04/09/1996 (2)
DRB,
Design Review Board
Minutes
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`0? DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 9, 1996
Present: William McCann
Robert Herberich
Mark Cagni
Alex Plisko
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Don McCarty
Gwen Legters
Absent: Kathy Milam
MacArthur "Mac" Boykins
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Assistant City Attorney
Design Planner
Board Reporter
Vice Chair
Board Member
To provide continuity for research, the items are listed in agenda order although
not necessarily discussed in that order.
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 3:05 p.m. in City Hall.
Minutes Approval - March 26, 1996
l? Typographical errors were corrected by staff on page 1 under Audio-Visual
Presentation, and Page 2, second paragraph under Director's Items.
Member Herberich moved to approve the minutes as corrected by staff. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Audio-Visual Presentation -- Signs For Main Street
Mr. McCarty showed a ten minute slide and audio presentation iliustrating the
importance of considering building design, scale, materials, and surroundings when
planning signage. Mr. McCarty said this copy of the presentation materials belongs to
the Central Permitting Department and can be shown to other groups.
Signage concerns were expressed regarding the increasing use of illuminated
plastic box signs in Clearwater; and the lack of aesthetic design and questionable
effectiveness of crosswalk signs on Clearwater beach. Mr. McCarty said he will be
working with other City departments regarding City of Clearwater Signage. Discussion
ensued regarding sign bonuses. Mr. McCarty said staff is looking at transferring sign
bonus consideration to the DRS as part of their regular duties regarding signs and
signage review.
Board and Staff Discussion
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1. pesion Guidelines- $tatua
Mr. McCarty stated the resolution adopting the design guidelines is ready to take to
the City Commission. Mr. Shuford hopes it will be approved at the first Commission
meeting in May. In preparation, the complete document will be reviewed for final approval
by the DRB on April 23. The final printing of the design guidelines is still on the drawing
board because the Graphics department's sample cover and print styles did not meet the
board's parameters. Mike Sanders has provided historical photographs of Clearwater that
may be incorporated to call attention to the history of certain design elements. Copies of
these photographs were circulated to the board, showing 1920's era downtown buildings
before their renovations in the 1950's. Mr. McCarty offered assurances the final edition
will be ready to present to the City Commission.
Mr. McCarty reported he will address the Downtown Development Board at their 5:30
meeting tonight. He is scheduled to address the Planning and Zoning Board next Tuesday
at their regular meeting. Among the groups to which he has presented the design
guidelines, he said none has expressed concern regarding the guidelines.
2. Memorial Callseway Bridge
The City Commission has authorized retaining an engineering firm to move forward
with environmental issues surrounding the next phase of bridge development. He
explained final location, roadway alignments, and elements of composition are being
discussed. He briefly highlighted the pros and cons of each of the bridge styles and
locations under discussion. In conjunction with the bridge study, the consultants are
forming a Local Interest Group (LIG) of concerned individuals representing either a business
or a board, who will be encouraged to attend and participate as the bridge plans progress.
He distributed copies of the LIG registration form and announced proposed meeting dates
and times, stating DRB members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
3. Qther Issues
Member Piisko questioned whether this board is governed by the attendance rules
specified in the code. He noted boards are adversely affected when members do not
attend regularly. Ms. Dougall-Sides affirmed the general attendance rules outlined in the
code apply to the DRB. She read from Section 2.066 that, for a board which meets more
often than monthly, more than 5 absences in a consecutive 12-month period may subject
a member to removal by the City Manager. Staff was requested to provide to all board
members copies of the code governing meeting attendance.
Discussion ensued regarding the importance of maintaining a full board with all
members present, in case a financial conflict of interest arises concerning a design
application under review. It was indicated the rules require an affirmative vote of at least
three members to approve design applications. Mr. McCarty reported the process to
appoint a new member has been initiated and he hopes the appointment will take place at
the first Commission meeting in May.
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Discussion ensued regarding live television coverage of meetings. It was noted the
production crew must start the broadcast promptly at the scheduled time and late arrivals
are especially noticeable. It was indicated the board's briefing by C-View TV personnel
will be delayed due to their move to the Municipal Services Complex. Board members
expressed concerns with the lighting and sound quality of the meetings broadcast on Time
Warner Cable.
In response to questions, Mr. McCarty said preliminary Clearwater beach design
guidelines will be delayed by Central Permitting's move into the new building during May 3
through 6. He will collect data from a Clearwater beach design study committee,
regarding their preferences, for inclusion in the design guidelines. It was indicated the
North Greenwood neighborhood has already put together a set of design guidelines for
their area, but there is some concern those guidelines are too restrictive.
Member McCann requested information regarding the lobbyist registration ordinance.
Ms. Dougall-Sides said Mr. Shuford has drafted a memo to transmit the ordinance to all
boards within the next few days.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.
Attest:
Cha'
Desi n Review Board
X el L)C, 4 ? -
bard Reporter
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