Editor's Note: The following was written by Florida Avenue resident Deborah Dugas who lives behind the proposed Hampton Inn & Suites on Flaglar Avenue and is opposed to it:
NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Florida Avenue resident Deborah Dugas, shown at right, is opposed to the proposed Hampton Inn & Suites.
Commissioners & Mayor (Adam) Barringer:
I will be out of town and unable to attend the final reading for the rezoning/hotel proposal at the next commission meeting. I really wanted to address some NEW issues as they appear in the Gladding Jackson report. The CRA paid thousands of dollars for this report and I cannot believe the commission is not addressing/discussing the issues and information in that report before passing the ordinance for the rezoning/hotel proposal on Flagler Avenue.
I would like to ask that you scan this summary of information I gathered from the report as it pertains to the communities needs as related to the rezoning/hotel proposal. I know you have seen the report, but it is so lengthy it is easy to read over some items.
The lists of likes/dislikes are from citizens' input. The recommendations are those made by Gladding Jackson.
Summary: 01 Neighborhood Character Likes: small town/beach town scale; quiet streets Dislikes: Height transitions
02 five main streets Likes: Stable Market; Historic/traditional main streets; SMALL TOWN locally owned social fabric Dislikes: Parking/access; NEIGHBORHOOD IMPACTS
05 Hospitality Likes: Riverview Hotel, no hotel on beach, condos on beach/family feel, (would like - "nice" hotel/bar/restaurant) Dislikes: Neighborhood compatibility issues; unsightly parking (need a place for EVENTS/wedding/graduations, etc.)
07 Redevelopment/reinvestment Likes: Interest in special hotel opportunities,several LARGE SITES AVAILABLE Dislikes: Parking constraints, CONCERNS ABOUT CHARACTER CHANGE NORTH CAUSEWAY DISTRICT Strengths: Less congested than the S. Causeway, located near Flagler Avenue commercial district (popular tourist area) Threats: No retail/services within the area Opportunities: Capitalize on the excellent Intracoastal waterway orientation, significant undeveloped LARGE parcels of land. FLAGLER AVENUE DISTRICT Strengths: Thriving retail distgrict, popular tourist destination, strong beach orientation, favorable surrounding residential areas Threats: Lack of parking for retail patrons, AREA FEELS CONGESTED, thin strip leaves little or no opportunity for significant development Opportunities: Creating parking solutions would help retail tenants, utilize pedestrian foot traffic to attract retail tenants. Recommendations: N. Causeway: Garden apartments, hotels & retail General Recommendations:
The 3 commercial areas should attempt to retain their existing retail mix while attracting new businesses that service local residents, workers, & tourists. Flagler Avenue Recommendations: Continue to reinforce Flagler Ave. niche as a resort & tourist destination, promote additional apparel stores, artr galleries, restaurant, special gift shops & unique shops, ENCOURAGE NEW APPROPRIATELY SIZED AND SCALED HOTELS.
I do not see how you can pass the ordinance for the Flagler Avenue rezoning/proposal considering the issues raised in this report. If you do, I feel that you are totally disregarding the citizens' input as well as the Gladding Jackson recommendations. No where in the report is this size/scale hotel recommended for the proposed site!
What a waste of money for that report!!
Respectfully,
Deborah Dugas