WELCOME January 22, 2014 Downtown Business & Entertainment District
A LITTLE HISTORY March 2012 - City adopts the Downtown Design Overlay District as part of the Comp Plan & LDC The new district was setup to develop less stringent regulations for lot coverage, setbacks, and uses. The District also aimed to promote a greater density and intensity. June 2012 - City adopts the CRA incentive grant programs The programs pay development fees, match private investment, and work to remove blight. The programs have contributed to $2.6 Million in private investment since their adoption.
MORE HISTORY September 2012 - City adopts a new CRA plan The Plan eliminated excess regulations and changed the focus of the CRA to new programs, projects and private investment. The Plan further focused on filling vacant buildings and retaining business. In 2012, the City expanded parking opportunities through public/private partnerships A new public parking lot is located on Brooks Street and is one of three the City is currently working on. December 2013 - City was awarded $4.6 Million for the design, construction and maintenance of a waterfront boardwalk, which has been planned for 15 years
PARTNERSHIPS Partnerships with local organizations have strengthened. The City works closely with the Downtown Merchants Association and the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce. Resulted in expedited permitting, event sponsorships, and an increase in activity in the District.
CURRENT PROJECTS Concerts in the Park Every Friday from May 2 nd through July 4 th U.S. 98 Pedestrian Improvements - FDOT permit received Public Parking Areas - Two public/private partnerships underway Joint Use Dumpsters on Brooks Street Contract award at January 28 th City Council meeting Supplemental Standards Ordinance for Certain Uses Protects the balance of businesses in the District Heritage Park & Cultural Center Archway & Parking Lot Improvements Under construction
EXISTING CHALLENGES Limited business activity during special events. No quantifiable noise regulations have presented conflicts with some outdoor activities. Current alcohol consumption regulations limit mobility and opportunities within the District. Parking and pedestrian issues.
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT Many other communities facing similar challenges have turned to Business and Entertainment Districts to solve the problem. And Many More..
WHERE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? PROPOSED DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Protect our identity as a City. Increase activity within the District. Incorporate existing businesses into special events. Increase walkability and mobility between businesses and events. Maintain a family friendly and age appropriate environment. Improve the quality of life and quality of place.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Protect our identity as a City. It is important to not lose sight of our identity in this process. Special events, such as the Billy Bowlegs Festival, Fourth of July and Musical Echoes, should all benefit from the new district. Increase activity within the District. The proposed regulations should help to promote more district wide and site specific events.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Incorporate existing businesses into special events. Developing street vending and open container regulations should allow businesses to be more involved in special events. Increase walkability between businesses and events. The District helps to create an environment where customers stay longer and move from business to business. Temporary road closures should improve walkability during special events.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Maintain a family friendly and age appropriate environment. Develop an event schedule that includes events for families. Improve the quality of life and quality of place. Adopt noise regulations that ensure the new activity has a limited impact on existing residents.
PROPOSED ORDINANCE The District Regulations propose: Noise control provisions District hours Street vendor permitting process Special event permitting process Temporary road closure process Open container regulation changes Alcohol consumption regulation changes
NOISE PROVISIONS The ordinance should set the decibels for appropriate times and days. Monday through Thursday 7:00 am to 11:59pm 12:00 am to 7:00am Friday through Sunday 7:00 am to 1:59 am 2:00 am to 7:00 am 80 dba 70 dba 80 dba 70 dba *Measurements at 100ft from source for more than 15 seconds per minute. *Permitted events such as festivals may be allowed to exceed ordinance noise levels.
DISTRICT HOURS The ordinance should set times for reduced regulations such as open containers alcohol consumption, concerts, street vendors and special events. Thursday 12:00 pm 11:00 pm Friday 12:00 pm 2:00 am Saturday 7:00 am 2:00 am
STREET VENDING The ordinance should develop a permitting process to allow businesses to acquire an annual license for street vending. This should allow current business to get outside of their establishment and take advantage of events and activities in the District. The permitting process should include a limited number of licenses. Hours of operation should be consistent with the District hours. Must be properly permitted.
PERMITTING & TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES Special event permitting process The ordinance should develop a permitting process for special events within the District. Temporary road closure process The ordinance should provide a process for requesting temporary road closures for certain types of events. This process is intended for events such as the 4 th of July, Billy Bowlegs, and New Year s.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION The ordinance should provide for reduced regulations on alcohol consumption in the District. This should allow each adult over the legal drinking age to carry one plastic cup (16oz or less) throughout the District during designated times. Alcohol consumed in this manner must be purchased inside the District. Special events may allow alcohol to be brought on site by permit. These exemptions should allow events at the park to allow a guest to bring a small personal cooler to the event. The ordinance could reduce the restriction on bars being located within 500 feet of any school.
KEYS TO SUCCESS Buy-in by property and business owners Extended business hours Businesses operating as a collective unit Continued support from the Downtown Merchants Association and the Chamber of Commerce Event marketing & advertisement
HOW WOULD WE MATCH UP? City Noise Alcohol Street Vendors/Pedicabs Pensacola, FL No Maximum in May move about with plastic Allowed by Annual District container ONLY during Permit approved special events by Permit Only Destin, FL Mobile, AL Fort Lauderdale Eustis, FL 70 decibels until 2 am on weekends and 10 pm on weekdays Not Addressed in Ordinance Expanded outdoor music hours to 12am on weekends and 10pm on weekdays Not Addressed in Ordinance May move about with plastic container within district any time May move about within district any time, except in City parks Waives distance separation requirement within district; May move about within district until 4:30 am May move about within district with plastic container Thur-Sat only By Permit Not Addressed in Ordinance N/A Fort Pierce, FL Must be unamplified Waives distance separation requirement within district By Annual Permit Oakland Park, 65 decibels Extends hours to 4 am Not Addressed in FL Ordinance N/A Other Key Aspects Do Not Allow Residential Within District; Focus On Walkability of Area Restricts Residential Uses in District N/A Outdoor vendor sales of alcoholic beverages Allows outdoor entertainment Thur-Sat until 12 am; Authorizes temporary Street Closures for Citysponsored events No Smoking at Outdoor Seating Areas Relaxes land use regulations; promotes outdoor dining
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION March 11, 2014 Proposed Ordinance for the Downtown Business & Entertainment District