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Minutes 08-17-17 Town Square Architectural StyleMINUTES OF THE PUBLIC INPUT MEETING ON THE TOWN SQUARE - ARCHITECTURAL STYLES HELD ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017, AT 5:30 PM, AT THE BOYNTON BEACH CITY LIBRARY, PROGRAM ROOM 208 S. SEACREST BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Colin Groff, Assistant City Manager, welcomed all to the public input meeting and explained the City has been planning on developing this area for 20 years. Most buildings are 50 years old or more and it is time to replace them. The effort is a redevelopment project to create a vibrant downtown area for all to enjoy. There will be government buildings, and the Old High School will be restored and repurposed to a new civic building. The Police Station will be relocated to Gateway and High Ridge Road next to Fire Station No. 5. The third part of the project is a new city complex in the downtown area including a new City Hall and refurbished Library, bringing the Library into the 21St Century as an information/technology art center for residents and patrons to interact, learn and enjoy what Boynton Beach has to offer. A couple of parking garages will be constructed. Also included in the 16 -acre redevelopment will be parks, green spaces, an amphitheater, place for events, an active family area green space and refurbished area for kids to play in. The remaining land will be for private development. Mr. Groff explained the project will be funded by the money from new private development. The City partnered with a private developer to fund the City infrastructure without impacting residential taxes. The purpose of the meeting is to receive input on architectural styles in the downtown area. He introduced Wayne Dunkelberger, Baker Barrios Inc., Creative Director and the lead architect who would facilitate the meeting and his colleague "Cory." Mr. Groff announced the meeting was an interactive presentation and all should participate. Mr. Dunkelberger explained he will show images of different building styles to gauge the public's reaction, thereby providing him with direction of what style to design the buildings. He reviewed pictures of the Old High School and Schoolhouse Children's Museum which are the City's legacy sites and important features in the project. He advised the Old High School will be refurbished and both sites will be cleaned up. He pointed out the civic and public buildings in America have certain styles, which historically were Neoclassic, Mediterranean and Coastal styles. The three styles under consideration are some of the styles they have seen throughout Florida and in Boynton Beach. They wanted to present what they think would be appropriate for the current master plan. He first presented images of other city halls such as a converted historic, neoclassical high school in Key West. He advised this type of building has been around for years and in many people spaces. The traditional neoclassical is seen in many civic buildings and art museums. There are also deco and contemporary versions of neoclassical style Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 as well as a Mediterranean style. He commented it was hard to pick a Mizner building, but he presented a simplified Mediterranean style and pointed out they also have contemporary styles. The contemporary styles have the same forms, formats, textures and materials, but the building is retold in a modern sense. Coastal is another great style which ties back to Boynton Beach and many parts of Florida which feature porches, tin roofs and setbacks. The seaside version has a colonial influence. There is a coastal Florida style and a modern contemporary style which takes the forms of the classic Coastal style. Mr. Dunkleberger explained he would go back to the slides and take input on what they want. Susan Oyer, 140 SE 27th Way, did not favor neoclassical and thought slightly updated Mizner or "Mediterraneanesque" buildings may be appropriate. Moving further east could be Coastal. She noted the two schools are not Mizner buildings, but are Mediterraneanesque. She thought if there would be governmental buildings in the general vicinity, the design should be cohesive. She advised Mizner designed City Hall and she advocated for using the Mizner design as the foyer into the new City Hail, and then building up in a similar theme. If done, the City could say they have a Mizner City Hall. A man agreed with Ms. Oyer's comments. He thought architects need to be challenged to work within those parameters and be careful not to become like the Boynton Beach west of 95. He did not want to lose the City's identity and observed there are many mid- century modern buildings in the City that are original. If he had to mix two styles, it would be either mid -Century modern including the art deco aspects in the Old High School. Mr. Dunkleberger announced Commissioner Casello was present. Ms. Falco-Dicorrado advised she has a Mizner home and recently returned home from Georgia. She thought seeing vintage, old-world type buildings makes one want to relax and reflect, and gives a sense of family as it feels like home. She thought some Mediterranean feels like home. Mr. Dunkelberger explained when Mizner, created the term Mediterranean, he envisioned Mediterranean for this area. One woman pointed out the City is not Boca Raton and Boynton Beach does not need to have the same architecture. The City is a coastal town that started as a fishing town. She thought Mediterranean was hodge-podge and Boynton Beach needed more clarity. A mix of Mediterranean roof with a coastal feel may work. Neoclassical had nothing to do with the City and mid-century blends well with the coastal. 2 Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 Ron Silvario agreed with the prior speaker. Renovations have already started and he requested the designers keep new technology, materials and energy in mind. He noted Galaxy Elementary School was totally green. He strongly urged staying with the coastal feel because it blends into the neighboring buildings and technology is entering a new era. He endorsed green buildings. Mr. Groff explained they are trying to build as much green into the buildings as possible and staff was excited about including solar and energy savings features as part of the project. Barbara Ready thought if sacrificing density on Ocean Avenue, the Coastal style should be used. It is warm, inviting and reminiscent of other vacation cities where visitors can hang out and hear the music from the amphitheater from the street. She thought a blend of Mediterranean and Coastal should be used. Debby Lytle liked Coastal and thought Mediterranean and Mizner is classic but it is dated. She thought the City could push the boundaries and develop a coastal feel. She noted the City's branding is Breeze into Boynton. Brenda Williams, 337 NE 24th Avenue, asked for the geographical boundaries of the 16 acres and learned the north boundary was Boynton Beach Boulevard south to is SE 2nd Avenue. The west boundary was Seacrest Boulevard. The east boundary was SE 1 St Street. She asked about Ocean Avenue going down to the railroad and learned it is part of the overall downtown development, but from the Schoolhouse Children's Museum going east down to Federal Highway was not part of the Town Square project. It was part of an Overlay District and the CRA Master Pian which also has that type of architecture, Ms. Williams asked about the relocation of the Police Department to Gateway Boulevard and commented traffic is horrendous. She thought it was a hazardous location and asked if there would be an overpass for emergency vehicles because cars block three lanes there. She asked about a parking garage off the back of the Town Square project and private developers which she tried to visualize. Mr. Groff explained staff was trying to obtain feedback so they could design it and that was the purpose of the meeting. A Special City Commission meeting will be held on August 21St to provide the Commission with an update. Staff hoped to have a conceptual site plan ready by then. The Civic Center uses will move to the Old High School and its architectural style will remain because the City was trying to restore it. A woman asked if the fire station would be eliminated or replaced and learned it would be relocated and replaced with a new fire station. Dr. Stephanie Haden asked where the major services the public uses would be housed during the next five years of construction and learned the plans are not yet in place. It 9 Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 was explained the City's portion of the renovations is scheduled to be completed in 18 months and the City is using the aggressive schedule so they do not have to shut services down. The City will not close anything. They will offer services by constructing the new building first, moving the services there and then closing the old buildings. There may be a two to three month period when Fire Station No. 1 will report out of Fire Station No. 5. Dr. Hayden commented she came in late and only saw the Coastal styled buildings. Mr. Dunkelberger showed Dr. Hayden the various building styles. He explained part of his job is to take the input received and develop an architectural form for the City Hall and Library. Dr. Hayden asked which style is more economical. Mr. Dunkelberger responded each was the same depending on how detail is added. They receive a budget from the City or contractor and they design to any style within that budget. Mike Fitzpatrick was concerned about maximizing solar power and commented the buildings need a flat roof. He liked neoclassical noting the building would need a five- foot parapet or a mansard on a Mediterranean with a five-foot well, so when panels are installed, they are protected. The next time there is a hurricane the winds will pass over and there will not be so much debris. A man thought the building at Intracoastal Park was one of the best looking buildings in the area and it would fit with the development. He also favored keeping with the color scheme of the Library, nice and bright. One woman felt we are in the 21St century and thought the buildings should be modern and tasteful. She thought the City could have quaint shops and still be modern contemporary and unique. Boynton Beach is not Delray or Boca, and the City should stand out as unique. Kim Weiss explained the City has a burgeoning arts community and a lot of plans which should be reflected in the architecture. She likes eclectic, but thought it could not hurt to stretch their comfort zone to interject an artistic look as there is a lot going on with the sophistication level of this town. Mr. Dunkelberger explained art will be incorporated. Ginny Foot liked shade trees, impact glass, hurricane preparedness and more shade. A woman thought the design should maximize the land use because she has seen a one-story school built and then the school is outgrown. She asked if the City considered the life expectancy of the new buildings and if they would maximize space and build up. She also asked if there was a height limit. Mr. Groff explained the City planned for a 60 year time plan for growth. Technology will also grow and will help reduce the need for space. Judy Cloutier noted Boca followed a trend with Mizner that became dated. n Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 Yvonne Skovron asked what style the CRA projects along Ocean Avenue and east would be. Mr. Groff explained there is CRA Master Plan and Cultural District guidelines that have to be followed. There is a private development project in for review between the railroad tracks and SE 3rd Street that follows those guidelines, but they do not want the exact same architecture. It should be complementary to what will be constructed in the City's portion and they will help work on architectural guidelines throughout Ocean Avenue. She understood the Old High School will be renovated and the style would remain. She agreed the City needs its own identity and would like to see a combination of Coastal and Mediterranean as modern, but not Mediterranean because of the school. She likes to see things that standout which keeps it unique. Dr. Hayden liked Mediterranean or contemporary and suggested incorporating sustainability and greening into the architecture instead of plaster as that is where they are heading. Jeanne Heavilin commented Boynton Beach has been grappling with its identity with nautical and the marina. She thought it was time to sharpen the identity. She liked contemporary, but thought something to tie in with the Coastal and modern theme with shade was appropriate A man asked how large the buildings would be. Mr. Groff replied large was a relative term, He was aware 50,000 square feet would be needed for the City Hall. The Library would need about 50,000 square feet, and the new Civic Center in the Old High School would be about 28,000 square feet. He did not know about the private buildings. As plans develop, the information will be available and can be viewed. The man commented he saw sketches of five and six -storied buildings a few years ago. Mr. Groff explained there will be some height as density is needed, but not all the buildings will be tall. He hoped to have a better idea by Monday. They want to build something that will last for 60 to 70 years and staff is really thinking about the future and replacement. He pointed out when constructing a new building, they cannot use part of the old building and it was possible the entire Library may be replaced. Mr. Fitzpatrick referenced the Engineering East building at FAU, which is LEED platinum noting it still looks good and it has light shelves. Mr. Dunkelberger explained light shelves can be in any style, but it is a contemporary element to any design. Mr. Fitzpatrick thought those were the kinds of features to include for energy usage. Ms. Ready asked about color as many people like cool, ocean colors and agreed with Jeanne Heavilin. She would like to see blues and greens and whites which could also help with sustainability. She was not in favor of orange and terra cotta colors. Ms. Lytle noted the public was discussing one block with the Library and Civic Center. She commented the developers can do what they want with the private sector. Mr. Groff explained staff was seeking to come up with architectural styles that will be used for the 5 Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 used for the entire project and by private developments as there will be guidelines the developer will have to follow. The project is being paid for through private development as a public/private partnership so the City would not have to raise taxes. There are controls. The private developer is working with the City and is part of the development team. Tim Dalheim, 114 W. Ocean Avenue, commented regardless of the styles, he has concerns about lighting that affects the neighborhood, the setbacks and variances including height changes that will accompany the project. He wanted to know about buffering and how the parking lot will be buffered. He noted he has an unobstructed view of the moon and stars at night and wondered how the area will be lit. He asked if music from the amphitheater, Pirate Fest and other events will end at a certain time or be accelerated as it may be an issue for the surrounding neighbors. He commented there may be more bars or night clubs and they may have patios and live music. There is a big neighborhood around the six blocks. Mr. Groff responded the architects will work with the civil engineers because lighting and buffering are critical. He explained there are no nightclubs planned for the Town Square central area, but when there are events in the Town Square there may be some noise and the project is being designed so a lot of the noise is blocked by buildings. Sites are designed so noise cannot be heard inside the home. The City will consider all those issues and will do their best to protect the neighborhood. It was his experience in other parts of the country, that these projects help neighborhoods grow and become better neighborhoods. One woman liked Mediterranean contemporary and liked the building which was from a Town Square in California. It looked open, friendly and she liked the colors. Ramona Young agreed with the comment about the colors, as people stay calmer with light, soft colors and the Mediterranean contemporary should be within the parameters. She had seen buildings in Alexandria and Havana with open space where people gather and thought it was something to consider. It was definitely contemporary. Ron Silverio asked about the name of the project and learned it is currently called the Town Square, Boynton Beach. Dr. Hayden liked the color "moccasin" which was a faded hue of yellow, pale turquoise and the color honeydew. Michael Wilson liked the Mediterranean and Coastal styles and thought the contemporary and modern blends both. His main concern was most condo projects have used bold color schemes with reds and oranges, which he did not like. The area by Ocean and Federal Highway used orange and gray. Some of those projects have new owners and they are changing them to cooler coastal colors which he favored. Boynton also has also built to the curb and there is no setback on arterial or side N. Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 streets. With condominiums, they have no place to relax. He suggested there be open areas. He was aware there would be green areas and concert areas by City Hall, but he thought a plaza and/or fountain areas were needed. He thought downtown is where people congregate and tables can be set up where people can come and enjoy coming to Boynton and having some conversations. He thought developers do not like to design open areas, but more were needed. Mr. Dunkelberger explained part of the site plan is the open public realm which is a key feature of the plan. He thought Mr. Wilson would be happy with the plan. John Trach commented every great city with great walkability has wide boulevards, pedestrian areas, setbacks and shade trees. He referenced Delray Beach east of Swinton which has wide sidewalks, additional space to be able to sit and street -side parking. He noted Las Ventanas has no street -side parking and all retail is directly on the street. While there is a parking garage, Sweetwater patrons do not like to sit next to a busy street. He liked the Mediterranean contemporary style. It has six stories, but has tiers. Mr. Dunkelberger explained both the Coastal and Mediterranean styles have the step -back style. Mr. Groff invited all to attend the City Commission meeting on Monday night as the plan should be ready. The meeting, which will update the Commissioners, will be in the Library Program Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meeting will not be for public input, but it is open to the public. The architect will also review the site plan at the meeting. Ms. Foot understood the Police Department would be on Gateway and asked if there are plans for satellite police offices in the City. Mr. Groff explained the police currently use zone reporting. One satellite station is in Renaissance Commons and another on MLK and then one on Gateway. The Police Department is cramped for space. The High Ridge location is the public safety complex. Ms. Young complimented staff for the signs posted around the City and west of the City about the meeting. A request was made to have a sign language interpreter present. Mr. Groff advised these types of projects cannot take place without public input and the City is always willing to get input even by email. Ms. Oyer summarized her prior comments and requested recognizing the new City buildings should be sympathetic to historic buildings. Mizner buildings can look dated and she suggested other buildings have flat roofs instead of barrel the roofs. New buildings could be Mediterranean or contemporary Mediterraneanesque. Her family was one of the first families in Boynton Beach and her grandfather constructed many of the buildings in a Mediterraneanesque style. She liked having a front building attached to the new City Hall with a Mizner design so the City could say they are the only City in 7 Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 Florida to have two public access Mizner buildings. She agreed pretty ocean colors are needed. All the houses were white when she was growing up which reflected the light and she would love to see white reflective roofs and as many sustainable features as possible. She agreed pretty trees, such as Crepe Myrtle that Lake Worth and other cities planted, should be used and shade trees are needed along the sidewalk. She thought the City should go green as much as possible. Ms. Oyer was aware they want to put very tall buildings on Ocean Avenue and commented many residents do not want tall buildings. The CRA indicated a six to eight - story workforce housing building is planned for 20 feet away from the Schoolhouse Children's Museum. She wanted no more than two stories on Ocean Avenue and thought there needs to be a step back. The stair stepping looks nice, but it needs to be on Boynton Beach Boulevard as no one would oppose it there, but they would on Ocean Avenue. Ms. Oyer indicated she would send a photo of a parking garage with rainbow window panels that can serve as an art feature and it would give surrounding property owners something pretty to look at. Ms. Oyer agreed with Mr. Fitzpatrick's comments about the LEED certification and solar energy but pointed out LED lights keep people from sleeping so they should use what is healthiest for everyone. The City lost a mid-century building when they redesigned the post office and the only one left is the Civic Center. She thought, if changing styles, since a lot of people like the Coastal style, they use a bridge between Coastal and Mediterranean style as the development shifts further east. Mr. Dunkelberger commented it may be possible. She suggested viewing the tourist streets in Frankenmuth, Michigan and Pigeon Forge and reminded all the statute requires 2.5 acres of green space for every 1,000 people, so workforce housing by the Schoolhouse Children's Museum may not work. Ms. Lytle explained she visits other towns for festivals and events and Boynton Beach needs the open space. The more people that are brought to Boynton Beach, the more open space they need. Mr. Dunkelberger explained they have been working with programmable outdoor space and he thought she would be pleased with the site plan. She supported painting buildings on Woolbright and Federal white and gray because the brown is very dark. Make them white and gray will give extra energy. Candy Brugerman 713 SE 4st Street, commented there is a need for sidewalks on SE 1St Street. Mr. Groff explained all the streets within the project have to be rebuilt including 1s' Street and they will be made walkable streets. She liked the Mediterranean flowing into Coastal. Mr. Groff summarized the general opinion of architectural styles was more modern Mediterranean with a Coastal influence as a style, but not every building exactly the same. The attendees agreed by a show of hands. He advised the City received great input on the site plan which is still being worked on. The City has a great team working on the project and one of the best architects in the state. He was excited about hearing Meeting Minutes Town Square Public Input - Architectural Styles Boynton Beach, Florida August 17, 2017 the input. Mr. Dunkelberger summarized the color choices were to move away from darker colors and lighter sea and ocean colors and heard about sustainable projects. Ms. South announced one more meeting next week about Art in Public Places and next Tuesday is a community job fair. It is an all -day event with two different sessions. She commented last week's meeting was on YouTube, www.boynton-beach.org. It is on social media, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, # Town Square Boynton Beach. Mr. Dunkelberger announced he will be present on Monday night to provide more input on the site plan and he closed the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Catherine Cherry Minutes Specialist 9 A li �7a 2- q V Z 6. 6. . . ....... �- -Zei7�— i7 P:VL N ovounn Square I c-ty-hitoro ugei-,6�acn Co mtj 4- nents. 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