02/09/2005
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD WORKSHOP
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 9, 2005
Present: David Gildersleeve Chair
J. B. Johnson Board Member
Kathy Milam Board Member
Thomas Coates Board Member
Dana K. Tallman Board Member
Daniel Dennehy Acting Board Member
Nicholas Fritsch Board Member
Absent: Alex Plisko Vice-Chair
Also Present: Leslie Dougall-Sides Assistant City Attorney
Cyndi Tarapani Planning Director
Mark Parry Acting Development Review Manager
Brenda Moses Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
1 - Welcome
2 – Purpose of Workshop
Planning Director Cyndi Tarapani said the workshop’s purpose is to discuss ways to
improve the Code.
3 – Discussion of Current Process
Manager of Neighborhood Services Division and Facilitator Jan Smith said staff
developed five questions for discussion: 1) What part of the City’s site plan review process do
you favor the most and why; 2) We are fortunate to have flexibility built into our site plan review
process but there is always room for improvement – what would you like to see; 3) Having
addressed the first two questions, what else should we do to improve our plan review process;
4) We understand that time is money and time is very valuable to all of you. How do you see
our site review process in regards to the time it takes to get through it; and 5) What can you do
to contribute to the site plan review process to make it easier, more effective, and more efficient.
Discussion ensued with concerns expressed that deviations from the Code can impact
future development, Infill developments are requesting large deviations in setbacks and heights,
the process causes applicants risks of time and money, more staff direction regarding project
design would dilute flexibility goals, and consistency and flexibility can be contrary development
values.
Support was expressed for comprehensive flexible development, requiring more staff
direction regarding project design, the presence of an urban designer and architect during the
review process, a process to pre-qualify project components related to aesthetics before CDB
Community Development Board Workshop 2005-02-09 1
review, a degree of consistency by the DRC (Development Review Committee) and CDB
(Community Development Board), expediting pre-application meetings for developers,
developing a checklist of required information for applicants prior to pre-application and DRC
meetings, and designating expediters/specialists to guide applicants through the process.
4 – Presentations from Other Cities
City of St. Petersburg – Julie Weston, Development Services Director
Julie Weston, representative for the City of St. Petersburg, reviewed her department’s
processes.
City of Largo – Robert E. Jarzen, AICP Planning Manager, Planning & Development
Department
Bob Jarzen, representative for the City of Largo, reviewed his department’s processes.
The meeting recessed from 4:17 to 4:31 p.m.
5 – Community Development Board Discussion
In response to questions, Ms. Tarapani said staff speaks with applicants at the beginning
of the application process, and an Engineering representative is usually present. Applicants are
provided necessary information with respect to Code regulations early in the project.
Discussion ensued regarding the scheduling of the development review process. Ms.
Tarapani said it needs to be determined if the Code, adopted six years ago, continues to meet
City goals. Staff will request a copy of the City of St. Petersburg’s Vision 20/20 plan.
Discussion ensued with comments that Clearwater has beaches, unlike the represented
cities, and support was expressed for scheduling meetings with project neighbors to smooth the
approval process, for CDB members to contact staff with agenda questions prior to meetings
rather than pulling items off the Consent Agenda, and for developing a point system or qualifiers
to help applicants meet specific criteria before automatically scheduling CDB review.
Ms. Tarapani said staff will provide information regarding the number of cases approved
by staff and the CDB, trends that need exploration, etc. She said the CDB and staff rarely
disagree. In response to a question, she estimated the City received ninety applications last
year for flexible development.
Community Development Board Workshop 2005-02-09 2
Discussion ensued regarding the $1,205 application fee. Assistant City Attorney Leslie
Dougall-Sides said administrative fees should reflect staff’s efforts, but the fee falls short of
covering City costs. Ms. Tarapani said Clearwater subsidizes fees for certain types of
applications. A fee study is planned. It was suggested that fees be based on a project’s size.
Ms. Tarapani said the CDB would be involved in developing the scope of the Code
review process with the PPC (Pinellas Planning Council) prior to the development of any Code
amendments.
6 – Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 5:02 p.m.
Community Development Board Workshop 2005-02-09 3