SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Approve amendments to Beach by Design: A Preliminary Design for Clearwater Beach and Design Guidelines to update the public boardwalk standards in “Marina District Boardwalk Design Guidelines and Specifications,” and pass Ordinance 9340-19 on first reading.
Body
SUMMARY:
Beach by Design was adopted in 2001 by the City as a special area plan that set forth a series of revitalization strategies for Clearwater Beach and established character districts to regulate land use, location of uses, and, generally, the scale of development. Beach by Design supports the redevelopment of the Marina District into a pedestrian and boater-friendly destination and offers development incentives for waterfront development proposals that provide to the City a 15-foot wide boardwalk within a 20-foot public access easement adjacent to the seawall and to non-waterfront development proposals which contribute financially to the Papaya and Baymont Street streetscapes or the public boardwalk. In 2013, the City amended Beach by Design to adopt by reference new “Marina District Design Guidelines and Specifications” prepared by the City’s Parks and Recreation Department for the construction of the public boardwalk.
Proposed Ordinance 9340-19 updates the “Marina District Design Guidelines and Specifications.” During construction of the Papaya Street Plaza entry node, the design and materials used were modified from what the specifications called for. This amendment updates the guidelines to reflect what was constructed at the Papaya Street Plaza entry node and incorporates updated citywide standards for benches, trash cans, trees and landscaping. The proposed changes address finish materials, lighting, trash receptacles, benches, landscaping, and the boardwalk construction and materials (e.g., timber piles, decking, and railing). Section diagrams of the boardwalk and East Shore Drive sidewalk have also been revised. The updated guidelines will ensure any privately constructed portion of the boardwalk is consistent with what has already been built.
The proposed amendment is consistent with and furthers the goals, policies and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan, and also furthers the purposes of the Community Development Code and other city ordinances and actions designed to implement the Plan.
The Community Development Board, after conducting a public hearing on October 15, 2019, recommended unanimous approval of the amendment.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT: N/A
USE OF RESERVE FUNDS: N/A