Communication with Tom Wranke re Beach Plan

Hi Wes, (My responses highlighted)

I have some input for you regarding the work Singer Studios has done.

I had the opportunity to talk with Jason on a lengthy telephone call.

Tomorrow's meeting was scheduled two weeks ago by the City Commission, and they instructed Singer Studios not to address the location of the Casino building. So I can see no secrecy in what the city is doing, nor any problem with the concept drawings not including the Casino building.

If it was scheduled two weeks ago, then why doesn't anyone know about it and why isn't it prominently on the city's website? Being a site planner - both on the creation end and the reviewing end - I have a major problem in not considering other placement of a building - as a new building is likely less expensive to build. It would also be more functional as modern needs like loading spaces, fire access, dumpster areas should all be considered. To not do so is giving the city an incomplete product. The decision has not been made. If it has already been made, then this is a charade and the public should be aware of it.

The dune is the high point of the island at this beach. No question about that. The back side of the dune has been changed over the years, but to call the high point of the island at our beach "the dune" is completely accurate in geologic and oceanographic terms.

Can you agree with me that the area to the west of the "hill" or "former dune line" - I'll go that far - was filled in as shown in this postcard from the time?

A traffic circle at the north end is one option that is on the table. One good reason for it is to allow buses to avoid driving the entire loop to drop off and pick up. Diesel fumes or buses blocking the view do not add much for the shoppers or beach goers. But the plan can be changed, so please provide your comments so they can be considered.

I see it as a sort of "confusion corner" - like the one in downtown Stuart. I am not sure of the turning radii at this scale, but I am not sure that a bus could make that turn north bound and if it is going southbound then are we saying that there is two way traffic here? Is that a permanent condition? I do not think a changeable circulation pattern is practical or safe even.

Parking on the south lot will be moved further from the ocean, and as a frequent user of that area for 40 years, I have no problem walking another 100 feet, especially with all the improvements planned for that 100 feet. And the first row of parking will face the ocean, a big improvement from what we have now.

You and I may not mind this, but there are others with very strongly held opinions that this represents a problem. I note that this parking area would be a likely candidate for a new building, as well. If that is the option the city chooses - a new building - then we need to know the implications in this area of the site.

The miscellaneous buildings are shade structures, because people did not want all the miscellaneous buildings described in some previous plans. One restroom facility was added on the south end, and I for one would appreciate not having to walk all the way to the pool to use the john. No other enclosed buildings are in Singer's designs.

These are all seaward of the coastal construction control line and seaward of the existing building - all of which represent problems for me and I am sure the State of Florida will be interested too. As well as the required upgrading of the existing building - pilings under the building, 140 mph windload requirements, ADA accessibility and bathroom issues, etc.

Unloading gear from diagonal parking spaces is easier and safer than other alignments.

Would you care to demonstrate?

Money for utilities has been discussed extensively between Singer Studios, city staff and Kimley Horn. Big ticket utility items have been discussed at length, and will be detailed at tomorrow's meeting so the public can have their say. From that point the Commission will direct Singer Studio and city staff on how to proceed.

I think what is going to be discovered is that the costs for those basic improvements - ones that are not seen or appreciated aesthetically to a great degree - will result in the minimal improvements represented on this plan.

The diagonal trail is being designed to ADA specifications. The direct sidewalk with steps remains.

1" rise for every 12" linear distance.

Placing design plans on the website for Singer Studios would present drawings that would immediately be considered "final", no matte how they were labeled. I'm sure they are aware of that, and I'm sure they will post drawings when designs are approved. Posting numerous "ideas" would cause people to jump to conclusions. I have already seen numerous drawings which have been modified based on stakeholder input, so I do not believe any tentative drawings should be posted until the Commission directs Singer Studios to post them. Hundreds of citizens have provided detailed comments, and I can see that those comments are being included in the drawings.

These designs clearly say DRAFT in big red letters. I am always in favor of erring on the side of providing more information whenever and wherever possible - dates of April 7 and 8 indicate that an effort could have been made to #1 promote the meeting and #2 get additional input from a wider section of the community. I am attempting to do my part.

I'm looking forward to the meeting tomorrow, and I am convinced that Singer Studios has already provided the city with an efficient, cost effective process for getting a plan to the County quickly, as required by the City Commission.

I see no reason to think otherwise.

I do think otherwise.

All the best,

Tom Warnke