HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-21_BVAC_Minutes_ApprovedCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Marina Park, Bay Island Room (2nd Floor)
1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach
Wednesday, March 21, 2018 – 4 to 5:30 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
The following persons were in attendance:
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair)
Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association
Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative (arrived at 4:10 p.m.)
Staff Members:
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Jim Campbell, Deputy Community Development Director
Dave Webb, Public Works Director
Mike Pisani, Municipal Operations Director
Mike Sinacori, Assistant City Engineer
Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS
None
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
Agenda items were taken in the following order: 2, 3, 1, 4.
1. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 2018
Recommended Action: Approve February 21, 2018 Minutes
MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Dove, to
approve the minutes of the February 21, 2018 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
2. UPCOMING BUDGET FOR FY 2018/2019
Recommended Action: Discuss and Confirm Budget
Public Works Director Webb reviewed the budget for 2017/2018. Annual revenue is approximately
$386,000. Funds not expended in fiscal year (FY) 2017/2018 will be carried forward to FY 2018/2019.
Staff proposes additional funds of $120,000 for the shuttle program and new funds of $18,000 for steam
cleaning and $50,000 for enhanced maintenance. Staff may be able to obtain additional funding for the
shuttle program through a new Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) grant program.
Unprogrammed funds total approximately $454,000.
In response to questions, Public Works Director Webb explained that few funds were expended in FY
2017/2018 because the facade program is voluntary, plans for the streetscape project are not complete,
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March 21, 2018 Draft Minutes
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and staff is working on other projects throughout the City. Unprogrammed funds can be saved for major
projects, designated for new projects, or held in the account with no designation.
Committee Members suggested utilizing funds for additional police patrols, assistance with the homeless,
a security service, design of landscape improvements from Newport Pier to Balboa Village, a marketing
program, lighting, and increasing enhanced maintenance funds. Deputy Community Development Director
Campbell referred to the Code section that lists the types of projects for which funds can be used and
indicated funds cannot be used for security or marketing.
Howard Hall and W.R. Dildine commented on the boundaries of Balboa Village and conflicting maps of the
boundaries.
Chair Dixon announced the Committee's approval of the budget, as proposed, with unprogrammed funds
being noted as reserved for future projects to be determined by the Balboa Village Advisory Committee.
3. STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS
Recommended Action: No Action Required
Assistant City Engineer Sinacori introduced Municipal Operations Director Pisani and Art Guy, the City's
contract landscape architect. Businesses have called staff and offered suggestions for improvements.
Trash cans are the number one priority, and staff will do something before the streetscape package is
released for bids. Staff's target for issuing the streetscape package is the fall, with construction to begin in
January 2019. Staff has an order ready to place for 50 of the sample trash cans if the Committee approves
the sample can. The sample cans will replace the blue roto cans and hopefully can be installed prior to
summer. An option for the Committee to consider is adding the City seal to each can. The kelp cans are
nice, but they are expensive and take longer to obtain. As part of the streetscape project, some kelp cans
will be replaced. More bike racks are needed. Members of the walking tour could not find a good location
for decorative racks with the seal, but did find a few locations where higher capacity scissor racks could be
placed. He showed photos of proposed locations. The area around the gas mitigation system will be
landscaped before summer. Members of the community should report things that do not look right directly
to staff or through the online system. The lids of the kelp trash cans will be painted before summer. Staff
is planning replacement of trees and vegetation along streets; however, the palm trees will remain. Staff
recommends replacing the terra cotta pots with consistent colored pots. Some of the pots can be removed
to alleviate the cluttered appearance. Staff is considering three-season plantings for the hanging pots and
will assume responsibility of their maintenance. It was discussed that the area in front of Newport Landing
is private property; therefore, staff will have to work through that issue before making improvements.
Improvements to the Washington Avenue parking lot will need Council approval and need to be added to
BVAC's budget.
Municipal Operations Director Pisani reported staff requested a budget enhancement to schedule porter
service on warm spring weekends.
Landscape Architect, Art Guy advised that the palms were a good selection and are in scale with their
surroundings. People will be disappointed if the pots are removed, and the pots provide vibrancy and
continuity in color. Removing pots will leave an ugly footprint. The pots and hanging planters will be navy
blue.
Committee Member Ford agreed to contact the owner of the property in front of Newport Landing.
Committee Members supported proposed improvements. Removing some of the pots may provide better
pedestrian circulation.
Assistant City Engineer Sinacori suggested replacing the asphalt and adding fencing, a mural, and a
landscaped screen in the area south of the bathroom. He did not include these items in the streetscape
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project. If funding for the streetscape project does not cover these improvements, they can return as a
separate project.
Municipal Operations Director Pisani noted merchants were placing their trash beside the dumpsters
located in the fence.
4. GENERAL UPDATES
a. Commercial Facade Improvement Program
b. Wayfinding Signage
c. Outdoor Display
Recommended Action: No Action Required
Associate Planner Zdeba reported 16 facade improvement projects are complete and 9 projects are in
progress. Six applications for facade improvements are incomplete, and three applications are awaiting
review. He suggested wayfinding signage be placed on a future agenda. With respect to outdoor displays,
the t-shirt shop's mannequins are located on property. The City cannot regulate the content of merchandise
unless it is extremely offensive.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
Committee Member Stratton felt the building proposed for the corner of Adamson and East Balboa
Boulevard does not comply with design guidelines. Associate Planner Zdeba advised that the Zoning
Administrator reviewed the application on March 15, and approved the project based on it meeting required
findings. The project can be appealed within 14 days of the approval. Community Development Director
Jurjis explained that the guidelines are not requirements, and an architect's design can veer away from
design guidelines. W.R. Dildine stated the 2014 Balboa Village Design Guidelines were never formally
adopted. Deputy Community Development Director Campbell reiterated that components of a project may
be consistent, partially consistent, or not consistent with the guidelines. If the project on balance is
consistent with guidelines, then it can be approved. Homer Oatman stated the project is a contemporary
design with nods to the nautical aspect of the area, but it is consistent with guidelines. Committee Member
Stratton advised that a modern building will not maintain the eclectic character of Balboa Village.
Committee Member Dove stated Balboa Village is screaming to be a landmark district. Perhaps BVAC
could fund a consultant to provide guidance for historic preservation. Chair Dixon encouraged the applicant
and the community to work together.
Deputy Community Development Director Campbell announced the community forum regarding residential
permit parking is scheduled for May 7, 6:00 p.m., at Marina Park.
V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:30 p.m.)
The meeting ended at 5:30 p.m.
Next meeting Date: May 16, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park