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Home My WebLink About15 OLD TOWN FWY SIGN 11-06-00AGENDA RF ORT NO. 15 11-06-00 MEETING DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2000 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: WILLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OLD TOWN FREEWAY SIGN The City requested approval from Caltrans to install freeway identification signs for Old Town Tustin. Caltrans indicated that Old Town Tustin was not entitled to identification signs because Old Town Tustin is not a State certified historic district, as such is not qualified for a historical landmark freeway identification sign (freeway sign with brown background and white lettering). However, Caltrans proposed to install directional signs at the Newport ' Avenue southbound off-ramp, and at the Red Hill Avenue northbound and southbound off-ramps at no cost to the City. RECOMMENDATION That the City Council provide direction as deemed appropriate. FISCAL IMPACT Caltrans would provide the signs at no cost to the City. Additional signs needed on City streets would be provided by the City. The Public Works Division has appropriated funds within its budget to install the signs on City streets. BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION In June 1999, the City's Engineering Department contacted Caltrans to request an identification sign for Old Town Tustin similar to the one installed for the City of Orange Old Town Historic District. Caltrans responded that Old Town Tustin is not a State certified historic district, as such is not qualified for a historical landmark freeway identification sign (freeway sign with brown background and white lettering). In April 2000, the Community Development Department contacted Caltrans and inquired about other signs installed along the freeways which do not conform to Caltrans criteria (i.e. Little Saigon, South Coast Metro, Turtle Rock, and Mile Square Park signs). In response, City staff met with Caltrans staff to discuss alternatives to accommodate Old Town Tustin signs. Caltrans contended some of the freeway signs were installed by authority of the legislature (i.e. Little Saigon sign). Caltrans staff requested and the City provided a letter describing the significance of Old Town Tustin to see if there were other alternatives in justifying the installation of an identification sign along the freeway (Attachment 1 ). Planning Commission Action Agenda September 11,2000 Page 2 In response, Caltrans confirmed that the City's request did not meet Caltrans requirements for freeway signs (Attachment 2). However, Caltrans proposed that directional signs that read "OLD TOWN TUSTIN" could be installed at the Newport Avenue southbound off-ramp, and at the Red Hill Avenue northbound and southbound off-ramps (see Attachment 3 for possible sign locations). Caltrans will furnish and install the signs at no cost to the City. Caltrans is requesting a concurrence with this proposal prior to proceeding with the work order for sign installation. Although these signs do not completely fulfill the purpose of the request for freeway signs, they do provide directions to motorists once they exit the freeway. The City may need to install additional signs along City streets to guide motorists to Old Town Tustin. The Public Works Division has estimated the cost for City street sign installation to be SI000.00. On October 9, 2000 the Planning Commission considered the proposal and recommended that the City accept the Caltrans proposal with the addition of signs at the Irvine Boulevard off-ramp off the 55 freeway and for the City to study issues related to certification of Old Town Tustin as a State or National historic district. Associate Planner Elizabeth A. Binsack Community Development Director Attachments: . Letter from the City to Caltrans dated June 20, 2000 Letter from Caltrans to the City dated August 24, 2000 Photographs of Newport Avenue and Red Hill Avenue off-ramps Attachment 1 Letter from the City to Caltrans dated June 20, 2000 Community Development Department June 20, 2000 Raouf Moussa, P.E. Branch Chief Traffic Operations South Caltrans District 12 ,3347 Michelson Drive, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92612-0661 City of 'i ustin 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92780 714.573.3100 RE: FREEWAY IDENTIFICATION SIGN FOR OLD TOWN TUSTIN Dear ?v!r. Moussa' Thank you for ~.ttending our meeting on June 7, 2000 regarding the City of Tustin's r~ues, for Cal~,=no to install an Old Town Tustin freeway sign. At that meeting, you askeE that the City provide you with more information about Old Town Tustin justifying the i~-._~..:....~,,,.n'-:~'---l'~ of ~n identification sien.,., The following summarizes the history, and the significance cf O!d Town Tustin and why freeway signage is warranted. Old Town Tustin is bounded by SR-55 freeway to the west, 1-5 freeway to the south, Newport Avenue to the east and First Street to the north (see attached map). History: Old Town Tustin is the traditional center of Tustin and the City's original townsite established in 1870. First subdivided by Columbus Tustin, Old Town has become an enclave of t,..,rn of the century and pre-war development, largely separated from the rest of the City. This separation gives Old Town a strong identity. Old Town is a mix of residential, commercial, and light manufacturing uses. Major public institutions such as Tustin Unified School District headquarters, Tustin Area Senior Center, the Boys and Girls Club, Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Library, Pepper Tree Park and City Hall are located in the Old Town. This makes Old Town the center of a majority of Tustin's civic activities. Old Town is known for its historic homes and buildings. These buildings were bUilt in the first decades of the century and contain significant history of the City of Tustin. This historic area is known as the Cultural Resources District and the City is a State recognized Certified Local Government. Mr. Moussa Caltrans June 20, 2000 Paae 2 of 3 Old Town is also known for its performing arts businesses and art galleries including two dance schools, a well-known dinner theater, and a museum. Activities: As the heart of the City of Tustin, Old Town is the center of several public events. The following is a list of major events held annually: Monte Carlo Niaht (March). This event is a casino night sponsored by the City and local businesses at the Clifton Miller Community Center. The City sponsors this event to get local businesses acquainted with one another. Al~tendsncs' 400 people E! Camino Street Fair and Chili Cook Off(every 1st Sunday in June). The El Camino Real Street Fair has been held for the past 16 years. This event includes carnival rides, craft vendors, food' booths, chili cook off, chili pepper conteSt, and other ente~ainment provided by local groups. Proceeds from this event benefits a variety of local non-profit organizations. Attendance.' 8.000 people , '-= (June/July) Th~s event is a seven-week, free concerts series st Cc. ncert in the :~, K. ' Pepper Tree Park sponsored by the City, local businesses and Pacific Bell. This event is open for anyone to attend. Local non-profit organizations provide food booths and entertainment. Att-~ndsnce: 10,000 people Tustin Tiller Days (October). This traditional community event celebrates the.tilling of the soil. This event' is now celebrated by Tustin residents and people from surrounding communities with a parade,.rides, vendor and food booths, and various forms of ente~ainment. Sponsored by the City of Tustin and local businesses, various non-profit organizations benefit from this event through sales of food and craft items. A?.endanc~: 65,000 people Tree Liahtina Ceremony (December). This event is a traditional tree lighting ceremony and a walk through Old Town. Tustin area choral groups provide holiday entertainment. Activities include the arrival of Santa, open house hosted by Old Town merchants, and the Mayor lighting a holiday tree to symbolize the beginning of holiday season. Attendance: 1,500 people Mr. Moussa Caltrans June 20, 2000 Paae 3 of 3 Home Tour. The annual tour of historic homes, churches, and commercial buildings in the Old Town area is sponsored by various local businesses. The Home Tour is hosted by the Tustin Area Historical Society and proceeds benefit the local non-profit Historical Society. Attendance: 1000 people As you can see from the above listed events, Old Town Tustin special events attract almost 90,000 residents and non-residents. These numbers do not include events sponsored by the City such as Police Department Open House, the Mayor's Breakfast, City Council & Planning Commission meetings and other events held at the civic center area. Due to the various activities, the level of attendance, the historical significance and the fact that Old Town is the center of civic activities, it is necessary to have freeway identification signs for Old Town Tustin to aid the motorist public. Please note that the City is not requesting a historical sign for Old Town Tustin. The' City wishes to receive the same cons',derations and justifications given to those signs identifying Turtle Rock, South Coast Metro, Little Saigon and Mile Square Park. "'%'= hcoe *'-~: "' .... ,:,¢,. ~nis information will help you in determining justification for our request. -i-hank.. vo,,. _ for ycur assistance and I look forward to hearing from you. If you have any quo-st!ohs, pleas.z, contact me at (714) 573-3031. Sincers!y, Elizabeth A. Binsack Community Deve!opment Director ~,.~,,..nment: Old Town Tustin boundary map C: William Huston Tustin Planning Commission Rita Wesffield Justina Willkcm \\COMM_DEVWOLI\SHARED\CDD-RDA\CDD~.IUSTINA~advanced planning\Old Town Sign.doc -- 15 Attachment 2 Letter from Catrans to the City dated August 24, 2000 ~TATI:: CF CALI~'ORNIA-'-~USINE:~I~ AND TF, ANSPIDRTA'["t0N AGENCY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPOR* DISTR~CT 12 334.7 MICHEl. SON DRIVS, SUITE IRV1NE. C,A 92612-0663 PHONE: t94.91 724,-291 FAX: GRAY Augu~ 24, 2000 Ms. Elizabeth A. Binsak Community Developmemt Director City of Tustm 300 Centennial Way . Turin, CA 92750 Dear Ms. Binsak: Tn.is is in response ro the City's request to insT~l dire~:fional signs along the Interstate 5 at the Newport Avenue and Red Hill Avenue off-ramps to direct and alert motorists to "Old Town During Cakrans' meeting with the City smffon June 7, 2000, we explained that such Lr~tallafion does not meet Calrrans requirements and other oprion~; need to be explored. We have 5tuber analyzed your request based on the data provided ha your June 20, 2000 Ierter, as well as consulted w/th the Caltrans Headquzrtem Traffic Liaison. It was Caltrans' Conclu. sion that insT~ling the si~s on the ff~way mainlkne is still unwarranted. However, similar directional s:,~s that read "OLD TOWN' TUSTIN" could be installed on the off-ramps close To The ramp terminal at the Newport Avenue southbound off-rmnp, and The Red Hill northbound, and southbound off-ramps. A G34 arrow si~n will supplemmt each directional sign. These signs will be 5amished and hastalled by Cakrans. It would be. the City's responsibil.iv m determine if additional si~s are needed on the city srreem to lumber g-aide the motorists to their destination. Such additional si~s, if deemed nec=sary,, would be ',fi~rfished and inst~led by the CiV- We would appreciate receiv~_ng your concurrence to this proposal in order td proceed with T. be sign installation order. If you have any questio~ or need additional information, please call me at (949) 724-29 ! 2. Sincerely, -~bO- tL~OLrF S. MOUSSA, Chief Traffic Operations South Attachment 3 Photographs of Newport Avenue and Red Hill Avenue off-ramps Newport Avenue southbound off-ramp Newport Avenue southbound off-ramp Red Hill Avenue southbound off-ramp Red Hill Avenue southbound off-ramp Red Hill Avenue northbound off-ramp Red Hill Avenue northbound off-ramp