Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 04-10-12 cra — reading text

intersections Street, Walter Martin Road, Windham Avenue, Tupelo Avenue Lowery Place, Buck Drive, and Hughes Sneer Page 28 uf41 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Packet Pg. 42  8. 1. a Install " buffers" along the ROW, such visual and physical separation of V pedestrian activity. Buffers sht incorporated with on -street parking at lanes. Streets recommended for buffe Miracle Strip Parkway and Eglin Parkc no streetscaping currently exists. Lo may be incorporated into Hollywood improvements. Require sidewalks to b from the street, when possible, instear curb. mam 2. Educate the public. Successful congestion management is based, in part, on making people aware of the available choices for transportation. When people choose travel options other aN than the car, especially a car with one person, the number of trips on the road will be reduced. Therefore, it is important to provide information and, where possible, support to UN neighborhoods and businesses regarding new multimodal projects in the CRA and the N benefits of multimodal transportation nme 3. Continue to actively participate in the Transportation Planning Organization ( TPO) process to prioritize needed projects in the CRA. Public transportation helps to alleviate traffic congestion, improve air quality, and is much more economical for residents and visitors than single- occupancy motor vehicle travel. Okaloosa County Transit Service currently provides three bus routes within the Fort Walton Beach CRA. There are approximately 30 bus stops in the CRA, each with a pickup frequency of approximately every 11/ 2 hours. I. Coordinate with Okaloosa County to add additional transit st the CRA. Increasing the number of transit stops will provide better connectivity so they can access more destine Accommodating different modes of transportation such as vehicles, and bikes will foster interactive multi -modal uses. 2. Trolley service can attract visitors from Okaloosa Island to CRA area. Partnerships with local hotels and condomini could be researched to provide shuttle services to guests shoppers. Page 29 of 41 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Padtet Pg. 48  8. 1. a 3. Work with Okaloosa County to provide additional transit signage and marketing activities within the CPA. Signage will notify users of the transit pick -up schedule and routes. 4. Improve existing transit and trolley stops by adding bus shelters, benches, and signage, where appropriate. Sidewalk connectivity is also an important component of an effective transit system. Sidewalks alone cannot necessarily provide adequate pedestrian access. Many features, such as street furniture, vegetative buffers, wider sidewalks, and pedestrian scaled buildings and signage contribute to the " walkable" environment. Walkable areas provide greater connectivity and access for both vehicles and pedestrians. Providing accessible pedestrian paths via a complete network of sidewalks that link residential areas with recreational and commercial areas is the foundation of a walkable community. This will also reduce the need for automobiles for those traveling within the CRA area, while promoting healthier lifestyles for the residents of this area. I. Continue to construct sidewalks throughout the CRA. Targeted program areas and arterial roads should receive priority. A prioritized list of areas needing sidewalks will be developed. 2. Improve pedestrian signage and signals in the CRA. Additional signage and crosswalk systems are needed on Brooks Street, Eglin Parkway, and Miracle Strip Parkway, among others, to improve visibility and safety. 3. Improve pedestrian crossings in the CPA. Retrofit designated intersections to include pedestrian crossing islands" and medians. Without adequate crosswalks, walking may be unsafe in certain areas. 4. Continue a streetscape program to enhance walkability. Pedestrian- scaled lighting, street furniture, and pavers all enhance the walkable environment. Bicycle paths to be well- signed and complete, and bicycle parking facilities to be provided to support travel by bicycle. Bicycle lanes to enhance the safety of pedestrians on sidewalks. 1. Install bicycle lanes and shared use paths in the CRA where feasible. Page 30 of 41 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Packet Pg. 44  8. 1. a I Provide additional bicycle parking facilities in I CRA. Continue to utilize CRA funds to instal racks in public parking lots and public spaces. to enforce provisions in the Land Development I require bicycle parking spaces. 3. Continue to coordinate with the Okaloosa -Wa: for a bicycle plan and bicycle improvements in I Direct motorists to available parking spaces by improved signage and negotiate with the private sector to partner on creating and maintaining parking spaces. When possible enter into public -private partnerships to add needed most. 2. Continue to add parking lot improvements to existing property. Continue to improve visibility of public parking through visible signage on Miracle Strip Parkway, Brooks Sire( Perry Avenue directing motorists towards public parking arc Page 31 of 41 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Padtet P9. 45  8. 1. a COMPONENT 4 - HOUSING HOUSING GOAL: IMPROVE QUALUrY, QUANTITY, AND OPTIONS FOR HOUSING IN THE CRA Objectives Improve the Quality of ( lousing through the Use of CRA Funds and Available State a and Federal Housing Programs and Funds ocN Prepare the CRA for Anticipated Increase in Median Age by Ensuring an Adequate n Range of Housing Types to !Meet the Needs of Elderly and Special Needs 9 U Achieve the Desired Level of Mixed income Housing within the CRA by Providing a W ide Range of Quality Housing Opportunities and Choices for All Income Levels r Achieve Public Participation Regarding Neighborhood Planning and Housing m Development Throughout the CRA w Provide for Infill opportunities by Making Productive Use of Scattered Vacant and Underutilized Parcels incorporate Recommendations for Housing into the Land Development Code Housing constitutes a significant share of new construction and development in the Community Redevelopment Area ( CRA). Successful implementation of the CRA Plan requires an increased residential population, primarily through increased density. Development should be integrated with, and interconnected to, a wide range of commercial uses and allow residents better vehicular and pedestrian access to employment, services, education, recreation and entertainment. The addition of new housing units — attached housing, accessory units, or multi -family dwellings — within existing neighborhoods creates opportunities for communities to slowly increase density without radically changing the character. Most importantly, a range of housing choices allows households in all incomes to find their niche in the community and creates the synergy for an energetic, pedestrian- friendly city. Housing improvements can be achieved through the leveraging of CRA funds through public- private partnerships, utilizing other grant opportunities, preparing for shifts in median age within the CRA, and promoting mixed -income housing through zoning incentives. Page 72 of 41 2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Packet P9. 4fi  8 -I- Housing options are essential to the CRA to accommodate the needs of a wide range of population demographics such as income level, family size, and age. One way to raise the quality of housing as a whole is to develop and participate in programs that preserve and improve current housing stock. Several programs currently exist City -wide, identified below, that achieve that objective. CRA- specific programs could also be developed that leverage existing available funding. 1. Continue to partner with the Fort Walton Beach Housing Authority in securing approval m from the U. S. Housing and Urban Development Department to construct the 200 unit Sound Side affordable housing project. a 2. Continue current programs that improve the quality of life and consider new public -private partnerships that contribute to housing goals. The City has a number of programs designed to v assist existing residents in maintaining and improving their homes. The City is an r entitlement community for Community Development Block Gram ( CDBG) funds, which supports several programs to improve housing. The World Changers program helps income- eligible residents to romof and paint their homes. The Okaloosa Community Development Corporation ( OCDC) administers the City' s share of the State Housing Initiatives Partnership SHIP) funds. The SHIP funds are used to rehabilitate homes, provide down payment, and provide closing cost assistance for new homebuyers. New partnerships are also an < c opportunity to leverage funding from different sources to