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Home My WebLink About05/25/1965G 1 Roll Call ADJOURNED MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL May 25, 1965 - 7:30 P. M. CITY HALL City Council Emmons Blake, Frank Gallagher, Donald Q. Miller, Arthur F. Spring, Clell W. Whelchel Planning Commission Joyce Abkin, John Brown, George Johnson, Leonard Lenger, Kenneth Schwartz, James Twyeffort City Staff P. Chapman, Director of Planning & Building; J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; W. M. Houser, City Attorney; R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer; D. F. Romero, City Engineer; W. Schofield, Police Chief 1. Larry Wise, Planning Consultant, introduced the general subject of the meeting,' which was'to hear a preliminary report on traffic flows in the City by the consulting firm of D. Jackson Faustman and a central business district plan by his firm. John Forrestal. representing D. Jackson.Faustman, Consulting Traffic Engineer, presented a map showing the proposal by his firm to handle present traffic through the City and possible traffic flows in the future. Mr. Forrestal then explained what studies.were made by his firm in order to arrive at their conclusions. (see map) Mr. Larry Wise, Planning Consultant, then presented his proposed central business district (CBD) plan for preserving the central core of the City. He stated the key to his plan was to separate the pedestrains from the motorists by creating certain super blocks. By closing cross streets to larger shopping areas, more leisure shopping would be allowed as well as more parking spaces in the streets that have been closed. He then showed a map that outlined his proposed treatment of the CBD. (see map) Mr. Wise continued that in order to save the CBD from loss of business to outlying shopping centers, we would have to make.some effort to make shopping easier in the central core and also make it more desirable to shop without pedestrians crossing many high speed traffic streets. Mr. Wise gave as an example of the decline of a central core area as a shopping center was the City of Santa Maria, which has lost much of its retail sales to the outlying shopping centers. Mr. Forrestal again appeared before the Council and explained to the Council the effect the street closing as envisioned by Larry Wise would have on his firm's traffic plan. He stated that his firm's plan was flexible and could accommodate almost any plan that the City Council desired. He then presented his firm's plan again, showing the implication of the street closings proposed by Mr. Wise. R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer stated that many people present this evening were interested in Dr. Faustman's parking report and hoped that the Council would set an early meeting with Dr. Faustman so that this most important program can get under way. Kenneth Schwartz, Planning Commission Chairman, stated he felt that this might be a good time for the Planning Commission to discuss with the City Council their reaction to the central business district of the City and its improvements as a regional shopping center. He continued that the Planning Commission has attempted to protect the central business district from any but real C -2 uses. City Council Minutes May 25, 1965 Page -2- Mr. Schwartz continued that the central business district generated 46% more business that can be attributed to the local population. Relaizing this, he stated that the Planning Commission has done all they can to protect the cen- tral core, and have attempted to discourage anything but small neighborhood—'--"- eighborhood — convenience centers. outside, downtown. core.;, - jqe -also stated that• one..of 1. the principal endeavors -of'the:Planning.Commission.has been Co encourage the development of the Mission Plaza area as a focal point for the shopper and to encourage visitors. -to come, to- the, City to; shop.; • -. - ?• - T Mr. Schwartz asked 'that the Council give guidance to the Planning:•Commission in the way. the central, ,business .district should.grow, or ask the; _Planning Commission to tell the _Council. how the f eel, -t should grow. He` also"`— urged that.the_.Council consider paiking,,,.traffic..and the Mission Plaza development as a, package , problemiand - not attempt :to solve each one separately. Mr. MacDonald, representing the Downtown Association, stated that their organization proposal is_ _now• in, the_.hands_ of- .their- architect. and. hoped_ .that_ - _ r _._ - �the Council would give no guidance to the Planning Commission until the final report is received_ from. Dr. Faustman:. and..is; presented:;to:..the,Councl._._ J-,: and the Downtown Association has., had, an. opportunity'. to •present .their •feelings _on the. matter. rr - r: Upon question, Larry Wise stated that he is recommending to the iCity of Santa Maria:.that•all,parkingr meters .be:removed:fromithe.streets and_.City lots and that the..propei.ty� owners be. j".. equired to;. pay, off bonds�to the - bond; - holders thioiYgh cash deposits oiassessments_. 2:' Mr: John Forrestal discussedrwithrthe City Council.. the. proposal.. of._: -,•: D. Jackson Faustman for the construction of an overcorssing at Orcutt Road and Southern Pacific railroad right -of- way.._ He,,stated..that- his- f- irm..has prepared a, preliminary study of.;overcrossing_butYwould: not wi&7t6.report_. on it'at this.:time. f 3. Mayor "Wtielchel. stated to the Planning Commission that a . preliminary study of. the budget ".shows,';that. there;: will -be' very: - Tittle money..available.for.•devel- opment of - the - Mission Plaza or other beautification•,.projects for;,the.,next_ ia fiscal year:' Therefore,_it pears that there will be plenty of time to discuss various,proposals`for. development of the Mission;Plaza.,area. Oa motion 'of Councilman- Galla'her,r seconded by. Councilmn_ a Blake;.. the- eeting adjourned to 12:30 "P: 'M.,_June-1,_1965. - Motion, �carried.: _..r • •Jr._J ._}. 1., .. r_ ., ,_.. •1: _ .0 t+GV I.i . L:� ... APPROVED: 1& 7;`1965:: `i '• :.. i•'ll.... c PATRICK, CITY CLERK .,.f :ice _iSFC— '�•... __ ..° —.. �. �—._ '! ^. - o. 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