Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Plan
City of Cedar Key, Florida Introduction On December 14, 1999, the City Commission of the City of Cedar Key established a community redevelopment area [1], thereby taking the first step to developing a meaningful redevelopment strategy for Cedar Key. Pursuant to Chapter 163, Part III, Florida Statutes, the City Commission designated itself as the Cedar Key Redevelopment Agency (CKRA) and committed itself to the implementation of the Cedar Key Redevelopment Plan (the Redevelopment Plan). The Redevelopment Plan constitutes an important component of the city`s ongoing comprehensive planning process. This plan advances the community`s vision while simultaneously ensuring the economic feasibility of its implementation. Upon the adoption of the Redevelopment Plan, a trust fund will be established as a repository of funds to be expended solely for redevelopment purposes as described in the Redevelopment Plan. The purpose of the Redevelopment Plan is to document Cedar Key`s strategy for redevelopment and its expected use of tax increment funds that accrue to the redevelopment trust fund. As the needs of the community change, the CKRA may modify the Redevelopment Plan to reflect the community`s developing vision. The criteria set forth below represent the general expectations of the CKRA as it confronts the challenge of preserving the unique character of Cedar Key while improving its services and capital facilities. With the original funds generated by the redevelopment trust fund, the CKRA will develop one or more action plans setting forth the details of plans and programs designed to implement the objectives of this Redevelopment Plan. On February 21,2000, the Community Redevelopment Agency of Cedar Key held a public hearing to discuss the content of the Redevelopment Plan, and to receive comments and concerns from Cedar Key residents. As a result of this meeting, and in accordance with Section 163.362, Florida Statutes, the following represents the Cedar Key Community Redevelopment Plan.
Vision
It is the intent of this Community Redevelopment Plan to promote redevelopment that is consistent with and implements a shared vision for the City of Cedar Key. On February 21, 2000, a town meeting was held in Cedar Key to determine the community`s goals to be reflected in this redevelopment plan. In the course of discussion, many ideas and suggestions were expressed, but several reoccurring concerns were voiced. These concerns may be expressed as the following elements of a vision for Cedar Key: a. Preservation of Cedar Key as a working commercial fishing village and attractive tourist destination. b. Regulating growth so that it does not overwhelm the historic fishing village patterns of the City, nor the ways in which residents of the City have historically made a living from water-based activities, especially commercial fishing, aquaculture and tourism. c. Preserving the historic built environment of the City while improving the public infrastructure to promote 1he continued economically viable use of the City`s historic resources. d. Protecting the natural resources of Cedar Key and the surrounding waters in recognition of the importance of environmental quality to the commercial fishing, aquacultural and tourism industries.
This redevelopment plan shall be interpreted in a way that promotes this shared vision, and any action plans adopted to implement this plan shall be consistent with and promote this vision. Statutory Requirements
(1) Legal Description. See attached Exhibit A.
(2) Proposed Improvements. (a) Open Space and Street Layout.
Existing street layout is adequate for the needs of the community. There is a need, however, to increase the amount of designated open space and improve existing open space facilities to be more attractive and inviting for residents. The action plans should include provisions to make land available for the creation of "pocket parks" and other open space areas for recreation. Also, the action plan should undertake to improve the quality of existing open spaces and to adopt new areas to supply large and small open space areas for the recreation and aesthetic enjoyment by residents and visitors. (b) Type, size, height, number, and proposed use of buildings. The City of Cedar Key Land Development Code and zoning map set out the type, size, height, and allowable density and uses of buildings in Cedar Key. These provisions reflect the traditional development patterns and village character of the island. Action plans should include necessary provisions for protecting the unique character of Cedar Key, and may include either incentive-based provisions or regulatory requirements for the elimination of nonconforming uses and structures. "Chain" stores and restaurants should be discouraged in the historic downtown area. (c) Number of dwelling units. There are approximately 600 dwelling units in the City of Cedar Key. (d) Public Facilities and Improvements. (1) Fire Safety Administration and Improvements. The city lacks sufficient fire protection facilities, hydrants and water supply. Funds should be set aside for capital improvements necessary to ensure adequate fire protection and for ensuring that the city`s water supply will be sufficient and reliable in a fire emergency. (2) Stormwater Management Improvements. The stormwater management facilities in Cedar Key are inadequate
Only 20%-25% of the lands in the redevelopment area are fitted with adequate stormwater collection devices. As of the date of adoption of this Plan, the City is preparing a stormwater management master plan, consistent with the strategy set out in the city`s adopted Comprehensive Plan. Action plans should include plans for funding and designing additional stormwater facilities that may be needed in fur the redevelopment area. (2) Parking Program and Improvements. It is important that the action plans address the inadequacy of parking facilities to meet the demands created in the dock, downtown and marina areas by the large weekend and holiday influxes of visitors with passenger vehicles and boat trailers. Action plans should include a parking program to address the unmet parking demand in the marina, dock, and downtown area of the redevelopment district. Among the improvements that should be considered are width expansion of roads or the creation of one-way streets to allow additional on-street parking, expansion of the marina parking lot, establishment of a shuttle service, structured parking, and construction of additional docking and parking lots at alternative locations to redirect some of the downtown traffic. The impacts of parking improvements, including the impact on residential neighborhoods, the natural environment, and the character of Cedar Key, should be considered in light of any benefits anticipated by an alternative to the current parking scheme. (4) Streets and Sidewalks. There is a notable lack of sufficient sidewalk space in Cedar Key and city-planning staff estimates that only 4% of the streets in Cedar Key meet the current standards set forth in the Land Development Code. Action plans should include design standards and a funding schedule for upgrading the streets and sidewalks throughout the redevelopment area. These design standards may implement unique pedestrian traffic pathways, rather than traditional grid way patterns. Consideration should be given to conversion of Dock Street to a one way street, which would allow for increased sidewalk space, on-street parking, and space for loading and unloading of large trucks. Additionally, the Action Plan should consider the economic and administrative implications regarding improvement of county streets and sidewalks, which comprise approximately 80% of the transportation facilities in the redevelopment area. (3) Neighborhood Impact. Cedar Key has the character of a small town and economy still largely dependent on its commercial fishing, aquacultural and tourist industries. The action plan must strive to preserve and enhance the character of this unique community, by addressing the needs of the water-based industries, the local retail community in the historic downtown and Dock Street areas, and the historic residential neighborhoods. All provisions of the Action Plan must be consistent with the objectives set out in this Redevelopment Plan. a. Housing Relocation. It is not anticipated that any relocation of housing will be necessary to implement the objectives of this Redevelopment Plan. Actions plans should call for improvement or programs that require the relocation of housing.
b. Traffic Circulation and Right-of-Way Improvements. Redevelopment efforts undertaken by the CRA should improve the overall traffic conditions throughout the redevelopment area. Action plans will describe the specific steps necessary to improve traffic conditions with respect to parking, vehicle movement, sidewalks and streetscape improvements, and shall take into account weekend and holiday traffic peaks. Improvements shall be consistent with the City`s efforts to protect the integrity and livability of Cedar Key`s neighborhoods.
c. Environmental Quality.
Redevelopment efforts shall not threaten Cedar Key`s natural environment. Action plans shall ensure the integrity of the natural systems that currently thrive on Cedar
Key and in the waters surrounding it. All vegetative plantings called for by an action plan shall ensure that only plants native to the area are used.
d. Community Facilities and Services. It is the intent of this Redevelopment Plan that neighborhood facilities and services will be enhanced through improvements that are designed to protect the historic character and viability of Cedar Key`s neighborhoods. No large-scale redevelopment of neighborhoods is anticipated, but rather incremental improvements shall be planned and undertaken where needed to ensure the long-term health of the City`s neighborhoods. Such improvements may include the creation of pocket parks, the paving or re-paving of streets, the addition of or improvements to docking facilities, the addition or improvement of sidewalks, the alleviation of parking problems, increased police protection, and improvement of stormwater management facilities. (e) School Population. The redevelopment efforts called for by this Plan are not expected to have any direct effect on the school population in the City of Cedar Key. (f) Physical and Social Quality of Neighborhoods. The redevelopment activities proposed herein are intended to be beneficial to the physical and social quality of Cedar Key`s neighborhoods. Implementation of the shared vision for Cedar Key should protect the historic character and attractiveness of Cedar Key`s neighborhoods. No program shall be included in an action plan that would diminish the physical and social quality of Cedar Key`s neighborhoods.
(4) Capital Projects. Capital projects to be funded by the community redevelopment trust fund may include, but are not limited to the following: a. Construction and expansion of stormwater management facilities.
b. Creation and maintenance of pocket parks.
c. Improvement of sidewalks and other pedestrian facilities, especially on the "dock" area.
d. Improvement of streets throughout the redevelopment area.
e. Improvement of parking facilities, especially in the marina area.
f. Maintaining and improving docking facilities and other waterfront sites for commercial fishing and aquacultural activities.
g. Improvement of public safety facilities.
h. Rehabilitation of historic residential and com1nercial structures. (5) Implementation of Redevelopment Plan.
Implementation of this Redevelopment Plan will be accomplished through one or more action plans the preparation of which will be financed by tax increment funds accruing under the community redevelopment program. While this Redevelopment Plan sets out the general scope of the CKRA ` s redevelopment program, the action plans will be the tool for ensuring that the Redevelopment Plan is implemented and the community`s vision is realized. The action plans should include not only the specific projects to be undertaken by the CRA, but also a funding schedule to ensure their implementation. (6) Restrictions and Covenants. The redevelopment envisioned by this Plan should not require that any public lands to be sold or leased, and thus, there should not be a need for property restrictions or covenants. Should such restrictions or covenants become necessary, they may be provided for in the Action Plan. (7) Relocation of Housing.
As set forth above, the redevelopment called for by this Plan should not require the relocation of any housing. Should such relocation become necessary, it may be provided for in the Action Plan.
(8) Residential Use. The City planning staff estimates that approximately 5% of the housing stock of Cedar Key may be substandard. Tax increment funds may be used to address these deficiencies. The details of rehabilitation programs shall be set forth in the action plans. (9) Projected Costs. Costs associated with the redevelopment activities that are a pan of this Redevelopment Plan should be set out in the action plans. (10) Completion. The CKRA will complete all redevelopment activities financed with increment revenues no longer than thirty (30) years after the fiscal year in which the redevelopment plan is approved. Conclusion This Redevelopment Plan represents Cedar Key`s general plan for redevelopment and the expected use of funds that accrue to the tax increment redevelopment fund. This plan may be amended to reflect the changing needs of the Cedar Key community and shall be implemented through action plans, which will prioritize redevelopment projects and include a work schedule consistent with available funding. [1] Pursuant to Resolution No.194, the Cedar Key City Commission designated a redevelopment area contemporaneous with the corporate boundaries of the City of Cedar Key, as they existed at the time of adoption (December 14, 1999). | 