While much attention is revolving around Imagine Clearwater, a planned redevelopment of the city’s downtown and waterfront, in recent months, a separate effort to rezone a major stretch of U.S. 19 is quietly moving forward. In fact, the same night (Feb. 2) the Clearwater City Council approved the Imagine Clearwater project, the U.S. 19 plan also met approval by council members. But Imagine Clearwater, a project that will affect about 50 acres along the city’s waterfront and reinvigorate the downtown sector, grabbed the headlines that night, says Denise Sanderson, director of economic development. “So we’re flying under the radar.” The newly adopted U.S. 19 plan affects approximately 4,000 parcels, says Lauren Matzke, a planning manager in the city’s long-range planning division, by creating a single zoning district with three sub-districts. Previously, there were 12 separate zoning districts. The new zoning and design standards put as-of-right development into place, making it easier for property owners to redevelop their land and build new projects. As-of-right development complies with all applicable zoning regulations and does not require any discretionary action by the city.
To read the full article, click here.