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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13B - COUNCIL CMT MINUTESCITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION Special Meeting Minutes October 31, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. in City Hall, Conference Room 229. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Chairman Sarmiento ATTENDANCE The following Committee Members were present: Vincent Sarmiento, Michele Martinez, David Benavides Staff present were: David Cavazos, City Manager; Jay Trevino, Planning & Building Agency Executive Director; Ryan Hodge, Assistant City Attorney; Nancy Fong, Interim Executive Director /Community Devel. Agency; Shelly Landry- Bayle, Housing Division Manager; Matt Foulkes, Senior Management Analyst; Gabriela Lomeli, Redevelopment Project Manager; Marc Morley, Economic Development Specialist III; Chris Dalton, Economic Development Specialist I; and Rosa Barela, PBA Executive Secretary. 0J___1 4C0K07PiIJi14ki 11&M0re=M AGENDA ITEMS 1. DISCUSSION WITH THE URBAN LAND INSTITUTE (ULI) ABOUT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY'S PARKING GARAGE AT 3RD STREET AND BROADWAY Chairman Sarmiento welcomed and thanked everyone for their attendance and introduced the City Manager David Cavazos and Planning & Building Agency Executive Director Jay Trevino. Mr. Cavazos noted he was excited to attend his first Development & Transportation Committee meeting noted he is looking forward to ideas and advice from the ULI panelists. Mr. Trevino welcomed the panelists and thanked them for their participation, and provided background information on the ULI Mini - Technical Assistance Panel (Mini - TAP). The ULI Panelists introduced themselves: Phyllis Alzamora, ULI; John Shumway, The Concord Group; Benjamin Kasdan, KTGY Group, Inc.; Rick Choate, Choate Parking Solutions; Russ Parker, Parker Properties; Scott Read, Newmark Grubb Knight Frank; and Michael Bohn, Studio 111. 13B -1 Chairman Sarmiento thanked Mr. Cavazos, Mr. Trevino and Ms. Fong for assembling Mini -TAP in a short period of time adding this will be helpful to the Committee and the entire City Council. Committee member Benavides thanked staff for organizing and panelists for their participation noting their diverse background, and commented on downtown Santa Ana noting it is the heart of Orange County adding he is excited for the panel to help with a prime parcel and grateful for their help to envision that future opportunity. Vice Chair Martinez noted she is excited the panelists will provide some expertise, adding Santa Ana is the youngest city in Orange County and this is an opportunity to promote the downtown and the city, and noted the city welcomes young individuals and professionals adding they create economic vitality. Chairman Sarmiento thanked the panelists for taking time out of their busy schedules, noted the valuable city asset adding the unique downtown and the exchange of ideas to develop this asset, and provided background information on the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that were released for the 3rd and Broadway site and the YMCA building on Civic Center. Mr. Trevino provided an overview and background information on the city, the Downtown, the Transit Zoning Code, the Street Car, and urban housing and development opportunity details for the Third and Broadway parking structure which is a 3- level, 440 -space parking garage. Committee member and panelist discussion ensued on the market demand in the downtown, market -based adaptive reuse projects; financing in the post - redevelopment era; RFQ; parking standards reform; transit - oriented development standards; parking to be replicated, parking reform, shared parking, parking ratios, linear approach, parking structures and facilities in the downtown, Circulation Element, Transit Zoning Code, bifurcating the site, Sycamore Street alignment, pedestrian only on Sycamore Street; underground parking; bike parking; ideas for the development of the property including: food, hospitality- boutique hotel with a lounge, small sports club activity center, experience centers with a lab and a cam dominated by food with no major tenant; food hall tenants on first floor with density above, mixed - retail, creative office, hotel to provide a community benefit, arts and cultural conference center RECESSED AT 9:59 A.M. AND RECONVENED AT 10:22 A.M. Discussion continued on the possible bifurcation of the site with two parcels; creative offices; possible at -grade retail with residential component; affordable artist -owned housing; depth of the market in the downtown for hospitality; demographics in the downtown; delaying the transit occupancy tax; the financial viability meshing daytime and nighttime; boutique hotel with live entertainment aspect; discussed the RFQ and refining it to be more specific and feasible and what the Council would like to see; the 10 -story height limit; and the green factor should be sustainable and set example with LEED certification. Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 13B-2 October 31, 2013 A resident noted his appreciation to the panelists to help the City and noted he is impressed with the group adding he would like to see a long -term development plan. A resident noted concern that the city has young residents and in order for them to remain in the city the need to offer jobs and affordable housing adding he feels the boutique hotel is a great idea. Ms. Alzamora noted she is pleased and noted panelists are available if additional questions may arise that were not covered at the meeting. The Panelists thanked the Committee and staff for the opportunity noting it was a pleasure; noted green factor should be sustainable and set an example with LEED certification; noted an exhibit should be added to the RFQ that list the area parking; noted bifurcating the site makes sense and gives flexibility to possibly two investors; advised on changing wording on RFQ from "Parking Garage" to "Vibrant Downtown Mixed -Use Opportunity" and place an aerial of the area and identify the uses currently there or is to come and what the city envisions; and recommended talking to other cities such as Long Beach who are focused on their downtown. Mr. Trevino then reviewed items that were discussed: authenticity is the city's strong suit and need to stay true to that; the need to look at all parking in the downtown to allow the city to take a different approach if spaces get replaced and how pedestrians move about; reopening Sycamore Street; the need to look at a narrowed Sycamore right of way; Sycamore could possibly be a flex street with opportunities to close for events; boutique hotels; creative office; ground floor retail; layering or mixing of uses. Also noted the need to get a broker to reach out to developers and write, call and invite them to provide personal tours. Lastly noted sustainability and not just for its own sake because it has value and is an asset to the community. Mr. Cavazos noted the replacing of the 440 parking spaces would be restrictive and noted this project needs to scream Santa Ana and have a design and concept competition to look at the uses and the need of an engineering analysis where we can go below grade and provide a cost estimate. Committee member Benavides thanked the panelists for the investment of their time and their expertise noting this will be a turning point for this project and will bring in significant interest towards the future of the downtown. Vice Chair Martinez thanked everyone or the participation and their energy, noted excitement and passion for the downtown, city and county; noted valuable interaction from experts; noting the community benefit whether a gymnasium, conference room center, boutique or anchor hotel, and environmental sustainability needs to be a priority; noted she is looking forward to a new RFQ; noted the hope of removing some of the language for the parking and the 10 -story restriction on the height. Chairman Sarmiento thanked colleagues for devoting and investing their time, thanked staff for organizing, noted the success of the Mini -TAP; commented on the financing of the project and the feasibility; the replacement of parking spaces which Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes '1 S 11-3 October 31, 2013 is a deterrent for anyone who wants to invest; noted when the RFQ is re- circulated it will have a better vision of what they would like to see; asked staff if Committee should re- convene to make final decision on recirculating or redrafting the RFQ. Mr. Trevino noted there will be a special meeting to further discuss the recirculation of the RFQ. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS — None ADJOURNMENT —11:55 A.M Jay M. Trevino Executive Director Planning & Building Agency J MT: rb N:Councll COMMUevel & Trnnsp C010 31 -13 Oevel & Tmnsp CC Minutes- Speclel Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes -4 October 31, 2013 CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION Meeting Minutes November 7, 2013 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:09 p.m. in Room 1600 of the City Hall Ross Annex. ATTENDANCE The following Committee Members were present: Vincent Sarmiento, Michele Martinez, David Benavides Staff present were: David Cavazos, City Manager; Jay Trevino, Planning & Building Agency Executive Director; William Galvez, Interim Exec. Director /Public Works Agency; Nancy Fong; Interim Exec. Director /Community Devel. Agency; Ryan Hodge, Assistant City Attorney; Karen Haluza, Planning Manager; Taig Higgins, Acting City Engineer; Jason Gabriel, Principal Civil Engineer; Matt Foulkes, Senior Management Analyst; Gabriela Lomeli, Redevelopment Project Manager; and Rosa Barela, PBA Executive Secretary. PUBLIC COMMENTS Blake Anderson noted concern on the 1 -5 Freeway ramps at First Street noting to say "no" for any improvements will be difficult, noted it will be a minor improvement to extend the merge distance with additional surface traffic on First and Fourth Streets and suggested an alternative of moving the Santa Ana Zoo to the location of the former Saddleback Inn site and look at braided ramps that would eliminate the merging problem. AGENDA ITEMS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A. September 3, 2013 Special Closed Session Meeting B. September 5, 2013 Regular Meeting C. September 9, 2013 Special Closed Session Meeting Motion by Vice Chair Martinez and seconded by Committee member Benavides to approve the minutes and approved unanimously by a vote of 3:0. (Taken out of agenda order) 5. RFQ'S UPDATE —YMCA AND 3RD AND BROADWAY PARKING STRUCTURE Mr. Trevino commented on the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Mini -TAP (Technical Assistance Panel) for the Third & Broadway structure. Staff will schedule a special meeting to discuss the RFQ and are proposing to meet on November 27 and make preliminary recommendations on the YMCA project once submittals have been reviewed, share the proposals and preliminary analysis; and asked if the Committee would like to conduct a Mini -TAP on the YMCA property. 13B -5 Committee member Benavides noted the success of the Mini -TAP for the Third & Broadway parking structure and noted preference to go ahead and conduct one for the YMCA as well. Vice Chair Martinez noted she spoke with experts in economic development on the Mini -TAP and noted the feedback about removing the parking barrier. She noted her appreciation of ULI providing the Mini -TAP; noted the need to move forward with the Third & Broadway parking structure, remove the parking barrier and resend the RFQ; noted we can move forward with some of the panel's recommendations adding the YMCA is a different scenario and the city is limited with its historic designation and what the city can participate with an investor; noted the need to be creative in looking at ways to finance and be a partner; and did not feel the need to conduct a Mini -TAP for the YMCA property but to speak with experts and figure new ways on how we can leverage a partnership like that. Chairman Sarmiento noted the Mini -TAP on the Third & Broadway parking structure helped raise important elements on parking integration and photos for the RFQ, noted concern that the Committee not foreclose themselves from conducting a Mini - TAP once submittals have been reviewed, and suggested the Committee look at the submittals at the at the next meeting and at that point revisit the question of conducting a Mini -TAP for the YMCA. Mr. Trevino noted staff will move forward and find a meeting date, noted staff has discussed the parking issue for the Third and Broadway structure adding this is a city -wide issue and will come to the Committee and suggested doing something quickly in the downtown, followed by a city -wide approach. 2. STATUS OF CITY'S TRANSIT VISION PROJECT Jason Gabriel introduced consultant Catherine Higley from Cordoba who provided a brief update on the City's Transit Vision, noted the draft of alternatives analysis report has been submitted to the Federal Transit Administration for their review, discussed the four alternatives taken into the environmental review process, noted the combined draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Environmental Assessment (EA) document will then be released and available for a 45 day public review and comment period with two public meetings, after comments received consultant team will address any issues, provide city with operating and capital costs along with both the Final EIR with responses to comments as well as recommendation for alternatives for certification, and commented on the outreach effort to impacted stakeholders & residents. Mr. Galvez noted that staff met with the City of Garden Grove to reconnect with them and with the former Anaheim Public Works Director Gary Johnson to build regional support for the project. Vice Chair Martinez noted the OCTA Board has an obligation and responsibility to the Santa Ana and Orange County taxpayers with the established Measure M "Go Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes November 7, 2013 Local Program" to provide modes of transportation, and commented on the importance of continuing to voice that to the OCTA Board. Committee member Benavides noted the importance of connecting with the OCTA Board members and have staff, Cordoba and Council to come up with a strategy for them and at possibly the next meeting have some type of a report on those strategies would be, noted Council sits on a variety of boards and may likely sit with some of the OCTA Board members and get the message to them, and requested at the next meeting have some type of report on what those strategies would be. Vice Chair Martinez requested a representative from OCTA, either the project manager or CEO Darrell Johnson, attend a future meeting to provide an update. 3. 1 -5 CENTRAL CORRIDOR PROJECT — RAMPS AT FIRST STREET Mr. Galvez provided background information on the OCTA 1 -5 Central Corridor project adding the project is anticipated to relieve regional congestion on the freeway by adding HOV lanes in both directions, noted adding the lanes would have significant impact at Broadway and Main, discussed the outreach schedule, noted the alternative studies are complete and reviewed the alternatives for Main & Broadway and First Street at the 1 -5. Mr. Galvez noted for the Main & Broadway site, staff is recommending the option of the removal of the HOV on- ramps; and recommends a "no build" for the First Street ramp. Vice Chair Martinez noted OCTA is having their Long Range Transportation Forum from November 13 -15 and encouraged staff, colleagues, residents to attend and voice their opinion on their long -range transportation plan. Vice Chair Martinez noted support of staff's recommendation of a no -build at the First Street ramp. Committee member Benavides agreed with Vice Chair Martinez noting the need to be more vocal and let representatives know of our position. Chairman Sarmiento noted support for staff's recommendation for "no- build" and requested that be conveyed to the OCTA and its director, and noted he would like to keep the option open for staff to look at design opportunities in the future for the First Street corridor and the Saddleback Inn parcel and Zoo. 4. DISCUSSION ON SIGN CODE Ms. Haluza provided background information on the sign code, reviewed sign permit activity and the planned sign programs, and commented on a new provision in the code to allow large commercial centers and major attractions to design a custom sign programs which allows a great degree of flexibility. Ms. Haluza noted the sign code was approved by Planning Commission and will come to the Council for approval on December 2, 2013. Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes November 7, 2013 Committee member Benavides noted the need to also look at opportunities for businesses that bring significant revenue to the city. Vice Chair Martinez noted her support of digital signs and the need to be business friendly. Ms. Haluza discussed current sign ordinance noting it did not specifically address electronic message centers and noted staff is studying what other cities are doing. Chairman Sarmiento discussed illegal signage along the 1 -5 and 55 Freeway corridors, noted a possible arrangement for digital reader boards to provide public service announcements, noted with the digital reader signs the potential reduction of billboard signs and select one or two areas along both freeways, noted as this code is addressed and amended to conduct enforcement to prevent illegal signs on trailers and mobile signs. Mr. Cavazos noted digital signs generates a great deal of revenue, noted the trade of billboards for a digital sign, discussed standards, to be cautious of residential areas adding they are good in a business district, and recommended the requirement of a use permit to get the input from the area neighborhood. Mr. Trevino noted staff will create sign opportunities for the major regional draws such as Westfield MainPlace Mall and the Discovery Science Center, noted staff is speaking with the Kia and Guarantee Chevrolet dealerships that could allow reader boards at their locations, and staff will continue to study the citywide sign issues to include digital reader board signs whether on freeways or in regional streets. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee member Benavides • Requested at the next meeting that staff have a strategy action plan to connect with the OCTA Board to assist them and help move forward and support the Transit Vision, Go- Local and Street Car options. • Requested that the November 15 OCTA meeting be placed on his calendar. Vice Chair Martinez • Requested parking and the Circulation and Housing Elements be placed on the next agenda. Mr. Trevino noted those items will be on a Special Meeting agenda to be held December 5. ADJOURNMENT — 6:55 P.M. 4��- Jay M. Trevino Executive Director Planning & Building Agency JMT:rb rb:Connell Comee0evel &Trani OCA 1.07 -+3 Devei& Tranep CC Minutes Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 13B-8 November 7, 2013