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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-09_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: City Council Chambers at Former City Hall 3300 Newport Boulevard Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Council Member Petros called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Mayor Pro Tem (Chair) — Absent/Excused (On the phone) Tony Petros, Council Member Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchants Association Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association — Absent/Excused Tom Pollack, ExplorOcean Representative — Absent/Excused Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative Staff Members: Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director Benjamin Zdeba, Assistant Planner Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (comments limited to 3 minutes) Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on Non-Agendized Items. Committee Member Stratton asked about the status of the Local Coastal Plan Implementation Program. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski provided a brief update noting that public draft copies have been made available and the matter is being reviewed by the Planning Commission in study session. She added that a Planning Commission public hearing will be held in October and that the matter will be presented to Council in November. She further noted that it should be submitted to the Coastal Commission by January 2016. Committee Member Stratton asked regarding sidewalk steam cleaning in the Village and BVAC Minutes 09/09/2015 Page 1 commented positively on the new mural at the pump station. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the steam cleaning is scheduled by the Municipal Operations Department and commented on the frequency. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF JULY 8, 2015 AND AUGUST 12, 2015 (ATTACHMENT 1) Recommended Action: Approve July 8, 2015 and August 12, 2015 Minutes. Action: Committee Member Stratton moved to approve the minutes from the July 8, 2015, and Committee Member Oakes seconded the motion. The motion carried, 3 — 0 with Mayor Pro Tem Dixon, Committee Member Dove, and Committee Member Pollack, absent. Committee Member Rodheim abstained as he was absent from that meeting. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski noted that corrections to the August 12, 2015, minutes were submitted by Mr. Jim Mosher. Action: Committee Member Rodheim moved to approve the minutes as amended from the August 12, 2015, and Committee Member Oakes seconded the motion. The motion carried, 4 — 0 with Mayor Pro Tem Dixon, Committee Member Dove, and Committee Member Pollack, absent. 2. RP3 BOUNDARY CLARIFICATION (ATTACHMENT 2) Recommended Action: Finalize RP3 Boundary to be considered by City Council. Community Development Director Brandt referenced a previous presentation regarding the Residential Parking Permit Program (RP3) boundary map at a prior BVAC meeting and presented the map representing the Committee's desires on this item. The matter was continued to this meeting as there were not enough votes at the prior meeting to move it forward. Council Member Petros clarified the actions required at this time. Community Development Director Brandt reported that the color coding on the map will be appropriately modified before the RP3 is presented to Council. Committee Member Rodheim noted that the community is evenly divided on this matter and felt that the City should do what is best for residents. Committee Member Stratton noted that 62 percent of residents are in favor and that this has been a democratic process. Council Member Petros opened public comments. BVAC Minutes 09/09/2015 Page 2 Lesley Miller expressed concern that the proposal will not work as it is being piecemealed with the proposed shuttle program. She further added that the Peninsula is a single unit and should be treated as such. Lastly, she reported there are not enough parking meters near ExplorOcean and noted that the area is dirty. Howard Hall reported that he had previously recommended stopping the RP3 boundary at Medina Way and commented on concerns related to phasing the project. He spoke in opposition to impacting eastern Balboa Peninsula and suggested that if blocks beyond Medina Way are included, then some areas near Adams Street should be excluded from the program. W.R. Dildine commented on the length of time this item has been considered and suggested moving forward with it and presenting it to City Council. He addressed spill over into other neighborhoods and encouraged BVAC to give the project a chance. Jim Mosher referenced his written comments, the maps, and related statistics in the staff report. He addressed phases and alternatives and expressed concerns that Council will have difficulty in determining whether there is sufficient support to move forward with the plans. Additionally, he suggested a scientific and objective method that could be used to clarify the issue when it is presented to Council. Council Member Petros closed public comments. Council Member Petros stated that if and when this matter is presented to Council, and if Mr. Mosher has presented a mathematical tool that will help in decision-making, he would like it to be considered. He referenced Mr. Hall's comments and noted that his recitation on Medina Way has not fallen on deaf ears. He stated that he believes that the intent of the plan is to prevent spill over from commercial operations impacting adjacent residential neighborhoods. Action: Committee Member Stratton moved to forward Map 1 to Council for consideration with the potential of a Phase 2, which would go to the west, and Committee Member Oakes seconded the motion. Committee Member Rodheim stated he would prefer Map 2. The motion carried, 3 — 1 with Committee Member Rodheim voting "No," and Mayor Pro Tem Dixon, Committee Member Dove, and Committee Member Pollack, absent. 3. SHUTTLE UPDATE (ATTACHMENT 3) Recommended Action: Receive update and provide direction, as needed. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski provided an update on the shuttle program, including the costs, the number of vehicles, securing parking lots, the need to work with Hoag Hospital, the possibility of funding through an Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) grant, and next steps, and she requested direction from the Committee. BVAC Minutes 09/09/2015 Page 3 Council Member Petros expressed concerns regarding the suggested parking locations, requested that the City lot on Superior Avenue be considered, and emphasized the benefit of a pilot program. It was noted that the Superior Avenue lot is being reviewed by the Recreation and Senior Services Department due to use of the lot as parking for programming of Sunset Ridge Park. Discussion followed regarding consideration of Banning Ranch by the Coastal Commission, unknown outcomes of that project with regard to potential additional parking provided, and moving the matter forward. Discussion continued regarding steps to move the item forward and possibilities to lease or sub-lease various properties for parking in the City. Community Development Director Brandt commented on possibilities and alternatives moving forward. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon suggested contacting Newport Beach & Company to gain a better perspective on marketing the shuttle program. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Jim Mosher requested clarification of the route maps. Council Member Petros clarified the concept and addressed possibilities relative to the schedule and stops along the way. Lesley Miller commented on the need to take a holistic approach with respect to the RP3 and any shuttle program. She added that being able to present everything together as a single project would help build the case for the City's application to the Coastal Commission. Lastly, she expressed support for the shuttle program. Council Member Petros closed public comments. 4. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM (ATTACHMENT 4) Recommended Action: Informational item only. No action required. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski presented an article for the Committee's review and reported that staff will work with the Balboa Village Merchants Association (BVMA) to evaluate the concept of an open-air market. Regarding the Gateway sign, Committee Member Rodheim reported that the BVMA requests a delay in the matter until Balboa Village realizes some of the improvements discussed relative to Balboa Theater and ExplorOcean. He added there is no urgency on the sign and will work with Mayor Pro Tem Dixon to determine the appropriate name for the area. BVAC Minutes 09/09/2015 Page 4 Council Member Petros opened public comments. Jim Mosher provided comments regarding the article presented. Committee Member Rodheim expressed that if the area is redeveloped for residents primarily, tourists will follow. He expressed interest in revitalization of the Balboa Theater as an amenity for the residents of the area. Council Member Petros closed public comments. IV. PUBLIC COMMENT Lesley Miller commented on the need to clean and install lighting at Balboa Village. V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:30 p.m.) The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. Next Meeting Date: October 14, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. BVAC Minutes 09/09/2015 Page 5