Courtney Campbell Causeway
Scenic Highway Corridor Advisory Group
Organizing Meeting
October 20, 2000
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Minutes
I.
Attending:
a. Ms. Katie Cole, representing the Clearwater Regional Chamber of
Commerce
b. Mr. Joe Feaster, FDOT District 7, Scenic Highway Coordinator
c. Ms. Terri Fox, representing the Tampa Westshore Alliance
d. Mr. Bill Jonson, Clearwater Resident and President Citizens for a Scenic
Florida
e. Mr. Tim Kurtz, representing the City of Clearwater
f. The Honorable Linda Saul-Sena, Tampa City Council Member
g. Mr. Jim Van Steenburg, FDOT District 7
II.
Florida Scenic Highway Program Purpose: designate roadway corridors where
we can preserve, maintain, protect and enhance intrinsic resources for the
traveling public’s enjoyment.
III.
Benefits
a. Showcase outstanding cultural, historical, archeological, recreational,
natural and scenic resources along Florida’s highways.
b. Improve the quality of life in the adjoining communities
c. Enhance economic development by promoting local scenic highways.
d. Expand the travelers’ experience beyond just reaching their destination.
e. Obtain designation signs for the roadway
IV.
Scenic Highways in Florida
a. Currently three designated Scenic Highways in Florida; one of these has
been elevated to National Scenic Byway status.
b. Eight roads are in process of designation
c. The Courtney Campbell Causeway would be the first Scenic Highway in
FDOT District 7.
V.
Process of Designation – Three Steps
a. Eligibility – Corridor Advocacy Group (CAG) documents details of
intrinsic resources along highway, and petitions FDOT to grant eligibility
status.
b. Designation – Corridor Management Plan (CMP) is developed to
document support data, protection techniques, and management strategies.
The CMP is the basis for actual FDOT designation as a Scenic Highway.
c. Implementation – CMP execution.
VI.
Decision – The group decided unanimously to form the Corridor Advisory
Group and petition for eligibility status. The group noted that because of the
high quality of the existing roadway, minimal additional budget would be
required of local government for ongoing support. The group asked Bill
Jonson to be Corridor Advocacy Group Chairperson.
VII.
Proposed Scenic Highway
a. State Road 60 Courtney Campbell Causeway
b. Eastern Termini: Veterans Highway – incorporates preservation areas
owned by the Hillsborough Airport Authority and restoration/bird
sanctuary areas adjacent to the highway near the Hyatt Westshore
c. Western Termini: McMullen Booth
d. Total distance: approximately 11 miles
VIII.
Affected Government Entities
a. City of Clearwater – currently participating
b. City of Tampa – currently participating. Additional members of the CAG:
Ross Ferlita of the Parks Department, Elton Smith of the Transportation
Department and Lucy Ayres of the Tampa MPO. ACTION: Saul-Sena
c. FDOT District 7 - currently participating. Should add John Simpson,
District Landscape Architect, and Will Moriaty, District Arborist.
ACTION: Feaster
d. Hillsborough County– suggestion made to add Ben Waxman who is the
county Commissioner for the Rocky Point business area. ACTION: SaulSena
e. Hillsborough Airport Administration – suggestion made to invite Louis
Miller (or representative) to join CAG ACTION: Saul-Sena.
f. Pinellas County (and Pinellas County MPO) – Suggestion made to invite
Commissioner Karen Seel whose district includes the roadway and is a
member of the Pinellas MPO. ACTION: Jonson.
g. Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council – This group includes the Tampa
Bay Estuary ACTION: Cole.
IX.
Non-governmental CAG members:
a. Clearwater Chamber – currently participating
b. Westshore Alliance – currently participating
c. Clearwater Christian College – located directly on the causeway
ACTION: Cole.
d. Westshore Hyatt ACTION: Fox
e. Rocky Point Business Association (if any) ACTION: Fox
f. Historic Bayview Homeowners Association – located just west of
McMullen Booth Road. ACTION: Jonson.
X.
Other Interested Parties to brief in on the project
a. Senator Jim Sebesta – Represents parts of both Pinellas and Hillsborough
and additionally is on Senate Transportation Committee. ACTION: Jonson
b. Clearwater City Commissioners – ACTION: Cole (after Tim Kurtz staff
level discussions)
c. Daughters of the Confederacy – located in Clearwater on the causeway
d. Michael Baker Inc – currently an “adopt a highway” sponsor along the
causeway
e. URS Greiner – FDOT contractor with major office complex at Rocky
Point
f. International Shrine Headquarters - on causeway in Rocky Point
g. PBS&J
h. Dana Shores Homeowners Association north of east end of causeway
XI.
Actions
a. Contact other CAG members as indicated by Actions above and notify
Bill Jonson of new contact names. ALL
b. Draft Letter of Intent request and distribute for comments by November 4
JONSON
XII.
Next Meeting
a. Wednesday November 15 at noon
b. Tentative Location: Hyatt Westshore (Terri Fox to make arrangements)
If corrections to these minutes are noted please notify:
Bill Jonson
2694 Redford Court West
Clearwater, Florida 33761
727-786-3075
bill.jonson@usa.net