West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee

110 SE Watula Avenue Ocala Ocala, FL 34471 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory www.ocalafl.org Committee Minutes Thursday, March 17, 2022 3:00 PM 1. Call To Order and Roll Call Present Carolyn Adams Gorham Black III Barbara Brooks Vice Chairman Elgin Carelock Ruth Etta Reed Excused Chairman Reginald E. Landers Jr. Adam Lombardo Late Dwan Thomas 2. Proof of Publication The public notice for the West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee meeting was posted on March 4, 2022. 3. Approval of January 20, 2022 minutes (a) Attachments: West Ocala CRA minutes - 1.20.22 RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Barbara Brooks SECONDER: Carolyn Adams AYE: Adams, Black III, Brooks, Vice Chairman Carelock, and Reed EXCUSED: Chairman Landers, and Lombardo 4. Heritage Trail (a) Attachments: Mar 17 2022 agenda items CRA Manager Gus Gianikas said the Heritage Trail project is making steady progress. The City has completed the 10’ walkway through the center of the site from W. 9th Avenue to W. 11th Avenue; overhead lighting along the south side of the walkway; park furniture - benches, trash cans and bike racks; removal of hazardous and invasive trees along the rear property line; and clearing of overgrowth along the rear property line. Furthermore, the Heritage art panels, fencing along the rear lot line and historic district marker sign will be installed in the summer. After that work is complete canopy trees will be planted. Page 1 of 4 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 17, 2022 Mr. Black questioned if the fencing in the photo belongs to the property owner. Mr. Gianikas said the fencing belongs to the property owner. He noted the old fencing in the photo should be covered/hidden and suggested painting the fence dark green to blend in with the background. Mr. Black recommended the City reach out to the property owner regarding the fence. He expressed concern the art panels will look horrible against the existing fence. Ms. Brooks stated she previously suggested the City install a 6-foot vinyl fence along the property owners fencing. And expressed concern the art murals will not be properly represented on the trail. The fencing on the other side of the property is an eye sore, which the City does not have control over. She recommended the City install 6-foot vinyl fencing along the trail and asked if the City has enough space to install 6-foot vinyl fencing. Mr. Gianikas responded yes but a privacy fence was not the selected option. She further suggested installing a fence higher than the adjacent property owners’ fence. Ms. Reed asked what the cost is for one vinyl panel. Mr. Gianikas responded that a vinyl fence was not a prudent long-term option. A privacy fence of composite or cementitious material was determined to be much better in terms of long-term aesthetics, durability, and maintenance. Unfortunately, the cost for doing the entire 485 feet of the rear property line was $65,000. Therefore, the Committee choose to proceed with decorative aluminum picket type fencing, approximately $16,000. Mr. Gianikas commented the City will evaluate the landscape design after the heritage art panels are installed. The artist will present sketches of the panels to the Selection Committee on March 29, 2022. Ms. Brooks asked when the panels will be completed. Furthermore, she asked if the historic district sign will remain the same. Mr. Gianikas responded the artist requested an extension; however, he does not know the exact deadline. He noted the historic district sign will remain in the same location but will have a new design, which is the same as recently installed in the other historic districts. 5. Other project updates Mr. Gianikas commented Whitfield Jenkins called and requested the Committee discuss the project he talked about at the January meeting for the property located at 1749 West Silver Springs Boulevard. The buildings have been demolished; the property is 19,600 square feet; and was purchased by the City for future development. At the last meeting, Mr. Jenkins suggested developing the site into an office building with incubator businesses. Mr. Carelock expressed concern regarding ownership and maintenance of the property. Mr. Gianikas suggested selling the property to generate tax revenue. Vice Chairman Carelock discussed a local bank that specializes in developing condos with office space. He explained the condo ownership process and HOA property management. Ms. Brooks asked who would be utilizing the building. Mr. Carelock responded Mr. Jenkins recommended the following: GOCDC, NAACP and several non-profit organizations. Member Gorham Black noted workspaces are very successful. Page 2 of 4 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 17, 2022 Mr. Carelock suggested pursuing the condo concept to cover monthly costs through HOA property management. Member Brooks questioned if one individual must own the property, before it can be sold to individual entities. She expressed concern having more than one owner can cause problems in the future. Mr. Carelock explained the property can have multiple owners who share ownership. Mr. Carelock asked if the City would like to own the property. Mr. Gianikas explained the City wants to encourage development and generate a return on investment (tax revenue). The City would like to see the property be developed. Ms. Brooks asked if the City has a list of individuals interested in the property. Mr. Gianikas responded not at this time. To successfully develop the property, the City would need a business plan with the following: bank (financing), builder/developer and property manager. Mr. Black explained the importance of having a business plan ready before presenting an idea to the Committee. He suggested waiting until the City has a developer interested in the property. Mr. Carelock noted the City does not have a business plan or investor at this time to pursue the project any further. Ms. Brooks suggested not pursuing the project any further until there is a business plan in place. She asked if there are any investors interested in the property. Mr. Carelock explained Mr. Jenkins did not present any investors interested in developing the property. Ms. Brooks suggested the City post “No Trespassing” signs on the vacant property. She expressed concern the property might become an eyesore in the community if the area is not properly maintained. Mr. Carelock commented he will reach out to Mr. Jenkins to discuss the project further. He anticipates the project will cost $7 million, to building a 5,000 square foot building. Mr. Black asked if the vacant property has been marketed to the public. Mr. Gianikas responded no. Mr. Black suggested the City advertise the property to attract developers. Mr. Carelock suggested the project be further discussed to determine future ownership, investor incentives and project timeline. Mr. Gianikas stated the City could start by advertising the property with a Request for Proposal (RFP). Mr. Carelock commented the location of the property is very favorable. 6. Development & zoning cases update Mr. Gianikas reported on the following development projects: (1) the City received two proposals for housing construction on city owned lots. The two proposals met the City's minimum criteria and will be evaluated by the Negotiation Committee. Mr. Carelock will serve on the Negotiation Committees which will meet on March 23rd or 24th; (2) The Mary Sue Rich Center has been delayed due to soil stabilization and supply chain issues. The grand opening of the center is scheduled for December 2022; (3) The City is still working on obtaining clear title Page 3 of 4 West Ocala Redevelopment Advisory Committee Minutes March 17, 2022 for one of the Tucker Hill properties. The City has exhausted all resources to clear title on the property, such as publishing a notice in the paper; (4) the City is evaluating the Reed Place project before opening for public bidding; and (5) West Oak project is moving forward with multiple phases to be completed within a 10-year span. Mr. Carelock questioned what percentage of the project is considered single-family/multi-family. Mr. Gianikas responded that he didn’t know the percentages. Mr. Gianikas introduced two new City employees, Economic Development Specialist Roberto Ellis, and Planner I Divya Govindaraju. Mr. Ellis will be involved in redevelopment projects, primarily on City property and Ms. Govindaraju will work the grant program. Ms. Brooks asked if the new employees will be involved in Heritage Trail project. Mr. Gianikas responded that he will continue with the site development work, Cultural Arts will work on Heritage Art items, and the Parks & Recreation Department will be maintaining the site. Mr. Carelock requested an update on the Crystal Lake apartments. Mr. Gianikas said the apartments are being developed across from Capri Furniture off NW 27th Avenue and are privately owned. Mr. Gianikas discussed the Existing Lot of Record Ordinance. The City has many undersized platted single-family lots that could not meet the new code regulations. Furthermore, the City will revise the regulations to allow development of smaller lots. Ms. Brooks asked if an individual could build on a .03 lot size. Mr. Gianikas responded that is just a little over 1,000 square feet, so that is too small for a home. The minimum size that could be consider is a lot that is 40 feet wide and 100 feet deep which is about .1 acres. Ms. Reed asked if the City has rules for the use of tiny homes. She noted there are many tiny homes popping up around the community. She questioned why tiny homes are not being regulated by Code Enforcement. Mr. Gianikas responded he will look into this matter. 7. Other business Ms. Reed requested the City evaluate the tiny home problems and implement regulations for those types of uses. She questioned if permits are needed for tiny homes. Furthermore, she asked what is being built on 16th &18th Court. Mr. Gianikas responded he will follow-up. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Page 4 of 4