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03-23-2015 Special Meeting City of Clermont
MINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
March 23, 2015
The Clermont City Council met in a special meeting on Monday, March 23, 2015 in the Council
Chambers at City Hall Mayor Ash called the meeting to order at 6 OOpm with the following Council
Members present Council Members Goodgame, Mullins, Bates and Travis Other City officials present
were City Manager Gray and City Clerk Ackroyd
Pledge of Allegiance
Master Plan
City Manager Gray stated the Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan was the result of input from the
community's visioning sessions two years ago The City and Staff were tasked with bnngmg new
vibrancy to the downtown and waterfront area Portions of the vision have become a reality through
projects including the Community Redevelopment Association (CRA) incentive program, acquisition of
the Clermont Community Center, Lake Hiawatha Preserve, the new Boathouse, KaBoom Park, and the
Champions Splash Park Following the visioning sessions, the City adopted a new brand The Master
Plan provides a ten year vision of projects for the area
Pete Seckler, GAI Consulting Group, reviewed the early settlement of Clermont and where the
community is today Linking the City is important and people want to connect with Histonc Downtown
Clermont There is an opportumty for new residential development m the Histonc Downtown area and
the Greater Downtown area to support existing retail businesses
Five points were determined as a strong link in the vision and for developing a strategy for revitalization
(1) A place for people, (2) A great waterfront, (3) A quality sense of place, character and image, (4)
Connect the centers,and(5)High performing infrastructure and services
Several key strategies included (1) Create a window to Downtown on State Road 50, (2) Connect the
Downtown parks and neighborhoods, (3) Add energy and activity to the Downtown Core, and (4) Re-
onent and diversify waterfront activities
Mr Seckler provided an overview of the twenty year long-range vision plan which included creating a
new open space venue in the Downtown Core, gateway signage, and moving the trail into the City The
recommendation was for the City to begin with key fundamental projects, including a Downtown
Promenade, signage and way finding, a West Lake Wetland Park, a Mmneola Greet Street, a "Front
Door" image improvement, and switchbacks The cost estimate was approximately $15 million, however
grants are available for these projects
Mayor Ash opened the public heanng
Edward Apadaca, Mark Graff, Alison Strange, Ray Sanfratello, Paul McPherson, and Lake County
Commissioner Parks spoke in support of the proposal
Karen Border mquired if the trail change would be m the form of a boardwalk Pete Seckler stated the
concept would include a trail system which works well for exercising and competition, and a
complimentary senes of expanses for those who would like to engage
Stacey Uptain Smith urged Council to continue with the plans and keep sailing in mind Mr Seckler
stated consideration was for a sailing area on the eastern component of the lake, with a local community
park
1
City of Clermont
MINUTES
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
March 23, 2015
Mayor Ash closed the public heanng
Council Member Mullins spoke in support of the plan
Council Member Travis questioned if the trail would remain where it is when the boat ramp is moved to
East Avenue Pete Seckler stated the details would have to be worked out The trail would be realigned
to follow the new geometry created Any modification to the trail would include a clear through-trail and
other opportunities for people to explore the Waterfront and the businesses
Council Member Bates inquired the amount the City could receive in grant funding Mr Seckler
commented there are different mechanisms available on the public side and as a strategy towards certain
key elements are developed, certain grant opportunities will be available.
City Manager Gray commented 75 percent of what the City of Eustis accomplished was funded by grants
or through other agencies.
Council Member Goodgame spoke in support of the plan
Council Member Goodgame moved to accept the long range planning vision presented
tonight: seconded by Council Member Mullins.The motion passed unanimously
4t '`
ADJOURN: With no further comments, this meeting was adjourned at 7:05pm.
APPROVED:
•• ‘..‘ gil
Gail L Ash, ayo
ATTES :
Tracy Ackro d, City Cler
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„ City
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,. Downtown &Waterfront
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Master Plan
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
March 23, 2015
Prepared for the City of Clermont
City Council City Manager
Mayor Gail L. Ash Darren Gray
Timothy Bates
Ray h
Diane Travis
Keith Mullins
Prepared by GAI's Community Solutions Group & Community Development
Community Solutions Group
Kevin Aust
Frank Bellomo
Dave Darsey
Blake Drury
Tom Kohler
Richard Levey
Claudia Ray
Pete Sechler
Robin Wells
Donald Wishart
Community Development
Jason Dunn
Jaime Igua
Nick Leyva
Bob Schanck
ABOUT THE PLAN
The Clermont community is committed to ensuring the ongoing
social, cultural and economic value of its downtown and
waterfront. For the last 100 years, the hills, historic downtown,
adjacent neighborhoods and the Lake Minneola waterfront have
been the defining characteristics of the community, creating a
setting for a livable, small town feel that is connected to friend
and family, the local Florida environment, and an emergent
identification with healthy living. The downtown and waterfront
is the place which all of Clermont takes ownership in, and it is
a place where residents, business owners, and institutions have
invested themselves to enjoy the high quality of life of this
intimate community.
Clermont and its waterfront are also emerging as a regionally
significant address. Since the development of the South Lake Trail,
the Olympic Training Center, and the strong regional growth, the
South Lake County area has developed a unique character brand
and identity associated specifically with Clermont. Today, Clermont
has become a destination for tourism, athletic training and
competition, recreation, commerce, and culture. The community's
current challenge is to leverage these assets while protecting and
enhancing the character of the 'real Clermont' to the benefit of
those who live and work here.
As a community, Clermont has engaged in discussions about
its character, vision, and future. This was accomplished, in part,
through an extensive visioning process and recently adopted
re -branding. The outcome of these efforts is the development of
a platform of engaged stakeholders who are optimistic about the
future, and prepared to tackle challenges in order to maximize
Clermont's potential as a beautiful, livable community of choice.
The plan on the following pages advances this work as part of a
more focused initiative to enhance the downtown and waterfront.
This plan builds on the community conversation outcomes
from the visioning process and defines and prioritizes common
aspirations, new opportunities, and specific enhancements
necessary for the continued quality development of a great
waterfront community.
LOOKING AT CLERMONT
listoric Growth
1941
1994 2014
IMAGES OF CLERMONT
Downtown and Neighborhoods
The settlement pattern in
Clermont has evolved since
the end of World War II, when
the city comprised the area
between Lakes Minneola and
Minnehaha along SR 50 and
the Orange Belt RR. Even 20
years ago the city was fairly
compact and largely still
found west of US 27. The
past two decades have seen
growth to the east and south,
away from downtown and the
waterfront.
Images from downtown and
the close -in neighborhoods,
clockwise from below: The
Farmer's Market is one of
many special events that
bring people to downtown;
One of many service -type
uses downtown; Races like this
triathlon have the potential
to bring many more people to
downtown if they occur closer
to 8th Street, The shopping
core on Montrose Street has
streetscope and on -street
parking already in place
Future Land Use
c;
Waterfront
Images from the downtown
waterfront, clockwise from
above: Watersports, like jet -
skiing, sailing, and kayaking,
are year-round activities
at the lake edge; Footrace
jockeying for the some space
as leisure walkers at 8th Street
Waterfront rentals provide
a node of activity along the
waterfront; Passive activities,
like these shaded swingsets,
can be found in several
locations on the waterfront;
Staging for large events is an
important element to design.
Key Community Destinations
CITRU5TDWER
x3•
is�
LAKEMA4h C A TRMVR •FI45PITA
z-,
N
s r
LAKE MINNENANA
5oj
[Pi41 WALMART
N
MARKET OUTLOOK
0 THERE COULD BE FUTURE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOOD + BEVERAGE
OR ENTERTAINMENT DEVELOPMENT IN
THE DOWNTOWN AREA
Demand for this product will lag residential
development.
If the number of events and festivals in the downtown
area can increase, this will augment restaurant/food
and beverage demand.
It is likely that food and beverage operations will be
local in nature.
• Increases in traditional retail will be difficult. Most
retailers prefer the higher traffic areas along SR 50
and US 27.
Current Downtown Retail
Market Snapshots
14.9%
7.5%
92.5%
185.1%
19.6%.
80.4%
19 WE BELIEVE THERE IS CURRENTLY
DEMAND FOR NEW RESIDENTIAL
UNITS IN THE DOWNTOWN
CLERMONT AREA
The residential market has rebounded locally and
state-wide.
Multi -family for -sale prices have started to increase
again, though they are still far off from market peak
Current residential prices are about what was
achieved in the years just prior (2003-2004) to the
peak market years.
• The rental market is strong, with high occupancies.
Rents are typical for suburban product at about
$1.00+ per SF.
• For -sale townhome or condo development would be
more appropriate for smaller in -fill locations.
• Rental apartments would be more appropriate for
larger sites that could accommodate 100+ units.
• Development in the core of downtown needs to
have access to zoning (either by right or through
incentives) to allow 25 to 40 units per acre, which
achieves 3-4 story surface parked development.
Residential and Retail Data
Since 2000, 28% off all multi -family
% of Cafe/ units sold in the city were in downtown.
Restaurant •• (50 units)
% of Retail Recent citywide multi -family for -rent
occupancies range from about 91 % to
• • 98%.
3.4%
i.6%
U_ U_ U
V) to to 0
0
O Co 0
p
E 10
c
U w
Multi -family units in Downtown
averages about $30,000 to $75,000
per unit.
Downtown Clermont CRA has about
■ 167,000 SF of retail space.
U_
o Clermont has the highest percentage
• of restaurant space compared to other
nearby cities (19.6%)
WATERFRONT & DOWNTOWN RELATIONSHIPS
Several other Central Florida cities have seen a renaissance along
their waterfronts, and offer some interesting comparisons and
lessons to Clermont.
Tavares: The waterfront park space is immediately adjacent to
downtown's shopping/retail district (shown in red on the image).
This proximity allows events that happen at the park to "drive"
retail and restaurant customers to the district's shopping streets.
Clermont
Kissimmee
Eustis: The waterfront park is again proximate to downtown,
which allows a strong relationship between downtown uses like
shopping and restaurants and the lake amenity.
Kissimmee: Kissimmee's multi -million dollar Lakefront Park
brings a very large amount of diverse activities to the area two
blocks from the main street of the district, linked by a pedestrian -
friendly street.
Tavares
Eustis
PLANNING FRAMEWORK FOR
THE DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT
The plan is based on a set of THEMES that describe the future downtown
waterfront. The THEMES are organized into four MOVES that are
implemented in individual PROJECTS. The projects cover the wide
geography of downtown (as shown on the following pages) and have been
loosely grouped into projects that should be considered now, soon (in 2 to
5 years), and later (beyond 5 years) based on their ability to fundamentally
alter the course of downtown toward the MOVES and the City's perceived
readiness for the activity.
A PLACE FOR PEOPLE
Downtown is an established "place" but needs to encourage more
people to stay longer, more often, in order to grow and thrive.
A GREAT WATERFRONT
The waterfront presents an opportunity to have a linear park experience
with many more leisure and recreational activities than are currently
provided.
QUALITY SENSE OF PLACE, CHARACTER, & IMAGES
The community cares about the aesthetics of both natural and
constructed places, but the perception of downtown from major routes
is undifferentiated and unremarkable.
CONNECT TO THE CITY
Downtown, along with the other two emerging centers at the NTC
and Clermont Community Center, needs to be better connected to the
surrounding neighborhoods.
L.HIGH-PERFORMING INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES
The success of downtown will be built on a foundation of supporting
infrastructure and city services.
THEMES
Create a Window to
Downtown on SR 50
Connect the Parks and
Neighborhoods
Add Energy and Activity
to the Downtown Core
Re -Orient and Diversify
Waterfront Activities
IYIV V LV
4 The Lumberyard Redevelopment
1 12th St Train Connector [N]
3 12th St Trail Connector [S]
8 West Ave [N] Green Street
10 Minneola Ave [C] Green Street
20 Switchback/Community Gardens 0 21 Lake/Osceola Redevelopment
6 Rowing Center Event Space
5 Minneola Ave [W] Green Street
18 The Bluff Redevelopment
19 The Marsh
29 Boating Center
16 Front Door Improvements -
13 Desoto St Green Street
15 Center Lake LID Stormwater
Er12 West Ave [S] Green Street
2 West Beach Lake Edge Rehab
11 The Station Redevelopment
14 Desoto Garden Park
25 Lake Dot Park
17 Shared Garage
■ 30 North41The.
Edge
Enha
-Landing
26 Sparkling Water Lake Park
28 Waterfront Park Improvements
122 Lake Ave[N] Green Street
24 Lake Ave[S] Green Street
33 East Ave Green Street
�23 Minneola Ave [E] Green Street
27 3rd St Trail Connector
� 32 Minneola/East Trail Connector
LONG - RANGE PLANNING VISION
I ri-•
This is the long-range vision for Downtown Clermont as a place for people, with a great waterfront and
quality sense of place, visual character, and image, which is connected to the greater city and is supported
by high -performing infrastructure and services. A number of potential infrastructure improvements that
{+ rI y could implement the vision are shown. The improvements are conceptual in nature; as each is considered,
I FRMN"a ! a further level of design needs to be undertaken to define the project and confirm its purpose in
t implementing the vision. Some are long-term, requiring land assembly and significant construction. Some
require public policy changes while others are private redevelopment projects. The recommended first six
projects are indicated by letter, and are described on the following pages.
r
_ # 2 West Beach Lake Edge Rehab
g Initial BB Opportunity Tar-
.
ram` get Area
1 � t •
A.
MAEMMMOM
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12th-St-Trail
Connector [N]
J6 Rowing Center
hvent Space
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+ ecFe�fe meht - _ =
r - reen Stre t [teclevelo eFi r
Downtown CRA ST•
Boundary 5- Minneola Ave [1 ✓] Green Str [C] t�
w:sraARe 17. Sharq
Garage L 1
�i 3 12th St Trail •
s` Connector [S] • ;' t �7 =12 t ve'I .3
a_- i�[� 11 The zt,Rion
n Street 11
edevel `
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r — — — r warorosr` - - _ ► �► L-1. 3 soto.St Green
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_ 15 Center Lake LID r
r Stormwater IP�e.., `f
16 Frond.
Tait,�..-, _ n... - Improvements
r o aoo e i soo f 1 I! 1 ! 1
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PAMPKAHAPARY
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30 Northeas 4: ! -
Edge Enhan wts 404V
SffMSTFrsr+rR� arR - -
-29 ating CenterIA
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� • 31 The Landing- , �i}•- � �
I F.Uture Developm@rat
28 Waterfront
Park Improvements,"
Initial B+B Opportunityi �•� Rar t •
Target Area cr
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Fir FH5FREF? .. ! , - .�
PO: F_ -� .,.26 Sparkling , _. i �. - (iERMdNTM1pp[FfCN00!
Saar -
s. Water Lake Park l
ARKER6 WATER
[Alai
19 The Marsh ry�• � r a - ElEMFNFARSS(
00
21 Lake 'Osceola �' y -1 - - 33 EastAve
-
Redevelopment . `} -' -Green Street
r.2O �witFhback/ t „. -.. 1 r
Community Gardens.
L
23 M - E}+ r Str e'_t' � _ t -i r
JL4 Id.
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eery �r x - �1• +�._.. ti:_� - �"f :1.`/ ,.'�'',- � F `� F'
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•� .r' •� ! - . �,Y�v ...y'"'"
'fix } sib 1 6t Park
J '' f• � �-^r- ' � 1. � •'4� 5t'AR[HIAI�$1 ..
n �• n�,� l
...•••1....... 50 .... -, -TTT7-1 �
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NEIGHBORHOOD CONNECTORS & GATEWAYS
Destination
(Community Center)
The improvements envisioned at the Downtown
Waterfront need to be connected to the wider city.
The map above shows a potential system of tree -
lined boulevards that link the city's neighborhoods to
important community destinations, like downtown,
the community center, and the training center.
These boulevards could be in the form of upgraded
landscape and bike lanes in locations where they
are not already provided, and can be implemented
incrementally as roadway resurfacing projects are
undertaken.
Fj
O THE PROMENADE
One of the key elements of the plan is to maximize
the number of people who come downtown, either by
living (residential), staying (hotel), or visiting (events).
Having a space that can handle events from small
festivals to huge races and regattas is imperative at the
foot of 8th Street. The Promenade, as shown above,
provides such as venue, along with a continuous
waterfront path experience and pier with docking
capabilities at the foot of 8th Street. Here activity can
generate business for Montrose Street businesses and
others in the vicinity.
=--
_ Event-ViEvtimc .- ■
V Terrace ,
�ff�h
•
a'*,*
• • • 1 • 1 1.• • � • •
• N
r • � 00� 200� 407
•
Design+Engineering (20%)
$833,000
M
Equipment+Mobilization (14%)
$583,100
Contingency (25%)
$1,041,250
TOTAL
$6,705,650
•`Aff4 y i`{
7 West Lake'
Wetlands Parr:;' ' 1
11 The Stan
1 12'West Ave jS] Reme developn
,, Greed Street 4
...................
` e 14 Desoto
�" Garden Park
IL
i
CENTER LAKE
T-
'
2 01�0,1
im
Const
Design+Engineering (20%) $85,000
Permitting (2
Equipment+Mobilization (14%) $59,500
Lontingency (25°�
TOTAL $684,250
a {.
18 The Bluff
Redevelopment
©'....�............................. .........................
..........................
17 Shared •
Gaya a _r
©TROSEST
22 Lake Ave [N]
Green Street
` ........,......
"�1Y3 t tS`,r`een .... Street.........
...........
25 Lake
Dot Park
BROOMEY - - ,
16 Front Door
Improvements
attAvel r
N
LF5O3...:..
i 0 200• a00' soo
Finding destinations in downtown, either from the
South Lake Trail or SR 50, will be key in building
the downtown Clermont brand in the community's
consciousness. It is of particular importance as a key
location along the Coast to Coast trail, as cross -state
cyclists looking for destinations will be helped by
a a robust system of signage and wayfinding. This
system is recommended to include elements such
as monument signs, vehicular directional signs, and
pedestrian directional signs. The visual elements of
the signage should include the "Clermont Choice of
Champions" branding.
Development in the western portion of downtown
is limited by on -site stormwater requirements, often
making sites here 15% less functional than in other
portions of downtown served by regional ponds. In
addition, the waterfront has several dry ponds that
impact the environmental experience of the waterfront.
West Lake Wetlands Park serves to combine those
elements into a utility stormwater pond serving west
Design+Engineering (20%) $1,070,000
downtown and freeing up lakefront land for park or
amenity development. In addition, this area should
Equipment+Mobilization (14%) $749,000
be designed as a park space and event area for larger
races and include a filter marsh to polish the storm
Contingency (25%)
runoff before it reaches Lake Minneola.
TOTAL $8,613,500
O MINNEOLA GREEN STREET
.....................
k............I..........................
+ ... uY..a.......... .::. .—.....................,QW-.1..........................................;
0 50' 300' 600'
Design+Engineering (20%) $325,000
Permitting
Equipment+Mobilization (14%) $227,500
kontingency (25°
TOTAL $2,616,250
Several "Green Streets" are recommended for
downtown. Green Streets are locations that combine
low -impact stormwater drainage techniques with
improved pedestrian streetscapes and that form
the spine of the connected pedestrian and cycling
environment in downtown, connecting the uphill parks
to the neighborhoods and to Lake Minneola. The first
of these streets is Minneola Avenue from Lake Avenue
to the proposed West Lake Wetlands Park. The street
would include stormwater planters, on -street parking,
upgraded street tree planting, a 5' sidewalk on the
north side of the street and a 12' multi -purpose path
on the south side of the street.
I
-- -
11TI0
r k- • • R Y
�i ; 11 The Station
1 r i Redevelopment +
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fir` ' • 13 Desoto St Green Street
v r a
fill' • WG*aaredeeno
rParkrrrrr14 Desoto
........ �' .
It Av%c
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lm
The current perception of downtown from SR 50 is
undifferentiated and unremarkable. The streetscape
does not change to reflect the downtown and
the signage is outdated. A series of landscape
improvements at 8th Street and SR 50 are
recommended to make the entrance into downtown
consistent with the quality environment found on the
lake side. This landscape would include sidewalks,
street trees, and incremental low -impact stormwater
management techniques.
Design+Engineering (20%)
Equipment+Mobilization (14%)
Contingency (25%)'
TOTAL
407
$45,000
$31,500
$362,250
0 "THE SWITCHBACKS" ; , . • •' : f _
�• 19 The Marsh
r� V
LID/GREEN STORMWATER
r _ MARSH + LAKE EDGE
A r �_ ! •
• e
�-� ,
••
2Q ikhback/
_ ar sty 21 Lake%Osceo
o�
•' � 6.. Redevelopment
�r r.._.
i
_ • • W OSCEOLA ST
i I� G -- -- •-r ,�i
N f
As the trail system is expanded away from the Lake
Minneola waterfront into downtown and the close -
in neighborhoods, there is opportunity to make a
connection at the end of Lake Avenue. In this location,
steep topography has led to an unbuilt street right-of-
way with the potential to carry a trail that connects to
c
the proposed trail on Minneola Street. This trail would
Design+Engineering (20%) $35,000
be configured in a "switchback" design to lessen the
Permitting (2
grade for all users and would conceptually contain a
Equipment+Mobilization (14%) $24,500
community garden space in between the switchbacks
contingency (25°�
that is accessible from both uphill and downhill sides.
TOTAL $281,750
GETTING STARTED: INITIAL BUDGET ESTIMATE
A The Promenade
$4,165,000
$833,000
$83,300
$583,100
$1,041,250
$6,705,650
B Signage &
Wayfinding
$425,000
$85,000
$8,500
$59,500
$106,250
$684,250
C West Lake Wetland
Park
$5,350,000
$1,070,000
$107,000
$749,000
$1,337,500
$8,613,500
D Minneola Greet
Street
$1,625,000
$325,000
$32,500
$227,500
$406,250
$2,616,250
E "Front Door"
Image Improvements
$225,000
$45,000
$4,500
$31,500
$56,250
$362,250
F The Switchbacks
$175,000
$35,000
$3,500
$24,500$43,750
$281,750
Projects
The Master Plan Vision
Clermont is a place for people, with a great waterfront
and quality sense of place, visual character, and image;
connected to the greater city and supported by high -performing
infrastructure and services.
COMMUNITY
SOLUTIONS
GROUP
618 E South Street
Suite 700
Orlando, FL 32801
T 407.423.8398
F 407.843.1070
A GAI Consultants, Inc. Service Group