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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-2008 Minutes ri CAPE CANAVERAL TOWN MEETING MINUTES APRIL 3, 2008 The City held a Town Meeting on April 3, 2008, at the Cape Canaveral Library Meeting Room, 201 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Approximately 60 people were in attendance. Todd Morley, Building Official, called the meeting to Order at 5:37 p.m. He introduced Todd Peetz, the City's Planner. Mr. Morley stated the meeting ground rules. Mr. Morley explained that the purpose of the town meeting was to discuss and exchange ideas regarding two issues: 1) Building heights in the commercial districts located on both sides S.R. A1A; and 2) To discuss creating an architectural theme concept along S.R. A1A. Mr. Morley announced that this was the first town meeting on these issues; the City was planning to hold another town meeting in approximately one month to discuss the issues raised at this meeting in more detail; and audience 3 participation, input, suggestions, and comments were welcomed and encouraged. He stated that members of the community who did not wish to speak at the meeting were welcomed to write their comments on the bottom half of the agenda and leave them on the table located in the back of the room. Agenda Item #1: Building Heights in the Commercial Districts along State Road A1A. Mr. Morley and Mr. Peetz gave a PowerPoint presentation. They advised that: • Currently, the maximum height of all buildings constructed in the C-1 and C-2 districts was limited to 45 feet. • Increasing the building height in existing residential areas or along the beach and the Banana River were not being considered. • The Planning & Zoning Board meeting, held on February 27th, the Board recommended, by a majority vote, that building height in C-1 and C-2 zoning districts be increased to 65 feet, and limited to five stories, by changing the City code. • They showed a city map highlighting the properties along S.R. A1A. Mr. Morley asked the following questions for consideration: • Should increasing building height only apply to parcels along S.R. A1A? • Should the height be dependent on the distance from existing residentially zoned properties? • Should the number of stories be limited? 1 1 Cape Canaveral Town Meeting Minutes April 3, 2008 Page 2 • Should there be a minimum acreage requirement'? • Will a change in the maximum building height create an environment that encourages an economical choice for development aimed at attracting additional high-end commercial businesses'? The audience viewed Contour Maps showing distances from existing residential areas at the North and South ends of the City; and a Shadow Study which analyzed the effects of shadowing for 45 ft., 65 ft., and 85 ft. buildings during different months and times. Citizens of the audience voiced the following comments, concerns, considerations, and questions: Setting precedence. 9 P • Impacts on sewer capacity. • Fairness to existing commercial. • What is economically viable'? • We are not talking about density. • Density and elevations are good where they are • Does not support height increases. • Wants diversified shopping in Cape Canaveral. • It's time for a change. • Commercial subsidizes residential sewer. • Stack the floors instead of spreading out • Drainage flexibility. • It's how you do it not what you do. • Green space — build green. • Smaller building footprint = more trees and green space. • Citizens of Cocoa Beach spend approximately 26% of their income in Cocoa Beach and citizens of Cape Canaveral spend approximately 3-6% of their income in Cape Canaveral. • Would like to have medical facilities in Cape Canaveral. • What will the future be like with changes to NASA'? • Building codes are now tougher. 1 Cape Canaveral Town Meeting Minutes April 3, 2008 Page 3 • Class A and medium retail have a certain environment that you can't have with 7-8 ft. ceilings. • The City is missing out on high paying jobs. • Would like to have aesthetically pleasing buildings. • Don't have to raise the height for attractive buildings. • Single level can also be attractive to high-end businesses. • There's no correlation to height and green space. • Is the City trying to accommodate commercial'? M1 • Consider increasing height only in commercial areas. 1 • How much income will this bring to the City'? • I don't need everything in my back yard. • In favor of a change, would like to have services closer. • Would love to walk to a mall. • Top grade development has been occurring. • Empty buildings still exist. • What's wrong with developing what we already have'? • Is this the right time to do something that could bite us'? 1 • The City doesn't currently have a good foundation. • We need more spending in our backyard. • We need a more pleasing environment. • Need flexibility in the commercial height requirements. • A height increase benefits only one developer. • Where does it stop'? • Why doesn't the Council let the people vote? • 45 ft. was done by a vote of the people. 1 Cape Canaveral Town Meeting Minutes April 3, 2008 Page 4 • Does the City currently have requests to increase heights'? • Will increasing height increase commercial activity'? • How would height increase impact wind protection'? • Do not allow multi-level parking garages. • Was this developer driven'? • Are we caving-in to developer wants'? • In May, 2006 a survey was conducted and the results were to bring more shopping and medical facilities. • More services are needed, not necessarily more commercialization. • Not a good idea. • NASA is not leaving. NASA is reorganizing. New programs are coming. Although there will be a significant temporary workforce reduction, NASA money will continue to fund some positions at KSC. The Federal Government will fund a workforce buildup in the next few years at KSC. Agenda Item #2: Concept of an Architectural City Theme for State Road Al A. Todd Morley, Building Official, stated that at the March 17, 2008 Community Appearance Board meeting discussion was held as to whether the Board wanted to consider a theme for the City and the Board expressed a desire to have a joint meeting with the Planning & Zoning Board. Mr. Morley questioned the audience if there was a desire to create one or more architectural themes along A1A. He gave a PowerPoint presentation showing examples of architectural theme concepts, which included: Mediterranean, Postmodern, Modern, and Key West/Coastal. He also showed the elevations of the new Burger King project explaining that the developer chose a theme which complemented the nearby Residence Inn; and an example of an architectural theme ordinance. Members of the audience had the following comments: • A theme is what separates communities and makes them desirable. • No more hodgepodge developments. • A theme will bring people to the City. • It would create a desirable place where you want to raise your children. • It's the approach to making the City look green. Cape Canaveral Town Meeting Minutes April 3, 2008 Page 5 • It would attract quality clientele. • This would be a huge positive. • Select a theme along the entire AlA corridor. • Avoid urban slums. • Need to think about redevelopment. • Create a walk able community well served with public transit. • Create diversity. • Serve more than one primary function (i.e. work, food, recreation). • Short streets. • Vary buildings by age and design. • Sufficiently dense concentration of people. • Encourage people to walk. • Don't plan for cars. Plan for people. • Encourage green building techniques. • Add bike paths and sidewalks. sk • Compatible development to blend in together. • Create places for retired citizens to recreate. • There has not been enough thought to the look of developments. F There being no further comments, Mr. Morley thanked the audience for their participation and valuable comments, suggestions, questions, and concerns. Twelve people submitted written comments, which are attached hereto and are made a part of these minutes, and are noted as Exhibit A. There •-' • • . -t' - business the meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m. Susan L. Chapman Recording Secretary 4 I i , 9 i I Cape Canaveral Town Meeting Written Comments April 3, 2008 Page 1 of 2 EXHIBIT A i I • A theme concept on A1A would be just what we need to improve our City. • A theme would make the City an attractive area to live and work. • We need to be proud of our City. • Please keep 45 ft. heights. • We do not need more commercial input that will necessitate ugly multi-story garages. • We are a small town; NASA will always be here; we could use more services, but not more commercial buildings. • We could use more crosswalks and bicycle paths. • It seems the majority of people have been discussing commercial property in j regards to business; and not much has been said about commercial property in regards to hotels. • I personally would not like living next to a 65 ft. hotel. i • I am against the increase in height. • Height—approve with harmony to a theme. i • Theme —tropical Coastal 1 • Theme is not preferred, but if it happens be reasonable about how its implemented. • As a resident of Cape Canaveral and with family and friends, living here as well, a lot of us enjoy riding our bicycles to wherever we go. • Being able to ride or walk and get all of our needs done by adding more stores/malls and doctors offices, and such, would allow us to stay healthy and I together and out of the car for long boring rides. • I am for increasing the building heights. • I believe a theme would take away the personality of different individuals and I force us from diversity to monopoly. So, I would be against forcing it, however suggesting it to new developers would be o.k. j 99 9 p • I believe we need a better commercial base in our City to first, enhance the base tax income and give the residents of the area a break from increasing property taxes to cover the budgets of the City. Secondly, relieve us from the long trips 1 out of the City to purchase our every day needs. • Theme—Coastal. • Let the building height stand — no exception or variance. • Why pass a rule only to allow exception, because some architect or owner didn't do their homework as to what was the permitted height was to begin with • The economic income of the residents of Cape Canaveral can't support high end , shopping. • Cape Canaveral can't even attract a chain of medium class restaurants as i residents eat at home. 1 • Most of the service jobs are at minimum wage. This wage doesn't support the taxes or insurance required to own and live in Cape Canaveral. 1 • Definitely for the proposed height increase and especially for the Sheldon Cove project. It's a golden opportunity for the City to enhance the area and to provide retail and service to the residents. 1 } I 1 "2 Cape Canaveral Town Meeting Written Comments April 3, 2008 Page2of2 EXHIBIT A i • Allow 65 ft. for all C-1 & C-2 zones. • Don't limit the number of stories. • No minimum acreages. • Yes, for at least 65 ft. in all commercial districts. • We need more good retail and professional offices. • I want a drug store. • We need this plaza to keep our people in Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral. • We go to Merritt Island to shop and spend our money. Let's keep it where we need it fg 33; }