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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 08-10-99 - Adjourned w CDC 12236 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 10, 1999 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:00 p.m., August 10, 1999, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor/Chairman Keith McCarthy presiding. PRESENT: Council Members/Commissioners: Keith McCarthy Mayor/Chairman Joyce L. Lawrence Mayor Pro TemNice-Chairman Robert C. Winningham Meredith H. Perkins Gary P. McCaughan M.D. (arrived at 5:05 p m.) ALSO PRESENT: Gerald M. Caton, City Manager/Executive Director Brad Wohlenberg, Assistant City Attorney Joyce E. Doyle, Deputy City Clerk/Secretary Darrell George, Director of Community & Economic Development/ Assistant Executive Director STUDY SESSION — DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY, Ms. Garcia began the study session and visual program by mentioning the preliminary strategy proposed to the Community Development Commission in April 1999, which highlighted various ways for the City to participate in the revitalization process of the Downtown area. Since then, the Commission has appropriated $100,000 for a street tree program; allocated $80,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for a commercial rehabilitation program; and indicated support of an angled parking and landscaping design for Downey Avenue. This study session is an opportunity to establish a background and clear understanding of each component and strategy and to seek Council direction. She noted the City recently retained the services of Rodin° Associates, an urban revitalization and real estate consulting firm, to determine current retailer and developer interest in Downtown and she introduced Mr. Robert Rodin°. Robert Rodino, 17810 Tramonto Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA, 90272, explained that he researched retailers, developers, and property owners to determine possible candidates whose criteria were consistent with the City demographically and locationaily. He stated all developers contacted expressed a positive interest in developing the Downtown area for both retail and mixed use developments and he reviewed constraints identified. He also advised that 8 of the 25 retailers contacted expressed an interest in locating Downtown. He discussed programs and incentives utilized by other cities to generate interest for their downtown areas and reviewed incentives that could be offered. City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 8/10/99 -1- • 12 23 7 Mr. George commented on Economic Development Incentives, noting the intent is to address the constraints mentioned in Mr. Rodino's report and to find workable solutions. He recommended the Council consider an extended partnership with an economic development consultant to conduct a recruitment and retention program. Ms. Martineau and Mr. Mikaelian of the Planning Division reviewed the overlay zone. Ms. Martineau explained the purpose of the zone is to encourage pedestrians to the downtown atmosphere that is envisioned, noting there will be bonuses and requirements not available in other areas of the City. It would be a type of mini -zone imposed over the C -3 zone, which will contain standards for permitted uses, signing, outdoor uses, development standards and development requirements. She noted the boundaries are Fourth Street, Paramount Boulevard, the railroad and Brookshire Avenue. Mr. Mikaelian discussed revisions to the current standards to promote development, such as allowing buildings to be built at the front property line and allowing up to 90 percent of the site to be developed, using alternative parking options. In addition to plant materials for landscaping, outdoor dining, or other similar uses that promote pedestrian activity are encouraged. These standards'Would bring buildings closer together and place them near the sidewalk. Revised parking requirements would also be included. He then reviewed new proposals for retail uses, restaurants, and office usage, advising that staff is requesting Council's direction to begin working on the Downtown Downey overlay zone. Mr. Yee reviewed the Downtown Parking Space Credit Program, noting there are 4,000 public and private parking spaces in the overlay zone of which 1,400 are unoccupied. A Downtown parking demand study conducted in August 1998 indicated there is available parking; however, some spaces are not in convenient areas. Staffwould like to promote a less restrictive and less costly option to encourage business expansion and attraction and to intensify land uses. The program would provide private parking needs in public parking areas by entitling new or existing businesses in the overlay zone to offset zoning code required parking by having spaces provided in public parking areas. Reduced fees would be a key to promoting development. He noted staff is requesting Council's authorization to implement the Parking Space Credit Program. Mr. Yee then reviewed the Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation Program to stimulate �--, revitalization within the designated overlay zone areas. This program would encourage property owners to seek commercial business loans to bring their structures up to current building codes, to correct building code violations, and to make physical improvements. He reviewed the loan process, whereby Community Development Block Grant funds would be used, with the cost rebated over a five -year period once improvements have been completed. He then reviewed eligible improvements and eligible applicants and noted staff recommends the Council formalize the Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation Program. Mr. Alvarez reviewed the Downey Avenue Beautification Program, which includes both private and public improvements to make the street a destination point with promenading type activities of visual interest to pedestrians. Improvements include increased landscaping, paving, pedestrian lighting, street furniture and signage. The Council, Traffic Committee, and Downtown Merchants Committee previously reviewed six alternatives and preferred the alternative that included reduced lanes of traffic, one lane in each direction, diagonal parking with bump -out areas, enhanced landscaping, ornamental lighting, street furniture and pavement treatments. The costs would be from $200,000 to $1,000,000. The visual presentation showed that the change to diagonal parking would City Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 8/10/99 -2- 12238 create approximately 15 additional spaces and reduce the speed of traffic. Staff is recommending the Council authorize the retention of an urban design consultant to prepare specific designs. Mr. George explained each element of the strategy would be brought back to the Council in detail as a stand -alone program for consideration and approval. The project is a collaboration of many specialists focusing in the same direction and he estimated initial costs are anticipated at $125,000 to bring the consultants onboard, with the ultimate future costs at roughly $1.3 million, which includes g Y the Commercial Rehabilitation Program. Robert Cevallo of Bill Hanan Travel and Chair of the Downtown Merchants Committee, stated the Committee is excited with what the City has put together and supports the plan. Johnny Croshaw, owner of Johnny and Company beauty salon in the Downtown area, thanked staff for the presentation and gave his support to move forward. Lennie Whittington, 8542 Manatee Street, suggested that businesses on Firestone Boulevard between Downey Avenue and La Reina Avenue be rebuilt towards the back of the lot by the railroad tracks and then demolish the existing buildings and build the parkir4 area at the front of the lot with, landscaping and lighting. He also noted the'Downtown areas of other cities he has visited are designed around a theme. John Lacey, 11602 Gurley Avenue, President of the Downey Chamber of Commerce, congratulated staff on their presentation and thanked Council Member Lawrence for bein g the Council's liaison with the Downtown Merchants Committee. He also expressed the Chamber's approval of the recommendations and urged the Council to move forward. Council Member Lawrence referred to the Commercial Rebate Program and asked if businesses who are already in the process of improving their facilities would still be able to participate. She noted the intent of the programs is flexibility and hoped to see the sources of the funding brought back soon. Council Member Perkins felt it was essential l� to have the cooperation of the property owners and retailers and asked Mr. Rodino if he felt there was a lack of interest from ro ert p p Y owners. Mr. Rodino replied that when property owners realize they have a real stake in what is happening, more will join in. He felt the interest was there, noting this is the beginning of the marketing p rocess. Council Member Perkins referred to retailers who had shown an interest in locating to Downtown and asked if they were diversified. Fie was informed they were diversified and were major retailers with chains around the country. He then commented on p revious discussions where 18 additional parking spaces were mentioned with diagonal parking and noted this has now dropped to 15 or 16. He asked if bump -outs take away from the amount of parking spaces and was informed that bump -outs protect the parking spaces, as diagonal parking spaces are more accident prone. It was noted the parking figure could still increase or decrease by several spaces. aces. p Council Member Perkins referred to Mr. Whittington's comments regarding businesses on � g g Firestone Boulevard and suggested these businesses move their entrances to the back and landscape p this area in a park -like atmosphere. He suggested car over the theme of the theatre area. He also thanked Mr. Croshaw of Johnny and Company for expanding his business and wished him well. City Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 8/10/99 -3- 1223 Council Member McCaughan echoed Council Member Perkins' comments. He felt that timing and coordination were of utmost importance and had hoped to hear where the strategic places would be. He referred to the former CalFed property and asked if any developer had shown interest in that property and also what other locations the developers were interested in. He felt the area needs to be opened up and visual from Firestone Boulevard and felt an ambiance needs to be created before instituting changes in the parking layout and the number of lanes on Downey Avenue. Mr. Rodino advised there were six groups of key properties involving fifteen owners that were identified as the most developable and most attractive to developers: The three corners of Firestone Boulevard and Downey Avenue; the south side of Firestone Boulevard to La Reina Avenue; the block along New Street between Second and Third Streets, up to but not including the frontage of Downey g p g g Y Avenue; St. George Greek Church; and the First Baptist Church mid -block on Second Street to the Greek Church property. These property owners have been contacted regarding their desire to develop or redevelop these properties, which would help trigger the market process of revitalizing the Downtown area. Council Member Winningham mentioned he is supportive of the plan and 90 percent build -out of properties, stating, he hoped this would Create a parking problem. He did not feel slower traffic would create a problem as residents know their way around town. He suggested more parking opportunities might be found by closing alleyways. He felt aesthetics and slower traffic were key issues as well as timing. Mayor McCarthy referred to prior comments regarding parking lots and the number of public and private parking spaces and hoped the urban design consultant could address how traffic flow would be altered if it did not use Downey Avenue. He mentioned the permits on two -hour parking and asked how many there are currently and was advised approximately 130 spaces. He felt that granting too many permits would take over all the two -hour parking that customers would use. He was informed the city of Whittier removed all of the permit parking and replaced it with two or three - hour parking. He referred to signage where a business is allowed a sign in the rear, if there is a rear entrance, and suggested allowing signs in the rear even if there is not a rear entrance. He hoped to have flowers in addition to street trees and noted the entry to Downtown is at Nance Street, suggesting an entry statement be made in this area. Council Member McCaughan referred to common areas in other cities where there is a central focus on public buildings and suggested the consultant look at the concept of bridging the commercial /economic development with the governmental entity, where people could walk from one to the other. It was moved by Council Member McCaughan, seconded by Council Member Perkins, and unanimously carried to: consider an extended partnership with an economic development consultant to conduct a retail recruitment and retention program; draft an overlay zone for the downtown area with new requirements for parking, signs, development standards and special events and proceed with the process for adoption; authorize staff to pursue a Downtown Parking Space Credit Program; authorize staff to formalize the Downtown Commercial Rehabilitation Program to promote revitalization in the designated overlay zone; and direct staff to retain an urban design consultant to prepare conceptual improvement plans for Downey Avenue, based on one lane of traffic in each direction with diagonal parking on both sides of the street. City Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 8/10/99 -4- 12240 Prior to the vote, the Council discussed setting a time limit on approval of consultants and the scope of work and Mr. Caton suggested allowing staff the time to put this together, bringing back what they can within a short time period. APPROVAL OF CLOSED SESSION MINUTES — OF JULY 13, 1999 It was moved by Council Member /Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Council Member/ - Commissioner Perkins, and unanimously carried to approve the Closed Session Minutes of July 13, 1999. CLOSED SESSION Mayor /Chairman McCarthy announced the Council /Commission is recessing to Closed Session (6:32 p.m.) to discuss the following Sections of the Government Code: A. SECTION 54956.9 - Subdivision (a) -- Conference with legal counsel — existing litigation: Downey Community Hospital Foundation vs. City of Downey. The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:30 p.m. with all Council Members/ - Commissioners present. There were no Closed Session actions to report. The meeting recessed at 7:31 p.m. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS The meeting reconvened for Oral Communications at 8:30 p.m. with all Council Members/ - Commissioners present (see Oral Communications under the Regular City Council Meeting) and recessed at 8:39 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:18 p.m. with all Council Members /Commissioners present. ADJOURNMENT: 9:18 p.m. au. # C—\\\ ( 4 : 11) Jo ce E D 1 D oy e, eputy City- �Clerk/Secretary e ith McCarthy, Mayor /C ► . man h:\ccler ;lsronte \ajmn0810 City Council /Community Dev. Comm. Minutes (adj.) 8/10/99 -5-