The committee underscored the importance of substantial public engagement regarding the proposed changes to the Water Overlay District and the Imagine Cody River Landing project. A preliminary scope of services was presented by consultant Tammy Verana, outlining a visioning process that includes workshops to involve the community in the planning stages. These workshops, spread over three days, aim to foster community engagement, visioning, and information synthesis. Suggestions were made to simplify the workshop process to ensure greater accessibility for community members.

The committee debated the most effective methods for conveying the implications of proposed changes, such as increased building heights and density, to the public. While the idea of a walking tour was proposed, some members questioned its value, prompting alternative suggestions like employing virtual tools or visual representations. The need to update the comprehensive land use plan, with a special focus on the Waterfront District, was discussed, including aspects such as statutory requirements, preliminary ideas for flood policies, and a proposal to extend the planning horizon to 2040. The conversation revealed differing opinions on the level of detail and timing for the plan update, as well as which specific elements should be given priority.

The relationship between the community redevelopment plan and the comprehensive plan was another focal point. The committee examined how the redevelopment plan could affect water supply, transportation, and the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) plan. Timing and coordination of updates were considered, with the possibility of processing updates concurrently but with separate staff reports. The potential impact of large-scale development on infrastructure, especially water and sewage systems, prompted concerns about capacity and the need for city-county coordination on infrastructure upgrades. The committee also weighed the effects on water rates and the broader impact on the city’s image and environment.

Discussions revolved around the goals of the 2002 plan, which include enhancing the city’s economic focal point, improving its physical image, protecting the natural environment, allowing a variety of commercial uses, and improving internal compatibility and function. The importance of visual preferences in reflecting the community’s vision for the district was highlighted, with references to other districts such as Safety Harbor and Ybor City as potential sources of inspiration.

A partnership with a developer for the design and public review displays was contemplated. The committee debated inviting the developer to a meeting to discuss their plans and engagement visuals. Confusion arose regarding the future land use category and commercial mixed-use density, with discussions on the benefits of increasing building height restrictions for parking structures. The need for public understanding of the development vision and standards was acknowledged. The potential involvement of an architect or urban planner was mentioned, with plans to revise the project scope and schedule another meeting to continue discussions and potentially seek the developer’s input.