12/15/2008COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
AGENDA
Location: Council Chambers - City Hall
Date: 12/15/2008- 1:00 PM
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the November 3, 2008 CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the
City Clerk.
1B Attachments
3. CRA Items
3.1 Recommend the City Council approve amendments, relating to community policing and performing arts
theater, to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
S Attachments
4. Other Business
5. Adjourn
k
' l Community Redevelopment
Agency Agenda
Council Chambers - City Hall
Meeting Date: 12/15/2008
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the minutes of the November 3, 2008 CRA meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk.
SUMMARY:
Review Approval: 1) Clerk
Cover Memo
Item # 1
Attachment number 1
Page 1 of 3
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 3, 2008
Unapproved
Present:
Frank Hibbard
Carlen Petersen
John Doran
George N. Cretekos
Paul Gibson
William B. Horne II
Jill S. Silverboard
Rod Irwin
Pamela K. Akin
Cynthia E. Goudeau
Patricia O. Sullivan
Chair/CRA Trustee
CRA Trustee
CRA Trustee
CRA Trustee
CRA Trustee
City Manager
Assistant City Manag
Assistant City Manag
City Attorney
City Clerk
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 1
To provide continuity for research, ite
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 -Approval of Minutes
summation by the City Clerk.
Redevelopment
?ritten summation by the
unanimously.
of Bellomo-Herbert & Company, and Economic Development & Housing
Director 11, pos Lopez reviewed the concept plan. Creating a pedestrian-friendly
downtown ronment, coupled with significant entrance and directional signage, is a key
element of the Downtown revitalization strategy detailed in the Clearwater Downtown
Redevelopment Plan. The City retained Bellomo-Herbert and Company, Landscape Architects
in August 2002 to develop a Master Streetscape and Wayfinding Program for Downtown
(including the expanded CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) area). The first phase of
Community Redevelopment Agency 2008-11-03
Item # 1
Attachment number 1
Page 2 of 3
the implementation of the plan was completed in December 2007 with the Cleveland Street
Streetscape from Osceola to Myrtle avenues. The $10 million construction project was funded
from Penny for Pinellas, the CRA trust fund, a FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation)
grant, and utility funds. The goals for the first phase of Cleveland Streetscape were
accomplished: 1) enhance the pedestrian environment; 2) invite residents and visitors to
Downtown; and 3) encourage private development.
The next phase of the streetscape program is imperative to the co
increasing redevelopment opportunities in the Downtown. With the de
Cleveland Street building (The Strand), the development agreemen
building site (former IMR/CGI), and the availability of the Prospect
Phase II of the Cleveland Street Streetscape is a critical infrastruct
to encourage and facilitate the City and CRA's redevelopment goal
The conceptual plan for Cleveland Street Phase II continues t
phase of the Cleveland Streetscape, but with a less intense, and th
treatment. Streetscape features will include: 1) Asphalt milling and re urfa
lanes and on-street parking spaces on both sides of the str New conc
create new medians/traffic separators in the middle of 11th ne\n
New wide sidewalks made of specialty concrete a and
pedestrian space. Pavers will be limited to the c and mid- once
sidewalk with a paver banding; 4) New crossw all intersec ' p
appearance and safety for pedestrians; 5 Am such as
included. The type of benches will uate only ed o rners; 6)
Landscaping will include the signa fool ms on ners an ck, with street
trees (crape myrtles) in betwe existing overh ectrical lin oved; 8)
The existing span-wire sign King and Misso I be replac ith ecorative mast
a
support 1
just like 1 (Mak
ry by as much and
the construction costs
The project is esti
City has received a $196,0
rtion of this project (estirr
2009; 2) Complete bid
mber 2009; and 4) C
1id II has b
ad th for
13-fo al of
its in Phase II
arms and will
Lha, will re
W roiect also will
m pt they will have
ets for seasonal
ly costs to Progress
public art funding (up to 1 % of
to cost $ 5 inclusive of design and construction. The
ropriation e federal government to begin the design
t $306,477 . he estimated schedule: 1) Complete Design -
ouncil award - August 2009; 3) Start Construction -
e Construction - September 2010.
gned to have lower per-foot costs than Phase I. Mr. Bellomo said
could be taken from travel lanes or the median. Ms. Lopez said
outdoor cafes in the downtown are working well.
In a to questions and concerns, Mr. Bellomo and Ms. Lopez discussed design
issues and eauty and benefits of medjool palms. Due to their high cost, consensus was to
use a much less expensive variety of palm. This design will address concerns that trees and
clutter not block pedestrian movement on the sidewalks. Tree species were chosen to avoid
pavement upheaval. Fixture spacing and wattage levels will be designed to ensure that lighting
is sufficient. Locations will be set aside to incorporate the budgeted $39,000 of public art. It
Community Redevelopment Agency 2008-11-03 2
Item # 1
Attachment number 1
Page 3 of 3
was stated the design also needs to incorporate the City's commitment to landscape the wall
behind the Mediterranean Village condominiums.
Discussion ensued regarding benches. Mr. Bellomo said benches encourage a
pedestrian environment. It was recommended that benches be added later, when they are
needed, and that their design discourage use by the homeless.
Support was expressed for the installation of colored concrete in
lower material and maintenance costs. In response to a concern that
on Cleveland Street after these changes, it was suggested another
Mr. Irwin said the project will serve multiple functions beyo
sidewalk. TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds must be used for re
reviewed project costs and proposed funding. The Bellomo-Herbert
estimated to cost $306,000. City Engineer Mike Quillen said that fig
capitalized labor. Finance Director Margie Simmons reviewed use e
Fund for this project. The CRA will refund that fund's investment. It
other uses for CRA funds and that Phase 11 could be post M;
have been made to the Strand and IMR, but there is
Mr. Quillen said Phase II will not require
Phase I had. Staff will report on costs to under,
Phase III costs.
One person spoke in su
S
T
Cretekos moll
ze staff to
the am
F sc Do
eetape - Phas
Streetscape; recogniz
Central Insurance Fund
the next two to three fisc
,duly seconded and carri
ther Business - Non
urn
meetin
Attest:
City Clerk
prove thenewconce plan fe I Cleveland Street
;a e new capital p
ring
0000 rant proceeds;
:s, to be
as prog
ously.
at 2:25 p.m.
Chair
Community Redevelopment Agency
Community Redevelopment Agency 2008-11-03
h a capital t 31575, Downtown
4,028,925 by: 000 from CRA project
Downtown
0 from City prod Downtown
and, transferring $1,622,925 from
d by CRA funds as they become available over
r in the CRA Six-Year Plan. The motion was
3
Item # 1
k
' l Community Redevelopment
Agency Agenda
Council Chambers - City Hall
Meeting Date: 12/15/2008
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATION:
Recommend the City Council approve amendments, relating to community policing and performing arts theater, to the Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
SUMMARY:
In August 2008 the Community Redevelopment Agency and City Council entered into an Interlocal Agreement to use tax increment
financing to provide for additional police presence beyond current activity levels in the East Gateway. The Tax Increment Financing
(TIF) Section of the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan should be revised to recognize that TIF will be used as a source of
funding for additional community policing innovations.
Proposed Ordinance No. 8014-09 contains five amendments that primarily address the issue of community policing innovations. A new
policy supporting the continuation of community policing innovations is proposed in Chapter 3 Land Use/Redevelopment Plan. In
Chapter 4 Plan Implementation, community policing is proposed as a public strategy. Additionally, a description of the community
policing innovations is proposed to be added in this chapter, as well as a provision specifying that the innovations may be funded with
TIF. One other minor amendment proposed in Ordinance No. 8014-09 expands a public strategy to support Downtown as a location for
a performing arts theater.
At its meeting on November 18, 2008, the Community Development Board reviewed and recommended approval of the proposed
amendments to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan with one minor editorial revision which has been incorporated into
Ordinance 8014-09. The Board also had a lengthy discussion regarding the importance of foot patrols within the Downtown and
requested that Council be apprised of the Board's support for the use of such patrols.
The CRA has the authority and responsibility to make a recommendation on the CRA Plan to the City Council. The Council has the
authority for the final decision on the amendments.
Review Approval: 1) Legal 2) Clerk 3) Assistant City Manager ED 4) Clerk 5) City Manager 6) Clerk
Cover Memo
Item # 2
Attachment number 1
Page 1 of 3
ORDINANCE NO. 8014-09
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, MAKING
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN ADOPTED BY ORDINANCE NUMBER 7153-
03 AND SUBSEQUENTLY AMENDED; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 3
LAND USE PLAN/REDEVELOPMENT PLAN BY ADDING A NEW
POLICY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY POLICING INNOVATIONS IN
THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA; BY AMENDING
CHAPTER 4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, DOWNTOWN STRATEGIES
SECTION, BY REVISING STRATEGY 20 TO INCLUDE PERFORMING
ARTS THEATERS; BY AMENDIING CHAPTER 4 PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION, DOWNTOWN STRATEGIES SECTION, BY
ADDING A NEW STRATEGY SUPPORTING COMMUNITY POLICING
INNOVATIONS; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION,
TABLE 7 SUMMARY OF PUBLIC STRATEGIES BY REVISING
STRATEGY 20 AND ADDING A NEW STRATEGY 21 SUPPORTING
COMMUNITY POLICING INNOVATIONS; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 4
PLAN IMPLEMENTATION, TAX INCREMENT REVENUE
PROJECTIONS SECTION, BY ADDING COMMUNITY POLICING
INNOVATIONS AS AN ACTIVITY ELIGIBLE TO BE FUNDED BY TAX
INCREMENT FINANCING AND ADDIING A DESCRIPTION OF THE
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA COMMUNITY POLICING
INNOVATIONS PROGRAM; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Clearwater has the authority pursuant to the Rules Governing the
Administration of the Countywide Future Land Use Plan, as amended, Section 2.3.3.9.5, to adopt
and enforce a specific plan for redevelopment in an urban center in accordance with the Central
Business District plan category, and said Section requires that a special area plan therefore be
approved by the local government; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the updated 2003 Clearwater Downtown
Redevelopment Plan on September 18, 2003 by adopting Ordinance No. 7153-03 and has
subsequently amended it; and
WHEREAS, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved the CRA Plan
adopted by Ordinance No. 7231-03 on December 16, 2003 and has subsequently amended it; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the creation of a Redevelopment Trust Fund for the
expanded CRA by adopting Ordinance No. 7214-03; and
WHEREAS, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners approved the creation of
a Redevelopment Trust Fund for the expanded CRA adopted by Ordinance No. 7214-03 on
February 3, 2004; and
WHEREAS, the Countywide Planning Authority approved the updated 2003 Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan as the Special Area Plan for Downtown Clearwater on February 3,
2004 and subsequently approved amendments thereto; and
Ordinance No.189042
Attachment number 1
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, the requirements of Florida Statutes Section 163.360 regarding the adoption of
community redevelopment plans have been met regarding that portion of the amendments
proposed hereby which affect the Downtown Community Redevelopment Area, and the
requirements of Florida Statutes Section 163.346 regarding notice to taxing authorities and other
required notice, as well as all other requirements of Florida Statutes Chapter 163, have been met;
and
WHEREAS, it is advisable to revise certain provisions of the Plan regarding the types of
theaters eligible for development assistance; and
WHEREAS, the City and the CRA has ascertained that the Downtown is in critical need of a
focused community policing presence in the CRA in order to reduce drug dealing, prostitution and
street crimes; and
WHEREAS, Section 163.361(1) of the Florida Statutes allows for the use of Tax Increment
Financing (TIF) funds for community policing innovations in Community Redevelopment Areas; and
WHEREAS, it is advisable to revise certain provisions of the Plan adding policies and
strategies regarding community policing innovations; and
WHEREAS, it is advisable to allow tax increment financing (TIF) funds to support
community policing innovations within the CRA; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments were reviewed by the Community Development
Board, which is the land planning agency for the City of Clearwater for purposes of the Local
Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act, and the Community
Development Board found the proposed amendments to be consistent with the Comprehensive
Plan of the City of Clearwater; and
WHEREAS, the Community Redevelopment Agency has reviewed the proposed
amendments and recommends them to the City Council, and the amended Plan shall serve as the
Community Redevelopment Plan for the downtown Community Redevelopment Area of the City of
Clearwater; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments conform to the general plan of the City of
Clearwater; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendments will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the
sound needs of the City, for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the Plan area by private
enterprise; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. Amendments 1 - 5 to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan
attached hereto as Exhibit "A" are hereby adopted.
Ordinance No. 8014-04tem f 2
Attachment number 1
Page 3 of 3
Section 2. The City Manager or designee shall forward said amendments to any agency
required by law or rule to review or approve same.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption, subject to the
approval by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and the Countywide Planning
Authority.
PASSED ON FIRST READING
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED
Frank B. Hibbard
Mayor-Commissioner
Approved as to form:
Leslie K. Dougall-Sides
Assistant City Attorney
Attest:
Cynthia E. Goudeau
City Clerk
Ordinance No. 8014-04tem ff 2
Attachment number 2
Page 1 of 4
EXHIBIT A
Ordinance No. 8014-09
AMENDMENT 1 - CHAPTER 3 LAND USE/REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES SECTION
Insert new Policy 30 on Page 54 of *the Plan.
Policy 30: Communily policing innovations in the CRA shall continue to focus on a
variety of policing strategies that increase police visibility and reduce
opportunities for criminal activities. Such innovations include, but are not
limited to, intensified motorized patrol, bicycle patrol, field interrogations, the
establishment of a business and/or neighborhood block watch and the
continued presence of a police substation in the CRA.
AMENDMENT 2 - CHAPTER 4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
DOWNTOWN STRATEGIES SECTION
Revise Strategy 20 on page 218 as follows:
Strategy 20: 44--a-vo* the, Downtown A ° 1eeatielfl f r ° p +heA+par Ard the
developers need 'a2cr in the aequisition and assembly of tan for- either- the
theater-s an&er- par-king facilities, an&er- development of paFking facilities
stippE)4 the use.
Support the location of a movie theater and/or performing arts theater in
Downtown and provide assistance, as needed, with land acquisition, land
assembly, building rehabilitation and parking facilities development to
support the use.
Insert new Strategy 21 on page 218 as follows and renumber the remaining strategies:
(this strategy is to be located as a new item within the overall Downtown Strategies and
before the beginning of Downtown Core Character District Strategies)
Strategy 21: Continue to support communily policing innovations in the CRA.
Exhibit A - Ordinance No. 801RM # 2
Attachment number 2
Page 2 of 4
AMENDMENT 3 - CHAPTER 4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
DOWNTOWN STRATEGIES SECTION
Revise Strategy 20 and add new Strategy 21 after Strategy 20 in Table 7 Summary of
Public Strategies on pages 222-233 and renumber the remaining strategies as follows:
Table 7 Summary of Public Strategies
# Strategy Lead Department Timing
20 Movie Theater/Performing Arts Theater
Support MaFketi*g Economic
Development Ongoing
Strategy
21 Community Policing Innovations Police Department Ongoing
StratM
AMENDMENT 4 - CHAPTER 4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
TAX INCREMENT REVENUE PROJECTIONS SECTION
Amend the third paragraph of *the Tax Increment Revenue Projections Section, as well
as the Summary Table on page 255 as follows:
Tax Increment Revenue Projections
The CRA envisions continuing to use both the City's and the County's share of Tax
Increment Financing dollars for capital projects in the original and expanded CRA. TIF
is identified as one of the funding sources for several capital and infrastructure
improvement projects outlined in the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) section of this
plan. These projects include the Cleveland Street, Fort Harrison, and Gulf to Bay
Streetscapes and the Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Highland Avenue Gateway Intersection.
In addition, TIF will be used for paying impact fees, "buying in" of public parking in
private projects, assembling redevelopment sites, purchasing land and/or buildings,
affordable and transitional housing projects, a*d facade improvement grants and
providing additional community policing presence above and beyond current activitX
levels. Below is a summary of the programs and initiatives that will use TIF as well as
the estimated costs associated with each. The County's share of TIF shall only be used
for the capital projects included in the table below. The City's share of TIF may be used
for any initiative listed in the table.
2
Exhibit A - Ordinance No. 80146" # 2
Attachment number 2
Page 3 of 4
Summary 'l'able of UKA Yro2rams and initiatives, limin
RA Programs and Initiatives Timing
ESA Area Brownfields Environmental Cleanup * Ongoing
R,A Building Facade Improvement Program* Ongoing
owntown Land Acquisition * Ongoing
RA Redevelopment Incentive Funding Ongoing
-tail Lease/Location Incentives Ongoing
R,A Affordable and Transitional Housing Projects* Ongoing
R,A Revolving Loan Fund Ongoing
R,A Community Policing Innovations Ongoing
Total
0,000
*Capital projects and initiatives - County T1F shall only be used for these programs
****
AMENDMENT 5 - CHAPTER 4 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
TAX INCREMENT REVENUE PROJECTIONS SECTION
Amend Tax Increment Revenue Projections Section on page 258 to add a description
of* the CRA Community Policing Initiatives after the CRA Revolving Load Fund
description and prior to the Tax Increment Revenue Projections for the Original CRA
District section as follows:
****
CRA Community Policing Innovations
The City of Clearwater Police Department has employed a communitypolicin
philosophy for over 20 years. Its first focused efforts in the Downtown area came in
1998 when a police substation was co-located in the Clearwater Homeless Intervention
Program (CHIP) shelter in the East Gateway Character District in response to resident
concerns about the crime potential associated with the shelter. Another community
policing team, the Downtown Bicycle Team, was established for the Downtown Core of
the CRA in 2005 in anticipation of additional demands on the Police Department as a
result of redevelopment. Additionally AmeriCorps Clearwater members have
supplemented the activities of the Downtown Bicycle Team by acting as ambassadors of
the City by assisting visitors and businesses.
The intent of the community policing innovations in Downtown is for police officers to
be a visible deterrent of crime as well as an approachable source of assistance and
information. The officers act as liaisons to downtown visitors, businesses, employ
and residents and work to build partnerships through daily visibility and community
and Estimated costs
Estimated Cost
$5,000,000
$1,000,000
$21,000,000
$10,000,000
$5,000,000
$5,000,000
$1,000,000
$1,000,000
Exhibit A - Ordinance No. 801RM # 2
Attachment number 2
Page 4 of 4
involvement and organization. They also help solve neighborhood problems and work to
foster a sense of safety and security public as well as private spaces.
Community policing innovations focus on a variety of issues including those that are
unique to the CRA such as homelessness, prostitution, drugs and street crimes, and a
large immigrant population. A key component of the City's redevelopment strategy is to
reduce crime in the CRA and improve the quality of life of residents, businesses and
visitors. In order to achieve this goal, additional community policing presence is needed.
Through the use of TIF funds an enhanced level of community policing can be achieved.
Total Cost: $1 million
Time Frame: Ongoing
Exhibit A - Ordinance No. 801RM # 2
Attachment number 3
Page 1 of 4
CDB Meeting Date
Case Number:
Ord. No.:
Agenda Item:
November 18, 2008
Downtown Plan Amendments
8014-09
D1
CITY OF CLEARWATER
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST:
INITIATED BY:
Amendments to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan
City of Clearwater Planning Department
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On May 13, 2008 the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) approved the East
Gateway District Five-Year Action Program. The Action Program responded to public
input on the issues of drug dealing, prostitution and street crime by including an action
item for an increased police presence in the East Gateway. As Florida Statutes allow for
the use of tax increment financing (TIF) funds for community policing innovations, the
CRA entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the Police Department on August 27,
2008 to provide for additional police presence beyond current activity levels. The Tax
Increment Financing Section of the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan needs to
be revised to recognize that TIF is a source of funding for additional community policing
innovations. The Planning Department is also recommending that minor amendments be
made to the Plan to support the location of a performing arts theater in Downtown.
The Community Development Board is reviewing the proposed amendments in its
capacity as the Local Planning Agency and is requested to make a recommendation
regarding the amendments to the City Council. The CRA is requested to make a
recommendation to the City Council regarding the amendments to the Plan. Once the
City Council approves these amendments, they will be submitted to the Board of County
Commissioners for approval as amendments to the Redevelopment Plan. They will also
be submitted to the Pinellas Planning Council and the Countywide Planning Authority for
approval as amendments to the Special Area Plan governing Downtown.
Community Development Board - November 18, 2008
4th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 1 of 4
Item # 2
Attachment number 3
Page 2 of 4
ANALYSIS:
Five amendments are proposed to the Plan and are contained in Exhibit A attached to
Ordinance No. 8014-09. One amendment revises the land use/redevelopment plan while
four amendments relate to downtown strategies and tax increment financing. Below is a
summary of each amendment.
1. Amendment 1 - Insert new policy in Chapter 3 Land Use/Redevelopment Plan,
Goals, Objectives and Policies Section on page 54 of the Plan (page one of Exhibit A
of proposed ordinance).
A new policy supporting the continuation of community policing innovations in the
Downtown is proposed. The proposed policy notes that the program should continue
to focus on a variety of strategies that increase police visibility and reduce
opportunities for crime. Strategies outlined in the policy are consistent with those
outlined in Florida Statutes Chapter 163 and are currently employed by the
Downtown Bike and C.H.I.P Teams.
2. Amendment 2-- Amend Strategy 20 in Chapter 4 Plan Implementation and add new
Strategy 21 on page 218 of the Plan (page one of Exhibit A of proposed ordinance).
Strategy 20, located in the Plan Implementation section of Chapter 4, supports city
efforts to attract a movie theater to Downtown. The proposed amendment would
expand this strategy to also market Downtown as a prime location for a performing
arts theater. Due to the benefits such a facility would have on Downtown
revitalization efforts, the proposed strategy also supports the City providing
development assistance for a performing arts theater.
Proposed amendment two also provides for a new Strategy 21 which supports
community policing innovations in the CRA.
3. Amendment 3 - Amend Table 7 Summary of Public Strategies in Chapter 4 Plan
Implementation on pages 222-233 of the Plan (page two of Exhibit A of proposed
ordinance).
This proposed amendment revises Table 7 which summarizes the public strategies to
be employed within the Downtown. Existing Strategy 20 is proposed to be expanded
to include a performing arts theater as discussed above and a new Strategy 21 is
proposed regarding community policing innovations as discussed above. The
remaining strategies will be renumbered.
4. Amendment 4 - Amend the third paragraph of the Tax Increment Revenue
Projections Section and the corresponding summary table in Chapter 4 Plan
Implementation on page 255 of the Plan (pages two - three of Exhibit A of proposed
ordinance).
Community Development Board - November 18, 2008
4th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 2 of 4
Item # 2
Attachment number 3
Page 3 of 4
Amendment four adds community policing as a program within the CRA that will be
funded through tax increment financing. The summary table of the CRA programs
and initiatives is also proposed to be amended to include community policing
innovations. A total of $1 million dollars is estimated to be the cost of this program
over the next five - seven years. This amendment also clarifies that community
policing innovations can only be funded through City TIF revenues.
5. Amendment 5 -Amend the Tax Increment Revenue Projections Section in Chapter 4
Plan Implementation on page 259 of the Plan (pages three - four of Exhibit A of
proposed ordinance).
The City has provided a community policing presence in Downtown since 1998.
Proposed Ordinance No. 8014-09 outlines the history of those efforts and a summary
of the unique issues the City faces in the CRA. The amendment sets forth the intent
community policing innovations and notes the importance of reducing crime in the
CRA to improve the quality of life in the CRA. The amendment is written broadly to
apply to the entire CRA in the event City Council and CRA want to provide a higher
level of community policing service beyond the East Gateway Character District.
The program is proposed to be on-going with a cost over the next five - seven years
at a maximum of $1 million dollars.
CONSISTENCY WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Please find below a selected list of objectives and policies from the Clearwater
Comprehensive Plan that is furthered by the proposed amendments to the Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
• Objective 2.1 - The redevelopment of blighted, substandard, inefficient and/or
obsolete areas shall be a high priority and promoted through the implementation of
redevelopment and special area plans, the construction of catalytic private projects,
city investment, and continued emphasis on property maintenance standards.
• Policy 2.1.8 - The City shall continue to support and implement approved community
redevelopment area plans, such as the Downtown Redevelopment Plan adopted in
2004.
• Policy 2.1.10 - Clearwater will continue to support the tax increment financing
program and redevelopment efforts of the downtown area through activities of the
economic development office and actions of the City Commission as the Community
Redevelopment Agency.
The proposed amendments to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan primarily
focus on community policing innovations as a public strategy in the CRA. A higher level
of community policing innovations is an investment in the future health of the CRA and
will assist in reducing blighting influencing within the area. The use of TIF to fund a
higher level of community policing presence in the CRA is an appropriate use of such
Community Development Board - November 18, 2008
4th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 3 of 4
Item # 2
Attachment number 3
Page 4 of 4
funds. The proposed amendments therefore support existing objectives and policies of
the Clearwater Comprehensive Plan.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION:
The proposed amendments to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan are
consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Proposed Ordinance No. 8014-09 makes minor
amendments regarding the City's desire to attract theaters to Downtown and provides for
policies and strategies supporting community policing innovations in the CRA, as well as
using tax increment financing as a funding source for increased levels of community
policing activities.
Based on the above analysis, the Planning Department recommends the following action
on the request:
Recommend APPROVAL of Ordinance No. 8014-09 which amends the Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
Prepared by Planning Department Staff:
Gina L. Clayton, Assistant Planning Director
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 8014-09
Exhibit A of Ordinance No 8014-09
Ums5alpdslPlanning DepartmentlDowntown Plan Update4th Amendment to Downtown Plan - Community
Policing) CDB Staff Report 4th Amendment to Downtown Plan - Staff Report. doe
Community Development Board - November 18, 2008
4th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 4 of 4
Item # 2