CRESTVIEW — The Community Redevelopment Agency has unveiled its 2017 master plan, highlighting opportunities and recommendations to spur downtown revitalization.

The plan is a “long-term vision of possibilities for redevelopment and revitalization with some short-term recommendations,” David Haight, the project manager for its creation, said. 

Several key project recommendations highlighted in the master plan include an updated vision for the Crestview Junction, wayfinding signs throughout downtown and gateway enhancements.

CRESTVIEW JUNCTION

The Crestview Junction was originally introduced in the CRA’s 2015 master plan, but a new vision has brought it back into the conversation.

The CRA sees the opportunity to convert several vacant lots on Woodruff Avenue East, Brett Street North and Oakdale Avenue East into a park. This redeveloped area would connect the downtown district with Twin Hills Park. One portion of the park would be built into an outdoor amphitheater available as a public venue for events and gatherings.

Currently, Twin Hills and downtown are not directly connected. Linking the two would help increase the area’s walkability. The ability to walk or bike with ease through downtown is a necessity if mixed-use residential buildings are constructed downtown — a strong recommendation from Haight.

DOWNTOWN RESIDENTS

“With new residential development, walkability becomes more necessary for connecting residents within the central business district,” Haight said in his presentation to the CRA board.

The central business district struggles to draw commuters in its present state. A lack of residents reduces demand for retail, dining or other commercial entities in the area, according to Haight. Constructing residential buildings will help revitalize downtown.

“Today, downtown Crestview has been bypassed in many ways,” Haight said. This is the result of community gathering centers — library, farmer’s market, post office, YMCA, grocery stores — leaving downtown to relocate or close down.

The result is that traffic moves past downtown, without the need or reason to stop there.

TRAFFIC BYPASSING DOWNTOWN

The portion of Ferdon Boulevard that borders downtown moves about 38,500 vehicles each day, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Downtown streets, conversely, see 1,000 to 2,000 vehicles daily, depending on the road.

The CRA believes building wayfinding signage is a simple, first tactic to promoting the downtown area to commuters. These signs would feature the city crest and arrows directing people to area points of interest. Similar signs are seen in downtown and historic districts across the country.

Similarly, gateway arches can be constructed to signify the entrance to downtown.

Other recommendations in the plan include developing bike paths, enhancing existing parks, hosting downtown cultural events and enforcement of city regulations.

MAKING IT HAPPEN

The master plan presents no target timelines for projects and lacks detailed plans on how to accomplish its recommendations.

“The next step [for the city] will be identifying what projects it will pursue,” CRA Director Brenda Smith said. However, there is no indication on when such decisions could be made, if at all.

The plan also aims to engage Crestview residents to help spur growth and revitalization in the community.

“The real catalyst for future improvements will be committed groups of citizens willing to jump start these new initiatives,” Haight said. ”All of the physical improvements that development and infrastructure can provide cannot substitute for energy provided by the community.”

The 2017 CRA master plan is the fourth version of the plan — others appeared in 1995, 1998 and 2015.

The latest version expands on options and validates that certain areas need development, according to Smith. She said issues with implementing the plan need to be “cleared up.”

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview's 2017 master plan revealed

CRESTVIEW — A “looming budgetary catastrophe” was the message U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz sent to a senior economics class at Crestview High School on Tuesday.

Gaetz's visit to CHS was part of a series of district stops during a two-week Congressional recess. The day began with the congressman speaking to senior honor graduates in the school’s auditorium. He congratulated students on their success and asked questions about their educational paths.

“You represent this community that is incredibly proud,” Gaetz told the graduates.

He encouraged students to manage time well when in college and focus on schoolwork and studying before going off to have fun — adding college can be one of the most enjoyable times in life.

“If you don’t get the work done — whether you're on a scholarship, or grants, or have Mom and Dad helping you out — if you don’t make it count and get it done, the money will dry up,” Gaetz said.

Asked about his own college curriculum and experience, Gaetz said planning and meeting with advisers played a key role. A political science major, he added if he could redo college he’d focus on finance or economics because of the vital role those studies play in his current position on the House Budget Committee.

Gaetz asked students if they paid attention to current foreign and domestic affairs but the students didn’t pose any questions for the congressman on the matters; instead, they focused on college discussions.

The representative taught an economics lesson during the second part of his visit, discussing issues his budget committee faces daily and what impact their decisions can have. Gaetz expressed personal political opinions that, at times, made the class feel more like a campaign stop.

“We are screwed as young people because of past congressional choices,” Gaetz, 34, said early in his lesson plan to the class.

He continued to discuss national spending, debt and budgeting — analyzing past trends and what they suggest for the future. Gaetz concluded with a grim prospect that “we are in deep trouble” if problems within the budget are not corrected.

Political beliefs focused on the consequences of increased spending, although Gaetz did offer a broad overview of various ideologies such as those concerning tax code reform.

Students could make suggestions and have an open discussion with the congressman. One student engaged Gaetz on foreign policy decisions concerning Syria and China, to which the representative stressed the influence budgetary decisions have on international affairs.

“How can we get tough on our own banker, when China owns so much of our public debt,” Gaetz said.

When asked why the decision was made to bomb Syria, Gaetz said the “real threat we face is inactivity.” Adding that President Donald Trump’s decision to bomb the country indicated a change in policy from past presidents to use bombs or missiles instead of U.S. troops.

“This was the first time I’ve ever done something like this,” Harry Walker, the economics teacher who offered his classroom to Gaetz, said. “It was a great opportunity for these students and might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to speak so casually with a member of Congress. They had the chance to throw ideas out there and be heard.”

Gaetz took time during his visit to talk with several staff members. He sat with a table of students during their lunch time to join their conversation and take a selfie while eating his slice of cafeteria pizza.

The congressman will make district stops until the House of Representative reconvenes April 25.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Congressional visit paints dim outlook of economy

CRESTVIEW — A Crestview City Council workshop is moving to a new venue.

The workshop, for discussing possible changes to city structure and the processes for achieving those changes, starts at 5:30 p.m. April 24 at Warriors Hall, 201 Stillwell Blvd., Crestview.

Maximum seating is 200 inside the hall.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City Council to discuss possible government restructuring

CRESTVIEW—The Crestview City Council heard the voices of their constituents Monday evening and suspended enforcement of a city code concerning recreational vehicles.

The code, Section 102-538, prohibited camping trailers over 24 feet in length from being stored on residential property and outlawed any trailer from having utility services connected.

Eighteen members of the public spoke at the meeting, all of whom stated the ordinance should be modified. City Council agreed with speakers by voting 5-0 in favor of suspending the code for 90 days, during which time the Growth Management Department will craft a replacement or modification. If a replacement is not created in the allotted time, an additional 60-day period will be granted.

Several of the speakers were RV owners who expressed concern over keeping their vehicle in lots, where they could be subjected to thefts, or not connected to power. Not connecting these vehicles to power can lead to black mold and interior damage due to Florida’s humidity.

“This code needs to be updated because you can hardly find an RV under 24 feet,” Michele Dennis, an RV owner, said. “As an American, I expected to live free on my property.”

Other speakers weren’t RV owners but were considering a purchase or believed the code was an overstep of municipal power. Multiple individuals threatened to leave the city if the code wasn’t adjusted.

“I can appreciate what everyone … has said,” Councilman Doug Faircloth said. Faircloth’s wife purchased a horse trailer with living amenities several years ago. He stressed people’s right to keep the vehicles, which are a large investment to many, on their property and further protect that investment by connecting it to power.

Faircloth was unaware of the unenforced ordinance that was created in 1999, as were many other city officials. The code was brought to attention at the March 13 City Council meeting when Andrew Rencich informed the council he received a warning notice about an RV parked on his property.

Several other residents were given notices ordering removal of vehicles from their property or face a $250 to $500 fine per day of violation. The complainant the notices stemmed from used a fake address and contact number, according to several speakers.

“I’ve been an RV-er for a long time,” Councilman Joe Blocker said. “My recommendation is, starting yesterday, to put a moratorium on this ordinance.”

A moratorium would require a separate agenda item during a different meeting, according to Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard. Meaning, more notices could be given and fines imposed before a solution reached. She suggested a procedural digression, which functions the same as a moratorium but only required an immediate consensus.

The council agreed.

No resident is reported to have received fines for storing an RV on their property, only being served notices. All future actions concerning the code are suspended with the procedural digression in place. This means that notices will not turn into fines and no more warnings will be given.

The Growth Management Department will now have the opportunity to update, revise or eliminate the code through the proper legal channels without leaving residents subject to fines during that period.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: City Council acts to protect RV owners

CRESTVIEW—A recently enforced city code on certain vehicles concerns some Crestview residents.

The rule prohibits trailers, including recreational vehicles and campers, over 24 feet in length from being stored on the property or having utility services connected to it. Vehicles or trailers larger than that must be stored off-property.

The code has been on the books since 1999 but was largely forgotten until notices appeared on residents’ doors.

‘WHY SHOULD I LIVE HERE?’

“Having (a recreational vehicle) is a big investment for me and I want to keep that in my sight,” said Mark Kania, one of several Crestview residents notified their RV violates the city code.

“I understand the intent of the law but there’s nothing to protect people that use them for recreation,” Kania said, adding he believes the rule is in place to prevent people from living in the trailers and making neighborhoods appear cluttered.

Kania, and others like him, don’t use their RV for permanent living but still received citations. He and his wife, Maria, take their trailer to Alabama each month for recreational camping — a hobby the couple isn’t willing to give up.

Not only does he prefer to keep the vehicle in sight for its safety, but the RV also requires humidifying when not in use — something the current code prohibits. Black mold could develop in the unit if left to sit in the elements, Kania said.

“If the code isn’t written properly, then why should I live here?” Kania said. He’s willing to move outside city limits to avoid fines — which can range from $250 to $500 each day — or having to store his camper away from his property and risk damage.

Currently, Kania has put a hold on upgrade projects for his house. He’s hesitant to put further time and investment into the home if he decides to move.

‘IT’S NOT UP TO CRESTVIEW’

Andrew Rencich received a notice to remove his RV by April 10, or face fines.

Rencich, a Crestview business owner and a military service member, has become a voice for the group of residents opposing the code. He spoke at a City Council meeting in March and has launched a Facebook page to help inform residents of the code and an upcoming meeting concerning it.

Kania and Rencich both believe the code entangles the municipal government in civil affairs.

“I believe in small government and that it shouldn’t get involved in civil matters,” Kania said. “These are disputes that should be handled between neighbors unless it presents a matter of public health or safety. It’s not up to Crestview to enforce its own version of a [homeowners association] in the city.”

‘WE MUST AMEND THIS ORDINANCE’

When Kania addressed the City Council March 13, several council members agreed the ordinance should be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.

“I think we must amend this ordinance,” Councilman Joe Blocker said. He, too, cited the need for RVs and campers to be connected to power to prevent mold.

Councilman J.B. Whitten believed the code was outdated and said he was in favor of reviewing that portion of the ordinance.

The RV topic will be discussed 6 p.m. April 10 at Council Chambers in City Hall.

The agenda for Monday’s meeting lists six speakers regarding the code, including Kania. Rencich has said he will also speak during an open forum period when any member of the public can comment before the council.

Aside from Facebook, Rencich has also used the neighborhood-based social network, Nextdoor, to address the issue. Currently, about 60 comments have been made in the RV ordinance discussion. He expects about 20 people to attend the City Council meeting to show support for amending the ordinance.

“Some people who I’ve heard from aren’t even RV owners but they’re concerned that the city can tell its residents what they can and can’t keep on their own property,” Rencich said.

THE HOA FACTOR

An adjustment to the city code might not alleviate issues for all residents. Some, like Rencich, are prohibited from storing campers on their property by a housing covenant. These matters are often addressed by consulting the respective HOA — if one exists.

Rencich lives in a neighborhood that never formed an HOA after its development. Regardless, the terms of a covenant are still in place in most scenarios, according to Growth Manager Teresa Gaillard.

City Attorney Ben Holley advised individuals to speak with an attorney to review the validity and enforcement of a covenant with no HOA.

A restrictive covenant is of little concern to Rencich; his focus remains on adjusting or removing the city code.

Possible changes could take weeks or even months to take effect, leaving those with warnings to question if they will receive fines.

Violations will have to be reviewed along with the ordinance during the City Council meeting, according to Whitten. The council will then address the situation, he added.

THE ISSUE: A city code prohibits storage of camping trailers over 24 feet in length at a private residence.

LOCAL IMPACT: Violators could face hundreds of dollars in fines per day. In addition, residents question how much say municipal government can or should have in civil matters.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Ordinance raises recreational vehicle owners' concerns

CRESTVIEW — The Crestview City Council will meet 6 p.m. April 10 at city hall, 198 Wilson St., N.

Here is the meeting's agenda.

1. Call to order

2. Invocation: the Rev. George Thomas, Peoples Missionary Baptist Church. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Open policy making and legislative session

4. Special presentations

5. Approval of the minutes from the Feb. 13 council meeting and Feb. 27 special meeting.

6. Public hearings

7. Public opportunity on council proposition

8. Consent agenda

a. Approval of Ben Holley invoice for $3,990

b. Approval of Ard, Shirley and Rudolph invoice for $844.45

c. Approval of Task Order No. 2017-2 Atkins Engineering

d. Approval of site construction plans for a 4,342-square-foot addition to the existing Walmart building, to be utilized as a liquor sales store.

e. Approval of replacement police vehicle

9. Resolutions

10. Committee reports

11. Scheduled presentations from the public

     a. Quarterly update – EDC – Nathan Sparks

     b. Discussion of RVs – various Citizens

1. Eddie Dennis

2. Michele Dennis

3. Rich Urda

4. Mark Kania

5. Maria Kania

6. Kimberly Dorseck

Other citizens may speak from the floor.

12. Project reports and comments from mayor and council

13. Staff reports and recommendations

14. Comments from the audience

15. Adjournment

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview City Council agenda: April 10

CRESTVIEW — Congressman Matt Gaetz will visit Crestview High School to meet students, faculty and staffers.

His visit is set 10 a.m. April 18 at CHS, 1250 Ferdon Blvd. N., Crestview.

During the event, Gaetz will teach an economics lesson to high school seniors and present letters of recognition to over 60 students receiving the Anne T. Mitchell Academics Senior Award.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gaetz to visit Crestview High School

CRESTVIEW—City Councilman J.B. Whitten hosted a town hall meeting on government structure Thursday evening at Azteca Mexican Restaurant. The purpose was to educate residents on how the current government hierarchy works and what a potential change could look like.

Changes could come in multiple forms and mostly involve shifting of accountability for the government’s various departments.

CURRENT STRUCTURE

Currently, fire and police departments answer to the mayor, finance and utility billing answer to the city clerk and other departments answer directly to the city council.

However, the council can only discuss matters among themselves in a public setting due to Sunshine Laws.

“What we have right now is ineffective in my personal opinion,” Whitten said. This is because communication is delayed due to the council’s public discussion requirement.

Just 85 of Florida’s 411 cities operate this form of council-mayor government, according to Whitten. Of those that do, 83 have populations below 7,500 — Crestview has more than 20,000 residents.

“We haven’t grown our government with our city,” Whitten said.

A proposed restructuring has gone to the ballot and failed three times, the last occurrence in 2012. However, it was defeated by only 7 percent and about 1,000 voters didn’t take a position because an error prevented the vote from being official.

OTHER STRUCTURES

Two other forms of government have been proposed and will be considered by city officials if residents show interest in restructuring.

A council-manager style would create a city manager, hired by city council, to represent the city’s departments. This person would have day-to-day contact with department heads and present reports, inquiries and other matters to the city council and potentially streamline communication processes.

A strong mayor structure would create a city administrator, hired by the mayor, to represent the departments. This administrator would answer directly to the mayor, leaving the council to focus on budgeting and legislative oversight.

Whitten and Mayor David Cadle said they would not endorse any option, deferring the choice to residents and pledging to support what the people decide.

NEXT STEPS

The city council will host a workshop for residents to voice their opinions and thoughts of government structuring.

If people show support for a restructure, the council will vote to create a commission tasked with exploring those options and creating a ballot referendum for residents to vote on.

If there is a no-show during the workshop, the council will interpret this as residents’ approval of the current system, Whitten said.

Placing the matter on a ballot would be the final step in the process if residents desire a change.

Since this would be a referendum and not a candidate vote, ballots could be sent to registered voters via mail, Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections Paul Lux said at a previous city council meeting.

Whitten expressed interest in this process Thursday evening and intends to explore the option if the issue goes to vote.

The workshop to establish a commission will be at 5:30 p.m. or 6 p.m. April 24 at Crestview City Hall. An official time will be determined later and publicly announced.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Town hall meeting explores government restructure

CRESTVIEW — The City Council started March 27 with a special meeting to decide on new ordinances and new leadership.

ORDINANCES

The council unanimously approved a pair of ordinances directing the city’s growth management department — Ordinances 1618 and 1619.

Ordinance 1618 allowed for rezoning a piece of property owned by Central Baptist Church from public land to commercial to allow a non-profit medical facility to be built on the site. The ordinance passed 5-0 with no public comment made.

Ordinance 1619 provides the city with a clear definition of what constitutes an unsafe structure.

“An unsafe structure is one that is found to be dangerous to the life, health, property or safety of the public or the occupants of the structure by not providing minimum safeguards to protect or warn occupants in the event of fire, or because such structure contains unsafe equipment or is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, structurally unsafe or of such faulty construction or unstable foundation, that partial or complete collapse is possible,” the proposal stated.

The growth management department considers this ordinance a necessary first step to combating blight. The council passed the proposal 5-0, also with no public comment.

LEADERSHIP

The Crestview City Council nominated and approved Councilman J.B. Whitten to be the next council president, effective April 1.

The council also named Councilman Bill Cox to be the council vice president, effective the same date.

The council president presides over meetings and enforces the council’s rules and regulations. The vice president serves in an acting capacity during the absence of the president.

Both the president and vice president serve one-year terms and are elected by the sitting council. Each nominee received unanimous support.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Council approves new ordinances, leaders

CRESTVIEW — A new interchange along Interstate 10 could limit traffic and provide additional access to Crestview.

The City Council on Monday listened to early-stage planning on that project and brainstormed the issue of non-city residents and companies receiving city water and sewage utility services.

INTERCHANGE

The Florida Department of Transportation is in the planning and research phase of a project that would create an additional I-10 interchange to the west of State Road 85. The department has created a series of possible projects and stated what their feasibility and potential impact would be.

Several of the plans call for conversion of the Antioch Road overpass to an interchange system, allowing for travel to and from I-10. Multiple interchange variations are being explored including a roundabout style, one featuring a single traffic light and others that would call for the lowering of I-10 several feet.

Beyond the interchange, a PJ Adams Parkway extension would run from Arena Road to State Road 90 at Old Bethel Road. This would alleviate traffic on State Road 85, provide relief for future city growth and provide an additional emergency route, according to Greg Moore of contract company VHB, which is working with the FDOT on the project.

The interchange project would also aim to provide better passage ability for pedestrians and cyclists over I-10. Currently, no sidewalk or bike paths exist on the overpass.

“We’d like to fix that problem for sure,” Moore said.

The survey and research teams have begun contacting “stakeholders” in the project, including residents and businesses in close proximity to the proposed construction sites. Many have been open to an interchange but teams had some pushback from residents on Arena Road, according to Moore.

The FDOT is only a few months into the 24-month research, analysis and approval schedule and, therefore, several details are limited or unknown. The department will introduce its preliminary findings and suggestions to the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners next month. The department will also have three public meetings over the next year to discuss the project.

Monday’s meeting was a workshop and, therefore, no motions could be made by city council.

OUT-OF-CITY UTILITIES

Crestview provides utility services for approximately 400 parcels of land outside city limits, according to Growth Management Director Teresa Gaillard. If these units were incorporated into the city, it would provide an additional $250,000 in tax revenue.

However, the process to annex property can be expensive to property owners, and only sites adjacent to city property can be annexed.

Chiefs from Crestview’s police and fire departments expressed an urgent need to resolve the issue of city and county lines, not only for the sake of utility taxes. Fractured boundaries create a logistical nightmare in handling emergencies, they said.

The fire department will assist non-city property but receives no tax revenue from those locations, according to Fire Chief Joseph Traylor. The Crestview Police Department faces even larger issues when concerned with jurisdiction over crimes. An improper interpretation of an incident occurring within the city or county line can result in a lawsuit or other legal case being thrown out, according to CPD Chief Tony Taylor.

Heavy discussions were had on how to adjust the city’s annexation procedure and how to lure those that receive city services into city limits. However, they lack legal background and foundation.

Councilmen J.B. Whitten and Shannon Hayes expressed that legal counsel must be had before any further discussions can be held on the matter.

“Right now, we’re just shooting in the dark,” Whitten said.

The council, as well as City Attorney Ben Holley, recommended Gaillard receive legal advising and present her findings at the next City Council meeting; she agreed, and will contact a lawyer with experience in this field.

The issue of out-of-city utilities and city annexation has been discussed countless times over the past several years but the City Council, along with city departments, have taken a closer look at the matter to improve it.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: I-10 interchange, out-of-city utility plans in development