04/16/2007
COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
April 16, 2007
Present: Frank Hibbard Chair/CRA Trustee
Carlen Petersen CRA Trustee
John Doran CRA Trustee
George N. Cretekos CRA Trustee
Paul Gibson CRA Trustee
Also present: William B. Horne II City Manager
Garry Brumback Assistant City Manager
Rod Irwin Assistant City Manager/CRA Executive Director
Pamela K. Akin City Attorney
Cynthia E. Goudeau City Clerk
Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 - Approval of Minutes
2.1 Approve the minutes of the February 26, 2007 CRA Meeting and the March 15, 2007
Special CRA Meeting as submitted in written summation by the City Clerk.
Trustee Petersen moved to approve the minutes of the February 26, 2007 CRA
(Community Redevelopment Agency) meeting, as recorded and submitted in written summation
motion carried
by the City Clerk to each Trustee. The was duly seconded and unanimously.
Trustee Doran moved to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2007 Special CRA
meeting, as recorded and submitted in written summation by the City Clerk to each Trustee.
motion carried
The was duly seconded and unanimously.
3 - CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) Items
3.1 Discussion of schedule for pending CRA and CRA Related Development Efforts.
There are several CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) and CRA-related
development efforts pending resolution of Board priority and scheduling as a formal part of the
CRA work program. The CRA Executive Director and City Manager are seeking to begin
discussions with the Board on priority and scheduling so that appropriate staff and resources
can be available to support the Board priorities in this area in a timely manner. Among the
projects specifically requiring direction to staff are: 1) Harborview redevelopment; 2) City Marina
redevelopment; 3) Coachman Park development; and 4) OPUS/City Hall development.
The City Attorney stated that the City Marina is not in the CRA.
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CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin reviewed the CRA priorities and contractual
constraints regarding Harborview. The Stein Mart lease expires December 2009 and the
Pickles Plus lease has 12 more years at its discretion. Mr. Irwin reported that discussions with
the restaurant regarding early termination of its contract have not been fruitful.
In response to questions, the City Attorney said the City would have to negotiate terms
of disengagement with Pickles Plus.
Discussion ensued. It was suggested a professional committee be established to
consider options regarding redevelopment of the Harborview Center before seeking citizen
input. Staff will come back in the Fall with recommended parameters and expectations of
committee.
Consensus was to consider the Harborview Center and Coachman Park holistically and
keep City Hall on a separate track. The Marina is the last priority.
It was recommended that condominiums not be considered for Harborview, and that
development not result in an increase in City FTEs (Full-Time Equivalent).
3.2 Approve release of Request for Proposals/Qualifications (RFP/Q) for a residential infill
development that includes a commercial component, on the Cleveland Street and Prospect
Lake Park Site.
The purpose of this RFP (Request for Proposals) is to select a qualified Development
Team to successfully purchase and develop the 4.13+/- acre site located on Cleveland Street
and Prospect Avenue in Downtown Clearwater (formerly known as Mediterranean Village), just
one block east of the Downtown Core.
The CRA desires a residential infill project with a commercial component. The CRA’s
redevelopment strategy emphasizes the creation of a significant residential concentration in and
around the downtown core, to create the support for a retail and recreational environment. The
CRA views this parcel as a major opportunity to further this strategy. Such a development is
consistent with the anticipated use for the property in the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.
Among the preferred criteria for the site are the following: 1) Mixed-use building fronting
Cleveland Street, three-four stories in height; 2) Commercial uses located on first floor of mixed-
use building and residential uses on the upper floors; 3) Mixed-use building should have a
pedestrian orientation with no vehicular access to Cleveland Street; 4) Freestanding residential
buildings shall be located south of the mixed-used building; 5) Location and orientation of
residential building should capitalize on site’s proximity to Prospect Lake Park; and 6) Maximum
height of 75 feet for stand-alone residential buildings.
Submissions reflecting significant variations from the preferred concept may be
considered, but at the sole and exclusive option of the CRA. The Downtown Plan allows up to
30 dwelling units or 40 hotel units per acre; a FAR (Floor Area Ratio) of 1 for commercial; and
up to 75 feet in height. Additional density may be available pursuant to the City’s Downtown
Public Amenities Incentive Pool, in conjunction with the provision of significant public amenities.
Proposals submitted will provide Developers the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to
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undertake the planning, design, financing, construction, and implementation of the project
envisioned.
A screening team will be formed to evaluate all submissions according to the following
evaluation criteria: 1) Developer experience and qualifications - 25%; 2) Financial feasibility of
the developer and project - 25%; 3) Conceptual development program and vision - 25%; 4)
Economic Benefit to the CRA - 25%. In addition, a 10% bonus may be applied to a project that
reserves 10% of the residential units for workforce housing for a period of 20 years. The
Screening Team will recommend a Preferred Developer to the CRA, who will make the final
selection.
The anticipated selection schedule is: 1) Release RFP - May 3, 2007; 2) Proposal
Submittal Deadline - June 12, 2007; 3) Project Evaluation and Rankings - week of June 25,
2007; 4) Oral Presentations - week of July 9, 2007; and 5) Approval of Selection by CRA -
August 2007. The RFP will be available on the City’s website. Staff will mail out the RFP to the
list of interested developers. Staff also will advertise the release of the RFP on the Urban Land
Institute website, several economic development and homebuilder association websites, as well
as trade publications to ensure a wide variety of responses.
CRA Executive Director Rod Irwin provided Trustees with a schematic visualizing the
Downtown Plan’s density and residential setback and reviewed selection criteria.
Concern was expressed that the process should be extended to attract sufficient
qualified bids. Consensus was to extend the RFP deadline to eight weeks.
Discussion ensued regarding the view corridors. Mr. Irwin said the predominant plan
contemplates commercial uses fronting Cleveland Street. Concern was expressed that the lake
remain a public amenity. In response to a question, Mr. Irwin said the sale price for the property
would be part of the proposal. In response to a suggestion, the City Attorney said the CRA
could enter into a long-term lease.
Trustee Doran moved to approve release of Request for Proposals/Qualifications
(RFP/Q) for a residential infill development that includes a commercial component, on the
Cleveland Street and Prospect Lake Park Site, providing eight weeks for responses. The
motion carried
was duly seconded and unanimously.
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4 - Other Business
The City Manager stated any discussion regarding the Harborview Center's future draws
a reaction from the community.
5 - Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:57 p.m. ~~/ .
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