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06/03/1998BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER June 3, 1998 Present: William Baldwin Chair Thelma Blasko Committee Member Katherine Merriam Committee Member Sheila Cole Committee Member Marcia Blakemore Committee Member Delphine Pullar Committee Member Robert Sudalnik Committee Member Art Kader Parks & Recreation Acting Director Mark Roether Nursery Superintendent Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter Absent: Nancy Aft Committee Member Stephen Brown 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 - Approval 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 - Correspondence 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 - Ongoing Business a) Update: Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard Plan - 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, carrying residential, tourist, and shopping related traffic. A consultant has recommended closing some medians and improving them with landscaping, mosaic pavers and tile. 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 Phase 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. Mr. Shuford said plans include special treatment of major intersections. A traffic 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. 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 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 plan, 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 Pinellas 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 code’s 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. c) “Welcome to Clearwater” Sign SR 580 The City Landscape Architect has been assigned this project. 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. e) Solid Waste Facility - no report. f) Clearwater Airpark Mr. Roether indicated the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) 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 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 current drought. 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 AWT 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 considered 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. Member Cole 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 recommended the City advertise this program. ITEM #7 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:22 a.m.