Description
of Project
The City of Vero Beach is experiencing increasing
growth as more outsiders discover the community and
its amenities. Current residents would like to control
that growth and ensure that it is in keeping with the
City's existing character, especially in the beach area.
Vero Beach would like to preserve their low rise, low
density character and prevent building "to the extreme".
Specific issues brought before the Design Institute
include:
- Are there ways to control bulk other than floor
area ratio?
- Are there examples of zoning and ordinances that
are effective in restricting scale and intensity of
land use?
- What are ways to conserve open space and preservation
while still allowing for economic development?
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Design Institute Recommendations
The image and character that City officials and
citizens want for their community needs to be written
down and codified. The design experts recommended working
with one of the many strengths this community has -
its active citizenry - to encourage public input and
community participation in developing a shared vision
for future growth in the city. They went on to recommend
a series of public charettes be conducted (one for the
beach's downtown, one for the City's downtown, and one
for the residential neighborhoods). These charettes
could include a community image survey, where residents
can look at pictures of possible building types and
easily identify development that matches Vero's character
and identity. The next step would be to take that vision
for the community and compare it with existing land
development regulations to determine any inconsistencies
between the vision and the code. In addition the experts
recommended hiring a consultant to re-write the code
so that it mirrors the "low rise, low density" personality
of the city and to test the code before full adoption
to avoid unintended consequences. Once the code is completed
a pattern book of structures that meet building codes
should be created. |
Results
In an effort to develop
concise guidelines for future growth of residential
and commercial areas, the City of Vero Beach has instituted
a “visioning” process, which will protect
the built environment, while respecting the people's
right to improve their property and realize economic
benefits.
On
May 20, 2003 , the City Council approved hiring John
K. Shubin, of the Law Offices of Shubin & Bass,
P.A., to coordinate and oversee the visioning process.
Nineteen firms responded to the City’s national Request
for Qualifications to conduct the Visioning Process.
On October 23 and October 28, 2003 , the top nine firms
were interviewed. On November 4, 2003 , the top three
firms were selected and negotiations with the top ranked
firm began. On December 19, 2003 City Council
chose Gould, Evans, Goodman/Scott Palmer to conduct
the Visioning Process. Vision Team Members were formally
selected by City Council on January 15, 2004 . Members
of the Vision Team became a “sounding board” for thoughts
and ideas related to the development of the Vision for
Vero Beach .
The
first Vision Team meeting was held on February 10, 2004
in the City Council Chambers. Subsequent meetings
took place in April, May, June, July, and September
of 2004. All meetings of the Vision Team were open to
the public, and each meeting agenda included an opportunity
for public input. It is anticipated that the resulting
draft product will be completed in 2005. At which time
it will be provided to the City of Vero Beach City Council
for consideration.
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