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Design Review Board
Minutes
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DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
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June 23, 1995
The Design Review Board of the City of Clearwater met in their first regular session
at City Hall, Friday, June 23, 1995 at 1 :08 p.m., with the following members present:
Robert Frederick Herberich
Mary Mavronicolas
William J. McCann
Kate McCullough
Kathy Milam
Arthur C. Shand
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Absent:
Arthonia Godwin
Member
Also present:
Scott Shuford
Patricia Sullivan
Central Permitting Director
Board Reporter
Central Permitting Director Scott Shuford called the meeting to order.
()
The members and Mr. Shuford introduced themselves. Mr. Shuford said staff will
contact Member Arthonia Godwin, a long time member of the North Greenwood design
review committee, before the next scheduled meeting.
Mr. Shuford noted board members are governed by Florida's Sunshine Law and they
cannot discuss design issues with each other outside scheduled meetings. He reported
the Commission's vision resulted from the Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force report
that made it clear some guidelines were needed. He distributed copies of North
Greenwood design concepts, the only design review plan in place. Emphasis on design
review has spread to the beach. Downtown design needs must be addressed.
Mr. Shuford referred to a map of the three business areas where guidelines will
apply: downtown, Clearwater beach, and North Greenwood. No design theme has been
established downtown which currently exhibits a wide range of styles. No group of older
structures there represents a common theme. For the beach, Mr. Shuford said a tropical
seascape theme has been chosen, represented by Victorian, Cracker and Mediterranean
architectural styles.
Mr. Shuford said information compiled on each area will be forwarded to Board
members for their review and revision. The Board will work together to develop guidelines
and present them to the City Commission for approval. He said the City Commission may
recommend some changes before they adopt a resolution establishing design guideline
specifics.
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The Design Review Board (ORB) will be concerned with all aspects of developing
the guidelines. Mr. Shuford recommended members choose design details they think will
work. Design is important for economic development and to improve the quality of life
which the City wants to encourage. Clearwater has streamlined regulations to compliment
the Nbuilt'" environment. He said the Board must meet fairly often to address the planning
needs of ongoing development. The ORB will review every exterior. construction project
that requires a permit. He said the success of the process depends on how quickly the
board acts on each request and how user friendly the board permits staff to be. Mr.
Shuford said the person hired to staff the board will be a competent designer and illustrator
and understand architecture, construction, and the planning process.
Mr. Shuford said the City's quality of life is important. If a building does not fit in
with other area buildings, controversy results. The ORB will review the public face of
buildings' exteriors. Design review guidelines will help increase tax values and enhance
the tax base. Clearwater has little room to grow and construction is increasingly focused
on redevelopment. High standards will help values improve as redevelopment occurs.
Some buildings have reached the end of their expected life. Mr. Shuford said the ORB has
the opportunity to change the face of the City.
Concern was expressed that the board would have power and not be just a vehicle
for persuasion. Mr. Shuford said the Ordinance establishes the ORB's vast authority. If
the board does not think a design meets their guidelines, the ORB has the power to reject
the design and a building permit will not be issued. Appeals to ORB decisions are to the
City Commission.
Concern was expressed regarding the meeting schedule after guidelines are
established. Mr. Shuford said a twice a month schedule after guidelines are established
may be optimistic but he anticipated the new staff member will provide enough assistance
so the board can develop guidelines from available skeletons. Some details have been
prepared. Guidelines will be clarified with drawn illustrations.
Before the board begins legislating, all guidelines need to be reviewed and
established. Mr. Shuford said the board first will dedicate its time to developing guidelines
and understanding the process being established. He suggested during the first year,
cases may be extended more frequently until guidelines are accepted as fact.
Mr. Shuford said architects' presence during ORB reviews will improve the flow of
discussions. The agendas will schedule time to review each plan although the amount of
time required to review each project will vary. He said it will be important for applicants to
attend meetings to answer questions and avoid holdups. Mr. Shuford indicated all ORB
meetings will be recorded.
Liability concerns were expressed. Mr. Shuford stated all board members are
covered by the City's policy and immunity as long as members do not violate the law,
including the conflict of interest law. He said some applicants may be unhappy with board
decisions.
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Mr. Shuford said staff will establish all review requirements before plans are
presented to the board including possible requirements for photographic presentation by
the applicant (pictures of the existing property). In the guidelines; the board will provide
guidance regarding the types of details they want covered by regulation. He suggested the
board may wish to identify appropriate color palettes for specific areas. Mr. Shuford said
the board will need to decide the level of review they wish to pursue. They will need to
identify the point when the board handles reviews and when staff can administer board
direction. H.B suggested staff could approve plans for color choices and doorway
replacements. In emergency ~ituations; staff will permit temporary repairs.
In response to a question, Mr. Shuford noted some projects may require review by
the Planning & Zoning Board (P&Z), City Commission or Development Code Adjustment
Board (DCAB) if the property needs to be rezoned or a variance is required. He
recommended the applicant decide the appropriate time to submit a project for design
review. He suggested some developers may request ORB approval first.
Concern was expressed that the board may be required to deny a gas station and
instead approve a 20 story building. Mr. Shuford said staff would try to steer the board
clear of those types of decisions. He indicated Hearing Officers base decisions on the
City's clear definition of the responsibilities and types of decisions reached by each City
board. He noted the board will have to approve projects that meet guidelines even if board
members do not like or agree with the project. Mr. Shuford indicated staff will be available
to help the board reach decisions and will provide comments prior to each meeting
regarding how staff feels a project meets or fails to meet established design standards,
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Mr. Shuford distributed a copy of the ordinance establishing the Design Review
Board. He noted the court system considers Sunshine Laws to be important and
recommended against meaningful discussions with property owners. As meetings will
oC'cur in a quasi-judicial setting, Mr. Shuford recommended against obtaining information
not available at the meetings, including off site discussions. He said board members can
meet outside meetings but not to discuss board business. Mr. Shuford distributed
brochures on the Sunshine Law.
In answer to a concern, Mr. Shuford said it would be best if board members do not
personally present projects for review. He typically advises board members to leave the
room to avoid any conflict of interest. He agreed it would be difficult for a sole proprietor
to adhere to that request. In the spirit of professionalism, all board member should
understand that decisions are not based on personal feelings. He suggested as an
alternative, someone else could present the project. Mr. Shuford noted the board will
know ahead if the staff recommendation is positive or not. He agreed board members who
are practitioners will be placed in a unique role. He did not think board members' personal
interest in specific projects have unduly influenced other boards. Mr. Shuford said board
members have volunteered their time and the City does not want to add to their burden.
Staff will help if the circumstance should arise.
Mr. Shuford said most of the properties subject to design review are commercial,
although some beach condominiums are located outside residential zones. He said the
board will decide how to establish guidelines and at what level they will apply. He said if
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the project is not within the scale of review, it does not need to be Included/reviewed. The
ORB may choose to exempt single family homes. If the board finds they have
overregulated, they can ask the City Commission to delete or modify language.
Mr. Shuford said the ordinance addresses commercial and resort commercial
properties on Clearwater beach, the urban center district on North Greenwood and
downtown, divided into four subdistricts. He predicted when the design regulations are
implemented, six subdistricts will emerge. He doubted separate regulations can be
established to govern each district. He said the requirements will be incorporated in an
extensively illustrated and flexible document that will be easy to modify if problems are
experienced. Each board member will be provided with separate notobooks. If the process
is successful, Harbor Oaks and major commercial corridors may be added in the future.
Mr. Shuford distributed background information on downtown including illustrations
and grant information and details regarding the beach's tropical seascape design and North
Greenwood's Caribbean design. He said the North Greenwood design evolved from a
zoning incentive project that was a failure. Even with parking bonuses, businesses were
unable to meet parking restrictions. In its four year history, not one project was proposed.
He said the area's economic development would not be triggered without a mandatory
approach. All North Greenwood development will require ORB review. District parking is
being established to eliminate parking requirements. Interest in development by local.
property owners has increased,
It was questioned if the North Fort Harrison corridor would be addressed. Mr.
Shuford said procedures exist for North Greenwood but need to be adopted for downtown
and the beach. After the initial project gets off the ground and is a success, the program
can expand. He predicted City neighborhoods will want to be included for the review to
add to the neighborhood's compatibility and increase property values. He suggested old
residential sections of Clearwater beach will want design review. The North Greenwood
commercial area north of Palmetto Street is of limited size and is the only area in
Clearwater with a current design requirement.
Mr. Shuford said he will route information to board members and indicated the
Central Permitting Department has a good design library at their office in the City Hall
Annex. He will establish a "read file" for the board for perusal or check out. He reported
Central Permitting will be move to the new building on April 1, 1 996. The Harborview
Center will open on January 1, 1996. He reported a new City project being reviewed is
the replacement of the Memorial Causeway Bridge via a Pierce Boulevard alignment.
Mr. Shuford reviewed how trees, narrow streets and no parking inspire a feeling of
neighborhood. He noted how European design addresses tight space issues and
incorporate bicycle lanes.
Consensus was to wait until all members are present before electing a chair.
Mr. Shuford reviewed required formalities and distributed the State financial
disclosure form each member is required to file with the Supervisor of Election at 315
Court Street, Clearwater, or with the City Clerk. He said the form is designed to identify
conflicts of interest.
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The ORB scheduled their next meeting for Tuesday, July 25, 1995, from 3:00 to
5:00 p.m.
Mr. Shuford indicated the ORB will produce a book of design guidelines. The ORB is
the only City design review board and will review commercial plans and approve exterior
renovations. He said the board will also approve grants requiring ORB review. He said the
board can expect a healthy workload and estimated 120 projects last year on Clearwater
beach would have required ORB review. He recommended the ORB schedule meetings
twice a month once guidelines are established. It was noted that the guidelines will need
to be well considered and written.
Mr. Shuford said the CRA will continue to review downtown designs for approval of
low interest loans and grant programs until the ORB has established guidelines. He said
the P&Z and DCAB will want copies of the ORB guidelines. New development will want to
the look at specific guideline sections. He said the board can consider how to address
projects that fall outside general guidelines. Mr. Shuford indicated some City projects may
not meet guidelines. He noted while the ORB needs latitude to navigate outside the limits,
standards must be precise so guidelines are not invalidated.
Mr. Shuford said a staff member will help the ORB establish the guidelines by
making the drawings and providing recommendations for ORB review. Concern was
expressed that the board will need to work diligently to establish designs. It was noted
design is subjective no matter how technical guidelines are. It was noted that a city's
character cannot be created overnight but must evolve over a long period of time. A lack
of local traditions was noted.
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Mr. Shuford said he would present a video on Seaside, in the Florida Panhandle at
the next meeting. Concern was expressed that the City needs beautiful avenues. Mr.
Shuford said the ORB will also be asked to offer design comments on larger City issues
such as the new bridge. Board members agreed the bridge will be a significant structure
and should not be generic or stoic.
Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
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