HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-15_BVAC_Minutes_Approved
CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH
BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
Marina Park, Collins Island Room (2nd Floor)
1600 West Balboa Boulevard, Newport Beach
Wednesday, November 15, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.
I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Chair Dixon called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
The following persons were in attendance:
Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members:
Diane Dixon, Council Member (Chair)
Marcel Ford, Balboa Village Merchants Association
Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association
Mike Wheeler, OceanQuest Representative
Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative
Staff Members:
Jim Campbell, Deputy Community Development Director
Dave Webb, Public Works Director
Mike Sinacori, Assistant City Engineer
Benjamin Zdeba, Associate Planner
II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (Comments limited to 3 minutes)
A member of the public, W. R. Dildine, remarked that installation of the sign for the drug store has been
delayed.
III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW
1. MINUTES OF OCTOBER 18, 2017
Recommended Action: Approve October 18, 2017 Minutes
MOTION: A motion was made by Committee Member Stratton, seconded by Committee Member Wheeler,
to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2017 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.
2. REVIEW STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS AND PROCESS
Recommended Action: Review and Discuss
Associate Planner Zdeba introduced Public Works Director Dave Webb and Assistant City Engineer Mike
Sinacori.
Public Works Director Dave Webb expressed concerns about the accuracy of some of the estimated costs
on the list of improvements. For example, he recently purchased trash cans for Balboa Island at a cost of
about $400 each.
Chair Diane Dixon clarified that the Balboa Village Advisory Committee (BVAC) wanted less expensive, but
nice trash cans and bike racks.
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Director Webb suggested Public Works staff begin developing plans and adding elements, which BVAC
can review, make selections and approve. The goal is to meet BVAC's budget or possibly even save
money.
Committee Members discussed coordinating BVAC projects with other City projects to save money without
using BVAC funds for the other City projects.
Committee Member Grace Dove suggested including the City’s Municipal Operations Department to obtain
their input on maintenance costs.
Director Webb recommended placing more costly trash cans in visible areas and less costly trash cans in
out-of-the-way areas as an option.
A member of the public, Kelly Carlson, expressed her wish to remove the plastic trash cans. Chair Dixon
concurred.
Director Webb advised that the City installed 11 trash cans on Little Balboa Island. They are made of
concrete with double texture to prevent graffiti and have a flap covering the opening on the top.
Chair Dixon recommended BVAC select the same trash cans as installed on Little Balboa Island at a cost
of $400.
Committee Member Jim Stratton inquired whether the pots at $700 each were new.
Assistant City Engineer Mike Sinacori did not know. Staff needs to review the project list and determine
whether the estimates are accurate and include installation. Staff cannot develop a project with costs until
they have more information. He suggested another tour of Balboa Village to review the existing conditions.
Ms. Carlson commented that many business owners did not care for the plants in the pots, so that the pots
became ash trays and trash receptacles.
Associate Planner Benjamin Zdeba explained that extraordinary maintenance was included in the budget,
but routine maintenance was not. It was stated that BVAC would need a contractor to maintain potted
plants.
Committee Member Marcel Ford questioned whether potted plants would be needed if landscaping is
improved.
Chair Dixon stated pots with plants are optional, and a maintenance plan will be needed if they are selected.
Assistant City Engineer Sinacori wished to include the City's urban forester in reviewing the existing
landscaping and developing plans.
Director Webb indicated staff will tour Balboa Village to reevaluate the list of improvements and then present
BVAC with ideas and costs.
In response to Director Webb's inquiry about the 15th Street median landscaping, Committee Member Dove
reported the trees are too short. People cannot walk under them.
3. GENERAL UPDATES
a. Commercial Facade Improvement Program
Associate Planner Zdeba reported that the City has 25 signed agreements for facade projects, 18 of which
have been completed and 7 are in progress. In addition, he received 4 incomplete applications and 2 recent
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inquiries. With respect to the possibility of discontinuing the program and using funds for other projects,
the Community Development Department’s administrative analyst advised him it is best to deplete the funds
and allow the program to fade away. Program funds were specifically earmarked for facade improvements
and cannot be easily used for other projects.
b. String Lights on Main Street
Associate Planner Zdeba provided conditions under which lights can be placed along Main Street. Lights
must be more of a permanent fixture, provide a clearance of 15 feet for vehicles, and be strung building to
building. Lights cannot be strung across light poles or trees. Stringing the lights will require a building
permit and City Council approval of an encroachment permit for electrical to run across the right-of-way.
He suggested the Balboa Village Merchants Association (BVMA) work with merchants and property owners
to determine interest and willingness to comply with requirements.
Committee Members discussed issues around willingness of building owners to participate, payment of an
electricity bill, and liability for lights crossing the street.
Director Webb advised that poles for lights may have to be installed where buildings are too low.
c. Village Walkabout
Associate Planner Zdeba reported he will coordinate a walkabout to review the list of improvements.
In reply to Chair Dixon's inquiries, Associate Planner Zdeba advised that power washing of sidewalks is
being done. He is working with Code Enforcement regarding the Balboa Pavilion's trash being visible to
the walkway.
d. Current Applications and Upcoming Projects
Associate Planner Zdeba reported the Mithrush building project received building permits, so construction
can begin at any time. A tenant for the building is not currently known.
Committee Member Ford requested the older "Fisherman's Casino" sign on the side of the building not be
painted over. Associate Planner Zdeba advised that planning staff worked to ensure improvements to the
building complied with the Balboa Village Design Guidelines. Committee Member Dove noted that the
historic element in the General Plan should provide protections for such a sign. Associate Planner Zdeba
indicated penalties or fines for failure to comply with the Historic Resources Element in the General Plan
are nonexistent.
Associate Planner Zdeba reported the Balboa Theater project will be presented to the Planning Commission
in January for entitlements. An application for 500 East Balboa Boulevard has also been submitted.
In response to Committee Member Ford's inquiry about the bike shop, Associate Planner Zdeba indicated
he would review the situation.
In answer to Associate Planner Zdeba's question, Chair Dixon cancelled the December 20 BVAC meeting.
At Committee Member Stratton's request, Deputy Director Jim Campbell provided an update regarding the
Coastal Commission's review of the resident permit parking program . Coastal Commission staff will not
consider the Balboa Village parking overlay without understanding the full context of the City's parking
management strategy for Balboa Village. Staff is struggling to package the parking management strategy
in such a way that the Coastal Commission will approve it without retaining control over components of the
strategy.
Committee Members discussed requests for waiving parking requirements.
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IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:06 p.m.)
The meeting ended at 5:06 p.m.
Next meeting Date: January 17, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. in the Bay Island Room at Marina Park