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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-02-16_Approved MinutesNeighborhood Revitalization Committee Action Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2012 Action Meeting Minutes NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE Location: Council Chambers Thursday, February 16, 2012 - 4:00 p.m. Call Meeting to Order Council Member Henn convened the meeting at 4:05 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Committee Members • Council Member Michael Henn (Chair) • Council Member Ed Selich • Council Member Rush Hill City Staff • Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director • Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director • Dave Webb, Deputy Public Works Director • Leonia Mulvihill, Assistant City Attorney • Monika Goodwin, Administrative Assistant • Dennis Stone, Project Consultant 2. Approval of Minutes for December 15, 2011 Chairman Henn left the room at this time. Council Member Selich moved to approve the minutes of December 15, 2011 meeting, regarding Item E. Lido Village /City Hall, and Council Member Hill seconded; and the minutes were approved (2 -0; Council Member Henn absent). 3. Approval of the Joint Minutes for December 20, 2011 Chairman Henn returned to the room at this time. Council Member Selich moved to approve the minutes of the joint December 20, 2011, Balboa Village Advisory Panel (CAP) and NRC meeting, and Council Member Henn seconded; and the minutes were approved unanimously. Approval of Minutes for January 12, 2012 There were several requests for amendments to the minutes. Council Member Henn moved to approve the amended minutes of the January 12, 2012, meeting, and Council Member Selich seconded; and the amended minutes were approved unanimously. 4. Status of CAPS A. Balboa Village Chairman Henn reported on the activities of the CAP noting it formed a subcommittee to consider branding opportunities with the assistance of staff and Visit Newport Beach. He expects an update at the upcoming CAP meeting of February 21, 2012, regarding its progress. He added that at the last meeting the CAP viewed a presentation on Code Enforcement. The next CAP meeting will include an update on the subcommittee's findings on branding, presentation of the initial recommendations on parking issues, and an update report from the economic consultants. Public Comment Mr. Dan Purcell asked about the carousel sale and Chairman Henn reported there was no discussion on that issue at the last CAP meeting. Public Comment closed. Page 1 of 4 Neighborhood Revitalization Committee Action Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2012 B. Corona del Mar Entry Consultant Dennis Stone provided a PowerPoint presentation including an overview of the process and concept plan resulting from recent CAP deliberations. He acknowledged CAP members, staff and others who participated in the process. He addressed potential changes for improved areas, such as landscaping, widening the sidewalk, pavement materials, signage, safety improvements, preliminary costs estimates and ideas for potential secondary uses. Chairman Henn asked and Ms. Brandt responded that this is an action item for NRC recommendation. Council Member Hill stated the plan speaks to the vision, addressed parking issues and measures to mitigate. Council Member Hill moved to present the item to Council, and Chairman Henn seconded the motion. Council Member Selich stated he would like to hear what others have to say about the item before taking action, noting there are some issues relative to parking and circulation to address. Public Comment Mr. Dan Purcell expressed concerns regarding the existing clock tower and felt that whatever is done in the area should be top - quality. He asked Council to review all commercial refuse storage areas in Corona del Mar and suggested the possibility of consolidating trash areas. Ms. Debbie Allen reiterated her support for the plan and noted the neighborhood is concerned about the height of the palm trees and requested the addition of a condition stating that palm trees are not to exceed thirty -two (32) feet in height. Chairman Henn stated the issue will be included. Mr. Dick Nichols wondered as to the benefits of the project, opined the sidewalk is not useable as a place for meetings because there is not enough space, and inquired regarding bicycle lanes. He felt that not all of the restaurants in the area are being considered and stated that traffic will be impacted by the removal of the lane. Chairman Henn inquired regarding the bicycle lane and Mr. Stone responded by illustrating the location of the bike lane. Discussion followed regarding the lack of room for bicycle lanes. Mr. Tom Gray stated his opposition to eliminating lanes along Coast Highway. He reported alternate routes that he takes to avoid Coast Highway and expressed concerns regarding backed up traffic and opined the plan will result in increased traffic congestion and accidents. Mr. Tony Brine, City Traffic Engineer, stated it is an operational issue rather than a level of service or capacity issue. He reported that a temporary lane closure to simulate a lane drop prior to MacArthur had been done previously, similar to what is being proposed and there were no real issues observed with traffic flow. He suggested repeating this at this location to monitor impacts on traffic. Chairman Henn asked regarding the triangle near Golden Spoon and Mr. Brine reported the attempt there is to channelize the traffic for better definition. Council Member Selich agreed with Mr. Gray's idea and suggested also restriping before hard improvements are completed to see how it works and what adjustment, if any, is necessary. Chairman Henn directed staff to include this in the agenda report. Council Member Hill noted there are arguments on both sides regarding this project. Mr. Mike Nolan expressed concerns over traffic and parking with the increased density. Chairman Henn indicated he respects Mr. Nolan's passion regarding the issues, but stated that before the concept plan can be enacted, additional public input will be gathered and consideration will be given to resolving the parking problems and whether or not there will be an exacerbation of traffic problems. Mr. Jim Mosher expressed confusion over seven (7) Corona del Mar items listed on the agenda. Chairman Henn noted there is material attached to the presentation that addresses each individual item. Mr. Jim Mosher suggested an alternate concept including keeping the traffic configuration as it currently exists and extending the sidewalk to where the parking is currently. He addressed capacity and expressed safety concerns relative to the pedestrian sidewalk on Carnation Avenue and opined there is a safety issue with the bicycle lane. Page 2 of 4 Neighborhood Revitalization Committee Action Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2012 Mr. Steve Nellis felt that focusing on technicalities contributes to losing the beauty of the plan. He expressed support for the plan, felt the wider sidewalks would be improvements for restaurant owners and felt that having a merging lane and parking spaces in the middle of an intersection is confusing but felt that the parking issue can be resolved. Mr. Tony Brine affirmed that moving the parking would be an improvement. Mr. Jim Walker stated this has been a long time coming and that the concept provides a real enhancement for Corona del Mar because it encourages people to walk. He felt there is a safety issue with parking near the Golden Spoon and noted people will try to go across Carnation while others are merging from three lanes to two lanes. He addressed traffic flow and noted the existing restaurants have concerns regarding lack of parking. He suggested a compromise to resolve the parking issue and stated support of the project. Mr. Ron Hendrickson indicated that striping will be a problem since people will ignore them and cross anyway. He expressed concern with elimination of a lane and that widening the sidewalks, allowing for outside dining by existing restaurants, was secondary to the reduction of the size of the intersection. He opined there could be a safety issue relative to sidewalk activities that could distract drivers and felt that better and more communication is needed before the item goes before Council. Ms. Theresa Powers agreed that communication needs to be improved; addressed increased traffic at the new City Hall which will impact the proposed project and noted that business cannot be conducted on public property such as sidewalks. Chairman Henn reiterated that no final action will be taken at this time as this is a concept plan recommendation to Council and will be subject to much more public input before finalization. Assistant City Attorney Mulvihill stated the City often allows private businesses and citizens to use public properties through an encroachment permit. She added that outdoor dining on public property can be conducted through a similar process. Mr. Bernie Svalstad supported the idea of striping and placing cones, referenced various meetings regarding the subject project, and felt there are ways to resolve some of the issues brought up. He commented in support of the project. Ms. Karen Jacoby spoke in opposition to the lane closure and suggested the City provide resident permits or other compensation for their side of the street. Chairman Henn stated that the before mentioned ideas are valued. Deputy Public Works Director /City Engineer Webb reported staff received one email comment from Mr. Ernest Schroeder expressing support for the project but also concerns regarding removing parking in front of his property. Mr. Ernest Schroeder spoke in favor of the project, but not removing the parking. Mr. Helmut Reis indicated support for the concept, referenced other coastal cities and challenges with finding parking spaces. Mr. Robert Hawkins said, "A concept plan may be fine, but with all of these details, the City needs to conduct environmental analysis before considering approval of the Project." Ms. Mulvihill noted this is a concept plan and that at the time it goes before Council, the staff report will identify the appropriate environmental analysis or exemption which the Community Development Department will make. Ms. Novell Hendrickson noted the CAP meeting was reminiscent of a previous plan in 2000, referenced a Walker parking study and felt that Corona del Mar has plenty of parking. She felt the concept is premature and that more outreach and input is necessary before the item goes to Council. Mr. Gary Picket expressed appreciation for the information, correspondences and notices issued by the City to keep him informed. Page 3 of 4 Neighborhood Revitalization Committee Action Meeting Minutes of February 16, 2012 Mr. Robert Hawkins commented on waiving a 50 -space parking requirement for Avila's Restaurant and now deletion of nine (9) parking spaces is being proposed. He reiterated the need for further analysis. Public Comment Closed Council Member Hill commented this is a worthwhile project for the Council to consider and noted the City's wish for improvements. Council Member Selich provided a brief history of the project including ideas generated by resident input, the vision plan and presentations made to various groups and people. He stated one of the major goals of the vision plan was to make Corona del Mar more pedestrian - friendly. Council Member Hill moved, Chairman Henn seconded, to direct staff to forward the concept plan to Council for its meeting on February 28, 2012, subject to additional recommendations and including the minutes of this meeting. The motion carried, unanimously. Council Member Hill thanked the CAP. S. Public Comment Mr. Dan Purcell inquired regarding the status of the carousel. Chairman Henn did not have comments on this issue, but if the community wants to raise it that would be alright. Mr. Dick Nichols spoke on the benefits of undergrounding three lanes on Coast Highway. Chairman Henn noted that public comments were closed. 6. Next Meeting on March 15. 2012. at 4:00 p.m. The meeting was adiourned at 5:50 p.m. The agenda for the Regular Meeting was posted on February 10, 2012, on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. 4:::�n /_ Michael Henn, Chair Page 4 of 4