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Agenda 11-13-03Urban Design Guidelines - Outline Chapter I- Introduction A. Overview a. History of Boynton CRA b. History of Boynton LDR rewrite B. Objectives a. Assure long-term economic vitality of the downtown. b. Create a vibrant mixed-use downtown urban environment. c. Create an aesthetically pleasing and vibrant pedestrian oriented downtown. d. Provide improved visual and physical connectivity between downtown districts. e. Encourage the creation of exciting and inviting public urban spaces f. Develop an downtown urban character unique to Boynton Beach g. Provide interesting architectural design diversity within a continuity of urban design principals h. Provide safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing accommodations for vehicular access and parking. C. Relationship to Redevelopment Plans a. Summary of the four (4) downtown plan objectives: i. Ocean Avenue ii. Heart of Boynton iii. Boynton Beach Corridor iv. Federal Highway D. Relationship to Land Development Regulations a. Description of the current zoning setting b. Description of the PD rezoning opportunity c. Description Mixed-use sub-zones i. Sub-zones 1. MU-L (Mixed-use Low) 2. MU-MO (Mixed-use Moderate) 3. MU-ME (Mixed-use Medium) 4. MU-H (Mixed-use High) ii. Map of sub-zones iii. Chart of Dimensional Criteria E. Organization of the Guidelines a. Organized by Mixed-use sub-zones b. Design Criteria i. Site Design 1. Building Placement 2. Urban Open Space 3. Relationship to Adjacent Properties 4. Vehicular Circulation 5. Parking 6. Transit Relationships 7. Service, Refuse, Delivery ii. Building Design 1. Urban Context 2. Massing 3. Fagade 4. Street Level use 5. Service Chapter II- A. Site Design MU-L District (Mixed-Use: Low) a. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context b. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage c. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity d. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design e. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design f. Transit Relationships i. Location ii. Design iii. Amenities g. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Be Building Design a. Urban Context i. Existing Urban Context ii. Historical Context iii. Adjacent Facade Compatibility b. Massing i. Vertical Proportion ii. Horizontal Proportion c. Facade i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition d. Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface e. Service i. Location ii. Design '" S nig !11. cree n Chapter III- MU-MO District (Mixed-Use: Moderate) Site Design f. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context g. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage h. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity i. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design j. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design h. Transit Relationships A® i. Location ii. Design iii. Amenities Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Be Building Design a. Urban Context nl. b. Massing i. ii. f. Faqade Existing Urban Context Historical Context Adjacent Faqade Compatibility Vertical Proportion Horizontal Proportion i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface Service i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Chapter IV- Ae MU-ME District (Mixed-Use: Medium) Site Design a. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context b. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage c. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity d. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design e. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design f. Transit Relationships i. Location ii. Design iii. Amenities g. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Be Building Design a. Urban Context i. Existing Urban Context ii. Historical Context iii. Adjacent Faqade Compatibility b. Massing i. Vertical Proportion ii. Horizontal Proportion c. Faqade i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition d. Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface e. Service i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Chapter V- Ae MU-H District (Mixed-Use: High) Site Design a. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context b. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage c. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity d. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design e. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design f. Transit Relationships i. Location ii. Design iii. Amenities g. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Be Building Design a. Urban Context i. Existing Urban Context ii. Historical Context iii. Adjacent Faqade Compatibility b. Massing i. Vertical Proportion ii. Horizontal Proportion c. Faqade i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition d. Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface e. Service i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening m -=1 m Z 0 m z m Oz z m m -I m m m m m ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ m m m m m 0000 ZZZZ m ~m ~mu'J mz~ ITl 0 o 0 z c o Z z Z Z ~8 o~o Z C: m 0 ~ Urban Design Guidelines - Outline Chapter I- Introduction A. Overview a. History of Boynton CRA b. History of Boynton LDR rewrite B. Objectives a. Assure long-term economic vitality of the downtown. b. Create a vibrant mixed-use downtown urban environment. c. Create an aesthetically pleasing and vibrant pedestrian oriented downtown. d. Provide improved visual and physical cOnnectivity between downtown districts. e. Encourage the creation of exciting and inviting public urban spaces f. Develop an downtown urban character unique to Boynton Beach g. Provide interesting architectural design diversity within a continuity of urban design principals h. Provide safe, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing accommodations for vehicular access and parking. C. Relationship to Redevelopment Plans a. Summary of the four (4) downtown plan objectives: i. Ocean Avenue ii. Heart of Boynton iii. Boynton Beach Corridor iv. Federal Highway D. Relationship to Land Development Regulations a. Description of the current zoning setting b. Description of the PD rezoning opportunity c. Description Mixed-use sub-zones i. Sub-zones 1. MU-L (Mixed-use Low) 2. MU-MO (Mixed-use Moderate) 3. MU-ME (Mixed-use Medium) 4. MU-H (Mixed-use High) ii. Map of sub-zones iii. Chart of Dimensional Criteria E. Organization of the Guidelines a. Organized by Mixed-use sub-zones b. Design Criteria i. Site Design 1. Building Placement 2. Urban Open Space 3. Relationship to Adjacent Properties 4. Vehicular Circulation 5. Parking 6. Transit Relationships 7. Service, Refuse, Delivery ii. Building Design 1. Urban Context 2. Massing 3. Facade 4. Street Level use 5. Service Chapter II- A® MU-L District (Mixed-Use: Low) Site Design a. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context b. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage c. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity d. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design e. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design f. Transit Relationships i. Location ii. Design iii. Amenities g. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Be Building Design a. Urban Context i. Existing Urban Context ii. Historical Context iii. Adjacent Facrade Compatibility b. Massing i. Vertical Proportion ii. Horizontal Proportion c. Facade i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition d. Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface e. Service i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Chapter III- MU-MO District (Mixed-Use: Moderate) Site Design f. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context g. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage h. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity i. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design j. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design h. Transit Relationships Ae i. Location ii. Design · ' Amenities 111. i. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design '" S i in. creen ng Be Building Design a. Urban Context me b. Massing i. ii. f. Facade Existing Urban Context Historical Context Adjacent Facade Compatibility Vertical Proportion Horizontal Proportion i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface Service i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Chapter IV- Ao MU-ME District (Mixed-Use: Medium) Site Design a. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context b. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage c. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity d. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design e. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility iii. Design f. Transit Relationships i. Location ii. Design iii. Amenities g. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Be Building Design a. Urban Context i. Existing Urban Context ii. Historical Context iii. Adjacent Fagade Compatibility b. Massing i. Vertical Proportion ii. Horizontal Proportion c. Fac~ade i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition d. Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface e. Service i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Chapter V- Ao MU-H District (Mixed-Use: High) Site Design a. Building Placement i. Setbacks ii. Organization of Pedestrian Space iii. Surrounding Urban Context b. Urban Open Space i. Spatial Type and Location ii. Site Furnishings iii. Public Art iv. Landscape Planting v. Pavement Design vi. Signage c. Relationship to Adjacent Properties i. Barriers ii. Pedestrian Connectivity iii. Vehicular Connectivity d. Vehicular Circulation i. Access Points ii. Interior Circulation iii. Design e. Parking i. Types Location ii. Visibility '"Dig !11. eS n f. Transit Relationships i. Location ii. Design '" Amenities III. g. Service, Refuse, Delivery i. Location ii. Design iii. Screening Bo Building Design a. Urban Context i. Existing Urban Context ii. Historical Context iii. Adjacent Faqade Compatibility b. Massing i. Vertical Proportion ii. Horizontal Proportion c. Faqade i. Vertical Composition ii. Horizontal Composition d. Street Level Use i. Land Use Interface e. Service i. Location ii. Design '" Screening !11. ZZZZ 0000 t~ c~ I- c~ Z 0 Z u.I 0 '" _o~ [g,,, o w ~ w 0 Z uJ .,.I uJ UJ uJ Prepared for The City of Boynton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency November, 2003 TABLE OF CONTENTS Site Inventory Inventory Elements .............................................. 1 Land Use and Zoning .......................................... 2 Vacant Lots .......................................................... 4 Public Open Space Amenities ............................. 6 Transportation System ......................................... 8 Existing Building Conditions ............................... 11 Utilities ................................................................ 13 Existing Documentation ...................................... 14 Site Analysis Public Realm ...................................................... 19 Assets ...................................................... 19 Issues ...................................................... 21 Opportunities ........................................... 22 Private Realm ............................................... 24 Assets ...................................................... 24 Issues ...................................................... 24 Opportunities ........................................... 33 Goals and Objectives Redevelopment Administration .......................... 34 Economic Development. .................................... 37 Public Facilities And Services ............................ 38 Land Use And Development Regulations ..... 41 Transporatation and Land Use Plan Plan Content and Description ............................ 43 Plan Elements .................................................... 46 Private Realm .......................................... 46 Public Realm ........................................... 47 Urban Design. Public Realm ...................................................... 48 Boynton Beach Boulevard Streetscape..48 Greenway ................................................ 50 I 17 34 43 48 Private Realm .................................................... 50 Building Blocks ........................................ 51 Building Form .......................................... 52 II Site Inventory The existing condition inventory consists of several individual elements along Boynton Beach Boulevard between 1-95 and Seacrest. Inventory_ Elements: · Current Zoning · Vacant Lots · Public Open Space Amenities · Transportation System Bus Stops Curb Cuts Pedestrian Paths Center Lane Medians Traffic Signals. · Existing Building Conditions o Building Locations o Parking Lot Locations LOCATION MAP [.EGEND ~"~a~OYNTON BEACH BLVB CORRIDOR PLAN BOUNDARY BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD CORRIDOR PLAN .......... = PREPARED FOR THE CITY OF BOYNTON BEACH 0 250 500 1,0c~ COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ~-~ -- ,~ Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan I The majority of the uses along Boynton Beach Boulevard are non-residential. Although, the building form along the boulevard gives the appearance of single- fam- ily residential units, the majority of these units have been converted for medical use. The bulk of the single-family residential units in the study area are located north of the boulevard. Land Use and Zoning The boulevard consists of an array of land uses. The businesses in the area are both non-destination and destination based. The following are the types of business located within the Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan: · Restaurants, · Liquor store, · Grocery store, · Insurance companies, · Law offices, · Medical offices, · Salons and beauty supply, · Day care, · Gas station and auto supply stores, · Financial and communication based, · Cleaners, · Church, · United States Post Office and · Single-family residential. The majority of the uses along Boynton Beach Boulevard are non-residential. Although, the building form along the boulevard gives the appearance of single- fam- ily residential units, the majority of these units have been converted for medical use. The bulk of the single-family residential units in the study area are located north of the boulevard. The following map on the next page illustrates the currrent zoning. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 2 Figure I Current Zoning Map Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 3 The project area consists of four zoning classifications: Cl "Office Professional Commercial" C2 "Neighborhood Commercial" C3 "Community Commercial" RIA "Single-Family Residential" The largest zoning classification within the project area is C2" Neighborhood Commercial", with the second largest zoning classification being RI^" Single-Family Residential. Vacant Lots The project area has five vacant land parcels. Of the five vacant parcels throe of them are located along Boynton Beach Boulevard and the other two am located in the residential neighborhood north of Boynton Beach Boulevard. The following map on the next page illustrates the location of the vacant lots. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 4 Figure 2 Vacant Land Map Z Z Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 5 Public Open SDace Amenities There are no public open space amenities in the Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan area. The facilities are placed right outside their boundary. Barton Park, located at the northwest boundary, consists of playing fields and parking. The second ame- nity is Town Square, located at the southeast boundary. This is the location of city hall, children's museum, police headquarters, civic center and the library. This is both a recreational park and a gathering place for special events. The map on the follow- ing page illustrates the location of the public open space amenities. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 6 Figure 3 Public Open Space Amenities Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 7 Transoortation System The project area consists of two major arterials: Boynton Beach Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard. Boynton Beach Boulevard is a major east-west access road that connects the Central Business District and the Intracoastal Waterway to Interstate 95. The boulevard is a five-lane roadway, with four drive lanes and a center turning lane. There are two medians located along the boulevard. One is located at the western boundary near Interstate 95 and the other is located west of the intersection of Boynton Beach and 3r(] Ave. Both of these medians are landscaped with ground cover and shrubs. The median and center turning lane are approximately 11 feet wide with each drive lane approximately 12 feet wide. There are two unmarked bike lanes located to the extreme right of the roadway that are approximately 4 feet wide. Located to the right of each bike lane is a planting strip, approximately 3 feet wide and a sidewalk, approximately 5 feet wide. Seacrest Boulevard is a major north- south access road connecting other major roads, such as Gateway and Woolbright. Seacrest, like Boynton Beach Boulevard, is a five-lane roadway, four drive lanes and a center turning lane. The center turning lane and each drive lane are approximately 12 feet wide. There are two unmarked bike lanes located to the extreme right of the roadway that are approximately 4 feet wide. Located to the right of each bike lane is a planting strip, approximately 3 feet wide and a sidewalk, approximately 5 feet wide. Other roads that bisect Boynton Beach Boulevard are residential streets of approxi- mately thirty to forty feet wide, some with sidewalks and no bike lanes. Currently, Boynton Beach Boulevard has only two signalized intersections. The first one is located at Boynton Beach Boulevard and Seacrest and the other is located at Boynton Beach Boulevard and 1-95. The businesses along Boynton Beach Boulevard have their own access from the boulevard onto their property with their own parking facilities The City of Boynton Beach is served by Palm Tran, a countywide bus system. The bus system has 34 routes, 18 transfer locations, 4,100 bus stops, with seven-day service and a fare of $1.00. The study area is served with route 71 and 70. Route 71 goes east and west along Boynton Beach Boulevard with three stops located in the study area. Two of them are east bound and the other is west bound. Route 70 has two stops in the study area, located along Seacrest Boulevard, with one stop going north bound and the other going south bound. Route 71 connects Boynton Beach Boulevard to Tri-Rail, the Boynton Beach Mall and city hall, and Route 71 connects Lantana to Delray Beach. The Boynton Beach Transit Authority runs the Shopper Hopper program for seniors and others. The program provides transportation to area grocery stores, the mall, civic center, library and Ocean Front Park. The service is provided Tuesday through Saturday, the cost is fifty-cents for one-way or one dollar roundtrip. Passengers are restricted to only three packages. Commuters have the opportunity to use Tri-Rail, a commuter rail connecting West Palm Beach to Miami, with stops in between. The commuter rail runs seven-days, with differentiating weekday and weekend schedules. They provide connecting ser- vice to three international airports and free connecting bus service from the commut- er train stations. Service during the weekday is hourly during morning and evening commutes with infrequent service in the early morning and afternoon hours. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 8 Interstate 95 links Miami to Jackson and provides service to Palm County with 22 interchanges. Four of them are located within the City of Boynton Beach. One of the major exits from 1-95 is Boynton Beach Boulevard. This exit is located at the western boundary of our study area. The Florida Turnpike provides service to the western portion of the city and U.S. 1 provides service to the east end of our study area. There are also pedestrian and bicycles paths along Boynton Beach Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard. The sidewalks are five feet wide along both boulevards and buffered by a three-foot planting and utility strip. The bike lanes are located to the extreme right of the roadway on both sides and are four feet wide. The bikes lanes are not officially marked as bike lanes. The map on the following page illusrates the transportation systems. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 9 Figure 4 Transportation System 0 Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 10 Existing Building Conditions Currently, the buildings along Boynton Beach Boulevard are in decent condition; however some architectural elements, quality signage and landscaping are lacking. In some instanc- es signs are not maintained, there are too many signs placed on the building facade or the sig- nage located on the building fac,,ade dwarfs the building. The lack of architectural elements is made up of cornice treatments, door and win- dow size and placement, awning treatments, materials, colors, height, signage and landscap- ing. The residential building stock in the study area is both in good repair and disrepair varying on an individual basis. Currently, buildings along Boynton Beach Boulevard have parking both in the front and back of their buildings. The medical offices tend to have their parking located at the side or rear of their buildings, with the strip plazas and small commercial establishments parking placed in between the front of their building and the street. Many of the establishments along the boulevard do not have pedestrian access from the sidewalk to their front entrance. Pedestrians have to make their way through the parking lots and driveways. Each of the estab- lishments along the boulevard has their own driveway either from Boynton Beach Boulevard or the cross street that is bisecting their prop- erty. None of the buildings along the boulevard have shared parking or shared driveways. The Map on the following page illustrates the current building and parking lot placement. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 11 Figure 5 Existing Conditions Z z=zo 0 Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 12 Utilities Solid Waste The City of Boynton Beach Public Works Solid Waste Division provides solid waste pick up. Residential waste is picked up in city issued carts twice a week, with bulk trash and recycling picked up once a week. Commercial pickup and recycling, and roll over and compactor pick up is available. Sewer and Water The City of Boynton Beach provides water and wastewater treatment. Their eastern plant is located on Seacrest Boulevard and Woolbright Road produces and distrib- utes 19.2 million gallons of water daily to moro than 80,000 customers. A second facility produces 4 million gallons a day. Raw water is taken from underground and pumped into the water facility and made into drinking water. All the facilities in the study aro hooked up to this system. The City of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach jointly operate a sewage treatment facility. The facility runs out of Delray Beach and releases the treated water through an ocean outfall. All the facilities in the study aroa aro hooked up to this system. Storm Water The storm water along Boynton Beach Boulevard is maintained by the Florida Department of Transportation. The water collected in the storm water drains is released into the Intracoastal Waterway. The areas' capacity is sufficient at the time and flooding is not presently a problem. Electricity_ Florida Power and Light provides power to the City of Boynton Beach, its residents and commercial facilities. Florida Power and Light produces and receives power from nuclear, natural gas, oil, and coal power plants. The plants aro connected onto a transmission grid that sends power to substations that feed individual communities. Florida Power and Light pro-plans for future expansions due to redevelopment and development projects that force increased demands. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 13 Existing Documentation Heart of Bo,vnton: Master Plan and Schematic Desi(~ns Heart of Bo_vnton: Community_ Redevelo_oment Plan- The Heart of Boynton Master Plan study area is located north of Boynton Beach Boulevard. The master plan focuses on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Cherry Hill Public Housing and Boynton Terrace as three areas that need to change. Cherry Hill would be removed and replaced with single family residential. Boynton Terrace is under pressure to restructure its management and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. to be re-developed as a mixed-use center with commercial activities to occur at the intersections of Seacrest and Federal Highway. The plan notes that Seacrest should be redesigned to slow traffic and help reconnect the areas on either side of Seacrest. Other Issues focus on the need for more landscaping, lighting, sidewalks and bike paths to improve the appearance of the area, as well as making the area accessible by both the pedestrian and the car. The plan outlines the development of recreational areas: Palmetto Park Plan extension and the redevelopment of the Wilson center. The Master Plan and Schematic Design Plan outline the physical development of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Poinciana Heights (former Cherry Hill Public Housing) Sara Sims Park and Cemetery, the Wilson Center and the Public Works Site. This plan delineates how each area should physically look by providing key elements that should be included in their design such as, desired uses, setbacks, building types, architectural elements and landscape features. Bo_vnt0n Beach 20/20 Redevelopment Master Plan This plan guides the future development of key areas: Madna Area, Ocean District and Ocean Promenade, Old Town, Town Square, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Boynton Beach Blvd Gateway, Federal Highway and Neighborhood Revitalization. The plan outlines each area, defining is character, current conditions and the future development. The future development is guided through uses, signage, building form, parking areas, height, setbacks, and future anchors to define each area. Federal Highwa,v Corridor: Community_ Development Plan The plan breaks down the highway into five sections, with each section having its own vision for redevelopment. The two sections located at the city's northern and southern border would be developed with residential units to support the Central Business Distdct (CBD). The next two sections located between the CBD and the city border should be developed as gateways into the CBD with heights of 75 feet and no density requirements. These areas should be developed as mixed-use sectors, placing multi-story buildings along Federal Highway. The CBD section will have the highest height of 150 feet, with no density requirements. The CBD will be developed as a mixed-use sector with a variety of uses. This area should incorporate a new hotel and other pedestrian oriented uses. The plan also calls for design standards to be developed and implemented for the future development along Federal Highway. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 14 Community_ Redevelo_Dment Agency Briefing Booklet; The booklet discusses development that is underway or proposed in the CRA area. Central Businesses District and Ocean Area Redevelopment Briefing Signage orooosel$: Gateway sign, directional sign, Iocator sign, street sign SASME Museum and city park: Convert into multi-use and event area and incorporate it with the promenade that will be developed. Boynton Commons: Open public space at the end of the promenade: will have trolley drop off, dock area and educational exhibits. Riverwalk: Along Inter-coastal connecting the Mangrove Marina Village: 349 residential units, and retail space: underway Blue Lagoon Village: 320 residential units, and retail space: concept Arches: 276 residential units, with retail and office space: proposed Coastline Office Building: Office, retail: concept Ocean East: Phase 1: Lofts, town homes, retail; Phase 2: retail, commercial, condo: concept Fred and Joe's Rehab: Tire and auto center: proposed Ocean Plaza rehab: Retail: completed Federal Highway Corridor-South Redevelopment Briefing Grace Fellowship Church: Church, retail: underway Tuscany: 286 residential units: completed Coastal Bay Colony: 64 residential units: proposed Villa Del Sol: 312 residential units: completed Kensington Place: 17 residential units: underway Dakota Lofts: 19 residential units: proposed Boynton Beach Blvd. District Redevelopment Briefing Boynton Boundless Rehab Concept: Underway Li~_hthouse Academy and Child Development Center: Daycare: completed First Baptist Church: Church: proposed Federal Highway Corridor-North Redevelopment Briefing The Harbors: 51 residential units: underway Manatee Bay Apartments: 180 units: completed Murano Bay Town Home~: 20 units: underway Schnars Office Building: Retail and office: proposed Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 15 The Develooment Atlas of Boynton Beach, Florida This plan outlines demographic trends, housing developments, and commercial development of the city. The demographics show that sections west of I 95 have grown faster from 1990 to 2000 then the eastern side of I 95. The other demograph- ics depict population growth and change, race, income distribution, household size, and median age. Housing and Residential Development shows housing stock, occupancy, and tenure from 1990 to 2000. Housing Occupancy and Tenure have increase over the ten-year period and the increase in permits have rocketed upward in 2001 from previous years in the multi-family housing stock. Boynton has seen a huge increase in residential development form 2000 to 2001. Most of the growth has occurred in the Northwest section of the city from 1990 to 2001. Some of the highest median values are located in the Southwest portion of the city. Commercial Development shows Boynton having small-based businesses with the majority of companies having less then 20 people. The majority of the city's residents are employed in the service and retail trade sector. The second largest employment sector is the finance, insurance and real estate industry. There has been a decline in retail and office development in 2001 due to the decline in the country's market. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 16 Site Analysis The purpose of the analysis is to determine the current issues along Boynton Beach Boulevard. The issues will determine how the Corridor Plan is approached. The analysis looks at the streetscape, which is the public realm and the buildings' physical characteristics which is the private realm. Boynton Beach Boulevard has a number of single-family residential units that have been converted into medical offices. There are also some small retail plazas, a gas station, and single family and multi family housing. In the corridor study area north and south of Boynton Beach Boulevard, the area consists of single-family residential units. The Boynton Beach Corridor is a major gateway into the City of Boynton Beach and is the first impression seen by a visitor entering the city. The boulevard leads to the Central Business District, the Marina and the Intracoastal Waterway. Presently, this area has no special gateway feature, no local heritage or any significance. The area does have a great opportunity to enhance its culture, history and marketability to become a focal point, creating synergy for the redevelopment of the whole city. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 17 Figure 6 Public Realm Analysis © Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 18 Public Realm Assets Circulation Network The location of 1-95 and U.S. 1 provides easy access to the corridor. This access gives ample access to the existing retail establishments and creates marketability for future retail endeavors. The network of existing streets and sidewalks provides access to recreation and open space, the Intracoastal Waterway, the Marina, the Atlantic Ocean, city hall, the police station, the library and the children's museum. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 19 Figure 7 Public Realm Analysis # Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 20 Issues Circulation Network A lack of controlled intersections contributes to additional poor connections for the pedestrian. The boulevard is five lanes wide and carries high volumes of traffic. There are only two signal lights, one at each end of the study area. A pedestrian must walk several blocks to cross at a signal. Since the existing medians along Boynton Boulevard are incomplete, they provide no traffic calming capabilities, as well as making connections from one side of the street to the other harder for the pedestrian. The medians should act as a "safe place" for the pedestrian crossing mid- block. Residents living behind Boynton Beach Boulevard to the north and south have poor access to Boynton Beach Boulevard by foot. Many of the cross streets have no sidewalks within the right of way for the pedestrian forcing the pedestrian to walk in the street to access Boynton Beach Boulevard. The bicycle lanes are not marked as bicycle lanes because they do not meet the width requirement as recommended by the Florida Department of Transportation. Landsca_oing The landscaping along Boynton Beach and Seacrest Boulevard provides no shade for the pedestrian or bicyclist, and does not create "room" along the boulevard or defined space. The landscaping that is in the medians is not well maintained and is inconsistent. This creates a visually unattractive scene. The utility poles along the planting strip limit what kind of landscaping can be installed. Large trees would grow into the lines; however, because of the width of Boynton Beach Boulevard, small trees would make less of an impact. Additionally, the poles appear to be large to the pedestrian and visually intrusive. The boulevard was designed around the automobile. The boulevard lacks any pedestrian amenities. There is a need for more pedestrian oriented amenities such as street lighting, benches, trash receptacles, bus shelters, bike racks and newsstands. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 21 Siqnage As noted in the recent signage project, there is a lack of way finding signage throughout the city. A plan is being developed by the Community Redevelopment Agency to address this. The sign design will be incorporated into the final Corridor Plan. Opportunities Circulation Network Create connections to the residential neighborhoods on the north and south side of Boynton Beach Boulevard. Define the pedestrian and non-motorized space from the car-oriented space. Landscaping Redesign the street to be aesthetically pleasing. Create a theme for the area and make it a safe place to be on foot or in an automobile. There is an opportunity to enhance the landscaping along the right-of- way and in the center turning lanes. Si_onag~ Create a gateway feature that welcomes residents and visitors into the City of Boynton Beach. Place directional signage for the pedestrian and driver so they can easily find their way around the city. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 22 Figure 8 Private Realm Analysis ,! Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 23 Private Realm Assets Land Use There is a church, hotel and post office in the corridor plan area. can be used as anchors to the redevelopment of. Boynton Beach Boulevard. They The location of the residential neighborhoods to the north and south of the boulevard help to support the retail establishments that are currently there, as well as support future retail. The corridor has not been intruded by "Big Box" retail. They tend to have large parking lots and blank facades, and require a large customer base. Siqnage Most of the businesses have signage attached to the far,,ade of their building. Only a few establishments have freestanding signs. Issues Land Use There is little variety of retail and commercial opportunities along Boynton Beach Boulevard. The "Cl Office Professional Commercial" use allows medical offices, medical support facilities, financial institutions, professional offices and business offices. These uses are the predominate uses along Boynton Beach Boulevard. The "C2 Neighborhood Commercial" is the largest zone along Boynton Beach Boulevard, but, under conditional use, allows the uses in "Cl" to be in "C2". The"C2" zone allows a variety of uses, which can be seen along Boynton Beach Boulevard such as gift shops, grocery stores, and convenience base retailers. The current zoning restricts lot coverage to 40% and requires rear, side and front setbacks. Most of the single- family homes have been converted into medical and business offices because the zoning allows this. However, the restrictions in the zoning code prohibit a developer from demolishing the home and replacing it with a larger building, which discourages redevelopment efforts. Under the current Land Development Regulations, several lots would have to be assembled in order to provide sufficient space for a more modern building. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 24 Figure 9 Private Realm Analysis Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 25 Site Planning Half of the properties along Boynton Beach Boulevard have parking lots along the front fac,,ade of the building. The buildings are setback from the front setback line. This does not help define space along the boulevard and creates an "openness" for the pedestrian. Rather than looking into shop windows, the pedestrian's view is to a parking area. The pedestrian believes that it takes longer to walk the same distance when buildings are spaced out and surrounded by parking. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 26 Figure 10 Private Realm Analysis Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 27 Architecture Currently, the buildings along the boulevard have no architectural significance, character or style. There are a wide variety of colors, exterior materials, roofing styles, window and door sizes, overhangs, cornice treatments and entrance locations. Buildings lack continuous setbacks, signage, scale, proportion and rhythm. This is not an aesthetically pleasing experience for the viewer. Along the boulevard a large portion of the buildings are in fair and good condition. Two of the largest buildings along the corridor are the Holiday Inn and the United States Post Office. The buildings are out- dated and have no architectural significance. Renovation of the facades could improve the area. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 28 Figure 11 Private Realm Analysis Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 29 Every commercial establishment has their own landscape palette. There is no continuous repetition of plant materials and/or styles. Some establishments have minimal or no landscaping, and/or haphazardly placed landscaping. Traffic Circulation The parking lots and driveways create a lack of connection between the street and the front of the building for the pedestrian. The pedestrian has to walk through the parking lot to enter the building. There are very few properties along the boulevard that have defined paths for the pedestrians to access the buildings from the street. There is a lack of connection between neighboring properties due to the lack of sidewalks and the barriers that are put in place, such as the use of chain link fences and landscaped buffers. None of the properties are connected internally with each other. Each property has its own access onto Boynton Beach Boulevard and/or intersecting cross streets. This forces the driver to go back to Boynton Beach Boulevard to access other uses along the boulevard. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 30 Figure 12 Private Realm Analysis Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 31 Figure 13 Private Realm Analysis Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 32 Sianage Some of the buildings along Boynton Beach Boulevard use a large amount of signage. This takes away from the buildings' character and the character of the surrounding area. Opportunities Land Use The vacant parcels will provide for infill opportunities. Have we identified the number of vacant properties. Increase the density, and housing and retail opportunities. Architecture Over time, mandating similar scale, rhythm and proportion, and mandating signage regulations of new buildings can change the character of the architecture. Traffic CirculatiQn Traffic congestion and the parking burden of each individual property owner can be decreased by allowing shared parking and shared access. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 33 Goals and Objectives The Boynton Beach Corridor Plan established goals and objectives through meetings with the Boynton Beach CRA staff and a public workshop with citizens and merchants in the City of Boynton Beach in September 2003. Those goals and objectives are shown below. Redevelopment Administration Goal l Establish the administrative framework and financial mechanisms necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of the Boynton Beach Corridor Plan. Objectives 1. The CRA should oversee the implementation of the plan. 2. Tax increment revenues should be leveraged through grants, commercial loans or other financial mechanisms to expedite the completion of capital proj- ects. 3. Strategic objectives should be consistent with objectives contained in the City's comprehensive plan and should support all other economic develop- ment prerogatives. 4. The CRA should participate in the oversight of the planning process, develop the appropriate administrative policies, and streamline the permitting process to implement the Corddor Plan effectively. 5. The City and CRA should actively facilitate the expeditious approval of pri- vate development projects that further the goals and objectives of the Corridor Plan. 6. The community must develop a cooperative spirit among the various public and private leaders using their talents to instill renewed pride along the cor- ridor and throughout the city. 7. Use community leaders' talents to initiate desirable special events activities to develop and implement sound marketing and promotional strategies. 8. Formulate and review appropriate design guidelines and architectural stan- dards. 9. The CRA should promote effective communication with the residents and businesses throughout the community to garner public understanding and support. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 34 10. Local government should ensure the provision of suitable public informa- tion services concerning all aspects of the redevelopment program such as newspaper reporting, a more comprehensive city newsletter, advertisements, as well as speaking engagements at neighborhood and civic organization meetings. Redevelopment Policy Goal l Eliminate slum and blighted conditions, as defined by Florida Statute, in the Redevelopment Area that constitute an economic and social liability. Objectives 1. Eliminate dilapidated and unsafe structures through land acquisition and the demolition and removal of derelict structures where it is deemed appropri- ate. 2. Encourage the upgrading of existing substandard structures through enforcement of the City's housing and building codes and the provision of financial incentives for rehabilitation if possible. 3. Eliminate unsanitary and unsightly outside storage conditions through enforcement and revision of City zoning codes. 4. Eliminate unsanitary and unsightly dumpsters used for the storage and removal of solid waste through consolidation of service and the revision of contracts with waste management service providers, which designate sepa- rate service areas. 5. Eliminate nonconforming uses that detract from the character of the com- munity, hindering investment opportunities through negotiation, acquisition, exchange, transfer of development dghts, or any other available means in cooperation with property owners. 6. In cooperation with property owners, encourage the consolidation of small parcels of land into parcels of adequate size to accommodate new construc- tion encouraging stable growth in those areas deemed appropriate. 7. Through successful implementation of projects and programs as described in the Corridor Plan, increase the tax base to generate additional revenue for county and municipal services. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 35 Goal II Prevent the future occurrence of slum and blight. Objectives 1. Work with the planning staff, planning and zoning board, residents of the area, and the City Commission to upgrade the zoning classifications within the Corridor Area to encourage a high degree of design and development stan- dards for new construction and rehabilitation and to ensure that new devel- opment consists of appropriate land uses that will stabilize and enhance the area while, as closely as possible, representing the desires and interests of residents and property owners. 2. Work with area economic development organizations to formulate eco- nomic development strategies for the Corridor Area that will ensure future economic stability. 3. Eliminate conditions that decrease property values and reduce the tax base. 4. Create programs promoting development and rehabilitation of properties including financial or other economic incentives to facilitate new investment in the Corridor Area thereby increasing the tax base. Goal III Encourage the acquisition, demo#tion, and reuse of those properties, which, by virtue of their location, condition, or value no longer function at their highest potential economic use. Objectives 1. Identify and cooperate with those property owners within areas designated for potential redevelopment projects to assess their willingness to participate in those projects. 2. Encourage partnerships among the property owners, the private sector, and the public sector in order to implement proposed redevelopment projects that will achieve public goals. 3. Facilitate redevelopment transitions by developing appropriate relocation plans sensitive to the needs of those whose properties will undergo reuse activities. 4. Work creatively to provide incentives for private sector participation in redevelopment projects and programs. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 36 Goal IV Provide adequate oversight of future development proposals to ensure high standards of development that meet design criteria contained in the City code. Objectives 1. Create an overlay zoning district to incorporate urban design standards to improve community appearance, as established by the CRA. 2. Establish a process where CRA Board recommendations and/or approvals are requ?ed for new or altered development within the redevelopment dis- trict. Economic Develooment Goal l Establish a diverse, identifiable character for the City within the Corridor Area while promoting economic vitality through private sector investment. Objectives 1. Establish a partnership between the public sector and private sector for the purpose of understanding the mutual benefits of proposed redevelopment projects. 2. Identify existing opportunities for all sectors of the economy and work toward successful implementation of projects and programs while considering the needs of those currently located within the Corridor Area. 3. Improve the investment image of the Corddor Area and utilize selected public actions to stimulate private investment. 4. Make the Corridor Area competitive with major activity centers in nearby communities. 5. Expand the economic base of the Corridor Area retaining existing jobs while creating new diverse employment opportunities. 6. Create investment opportunities that will increase the tax base thereby generating additional revenues to finance actions that support public goals. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 37 Goal II Invigorate the business community and revitalize existing commercial properties. Objectives 1. Encourage neighborhood retail to support existing and future neighbor- hoods with attention given to redevelopment of existing retail parcels. 2. Develop strategies for public and private sector reinvestment in struggling commercial properties. 3. Promote economic development strategies that encourage patronage of local business thwarting economic leakage into surrounding areas enabling the retention and expansion of existing businesses. Goal III Market the Redevelonment Area as a maior destination noint Objectives 1. Promote the Corridor Area as it relates to the community's unique eco- nomic activities and market its assets. 2. Maximize marketing opportunities in conjunction with other promotional organizations in the region. 3. Project the image of the Corridor Area as a safe and exciting place to go while encouraging both business and family oriented patronage. 4. Promote the CorridorArea as a unique center of activities that include a full range of commercial, office, institutional, community, residential, and neigh- borhood service facilities. Public Facilities And Services Goal l Provide necessary public facilities at acceptable levels of service to accommodate existing needs as well as new demands as proposed development occurs within the Corridor Area. Objectives 1. Work with all appropriate government and private utilities to ensure the effi- cient provision of adequate services for future development including electric- ity, telecommunications, cable television, water, stormwater, sanitary sewer, gas, and solid waste. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 38 2. Develop a listing of all utility providers and their appropriate contacts to help facilitate expedient service for future land development projects. 3. Work with area utility providers to devise strategies to relocate overhead utility lines underground or to areas outside of immediate visibility, especially in conjunction with new development and redevelopment projects and at the same time respecting the location of residential areas behind the corridor. 4. Invest public resources in new pedestrian oriented street lighting systems, signage, gateway feature, trash receptacles, bike racks and other pedestrian amenities. 5. Incorporate a regional approach to stormwater management, working with regulatory agencies to develop creative solutions to problems that inhibit reha- bilitation and development of substandard sized properties. Goal II Plan and support a safe efficient traffic circulation system that provides sufficient access by all modes of transportation between activity centers within the Corridor Area and the balance of the community. Objectives 1. Work with FDOT to implement proposals contained in the CRA approved Boynton Beach Corridor Plan. 2. Employ access management strategies including reconfiguration of center medians, driveways and access conditions to 1-95. 3. Establish specific design criteria for parking and cross access on proper- ties located along Boynton Beach Boulevard. 4. Assess existing traffic patterns and pursue any automotive transportation improvements which may include access control, vacating of right of ways, redistribution of traffic, roadway realignment, directional changes in traffic flow, and other measures which will increase traffic carrying capacity and traveling convenience. 5. Create a parking system to support existing activities and increased demands as new development occurs in the Corridor Area, taking into con- sideration quantity, location, and design of such facilities. This may include creation of shared parking, public parking lots and/or garages or the formation of public/private partnerships for creation of additional parking. 6. Work with area-wide mass transit providers including Palm County Transit, Tri Rail, taxi services, and shuttles to encourage the expansion of an efficient mass transportation system. 7. Create a safe, secure, appealing, and efficient pedestrian system linking major activity centers, parking facilities, neighborhoods and other interchange Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 39 points. 8. Encourage pedestrian and bicycle pathways through the Corridor Area, appropriately designed and separated from auto circulation for safety purpos- es, to be used as positive tools to improve the area's environment in conjunc- tion with the use of landscaping and other visual treatments. 9. Prevent the creation of negative impacts upon pedestrian movement within the CRA. 10. Establish traffic calming devices to encourage walkability along the corridor and to decrease speeds. Goal III Establish pocket parks and beautification efforts to create an identifiable character for the Corridor Area that will reflect a pleasant, appealing atmosphere for working, shopping, touring, and residing in the Corridor Area. Objectives 1. Work with the City to, when appropriate, acquire land and develop pocket parks in the Corridor area. 2. Secure grant funding when possible to leverage tax increment revenues to accomplish stated goals. 3. Prepare landscaping, streetscaping, and lighting plans for the right of way and pocket parks to strengthen the character of the Corridor Area and create a theme for the area. 4. When undertaking streetscape improvements, new private construction and building rehabilitation, place utility lines out of the visual site line from the corridor. 5. Utilize a variety of beautification techniques to provide comfortable, pleas- ing, and healthful work, leisure, residential, and shopping environments. Goal IV Continue to provide for the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of the community, including the promotion of Community Policing efforts. Objectives 1. Work with the City Police and Fire Departments to implement neighbor- hood-based safety programs. 2. Incorporate accredited safe neighborhood design techniques for all public places and for proposed public/private co-venture redevelopment projects. 3. Assist the Police Department where possible in creating residential neigh- Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 40 borhood watch groups and business area watch groups. Land Use And Development Regulations Goal l Establish a land use pattern that reflects the Corridor Area as a total community of diversified interests and activities while promoting compatibility and harmonious land. use relationships. Objectives 1. Utilize all available public and private resources through the redevelop- ment process. 2. Implement land acquisition strategies to target sites for demolition and redevelopment to new improved land uses based on market opportunities ensuring consistency with objectives contained in the Corridor Plan. 3. Promote neighborhood oriented uses such as medical and professional offices, gas stations, neighborhood retail, tourism based retail, daycare, hotel and small postal center. 4. Formulate future land use strategies on the premise of sound market analysis and demographic research. 5. Implement land acquisition strategy to eliminate and prevent undesirable uses such as pawn shops, single-family homes, "Big Box" retail, main post office and adult oriented uses; and use incentives to promote redevelopment of properties to conforming uses. 6. Encourage the elimination of Iow-end retail, single family residential and strip plazas, while promoting construction of new mix use buildings. Goal II Encourage innovation in land planning and site development techniques. Objectives 1. Work with the local planning staff, zoning board, City and County Commissions, and the community to include Special Mixed-Use (SMU) along the Corridor. 2. Work with the planning and zoning staff in the development of performance standards to be used within the Corridor Area that will provide incentives and/ or bonuses for developer proposals that provide for creative design and ame- nities. 3. Achieve the on-site mixing of residential and commercial uses in appropri- ate locations. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 41 Legend Mixed Use Districts MU-MO MU-ME MU-L MU-H Major Roads ~U.io. ~ MU-ME MU-ME Planned Downtown Development (PDD) District Mixed Use Subdistricts I Miles ~11~ o 0 25 0.5 ! 4. Promote multi-story commercial/office/residential mixed-use development and multi-story office use developments. 5. Encourage parking to be placed in the rear or side yard. 6. Encourage shared access and parking facilities. 7. Promote pedestrian odented facades, building placement and orientation. Goal III Develop municipal zoning classifications in order to consolidate regulations into one consistent standard for development. Objectives 1. Create an overlay zoning district for the Corridor Area that will control objectionable land use and incorporate cross-access, parking, and setback requirements in support of recommendations contained in the CRA adopted Boynton Beach Corridor Plan. 2. Develop one consistent set of criteria for facades, and standard design guidelines to be applied toward development within the Corridor ,Area and establish programs that provide incentives for voluntary compliance with new construction and retrofitting of existing structures. 3. The City and CRA staff should be staunch advocates for the approval of development proposals that meet stated criteria and should actively participate in the permitting and site plan approval process to enable expedient service on the applicants' behalf. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 42 Transporatation and Land Use Plan Plan Content and Description The descriptive narrative of the Plan summarizes the general intent of the Redevelopment Program. It has been developed as a guideline for promoting the sound development and redevelopment of the properties in the corridor area. Opportunities for public improvements, redevelopment activities and proposed future land use composition are identified and graphically included in the Plan. The Plan was developed after analyzing the existing conditions in the corridor area relative to the community objectives expressed during the public involvement process. It must be understood that the plan will not happen all at once and it is likely that the elements of the Plan will not occur within the time sequence described herein. The Corridor Plan is intended to be a guiding document for local government actions designed to overcome deterrents to desired future growth and development in order to stimulate private investment. The Plan is not intended to be static. Over time, this Plan should be updated and revised based upon changes in the economy, relevant public concerns and opportunities associated with private development proposals. The Plan illustrates how the economic development strategies, and redevelopment program directives can be translated into a physical land use plan that accents natu- ral and cultural amenities while promoting quality growth and development. The Plan graphically and in general terms describes the required elements of a Community Redevelopment Plan as provided in Section 163.362 F.S. The most important aspects of the Plan are the following: 1. The Plan identifies the location of use and building types that should be incorporated along the redevelopment of the corridor. 2. The Plan provides a tool for the City and the CRA to promote economic development by showing prospective developers and investors what types of uses and building types are desired, thereby reducing the developer's risk and permitting hurdles when coming to the community. 3. The Plan is designed to take into account other proposed developments within the adjacent neighborhoods, thereby allowing the corridor to become a piece of the whole city. 4. The Plan supports desired economic development strategies, including: · The site redevelopment of the area where the United States Post Office is located. · The site/building redevelopment of the Holiday Inn. · Long-term redevelopment of the sites located between 1-95 and Seacrest Boulevard. 5. The Plan supports public development to act as a catalyst for private devel- opment to occur: · Enhancement of the current streetscape Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 43 · Traffic calming devices to encourage pedestrian movement through the area. · Gateway feature that becomes a symbol of the City of Boynton Beach. 6. The Plan allocates areas or desired development; · Support infill and redevelopment of vacant land. · Support current retail establishments and encourage expansion of retail options. · Provide affordable housing to residents. · Respect adjacent neighbors The Concept Plan contains descriptions of two types of projects and programs: pri- vate and public. Private projects are those that are funded solely by the private sector that address the private redevelopment of property along Boynton Beach Boulevard. The public projects are those that are funded solely by the public sector to address infrastructure needs such as roads, streetscape, parks and other municipal facili- ties. While it is assumed that the majority of future development will occur with no Agency involvement, the Plan also contains projects that provide opportunities for the public and private sector to work together toward mutually beneficial development activi- ties. The public and private sectors can bring different resources and capabilities to bear on projects that fulfill the objectives of the Corridor Plan but otherwise might be unsuccessful for vadous reasons. Public costs are undetermined at this time because the Agency's role in each will be defined through negotiation at the time of the proj- ect. Finally the Plan anticipates government actions to be undertaken by the City and/or the CRA for a variety of purposes. Regulatory actions may include revisions to the City's Comprehensive plan, land development regulations, and building codes. Land acquisition programs, such as land banking and property swapping, may be incor- porated in the redevelopment process to control prime development sites, thereby ensuring future development in a manner consistent with redevelopment objectives. Economic development and business improvement incentives will also be compo- nents of the redevelopment program. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 44 Figure 14 Transporation and Land Use Plan Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 45 Plan Elements Following is a description of the various elements contained in the Plan. Information is presented through a combination of text, graphic illustrations and photographs that refer to the general Transporation and Land Use Plan graphic. The Plan contains proposals for future land use, private sector development opportunities and recom- mended public investment in capital improvements. It is anticipated that commercial development will continue to occur along Boynton Beach Boulevard driven by location, growth and traffic. The deteriorating physical conditions along Boynton Beach Boulevard have a negative effect on the investment image and customer base. These two issues that are currently present are the force behind the Corridor Plan. Private Realm Currently, the building pattern has been individual parcels with individual develop- ments. The plan takes a long run approach by taking these parcels and combining them into larger parcels for development. This can be accomplished with the devel- oper or investor working with the CRA. The CRA can provide both the logistical and funding needs that the developer/or investor may need. The following is the plan for the building types along Boynton Beach Boulevard between the Holiday Inn and the United States Post Office on the south side of Boynton Beach Boulevard and Barton Park and the First Baptist Church on the north side of Boynton Beach Boulevard. Mixed Use Buildings The buildings will have retail and office along the first floor, with office and residential units above. The buildings would be restricted to forty feet. Parking would be placed in the rear of the building with parking access points being placed on the cross streets, rather than Boynton Beach Boulevard. Perpendicular street parking would be provided along the cross streets rather than along Boynton Beach Boulevard. For retail uses to function successfully some street parking needs to be provided. Holiday Inn Site This site would be retrofitted or redeveloped for hospitality use. The site would allow a mix of uses that compliment hospitality functions. If the current hotel is to remain, fa(;ade improvements should be considered, as well as improve- ments to landscaping, parking location and fencing. The buildings would be restricted to fourty to sixty feet. Parking would be placed in the rear of the building with parking access points being placed on the cross streets, rather than Boynton Beach Boulevard. United States Post Office This site would combine additional lots within the block. This would become an anchor for the redevelopment of Boynton Beach Boulevard and would compliment other planned mixed use developments that were mentioned in Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 46 the Heart of Boynton Plan. The buildings would be restricted to sixty feet. Parking would be placed in a parking structure located in the center of the building. Street parking would be provided along the cross streets rather than along Boynton Beach Boulevard. Uses would consist of retail and office along the first floor with office and resi- dential units above. Access points for parking would be placed along the cross streets rather than along Boynton Beach Boulevard. First Baptist Church Site This site is currently under redevelopment by First Baptist Church. Public Realm To encourage redevelopment of the corridor, the public sector would need to take an active approach for its redevelopment. This can start by creating an attractive area that would encourage private development. Streetsca_oe Planting the same species of trees along the boulevard, pedestrian oriented lighting, bike racks, benches were appropriate, pocket parks, widening of cur- rent sidewalks, and installation of a new traffic light. A Gateway feature should be located at the western end of the corridor area to serve as an identity for Boynton Beach. Furthermore, the city and the CRA need to provide physical connections into the surrounding neighborhoods and parks, by expanding the sidewalk and crosswalk network and the use of way finding signage. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 47 Urban Design Public Realm Boynton Beach Boulevard Streetscape Presently, the boulevard is designed to carry high volumes of traffic. There are four drive lanes and a center turning lane. The current lane widths are wider then needed for the posted speed limit. The lane width and the absence of traffic signals and traf- fic calming devices allows drivers to speed easily along Boynton Beach Boulevard, creating an unsafe pedestrian environment. The streetscape plan is designed to carry the same capacity of traffic as before, but at a safer and slower speed. The plan decreases the current travels lanes to ten feet, eliminates the bike lane and keeps the current center turning lane, but introduces a landscaped median. These amenities narrow the driving lane forcing cars to be closer to each other, thus slowing traffic speeds, as well as making the streets more pedestrian friendly. The bike lane was eliminated from Boynton Beach Boulevard to allow for parallel parking a_lDng both sides. The bike lane has been moved south of the boulevard to N.E. 1=~ Ave. The new location is more appealing for the bicyclist than Boynton Beach Boulevard. The boulevard has been heavily landscaped, to increase the aesthetics of the area for residents and visitors as well as to help form a space along the boulevard. The boulevard is one of the main streets leading visitors and residents into the City of Boynton Beach. Boynton Beach Boulevard is a direct connection from 1-95 to the Marina, the CBD, city hall and library, and future condo developments along the marina. Large trees and tree canopies provide needed shade and help create a space. When traveling along by car or foot, the trees help create these edges. The trees also act as a buffer for the pedestrian when walking along the boulevard. The trees act as a line of defense between the street and the sidewalk. The median acts as a traffic-calming device by narrowing the travel lanes down and controlling the location of left turns. The median is landscaped with trees, palms, shrubs and ground cover. Having an additional ten-foot setback from the ROW has increased the sidewalk width. Developers need to continue the same pavement patterns from the ROW into the ten-foot setback. Continuing the same sidewalk treatment from the ROW into the ten-foot setback will help create a connection along the whole boulevard. The sidewalk is landscaped with trees and palms, with shrubs and ground cover around their base. The sidewalk area includes trash bins, newspaper stands, and seating. The sidewalks from Boynton Beach Boulevard continue into the neighborhoods to the north and south of the boulevard. The sidewalks are narrower than they are along Boynton Beach Boulevard and have different lighting and pedestrian amenities along them. The sidewalk include pedestrian scale lighting. The lighting is between fifteen and twenty feet high from base to lamp, and can accommodate banners to advertise special events. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 48 Figure 15 Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 49 Figure 15 Streetscape Plan and Section A small neighborhood park is at the current vacant lot on NW 1st St. near Boynton Beach Boulevard. The park will be a green space to help attract people from the neighborhood to the boulevard and attract people from the boulevard into the neighborhood. The street width, parallel parking, pedestrian lighting, landscaped median, landscap- ing, and pedestrian amenities are carried along the whole corridor, from 1-95 to Federal Highway. These individual elements are the same spe- cies or material all along boulevard. This creates a physical connection along the boulevard by pulling the whole street together. Greenway South of Boynton Beach Boulevard along NE 1st Ave. is a continuous greenway. The greenway is sixty-feet wide from. edge of pavement on NE 1s~ Ave to the parking area. The greenway is heav- ily landscaped to create a buffer between the residential areas south of the boulevard from the higher density mixed- use buildings along Boynton Beach Boulevard. The buffer hides the parking area from the residential area, provides green space for residents and includes a bikeway and pedestrian path. The bikeway and pedestrian path continues through the whole greenway and is fifteen-feet wide. Pdvate Realm The current zoning along Boynton Beach Boulevard allows for typical suburban development to occur. Parking Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 50 is placed in front or on the side of the building and the building is placed in the rear of the lot. The new design allows for urban development to occur that creates a pedestrian environment and an aesthetically pleasing environment. Figure 16 Zoning Condition 100 Feet M~. Current Zoning Future Zoning Building Blocks Blocks along Boynton Beach Boulevard are categorized as Low-Density Blocks, except for the Hospitality and Post Office Blocks. The Hospitality and Post Office blocks are categorized as Medium-Density Blocks. Low-Density Blocks These blocks encourage building heights up to forty-feet. These buildings function as mixed-use buildings, the first floor is retail or office, and the upper floors are office or residential. Typical building depth is fifty-feet to meet current retail and residential standards. The buildings have a break in the center of the block to allow for pedes- trian access from parking areas to the storefronts along Boynton Beach Boulevard. Medium-Density Blocks These blocks encourage building heights between forty and sixty-feet. The Post Office Block functions as a mixed-use building, the first floor is retail or office, and the upj:ler floors are office or residential. The building facades that face along the NE 1° ~ Ave. sh.ould not exceed a height of forty-feet. The site is large enough to encourage a major anchor such as a, cinema, theater, junior department store, or art gallery. A pedestrian path through the site connects the residential area and Town Square area to Boynton Beach Boulevard. The Hospitality Block includes hotel rooms, retail, restaurant(s), banquet and confer- ence facilities. Parking for the hotel is placed closer to 1-95 and landscaped. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 51 Building Form The buildings ground floor includes large spans of glass. A minimum of 75% of the first floor should be transparent. Upper floors have a minimum of 40% transpar- ence. Awnings are encouraged along the first floor and store signs are fixed to the awnings front or between the top of the store front window and first floor cornice treatment. Buildings front and side setback (side setback along a cross street) are ten-feet from the ROW to encourage a pedestrian environment and to allow for outdoor seating. The current sidewalk treatment that is used in the ROW continues into the ten-foot setback. Additional setbacks are encouraged after the first or second floor of the building. The additional setback is a minimum of ten-feet to allow for outdoor bal- conies and to create buildings that are small in scale so they fit into the surrounding environment. Buildings are designed on a vertical plan, rather than a horizontal plan. Windows have a larger vertical dimension than horizontal. Buildings have a vertical transition or recession at a minimum of seventy-five feet. Parking areas are placed at the rear of the building or internally. Parking does not face Boynton Beach Boulevard unless it is unfeasible. If parking faces Boynton Beach Boulevard, it is buffered with landscaping. Landscaping includes shrubs, ground cover and trees. The landscaping is designed in such that the automobile is not noticeable to the driver or pedestrian passing the parking area Parking access points are placed on the cross streets, not Boynton Beach Boulevard. To do this effectively, the CRA and the City should work with developers to create shared parking areas. By having shared parking lots, there will be less demand for parking since different uses have different peak parking demands. Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 52 Figure 17 Typical Block Section and Plan Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 53 Figure 18 Typical Low Density Block Elevation and Plan Boynton Beach Boulevard Corridor Plan 54 figure 19 Medium Density Block-Post Office Site: View Towards South West Comer Beach Boulevard and Seacrest Boulevard Figure 20 Medium Desnity Block-Post Office Site Figure 21 Medium Density Block-Hospitality Site Boynton Beach Boulevard Corddor Plan 55