08-20-18 Comm. Workshop MinutesCALL TO ORDER
MINUTES
Commission Workshop Meeting
Monday, August 20, 2018 - 5:00 PM
Commission Chamber
Mayor Glasser led the Pledge of Allegiance and called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. She
asked the Commissioners and participants to self -identify.
ATTENDANCE:
Ellen Glasser, Mayor
Brittany Norris, Commissioner
John Stinson, Commissioner
Blythe Waters, Mayor Pro Tem / Commissioner (arrived at 5:55 PM)
ABSENT:
Candace Kelly, Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Joe Gerrity, City Manager (CM)
Shane Corbin, Planning and Community Development Director (PCDD)
Brenna Durden, City Attorney (CA)
Donna Bartle, City Clerk (CC)
Curtis Ostrodka, Director of Community Planning, Vanasse Hangen Brustilin, Inc. (VHB)
IA. Mayport Road Vision Implementation Plan - Final Report
Curtis Ostrodka from VHB gave a brief history of the company's role in the Mayport
Road Vision Implementation Plan. He presented a slideshow outlining VHB's public
feedback results from the March 7, 2018, Workshop which included existing
conditions, a technical advisory Committee, meeting with the Florida Department of
Transportation (FDOT), and the public Open House. The public feedback was to
decrease the speed limit on Mayport Road, add bicycle lanes, widen sidewalks,
landscaping for better amenities, and the general appearence of individual parcels. A
Conceptual Master Plan Diagram was shown and reviewed. Mr. Ostrodka explained
the goals from the Workshop are to have a continued dialogue with FDOT, explore the
possibility of reducing the speed limit and research additional bike and pedestrian
connectivity.
PCDD Corbin stated that FDOT is currently working on a Concept Plan for a road diet.
He met with FDOT, the City of Jacksonville (COJ) and a representative of the East
Coast Greenway which resulted in a preference to make this an official segment of East
Coast Greenway. However, in order to accomplish this, separate bike lanes are required
(not shared bike lanes). Mr. Corbin explained the FDOT is exploring this possibility.
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A brief discussion ensued regarding bike lanes.
Curtis Ostrodka reviewed potential financial incentives for the City to explore as part
of the Plan as listed below.
• Neighborhood Improvement District (NID)
• Business Improvement District (BID)
• Local Tax Abatement
• Fagade Grant Program
Mr. Ostrodka spoke about a Master Stormwater System being an incentive for
developers as it allows developers to use the majority of the parcel and removes the
regulatory barrier for stormwater. VHB has also researched local road improvements
(sidewalks and on -street bicycle trails), parking garages as revenue generators, and
open spaces for community events. Other discussions have included a public-private
partnership with the City for a redevelopment project managed by the City through a
Request for Proposal (RFP.
Mr. Ostrodka spoke about the importance of community events and showed a video of
the Audubon Park Garden District in Orlando, Florida (comparable to the Mayport
Corridor). He stated that they won a National Main Street Award because of their
community events,.
PCDD Corbin noted the description for other revenue -generating techniques. He spoke
about creating a unique sense of place with art, public markets, and low-cost events
that can be done on a trial basis (outdoor cafe or food truck rodeo) to determine
popularity.
Curtis Ostrodka stated that VHB has created a Ten Step Workable Action Plan which
includes:
• Continued discussion with FDOT.
• Participate in a FDOT Complete Streets Study.
• Create a task force of business owners and community members.
• Conduct a market study to understand the potential for targeted industries.
• Assemble parcels for a developer while the value is relatively low.
• Land Development Code amendments.
• Prepare guidelines to codify urban form on Land Use Plan.
• To identify a primary funding source.
• Partnering with an Events Coordinator to draw people to the area.
• A Master Stormwater Study to determine barriers for redevelopment.
Discussion ensued regarding tax increment financing, CRAB, the need for a clear vision
of the plan, RFPs direction on obtaining property from the Federal Government, and
protocol for creating a task force.
Mayor Glasser opened the floor for Public Comment.
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• Kirk Hansen spoke about the speed limit at Audubon Park.
• Steve Fouraker spoke about the need for another traffic study, financing, and
the scale of the project.
• Rick Harper spoke about enforcing the speed limit on Mayport Road.
Mayor Glasser acknowledged Shana David-Messett from Sun -Ray Cinema.
B. Selva Planned Unit Developments
PCDD Corbin presented a slideshow and gave a history of Selva Marina PVDs
developed in the 1970s (The one he showed was different than the one in the packet).
The PUD Ordinance was established in 1972 requiring approval from an Advisory
Planning Board and the City Commission. In 1982 the Zoning Code eliminated the
PUD and the Advisory Planning Board. The City of Atlantic Beach did not have a
Master Plan or a COMP Plan to guide development.
Mr. Corbin reviewed the Selva Marina PUDs issues with design standards relating to
fences, accessory structures, varying setbacks, lot size, and frontage. He stated that
approximately 50% of the lots are nonconforming and the primary issue is the fence
height.
A solution was presented to rezone the entire area to a RS -1 Zoning District and Mr.
Corbin explained notices were sent out and the City held an Open House for the
residents. There were concerns expressed about setbacks changing, the minimum house
size decreasing, and fencing allowed in front yards. Mr. Corbin explained this option
for a solution was withdrawn.
Other options discussed were as follows:
• Create one or more new Zoning Districts with design standards in alignment
with the PVDs.
• Reestablish the Home Owner Associations (HOAs) and the Planning
Advisory Board.
Discussion ensued regarding subdividing the property, clarification of non -conforming
to conforming, permitting, and accessory structures.
Mayor Glasser opened the floor for Public Comments:
• Harley Parks expressed his opposition to the re -zoning plan.
• Susanne Barker spoke about grandfathering some of the PUDs.
• Carole Schwartz spoke about her concerns with setbacks and the area's
diminishing canopy.
Mayor Glasser called for a recess at 6:44 PM. The meeting reconvened at 6:50 PM.
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C. Special Magistrate
Mayor Glasser invited the Commissioners to ask questions.
Discussion ensued about protocol, cost, and the pros and cons of using a Special
Magistrate versus a Code Enforcement Board.
CA Durden explained the responsibilities of a Special Magistrate, how the Code
Enforcement Board (CEB) would change, and the statutes that govern having a Special
Magistrate. She recommended the City renew the Request for Proposal.
CM Gerrity spoke about the various issues the CEB has had with the current process.
It was agreed to give the members of the Code Enforcement Board an opportunity to
address the Commissioners to express their opinion. This will also give the
Commissioners an opportunity to thank the CEB.
CA Durden explained there would need to be some minor changes made to the City's
Code of Ordinances.
The Commission agreed to place this on the next Agenda for September 10, 2018.
D. Charter Officers' Evaluations
Commissioner Stinson spoke about the inefficiency of the current Performance
Evaluation process and suggested elimination.
Commissioner Waters spoke about the public nature of Performance Evaluations being
the biggest issue. She suggested alternatives for the process if the Commission decides
to continue with the annual Performance Evaluations.
CA Durden suggested doing research on how and when the Performance Evaluation
process was created to determine the correct protocol for eliminating Charter Officers'
evaluations.
Mayor Glasser asked CC Bartle to do this research and place the item on the next
Agenda.
Mayor Glasser opened the floor for Public Speakers. There were no speakers.
E. Impervious Surface Limits/Code provisions that allow impervious surface credits
CM Gerrity announced that staff is ready to prepare the maximum pervious surface
ratio Ordinance. He asked the Commissioners for their input.
Discussion ensued regarding recurring issues, making the language clear, adding
"boilerplate" language to the City's permit, eliminating credits, pervious versus
impervious, and notifying residents.
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CA Durden stated the City would be vulnerable to a lawsuit; however, the City may
not be vulnerable to responsibility. Certain decisions that cities make are not subject to
attack under the case law. The way the City uses its resources, i.e. budget and how the
City makes proprietary decisions, are not subject to attack.
Discussion ensued about stormwater drainage, research data, language that would make
the codes easier to enforce, encouraging people to build on a smaller footprint, and
French drains. It was decided more research data is needed before a decision can be
made.
Mayor Glasser opened the floor to public comment.
• Chris Griffith spoke about enforcement.
ADJOURNMENT
There was no further discussion and Mayor Glasser adjourned the meeting at 8:17 PM.
Attest:
SA =
Donna L. Bartle, City Clerk
Date Approved: �0
DLB/pn
Ellen Glasser, Mayor
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