11/20/1996ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
November 20, 1996
Present:
Jill Melkonian
Whitney Gray
Mike Foley (arrived 4:28 p.m.)
Anne Garris
Allan Stowell
Alan Smith (arrived 4:29 p.m.)
David Rhame
Chair
Vice Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Bob Keller
Scott Shuford
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Tom Miller, Assistant Director
Gwen Legters
Assistant City Manager
Central Permitting Director
Assistant City Attorney
Engineering/Environmental
Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in City Hall.
To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
Confirm Agenda - Establish Consent and Regular Agenda Items
Election of Environmental Advisory Board Officers for 1997
Chair Melkonian thanked the board for their support in meeting the challenges of efforts to improve the environment. Ms. Dougall-Sides reviewed EAB bylaws regarding election of officers.
Board members expressed appreciation for the positive direction the board meetings have taken.
Member Garris nominated Jill Melkonian and Whitney Gray for reelection as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. Members Melkonian and Gray accepted the nomination. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously. Chair Melkonian thanked the board for their confidence and support.
City Correspondence
Mr. Miller distributed and highlighted the following: 1) memo from Mike Quillen listing wetland prioritization; 2) memo from the City Clerk regarding editing minutes drafts; 3) Letter
from Mr. Miller transmitting Member Foley’s Jet Ski Impacts report to Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council; 4) memo from Mr. Miller advising the City Manager of the EAB’s recommendation
regarding the Town Lake project; 5) correspondence between Mr. Miller and Scott Shuford regarding EAB recommended amendments to Policy 22.2.9 of the Comprehensive Plan, Conservation
Element; and 6) memo from Bob Keller, Assistant City Manager/Economic Development, regarding Land Development Code/Development Review Process revisions.
In response to questions regarding #5 above, Mr. Shuford said a time extenuation was granted to the Fall of 1997. Concern was expressed staff did not follow the EAB recommendation
to retain language from the 1989 version of Policy 22.2.9, regarding undesirable land uses on the bayfront. Mr. Shuford responded staff is comfortable with the amendments as agreed during
discussion with the EAB in September, as the change requested by the board at a subsequent meeting is covered by the City Charter. He will advise the local planning agency and City
Commission where board recommendations deviate from amendments brought forward by staff. Concern was expressed with waiting until next Fall to inform the City Commission of the board’s
desire.
Member Garris moved to request Chair Melkonian to write a letter advising the City Commission the EAB has recommended retaining language in the 1989 version of Policy 22.2.9 of the
Comprehensive Plan, Conservation Element, as indicated in the October 17 memo from Tom Miller to Scott Shuford. The motion was duly seconded.
Mr. Shuford offered to draft the letter for the Chair’s signature, attaching his comments. The board declined, indicating their desire to approve the motion as stated. Upon the vote
being taken, the motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Miller introduced the new Assistant City Manager, Bob Keller, who elaborated on his November 4 memo regarding Land Development Code/Development Review Process revisions. He spoke
regarding his involvement in the business community, his vision for streamlining the Land Development Code, and the various layers of input coming from the residential, development and
architectural communities. A matrix was created to explain the aggressive schedule for completion of the project within six months. The second aspect of this project involves improving
the level of service provided by City departments, blending public and private approaches to customer service. New businesses coming into the City will be surveyed to evaluate how their
process was handled by City staff. Mr. Shuford reported Member Melkonian will represent the EAB on the steering committee. He invited board members’ ideas on ways to make the code
user friendly while respecting the high quality development standards for which Clearwater is known.
Questions were raised regarding the project and process. Mr. Keller indicated, while anyone may attend the staff meetings, public input will not be accepted until the project is brought
forward as part of the public hearing process. Mr. Shuford will provide copies of the project matrix and the list of steering committee representatives to Mr. Miller in time for the
next EAB meeting.
Members Foley and Smith arrived at approximately 4:30 p.m. Messrs. Keller and Shuford left the meeting at 4:33 p.m.
Minutes Approval - September 18, 1996
Member Gray moved to approve the minutes as submitted in writing to each member by the Board Reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Citizen’s Agenda
Discussion of concerns regarding excessive tree pruning at Bryn Mawr Condominiums is to be rescheduled, as Mr. Abdoney was not able to attend today’s meeting.
Consent Agenda -- None
Old Business
a. Memorial Causeway Parking Lot
Mr. Miller reported this item was continued from the September meeting to allow time for board members to walk the site and for staff to investigate questions regarding operations and
maintenance costs. In an October 1 memo to the board, City Engineering Director Rich Baier projected cost estimates for initial construction, parking meter installation, and annual
operating costs. Mr. Miller said the projected construction costs are probably low, and do not include an acceleration lane. One member expressed concern the City seems to be going
overboard for a parking lot that will be needed only 65 days of the year. Suggestions were made to simplify the plan and install heavy landscaping more in line with an overflow parking
lot.
David Little, representing the Clearwater beach Chamber of Commerce, spoke in opposition to the proposal, citing safety concerns due to high speed causeway traffic. Several groups
studied the issue and opposed a causeway parking lot, indicating a need for more parking on Clearwater beach instead.
One member spoke in opposition, expressing concerns regarding the parking lot interfering with bicyclists and pedestrians who use the existing access road extensively; unsafe high speeds
on the causeway; inability to adequately contain runoff; and the required landscape buffer blocking the view of the water. It was suggested that solving the problem of beachgoers in
the Marina pkg lot might lessen the need for a parking lot on the causeway.
Member Foley moved to recommend to the City Commission to deny permits to build parking lots on Memorial Causeway. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
b. Memorial Causeway Mangrove Trimming
Mr. Miller presented a composite display comparing an aerial photograph to a graphic representation of mangrove heights and the view corridor along Memorial Causeway. He reviewed the
history of City policy development and EAB involvement with regard to mangrove trimming legislation in the preservation zoning area. He related an incident of an assault that occurred
in the vicinity of the mangroves, and the resulting question whether or not the mangroves constitute a public safety issue. He reviewed locations where homeless camps were built in
the mangroves and displayed photographs of mangrove conditions along the causeway. The City has not applied for mangrove trimming permits. He invited Mr. Bob Mortoro from the Pinellas
county Forestry Division regarding the best way to address the trimming issue.
Mr. Mortoro responded to questions regarding the healthiest and most environmentally sound way to trim mangroves to improve the view along the causeway. However, he indicated this
was a moot point because State law precludes trimming of any kind within the preservation
area. Pinellas County was given delegation authority to manage the mangroves, but local laws may not be less restrictive than State law. Discussion ensued regarding various reasons
in support of trimming. Board members expressed concern the view is obstructed along the causeway and selective trimming is needed to preclude a ragged appearance. It was indicated
Member Smith is former Superintendent of the City Parks and Recreation Forestry Department that severely trimmed the mangroves along the causeway every year. Mr. Mortoro had not inspected
the site and did not wish to estimate without study, the aftereffects of trimming or extent of the potential habitat loss, water quality changes, and impact on the food chain. Discussion
ensued regarding trimming to provide a view corridor, versus topping the tree canopy.
Discussion ensued regarding the effect of mangroves on the Edgewater Drive restoration project in a preservation area. It was indicated property owners are concerned about the adverse
impact of mangrove growth on their view corridor as well. Discussion ensued regarding board members’ concern about the apparent inconsistency with the County allowing leeway to trim
existing mangroves to six feet in height in conjunction with a construction project, but not as related to causeway beautification.
Member Foley moved to recommend the City be allowed to trim mangroves along Memorial Causeway, in the interest of public safety, limiting any trimming to the specific areas in which
incidents occurred, not to exceed 100 linear feet. There was no second.
David Little addressed the board on behalf of the Clearwater beach Chamber of Commerce, expressing concern the overgrowth of mangroves on Memorial Causeway is a great injustice to one
of Clearwater’s greatest assets. He indicated those who cannot afford waterfront property formerly drove along the beach and causeway to enjoy the view. He expressed regret those pleasures
are being lost to good intentions. He expressed concern the overgrowth of sea oats on Clearwater beach similarly obstructs the view. He made the following suggestions: 1) recommendation
for a policy change to require a public hearing and City Commission approval of building or planting anything that would block public view of the water; 2) recommendation for the City
Commission to reclassify the preservation area to enable trimming; and 3) habitat mitigation by planting mangroves on the spoil islands in place of existing Brazilian peppers and Australian
pines.
Staff was requested to investigate whether mangrove trimming is grandfathered on Memorial Causeway. Mr. Miller expressed concern such an investigation and the application process may
exceed the eight hour rule.
Member Stowell moved to recommend to the City Commission to direct staff to apply for a permit to trim mangroves on Memorial Causeway, and to ask board member Alan Smith to produce
an affidavit relating his mangrove trimming experience as City Parks Department Superintendent. The motion was duly seconded. Members Stowell and Rhame voted "Aye"; Members Melkonian,
Gray, Garris, Foley, and Smith voted "Nay." Motion failed.
Member Foley moved to recommend to the City Commission, in the interest of public safety, to consider trimming small specific areas of mangroves along Memorial Causeway, with aesthetic
intent, not to exceed 200 linear feet. There was no second.
Board consensus was to continue this item for comments from the City Engineer, Tourism Director, and other public input, to determine how the issue could affect the tourist community.
Chair Melkonian thanked Mr. Mortoro for attending.
c. Clearwater Xeriscape Ordinance
Water Resource Engineer Mike Quillen said the EAB will be asked to approve the intent of the draft ordinance, but the final format will change when it is incorporated into the new Land
Development Code. He is in the process of preparing new tables, graphics and lists to present to the steering committee in January. He suggested a continuance to the December meeting
will enable him to present a more polished product for EAB review. Consensus was to continue this item to the December meeting.
d. Stormwater Video -- Continued to the next meeting due to the late hour. Staff will investigate obtaining copies of the videocassette for individual board review.
Town Lake -- Postponed as no further action has been taken by the consultants.
Adopt-A-Pond -- Postponed due to complications in establishing City policy direction.
New Business -- None
Establish Agenda for December 18, 1996
1. Stormwater Video (cont. from 11/20)
2. Mangrove Trimming on Memorial Causeway (cont. from 11/20)
3. Coopers Point status report (Garris)
4. Edgewater Drive Restoration Project status report (Rhame)
5. Memorial Causeway Bridge update (Melkonian)
6. Habitat (tree) banking investigation (Garris)
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Chair
Environmental Advisory Board
Attest:
Board Reporter