above: Oak Bend front view
Rod Collman, President, sdg Architecture sdg Architecture is involved with a new development on SR 580 in Dunedin that I am very excited about for several reasons. It is to be constructed on the property of the old Oak Bend trailer park at SR580 and New York Avenue.
Before I describe the project, I thought I would talk briefly about what can go into something like this before it can be approved. There were changes of plans that caused delays but ultimately, it was a positive example of the City Commission and Staff, the owner and the architect, working together toward the best outcome for the city.
Before I describe the project, I thought I would talk briefly about what can go into something like this before it can be approved. There were changes of plans that caused delays but ultimately, it was a positive example of the City Commission and Staff, the owner and the architect, working together toward the best outcome for the city.
above: Oak Bend rear view
 |  above: Rendering of future Oak Bend Townhomes left: Current Oak Bend Trailer Park |
The project was originally conceived by the owner as an apartment complex but in 2017 a market research report made it clear that the highest and best use for this property was to build townhomes. Working with the Land Planning Agency (LPA) we were approved with conditions, including those regarding an important element of any development project, the trees. After working with the city arborist, we revised the site plan for townhomes but with the same number of units (32), and we were able to save more trees than in the original plan. The architectural style of Craftsman was selected for its' home town feel and comfortable look of the site frontage on two streets and the building fronts facing the internal drive approach, Most of the buildings needed “front door” curb appeal on both the front and the rear.
There would be fifty additional shade trees required by the city in addition to the existing, and six different types of trees. Of course, all of the grand trees would be preserved. An arborist would be hired to inventory and tag each existing tree with a condition rating. An application for tree removal in conjunction with our infrastructure would be required. We were scheduled for a second reading by the city commission after the County changed the land use designation.
There would be fifty additional shade trees required by the city in addition to the existing, and six different types of trees. Of course, all of the grand trees would be preserved. An arborist would be hired to inventory and tag each existing tree with a condition rating. An application for tree removal in conjunction with our infrastructure would be required. We were scheduled for a second reading by the city commission after the County changed the land use designation.
above: Oak Bend community layout and shade tree plan
For review, land use change and rezoning, the plans went to the LPA and the first City Commission hearing, then transmitted to the County for land use review with PAC (Pinellas County Planners Advisory Committee), Forward Pinellas/MPO (Pinellas County’s planning council and metropolitan planning organization), and the Pinellas County Commission on their consent agenda. Planning with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Southwest Florida Water Management District would be required as well.
We then had the second reading at the commission and met all requirements demanded by the arborist. The City changed the zoning from Mobile Home to Medium Density Residential. The project was finally approved by the City Commission in June of 2018 after almost eight months of hearings and reviews.
So, what have we been able to achieve? In keeping with the growth of the downtown area and the repurposing of blighted property, the project offers desirable residential units ($550,000 starting cost) with amenities such as a community pool and individual elevators and personal parking for up to four places at each unit in walkable/bikeable distance to the new upcoming Publix (and Greenwise Market) and other retail, restaurants, breweries and a bus stop, in a modern community with character – and a lot of trees!
I am looking forward to seeing what ideas the process of the upcoming public art ordinance will bring to the project as well.
We then had the second reading at the commission and met all requirements demanded by the arborist. The City changed the zoning from Mobile Home to Medium Density Residential. The project was finally approved by the City Commission in June of 2018 after almost eight months of hearings and reviews.
So, what have we been able to achieve? In keeping with the growth of the downtown area and the repurposing of blighted property, the project offers desirable residential units ($550,000 starting cost) with amenities such as a community pool and individual elevators and personal parking for up to four places at each unit in walkable/bikeable distance to the new upcoming Publix (and Greenwise Market) and other retail, restaurants, breweries and a bus stop, in a modern community with character – and a lot of trees!
I am looking forward to seeing what ideas the process of the upcoming public art ordinance will bring to the project as well.
RSS Feed