06/03/1998 (2)
. I'
~t
,,~ .. I I,
;(;~Yf::~ ,:: /: .'z: ';' ,:,':~;:?<;tf.>I~ ':: t.. :
~~~.~LI".' ~.:' ':' "'. '.' I J, .
j,'" .
~'.:: \::):~:,' <', I
1:
" '
y:;,:,<"'"
w,:::,.,
~~:'.-" ~.I F"
~.' ~'", .
/,:::.' ,.'
~i~~:-,: : ..~!t. .'
',H ."
" ,
"
'c
I:":; ,;'
;'1:.".
:4;..
H
~ :',
,t :.:~ .
\':. ' ...
j~:<'~
\'. .',
;11
-f
L,
, ~
Be
:,.,
'"
.f-+."
i~~:'~
1,:
","~ea'utifi,cation Committee'Meeting
MINUTES
'[
},;::::
~~ .:
l!~: ~~ '.
,~ . t :., .
~~IF'/1 ~n:;~ ~.
!,'
:}3',"
t,'.;:>:
.'f" ,
\".... .,t\:
,,~:.:
~. tc :.
),
,,'
"
. :.' . >
.' ~'
;0.
Date
'--T '
-.J u.ne.
~.
).
\qqg
.J
'I
,.
, I
, . ~ .
".
" .
(. ' . r
;1
I.
;.
,i
:,
7/0
.."
';.
:.- .
..,J..' "
.
.' .
'"
01 , .
, ,
;..~'
,"
, . . .. ~l
BEAUTfFrCA TrON COMMITTEE'MEETING
CITY OF CLEARWATER
June 3, 1998
Present:
William Baldwin
Thelma Blasko
Katherine Merriam
Sheila Cole
Marcia Blakemore
Delphine Pullar
Robert Sudalnik
Art Kader
Mark Roether
Patricia O. Sullivan
Absent:
Nancy Aft
Stephen Brown
Chair
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Parks & Recreation Acting Director
Nursery Superintendent
Board Reporter'
Committee Member
Committee Member
The Chair called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. at the Municipal Services
BUilding. '
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
,'_.~\ ITEM #2 - Acoroval of Minutes
Approval of the minutes of the May 6, 1998, meeting to be considered at the July
1, 1998, meeting.
ITEM #3 - Introduction of New Member - not present.
ITEM #4 - Corresoondence
The Chair reported receiving letters on City Commission action regarding the
Beautification Committee: 1) Stephen Brown was appointed and 2} Delphine Pullar was
reappointed.
ITEM #5 - OnooinQ Business
a) Update: Gulf-to~Bay Boulevard pran ~ Scott Shuford,
AND
b) Amendments to land Development Code
Special Projects Administrator Scott Shuford stated Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is a
critical transportation component to the City, connecting Tampa with Clearwater beach,
o
mbc0698
. . . '. I' ",. :,\. f..
1
06/03/98
. ~ .... 0 .. . ," ,',: '.
c) Mr. Shuford said plans include special treatment of major intersections. A traffic
"'iI'>' circle is being considered at Belcher Road. The consultants have recommended reducing
the speed limit to 35 mph and other traffic calming techniques. He estimated the cost of
burying overhead wires and sidewalk improvements will cost at least $15-million in public
and private funds. Incentives will encourage participation by owners of property along the
road. He reviewed new concepts in the revised land Development Code that will
encourage more aesthetic development of buildings along the corridor. Multi-family and
mixed-use office development will be encouraged between Belcher Road and Highland
Avenue. In response to a suggestion, he said current recommendations include date palms
for the medians and Washingtonia robusta palms and Live Oaks adjacent to the road.
t.<' .
~
: ~ . ~
, "
" '.
, .:~
. ..
I,
.~ '.
~ ....
: "f.
,C1 ,',
:.p'
.'
'.
....
. <~. '.~.
. :..
.. . ~.
'.,'
",",
;.::'.~ :
I .
. '.~ ".
-';,'.
: ~..: I
,;
'1 :..
~. 10:=
.1'.,
.... "
t ,.'
'I' "t
I. '.
~ r ~ .'
!I',.
,
. "
, ~ . , ,
: .....
::;;
;,,"!"
." (..
01;'
,"'.,
. ',',
," .<
.: '
carrying residential, tourist, and shopping related traffic. A consultant has recommended
closing some medians and improving them with landscaping, mosaic pavers and t1le. Little
room is available on the sides of the road for beautification. Concern was expressed
pavers require considerable maintenance. Mr. Shuford agreed maintenance costs are an
important consideration. It was suggested patterned concrete is more serviceable than
pavers, is available in many patterns, and is easier to maintain.
Mr. Shuford said the City is gathering input during Phose I of the redevelopment
plan. The City will encourage the private sector to enhance landscaping alongside the
road. The new Land Development Code will include supplementary landscaping
requirements. The State could not delay this summer's resurfacing project. Tall palm trees
will provide a vertical element along the road while monuments will act as mile markers.
An art contest is considered for monument designs that reflect elements of each location.
The consultants, impressed with the old Post Office's architectural elements of coquina
shell and wrought iron, encouraged a consistent theme.
In response to a question, Parks & Recreation Acting Director Art Kader expressed
concern City workers may have to block a lane when cleaning debris and trash. Nursery
Superintendent Mark Roether said while current median curbs are too small to protect
workers, new 6-inch curbs will be tall enough to also install fixed hazards and low
maintenance landscaping. Irrigation will be necessary for the palm trees and landscaping.
Concern was expressed using natural gas to light the monument tops would be dangerous
in case of an accident.
In response to a recommendation to plant flowers in the medians, Mr. Kader noted
long-term maintenance costs are a concern. It was suggested planting flowers in 4- or 5-
foot pots in the median would provide color. In response to a question, Mr. Kader noted
the City's main concern is traffic safety. Palm trees will not block site lines.. It was
recommended the City increase the budget by 25%, if necessary, to make the project
worthwhile. Discussion ensued regarding the high costs of maintenance and the
importance to budget adequately for that need. The City's aesthetics are a priority of the
City Manager.
In response to a question, Mr. Shuford said improvement to U.S. 19N would be
more difficult, considering the magnitude of that road. The new code will address new
uses for commercial properties cut off from a road by new overpasses. He said the
mbc0698
2
06/03/98
i:
" :...' .,::.'...:'.....
.',. I :.....
'::,:.''' .' ::.;<...'.:,< ',::':,~" ':'..; ~'" '; '.,>
. . "',' . ~. ... I.. .' r. ."
.~. .' . . . .. '" "f ~. ." . ~ . ~ i.
" ." . ". .. ~. .. .
','., .'." :':" ,..~(,.. .,,::',:,...:',.,,~; ~'
L;,... 4.' '. I,. L' . 1 .:. f"'.,
;' . ""
,,';.'.. ;":",,' '.;.,:'... ";::::"'::',,:.;.',:,:.,:..r..'~::,:.<..:):~..?'~,/.;, :,"
,..'... ': ,'::?,>>, ;,,:,:,.::, ':',:;::.',.'<~,,: . ~:: ':,:.:','>:..~, '<..~: ~:'!:~.\,.:,:'.:': ,:.',;~ ..,,;.< :':::'/\~'~
. . '. '. . .:.... ,.,: I . . \. . I ~., . " i- ; '.:' .
"', .' ~ .
',' ~ .'. '
.' ': 1"0: :,': ',:.':... , '... ,; :,...:<.' ..
. . . r /'. ., ... .'..;..... .
,.... .
::. . .:.' "~'.:,
,
. .
,....,1;
.' . ~
.... . .
..' "~'I
..'j,.
, ,
tL",:,;:".',
"I'"
I"',"
(.1 c, "
.', ~.~ "
'-I. .-'
,
'~,,~
'. ~.., ~l
, ' ,
evolution of consumer shopping habits will affect the retail market and necessitate the
redevelopment of some properties. He will report member comments to the City
Commission. If the City Commission approves the plant staff will meet with property
owners along the road regarding landscaping plans. The finances of the project have not
been completed. Mr. Shuford said the current budget has approximately $600,000
remaining after the Welcome Center landscaping project was completed. Landscaping of
the Wastewater Treatment Plant was financed with sewer funds. Some Penny for PineHas
money is available.
In response to a question, Mr. Shuford said the City Commission will discuss an
extensive draft of the Land Development Code in July. Additional discussions with the
consultant are necessary before gathering public input. The new Land Development Code
will be in place by the end of 1998. He recommended the City Commission adopt
enhanced landscape standards prior to the cadets adoption. In response to a question, he
, said the code will include fewer zoning districts and offer more flexibility. A board will
consider large deviations. Design standards will be established for downtown and the
beach.
'[
The City Landscape Architect has been assigned this project.
c) t'Welcome to Clearwater" Sign SR 580
d) Beautification Awards Program
<:)
It was recommended members view Dr. Desai's building South of Cleveland Street
on the West side of South Fort Harrison Avenue, and the Lokey car dealership on Gulf-to-
Bay Boulevard.
,[
I
I
I
e) Solid Waste Facility - no report.
f) Clearwater Airpark
Mr. Roether indicated the FBD (Fixed Base Oper'ator) has expressed concern
regarding the increase in his water bill to maintain the landscape., It was recommended a
shallow well be installed.
ITEM #5 - Staff Reports
,
I
I
Mr. Kader reported the City Commission toured the Celebration development at
Disney World.
Mr. Kader stated Andrea Dreyfus has requested to adopt a triangle at Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard and San Remo Avenue for landscape maintenance.
Mr. Roether said landscape damaged by El Nino at Pier 60 Park has been restored.
Staff has worked hard to save plants during the currsnt drought.
,:)
mbc0698
3
06/03/98
\'
"
~.:~\- .' ';<
:~;'~\ .
. :"1. ,. "f"~
. :Y"
'.: <"'
.1. .
o
Mr. Roether reported a project is underway at the Marshall Street AWT (Advance
Water Treatment) to plant trees and large shrubs. '
In response to a concern, Mr. Roether said the Landscape Architect had drawn the
plans for the new landscaping of the East A WT which was installed by a contractor. The
site was heavily planted. Placement of palms was limited by a drainage ditch.
ITEM #6 - New Business
The Beautification Committee's objection to plans to allow advertisements in bus
shelters being constructed in the City was discussed. It was felt the advertisements are
especially unattractive at night and will be eyesores.
Concern was expressed regarding a proposal to purchase the Atrium Hotel. It was
. felt the site is too expensive and has environmental liabilities. Mr. Kader said the site is a
main entryway to the City. Its acquisition has been c~nsidered for years. The purchase
would permit landscaping and road expansion or a possible roundabout. It was felt the City
should not purchase the site if it must pave over the property to mitigate pollution
problems. Mr. Kader said the purchase price is high since the property is not really on the
market. Condemning the property would increase its cost. It was felt the City can
, negotiate a better price.
Concern was expressed the color of the new street signs decorated with hibiscus
was changed from turquoise to blue without approval by the Beautification Committee.
1'~1
'......,. Member C,ole reported the end of her tenure on the Beautification Committee. She
was thanked for her contributions.
It was recommended the City encourage neighborhood residents to work together to
improve their communities. Mr. Kader said the City will work with homeowners
associations to develop entryway plans that consider such things as site distances. The
City can provide grass and trees. It was recommend the City advertise this program.
ITEM #7 - Adiournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:22 a.m.
Chair
Beautification Committee
(.,,}
~
mbc0698
4
06/03/98