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HomeMy WebLinkAbout623 - MINUTES - City Commission MINUTES OF MEETING DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY EXECUTIVE BOARD THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14,2004—4:00 P.M. 1. Call to Order Mayor McElyea called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mayor: C.K. McElyea Commissioners: Bob Anton Robert Chunn Patricia Flury City Attorney: Thomas Ansbro City Manager: Ivan Pato Deputy City Clerk: Miriam Nasser Absent: Vice-Mayor: Bob Mikes Commissioner Anton made a motion to excuse Vice-Mayor Mikes, seconded by Commissioner Chunn. The motion passed on the following 4-0 Roll Call vote: Commissioner Anton—Yes Commissioner Flury—Yes Commissioner Chunn—Yes Mayor McElyea—Yes City Attorney Ansbro announced that this was not a public hearing, but rather an Executive Board Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency and clarified that it was not open for public comment. He noted that it was open to the public according to the Sunshine Law. He also announced the same for the meeting to follow. 3. Discussion of infrastructure projects for submission to Broward County City Manager Pato explained that over the last few months, he and the Commissioners had communicated with each other concerning possible projects and issues to be considered first as a CRA Board and later as a City Commission, in order to proceed with submission of projects to the County for funding. He noted that the presentation today reflected the results of that input and that priorities had been set based on the Commissioner's directions. He noted that the first issue to be presented concerned infrastructure issues. Laurence Leeds, Director of Community Development, showed the outline of the Community Redevelopment Area that had been approved by the City Commission approximately two years ago. He described it as an area of 400 to 500 acres, which included the entire commercial is frontage on Federal Highway from nearly Griffin Road to Sheridan Street, as well as portions of the northwestern part of the City west of the railroad tracks, and the commercial areas east of the tracks around City Hall. He noted that it also included a portion of northeast Dania extending as far as the tomato field and the church and it included Jai-Alai and some industrial land north of the Cut-off Canal. Director Leeds reported that he had submitted an analysis of the potential development in this area over the next ten years. He indicated that they looked at the Local Activity Center(LAC), which was enclosed within the CRA. The LAC area, plus undeveloped vacant land, plus additional residential development along the US 1 corridor flex units contained 3,800 to 4,300 units. He felt there was potential for 400-800 hotel rooms, which would occur almost entirely north of Stirling Road that consisted of hotels with at least 100 rooms. He noted that in terms of commercial development, he felt there was potential for 250,000 square feet and stated that the industrial area north of the Dania Cut-off Canal could accommodate 200,000 to 400,000 square feet. Director Leeds indicated he had given Director Vazquez his 10-year projection based on that information. Fernando Vazquez, Director of Public Services, reported that the main issue concerning the infrastructure development for the Downtown CRA was fire flows. He felt that in order to understand fire flow demands, they had considered what was necessary to supply the farthest, eastern point of the City with both 1,500 gallons per minute (gpm) fire flow and 20 pounds per square inch of residual pressure. He felt it needed a more sturdy backbone of pipes than was currently used and noted that the largest pipe size was 14 inches. He reported that there was no loop in the system. He noted the aged condition of the current system and proposed the following improvements: a 21-inch pipe going through Stirling Road; a 16-inch pipe along Federal Highway; and a 12-inch water main along Dania Beach Boulevard. He indicated that a preliminary model was currently being conducted. He explained that another CRA component under consideration at this time was the reinforcement of an existing sewer force main located on Dania Beach Boulevard between Federal Highway and SE 3`d Avenue. He reported that the system was 20-25 years old and needed to be replaced now before the City was faced with a possible rupture. He also indicated that potential drainage issues were being considered along Federal Highway and the southern part of Dania Beach Boulevard. The improvements included a 20-inch line from Stirling Road all the way to US 1; increasing an existing 6-inch pipe to 16 inches on Federal Highway through the Dania Cut-off Canal; and a 12-inch pipe extending through the corporate limits of the CRA. Director Vazquez assured Commissioner Flury that the 12-inch pipes were adequate for future growth based on the system model and build-out conditions that Director Leeds had provided. Director Leeds confirmed for Commissioner Flury that he was satisfied with the growth projections that he had made. He explained how he had built "a cushion" into his projections, which provided for adequate figures. Director Vazquez reported that the preliminary engineering opinion anticipated a cost of $7,164,000. Minutes of Meeting 2 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Board Thnr,zdAv Clrtnhar 14 ?nna—a-nn„m City Manager Pato stated that the Board needed to give approval to apply for County funding for • this project. He noted that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) was corning through with construction of Stirling Road, Dania Beach Boulevard, and Federal Highway and stressed that the City needed to get the pipes in the ground before that roadwork to avoid a five- year, after-construction moratorium. He noted that the details of the funding mechanism still had to be worked out, but one item discussed was an interest-free loan for ten years. In response to Commissioner Flury's question, City Manager Pato stated that he wanted to have the approval process completed by the end of November. Director Leeds indicated that they expected the County response to the proposal within 10 to 15 days of submission. City Manager Pato suspected that County Commission approval could possibly be granted within six months, but hoped for a 90-day response. Director Leeds also desired to be "first in line" in bringing the request before the County Commission. Commissioner Chunn felt this project was necessary and should be pursued quickly. Commissioner Anton confirmed that this project was considered in the SRF Funds and noted that those funds could be a back-up should something be delayed. He felt they needed to get this • project underway before the five-year moratorium. Commissioner Chunn made a motion to approve the application of the infrastructure project to the County; seconded by Commissioner Flury. The motion passed on the following 4-0 roll call vote: Commissioner Anton—Yes Commissioner Flury— Yes Commissioner Chunn — Yes Mayor McElyea— Yes 4. Acquisition of prospective redevelopment sites City Manager Pato introduced the acquisition portion of the project as had been determined by the feedback received from the City Commissioners. Laurence Leeds, Director of Community Development, described the boundaries of the property as follows: Dania Beach Boulevard on the North; SE 2nd Avenue on the East; SE Park Street on the South; and SE I" Avenue on the West. He stated that it consisted of six parcels and noted that the largest was the Dania Beach Hotel. He reported that it also consisted of a retail business on the corner of East Dania Beach Boulevard and SE 1st Avenue, plus four additional parcels (of which two contained residential structures). Director Leeds reported that the total area was approximately three acres and was in the center of the CRA and the Local Activity Land-use • Minutes of Meeting 3 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Board Thiirciav nr.fnhar 14 ?nna—a nn n m Plan designation. He noted there were challenges facing this site, but all had agreed that this was the most feasible site. He indicated that this required a simpler application than the infrastructure • proposal and asked City Manager Pato to describe the additional information the County requested concerning this project. City Manager Pato explained the County required two appraisals. He noted that the County liked the site choice, but were concerned about the possibility that the City Commission might have wanted the Dania Beach Hotel structure (or portions of it)to be preserved. Director Leeds indicated that the building had been significant in terms of local history, but noted that it was not on the national register. He felt that even with only a local historical designation, some of that history needed to be preserved and that the location and age of the building made it extremely difficult to preserve the entire structure. He also reported that it did not lend itself to moving to a different location on the site. He felt that one option was to preserve a portion of the original building, in this case, the lobby entrance which contained the towers, and these features be incorporated into a new mixed-use building. He explained that the County expected the City to purchase the property and sell it to a developer who was willing to meet the qualifications of the project. Director Leeds stated that the ideal plan would be to preserve the central portion of the building, but it had not been determined whether or not that was feasible. He indicated that another concept was to preserve the exterior walls. He reported that the County was concerned that if conditions were attached relative to the building before the project was begun, it might deter a developer from taking it on. Director Leed's goal as a planner was to get new, quality development that was attractive and supported the retail business base and improve the disposable income demographics. He felt it was necessary to make • Downtown a place where people were free to walk comfortably at any hour of the day or night. In response to Commissioner Anton's question, Director Leeds confirmed that there had been a developer interested in preserving portions of the Dania Beach Hotel as a hotel or Bed and Breakfast. Commissioner Chunn also remembered that there had been a developer interested in recent years. Commissioner Anton felt that the historical significance of the building needed to be preserved, if possible, but was also concerned about stalling the redevelopment because of it. He suggested that the Commission and the City make every effort to preserve the facade, but that the issue should not become"a deal breaker." Director Leeds noted that as a local district, this City Commission had the total authority to make that decision. Commissioner Flury used the Cities of Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale as examples of historic preservation, but noted in those places only one wall was preserved. She also stressed that there was only a very small portion of the Dania Beach Hotel that had historical significance. She wanted to determine a certain percentage (e.g., 15-20%) of the original historical structure of the • Minutes of Meeting 4 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Board Thnrwinv (lctnher 14 ?nn4—4-On n m building to be preserved and did not see that as a major problem in the redevelopment of the project. She wanted the project to move forward. Director Leeds felt it would not create a problem for the County, but he needed to confer with them to be sure. City Manager Pato felt they needed to go to the County with an application in hand, and question them on whether or not it posed any obstacles. He felt that the County would be satisfied if they understood that the City would keep its options open. Commissioner Flury felt it was unreasonable for them to think that the City would be willing to bulldoze the entire site. Mayor McElyea felt it needed to be bulldozed yesterday. He felt that it was constructed in a way that made it impossible to move any portion of the structure. Commissioner Anton reiterated that the way to proceed was to make the wishes of the Commission known to developers, but not let it become "a deal breaker." City Manager Pato recommended that it not be included in the Resolution. Commissioner Flury made a motion to approve the redevelopment sites to be submitted to the County; seconded by Commissioner Chunn. The motion passed on the following 4-0 roll call vote: • Commissioner Anton—Yes Commissioner Flury—Yes Commissioner Chunn—Yes Mayor McElyea—Yes 5. Consideration of adoption of a Resolution authorizing the Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Board to submit applications to Broward County in connection with proposed site acquisitions and infrastructure in the CRA Redevelopment Area. A RESOLUTION OF THE DANIA BEACH COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY,DIRECTING THAT APPLICATIONS BE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA SEEKING FUNDING FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PARCELS OF LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED FOR COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PUPOSES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS;FURTHER,PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. City Attorney Ansbro read the title of the Resolution and noted that this Resolution incorporated both motions that had just been passed. Commissioner Flury made a motion to adopt the )Resolution; seconded by Commissioner Chunn. The motion passed on the following 4-0 roll call vote: • Minutes of Meeting 5 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Board Thnrcriav OrtnhPr 14 ?nn4—4-00„m Commissioner Anton—Yes Commissioner Flury—Yes Commissioner Chunn—Yes Mayor McElyea—Yes 6. Adjournment Mayor McElyea adjourned the meeting at 4:49 p.m. COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY 9,�9( C.K. MCELY MAYOR-COMMISSIONER =-AT-TEST: LOUISE STILSON CITY.CLERK Respectfully submitted by Jill Fiorentino • APPROVED: October 26, 2004 Minutes of Meeting 6 Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency Executive Board Thursday,October 14.2004—4:00 p.m.