Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 02-14-12 cra — reading text

should be value investment program described in Chapter 8..' g d infi implemented to improve the likelihood that such lots - be`3e vetoped. In scattered vacant lalted under lots may require adjustments to development sta ' rds wh c vacant lots previous standards that require varying lot sizes - desi eatures. Also, objectives should target underutilized buildings, such as building Leant vacant ar ` s or buildings designed for a more intense purpose than the current use. ; 1. Create an inventory of vacant lots for usV. n pi nforma n to prospective developers. The inventory should identify all vacant s w"; 4he lots are currently offered for sale. The inventory s lode info non lot '`' e, land use category, and zoning requirements V 2. Develop a method or id ... f ing underuil d and vacant residential buildings. Create ildings. an inventory such u 3. provi iug ncia lives through the CRA to target prime infill locations and CQ t buildings. The City should determine what types of rCment of un lize ... ` can be offer d dev p a marketing program to make information available to potentiaaNet amp e, properties that have been vacant or on the market for ers. Fo' , more thear cowl ' qualify for a matching development grant up to $ 10, 000, $ 25, 000 or $ 50, 0 r rapi: costs such as utility or demolition/groundbreaking work. 4. Consider less stri — setback and lot dimension standards in the Land Development Code to promote infill and redevelopment on what otherwise may be undevelopable lots due to size. Both the Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code should promote increased densities and compact building design that allow for development of a wide range of housing styles, February [ u' Iz City of Fort Walton Beach Packet Pg. 52  F71. 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan including small -lot single -family detached homes, duplexes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units, and apartments. Recent updates to the Comprehensive Plan include land use categories that accomplish this purpose. Revisions to the Land Development Code must implement the Comprehensive Plan and the redevelopment objectives of this CPA plan. At a minimum, the following provisions should be considered: 1. Reduce required street frontage standards for infill situations. " 2. Reduce the required lot area per unit to allow for diversity ifhou pes. L 3. Reduce setbacks consistent with smaller lot sizes a re ed street froYri` X. 4. Adopt standards in the LDC to permit accessary" t "' ling u in specified zoi;j districts. 5. Revise the LDC to ensure that densities in specified districts are consistent with the goal to increase overall density withi CRA.'' E; y 6. Revise the LDC to provide for compact" ildui'' "' that as for the development of a wide range of housing styles. t. 7. Revise the LDC '' rovide t tives for d lopments that provide workforce and quality ION hori §ri` sisten ith the CRA g goals and objectives. Promoting s cost n ram "" ring the availability of quality housing stock is critical i d attract new businesses and expanding businesses to the area wit o4 ditional hon sup ew growth. The following section outlines the goal, obj ;: itpd strategies , onomi velopment within the Fort Walton Beach CRA. Walton Beach February 2012 Packet Pg. 53  7. 1. a 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan COMPONENT 6 - ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL: ACHIEVE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH NE ND EXPANDED BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYMENT THROUGHQ41,E CRA Objectives: Attract New Businesses to the CRA, b tchor " ants and Small Businesses Promote Business Expansion in the C5d Promote Business Retention in the CRA The overall goal of any CRA is to foster s t. evelopmej` To do this, the CRA must implement programs and projects that levera ees . "'Economic development is the cornerstone of success in A. Business 6ide s es andand jobs, both necessary to a vibrant community. R en s ";" shopping other se tees close to their homes, as well as jobs for sustainabili ough' a us to ct business and industry, jobs are created, the economy grows an is ; tamed grad Fort W y:' ach continues to be a healthy, vibrant, and desirable community. The Ciry. :fj" ort Beac natural strengths that are important to economic success. These Jude its acres. , we' * ` jj€estyle, proximity to the water, existing infrastructure, and -Dti support. Fort lton B is near a regional airport, is near the interstate system, and is se major State' hwa The region, the City, and the CRA are all supportive of existing bust expanding smess, and new business. The next step is to implement aspects of redevelopme rating t gh increased information sharing and by creating new incentives to attract and retai'; ne s. This chapter is organ)" d into three main objectives: promoting new businesses to locate in the CRA, retaining existing businesses in the CRA, and promoting business expansion within the CRA. By focusing in on these three main objectives, other important objectives are achieved, such as job creation and infill development, through strategics that support the overall goal of the CRA. 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach Packet Pg..54  7. 1. a 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan A sustainable economy is diverse, not only in terms of types of businesses, but also in terms of the size of businesses. Small business can fill important niche industry needs, providing support to larger employers through materials, assembly, distribution, and support services, such as accounting or marketing. Small businesses can also provide important support to area residents who need shopping, personal services, and medical services. While one important focus of economic development is the attraction and retention of large, often igh -tech businesses, the focus must actually be two -fold to include a balanced approach that. Aehes support businesses as well. a ort, whether employee The CRA can help facilitate and provide businesses with training, assistance with business plans, or financial to` T ' and maintain [ he al programs with business. Grant and loan programs can be especially nbini ; detailed list of state and federal programs may give start-up busine° s the.. they ne" F.. Federal, State, and non -governmental incentivaq iii, nis, ms nroera ': iii links to websites is provided in the appendix. In order to bi'}' c special project is to locate a storefront office in the CRA' by a CRA professional who can provide information and assistance to b finesses seeking '3 for physical improvements, job creation, or business expansion. The sto may also co ough office space to serve as ses that to get started. a business start- up center for qualified sm , , Additionally, the CRA has available land an oil ' ' Nacant and underutilized, but are well -served by water, sew, ortation, a " er infra lure. The proximity to Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlb %' fie s there is ed for continued and increased focus on high - tech jobs and busine ort Wa Beach is a od location to focus business recruitment and high expansion efforts to c hnology busi s, continuing job growth in this industry sector. Combining a corn ' , vent with a land value investment program and other econo - bes ca" ate a ailing to economic success. 1. Imple` a Land V investment Program. A Land Value Investment Program coordina ,.`;)? y the C Mows vacant, underutilized, or contaminated parcels) to be purchased & CRA,' ssibly below market rates, and prepared for development The parcels may th, i9p, s at a reasonable market rate, or below, through an RFP ( request for proposal) proves . program may be combined with other grant or incentive programs, and may includeecific development criteria, such as number of jobs created, specific industry, and/ or certain additional design standards. Lots may be combined or split to meet the needs of the developer. Ultimately, a