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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJANUARY 24,1994 I I fJ/lO.5"0 36:0029 cJl:! <1,1/ '- 'C/Nf! CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ' CLERK ROLL CALL 1. 2. REVIEW OF DOWNTOWN REVITALIZA- TION STREETS CAPE PROGRESS PLANS 0680-0..2 P7'd MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY and the ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (SPECIAL SESSION) January 24, 1994 The City Planning Session) Chambers Council, Arcadia Redevelopment Agency, and Arcadia Commission met ,in a~ Adjourned Regular Meeting (Special on Tuesday, January 24, 1994, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Conference Room. PRESENT: Council/Agency Members Fasching, Harbicht, Lojeski, Margett, and Ciraulo None ABSENT: PRESENT: ABSENT: Planning Commissioners Daggett and Clark Planning Commissioners Hedlund, Huang, and Kovacic (Commissioners Huang and Kovacic arrived at 6:10 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., respectively.) ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. Bill Kelly, the Acting City Manager, presented streetscape renderings which included the initial design for the curbs, gutters, sidewalks, street trees, landscaping, certain drainage improvements, traffic signalization concepts, striping, banner masts, curb fencing, etcetera, on Huntington Drive from Santa Anita to Second Avenue. The purpose of this meeting was to ensure that the direction of the City with regard to downtown revitalization is consistent with the Council's policy. The main focus of the meeting was to examine the issue of on- and off-street parking, a key element of the project. All other issues of the project are consistent with the Council's conceptual approval last summer. The project designer, the environmental consultant, and the traffic engineer presented information to the Council/Agency and Commissioners. Michael Freedman, project designer, reviewed the issue of parking and how it relates to the downtown revitalization program. A proposed change to the existing condition of Huntington Drive is to remove the parking lanes on both sides of the street in order to widen the sidewalks. Mr. Freedman explained that an important part of downtown revitalization is to have sidewalks wide enough to encourage walking and shopping in the area, and the possibility of outdoor dining. Because there will. not be the buffer of parked cars if the parking lanes are removed, the consultants recommended use of a decorative fence to buffer the traffic from the widened sidewalks. The proposed design places two crosswalks on Huntington Drive between first Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue and two crosswalks on Huntington between First and Second Avenue. With the parking lanes removed, the crossing distance will be shorter, and ,people shopping on the south side of Huntington Drive will be able to more easily access the parking reserve on the north side. The Planning Corporation was retained to prepare an environmental impact report. Steve Craig, a principal of the corporation, stated that the plan that has been prepared does not contain significant environmental problems. With regard to parking, he commented that there is no problem with parking availability in any part of the downtown. Parking utilization is very low by comparison to other -1- 1/24/94 36:0030 similar areas. However, there is a minor problem on the south side of Huntington between Santa Anita Avenue and First Avenue if on- street parking is removed; it may cause an inconvenience for those who want to drop off or pick up at businesses in that area. Scott Shaw, with Associated Transportation Engineers, reported on parking demand studies completed by his firm, including roadway and intersection capacities, crosswalk locations, and bus stops. On- and off-street parking supply and demand surveys completed by his firm found that existing parking demands occupied 40-50 percent, or about half of the spaces available were being used. Considering the loss of approximately 90 parking spaces on Huntington Drive if the parking lanes were removed and cars had to relocate, available spaces still would be in the 50-60-percent-occupied range in other locations. It was also found that intersections would operate acceptably, and crosswalk locations would fit in with traffic signal timing. A lengthy discussion ensued, with Councilmembers' questions being answered by the consultants. With regard to bus stops, Mr. Freedman explained that in order to maintain the shortened crossing distances at the corners, it is better to move the bus stop across the intersection at Second Avenue and Santa Anita. This would leave a bus stop on each side of First Avenue and Huntington. However, if desired, they could be removed entirely. The concept of shared private parking areas was discussed, as a means to help property owners provide adequate parking spaces for customers. Councilmember Harbicht expressed reservations about going forward with the streetscape when there are still problems such as parking to be addressed. Mayor Pro tern Lojeski asked if, rather than remove all parking from the south side of Huntington, perhaps areas could be cut in to provide some parking spaces between Santa Anita and First Avenue. Mr. Freedman answered that it could be done, but in that case there would not be room for the decorative fence or for outdoor dining. Mayor Ciraulo commented that Council's primary purpose tonight is to give direction to staff to authorize proceeding with plans or modifying them. Councilmember Fasching acknowledged that something needs to be done to revitalize the downtown area. He believes that eating establishments are important to bring people downtown, but wonders if restaurants will be willing to relocate to the two-block area. In the past, several restaurants near downtown have closed due to lack of enough business to keep them in operation. Councilmember Fasching feels that beautification of the area is very important at this point, and perhaps adoption of a modified plan for maintaining some parking on Huntington Drive. Councilmember Harbicht suggested that revitalization of the store fronts is what is needed. He thinks it would be better to retain the types of small businesses that are in the area, rather than convert to a walk-around retail area with outdoor dining. Mr. Freedman reminded Council that approximately $100,000 in "seed money" has been approved for business recruitment and relocation, and a facade-improvement program. Mr. Freedman presented illustrations of the current condition of the downtown area--the median, sidewalks, curbs, and buildings. He offered an alternative (B) to removing the parking lanes on Huntington Drive. Palm trees could be planted in some of the parking zone, creating the feeling of a wider walking space for pedestrians while maintaining most of the parking area. This alternative could also be used on only one side of the street. Councilmember Fasching commented that he liked the alternative, but would prefer to see the same thing on both sides of the street. He feels that beautification of the downtown area is something that the Council cannot afford to ignore, as it will be a catalyst to bring people to the area. -2- 1/24/94 I I I I 36:0031 Mr. Freedman mentioned the fact that the alternative he described is the same concept that is being created for First Avenue, except that a more dramatic effect will be accomplished on Huntington Drive. On First Avenue there are deciduous trees instead of palm trees in the parking zone, and the parking spaces are angled and not parallel. The Acting City Manager clarified that if Council wishes to change the design concept, a contract amendment will have to be prepared to reflect the changes in design and construction costs. The City Attorney remarked that the amended contract could be presented for approval at the February 15 Council meeting. Mr. Freedman suggested that, in order to save time, if the Council wished to adopt the alternative design concept with the guarantee that the bottom price to the City will not change, perhaps at this time Council could authorize going forward with the changes. The City Attorney stated this could be done, with the understanding that formal approval will be given on February 15. Councilmember Harbicht restated his opinion that what is proposed for the downtown area is not going to succeed. He believes that the trend in retail today is big-box retail, shopping malls, and outdoor malls, and that downtown walk-around retail areas are not succeeding. Councilmember Harbicht commented that spending $5,000,000 on this area will create a beautiful area, but it could be revitalized for a lot less and more successfully by predominantly incorporating businesses such as those which are already there--law offices, escrow offices, and the like. Councilmember Fasching reiterated that a revitalized downtown area could be the catalyst to attract new investors. This project offers the possibility of future income for the City. It was MOVED by Councilmember Fasching, seconded by Councilmember Margett and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to approve Alternate B of the Downtown Revitalization Streetscape Plan. AYES: Council/Agency Members Fasching, Lojeski, Margett, and Ciraulo Council/Agency Member Harbicht (For reasons so stated) None NOES: ABSENT: ADJOURNMENT At 7:50 p.m. the City Council/Arcadia Redevelopment Agency ADJOURNED to Tuesday, February 1, 1994 at 7:00 p.m., in .the Conference Room of the Council Chambers, for an Adjourned Regular Meeting to conduct the business of the Council and Redevelopment Agency, and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters or evaluation of properties. ATTEST: Ju .3- 1/24/94