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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRECEIVED @ END OF PC MEETING 4-24-18 (AUTHOR UNKNOWN) 1. 1 was quite unhappy to first hear about this project via the grapevine. I read the magazine that Tustin sends out.Why was this project not introduced to the community in this or some other public forum? Not doing so gives the impression that someone is trying to sneak something in under the radar. If you were proud of your project you would seek public buy-in and consensus. If you are hiding the project because you fear the public is going to be displeased,why are you trying to implement it at all?Aren't you the public's advocates and champions? 2. Next, let me state,that,as a general rule, I am inclined to like the idea of pedestrian and bicycle friendly communities. (Although I prefer my bike paths separated from cars.)These concepts are difficult to introduce into an area that is already occupied without causing significant upheaval.So, it is imperative,when attempting to legislate such rosy concepts,to review what is currently there and determine if it makes any sense to impose this sort of concept in the proposed area. Apparently whoever daydreamed the idea of a pedestrian and bike area for First Street, in the DA-2 area in particular, neglected to look at the current businesses and their suitability for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Businesses currently in DA-2 from C Street to Centennial-a Proposed Pedestrian Area: 1. Auto Oriented: 1. Be[Air Motor Hotel 2. Tire Center 3. Tustin Plaza Car Wash 4. Integrity Complete Auto Care 2. Outside pedestrians not welcome: 1. The Learning Village Preschool-Strangers not likely encouraged to loiter and visit empty buildings 2. Palmwood--residential 3. Being required to be a pedestrian may/will create a burden (literally): 1. Post Office-dropping off or picking up packages,who wants to walk or bike with those? 2. Scooters Mailbox-dropping off or picking up packages,who wants to walk or bike with those? 3. Econo-Wash-Laundry. I've taken laundry to a laundromat on a bicycle, it's not fun. 4. Satellite Cleaners-It's so practical to walk around with ones dry cleaning or stuffing nicely ironed clothes into pannier or basket-good idea! 5. Well Print, Printing and Copying-I suppose the amount of inconvenience depends on what you get printed. 4. Pedestrians do not usually frequent: 1. PAS-Leasing and Property Management 2. Wellington Plaza: Insurance,Active Healing Center, Hometown Advertising,Attorneys S. Fast Food: 1. Wienerschnitzel 2. McDonald's 6. Customers likely to arrive park and transact business and leave: 1. Michael Paquette, D.D.S.-appointments 2. 'Lovett Dance Center-classes, park and attend 3. Martial Arts Studio-,classes, park and attend 4. Michael Anthony Beauty Salon-appointment or walk-ins 5. Louie's Barber Shop--appointments and walk-ins 6. Dolce Color Hair Salon-appointments and walk-ins 7. 15L Choice,Watch &Clock Repair-errand, drop off and pick up 8. Tobacco Buzz-errands,drop off and pick up 9. Cigar Store-errands,drop off and pick up 10. VAPE-errands,drop off and pick up �A 7. Unaffected: 1. Tustin War Memorial 2. Kabob restaurant—geared to quick meals 3. Godfather's Sports Bar 4. Tustin Inn 5. lalapenos Mexican Food—geared to quick meals 6. Super Antojitos—restaurant 3. Why in the world would I want to drive down narrower streets?This is 2018, not 1918 or 1818. 1 find Old Towne claustrophobic for driving and would definitely prefer you not extend that environment further. I am less likely to travel in areas that make me uncomfortable.Your plan would encourage me to NOT frequent currently established businesses. 4. 1 have plantar fasciitis,which can make walking feel like someone is driving a nail into my heel. My husband will be in a wheelchair, likely permanently,when he finally gets out of the hospital.There are many people who do not find walking the pleasurable activity that is envisioned by the proponents of this plan.Somebody else's paradise is my living hell. S. Even if walking was easy and pleasurable for me—I work and have a very busy schedule. Increased traffic jams will annoy and frustrate me. I will avoid the narrowed streets and find myself avoiding my previously preferred businesses. I am not the only person in the city who is pressed for time in their daily life. 6. Is the city really interested in driving current businesses,who bring money into the city coffers, out of business on the hopes that the city's plan will bring about some sort of undefined improvement?What is that improvement? On page 5.1-6 it states that"It is anticipated that these changes would improve the existing visual character and quality of the area."So it's going to be prettier?! I just don't see that as sufficient reason to go through all this expense and disruption. 7. 1 notice a lot of new trees in the plan. I LOVE trees. is planting a bunch of new trees during a drought a sensible landscape choice? Even if they are reasonably drought tolerant when established, most trees require a fair amount of water to get to the point of being established. I gather the city intends to increase its landscape maintenance budget while it goes about reducing tax revenue from established businesses.-What are-these-trees-like? Do they drop sap,grow larger than the space they are allocated? Drop fruit or other detritus that is unpleasant or a tripping hazard? Have roots prone to buckling the street and'sidewalks down the road?I want to know the particulars BEFORE they go in. 8. The other thing I noticed was simple little paragraph that looked like a whole Pandora's box all in itself: Design Criteria and Development Standards.Are we trying to create an Irvine clone here? I thought the people of Tustin chose NOT to live in Irvine,avoiding its countless rules, restrictions and one-way streets.Why would you want to change what we love into what we avoided?The only thing about Irvine that I would like to replicate in Tustin is the classes Irvine offers for adults. Now that would be a useful investment for all the money that seems to be available for this half-thought through daydream. 9. The kind of stores that get established in a pedestrian environment are not the stores that one goes to for everyday needs.They are boutiques,that frequently are here today and gone tomorrow.(Not a stable tax base.) l grew up in Laguna Beach and they did all the street narrowing things you are planning and now have tourist stores in place of places to buy your medical or household needs. Residents buy things in neighboring towns,tourists buy in the new stores that come and go,they don't care. I don't think we have a lot of tourists in Tustin. ,10. Please step back and let the community really have a say about how you transform the place in which we invested our hard-earned money.We chose to establish our homes here,this is our environment,our beloved city. Please take the time necessary to really think through all the ramifications and consequences before approving this project.Get a true consensus from the whole community, not just a small sampling, before implementing a plan so large and life changing. Don't make a plan that looks"pretty" but is actually dysfunctional—you don't want that as your legacy. 11. Don't attempt legislate cultural change without getting a buy-in from the stakeholders in the community:the home and business owners that have invested their money in this community.