HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-28_NRC Aproved MinutesNeighborhood Revitalization Committee
Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2012
Action Meeting Minutes
NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE
Location: Council Chambers
Thursday, June 28, 2012 - 4:00 p.m.
Call Meetina to Order
Council Member Henn convened the meeting at 4:00 p.m. and reviewed the meeting protocol. The following
persons were in attendance:
Committee Members
• Michael Henn, Council Member (Chair)
• Rush Hill, Council Member
• Ed Selich, Council Member
City Staff
• Kimberly Brandt, Community Development Director
• Brenda Wisneski, Deputy CD Director
• Jim Campbell, Principal Planner
• Dave Webb, Deputy PW Director /City Engineer
• Cindy Nelson, Project Consultant
• Leonia Mulvihill, Assistant City Attorney
• Marlene Burns, Administrative Assistant
II. Approval of Minutes for June 14 2012
Council Member Hill moved to approve the minutes of the June 14, 2012 meeting as submitted, and Council
Member Selich seconded the motion; and the minutes were approved unanimously.
III. Draft Balboa Village CAP Implementation Plan, May 2012
Project Consultant Cindy Nelson presented a review of previous discussions by the Committee on the draft
Balboa Village Implementation Plan including agreement that a commercial fagade improvement project was
warranted in the area, subject to funding and future discussion by City Council. Regarding the targeted
tenant attraction program, there was consensus that this would be deferred until a time subsequent to
implementation of other recommendations by the Committee, as it premature to determine now if it was
needed or how to go about it. There was strong support to facilitate the development of ExplorOcean and
the Balboa Theater. Discussion also took place regarding developing a special events initiative for Balboa
Village and hire a consultant to develop a special events program for the area in partnership with
ExplorOcean, Balboa Theater, the Business Improvement District and the Neighborhood Associations.
Council Member Hill noted that Visit Newport Beach is paid for those activities and suggested that staff
contact them for coordination.
Discussion followed regarding rationale for a consultant who would focus on event management and
organization versus event marketing. Council Member Henn noted that the scope of work needs a dedicated
resource.
Ms. Nelson continued summarizing previous discussions including developing a trial program for an off -peak
RV use program in the Balboa Pier parking lot without utility hook -ups, subject to outreach with residents of
the surrounding area and the development of parameters. Discussion also took place regarding future
mixed -use development on the City -owned Palm Street parking lot with it best deferred to a later time,
subject to the final plans being developed by ExplorOcean; additional funding to the Balboa Village BID for
marketing, modify the boundaries of the BID; design guidelines especially as it relates to signage, and
eliminating parking requirements for new commercial developments and intensification of use applications;
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Meeting Minutes of June 28, 2012
providing incentives to attract new commercial business to the area; and eliminating the in lieu parking fee
for Balboa Village. Regarding the latter, the NRC recommended suspension of the program rather than
elimination at this point.
Another issue addressed was the pursuit of the adoption of the Local Coastal Plan which is currently in
process. She addressed details of the parking management plan discussed as well as getting Council
direction on that matter and establishing a resident permit parking program as well as an employee permit
parking program and developing a coordinated way- finding signage program. In coordination with the way -
finding signage plan and parking, discussion took place regarding additional improvements to use of bicycles
in the area, possibly including a shared -bike system. There was consensus that public streetscape needs to
be revisited in terms of public improvements with a recommendation to hire an architect to put together a
revised conceptual streetscape plan and adding to the Boardwalk area and for the City to assume
maintenance of the Boardwalk area. Discussion also took place regarding a developing a very high standard
of maintenance for the Village. Ms. Nelson reported that an item which was not previous discussed was the
creation of a governance structure.
The CAP felt it important for the City Council to establish an oversight committee that would meet as often as
necessary to monitor and promote execution of the approved recommendations and provide additional
input.
Council Member Selich asked about the need for a new committee in light of the existence of a BID.
Chair Henn felt it would work well to ensure a major representation of stakeholders in the area and that it
would be a committee that would have a defined life, include one or two Council Members, a representative
of the BID, a resident representative and representative from ExplorOcean. Its mission would be parallel to
the recommendations of the NRC and funding needs would need to be approved by Council as a whole.
Discussion followed regarding the importance of having continuity with the City Council, the need for the BID
to be well- represented, and outlining the responsibilities of the proposed committee.
Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on this item. The following is a summary of what
was discussed by the public:
• The BID is a good starting point but that it is lacking residential input.
• There is a need for increased resident representation from Visit Newport Beach and the importance
of establishing relationships with the business community was discussed.
• One of the challenges involves absentee owners of buildings and getting more of them involved in
the governance structure.
• There has been no follow up regarding some of the previous studies and the need for coordination
was emphasized.
• The need for a committee to oversee and coordinate to push projects and recommendations
through.
• Concerns with the lack of businesses and existing zoning issues.
• Various organizations in other commercial areas of the City, such as in Corona del Mar and the
various Chambers of Commerce already exist and seem to be effective, and there is no need to
create a new group for Balboa Village.
There being no other wishing to address the Committee, Chair Henn closed public comments for this item.
Chair Henn noted that staff is working on a more coordinated effort in the area and stated the proposed
governance committee would be strictly for Balboa Village and will not have oversight elsewhere. He
suggested that the recommendations of the NRC need to move forward and that the next step will be a
Planning Commission review. He felt the recommendation for a governance structure should stay with staff
returning with an outline for review by the NRC, where the mission of the group would be clearly stated, with
a defined term, and expectations of accomplishment of objectives and milestones.
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Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on the parking recommendations. The following is a
summary of what was discussed by the public:
• A resident was in favor of residential parking permits.
• Three residents opposed the concept of residential parking permits.
• The possibility of offering parking validation by existing businesses.
• A residence, for example, which has no garage, requires on- street parking.
• The inclusion of Balboa Island.
• The availability of parking for rentals units.
• The impacts to parking by day users.
• A recommendation was made to permit the area's five blocks and to include Medina Way, allowing
two hour free parking in the BID area, including during the winter months, to encourage locals to
patronize businesses in the area.
• It was reported that the BID is a parking district and that there are 30, legal, non - conforming units
with no parking in the area.
• Inquiry as to the times proposed for the overnight parking permit.
• Concerns with residents not being able to find parking, in addition to tourists.
• Approval of overnight parking permits by the Coastal Commission was noted.
• Concerns that residents have not had to pay for parking on their streets but that now residents will be
required to pay for permits.
• Details are needed to determine how residents will be affected, and that they should be resolved
prior to approval.
In response to an inquiry by Chair Henn, Assistant City Attorney Leonie Mulvihill reported that under the
City's Municipal Code, City Council has the authority to designate an area for resident parking permits.
Principal Planner Jim Campbell further noted that there are criteria within the Municipal Code to establish a
preferential parking district if a majority of the residents in the affected area desires the plan. He stated the
need for a survey to demonstrate the findings.
Chair Henn noted that another survey would have to be conducted by a disinterested third party.
The following is a summary of what was discussed by the public:
The need for increased communication to residents.
• Concerns regarding parking enforcement.
• Concerns with establishing a permit parking district, forever, which would run from Adams to Seventh
Street and extend into an area that had none of the original criteria that was proposed in the survey.
There being no others wishing to address the Committee, Chair Henn closed public comments for this item.
Council Member Selich reported that residents of Balboa Island acknowledge their parking problems and
have learned to live with them and decided against parking permits.
Council Member Hill commented on how residents around Newport Harbor High School are uncertain on
how to deal with the issue they have with student parking disrupting their neighborhoods. He indicated that
he has been a proponent of residential parking permits but acknowledged related problems.
Chair Henn felt this has to be a resident - driven decision. He addressed existing metered parking,
businesses requiring parking, and stated that he saw the potential for problems related to a residential
parking program. He also indicated the need for a survey that provides clear information.
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Discussion followed regarding addressing details, providing specific information in the proposed survey,
offering various options for residents to choose, and considering the seasonal aspects of parking.
Support was expressed for a survey with various alternatives offered.
Community Development Director Kimberly Brandt stated that it could be part of the Committee
recornmendation that an additional survey be conducted by the City prior to considering a formal ordinance.
Chair Henn agreed with Ms. Brandfs comments.
Ms. Brandt noted that it could be a priority component of the implementation plan.
Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on other aspects of the implementation plan.
The following is a summary of what was discussed by the public:
• Concerns regarding renaming Balboa to make it more marketable, that the plan for input was never
publicized, that the survey was not easy to access, and that connecting "Fun Zone" to Balboa is not
appropriate.
Chair Henn addressed timing of the Committee meeting and noted that all recommendations will be
presented to the Planning Commission on July 19th, which starts at 6:30 p.m., providing working residents
the opportunity to attend and provide input.
• A resident commented on the misinformation regarding the location of Balboa Island within
Mapquest and Google.
• A concern with the integrity of the survey was noted.
Chair Henn noted the recommendation regarding developing maintenance standards.
• Opposition to adding "Fun Zone" to the Balboa name was expressed.
There being no others wishing to address the Committee, Chair Henn closed public comments for this item
Chair Henn stated the need to move the plan forward and addressed the two items needing further vetting
including developing a governance structure and conducting the resident survey on residential parking
permits.
Ms. Brandt addressed the related steps needed and presented the schedule of presentation to the Planning
Commission, the Harbor Commission and City Council. She suggested that staff could compose a
governance schedule that Council could review as part of the actions based on recommendations from the
NRC.
Chair Henn thanked the members of the public who provided their input.
IV, Public Comment
Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on items not on the agenda.
Bruce Brandenburg thanked the City Manager and staff for their work in District 1 in bringing negotiations to
conclusion and reducing rates to all Assessment Districts.
Dan Purcell presented an image of an area outside the current City Hall with a large amount of trash cans
and expressed concerns regarding the need for increased maintenance.
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Chair Henn expressed his appreciation to the Citizens Advisory Panel, Cindy Nelson, and staff for their work
on this project.
V. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Henn adjourned the meeting at 5:30
p.m.
The agenda for the Meeting was posted on June 22, 2012, at 2:45 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located
outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building.
Michael Henn, Chair
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