Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/27/2000 - Study Session0 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session June 27, 2000 - 4:10 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Thomson, Glover, Adams, Debay, O'Neil, Mayor Noyes Absent: Ridgeway (excused) 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Regarding Agenda Item No. 13, San Miguel Drive Roadway Improvements (C- 3311), Public Works Director Webb confirmed for Council Member Debay that the project will be completed in about three months. 2. MARINER'S MILE - ORAL PRESENTATION ON DRAFT DESIGN GUIDELINES. City Manager Bludau reported that Keenan Smith from City Lights Design • Alliance will be providing an oral report that is similar to the presentation he will be giving to local residents and Mariner's Mile businesses. Keenan Smith, City Lights Design Alliance, reported that he is an urban planning and design consultant and has been working on the Mariner's Mile design framework since fall 1997. He stated that the work came about as a result of a former business and citizens advisory committee recommending that a design framework be developed for Mariner's Mile. He indicated that he has been working for 11 months with staff and Council Member Glover and that a draft design framework was generated in July 1998. He reported that they went on a hiatus for 10 or 11 months while the search for a City Manager was going on and other issues arose. However, for the last 10 months, the firm has been working intensely and is receiving input from a new Mariner's Mile business owners association that was created to look after the business interest on Mariner's Mile. He stated that another draft design framework has been compiled and that they are ready to receive publicinput. Mr. Smith reported that their focus is on how to create a strong design framework for Mariner's Mile. He indicated that they see Mariner's Mile as a crucial and important part of the City since it is an area that many people pass every day. He believed that, on a visual, planning, and land use standpoint, the area has vast variety in its buildings, signage, and opportunities for making it a better place for the City. • Mr. Smith distributed an outline to Council and invited everyone to review the series of picture boards he placed near the dais. He noted that, when they first looked at Mariner's Mile, the economic circumstances were a bit Volume 53 - Page 434 I7 No report City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes June 27, 2000 • different than they are today. He reported that the businesses are currently doing quite well and that phenomenal tax revenue comes from Mariner's Mile. However, the area does leave something to be desired in terms of presenting cohesiveness and quality building standards that one might expect when coming to the City. He reported that they began to look at the problem in terms of five categories: planning and urban design, landscape, signage, architecture, and parking. Mr. Smith utilized an aerial photo of Mariner's Mile, from Upper Newport Bay Bridge to the Arches Bridge. He believed that the gateways to Mariner's Mile are important focal points for the district and emphasized how improving the signage at those gateways can announce the identity of the district. He stated that they even worked with the team that was working on the Arches Bridge so that they could look at their landscaping and suggest modifications to create a stronger landscape theme. However, he noted that they have ideas for the Dover Drive interchange that still need addressing. He indicated that their ideas for entry include signage, nautical flags, lighted signage, and an area logo. Mr. Smith stated that the Tustin/Riverside intersection and the blocks immediately on the inland side could be the urban design "bones" for a Mariner's Village that can connect Newport Heights above with the waterfront below. He stated that they recommend that the pieces of walkway be connected to create a strong public waterfront to help the • district boost its identity and create a more exciting feel. Even though doing this may be controversial since there is a series of entertainment and theme restaurants, he indicated that they would be remiss as urban designers and planners if they did not bring this forward for consideration. Regarding landscapes, Mr. Smith stated that there is a latent desire to try to make more out of Mariner's Mile in terms of its continuity and strength, and that a strong landscape program on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) would achieve this goal. He utilized a diagram to show the types of trees and hedges that will be planted which builds on what is already in existence. Mr. Smith emphasized that signage is also a critical element for Mariner's Mile. He stated that the visual discord of the signs is a result of many businesses reaching out to the highway with their own business identity without any sense of restraint or continuity. He reported that they suggest to address the sign issue through code enforcement since about 40 percent of the signs do not meet the code and by working with the business owners association to get their input. He indicated that they started out with very stringent sign ideas and pulled back to assist in the design of the pole signs. Regarding architecture, Mr. Smith stated that they are making the businesses more aware that the architecture on Mariner's Mile is seen from at least four or five sides, noting that the buildings are also looked down upon. He added that they also have suggestions relative to the color pallet, hardware, and nautical design. • Mr. Smith reported that some of the most important work that they have done has been in their design review and assistance. He stated that they Volume 53 - Page 435 Ufi� 107 City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes June 27, 2000 • worked on eighteen to twenty projects, ranging from the review of the Balboa Bay Club and Auto Bistro. He noted that, even though they currently do not have the strength of a design framework, their ideas have helped when working with the applicants. Mr. Smith announced that they will be holding a meeting on July 9 to solicit input and reported that the design framework is 95 percent complete. In response to Mayor Pro Tom Adams' questions, Mr. Smith believed that on- street parking on PCH will help create a sense of place for pedestrians on Mariner's Mile since it would slow down traffic, but widening PCH would be counterproductive to their work since it leaves no room to landscape or pull the common elements together. Mayor Pro Tern Adams indicated that what they have done so Far looks good, but expressed concern that, with streetscape projects like this, it could look tacky if they are not done with quality. Mr. Smith indicated that they considered not taking the project if all that was desired was to hang banners and plant a few plants on PCH. He stated that their work has not entirely been about beautification or cosmetic improvements to Mariner's Mile, but has been about a thoughtful analysis of what Mariner's Mile wants to be and how the strategic elements work together to create a better place. Mayor Pro Tem Adams stated that preserving the marine heritage is important but noted the demand for land use. He asked if the City is forcing something that will be counter to the economic forces of the area. Mr. Smith stated that Mariner's Mile will • always have the waterfront, is distinctive to other sections of PCH, and marine uses will always have a place on Mariner's Mile, but he also pointed out that there has been a change in the composition of those uses. He stated that they have not emphasized a nautical theme but have pointed applicants toward that idea as long as it is not a gimmicky design. Assistant City Manager Wood reported that they are working on zoning amendments that would implement items in the design framework, the initiation for this is on tonight's agenda, and they plan to bring the design framework and ordinances before the Planning Commission and Council in the future. She clarified that they are proposing to have the design framework adopted by Council resolution so it becomes a City policy. Further, the ordinance amendments would put a development plan review process into place so that new development or major additions to properties on Mariner's Mile will be reviewed by the Planning Director for substantial conformity with the design framework. She stated that some of the specifics, particularly with regard to sign regulations and landscaping requirements, will also be placed into the code. Council Member Glover stated that they tried to stay away from having a theme because it is inappropriate. She believed that they have been trying to point out materials that soften the area and create a guideline, but do not require people to follow them. She reported that they used the design framework with six businesses on Mariner's Mile through the Good Neighbor Policy and believed that a lot of businesses come into Mariner's Mile without is any idea of what they want. Council Member Glover added that the current businesses have also worked hard to put together a sign program and are regulating themselves. She noted that this is one of the first programs in Volume 53 - Page 436 INDEX • • C J City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes June 27, 2000 any municipality where the businesses have been willing to discipline themselves. She added that the businesses will also be paying for most of the landscape improvements. Mr. Smith introduced one of his colleagues, Leann Kirby. He reported that she is a landscape architect and urban designer in Laguna Beach and that she sat on the business and citizen advisory committee that recommended the project. Ms. Wood reported that a community forum is planned for Sunday, July 9 at the Mariner's Square Center and that Mr. Smith, Ms. Kirby, and staff will be in attendance to explain the proposal. Following that, the design framework and the zoning amendments will be finalized and will go before the Planning Commission for public hearing and then to the City Council. 3. SANTIAGO DRIVE SPEED REDUCTION PROGRAM UPDATE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE DRAFT NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES. Transportation and Development Services Manager Edmonston stated that a meeting notice was sent to all the residents along Santiago Drive, as well as those that have been most active on the other streets. However, he received phone calls today indicating that the time of the study session was not included on the notice. He reported that he described what he would be reviewing and the timeframe allowed to those that called him today and indicated that they opted to participate as improvements are recommended. He added that he also heard that Mr. Berger is out of town and that there is a "For Sale" sign on his front lawn. Regarding the enforcement activity, Mr. Edmonston referenced Tables A and B in the staff report and stated that it does not appear that the presence of law enforcement diverted traffic to any of the parallel streets. However, the speeds decreased when enforcement was the heaviest and increased slightly when enforcement went into a milder posture during the last couple of months. He reported that radar studies were conducted last Saturday and that the traffic during the afternoon was higher by several miles an hour than what was measured during the weekday. He indicated that the data from weekday morning and afternoon commutes has not been received yet but will be available in the future. He added that the higher speeds are down several miles an hour, but noted that it can be influenced by just one or two very fast drivers. Mr. Edmonston stated that they looked at what could be done to the streets in the community to try to bring driver behavior more in line with the residents' desires and expectations. He stated that the Draft Neighborhood Traffic Management Guidelines was prepared primarily by Ed Cline of Willdan Associates. He reported that Willdan was selected because they have handled these types of neighborhood traffic management studies in five cities and about 30 different neighborhoods in the past few years. Lew Gluesing, Willdan Associates, reiterated that Willdan has done quite a few neighborhood traffic management studies for different cities and stated Volume 53 - Page 437 IIo1)9/:1 Santiago Drive Speed Reduction Program /Draft Neighborhood Traffic Management Guidelines (85) • City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes June 27, 2000 1 10117 DA1 that large projects, like the one done for 25 neighborhoods in Long Beach, gave them a lot of insight. He noted that the process can take one to two years to complete, depending on the complexity and how long it takes to come to a consensus in the neighborhood. Mr. Gluesing reported that this type of process is initiated when the City receives a request or complaint. Once received, staff reviews the site and conducts an initial traffic engineering investigation that may even generate a solution. He reported that the neighborhood would then appear before the Traffic Affairs Committee so that they can review the initial study and receive comments. The Committee tries to formulate possible solutions and provide guidance to the neighborhood, and then the neighborhood is noticed and educated on the issues and possible solutions. If a solution cannot be reached, a petition can be circulated by those who may be potentially impacted in the area. This area is determined by staff. Mr. Gluesing stated that a neighborhood workshop is conducted once the petition is submitted to the City with at least 60 percent of the affected residents' signatures. Willdan then generates the engineering analysis that is based on observed speeds that are very close to the 85 percentile speeds. The Traffic Affairs Committee evaluates the analysis and looks at the benefits and how they might proceed. He stated that another petition would be submitted to the neighborhood that identifies the things proposed for implementation and how it might affect the community. He noted that they suggest that 75 percent of the affected residents be in favor of the proposal. He indicated • that a second neighborhood workshop would now take place to discuss what will be presented to Council, staff recommendations, and what measures may be implemented. Council would then review the proposal during a public hearing and the traffic measure would be implemented once approved. He reported that plans and specifications would then be prepared and reviewed by the public. Regarding the implementation of the traffic management measures, Mr. Gluesing stated that the traffic measures can be made permanent initially or on a temporary basis. He reported that the measures (i.e. sand bags and delineators) are generally made temporary for three to six months to get a sense of what the impacts will be on the community and what they think of the measures. If the measures are acceptable and are doing some good, they can be made permanent. Regarding the engineering analysis, Mr. Gluesing explained the 85 percentile speed. He stated that a city may want to post a 25 mph speed limit since the 85 percentile speed limit may be as high as 29.9 mph and if the 85 percentile speed is the high end of the reasonable improvement speed. Mr. Bludau asked if it is normal for 50 percent of the traffic to be exceeding the speed limit. Mr. Edmonston noted that, according to the most recent studies on Santiago Drive which represent about 400 vehicles, only about 20 to 25 percent are driving at or below the speed limit. Public Works Director Webb stated that the Draft Neighborhood Traffic • Management Guidelines also includes petition forms and gives examples of traffic management measures (i.e. chokers, traffic circles, bumps, intersection platforms, etc.). Volume 53 - Page 438 u City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes June 27, 2000 INDEX In response to Mayor Pro Tem Adams' question, Mr. Edmonston reported that he and Willdan are trying to finalize the July 12 meeting with the residents affected by Santiago Drive. He indicated that Willdan has been working on some concept plans for Santiago Drive and Holiday Road, and that they hope to be back before Council in four weeks with recommendations. He stated that they are leaning toward some form of physical construction to try to impact the speed. He noted that the guideline is a draft and that staff would entertain input from Council at some point, particularly on some of the thresholds, since these guidelines may be useful on a Citywide perspective. Council Member Glover stated that there are interesting solutions for Santiago Drive and its affected side streets; however, the City needs to gingerly look at how the numbers can be applied to the rest of the City. Mr. Edmonston agreed and noted that, under the revised Traffic Phasing Ordinance, the need for additional studies like this can be triggered. He added that a number of cities have found that these studies have also helped residents understand the possibilities by developing guidelines. Mayor Pro Tern Adams suggested that staff generate a matrix that lists the different measures and some of the characteristics. PUBLIC COMMENTS • • Dan Purcell stated that he is looking forward to tonight's Council meeting and feels like he has a ticket to one of the most incredible shows around. He added that he is proud to have this Council representing the City. ADJOURNMENT - 5:05 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on June 21, 2000, at 3:00 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. 0 f M. old, -Af - City Clerk �� -� ice. Volume 53 - Page 439