HomeMy WebLinkAboutP & Z Packet 6-11-08
City of Cape Canaveral
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD REGULAR MEETING
CITY HALL ANNEX
111 POLK AVENUE
JUNE 11, 2008
AGENDA
Call to Order
Roll Call
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Meeting Minutes: May 28, 2008.
DISCUSSION
1. Presentation: Guest Speaker, Laura Canady, J.D., Community
Development Director, City of Satellite Beach.
2. Discussion Re: Mixed Use.
OPEN DISCUSSION
ADJOURN
Pursuant to Section 286.1015, F.S., the City hereby advises the public that: If a person
decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning and Zoning Board with respect to
any matter rendered at this meeting, that person will need a record of the proceedings,
and for such purpose that person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
appeal is to be based. This notice does not constitute consent by the City for the
introduction or admission into evidence of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence,
nor does it authorize challenges or appeals not otherwise allowed by law. This meeting
may include the attendance of one or more members of the Cape Canaveral City
Council, Board of Adjustment, Code Enforcement and/or Community Appearance Board
who mayor may not participate in Board discussions held at this public meeting.
Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings
should contact the City Clerk's office at 868-1221,48 hours in advance of the meeting.
105 Polk Avenue · Post Office Box 326 · Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-0326
Telephone: (321) 868-1222 · SUNCOM: 982-1222 · FAX: (321) 868-1247
www.myflorida.com/cape · email: ccapecanaveral@cf1.rr.com
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 28, 2008
A Regular Meeting of the Planning & Zoning Board was held on May 28, 2008, at
the City Hall Annex, 111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Chairperson
Bea McNeely called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Secretary called the
roll.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Bea McNeely Chairperson
Lamar Russell Vice Chairperson
John Fredrickson
Donald Dunn
Harry Pearson
John Johanson 1 st Alternate
MEMBERS ABSENT
Ronald Friedman 2nd Alternate
OTHERS PRESENT
Rocky Randels Mayor
Robert Hoog Mayor Pro T em
Shannon Roberts Councilmember
Bennett Boucher City Manager
Todd Morley Building Official
Todd Peetz City Planner
Susan Chapman Board Secretary'
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approval of Meetinq Minutes May 14, 2008.
Motion by Harry Pearson, seconded by Donald Dunn, to approve the meeting
minutes of May 14, 2008, as written. Vote on the motion carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION
1. Presentation: Guest Speaker - Phil Laurien, Executive Director of the
East Central Florida Reqional Plannina Council.
Todd Peetz, City Planner, introduced guest speaker Phil Laurien, Executive
Director of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council. Mr. Peetz
announced that Mr. Laurien had a broad knowledge and extensive expertise in
planning, and he was at the meeting to assist the Board by giving guidance for
redevelopment and mixed=use.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28,2008
Page 2
Phil Laurien, Executive Director of the East Central Florida Regional Planning
Council, advised that many communities were currently considering
redevelopment. He began by presenting a PowerPoint presentation which
highlighted ways of how to promote more growth and redevelopment by creating
town center(s) to avoid urban sprawl. He used the City of Tavares as an
example of this.
Mr. Laurien requested that the members ask themselves how the City should
grow and to think about the following:
. History of Visioning
. Intensity of neighborhoods within a Community Redevelopment
Ant:>n('" rrRA \
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. Preference survey for architecture and use within neighborhoods
. Refine the meaning of intensity
. How tall was too tall
. Should tall buildings belong along the water frontage
The Board members viewed photographs of various down-town areas and were
asked:
. How tall were the buildings? How tall should they be? What were
they used for? Could water be scene or did the buildings block the
water? What could be changed? What should stay the same?
.. VVhat did they like about the scene?
. VVhat did they not iike?
.. VVhat could be changed?
. What should stay the same?
. What elements of the oid neighborhood did they like?
. Did they like the picture of the old courthouse, and if so, what did
they like.
The Board members were asked to consider identifying the City's strengths,
weaknesses and opportunities. Mr. Laurien pointed-out the strengths,
weaknesses and opportunities of the City of Tavares by obtaining community
input as follows:
Strengths - 100% of 28 votes said that they had unique opportunities, a great
grid street system and downtown parks; 96% of 27 votes said that they lived
within 1 1/2 blocks away from downtown and could walk to everything except the
grocery store, and most of their children walked to school.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2008
Page 3
Weaknesses - 93% of 26 votes said the City was reactive, not proactive; 78% of
22 votes said the City was losing its history; and 61 % of 17 votes said that the
black community felt left out and not a part of the City anymore.
Opportunities - 100% of 28 votes said that their could be a town center like it
once was in the old town; 100% of 28 votes said that economics was pushing
people back to live/work neighborhoods; 96% of 27 votes said that the City had
the basic elements of an old neighborhood and needed the return of the butcher,
baker, and grocery to the downtown; 89% of 25 votes said that the City needed
to identify which laws needed to be changed to enhance redevelopment of
downtown; 82% of 23 votes said that the City had assets and infrastructure other
places did not and could be redeveloped more easily as a transportation hub;
100% of 28 votes said that investment came to small towns with better plans;
100% of 28 votes said the City had to have a vision; 93% of 26 votes said that
they had a great city park on the lake; 86% of 24 votes agreed that codes were in
place to redevelop; and 71 % of 20 votes said that successful communities had
rail, jobs and schools downtown and that the base core was still there.
Threats - Hear talk like visioning before. Example: We saved a 10 year old
agenda - nothing got done.
Mr. Laurien advised that there was a movie called "Save our Lands, Save our
Town" which teaches the difference between old and new neighborhoods; and
identified historic development patterns that: 1) supported regular interaction of
neighbors; fostered a pedestrian friendly environment; 3) provided for open
space; and creation of a city's identity by visible boundaries. The movie also
taught that history would play an important role in the future.
Mr. Laurien advised that in considering redevelopment, the City of Tavares
viewed a PowerPoint titled "The Scale of Great Places", which explained how
Savannah, Georgia and Miami Beach, Florida reinvented themselves around the
theme of their historic core. They had defined "human scale" as architectural
elements built to human proportions (steps, doorways, railings, columns, eaves,
niches, medallions, and moldings). They learned how human scale is
deliberately ignored, by modernist architects to achieve a larger than life
monument effect. Mr. Laurien explained that even as taller buildings rose above
the more typical 3-4 stories, their architecture, landscaping, and detail remained
human in scale. He showed an example of a taller building and asked the Board
if the building looked appropriate. He advised that the building was six stories
surrounded by three stories. The Board looked at photos of the Savannah
College of Art and Design building that was six stories; and a plain office building
to the rear of the college that was seven stories tall which looked out of place.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28,2008
Page 4
The Board looked at an example of two large buildings along a waterway that
were considered out of scale and not in harmony with the architecture of other
buildings in Savannah.
The next step that the City of Tavares did was to discuss how to capitalize on
strengths and overcome weaknesses by turning them into opportunities. The
attendees of the meeting were asked to participate in an exercise. The
participants were given disposable cameras and were asked to photograph
beautiful or ugly attributes of a City (architectural styles, densities, signage,
colors, etc.) A month later, the participants brought in photographs which were
randomly clustered and placed onto display boards. Each participant received
red, blue, green & yellow stickers. The red stickers were placed next to the
type/style of buildings preferred as next most intense type of development.
Green dots were placed next to the type/style buildings for the next most intense
type of redevelopment. Yellow dots were placed next to building pictures that
typified the least intense development. Attendees also place colored dots onto
the CRA map. Red dots were placed where the highest intensity development
was preferred, followed by blue, green, and yellow for the least intense. The
conclusion was that there were neighborhoods within the CRA District. The
Board members looked at several photographs from the PowerPoint that showed
the results of the exercise.
Mr. laurien recapped that the red votes included: buildings not exceeding five
stories high; mixed use buildings (i.e. retail, offices, residential); awnings; tables
with umbrellas; street trees; nice lighting; wide sidewalks; streetscape; human
friendly; on-street parking; people friendly streets; encourage tourism downtown;
detailed architecture and various styles; retail on the 1 st floor, residential above.
Mr. laurien advised that the City Council's eRA Goals for the City of Tavares
included:
. Promoting the CRA as a focal point of the community by providing
and encouraging designed spaces for a wide range of
offices/studios, businesses, retail shops/eateries, public gathering
areas, and cultural activities.
.. Create short term and long term plans.
. Create an economic development strategic plan (downtown job
creation ).
. Provide for the implementation of design standards and guidelines
to promote development and redevelopment that is sensitive to
architectural resources and quality design, preserves visual quality,
enhances visual unity and accommodates pedestrians.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2008
Page 5
. Promote the integration of pedestrian traffic with vehicle traffic.
. Promote the efficient use of land and sensitivity to the environment
and water bodies.
. Provide for a mixed-use of housing with commercial that is
compatible with the development in areas of similar intensity.
. Encourage quality facades along streets, sidewalks, and pedestrian
ways which will contribute to the City's overall character and charm.
. Promote projects which will encourage private, public, and civic
partnerships in order to bring patrons to the downtown area
(Festivals, block parties, entertainment, events, etc.)
Mr. Laurien shared the following suggestions and considerations to help the City:
. Complete a downtown development assessment.
. Evaluate the needs and opportunities for the community.
. Create a vision. What does the City want and where do they want
it located?
. Analyze existing land use.
. Define a downtown center.
. Refine the meaning of intensity in the various districts you create.
. Establish a vision for the CRA neighborhoods.
. Write form-based codes that incorporate the vision and the CRA
Goals.
. Change the Comprehensive Plan by adding incentives to stimulate
redevelopment.
. Good investors do not want to come and fight with a City for years
and years. They will bring their money somewhere else.
. Increase intensity and demand amenities from developers.
. Consider extending existing sidewalks, walkways and bike paths.
. Try to create a town center to live, work and play.
. Refine the meaning of intensity.
. Set buildings back for angled parking vs. parallel parking.
. Maximize number of parking spaces.
. Create short-term and long-term plans.
. Create sub-zones to better develop the City's vision - where image
and reality align.
.. Create a Vision Statement.
. Start with one good City block or area that would be enticing to
developers.
. Define a place (location, location, location).
. Create a theme.
. Adequate intensity can change from block to block.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2008
Page 6
. Consider what's the most viable economic use of property is.
. Transportation element is important. Consider expanding bus
routes.
. Show visual preferences and get comments from the public.
. For retail, include: general stores, spas, coffee shops, downtown
restaurants, sidewalk vendors, ice cream parlors, drug stores,
bakeries, and flower shops.
. Revise existing codes for specific mixed use overlays, in defined
areas, so existing uses would not become non-conforming.
. Begin the thought process by contacting everyone that is located
within an overlaid area. Invite them to a meeting when you will be
talking about redevelopment within their area. Suggest that they
work together with the City. Take them on a bus tour to look at
existing properties and ask what their future desires would be if the
overlaid areas were redeveloped.
In an effort to keep the City's momentum going, Mr. Laurien offered to comeback,
(if the Board would be patient on scheduling) and bring a 50 minute movie titled:
Save our Land, Save our Town for the Board and audience to watch and then
open the meeting to discussion.
Mr. Laurien gave two web-site addresses: www.flickr.com to look at photographs
of various mixed-use developments; and www.myreqion.orq to review an article
called "How Should We Grow?"
The Mayor and City Council members in attendance, Board members, City staff
and the audience thanked Mr. Laurien for his time and excellent presentation.
2. Discussion Re: Mixed Use Districts
Chairperson McNeely announced that the Board had already had enough
discussion about mixed use districts for the evening.
OPEN DISCUSSION
John Porter, resident, property owner, and business owner, asked to address the
Board to discuss a potential project on his family's 5.8 acres of commercial
- - - ~
property along N. Atlantic Avenue. Chairperson McNeely allowed Mr. Porter to
speak. He thanked the Chairperson and advised that he had a potential buyer
for the property who wanted to construct a two flag hotel, with 171 rooms; and
four accessory structures. Nikesh Shah, potential buyer, provided the Board
members a hand-out showing a proposed architectural rendering and site layout
nf thA nrnnprt\f
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Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2008
Page 7
Laura Minton Young, Esquire, spoke regarding the proposed hotel project. She
advised that Manzill, LLC was proposing to develop a hotel to be located on an
approximately 5.8 acre lot, with a detached restaurant. The question to the
Board was whether the proposed hotel project satisfied the City's density
requirement, which was calculated as rental units per acre, mandated by the City
code.
Ms. Young explained that C-1 is the only zoning classification that permitted
hotels. Such permitted hotels must have a minimum of 150 rental units with no
more than 30 rental units per net acre. She voiced her opinion that based on
Section 110-332, the only hotel projects permitted in the City were those with at
least 150 rental units necessitating at least five net acres.
Unfortunately, the City's Land Development Code failed to provide a definition of
what constituted a net acre. The only place where density could be calculated
per the City's code was in Section 110-1, where the term "net residential acre" is
defined. Ms. Young explained that restaurants are customarily accessory uses
for hotel projects providing service to its hotel guests and others. Accordingly,
net acreage for purposes under City Code Section 110-332 should include the
horizontal acreage of a lot devoted exclusively to hotel uses and accessory
restaurant uses. She voiced her opinion that clearly, that was how Section 110-
332 would be applied if the restaurant was inside the hotel. She advised that
nothing in the City's code indicated a different standard should be applicable
because the restaurant is located outside of the hotel, as a free standing facility.
Ms. Young read the City's definition of accessory use. She stated that accessory
use meant a use or structure on the same !ot with and of a nature customarily
incidental and subordinate to the principal use or structure. She voiced her
opinion that the definition indicated that an accessory use could be a separate
structure on a lot. She noted that restaurants do not provide lodging of any kind,
and therefore, did not contribute rental units to a hotel's density requirements.
Ms. Young explained that the City promulgated Section 110-253 to prevent the
reuse of area used for density calculation in certain instances. It provided that
the area used in either a site plan or plot plan to determine the number of living
units allowed in that area shall not be reused in computing the number of living
units for that area or for any subsequent area used within that area. The Section
dealt with the use of an area to compute the nUlIlber of living units for a project or
area more than once to aiiow more living units than would normally be permitted
under the Code. Ms. Young used the following example: two hotels could not
utilize the same area to permit 150 units for each hotel. This development
project did not fall into the jurisdiction of this prohibition because it included only
one use or structure that had a density requirement, the hotel, and one structure
or use that did not, the restaurant. The developer is not attempting to gain more
- -. -
density, rental units per acre, than would normally be permitted on the lot in the
C-1 zone.
Planning & Zoning Board
Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2008
Page 8
Ms. Young explained that the proposed project did not entail subdividing the lot
to provide an out parcel for the eating establishment. Both the hotel and the
eating establishment would be located within the boundaries of the one lot and
would be under common ownership. The project should be considered one
development project. The hotel project would be immensely beneficial for the
surrounding area and the overall commercial district because it would increase
the productivity and raise the quality of the current use of the property.
The Board held discussion regarding if they could have two flags in one building.
The consensus of the Board was that they could have two flags in one building
only under one owner and operation. The Board held discussion regarding the
proposed accessory structures. The definition of an accessory structure and a
hotel was read by the City Attorney numerous times. The Board's discussion
was based on the number of units for the hotel included acreage from the
accessory structures could not be sold off. Chairperson McNeely asked Todd
Peetz, City Planner, if the proposed project met the Code. He responded that
everything on the site had to be one owner and one operator; and a binding
development agreement should be submitted stating that it would remain in that
manner of ownership and operation in perpetuity of the uses being on site.
Secondly, they would need to provide a listing of the accessory uses so that if the
uses changed in the future, there would be no question if the changed use was
an accessory use. He noted that the City has not received any submittal for the
proposed project and the plans presented were only conceptual, however the
developer would need to demonstrate that the accessory uses would be
customarily incidental and subordinate to the primary use.
Mr. Porter, property owner, advised that the buyer wanted to make sure the City
was viable to the proposed project and had support from the City before moving
forward. Discussion followed. Chairperson McNeely asked Todd Morley,
Building Official, his opinion on the issue. Mr. Morlev answered that the Citv
, - - -..I
code had been enforced historically that five acres would have to be only for the
hotel use. Following discussion, the Board concluded to request the City
Attorney to give a ruling on incidental uses, and if two hotel chains being in one
building met the intent of the City code. Mr. Porter thanked the Board.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 10:10
P.III.
Bea McNeely, Chairperson
Susan L. Chapman, Secretary
Meeting Type: Planning &
Zoning
Meeting Date: 6/11/07
AGENDA
Heading Discussion
Item #
No.
AGENDA REPORT
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
SUBJECT: Discussion Laura Canady, J.D. Community Development Director, City of Satellite
Beach.
DEPT. /DIVISION: Building Department
I Requested Actfun: I
Presentation by guest speaker, no action required with possible direction to staff.
Summary Explanation & Background:
Ms. Canady was invited to speak to the Board about "Lessons Learned" with the creation of the Satellite
Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). Ms. Canady will be able to discuss the process involved
with the creation of a CRA and how the City of Satellite Beach operates their CRA.
This is a timely discussion with some relevance to our discussions about mixed use districts aod the potential I
I for redevelopment with the City.
Exhibits Attached:
I
I Planning Official's Office I Department I
I I
Meeting Type: Planning & Zoning
Board
Meeting Date: 6/ll/07
AGENDA
Heading Discussion
Item #
No.
AGENDA REPORT
PLANNING & ZONING BOARD
THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
SUBJECT: Discussion - Mixed Land Use
DEPT.lDIVISION: Building Department
I Requested Actiou: I
Discussion and direction to staff concerning mixed l:l11d lise.
Summary Explanation & Background:
Mixed use districts have been discussed since the beginning of September. We have discussed the concepts
of mixed use, elements of mixed use, how mixed use districts actually look, where they may be most
appropriate in the City and had the Executive Director of the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
speak to the P&Z Board.
The purpose of the discussion for tonight would be to re-evaluate the proposed course of action originally
established back in September. It may be necessary to make some modifications to the list of actions as
appropriate and based upon all the information we have heard and discussed.
The steps identified previously are to look at other jurisdictions rules and requirements for Mixed Land Use
in a matrix format. The purpose is to determine what elements would work for the City and \vhich would
not.
Proposed Action Items:
1) Create a Mixed-Use Matrix of rules and regulation from other communities I
2) Determine what elements would be appropriate for the City
3) Take Community Input
4) Invite Potential Stakeholders
5) Develop a concept plan with the Stakeholders input and support
I 6) Have the code/concept plan critiqued to determine if it were economically feasible I
7) Modify and Adopt Ordinance as determined to be appropriate for the City
We have processed steps one and two as part of the discussion; a consensus has not been established for
these steps.
Exhibits Attached: Miscellaneous Mixed Use District News from the Internet
I Plauuiug Official's Office I Denartrnpnt I
1- r----
Maryland Daily Record Page 1 of2
Positive reaction so far to plan Popular Stories
Man must pay child
for mixed-use cityscape in support, despite test
E-cfiscovery error
Columbia waives attorney-client
KATHLEEN JOHNSTON JARBOE privilege
Four northernmost
Special to The Daily Record light rail stops to be
June 1, 2008 5:33 PM closed for 6 weeks
In a 30-year project that could cost up to $5.2 billion in today's News Summary - 6/03
DLS gets subpoena in
dollars, General Growth Properties Inc. has said it would probe of Currie
complete James Rouse's dream for the community he founded Services
in 1967 by transforming Columbia's downtown into a vibrant,
urban core. Subscribe
Get Our E-mail Alert
The project is still in its dreamy phase. GGP has yet to release a
detailed plan, and there are untold hurdles to cross before it
would be completed. But GGP's initial proposal has warmed
even some of its toughest critics. Resize Text A A A
"We have a good working relationship with [Columbia general Article Tools
manager] Greg [Hamm] as an organization, so we are cautiously
optimistic," said Alan Klein, a spokesman for the Coalition for
Columbia's Downtown. His group formed after residents began
to fear GGP and the county would not incorporate residents'
desires into the plan.
Columbia's town center consists of a mall ringed by vast parking Gregory F. Hamm, regional vice president and
lots with some office buildings, a lakefront and Merriweather general manager for the Columbia division of
Post Pavilion nearby. General Growth Properties, Inc., is guiding the
GGP's vision would remake that standard suburban core into a new plan for Columbia.
manicured, mixed-use cityscape that could inspire citizens and visitors to truly gather and interact.
Under the proposal, Columbia's focus would shift from the mall to an adjacent market square with a landscaped
promenade leading to a new woodland park area and Merriweather. A second promenade would break off from
that main corridor and lead to the lakefront in a zig-zagging, garden-like series of paths.
The promenades would be fianked by city-style street shopping on ground ievel. On upper fioors, there could be
residential units, offices, hotel space or conference center space. The tree-Hned gateway could also feature
outdoor sculptures, parks and museums, including one that could honor Rouse's historical role in reshaping
small towns.
The parking lot that exists on the site of the planned market square would be buried underneath. The market
square itself could change with the seasons into a farmer's market, performance area, fountain Or ice-skating
rink.
The new center would be connected to Howard County General Hospital, Howard Community College and some
of Columbia's other neighborhoods through Hghted, t\rvo:\f'!ay paths 'v\lith benches. Bus routes would be added,
including a shuttle service that would circle the downtown area, eliminating the need to drive from spot to spot
once parked.
GGP has also proposed reworking the storm water management system and making some of it into rain garden
art. Other proposed environmental features include green roofs and solar arrays.
Construction could start on the market square as early as 2010.
Businesses have been impressed with the plans so far.
"We fell that it really exceeded our expectations," said Pamela J. Klahr, president of the Howard County
Chamber of Commerce.
Project organizers have met with community leaders and residents in dozens of meetings to gather input and
explain the rough draft version of the plan. GGP officials have said they hope to use what the community has
asked for as a basis for creating a new urban core that would more closely match what Rouse once planned.
"The plan ... is really the community's plan," Hamm said in an April 28 meeting to discuss GGP's proposai.
Hamm is overseeing the project for GGP. "The designers will serve as the editors and the publishers, but really
the community will remain the authors of what goes on here."
Original sketches for Columbia's downtown showed buses traveling around the mall and intersections bustling
with pedestrians. Rouse envisioned and bullt Columbia as a place where people of all incomes and races could
live and a place that would encourage interaction. He enlisted experts from various fields to help plan the new
lown. Then he sold the idea to Howard County residents through a series of meetings with public officials and
citizens.
While a sense of community has flourished somewhat in Columbia's nine outlvinq villaqes - which were
designed around Village centers and park areas that people could waik to, shop at and-gather at - the town
center has not produced a similar feeling. Many residents and planners have criticized the town for its spread-
out buildings that make driving a necessity.
\^/hi!e Co!:...:mbi3 beg2il 41 years ago '.:...ith a planned approach, Jater years brought piecemeal developrnent that
http://www.rnddailyrecord.com/article.c:fin?id=5541&type=UTTM 6/4/2008
Maryland Daily Record Page 2 of2
added strip malls and big-box stores and did nothing to add to Columbia's sense of community.
"[Columbia] was never completed. It was never the city that Jim envisioned. Indeed if he were around now, he
would be doing what is being proposed," said Jaquelin T. Robertson, who knew Rouse and is a founding partner
of New York architecture and urban design firm Cooper, Robertson & Partners.
In a move harkening back to Rouse, GGP has drawn from world-renowned architects, cultural planners and
environmental talents to help plan the downtown space.
Analysts on the project like Robertson have helped work on Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the Sept. 11 Memorial in
New York, Disney's Celebration town in Florida, and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
The size of the names associated with the project match its costs. The redevelopment could cost from $3.25
billion to $5.2 billion, using industry estimates on the cost of high-grade, mixed-use development.
GGP officials have said that financing effort would require some kind of private-public partnership. While they
haven't released a detailed financing plan, they have suggested a special tax district could devote new tax
revenues toward project costs.
Community residents have largely welcomed the proposal so far.
"I do think you've done a nice job with tying the mall to Merriweather and the lakefront," said Andy Stack, a
member of the Owen Brown Village Board, during a meeting held by GGP in the Owen Brown neighborhood.
Stack's wife, Diane, favored the proposal of adding paths.
"I like the walkability" of the plan, said Diane Stack.
The first phase of development, which includes building the market square and the promenades to the lake and
Merriweather, could be done in 18 to 24 months, according to GGP officials. But GGP has yet to release a
detailed plan that would include all the phases of development, including where and when new residential
deveiopment could begin.
Many citizens have anxiously awaited the details to see if the proposal would adequately account for increases
to traffic and public services that 5,500 new residential units would add. GGP has said it would distribute a more
concrete plan in June - around the time it would ask the county for zoning changes.
"They got most of the values right. But in many ways it was like, 'We want mom and apple pie, and who can
object?' But of course the devil is in the details. And GGP is left creating the details," Klein said.
One of the hurdles before GGP is gathering the rights to develop on land the company does not own. The
Columbia Association, Columbia's homeowners' group, controls large parcels of land where GGP has proposed
development.
The association's preSident said her group has welcomed the inclusiveness GGP has shown so far in listening
to residents. But it hasn't signed off on anything yet.
"At this time, the public is processing all of the information they have received. They are fonming their thoughts
and responses to the plan as they learn more about it," said Columbia Association President Maggie Brown.
Klein said experience with the later development in Columbia has made many residents wonder if grand plans,
like the one GGP has proposed, will come to fruition. Many of the ills of Columbia's development came after
Rouse retired somewhat from the project. While his group is optimistic based on its interactions with Hamm,
Klein said he would look for safeguards in a detailed proposal that would hold developers to milestones.
"One of the lessons we leamed in the last 40 years is \,ve need to have a vision that is not dependent on one
person," he said.
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/article.cfm?id=5541&type=UTTM 6/412008
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>) Police Toledo City Council remained in a holding pattern last night, waiting for the
" K.12 Education Finkbeiner administration and Toledo Public Schools to agree on how much the
>> Environment school district should get for approving tax abatements for the planned $320
>-> Fires million Marina District on the east side.
" Other
>> Poiitlcs/Electlons Council had no choice but to postpone untii June 17 voting on nine pieces of
>> ReHgion legislation critical for the mixed-use residential and commercial development
)> Transportation along the Maumee River.
" Weather
>>Obituaries Nev<Js Meanwhile, the city sent Toledo Public Schools Superintendent John Foley
>> National another proposal yesterday.
>> Ubrary/f"luseum The distriet initially asked for $1.125 miiiion cash a year for 15 years; $300,000 a
>) Zoo year in capital improvement money to benefit the schools, also for 15 years, and
" City of Toledo about $600,000 a year for school crossing guards, which was cut out of the city's
>> Regional News budget for this academic year.
>) Suburban News
" ~llchigan News The city's counteroffer last week was $500,000 annually for 15 years to pay for
>> Higher Education capital improvement projects around the district's schools - totaling $7.5 million.
,,\ Ohio News
>> World The city's offer sent yesterday included a 50 percent split on income tax earned
>> f'1edical/Hea!th on the site and $500,000 annually for five years to pay for capital improvement
>> ScienceiT ech projects in the neighborhoods surrounding schools.
" Lucas County
>> Odd News The district also would begin to receive income from property taxes on the land
'Opinion values exclusive of improvements.
Sports
Business Robert Reinbolt, ~v~ayor Carty Finkbeiner's chief of staff, in a lettei to Mr. Foley
Arts/Entertainment said "TPS should be mindful that the city of Toledo has expended more than $15
million" toward the project and "TPS has had to invest neither money nor effort."
81ade 810gs
Coh.Htmists
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ article? AID=/20080604/NEWS 16/806040449 6/4/2008
toledoblade.com -- Toledo sends TPS new proposal on Marina District plan Page 2 of3
Neighbors Also during last night's council meeting, Councilman D. Michael Collins revived a M$ by c.oogle
Obituaries battle with Mr. Finkbeiner that he had appeared to win in April.
Religioll
Daily Log Council unanimously approved Mr. Collins' proposal for new street surfaces and Fat
Weather sewer reconstruction on Burroughs Drive and Townley Road, where the mayor Shed 9 Ibs every 11 Days
Speciai Repmts lives. by Following these 10
Lottery Easy Idiot Rules
Today's Frollt Page Mr. Collins yesterday said the mayor improperly intervened in the planning for 'MVW. FatLoss4ldiots.com
Photo Gallery the project and would, as a result, not be completed before the winter.
___ He asked ~esterday if the added time were to cause cost overruns, how would IQ.ledo OhiQ New 1::!91l1es
'i<"."" · OC, ,. , '3. they be paid. View new homes,
. Jobs town homes, condos and
. Homes ''The mayor blocked the bids from going out," Mr. Collins said. real estate listings for sale.
www.toledohomesellers.com
. For Rent
. Cars Tom Kroma; assistant chief operating officer for the city, said the project has
. Notices always been planed to be stretched out over two years.
. Business Opportunities
. Merchandise Mr. Finkbeiner, who could not be reached for comment, sent a letter dated May Need quality computer
. Service/Repair 23 to his neighbors objecting to the removal of 40 trees for the project and asked furniture? Design,
for two-thirds of the residents to agree on any course of action in a survey he
. Garage Sales would personally fund. planning & installation.
. Recreation Y ourWorkspace-Concepts.com
. Celebrations To pay for the project, council approved transferring $298,000 from the planned
. Churches 2008 resurfacing of Hi!! Avenue from Reynolds Road to Holland-Sylvania Road
. New Today and instead use the money for the Townley and Burroughs projects. That money ~beap T ol~go Flights
. Snip & Save would be added to $350,000 approved by council on June 26, 2007 to pave the Save up to 85% on Flights
. Grocery Coupons two streets. To Toledo With Our
. Shopper's Advantage Discount Fares!
. Shop Blade products In other business, council unanimously approved a zoning change for about 20 Travelation.com
. Photo Reprints acres at 671 Spencer St. near the Toledo Zoo from general industrial to multi-
family residential. A developer intends to build a senior housing community,
. Front Page Reprints Councilman Mike Craig said.
LEISURE Last summer, Do-It-Yourself Pull-A-Part Used Auto Parts of Atlanta bowed to Flight Info, Parking, Maps
Guide criticism from residents, and pressure from city officials, and pulled its plans for & More. Get Free Airport
"nip & Save building an automotive parts salvage yard on the property. Info Now!
New Car Dealer Guide Contact Ignazio Messina at: iFly.comiToledo-
Golf Guide imessina@theblade.com
Restaurant Guide or 419-724-6171.
Schoo;
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TV listings RECENT RELATED ARTICLES Birth Announcements. marriaae
ShowUmes licenses. real estate transfers
Horoscopes e Toledo. TPS continue to debate tax issue I 06i03i2008
People2?eople · Toledo board of education delays marina meeting I 06i02i2008
Online Forums . Marina District proiect in peril as Toledo. TPS tussle over slice of tax funds I
OSi28i2008
earn . Developer qets control of 58 acres in East Toledo i OSi21i2008
Destinations . Financial structure aims to cut citv risk in Marina District I Olil7i2008
Home and Garden . Riverfront park said to be done by end of 2008 I 12i28i2007
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Development bill to be aired again -- Government, Howard Johnson, Anne Arundel Coun... Page 1 of 4
June 4, 2008
L.ooin or register
Classified
Advertise Development bill to be aired again
Jobs
Cars By Larry Carson I Sun reporter
Real Estate June 4, 2008
Apartments
Celebrations
Boats County residents will get another chance this month to testify on
Personals a proposal to double the number of new housing units allowed [2J E-mail
Pets annually for projects along the U.S. 1 corridor.
Grocery Coupons Share
At a meeting marked by delays and confusion over procedure, @, Print
Weather the County Council voted Monday to table the bill. But the council
Traffic also voted to allow more public testimony on the measure, as well
as a series of amendments, at its monthly public hearing June 16.
News Normally, tabled bills are not subject to further public testimony.
Maryland County Executive Ken Ulman proposed the bill, which would
Baltimore City speed redevelopment in the U.S. 1 corridor, from Interstste 95
Anne Arundel east to the Anne Arundel County line. The measure seeks to double the number of new
Baltimore Co, residential units that can be approved each year in the corridor from 250 to 500 by
Carroll "borrowing" from future allotments. Howard uses a system of annual housing allocations
Harford to limit grovJth to no more than 1,850 units approved each yeai countywide.
Hov;lard
Crime
Traffic The bill is intended to aid large projects such as the Savage MARC train station mixed-
Politics use community and the redevelopment of the Aladdin Mobile Home Park that likely
Education would face long delays under the current laws.
BRAC
Eastern Shore But the bill has raised objections
Bay & Environment Related links from civic groups and Elkridge
Sports residents worried about crowded
schools and roads.
Lifestyle
The Monday council meeting began
Business nearly a half-hour late as members
conferred individually with county
Opinion lawyers and planning officials over
Blogs procedural issues. Sirrlilar questions
forced another 15-minute recess
Travel later in the session.
Shopping Courtney Watson Discussion took several twists, with
members voting on one amendment
Partner Sites but not several others. One member
tv1etromix abstained on the amendment, then
bH18site.Gorn moved to table the bili, while
Explore Howard another complained that voting on
Resources only one of the amendments was
Print Edition unfair.
V-..jireless Edition
RSS Feeds Before tabling the bill on a motion by
i"Jev/s!ettersiAierts FUlton Republican Greg Fox, the
Archives council approved an amendment
Topic Galleries Greg Fox from council Chairwoman Courtney
Site Map Watson, anElliQQttCit)'-Elkridge
Services Democrat, to exclude most of
Subscriber Services Elkridge from the bill.
rvledi8 Kit
Reader Rewards Watson said her amendment to remove everything north of Route 100 was intended to
Sun Store protect Elkridge from over-development.
Contests
Special Sections Calvin Ball, an east Columbia Democrat who also represents a slice of Elkridge, then
Fifty Pius proposed moving that dividing line north a half-mile to coincide with the council district
Advertise boundary betvleen Vv'atsonls District 1 and his District 2. That \vas approved on a 4-0
Soeakers' Bureau
FAGs vote, with Fox abstaining. It would allow owners of the Troy Hill Corporate Center, the
Contact Us Route 100 Industrial Park, and the Belmont Station townhouse community to get more
housing allocations if the bill is approved July 7
"I'm very satisfied they decided to table this," said .t1oward Johnson,
Greater Eikridge Community Association, who watched from the
Coverage of neighborhood, sports and
Fox, who said he abstained partly out of confusion over procedure, mO>/itllrt;!ilalli:fllt news in Howard County
the bill. That passed on a 3-1 vote with Watson abstaining and Jen a North
laurer-Savage Democrat in opposition, Recent news
Columbia man ofeads auiltv to beina accessorv in
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/howard/bal-ho. counci104j un04, 0,3141412. story 6/412008
Development bill to be aired again -- Government, Howard Johnson, Anne Arundel Coun... Page 2 of4
killing
Missing autistic teen found
Ads by Google T errasa said laterGill8'riill\iilil7tlfi!l.ll<-iild sentenced to 55 years
fair that the coun~3ifl/ifA6llllther
Watson's amendrsllR6&wt no others.
Ball said his boundary change was
to provide
U.S. 1
than to help a
developer.
Terrasa and
Ulman, had
amendment to
have the extra
they paid a
to the cou nty
prepared an a
to limit the extr
mixed-use proj ,.
developments
residential.
Grace KUbOfCikt~m;~~~~~ t~ d
League of Wom 0 e .s, s I 1ier e s HOMES SHOP
group pushed hardJt68flave theC~fff
tabled and subjected to more
discussion. She also criticized the T errasa-Ball amendment to require cash or land in
return for extra allocations.
"That almost reeks of seliing housing aliocations," she said. Other Features
Terrasa later countered that a payment from developers would help
public services more quickly in response to faster development
law.
Fox said he had no ulterior motive in voting to table the bill after Wats~n's am~nt fle$idemlal optiGn$fllr me I
passed, rather than before it was voted on.
Watson said she was satisfied at the result. .lUl.!.I....1I1l.1U~.~W~tt.
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LOOAl JOBS if all that wasn't confusing enough, county lawyers told council membet~Jr.fiM~~JillR
rr;Jm(~&f88:1'rmHrl~f still reconsider Watson's amendment in July, despite having approved A~milil,t,. Health and Fitness Center
Jan:Y.G?r3>On@I::>?J!Swn..com . Ryland Homes
STOi'JE More articles
ChEF
Related topic galleries: Government. National Government, Howard
Local Authority
Get home deHvery of The Sun and save over 50% off the p~tmii1ster woman sentenced in contract
killing plan
Copyright@ 2008, The Baltimore- Sun HarborView plans reignite debate
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Suffolk Life Newspapers - Tallgrass Developers Intend To Press On Page 1 of2
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Southold The developers of the Tallgrass project at the DeLalio Sod Farm in Shoreham
are not going to let the Central Pine Barrens Commission decision stop their
Willmotts and 'Nhy Nots plans. Two weeks ago, the commission denied the developers - Ornstein
Point Of View Ley ton Company and Barnet Holdings - a hardship exemption. But developer
Letters To The Editor Alec Ornstein, who called the resolution "the wrong decision for the
community," said that "right nO'N \A/e're deciding ifvJe should abandon the
This Week [Planned Development District] and build single-family homes or abandon the
Upper Half golf course and do the PDD as planned."
Outdoor Comer
As previously reported in
Parents Ufe Suffolk Life, Brookhaven
Health Lite Town approved a POD so
Our Story that Tallgrass developers
could construct 352
and Games mixed housing units and
125,000 square feet of
commercial space at the
Contact site. While some
Classifieds residents have criticized
Obituaries the project, officials have
argued that, if the town
hadn't reached a
compiomise, the
developers could have
built 283 single-family units on the site, which would have placed a heavier burden
on the school district.
Another issue with the project was what would become of the existing golf course.
While developers expressed interest in keeping the golf course open, they ran into
problems with the amount of open space that is required to be preserved, since the
development is located within the Central Pine Barrens. As previously reported, the
developers applied for a hardship exemption with the Central Pine Barrens
Commission. In addition, Ornstein also hoped the 91-acre golf course would be
considered as open space.
However, on ~.~ay 21, the Central Pine Barrens Commission voted 4~1 against the
Ta!!grass project as it stands nO\^1 - a mixed~use development project consisting of
352 single-family and detached residential units, a 125,000-square-foot community
recreation center, and the "retention and reconfiguration of the Tallgrass Golf
Course with a 9,197 -square-foot clubhouse," according to the resolution.
"There is no reason for us to scale down the project," Ornstein said. "The golf
course was not the most important part of the development to us. It's important to
the community, because of the sales tax revenue and the jobs, and that's why we're
disappointed in the Pine Barrens Commission's deciSion. But we're going to be
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfin?newsid=19745177 &BRD=1776&P AG=46 1 &dept_id... 6/412008
Suffolk Life Newspapers - Tallgrass Developers Intend To Press On Page 2 of2
meeting with our partners and lenders and we will be making a decision soon."
The commission stated that it rejected the project because it wasn't in compliance
with the Central Pine Barrens Comprehensive Land Use Plan. In this case, officials
stated that Tallgrass must have 151 contiguous acres of open space, based on the
size of the parcel. Right now the T allgrass golf club and the DeLalio Sod Farm take
up 320 acres and the developers already own the golf course and are in contract on
the sod farm. The present Tallgrass plans allow for only 40.87 acres of open space.
This is why they applied for a hardship exemption, which would have allowed the
developers to keep the golf course open.
As for the developers' request that the golf course be considered open space, Ray
Corwin, executive director of the Central Pine Barrens Commission, stated that
"active recreational areas do not count toward open space."
The Central Pine Barrens Commission is comprised of five members: Department of
Environmental Conservation Regional Director Peter Scully, the county executive,
and the town supervisors of Brookhaven, Southold and Riverhead. Only
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley voted to give the developers their
hardship exemption.
Lori Baldassare, Foley's chief of staff, said that Foley has "long advocated leaving
the golf course intact. He wanted to keep the recreational component as well as the
tax base for the community. That was his goal. That's why he voted for the original
change of zone from residential to POD, and that's why he voted for the hardship
exemption. The probiem now is that all options have been given back to the
developers," she added. "They can eliminate the golf course or they can reduce the
project and keep the golf course... We don't know what they will do."
Upon hearing that the developers would not consider scaling back their project,
Brookhaven Town Second District Councilwoman Jane Bonner responded, "I'm
surprised but not surprised ... Mr. Ornstein's blatant disregard for the community is
what's been wrong with this project all along. I am not anti-development, but this
development is not right for this community. The [Shoreham-Wading River] school
budget being defeated proves that. The only thing Mr. Ornstein's invested in this
community is his wallet. He doesn't live here, his children don't go to school here.
He really needs to go back to the drawing board and reach out to the community."
"All single-family homes would be the worst tax scenario here," added Suffolk
County Legislator Dan Losquadro (R-Mount Sinai). "But the mixed-use proposal that
they put forth wasn't a good one. I'm still in favor of a mixed-used project of some
sort. The devil is in the details ... We'll have to see what the developers have in
mind."
In the meantime, a local community action group, Citizens Against the Tallgrass
POD, are still awaiting a decision on a lawsuit they filed on February 15 against the
town of Brookhaven, challenging the town's decision to rezone the proposed
Tallgrass project from residential to a POD.
"When people own property, they are allowed to develop it within the limitations of
the area," said Christine Zukowski, director of Citizens Against the Tallgrass POD.
"When Ornstein bought the land he knew it was in the Centra! Pine Barrens. He
doesn't have single-family zoning anymore so he can't build sing!e-family houses
without changing the zoning back again. And if he lets the golf course go fallow, that
might not be enough to satisfy the Pine Barrens Commission's requirements for
open space. He thinks he can do what he wants. But it ain't happening."
Ufe Ne\vspapers 2008
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