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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-10_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: ExplorOcean, 600 East Bay Avenue Wednesday, December 10, 2014 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Council Member Tony Petros called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Tony Petros, Council Member Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association (Absent/Excused) Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchants Association Member Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Tom Pollack, ExplorOcean Representative Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative Other Community Members: Diane Dixon, Mayor Pro Tem Michael Henn, Former Council Member and BVAC Member Staff Members: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director Jim Campbell, Principal Planner Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer Fern Nueno, Associate Planner II. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COUNCIL MEMBER & CHAIR MIKE HENN Council Member Petros expressed his appreciation to outgoing Council Member Henn for his mentorship, leadership, and work for the benefit of the residents of Newport Beach. He commented positively on his character and passion toward the City and wished him well. On behalf of the Balboa Village Merchants Association, Committee Member Rodheim congratulated outgoing Council Member Henn, commented positively on his leadership, and congratulated and welcomed new Mayor Pro Tem Diane Dixon. He addressed involving residents in the Village, thanked outgoing Council Member Henn for his work and efforts. 1 On behalf of ExplorOcean, Committee Member Pollack thanked outgoing Council Member Henn for his leadership and work, and wished him well. Committee Member Stratton expressed his appreciation to outgoing Council Member Henn for his graciousness and efforts on behalf of the City. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon commented positively on outgoing Council Member Henn's work and thanked him for his efforts on behalf of the City. Outgoing Council Member Henn commented on his service and on accomplishments made, and expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to serve. Community Development Director Kimberly Brandt presented outgoing Council Member Henn with a memento in appreciation of his service. III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on Non-Agendized Items. Howard Hall stated he will wait to comment on agenda Item No. IV.3. There being no others wishing to address the Committee, Council Member Petros closed the Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items portion of the meeting. IV. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 8, 2014 Recommended Action: Approve October 8, 2014 Minutes. Committee Member Pollack moved to approve the minutes of the October 8, 2014 meeting. Committee Member Rodheim seconded the motion. Council Member Petros opened public comments for this item. Jim Mosher noted that receiving public comment is most effective prior to the Committee making a decision on a matter. The motion passed 5-0, with Committee Member Oakes, absent. 2. IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE Recommended Action: No action required. Associate Planner Fern Nueno provided background of the item and a status update. She addressed approval of the design guidelines, the Streetscape Improvement Plan, the Wayfinding Program and the Fagade Improvement Program, direction from Council to 2 staff, and funding. Discussion followed regarding the number of proposed gateway signs, similarity of the signs, potential cost savings of designing and constructing both signs concurrently, importance of the funding, no wayfinding sign on the bridge on Balboa Island, needing to negotiate with Seymour Beek regarding the Ferry, proposed location of the second sign, timing, and showing Mr. Beek a mockup that accommodates his business needs. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon asked regarding discussions on funding today and Ms. Nueno reported that the matter will return to the Committee and to City Council for funding allocation in the near future. Discussion followed regarding the importance of addressing the matter in a timely manner so that the item is ready for the next budget cycle and the Facilities Financing Plan. 3. PARKING MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Recommended Action: No action required. Principal Planner Jim Campbell presented details of the report and noted that the matter was presented to City Council on November 25, 2014, and that everything was approved except for the Residential Parking Permit Program (RP3), which was postponed. He summarized the Parking Management District for the Village, creation of a Parking Benefit District, funding for the proposed district, modification of parking rates, and other programs. He discussed the RP3 and reported that Council directed staff to better gauge residents' opinions regarding the program. He summarized the results of the prior survey done in late 2012 and he noted that the City Council wanted additional information to show that a majority of residents in the affected area are in favor of the program. Additional public outreach and another survey will be issued in January 2015. Discussion followed regarding whether Coastal Commission approval is needed for Programs Two through Five. Mr. Campbell reported that the only item that appeared to require Coastal Commission approval is the change in parking fees based upon how the Coastal Commission handled the City's Coastal Development Permit application for the installation of pay stations in the Balboa Pier parking lot. Coastal Commission staff determined that the parking fees had the potential to impact public access and regulated the fees with the approval of the pay stations. A discussion ensued regarding what might constitute regulated development within the Coastal Zone that would require permits and the possibility of setting precedent of going to Coastal for approval of parking fee changes. A discussion followed regarding the possibility of generating a petition and letting survey recipients know that this is a resident-driven program. A question was raised as to the code requirement for a majority of residents versus residences, Council's questioning of the definition of "majority" and the need for Council to use its judgment. Outgoing Council Member Henn stated that the current survey was statistically valid but 3 the Council did not see a majority of respondents indicating approval. With a new survey, residents will have an opportunity to communicate their acceptance/rejection of the program. Discussion continued regarding sending the new survey to property owners as well as residents, the survey process, obtaining a higher level of return, casting the survey as a non-binding "advisory vote," including Mooring Area C permit holders in the survey, as well as the proposed parking permit fee and all parking parameters, the possibility of redefining the boundaries, scheduling a town hall meeting, and concerns regarding fears and lack of understanding. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Howard Hall stated this is not just "citizen-driven," but driven by a small committee, part of the Central Newport Beach Community Association, which drew up a district and already wanted an overnight parking program. He added there was a lot of controversy regarding the matter and reported that the plan has nothing to do with the revitalization of Balboa or the easing of existing congestion. He spoke in opposition to the proposed program boundaries. Council Member Petros noted that if responses are considered on a block-by-block basis, it may steer Council, with more precision, toward appropriate boundaries and areas of influence. Outgoing Council Member Henn added that the survey will provide decision-makers with a rationale for establishing adequate boundaries. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of people parking farther away from the district until it becomes too far to walk and seeing that expressed in the results of the second survey. Ensuing discussion pertained to the need to have consideration for everyone, plans for ExplorOcean, the number of non-resident visitors expected at ExplorOcean, and off-peak, bus-driven visitors. Bill Dildine commented on overflow, residents and property owners, and number of occupied units. Committee Member Rodheim suggested moving forward with the survey and holding a town hall meeting to receive as much input as possible for increased transparency. Community Development Director Kimberly Brandt suggested scheduling the town hall meeting prior to distributing the survey. Discussion followed regarding providing a status update to Council in January, then scheduling the town hall meeting and providing an opportunity for residents to cast their ballot at that time. Additionally, brief discussion occurred regarding the need for as many people as possible to attend the meeting. 4 Council Member Petros commented on communicating that this is a Council-driven survey, its goals, and next steps. Howard Hall commented on a previous meeting and suggested scheduling the meeting at either 6:00 or 7:00 p.m. Ms. Brandt suggested tentatively scheduling the town hall meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2015. Jim Mosher commented on the Parking Benefit District and asked for clarification regarding whether the parking meters in Balboa Village are already in a parking district. Principal Planner Campbell responded to Mr. Mosher's comments indicating that 50 percent revenues from the on-street meters are deposited into the Neighborhood Enhancement Zone B reserve and that would no longer occur with the adoption of the proposed changes. Discussion followed regarding the Lido/McFadden Square area that would no longer be in an Neighborhood Enhancement Zone, improvements being funded by the General Fund, off-sets to the benefit of the General Fund, possible disadvantages, and funding through parking revenues. Ken Goen commented positively on including mooring owners in the permit process. Council Member Petros closed public comments on this matter. V. PUBLIC COMMENT Bill Dildine commented on the intersection of Adams Street and Balboa Boulevard. City Traffic Engineer Tony Brine reported that staff is looking into the matter which is tied to the operation of traffic signals. Richard Dorn expressed concerns with the lack of handicapped spaces west of the subject area. Discussion followed regarding handicapped parking spaces in residential areas and the Coastal Commission's review of the RP3. VI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Balboa Village Advisory Committee, Council Member Petros adjourned the meeting at 5:18 p.m. Next Meeting Date: January 14, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. 5