HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 Tustin's Downtown Commercial Core Plan1TY O
AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: FEBRUARY 11, 2014
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: TUSTIN'S DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL CORE PLAN
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission receive and file.
BACKGROUND:
ITEM # 2
On February 4, 2014, the City Council approved an authorization for City staff to
advertise an RFP for consultant services to prepare Tustin's Downtown Commercial
Core Plan.
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 I ugether, these
core. three areas
DISCUSSION: create Tustin's
The City will solicit professional planning consultant
assistance in developing the proposed Downtown
Commercial Core Plan (DCCP). The consultant and /or
consultant teams 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. The
following are general outlines of the overview and purpose,
goals and objectives, and visions of the DCCP:
Downtown
Commercial Core
With the
opportunity for a
new identity that
is tied to 'rUstin's
history.
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 2
I. OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE
While many new communities try hard to invent a charming village out of raw land,
Tustin has had a downtown since the City's inception. The Downtown Commercial
Core Plan (DCCP) will define the strategies to enhance the heart of Tustin's village
atmosphere while creating a pedestrian- 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 proposal for the development of a
Master Plan or similar document for Tustin's Downtown Commercial Core area. An
effective plan would:
• Facilitate and enhance a greater understanding and "sense of place' for the heart
of Tustin;
• Increase customer visitation to the Old Town commercial corridor, First Street
and freeway interface;
• Reinforce the positive 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 5
and 55 freeway intersections.
1. 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 pedestrian- oriented
and walkable character and to
enhance the retail vibrancy of First
Street.
The northern commercial core area
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 3
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.
Northern Commercial I
Core
Tustin Commercial Core Area
First Street.
•�'�'
Fret Street ,
r
_
j
al
g
c
I
e
s
4rcenE Slmt
{
n`
r....:r Central Commercial
a i...�
3 Core
ThIrJ 4110e1 S
r
�
ThW 8trr1 wt
_�
��.
Mafn Street i
m
Main Street
-y
f�
r
r
rc
♦
i
4
E r
......... ...........
t
a r
V 1 I ,♦
3 a i
� � tee.
♦ -
•
Southern
\'
Commercial Core
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 6th 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:
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 4
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
• Tustin Old Town American Institute of Architects, Regional /Urban Design
Assistance Team (R/UDAT)(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)
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 5
• Cultural Resources District 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 - Facilitate pedestrian circulation
from, between and among commercial properties to
enhance walkable neighborhoods. Ensure that the
pedestrian and visual amenity of both residential and
business communities are maintained or enhanced.
Focus on the aesthetic quality, 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 enhancements
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 calming methods at each
of the "Entries to Downtown"
through the use of curb
extensions (aka bulb outs),
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 6
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 identified, 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
1. Alternative Zoning — Consider alternatives to conventional zoning, 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 area being coded.
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
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan
Page 7
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.
Amy Stonich, AICP Elizabeth A. Bmsack
Senior Planner Community Development Director
Attachment: Downtown Commercial Core Area Map
y
4- 77j
iEil !i!;
Tustin Commercial Core Area
MID
GEIER
...........
-_
LL
- -- _ a� First street I
1 0
i T ='
d SfreeF
dL
r treet_` -�
I 1:1 'n` C
nra
Legend
E_ iTustin Commercial Core Area
TUSTIN
BUILDING OUR Multi
HONORING OUR PAST