Board Update - Winter 2020 - DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USES
On January 30, 2020, Sam Gillespie and Erica Krygsman met with representatives of the Planning Department to discuss the growing pace of construction projects within the subdivision and the Association's desire to be more pro-active in the oversight of development in the subdivision. Of particular current concern are potential developments on or near the beach. Planning assured us that they fully support the view that beachfront properties, while currently zoned for Hotel/Tourism uses, should be restricted to low density development to remain in keeping with the residential character of the community. In addition, they reiterated support of the Association’s position that there should be no commercial uses of land within the subdivision except on those lots specifically designated for commercial use. They indicated that they will inform the Association of development proposals as they are submitted to Planning.
Planning strongly encouraged the Association to draft a "Development Manual" outlining its position on development standards for the subdivision. Toriano Williams of the Planning Department, a resident of Long Bay, offered to assist with this process. We are obtaining similar manuals for other communities on Provo and off-island and hope to have a draft manual for membership consideration at the Fall AGM. In addition to development guidelines, the manual would address how to deal with unfinished buildings and unauthorized lot clearings.
The proposed construction of the security facility at the entrance to the subdivision was met with enthusiastic support by Planning and an indication that they would facilitate the mutation of the additional land needed from the Blue Hills parcel adjacent to the road. In addition, Planning encouraged incorporating a substantive community identification sign into the security facility design, as well as improving lighting and even sidewalks on subdivision roads.
During the course of the discussion with Planning, they mentioned that the government had hired an outside urban planning firm, EDSA from Ft Lauderdale, to prepare a development plan for the entirety of Provo. We know that they have already been on island interviewing stakeholders and measuring traffic patterns. Planning agree to send them the Association's contact information and identify us as a stakeholder who should participate in the planning process. We have now written them, introducing the Association and providing background on the subdivision.
As a last item, we raised community concerns about beach front and ocean usage, specifically, kite board lessons and jet ski usage. We noted that the goal is not to eliminate these activities but to create a structure where they don't present safety hazards and nuisance issues for others wanting to enjoy the beach and water. We briefly discussed possibly zoning areas for specific activities and were advised that this is primarily the domain of DECR. In that regard, we have written DECR requesting a meeting and Planning has also written them supporting such a meeting. In the interim, we have also met with members of the kite board teaching community to discuss the situation with them as well.