06/26/2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Street from May 8th through the 13th and meetings with City Committees, Commissions, neighborhood associations, Com Link and other interested citizens. Mr. Perez provided an explanation of the contents of the Charrette Catalog, which is a compendium of all of the drawings and information prepared during the Charrette. Staff stated that the entire contents of the Charrette Catalog are available on the City's website under the Planning Division section. Mr. Perez presented a slide that discussed the next steps in the adoption process, which showed public hearings for adoption occurring in the spring of 2007. Commissioner Lutz emphasized the importance of having clear provisions for implementation of the Specific Plan following adoption, expressed concern for the compatibility of mixing residential and industrial uses in the Logan neighborhood, clarified that the more intense high-rise development is proposed for the properties east of the Santa Ana Depot, clarified that the Arts District is included in the Plan. He further stated that he was impressed with everything that had been proposed so far particularly with the emphasis on open spaces, connections from the Depot for pedestrians, and better connectedness for people to live and work in the area. He also requested clarification on the role that transit might play in the Plan. Planning Manager Karen Haluza provided information on the study currently underway with Parsons Brinckerhoff to design potential transit routes within the study area and that that effort is being coordinated with the Plan. Commissioner Gartner clarified that all of the drawings presented in the Charrette Catalog were produced during the Charrette itself. He expressed the hope that the Plan can be realized and stated that it takes a town and makes it a city. He expressed support for the garage liner concept. Commissioner De La Torre stated that he was very impressed with what was presented. He clarified that active parks should be explored, not just passive open space. He expressed support for public circulation around small parks and stated that triangular areas of surplus right-of-way near intersections should be activated as small urban parks. He supported the idea of creating traffic circles and using other innovative approaches to create a unique character to individual areas. He stated that every corner should have something new and unique. He emphasized that the Plan should have tangible measures to encourage key development and that the City will need to identify funding for any implementation measures proposed in the Plan that will not unfairly draw funds from other area of the City that have needs. Commissioner Leo supported the idea that urban open space has a more broad definition than traditional parks and includes the interconnected network of parkways, sidewalks and smaller spaces. He expressed support for the proposed street realignments, as well as the removal of one-way streets. He stated that changing the streets in the near term should be encouraged as it will stimulate benefits right away. He expressed support for changes to the corner of 4th and Main proposed in the Plan. He requested clarification on the difference between intensity-based vs. use-based zoning concepts, which was provided by Mr. Perez. Commissioner Leo thanked Mr. Perez and staff for the broad-based public outreach to all communities of concern. Commissioner Betancourt stated that she would not participate in tonight's discussion due to the location of her primary residence within 500 feet of the study area boundary, but that she was seeking an opinion from the Fair Political Practices Commission regarding her future participation. Public Comments: Jim Kendrick voiced concern with prior Midtown Specific Plan that never got implemented. He stated that the Plan did not adequately emphasize the Artists Village area and the contributions of the arts to Santa Ana's downtown Planning Commission Minutes 3 June 26, 2006