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Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)

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1. Where can I find information about what area the CRA manages?

On the Town of Jupiter website CRA webpage

2. When and where does the CRA meet?

Second Wednesday of the month at 7pm in the Town Hall Council Chambers. Call 561-746-5134. Agendas & Meetings

3. Where can I get more information about the Harbourside project?

The website has information on the CRA Masterplan page. CRA Masterplan page

4. How are CRAs created?

Under Florida law (Chapter 163, Part III), local governments are able to designate areas as Community Redevelopment Areas when certain conditions exist. Examples include: the presence of substandard or inadequate structures, a shortage of affordable housing, and inadequate infrastructure.

5. What is a Community Redevelopment Agency?

The activities and programs offered within a Community Redevelopment Area are administered by the Community Redevelopment Agency. A five- to seven-member CRA "Board" is created by the local government, which directs the Agency. The Board can be comprised of local government officials and or other individuals appointed by the local government.

6. What is a Community Redevelopment Plan?

The Community Redevelopment Agency is responsible for developing and implementing a Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of each targeted area (CRA). The plan includes the overall goals for redevelopment in the area, as well as identifying the types of programs and projects planned for the area. CRA webpage

7. What is Tax Increment Financing?

After approval of a community redevelopment plan, a redevelopment trust fund is established for the CRA. Revenue deposited to this fund results from the incremental growth in taxable value within the area subsequent to establishment of the CRA. All funds received from a tax increment financing area must be used for specific redevelopment purposes within that area.

8. What is the Inlet Village and where are its boundaries?

The Inlet Village is a redevelopment area generally located north of Jupiter Beach Road, south of the Jupiter Inlet, east of the Intracoastal oxbow and west of Dubois Road (see map on the Inlet Village Project Map page). Inspiration for the character of development has been taken from historical development patterns and buildings similar to other Florida communities, such as Naples, Key West, and Fernandina Beach, and also in the northeast United States and the Caribbean Islands where water-oriented villages have evolved over many years. Inlet Village Project Map

9. Why were land uses changed in the Inlet Village?

During the late 1990’s, a developer submitted a conceptual plan to develop Suni-Sands Mobile Home park with three 8-story condominium buildings. The residents of the Town and the Town Council strongly opposed the project which would have allowed buildings of a height greater than the Jupiter Lighthouse. After the initial proposal for the development of Suni-Sands was turned down, the Town Council worked with a consultant, the concerned residents and property owners to prepare a plan that included desired development patterns, and standards and height criteria which were more in line with a village scale and character. To keep the overall height down to an average of 2.5 stories, but no greater than 3.5 stories, the Town allowed for an expanded use of the ground floor area.

10. Why are setbacks from the roadways so minimal for new buildings in the Inlet Village?

The minimum setbacks are consistent with the development patterns of historic village communities. Buildings are proposed to be oriented towards the street to define the public areas with architecture to create walkable areas for residents and visitors to enjoy. This development pattern also helps to avoid large expanses of parking areas from dominating the pedestrian area.

11. What is the process to get a new development approved for the Inlet Village?

All properties in the Inlet Village that are proposing large scale development are required to be processed as Planned Unit Developments. This process requires a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council, so that public input can be considered prior to any significant development being permitted.

12. What is the maximum height for a new building in the Inlet Village?

General Commercial allows up to 5 stories maximum or 6 stories if under building parking is included. Inlet Village allows for a maximum of 3 ½ stories.

13. Why can’t development in the Inlet Village stand on its own with on-site parking like in most other areas of the Town?

By allowing for a combination of shared, off-site, on-street and multi-level parking, large, expansive and under-utilized asphalt parking lots can be minimized. With this combination of parking opportunities, additional area can be used for retail shops, galleries and other uses typically found in village districts. This strategy discourages the development of a project that is a single use with an expansive parking lot dominating the most publicly-visible area.

14. How late can a bar (or restaurant or retailer) in the Inlet Village stay open?

The Town code does not specify a closing time for bars, restaurants or retail. However, alcoholic beverages cannot be sold, served or consumed later than 2:00 am. Specific conditions are placed on site plan approvals to address any potential nuisances, such as noise.

15. How will residents be able to get to and from their homes safely across A1A after all this new development occurs in the Inlet Village?

During the public workshops held prior to the Town initiating the design of A1A, many residents and property owners expressed concerns about congestion and public safety. As a result, the design of the A1A roadway will include enhanced traffic calming measures, continuous sidewalks, pedestrian crosswalks, lighting, bike lanes and reduced speed limits throughout the corridor.

16. Why is the Town promoting so much development in the Inlet Village area?

Property development is determined by the property owner, the financial market and the demand for commercial and residential uses. The Town is responsible for establishing and maintaining development regulations and processing development applications.

17. Are there plans to install a traffic light at the intersection of A1A and Beach Road, near the Circle K?

Current traffic levels and patterns do not meet the levels required to install a signal. However, considering current and planned development in the Inlet Village, a signal will likely be warranted in 2016 or 2017. The Town will continue to work with Palm Beach County on the design and construction of a signal for this intersection to address the future needs.

18. Given the plans for the redevelopment of the Inlet Village area and the A1A roadway project, what changes are planned for how public safety will be addressed?

The design for the A1A corridor took into account many of the concerns raised by the residents and businesses who live, do business in and frequent the area. To address pedestrian safety, street lights and continuous sidewalks will be added to both sides of the roadway, and pedestrian crosswalks will be added at high-use intersections. Bike lanes will also be added on both sides of the roadway providing a designated lane for the cyclists. Additionally, the speed limit of the roadway has been reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph due to the increase in both pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the area.

As the area continues to redevelop and activity continues to increase, the Town is also giving thoughtful consideration to the issue of policing. The Town anticipates using a combination of sworn officers, non-sworn public safety staff and technology to enhance its ability to address public safety and quality of life issues, and will be working in the next few months to formalize these programs and strategies. Coverage in the Inlet Village district will be slowly increased during the upcoming 2013/2014 season, then be fully implemented the following season (2014/2015).

19. What are the plans and timing for the Suni Sands mobile home park, now that it has been sold?

The new owner of the park has indicated that they have 6 to 9 months of due diligence to do on the property prior to beginning any land planning efforts. They have stated publicly that it would be approximately two years before any of the residents or mobile homes would be relocated.

20. Now that the Pa Ja Motel has been demolished, what are the property owners’ plans for development?

The PaJa’s property is located in unincorporated Palm Beach County, so any future development plans would be handled by the County. It is possible that the property could be annexed into the Town when the owner desires to redevelop the property, but the timing of that is currently unknown.

21. When the Kempe project was initially proposed, on-street parking was a consideration. Does the project still include on-street parking?

The on-street parking initially shown on Saturn Street has been removed from the approved plan. It will be necessary for the project to provide 12 parking spaces off-site, either by purchasing parking within the proposed parking garage on Parkway Street, leasing additional parking from a surrounding property, or providing the required parking through another means. The developer will need to provide the Town with documentation showing how the parking will be provided.

22. When will the Jupiter Inlet Marina and restaurant open on the old site of the Seasport Marina?

The owner anticipates opening the restaurant on New Year’s Eve assuming the weather cooperates and the construction schedule is maintained.

23. What is the approval process and schedule for the proposed Parkway Street parking garage?

The rezoning for the property was heard and recommended for approval at the September 10th Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. The site plan will be considered by the Planning & Zoning Commission, the Community Redevelopment Agency and the Town Council at their October and November meetings. For information on meeting dates and agendas, visit www.jupiter.fl.us/agendas or call 561-746-5134.

24. What does the phrase “Funky Fishing Village” mean when it is used to describe the Inlet Village?

“Funky” is intended to be an organic blend of the existing uses and activities. It describes a non-uniform, non-homogenous combination of commercial and residential development that can support today’s uses while giving a nod to the area’s past as a historic fishing village. In many development scenarios typical of today, there may be a handful of landowners in a given area developing fairly large tracts of land for a single use (i.e. a large shopping center or a residential community). In the Inlet Village, there is a variety of property sizes, ranging from a ¼ acre to as large as 10 acres, owned by several different businesses and property owners with many different uses. There are large-net commercial fishing boats, small charter fishing and diving boats, paddleboard and kayak rentals, single family homes, offices and office warehouses, and personal services such as dentists, family counselors, tutors, and accountants. There are also restaurants, motels, vacation rentals and mobile home parks. This development pattern is not the traditional one seen in South Florida; rather it is a character that has evolved with the area and is encouraged and expected to remain in the Inlet Village.