. Go ahead. >> Agree. I like that artistic uh, you know, adding a little bit different colors. Yeah, the forehead is one of it and maybe a couple of stripes. It's just a minor thing and the fins are off just a touch, but it's like overall I I totally like it. >> Do I sound really bad? >> Yeah.
>> Oh, good. No, I'm not trying to insult you in any way. So, >> no, no, no, please. Yes. >> By the way, I actually have a question for you. Did anyone see the reference of the pineapple and everything that entails? Okay, just check. Yes. >> Was that the very Was that the very
>> uh I got a few questions. So, is this going to be painted on the walls or is this a mural that's coming in a roll and we stick it to the walls? Is what is it? How what's the >> hand painted? >> Hand painted. Okay. >> And in regards to uh the maintenance uh
the materials that I will be using the manufacturer's warranty actually extends uh its life from 7 to 10 years. But in order to be cautious, if later on after the fivey year marks changes or adjustments wanted to be made, then you have recommendations for me of how we
can proceed financially and then all the steps as well. >> Could you pull up the picture that shows the building and the park in the background? Yeah. And what was that one you just you flipped by just now?
>> That was just my recommendation. >> No, there were three there were three with pictures. Yeah. Right there. past. >> Okay, next question. So, here we are making a decision on art and I'm I'm here I don't know what I'm hearing here.
So, this was presented to whom and were other options presented >> and you made a decision to go with this and who made that decision? Um Stuart we us as the city had we have
been trying to have a mural placed on that building. >> That's not the question was >> so we commissioned Stuart Main Street as an organization to spearhead finding an artist to create a mural on this on this building. Start Main Street then went
out for an RFP process to get artwork um options and they selected as a board who the final one would come forward to us. >> So there were no other options presented >> to the city. No, correct.
>> Okay. So that's it. >> Correct. >> And they said yes, we love it. >> Well, now it's they didn't see it. They just picked the artist. >> No. all the all the renderings for each of those the RFP process went out. They
selected the artist that artist had their artwork presented as part of that RFP process. So Stuart Main Street could >> this exact mural was was looked at >> by Stuart M. Okay. >> Yes. >> Uh
I'm not known to play nights in the sandbox, so I'm not going to start now. Uh go back to um the the big picture. Yeah, that one there. So
in the past I've been critical of man's art altogether in rel in as you try to compare it to God's art which is the nature and the beauty of this place. And I don't know why we're worried about
wrinkles on a sailfish's forehead. Gentlemen, ladies, can't you see this is like total not even close to being realism? This is like from another planet. Uh
and go now go to the one go to the one in the park again and showing the background. And so for that to be sitting in the middle of God's art,
okay, I find that to be totally offensive. This it's total it's out there, man. You know, it's just out there. And what's the what's the name of the how did And you titled it what
>> called Heritage Vitalis. Heritage Vitalis. >> Yes, it's in Latin. >> And so where is our heritage in pink pineapples and pink sailfish and pink anything?
>> Where's the heritage? And and vitalis. What does what does that mean? Vitalis. What's your concept of that? >> Vitalis is about life and all the water that runs through the location. Every single one of these plants and every single one of these resource that we
have, if it wasn't for the water, we wouldn't have the guardian of the lagoon or the waters or the river, which will be the bird. All of these plants that you see on one side of the wall are actually details of the pineapples that were grown here. The agriculture that uh
brought so much >> um diversity to the place. pink pineapples. >> The No, the pink actually comes from the Florida old hues that we were talking about. I did a lot of research in regards to books, writings, and just
kind of like older. But I do want to add one more thing. >> What you see here is just a rendition. It's like my representation of what the mural would look like. If we go back to the other images where you can see my hand, uh, please. So all of these arts
that you see here are way more dynamic because they have the brush stroke, they have my hand after that. That reference that you saw is not going to come out 100% the same because my hand goes into it. When you speak about God's uh beauty
and the place and how it would relate to the park, the park itself, I study the park in order for those colors to stand out. I actually stood there as the sun was coming up or coming down and I selected some of those colors as well from the sunset. So even though it might
seem a bit flat on the rendering as an example, once I put the brush stroke, once I literally grab it with my hand and I go ahead and I paint it on, it's going to have texture. It's going to have depth. It's going to have beauty. And that is where the Lord's work is
going to show through that hand stroke. So go back to the big picture again. with the uh background. So, you just told me what that this is going to blend in beautifully with with what's around it.
>> Well, because we have so many >> say that. >> Well, that's that's why I I um >> look >> the Well, also we have >> So, this doesn't represent what we're going to get at all. No, what I'm trying to tell you is that I studied the greens and the blues that are surrounding the
bridge where this will be located. The little park that's right there where the kids are playing, the little place where all the books are being placed, even the waterfront restaurants. The prominent color there are blues and greens. So, in order for the artwork to stand out, you use complimentary colors. Complimentary
colors in order >> that is going to stand out and say, "Look at me. Look at me. Look at me." which is primarily the idea to spark conversation between our youth, our professionals that are here as well because after this we're also going to
do a lot of community involvement where we will have hopefully conservationists where we'll invite other people >> this for the youth. >> Yes. >> Um >> yes sir go ahead. >> This does not seem to be a productive conversation at this point. I think
we've had several different directions >> okay >> that the organization has wanted to go. My suggestion is we table it at this point. We ask Candace Callahan to appear next month and then we can ask her some more detailed questions about the process that led to this. But I I don't
think based on comments from organization we're going to be able to approve this at this time. >> I don't uh I all I know is I'll I'll be voting against it. That's all I know. And it's it isn't it isn't about you. It it's about this I think it started in
the in the in the commission before the last commission. This it seems like why do we feel as though why do we feel the need to compete with Province Town and Key West and and we
got to attract all the artsy fartsy people in the world. Look at us. Look at us. I I'm just I'm just against that whole concept of changing our our downtown
to try to draw people from the outside to say look at us. And I don't know where the board wants to go, but all I can say is I will be voting against this design. >> I completely agree with you. If we were
competing, that makes tons of sense. The beauty behind this is the idea to spark conversations in regards to nature and art. And this is just really one good way to be able to display that. But um you know we all have uh the right to see things in different matters. But when
you ask me do I make this for the youth? I actually can say that yeah I make it for God and for youth because that is one great vessel in order for them to be interested rather than be interested in other things. >> I have a comment. Um, I think I I don't
see any problem at all with having art that isn't an exact representation of nature. You can look all around you and see the nature. Art for art's sake is beautiful and it's a wonderful expression and it I think it adds value and it adds visual beauty. I don't I
don't have a problem with that personally at all. I think it's a beautiful art and and it does widely represent nature in a you have you taken some some creative measure which is great. That's art. It's
not a not a photograph. It's art. I mean I have no problem with it. >> Um I just want to make the point that this um this restroom is is pretty close to the children's playground in the park. And I don't know how much you all
are at the park. Um, when my oldest son was little, we were there every day. Um, and as time has moved on, if if you go and and look and see who's hanging out at the park, it's mostly unhoused people. And for the most part, they're there charging their phones under
pavilions. Um, but the kids have kind of gone away. Um, and other than on the farmers market day, you don't see a ton of people other than maybe a couple folks playing basketball, hanging out anymore. I think that this artwork I think artwork in general in this park
could help draw people in and maybe get a little bit more foot traffic coming through the park, local foot traffic, people that live here. >> It'll chase some people away, too. So, maybe that's what we're >> and that's never my intention to chase anyone away, but I'd like to see more people and more diversity of ages and
users um using this park. And I think that putting a mural on this building um will help draw some folks in and make it possibly feel like a little bit of a safer place to be. >> I agree. >> I agree.
>> Can I get a motion to approve or disapprove this or can I get a different motion? Um, chair, if you would take a look at um section six on the blue outline, we need to close the evidentiary part before we
take a motion. >> Okay. to to deliberate in public asking them to cite the facts being considered and then to state their position and formulate a motion. So I'm closing that part of the hearing.
Any public comment? >> Chair, I have none. >> No public comment. >> I have none. >> Okay. Again, any motions to either approve or disapprove this now or any alternative motions? >> I have a motion. I don't know how to
perfectly word it, but maybe some minor changes can be made. I I don't I don't want to see it more naturalized. I think the art part of it's beautiful, but maybe make the sailfish look a little more like a
sailfish. And um any other ideas that the board members may have to make minor adjustments? I I think the overall flavor of it is beautiful and might maybe some minor adjustments and then we can revisit it either in between
meetings or next next month. My my motion however we properly word that. So your motion is um to approve with >> with for next month or you want to make a motion to approve with the
minor adjustments to the sailfish. >> I make motion to approve it with minor adjustments that we have an opportunity to review before final approval. Yes. >> I'll second that motion. Before we vote, I'd like to comment on it. My suggestion is we table this for
one month and we don't start down a path that we might regret later on. There there's no downside to pushing off the vote one month until we get some more input here. >> Yeah. Um Chair Mcrist, >> there's a motion on the floor already.
Right. >> Right. Well, >> it was seconded. I would agree with with board member de Bard that you either need to table it or you need to approve it with conditions but not to come back that's that's tableabling it in essence >> right okay >> uh I just think it needs to be clear
you're either approving it subject you need to make the conditions that you change the forehead of the fish and any others >> or you table it to bring back >> at the next hearing >> or next uh meeting sorry >> I'll withdraw the motion then
>> does that impact any of the um >> grant application deadlines. >> I mean I mean yes because you got to approve the artwork before you can approve an agreement. >> But
>> well actually um technically the next the next agenda item is an advisory position to the CRA. So you would be making a recommendation but it would be difficult since you haven't approved the art to approve the grant agreement on it.
Mr. DBR, did you have a motion? >> Yes. Uh, I move that we table this for the next month, that we ask the artist to make the revisions that we discussed today, and that we ask for more representatives from Steuart Main Street to appear to give us kind of the procedural background and how they
arrived at this decision for this artist and this artwork. >> Any seconds? >> I'll second it. >> Thank you, sir. Do you need a roll call for this? >> Yes. >> All right. >> Vice Chair Moser,
>> no. >> Chairman Crystal, >> yes. >> Board member de Bard, >> yes. >> Board member James, >> yes. >> Board member Mona, >> no. >> Um, no, you're not going to. >> No. The art the artwork would need to be approved in order to move through.
>> So, we do go on with this one. >> We cannot do the next agenda. Got you. All right, moving on to >> But I think we need to continue it. Do a motion to continue it to the next board meeting as well. >> Okay. Can I get >> that motion? >> I'll second.
>> Thank you very much. All in favor? >> I >> I thank you very much. Action item number four. It just keeps getting more fun. Backyard Lee, would you like to read
this again, sir? Thank you. And this is not quasi judicial. Correct. >> Correct. You're you're in a legislative capacity. We are not. >> Okay. >> All right. This would be amendments to the land development code. So ordinance number 2552-2026
an ordinance of the city commission of the city of Steuart, Florida, amending the city's land development code chapter 2 zoning districts uses allowed density intensity. Section 2.06.0 00 supplemental use standards to add a
new section 6.06.24 backyard chickens in certain residential zoning districts and to amend the city's code of ordinances chapter 8- animals article 1 in general section 8.2- to-l
livestock prohibited in the Steuart's code of ordinances by removing certain provisions related to allow backyard chickens in certain residential zoning districts providing for the repeal of prior ordinances and resolutions
providing for cottification providing for severability providing for an effect effective date and for other purposes. And again, you're returning back into your advisory role on this one and Jody, do you have a staff presentation?
>> Good evening, board members and members of the uh community residential board. Uh I don't actually have a presentation. This is more of a text a land use check textman amendment amendment um to allow backyard chickens within the urban areas
and other residential areas. Um this would be on February 23rd, 2026. The city commission directed staff to prepare the necessary ordinance to allow backyard chickens within certain residential zoning districts. The city commission recognizes a growing trend
towards sustainable living practices, including a desire to incorporate fresher locally sourced products into daily diet diets. Additionally, there is an increasing interest in providing residents with opportunities to engage in small-scale backyard food production,
allowing a limited number of chickens on residential properties, supports these objectives by enabling property owners to produce eggs for personal consumption. The proposed amendment will per would permit the keeping of up to four chickens as an accessory use on
occupied detached single family and duplex properties within the R1A, R1, R2, and urban neighborhood and single family detached zoning districts within the East Stewart neighborhood. This would be subject to the terms and conditions outlined within the draft
ordinance. Uh staff is requesting the board uh board a recommendation to the city commission for approval. >> Any discussion from the board? Discussion from the board. Any comments? Anyone want to touch this?
>> Yes, I have some things. >> Okay. >> Can I can I say something? >> Absolutely, ma'am. >> I have a few things to say. Um, I certainly have made a number of phone calls to the commissioners um to move this change forward. As I understand it,
um, this actually previously passed years ago and then a commissioner rescended his vote, I think at the very next meeting, something along those lines. I don't know if I have the story exactly right, but um, so this has been in the talks or in the uh, conversation
for a while. Um, as a person who was unfortunately trying to purchase a home in the city of Stewart from 2020 to 2022, I had to look at a lot of homes before somebody um, uh, before I finally got an offer accepted. Um, and what I
noticed was I would say about 25 to 30% of the houses that we went to see already had coups in the backyard. Chickens were mysteriously missing during the showings, but um, already saw a lot of coups. And as I've gotten to know neighbors, um I know that a lot of
them have or have had chickens. Um and for the most part, their neighbors are totally fine with it. Um I'm going to be really honest here. I have chickens in my backyard. >> I've had them I I know I'm putting it out there. They might have to go live in
my parents house for a while, but um >> I got them about 18 months ago. Um, with all my neighbors permission. My 2-year-old son loves them. He's had them since he was 6 months old. Um, we eat the eggs every day. We use our food
scraps uh to feed them. We compost their manure into my vegetable garden for the clerks that got flowers today. Those were fertilized with my chicken manure. Um, I wanted to address a couple of concerns that I know I generally hear from
people. And I will admit to you, I am a country girl. I was raised on a small farm. I have had every type of livestock that there is out there. Um, first is noise. >> Um, the chickens, the female chickens, which is what we're talking about here, they
really only make noise when they're laying an egg, which happens about in the middle of the day, early morning, midday. Um, it's a couple clucks and then it goes away. As long as they're not being attacked by anything, they're not making noise. The crows on my street make a hundred times more noise.
>> The dogs in the neighborhood make way more noise. Um, smell is another one that folks are often concerned about. And I get that because when you're on the interstate in Florida or Georgia and you pass a giant chicken farm, it stinks. Uh, but when we're talking about
four chickens or less, um, there's really no smell. And you're all welcome to come to my backyard and check that out. Um this is a great education opportunity for kids and this is one of the things I mourn about u moving from Lake Okachchobee into uh the big city as
we think of Stewart. Um I know we all think it's a small town but um kids don't know where their food comes from anymore. Um they don't understand that chickens lay eggs um and that's where they come from. They think they come from the grocery store. Um, another
point with kids is um, if you grow up in the country like me, you grow up in the 4 program and that is a great life skills building program. Having chickens in the backyard lets kids have that opportunity and I do know there that opportunity to be taken from them. Um,
like I mentioned already, the reduction in food scraps. I've seen studies in um other countries um where they actually measured if they gave out chickens to everyone in the city how much of a reduction they got in food scraps and it was really significant. Um it's a great way to take
your vegetables that you're chopping up for dinner and feed them to your chickens. Uh it's free food for the chickens and it's makes your trash a little bit less smelly. Um and then last, like I said, the composting element. um not having to buy fertilizer and using something that's made in your
own backyard. Um so cats out of the bag, I've got chickens. Come and get them if you want them. But uh know that my 2-year-old would be very sad because the highlight of his day is going out there to collect eggs every day. >> Um and then I just had two comments. I think that the standards that we've
created here are great. I've got uh two sticking points. First is that max coupe height of six feet. My husband's 6'8 and uh we built our coupe so that we could walk into it. Um and he can't fit into a chicken coop that's a maximum of six
feet tall. So that one's a little bit tailored to me. But I do think um a lot of times we think of those little tiny coops. I wanted to big some build something that was big enough for my chickens to move around in and that I could get in and clean it out easily. And so six feet might be a tad too
short. And then the other was the six foot tall fence. Um, I was wondering if you guys would be okay with recommending it be five feet tall. And I'm not going to um fight a hard fight on that one, but um I also wanted to ask if we could
include um the idea of a hedge as an alternative to a fence just because um I don't know if any of you have looked at fencing costs lately, but they're pretty high. So, you know, you're asking folks to make a couple grand investment in just the area around their coupe alone
before they can get their eggs. Um, and that's all I've got. >> Next, anybody? >> So, I have a question. So, is this a citywide change or just East Stewart? >> Citywide. >> Citywide.
>> Citywide. So everybody in the city of Stewart would have if we passed it would have the opportunity to have chickens in their yards >> in the certain zoning district. >> That's the other problem. What >> single family and >> single family and duplex >> dup
>> is that all >> the the the my issue would be the smell and the noise. You know >> I I promise come on over you will see. >> Yeah. Neither. >> Yes, sir. >> My I think that the noise issue is the roosters. I mean, if you could keep them
segregated somewhere in a soundproof box, everybody would probably be a little happier about the noise. >> It's a rooster. >> Well, this is only this is, correct me if I'm wrong, this is only for female chickens or female chickens. No males. >> No roosters allowed.
>> Well, that Okay, that's >> okay. So that >> I hear what you're saying about the hedge, but a lot of people are going to say, "Well, they're going to fit through there and run into the neighbor's yard." >> Well, that's not correct me or maybe you can explain it. That's not their coupe. There's a coupe and then they're saying
that there needs to be an additional screening fence from the road or to adjacent neighbors. Is that >> secondary buffer, I think. Right. >> Yes. >> Get out of the And I think a buffer is a great idea. I'm just asking for a little flexibility. >> Yeah.
>> Fences are offensive. step on up here. >> I make a motion that we approve with Miss Moer's modifications >> 5 foot and then opaque screen being added to the definition including a hedge. >> What exact?
>> Huh? >> It says opaque screen. >> It says opaque. >> Um >> I didn't I >> said you didn't like the six foot height, but what height? I know your husband's 68. Are you recommending it for the kite? >> Can we do seven? I doubt most people are
going to build a coupe that tall, but um for the height blessed, I guess seven would be nice. >> Our weather. >> So, we have a motion. Uh I didn't get to discuss any of this. U
do have a second on the motion for discussion. >> I'll second. >> Okay. Now, can we discuss? >> Okay. um question first because that's the first thing I looked up. So chickens can lay eggs without roosters
around. Correct. >> Yes, >> obviously. All right. So that's just I'm wondering if that was genetically engineered over time because it doesn't seem like a natural thing, but I'm guessing it I'm guessing over years that was
Yeah. No, it was it's always been that way. Birds lay eggs. >> I could tell you happens. >> Huh? >> I think >> how the chicken legs the hen has an egg without being fertilized. >> Yes. >> Every day. >> Yeah. >> Amazing.
Quite quite uh quite efficient. Um, without getting into great discussion here, this has been obviously discussed by many communities and I I happen to think that Martin County
got it right and not allowing this in residential areas. I just did a small poll myself of some of my neighbors and the response I got was, "Are they bringing that up again?" Mhm. >> So,
uh, St. Lucy County allows it, Martin County does not. U, I think Martin County got it right. And without going into great discussion, I'll be I'll be voting against it. That would be my vote. So,
did we get a second on Mr. Dard's? >> Yes, I got a comment. >> I got more comments. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair. So >> yes, >> I'm just afraid that uh they use the quot expression that this will just lead us through a slippery slope. So if we if
we allow chickens, why not allow pigs >> because pigs stink. >> The >> but I I just see that happening. If if we if we start down this road uh allowing chicken, somebody's going to come and request to change the the
ordinance that we could have pigs in the neighborhood. Just make it all agricultural and be done with it. >> I my thought >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. >> My thought is I can I can see what the benefits of what you're saying and all the benefits
to it, >> but not everybody's going to be these. There's going to be some really sloppy chicken coops around, smelly, rat, rodents. Is there do we have to add another layer of enforcement to keep these in in good condition and and
sanitary? >> It's in here. >> Okay. Okay. >> There's a annual inspection at the option of the city. >> Okay. >> And the permit can be revoked for a number of different reasons. Subsection D. >> Okay.
>> And then um that's good. Uh, and who's so who's paying for that? The extra bureaucracy and the extra um I guess the taxpayers obviously,
>> right? Okay. But that road of >> chair Mcrist. >> Yes. >> So, uh, there would be a fee attached to department, a minimum fee just for staff covered time throughout my department. >> Okay, that sound like a good idea. All right. So, we have a motion on the
floor which is again, Mr. What is it again? >> Out of curiosity, I did not see the fee in the in the wording of that. Is it baked into the language or do we have an idea what the fee would be? >> Right now, it would be a zoning fee of $65 based off of our fee schedule that we adopt through the budget. It's
through a master fee schedule that we have >> every year. >> Every year on Thank you. >> I would just want to read the motion so that we have it. Um I was it was the seven foot coupe >> five foot fence. That's the one you
weren't fighting too hard on. >> And then hedges add hedges as well. Um instead of just the fence itself, >> correct? >> Yes, >> that was those were the conditions. Perfect. Okay. I could call roll whenever chair tells me. >> Another comment.
>> Surely. Go ahead. >> We have a city manager who I think spent time in Key West. Correct. And I think there's chickens down there. Can you uh would you mind maybe or roosters? A lot of roosters down there. Could you share some of your observations and maybe what you've heard while down there?
>> Put you on the spot, sir. >> Chicken war story. >> Yes, chicken war story. >> Here we go. >> Like Jardino, city manager, it would only be personal and it would not be professional opinion. It would only be my my own. And of course, the
part of the ambiance of Key West are those chickens. >> They're loose. They roam freely, unfettered, without control. Roosters in the trees in the parking lots. In fact, I relayed
today to staff that I watched chickens eat chicken bones and flesh in the Kentucky Fried Chicken parking lot in Key West. of chicken. >> So I mean from that perspective like a feral cat or any there they could be a
nuisance. Um but so that's Key West but it's not I don't think it's what we're talking about here today. >> I do I do not see the relation between what happens in Key West and what we're talking about in Stewart today. >> Very good. Thanks. >> Yes sir.
And and that was my other concern, you know, and I think maybe here as well, would it attract coyotes and things of that? So, the cleanliness of it all would be key. I also support the idea of many of the points that Bonnie um or you know, a fellow board member here made
about um just children interacting with um animals. It gives them a great advantage. And I've taught in urban schools. I've taught in in uh rural schools. And there's a difference. Kids that are around animals have a much better attitude and a much much I don't
know friendlier way of of approaching things. So there's that tremendous benefit that you know, as long as people aren't attracting coyotes and and are not not letting the stank get too bad. Uh, and if we can hold the line at that point and not let the hogs come into this
place, we should, you know, I think it would be a big I in my opinion it's and the fresh eggs would be a a big plus for people who wanted to go down that road and it wouldn't be for everybody. Nobody's being mandated to do it. And if you want to do it, you got to pay the fee annually. So,
>> plus the kids have a better immunity when they're exposed to >> nature and animals. I like the single family home, but the duplexes I don't know duplexes might see that >> that's a good point. Yeah, that's a little tight.
>> You you might I grew up at a farm in Canada. I had I grew up thousands acres that doesn't bother me, but someone that has never been around animals and then you bring in a chicken coop right beside and they just have a a privacy fence separating, they may not like it. Then you're
bringing in coyotes, foxes, other things. It doesn't bother me, but someone that's not used to that, it might frighten. >> A neighbor. You have a neighbor. >> All right, we have a motion in a second. >> We need a new roll call on this one. >> All right, thank you.
>> Board member Whan, >> yes. >> Board member Laughlin, >> yes. >> Board member Debor, >> yes. >> Chairman Crystal, >> no. Vice Chair Moser, >> yes. >> Board member James, >> no. >> And board member Monero,
>> yes. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> We do all get eggs. It's okay. >> Can we come back and get some eggs? >> Bring the next meeting. >> Okay. >> I forgot to ask for public com comment. Any public comment?
>> All right. Any staff updates? >> No, sir. >> Any chief? Would it be uh appropriate to ask a question about some of the topic or would you rather ask me ask I'll ask you after the meeting Jody. Okay. Thank you. >> I have an answer for you.
>> So u any staff updates? No. >> No sir. >> All right. I would like to announce the adjournment of this mighty fine and fun meeting. Thank you for coming everybody.