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RPVCCA_CC_SR_2013_06_18_08_Draft_Western_Ave_Corridor_Vision_PlanCITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES MEMORANDUM TO: HONORABLE MAYOR & CITY ca NCIL MEMBERS FROM: DATE: JOEL ROJAS, COMMUNI JUNE 18, 2013 ELOPMENT DIRECTOR SUBJECT: DRAFT WESTERN AVENUE CORRIDOR VISION PLAN REVIEWED: CAROLYN LEHR, CITY MANAGER ~ Project Manager: Eduardo Schonborn, AICP, Senior Plann~ RECOMMENDATION Review and provide any feedback to Staff on the Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan so that the Plan can be finalized and brought back to the City Council for approval at a subsequent meeting. BACKGROUND In 2000, SCAG initiated the Compass Blueprint Growth Vision as a response to the land use and transportation challenges facing Southern California. To facilitate implementation of their Growth Vision project, SCAG offered planning services to cities through its "Compass Blueprint Demonstration Projects" program. This program provides opportunities for local planning efforts to become regional showcases for great planning. These Demonstration Projects are driven by the following four key principles: • Mobility -Getting where we want to go • Livability -Creating positive communities • Prosperity -Long-term health for the region • Sustainability -Promoting efficient use of natural resources On October 19, 2010, the City Council authorized Staff to submit a grant application for a Compass Blueprint Demonstration Project focusing on the revitalization of the Western Avenue corridor. On October 4, 2011, SCAG informed the City that it had been awarded a $120,000 1 grant under its Compass Blueprint Demonstration Project. The grant allowed the City to obtain services from a consulting firm to develop a 1 $100,000 from SCAG for consultant services and $20,000 in-kind "donation" from the City. 8-1 MEMORANDUM: Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan June 18, 2013 Page2 Western Avenue Vision Plan for the purpose of identifying planning options and sustainable economic development opportunities for the Western Avenue corridor. As a result, SCAG in collaboration with the City selected the consulting firm AECOM to perform the work in developing the Western Avenue Vision Plan. AECOM was selected due to their familiarity with the South Bay and San Pedro area, particularly their involvement with developing the specific plan for the waterfront area of the LA Harbor. DISCUSSION The first step for developing a vision plan for Western Avenue involved the creation of a Working GroupNision Committee to help steer the Vision Plan effort. A Working Group comprised of various stakeholders, including area residents, business owners, Chambers of Commerce (Palos Verdes and San Pedro), and Staff from both the City of Rancho Palos Verdes and the City of Los Angeles was assembled. The Working Group was composed of the following individuals: Alison Becker, City of LA Planning Department/Councilman Buscaino's Office Allen Bond, Resident/Businessman Betsy Cheek, SP Chamber of Commerce Eileen Hupp, PV Chamber of Commerce Jacob Haik, Councilman Buscaino's office Crystal Killian, City of LA Department of Transportation Jeanne Lacombe, Rolling Hills Riviera HOA/Resident Debbie Lawrence, City of LA Planning John Mavar, NWSP Neighborhood Council Jim Mccowan, Rolling Hills Riviera HOA/Resident Anthony Misetich, RPV Councilman Diane Nave, NWSP Neighborhood Council John Papadakis, Resident/Businessman Joe Rich, Resident/Developer Yunus Ghausi, CalTrans The Group met three times with the consulting firm to discuss ideas about improving Western Avenue and to help establish guiding principles and aspirations in creating the Vision Plan document. The group agreed with the following guiding principles: • Improve the public realm, storefronts and the overall perception of the street • Create diversity in retail, access and mobility • Create amenities and destination for visitors and residents • Create partnerships to market the Western Avenue brand and corridor To develop the Vision Plan, much research was conducted by AECOM in obtaining demographic information, parcel and business inventories, parking inventory, and bicycle and transit feasibility studies. Based on this research, together with the input from the Working Group, the consultant developed concepts for Western Avenue that 8-2 MEMORANDUM: Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan June 18, 2013 Pa e 3 were shared with the general public at a recent open house at Peck Park in San Pedro on April 20, 2013. The purpose of the open house was to solicit public feedback on a vision for the Western Avenue corridor (i.e., the Western Avenue Vision Plan). As a culmination to all of these efforts, a Draft plan has been prepared (attached), which is based upon the Working Group's input and the public's feedback, and is designed to serve as a visionary framework plan. In summary, the Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan addresses the following topics: • Economic and demographic analyses • Analysis of the existing corridor and conditions, including the public realm and str.eetscape; • Branding and signage; • Recommendations for the three different segments of Western Avenue; • Mobility recommendations, including bicycle and transit opportunities; and, • Next steps The Draft Plan was also reviewed and discussed by the Planning Commission on May 28, 2013. The Commission was in agreement with the direction and recommendations contained in the Draft Plan, with its discussion centering on traffic mobility and financing. Staff has attached the Draft Minutes of the May 28th Planning Commission meeting to provide the Council with a more detailed account of the Planning Commission's discussion. However, the following is a summary of the comments made by Commissioners during the Planning Commission meeting: • Would like to see more about possible redevelopment options for the Terraces shopping center • Questioned the notion of a light rail line and whether the demographics support such an idea • Would like to see different financing options discussed, including BIDs; as well as a cost analysis of the recommendations • Identified additional possible project mitigation measures to include Dash bus extension; streetscape improvements, buffer with landscaping; etc. These could also be required of the Ponte Vista developer by LA if the opportunity still exists • Consider elevated pedestrian crossings and bus turnouts to help move traffic more efficiently • Consider separating bike lanes from vehicular lanes so that traffic flow is not hindered With regards to traffic and mobility, the plan introduces complete streets elements, where the entire width of the right-of-way can continue to accommodate the existing lanes of traffic, but introduce bike lanes, provide additional public realm amenities, including landscaping, public art and bio swales. With regards to financing, Staff's goal 8-3 MEMORANDUM: Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan June 18, 2013 Page4 is to use the Plan as a tool for the City to apply for future grant funding to implement the recommendations called out in the Vision Plan so that City funding for improvements is kept to a minimum. AECOM will be making a presentation of the document to the City Council, and will walk the Council through the key elements of the Draft Plan, including key findings and recommendations. To that end, Staff recommends that the City Council review and discuss the Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan document; take any comments from the public; and, provide any feedback to Staff to produce a Final document. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION As the Council may recall, on May 21, 2013, the City Council authorized Staff to file a joint grant application with the City of Los Angeles through the Southern California Association of Governments' (SCAG) "Sustainability Program" to obtain consultant services for the second phase of the Vision Plan, which includes development of design guidelines for the Western Avenue corridor. Staff submitted the application on May 30, 2013, and expects to hear a response sometime later this year. Attachments: • • Draft Minutes of the May 28, 2013 Planning Commission meeting (Not yet reviewed/approved by the Planning Commission) Draft Western Avenue Corridor Vision Plan 8-4 NEW BUSINESS CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MAY 28, 2013 6. Western Avenue Vision Plan Senior Planner Schonborn presented the staff report, gi · project and how the Western Avenue Vision Plan ca Gaurav Srivastava, the consultant for the project, to the Commission. Mr. Srivastava explained that the document being pre complete, as he wanted to get the Commission's input befor He gave a brief background of the project and s Western Avenue corridor. He explained the plac~d those goals in. He explained the pr vision committee meetings, and an open committee and the members that make u duction to the at, he introduced that is before nly abou cent leting the document. · eludes the ategories he includ1 public meetings, He discussed the vision plained Western u1ding principles and Avenue is dated and needs improv aspirations that were discussed noted that it is critical that Ra nd the residents. He also edro work together to come up with an image for Western He discu e three segments of Western Avenue and the' photos of co strong str prim a th es discu users, an • corridor on a Avenue corrido City boundaries w1 next steps that must e poor transit access to the area. He showed ion, noting the comparable boulevards had network of special places to visit, a hance ality of the public realm. He stated none of s any appearances on Western Avenue. He then ith two themes that underpin all of the n complete streets which equally serve all types of need to update patterns of development along the s. He showed several examples of how the Western roved, noting the challenges that will be faced because of ity of Los Angeles. He explained there are a few short term · e place, and described those steps. Commissioner Tomblin asked if a demographic study was done along Western Avenue, and where do the demographics come into play with these recommendations. Mr. Srivastava answered that a mini market study was performed that looked at demographics, real estate, and the kinds of users. In the document there is an analysis of income levels and populations within one-half mile buffer, a one-mile buffer, and a three-mile buffer. He noted those residential densities within those buffer distances 8-5 often exceed those along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena. He stated this is a fairly dense urban environment compared to other successful retail corridors. Commissioner Tomblin commented on the discussion regarding the light rail and ·questioned if the discussion justifies the spending of monies, as light rail needs very high residential density which does not exist along Western Avenue. He questioned if this is something the City of Rancho Palos Verdes would like to have in terms of their Master Plan and why this money would be spent if it is not really within the demographics of this City. Director Rojas did not think this was being pursued, but together all ideas were considered, and there is a wid Commissioner Tomblin asked Mr. Srivastava what th to the wide variety of types of walls along Western Av Mr. Srivastava showed a diagram on how the look of th different treatments and vegetation. Commissioner Tomblin asked if there was these improvements in the future through Mr. Srivastava answered that ther improvement districts, using the challenge along this corridor i Angeles. ument on business adena. He noted that the . cho Palos Verdes and Los Commission property was ho on how The Terraces is a key piece of dedi what very int . but rather Commissioner have been analyz to traffic in the corri uccessful transition along this area. He Terra in the document, such as a few pages e current or future owners of that property knew In general, he commented that he thought this was a cument, without giving any specific recommendations ations. , d if traffic impacts from the proposed Ponte Vista project cussed, as he felt the project would have a very major impact nee it is developed. Mr. Srivastava stated that this project came up often in discussions. He felt the reality of that project is that it is on its own timeline and there is very little in terms of recommendations that this plan can do to influence the Ponte Vista project. He added that he has not engaged directly with the developers and it was unlikely that he would. Commissioner Tetreault stated that one expects there would be more dialogue as these two projects become closer to fruition and adjustments to the Vision Plan as a result. Planning Commission Minutes May 28, 2013 Page 2 8-6 Mr. Srivastava explained that the process has not allowed for a full on engagement with Ponte Vista, and he doubted Ponte Vista would be amenable to such a discussion. He noted that the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council has been the recipient of his ideas He stated that as an urban planner and designer there are things being proposed by Ponte Vista that he would not at all recommend. He felt that given the fact he is recommending design guidelines that will have the full partnership with the City of Los Angeles, he may be more empowered to make recommendations and directly engage Ponte Vista. He explained that he has stepped back from being proactive with properties in Los Angeles, as Los Angeles is not the recipient the rant funding. He stated the recommendations proposed all pertain to the · · ancho Palos Verdes. Commissioner Nelson noted this document is 75 per in the missing 25 percent. Mr. Srivastava answered that what is missing are addit1ona for key opportunity areas, one being The Terrac Commissioner Nelson asked what the total Mr. Srivastava answered that he did not vision plan and was setting the fra rk see. He stated that there is no a will be available. project, as this is a n s the City would like to ·s to if and when the funding Commissioner r. Srivastava felt it would take to see this to fruition. n corri and boulevards reinvent themselves and e process to achieve that vision is always Srivastava what the current business owners along an. Mr. Srivastava res that what has been related to him from the business community is that im vements to the pedestrian experience and foot traffic as well as improved access for the customer and employees are important. The business community also had a lot of ideas on how to generate a vision for the corridor. Commissioner Nelson asked if there were any comments from the business community in regards to moving their buildings up to the strong wall. Mr. Srivastava answered that there was discussion and there was some resistance from one of the developers. Planning Commission Minutes May 28, 2013 Page 3 8-7 Commissioner Nelson asked staff what has been budgeted for the consultant to do design guidelines for this project. Senior Planner Schonborn answered that the City was requesting $175,000. Vice Chairman Leon noted that Western Avenue is one of the primary ingress and egress arterials for both San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes, and it appears that the vision plan in this corridor is restricting the traffic flow. While that may be good for the local businesses, he did not think it was good for the resident f this City. He would like to see the traffic hurried through this area as oppos to · /ts of experiences for them to possibly impact traffic. He su . an emphasis on things such as elevated pedestrian crossings, turn-o ther things that may accelerate the traffic pace rather than decelerat icycles are much mor.e compatible with pedestrians than they are would be to put a bike path that is much closer to side rather than putting it next to the traffic. He felt these were t help improve the plan. Chairman Emenhiser stated his concern is taking the lead on a project that should b Verdes and the City of Los Angeles, Cou on both sides of Western Avenue. elt appeal and involvement, it has a Srivastava if a traffic count or s Verd s once again een Rancho Palos rans, and residents e a project with a broad fruition. He asked Mr. not done specifically for this plan, instead they Chair rider ' Aven He enc where this . the Vic airman's comments about mixing bicycle e was a reason bicyclists aren't presently on Western should be separated from the traffic in some fashion. the politics and financing of all of this and asked staff Director Rojas e Commission's comments, noting that the reaction is similar to that of s e public when seeing such a grand vision plan. He explained that staff H . approached this very simply in that Western Avenue was designed over fifty years ago and staff has reached out to see what can be done to improve it. The experts have provided staff with success stories for similar situations and shown staff what possibilities exist to improve Western Avenue. With that, staff sees the recipe for successful future grants for implementing components of the plan, is that there is a plan in place, the plan has approval by the City Council, and there is a partnership with the City of Los Angeles. He explained there are many grants available for such projects and staff is also going to press Cal Trans for improvements. He stated that staff would like to start with getting the public improvements put into place, and Planning Commission Minutes May 28, 2013 Page 4 8-8 once public improvements start happening that may inspire the private property owners, many of whom have not updated their properties in decades, to improve their properties. Chairman Emenhiser understood, however he reiterated his biggest concern was that the City pays attention and does its part and the City of Los Angeles continues to treat Western Avenue as a back alley. Director Rojas agreed that may have occurred in the past, however he noted that for the first time he sees the City of Los Angeles fully engaged in the' efforts, which he attributes to Councilman Busciano's early working relati hi Mayor Misetich. He stated he feels very good about the part ip ity of Los Angeles, however the challenge is always with Cal T Commissioner Tomblin preferred the Encino Boulevar Monica Boulevard through West Hollywood compariso what could be done with The Terraces. Commissioner Tetreault asked Mr. Srivastav terms of reformation of Western Avenue. Mr. Srivastava explained that he comes a are more likely to succeed if the re the planning process is ongoing, · ion angle, noting plans gets implemented while ential them 1s plan is the reversal of the arking, and just taking that one change, he of the people coming into the area, how far nt of traffic that comes through, and the gh as ent. He asked if any studies have been w moving the relationship between the parking and Mr. Srivas oils down to how much of a destination the stake holders wan ent of Western Avenue. He used two examples, Colorado Boule hird Street Promenade, explaining they had a vision in mind and they pu ·:, fra-structure to support that vision. He stated that he was not in any way suggestin at is the level of intensity the stake holders along Western Avenue would like to see the corridor evolve into. His opinion was that a reduced density, not as intense of retail destination orientated redevelopment effort is the preference of the community. Commissioner Nelson stated that in his mind a plan is not a plan unless it is costed, and until then it's just a dream. He felt this is an excellent dream, but it must be costed. He asked that all residents be involved in this plan, and even include the Planning Commission Chairman in these discussions. Planning Commission Minutes May 28, 2013 Page 5 8-9 With that, Chairman Emenhiser noted that the Commission had given staff feedback on this Vision Plan. Planning Commission Minutes May 28, 2013 Page 6 8-10