Arts Overlay District reduced to exclude residential areas
New Smyrna Beach -- In a joint meeting between the city commission and the planning board tonight at city hall, the consensus was to consider 40 units per acre in the Canal Street area and including the North Causeway, in what is referred to as "infill" housing where dwellings could be added by building up several stories.
The Canal Street Historic District wants to add 150 housing units in addition to the 622 now there. Right now the city allows 18 units per acre, but the city officials at tonight's joint meeting saw 40 units per acre and building height capped at 5 or 6 stories. Planning Board Chairman Jason McGuirk, a candidate with no opposition so far for a seat on the commission in the 2012 elections, was asked by Mayor Adam Barringer at Tuesday's meeting for his perspective.
"It's a good question for me -- the number of the density is difficult to answer. I look at what Gail was looking at 35 units per acre," he said, referring to city planner Gail Henrikson.
"It's a good question for me -- the number of the density is difficult to answer. I look at what Gail was looking at 35 units per acre," he said, referring to city planner Gail Henrikson.
The mayor pointed out that he was told by Jay Pendergast that the downtown's population hasn't changed all that much in the past 50 years. And with between 35 and 40 units per acre that would result in 9,000-plus units of housing if the city were to completely rebuild the downtown, encompassing 270 acres, something neither Barringer nor Herikson said was realistic.
Jones said shopkeepers are looking to create a downtown that whenever the next downturn (in the economy) occurs, we're looking at a model that will protect our businesses so they will thrive without a subsidy."
By subsidy, she was referring to CRA grants. The CRA district, which includes Canal Street, the North Causeway, Flagler Avenue and part of Third Avenue is expected to sunset in 2015. City officials are considering asking Volusia County to approve a new CRA that would cover the U.S. 1 corridor and Canal.
"We're trying to continue the revitalization on Canal Street," Jones said.
"We're trying to continue the revitalization on Canal Street," Jones said.
In a related downtown issue, the joint group of officials said they heard the complaints from some residents in the downtown who are not in favor of an arts overlay district where artists could display their work and have leeway with signage.
Henrikson said her office had received a number of complaints from downtown residents who thought it covered too large an area in encroaching in the neighborhoods.
Joyce Hopkins, who lives on Riverside Drive, told the officials she doesn't want it where she lives. City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett said she "can't believe anyone would be against it."
Henrikson told Headline Surfer Hopkins was among three neighbors who called in voicing opposition.
Stretches of Mary Avenue, Murray Avenue and the north end of Riverside Drive near the North Causeway were eliminated.
With these changes, the overlay would be limited to commercial parts of the downtown. Beer sales would be loosened for events, including the 1,000-foot distance between drinking areas and the 300-foot distance from schools and churches.
The commission will hold a second hearing on the arts overlay on June 12. It was first introduced in February 2010, Henrikson said.