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08/18/1990 - Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force . MINUTES CLEARWATER BEACH BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE AUGUST 18, 1990 Members Present: Chairman Deegan, Ms. Garris, Ms. Tiernan, and Messrs. Doran, Fowler, Gans, Henderson, Homer, Keyes, Little, Martin, McDougall, Rosenow, Seaton and Wellborn Also Present: Asst. City Manager, Michael Wright; Planning Manager, Scott Shuford; and Senior Planner Richard Follett The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chairman Deegan in the Boardroom of the Sea Stone Hotel. New member, John Homer, was welcomed to the task force as well as Major Martin, who had been unable to attend the previous meetings as he was recovering from knee surgery. A motion was made by John Doran, and seconded by Walter Wellborn to approve the minutes from the July 23, 1990 meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Chairman Deegan presented the meeting agenda, stating how the committee would proceed through the items. He asked for and obtained approval of the agenda. . The Chairman directed the committee's attention to the Table of Contents attached to his August 1, 1 990 memorandum to them stating it was an example of how the final report could be organized and that by the end of the meeting the Assessment of Current Position portion should be completed. He stated the major issues identified at this meeting would be analyzed in depth over the next succeeding weeks. The Table of Contents was approved by the committee. . In discussion of the Environmental Analysis Summary compiled by Dr. Deegan from the various subcommittee reports, it was agreed the following revisions or additions should be made: 1) On page 2, the sentence, "A recession is not likely within the next three years, but after that time there is a great deal less certainty." should be revised to reflect a greater possibility of a recession occurring much sooner that previously anticipated. 2) On page 5, the reference to "7 out of 10 plates showing out-of-state registration" should be revised as new data had been received showing that 40% of the vehicles come from Hillsborough County. 3) On Page 8, the committee discussed at length the statement, "A final event that could take place, but which is not foreseen in this study as likely, is the de-annexation of Clearwater Beach by a vote of the people." Ms. Garris stated when she and Mr. Fowler made their report, this was presented as a real possibility. In discussion, Mr. Wright stated according to state statute a city cannot incorporate unless the population is 5,000 and it is two miles from another city. Ms. Garris stated a study had been done on de-annexation and there were ways it could be accomplished. Chairman Deegan while agreeing it was a possibility, stated the group must take a stand as to what they think is most likely to happen. He further stressed the need for a common understanding of each area. Before polling the committee on whether the statement should be changed, the Chairman asked the members to consider whether they saw this as a "possibility" in the next ten years or a "very likely eventuality". Ms. Garris, Dr. Wellborn and Messrs. McDougall, Henderson and Gans thought de-annexation was a strong possibility. The consensus of the group was to leave the statement unchanged, that it should be listed as a "possibility", but it was not their charge to come down strongly on the assumption that it would happen. The committee agreed that changing the statement would give the group a different mission as to what they wanted to accomplish. 4) On page 9, with reference to "material to be filled in at a later time", the information will be supplied from the report on Traffic and Cruising recently received from the Commerce subcommittee. 5) On page 12, item (d) the reference to "visitors in 1993 and 1996" should be changed to read "visitors throuah 1993 and 1996". ,- . . . . . . Mr. Little went over the Commerce report with the committee and advised them of statistical changes on the first two pages. He highlighted a few facts such as foreign tourism is increasing, less business is being done with students and young adults by choice, and that the small hotel owners definitely want to stay in business, but that it is becoming increasingly difficult to do so. In reference to "the death knell being sounded for the small hotel", Mr. Rosenow stated the media had incorrectly picked up on that making it sound like it would happen rather than showing it as a trend. A copy of the report has been placed in the document file for the task force. The committee reviewed their initial mission statement--"Oevelop a plan which will further enhance and maintain Clearwater Beach as a desirable family-oriented resort, recreation and residential community. " The chairman stated the mission of the group was to develop a long range plan for Clearwater Beach. In order to determine whether the mission statement should be changed or added to, the committee, using Worksheet #1 as a tool, brainstormed the questions, "Who are we?" and "What kind of community do we desire to be?" The following lists were generated: We are: a mishmash of residents and businesses without much cohesion and with everyone fighting for his own interests (this has lessened in last couple of years) overcrowded and under siege easy and fast to find, not remote, with good access to Tampa airport a Florida beach community with a mixed residential/visitor population trying to attract visitors or businesses to the beach without thought as to the type, quality or effect on living a family oriented destination wholesome, we have kept the "tacky" off the beach a friendly community a clean community, but work is needed in this area an island, unique in itself, bounded on both sides by parks We desire to: be an unselfish community interested in general improvement and willingness to compromise attract visitors to enhance the quality of the beach enhance and maintain the family oriented nature of the tourist industry insuring quality of lifestyle for both tourist and residents be unique The group generated a list of unique characteristics as follows: larger and higher quality sand beaches than most areas the beach is not eroding Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force 2 August 1 8, 1990 , ! . only beach in state where a car is not necessary reputation as a quality tourist destination close proximity to large metro area gives choice to tourist availability of shopping malls, movies, etc. unlike other beaches closing of the pass gives the ability to walk to the state park The chairman stated he would revise the mission statement from the information gathered and submit it to the committee at the next meeting. He also asked the committee to keep these thoughts in mind when using Worksheet #2 later in the meeting. Richard Follett, Senior Planner with the City Planning Division, presented a summary of the urban condition. He stated the City took the approach that before a holistic solution could be reached they needed to dissect Clearwater Beach to find out where the problems were. He presented the task force with a large generalized planning map of Clearwater Beach for their continued use throughout the study. Mr. Follett explained as a base the beach was divided into 14 different sectors, excluding the north area residential and the Devon Drive and Bayside Drive fingers, as well as the Clearwater Point residential areas. Mr. Follett stated this would enable the City to approach problems in a localized manner as well as holistically. He handed out sector analysis spread sheets containing statistics with regard to sector area in acres, public parking, rental units, estimated market values, 1990 just values, etc. and went through the spread sheets with the task force. (Copies of the spread sheets have been placed in the document file for the task force.) Mr. Follett advised that the Pinellas County Appraiser's Office had been most cooperative in providing data for this report. The chairman thanked Mr. Follett and the City for the report and requested similar sector analysis spread sheets for the residential areas. . The chairman directed the committee through Worksheet #2 to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Clearwater Beach, and to arrive at consensus as to the "driving forces" in each category. The following lists were generated by the committee including qualifying statements (q.) in some areas: STRENGTHS: 1. Water - view, Bay side as well as Gulf, boating, safe swimming for children, recreational environment (q.) water getting dirty, flood prone, pass closed and environmental ramifications 2. Sun - warm temperate climate (q.) ultra violet rays 3. Sand - white, accreting 4. Location in reference to transportation and population centers (q.) traffic control 5. Common goal of family oriented resident and tourist (q.) different opinions about how to do it; smaller number of families nationally to draw from 6. Established tourist community (q,) seasonal traffic problems; local residents do not have access to beach 7. City staff cooperative and objective 8. Quality inventory: food and lodging (q.) significant number need upgrading 9. Community friendliness 10. Maintaining open view of the water 11 . Water and beach related sports and activities (q.) not enough 12. Balance between residents and business (area, people) mutual support . Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force 3 August 18, 1990 . 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. . . Economic value = power Limited access (q.) limited egress also; bottlenecks and traffic Beautiful causeway approach Not limited by infrastructure (q.) roads marginal Proximity of big tourist attractions Tampa airport Sense of small community with advantages of large metroplex THE DRIVING STRENGTHS ARE: 1 + 2 + 3, 4 + 17 + 18, 6, 8, 12, and 16. WEAKNESSES: 1 . Lack of Planning (q.) this study step in right direction 2. Trend toward "tacky" retail facilities coming in (q.) market not affluent enough 3. Traffic 4. Redevelopment is expensive 5. Cruising 6. Inadequate and inappropriate parking for businesses 7. Pollution of Bay 8. Redevelopment is costly 9. Zoning standards differentiation 10. Poor mass transit 11. Lack of year around day/night activities 12. Noise 13. Behavior of some young adults on beach 14. Significant number of deteriorating structures (q.) includes downtown 1 5. State and FEMA regulations 16. City not reinvesting in beach's share of taxes 1 7. Lack of community awareness of importance of tourist industry 18. Metropolitan exploitation of our resource (noise, trash) 19. Need more and improved separate rules for beach on: alcoholic beverages, parking, planned land use, renovation and zoning 20. State and local tax system 21 . Poor identity in market place (political overtones influencing promotion 22. Clearwater citizens feel they can not benefit from beach or (City's resources) 23. Inadequate enforcement of existing regulations (codes, etc.) MOST SERIOUS WEAKNESSES ARE: 1, 3+5+ 10+ 12 + 13, 9+ 15, and 19 OPPORTUNITIES: 1 . Planned redevelopment (reexamination of definition of zoning and land use) 2. Cooperative promotion/reservation efforts. Cleanliness efforts among non-chain hotel/motels 3. Special taxing district (tax increment district financing) 4. Transportation system 5. Beautification program 6. Architectural theme and program for the core area Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force 4 August 18, 1 990 " . . . 7. 8. 9. 10 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Determine our proper market niche Usage of Bay shores to include downtown and the causeway Establish traffic study Transportation Establish a resort zoning district Theme vacation area (beautification, architecture and interior decor) Joint cooperative promotion effort with downtown Clearwater Attractions More activities, special events on water and beaches CRUCIAL FEW OPPORTUNITIES ARE: 4 + 9 + 10, 14 + 15, and 1 + 16 THREATS/OBSTACLES: 1. State, Federal and local government intervention (e.g. restrictive codes) 2. Time delay in implementing programs 3. Divergent interests: self-interest ("Close the gate syndrome" vs. "Open gate to everything", etc.) 4. Recession/Prosperity cycle 5. Weather, acts of God 6. Competition from Disney, Captiva, etc. 7. Cost of capital 8. Liability concerns MOST IMPORTANT ARE: 3, 6, 1 + 2 Chairman Deegan asked the task force to select six or seven key issues as a summary from the brainstorming sessions on all of the above items. The following issues were selected: 1. Transportation and Traffic 2. Planning /Zoning 3. Theme/Beautification 4. Special Events/Attractions 5. Determine our Market Niche--type of visitors 6. Competition/Promotion 7. Joint Effort 8. Environmental Concerns The chairman stated the task force would again divide into subcommittees to do force field analysis of the above eight issues. Each subcommittee was directed to define both the present situation and the desired situation of their particular issue. Dr. Deegan explained there are certain forces that will help and certain forces that will hinder progress. He asked each subcommittee to name those forces and make recommendations. Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force 5 August 18, 1990 . . . The task force divided into subcommittees and set report and meeting dates as follows: TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC - Otto Gans, David Little, Kenneth Rosenow 9/ 5/90 9/25/90 THEME - John Doran and Gordon McDougall ENVIRONMENT - Major Martin and Jay Keyes 10/17/90 THEME/ATTRACTIONS/MARKET NICHE/COMPETITION - Julie Tiernan and Don Seaton 11/ 7/90 JOINT EFFORT - Phil Henderson and Stephen Fowler b~N'l PLANNING/ZONING - Anne Garris, John Homer, and Walter WellMal't 11/20/90 1 2/ 5/90 The chairman stated they needed to get the resident survey and also another survey for the beach businesses when more information was available. He stated he would pull information from each of the six meetings into a document which the task force could work from to make their final report to the City Commission. The group decided to meet on the above dates, as well as one or two additional meetings in December, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Sea Stone Hotel. . Dr. Deegan stated he had a list of other people who had volunteered to be on the task force, and he suggested they be contacted to help on the subcommittees. It was decided to contact the following people: John Blakely--Transportation and Traffic; Herbert Freitag--Environment; Kenneth Hamilton--Attractions, etc.; and Kemper Merriam--PlanninglZoning. He asked that these people attend the meetings for their particular reports, but that it was not necessary for them to attend the other meetings. The chairman also reminded the group the City Clerk must be notified of any meetings scheduled by them. A lunch break was taken at 12:30 p.m. with sandwiches catered by the Sea Stone. The meeting adjourned at 3:06 p.m. aL~. Arthur X. Deegan, II, Chairma . Clearwater Beach Blue Ribbon Task Force 6 August 18, 1 990