ORD 8192-10; DOWNTOWN PLAN AMENDMENTSCDB Meeting Date:
Case Number:
Ord. No.:
Agenda Item:
Julv 20, 2010
Downtown Plan Amendments
8192-10
E.2.
Gina Clayton Assistant Planning Director
CDB Meeting Date: July 20 2010
Case Number: Downtown Plan Amendments
Ord. No.: 8192-10
Agenda Item: E.2.
CITY OF CLEARWATER
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
CLEAR WATER DO WNTO WN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AMENDMENTS
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Amendments to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan
INITIATED BY: City of Clearwater Planning Department
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
City Council requested that the Planning and Development Department evaluate the
potential for outdoor display of bicycles along the Pinellas Trail within Downtown.
During the discussion, it was also determined that staff should evaluate the
appropriateness of such display along other trails within the City.
When City Council evaluated potential locations for the new City Health Clinic, the
Clearwater Gas property was considered. Upon review of the Clearwater Downtown
Redevelopment Plan it was determined that uses other than the Gas Department were not
supported by the Plan. Due to the very restrictive nature of those provisions, Council
directed staff to revise the Plan to allow for a broader range of uses.
Based on the research conducted and the direction provided by Council, the Planning and
Development Department is recommending two amendments to the Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan to address the issues outlined above.
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 Community Redevelopment Agency
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 -July 20, 2010
5th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 1 of'4
ANALYSIS:
Two amendments are proposed to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan to
address the City Council concerns outlined above. Both amendments make changes to
Chapter 3 Land Use Plan/Redevelopment Plan. One applies to the downtown area as a
whole while one is specific to the Old Bay Character District. Below is a summary of
each proposed amendment.
The first amendment adds a new Policy 11 to the overall Goals, Objectives and Policies
section of the Plan (page 52) to permit the outdoor display of bicycles for retail bicycle
uses abutting the Pinellas Trails. Based on the locational characteristics of the Pinellas
Trail, Downtown appears to be the most appropriate place within the City to permit such
displays. Since the Plan is the official policy statement for Downtown and no other
outdoor display of merchandise is permitted in the Downtown zoning district, the
Planning and Development Department is recommending the Plan be amended to allow
this very limited use instead of the Community Development Code.
The second amendment revises the Uses provisions of the Old Bay Character District for
parcels in the vicinity of the Clearwater Gas property (page 64). Upon review of this
section it was clear the Plan was too limiting. Furthermore it did not provide direction
for all of the properties east of the Pinellas Trail/CSX railroad lines in this area. The
proposed amendment would allow a variety of uses in this area including governmental
uses, medical facilities, retail, office and mixed-uses and supports transit-oriented
development if appropriate in the future.
The proposed amendments support several principles that guided the development of the
Plan and are set forth below (see Vision of the Plan, page 47):
• Downtown will be an integrated community with a mix of retail, residential,
office and recreational opportunities. The development of a variety of residential
projects to attract new residents to Downtown is critical to the success of a
revitalized Downtown; and
• The Pinellas Trail is a unique resource for recreation and economic development
within Downtown;
The proposed amendments also support Goals and Objectives currently found in the Plan
(pages 48- 50) including:
• Goal 1 (People Goal) - Downtown shall be a place that attracts people for living
employment and recreation. The City shall encourage redevelopment that will
attract residents and visitors to Downtown as a recreation, entertainment and
shopping destination.
Community Development Board - July 20, 2010
5th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 2 of 4
• Objective 1E: A variety of businesses are encouraged to relocate and expand in
Downtown to provide a stable employment center, as well as employment
opportunities for Downtown residents.
• Objective 2D: The Pinellas Trail shall be maintained and improved as both a
recreational amenity and alternative mode of transportation. The Trail presents
the opportunity to bring people into Downtown and as such is a unique source of
economic development. The Trail shall assist in creating connections within
Downtown, between the balance of the Trail countywide and from Downtown to
Clearwater Beach.
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 A.6.1 - 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 A.6.1.8 - The City shall continue to support and implement approved
community redevelopment area plans, such as the Clearwater Downtown
Redevelopment Plan adopted in 2004 and Beach by Design adopted in 2001.
• Qhiarttive A.6.2. - The. City of Clearwater shall continue to support innovative
planned development and mixed land use development techniques in order to
promote infill development that is consistent and compatible with the surrounding
environment.
• Policy A.6.5.1 - The City shall support the Pinellas Trail and examine opportunities
for Trail extensions or spurs to connect regional attractions and employers.
• Policy A.6.5.3 - All proposed development/redevelopment initiatives shall be
reviewed for opportunities to improve pedestrian and bicycle access and consider the
integration of bicycle and pedestrian transportation modes in all phases of
transportation planning, new roadway design, roadway construction, roadway
resurfacing and other capital projects consistent with the City's Shifting Gears
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 2006. On Clearwater Beach, pedestrian and
bicycle improvements should adhere to the policies and design guidelines set forth in
Beach by Design: A Preliminary Design for Clearwater Beach and Design
Guidelines.
The proposed amendments to the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan focus on
supporting a variety of uses at a visible intersection within the Old Bay District as well as
certain businesses which support an alternative mode of transportation. The outdoor
Community Development Board - July 20, 2010
5th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page -3 of 4 • - =
display of bicycles along the Pinellas Trail allows targeted support for the Trail without
allowing the outdoor display of all types of merchandise throughout the entire
Downtown. The proposed amendments are consistent with the Clearwater
Comprehensive Plan.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION:
Proposed Ordinance No. 8192-10 makes limited amendments supporting a variety of uses
within specific areas of Downtown. The amendment furthers the Goals and Objective of
the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment Plan and is also consistent with the
Clearwater Comprehensive Plan.
Based on the above analysis, the Planning and Development Department recommends the
following action on the request:
Recommend APPROVAL of Ordinance No. 8192-10 which amends the Clearwater
Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
Prepared by Planning & Development Department Staff:
Gina L. C ayton,
Assistant Planning &
Development Director
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance No. 8192-10
Community Development Board - July 20, 2010
_ 5th Downtown Plan Amendments - Page 4 of 4
ORDINANCE NO. 8192-10
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA, MAKING
AMENDMENTS TO THE CLEARWATER DOWNTOWN
REDEVELOPMENT PLAN; BY AMENDING CHAPTER 3 LAND USE
PLAN/REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND
POLICIES, BY ADDING A NEW POLICY SUPPORTING THE
OUTDOOR DISPLAY OF BICYCLES ASSOCIATED WITH RETAIL
BICYCLE USES ABUTTING THE PINELLAS TRAIL; BY AMENDING
CHAPTER 3 LAND USE PLAN/REDEVELOPMENT PLAN,
DOWNTOWN CHARACTER DISTRICTS, OLD BAY DISTRICT, BY
REVISING THE USES SECTION OF THE DISTRICT VISION BY
EXPANDING THE USES ALLOWED EAST OF GARDEN AVENUE;
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
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 important to accommodate business activities that support the use of the
Pinellas Trail as an alternative mode of transportation; and
Ordinance No. 8192-10
WHEREAS, it is advisable to revise certain provisions of the Plan regarding the allowable
uses east of Garden Avenue and specifically for the City's Gas Department; 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. Chapter 3, Land Use Plan/Redevelopment Plan, Goals, Objectives and
Policies is hereby amended by inserting a new Policy 11 and renumber the remaining policies:
Policy 11: The outdoor display of bicycles may be permitted in conjunction with retail
bicycle uses abutting the Pinellas Trail Such display areas shall not be located
within the sight visibility triangle in landscaped areas or in required parking
spaces and may only occur during business hours.
Section 2. Chapter 3, Land Use Plan/Redevelopment Plan. Old Bay Character
District, District Vision is hereby amended as follows:
District Vision
Uses
The Old Bay District is envisioned to be a mixed-use neighborhood supporting the Downtown
employment base with residential, limited neighborhood commercial and office uses. A variety
of densities and housing styles are encouraged throughout the District, as well as renovations
of existing older structures.
Ordinance No. 8192-10 2
This District provides an opportunity for higher-density residential uses along Clearwater Harbor
west of Osceola Avenue, provided such development is sensitive to the established low-rise
historic character of the District. The eastern frontage of Osceola Avenue may retain its
residential use, convert existing buildings to offices, redevelop with residential scale offices or
combine these two uses on the same site. North Fort Harrison Avenue is envisioned as the
main commercial area providing neighborhood commercial uses on properties on both sides of
the street. The area between North Fort Harrison Avenue and Garden Avenue should continue
to be a mixed-use area permitting commercial and office development and encouraging the
incorporation of residential uses in mixed-use projects. Properties located east of Garden
Avenue may be redeveloped with residential uses, residential scale office development or a mix
of these two uses.
war a Properties located on Myrtle Avenue or Drew Street east of the Pinellas Trail
may retain their current functions and/or transition to a variety of uses including offices, retail,
medical facilities governmental uses and mixed -use development. Redevelopment of these
properties should include a connection to the Pinellas Trail and if deemed appropriate, be
supportive of transit whether it be rail or bus service.
Section 3. The City Manager or designee shall forward said amendments to any agency
required by law or rule to review or approve same.
Section 4. 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. 8192-10 3