Page 23 - Commentator_Apr2018

GOVERNMENT LIAISON John Miller, 941-276-5570, jmiller941@embarqmail.com

City Council approved moving forward with development of a draft ordinance and regulations that would enable
development of applicable properties in the City Center zoning district to a maximum height of 84 feet. The current
standard is 50 feet. These developments must meet certain criteria for setbacks, open space and pedestrian amenities.
Additional mechanical equipment, including HVAC, or architectural features may add more height. This regulation is
supposed to only be applicable to a limited number of properties in City Center downtown. Once crafted, the ordinance
will be presented to City Council for further consideration prior to going before the Planning Commission, both of which
will include public input. PGICA will be following this process closely, providing our recommendations and will give notice
of public hearings and forums so residents can give their input.

Seawall repairs have started, but so far only three projects are completed, twenty are underway, with 395 yet to be
started. We have a way to go! More details of progress can be found on the City website www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/home
under Services and Canal Maintenance
www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/services/canal-maintenance/storm-related-seawall-failures.

The action taken by City Council on March 7 to repeal the ban on Medical Marijuana Treatment Center Dispensing
Facilities allows staff to now move forward with the necessary zoning amendments to permit the use within the city limits.
State law provides that a municipality may determine by ordinance, the criteria for the location of and other permitting
requirements that do not conflict with state law. The zoning amendment public hearing process will take three to four
months.

The City design team is refining the Gilchrist Park Phase II site plan to include Harborwalk widening, diagonal parking
along Retta Esplanade, off street parking areas, lighting improvements at the tennis and pickleball courts and basketball
court renovations. As previously stated in prior reports, there are no plans to eliminate the basketball courts nor are there
plans for a restaurant in the location where the Bayfront Center/Boat Club exist. The City will be securing the services of
an urban planning firm to take information gleaned from the TEAM Punta Gorda Gilchrist Park Activity Center report and
undertake a planning process that offers options for how such an activity center in the area might look within the park
environment.

Following are recent updates on other City and private projects:
 The City unveiled its new residential garbage cart. The body color is sandstone and lid is brown. The carts will
be delivered beginning in mid-April and into May.
 The developer of the Assisted Living facility at Aqui Esta & Socorro is currently working on facilities in two other
communities. Once completed they will concentrate on the Punta Gorda property.
 There is no update available concerning the condominium development on Aqui Esta.
 The Army Corps of Engineers requested the City’s engineer consultant look at two alternatives to the preferred
route for the PGI alternate access cut through; thereby increasing permit review timeframe. In addition, City is
still waiting to hear from preferred route property owner regarding final terms for land purchase.
 The History Park Community Garden is expanding by 11 new beds resulting in 22 new plots for next planting
season. City staff will complete the installation by August 1. The new plots will be available for next season on
September 1.

Finally, in case you didn’t know, the speed limit on Punta Gorda streets is 30 mph. To help us remember, the City will be
installing speed limit signs at key locations around PGI.

If you would like more detail concerning these projects or other city goings on, feel free to contact me or go to the City
website, www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us. It is a very informative and user-friendly website.

IN STITCHES Norma Angus 941-575-1049, Debbie Scholtes 941-347-7044

Love to relax, knit, and chat? Meet the members of the In Stitches Group, often known as the
Knitting Elves, and make some instant friends. If you had the opportunity to stroll Hector House
Plaza during the 2017 holiday season or were shopping at the Farmer’s Market, you would have
been treated to their work. Join the group on Wednesday mornings around 9:30 a.m. usually in
Room #5 at PGICA. Help make this year’s display bigger and brighter.

23 www.pgica.org