WAYFINDING SIGNAGE FOR ENTERPRISE / US 19 AREA4110
CITYOF CLEAR WATER
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The Seyer Group
March 26, 2015
Mayor George Cretekos
City of Clearwater
112 S Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
Dear Mayor Cretekos,
Wayfinding signs have been utilized in downtown Clearwater since 2004. The
City paid $750,000 for signs at 12 intersections directing the public downtown.
The directional signage was considered a key element of the Downtown
revitalization strategy.
Ramco Gershenson, the owner of Cypress Point Shopping Center, has been
trying to get the City's attention on wayfinding signs for the Enterprise Road area
for 842 days. We have continually urged the City to be proactive and help
mitigate the impact from the road construction and confusion created by the new
manner in which you access the shopping center.
The US 19 Plan was approved in December 2012. Funding for the
recommended wayfinding signage system has been rejected for two years.
However, the City contracted with ULI for another downtown report in the spring
of 2014. The City received the ULI Advisory Services Panel Report dated
June 15 -20, 2014. Which makes the following points:
1. The City has three main development concentrations:
• The US 19 corridor;
• The city center area, and
• The beach
2. The market has a high out -of- state and international visitor profile. These
visitors stay longer than an in -state visitor and seek activities other than
just beach activities.
The residents that live within one or two miles of the Enterprise -US 19
intersection will learn to navigate the new road system. This is critical because
they are the core shoppers for the retailers. However, it takes more than the core
shopper for a merchant to sustain a store or business. They need to be able to
attract the tourists, seasonal visitors, and the traveling businessmen and women
that are in the area for a day or two. Capturing the total market is what makes a
retailer successful.
7321 Merchant Court • Sarasota, Florida 34240 . 941.552.2200 • Fax 941.552.2210
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Mayor Cretekos
March 26, 2015
Page 2
The City has considered guiding the public to downtown as critical to the viability
of the downtown area. We consider the need to guide the visitors to the retailers
in the US 19 /Enterprise Road area to be equally important. Once again we are
requesting the City to take action immediately.
Thank you,
THE SEYER GROUP
Kim Binkley Seyer
cc: Councilman Hoyt Hamilton
Councilman Jay Polglaze
Councilman Doreen Hock - DiPolito
Councilman Jay Jonson
Mr. Bill Horne
Mr. Michael Delk
Mr. Ed Eickhoff
Ms. Pam Akin
Senator Latvala
The Seyer Group
• Wayfinding Signage
Enterprise Road Area
1. Executive Summary
2. Proposed Ordinance and Redline of Existing Ordinance
3 Legal Analysis Distinguishing Wayfinding Signage from
Granite State
4. Cypress Point Temporary Signs
5. Lakewood Ranch Example
6. Cooper Creek Example
0
7. Publix Shopping Center Example
8. Orlando Example
9. US 19 Plan — Wayfinding Signage Excerpt
10 Timeline Highlights
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7321 Merchant Court • Sarasota, Florida 34240 • 941.552.2200 • Fax 941.552.2210
tr
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ORDINANCE NO. 8402-13
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
MAKING AMENDMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CODE BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS, DIVISION 18, SIGNS, SECTION 3 -1806 TO ALLOW
SIGNS WITHIN PUBLIC RIGHTS -OF -WAY TO PROVIDE
WAYFINDING DURING PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS;
AMENDING ARTICLE 8, DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF
CONSTRUCTION, SECTION 8 -102, DEFINITIONS; CERTIFYING
CONSISTENCY WITH THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND
PROPER ADVERTISEMENT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, U.S. Highway 19 is being redesigned and certain east -west connections will be
eliminated and traffic circulation patterns changed within the geographic area highlighted
on Exhibit "A" attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein;
WHEREAS, it would be in the public interest to help the driving public adapt to such
changed traffic circulation patterns;
WHEREAS, wayfinding signage may be appropriate in certain circumstances due to
significant changes in the roadway network;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA:
Section 1. That Article 3, Development Standards, Division 18, Signs, Section 3 -1806, of the
Community Development Code, is hereby amended as follows:
Section 3- 1806.U. Signs during public construction projects. The following signage shall
be allowed in conjunction with public construction projects that are scheduled to last
180 days or longer, or as deemed necessary by the City Engineer.
1. Temporary sidewalk signs are permitted for properties abutting qualifying public
construction projects that are scheduled to last 180 days or longer, in accordance with
the following criteria.
a. There shall be a maximum of two sidewalk signs permitted per parcel adjacent to
the public construction project, and parcels with multiple businesses shall
coordinate copy on the signs permitted.
b. Sidewalk signs permitted under this section shall be allowed to be displayed for
the duration of the public construction project starting with project
commencement and shall be removed within seven days after the final
acceptance, by the city, of improvements.
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c. The size of any sidewalk sign shall not exceed eight square feet in total sign face
area, and shall not exceed four feet in height.
d. Sidewalk signs permitted under this section shall be constructed in a
professional and workmanlike manner from treated wood or other durable
material, and copy displayed shall not be spray painted onto the signs.
e. No sidewalk sign, permitted as part of this section shall be permanently erected,
and shall only be displayed during hours of operation for the business being
advertised.
f. No sidewalk sign shall be placed so as to block any public way, or within the
visibility triangle of intersections or driveways.
2. Wayfinding signs may be permitted on publicly owned land or easements or within
public rights -of -way if the City Engineer, as the City Manager's designee, finds that
there is a qualifying public construction project that results in a permanent and
significant change to the existing traffic circulation patterns within the construction
project limits. Such signage shall comply with the following criteria:
a. Wayfinding signs may be erected no more than 90 days prior to the
commencement of the public construction project.
b. The number and location of wayfinding signs shall be determined by the City
Engineer and shall serve to notify and help motorists navigate a new traffic
circulation pattern. In determining the appropriate number of signs, the City
Engineer shall consider the nature of the changed pattern, the uses and the
number of properties directly impacted by such changed patterns.
c. Wayfinding signs shall not conceal or obstruct adjacent land uses or signs, shall
not interfere with or obstruct the vision of motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
d. The owner(s) of a parcel of land, shopping center (including all outparcels), or
office building directly affected by the changed traffic circulation pattern may
request to be included on such wayfinding signs. Exhibit "B ", attached hereto and
by this reference incorporated herein, provides illustrated examples of typical
wayfinding sign designs permitted by this Ordinance.
e. The owner(s) of a parcel of land, shopping center (including all outparcels), or
office building receiving approval to construct the wayfinding signs shall design,
fabricate, install, allocate the panels on, and maintain, repair and replace as
needed, all wayfinding signs. If the constructing owner(s) is a single property
owner they shall make available up to two panels for other requesting property
owners. The owner(s) of property referenced on the signs shall be responsible for
reimbursing the constructing owner(s) for the cost of the sign(s) on a pro rata
• basis. Such signs shall be installed and maintained by the constructing owner(s)
in a safe manner, and include break -away features for traffic safety.
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Section 2. That Article 8 Definitions and Rules of Construction, Section 8 -102, of the
Community Development Code, is hereby amended as follows:
1. Sign, wayfinding means any sign located on publicly owned land, within a public
easement or within the public right -of -way that functions as a guide or
directional sign to notify and help motorists navigate a changed traffic circulation
pattern.
Section 3. Amendments to the Community Development Code of the City of Clearwater (as
originally adopted by Ordinance No. 6348 -99 and subsequently amended) are hereby
adopted to read as set forth in this Ordinance.
Section 4. The City of Clearwater does hereby certify that the amendments contained
herein, as well as the provisions of this Ordinance, are consistent with and in conformance
with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Section 5. Should any part or provision of this Ordinance be declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance
as a whole, or any part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.
Section 6. Notice of the proposed enactment of this Ordinance has been properly advertised
in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with applicable law.
Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING AND ADOPTED
George N. Cretekos, Mayor
Approved as to form:
Leslie K. Dougall -Sides
Assistant City Attorney
Attest:
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
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Exhibit A
Geographic Area Where Certain East -West Connections
Will Be Eliminated and Traffic Circulation Patterns
Changed as a Result of The Redesign Of U.S. Highway 19
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Jrri.�gerf C at "111720 a 23,4_14,
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Exhibit B
Illustrated Examples of Typical Wayfinding Sign
Designs Permitted By Ordinance 8402 -13
t Cypress Point Shopping Center
t Fresh Market
t Burlington Coat Factory
t Available
t Available
WAYFINDING DIRECTIONAL
Sal r 1 -r OPTION A"
▪ 1'11
I Cypress Point Shopping Center ' W
c
t Fresh Market
t Burlington Coat Factory Qy
t Available
t Available
411;
"At
► ,.6-.0 •• ,:6 di ....,6',0 . ,.6 0 ►. £ ..
6- P
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• •
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Reflective Vinyl
Aluminum tub frame with
painted PMS "LT Gray'
satin finish
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•
t Cypress Point Shopping Center
It Fresh Market
t Burlington Coat Factory
t Available
t Available
1/2' dimensional letters, pin mounted to
panel with painted PMS "Lt Gray'
satin finish
Background panel painted
PMS "Med. Gray" satin finish
Aluminum fabricated structure
with PMS "LT Gray" satin finish
Fabricated aluminum cap
painted PMS "LT Gray"
satin finish
SPECIFICATIONS ARE THE SAME FOR ALL SIGNS
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ORDINANCE NO. 8402-13
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
MAKING AMENDMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CODE BY AMENDING ARTICLE 3, DEVELOPMENT
STANDARDS, DIVISION 18, SIGNS, SECTION 3 -1806 &1GS
PERM T -T-&D- WITHOUT \ PERMIT. TO ALLOW SIGNS WITHIN
PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-IV/AY TO PROVIDE WAYFINDING DURING
PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS; AMENDING ARTICLE t8
DEFINITIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION, SECTION 6-1-09
TERMINATION OF STATUS AS A NONCONFORMITY. TO
ALLOW TERMINATED HEIGHT TO BE REBUILT IN CERTAIN
DEFINITIONS; CERTIFYING CONSISTENCY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND PROPER
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND
EFFECTIVE DATE.
r
0
8 102.
WITH THE CITY'S
ADVERTISEMENT;
PROVIDING AN
WHEREAS, U.S. Highway 19 is being redesigned and certain east -west connections will be
eliminated and traffic circulation patterns changed within the geographic area highlighted
on Exhibit "A" attached hereto and by reference incorporated herein:
WHEREAS, it would be in the public interest to help the driving public adapt to such
changed traffic circulation patterns;
WHEREAS, E;;11;-,):-.1:-_,- wayfinding signage may be appropriate in certain circumstances due
to significant changes in the roadway network;
WHEREAS, urcr review of the terL,ination of st. t s o: rzeaccritar azities rro ision. , it is evident
that tl:e ?an a`e should be. clarified;
the land provided ceements are rude;
WHEREAS. the City of Clearwater desires to allow terrniaaated none
reccrstrazted in limited eircu...stanc ;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CLEARWATER,
FLORIDA:
run with
Section 1. That Article 3, Development Standards, Division 18, Signs, Section 3 -1806, of the
Community Development Code, is hereby amended as follows:
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Section 3- 1806.U. Signs during public construction projects. The following signage shall
be allowed in conjunction with public construction projects that are scheduled to last
180 days or longer -, or as deemed necessary by the City Engineer.
1. Temporary sidewalk signs are permitted for properties abutting qualifying public
construction projects that are scheduled to last 180 days or longer, in accordance with
the following criteria.
a. There shall be a maximum of two sidewalk signs permitted per parcel adjacent to
the public construction project, and parcels with multiple businesses shall
coordinate copy on the signs permitted.
b. Sidewalk signs permitted under this section shall be allowed to be displayed for
the duration of the public construction project starting with project
commencement and shall be removed within seven days after the final
acceptance, by the city, of improvements.
c. The size of any sidewalk sign shall not exceed eight square feet in total sign face
area, and shall not exceed four feet in height.
d. Sidewalk signs permitted under this section shall be constructed in a
professional and workmanlike manner from treated wood or other durable
material, and copy displayed shall not be spray painted onto the signs.
e. No sidewalk sign, permitted as part of this section shall be permanently erected,
and shall only be displayed during hours of operation for the business being
advertised.
f. No sidewalk sign shall be placed so as to block any public way, or within the
visibility triangle of intersections or driveways.
ir^osa.. '.tavrndin 32. Wayfinding signs may be permitted on publicly owned land or
easements or ies:. - within public rights -of -way if the City m: a:_zrEngineer, as the
City Manager's designee, finds that there is a qualifying public construction project
that results in a permanent and significant change to the existing traffic circulation
patterns within the construction project limits. Such signage shall comply with the
following criteria:
Temporary tl'
a. Wayfinding signs 41µ "r -may be erected no more than 90 days prior to the
commencement of the public construction project and shai! t<,: r::r..o e4 at'.;:r t
a. Temporary EnJin Sia s ikta
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b. The number and location of tem - sra:y- wayfinding signs shall be determined by the
City Engineer and shall serve to notify and help motorists navigate a new traffic
circulation pattern. In determining the appropriate number of signs, the City
Engineer shall consider the nature of the changed pattern, the uses and the
number of properties directly impacted by such changed patterns.
c. Wayfinding signs shall not conceal or obstruct adjacent land uses or signs, shall
not interfere with or obstruct the vision of motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
d. The owner(s) of a parcel of land, shopping center (including all outparcels), or
office building directly affected by the changed traffic circulation pattern may
request to be included on such wayfinding signs. Exhibit "B ", attached hereto and
by this reference incorporated herein, provides illustrated examples of typical
wayfinding sign designs permitted by this Ordinance.
Tne city shall desia
iA. ^s a 4d the ov.T.erss}
.e. The owner(s) of a
parcel of land, shopping center (including all outparcels). or office building
receiving approval to construct the wayfinding signs shall design, fabricate,
install. allocate the panels on, and maintain, repair and replace as needed, all
wayfinding signs. If the constructing,owner(s) is a single property owner they
shall make available up to two panels for other requesting property owners. The
owner(s) of property referenced on the signs shall be responsible for reimbursing
the constructing owner(s) for the cost of the sign(s) on a pro rata basis. Such
signs shall be installed and maintained by the constructing owner(s) in a safe
manner, and include break -away features for traffic safety.
a. ?'h= C. its of C Ofwater- e
Section 2. That Article 6, Nonconformity Pro ;ision_s, Dit:sion 6 i0 < }8 Definitions and Rules of
Construction. Section 8 -102, of the Community Development Code, l tt tthe e -Is hereby
amendedd -as follows:
Secticr. 6 i09. ertairarcn of to us as a aor.co-tfa ::i..:.1. Sign wayfinding means any sign
located on publicly owned land. within a public easement or within the public
right -of -way that functions as a guide or directional sign to notify and help
motorists navigate a changed traffic circulation pattern.
Z: ilcorfar;' 4tr mow' efit ' et ! tra y be :.::.'t zit'_ t 4z ii. - conto„-r i:'' with ::. - Dev -alepm ?u Code..
an•- .- erca:ter be al a r.E ax if
sttah-e3e -or
strzi ce is , .r - -his sect- - Section 3.
Amendments to the Community Development Code of the City of Clearwater (as originally
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adopted by Ordinance No. 6348 -99 and subsequently amended) are hereby adopted to
read as set forth in this Ordinance.
: ,< respect to de isit 'intensity may be deemed to be in
ccrformity with this Development Ct.
0
approval. :ldditienally a-site plan she be .;ubir.itt.d .xcurren :ly for review and approval by the Communit-.
Development Beart! that demons :rates -e m nee -with the yellowing:
1. If the existing structure is to remain or be expanded, such r..quired Lite plan shall demonstrate compliance
with the provisions net
v :i:.`i . one year of the issuance of the Level
null and void.
1. If reconstruction o , _ _ .. the required-Level One or Level Two
application shall be submitted in- conjunction with the Level Two termination request and shall
Pity Development Code. Jr. the event such
reconstruction -does no: occur with
c provisions set forth in
year of the expiration of the development order or the termination of aenconfort.ity .rill be null avoid:
1. If t e uircd improvements or reconstruction authorized in any development order granted pursuant to 6
109.B. 1 or above are cons:.. :. - _ gal -and shall
run with the land. Any future redevelopment utilizing this densiti,'iniensity ;hall come pl -witr - .
previsions of th., Community Development Code in effect a: that time.
1. Should the improve. ents on a property be dei..olished during the valid ti :eframe of a development-or-der
terminatin,z nonconforming density'intenrit }' pursuant to this sec -tion and the property is vacant, the
prop ::ty sh .' y._' -- .. .. a fiance -with these provisions and such t•rmination of
-1- Any terminated nonconforrmin -=uni
C. .1 l>vel two appr
: :ru;t'ure unless the nonconformity is improved eccerdin` to txhe- f€llow_ng requirements:
through Section 6 109.B. 1 or 2 above shall not be
1. Pei ever buffers--
:rerneiits C
1. Off street parking lets shall be improved- to-meet the landscapin` standards
1202(D -c)_
1. Any nonc ,nforraing signs, outdoor light -inter -ether accessory sz uctt
gin
omprehenri -landseap4ng art.
. f this section.
1. The use anal
forth in Seeder. 3
eirent
4,
D. . -:v property locoed in the Downtown-District that ha: been subject to a termination of
nonconfo-miry with regard to building h,i eht may reconstruct such height if approved by the
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Cc a i:ni:y Dev-elo ne: t Beard as Level
1. The racer.-
the Clearwater Downtown Redevelopment ?Lit; and
L
of negatively -4r
1. The desi n of the proposed project cr etas a form and finetion :which enhances the community
character of the immedia .. r - a ith the
Desinn Guidelines; and
Section 3. Amendments to the Community DCVe
a
this Ordinance.
tar -fas originally
Section I. The City of Clear
the provisions of this Ordinan c, are
Raft,
itI the City's Comprehensive
Section 5. Should any pa:: or provision of t Ordinance be declared by a court of competent juriadi ion
CC
r
than the part declared to be invalid.
a•
newspaper of greneral circulation ir accordance with applicable law.
Section '. This ordinance shall take effct immediately upon adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING May 15, 2013
AS AMENDED
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL
READING AND ADOPTED
George N. Crzrkcs
Mayor
tai raved as to _form: Atest:
Leslie K. Dougall Sides Rosemarie Call
Assistant City Attorney City Clerk
Section 4. The City of Clearwater does hereby certify that the amendments contained
herein. as well as the provisions of this Ordinance, are consistent with and in conformance
with the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Section 5. Should any part or provision of this Ordinance be declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the same shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance
as a whole, or any part thereof other than the part declared to be invalid.
Section 6. Notice of the proposed enactment of this Ordinance has been properly advertised
in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with a s plicable law.
•
Section 7. This ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED ON FIRST READING
PASSED ON SECOND AND FINAL READING AND ADOPTED
George N. Cretekos. Mayor
Approved as to form:
Leslie K. Dougall -Sides
Assistant City Attorney
Attest:
Rosemarie Call
City Clerk
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Exhibit A
Geographic Area Where Certain East -West Connections
Will Be Eliminated and Traffic Circulation Patterns
Changed as a Result of The Redesign Of U.S. Highway 19
•
A
4 y_
a 4•
' - 4
1-11
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Exhibit B
Illustrated Examples of Typical Wavfinding Sign
Designs Permitted By Ordinance 8402 -13
5'.5'
f Cypress Point Shopping Center
t Fresh Market
t Burlington Coat Factory
t Available
t Available
WAYFINDING DIRECTIONAL
su1:1 =r.r OPTION "A"
• 1 -7`
V-11 3i4' -
•
0- .6%0 0. p. .6
6-.0
.1.
Z 5
2/t 9S
T
E
• • •
•
Reflective Vinyl -
Aluminum tub frame with
painted PMS 'LT Gray'
satin finish
•
t Cypress Point Shopping Center
t Fresh Market
t Burlington (oat Factory
t Available
t Available
1/2' dimensional letters. pin mounted to
panel with painted PMS 'It Gray'
satin finish
Fabricated aluminum cap
painted PMS 'LT Gray'
t,; satin finish
I m44'
41;
Background panel painted -
PMS 'Med. Gray' satin finish
Aluminum fabricated structure
with PMS 'LT Gray' satin finish
SPECIFICATIONS ARE THE SAME FOR ALL SIGNS
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CV
1
0 4"
1 1
A
.6? 4"
0
1_
rn 4"
0
1 1
) 4"
0
4
V V
t-
•
5' -5"
t Cypress Point Shopping Center
It. Fresh Market
t Burlington Coat Factory
WAYFINDING DIRECTIONAL
SCALE. r' = 1 0' OPTION "A"
.r 1 7"
1' -11 3/4"
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Cypress Point Shopping Center
t Fresh Market
6-.4
--------------
2/1. 8-.9
..b/ Z-.9 — -
ON-
c
• • •
Reflective Vinyl
Aluminum tub frame with
painted PMS "LT Gray"
satin finish
t Cypress Point Shopping Center
I- Fresh Market
t Burlington Coat Factory
t Available
t Available
1/2" dimensional letters, pin mounted to
panel with painted PMS "Lt Gray"
satin finish
Background panel painted
PMS "Med. Gray" satin finish
Aluminum fabricated structure ►
with PMS "LT Gray" satin finish
Fabricated aluminum cap
painted PMS "LT Gray"
satin finish
SPECIFICATIONS ARE THE SAME FOR ALL SIGNS
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COLBURN Memorandum
THE COLBURN FIRM
To: Mr. Ed Eickhoff
Thru: Ms. Kim Seyer
From: Casey Colburn, Esq.
Date: December 15, 2014
Re: Clearwater Wayfinding Ordinance vs. Granite State Case (Issues)
I have reviewed the Granite State Advertising case issues in light of the reports that the City
Attorney has reportedly raised the concern that the proposed Wayfinding ordinance is inconsistent
with, and, more importantly, jeopardizes the City's favorable outcome in that case. As I have
discussed with Kim Seyer, there are certainly inconsistencies between the issues involved in the
Granite State case and the issues the City is poised to address with its enactment of the proposed
Wayfinding ordinance. However, the Granite State case involved a challenge to the City's
authority to regulate large billboards, and its approval procedures for signs not allowed under its
regulations. The Wayfinding ordinance defines a type of sign that will be allowed and the
circumstances under which they will be allowed. Thus, the inconsistencies mainly have to do with
the facts, and not with the legal issues involved. This memorandum, while not exhaustive,
summarizes and attempts to explain some of the specific distinctions between the Granite State
case and the Wayfinding Ordinance in the bullet - points, below:
• The Parties - Granite State was a Georgia corporation in the business of buying or leasing land
upon which to construct signs and billboards to be used for both commercial and noncommercial
purposes. Granite State had never erected or operated a billboard, nor had it held a permit in its
own name to erect a billboard. Granite State received its profits from the sale of billboard permits it
had obtained from various cities and municipalities, some of which it had obtained through
litigation.
The Wayfinding Ordinance is remedial in purpose (discussed below), and it is intended to apply to
any "owner(s) of a parcel of land, shopping center (including all outparcels), or office building
directly affected by the changed traffic circulation pattern may request to be included on such
wayfinding signs."
• Regulatory Purpose (Distinct from Granite State, which was Regulatory & Restrictive vs.
Wayfinding, which is Remedial & Informational) - Clearwater, like many other cities, has codified
various sign regulations to create a comprehensive scheme for restricting, through regulation, inter
alia, the permitting, placement, number, size, height, design, operation, and maintenance of signs
within the City's boundaries. The many purposes of these sign regulations include traffic safety and
aesthetics of the community. Granite State had sought a permit to construct a billboard on eight
different parcels of real estate in the City.
• THE COLBURN FIRM, PL
PO Box 21723, Sarasota, FL 34276 (941) 928 -6801 Casey.Colburn @iCloud.com
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Clearwater Wayfinding
Page 2 of 4
The purpose of the Wayfinding Ordinance is the opposite of that litigated in the Granite State case.
The primary purpose of the Wayfinding program is remedial and directional. The Wayfinding signs
are intended to assist the traveling public and the property owners directly affected by changes in
traffic patterns caused by public infrastructure projects. Unlike the billboard advertising sign
permits sought to be obtained (and then sold) by Granite State, the Wayfinding signs contemplated
in the proposed ordinance are neither exclusive to those who are eligible to be shown on such
signs, nor are they intended to be leased to third parties for profit.
• Content Neutrality (no distinction from Granite State, as the rules are Content Neutral) - Granite
State entered into lease agreements for a total of eight parcels of real property located in
commercial or industrial areas of Clearwater. Granite State's goal was to construct and operate
one freestanding billboard sign on each parcel of property. The City denied each of Granite State's
permit applications because Granite State sought to construct billboards more than four times the
allowable height and ten times the allowable area under the existing Clearwater regulations.
Rather than appeal the denial of its permits, Granite State initiated litigation in the Middle District of
Florida challenging the constitutionality of Article 3, Division 18 and Article 4 of Clearwater's
Community Development Code on First Amendment grounds and requesting injunctive relief.
The Granite State District Court noted: "One of the few issues that is clear under the Supreme
Court's decision in Metromedia is that government is permitted to regulate speech through sign
ordinances that are not content based, provided they are narrowly tailored to further the significant
government interests. Metromedia, 453 U.S. at 511 -12, 516. The Granite State courts found that
the Clearwater ordinance that stood in the way of Granite State's proposed business plan (i.e., to
sell permits to erect billboards that were larger than allowed under the ordinance) were viewpoint -
neutral.
In similar fashion, the Wayfinding ordinance allows any owner or business directly affected by a
change in traffic patterns to erect or be included upon a Wayfinding sign, without regard to the
content of the information on the Wayfinding sign. A Wayfinding sign is defined in the proposed
ordinance as:
Sign, Wayfinding means any sign located on publicly owned land, within a public easement
or within the public right -of -way that functions as a guide or directional sign to notify and
help motorists navigate a changed traffic circulation pattern.
• Overbreadth (no distinction from Granite State, as the rules are Constitutional) - Once a regulation
is found to be viewpoint - neutral, it is subject to intermediate scrutiny, which requires that the state
demonstrate that: 1) the act serves a substantial governmental interest (unrelated to the
suppression of free expression), and 2) it is narrowly drawn to serve that interest without
unnecessarily interfering on First Amendment freedoms (that is, the restriction in First Amendment
freedoms is no greater than is essential to the furtherance of the interest). Taxpayers for St.
Vincent, 466 U.S. at 805. The Eleventh Circuit summarized that to uphold a viewpoint - neutral
regulation of speech, a government must show that:
"1) it has the constitutional power to make the regulation,
2) an important or substantial government interest unrelated to the suppression of free speech
is at stake, and
• THE COLBURN FIRM, PL PO Box 21723, Sarasota, FL 34276 (941) 928 -6801
Casey.Colburn @iCloud.com
Clearwater Wayfinding
Page 3 of 4
• 3) the ordinance is narrowly drawn to achieve its desired ends, leaving other channels for the
communication of information."
Messer v. City of Douglasville, Ga., 975 F.2d 1505, 1510 (1992) (emphasis added).
The City of Clearwater demonstrated in the Granite State case that it has the constitutional power
to make the regulation (per the cases cited, above). Where the government has disrupted traffic
patterns in a defined area, the proposed Wayfinding Ordinance advances an important or
substantial government interest unrelated to the suppression of free speech, specifically, "to help
the driving public adapt to ... changed traffic circulation patterns." Additionally, the proposed
Wayfinding Ordinance is narrowly drawn to achieve its desired ends, leaving other channels for the
communication of information in that it does not otherwise restrict any other permitted signage or
commercial speech. Furthermore, it is intended to remediate what might otherwise be considered
an (albeit unintentional) infringement upon the commercial speech of property owners whose
properties are directly affected by the government's disruption of traffic patterns within an
expressly - defined area. The proposed Wayfinding Ordinance allows the administrator to provide
for the construction of a specific type of directional sign, where it is warranted (for example, where
the directly affected property owners request it), in order to achieve the desired ends of aiding the
traveling public to find its way along a newly- established path of travel.
While it might be possible to speculate how someone might attempt to seek a Wayfinding sign in a
manner or in an area that is not permitted by the Wayfinding Ordinance (such as Granite State
attempted to do with its eight (8) billboard applications in areas where billboards weren't allowed),
mere speculation of that possibility cannot in any way negate either the city's ability to establish the
• Wayfinding regulations, the legitimacy of public purpose behind the Wayfinding Ordinance, or the
narrowness of the regulatory scope of the regulation.
• Procedure (Distinct from Granite State, which was administrative. The Wayfinding Ordinance is
legislative) - Granite State also attempted to challenge the permitting & appeal scheme employed
by the City of Clearwater. However, Granite State never appealed the denial of its eight (8)
billboard permit applications by the City. Instead, it advanced a hypothetical Constitutional
argument (in court) that, if it had tried to appeal, the effort would have been futile, since the
scheme the City employed gave it unbridled discretion to (unconstitutionally) forever bottle -up
permit applications like that sought by Granite State in order to restrict protected speech with
which it disagreed. This argument failed.
The court found that Granite State did not have standing to challenge the City's procedures,
stating: "The Supreme Court has identified three constitutional requirements for standing, all of
which must be satisfied: (1) an injury in fact, meaning an injury that is concrete and particularized,
and actual or imminent, (2) a causal connection between the injury and the causal conduct, and (3)
a likelihood that the injury will be redressed by a favorable decision. See, e.g., Bennett, 520 US. at
167, 117 S.Ct. at 1163. The Court also has identified three prudential standing principles. See,
e.g., Allen v. Wright, 468 U.S. 737, 751, 104 S.Ct. 3315, 3324, 82 L.Ed.2d 556 (1984). Relevant
here is the principle that a party generally may assert only his or her own rights and cannot raise
the claims of third parties not before the court."
Based upon feedback from Wayfinding proponents, the City Manager and some members of the
City Commission appear be under the (incorrect) impression that every speculative challenge to
• THE COLBURN FIRM, PL PO Box 21723, Sarasota, FL 34276 (941) 928 -6801
Casey.Colburn @iCloud.com
•
•
Clearwater Wayfinding
Page 4 of 4
the City's Wayfinding Ordinance has not been anticipated and addressed in the Wayfinding
Ordinance, itself. The argument has been made that it would be easier to prevent litigation if the
City Staff were instead allowed to bring forward a different wayfinding scheme of its own choosing,
using its own processes, and on its own time schedule. The simple response to this argument is
that any ordinance, particularly one relating to First Amendment freedoms, could, hypothetically,
be administered in an unfair or unjust matter that would subject a municipality to a constitutional
challenge, no matter whose idea it was in the first place.
What the Granite State case stands for, however, is exactly the opposite: The Granite State case
found that, in order to have standing to challenge the constitutionality of Clearwater's sign
ordinance appeal process, Granite State must have been able to demonstrate how that ordinance
had been applied to Granite State's applications. Because Granite State did not appeal the denial
of its permit applications, there were no facts upon which the court could evaluate whether the
Clearwater processes were fairly or justly applied to Granite State's applications.
To my knowledge, and despite Wayfinding supporters' specific and repeated requests, there has
not been provided any specific factual scenarios that demonstrate, beyond speculation, that the
professional City Manager and /or his designee is incapable of administering the Wayfinding
Ordinance in a fair and constitutional manner. Speculation about this point should not be enough
to dissuade the City from considering the enactment of the proposed Wayfinding program through
the City's legislative process. Fortunately, for the Clearwater City Commission and the City
Manager, if enacted, the City's victory in the Granite State case means that no one is able to
advance such a merely speculative argument against the Wayfinding Ordinance, once approved,
and actually prevail in a court of law. What's more, the City should take solace that the Wayfinding
Ordinance addresses an obvious and legitimate public purpose -- one which has been addressed
similarly by other jurisdictions in Florida, and elsewhere.
THE COLBURN FIRM, PL PO Box 21723, Sarasota, FL 34276 (941) 928 -6801
Casey.Colburn @iCloud.com
May 2013
•
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• University Parkway -A local road
• Existing wayfinding for 3.3 miles
• Manatee County Sign Ordinance requires
permit per slot.
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to be indicated on permit form"
1995
20
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• University Parkway - A local road
• Existing wayfinding for 3.3 miles
• Manatee County Sign Ordinance requires
permit per slot.
"Sign code states If more than 1 tenant,
amount of sign area allocated for each tenant
to be indicated on permit form"
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•
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•
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U5_1' CLEARWATER
Prepared by HDR, Inc. for the City of Clearwater, Florida
• •
ISSUES
Participants also shared their issues with the corridor and described the
existing challenges along and adjacent to US 19. They discussed what
needs fixing, what is currently missing, and what gets in the way of
positive change on the corridor. Issues mentioned during the listening
sessions included:
Active construction creates disturbances for businesses and
residents;
Negative perception of corridor, at least partly due to construction
and access issues;
Uncertainty among property owners and tenants, many of whom
expressed concern about how the U519 Improvements might
change the character of the area and negatively impact their
businesses and properties;
Inadequate wayfindlncg along completed sections of US 19;
Ineffective property /business signage given changes in roadway
condition;
An incomplete or disconnected local street network that limits
connectivity;
Poorly located bus stops and buses stopping in travel lanes
impedes traffic;
Vacancy increasing in locations between major intersections;
Need for better multi -modal connections between commercial,
residential, and recreational areas;
Poor pedestrian access and amenities along US 19 and
connections across highway;
Isolated, hodge - podge, and unattractive development pattern;
Unappealing aesthetics of roadway and need for landscaping or
design features; and
Parcelization affecting potential for redevelopment.
•
U5 19 CLEARW�ITER
1 hvllbhl ll /m.t�•��v. 1.
IDEAS
finally, participants shared their ideas for the future of the corridor.
Participants discussed the Ideal mix of activities, I►ow to Improve
access from place to place, ways the City can promote sustainable
development, and appropriate change for US 19. The following ideas
were generated during the listening sessions:
> Establish coordinated wayflnding and dit ction:AI sigitafie
programs;
Improve conditions at gateways along US 19 and Gulf to 13ay
Boulevard;
Provide changes to development standards to accommodate
flexibility, mixed uses, and higher density /intensity districts at
major Intersections;
Rebr'ai►d corridor and create klentiflablt districts and destlt,ativ„K;
Provide incentives for redevelopment including parcel assembly;
Require interconnectivity between sites;
Promote development of local street network;
Increase pedestrian and bicycle safety through improved
amenities and facilities;
Improve transit service along corridor and between destinations
and adjacent residential areas;
Improve aesthetics on corridor through landscaping, underground
utilities, etc.; and
Attract new employers to mixed -use employment centers.
Individual Listening Sessions
In addition to the group listening sessions, tire project team also held a
series of individual stakeholder listening sessions that were organized
for targeted outreach to specific Individuals or small groups. The City
contacted an assortment of individuals with interests on the corridor and
invited them to participate in one -on -one or small group sessions.
US 19 Redevelopment flan - Issues k Ideas
G WATER •
• •
L J= �
Participants shared similar feedback to that received during the Group
Listening Sessions, although more focused on issues and ideas related
to the future of individual sites. Participants in these sessions discussed
ideas for wayfinding, suggested ways to provide regulatory incentives
or regulatory relief to improve the corridor's attractiveness to private
investment, and shared ideas for improving access and circulation. The
following specific issues and ideas were discussed during the individual
listening sessions:
ISSUES
Par ticipants were particularly concerned with the current nature of the
corridor, and identified the following issues with the current state of the
corridor:
> Uncertainty of corridor's future given US 19 improvements;
Vacancy is high and corridor seems barren and desolate;
Perception that Clearwater is a difficult place to do business given
complex and lengthy review processes;
Difficult and limited access for properties on frontage roads affects
development potential;
Loss of industrial -zoned property to residential and public uses;
Access to porportles south of Couttttyside Mall a concern with
c.kasing of Enterprise (toad crossing; and
Lack of identify for individual destinations and sub- districts along
US 19 corridor.
IDEAS
In addition to expressing their concerns for the existing conditions of
the corridor, participants also had numerous ideas for the future of the
corridor:
Adjust zoning regulations to facilitate development, increase
intensity, speed review cycles, and widen mix of permitted uses
but limit incentives, grants, tax credits, etc.;
US 19 Hedeveloprneut Ilan - Issues & Ideas
Potential for parcel assemblage (e.g., vacant auto dealerships near
I lam Boulevard and vacant parcels near Sunset Point Road) could
increase attractiveness of select sites;
Potential for small -scale office development to take advantage of
improved regional access;
Create public - private partnerships to encourage development;
Potential for year - round, recreation /entertainment - oriented center
with hotels, restaurants, and recreational /entertainment uses in
area surrounding Bright [louse Field;
Create wayfinding signage and tiianagem not program to
assist travelers on US 19 and within sub-districts cts akag corridor
(e.g..Lakewood Ranch color- cotleif signet" destination sites,
navigational signs); and
Explore potential for development of business improvement or
special assessment districts for sub - districts along corridor.
2, PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
Building upon feedback gained at the smaller listening sessions, the City
held two larger public workshops to get input from a greater range of
corridor stakeholders. The objective of the first workshop was to review
findings from the initial phases of the planning process and solicit ideas
for the corridor's transformation. The focus of the second workshop was
to build understanding of plan goals and objectives and test community
acceptance of preliminary strategies for improvement.
Public Workshop 1
The first public workshop was held on May 30, 2012 at the La Quinta
Inn Clearwater Central. The three -hour workshop started with an
open house, followed by a presentation given twice for early and late
attendees. The presentation provided an overview of the project, input
received during the listening sessions, and a more detailed description
of the planning process. A total of 42 participants were in attendance.
8
i3Sfli'ATER
/VI 1II1N hi! 1UV11lly, N1111 ■
• •
3, FOCUS GROUPS
A series of smaller, informal focus group sessions were held in August
and September 2012 with development and real estate professionals,
retailers, offices, and sustainability professionals. These sessions were
intended to gather additional feedback on the preliminary framework
plan and list of strategies for the corridor's improvement. Participants
discussed the following:
Potential for US 19 corridor business improvement or other special
district designation to organize property owners, create self- taxing
authority, or serve as advocacy group;
Opportunity for mobility fee or other impact fee exemptions;
Medtcn is to improve wayffnding and privrate signage along die
c.orricbr at tree different scales
Need to explore potential for off -site or consolidated stormwater
retention systems;
Advantages and disadvantages of additional development
standards or incentives; and
• Landscaping, buffer treatments, and pedestrian improvements
along US 19 frontage roads and other public rights -of -way.
4. ONLINE DISCUSSION BOARD
The project's online discussion board, www.myUS19plan.com, was
introduced in March 2012. In addition to allowing citizens to post and
respond to a set of topics, the site provided background information on
the project, a description of the study area, and workshop presentations.
Between March and September 2012, three rounds of topics were
posted on the site.
US 19 Itt tlevelupinent Plan - Issues & Ideas
Figure S. Screenshot from MindMixer Online Discussion Board
US 19 CLEARWATER
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Round 1 Topics
The site opened with an initial set of general topics designed to
stimulate thinking about desired conditions along the corridor. Over the
course of two months, the site received 60 ideas with 64 comments on
the following five topics:
Vision & Identity;
Uses: Live, Work, Shop & Play;
Placernaking & Urban Design;
Getting from Place to Place; and
Sustainability.
The questions posed on the site and summary of responses for each of
the topics is provided in Table 1.
•
•
able I. Online fliscu siou 110a541 Comment Summary - Round 1 Topics
•
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TOPIC I. VISION
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LIVE, WORK,
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I'I.AU MAKING &
tdltIIAN DESIGN
TOPIC 4.
(I1FTTING EBOM
Pt AC[: TO PI ACE
I)PIC S.
SIJSTAINABII_fEY
Conditions along the US 19 Corridor have changed dramatically over
the past several years —the roadway's redesign, changes in access
and circulation patterns, and the economic downturn have affected
property owners, businesses, anti local residents. Now that the roadway
work is mostly complete and economic conditions are improving,
what does the future hold for the Corridor? What is your vision for the
Corridor? In a few words, how do you want to Corridor to look 10 -20
years from now?
The US 19 Corridor offers a wide range of uses and activities —from
shops and restaurants to workplaces, neighborhoods, and recreation
sites. As conditions change over the next 10 -20 years, the mix and type
of land uses will changes. think about how the mix and location of uses
might affect the Corridor's success. What uses and activities would you
like to see in the future, and where should they be located?
The character anti quality of places along the US 19 Corridor will have a
power MI influence on the City's long -tertn success and competitiveness.
Sate, attractive, well - designed, and well- connected places will help
maintain the cornmunity's reputation as a great place to live, work, and
visit. I low can places and destinations along the Corridor be improved?
What qualities contribute to the creation of successful, attractive
destinations?
Successful communities offer a range of options for getting from place
to place. In addition to providing for safe and convenient car travel, the
City is interested in making biking, walking, and transit more attractive.
Question - How can places along the Corridor he better connected?
Now can we make it easier, safer, and more convenient to travel from
place to place along the Corridor?
Promoting energy efficiency, conserving resources, improving livability,
and reducing impacts on sensitive resources are just a few of the
objectives highlighted in Clearwater GreenPrinr, the City's guidebook
for promoting more sustainable forms and patterns of development.
What susl'ainal.)Ility goals should be used to guide planning for the
US 19 Corridor? I low can the plan help the City achieve its goals for
becoming a more stable, resilient, and attractive place for residents and
businesses?
In the future, respondents envision a lJS 19 corridor that:
) Is designed to allow unimpeded, smooth - flowing north - south vehicular
travel;
Has improved aesthetics through creation of landscape bufler and
relocation of utility lines;
Concentrates development at key locations to create pedestrian - friendly
villages; and
Provides easy access to businesses through use of appropriate signage.
As the US 19 corridor redevelops, respondents would like to see:
) Additional recreational uses;
) A trail and greenway network; and
) Mixed -use employment districts with supporting services and residential
uses.
Respondents suggested that the best strategy to develop destinations and
places along the corridor would be to:
Improve aesthetics and streetscape amenities at overpasses; and
look to models of other destinations with good signage, connectivity,
and public spaces.
To accomplish better connectivity along the Corridor and in adjacent areas,
respondents would like to see:
increased wayfinding signage;
> Improved bus stop locations and design along US 19;
> More frequent pedestrian crossing over US 19 and at intersections;
) Upgraded traffic management systems, especially along Gulf to Bay Blvd;
Better cross - parcel access and connections; and
A direct connection between US 19 and 1 -275.
In terms of how to increase sustainability along the US 19 Corridor,
respondents suggested:
Promoting or requiring low impact development;
Providing multi -modal access;
Creating concentrated employment centers; and
Encouraging development through changes to development standards
and signage.
US 19 Redevelopment Plan - Issues & Ideas
10IN CLEARWATER
•
•
ft eullal 1rrn. n'i'itilfe PIerre'1
Table 2.Online Discussion Itoaid Gonnnent Sumntar y - hound I Topics
TOPIC I.
COUP I RYSII:)E
ACTIVITY
CENII:R
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(:GULF TO BAY
ACTIVITY
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IJN SET POINT
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11LLLt:Alit
I tiSTRICT
IOI'IC S. IN
Pt IWLLN
AREAS
1119,Itovci Ianit> at uuntrysu e Mall ano Countryside c.entre
have strengthened the district's position as a regional destination for
shopping and dining, and the existing cluster of professional offices
might serve as a foundation for a future employment center. Iiow
can we build on Countryside's assets and make the district a stronger,
more attractive destination? Better wayfinding signs? Improved local
street networks? A wider range of uses? Enhanced transit service?
Pedestrian- friendly site designs?
Gulf to Bay Boulevard between US19 and McMullen Booth Road serves
as die primary gateway to the City of Clearwater. Conditions in the
area strongly influence the perception of visitors to the City. How can
the area be improved as a gateway? 1 -low can the City capitalize on the
area's strong locational advantages and critical mass of retail, restaurant,
and recreation uses? Better connections between destinations?
Redevelopment of older commercial strips and trailer courts? Improved
streetscapes and landscaping? Enhanced transit service?
Projects at the US19 intersections of Sunset Road and Coachmen Road
have served the daily needs of nearby residents for the past 20 -30 years.
How can we reinforce the neighborhood- serving function of the area
while promoting redevelopment of vacant and underutilized sites?
(Awe the overpass is complete, Bellair Road will be southernmost point
of access to liS I9 in the City. Iiow can we capitalize on direct access to
1.1S19 wl Wile attracting uses that serve the needs of local residents, office
workers, and visitors? Can vacant sites be reused for higher intensity
office and residential uses? Should new retail and restaurants be
located at the intersection? Can landscaping and gateway signs help
reinforce this location as the City's southern gateway?
When FDOT's improvements are complete, access to US19 will be
limited for areas between the major crossroads. How can these areas
remain productive and attractive in the future? Should strip commercial
development be discouraged? Should redevelopment to more
intensive office and residential uses be encouraged? Can the visual
character of the in between areas be enhanced? Can connections to
surrounding neighborhoods be improved?
Need for better ctrcutatlon and Waytinddny near Lrttei-prise Rd once u -afflc
14 11 is removed.
Consider adding medians and left turn lanes along SR 580 /Main Street.
> Evaluate traffic light signalization out of Countryside Mall and other
shopping centers and along Countryside BlvrI.
Improve traffic flow and safety on Gulf to Bay Blvd by improving traffic
signalization or adding landscaped medians with dedicated left -turn
lanes between McMullen Booth and US 19.
Consolidate auto dealerships in "auto mall" location.
Increase cross - parcel access for businesses along Gulf to Bay Blvd.
Improve roadway surface on Park Place Blvd,
Utilize vacant properties for recreational purposes.
Use vacant proper ties as community gardens or other pubic benefit
Create artwork on overpass retaining walls.
Implement uniform signage and remove visual clutter along t1S 19.
Encourage a redevelolmrent in vacant buildings near Sunset Point Itui.
Improve traffic flow on ramps and frontage roads.
Build an aquatic community center or dog park on vacant land near
Belleair Rd.
Need to create mixed -use destination with restaurants, shops, acid a park, ;
Create an overpass at Belleair Rd to allow U -turns and allow traffic on US
19 to flow smoothly along US 19.
Need for wayflnding sitpt,rge, perhaps consolidated, fur businesses not
located e►t primary itttersecrlbns along WI 'l,.
Streetscape and vacant site improvements.
Improve traffic flow and merging onto US 19 from frontage roads.
Add bus pull-out lanes along US 19 and frontage roads and create safe
crosswalks for transit riders crossing US 19 .
Focus on creating consolidated developments that are destinations,
US 19 Redevelopment Plan - Issues & Ideas
74
LEAQWLVIER
• •
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MEMBERSHIP -BASED PARTNERSHIP
The City and corridor stakeholders could alternatively consider forming
a membership based organization like the Clearwater Downtown
Partnership. A membership organization operating as a not - for - profit
could raise funds from members and seek additional grant funding to
support a modest set of initiatives, most likely focusing on advocacy,
public education, and marketing. Such an organization could act as an
arm of an existing organization like the Clearwater Regional Chamber,
as an extension of an organization like a BID as occurs with the Tampa
Downtown Partnership, or as an independent entity. Although resources
would be limited if solely supported by membership dues and grants,
the organization could serve as an important education and advocacy
platform for corridor stakeholders.
115 19 Redevelopment flan - Plan Strategies
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AREA
Establishment of a Community Redevelopment Area (CitA) is another
option that should be evaluated by the City and corridor stakeholders.
Under Florida law (Chapter 163, fart III), local governments may
designate CRAs within which a portion of tax revenues generated in the
district may be reinvested in streetscapes and roadway improvements;
sewer, water or storrnwater improvements; building renovations; and
parking improvements, or on assistance programs like a site or facade
improvement program. CRAs have been established by a number of
Florida cities to support the revitalization of popular destinations like
Downtown Clearwater, Church Street in Orlando, and Ybor City in Tampa.
Although typically used as a tool to revitalize downtown and main street
districts, CRAB have been established to help attract private investment
in older suburban commercial corridors and Industrial districts, including
the Drew Park district east of Tampa International Airport.
Strategy 2:4 - Install Wayfinding Signs
To guide locals and visitors to destinations along the corridor; tire City,
working with a BID or other stakeholder advocacy group, should prepare
and implement a plan for a wayfinding program. Through a system of
navigation signs and maps, the system could help guide people from
US 19 to local streets, improve inter - district and district -to- district
connections, and reinforce a consistent identify for the corridor.
A comprehensive system — designed to be phased and possibly scalable
to the entire City — should address commercial district identity and
wayfinding signage first, gateway signage and landscaping second, and
additional trailblazing signs, wayfinding kiosks (pet haps installed at high
pedestrian traffic locations), and other elements as later phases.
The City should consider using the Countryside area as the location for
a pilot project. With the closing of the Enterprise Drive intersection with
•
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Figure 45. Examples of Wayfintling Signaye
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US 19, drivers with destinations along Enterprise Drive face significant
difficulties. lro address these challenges, a simple wayfinding signage
system could include directional signage at the following locations:
on US 19 north of SR 580 directing southbound drivers to use the
SR 580 exit to access destinations on Enterprise Drive;
at the intersections of the US 19 frontage road and Countryside
Boulevard directing travelers to the west to Enterprise Drive or to
the east to Enterprise Drive via Village Drive; and
at the intersection of Countryside Boulevard and Village Drive
directing travelers south on Village Drive to Enterprise Drive.
figure 46. lxamples of Gateway treatments
•
is 19 CLEARWATER 75
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Strategy 2.5 - Strengthen Brand Identity
To identify destinations along the corridor, a simple place- naming
system should be established and reinforced through wayfinding and
marketing programs. District names should be distinctive, easy to
remember, unique to the area, and build on place names already in
common use. As a starting point, the following place names should be
considered: Countryside, Sunset Point, Belleair, and Gulf to Bay.
US 19 Redevelopment Plan - Plan Strategies
• Timeline Highlights
•
•
08/2011 Meeting with Michael Delk to discuss the need for wayfinding
signage.
Delk stated that the US 19 Plan would have to be completed first.
08/2012
12/2012
01/2013
US 19 Plan delayed
City Commission adopts US 19 Plan
Funding for permanent wayfinding plan — REJECTED
05/2013 City Council approves temporary wayfinding signage
Funding for permanent wayfinding plan — REJECTED
Senator Latvala aids businesses and starts working on expediting
road work
01/2014 Senator Latvala and Governor Scott announce monies to expedite
road work
Seyer speaks with Michael Delk
Ramco starts developing wayfinding ordinance, sample signs, etc.
10/2014 Ramco meets with City Commission members
10/2013