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04/09/1996DESIGN REVIEW BOARD CITY OF CLEARWATER April 9, 1996 Present: William McCann Robert Herberich Mark Cagni Alex Plisko Leslie Dougall-Sides Don McCarty Gwen Legters Chair Board Member Board Member Board Member Assistant City Attorney Design Planner Board Reporter      Absent: Kathy Milam MacArthur “Mac” Boykins Vice Chair 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 3:05 p.m. in City Hall. Minutes Approval - March 26, 1996 Typographical errors were corrected by staff on page 1 under Audio-Visual Presentation, and Page 2, second paragraph under Director’s Items. Member Herberich moved to approve the minutes as corrected by staff. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Audio-Visual Presentation -- Signs For Main Street Mr. McCarty showed a ten minute slide and audio presentation illustrating the importance of considering building design, scale, materials, and surroundings when planning signage. Mr. McCarty said this copy of the presentation materials belongs to the Central Permitting Department and can be shown to other groups. Signage concerns were expressed regarding the increasing use of illuminated plastic box signs in Clearwater; and the lack of aesthetic design and questionable effectiveness of crosswalk signs on Clearwater beach. Mr. McCarty said he will be working with other City departments regarding City of Clearwater signage. Discussion ensued regarding sign bonuses. Mr. McCarty said staff is looking at transferring sign bonus consideration to the DRB as part of their regular duties regarding signs and signage review. Board and Staff Discussion 1. Design Guidelines Status Mr. McCarty stated the resolution adopting the design guidelines is ready to take to the City Commission. Mr. Shuford hopes it will be approved at the first Commission meeting in May. In preparation, the complete document will be reviewed for final approval by the DRB on April 23. The final printing of the design guidelines is still on the drawing board because the Graphics department’s sample cover and print styles did not meet the board’s parameters. Mike Sanders has provided historical photographs of Clearwater that may be incorporated to call attention to the history of certain design elements. Copies of these photographs were circulated to the board, showing 1920’s era downtown buildings before their renovations in the 1950’s. Mr. McCarty offered assurances the final edition will be ready to present to the City Commission. Mr. McCarty reported he will address the Downtown Development Board at their 5:30 meeting tonight. He is scheduled to address the Planning and Zoning Board next Tuesday at their regular meeting. Among the groups to which he has presented the design guidelines, he said none has expressed concern regarding the guidelines. 2. Memorial Causeway Bridge Study The City Commission has authorized retaining an engineering firm to move forward with environmental issues surrounding the next phase of bridge development. He explained final location, roadway alignments, and elements of composition are being discussed. He briefly highlighted the pros and cons of each of the bridge styles and locations under discussion. In conjunction with the bridge study, the consultants are forming a Local Interest Group (LIG) of concerned individuals representing either a business or a board, who will be encouraged to attend and participate as the bridge plans progress. He distributed copies of the LIG registration form and announced proposed meeting dates and times, stating DRB members are welcome and encouraged to attend. 3. Other Issues Member Plisko questioned whether this board is governed by the attendance rules specified in the code. He noted boards are adversely affected when members do not attend regularly. Ms. Dougall-Sides affirmed the general attendance rules outlined in the code apply to the DRB. She read from Section 2.066 that, for a board which meets more often than monthly, more than 5 absences in a consecutive 12-month period may subject a member to removal by the City Manager. Staff was requested to provide to all board members copies of the code governing meeting attendance. Discussion ensued regarding the importance of maintaining a full board with all members present, in case a financial conflict of interest arises concerning a design application under review. It was indicated the rules require an affirmative vote of at least three members to approve design applications. Mr. McCarty reported the process to appoint a new member has been initiated and he hopes the appointment will take place at the first Commission meeting in May. Discussion ensued regarding live television coverage of meetings. It was noted the production crew must start the broadcast promptly at the scheduled time and late arrivals are especially noticeable. It was indicated the board’s briefing by C-View TV personnel will be delayed due to their move to the Municipal Services Complex. Board members expressed concerns with the lighting and sound quality of the meetings broadcast on Time Warner Cable. In response to questions, Mr. McCarty said preliminary Clearwater beach design guidelines will be delayed by Central Permitting’s move into the new building during May 3 through 6. He will collect data from a Clearwater beach design study committee, regarding their preferences, for inclusion in the design guidelines. It was indicated the North Greenwood neighborhood has already put together a set of design guidelines for their area, but there is some concern those guidelines are too restrictive. Member McCann requested information regarding the lobbyist registration ordinance. Ms. Dougall-Sides said Mr. Shuford has drafted a memo to transmit the ordinance to all boards within the next few days. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.