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Resolution No. 19-13RESOLUTION NO. 19-13 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH AUTHORIZING THE USE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANTS IN THE MAYPORT BUSINESS OVERLAY DISTRICT; ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR A FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROGRAM; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, for many years, City of Atlantic Beach leaders have desired to improve the aesthetics and create a sense of place on and near Mayport Road; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission, in its fiscal year 2016-17 budget, created a Community Redevelopment Fund; and WHEREAS, the Community Development Fund has $50,000 available for redevelopment projects; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission established a Mayport Business Overlay District with defined boundaries; and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission have accepted the Mayport Road Vision Implementation Plan, which recommends establishing a fagade improvement grant program; and WHEREAS, facade improvement grant program guidelines for the City have been established, and a facade grant application and agreement have been generated; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of staff to implement a fagade grant improvement program as recommended in the Mayport Road Vision Implementation Plan utilizing redevelopment funds, and WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission have determined that this program is in the best interest of the City and should be promulgated at this time. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach as follows: SECTION 1. The Mayor and City Commission hereby authorize the use of the Community Redevelopment Fund for a fagade improvement grant program. SECTION 2. All project expenditures from the Community Redevelopment Fund for this purpose shall be approved by the City Commission prior to disbursement. SECTION 3. The fagade improvement grant program guidelines are attached hereto, marked 'Exhibit A", and incorporated by reference. 1 of 2 Resolution No. 19-13 SECTION 4. The City Manager is hereby authorized to proceed with the implementation of this program and to execute facade grant agreements in accordance with the guidelines attached hereto, to include the execution of the facade grant agreement(s) when appropriate. SECTION 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Atlantic Beach, this 25th day of February, 2019. Ellen Glasser, Mayor Attest: Donna Bartle, City Clerk Approved as to form and correctness: CUr• orney 2 of 2 Resolution No. 19-13 EXHIBIT A ►9 SIi IZI Planning and Community Development Facade Improvement Program Program Overview The Fagade Improvement Program is intended to encourage economic development and foster community pride along the Mayport Road Corridor for properties located within the Fagade Improvement Area shown in Figure 1. This program provides grant funds to finance quality exterior improvements to buildings and vehicle use areas visible to the public. The program is managed by the Planning and Community Development Department, under the direction of the City Manager. Program Purpose The purpose of the program is to provide an opportunity for property owners or their tenants to upgrade the exterior of their buildings to attract tenants, strengthen the image of Mayport Road, increase utilization of existing buildings, enhance economic vitality, and improve property values. Mayport Road is an important commercial corridor in Atlantic Beach and a prime area for growth for new businesses due to distressed properties and high traffic volumes along the corridor. This area is a major focus for revitalization due to its importance to the city's image and future vitality of adjacent neighborhoods. Available Funding The program is a reimbursement program. Reimbursement payments will be issued to property/business owners after City staff has verified the completion of projects through site visits and review of receipts. Each applicant is responsible for the design and construction improvements to their buildings or vehicle parking areas. The program is administrated on a first- come, first-served basis to the limit of available funding and in accordance with the City's appropriated funds for the fiscal year. If the total value of funding requested for applications exceeds the total amount of funding available, applications will be prioritized by the Planning and Community Development Department staff. Properties with frontage on Mayport Road shall receive priority over properties fronting on side streets. Eligibility Prospective applicants for the grant funding are property owners or their business tenants who are improving the exterior facades of existing buildings or vehicle parking areas that are visible from public spaces within the Fagade Improvement Area (Figure 1). Only buildings with commercial use(s) on the ground floor are eligible for grants. The City's Director of Planning and Community Development may recommend exceptions to these guidelines on a case-by-case basis. Applicants may receive assistance for more than one building at a time on separate parcels if funding is available. A maximum of one grant application per parcel will be accepted each fiscal year. The City reserves the right to deny applications from businesses of non -conforming uses and from property or business owners who are in violation of code or delinquent on payment of local business taxes, fines or fees. Gity of dacks on gills Ito fam low rj Don MKI TA pvyl Plow tT4 cNi Pi r r --i 117HL W - 'l, 5,1 a. AM I Mi L. f '.1 LAA 1J L fl Figure 1. Fayade Improvement Area Eligible Expenses Eligible expenses are improvements to building facades, roofs or vehicle parking areas that are visible from public rights-of-way or other public spaces. Eligible improvements include: • Exterior signage • Exterior painting • Awnings • Storefront redesign, reconstruction and enhancements (Figure 4) • Vehicle parking area treatments to include but not limited to paving, sealing and striping of parking lots and driveways • Landscaping (Figure 3) • Outdoor lighting • Outdoor tables, chairs, benches, bicycle racks and umbrellas located next to pedestrian areas which enhance the pedestrian environment and are open to the public (Figure 4) • Dumpster/storage screening; fencing • Pervious patios, walkways and other similar surfaces • Roofs • Consultant or contractor fees associated with project construction All work that requires a permit must be completed by a licensed contractor legally operating in the City of Atlantic Beach. Ineligible Expenses Figure 3: Landscaping Figure 4: Outdoor Seating Funds may not be used for improvements that are not permanent, mounted or affixed to the building, sidewalk or landscaped areas that are visible from public rights-of-way or public spaces. In addition, funds may not be used towards the complete redevelopment of a site. Ineligible uses include but are not limited to: • Vinyl letter signage (windows) • Portable signs such as sandwich board or A -frame signs; signs not mounted or attached to storefronts; and flags or banners • Moveable structures and equipment that do not enhance the pedestrian environment • Improvements that are required due to code violations • Interior improvements (Figure 5) • Improvements not visible from public rights-of-way or a public space • Personal time of the property owner or tenant Figure 5: Interior Improvements Grant funds shall not be applied retroactively to any project in the event that construction began prior to approval of a grant application. However, funds may be applied retroactively to cover design costs or other professional fees associated with the production of information required for a complete facade grant application. Facade Improvement Grant Amounts The maximum allowable award is $5,000 per project location (depending on the impact of the improvement on Mayport Road) with the property owner/business owner required to pay a match of at least 50 percent of the total project cost. For example, if the total project cost is $10,000, the applicant must provide at least $5,000 toward the project. Minimum Design Standards At a minimum, eligible projects must comply with the City of Atlantic Beach's commercial corridor design standards and the Mayport Business Overlay District regulations where applicable. Additional Design Standards • Building Facade Materials Priority will be given to projects that use materials commonly or historically used in the area, such as tabby stucco, brick, wood, shake siding, metal and glass. A variety of compatible contrasting textures should be used to create visual interest. Single material facades should be avoided. (Figure 6) • Colors Figure 6: Mix of Materials Qualifying projects shall utilize color schemes harmonious with the natural environment of the area. Earth tones shall be chosen as the predominate colors for fagade improvements. Primary colors shall be avoided except for minimal accents on architectural features, wall murals, or other art. • Roofs Only portions of roofs visible from public right-of-way or public spaces qualify for facade grant funding. Roofs that qualify for funding shall have one of the following architectural characteristics: o Gable, hip, or shed design with a minimum 6/12 pitch. o Mansard design o Undulating parapet that interrupts a flat roofline • Awnings Priority will be given to projects that incorporate awnings that enhance the pedestrian experience or provide shelter for outdoor seating. © Signage Projection signs above awnings and doorways are encouraged. o Lighting Qualifying lighting shall be down - lit at a 90 degree angle, highlight architectural features or signage, and not project directly onto adjacent properties. (Figure 7) Application Process Before submitting an application, property or business owners interested in applying for facade improvement grants should contact the Director of Planning and Community Development to set up an appointment to discuss the potential project. The Director of Planning and Community Development will advise the applicant as to the applicable standards for the project. Application Package Application packages for facade improvement grants should include: • A completed facade improvement grant application. • Verification of property ownership (title or deed of trust) and, if the applicant is a tenant, a consent letter from the property owner approving the proposed changes. • A detailed written scope of the proposed project. • Color photos of the existing facades or vehicle use area in the proposal. • Sketches, photos, site plans, architectural plans, elevations and renderings needed to illustrate the proposed project or requested by Planning and Community Development staff. • Project timeline. • Itemized budget including the estimated total. City staff will review application packages for completion and will notify applicants if additional information or revisions are needed. If funding is still available, applications will be presented to the City Commission for consideration within 30 days of being approved by City staff. Applicants will be notified of approval, denial or need for additional information within 10 days of the City Commission's consideration. Changes made from the original proposal must be submitted and approved through the same process. Any unapproved change from an approved application is not eligible for funding reimbursement. To receive funding, projects must be completed within six months of being approved. A reasonable extension may be granted by the Planning and Community Development staff, dependent upon the good -faith efforts of the applicant. Distribution of Funds Grant funds will be distributed upon completion of the approved facade improvement project and the following: • Successful issuance and close-out of all relevant permits, including but not limited to construction, encroachment and sign permits. • Final inspection and approval of the completed project by the Planning and Community Development Department. • Photographs, invoices and receipts are submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development and certified in compliance with the original application. • Grant recipients agree to place a City of Atlantic Beach Fagade Improvement Grant Recipient sign at the construction site throughout the project and 90 days after completion of the project. For additional information and to access an application, visit the Department of Planning and Community Development website (coab.us/26/PlanningCommunity-Development).