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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 5B_9/28/1989 ..Y•15 r , . ..,. VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA `,3' i' Post Office Box 3273 • 357 Tequesta Drive `- t v Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273 • (407) 575-6200 ; FAX: (407) 575-6203 .. VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE DESIGN CHARRETTE MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 1 1 , 1 9 8 9 I . OPENING REMARKS The Tequesta Downtown Development Task Force held the final presentation of their Design Charrette on September 11 , 1989 , at the Lighthouse Gallery, 373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta, Florida. The purpose of the Charrette was to examine, study and design a downtown Village Center , generally described as an area encompassing approximately 90 acres from the FEC Railroad on the west to U. S . Highway 1 on the east , from Bridge Road on the south to new road "Village Boulevard" on the north , plus additional Dorner land north of Village Boulevard. Village Planning Consultant , Jack Horniman, welcomed those in attendance and proceeded to explain the consumation of the Charrette, a five-day design symposium, to develop a downtown center for the Village of Tequesta. He pointed out the four main properties involved: the Lighthouse Plaza, the Tequesta Plaza, the Dorner property holdings along Dixie Highway and adjacent to Lighthouse Plaza, and the St . Jude ' s Church property. Some of this area of the Village has been suffering . Four of the major anchor tenants have relocated, fortunately only moving to other shopping centers in Tequesta. There is still a market here for major anchor stores . The Village Council established a Downtown Development Task Force to analyse the 90-acre area and make recommendations , develop a master plan for the downtown Village center and set up a Charrette, a five-day workshop and design symposium which began September 7 , 1989 . The first day of the workshop was devoted primarily to interviewing the Tequesta people; the Downtown Develpment Task Force, the four major property owners ; the Village staff; and the Charrette Design Team. Interviews with the Village Council were re-scheduled for a later time . The second day interviews were held with anyone who might be important to the process - anyone who might have input or potential effect on the downtown area. Officials of utilities and public services , the Florida Department of Transportation, environmentalists , the County road engineering staff, land owners , Downtown Development Task Force Charrette Meeting Minutes September 11 , 1989 Page 2 shopping center owners , members of the business community, were brought in . From that day until . September 11 , the Design Team worked intensely on creating a Master Plan for the new downtown Village Center in Tequesta. II . PRESENTATION OF MASTER PLAN. Mark Schimmenti , of Urban Design Studios , and the Image Network staff explained the Master Plan . Mr . Schimmenti explained that for the past five days a huge amount of data had been collected about Tequesta and its goals - the landholders ' plans for development ; the Task Force concepts of development in that area; the citizens ' and Village Council ' s ideas . The general consensus was that Tequesta wanted a downtown Village center in where they could live , work, play and a sense of neighborhoodliness in a downtown community in northern Palm Beach County. Tequesta has lots of suburbs , but no center. With present codes , the downtown center of Tequesta could become an asphalt jungle of high rises , with no sense desirable living space . Mixed uses are the key to a neighborhood type community. A computer imaged grid diagram was presented showing the two possible ways Tequesta could develop. Tequesta presently has a segregation of uses which are not always easily accessible . The alternative could be a neighborhood type setting with pedestrian walkways to previously hard-to-reach shopping areas . The program goals are to design the dead areas of the Village to become vibrant again with building types conducive to making attractive public space . Strategies that might work for a one-story building that is 600 feet long are : 1 ) break it down into understandable components, reorganized in such a way that it might be rented in smaller units as opposed to waiting for an anchor store to come in ; and/or, apply a much better layer of architecture along the front. In order to implement a good Master Plan, it is necessary to write concise, clear architectural standard codes and zoning codes to go with it. The sign for the Village of Tequesta - entrance to the Village - remains . Lighthouse Plaza could become the Lighthouse Cultural Center, with art schools , and a shaded walkway to the entrance . Downtown Development Task Force Charrette Meeting Minutes September 11 , 1989 Page 3 A new downtown City • Hall is conceived as a possibility for this location , with a fountain on Tequesta Drive . Village Boulevard can provide an east-west entry to the neighborhood type center with an expanded Post Office . Three neighborhoods were pictured: 1 ) A cultural center northwest of the old K-Mart, south of Village Boulevard, to include an auditorium-theatre , library, Lighthouse Gallery, and an outdoor amphitheatre ; 2 ) A civic center along Tequesta Drive, with some cultural studios in the vacated Winn-Dixie ; 3 ) and a suburban neighborhood, all being in easy walking distance of each other. The Plan has a system of networks : a religious center, a civic center, ' the center of the town , and the outlying suburban center, entries to the communities with each one being well marked, with defined arterial circulation (Church Street, Village Boulevard, Tequesta Drive ) , tying all the centers together. The new Master Plan has a network of green spaces , recreation areas , and natural elements that work its way throughout the entire Plan . The Plan also allows people to move from one area to another without crossing a sea of parking lots . Question and Answer Session Leslie Cook, Chairman of the Community Appearance Board, asked Mr . Schimmenti to reiterate what happens to the entrance of Tequesta Plaza. He responded that i.t pretty much stays intact in the Master Plan , except for the parting of the median and trees in the middle as defined by the two roads coming down to that point in the Master Plan . A citizen asked how the Master Plan interfaces with what exists now and what is proposed; it appears the FEC tracks cut everything off. Mr. Schimmenti responded: The tracks do cut everything off and that is why this area has been developed as a neighborhood. It ' s all tied together culturally. Those on the west side of the tracks have chosen a suburban lifestyle and understand they will have to get into their car to go somewhere. There is a difference between being in the suburbs and being in the urban center. John Giba was concerned that much walking would be required in this new development and felt inclement weather or age might restrict many carrying packages . Mr . Schimmenti replied that it is not a recommendation that everyone get rid of their cars , and that much parking had also been provided for, but it would not entail lots of driving to complete all of one' s tasks . Downtown Development Task Force Charrette Meeting Minutes September 11 , 1989 Page 4 Another citizen was concerned about what would happen to existing business on U. S . Highway 1 . Mr. Schimmenti felt they would not be too affected by the Master Plan, with the U. S . 1 market being a more regional market, and the new development more of a neighborhood market . Dr . Jacobs asked approximately how many residential units would be added to downtown Tequesta. Mr . Schimmenti explained there would be approximately 900 new units of housing with potential for over 2000 new citizens . Another citizen asked what would happen to existing cultural centers and the city hall when they become displaced? Mr . Schimmenti felt the displacement process would be gradual without leaving behind a blighted area. Police and possible Public Safety deparments could perhaps utilize the present Village Hall . A citizen asked how long this progressive plan would take . Mr . Schimmenti responded if there was one landowner, perhaps five years ; but with so many factors to consider, it was difficult to say. He felt the wisest place to start developing would be the civic center and defining that plaza. It doesn' t have to be built out to find if it' s going to work - it can be built in smaller increments . The Plan allows for a lot of flexibility. Another question posed was : Is there anything in the Master Plan that will help the Village to implement this plan, since the Town Council changes every two years . Mr. Schimmenti answered there are a number or ways to implement this Plan: 1 ) You can set up a special development agency; 2 ) Appoint someone to manage it ; 3 ) you can actually take the Charrette finished product and use it for a master plan, pass the resolutions and get the statewide and countywide permits that you need. It is easily packaged. If the citizens are behind the Master Plan, it will happen. III . CLOSING REMARKS Vice-Mayor Ed Howell stated that now we know the definition of the word Charrette , we understand its nature , and after five days of intensive work we surely have seen the function of a Charrette . The full impact of the findings of Image Network and the entire Charrette Team will take some time to be translated into reality. This will be the task, ultimately, of the Village Council , once the • Downtown Development Task Force Charrette Meeting Minutes September 11 , 1989 Page 5 Downtown Development Task Force is through analysing the Charrette presentation . But, the right mood has been created - much enthusiasm and positive input and visionary thinking from many people has taken place in a very short time . Vice-Mayor Howell thanked everyone on the behalf of Mayor Capretta who could not be here tonight on the outstanding job they had done . Specific thanks were extended toward Carlton Stoddard, Chairman, and the Downtown Development Task Force; Fay Schrecengost of Lighthouse Gallery; Joann Manganiello , Charrette Coordinator ; Jack Horniman and the Image Network team. All were thanked for their unrelenting work . All were invited to join in a social time after the close of the meeting . The meeting closed at 9 : 30 P. M . Respectfully submitted, Fran Bitters Recording Secretary DATE APPROVED: ATTEST: Bill C . Kascavelis Finance Director