CITY OF LABELLE  Cityof) LaBelle  MINUTES  City Commission Workshop Thursday, May 9, 2024, at 4:00 PM LaBelle Commission Chambers 481 West Hickpochee Avenue LaBelle, Florida 33935 CITY COMMISSION: Julie C. Wilkins., Mayor Dainel Akin, Commissioner Jackie Ratica, Commissioner Bobbie Spratt, Commissioner Hugo Vargas, Commissioner ADMINISTRATION: Lisa Awbrey, Acting Deputy City Clerk Derek Rooney, Esq., City Attorney Mitchell Wills, Superintendent PW    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY May 9, 2024  Page 2 of4  MINUTES  A. CALLTO ORDER  The workshop was called to order by Mayor Wilkins at 4:01 PM. B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  Commissioner Vargas led thei invocation, Commissioner Ratica led the Pledge of Allegiance.  C. ROLLCALL PRESENT, Mayor Julie C. Wilkins Commissioner Dainel Akin Commissioner Jackie Ratica Commissioner Bobbie Spratt Commissioner. Hugo Vargas City Attorney Derek Rooney Acting Deputy City Clerk Lisa Awbrey 1. Downtown Business District  Alexis Crespo of RVi Planning announced that Patty Kulak has recently joined our team. Patty brings with her valuable experience from roles held at the City of Naples and Collier County. She joined our firm approximately two months ago and will be actively contributing to the Lavelle project alongside myself. Regrettably, Josephine, who has been an integral part of our team for the past two years, is bidding farewell as she pursues an opportunity with the Long Range Planning Department of Orange County in New York. Ms. Crespo advised our focus is on discussing the Downtown Calling District, which serves as both a future land use district within the comprehensive plan and a specific zoning district applicable to the downtown area. Since last November, we have engaged extensively with your Downtown Review Committee to address persistent issues primarily revolving around permitting challenges. These issues often arise due to developments that do not align with thei intended urban character, such as suburban-style projects like the Little Caesars development. Through these meetings, wel have identified instances where the application ofthe downtown code has encountered obstacles, particularly concerning setbacks and allowances for kiosks along thoroughfares. These challenges underscore the need to refine our implementation approach during this transitional growth phase, as we work towards Ms. Crespo advised we. have a clear vision for thei future, but it's crucial that we avoid new developments that deviate from our intended direction. In terms of densities and othér regulations, our current framework supports high-density projects, especially those adjacent to downtown, which has raised conçerns about maintaining appropriate density levels. Today, we. aim to revisit these aspects with you and seek your guidance on potential adjustments moving forward.  realizing our vision for downtown redevelopment.    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY May 9, 2024  Page 3 of4  Ms. Crespo gave al briefhistory of downtown revitalization and highlight key recommendations. She walked through these recommendations systematically to ensure During the presentation, Teresa Proverbs (LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation), who possesses deep architectural expertise, shared insights into various architectural styles, including defining "Old Florida" and other relevant themes. Ms. Crespo informed the commission that Ms. Proverbs contributions are invaluable as we shape the aesthetic and functional goals for downtown and possibly LaBelle as a whole. This information is pivotal for our collective understanding and warrants dedicated attention. Thel Downtown District, established in 2010 as a future land use category, aimed to rejuvenate our downtown areal by promoting higher density and urban design principles. Thisi includes minimal setbacks that encourage buildings to align closely with sidewalks, fostering a vibrant urban streetscape. Aj pattern book, commissioned by another consultant, further refined these concepts, culminating in a form-based land development code by 2015. Unlike traditional zoning districts with rigid front yard setbacks, the form-based code prioritizes placing buildings closer to the street, typically along thoroughfares, to enhance the urban fabric. This approach encourages the development ofi multi-story Additionally, there has been considerable interest in establishing a gas station within the downtown district, which may be forthcoming. The downtown area is delineated in orange on the future land use: map, primarily along Make and Bridge Streets, extending east to College Avenue and west to Missouri Avenue. Notably, there are sporadic blue parcels interspersed throughout the district, indicating publicly owned spaces such as Barron Park. Ar noticeable aspect is the transition from orange, indicating 18 units, to yellow, indicating 31 units per acre. In previous discussions, it was noted that these yellow areas historically permitted higher densities, mitigating the stark contrast from 18 units down to 3. This transition was more gradual, typically from 18 units to around 101 units per acre. However, recent adjustments to residential zoning resulted in a sharper contrast, as observed in the Beck PD on Call Street, where properties abutting downtown transitioned abruptly from Moving forward, it may be beneficial to aim for ai more balanced transition, possibly around 61 units per acre, as observed ini recent projects. This experience underscores the importance of ensuring smoother density transitions in future land use planning. Following these overview, Ms. Crespo transitions to a discussion of their findings, conclusions, and recommendations. This was followed by a question and answer session to  clarity and alignment with the city'si interest.  structures that contribute to an authentic urban environment.  approximately 18 units to 3 units per acre.  address any inquiries.    City Commission Workshop LIMITED CAPACITY May 9, 2024  Page 4 of4 4  ADJOURN  There being no further business to discuss, Mayor Wilkins adjourned the meeting at 4:491 PM.  Julie C. Wilkins., Mayor  GAE  -  ATTEST: Tijauna Warner, MMC, Deputy City Clerk