Loading...
12/08/1958 - Joint Meeting ,~.-.... r"~ . \1, ,/ ) :: / i' { I > I , c . ,~ .,1 . \, 1, :'~,':' i"f" / ! On Monday, December 8, 1958, at 7:30 P.M. Mr. Arthur Krusp.. Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, City of Clearwater, opened a public meeting concerned with the building of tennis court~ in Crest Lake Park. Mr. Kruse said, "Pursuant to the instructions of the City Commission, this is a joint meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board and 'the Zoning and Planning Board to hear the pro- ponents of and the opposition to the location of certain proposed tennis courts in Crest Lake Park." He proposed that the opponents be heard first, after which the proponents would be given an opportunity to speak.' Those opposed were asked to stand, and a count of 16 was taken. However~ several others arrived later. Mr. Kruse requested that each perso~ called upon to speak should first rise and give his name and address to the secretary taking notes. Mr. Donald McFarland - 311 South Missouri Avenue - attorney repre- senting the objectors, was the first to speak. He mentioned several times that his clients were not objecting to tennis, but were objecting to tennis courts being located in the Southwest corner of Crest Lake Park. Among the reasons given were: 1. Putting fence up would detract from the beauty of the Park as seen by ahyone passing it on Gulf-to-Bay BG~]_ ::TlDrd 2. Putting in original 6 courts, as proposed, would necessitat& removal or transfer of 7 trees, with an additional 4 trees involved if more courts were added 3. In place of sod, there would be 6 courts with an overall measurement of 240 ft. by 160 ft., plus parking. This is objectionable from the standpoint of having to look at itf he said. 4. Lower property values will result. These people will be "hurt in the hip pocket.u 5. It will open the door to other recreation facilitiesj and it is felt by this group that this is not in keeping with, the intentions of the former owner of the property, Mr. McFarland stated that three petitions, signed by a total of 5~ people living in the vicinity of Crest Lake Park, had been pr85er.t0~ to the City Commission. He said no effort had been made to get additional signatures because it was felt that the petition~ signed showed the feeling of the people. He mentioned that one citizen in particular - ~1rs. Hildur ~101i tor - who was not 8'J le -cc be present for the meeting, objects strongly to having tennl,8 courts located in Crest Lake Park, as has been recommended. ,.....tJ' lJJr. J.lcFarland raised the question of placing the tennis courtfi :: IJ the new park area in South Clearwater recently purchased by th~ City--a place not already dedicated to some other phase of par:':" tl::;:~ Also f Stevenson Creek Park has been mentioned frequently; and h.~ ~"ys his group is not completely satisfied by reasons given for n0~ \- ",,~'~ . .. ,,' ....-... , ,~ 'I~'J. " '! ,~ !' "l~' - 2 - putting the tonnis courts there. Further, rather than 6 or $ courts being built in one locality, which would create crowds or lurge numbers of people, why not split up courts and have one or two in several different places? ' Another objection has been to the lightine, Which would be an annoyance to those living nearby. There is not a large amount of commercial liehting in that area at the present time; objectors feel large ,lights would cause discomfort and keep,people from get- ting to sleep when they want to. Clearwater is a haven or resort for retired people. The lights on the proposed tennis courts would be objectionable to these people. Cecil Hitchen - 105 South Highland Avenue Said he bought his present propl~rt,y because of the park. \'lhy move tennis courts out to Crest Lake before it has been decided definite- ly to build city hall on present tennis court site? vfuy, too) change the proposed location in Crest Lake Park from the S.E. to the S.W. corner? The new park area recently purchased by the City seems the obvious place to go with these new courts. It is his understanding that the deed or grant to Crest Lake Park provided solely for uchildrenfs recreation." If so) this would mean lIboys 13 and under, and girls 11 and under" according to the dictionary, he said. Mrs. H. D~Q~an~ - 1510 Franklin Lives right in front of the park area where children go to fish and ,...... swim. Loves to \o'!atch them fishing. However, it has got so that she cannot entertain any more on Sundays because of the noise the children bring with them; not the children but the parer~ts who honk their horns or yell at their children when they come to pick them up, she says. The Park is beautiful now) and she wants to keep it that way. Earl C. Kurtz - 332 South Glenwood ,) In favor of preserving beauty of Crest Lake Park. If tennis courts are built there, he will have to sell his property, he says. Mrs. J. A. Russell - Park Lake Iv'Iotel (1520 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd.) ,I; Is owner of motel. People come there because it is quiet; she has a lot of elderly people because of that, and they go to bed early. If courts are built in Crest Lake Park, peo~le will play tennis until 11 o'clock at night or later. Then they won't go home, but vnll stay and talk, etc. If there are rest rooms in conjunction with the tennis courts, this will be an added objection, bringing more traffic and more noise. f:9wa~d Beeland - 481 Althea Road ~lthough President of the Clearwater Tennis Club, Mr. Beeland said he \'iCts speaking in the interest of those people who would 1 ike to - J ... ,,'""'- " I .") ........-f".... see some recreation in Crest Lake Park--other than just a peacof'll Fl1rk to look at. For six (6) years we hr.lVC gone through thi n s~mr~ problem, he says, of wherl;! tennis courts would be acceptable. Jle feels that Crest Lake is the ideal site for tennis courts be;~use it is the most centrally located--geoeraphically and population-wise. It offers the least number of valid objections. He said it was his tlnderstandingthat the area was dedicated for use as IIpnrks ~c! ~.cre..?_tion." It is a very large park; can see no reason why ::;ome of that park could not be used for recreation. The amount of spnca involved in the proposed tennis courts is approximately 150' x 240', \.:hich is a very small part of the park. Hecent surveys indicate that only 14 percent of Clearwater's population is over 65 years of age, he says, and declared that there must be some use for the City's parks for those under that age except to follow the "green bench" theory of peaceful parks. H8 pointed out that when he came to Clearwater 20 years ago the population was 7,000 and had 8 tennis courts; now has 4. One in Seminole Park is no longer in use; 2 others on Maple Street have been abandoned; and one used to be where present shuffleboard courts are now. To put tennis courts in isolated area$ is just a waste of money, he said. Tennis needs a place where groups of youngsters can gather and competition is available. He says ,we talk of the need to get children off the streets, and a central location of tennis gives children a place to play where they can be supenrt sed. Referring to the objections raised concerning the bright lights, Mr. Beeland said there would be more light generated by the porch light on the motel than from the lights on the tennis courts. As to trees, he said the City Planner could answer; but it \'ras his belief that only 3 trees vlOuld need to be moved ~ In regard to property values being affected, he, remarked that in Toledo "lhere there were 16 courts, the Mayor lived in a $65,000 house direc~ly opposite. He says tennis is not a noisy sport. He feels it wau],l be to the City's advantage for people arriving in Clear\'fater b:: way of Gulf-to-Bay Blvd. to be able to see that the City provido5 tc~nis facilities. ' . , With regard to the newly-acquired South Clearwater park areaJ he says that future plans will not suffice for present needs. \,fhat we need is a place to locate ne\'! tennis courts NOVi. laura Lou Kunnen - lOa Maplewood Has three children of her ovm. Feels it is disgraceful if a small group of people could prevent the use of the most desirable property for tennis in the city. She asked ho\'l the objectors felt about the annual Lions Club Fishing Jamboree--don't you think that is a vnlv able and worthwhile project? Crest Luke is t.he only location for tenrlis court s, she says. Believe s most pea pIc \.,OUId \'lant healthy, well-supervised recreation fcir the City's youth rather than have ~hem become juvenile delinquents for want of such facilitles. .....~), " I: , ~... ,.. - h .. 1-'" - -, -,.. Frank Kunnen - )._08 Maple"Jood Has had opportunity to fjee tennis elsewhere--from r,Unmi to PennByl- vania. As far as beauty is concerned, some of the 1nreest cstRteu are built right around tennis and cricket clubs. They must not think these facilities a hindrance to beauty. Mr. Hitchen Why Crest Lake? If the City has been 6 years in locating a place for tennis courts, what about other areas--or other sections of Crest Lake Park? Bobby Beck - 60S~ North Ft. Harrison Ave. "How many of you who are objecting to tennis courts walk your dogs in the Park?" ,~) ~rs. Charles Walker - 410 Magnolia Bought property 2 blocks from Crest Lake. Understood the par!{ "r<.,3 acquired not only for park facilities but for recreation. S~e n2s fi ve children; and says she would be willing to have tennis Co',:~t,r. in front of her 'own bedroom windows. There's good sports'llElnshi:> t'"l tennis . With regard to petitions, she says she could match t,l'o ~ c lists with more names of those who would approve of having ten~:::.<: courts in location suggested. Tennis is a more quiet game thL~ some, and it is '~upervised. There is no swearing allowed. s~\O bn- lieves it is one of the finest sports there is. ,--.J Mr. Beeland to Judge White r-ir. Beeland said he understood Judge White had much to do with the acquisition of Crest Lake Park Dnd asked if he would expreS3 hir opinion with regard to the llse for which the park was intended. Judge Vlhite: Judge White said the recreation department was founded just about the ~ime Crest Lake Park began to be thought of. In the early 30's, being a depression period, a good deal of property subdivisions hrtd liens against them. r.lr. \'J. D. Pierce, owner of' thi s Crest Lake: Par!{ area, felt it would be ~ good thing for recreation. He did not \\',1:1t all of that property. The City was not growing that way very rapl~- ly. Mr. Pierce went out trying to get enough to pay the lienR orl his property. He discuased with several the proposal of makin~ ~ deed of this last 40 acres to the Trustees' Interest and Sinking FundI and in return getting the liens cancelled on all his o~her lots in that area. The reason recreation was in OUI' m:Lnds, s~i.i9 Judge \fuite, was because the recreation d8pnrtment had just. been' created by the 1935 Legis:ature. Those instrumental in acquirin[ this land \'-teren' t thinking of a park a s a Hgnzing pasture'1 or cpo L 'Jf' beauty only, but visualized it as a placo for childrc:!1 a~ \....ell as old people--from 2-92 years. ..People1s idea of beauty varies, sai.d Judge Vlhite. \'lbcn you buy "',.,"4.<- ...;' < . . .' ,... .. ~ ~... ... ..... - 5 - " ...-.... property, you ha va to real ize the ad jac en t propert.y mny chnnge, ThG days have gone when one can buy property anywhere arollnrl Clea.rwa.ter and expect it to stay unchanged. You will have to [if) farther away to find such a situation~ What would you rather have,hc asks--a football field, grandstand, or supervised tennis? Something a lot wor~e than tennis could end up in Crest Lake Pnrk. Tennis is a life sport. Clearwater is in bad shape as far as ' tennis'is concerned, he said--and you cantt satisfy everyone. This is the most dosiro.ble--or least offensive--of all sports. Yon cannot have scattered courts; need supervision. Nr. Hitchen Once you get tennis, then it will be shuffleboard, or football, or some other activity. Mr. I;IcFarland TiIhy do tennis court s have to be moved from present loca tion? Mr. "Bee land :' Clearvmter needs more tennis courts.' The present location dOG;:; net permit as large an expansion as it :is hoped some day to accomplish. Perhap~ the City Planner or Mr. I1oore, Recreation Director, can better answer this question. ' E:ddie I~oore,' Recreation Di,rector Two years ago we had plans drawn liO for 4 additional courts at the present location - adjacent to the"Municipal Auditorium. There i'l\3re other prob'_ems connected with that plan and the City Commission felt it was not the proper place to expand. Mr. Kruse '," () " , ,~~. . :/', 1'." . : ~ ' , , , vlith reference to the petitions and the names included thereon there are only 14 persons whose property abuts this proposed in- stallation. Harrv Nichols - 1616 Cro\tm Street .. ' , It is the program of this city to attract people of all 3ges. Fishing is one activity of which the city boasts. True. we do hav.! LGhing' ground used by many. Tennis is next, ,or close, fiGhing III age group it includes; from the very young child to <-hI amaz,ing a&e of others. It is a wonderful conditioning sport. Our faciliti~ for tennis are so poor that this activity cannot be usod to ud- vertise or induce people to come to this city. Centralized and attractive facilities can be a tremendous advertising medium to attract people here. I ~ ~ r.Trs. \'lFi~ker , . leit erated that she could get an equal number to signify approval ,,_J "',",~':","....l"::, ......:.....'..:...~.. -. ......... .:.....:~.~;:.I...j.., "', ~...;'....' .:'..: ..,':-...: ~.I\.. '.:,' .......: .:," ,..........' '. ',....".. '... '., - 6 - for tonnis courts in this location DS against it. She mentioned f"'""" that thero was a school (Skycrest) in that area and, as a re3ult, n lot of young people with children. Robart Sn~der - 912 North Wood Drive \'iould like to reconfirm what Mr. Vlhite and Mr. Beeland have said. Has played tennis in many places; has found no devaluation of property where tennis courts wer9 located. There would be a few who wouldn't like to live there, but as many others would be glad to. John Crafts - 1709 Sunset Drive In Cleveland, some of the most valuable prop~rty is located adjacent to an organized tennis club with 15 courts lighted by electricity. It is a very successful club and one of the biggest, yet there has not been a thing said about disturbances, and the property value is high. Mr. l\1cFarland " . ..:-Y....... . , , ' After 6 years trying to find a spot to locate tennis, it looks as if Crest Lake would be another bad location. There is confusion between private and public tennis courts. These are to be public tennis courts. \~lat would be done to prevent the color line? Thomas \'lhi tley - 1280 Lakeview Road Crest Lake is centrally located. He was brought up where there was no central location of tennis. Therefore, he never learned until he was grown up. If we can give our young people the chance to see the tennis facility as they pass its location, they may develop an interest in the sport, \tlhich he feels is one of the most wholesome there is~ Mrs. Robert Word - '1567 Cleveland Street \ . ;....;. S.ays Crest Lake \'I1as not just picked at random. sidered are too far away for the majority ,~o would be like Seminole (not enough used it to Crest Lake is the only place young people can get to and from courts. Frank Tack- Chairman, Park & Recreation Board Propose to make tennis court a thing of beauty in keeping with rest of park. The plans call for shrubbery hedge onG side to serve both as wind-break and thing of beauty. In Sacramento, 11r. Tock says, there is a large park in the heart of town within five blocks of the center of the city. There are 10 or 12 courts in that park, and there are beautiful homes all around the areB. This is just another proof that a tennis facility can be made a thing of beauty. Other areas con- would use them; it warrant its upkeep). ride their bikes to .. " ," - ....It...,,:....:.';, ..:..... ,<:..~~.'. .<:.... .......::....'.......~. .......,..~t. ~.:. ....:.: " '.:..:.:.......,>.:....:..L..:...:~.~.:'...,.'...I,:..'....:....~:....~:.,.:~':. ....1; :'. ,..-... ,. , 'r . ',~) <~ .~, - 7 - ~1.r/~ll Dobson - Parks Superintendent. Mr. Dobson reported that thore would be 12 or 14 treos involved if the tennis courts were placed in tho Southwest c6rner of Crest Lake Park. Of this number) 4 oaks and 1 palm could be moved back with- out injury to the trees; the rest of the trees are pinos, which are worthless. Mr. Hitchen How many trees would be affected in the Northeast or Southeast cor- nar?--not as many, he says. ,Just 'west of the water tower there are fewer trees than elsewhere. So, why not put the courts there? Jack Wolle, City Planner In explaining why the Southeast section would be a less desirable location, said that if 6 courts were put there they would' have to be in line on Gulf-to-Bay, which would spread them along a greater portion of that frontage, obstruct more of the view of the lake nnd park, etc. He remarked that the palms on Glenwood would remain, with parking behind them. Aubrey 'art - Head of the City Electrical Department ~lr. art made a statement regarding the type of lighting that would be used and what it would do with regard to hurting those in the neighborhood. He said his department has checked the overhead type of lighting, such as is in use at the Auditorium courts and at Bel- mont field, and which is the type being considered for the new location; they would have a foot candle rating of zero at a distance of 112 feet (the nearest building to the lights is 150 feet away). He included a report of Dave Woodson, of the Florida Power and Light Company) confirming these findings. All of the light would . be directed on the court. Plans call for the use of meters so that the lighting-and light control can be handled '1ith least possible objection. With a shrubbery break and the liehts hung about 30 feet high, there should be no objection. tJir. B eeland In regard to using the Southeast corner, he said the cost would be 50% to 60% greater because that area would have to be terraced on account of the lake. Ed Schwarz -.408 South Glenwood Avenue Questioned traffic problem on Clem-mod. ,In contrast, tho Southe3st corner could have parking that would }lave no bearing on residential area. Mr. Beeland Plans call for an arran~emont that would provide ingress from the south and regres5 onto Glenwood to tho north, \'Jhich should eliminato any traffic problem. ~.I"," '~ '",,'I- '>' , ~1 - B - - 1530 R;Lf!ge\'lood " If Narthe~st section was ~Bed, could pork on ClevGland and sovs .0 parkin8 lot. Hhy not put the courts there? Bt.. Reed, - I'~ember of the Zoning &. Planning BoarcJ. For 3 years the Board has looked around, and each time thought tonnis ,'lou1d be located in Crest Luke Park., It has come to the same c01v~lu- sion this year. The Commission felt that because there were 30 m~n'. r~sidences in that area (N.E.) a concentrated recreation area the~e' would be much more objectionable than in some other part of the p~rk. Mr. Krus~ - lii th r'egard to the mat tar of toilet s, they \lould be und~~r. supervision definitely at all times. 'fhere is not goin13 .to bn a club housri--5implya rest-room type of structure. r,]:, ~_9chNar~ - HON many members are th ere in the tonn i s club; or l10':! . many members. play in a week? Mr. Bee1and - There are at the present time 58 members--l2 to 14 young peopie. Mr. SCh\'larz - Thinks th8 City should keep Gre st Lake Park ns D pal:'k for eve~ybody instead of tennis for a few. 1"'''''' '.........' Mr.. He ed - In r3gard "':.0 fo:'mar I,;nyo.r Bl'own':,) int2 re st in Gre st L:}kc Park, he hRs never discussed this matter with any member of the Planning Board or wit.h the City Commission so far as I 1<.nov1) he said. Mr. Snyder - Club members constitute only a few of those using the tennis' co'.irts. f/lr. Boore - There would be a lot more who would play tennis if \'18 were abl-c to provide better facilities and more adequate facilities ~ To emphasize this point, he asked Mr. Presti, Superintendent of Rec- reation and Director of the Youth Maritime Genter, how many young people took part in the tennis program under his direction during the past summer. Louis Presti - 223 youngst~rs from age of 10 through 13 actually participated in the summer tennis program; Rnd he only conducted a program in fundamentals. Mr.r:roC?re - Re-emphasized the need for centrfllization. I ~. .. i'ftr. Kru~_~ - Asked how many of those present ,'!ould object to ha.vi!lt3 tannis courts located in the Southeast corner of Crest Luk....') Park. Only one person (Jftr. Hitchcn)-ltsignified ar: objcctJ.on to th1s loca- tion, and ad:nit ted that he would object to.. tcnni s .2!l.'!\'[.hc r:~ :L:1 (~:'C:.: t Lake. ,'~ I.Ir. Krusi'J adjourned the meeting "lith thG AnnOUnC<3Jl1Gnt. tr.nt, i".h8 l!~(:'::, bers of the tVIO Boards 'llOuld convene in privi'ltQ .Lr.1111Gdiatt:ly tJF~l'(:- Qfte2.~ to nwke n decision \'lith regard to r1 rocommcndat.iO)l to lH.~ forwarded to the City Commission for r0considel~~i~n. '.... ......... '.\\ - 9 - ,...-.. I The Zoning rlnd Plnnl1 Lng Board and t1hC' Pr\d~s :mrj J(OC1~cl1ti,on Bonrd m{~t tor;othor n S ::'1Oon n s all other pG r:Jon '1 had } e!'t tho ^ wI t t,or'i. ~lm. :t-1embers of the Zoning Dnd Plunning B()~j!,c; pr'c 50:,1.:. i.nc.l ul!i';cl: Hl'. Kl'n:: ';, Chairman; Mr. Wolle, City Plannor and Secrutory to t~c Joord; nod Jl.1Gssrs. Reed, Kennedy I Gates I GClllr)\\fny I [lnd l!nrrios. 1\11 members 0 f thb Parks and Recreation Bonrd wero prosent. ' Nr. Kruse stated t.hat the first plan submit.ted to tl1!~ City COJr_1l:i.3':iion had recommended that the tennis courts ,be lo(~ated in the Southep:it. corner of Cre st LakE~ Park. Due to some appas it ion hy the Corr.mi S::d,O;l) the locution was moved to the South\'l,:;st~ cornol'. By thn oxrrl~!j~ions ,of the group tonight, there appears to be practically no objQctio~ to the Southeast location, he said. However, if the plan were to bu ~J- considered and the Boards were to recommend Again that the te~nis , courts be in the Southeast cOl~ner, we \lfould go throuGh all this .:r;ain.. Two reasons for Southeast: 1) Sewer available 2) Civil Defense radio stat~on could ~~ tied in for toilet facilities, with C~vil Defense ~~Ying part 0: the costs. Of all distractive features to this location ~ ':,110 water 't.OT;1er .!,s, t>:e most obvious. Likm.,risc, court s here would reduce th0 open fY'of:tn:: (-; on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. 'Mr. Reed suggested that a definite motion be made. Thereforc, h2 made the motion "That \'Ie reconfirm to the City Commission that t,o!1nis CQll:'ts be located as sh01'in on this draHing"(dnted NO''-03mber 19, 195f;), The,motion was seconded by Joe Everett. There follow0~ continued discussion. >(J ;'< ...."" Mr. Kruse stated that the Southeast offers fewer objAct~ons~ that t~e location was changed because of the views of one Commissioner; t':w"~ there arena well-founded objections to thi3 Soutln,rest locatio:1 L,:',(t, Hin vim'] of' the need, for a11 additional public hearinp; if '"le s:'lould change our recommendation, I feel strongly we should stick by what wo have her~. We know the City Commission will approve this. If're- ferred back, '-Ie may run into the same thing as \"10' did a f<:\'1 l,'/30!-:S ar;0." Hr. Kennedy said he thoueht we should satisfy ourselves as to whicil location for.tennis court.3 "inS better. Hlt1s worth e;oinr; throu[:h several public hearings to get them \'There they bnlong." Others said that it \'las recommended to the Cit.y months ago thnt.tho courts be put in the Southeast corner; they objected and s1id rrr~ them here (SOUt.hHHst) subject to this henring tonight. It \~. mol' ~ 0~'. pensive putting them in the Southwest corner. However, the ovc~-ul~ picture mt-iY \1arrant it; Vie anti cipatc ot.her tWG~, in t.hc aroa c v~:'.'l:: :"u,L- Iy, Cl,nd the rest rooms in this a1'O.:1 \'Tould serl.) l;hq ~\\r!c buttc::", Questicn of traffic and control on L::1.!cC Strc:et- -P.1 i!1t~~r:;(~(' t i on J:i (J(", there is antici9ated. ;~) The only thing VIC have to tletorrnine: \}cr(~ 3nv t).~" those.' eh i(:Gti.l..l~~.} 'tonight valid objections'! Difference in c.:o:,t. !n1'dly 1,'srt,11" '::")~")l.:::.int~: srdd IIr. Kennedy, ,. . ;.' '....,. <'II, <~>, ".., ' , 10 - ~ 'J . . , Mr. Kruse 8sked that all thoso, in favor of the motion un mado, 00 si~nify, 3nd tho vote was 'unanimous. Jude;c Vf!lite W~Hl asked .to i':r)~;l the recommendation to be'sent to the City Cornminsion, copy of ',d1ic:l follows: December 9, 1958 HonorElble Mayor and Members of City Commission City of Clearwater Clearwater, Florida vlher.eas, at the public hearinB on the eighth day of December 1958 at City Hall Auditorium, there being present members of thG Parks and Recreation Board and Zoning and Planning Board, the Dirccto~ of' Parks and Recreation, the City Planner, and approximately sh~ty citizens; and whereas,. after open discussion at length, . the joint I Boards aforesaid have found,no objection of sufficient weight and. ~ali~ity to justif'y a change. in the plans heretofor~ ~ubmitted, c motion was passed unanimously that we reaffirm to the City Commis- sio:1 the. recommendation .that the tennis courts be located in the , Southwest corner of Crest Lake Park, as shown on drawing dated November 19, 1958.. . sl Frank Tack F'rank 'rack, Ghair::1Dn Parks and Recreation Boar.d " . 5/ Arthur M. Kruse Arthur fir. Kruso, C11!lirman Zoning and Planning Board ::+, ......,\ :. '.... } t., ",.. I , , : , i:;' ..