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01/30/2006 COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER January 30, 2006 Present: Frank V. Hibbard William C. Jonson Hoyt P. Hamilton Carlen A. Petersen John Doran Chair/CRA Trustee CRA Trustee CRA Trustee CRA Trustee CRA Trustee Also present: William B. Horne II Garry Brumback Rod Irwin Pamela K. Akin Cynthia E.Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan City Manager Assistant City Manager Assistant City Manager/CRA Executive Director City Attorney City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Approval of Minutes - October 3, 2005 Clarification was requested on page 2, paragraph 3, regarding timeframes that had already occurred and approval of the minutes of the October 3,2005 meeting, was continued to the next CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting. Community Redevelopment Aaency Items: 1 - Presentation of the Cleveland Street Facade Desian Analysis and Direct Staff to incorporate chanaes to the Facade Improvement Grant Proaram for CRA review. The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) approved the scope of work for the team members of Wallis Murphey Boyington Architects, Wilson Miller, and Swan Development Advisors in response to RFP (Request for Proposals) #13-05 Cleveland Street Fayade Design Analysis at the April 18, 2005 CRA meeting. The RFP outlined three goals: 1) Identify opportunities for fayade improvements along Cleveland Street, from Osceola Avenue to Myrtle Avenue in downtown Clearwater, 2) Prepare illustrative concepts of fayade improvements to selected buildings, and 3) Establish a "vision" for building design and character, reflective of Clearwater's unique character. The consultants have fulfilled these criteria. However, in analyzing the status, history and objectives of the City's fayade efforts, they concluded that a "unifying concept" was necessary to further "focus" City efforts and provide the basis for allocation of resources in the program. They have included this additional element in the report. The consultants have carefully documented the existing north and south fayades of Cleveland Street and presented them in a public interactive workshop on July 19, 2005, to Community Redevelopment Agency 2006-01-30 1 gather input as to the "vision" and character of street. The various workshop activities concluded that the 'vision' should not only propose new fac;ade design ideas for the street, but create a 'vision' that promotes specific activities at the street. The consultants identified limitations within the street: 1) Most buildings on Cleveland Street are owned by the private sector and these individual owners control the fate of the building's exterior and activity; 2) Building restoration and redesign is very costly; and 3) Past efforts for fac;ade improvement grant programs have been minuscule and ineffective. CRA Director Rod Irwin said staff is working on a strategy for implementation and funding. Economic Development and Housing Director Geri Campos reviewed City infrastructure investments in Downtown, including the new library. The planned Cleveland streetscape project will include wider sidewalks, benches, and trees to make Downtown more pedestrian friendly and set the stage for redevelopment. Once the streetscape project is complete, the City will encourage Cleveland Street property owners to renovate their properties' fac;ades. Michael English, consultant, said the proposed fac;ade designs were based on significant public input. He said the goal is to encourage street activity via outdoor spaces, streetscaping, cafes, and historic fac;ades. He said sidewalk cafes are a tradition of City life. Steve Boynton, consultant, said streetscaping is the key to reinvigorating Downtown. He said no one had a strong interest in a specific theme and indicated people wanted an authentic downtown. Now that traffic has moved off Cleveland Street, the street's historic use as a center of commerce can reemerge and pedestrian scale activities can be created. Mr. Boynton said activity for previous fac;ade improvement efforts was slow and that historic fac;ade rehabilitation is expensive. He recommended a "cafe society" be the vision for Downtown. Bruce Lyon, consultant, said the goal is to create economic vitality Downtown by stimulating activity. He recommended first concentrating on the shopping environment and later assisting with the fac;ade renovations. He recommended fac;ade improvement funds be given as loans to be paid back when the property is sold. David Rubin, consultant, reviewed cafe opportunities on Cleveland Street and, using Downtown design guidelines and historic photographs, provided examples of non-historic, new design, and historic restoration of fac;ades. He said cafe seating by the street would provide a pathway along storefronts and be covered by canopies. Phase One would address the area from the canopies and below. Phase Two would add lighting, cornices, and articulation of the fac;ades. He suggested that cafe use could extend beyond the front of restaurants, as the pathway would maintain pedestrian accessibility to storefronts. Concerns were expressed regarding maintaining the attractiveness of trees in a streetscape and shedding trees are a nuisance to diners. Lea Del Tosto, consultant, said trees in a streetscape have shortened life expectancies, replacements will be necessary, and maintenance expenses need to be budgeted. She recommended planting trees that will shade the tables, and encourage people to sit, out of the sun. Florida is limited to the types of trees that will grow. She agreed oak trees shed leaves Community Redevelopment Agency 2006-01-30 2 and acorns, but suggested the trees could be trimmed to minimize nuisances. Umbrellas and awnings also could be used, with palms trees as accents. Mr. Boynton said shade trees primarily will be located in the center of the street. The storefront canopies are important to protect people from sun and rain. He said property owners will be convinced to participate in improvements as upper floors become more valuable for rental space. He said parking was not part of the study, but recommended parallel parking would best create a buffer between cafe seating and traffic. In response to questions, Mr. Boynton said the proposed location for seating is preferred as it would locate tables and chairs near the street by immobile objects, such as street signs, and free space by storefronts for pedestrian passage. Mr. Irwin said the proposed seating would allow the expansion of cafe space in front of adjoining businesses, without impeding access and provide interaction between cafe patrons and nearby stores. It was recommended the term "cafe district" be used, as the term "cafe society" implies a limited segment of the population. Mr. Lyon said the key is to energize Downtown but there is a branding that needs to occur. He said a market analysis may help detail the best opportunities for specific blocks. He recommended the Downtown feature a unified look. Mr. Lyon said uses that would no longer fit in the Downtown after the streetscape is done could be relocated to a more appropriate location. The CRA would work with those business owners to find new locations and free up space for businesses that match the City's vision for Downtown. He said a Lakeland ordinance requires 60% of downtown storefronts to have retail businesses. He said the CRA could limit their efforts to businesses that contribute to the district. In response to a concern, Mr. Rubin said the proposal to establish operating hours for cafes would allow businesses to work together and make Downtown a destination place where people could go, knowing that several destinations are open for business. Support was expressed for the proposal. It was recommended that staff be cognizant when negotiating development agreements so that TIF money can be spent over a longer period of time. One resident felt parking needs should be addressed first and one resident spoke in support of the program. In response to a question, Mr. Lyon said the rebirth of Downtown will take time. He suggested the CRA work with one or two property owners per block, who want to participate. He said when further restoration occurs, more TIF funds will be available for further redevelopment. The change will require a buy-in from property owners and marketing by the CRA and Main Street program. He said the success of Cleveland Street is important to the successful retail development of Downtown. Mr. Lyon said change will take time. He believed restaurants should be surrounded by other retail uses. Fac;ade has been redefined to include the sidewalk and curb. Mr. Boynton said that area is the "zone of exchange," where the action happens. Staff was directed to incorporate changes to the Fac;ade Improvement Grant Program for CRA review. Community Redevelopment Agency 2006-01-30 3 2 - Receive presentation of the Historic Resource Reconnaissance Survey of the Downtown Core. One of the implementation strategies set forth in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan was to evaluate the potential for a National Register or local historic district in several areas of Downtown. The Planning Department hired Janus Research to conduct a historic resource survey of the Downtown Core, which resulted in the following conclusions: 1) The Clearwater Post Office and the Old Pinellas County Courthouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places; 2) Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church is the only building in the Downtown Core currently eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places; 3) Six buildings were identified as potentially eligible for inclusion on a local historic register; 4) There are a significant number of historic resources in the Downtown Core that feature what appear to be reversible alterations (pending evaluation by a professional architect or structural engineer to ascertain the feasibility of their rehabilitation); and 5) There is not a defensible historic district within the Downtown Core at this time. Assistant Planning Director Gina Clayton reviewed the results of the Historic Resource Reconnaissance Survey of the Downtown core. The consultant worked with the State preservation office for the survey, which determined that historic buildings are not concentrated enough in Clearwater's Downtown to form a cohesive district. Seven other properties are eligible for listing on the Local Register: 1) Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church; 2) Coachman Building; 3) Guarantee Title & Trust; 4) Ft. Harrison Hotel; 5) Clearwater Masonic Lodge; 6) Bank of Clearwater; and 7) Calvary Baptist Church (currently being razed). An evaluation is needed to determine the feasibility of 27 structures, which may have reversible alterations. Ms. Clayton reviewed the National Register of Historic Places application process, noting that property owners must apply for the designation, which does not prevent a future razing or change to the structure. Only local ordinances can limit changes to historic structures. It was recommended that historic photos of Clearwater's Downtown be displayed in City Hall or the Main Library. Support was expressed for a display at the library. In response to a question, Ms. Clayton said a minimum 60% historic building concentration is necessary for a district to be deemed "historic." Historic districts create an enhanced business community and unique sense of place. 3 - Cleveland Street Streetscaoe Discussion. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said the advertisement for Cleveland Street Streetscape bids will request alternate bids for 12 months, with total closure of the street, and 18 months with partial closure of the street. The alternative schedules will be presented to stakeholders for input before being brought to the City Council for final decision. Ms. Campos said the last survey of Cleveland Street business owners indicated an even split between schedule preferences. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh reviewed requirements for angled parking, stating that Cleveland Street is too narrow to accommodate it unless planned mediums or sidewalks are narrowed significantly, the City discourages back-out parking, and angled parking requires driving maneuvers that are more dangerous to pedestrians. She recommended parallel parking be installed. Community Redevelopment Agency 2006-01-30 4 Discussion ensued in regard to angled parking and it was indicated it was used successfully in Dunedin and St. Petersburg. Ms. Arasteh said a few parking spaces on both sides of Cleveland Street will be lost to streetscaping construction. Parallel parking was encouraged as the City is trying to create an atmosphere where people walk and it creates a buffer between the pedestrian and the traffic. Executive Director (Assistant City Manaaer) verbal reports 1 - East Gatewav Initiative Update Mr. Irwin said as beach traffic has been reduced through the East Gateway District, the need for its revitalization is even more important. Economic Development is taking the lead on economic development issues and has begun coordinating various agencies to implement the CRA plan. An economic development steering committee will also be formed and will meet quarterly. The foundation of the initiative is important, with community policing and code enforcement providing safety and stability. Planned are commercial renovations, land assemblages, addressing social service issues and a health campus. Mr. Irwin hoped that TIF funds could be directed to more substantial issues within the next several years. Community outreach to the East Gateway and surrounding neighborhoods will provide input, which staff will report on later this year. Ms. Campos said a key item will be to develop a five-year work program. Staff is working with developers. Staff will first concentrate on aggressive policing and code enforcement and then on land and building acquisitions for affordable housing. Other Business - None. Adiourn The meeting adjourned at 10:49 a.m. ~~/.~ C~ . Community Redevelopment Agency ~t: -'. . -' . . ..~. Z;..~. JJ~ AJo~. , ----- "...Cit lerk. . : . Community Redevelopment Agency 2006-01-30 5