10/05/2017 BROWNFIELDS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
October 5, 2017
Present: Vice Chair Joseph DeCiccio, Board Member Jamie Andrian Blackstone, Board
Member Phyllis Franklin, Board Member Barbara Green, Board Member Thomas
Hinson, Jr., and Board Member Laura Canary
Absent: Board Member Debra Swisher, Board Member Matt Crum, Board Member Mark
Parry
Also Present: Chuck Lane —Assistant Economic Development & Housing Director—
departed 5:50 p.m., Diane Hufford - Economic Development Coordinator, Nicholas
Lawn — Economic Development Coordinator, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Vice Chair called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not
necessarily discussed in that order.
2 — Introductions
2.1. Chuck Lane, Assistant Director of Economic & Housing Department
Assistant Economic Development & Housing Director Chuck Lane discussed downtown
and US 19 development opportunities and ideas for North Ward School uses. A
Seminole boat ramp upgrade/facelift was in design and a walkable urban environment
was planned for the area, near new and planned housing construction. Imagine
Clearwater encouraged hotel development for the abutting marina and land; the
property owner's envisioned condo project was a more intense use than permitted. A
mixed-use retail/apartment project with rooftop amenities was planned for the N. Ft.
Harrison car wash property.
It was stated all North Marina District outdoor animals had been spayed, neutered and
provided shots.
2.2 Economic Development new staff member Nick Lawn
Mr. Lane introduced Economic Development Coordinator Nicholas Lawn and reviewed
his background.
2.3 Advisory Board members
3 —Approval of Minutes
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3.1. Approve the minutes of the October 19, 2015 Brownfields Advisory Board
meeting as submitted in written summation.
Member Green moved to approve to approve the minutes of the October 19, 2015
Brownfields Advisory Board meeting as submitted in written summation. The motion
was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
4 — New Business
4.1. Comments. Applying for EPA $300,000 hazardous substances and petroleum
grant assessment application due November 16, 2017
AND
4.2. Presentation - US 19 Zoning District & Development Standards - Mark Parry
AND
4.3. Review scope of services to complete US 19 Zoning District Brownfields
Inventory and EPA assessment grant application - Miles Ballogg, Cardno
Miles Ballogg, Practice Group Leader Brownfields & Economic Development for
Cardno, reviewed past successful Brownfield projects in Clearwater. He said Cardno
was helping the City with site strategies and reviewed the EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) application due in November. He said grant application approvals
would be announced in spring and funds for the 3-year grant would be available next
October.
Mr. Ballogg said the Brownfields inventory was concentrated on the US 19 corridor, in
the downtown Gateway area and North Greenwood. He said underserved areas were
being evaluated.
Tanya Camacho, GIS Analyst for Cardno, said parcels within a 1-mile radius of the 7-
mile US 19 corridor between Whitney and Curlew roads were being evaluated. She said
Cardno was helping collect environmental data and reviewing sites. She referenced a
map of corridor sites that highlighted 3 of the 7 defined areas.
Board Member/Economic Development Coordinator Laura Canary said following
Cardno's submission of potential sites, staff identified 20 sites with the most potential for
a compelling end use in each of the 7 defined areas.
Mr. Ballogg said additional environmental detail was being provided for sites with
redevelopment potential. He said buried gasoline tanks and waste products were some
of the environmental hazards at former automobile dealerships.
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Concerns were expressed a Betty Lane property with an old garage may be
contaminated; work was underway to remove the roof and tires on the property. It was
stated mangroves and vegetation had been cleared and fencing erected at the
Stevenson Creek property previously considered for a canoe drop.
Economic Development Coordinator Diane Hufford said she would check on the
properties.
4.4. Presentation - Second Century Clearwater Studios Exhibit to showcase,
introduce and educate the public on Downtown Clearwater - Laura Canary
The CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency) created Second Century Studios, a
community art space highlighting major urban planning initiatives and featuring local
art work. In addition to the Second Century Clearwater exhibit, Bazaar Art Creative
Director Jennie Pearl planned to present rotating exhibits of art being created; the first
exhibit was entitled Reflections of Clearwater.
Urban planning initiatives: 1) Imagine Clearwater; 2) North Marina Master Plan to
enhance the Seminole Boat Ramp and increase residential and business traffic to the
area; 3) Cleveland Streetscape Phase 3; and 4) Mercado Public Plaza concept for a
market area and community gathering place in the Downtown Gateway featuring local
vendors, weekend markets, music, and movie nights.
Member Canary provided an update on the Second Century Studio background,
exhibits, activities, and Mercado Public Plaza plans. She encouraged members to
visit the studio. The Pierce Street Market will not be replaced. A waterfront arts and
crafts venue and farmers market were being considered. Consistent signage for
downtown, North Marina District, and Gateway was planned.
Discussion ensued re the size and location of the proposed Mercado venue, comments
re popularity of Cincinnati and Seoul street market vendors, including seafood markets,
higher costs associated with downtown's waterfront, lower prices at Mercado venue
could provide all residents, even those with modest incomes, an enjoyable place to go,
and suggestions for a monthly theme and product diversity.
Member Canary said the Mercado would be open to the public and create an outlet for
the neighborhood and space to sell artisan goods. Permanent space would be rented;
the CRA may subsidize a portion of the rent. Location plans included squaring off the
Court/ Highland/Gulf-to-Bay intersection by vacating a street and moving a road 20 feet
to the west. She hoped the site would retain its Old Florida character. Clearwater
Business SPARK, which helped startups, was available to teach Mercado artists how to
market their products. North Greenwood and the North Marina District also wanted
walkable urban environments that were pedestrian friendly with businesses such as
coffee shops. Ways to connect the Gateway, North Greenwood, and North Marina
District were important and being studied.
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4.5. Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Member Canary moved to appoint Joseph DeCiccio as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Blackstone moved to appoint Barbara Green as Vice Chair. The motion was
duly seconded and carried unanimously.
5 — Board Comments
In response to a question, Member Green said the Free Clinic had relocated from
Seminole Street to Missouri Avenue about 3 —4 months previously.
6 —Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Chair
Brownfields Advisory Board
Attest:
Board Reporter
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