Fort Walton Beach Council agenda — 08-10-2007 special agenda - Landmark — reading text

lc:., '" + V'~~ ft: r1.. ~~ YQ~\c.";~\bRV2. 4~~ & j At t'> I C. ~......-\ -\ 0 a... L A """'1;:) 4:t:.... W" ~"- \ c....C. E"__ t -~ '<.. P r'c p~..... "') , v <. --\- L..: \ '\ ? l E.. ^' 0( '--' ~ ~E'- ) - ';) (: J -..) -\ 0 IN:> j ~ t ~"\. V" <."> c: lAJ ~""l. D . GOO l,-.. I C ~<"L e - ') I 1'1Kl c.'~ 0\.-\ Mo,&/ UoC, 1\ & 2.... \ \ Sf 1$ lfo6ks $, Se.. 13voo\<" s ' ST St-. lS 4 3S- 30 tt. 0'26 t:. 0...  ROY L. RICKS CONSULTANT P. O. Box 4385' Fort Walton Beach FL 32549- 4385' Telephone ( 904) 243- 3528' FAX (904) 243- 3528 ( Call ftrst) July 23, 2007 To: Mayor of Fort Walton Beach Members of the City Council The revitalization of a run- down area is an admirable endeavor. The downtown area, zoned for business, had become run- down because it didn' t have the attributes that businesses look for, accessibility and area for parking in our automobile oriented society. Location of the new library was an effort to support the revitalization of this area, a big mistake. If a library exists for the benefits ofthe citizens of a town it should have been located where it would be accessible to the majority of the population. The geographical of the center of the residents of Fort Walton Beach is certainly not at its southern most edge. How the former city manager was able to convince the then city council and for them to agree to the location of the library is beyond understanding. Many of the development requirements imposed on property owners outside of the downtown area are waived for development in the downtown area. While every other property owner outside of the downtown development area must provide his own parking, city owned land provides what limited parking is currently available. Apparently the City is considering not only providing additional land for parking but is also considering construction of a parking garage. Further, nowhere else in the city is parking for businesses allowed to back out onto the street? What benefit are such considerations to the other business owners or, for that matter, the citizens of Fort Walton Beach? In addition to the parking requirements imposed on developments other than in the downtown area, property owners are limited in how they are allowed to develop their land by requirements for setbacks, landscaping, stormwater retention areas, loading zones, dumpster locations, etc. It doesn' t seem fair that a few get relief from these requirements while others are required to comply. The downtown area, despite all of the current efforts, will never become a pedestrian- friendly area as long as there is aU .S. highway running through the middle of it. It will make little difference if the current roadway is reduced to two eastbound only lanes. The westbound lanes ( of the Around- the- mound proposal)would only serve to further isolate the downtown area and make it more difficult to access. The reason for the initial development of the current downtown area in the 1930' s and 40' s was because the highway was one of the few paved streets in the area. Once the town began to grow and better access for parking and shopping was desired, businesses moved northward and the downtown area became almost derelict. Until U. S. 98 is relocated the downtown area will remain an undesirable area for local business. It is noble that some are willing to invest in the redevelopment ofthe area. However, they and the City, should not expect all of the rest of the citizens and taxpayers to help foot the bill. Roy L.Ricks Member of the MPB for over 20 years Chairman for 7 years copy: Editor NWF Daily News ARCHITECT - ( Retired) PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER - Florida Registration # PE23471  Page 1 of 1 Helen Spencer From: Kitty Powl [ kittypowl@cox. net] Sent: Saturday, August 11, 2007 10: 07 AM To: Helen Spencer Cc: kmwrightjr@earthlink. net Subject: Landmark Center I absolutely support the Landmark Center plans, including the parking garage. Thank goodness we have a developer with foresight and vision of great possibilities for Fort Walton Beach. We, as a city, need this development badly. Sincerely, Kitty Powl Re/ Max Southern Realty 8/13120 7  ROY L. RICKS CONSULTANT P. O. Box 4385. Fort Walton Beach FL 32549-4385. Telephone ( 904) 243- 3528. FAX (904) 243- 3528 ( Call first) July 23, 2007 To: Mayor of Fort Walton Beach Members of the City Council The revitalization of a run- down area is an admirable endeavor. The downtown area, zoned for business, had become run- down because it didn' t have the attributes that businesses look for, accessibility and area for parking in our automobile oriented society. Location of the new library was an effort to support the revitalization of this area, a big mistake. If a library exists for the benefits ofthe citizens of a town it should have been located where it would be accessible to the majority of the population. The geographical of the center of the residents of Fort Walton Beach is certainly not at its southern most edge. How the fonner city manager was able to convince the then city council and for them to agree to the location of the library is beyond understanding. waived Many of the development requirements imposed on property owners outside of the downtown area are for development in the downtown area. While every other property owner outside of the downtown area must provide his own parking, city owned land provides what limited parking is currently development available. Apparently the City is considering not only providing additional land for parking but is also considering construction of a parking garage. Further, nowhere else in the city is parking for businesses allowed to back out onto the street? What benefit are such considerations to the other business owners or, for that matter, the citizens of Fort Walton Beach? In addition to the parking requirements imposed on developments other than in the downtown area, property owners are limited in how they are allowed to develop their land by requirements for setbacks, landscaping, stonnwater retention areas, loading zones, dumpster locations, etc. It doesn' t seem fair that a few get relief from these requirements while others are required to comply. The downtown area, despite all ofthe current efforts, will never become a pedestrian- friendly area as long as there is a U.S. running through the middle of it. It will make little difference ifthe current roadway is highway reduced to two eastbound only lanes. The westbound lanes ( of the Around-the- mound proposal) would only serve to further isolate the downtown area and make it more difficult to access. The reason for the initial development of the current downtown area in the 1930' s and 40' s was because the highway was one of the few paved streets in the area. Once the town began to grow and better access for and shopping was desired, businesses moved northward and the downtown area became almost derelict. parking Until U.S. 98 is relocated the downtown area will remain an undesirable area for local business. It is noble that some are willing to invest in the redevelopment of the area. However, they and the City, should not expect all of the rest of the citizens and taxpayers to help foot the bill. Roy L.Ricks Member of the MPB for over 20 years Chainnan for 7 years copy: Editor NWF Daily News ARCHITECT - (Retired) PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER - Florida Registration # PE23471  w w Ii 1'---,---- =-. I ---__ ~~ US HIGHWAY 98 I< J I z I i .-.~"'=--'=. c;-~--- -_____ G) 0 1\ o c I! I-~ oo~ m z