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10/18/1991 Maas Brothers Task Force Meeting October 18, 1991 Members present: Members absent: Ed Mazur Robert Kennedy John B. Johnson Jackie Tobin Phoebe Moss Jim Stewart Wray Register Debra Weible Hal Ebersole Nancy Simmons Jim Graham Stephen Saliga Joanne Faruggia Bob Bickerstaffe Joshua Magidson Also attending: Charlie Mason Staff attending: Michael J. Wright, City Manager Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager James Polatty, Planning and Development Director William C. Baker, Public Works Director Ream Wilson, Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Sternstein, Economic Development Director Cynthia E. Goudeau, City Clerk The City Manager called the meeting to order and distributed the membership list and mission statement for the task force. He emphasized to the task force that they are a public board and therefore subject to the requirements of the Sunshine Law. He stated the City has made a bid on the Maas Brothers property and the bankruptcy court has accepted it. There is a fifty day window in which others can counter-bid. If there are no other counter-bids, it is anticipated the City will own the property sometime in December as the fifty day time period expires November 15, 1991. Mr. Wright turned the meeting over to Mr. Baker, Public Works Director, who presented aerials to give an idea of the history of the property. He stated in 1951 there was a service station on this corner. He distributed a booklet entitled "Inspection and Evaluation of Maas Brothers Department Store Property". Mr. Baker indicated that one of the most important determinations to be made by the task force is where the 28' contour line lies on the property. The reason this is important is the charter restricts development of any publicly owned land below 28 feet. Mr. Baker presented a map showing the apparent natural line along the top of the bluff. He also indicated the 28' line that existed when the rule went into effect, at which time the Maas Brothers site was not owned by Clearwater and therefore, not a part of the restriction. Mr. Baker indicated there had been some restrictions on the original 1926 plat however, the property has been replatted and there is no limiting language connected with the current plats. A question was raised regarding whether or not there were any restrictions regarding the property's use and Mr. Wright indicated this has been searched and there are no reversion clauses. Wray Register left the meeting. Mr. Baker reported on the building stating it would cost approximately $350,000 to demolish, not including asbestos removal. The asbestos removal would add approximately $200,000, which would result in the total cost for removing the building of $550,000. He reviewed the conclusions reached by staff stating the building needs a new roof, has water leakage and other problems. He stated the building is not energy efficient with the store reporting that it was experiencing an $18,000 per month electric bill prior to closure. Discussion ensued regarding the need to remove the asbestos. It was indicated it is the City's position that friable asbestos needs to be removed and is required to be removed if there is any substantial renovation to the building. In response to a question, Mr. Baker indicated the water problems are evident with a ground floor wall showing water damage. There are no environmental concerns regarding this but it does have an impact on the need to renovate the building. In response to questions regarding whether or not there would be contaminated soil left from the old service station, it was indicated when the Maas Brothers building was constructed, all of that soil was excavated. The meeting was turned over to Mr. Polatty, Planning and Development Director, who reviewed the development elements with the task force. He stated the building is currently nonconforming to the zoning code in regard to setbacks and view corridor however, the use is permitted. He stated the use could continue in the building as it is, however, any additions or modifications to the building would require variances. He reported if the building were taken down and new construction undertaken, it would have to meet the current restrictions regarding a maximum floor area ratio of 2, maximum density of 42 units per acre, a maximum height of 60', minimum setback requirements of 15' from the side and rear property lines, or a minimum setback of 10' for side and rear property lines for buildings having a height of 30' or less. Significantly impacting the development would be the view corridor which would require 40% of the width of the property to be free of buildings for the purpose of providing a view corridor to Clearwater Harbor. He stated any restrictions in the title have been resolved and the parking required would depend on the use of the property. The impact of the concurrency requirements would be minimal as the site is essentially grandfathered for 9,650 trips a day. He stated that once the area that could be developed is determined, he could give more specifics regarding these development requirements. Mr. Wright reported there is a total of 3.8 acres on the site however, voter approval would be needed for development below the 28' contour line. The upland property could be developed without a referendum. A question was raised regarding the impact of this if the City should decide to sell the property to someone else. Mr. Wright indicated the sale of the property would be subject to voter approval as well. A question was raised regarding whether or not the City would be liable for the back taxes if they purchase the property and it was indicated Allied Federated Stores would have to pay this cost. Mr. Wright introduced Ream Wilson, Parks and Recreation Director, who went over the potential park development of the property. He displayed a map which indicated the various deeds which had been received for the park site as well as the Maas Brothers site. He reviewed the current status of Coachman Park and stated the cost to develop the Maas site as a part of the park would be approximately $306,000. He stated the current park costs $53,780 a year to maintain. He provided a list of the current activities which occur in Coachman Park. Elizabeth Deptula, Assistant City Manager, reviewed the impact of the removal of the Maas Brothers property from the tax roll. She stated there are many taxing authorities on the tax roll however, she only addressed the Pinellas County, CRA and City impacts. Taking the property off the tax roll will impact the City's General Fund and the CRA revenue. The General Fund would loose $19,697.88 of revenue and the CRA fund would loose approximately $11,700 if this property is taken off the tax roll. Joanne Faruggia left the meeting at this time. Mr. Wright introduced Jerry Sternstein, Economic Development Director, who went over the appraisers' opinions of the highest and best use for the property. C.B. Commercial assessed the property with the highest and best use as an all suites hotel. Millspaugh stated institutional or office development would be the highest and best use. Mr. Sternstein handed out excerpts from the two appraisals indicating the full appraisals were available if any of the task force members wished to see them. In response to a question regarding if individuals ask task force members for copies of material, it was indicated the records are public and therefore there would be no problem in providing the copies. Mr. Wright reported at the next meeting the task force will tour the Maas Brothers facility and elect a chairman. Discussion ensued regarding a timeframe for the work of the task force and consensus was reached that they would attempt to complete their work within 150 days (end of March). Discussion ensued regarding what day and time would be best for the meetings and consensus was for 8:00 a.m. on Fridays. Consensus was to set the next meeting for November 1st, at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Wright will notify the task force of the meeting place. In response to a question, Mr. Wright indicated all of the aerials and appraisals would be with his staff assistant, Denise Wilson. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m.