HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL COREAGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 4, 2014
Agenda Item 15
Reviewed: /'
City Manager i
Finance Director N/A
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE TUSTIN CITY COUNCIL
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
CONSULTANT SERVICES TO PREPARE TUSTIN'S DOWNTOWN
COMMERCIAL CORE PLAN
SUMMARY:
The vision for the development of a Downtown Commercial Core Plan is to promote
Downtown Tustin as the historic, economic, and cultural heart of the City in such a way
that enhances a strong business climate. The plan would ensure implementation of
coordinated development in the area and enhance customer visitation to the
commercial corridors of Old Town, First Street, and the freeway interface. By adopting
an effective plan, private- sector reinvestment could be encouraged to develop,
redevelop and maintain a vibrant downtown commercial core.
The City will solicit professional planning consultant assistance in developing the proposed
Downtown Commercial Core Plan (DCCP). The consultant and /or consultant team
responding to the RFP are expected to have extensive experience in planning and urban
design, traffic engineering and infrastructure testing, market analysis and real estate
finance, and community outreach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The City has budgeted $307,540 (approximately $199,000 from current CDBG
allocation and $108,000 from reallocation of CDBG monies) for the initial plan
preparation. Staff intends to request a midyear budget amendment for the full plan
preparation cost.
CORRELATION TO STRATEGIC PLAN AND MAYOR'S GOALS:
Strategic Plan: Goal A, Economic and Neighborhood Development:
Enable business opportunities and job development and to enhance the vibrancy and
quality of life in all neighborhoods and areas of the community.
Strategies to achieve Goal A of the Strategic Plan:
Oty Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 21
• Create a vision and business plan for Old Town through a collaborative, inclusive
process with stakehol&rs from the entire community.
• Establish planning and txoning overlays in Ne ghborhoods of Tustin Town Cemer
to facilitate private development.
• Strengthen and facilitate business relationships for economic development
purposes.
Mayor's Goals: Improve and Facilitate Economic Development through business
attraction and retention
« Develop Downtown Commercial Core Plan
RECOMMENDATION-.
That the City Council authorise i nd direct the Community Development Director to
advertise requests for professional consultant services 4o prepare Tustin's Downtown
Commercial Core Plan.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION-
1. OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE
While many new communities try hard to invent a charming
village out of raw [and, Tustin has had a downtown since the
Citys inception. The Downtown Commercial Core Plan
(DCCP) will define the strategies to enhance the heart of
Tustin's village atmosphere while creating a pedestran-
oriented community and revitalizing the City's commercial
core. The proposed master plan will identify strategies to
protect the community resources and village atmosphere and
improve the central road at El Camino Real through Old
Town, from the freeway interface north to First Street to
attract thriving new businesses.
A. Project
The City of Tustin will invite firms to submit a p,-oposal for the
development of a Master Plan or similar document for
Tustin's Downtown Commerc °al Core area. An effective plan
would:
• Facilitate and enhance a greater understanding and
"sense of place" for the heart of Tustin;
"Together, these
three areas
cr-c4ate Ttlstila'S
DOwnLown
Conn aaercial
Core with tine
01apoi- tu11'It_y for
a new identity
that is tied to
TLIStita'S
history.
• Increase customer visitation to the Old Town commercial corridor, First Street
and freeway interface
City Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 3
• Reinforce the posit've image of Tustin's Downtown within the development and
business communities to encourage private - sector investment and,
Encourage and support business attraction to the Downtown area.
B. Downtown Commercial Core Area
The project plan area encompasses three of the core areas of Tustin including Old
Town Tustin, the First Street corridor, and the commercial freeway interface at the 6 and
55 freeway intersections.
9. Northern Commercial Core Area: The northern commercial core area
encompasses the First Street Specific Plan corridor. This area consists of smaller
commercial and office uses with some existing historic homes and adaptively
reused historic buildings. The intent of including this area is to create entryways
to the core of Downtown Tustin. The focus for this area is to create pedestr an-
oriented and m Ikable character and to enhance the retail vibrancy of First
Street.
2. Central Commercial Core Area: The central commercial core area consists of
the Old Town commercial corridor where the majority of Old Town's historic
structures and uses remain. The intent of including the commercial corridor is to
focus on the economic vitality that this cultural resource has to offer while
encouraging new compatible development within the commercial core.
Residential areas were excluded so the focus would remain on the commercial
vitality of the area.
Tustin Commercial Core Area
Northern Commercial
Core
Vim S
U..6
;n
MM1
OW eb*m
chin Street
S
m �
5
A
m
2
„WH e,..M
�arw.r�
Main Street
y
b
LC
I
V
ig
e
Finer Svw
Central Commercial
Core
Southern
Commercial Core
City Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 4
3. Southern Commercial Core Area: The southern commercial core area consists
of the existing commercial and industrial use areas which are adjacent to Old
Town and the 5 and 55 freeways. These areas were previously addressed in the
Neighborhoods of Tustin Town Center and offer an opportunity to improve the
area for its full potential while also maintaining a respectful buffer from the
historic residential neighborhood located adjacent on 61h Street.
Together, these three areas create Tustin's Downtown Commercial Core with the
opportunity for a new identity that is tied to Tustin's history.
C. The Vision
The vision for the Downtown Commercial Core Plan is to promote Downtown Tustin as
the historic, economic, and cultural heart of the City in such a way that enhances a
strong business climate and bolsters the City's high quality of life. Specific objectives
are as follows:
1. Placemaking in a multi- faceted approach to the planning, design and
management of public spaces to create a "sense of place" for the three combined
areas to create Downtown Tustin, an economically vibrant community.
2. Identify positive physical attributes and design goals and policies necessary for
future development to successfully meet the "Vision" for Downtown Tustin.
3. Identify underutilized land and analyze existing land use patterns and regulations
to recommend potential General Plan, Zoning Map, and Zoning Code changes
necessary to implement a new vision for the Downtown Commercial Core Plan.
D. Goals and Objectives
1. Inventory - Recognize the inventory of historic resources within the commercial
portion of the Old Town, freeway interface and First Street areas. Identify existing
industrial, commercial and any residential properties within the core area that
may be rezoned or adaptively reused for the most economically beneficial and
viable use for Downtown Tustin. Identify positive physical attributes of Old Town
Tustin and outline the design goals and policies necessary for future
development to successfully meet the "Vision" of the plan.
1. Connectivity — Provide a sphere of influence area that will connect the
surrounding existing residential areas and commercial core area.
2. Incorporate existing resource documents — Incorporate recommendations of
the Old Town Parking Study. Utilize and combine prior studies to provide a
comprehensive plan for the Downtown Commercial Core area including:
■ Tustin General Plan
City Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 5
■ Tustin Old Town American Institute of Architects, Regional /Urban Design
Assistance Team (RIUDAT)(1991)
■ 2003 Tustin Historic Resources Survey
■ First Street Specific Plan and Design Guidelines (2012)
■ Parking Study for Old Town Tustin
(2007)
• The Neighborhoods of Tustin Town
Center: A New Beginning (2010)
■ Cultural Resources Distrct
Residential Design Guidelines (2012)
• Old Town Parking and Outdoor
Restaurant Seating Ordinances
(2010)
■ Residential (2012) and Commercial
Design Guidelines for Old Town
3. Streetscape Plan - Include a streetscape plan that would:
■ Public Realm - Include specifications
for the elements within the public realm
(e.g., sidewalks, travel lanes, on- street
parking, street trees, street furniture,
etc.). Identify future infrastructure and
hardscape within the public area
landscaping /public art that create a
sense of place unique to the Downtown
Commercial Core project area and
demonstrates design excellence and
enhances the "public realm ".
■ Right -of -way landscaping - Assess potential to upgrade and establish a
new, uniquely unifying streetscape for Downtown Tustin. Design and
incorporate gateway entries that announce arrival to Downtown Tustin.
■ Pedestrian oriented - Fac,litate pedestrian circulation from, between and
among commercial properties to enhance walkable neighborhoods. Insure
that the pedestrian and visual amenity of both residential and business
communities are maintained or enhanced. Focus on the aesthetic quality,
Ci- y Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 6
usability and accessibility of sidewalks, public parking,
and other public spaces within Downtown Tustin.
■ Private use of Public Property — Facilitate private use
of public property such as outdoor seating and display
areas while maintaining public safety and aesthetic
attractiveness of the community.
■ Transportation - Incorporation of public transit plans
and enhancement•> including bikeways, bus routes with
possible linkages to the Tustin Train Station, Civic
Center, etc. Include bicycle "friendly" paths and
accessibility.
■ Traffic Calming — Incorporate
traffic calm;ng methods at each
of the "Entr�es to Downtown"
through the use of curb
extensions (aka bulb outs),
pedestrian crossings, chokers
(curb extensions that narrow the
roadway to a single lane at
points), and pedestrian refuges.
■ Protect resources — Ensure that important views and vistas are protected;
locations for the interpretation of (historic) gateways are ident =fied, enhanced,
and protected and public safety considerations are addressed to create the
"sense of place in Downtown Tustin.
■ Utilities - Provide an updated analysis of all existing utilities that serve the
Downtown Commercial Core and identify utility needs (if any) to support
implementation of the Plan.
4. Public And Private Funding Streams — Consider options to fund projects within
the project area boundaries such as a Business Improvement District.
E. Zoning
T. Alternative Zoning — Consider alternatives to conventional .,oning, such as
Form Based Code, in implementing the Commercial Core Plan. Provide a plan
and map of the commercial core area designating the locations where different
building form standards apply based on clear community intentions regarding the
physical character of the q rea being coded.
City Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 7
2. Mixed Use - Consider incorporating regulations to allow additional mixed -use or
higher density residential development within the Downtown Commercial Core to
generate additional market interest in Old Town, First Street and Freeway
interface commercial uses.
3. Land Use - Identify underutilized land and analyze existing land use patterns and
regulations in order to recommend potential General Plan, Zoning Map, and
Zoning Code changes necessary to implement a new vision for Downtown Tustin
(with a focus of 10 years).
II. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS AND SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Request for Proposals (RFP) will be prepared to solicit professional planning
consultant assistance in developing the proposed Downtown Commercial Core Plan.
The selected consultant would be asked to achieve the following objectives:
1. Work closely with a staff steering committee throughout the project in order to
identify and address opportunities, issues and concerns prior to initiating,
drafting, and finalizing the Downtown Commercial Core Plan.
2. Engage, by way of charrettes, workshops, forums, and other types of face -to-
face events; property owners and business owners of Old Town and First Street;
and other stakeholders; and incorporate community members' views on the
direction the Downtown Commercial Core area should take on how the area
should develop in the future.
3. Recommend strategies for continuing public input and involvement in future
development and planning projects.
4. Develop a master plan that would:
a) Facilitate and enhance a greater understanding and "sense of place" for the
heart of Tustin;
b) Increase customer visitation to the Old Town commercial corridor, First Street
and freeway interface;
c) Reinforce the positive image of Tustin's Downtown within the development
and business communities in order to encourage private- sector investment;
and,
d) Encourage and support business attraction to the Downtown area.
Proposals received by the City of Tustin will be evaluated by City staff. The proposal
determined to most fully respond to the RFP will be recommended to the City Council
for contract authorization.
City Council Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 8
Amy Stonich, AICP
Senior Planner
Eh.. :abeth A Binsack
Community Development Director
Attachment: Downtown Commercial Core Area Map
Tustin Commercial Core Area
�C� jI i UT
f
� -First tre
and I,'
[� , i
-EI
fi
-- III_ f
-.�-- f n r
1 � t eet. �
:X r
If
fl
Legend
-J, Tustin Commercial Core Area
TUSTIN
bUIwIMG (X'R Wit RI
HONORING OUR P.t1i