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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-11_BVAC_Minutes_Approved CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH BALBOA VILLAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Location: ExplorOcean, 600 East Bay Avenue Wednesday, February 11, 2015 - 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER Councilmember Tony Petros called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. The following persons were in attendance: Balboa Village Advisory Committee Members: Diane Dixon, Mayor Pro Tem (Chair) Tony Petros, Council Member Gloria Oakes, Balboa Peninsula Point Association Ralph Rodheim, Balboa Village Merchant Association (Arrived at approximately 4:10 p.m.) Grace Dove, Central Newport Beach Community Association Tom Pollack, ExplorOcean Representative Jim Stratton, At-Large Representative (Absent/Excused) Staff Members: Brenda Wisneski, Deputy Community Development Director Fern Nueno, Associate Planner II. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS (comments limited to 3 minutes) Interested parties were invited to address the Committee on Non-Agendized Items. Jim Mosher commented on Item No. 2, referencing the gateway sign that has been considered at the Ferry landing. He commented on the grand-prize winner, in the elementary school category, of an art competition by the John Wayne Airport (a kindergartener from Newport Beach) and presented her entry, showing the Ferris wheel and the Balboa Ferry sign. He noted that the sign is an eye-catching feature and part of the history of Orange County. Howard Hall commented on employee parking on the median near Medina Way and 8th Street noting that it will impact residents during the summer. He added that it will affect the Yacht Club during their events and stated that Balboa is pushing its problems to the east Newport area. Council Member Petros reported that the parking plan has an annual monitoring element. If issues become problematic, the plan may be modified, as appropriate. Discussion 1 followed regarding implementation of the parking program. It was noted that the program does not have to go before the Coastal Commission. There being no others wishing to address the Committee, Councilmember Petros closed the Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items portion of the meeting. III. ITEMS FOR REVIEW 1. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 10, 2014 (ATTACHMENT 1) Recommended Action: Approve December 10, 2014 Minutes. Councilmember Petros opened public comments for this item. Jim Mosher suggested changes to the minutes in terms of distinguishing between members and others in attendance during the December 10, 2014, meeting. Action: Committee Member Oakes moved to approve the minutes of the December 10, 2014, meeting, as corrected. Committee Member Pollack seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0, with Committee Member Stratton, absent. 2. GATEWAY SIGN (ATTACHMENT 2) Recommended Action: Review sign design details and provide comments. Deputy Community Development Director Brenda Wisneski introduced the item addressing project approval and funding by Council. She commented on next steps and reported retaining a designer from Graphic Solutions and introduced and deferred to Simon Andrews for a presentation. Simon Andrews, Graphic Solutions, provided a PowerPoint presentation of the design concept and addressed location, removal of the street lights, lighting the crosswalk, illuminating the base of the sign, color palette and treatments, options for illuminating the letters using "glows," options for lighting, and noted that the logo will be illuminated with recessed lighting. Discussion followed regarding the possibility of the street lights overshadowing the sign lighting, challenges with blue-on-blue lighting fading out during the day, controlling the intensity and timing of illumination, replacement of an existing tree, the height of the arch, the possibility of including sea stars or shells on the waves rather than stars, dimensions of the pilasters, width of the sidewalk and access, whether there is room for installing banners, lighting for flags or banners, and materials and finishes. Ensuing discussion pertained to the size of typical banners and the possibility of using the entry gateway as a sign post. Council Member Petros suggested recommending the use of the entry gateway as a sign post for banners, if approved by the Committee, after public comment, and leaving it up to 2 the designer to develop the design concept. Additionally, he commented on replacing the stars on the waves with an ocean-related image. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski offered the possibility of looking at locating a banner at another location if a banner does not fit at the entry gateway. Council Member Petros commented on the schedule and Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski stated that construction will probably not begin until the fall. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Janis Dinwiddie stated she prefers vertical banners and noted that, by placing them in brackets, they could be easily installed and removed. Brief discussion ensued regarding the size of the middle of the arch. Jim Mosher commented on the archway across the Santa Monica Pier and opined that the proposed is not unique and that it is a waste of money. Council Member Petros closed public comments. Action: The Committee provided comments on the proposed gateway sign regarding lighting, banners, and decorative images. 3. IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (ATTACHMENT 3) Recommended Action: Prioritize improvements and recommend a funding program for Council consideration. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski provided a report addressing Council's approval and next steps. Among the latter, is developing a funding plan to be considered by Council. She addressed potential funding sources and listed these for the Committee's consideration. Council Member Petros expressed concerns with traffic and commented on the possibility of phasing out one area per year. Discussion followed regarding not using General Funds and taking time to accumulate money from parking revenue, implementing a slower schedule, and phasing out the program. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Arthur White commented on the fagade improvement program noting that the amount of money needed for improving his building is greater than $50,000. He suggested an extended scale for the building (building with the blue roof). 3 Kelly Carlson suggested borrowing money to move the project forward and paying it back. Arthur White expressed concern that some owners may not renovate their properties. He added that the "one-size-fits-all" strategy may not work in every case. Council Member Petros thanked Mr. White and reported that Council has already acted on this matter and that it is intended as an incentive. Howard Hall stated that he was under the impression that the improvement area was from Adams to A Street. Council Member Petros reported that the area is precisely in the design guidelines presentation and the design guidelines manual. Jim Mosher pointed out problems with the proposed funding sources. He suggested funding the program with parking revenues from the new parking district to be created. Council Member Petros closed public comments. Committee Member Pollack agreed with Council Member Petros regarding asking the City to advance General Fund money, noting that the area needs revitalization now. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Dixon's question, Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that parking ticket revenues go into the General Fund. Council Member Petros added that there are two Neighborhood Enhancement Zones, geographically identified, and it is at Council's discretion as to where those funds are used on the peninsula. Council Member Petros summarized the comments, noting the possibility of phasing out the streetscape, that the Committee is averse to adding this to the budget cycle, and that a priority source will be revenues received from the parking district. Wayfinding will be implemented after the conclusion of the streetscape. Action: The Committee concurred on Potential Funding Approach No. 3, which includes requesting unappropriated funds, borrowing remaining funds from the General Fund, and paying back the General Fund with funds generated by the Parking Benefit District. The committee agreed that the streetscape improvement schedule should be constructed over a four year period with the wayfinding the following year (completed FY 20/21). 4. TOWN HALL MEETING DEBRIEF & RP3 SURVEY STATUS Recommended Action: No action required. Discussion only. Deputy Community Development Director Wisneski reported that the town hall meeting 4 was well-attended, was a success and that sixty surveys were completed at the meeting, with 60% of those being in opposition. She addressed distribution of the survey and the deadline for responses. Discussion followed regarding confusion in terms of the matter being resident-driven and the number of people attending the meeting. Council Member Petros reiterated that the RP3 is intended as a prophylactic for all of the other items going on in the Balboa Village. He reported that it is not a revenue generator or government arm and that if the community does not want it, then it will not be done. Discussion followed regarding needing to be sensitive to residents and the business community, needing support and input from residents, existing lack of knowledge, and the need for an increased narrative relative to why this is being proposed. Committee Member Pollack reported that ExplorOcean sponsored the Town Hall meeting. He commented on public support on the ExplorOcean project that was received previously at a preview center. He indicated that most people attending the Town Hall meeting were there for the issue of the parking permit and not ExplorOcean. Council Member Petros opened public comments. Howard Hall stated that knowing the history of RP3, it is hard for him to buy in on the program. He added that as you get further away from the area, more people oppose the program. W. R. Dildine reported that he started this when he learned that he would have parking meters in front of this house. He commented on the original area it was to cover and on extension of the area by others. Later, it was expanded to include revitalization of Balboa Village. Richard Dorn reported that most people against this do not understand the reason for it. They do not understand it is for their benefit because it has never been presented that way. Howard Hall suggested drawing the line at Medina Way. Council Member Petros indicated he would be interested in revisiting the boundaries in terms of phasing the program implementation. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon noted that many residents questioned why Bay Island was included. Committee Member Rodheim suggested waiting until the ballots come back to determine how residents feel. 5 IV. PUBLIC COMMENT W. R. Dildine commented positively on the projections for revitalization because is shows foresight. Council Member Petros reported that Mayor Selich announced several upcoming workshops regarding the Local Coastal Program Certification throughout the City and encouraged residents to attend the workshops and to seek additional information on the City's website. Committee Member Pollack announced that a Coastal Commission is meeting today in Pismo Beach, and reported on a grant from the Coastal Commission received by ExplorOcean for the second year in a row. Committee Member Rodheim commended ExplorOcean staff for their educational program. He stated he was disappointed at the Town Hall meeting as it presented an opportunity to present information about the Village and events, but that did not occur. Mayor Pro Tem Dixon announced two upcoming town hall meetings in Balboa Village. Edward Ryan asked regarding phasing and noted that many residents do not understand the RP3 program. He suggested using different modes of communication. Additionally, he commented on a smell in Balboa Village. V. ADJOURNMENT (Meeting End Time: 5:15 p.m.) There being no further business to come before the Balboa Village Advisory Committee, Council Member Petros adjourned the meeting at 5:15 p.m. Next Meeting Date: March 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. 6