Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 09-11-12 regular CRA — reading text

redevelopment activities in the Fort Walton Beach CRA over a five- to ten -year planning horizon, focusing on initiating programs and projects to stimulate private sector participation so that the community can June 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan eventually thrive on its own. The Plan sets forth goals, objectives, and strategies to promote redevelopment. Land Use, Infrastructure, The 2012 CRA Plan focuses on six primary components: Transportation, Design Guidelines, Housing, and Economic Development. Each component' s goal, objectives, and strategies meet all of the requirements of Chapter 163, Part III of the Florida Statutes. The Plan also identifies three special projects for completion over the planning horizon of the 2012 CRA Plan that achieves multiple objectives of multiple goals. The goal of the Land Use component is to promote within the CRA programs. by implementing a true mixed -use district and implei and land allow for more The primary objective is to achieve consistency be efficient and flexible use of land. This allows shop s, and rests e located in close proximity in order to foster a bustling r in this core it te ntial that vacant and underutilized properties are targeted t or redev opment. An aggressive land use program can assist in converting erties to desirable locations for new projects. Strategies to achieve these objectives incP ending the Development Code and Zoning Map to create a true mixed -use CRA, 2) implementing a Fagade Improvement Grant Program allowing ove their building, and ( 3) implementing a Land Va ent Prc ilitat a growth in value of underutilized and vacant land. The goal of the Transportation component is to ensure the availability of an adequate and safe multi -modal transportation system throughout the CRA. The planned increase in density within the urban core is heavily dependent on an efficient and safe transportation system. Without an effective transportation system, strategies for housing and economic development may fail. Due to the already built -out nature of the CRA, the most effective strategies to provide an adequate transportation system include: ( 1) improving safety through traffic calming devices and June 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan congestion management techniques, ( 2) promoting the use of transit, ( 3) installing pedestrian features to encourage a walkable environment, and ( 4) installing bicycle improvements. Design Guidelines The goal of the Design Guidelines component is to promote a positive image while advancing the health, safety, welfare, and appearance of the CRA. Design guidelines will allow freedom of individual preference while encourage a strong, harmonious community identity in order to attract redevelopment. The recommended ways in which design objectives will be met of building massing and variations in height and depth, ( 2) pr techniques to assist developers, ( 3) implementing bonus p i Code that are partially based on CRA design program based on CRA design guidelines, ( 5ec kenng service equipment, parking, storage uses, and spaces, ( 7) considering a consistent and unifo use of Crime Prevention Through Environmenta The goal of the Housing component is to rtity of housing options in the CRA. Housing constitutes a significant development in the CRA, for this reason it is essential to ensure a wide The goal of the mic D elopment component is to achieve economic stability through new and expanded buss employment throughout the CRA. Economic stability is the basis for success in the C is makes it vital that objectives and strategies are developed to insure economic growth an development. To create this environment of stability, the CRA must promote business retention, business expansion, and attract new businesses. Strategies to achieve these objectives include: ( 1)implementing a Land Value Investment Program to return previously undesirable property back to the market and on the tax roll, ( 2) implementing a Commercial Revolving Loan Fund to bring in new businesses and help expanding businesses close the gap between conventional financing, ( 3) creating a targeted infill development list and maintain a database of information needed by prospective developers and businesses, ( 4) amending the Land Development Code to streamline permitting procedures and June 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan reduce permitting turn- around time for development and redevelopment, ( 5) implementing a Site Development Assistance Grant Program to provide monetary support to existing businesses with major expansion plans, ( 6) conducting annual business surveys, and ( 7) implementing an annual promotional program for the CRA to attract businesses to the area. Special Three major projects were identified during the development of the 2012 CRA Plan Update that satisfy several redevelopment objectives listed in the Plan, includi Transportation, Design Guidelines, Infrastructure, and Economic Development. The first special project includes promoting development along Hollywood Boulevard to create an economic hub along this important cts with two state highways: Eglin Parkway and Beal Parkway. project for rehensive Lograms, econ incentive Program to improve the the " entrances" of these The integrated oal ap ach outlined above is designed to address the major factors affecting the Fort ch CRA presently and over the next five to ten years. Several of the suggested programs a trategies meet more than one objective in more than one category. In summary, all objectiv and strategies are intended to provide a solid foundation for stimulating further growth and reinvestment. June 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan WNW Contents: History of Fort Walton Beach The Built Environment of the Fort Walton Beach CRA Economic Characterization of the Fort Walton Bea The Need for a CRA Plan Update The City of Fort Walton Beach is a seaside com loc Founded in 1937, the City has a " small town" ILI the nefits of an u mmunity. Bordered by Choctawhatchee Bay and Cinco Bayou no the Santa Ro Sound to the In the late 1960s, and early 1970s, the City began to experience a decline in economic prosperity, some of which can be attributed to the utility and transportation infrastructure getting older and commercial and residential structures becoming deteriorated. New development began to take place in the surrounding communities. The City, having nearly run out of developable land, started to focus attention on finding ways to induce private enterprise investment in the City and thus capturing a greater share of the local and regional market. City of Fort Walton Beach June 2012  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan With the passage of the Community Redevelopment Act of 1969, the Florida Legislature acknowledged that older areas of the state needed a means to address these deteriorating conditions and to facilitate economic development in these communities. Under Chapter 163, Part III of the Florida Statutes, local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. market forces and the national economic climate. The Community Redevelopment Area is located within the most historic section of the City and includes portions of two of the City' s waterfronts — Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay. The initial size of the CRA was 222 acres in 1982, and was expanded to 607 acres in 1998. In 2007, the CRA Plan designated eight ( 8) community subzones, with each subzone having unique characteristics and issues. Two of these subzones, the Historic Downtown and the Uptown District, have created Merchant Associations to assist with the redevelopment efforts in the CRA. June 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan CrrY OF FMT WALTM MACH CPA AREA A g V iiiFM yNG yR W lAHtt KA K'.1NM! Original CRA Boundaries ( 1982) 1998) The other subzones, include the City, Midtown, West Miracle Strip, ComIn, residential and commercial developments. The Downtown area vn '¢'' g District is located along the Eglin Parkway L o f Fourt hS treet