06-01-2004 Redmond to Duss_Annexation of UHaul 7EUN - Z. 2004
Fo
THE VILLAGE OF '
NORTH PALM BEACH
PAT VILLAGE HALL • 501 U.S. HIGHWAY#1 • NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33408
TELEPHONE: (561)841-3380 • FAX: (561)848-3344 • E-MAIL: manager @village-npb.org
DENNIS.D. REDMOND
Village Manager
June 1, 2004
John Doss, Esq.
10110 San Jose Boulevard -
Jacksonville, FL 32257
RE: The Annexation of the Previous Honda Dealership and the U-Haul Property
Dear Mr. Doss:
As you know, the Village of North Palm Beach (the "Village") and Ed Roby have an
annexation agreement whereby Mr. Roby has agreed to voluntarily annex his property
into.the Village. Mr. Roby has made a significant investment in the Village and the
j Village believes it has no choice but to conclude the annexation of these properties.
Although the Palm Beach County Planning Division has implied that the County will
challenge the validity of the pending annexation, the Village has received an opinion
from a lawyer who specializes in municipal and land use law who believes that the
annexation of Mr. Roby's property would be in keeping with the spirit and intent of
Florida's annexation laws.
In my discussions with the local U-Haul representatives, they have expressed U-Haul's
interest in voluntarily annexing into the Village. Their only concern has been over
whether they would have to remove their existing sign. In order to alleviate any concerns
regarding the creation of a nonconforming sign, we have assured the local representatives
that the sign would be permitted to remain for a period not exceed five (5) .years. This
would allow U-Haul to depreciate the sign and minimize the financial impacts associated
with annexation.
As you are aware, the U-Haul Corporate representatives apprised the Village that a
federal bankruptcy proceeding was pending. Therefore, we were advised that U-Haul
could not make a commitment to annexation until the bankruptcy court had authorized
same. We now have been advised that U-Haul has found a means to satisfy its creditors
and will not be seeking bankruptcy protection. We are pleased that we can continue our
dialogue with U-Haul about becoming a member of our business community.
While it would be inconvenient and cumbersome for the Village to revert back and begin
the annexation process anew, we are committed, and are obligated, to do so if that is what
it takes. In lieu of the filing of a formal petition to voluntarily annex the property, we
Y
would ask that U-Haul respond to this letter with a letter expressing its serious interest in
pursuing annexation into the Village. This letter is extremely important to both the
Village and Mr. Roby. Finally on behalf of the Village, I would greatly appreciate your
assistance in expressing to your management the Village's sincere desire to have U-Haul
become one of our corporate citizens.
Sincerely,
Dennis D. Redmond
Village Manager
C
i