01-26-2015 Retreat City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
January 26, 2015—8:30am
The following were present: Mayor Ash, Council Members Travis, Mullins, Goodgame and Bates. Other
officials present were City Manager Gray and.City Clerk Ackroyd.
City Council,Planning&Zoning Commission,and Workshop Meeting Start Times
City Manager Gray reported on starting times for the Council meetings, workshops and Planning and
Zoning Commission meetings City Clerk Ackroyd prepared a report of various municipalities within
central Florida. The reason this item has been brought forward is due to the length of Council meetings.
We have a number of applicants that have paid to be on the agenda and are not heard until after 9pm in
the evening at times.
Council Members discussed changing the Council meeting start time Mayor Ash expressed concerns
with an earlier start time There was a consensus to change the Council meeting start time to 6:30pm City
Manager Gray stated it will be placed on a Council agenda for consideration
Master Plan
GAI Consultants, Tom Kohler, Pete Sechler, Blake Drury, and Richard Levey presented the Master Plan
for Downtown Clermont and Waterfront '
The Consultants provided an overview of Clermont's form of development; economic development, ideas
for Waterfront and layout ideas for projects in regards to long range vision and planning They reviewed
the original Clermont development pattern; the evolving Clermont development pattern and the current
Development condition with relation to growth in the city and surrounding area.
There was consideration given to what is driving people to the area of water's edge, downtown and the
new areas.
The Roadway framework network was reviewed to include expanding scale, critical corridors, branding,
connect,growth and the opportunity to connect to Highway 27.
Clermont's public realm includes schools and institutions; parks and open space; connecting trails, and
accessible waterfront.
The land uses are based on historic, environmental and roadway patterns with transitional and
contemporary land use patterns. The opportunities include a more cohesive and connected community,
safely and successfully support of daily life and special events; as well as capitalization of economic
opportunity. The interest is to connect Downtown and the Waterfront.
There are two conclusions in the market study: 1 - We believe there is currently demand for new
residential units in the downtown area, 2 — there could be future opportunities for food and beverage or
entertainment development in the downtown area The consultants compared Clermont's downtown
location to Tavares, Kissimmee and Eustis.
After meeting with staff, the consultants came up with five themes for planning the future downtown and
waterfront:
1. A place for people Downtown is an established place but needs to get more people to stay longer
more often in order to grow and thrive.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
January 26, 2015—8:30am
2 A Great Waterfront. Waterfront is the biggest untapped asset with parks and trails
3 A quality sense of place, character and image. The community cares about the aesthetics of both
natural and constructed places but the perception of downtown from major routes is
undifferentiated and unremarkable.
4. Connect to the city. Downtown, along with the other two emerging centers at National Training
Center and Clermont Community Center needs to be better connected to the surrounding
neighborhoods.
5. High—performing infrastructure and services. The success of downtown will be built on a
foundation of supporting infrastructure and city services. It was noted to view storm water as a
utility.
The aligning and leveraging efforts were pulled from the visioning sessions. The City of Clermont offers
economic development; infrastructure improvements; development services; planning policies, urban
code;vision and brand,transportation, parks, culture and leisure.
Four Big Moves:
1. Create a window to Downtown on State Road 50. It was suggested to landscape or make changes
to Center Lake.
2. Connecting the parks and neighborhoods to downtown It was suggested to loop the trail into
downtown to create interest and activity.
3 Add energy and activity to the downtown core.
4 Re-orient and diversify waterfront activities
Long range vision planning overview includes redevelopment and the future of Clermont.
The west side waterfront includes. a boathouse; rowing events; and finding a better location for the boat
ramp.
Storm water is suggested to be part of the west side of downtown. There is an opportunity at West Lake
that can be a master storm water pond for downtown and the west side. City Manager Gray noted storm
water is a priority with redevelopment. 20 to 25 percent of space has to be dedicated.
There is an opportunity to create a terrace area to watch events; move the trail closer to the water and
have another spot with true public access to the water; additional outdoor dining restaurants; and beyond
the trail,create a boardwalk or some space that is separate from the trail.
Council Member Mullins preferred to keep the trail location where it is.
The retreat recessed at 10:18am. The retreat reconvened at I0:33am.
In continuation of discussion of the long range planning vision. Moving East—The Marsh Waterfront is
the connection between downtown and Waterfront Park. One of the opportunities is lake edge restoration
There are current erosion issues andrsuggested to come into the lake and harden edge. For the loop
connection,there is a piece of right of way that is steep to connect back up to loop off of the trail.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
January 26,2015—8:30am
Discussed turning lakefront into a Community Park as the Gem of the park system and suggested
relocating the basketball courts
Long range planning vision- The boating Waterfront. There was discussion to relocate the boat ramp
along East Avenue.
Long Range planning vision: Center Lake Waterfront - create an opportunity for an entryway into
downtown, improved signage and build an area around Center Lake.
Council Member Mullins suggested buying a strip of property on State Road 50 in front of the Methodist
Church to gain more visibility from State Road 50 There was discussion of a knee wall to give an
architectural edge as entering downtown and a garden area
This is a long range plan. It was suggested the Council consider new ways as they are making incremental
decisions. There are opportunities to differentiate downtown Clermont and align the community with a
growing vision of environmental awareness, appreciation for small town, development for coast to coast
connector and what our role can be in that This will better position the city to make decisions to
capitalize and to jump to the forefront
Long range planning vision Neighborhood Connectors
Long range planning vision: Hospitality Zones-Bed and Breakfast—Target areas
Projects and priorities initial budget estimates for all projects:
A. The Promenade — Event space, plaza and continuous waterfront trail, space for outdoor dining.
Estimated cost: $5.9 to$6 7 million
B. Signage and Way finding—Downtown wide signage reflecting new brand and listing key destinations
and trail alignments. Estimated cost. $600,000-$685,000
C. West Lake Wetlands—Master storm water system for west side of downtown including pond and filter
marsh and large park event space at lake edge includes pipes to get there and moving boat ramp as well as
land acquisition. Estimated cost: $7.5 to$8 6 million
D. Minneola Green Street — Hook up trail to the trail head; multipurpose trail and LID storm water
planters. Estimated cost: $2.3 to$2 6 million
E. Front Door Image — Landscape and signage along 8th street and 50. Estimated cost: $325,000 -
$375,000
F. The Switchbacks - Trail connection from Lake to new Minneola Street trail and community garden
space Estimated cost- $250,000-$285,000.
Mayor Ash inquired about a suggested order of pnorities. Blake Drury noted the Promenade would be the
first important and West Lake as a piece of infrastructure is vitally important. There is a storm water pond
along waterfront.
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City of Clermont
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL RETREAT
January 26,2015—8:30am
Richard Levey commented Clermont's financial situation is sound and solid. He encouraged the Council
to measure the economic development return on investment The collective recommendations are those
two projects as first priorities
Council Member Travis suggested selling the old Police Department to obtain funds to redevelop
downtown City Manager Gray noted staff will prepare an inventory.
Mayor Ash thanked the consultants for the presentation and opened the floor for public comments
Shannon Hidalgo commended the city for considering this long term visioning plan. She noted this is a
solution and recommended the Council take action sooner rather than later
Mike Latham commented these types of projects may be considered during the legislative session and
encouraged the city to consider that as a funding option. City Manager Gray noted staff would look into
it.
Mayor Ash noted the city will be getting started with the suggestions and it will not be tabled.
ADJOURN: With no further comments,the retreat adjourned at 11:48am.
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