HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 PC REPORT DCCPG�xY �vA
ITEM #
AN AG NDA R PORT
GST4
MEETING DATE: OCTOBER 28, 2014
TO: PLANNING COMMISSION
FROM: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL CORE PLAN UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Planning Commission receive and file this report.
SUMMARY!
The purpose of this report is to update the Planning Commission on the progress made to date on the
preparation of the Downtown Commercial Core Plan and provide the Planning Commission the current
schedule for project completion.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
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.
On June 25, 2014, "MIG" was selected as the planning
consultant firm to prepare a potential Master Plan /Specific Plan
and Implementation Program for the Downtown Commercial
Core Area of Tustin (See map below).
The MIG team (with offices nationwide) has extensive experience
and a proven track record in developing innovative, sustainable
and impl.ementable plans based on performing detailed technical.
planning and design as well as building wide- spread community
support.. Their approach emphasizes strategic implementation
resulting in new policies, programs and projects that directly and
tangibly impact communities. This includes bu:ildi.ng in tools to
create new public and private sector :investments in the near
term.; providing guidance for staff in assessment of future
development initiatives; building capacity to optimize scarce
City and stakeholder resources; and aligning the right. partners to catalyze real, lasting change.
The Downtown Commercial Core Master Plan/Specific Plan will define strategies to enhance and
protect the heart of Tustin's historic Old Town village atmosphere while creating a stronger, vibrant,
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan Update
Page 2
pedestrian- oriented destination intended to revitalize the community's commercial core. The proposed
Master Plan /Specific Plan will ensure implementation of architecturally - coordinated development in
the area, attract thriving new businesses, encourage private sector investment and reinvestment, and
enhance customer visitation to the commercial corridors of Old Town, First Street, Newport Avenue,
and the freeway interface at 6th Street for a vibrant downtown commercial core (see map below).
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Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan Update
Page 3
MIG and staff have made significant progress on the project since execution of the contract. A
summary of the approved Scope of Work is provided as Attachment 1. Approximately 80 people
attended Community Workshop #1 on October 1, 2014 at the Clifton C. Miller Community Center to
help shape the future of Downtown Tustin through the development of a new Specific Plan for the
Downtown area. Staff, MIG and the public discussed and shared thoughts on the overarching goals
for the Master Plan/Specific Plan:
➢ Create an action - oriented strategic plan that is
implementable and brings about tangible change.
➢ Bolster an economically vibrant and active Downtown
environment.
➢ Enhance Downtown's brand, identify and visibility in
the region.
➢ Support and build upon Downtown Tustin's unique
character and history.
➢ Foster a walkable and bikeable environment that is
accessible for residents, workers and visitors.
MIG and City staff are also looking for emerging opportunities, trends and ideas for enhancing the
buildable and livable environment that composes the Downtown commercial community. Some of the
specific topics that are considered critically important to consider include:
➢ Walkable and Vibrant streets
➢ Public Space Programming and Placemaking
➢ Connectivity, Mobility and Parking
➢ Gateways, Wayfinding and Signage
➢ Catalytic Development
➢ Design and Character
The project includes extensive community input opportunities and tools to keep people informed,
including:
➢ Community Workshops
➢ Stakeholder Interviews
➢ Technical Staff Committee
➢ Public Meetings and Hearings
➢ Press Releases/Flyers/Web Alerts
Planning Commission Report
Downtown Commercial Core Plan Update
Page 4
CONCLUSION:
The project is scheduled to take a minimum of 14 months to complete with Planning Commission and
City Council consideration of the Master Plan /Specific Plan and Environmental Impact Report
prepared during the Spring and Summer of 2015 and City Council consideration of a final product
anticipated around October 2015 (see Attachment 2). The next public workshop is scheduled for
Thursday, December 4, 2014 in the Clifton C. Miller Community Center at 6:00 PM. City staff will
continue to apprise the Planning Commission of the project's status throughout the process.
Dana Ogdon, AICF,-.,,i
Assistant Director
Community' Workshop #2 Community Workshop #3
Draft Plan Framework Draft P ecif is Plan
December 4 March 1
Elizabeth A. Binsack
Community Development Director
Attachment 1: Summary Scope of Work for Downtown Commercial Core Plan Project
Attachment 2: Summary Process Schedule for Downtown Commercial Core Plan Project
Attachment 1
PART I — VISION AND SWOT ANALYSIS
•
•
REVIEW EXISTING CONDITIONS AND PLANNING CONTEXT (Status - Nearly Complete)
o Obtain and review critical information, existing planning documents and other studies such
as the Tustin General Plan, Tustin Old Town AIA RUDAT (1991), 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),
Old Town Parking and Outdoor
Restaurant Seating Ordinances
(2010), and Residential and
Commercial Design Guidelines for
Old Town (2012).
o Project area site analysis and
overall inventory and assessment
of existing buildings and parks,
sidewalks, street lighting, street
furniture, street trees and other
landscaping, and wayfinding
signage.
o Assessment of area historic resources.
o Preparation of corridor sections.
PREPARATION OF TECHNICAL STUDIES (Status - Currently Underway)
o Prepare Base Maps
o Market/Economic Assessment
• Critical demographic and socioeconomic data for the plan area and surrounding
markets.
• value of commercial land transactions.
• Labor force occupation and income data for the plan area and surrounding markets.
• Residential market trends.
■ Taxable retail sales.
■ Transient occupancy tax.
■ Other factors.
o Mobility Assessment
■ Existing parking demand and utilization.
■ Existing traffic and level of service.
■ Existing bike and pedestrian routes.
■ Transit routes (OCTA).
o Infrastructure Assessment
• Existing City drainage master plan data. a.
• Existing sewer master plan data.
• Existing water master plan data. t-
• City GIS data.
o Land Use Study
• Retail
• Visitor - serving hospitality
• Office /employment
• Public /institutional
• Residential
• Public Outreach (Status — Currently Underway)
o Press Releases/Flyers/Mailings.
o Stakeholder Interviews (policymakers, executive staff, community leaders).
o Community Workshops (Workshop #1— October 1, 2014 - Complete).
• REFINED VISION, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES (Status — Currently Underway)
o Identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).
o Input from above tasks utilized to refine vision, goals and objectives.
PART 2 — PLANNING FRAMEWORK AND CONCEPT
• DRAFT CONCEPT PLAN
o Land Use and Zoning
o Height and Massing
o Infrastructure/Utilities
o Streetscape/Landscape
o Mobility and Parking
o Market Conditions
• PUBLIC OUTREACH
o Press Releases/Flyers/Mailings
o Community Workshop (Workshop # 2 — December 4, 2014)
PART 3 — COMMERCIAL CORE PLAN AND CEQA REVIEW
•
MASTER PLAN /SPECIFIC PLAN
o Planning Framework (Branding concepts, Placemaking, Gateways, etc.)
o Land Use and Zoning
o Urban Design and Aesthetics
U Mobility
o Infrastructure
• IMPLEMENTATION AND WORK PROGRAM
o Placemaking to create a vibrant Old Town.
o Enhanced connectivity for pedestrians,
bicyclists and vehicles.
o Creation of a recognizable and memorable
gateways and "branding" for the historic
downtown area.
o Preparation of Design Guidelines.
o Identification of underutilized land uses.
o Recommendations for adaptive reuse.
o Signage concepts/Wayfinding.
• CEQA - PREPARE INITIAL STUDY, NOTICE OF PREPARATION, EIR
o Aesthetics
o Air quality
o Cultural Resources
o Land Use and Planning
o Noise
o Transportation and Traffic
o Utilities and Services Systems
o Etc.
• PUBLIC OUTREACH
o Press Releases/Flyers/Mailings
o Community Workshop (Workshop # 3 —March 19, 2015)
o Planning Commission and City Council Hearings (Fall 2015)
Attachment 2
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