Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-07-2013CITY 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 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. 2. 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 - and suggested the Committee look at the nd at that point revisit the question of TAP once submittals have been reviewed, submittals at the at the next meeting a 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. 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 2 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 3 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. Jay M. Trevino Executive Director Planning & Building Agency JMT:rb tCoundl COMMMevei& Tramp CCtl14713 bevel &Tmnap CCMutes Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 4 November 7, 2013