01/16/2007
CITY COUNCIL WORKSESSION MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
January 16, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Mayor
Carlen Petersen Vice-Mayor
William C. Jonson Councilmember
J.B. Johnson Councilmember
John Doran Councilmember
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Rosemarie Call Management Analyst
The Mayor called the meeting to order at 8:28 a.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order
Presentations
FSAWWA 2006 Water Conservation Award for Excellence
The Public Utilities Department was presented with the Florida Section American Water
Works Association’s 2006 Water Conservation Award for Excellence.
The Council recessed from 8:30 a.m. to 10:28 a.m. to meet as the Community
Redevelopment Agency and the Pension Trustees.
Planning
Approve Amendments to Beach by Design: A Preliminary Design for Clearwater Beach and
Design Guidelines, revising the Marina Residential District provisions and Pass Ordinance
7721-07 on first reading.
In 2001 the Clearwater City Council adopted Beach by Design: A Preliminary Design for
Clearwater Beach. This special area plan sets forth a series of strategies to revitalize
Clearwater Beach and establishes eight character districts that regulate land uses and the scale
of development. In August 2006, City Council imposed a six-month building moratorium for the
14-acre Marina Residential character district so the Planning Department could create a
redevelopment framework that better balances development incentives with the provision of
public amenities, allows greater flexibility with regard to uses and supports public access to the
waterfront. Ordinance No. 7721-07 replaces the current Marina Residential District in its entirety
and proposes the following:
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A new vision supporting the redevelopment of the Marina District into a pedestrian and
boater friendly destination with a variety of uses including overnight accommodations,
restaurants, commercial, mixed-use, redevelopment and water-oriented uses;
An activity center at the intersection of East Shore Drive and Papaya Street that only
allows overnight accommodations, commercial and mixed-use development. Stand-alone
residential is not permitted in this particular location; Height incentives for redevelopment
projects of various sizes and uses if a public boardwalk and/or streetscape improvements are
constructed; Parking incentives for docks and preferred uses; Vacating East Shore Drive if
traffic circulation, relocation of utilities and emergency access issues can be mitigated; and Site
and architectural design criteria in addition to the provisions of the Community Development
Code and Beach by Design design guidelines. The Planning Department has determined that
the proposed amendment is consistent with the provisions of the Clearwater Comprehensive
Plan and the Community Development Code.
The Community Development Board reviewed the proposed amendments to Beach by
Design: A Preliminary Design for Clearwater Beach in its capacity as the Local Planning Agency
(LPA) at its regularly scheduled meeting on December 22, 2006 and recommended approval by
a vote of 4-3.
Councilmember Doran declared a conflict and recused himself.
Assistant Planning Director Gina Clayton reviewed current provisions and proposed
height and parking incentives.
Discussion ensued regarding vacation of East Shore Drive. It was noted that land
assembly would be needed in order to take advantage of the incentives. Suggestions regarding
a specific timeframe for projects were made. It was stated that without the changes desired
development would not occur. In response to a question, Ms. Clayton said property owners in
the area supported the board walk, while a few condominium owners expressed concern.
Planning Director Michael Delk said FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
requirements for mixed-used facilities states the first floor cannot start below nine feet.
Official Records and Legislative Services
Appoint two members to the Marine Advisory Board with the term expiring on January 31, 2011
Consensus was to appoint Bob Clark and Tim Trager to the Marine Advisory Board.
City Manager Verbal Reports – None.
Council Discussion Items
Direction to Environmental Advisory Board - Jonson
Councilmember Jonson expressed concern that the mission of the Environmental
Advisory Board is not clear to members and reviewed suggestions.
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Consensus was to provide direction to the EAB: 1) Perform study tasks as specifically
requested by Council; 2) Review proposed ordinance changes dealing with environmental
issues; and 3) Provide a citizen sounding board for projects with environmental aspects (i.e.,
environmental aspects of major city projects like the downtown boat slips).
Other Council Action
Mayor Hibbard thanked Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh for her years of
service and wished her well in her new position with the County.
Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 12:27 p.m.
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