Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Master Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lake Placid council previews downtown master plan, discusses parking and forming ad hoc committee
Summary
Town staff displayed a draft downtown master plan and council members debated parking, walkability and potential design standards. Staff proposed an ad hoc committee and/or referring the topic to the Local Planning Agency to gather business and resident input; council asked staff to return with a framework.
Town staff presented a draft concept of a downtown master plan on April 20 and invited further public and business input before the full presentation by Central Florida Regional Planning at the council’s May meeting.
Charlotte Rodriguez summarized eight goals for the draft plan including establishing downtown identity, supporting cohesive high-quality design and development, strengthening downtown as a community gathering place, promoting economic vitality, improving walkability and connectivity, enhancing environmental stewardship and developing a master stormwater system.
Council members welcomed elements such as outdoor dining and activated storefronts but raised concerns about parking loss and the effect of streetscape changes on an older population that may find walking several blocks difficult. One council member urged caution about moving to parallel parking because it reduces capacity compared with angled parking.
Council and staff discussed creating an advisory group — either an ad hoc committee or relying on the Local Planning Agency (which follows sunshine requirements) — to solicit structured input from merchants and residents. Staff said they would draft a proposed structure and an agenda item for the next meeting so the council can decide whether to form a committee or send the work to the LPA.
Pam Fentress, during public comment, reminded the council of a prior CRA consultant report and urged prioritizing a $40,000,000 DEP grant related to town growth and utilities planning; staff said the DEP grant should remain a top priority and will be tracked.
