SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Accept the North Marina Area Master Plan.
Body
SUMMARY:
The North Marina Area Master Plan project was commissioned by the City of Clearwater in response to objectives identified by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Advisory Services Panel, who provided strategic advice regarding a comprehensive and long-term perspective for the continued growth and development of Downtown Clearwater. The Master Plan is a comprehensive plan that balances the needs of the boating community, area residents and the development community.
With assistance from a consultant team led by Stantec, the Planning and Development Department worked with community stakeholders to identify community needs, leverage the area’s unique locational advantages, capitalize on market opportunities, and determine how to balance the needs of the boating community with area residents. Public outreach activities included:
• Stakeholder One-on-One Interviews: In July 2015, Stantec conducted one-on-one interviews with stakeholders affiliated with key properties in the study area in order to hear insights on the assets, issues and opportunities in the area.
• Stakeholder Committee: In August, September and December 2015 staff and Stantec met with community stakeholders to brainstorm about several topics regarding the area, as well as to solicit feedback on community meeting results.
• Community Meetings: In August, September, October and December 2015, staff conducted four community meetings meant to engage the community and solicit feedback on the vision of the area. The four meetings consisted of: introduction to the project, a design charrette where staff worked with the community to create plan concepts for the area, an open house to present three design scenarios for the area in order to receive feedback and a final meeting where the preferred concept was presented.
• Online Engagement: From August to November 2015, the City’s online engagement platform, myclearwaterinput.com, was used to post surveys and generate feedback for the Plan, providing an additional outlet for public engagement.
A market analysis and marina assessment were completed to provide context for the Master Plan. The market analysis, performed by Lakemont Group, a boutique real estate and economic consulting firm, examined the real estate and economic development potential of the area, and included an analysis on potential residential development. The marina assessment was performed by Moffatt and Nichol, a global infrastructure advisor specializing in the planning and design of facilities shaping coastlines and harbors. The marina assessment provided an understanding of the market potential specifically related to marina facilities in the area as well as an overview assessment of the operations of the Seminole Boat Ramp in order to turn the area into a boating destination.
The North Marina Area Master Plan establishes a vision for the area, which is to activate the area by attracting residents, businesses, visitors and the boating community while maintaining the historic character. Within the Master Plan, a concept plan depicts where new development and public investments should be located to achieve the vision. Major components of the concept plan include:
• A hotel on the Clearwater Basin Marina site to draw visitors to the area and provide a destination for boaters;
• A makers courtyard between Cedar Avenue and Nicholson Street combining affordable housing with creative workspaces and community-use facilities to create catalysts for economic development;
• An improved Seminole Boat Ramp with a walkway and shaded picnic areas, new staging docks and reconfigured parking to improve access for boaters and non-boaters;
• A pedestrian-friendly Fort Harrison Avenue, which will be accomplished by reducing travel lane widths and adding on-street parking, as well as adding streetscape improvements and promoting mixed use, mid-rise scale development.
In addition to strategies directly linked to the concept plan components highlighted above, the Master Plan recommends strategies to serve as the starting point for future implementation steps in the area. The recommended strategies are organized into four topic areas: administrative, public realm, transportation and sustainability, as generally described below. The strategies identified in the Plan fall primarily under the purview of the Planning and Development Department but also state the need for coordination with various City departments, private property owners and various governmental entities.
1. Administrative (Plan pages 92-94): These strategies identify non-capital projects for the area such as amending the Downtown Plan, implementing a program of events such as festivals and farmers markets and providing assistance to support local artisans, which benefits the community and local economy. Strategies include:
• Amend the Downtown Plan to accommodate recommendations;
• Encourage hotel development on the waterfront;
• Provide assistance in renovating historic houses; and
• Market the Plan.
2. Public Realm and Transportation (Plan pages 94-96): These strategies are designed to improve access in and around the area by enhancing multiple modes of transportation such as biking, bus transit and walking. They also focus on creating a sense of place through the installation of public art, gateway enhancements and activation of the waterfront. Strategies include:
• Enhance the Seminole Boat Ramp Function;
• Activate the waterfront;
• Install public art;
• Improve the Pinellas Trail;
• Redesign Fort Harrison Avenue;
• Redesign apex of Fort Harrison Avenue at Fairmont Street and Myrtle Avenue;
• Improve bus transit service; and
• Review minimum parking standards.
3. Sustainability (Plan pages 96-97): These strategies recommend the use of sustainable methods during redevelopment of the area in order to conserve water and energy, utilize Low Impact Development (LID) techniques on projects such as stormwater management and promote environmental awareness of the Clearwater Harbor through educational displays. Strategies include:
• Require Low Impact Development (LID) for sites and buildings;
• Expand Green Streets Program & Initiatives;
• Improve energy and water efficiency; and
• Encourage healthy water bodies.
The Planning and Development Department recommends that City Council accept the North Marina Area Master Plan.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS:
N/A