02/27/1996DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 27, 1996
Present:
William McCann
Kathy Milam
Robert Herberich
MacArthur “Mac” Boykins
Mark Cagni
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Don McCarty
Gwen Legters
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Assistant City Attorney
Design Planner
Board Reporter
Absent:
Mary Mavronicolas (resigned)
Board Member
To provide continuity for research, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 3:00 p.m. in City Hall.
Minutes Approval - February 13, 1996
Member Cagni moved to approve the minutes according to copies submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Board Discussion
1. Revised DRB Meeting Agenda Format
Mr. McCarty distributed copies of the agenda format as revised at the last meeting. Discussion ensued regarding Board and staff interaction with applicants. Mr. McCarty cautioned
against doing too much of the applicants’ work for them during meetings. It was noted the procedure allows several opportunities for the applicant, Board and staff to exhange information.
While not wanting to restrict anyone from providing pertinent information, the possible need to close public input at some point was discussed. Consensus was this may be added to the
procedure later, if needed. Time limits were not thought to be necessary. It was felt applicants should notify staff 72 hours in advance of the meeting, if they expect their presentations
to exceed ten minutes. Mr. McCarty will incorporate a statement to this effect into the application and agenda.
Member Milam moved to approve the revised format as amended regarding presentation time notification. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
2. Design Guideline Acknowledgements List
Mr. McCarty distributed two handouts listing City representatives and agencies to be acknowledged for participation in preparation of downtown design guidelines. Suggestions were to:
1) add Mr. McCarty’s name to the City representatives list; 2) acknowledge the DRB as having worked on the document’s preparation; and 3) create 1994/95, 1995/96, and 1996/97 lists of
City representatives involved in creating the DRB.
Member Milam moved to approve the City representatives and acknowledgements lists, as amended. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Boykins questioned if fence regulations are to be included in the design guidelines. Mr. McCarty said fence regulations are detailed in the Land Development Code. The design
guidelines encourage applicants to consider the effects of walls and fences in their overall design scheme.
3. Other Issues
Mr. McCarty reported Mr. Shuford will be seeking to transer to the DRB authority for administering a downtown property improvement incentive and grants program. The fund is currently
administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Downtown Development Board (DDB.) Mr. Shuford felt the change is expedient due to recent changes in CRA administration and
confusion regarding the difference between the City’s Design Review Board and the DDB Design Committee. Discussion ensued regarding appointment of a new CRA Director.
Director’s Items
Mr. McCarty announced new member Alex Plisko will begin his DRB term on March 1. He said Mary Mavronicolas has submitted a letter of resignation and the City Clerk will initiate the
process for filling the seventh seat.
Mr. McCarty distributed copies of a sketch comparing heights of existing City buildings with a 39-story residential high rise proposed for downtown. He said the heights are drawn to
scale and graphically depict what can happen in a community with no building height restrictions. He prepared the sketch at the request of Mr. Shuford, in response to public opposition
to a draft Land Development Code amendment proposed to clarify and strengthen language regarding development heights and floor area ratios. Discussion ensued regarding building plans
for the proposed high rise, typical building heights, and common floor area ratios in Clearwater.
Mr. McCarty reported Mr. Shuford has requested the Board to sit at the dais beginning with the next meeting. C-View TV staff will be asked to activate the video monitors and help Board
members with suggestions for attire and microphone usage practice a few meetings prior to starting live broadcasts.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.