07/23/1990 - Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force
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MINUTES
CLEARWATER BEACH BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE
JULY 23, 1990
Members Present:
Chairman Deegan, Ms. Garris, Ms. Tiernan, and Messrs. Doran, Seaton,
Fowler, Rosenow, Wellborn, Gans, McDougall, Keyes, and Little
Members Excused:
Messrs. legue, Martin, Henderson
Also Present:
Asst. City Manager, Michael Wright; Planning Director, James M.
Polatty, Jr.; and Planning Manager, Scott Shuford
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Arthur X. Deegan II in the boardroom of the
Sea Stone Hotel.
The Chairman explained he had rewritten the minutes for the June 18, 1990 meeting to include
comments from the members of the Task Force, and called for a motion to approve the second version.
A motion was made by Jay F. Keyes, and seconded by John Doran, to approve the minutes as rewritten.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Agenda for the meeting was approved by consensus. Recognition was given the recording secretary,
laVonne Newcomer, from the City Planning Department to take the official minutes of the Task Force
meeting.
The Task Force addressed Environmental Analysis. The Chairman stated the intent was to summarize
their best judgment as to the trends most likely to occ~r in significant aspects of their life on Clearwater
Beach over the next 10-11 years, and the possible impact on the residents. Information was presented
by each of the subcommittees as follows:
TECHNOLOGYITRANSPORTATION--Gordon McDougall and Walter Wellborn
Mr. Wellborn stated he had met with Mr. Bruce Rogers, Planning Director of Sanibellsland, and presented
the following information:
Sanibel is now a city, but it is different from Clearwater Beach in that it is 12 miles long and two miles
wide with 1/3 of it being parkland. The population is 5,000 permanent residents and it swells to 20,000
in the winter. There is not much there for young people and it is 18 miles to Sanibel from Ft. Myers.
There is no public transportation. They have a Jolly Trolley with two buses on the island. He stated they
do have a traffic problem on the draw bridge approaching it, but not as much as Clearwater Beach. The
traffic does back up on Friday afternoons, but their boat traffic isn't nearly as heavy as it is here. Mr.
Rogers told him the City is really run and controlled by the homeowners. They incorporated in 1974 and
have rigidly controlled the growth. Mr. Wellman stated that technically, there are no requirements for
the type of architecture, however, there are vast numbers of trees and greenery. At the time of
incorporation, it was decided to continue in the same way that they were, so there are a lot of wooden
structures.
In answer to questions, Mr. Wellborn stated: 1) The vast majority of employees live on the mainland and
they are the ones that cause the traffic backup on Fridays when leaving the island; 2) The toll on Sanibel
is $3.00 round trip, but this has not been a negative {actor for tourists. The residents get ~break by
either paying $150.00 per year, or $25.00 per year and 50 cents per trip, (Anne Garris added that
Sanibel had started with a ferry and the residents were glad to have the bridge, and the tourists were
willing to pay the toll because it is a truly special place.); and 3) Sanibel is not anticipating much growth
and is not planning for condominium construction.
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Mr. McDougall presented their written report (attached) and went over the items with the Task Force.
In answer to questions, Mr. McDougall stated: 1) Garbage disposal is not anticipated to be a problem for
Clearwater Beach; 2) 90% of cars coming to the beach are driven by people who do not live on the
beach, but 17% are from Pinellas County and 38% from Hillsborough County; 3) With regard to liability
insurance for a tram system, Keith Crawford of the City Traffic Dept. had not looked into this and did
not have any facts on it. Mr. McDougall further stated the Task Force needed to look into the difference
of opinion between the City and the County as to whether Memorial Causeway (Highway 60) would
become a six-lane highway.
LEGAL/GOVERNMENTAL/REGULATOR CONSTRAINTS--Stephen Fowler and Anne Garris
Mr. Fowler stated that he and Ms. Garris had broken this area into two categories, 1) short range
planning, codes and ordinances, and 2) long range planning. They presented the following trends and
implications:
1 . In short range planning the current State statute is eliminating the single family house on the
beach. At present the State statute does not agree with FEMA Regulation No.5. This group
needs to meet with the City and other barrier communities to get the statute changed.
Imolications: If the State statute is not changed, single family residences and small hotels are
doomed. FEMA says you are allowed to improve your structure 50% of the assessed value in
a vear's time. The State statute says you can improve your structure 50% of the assessed value
over the life of the structure. Example: If a middle income person owns a home that is 50%
improved when a hurricane blows the roof off, the owner will have to tear down the structure
and rebuild. This also prevents buying a house and fixing it up.
In response to questions by the members of the Task Force it was brought out that the 50%
regulation went into effect in 1976. Mr. Wright stated that health and safety improvements are
excluded. It was also mentioned there is always some question as to what is an improvement
and what is needed for maintenance.
2.
Potential increase of variance fees and number required for developing on beach.
Imolications: It will become more expensive and bureaucracy will increase.
3. Alcoholic Beverage laws still permit further additional establishments.
Imolications: Might attract less desirable visitors to the beach--reduces quality of area.
4. long Range - Desalination is here to stay and we need to identify site for it. Double piping of
gray water retention is going to happen. It is being done now in California and Clearwater Beach
can expect it in the next ten years.
5. long Range - Density cap will be put on the beach by City ordinance. Someone will have to
move off the beach before anyone can move on.
Imolications: Will need to look for quality instead of quantity if quantity is limited. No room at
the inn ramifications.
In discussion, Mr. Keyes brought out that Clearwater Beach is now a family destination. He
thought the type or character of tourist coming here would have to change, and he did not see
this happening. Mr. Seaton elaborated on "no room at the inn". He explained that a few years
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ago when Midwesterners called they could not get rooms because they were occupied with
European visitors. As a result they found other places to go, and have not been coming back as
much as before. This has caused economic problems not only for the tourist industry, but
for the community as a whole.
6.
Architectural Guidelines Concept. As you improve a structure you will be given certain points for
each architectural element you incorporate into a new design. In order to get a building permit
you will need so many points, i.e. landscaping, signage, native material, etc. This would come
from the City. Ms. Garris stated rather than designating a certain kind of architectural style,
perhaps designating the outside building materials would be a way of controlling the Quality of
architectural design. She also stated she felt there would be an easing off of the FEMA
regulations in the future.
7.
Potential De-annexation of Clearwater Beach needs to be addressed. If the City would create a
development area similar to the Downtown Board that would be comprised of people living on
the Beach, more could get done in a harmonious spirit with the City.
TOURISM/COMPETITION--Julie Tiernan and Don Seaton
Mr. Don Seaton presented the attached detailed report and made remarks highlighting the Executive
Summary. Ms. Julie Tiernan then went over the remainder of the report with the Task Force. In
discussion the Chairman asked if the group felt the occupancy rates given on page 8 of their report
accurately reflected occupancy on the beach. It was felt the beach occupancy might run a little higher.
ECONOMY--John Doran and Jay F. Keyes
Mr. Doran stated that he and Mr. Keyes agreed the economy of the beach would not change much over
the next 10 to 11 years. He stated Clearwater Beach is presently tourist/visitor oriented and will stay
that way. Based on extensive reading by Mr. Keyes and the schedules submitted on the attached outline,
Mr. Doran made the following points:
1. Annual inflation of 7% in the next 7 - 10 years.
2. No recession for three years, but may have one during the 10 - 11 year period.
3. More redevelopment of residences on the North Beach. Larger homes being built and cottages
being expanded.
4. Assessed values going up because of:
a. larger homes being built
b. compounding effect of increasing value of neighboring homes
c. replacement costs
d. increased taxes for sewer, water, etc.
5. Retail/Commercial--Core area will not change much. Location is the determining factor along with
the development code. Need to help people see ways to develop their property. Conceivably it
could evolve into something similar to St. Armand's Circle.
6. Large hotels will cover the small hotels as small hotels find it increasingly difficult to survive.
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City concurrency requirements will have a major impact on the economy of the City.
8.
With an increase of 100,000 people in Pinellas County, and 10,000 in Clearwater, the tax base
will go up with the increased growth and redevelopment.
9. Millage rates will increase.
10. The City's credit rating for bonds should remain adequate.
Mr. Keyes stated although Mr. Doran and he used different research avenues they came up with the
same results. He added the following comments:
There will be a 5% to 7% growth per year for the next 10 years, but it will not be a steady graph going
up 7% per year. There are many things in the world economy that will have an effect here. Somewhere
in the next 1 0 year period there will be a 18 to 24 month period of inflationary recession which has
not been seen before. One of the keys which might kick that off is what is happening in Russia now.
Russia will have to get into the European market and to do so they will have to change their currency.
This, coupled with what Mandela is doing in South Africa, may cause metals to go through the roof. The
economy would then be similar to when we had the oil crisis. The small hotels will not be able to
survive this. Mr. Keyes stated his research was from The Economist, The New York Times, Barrons. Y.i12l
Soeeches Of The Day. Money Forecasts and Nation's Cities Weekly.
In discussion the Chairman asked whether the Task Force thought the figures regarding the jobs reflected
on page 1 of the report would be any different for the beach. It was thought there would be an increase
if the beach offered a higher level of service as referred to on Sanibel Island. Mr. Wright thought there
would be an increase in the public sector with reference to public safety such as the police and
ambulance service.
COMMERCE--David R. Little and Kenneth G. Rosenow
Mr. Little stated they had no data base to start from inasmuch as the City of Clearwater occupational
licenses are not broken down by sector. He stated they took a physical count on Clearwater Beach,
Island Estates and Sand Key to determine the number of businesses in this area. They had no reference
point to work from to determine where the growth occurred as this had not been done before. Mr. Little
stated the most outstanding fact they found was that the largest number of businesses on Clearwater
Beach were the small hotels. He then presented the following breakdown of businesses:
205 hotels in the Clearwater Beach/Sand Key area
(0-20 units = 128; 20-50 units = 59; 50-100 units = 9; and 100 + units = 12)
58 restaurants on Clearwater Beach
66 service/retail
56 souvenir/gift shops
25 retail apparel (finer quality)
26 resort attractions
Mr. Rosenow presented the following trends from their research:
1 . Deterioration of small hotels. Small hotels make up the greatest percentage of business on the
beach, but they are not being duplicated today. None of the small hotels under 50 units had been
constructed in the last 10 years.
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Conversions of small hotels to different uses, primarily to snack bars, food, souvenir or retail.
Number of rooms is not increasing on the beach.
The major increase in rooms is on Sand Key.
Restaurants with beer and wine - 4 new ones constructed in last 5 years and 3 converted from
previous uses. Restaurants without alcohol - 4 new construction and 1 conversion.
Retail (apparel/gift) primarily new.construction and primarily on the South Beach.
Slight trend toward building condominiums or residential structures in commercial areas.
In response to questions from the Chairman, Mr. Rosenow stated, 1) Most small hotel conversions on
the beach were to snack bars and souvenir shops, and 2) The majority of customers on the beach were
family tourists with the highest percentage of business in March and April. However, business was also
high on weekends indicating local customers as well. In answer to questions regarding the survey, Mr.
Rosenow stated 125 surveys were given to businesses only and that he and Mr. Little will tabulate and
distribute the results to the Task Force. A sampling of information gained from the surveys was:
The white sand beaches are the greatest attraction.
Tourists are looking for more evening family entertainment, i.e. putt-putt golf.
Tourists do not want resorts like Miami Beach, Daytona, etc.
The age of the guest is decreasing.
The length of stay is decreasing.
Biggest complaints were traffic, noise and dissatisfaction with police in handling problems on the
beach.
Mr. Rosenow stated some questions were put into the survey to determine whether tourists wanted more
parking space or more parkland and attractions or vice versa.
Discussion by the Task Force brought out that redevelopment of small hotels with 6 or 7 units is
restricted by their lot size (approximately 50 ft. x 110ft.), making their only recourse conversion to other
uses. Some small hotels turn to yearly rental with low rents which brings a negative factor of transient
population to the beach. Mr. Rosenow stated many resident-owned condominiums also compete with
apartment buildings by catering to resort traffic.
Mr. Polatty responded to the fact that most of the small hotel conversions had been made in the last five
years. He felt this was a new and major trend on the beach and one that could be a potential problem
during the next 10 years. He cited Miami Beach, Daytona Beach and Ft. Lauderdale as examples of the
undesirable consequences of this kind of trend.
POPULATION--Phil Henderson and Otto P. Gans
Mr. Gans presented the attached report and supporting documents and thanked Messrs. Polatty and
Shuford for their assistance in gathering data. He stated they used the census figures as a basis for their
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findings and that these figures were the only absolute Clearwater Beach statistics available. All others
reflect the City of Clearwater as a whole. Mr. Gans stated that the 90's will be a transition period with
a slowing in the growth rate. The composition of growth will be different showing an increase primarily
in the 25-44 year group. Statistics indicate an 80% increase in the over 85 group, which is misleading.
That segment is not large and it would not take many people to raise it to the 80% figure.
In discussion some exception was taken to applying the statistics to Clearwater Beach as older people
have been leaving the beach and younger people have been moving in. Mr. Gans agreed this has been
the case in the 80's, but the projections for the 90's show that will change. He also clarified that in
figuring the seasonal population, guests in homes had been taken into consideration. With regard to
questions on the concurrency management system, Mr. Wright verified that the City is in good shape
except for roads.
Chairman's Comments:
Mr. Deegan thanked the committees for their reports and stated they would review what was learned
today with the resulting implications for the beach at their next meeting. He stated the Mission
Statement would also be taken up again at that time. In preparation for the next meeting, Mr. Deegan
handed out some background reading from Mr. Polatty on strategic comprehensive planning and two
worksheets to be completed before the meeting. He encouraged the committees to continue their fact
gathering and stated he would summarize today's information and hand out a summary on August 18.
Mr. Deegan stated the residential part of the beach should be surveyed in a manner similar to the
commercial survey and asked the Task Force to be considering the best way to do this for discussion
in a future meeting.
The next meeting will be held August 18, 1990, at 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Sea Stone Hotel. It
was agreed that Mr. Seaton would arrange for sandwiches for lunch and the members would contribute
towards them. Mr. Deegan invited the City Staff to attend if possible.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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Arthur X. Deegan II, Chajrm~
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