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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20160603 Needs and Opportunities_Strategies Final Draft.pdf Tybee Island Master Plan 1 Issues/Needs and Opportunities/Strategies The issues/needs shown below are organized by the Master Plan element. These issues/needs were identified by community members through the public survey, public meetings and the Advisory Working Group. The draft opportunities/strategies were developed by the Advisory Working Group to address these issues/needs and will be incorporated into the short term work program. IDENTIFIED ISSUES/NEEDS DRAFT OPPORTUNITIES/STRATEGIES Land Use/Development Patterns • Maintain height limits • Growth limits • Compatible redevelopment with adjacent areas • Limit zoning variances • Zoning ordinance update • Impacts from downzoning • Enforce existing height restrictions • Incorporate the results of the carrying capacity study into regulations to ensure growth does not outpace resources and infrastructure through the combination of continual upgrades and improvements to infrastructure to accommodate moderate growth • Review current zoning ordinance to ensure developments are required to be compatible with the existing character, and density of surrounding neighborhoods • Allow upstairs residential in commercial areas when commercial is the main use • Discourage downzoning in commercial areas • Increase minimum required square footage for duplex or multi-family construction in R-2 Tybee Island Master Plan 2 IDENTIFIED ISSUES DRAFT OPPORTUNITIES/STRATEGIES Community Preservation • Historic preservation and zones • Identification and protection of historic properties • Maintaining unique Tybee sense of place • Need for a growth management vision • Protecting the interests of full time residents balanced with tourism • Review and assess the current historic preservation ordinance and update as needed • Establish incentives for restoration projects • Coordinate with appropriate agencies and historic preservation groups to identify funding for preservation projects • Historic Preservation and zones • Consider establishing architectural standards for historic structures • Protect the existing character of the island by limiting the mass, scale, density and height according to established ordinances • Provide facilities and services needed by tourists and residents while lessening the impacts of tourism on permanent island residents • Incorporate the results of the carrying capacity study into regulations to ensure growth does not outpace resources and infrastructure • Enforce existing rules through cart and beach patrols with possible surveillance video in problem areas • Explore the potential for a multi-use parking garage in C-1 to ease visitor intrusion into residential neighborhoods, including an assessment of recent traffic counts • Explore the feasibility of Transfer of Development Rights for the implementation of a parking garage in exchange for public park or greenspace • Actively enforce existing ordinance violations by warning for first offense and loss of license for second offense (moved from Community: Housing) • Develop a master plan for Memorial Park, including walking paths and shade trees Tybee Island Master Plan 3 IDENTIFIED ISSUES DRAFT OPPORTUNITIES/STRATEGIES Sustainability • Sustainable development that does not outpace resources and infrastructure • Beach and shoreline protection • Water supply and the need for public education • Wastewater plant upgrades • Businesses that serve year round residents as well as tourism • Emergency/disaster preparedness and rebuilding planning • Review results of the carrying capacity study and implement recommendations as feasible • Work with agencies on preservation of beach and marshes • Provide education for visitors on the fragile ecosystem and appropriate actions and activities • Continue water conservation efforts and assess needed upgrades to the system • Develop educational materials on water conservation techniques for visitors • Develop a prioritized plan for implementing the needed infrastructure improvements • Fast track funding substructure for water/sewer plant upgrades and new facilities • Complete a peer review of other island communities and the various approaches for conserving/managing water resources • Develop strategies focusing on the retention of small businesses • Provide incentives to encourage new businesses to locate on Tybee • Create policies to encourage off peak visitors • Work with local, state and federal agencies to develop a plan for dealing with disasters Tybee Island Master Plan 4 IDENTIFIED ISSUES DRAFT OPPORTUNITIES/STRATEGIES Community: Housing • Affordable/workforce housing • Adverse impacts on housing options with increasing conversion to short term rental properties • Loss of year round residents especially those with children due to the high cost of living • Encourage a variety of housing types with a range of costs • Investigate the approaches of other communities and develop incentive programs for the provision of affordable housing appropriate for Tybee • Allow for multi-use upstairs rentals in commercial areas that provide affordable year- round housing • Investigate the feasibility of a rent subsidy program so critical city personnel (police, fire, etc.) can live on the Island • Review and assess the number of short-term rental properties and impacts on adjacent properties • Require licensing for vacation rentals and minimize adverse impacts on Island residents • Investigate the need to provide services and facilities for an older, retired population • Identify needed services that are lacking for year-round residents Tybee Island Master Plan 5 IDENTIFIED ISSUES DRAFT OPPORTUNITIES/STRATEGIES Community: Transportation • Improvements to US 80 • Improved bicycle and pedestrian routes and connections • Parking • Traffic/Seasonal traffic • Work with the Coastal Region MPO and GDOT on planned and future improvements, including the exploration of alternative means of transportation on and off the Island • Document issues/events to substantiate funding requests • Establish active subcommittee of infrastructure committee to investigate toll road to fund projects • In coordination with GDOT, explore opportunities for round-abouts at intersections, including US 80/McKenzie, US 80/Estill Hammock Rd, and Butler/Tybrisa • Explore various funding opportunities, such as grant programs and the Transportation Alternatives Program to leverage local funding for implementation • Identify areas in need of pedestrian facilities or in need of upgrading existing pedestrian facilities and strategies to address the identified needs • Identify appropriate areas and types of additional parking facilities, specifically in the North Beach area • Explore the opportunity for a parking garage in coordination with Chatham County • Explore opportunities to incorporate mix of uses with potential additional parking • Develop an additional parking lot in C-2 on city owned easement • Lessen parking requirements for new businesses to encourage commercial use of C-2 properties • Develop a parking fee structure that maximizes income opportunities based on peak season and times. • Coordinate with local officials and agencies to provide assistance with seasonal traffic, particularly during events • Identify strategies to minimize traffic impacts on residential streets Tybee Island Master Plan 6 IDENTIFIED ISSUES DRAFT OPPORTUNITIES/STRATEGIES Intergovernmental Coordination/Government • Better methods for educating and informing the public • Litter control and trash removal • Regulatory enforcement • Lack of public amenities (ie bathrooms) • Improve information dissemination through enhancements to the City website • Investigate opportunities to utilize social media and smart phone apps for information sharing • Develop programs for educating visitors and residents on littering • Identify issues with trash removal and work to address those issues • Provide brightly painted trash cans on the beach between crossovers and explore the opportunity for trash can sponsorships • Develop programs to reduce the amount of trash generated • Assess current enforcement practices and identify areas of needed improvement • Assess number of staff needed and identify any shortfalls • Identify areas where additional permanent public restrooms may be feasible • Provide portable restrooms at public beach crossovers in the summer • Develop and implement informational signage for visitors regarding amenities and their locations • Utilize a broad spectrum of information dissemination, including traditional hard copy (mailers, newsletters) as well as technology based (website, social media) methods to reach all members of the community