11/19/2024 MEETING MINUTES
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Date: Tuesday,November 19, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: 100 North Osceola Avenue,
Clearwater, Florida, 33755
(City of Clearwater Main Library)
Present - Chair John Quattrocki, Vice Chair Michael Boutzoukas, Board Member Diane Achinelli,
Board Member Aubrey Haudricourt, Board Member Andrew Park, Board Member Andrew Hupp,
Board Member Michael Mastruserio, and Alternate Board Member Kurt Hinrichs
Also Present— Jay Daigneault —Attorney for the Board, Matthew Mytych —Assistant City
Attorney, Gina Clayton — Planning & Development Director, and Rosemarie Call - City Clerk
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
A. CALL TO ORDER,PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE—Chair Quattrocki
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE PRIOR MEETING OCTOBER 15,2024
Board Member Mastruserio moved to approve the October 15, 2024 meeting
minutes as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
D. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD RE: ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA—NONE.
E. CONSENT AGENDA: The following cases are not contested by the applicant or city staff. If no
objections are raised by a member of the public, and member(s) of the Board do not request to
remove an item from the Consent Agenda,items will be approved by a single vote at the beginning
of the meeting. (ITEMS 1-2)
1. Case: FLD2024-08018/TDR2024-08001/TDR2024-08002 — 505-521 S. Gulfview Boulevard
(receiving site); 830 Bayway Boulevard and 152-188 Brightwater Drive(sending sites).
Level Two Application
Owner/Applicant: Owners (receiving sites): Decade Gulfcoast Hotel Partners, JK Gulfview; Owners
(sending sites): Clearwater Yacht Club Inc., Brightwater Blue Residences, LLC
Representative: Brian J.Aungst,Jr.,Macfarlane Ferguson&McMullen,625 Court Street, Clearwater,
FL, 33756;phone: (727) 444-1403; email: bjaL&macfar.com
Location: South side of S. Gulfview Boulevard at the intersection of Hamden Drive. (505-521 S.
Gulfview Boulevard, 3.91 upland acres -receiving site)
Request: Flexible Development approval to add 45 overnight accommodations (hotel) units to the
existing hotels located at 505 and 521 S. Gulfview Boulevard in the Tourist(T) District and the South
Beach/Clearwater Pass Character District. The additional hotel units would be accommodated through
interior renovations and no exterior work is proposed. The project will exceed the required 419 parking
spaces through the provision of new valet parking spaces of the upper floors of the parking garage and
existing parking spaces. (Community Development Code Section 2-803.K, Article 4, Division 14 and
Beach by Design)
Associations: Clearwater Beach Association, Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition, Board of County
Commissioners,Pinellas County School Board, Clearwater Point Condo Association
Assigned Planner: Melissa Hauck-Baker, AICP, Planner III; email:
Melissa.Hauckbaker(tr,MyClearwater.com;phone: 727-444-8769
AND
2. Case: FL 2016-06018A/T 2023-05001 — 301 S. Gulfview Boulevard (receiving site); 830
Bayway Boulevard (sending site). Level Two Application
Owner/Applicant: Owners(receiving site): Gulfview Boulevard Owners LLC; Owners(sending site):
Clearwater Yacht Club Inc.
Representative:Katherine E.Cole,Hill Ward Henderson,600 Cleveland Street,Suite 800,Clearwater,
FL 33755;phone: (727)259-6791; email: katie.coleL&hwhlaw.com
Location: East side of S. Gulfview Boulevard,west side of Coronado Drive and south side of Second
Street. (301 S. Gulfview Boulevard, 1.54 acres—receiving site)
Request: Flexible Development approval to add 25 overnight accommodations (hotel)units located at
301 S. Gulfview Boulevard in the Tourist (T) District and the Beach Walk Character District. The
additional hotel units would be accommodated through interior renovations and no exterior work is
proposed. The project will continue to exceed the required 360 parking spaces. (Community
Development Code Sections 2-803.K, Article 4, Division 14 and Beach by Design)
Associations: Clearwater Beach Association, Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition,Board of County
Commissioners,Pinellas County School Board, Clearwater Point Condo Association
Assigned Planner: Ted Kozak, AICP, Development Review Planning Manager; email:
Ted.KozakL&MyClearwatencom;phone: 727-444-8941
Board Member Haudricourt moved to approve Cases FLD2024-08018/TDR2024-
08001/TDR2024-08002, 505-521 S. Gulfview Boulevard (receiving site) - 830 Bayway
Boulevard and 152 -188 Brightwater Drive (sending site), and FLD2016-
06018A/TDR2023-05001, 301 S. Gulfview Boulevard (receiving site) - 830 Bayway
Boulevard (sending site), on today's Consent Agenda based on evidence in the
record, including the application(s) and the Staff Report(s), and hereby adopt the
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law stated in the Staff Report(s), with
conditions of approval as listed. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
F. ITEMS CONTINUED FROM THE OCTOBER 15,2024 MEETING(ITEMS 1-2):
1. Case: TA2024-07002—Amendments to the Community Development Code
Level Three Application
Applicant: City of Clearwater,Planning and Development Department
Request: Amendments to the Community Development Code to establish standards for artificial turf,
require landscaped areas in front yards for residentially zoned properties, clarify the use of nonliving
landscape materials, and make other associated updates.
Associations: Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition,Board of County Commissioners,Pinellas County
School Board
Assigned Planner: Jayme Lopko, Long Range Planning Manager; email:
jayme.lopko(t myclearwater.com;phone: 727-444-8776
Planning Division Manager Jayme Lopko said the proposed ordinance was not
included in the board member hard-copy agenda packs but posted online. The
agenda packs only included the staff report. She said the Board may move forward
today with the staff presentation or continue the item to the next meeting.
Attorney Daigneault said the Board is charged with reviewing the ordinance as part
of the Local Planning Agency's responsibilities. He suggested that the Board may 1)
move forward if it had the opportunity to review the ordinance, 2) continue the item
to the next meeting if additional time is needed, or 3) recess to review hard copies of
the proposed ordinance.
Discussion ensued with consensus to take a brief recess to review the ordinance.
The Board recessed from 1:13 p.m. to 1:27 p.m.
Attorney Daigneault requested a motion from the Board that members feel sufficient
to continue with the hearing.
Vice Chair Boutzoukas moved to proceed with staff's presentation after
reviewing the proposed ordinance. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
Ms. Lopko provided a PowerPoint presentation.
In response to questions, Ms. Lopko said for any existing single family and two-
family lots, any additions or improvements to the lots exceeding 200 sq. ft. will
require full compliance with the tree provision. The required landscape area for
residential properties is 25% for new construction, front yard improvements, or
installing or replacing artificial tun` She said living plant material includes sod.
Development Services Division Manager Scott Kurleman said the main reason for
prohibiting stone and shell under the drip lines of trees is because it absorbs a lot of
heat and fries the roots of the trees. He said organic mulch is preferred. There are
fine absorbing roots in the upper 6-10 in. of the soil that absorb the water and
nutrients to keep the tree alive. Increasing the heat in these roots causes stress in
the tree, which may be exhibited immediately or later, depending on the tree
species. Planning and Development Director Gina Clayton said the Board can make
a recommendation to City Council to strike the language due to enforceability
concerns or request that staff provide language clarifying that it would be applicable
to new development. She said staff found that while inspecting the landscape final
on new developments, rocks or shell were identified all around the landscaping that
were not included in the approved landscape plans. Mr. Kurleman said the current
code prohibits rock, gravel or shell to be used as mulch, except in extreme washout
areas (i.e., a gutter with a spout). Ms. Lopko said the City's ordinance is similar to
the City of Tampa's policy, instituting an application, required specifications, and
verification form for installers and contractors for the installation to be considered
pervious. The intent of allowing a pervious installation was to ensure the city's
drainage and stormwater systems were not negatively impacted by runoff or creating
a runoff issue for neighboring properties. She said artificial tun`installers do not have
any professional licensing. There is a synthetic tun`council that has an artificial tun`
installer certification program. City Engineer Tara Kivett said originally staff
suggested requiring signed and sealed plans, but that would prohibit home installers.
Ms. Lopko said artificial tun`is permitted for parks but not for personal yards, if more
than 100 sq. ft. is used, a permit is required. She said nonliving materials cannot be
used for parking or driving surface.
Discussion ensued with concerns expressed regarding how the proposed ordinance
will be enforced. It was stated that the proposed ordinance is a good starting point
but additional feedback is needed. It was suggested the item be continued to the
next meeting.
One individual spoke in support and recommended that different types of artificial
tun`, such as putting greens and pet grass, be allowed.
In response to questions, Forever Lawn Representative Chris Powell said white
artificial tun`blades do not retain heat, the darker the grass, the hotter it will get. The
heat the blades emit is due to direct sunlight. If the light sources is taken away, the
blades cool within 8 seconds. The turf is pervious, the minimum rating is 37 in. per
hour. He said crushed concrete will harden and restrict waterflow, but washed
granite, limestone or shell is permeable. Manufacturers will have certified installers
in the area. He said independent installers who are not aligned with a manufacturer
will likely not have the manufacturer certification. Mr. Kurleman said a certified
arborist typically prepares a tree preservation plan, anything excavating a tree
requires a clearing and grubbing permit through the City for$10, which allows a city
arborist to assess the situation and determine if the tree will be impacted. He said to
make artificial tun`permeable under a tree, one must remove 6.5 to 7.5 in. of soil and
a majority of the absorbing roots of that tree.
Discussion ensued with comments made that more time was needed to review the
ordinance.
Board Member Park moved to continue the vote to the January 2025 meeting.
The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
Attorney Daigneault suggested placing the item on the December agenda as
workshop item to seek board direction.
2. Case: F 2024-07017—691 Harbor Island Level Two Application
Owner/Applicant: Brooke Enterprises,LLC
Representative:Brian J.Aungst,Jr.,Macfarlane Ferguson&McMullen,625 Court Street,Clearwater,
FL, 33756;phone: (727) 444-1403; email: btaL&macfar.com
Location: East side of Harbor Island approximately 650 feet north of Harbor Passage. (0.257 acres)
Request: Flexible Development approval to construct a 548 square foot dock, 95-feet in length with
two covered boatlifts as accessory to the detached dwelling use located in the Low Medium Density
Residential/Island Estates Neighborhood Conservation Overlay (LMDR/IENCOD) District for the
property located at 691 Harbor Island. The requested flexibility is for a deviation of maximum dock
length and setback to boatlift(Community Development Code Section 3-601.C.1.9)
Associations:Island Estates Civic Association,Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition,Board of County
Commissioners,Pinellas County School Board
Assigned Planner: Melissa Hauck-Baker, AICP, Planner III; email:
Melissa.Hauckbaker(tr,MyClearwater.com;phone: 727-444-8769
Planning and Development Director Gina Clayton said staff received a request from
the applicant to continue the hearing to the March 2025 meeting.
Applicant Representative Brian Aungst said he confirmed nonobjection from the
neighbor to the north this morning but shortly afterwards received notification from
the City that the neighbor to the south rescinded her nonobjection. The neighbor to
the south is located where the setback deviation is requested and is the most
impacted person. He said the Applicant has decided to redesign the dock and
remove the setback request, while addressing any other concerns raised during the
process. The request will need to go back to DRC in February.
Vice Chair Boutzoukas to continue FLD2024-07017, 691 Harbor Island. The
motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously.
G. DIRECTOR'S ITEMS(1-1)
1. Discuss Potential Use of Electronic CDB Agenda
Ms. Clayton said staff has been working with the City Clerk Department to transition the
Board to an electronic agenda pack via Granicus. Staff will provide the Board a
demonstration next month and distribute iPads to Board Members.
She said she is retiring December 6, 2024 and thanked the Board for their service to the
community.
Board Members thanked Ms. Clayton for her dedication and service and wished her a
happy retirement.
Board Member Mastruserio requested consideration to bring back the practice of
opening meetings with a prayer.
Attorney Daigneault recommended that the Board not reinstitute the prayer as it puts
some legal exposure on the Board and creates First Amendment and equal protection
issues.
In response to a question, Attorney Mytych said he would discuss the matter with the
City Attorney and report back to the Board at the next meeting.
A. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:56 p.m.
Attest:
CITY OF CLEARWATER
CLEAR' .\TER PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, POST OFFICE. BOX 4748, (1SS R\' \TLR, FLORIDA 33758-4748
MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING, 100 SOUTH MYRTLE AVENUE, C L[ ARU':\TER, FLORIDA 33756
T&LEPHONE (727) 562-4567
TO: Community Development Board Members
FROM: Gina Clayton, Planning and Development Director
SUBJECT: Agenda Items November 17, 2024
DATE: November 14, 2024
Community Development Board Packets being distributed contain the following:
Unapproved minutes of October 15, 2024
Level Two Applications (Items 1-3)
1. FLD2024-07017 - 691 Harbor Island
Assigned tanner: Melissa Hauck -Baker
Yes: No:
2. FLD2024-08018 - 505-5215 Gulfview Blvd(receiving site)
TDR2024-08001 - 830 Bayway Blvd
TDR2024-08002 -152-188 Brightwater Dr (sending site)
Assigned tanner: Melissa Hauck -Baker
Yes: I No:
Yes: No:
Yes: No:
3. FLD2016-06018A - 301 S Gulfview Blvd (receiving site)
TDR2023-05001 - 830 Bayway Blvd (sending site)
Assigned Planner: Melissa Hauck -Baker
Yes:� No:
Yes: No:
Level Three Applications (Items 1-1)
1. TA2024-07002- Amendments to the Community Development Code
Assigned Planner: Jayme Lopko
Yes: f No:
I have c
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Signatur �.!� FA Date: /1 2
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Print Name:
Prepared by: Alba Horanlli, Administrative Assistant