One of the recommendations of the North Beach Master Plan was to close Rue Vendome to traffic between 71st Street and Normandy Drive to create a public plaza around the Normandy fountain. Economic Development Director Jeff Oris told City Commissioners this week a plaza would enhance the Friday Nights at the Fountain programming and allow for outdoor café seating. “Restaurants are looking forward to it,” he said. “Most thought it was an interesting, visionary idea.”
Commissioners expressed some concerns about giving up the nine parking spaces on the street and agreed with Commissioner Michael Grieco’s suggestion for a three month “soft closure” to gauge the response and traffic impact. In the meantime, staff will proceed with a design for the area to be ready to implement if the soft closing goes well. Details.
In other Commission action, final approval was given to:
A Moratorium on detox centers, etc: While this 180 day moratorium covers a number of categories, it is most notable for its prohibition on the establishment of “residential detoxification centers” and “Adult Congregate Living Facilities” (ACLF). Last fall, the Planning Board upheld the Planning Director's denial for Normandy Living LLC to build and operate a detox center on a three-property area it acquired in Normandy Isle at 1904 Marseille Drive, 7100 Rue Granville, and 1950 Normandy Drive. The moratorium is retroactive to February 8, the date it was approved by the Commission on first reading. The temporary moratorium is intended to give the City time to draft regulations to cover the location and operation of these facilities. Details.
Conservation district moratorium: Demolition moratorium for the North Beach National Register Conservation District. Details.
Our previous coverage here.
Accessory uses: Short Term Rentals in the Collins Waterfront local historic district: This ordinance allows a temporary re-opening of the window for applications to operate short-term rentals in “contributing buildings” located south of West 24th Terrace in the Collins Waterfront Local Historic District. Due to confusion around an earlier window, Commissioner John Alemán put forth a recommendation to allow new applications between April 1 and September 30, 2017. Upon approval, the Commissioner asked City staff to ensure the community was informed of this new opportunity and the timeframe. Details.
Lincoln Road prohibited use amendment: Commissioners gave final approval to restrictions on check cashing stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, souvenir and t-shirt shops, tattoo studios, and fortune-tellers. (This only applies going forward, not for current operations.) Details.
Similar restrictions were approved for Ocean Drive and Ocean Terrace. Details.
public plaza for normandy isle?:
commissioners vote to test closure of rue vendome at 71st and normandy