HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-21_BVAC_Minutes_ApprovedCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Marina Park, Collins Island Room (2nd Floor)
1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 – 4:00-5:30 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:01 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
Mike Wheeler, OceanQuest Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Seimone Jurjis, Community Development Director
Jim Campbell, Deputy Community Development Director
Dave Webb, Public Works Director
Patrick Alford, Planning Program Manager
Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (Comments limited to 3 minutes)
Jim Mosher expressed interest in the status of the Balboa Theater renovation project.
Committee Member Stratton wished to take action against the display of inappropriate merchandise in the
window of the t-shirt shop. Chair Dixon requested staff agendize the matter for a future meeting.
Community Development Director Seimone Jurjis reported that entitlements for the Balboa Theater project
are valid and in effect. The applicant is developing construction documents to preserve the character of
the building. If the applicant chooses to amend its use permit, it will be brought to the Planning Commission
for review.
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
1. MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 15, 2017
Recommended Action: Approve November 15, 2017 Minutes
MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Wheeler, seconded by Committee Member Stratton,
to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2017 meeting, as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
2. BALBOA PENINSULA TROLLEY 2018
Recommended Action: No Action Required
Public Works Director Dave Webb presented the recommendation made to Council on January 23, 2018.
Trolley ridership exceeded the required ridership of seven boardings per bus per hour in the first year and
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February 21, 2018 Draft Minutes
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ten boardings per bus per hour in years 2-10. The bulk of ridership occurred between 8 and 10 a.m., with
little ridership in the early morning and late evening. Staff proposed moving trolley parking from Hoag
Hospital to the City-owned lot at Tustin and Avon. This relocation will save approximately $10,000 in rent
paid to Hoag Hospital, will serve the new hotel and Lido Village, and will decrease travel time. Staff also
recommended a start time of 9:30 a.m., monitoring ridership for potential Friday operations, not using open-
air trolleys, and extending the season from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Total
ridership for the entire season was 23,560 for an average of 20 riders per hour. The total operating cost
was $226,000 or $9.59 per rider. The total cost for year 1, $85,000, was more than projected. In the fiscal
year 2018-2019 budget, Staff recommended utilizing $120,000 of BVAC funds to pay for the unexpected
expense in year 1 and to pay for year 2 of the program. For years 3-7 of the program, BVAC funds in the
approximate amount of $350,000 will be needed for the trolley program.
In response to questions, Director Webb agreed to conduct outreach to merchants affected by use of the
Tustin/Avon parking lot. Peak congestion at the Riverside intersection occurs in the morning during the
school year. With the trolley running during the summer, congestion should not be a problem. The
Tustin/Avon parking lot is minimally used year-round; therefore, trolley parking should not displace paid
parking. The trolley will operate for 15 weeks beginning Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day
weekend. The trolley will operate on Memorial Day and Labor Day.
3. CURRENT BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Recommended Action: Discuss and Provide Direction
Director Webb reported that the beginning balance for BVAC funds for fiscal year 2017-2018 was
approximately $586,000. With the addition of $400,000 in projected revenue, the balance at the end of the
fiscal year will be approximately $987,000. After subtracting amounts for facade improvements, wayfinding,
streetscape, the trolley, and enhanced maintenance, the ending balance will be approximately $153,000.
For fiscal year 2018-2019, additional projected revenue of $410,000 and trolley costs of $120,000 will bring
the balance to $444,000. Staff needs information about improvements in order to prepare the Capital
Improvement Program budget for fiscal year 2018-2019. With respect to wayfinding, there has been a
Citywide discussion about reducing the number of signs because of the use of mobile devices for directions
and the concern about sign clutter. In addition, the amount estimated for wayfinding seems high.
After some discussion of the most recent walk-through and of the subcommittee's recommendations for
wayfinding, BVAC agreed to schedule agenda items in March to discuss and possibly finalize design and
location of kiosks and costs and specifications for streetscape elements.
With respect to median island improvements beginning at the top of the peninsula, Director Webb advised
that staff decided to postpone the project for a year in order to add funding and components to the project.
Chair Dixon suggested BVAC include funding for this area in its upcoming budget.
Associate Planner Ben Zdeba indicated applications for facade improvements remain pending. There is
renewed interest in the facade program. In regard to the bike shop, the applicant has returned unused
funds. The group remodeling Balboa Theater has submitted an incomplete application for Tier 2 funds,
which are a maximum amount of $50,000 per application.
4. PARKING MANAGEMENT DISTRICT OVERLAY AND "RP3" UPDATE
Recommended Action: No Action Required
Community Development Deputy Director Jim Campbell reported that modification of parking requirements
resulted from the 2012 Balboa Village Master Plan. In 2014, the Council adopted the parking overlay that
modifies parking. The overlay was included in the Local Coastal Program (LCP) amendment that was
presented to the Coastal Commission, who recommended the City process it as a separate amendment.
Staff has to present the overlay to the Planning Commission, and then to Council, for approval prior to
submitting it to the Coastal Commission. Staff anticipates some resistance from the Coastal Commission
because the Coastal Commission views visitors to businesses as displacing visitors to the coastal zone.
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February 21, 2018 Draft Minutes
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To obtain Coastal Commission approval, staff may have to modify the overlay. The residential preferential
parking permit (RP3) program created an overnight parking program for a specific area. Staff submitted
the proposed RP3 to the Coastal Commission, who requested the City withdraw the application and
resubmit it with all parking programs. With certification of the LCP, the City can now approve a Coastal
Development Permit for the RP3. Staff proposes a community forum on March 21 to review RP3 and to
obtain public input. Staff added monitoring conditions to the RP3 in an effort to protect the program in an
appeal to the Coastal Commission. Staff proposes to monitor the impact of the RP3 and to reserve several
parking spaces on street ends for public parking. The trolley supports overall transit programs and
demonstrates enhanced public access to coastal areas. The price of parking is a factor that the Coastal
Commission will review. The City needs to find that a majority of residents want the RP3 program, and
staff will receive public input during the forum and the hearing for the Coastal Development Permit. Even
though nonresidents are restricted from parking on residential streets after 4:00 p.m., residents will have to
compete for parking spaces. The overlay will be submitted to the Coastal Commission as an amendment,
but the RP3 can be approved locally.
Kelly Carlson noted the RP3 would remove free parking spaces.
Committee Members indicated there is a parking problem because employees, night fishermen, and
Catalina Flyer and bar patrons park overnight in residential areas.
Planning Program Manager Patrick Alford explained that the Coastal Commission views the RP3 as a
potential impact to public access in that access to the beach should be available 24/7. The City has to find
a way to mitigate that impact. The Coastal Commission believes each land use should provide its own
parking; streets and parking lots should provide parking for visitors. Director Jurjis added that the Coastal
Commission has allowed permit parking when a city has proven there are outside impacts to parking.
In reply to queries, Deputy Director Campbell agreed to provide, at a later time, the estimated number of
parking spaces subject to permit parking in Phase I. Phase II will be implemented if Phase I is successful
and if Phase II is needed. Staff proposed a start time of 4 p.m. so that parking spaces will be available for
residents returning home from work. Staff can consider other hours, and the Council can change the hours.
Committee Member Stratton clarified that the number of spaces is unknown because spaces are not
marked. The Nelson Nygaard study showed that visitors began leaving around 4 p.m.
Committee Member Dove recalled the negative impacts caused by issuing parking tickets a few years ago.
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:32 p.m.)
The meeting ended at 5:32 p.m.
Next meeting Date: March 21, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park