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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-18-2015 Item 17 - LopesCOUNCIL MEETING:/ r�.�10/11"13 ITEM NO.:-/,74 From: James Lopes fmailto_:iameslopes@charter.net] AUG 1 820'5 Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 12:12 PM To: E-mail Council website SLO CITY CLERK Subject: August 18, 2015 Council Meeting: Business Item No. 1 -Downtown Concept Plan August 18, 2015 Business Item 1: Scope of Work and RFP for update to Downtown Concept Plan Dear Mayor Marx and Council Members: I concur with the comments and recommendation of Allan Cooper. In addition to his italicized comments, I have suggestions that are shown in underlined italics in the excerpt below. Overall, I support the direction recommended by staff, in particular that this project be about "urban design." To address urban design, the project needs to be considered, imaged and written in reference to three dimensions, not two. The simple "plan view" from above is no longer relevant to the City's needs in addressing downtown; a different document and use of 3-D thinking and imaging is necessary. Please see if the project can be implemented in this way. My comments about the following list of tasks are in underlined italics, UPDATE TO THE DOWNTOWN CONCEPT PLAN (Allan Cooper's suggested additions are in bold, italicized type) ISSUES TO ADDRESS IN UPDATED PLAN- DELIVERABLES • 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. Consider strategies -for irrxplernenting impor~cant objectives which may have been compromised by approved projects, such as the Monterey Place project adjacent to San Luis Obispo Creek. * Understand what portions of the existing Downtown Concept Plan were not implemented and why. Consider making recommendations to strengthen implementation of the Downtown Concept Plan, such as adopting it as part oLthe General Plan and Zoning Ordinance.. * 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". Consider the addition of a joint ci(y-count E park ft garage on Monterey Street between Santa Rosa and Toro Streets, to serve the Fremont theater, county and courts facilities and new commercial and residential del)elopment east of Santa Rosa Street. _�T • Identify potential locations for new or expanded public space(s) for gathering and socializing. IdentiXy key vantage points o the surrounding peaks.and mountains where public mini Tlazas, gathering places and private dedications ofpublic spaces will bene it residents and visitors. • Address implementation of new General Plan policies including multi -modal level of service standards, "complete streets" and downtown modal priorities. Make walkin tkey, pritnary modes of 'transportation in downtown, from which all street and private desj n flows. Conduct a "walkabilit " s urvey odowntown usin nationally recognized factors. • 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 a, long 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. Consider the location of a gaLage on Countkproperty etween Santa Rasa and Toro Streets, to activate and serve existing uses, ,such as the Fremont Theater, county and courts facilities, and major new commercial and residential opportunities east _o_ Santa Rosa Street. • 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. Evahlate the current zoning her ht allowances against the context of the historic downtown birildi s and any threat to them and review more detailed ypt2ropriate locations for taller buildings while protecting the existing heights of historic buildings. • Identify appropriate places to provide public views of surrounding hills/environment • Include tools for evaluating future projects • Include descriptions of major public infrastructure and facilities needed for Plan implementation in a general sense. • Identify regulatory changes needed as part of subsequent Zoning code update in a general sense. • 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 and urban design guidelines 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 general description of the public infrastructure and facilities needed for Plan implementation shall be included. Thank you for considering. Jamie Lopes James Lopes San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Ph.