June 13, 2023

Community Redevelopment Agency

Regular Meeting

June 13, 2023

The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) of the City of Titusville, Florida met in regular session in the Council Chamber of City Hall, 555 South Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

 Call to Order/Determination of a Quorum

Chairperson Diesel called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Present were Chairperson Daniel Diesel, Vice-Chairperson Joe Robinson and Members Herman Cole, Jr. Col USAF Retired, Jo Lynn Nelson, Dr. Sarah Stoeckel and Greg Aker, Executive Director Scott Larese, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Attorney Richard Broome, and Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell were also present. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell completed the minutes of the meeting. Member Jim Ball was absent. 

Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance 

Chairperson Diesel asked for a moment of silence and then led the entire assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Sr. Administrative Assistant Emily Campbell read the procedure for public comment.

Approval of Minutes – 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, as submitted. Member Cole seconded the motion.

The motion carried unanimously. 

Special Recognitions and Presentations – None.

Old Business 

Titusville Architectural Design Guidelines Small Matching Grant Update – Executive Director Larese advised that the request was to accept the staff update on the Titusville Architectural Design Guidelines. 

At the May Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, staff provided a presentation on the proposed Titusville Architectural Design Guidelines grant project as requested by Member Ball at the CRA's April meeting. After the presentation, the CRA requested that an email notice with a link to the draft Design Guidelines was sent to property owners of historic properties for their input and an update on the status of the project be provided at the June CRA meeting. 

Second draft review comments from the Historic Preservation Board (HPB), staff, and from Member Ball were forwarded to the consultant, JMT on May 10th. Based on the review comments, JMT further amended the draft of the Guidelines. The final draft of the Guidelines included revisions to address Member Ball's comments. Per the grant agreement with the State, the project needed to be completed by June 30th. In the abundance of caution, staff requested a 30-day extension to allow for the HPB's review of the final draft version of the Design Guidelines.

At the June 5th meeting, the Historic Preservation Board accepted some of the recommendations that helped clarify the purpose of the design guidelines document, but declined others that appeared to be regulatory. The Board stated the guide was intended to be an education tool and not a regulatory document. The Board requested the document be submitted to the State Division of Historical Resources for review consistent with the requirements of the Small Matching Grant.

Community Development Director Brad Parrish stated that the City identified addresses for properties on the Local Register of Historic Places and owners of property inside the National Historic District and sent them an email notice with a link to the draft Design Guidelines. 

Community Development Director Brad Parrish stated that the grant funding was exhausted so if additional changes were needed, the Historic Preservation Board would have to consider using additional funds.

Toni Shifalo stated that her home was one of the Local Historic Designation structures in Titusville and she was in support of the Titusville Architectural Design Guidelines. Ms. Shifalo stated that it was very valuable to have a reference and a guide to preserve the historic structures in Titusville.  

New Business 

Revised site plan, construction phases and parking garage structure for the Horizon at Sand Point development – Executive Director Larese advised that the request was to approve the revised site plan, revised construction phases and revised parking garage structure for the Horizon at Sand Point development. 

The applicant, Ken Taylor of HSP, L.L.C., requested the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to approve the revised site plan, construction phases and garage structure for design review appropriateness and conformance to the Downtown Mixed Use (DMU) Zoning District and the Downtown Urban Design Manual for a proposed development known as Horizons at Sand Point. The development involved a mixed-use multi-story apartment – commercial/hotel complex to be developed in four (4) phases on 14.99 + acres within the DMU Zoning Uptown sub-district located at 300 N. Washington Avenue. The total area of the site increased .89 acres + with the acquisition of the former Sand Point Office Center property located northeast and adjacent to the original development site.

With the acquisition of the former Sand Point Office Center property and the elimination of private access easements on the property, the applicant was proposing to revise the approved site layout with a hotel proposed at the newly acquired property; revise the two (2) level parking structure to a six (6) level parking structure, add storm water retention areas to Phase 1; and reduce the driveway access to the south from two (2) points to one (1) point.

Redevelopment Planner Sue Williams stated that the CRA per Section 28-33 (b) of the Land Development Regulations was required to review and approve the revised site plan with recommendations from the Development Review Committee (DRC). The DRC was tasked with recommending to the CRA, based on whether the revisions to the approved site plan and the revised parking garage structure continue to adhere to the adopted DMU District Code and the Urban Design Manual; and conforms to the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. The DRC met on May 30, 2023 and recommended approval of the proposed revisions.

The applicant Woody Rice reviewed the changes that were made to the site plan. Mr. Rice stated that the additional property purchased had the rights to the 50-foot easement that went around the property and connected to Lemon Street and with these rights, they were able to significantly modify and improve the plans. Mr. Rice stated that the property now had an additional commercial site, a concealed parking garage and met the setback requirements. Mr. Rice stated that they started implementing Low Impact Development and added additional stormwater ponds. Mr. Rice stated that the north property was under contract with Marriot Spring Hills Suites to develop the property. 

Member Cole asked if there would be electric vehicle charging stations. Mr. Rice stated they would have them in the parking garage.

Stan Johnson stated that he was in support of Woody Rice working on this project because he lived in Titusville. Mr. Johnston stated that he preferred a low-rise City instead of a high-rise City.  

Ken Taylor, the developer of the project, stated that him and his partners were very excited about the project. Mr. Taylor stated that the franchise agreement with Marriot Spring Hills Suites stated that the hotel should be completed by March 2025 with the City’s participation. 

Motion: Member Nelson moved to approve the revised site plan, revised construction phases and revised parking garage structure for the Horizon at Sand Point development. Member Cole seconded the motion. The roll call vote was as followed:

                                    Member Aker                          Yes 

Member Cole                          Yes

Member Nelson                      Yes

Chairman Diesel                     Yes 

Vice-Chair Robinson              Yes

Member Stoeckel                    Yes 

The motion carried unanimously.

Petitions and Request from the Public Present

Aaron Lew stated that he recently purchased property in Downtown Titusville and his building along with others in downtown Titusville had drywood termites. Mr. Lew stated that he wanted to tent and fumigate the buildings to treat the termite infestation with the Community Redevelopment Agency grant, but the whole block would need to be treated not just his building to get rid of them.

City Attorney Broome stated that staff would advise the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) if there were any grants that applied to treating termites. 

Community Development Director Brad Parrish stated that the three CRA grants were the beautification grant program, interior building renovation incentive grant program, and a permit and impact fee incentive grant program. Staff reviewed the criteria and did not see where treating termites would meet the criteria of these grants. 

The Community Redevelopment Agency discussed the addition of a grant that would apply to treating termites or amending the current interior renovation grant to include treating termites. 

Mayor Diesel discussed teaming up with the private sector and possibly assisting with a grant.

Community Development Director Brad Parrish stated that the applicant could submit an application and if it was over a certain threshold, it was required to come before the Community Redevelopment Agency for their consideration and if they did not find it to be consistent with the grant criteria, the Community Redevelopment Agency could deny the application.

Stan Johnston discussed the sewage spill that occurred in December 2020, etc. Mr. Johnston stated that he put out signs to warn Titusville of the sewage spill. 

Executive Directors Report

Executive Director Larese submitted his written report and advised that all items were informational only. 

With no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.