03/19/1996 - Downtown Partnership MeetingJOINT DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP MEETING
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
March 19, 1996
Present: See Attachment A
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. at City Hall Annex.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
ITEM #2 - Approval of Minutes
Member Winters moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 17, 1995, as corrected. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
ITEM #3 - Unfinished Business - None.
ITEM #4 - Pending Business
a) Downtown Plan Zoning Changes/Scott Shuford
Central Permitting Director Scott Shuford distributed copies of zoning changes and reviewed the redevelopment plan's history. He said the proposed lake would address downtown stormwater
pollution needs. The City already has committed $1-million toward construction of a new Memorial Causeway Bridge. Coachman Park may be expanded and development of a marina facility
will be analyzed. A traditional downtown center is recommended. Mr. Shuford discussed downtown height and density limits. The Planning & Zoning Board will review proposed changes
in mid-April.
Concern was expressed the plan meet future needs. Mr. Shuford said the DRB (Design Review Board) will have significant influence regarding a building's "fit" in a location.
Concern was expressed the proposed alignment to the Memorial Causeway Bridge replacement via Pierce will be close to Pierce 100. Mr. Shuford noted the importance of keeping downtown
revitalized and said a way to direct traffic back into downtown will be designed. The City Manager welcomed anyone interested in the bridge issue to attend a March 28, 1996, meeting
at the Harborview Center hosted by the City and City consultant.
b) Proposed Design Guidelines/Don McCarty
Design Planner Don McCarty distributed a draft of design Guidelines for downtown which will: 1) ensure an orderly, high quality redevelopment process; 2) protect and enhance major pubic
investments in the area; 3) encourage small and large scale public and private investment downtown; 4) minimize renovation costs and maximize new development potential by eliminating
guesswork and reducing potential development problems; and 5) protect and maintain historic features. Mr. McCarty introduced DRB members. The Design Review statements indicate design
review should be broadly oriented and encourage the creative
application of design principles to a specific site. The DRB will rate buildings but have not established a mandated minimum score. The design review process should take no more than
30 days. Appeal of a denial is estimated to take an additional 30 days.
The Guideline's major areas address: 1) the history and background of a site or building; 2) identifying what is worthy of saving; 3) new infill construction; 4) new construction; and
5) streetscape improvements, furnishings; and landscaping.
Guidelines will be available once the City Commission approves them. No charge will be made for the design review process. Mr. McCarty said the City needs assistance spreading the
word regarding design review. A massive education campaign is needed. In answer to a question, he said a palette of colors was not chosen. The DRB is sensitive to colors but was not
comfortable mandating that decision. Some applicants may be encouraged to consider more than one color. No more than three or four colors will be permitted, depending on the complexity
of a building's design. The DRB wants to encourage, not restrict, creativity.
ITEM #5 - Other Partnership Business - None.
ITEM #6 - Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.