Loading...
02/11/1997 - City Commission Community Meeting CITY COMMISSION COMMUNITY MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 11, 1997 Present: Rita Garvey Mayor/Commissioner J. B. Johnson Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Robert Clark Commissioner Ed Hooper Commissioner Karen Seel Commissioner Elizabeth M. Deptula City Manager Bob Keller Assistant City Manager Pamela K. Akin City Attorney Scott Shuford Central Permitting Director Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Memorial Civic Center. Central Permitting Director Scott Shuford reviewed recent studies of Clearwater beach. The 1991 CBBRTF (Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force) recommended redevelopment of the area bordered by Poinsettia Street, Clearwater Harbor, Marianne, and Baymont Street to include a low profile parking garage, a harbor-front boardwalk and upscale shopping/entertainment area, and large restaurant boats. The CBBRTF recommended the redevelopment “should be voluntary with City assistance.” Staff’s “1994 South Mandalay” plan proposed to consolidate properties in the East Shore/Poinsettia area into a single development proposal centered around a major hotel facility(s) or residential/commercial project. In 1996, the Florida Planning Groups Development Analysis concluded the redevelopment potential of the South Mandalay area meets the three conditions for successful redevelopment: 1) meets City’s overall development plan for area; 2) market exists for envisioned uses; and 3) land needed for future redevelopment can be acquired for a cost that new uses can support. The 1997 O’Neil Planning & Design CRA Analysis indicated the beach area can be considered as a Redevelopment Area based on State criteria requirements. Mr. Shuford indicated Pinellas County’s administration is not opposed to a CRA on Clearwater beach. He distributed a list of short term revitalization efforts on Clearwater beach: 1) bringing S. Gulfview Blvd. and SR 60, West of the Memorial Causeway Bridge, into City ownership and maintenance would allow streetscaping and signage projects to be implemented more easily; 2) 1997 Mandalay Avenue streetscaping project; 3) dumpster-screening; 4) Clearwater beach included in code streamlining process; and 5) continue comprehensive nuisance and code enforcement efforts on the beach. Mr. Shuford said O’Neil Planning & Design CRA Analysis identified 5 criteria which would qualify the beach as a CRA. Only one is needed. All criteria relate to City property, i.e. substandard rights-of-way, etc. The beach originally was platted for 60-foot wide single-family residences. The street network did not keep up with development. Mr. Shuford distributed the Areas of Concentration required to develop the Clearwater Beach CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Plan: 1) public input: a) hold at least 3 public meetings to elicit public input and b) hold 2-day design charrette to develop urban design, redevelopment projects, pedestrian access, traffic circulation, and parking alternatives; 2) financial forecasting: a) project estimated TIF (Tax Increment Financing) revenue and recommend bonding that may be necessary for proposed public projects and b) prepare a comparative analysis of projected property values and tax revenue charges under “status quo” and recommended redevelopment alternatives, with a focus on General Fund and TIF revenues; 3) public/private partnerships: a) identify private sector redevelopment projects based on corrective actions developed in plan. Identify/ evaluate parcel assembly needs and underutilized properties; b) evaluate City-owned property for redevelopment potential, identify property assembly requirements, and recommend redevelopment land uses; and c) provide standards for comparative evaluation of projects; 4) specific areas of problem resolution/urban design: a) recommend streetscape and right-of-way improvements and alternatives to resolve backout parking and pedestrian accessibility concerns; b) address parking issues related to proposed redevelopment; c) identify options to implement design review, the facade improvement grant, and loan programs; d) identify options to improve traffic circulation; e) identify options to increase and promote public waterfront access to Clearwater Harbor and the gulf; f) recommend temporary commercial parking, outdoor display, sidewalk cafe, and sidewalk vendor land uses; g) recommend “sunsetting” issues regarding the CRA; h) address identified public safety issues; and h) recommend location and staffing for beach welcome center. In response to a question, Mr. Shuford said required setbacks are not met on large segments of the beach. Some areas lack sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bicycle paths, and adequate street lighting. Inadequate streets and bridges impede traffic flow. He said future needs for parking and street layout must be considered. If the City Commission is interested in pursuing a Clearwater Beach CRA, the City will hire a consultant to develop a plan. This step will take less than one year and include a great deal of input from property owners and the public. The Downtown and Clearwater Beach CRAs will not be combined. Molly Ringold expressed concern the numerous studies have been expensive. She requested information regarding the total TIF collected by the Downtown CRA and the amount of funds the Downtown CRA has spent. Mr. Shuford said TIF was used to construct Station Square Park and Downtown streetscaping. TIF was not used to purchase the Harborview Center property. Ms. Ringold urged the City do something. Anne Garris, Bob Bickerstaffe, Nellie Auby, and Jim Eggar opposed the Clearwater Beach CRA, noting studies are expensive, duplicative, incomplete, and ignored. Concerns were expressed CRAs can condemn private property and hurt thriving businesses. It was felt the City should solve infrastructure problems without a CRA. The urgent need for a welcome center was noted. It was stated parking problems harm merchants and a private/public partnership should be developed with Pelican Walk for a parking garage leased and maintained by the City. Mr. Shuford estimated the City has spent $50,000 in consideration of a Clearwater Beach CRA. A parking garage at Pelican Walk will be addressed at a future City Commission meeting. It was recommended Solid Waste increase the pickup schedule for dumpsters by restaurants to avoid offensive odors. In response to a question, Mr. Shuford said the large size of the proposed Clearwater beach CRA will permit TIF financing for the greatest number of projects. It was stated property condemnation is an expensive process and is rarely used. The City currently has the ability to condemn private property for public use. Mr. Shuford said condemnation is only one tool available under a CRA. In response to a question, the City Attorney indicated the CRA cannot be reconfigured to include the DDB (Downtown Development Board). If approved, the current CRA would oversee both the Downtown and Clearwater Beach CRAs. In response to a question, Mr. Shuford said the plan, to be developed by a consultant, would determine issues related to the TIF regarding redevelopment efforts. He said the Land Development Code is being revised to be friendly to developers, provide flexibility, and address community character issues. Density on Clearwater beach, a barrier island, cannot be increased. He noted the South end of the island has taller structures and suggested buildings along Mandalay Avenue should be no taller than 35 feet to maintain a pedestrian scale. No view requirements exist on Mandalay Avenue. He suggested land on Hamden Drive could provide public access to Clearwater Harbor. In response to a question, he said the City cannot force redevelopment to meet setbacks. A long range view is needed to replace arbitrary setback lines. Julie Nichols and another resident spoke in favor of the CRA, noting the need for a master plan that addresses infrastructure issues and the needs and tastes of modern travelers relative to internationally competitive tourist destinations. Dr. Ken Rosenow questioned the Commissioner’s opinions. Commissioner Seel said studies regarding a beach CRA show great potential. Incentives provided by code changes have proved to be ineffective. She said TIF would allow taxes on beach properties to be funneled there for investment. Commissioner Clark and Mayor Garvey had not reached a decision. Mayor Garvey requested information regarding the impact of a beach TIF on the City’s general fund. Commissioner Johnson said a CRA in an area of increasing values would benefit the beach. He would support a plan that reflects community input. Commissioner Hooper said the current trend on Clearwater beach needs to be reversed and the time is right for action. Dr. Rosenow expressed concern regarding the recent decline in tourists, the deterioration of some beach properties, and the length of time required to accomplish CRA goals. He recommended a grass roots' movement do something now and proposed creating a density pool. Pauline Cass said Clearwater beach should be a fun place for young people to vacation and recommended motivating residents to beautify their properties. ITEM #2 - Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.