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10/30/2014 - Topic Downtown Issues WORK SESSION MINUTES TOPIC DOWNTOWN ISSUES CITY OF CLEARWATER October 30, 2014 Present: Bill Jonson Councilmember Jay Polglaze Councilmember Also present: Anne Fogarty France Downtown Manager Nicole Sprague ORLS Coordinator The work session was called to order at 1:03 p.m. at City Hall. Discussion ensued regarding the Clearwater Downtown Partnership (CDP) and the interest and passion its member's share of downtown. It was mentioned that the Prospect Lake Residential project was important to the business community. Councilmember Jonson provided a document that outlined Streetsense recommendations and compared them to the Planning Department's response and the City's code. Discussion ensued regarding sign code and its limitations, sandwich board signs and awning lighting. It was suggested that downtown be allowed to create itself with more vibrancy when it comes to lighting, color and signage to promote uniqueness. It was said that the Comprehensive Sign Program allows flexibility but the fee to apply for the program is too high. The business will already be paying more to the sign company for a larger and more intricate sign. Not all businesses would be able to afford the larger and more intricate signs in addition to paying the program fee. It was said that there is a lot of information required to apply for the program including a survey which discourages businesses. It was said that there is no color palette for the downtown district like there is on Clearwater beach, and allowable colors are based on neighboring colors, which is subjective. Interpretation and subjectivity can be problematic. It was suggested that a member of Planning staff attend a subcommittee meeting to address specific questions. A definition of a character district was discussed and how it could benefit the downtown district. It was said that by broadening the expectations, objectives and outcomes through regulation and flexibility, a character district can be formed. Business Task Force (BTF) recommendations were discussed. It was said that according to the Task Force Chair, some of the recommendation were not addressed. For example, the BTF recommended C-View create programming on the Planning & Development process. During the Council review of the BTF recommendations, the BTF said they understood the economic realities of creating a program and Council's decision not to move forward with this recommendation, yet it remains on this list as not done. It was said that since there is a new council in place since the BTF review, it would be good to review the recommendations again along with the Urban Land Institute's (ULI) recommendations. Discussion ensued regarding the ULI recommendations. It was said that it is important that the business community understand that the process to improve the downtown is underway. It was suggested that both councilmembers come up with a framework statement that captures what the subcommittee has been discussing to allow for Council discussion. It was suggested that Council revisit the different studies to see if there is opportunity for revisions and change so that opportunities as given by ULI can be facilitated. It was said that discussions in the subcommittee are important first steps that will help facilitate some of the ULI recommendations. The work session adjourned at 3:15 p.m.