HomeMy WebLinkAbout07 TUSTIN COMM. GARDEN 03-16-98AGENDA
DATE:
MARCH 16 1998
NO. 7
3-16-98
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
REDEVELOPMENT STAFF
TUSTIN COMMUNITY GARDEN PROPOSAL - CINDY MCNATT
RECOMMENDATION
Receive and file: Direct Agency staffto continue to meet with Ms. McNatt, the Tustin Old Town
Association and other interested citizen groups, to provide assistance in determining the level of
community support and participation for a community garden in Old Town Tustin. Staff will
provide updates of progress to the Agency.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
On February 2, 1998, Cindy McNatt presented a proposal to City CounCil for a Tustin
Community Garden. The proposal was to develop a garden to be maintained by local citizens and
garden clubs. The City-owned parcel on E1 Camino Real in Old Town Tustin was identified as a
possible location. Per Council's request, staff met with Ms. McNatt on February 24, 1998, to
discuss her request for the City's participation in creating a Tustin Community Garden. Agency
staff toured the Old Town commercial district with Ms. McNatt to identify the Agency's current
and proposed projects, as well as opportunities that the Agency has identified for enhancing the
pedestrian environment in Old Town.
Staff suggested to .Ms. McNatt that it would be beneficial to coordinate all activities with the
Tustin Old Town Association and to formally approach the garden clubs in Tustin to formulate a
vision that would identify the level of citizen support and participation, their desires, identification
of the ,type of garden for which there is support, and any likely needs for assistance from the City.
Additionally, staff reviewed some options for different approaches .that might be explored,
including small-scale ribbon gardens to provide pedestrian links in the Old Town commercial core,
a typical plot garden reflecting a specific planting theme such as herbs, Victorian perennials, etc.,
and storefront and streetscape color bowls, pots and/or boxes. Various locations were identified
in the Old Town areas that might accommodate various alternative approaches.
Mr. William A. Huston
Community Garden Proposal
March 16, 1998
Page 2'
Staff discussed Ms. McNatt's idea with the Downtown Association at its .regular meeting on
'February 19, 1998 in advance of the Agency's meeting with Ms. McNatt. The Downtown
Association is very supportive of the idea for a community garden in Old Town. They
particularly like the ribbon garden approach to enhance the pedestrian experience in the Old Town
commercial core, while having concerns about'the City-owned parcel on E1 Camino Real.
Ms. McNatt met with Tustin Pride the evening of February 24th to present her community garden
idea and to solicit their support. Tus~in Pride indicated their support for the idea and formed a
subcommittee, comprised of Kathy Windsor and Kathy Eley, under Ms. McNatt's direction, to
pursue community support and to develop a vision and concept for implementation.
Ms. McNatt indicated to staff that she will pursue discussions with the garden clubs to seek their
formal support, and a consensus on a vision and approach for a community garden. She asked for
staff's participation in meeting with garden clubs and related community groups to also solicit
their support and identify any assistance that the City might provide. She was advised that
Agency staff would be available to join her in discussing the idea with the garden clubs and other
interested groups and that representatives from the Tustin Old Town Association should also be
included.
At this time, Ms. McNatt has not fully developed a vision or concept. It is, therefore, premature
to identify specific site parameters or locations until a clearer vision is established and a
conceptual approach is agreed upon. Agency staff will continue to provide assistance to Ms.
McNatt in developing the community garden idea.
Christine A. Shingleton
Assistant City Manager
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