06/18/2008
CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMITTEE
EAR-Based Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT
UTILITY ELEMENT
Wednesday June 18, 2008 - 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Municipal Services Building (MSB), Room 130
100 South Myrtle Avenue, Clearwater, Florida 33756
MEMBERS PRESENT: Glenn Bailey, Norma Carlough, Bill Day, Ron Delp,
Elizabeth France, Bill Murray, Vonabell Sherman.
STAFF PRESENT: Leslie Dougall-Sides, Assistant City Attorney II; Tina Wilson,
Budget Director; Michael Quillen, Engineering Director; Gordon Wills, Marine and
Aviation Operations Manager; Rob Fahey, Manager, Engineering Production;
Heather C. Shell, Public Information Specialist; Catherine W. Porter, AICP, Long
Range Planning Manager; Sandra E. Herman, Planner III; Michael H. Reynolds,
AICP, Planner III, Adam J. Tully, Planning Intern.
I.INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME – Catherine W. Porter, AICP
At 1:02 p.m. Porter thanked the Committee members for their service. She
explained that next week’s meeting will be longer because it will cover
Annexation, Community Character, Redevelopment and the Future Land Use
Element. These items are so intertwined that they need to be considered
together. Thus, today’s meeting will be shorter.
II.CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT– Sandra Herman, Planner III
Herman said that we may list a few upcoming projects included in the table
since the ones listed in the current Comprehensive Plan were completed.
Delp wanted to know whether increased operation and maintenance costs of
new projects are shown in the CIE. Wilson said that it is documented in the
Budget document, not in the Comprehensive Plan. Carlough said it would be
helpful to refer the CAC to the budget document prior to asking them to adopt
the Element. Wilson said it is available online and in the Library.
Motion by Day/Murray to approve Element. Passed unanimously.
III.UTILITY ELEMENT – Michael H. Reynolds, AICP, Planner III
Reynolds said changes are based on the EAR.
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Delp asked about the population projections. Porter explained the difference
between population and peak population. Fahey said the current peak
population is about 153,000.
Carlough asked about public education regarding reclaimed and “toilet to tap”
and the need to retain water restrictions. Quillen said SWFWMD is in control
of how many days water must be restricted. France said if local plants are
used and established, fertilizers and watering are unnecessary. Shell said the
City’s “green site” has lots of information about this.
Delp wanted to know what we believe will happen as population increases.
Quillen said that in his opinion water restrictions will continue.
Day said that perhaps code should have landscaping require native plants.
Discussion of adding a policy regarding educating the public on the reduction
of irrigation and fertilizing, the use of native plant material, Florida-friendly
plants, xeriscaping and other techniques for residential and commercial water
conservation as well as incorporating this type of language into the
Community Development Code, and having the City use these techniques and
conserving water, etc. Discussion that City is doing some things and Parks
and Recreation need to be involved as well as Neighborhood Services
(enforcement of landscaping requirements); and that some of these items
belong in Conservation Element, rather than Utilities. Porter suggested that
the Planning Department get together with Engineering and the other
appropriate departments and draft some policies and bring them back to the
Committee next time for their review and comment. Motion Day/Carlough to
direct the Planning Department in consultation with appropriate City
departments, to prepare objectives and policies as necessary to achieve the
items identified above. Passed unanimously.
Discussion on Reclaimed Water: Carlough questioned if homeowners in
reclaimed service areas can continue to use their wells. Fahey said that homes
in reclaimed service areas are charged an availability fee ($15/month) but can
continue to use their wells. He said those properties with wells prior to the
reclaimed water project for Morningside would be “grandfathered” and would
not have to participate in the reclaimed water program. No sewer charge for
using reclaimed because of separate meters. Day asked if there is a cost or
problem with discharging reclaimed. Fahey said there is not; whatever
reclaimed we don’t use we discharge under our permit.
Bailey asked whether the City plans to discontinue purchasing water from the
County. Fahey said the City wants to increase its production to 10 Million
Gallons per Day (MGD) while City consumption is 14 MGD, so the City will
continue to purchase water from the County. At this time the City produces
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3-4 MGD. The increase will come from increasing our well fields and new
reverse-osmosis plants. At 10MGD the aquifer can recharge itself, especially
because of the dispersed locations of City wells.
Bailey offered 2 corrections: Page D-3 correction to Summary under
st
Stormwater, 1 bullet, last sentence remove the word “National”; and
Objective 19.2 change to Pinellas County Surface Water Management Plan.
Day/Murray to approve Element, with additional provisions regarding public
education and conservation to be added later. Passed unanimously.
IV. MAP: ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (HOUSING)
Porter explained that Ms. Clayton had this map developed to show which
parcels in the City had the size and density to support an accessory dwelling.
However, it should be noted that not all parcels would have appropriate
configuration to allow for an accessory unit. At the time of redevelopment or
application for addition of an accessory unit, the parcel would be studied for
setbacks, parking, etc.
V. ADJOURNMENT. The meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m.
Meeting Notes by Porter
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