11/20/1996 (2)
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ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 20, 1996
Present:
Jill Melkonian
Whitney Gray
Mike Foley (arrived 4:28 p.m.)
Anne Garris
Allan Stowell
. Alan Smith (arrived 4:29 p.m.)
David Rhame
Bob Kener
. Scott Shuford
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Tom Miller, Assistant Director
Gwen Legters
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Assistant City Manager
Central Permitting Director
Assistant City Attorney
Eng i ne e ri ng /Envi ronm ental
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall.
To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed In that order.
f~
Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items
Election of Environmental Advisory Board Officers for 1997
Chair Melkonian thanked the board for their support in meeting the challenges of
efforts to improve the environment. Ms. Dougall-Sides reviewed EAB bylaws regarding
election of officers. Board members expressed appreciation for the positive direction the
board meetings have taken.
Member Garris nominated Jill Melkonian and Whitney Gray for reelection as Chair and
V!ce Chair, respectively. Members Melkonian and Gray accepted the nomination. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Chair Melkonian thanked the board
for their confidence and support.
City Correspondence
Mr. Miller distributed and highlighted the following: 1) memo from Mike Quillen listing
wetland prioritization; 2) memo from the City Clerk regarding editing minutes drafts;
3) Letter from Mr. Mil/er transmitting Member Foley's Jet Ski Impacts report to Tampa Bay
Regional Planning Council; 4) memo from Mr. Miller advising the City Manager of the EAB's
recommendation regarding the Town lake project; 5) correspondence between Mr. Miller
and Scott Shuford regarding EAB recommended amendments to Policy 22.2.9 of the
Comprehensive Plan, Conservation Element; and 6) memo from Bob Keller, Assistant City
Manager/Economic Development, regarding Land Development Code/Development Review
Process revisions.
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In response to questions regarding #5 above, Mr. Shuford said a time extenuation was
granted to the Fall of 1997. Concern was expressed staff did not follow the EAB
recommendation to retain language from the 1989 version of Policy 22.2.9, regarding
undesirable land uses on the bayfront. Mr. Shuford responded staff is comfortable with the
amendments as agreed during discussion with the EAB in September, as the change
requested by the board at a subsequent meeting is covered by the City Charter. He will
advise the local planning agency and City Commission where board recommendations
deviate from amendments brought forward by staff. Concern was expressed with waiting
until next Fall to inform the City Commission of the board's desire.
Member Garris moved to request Chair Melkonian to write a letter advising the City
Commission the EAB has recommended retaining language in the 1989 version of
Policy 22.2.9 of the Comprehensive Plan, Conservation Element, as indicated in the
October 17 mamo from Tom Miller to Scott Shuford. The motion was duly seconded.
Mr. Shuford offered to draft the letter for the Chair's signature, attaching his
comments. The board declined, indicating their desire to approve the motion as stated.
Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
I:)
Mr. Miller introduced the new Assistant City Manager, Bob Keller, who elaborated on
his November 4 memo regarding Land Development Code/Development Review Process
revisions. He spoke regarding his involvement in the business community, his vision for
streamlining the land Development Code, and the various layers of input coming from the
residential, development and architectural communities. A matrix was created to explain
the aggressive schedule for completion of the project within six months. The second
aspect of this project involves improving the level of service provided by City departments,
blending public and private approaches to customer service. New businesses coming into
the City will be surveyed to evaluate how their process was handled by City staff.
Mr. Shuford reported Member Melkonian will represent the EAB on the steering committee.
He invited board members' ideas on ways to make the code user friendly while respecting
the high quality development standards for which Clearwater is known.
Ouestions were raised regarding the project and process. Mr. Keller indicated, while
anyone may attend the staff meetings, public input will not be accepted until the project is
brought forward as part of the public hearing process. Mr. Shuford will provide copies of
the project matrix and the list of steering committee representatives to Mr. Miller in time
for the next EAB meeting.
Members Foley and Smith arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m. Messrs. Keller and
Shuford left the meeting at 4:33 p.m.
Minutes Approval. September 18, 1996
Member Gray moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member
by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
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CItizen's Agenda
Discussion of concerns regarding excessive tree pruning at Bryn Mawr Condominiums
is to be rescheduled, as Mr. Abdoney was not able to attend today's meeting.
Consent Agenda -- Nons
Old Business
a. Momorial Causeway Parking Lot
Mr. MlIIer reported this item was continued from the September meeting to allow time
for board members to walk ,the site and for staff to investigate questions regarding
operations and maintenance costs. In an October 1 memo to the board, City Engineering
Director Rich Baier projected cost estimates for initial construction, parking meter
installation, and annual operating costs. Mr. Miller said the projected construction costs
are probably low, and do not include an acceleration lane. One member expressed concern
the City seems to be going overboard for a parking Jot that will be needed only 65 days of
the year. Suggestions were made to simplify the plan and install heavy landscaping more
in line with an overflow parking lot.
David Little, representing the Clearwater beach Chamber of Commerce, spoke in
opposition to the proposal, citing safety concerns due to high speed causeway traffic.
Several groups studied the issue and opposed a causeway parking lot, indicating a need for
t~5 more parking on Clearwater beach instead. .
One member spoke in opposition, expressing concerns regarding the parking lot
interfering with bicyclists and pedestrians who use the existing access road extensively;
unsafe high speeds on the causeway; inability to adequately contain runoff; and the
required landscape buffer blocking the view of the water. It was suggested that solving
the problem of beachgoers in the Marina pkg lot might lessen the need for a parking lot on
the causeway.
Member Foley moved to recommend to the City Commission to deny permits to build
parking lots on Memorial Causeway. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
b. Memorial Causeway Mangrove Trimming
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Mr. Miller presented a composite display comparing an aerial photograph to a graphic
representation of mangrove heights and the view corridor along Memorial Causeway. He
reviewed the history of City policy development and EAB involvement with regard to
mangrove trimming legislation in the preservation zoning area. He related an incident of an
assault that occurred in the vicinity of the mangroves, and the resulting question whether
or not the mangroves constitute a public safety issue. He reviewed locations where
homeless camps were built in the mangroves and displayed photographs of mangrove
conditions along the causeway. The City has not applied for mangrove trimming permits.
He invited Mr. Bob Mortoro from the Pinellas county Forestry Division regarding the best
way to address the trimming issue.
mea11.96 3 11/20/96
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Mr. Mortoro responded to questions regarding the healthiest and most environmentally
sound way to trim mangroves to improve the view along the causeway. However, he
indicated this was a moot point because State law precludes trimming of any kind within
the preservation area. Pinellas County was given delegation authority to manage the
mangroves, but local laws may not be less restrictive than State law. Discussion ensued
regarding various reasons in support of trimming. Board members expressed concern the
view is obstructed along the causeway and selective trimming is needed to preclude a
ragged appearance. It was indicated Member Smith is former Superintendent of the City
Parks and Recreation Forestry Department that severely trimmed the mangroves along the
causeway every year. Mr. Mortoro had not inspected the site and did not wish to estimate
without study, the aftereffects of trimming or extent of the potential habitat loss, water
quality changes, and impact on the food chain. Discussion ensued regarding trimming to
provide a view corridor, versus topping the tree canopy.
Discussion ensued regarding the effect of mangroves on the Edgewater Drive
restoration project in a preservation area. It was indicated property owners are concerned
about the adverse impact of mangrove growth on their view corridor as well. Discussion
ensued regarding board members' concern about the apparent inconsistency with the
County allowing leeway to trim existing mangroves to six feet in height in conjunction with
a construction project, but not as related to causeway beautification.
Member Foley moved to recommend the City be allowed to trim mangroves along
Memorial Causeway, in the interest of public safety, limiting any trimming to the specific
areas in which incidents occurred, not to exceed 100 linear feet. There was no second.
David Little addresseq the board on behalf of the Clearwater beach Chamber of
Commerce, expressing concern the overgrowth of mangroves on Memorial Causeway is a
great injustice to one of Clearwater's greatest assets. He indicated those who cannot
afford waterfront property formerly drove along the beach and causeway to enjoy the
view. He oxpressed regret those pleasures are being lost to good intentions. He
expressed concern the overgrowth of sea oats on Clearwater beach similarly obstructs the
view. He made the following suggestions: 1) recommendation for a policy change to
require a public hearing and City Commission approval of building or planting anything that
would block public view of the water; 2) recommendation for the City Commission to
reclassify the preservation area to enable trimming; and 3) habitat mitigation by planting
mangroves on the spoil islands in place of existing Brazilian peppers and Australian pines.
Staff was requested to investigate whether mangrove trimming is grand fathered on
Memorial Causeway. Mr. Miller expressed concern such an investigation and the
application process may exceed the eight hour rule.
Member Stowell moved to recommend to the City Commission to direct staff to apply
for a permit to trim mangroves on Memorial Causeway, and to ask board member Alan
Smith to produce an affidavit relating his mangrove trimming experience as City Parks
Department Superintendent. The motion was duly seconded. Members Stowell and
Rhame voted "Ayett; Members Melkonian, Gray, Garris, Foley, and Smith voted IINay.1I
Motion failed.
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11/20/96
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1. Stormwater Video (cont. from 11/20)
2. Mangrove Trimming on Memorial Causeway (cant. from 11120)
3. Coopers Point status report (Garris)
4. Edgewater Drive Restoration Project status report (Rhame)
5. Memorial Causeway Bridge update (Melkonian)
6. Habitat (tree) banking investigation (Garris)
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. Member Foley moved to recommend to the City Commission, in the interest of public
safety, to consider trimming small specific Breas of mangroves along Memorial Causeway,
with aesthetic intent, not to exceed 200 linear feet. There was no second.
Board consensus was to continue this item for comments from the City Engineer,
Tourism Director, and other public input, to determine how the issue could affect the
tourist community. Chair Melkonian thanked Mr. Mortoro for attending.
c. Clearwater Xeriscape Ordinance
. Water Resource Engineer Mike Quillen said the EAB will be asked to approve the intent
of the draft ordinance, but the final format will change when it is incorporated into the new
Land Development Code. He is in the process of preparing new tables, graphics and lists
to present to the steering committee in January.- He suggested a continuance to the
December meeting will enable him to present a more polished product for EAB review.
Consensus was to continue this item to the December meeting.
d. Stormwater Video -- Continued to the next meeting due to the late hour. Staff
will investigate obtaining copies of the videocassette for individual board review.
Town lake -- Postponed as no further action has been taken by the consultants.
Adopt-A-Pond -- Postponed due to complications in establishing City policy direction.
<:"
New Business -- None
Establish Agenda for December 18, 1996
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Q~:J'l_ ~
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
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