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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2015 Item 17 Coopert COUNCIL MEETING: _...' . ITEM NO.: _ I R3aZMD From: allancoope mail.cam [allancoope@gmail.com] on behalf of Allan Cooper [acooper calpoly �ed'u] Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2015 6:15 PM To: Marx, ]an; Carpenter, Dan; Rivoire, Dan; Christianson, Carlyn; Ashbaugh, John SLO CITY CLERK Subject: August 18, 2015 Council Meeting: Business Item No. 1 Honorable Mayor and Council Members - On Tuesday, August 18, 2015 you will be reviewing a request for consultant assistance regarding an update of the Downtown Concept Plan. I and Save Our Downtown are delighted that this badly needed update will finally be realized. However! I would like to make a few minor revisions to staff's suggested list of "Deliverables". I wish to also clarify the possible scope of a "form - based" code and its relevance to the Downtown Concept Plan as was described under the heading "Public Realm". Thank you for your tireless efforts in making San Luis Obispo a better place. Allan Cooper, San Luis Obispo UPDATE TO THE DOWNTOWN CONCEPT PLAN (Allan Cooper's suggested additions are in bold, italicized type) ISSUES TO ADDRESS IN UPDATED PLAN- DELIVERABLES a Evaluate the appropriateness of the existing boundary of the Downtown Concept Plan given new General Plan policies and programs for downtown and adjacent neighborhoods. • Reflect development/redevelopment that has occurred or been approved since inception of the Downtown Concept Plan. • Understand what portions of the existing Downtown Concept Plan were not implemented and why. • Incorporate the Palm-Nipomo Parking Structure and other public projects including circulation and transit. Compare the merits of complete vs. partial closure of the Broad Street "dogleg' • Identify potential locations for new or expanded public space(s) for gathering and socializing. • Address implementation of new General Plan policies including multi -modal level of service standards, "complete streets" and downtown modal priorities • Address implementation of Bicycle Transportation Plan policies and projects proposed in the downtown • Address pedestrian needs in the downtown including sidewalk widths and uses, walking, seating, gathering areas and crossings/mid-block connections. This could include "dieting" Higuera and Marsh streets resulting in sidewalk widening. Address street calming devices such as textured crosswalks, planted median strips, chicanes (i.e. introducing meandering streets), speed tables, etc. • Provide connectivity across and to San Luis Creek where appropriate • Address the goal of activating and revitalizing public areas such as streets, sidewalks and plazas at all times of day while being considerate of adjoining neighborhoods • Create connections and design cohesion between public and cultural spaces • Identify public art location opportunities • Resolve whether Fremont/County Government Plaza concept is still desirable Resolve whether the proposed locations for future parking garages are still desirable. • Incorporate ideas from the Mission Plaza Master Plan. Address height, setback and view requirements of buildings bordering Mission Plaza and the Mission Plaza extensions. • Activate Monterey Street east of Santa Rosa to draw visitors from hospitality facilities further east • Identify places where taller buildings may be appropriate • Identify appropriate places to provide public views of surrounding hills/environment • Include tools for evaluating future projects • Include descriptions of public infrastructure and facilities needed for Plan implementation • Identify regulatory changes needed as part of subsequent Zoning code update • Address a unified landscape plan (including vest pocket parks, street trees, hanging baskets and planters). • Reassess the feasibility/desirability of the Higuera/Marsh mid -block paseos between Broad and Carmel Streets • Reassess the desirability of relocating historic properties to the Heritage Park "receiver site "flanked by Beach, Carmel, Higuera and Marsh Streets. PUBLIC REALM In addition to updating the vision contained in the Plan, direction for the public realm shall be provided in a way that could be used to develop updates to the City's zoning ordinance, including the possibility of developing a form -based code for the Downtown. Such a form -based code could identify districts, major paths, nodes, focus intersections, landmarks and gateways which could be incorporated into the updated Downtown Concept Plan. A description of the public infrastructure and facilities needed for Plan implementation shall be included.