Fort Walton Beach Resolution — 2012-20--2012 CRA Plan Update — reading text

2012  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan u ik;j WW ge • exry January February Budget Development Begins Public Input March Sought April Draft Programs and Project presented to CRA Board May June Annual Budget presented to CRA Board July August Annual Budget Finalized Fiscal Year Ends September Annual Budget Adopted September 3On October November Fiscal Year Begins October 1" December The Fort Walton Beach CRA is an incredible tool, which if used properly will benefit not only those in the blighted area, but the community as a whole. Throughout the budget process it is essential to remain focused on the primary function of the CRA, and to ensure that CRA goals and objectives are being met, at least in part, in every project or program. The remainder of this document will describe the goals, objectives, and strategies of the Fort Walton Beach CRA in more detail. 2012 City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan Gals, Objectives, & Strategies Land use, infrastructure, transportation, design, housing, and economic development compromise the primary sustenance of the Fort Walton Beach CRA. Each category presents unique redevelopment challenges, yet each category also represents great opportunity. In formulating specific goals, objectives, and strategies for each category, the overriding focus was to provide all of the tools possible for successful redevelopment. This section of the Plan is organized into six primary goals, each with accompanying objectives as well as specific strategies to achieve the objectives. COMPONENT 1 - LAND USE LAND USE GOAL: PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CRA BY IMPLEMENTING A TRUE MIXED -USE DISTRICT AND BY CREATING LAND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS Objectives: Achieve Consistency between Zoning and Land Use Help Landowners Increase their Property Values Appropriately Preserve and Accentuate Historic Buildings and Sites Protect Natural Resources and Promote Sustainability Land use is the foundation for development and redevelopment. It is the means of describing the range of possible uses and development standards for those uses. Land use determinations are the first step in development by identifying what is possible on a parcel of land. This chapter identifies the future land uses within the CRA and objectives to ensure that redevelopment results in mixed uses and sustainability. The graphic to the left depicts the adopted Future Land Use Map for the CRA. City of Fort Walton Beach 2012  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan The predominant land use category in the CRA, defined in the Comprehensive Plan, is the MU Mixed Use) category. The mixed -use ( MU) land use category is generally intended to allow single- family residential, multi- family residential, a wide range of commercial activities, limited industrial ( such as artisan studios or cottage industries), educational, public, civic, cultural, and specific tourist- related activities all in the same area. The mixed -use district provides for more efficient use of land and infrastructure and promotes a more pedestrian- friendly environment. The table below outlines the " mix of uses" goal for the CRA. In order to ensure a mix of uses for land within the mixed -use land use category, the percentages set in the table below will be implemented on a district -wide basis and evaluated periodically. Minimum Maximum Type of Use Residential 20 40 Commercial retail 20 45 Personal service and office 5 10 20 45 Entertainment, hospitality, tourist -oriented establishments Civic, institutional, educational, cultural, or public 10 25 Limited industrial ( artisan studios or similar ) 0 20 L Increase opportunities for development and redevelopment by implementing the new mixed - use land use category. Mixed -use developments range from a single building with two or more uses to a large -scale development with an assortment of office, retail, service, residential, recreational, and occasionally industrial uses. These developments are a response to market demand for places that provide everyday shopping and lifestyle needs in a location accessible by foot, bicycle, public transit, or automobile Over the years, certain blocks and lots in the CRA have experienced depreciation in the value of land and buildings, contributing to blight. When a neighborhood becomes blighted, it is often accompanied by crime rates and other undesirable circumstances which can cause a social breakdown and devaluation of the area as a whole. Housing improvement programs discussed in Chapter 6 may be combined with programs such as fagade improvement grants for businesses, land value investment programs, and site development grants to improve current conditions of buildings that contribute to the " blight' of an area. Dilapidated buildings may be removed allowing for more constructive land uses for that property and taking advantage of every infill opportunity. 1. Implement a CRA Fagade Improvement matching grant. Businesses in the CRA may receive up to a designated dollar amount, matched 1: 1 by the business owner, for purposes of City of Fort Walton Beach 2012  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan improving the building or structure with new paint, windows, doors, awnings, signs, or other enhancements to attract new customers. 2. Explore the cost- benefit of creating a Land Value Investment program and/ or a Site Development grant program in the CRA. A site development assistance grant may offer partial (up to 25 %) reimbursement for the cost of exterior improvements to a building or site in the CRA. In a Land Value Investment program, the CRA may purchase underutilized land and lease it short- term ( up to 10 years) for discounted rates to attract new businesses to the area and in exchange for site development improvements between the CRA and lessee. Historic structures can be both a dilemma and an asset depending on the desired use of the site. Currently in the Fort Walton Beach CRA, any building that is older than 50 years is considered to be historic. Based on this definition, 29. 2% of the structures in the CRA ( built before 1960) are historic. Many times, these buildings are deteriorated and should be removed. The buildings are not historically significant simply due to age; buildings should have significance because of architectural importance or a historically significant event. The older buildings in the CRA are not on the Florida Master Site File or the National Register. On the other hand, culturally and historically rich areas can help define the character of an area and attract tourists. Therefore, it is important to identify important historic buildings and places. Further, private properties may also be eligible for tax incentives. 1. Refine methods to designate historic sites and structures to ensure valuable historic property is protected and dilapidated structures are not unduly protected. 2. Establish a process to promote historic sites and buildings that are listed on the Florida Master Site File or the National Register. 3. Provide support in the form of information from City records or appropriate provisions in the Comprehensive Plan. Green" development techniques are gaining more acceptance while developers are quickly realizing the market demand for more sustainable products, including housing and commercial buildings. Buyers want the benefits of these new " greener" buildings and sites, some of which include: significantly lower utility bills, lower employee absenteeism, and higher building resale value. Promoting " green development' within the CRA helps ensure the Fort Walton Beach CRA will be able to accommodate the market demand for greener products. Promoting lower impact development now also lays the foundation for a self -sustaining CRA, which is an ultimate goal of any CRA. City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan 1. Consider offering CRA incentives to developers, within grants, for example, to developers and businesses who implement green development techniques as part of their project. 2. Apply appropriate green development principles " in- house" when reconstructing, or renovating, repairing City buildings and facilities. For example, install energy- efficient lighting fixtures during replacement or install a " cool' roof. 3. Ensure the permitting process is adequate to accommodate " greed' development and that the LDC sets forth measures to streamline green development. 4. Highlight important natural resources in the CRA, such as the waterfront and estuarine environment, and promote those resources to attract new tenants, visitors, and customers to the CRA. Continued emphasis on growth and higher density places a higher demand on infrastructure needs. The following section will outline the goal, objectives, and strategies for infrastructure within the CPA, ensuring that water & sewer lines, streets, and sidewalks are upgraded consistently and keep up with demand. City of Fort Walton Beach  2012 Community Redevelopment Plan COMPONENT 2 - INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE GOAL: IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND AVAILABILITY OF ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT THE CRA Objectives: Continue Sidewalk and Pavement Improvement Programs