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Redington Shores residents play ‘design a parking lot’
By WAYNE AYERS
Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 |
REDINGTON SHORES – Opposition to a municipal parking lot proposed for the old Town Hall property faded after residents were given the opportunity to participate in the lot’s design.
Neighbors had voiced strong objections to the idea when it was presented in October.
The Nov. 28 Board of Commissioners workshop meeting was turned over largely to a give and take session where residents and commission members worked together to develop aspects of the lot’s configuration and operation.
First off, the commission agreed to a plan by the residents to allow access to the lot from 178th Avenue only. The proposal originally had access points from 177th Terrace as well as 178th. Resident Bob Hebbel had feared that plan “would turn our residential street into a public access.”
An existing dumpster on the site, used for beach cleanup, will be enclosed and moved to the west side of the lot “away from convenient dumping,” Mayor Jody Armstrong said.
Resident Leslee Coppock had complained that the dumpster is currently being used by persons who “throw their crap next to it when it is locked.”
Armstrong said she had encountered a similar problem with a dumpster at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where she is chief operating officer.
“It helped a lot to get (the CMA dumpster) out of sight. Hopefully, the enclosure will accomplish that,” she said.
Vice Mayor Bert Adams urged the residents to contact the police department to report illegal dumping on the site.
“We would be calling every hour,” said Coppock.
The residents also sought to limit the number of spaces in the lot. Ken Smith said the beach area near the lot would not support the number of people accommodated by the spaces in the original design. He said the commission’s plan would turn the area “into a mini-public beach.”
Adams pointed out that the beach is already public, but the commission agreed to reduce the number of spaces to 21 and to landscape the remainder.
“Having green space is important,” Ed Coppock said.
Several residents asked about providing restroom facilities at the parking site.
“Without facilities, it’s going to be nuts. Some people have no qualms about walking on your property and using it as theirs,” one said. “Without restroom facilities, it’s going to get nasty,” Smith predicted.
Town building official Steve Andrews said restrooms located near the beach have to meet flood regulations, which makes them costly. He estimated installing approved facilities could add $100,000 to the project’s $40,000 cost.
The commission decided to forego that expense.
“Who’s allowed to use the lot?” Leslee Coppock wanted to know. A portion would be restricted to parking by permit available to residents only or employees of local businesses. The rest of the spaces would be public parking paid by meter boxes, Vice Mayor Adams proposed. That plan was agreeable to the residents.
After considerable discussion concerning hours of operation, an agreement was reached to close the lot at 10 p.m. Business employees may be allowed later hours. The original idea for the lot had been to accommodate local businesses, which had complained that their workers had few convenient places to park.
Landscaping of the area was a final consideration. The commission agreed to modify the original plan with plantings on both sides of a 4-foot green chain link fence.
The added landscaping would “soften the view of the fence,” Smith said. The lot will have a shell surface, rather than pavement.
The city will now develop a new plan for the parking lot, based on the residents’ input. Changes could likely be made once the lot is functioning, if conditions warrant.
“This is an evolving process, where we can make corrections as we go along,” Commissioner Bob Holthaus said.
Combined PZ and BOA board members appointed
In other business, the commission made appointments to a new town board, which combines the former Board of Adjustments and Planning and Zoning boards. The commission selected three prior Planning and Zoning Board members and two Board of Adjustment members.
The new board members are Tom Kapper (District 1), Sam Ireson (District 2), Jeanette De Marco (District 3), Fred Hajjar (District 4) and Bob Phillips (at-large).
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Article published on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007
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