HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/16/2004, BUS 4 - MONTEREY STREET PLAZA - A CONCEPT PLAN FOR A PUBLIC PLAZA BETWEEN THE FREMONT THEATER AND THE COUNT council.
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO `J
FROM: John Mandeville, Community Development Director
Prepared By: Mike Draze,Deputy Director of Community Development
SUBJECT: MONTEREY STREET PLAZA—A CONCEPT PLAN FOR A PUBLIC PLAZA
BETWEEN THE FREMONT THEATER AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
CENTER
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Confirm the "Council Recommended Concept Plan" as the project to undergo further study, if
further study is funded as part of-the 2005-07 Financial Plan.
DISCUSSION
Background
For the 2001 — 2003 budget, the City authorized hiring an architectural consulting firm to create
possible design options for the block of Monterey Street between Santa Rosa and Osos streets.
This effort was intended to provide design alternatives for a pedestrian oriented plaza centered on
the County Government Center and the Fremont Theater. In April 2003 the Council held a study
session to review the results of the consultant's efforts and another proposal prepared by local
designers. The proposal produced by the local design team was favored. The consultant firm
prepared an autocad drawing based on the design team rendering. The Council asked staff to
obtain comments from the City's advisory committees on this proposal and return with
recommendations for the 2005-2007 budget cycle if appropriate.
Advisory Body Comments
Staff brought both versions of the proposal (rendering and autocad drawing) to the Cultural
Heritage Committee (August 23, 2004), Parks and Recreation Commission (September ls)
Downtown Association (September 14a`), Architectural Review Commission (September 20''), and
Planning Commission on October 13th. Because this is not a specific project proposal and the
necessary project circulation, engineering, cost, and environmental studies have not been prepared,
the advisory groups are not making recommendations to the Council at this time but simply
providing their comments on these concepts.
The Cultural Heritage Committee generally supported the concept noting that such a pedestrian
friendly place could help tie together the ends of the Downtown Historic District. They suggested
that an intersection design motif, such as shown at the Osos and Santa Rosa ends of the plaza,could
be used throughout the downtown to unify the area..
Monterey Street Plaza Concept Plan Page 2
The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously supported the concept and encouraged the
Council to move forward with the project. The commissioners discussed the issues of several
different design styles in San Luis Obispo (Mission, Chinatown, Victorian, and art deco);
possible closing of Monterey Street; and the idea of a "free speech" area. They generally
supported each of these, although some members felt it was too early to recommend street
closing, and suggested this was a time and opportunity to "be bold".
The Downtown Association agreed that traffic is a major issue with the concept, with some
concern over if a curved pattern in the street could distract drivers and cause them to wander. The
other major concern was the issue of priority. Should money be spent on this type of project when
other community needs have not been met? They did agree that the basic design was nice if the
traffic and funding issues could be resolved.
The Architectural Review Commission was more critical of the proposal than any other advisory
group with a majority not in support of the concept. Several members commented on the issue of
possibly closing the street but understood that it is far too early to make any assumptions on that
point. Their larger concern seems to be whether San Luis Obispo needs to provide the additional
open area downtown, if the design was too informal for the setting, and if this might be a good idea
in the wrong place. They also questioned if the "free speech" area would create problems that are
best left in Mitchell Park. A couple of the members expressed support for the idea because the use
would be flexible and because the project would very likely calm traffic along the street.
The Planning Commission was somewhat divided with all members expressing an interest in the
concept but concerned about traffic circulation and how pedestrians would use the area. Most
members suggested that additional consideration must be given to study of the details of public use
areas like this, how they function for pedestrians, and what level of auto traffic constraints would be
most appropriate.
CONCURRENCES
In addition to the advisory groups mentioned above, the County of San Luis Obispo was involved
in the early concept plan review and supported the basic ideas involved. If the City agrees to move
forward on the project, the County, (because they own a fair amount of the property involved) has
asked to be included in the next phases for input into actual design, construction and operation of
the plaza. Public Works has included this item on the longterm Capital Improve Project list, based
on the early concept proposals and Council direction in the 2003-2005 budget.
FISCAL IMPACT
It is estimated that the next phase studies, including circulation studies, and environmental review,
will cost approximately $75,000 and the project design will cost approximately $200,000. The
actual construction costs would be determined during the design studies and will likely be around
$2 million.
_i
Monterey Street Plaza Concept Plan Page 3
ALTERNATIVES
1. Direct staff to not move forward on the project. Staff does not recommend this alternative
because this has been a Major City Goal for four years now and the timeframe on such a
project is seen as flexible.
2. Direct staff to look into an alternate design for the project.
Attachments:
1. Vicinity Map
2. Council Recommended Concept Plan
3. KMD Interpretation of Concept Plan
4. CHC Minutes of August 23,2004
5. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes of September 1, 2004
6. Downtown Association Minutes of September 14, 2004
7. ARC minutes of September 20, 2004
8. Planning Commission Minutes of October 13, 2004
Electronic File Path:
L:\Special Projects\Monterey St Plaza\CAR Monterey Plaza 11-16-04.doc
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Attachment 1
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Attachment 4
CHC Meeting Minutes, August 23, 2004
Page 3
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
3. SINwAG.Wtrorit examples and strategies for historic preservation: A presentation by
Craig Srriith, .
Architect Craig Smith presented slides and disc us construction methods to seismically
reinforce historic buildings. Committee members thanke th for his presentation.
Committee members also discussed the possibility of scheduling a public on seismic
retrofit techniques for historic structures, and Mr. Smith expressed support for the idea..
4. Major City Goal dealing with possible redesign of the public space along Monterey
Street between Santa Rosa and Osos Streets. (Mike Draze)
Michael Draze and Andrew Merriam explained the project and asked for the Committee's early
input on the conceptual design. He noted that the project was in a very preliminary stage and
that depending upon the 2005-2007 budget, additional design and feasibility studies may be
forthcoming. Committee members expressed.support for the basic intent of the plan to create an
attractive public assembly space; and thanked Mr. Draze and Mr. Merriam for the presentation.
5. Update to Citywide List of Historic Resources and Historic Inventory planning.
(Chairperson Carr)
ttee members agreed to assemble their "top 10" recommendations for historic listing and
submi ese to Chairperson Carr before the September meeting. Chairperson Carr will collate
the lists, g overlapping addresses, and let staff know. Staff will take photos and present
these at the e ' t possible CHC meeting.
6. Communications.
A. Agenda Forecast— St_ Staff noted that the September agenda so far appeared to be a
"light" one.
B. Committee. Committee members cted that the following items be scheduled for the
September 2004 meeting:
1. Consideration of historic documentation 030 Johnson Avenue.
2. Discuss City historic plaque program and rev survey of other cities' programs.
3. Update to Citywide List of Historic Resources an 'storic Inventory planning.
The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. to the regular CHC meeting to b eld on Monday,
September 27, 2004, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm et, San Luis
Obispo.
jh11Jchc12004/chc8-04min.doc
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Attachment 5
Parks and Recreation Commission
MINUTES - - —
Council Chambers,990 Palm Street
Wednesday, September 1, 2004 7:00 p.m..
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Peter Dunan called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chair Pete Dunan, Commissioners: Gary Clay, Bill Pyper, Don Dollar, Ty
Griffin,John Knight, and Jill Lemieux.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF: Director Paul LeSage, Rich Ogden, and Cindy McDonald.
CONSIDERATION OF NIINIJTES:
The minutes of the August 4, 2004 meeting were approved.as submitt
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:
No public comment.
1. Volunt onth
r Dunan presented Laura Morgan as the Volunteer of the Month.
2. Concept Plan for a Public Plaza in the Downtown Historic District
Lesage introduced Mike Draze, Deputy Director for Community Development. Charles Crotser,
(Culture Heritage Committee Member) and Draze presented the Concept Plan for a public plaza in the
Downtown Historic District.
Commission discussed and recommended to Mr.Draze the following:
Recommendation:
1. Encourage the City Council to go forward with the Concept Plan.
(Griffin/Pyper, unanimous).
2. Recommend to the City Council to close the street. (Griffin/Dollar, 2:5 Dunan, Clay,Lemieux,
Knight, and Pyper,opposed.
3. Use of a portion of the Filipponi Ecological; area for mitigation for impacts to Congdon's
Tarplant
Lesage introduced Neil Havlik, Natural Resource Manager. Havlik presented the ort.
Commission discussed the item.
Recommended Action:
Recommend to City Council that a ately four-acres of land within the City's 75-acre Filipponi
Ecological Area be use tigation of impacts to the Congdon's tarplant occasioned by the
development osteo project on Los Osos Valley Road and the Dioptics development on Vachell
La unincorporated area.
er/Knight, unanimous).
.�f U
C.,JDxuments and Setdngsldstuait1Lra 1-retdngsI Temp 109.01.04 minutesdac
Downtown Associatir-- Minutes ` Attachment 6
September 14 , 2004
Hampian: hired seismic retrofit liaison person: Claire Clark, probab tart first of
October
Hampian: Not use theme of MG, window decora ' s, newsletter articles or however
most effective
Main: letter supportive of wha uncil is doing, Merson supportive of efforts to send a
message;
Swem: moti o support City's MG strategy,2"a by Ortali, PAIR
** ash will send letter(email to Betsy) today.
Monterey St. Plaza
Mike.Draze: Deputy Director of Community Development
Draze: item is not an action item,Monterey St. Plaza
Concept: to make a place for pedestrians to gather; already events in Courthouse plaze
Team designed surface treatment, removed curbs, useful to people
Options: close to traffic, partial closures, no closures; no decision on that yet, will need
traffic studies, concept isn't reliant on any one traffic decision
Council tentatively asked for further study, are going to advisory bodies to get comments
from each;will be going to ARC and PC before Council and at that point may start
budgeting for item but at this time has no funding; could be expensive
Visual anchor
Ortali: biggest issue is traffic flow
Carroll; French curve could be confusing to traffic
Bilsten: likes idea but thinks there's other,more important project
Main: City needs to focus less on north end of town, needs more balance
Mulholland: item is major City goal, since City is going into major City goal,these kinds
of comments could change goals for next two years,
Carroll: keep coming back to concept plan, implementing piecemeal parts of plan will
result in congestion, also development of area north of Santa.Rosa
(No Board action taken on this item).
Two Year Council Goal Setting/Advisory Body Input
Bill Statler:- 05-07 Budget, a lot of long term poli�ci re than most cities;need to
program for next two years allocating re for those projects
ID highest priority
Communi m January 12
G etting workshop January 29
ARC Minutes C
Attachment 7
September 20,2004
Page 3
econfigure the site plan to allow a greater setback between the residential units
CNroad Street and consider rotating the footprint ninety degrees in a clockwise
lacing the residential units above the warehouse building.
4. Consider th a of enclosed garages for the residential units.
5. Provide a perspecti hoto simulations) of building as viewed from Broad Street
showing off site views. a surrounding area and hills.
6. Provide for a common outdoo vate open space for use of residential occupants
that allows shelter from road nois .
7. Some parking is acceptable between b "ng and Broad Street at this location
instead of placing residential units close to s t.
8. Consider use of metal or the roofing for units in d of asphalt composition
shingles.
9. Building should provide additional significant articulation, espe ' Ily facing Broad
Street. Larger storefront windows are an important significant featu acing Broad
Street.
2. Staff:
A. Agenda Forecast
Staff gave a brief agenda forecast of upcoming items.
B. Review of a concept plan to establish a public plaza on Monterey Street
between Santa Rosa and Osos Streets. (Mike Draze)
Mike Draze, Deputy Director, gave a presentation on the proposed concept plan to
establish a public plaza on Monterey Street.
Chuck Crotser, architect, gave an overview of the proposed concept plan of the public
plaza on Monterey Street.
Gary Fowler, Mill Street, noted he is a long time resident of San Luis Obispo and is
strongly against this project. He objected to the street being permanently closed off,
noting the potential for group of activists that would gather in this plaza, creating a noise
issue.
Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, SLO, concurred with Mr. Fowler and opposed
the plaza project.
Eric Meyer, SLO, expressed concern with the circulation surrounding this project noting
it would heavily impact the other streets surrounding the closed area of Monterey Street.__
A, ID
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Planning Commission Minutes Attachment 8
October 13, 2004
Page 3
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Te were no comments made from the public.
COM SION COMMENTS:
Commr. Nome moved to report to the City Council that the Proposed Property
donation con f s with the General Plan. Seconded-by Commr.-Loh.
Commr. Loh adde n amendment that this property donation meets City policy for
acquisition, which wil ovide an opportunity for public benefit purposes.
AYES: Commrs. Os ne, Loh, Miller, Boswell, Christianson, and Caruso
NOES: None
ABSENT: Commr. Aiken
ABSTAIN: None
The motion carried on a 6:0 vote.
3. 1636 Woodland Drive. GPC 171-04; G ral plan conformity report for dedication
of an undivided 'h interest in 180 acre parc or property located outside city limits to
the City of San Luis Obispo; R-1-S zone; City San Luis Obispo, applicant.
This item was continued to November 17, 2004, with t discussion due to unexpected
minor delays with this proposal.
COMMENT AND DISCUSSION:
4. Staff:
A. Agenda.Forecast:
Deputy Director Whisenand gave an agenda forecast of upcoming ite
B. Budget Goals
The Commission decided on the following list of proposed Council Coals:
continue work on current.unfinished goals; 2) develop a Pedestrian Plan; and 3)
address non-residential growth
C. Review of a concept plan to establish a public plaza on Monterey Street between
Santa Rosa and Osos Streets.
The Commission discussed the traffic flow and suggested a traffic analysis is
needed because of the impact it would have on Higuera Street. They also
suggested the possibility of making it a one-way street.
Page 1 of 2
SLO Citycouncil-Closing off Santa Rosa-Monterey
From: R Schrage<slotownbob@yahoo.com> LRECEIvED
To: <slocitycouncil@slocity.org>
Date: 11/16/2004 2:26 PM 2C0.1�
Subject: Closing off Santa Rosa-Monterey .6Y CLERK
Although your decision may be already made,I do have the signatures of about 40 business owners and managers(between Santa
Rosa and the 101 on Monterey St.)that do not want to see the street closed as it may affect their businesses and therefore city tax
revenue. Although a certain percent of the customer base is tourist walkin or City drivers who know where the businesses are located,
the concern is that driving traffic from Monterey St.downtown will be diverted and not return to the street for several blocks. I did
talk to Council Member John Ewen and he is considering a plan that would close the street only for limited uses. At the least,you
should explain how closure downtown will benefit the"uptown"businesses.
Bob Schrage,former Chair of CHC,and silent partner in two businesses uptown(yes,we do pay City taxes)
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SLO Citycouncil-Monterey Plaza Street Closure
From: "Jean Reno" <jean@fordens.com>
To: <slocitycouncil @ slocity.org>
Date: 11 A 6/2004 1:05 PM
Subject: Monterey Plaza Street Closure
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
As a resident of SLO for over 30 years,a concerned citizen and a downtown employee I am writing to voice my opposition to the
proposed pedestrian plaza on Monterey Street.
Getting around downtown is difficult enough as it is now, let alone with another street closure. People want to be able to drive and have
nearby parking. This project will limit parking and make more bottlenecks on the already crowded streets.
Please don't waste the money to study this project further. Why don't we use the money for something of more value,maybe improving
existing streets or helping with library funding or any other number of projects that would benefit our citizens and the tourist trade we
depend on.
Thanks for your consideration.
Jean Reno
RECEIVED 'n
NOV 1.6 2C04 "
SLO CITY CLERK
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