CLEARWATER - Clearwater's Community Development Board (CDB) will conduct a hearing on proposed amendments to Beach by Design during their regular meeting on February 21st. The hearing had been scheduled for December 20th and January 17th, but was postponed each time.
The amendments would establish a new set of development standards for the Old Florida District of Clearwater Beach, and increase the maximum density for overnight accommodations on the beach.
The Old Florida District, bounded by Somerset Street on the north and Rockaway Street on the south, is recognized as a transition area between the more intensive Tourist uses to the south and the North Beach residential neighborhood, allowing new development of both attached dwellings and overnight accommodations.
Somerset Street would define the transition zone, with height limited to 35 feet on its north side, and 50 feet on its south side. The remainder of the Old Florida District extending from sixty feet south of Somerset to Rockaway would have a maximum height of 65 feet.
Minimum building setbacks are defined, requiring a front setback of 15 feet except for properties fronting on Mandalay Avenue, which would be allowed a zero front setback. The minimum side and rear setbacks would be 10 feet.
While building height of 65 feet would be permitted throughout most of the District, any development exceeding 35 feet must earn the additional height via a performance-based formula that considers building step-backs and/or greater building setbacks.
In an effort to promote the redevelopment of tourist accommodations on Clearwater Beach, the amendments include increasing the permitted density for overnight accommodations from 40 to 50 units per acre. In addition, the former limit that no more than 20% of a buildings density could come from transferred development rights (TDR) would be eliminated. TDR's that are used to increase density over 40 units per acre would be limited to hotel development, and could not be converted to another use.
The CDB meets on Tuesday February 21st at 1PM in City Council Chambers, 112 South Osceola Avenue. Members of the public will be provided an opportunity to testify or comment on the proposed amendments to Beach by Design. The CDB acts in an advisory capacity in this matter, with the ultimate decisions made by the City Council. The first of two Council hearings is scheduled for March 2nd.