Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03-28; Housing and Redevelopment Advisory Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesMINUTES STATE AND GRAND TIME: 7:OO P.M. PLACE: City Counci 1 Chambers DATE: March 28, 1983 Ir 'U S 1 Orenyak stated that he was going to set some simple grouncl es for the public hearing so it would run smoothly and with littel difficulty as possible. He noted that everyone in he audience would have an opportunity to express their pinions and that he would like to have discussion limited to 'ive minutes if possible so everyone had a chance to speak. e also asked that those wishina to speak step up to the podium MEMBERS \ ALL TO ORDER: he meeting was called to order by rlarty Orenyak, Building and lanning Director at approximately 7:lO P.M. FFICIATED BY: ublic meeting was officiated by Mr. Marty Orenyak, Building an( 'lanning Director and Mr. Chris Salomone, Community Redevelopmet lanager. IISCUSSION: pening Statements: Ir. Orenyak opened the meeting b. stating that they were all ere primarily to discuss the streetscape implementation for he downtown Carlsbad area. The area would include amenities nd streetscaping as well as parking configurations that are lest suited for the downtown Carlsbad area. tate their name and that all conments be directed to the udi ence. Ir. Orenyak in continuing his opening remarks, informed the udience that this issue would be before the Housing and ,edevelopment Advisory Committee at their April 4th meeting nd a recomnendation would be forwarded to the City Council at Ir . Sal omone , Communi ty Redevel opment Manager, gave a s 1 i de Iresentation depicting the downtown area existing at this time le clarified the scope of the project area as being Grand lvenue from the Railroad track to Madison and State from Grand o Elm. ixists today as well as diagonal parking on State and the ombination of parking situations on Grand. Ir. Salomone spoke on the extensive revamping of the downtown rea with streetscaping, sidewalks and street furniture to be dded and/or replaced. larallel parking and the 100 foot right-of-way. date that was not yet known. Slide presentation revealed the parking situation as Discussion held on Madison Street's MINUTES STREETSCAPE/STATE&GRAND HEARING PAGE 2 3/28/83 Mr. Salomone continued slide presentation showing two parking lots which involve undergrounding of utilities and landscaping etc. Railroad parking lot begin grading, with laddscaping, lights will create 81 parking spaces for the downtown area. Also, it is hoped that these parking lots will generate public use for the downtown businesses. Area behind Chamber of Commerce building was discussed and it was mentioned that staff was planning to ask Council to clean-ul and stripe for more off-street parking. Yr. Salomone continued his presentation using graphics to explain funding cycle through the Community Development Block Grant Program which was already ear-marked for this purpose. Mr. Salomone added that the purpose of this funding was to compliment the downtown area. Also, that the purpose of the public hearing this evening was to volcalize and let it be known how the citizens of the City felt, added that a report of the evening's events were being taken so everyone can express their feelings and if they wished to have a copy of the report they could. the public hearing was to voice public opinion and to keep it as informal as possible and to clear-up and answer questions that the citizens may have regarding the streetscape implernenta tion. Flr. Salomone also The main purpose of Mr. Salomone elaborated on the fact that the improvements were significant and that a staff report will be going forward to the Housing and Redevelopment Advisory Committee on April 4th and the recommendation from the committee will be then forwarded to City Council for discussion and possibly an action taken. Mr. Salomone used charts and graphics to explain the options for the parking and landscaping issue and mentioned that the two charts and options were not final options. Mr. Salomone explained that consultants and three major reports have been done over the last six years to see what was best for the downtown area and that all were very extensive and complete reports. The reason for such an extensive means of research was to come up with a concept to be given to engineering. Discussion in the reports consist of corner treatments, landscaping, replacing sidewalks, paving treatments, mid- block crosswalks, planted medians, diagonal parking or parallel parking on State and Grand, etc. Mr. Salomone noted that the parallel parking configuration shows more extensive landscaping and medians. It was showed that with mid-block crosswalks, diagonal would loose eight parking spaces. spaces with the mid-block parking lot and 81 parking spaces at the railroad parking lot. Total new off-street parking generated will be 174 spaces. Mr. Salomone also mentioned that he had received approximately 1,000 signatures on petitions that have been turned into the Redevelopment Office. The concensus thus far was about 3tol in favor of diagonal parking. Mr. Bill Ryburn asked what was the recommendation of the three streetscape studies that were taken by consultants. In answer to that question Mr. Salomone gave the names of the consultants and their recommendation to remove diagonal on0 street parking, but not until sufficient off-street parking was created. There will be a creation of 72 parking MEMBERS \ MINUTES STREETSCAPEISTATE & GRAND HEARING PAGE 3 3/28/83 MEMBERS \t t 7:35 P..M. public hearing was open for discussion to embers of the audience. bel Garcia: Mr. Garcia of Garcia's Barber Shop and Garcia's estaurant addressed the audience with his feelings on the atter. r. Garcia explaines how important parking is in fron of his lace of business. hat the majority do not want parallel parking because they eel it was too difficult. Mr. Garcia~expressed his opinion hat he could go out of business if changed to parallel parking, e strongly feels that there was more business on State Street han anywhere else in the downtown area and that the businesses eeded the parking in front of their establishments. xpressed the concensus that he could live with the plan to ose eight parking spaces on State but needed the parking in ornt. He talked with many customers and he noted He also eo Pacheco: Carlsbad Auto r. Pacheco said that he at this point leases the largest uilding and has in his employment seven peopole. iagonal parking because of customer service. He said that he ften steps out of his shop to look at something that a ustomer needs repaired right in fron of his shop. n back was being renovated but no new spaces were being enerated because of it. He needs the parking spaces in front. e noted that he has worked in the same location since he was 7 eyars old and he has to have diagonal parking. He needs Parking r. Orenyak made mention that they were not creating spaces in he mid-block parking lot downtown by changing configuration ut making the spaces more accessible. r. Pacheco went on to explain that he did not want crosswalk ut could live with it. He further expressed his strong eelings not to have parallel parking on State Street. oy Phillips: Owner of building in whcih Mr. Pacheco leases. r. Phillips stated that about one year ago Redevelopment resented parallel parking plan and at that time he felf that t was clear that they did not want parallel parking. He eels that they would all be better off without crosswalks and o leave it as it is today. .D. Saunders: Representing Mrs. Law r. Saunders said that he was here tonight representing Mrs. .aw sho could not attend and that her feelings and recommendatir ras to leave it as it is. She felt that it was going to be I mess because the street was to narrow and it would cause [lot of congestion downtown. MINUTES :TSCAPE/STATE & GRAND HFARING PAGF 4 3/78/83 iriel Vorobik: Proprietor of Tea and Taste on State and Grand Is Vorobik stated that she wanted parallel parking and wondered ihy we should go to lowest denominator. She did not feel that ustomers were unwilling to walk to a place of business. If nunnjng a good business peopole will walk. Concerned however, hat we can be offered something terrific and beautiful and coul how criticism. They are looking to create a park-like atmosphc 'or downtown and we are here quibbling over a few parking paces. We need the progress. Ms. Vorobik also stated that he was very much impressed that the City would even ask the dvice of the citizens. Would like to see us looking beyond he little things and look into the future. 11 parking is a problem. In her opinion lr. Ed Robinson: lr. Robinson stated that if our wish was to have as many ustomers as we could handle there would not be enough parking. f we get street attractiveness we can intice people to come o downtown area. Mr. Robinson expressed the feeling that if 'e could get the people downtown it would be of greater benefit han parking and what we need is people not parking. .ay Christiansen: Owner and Operator of Alt Carlsbad Irs. Christiansen stated that she has been hearing about eeting downtown Carlsbad attractive since 1957. hristiansen also stated that tourism is #1 item for return f revenue in the state. If Carlsbad's downtown looks attrac- ive we'll get that tourism. Have a lot of people from motels hat walk all over downtown. She also stated that we are a mall town and still have a friendly atmosphere and that people ren't going to mind walking. arking and make it more attractive. -She also mentioned the. tudies that have been done since 1957 and felt that it was bout time that the people get together just once because arlsbad has great opportunity. Mrs. Let's stop quibbling over ancy Docksi tter: alked regarding businesses downtown and feels everyone likes o park next to the business they are going to. f improving the downtown area but feels that diagonal larking does it. In favor 'ob Nielsen: President Village Merchant's Association and Property Owner downtown 'eels that everyone is here to see downtown look better. As MINUTES STREETSCAPE/STATE&GRAND HEARING PAGE 5 3/ 28/33 a realtor in the area he feels that on-street parking is primary concern. At this point he feels that what downtown needs is more walk through and passway and need to retain diagonal parking. People do not have the tendency to walk. Mike Mahoney: Carlsbad Bicycles Said that they don't need parallel parking to get driver's license any longer. He called the Department of Motor Vehicles and they said that they did away with the requiremer to parallel park during the driver's test because it was to difficult for the driver, and that it was out of date. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles parallel parking was obsolete and nobody parks that way anymore. not make our downtown out of date, Let' Bob Royce: Local architect. Really likes to see a get with it attitude. Upgrading and enhancing are important. the charts and graphics on display. Would like to see different configuration, but likes crosswalks. Concerned about design fine points- compromise or whatever but feels a need to keep diagonal parking and look into matter in more detai 1. Talked about crosswalks using Mr. Salomone explained that the charts and graphics were not in detail but a lot of your concerns are concerns of staff. Bill Ryburn: Agreed in favor of extens buildinqs in the area and ve landscaping. Spoke regard felt that some of them were ng tt blighte; and need to do something strong. Studies show what should be done. Talked about several buildings and lots in the area. buildings for instance the Twinn Inns. Old World Center created a force to do more beautification in the area. Unique opportunity because money in place and City is working hand in hand with the people of the communitj Wanted to know why they couldn't have center landscaping. Fel is was safer. In favor of mid-block crosswalk. For safety reasons feels that mid-block crosswalk is great. When streets are organized and lots striped there will be more parking. We should all get together and have parking for everyone even in back. make people welcome. Time to pull together and make all of Downtown Carlsbad nicer and friendlier. Economic forces are at work with beauty in the He also felt that thc Look at back of stores-rehab and Mr. Ryburn mentioned that he has seen some of the great changes coming down Elm Avenue that all you have to do is look around. and what to do with landscaping and forces will be there. Think that is a great opportunity to be here and that we have done a beautiful job down there. It's almost done- biggest problem is State Strc Harold Clarke: Property Owner downtown. Mr. Clarke said that he supported the enternal parking lot. and the elimination of diagonal parking. at blight on State Street and need to keep in touch. We only have to lot MINUTES STREETSCAPE/STATE & GRAND HEARING PAGE 6 3/28/83 MEMBERS Y lr. Clarke read an excerpt form the Bissell/August report aht ras done for the downtown master plan regarding on-street )arking. lill Schwieters: Coast Office Supplies :n favor of all streetscaping without losing parking. Most of iusiness owners feel diagonal parking is the way to go. Wants :o beautify but not lose diagonal parking. 'ony Howard-Jones: Property Owner, in Motel Business L lot of talk since 1956 about beautification of the downtown [rea. lowntown area. Their first reaction of downtown area is impor- :ant. In personal opinion very unique area and Carlsbad is listinctive and different and that is what draws people here. ;tate Street has inadequate landscaping and need to look into ;he future. In the future we will probably have more pedestrian :raffic and need to improve the landscaping because the iedestrian is of much importance. In favor of parallel parking. In dealing with people we send a lot of people to :arl Toodl er : Works in Carl sbad n working in Carlsbad he notices that the sidewalks and andscaping needs to be done. if those present he can understand both sides. .hat he learned to park parallel and still can. More places Ivailable due to beautification of State and Grand will .ttract more shoppers. Parking situation and concern He stated Ion Dunn: Carlsbad Theatre on State Street lot against downtown beautification but if you take parking ,way oour cutting your own throat. lhould get sewer in before you take away water table. In 'onrt of Angel's Deli on Grand Avenue you took away six iarki ng spaces. Not against beautification. larold Clarke: Property Owner Ir. Clarke commented that the problem with Mr. Angel 's began rith his landlord. As far as widening streets as mentioned :here is loading and unloading that goes on in the middle of I lane that should not be taking place. He has seen many :imes trucks unloading and loading, so felt it was not valid :o critize width of street. 'roperty Owner on Roosevelt and Owner of Carlsbad Liquor ,sking you to help us survive not landscape. !ach other. 'how up. We need to help I say "yes" to more landscaping when pedestrians MINUTES STREETSCAPE/STATE&GRAND HEARING PAGE 7 3/28/83 Roy Phillips: Property Owner. He owns property where there is parallel parking and feels that it is alot of trouble. Bi 11 Ryburn: Property Owner. Mr. Ryburn spoke on petitions that were circulating around. He mentioned that most 100% are for parallel parking that he put out. One thing at State Street peopole want to wait until land- scaping is in. Why wait. Buildings are deteriorating. At one meeting of the Downtown Merchant's Association a suggestion was made to all the merchants to all do something for themselves. For instance, put flowers in front of shops, awnings, etc. Sunday I walked State Street and in all tree wells there is room to put plants. If we start taking care o State Street after improvements its fine but we need it now. Had brochures and asked people to come and speak Jeff Crissman: Management Consultant. Mr. Crissman with the aid of the charts and graphics that were exhibited mentioned that he felt and believed that the street plan was a good concept but felt that they should have a drainage plan first. Trees that are selected also should be deep rooted. If mall area should have visibility. Downtown Area will redevelopment and he is'very happy to see City support. Roy Blackman: Stated that we have all got to realize that we have to make something happen downtown. Not one thing you can do if not done all together. Diagonal or parallel really doesn't matte as far as parking, but without some changes, for example landscaping, your not going to generate new environment. To invite people to come and spend you need to upgrade downtown. Just can't say its going to get better. and do something. Need to compromise It think City is trying to help. Question raised on the cost of upkeep and maintenance. Mr. Orenyak, stated that when engineering is done with design then the cost can be calculated. Mr. Salomone mentioned that the cost of maintaining will be included in the budget process. Mr. Orenyak stated that at the budget session that is dealt with and that at present the trees that are there have to 'and are maintained and the street is sweeped. of additional cost. At this point the streetscaping is a conceptual plan. Just a questioi MEMBERS MINUTES STREETSCAPE/STATE 81 GRAND HEARING PAGE 8 3/28/83 *. Salomone noted to the audience that this streetscaping and iy costs incurred was not creating a burden to the City meral fund money. The funding is from tax increment due the fact that the downtown area was a designated Redevelop- ?nt Area. ) one wished to give further public testimony. rblic hearing was adjourned at 8:37 P.M. spectful ly Submitted, 1R I S SALOMON E mmuni ty Redevelopment Manager TAPE RECORDING OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS ON FILE IN THE :DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. \h\\\ \I MEMBERS