HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/07/2015
B A K E R S F I E L D
Staff: Committee members:
Chris Huot, Assistant to the City Manager Bob Smith, Chair
Harold Hanson
Ken Weir
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
of the City Council - City of Bakersfield
Thursday, May 7, 2015
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North – Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
A G E N D A
1. ROLL CALL
2. ADOPTION OF JUNE 10, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Committee Discussion Regarding Implementation of Design Standards
– Gennaro
B. Committee Discussion Regarding NACTO Guidelines – Fidler
C. Discussion and Committee Recommendation Regarding Adoption of
the 2015 Committee Meeting Schedule – Huot
5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
6. ADJOURNMENT
B A K E R S F I E L D
/s/ Rhonda Smiley Committee Members
Staff: Rhonda Smiley Bob Smith, Chair
Assistant to the City Manager Harold Hanson
Ken Weir
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
12:00 p.m.
City Hall North – Conference Room A
1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Committee members:
Councilmember Bob Smith, Chair
Vice Mayor Ken Weir
Councilmember Harold Hanson (Absent)
City Staff:
Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager/PIO
Steve Teglia, Assistant to the City Manager
Caleb Blaschke, Management Assistant – City Manager’s Office
Virginia Gennaro, City Attorney
Joshua Rudnick, Deputy City Attorney
Doug McIsaac, Community Development Director
Nick Fidler, Public Works Director
Dianne Hoover, Recreation and Parks Director
Tom Jones, Park Construction and Facilities Planner–Recreation and Parks
Department
Additional Attendees:
Cathy Butler, Downtown Business Association
Kevin Bartl, Downtown Business Association/Bakersfield Condors
Bruce Freeman, Castle & Cooke
Bob Bell, Downtown Business Development Corporation
Troy Hightower, Kern Council of Governments
Jason Cater and Cindy Parra, Bike Bakersfield
Stephen Schrepfer, Think Green Pedicabs
Lauren Smoot, Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce
Randy Jackson, Placeworks
Members of the media
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Planning and Development Committee
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Page 2
2. ADOPT MAY 8, 2014 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
The Agenda Summary Report was adopted as submitted.
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
4. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Discussion regarding a Proposal to Develop an Urban Development Plan in the
Downtown Area
Community Development Director McIsaac reported that in 2013, a non-
profit corporation was formed called the Downtown Bakersfield
Development Corporation (DBDC). Bob Bell was elected President. Mr.
McIsaac has an ex-officio seat on the Board. The goal of the DBDC is to
continue the revitalization of Downtown that began when redevelopment
funds were available. They are actively searching for grants and corporate
donations to create and implement an action plan, and intend to foster a
close working relationship with the City.
Randy Jackson, Owner/President of PlaceWorks, a planning and urban
design company, was contacted to potentially assist the DBDC in creating a
plan. Through a donation from Chevron, Mr. Jackson and his staff
conducted a public outreach on the Third Thursday event in Central Park on
May 15, 2014, and two workshops on May 28, 2014.
DBDC President Bell stated that the goal of the corporation is to seek
guidance from the City of Bakersfield only; there is no request for public
funding. All of the principals are dedicated to the improvement of the
Downtown for the good of the community.
Mr. Jackson provided some background on the company, PlaceWorks. He
showed the Committee a PowerPoint presentation, and reported on some
of the feedback received during the outreach sessions.
Some key points included determining through a simple exercise what
people liked most about Downtown and what made them uncomfortable.
Some positive aspects are the Padre, Arena events, the Fox Theater, good
restaurants and shops. Negative aspects included code enforcement issues
and the lack of adequate lighting. On a broader scope, suggestions for
improvement included increased entry signage to attract businesses and
visitors, capitalizing on existing architecture, and creating more green and
open spaces.
Mr. Jackson noted that there are more than 300 blocks in the Downtown
area, informally divided into districts. He suggested dividing some of the
larger districts into sub-districts that could stand alone, so that those who are
vested in any particular area can move forward with improvements.
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Planning and Development Committee
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Page 3
Additional trees could significantly enhance the Downtown, and the
community could plant and maintain them under the City’s guidance.
Many comments were received about the lack of adequate and efficient
lighting in the area, as it is an important component to the safety and
security of residents, customers and visitors. There may be funds available to
install more LED bulbs.
Another issue raised is to improve the safety and walkability of streets. One
way to accomplish this is to create a parking management plan. The City
would determine the demand for parking and how to design it for optimal
usage. Once the plan is complete, the Downtown Business Association
(DBA) could post information about the different parking lots on their
website to better advise the public.
Part of the process would be to identify funding sources that could
generate grants to be administered either by the City or the DBDC.
More discussion needs to take place with the City, and that feedback will
be compiled into a series of recommendations that will then be taken back
to the DBA and business owners. This process will culminate into an action
plan.
Mr. Jackson provided examples of weekly events and spoke of creating a
connection between the Mill Creek Park and Downtown to bring people
into the area. He also spoke of the possibility of creating a health hub near
hospitals that would combine healthy food events and physical education
opportunities, and of building more housing to encourage people to live
Downtown.
Committee Chair Smith said that there were a lot of good ideas, and that
he is interested in hearing more about the process.
Community Development Director McIsaac stated that at the last City
Council meeting, some conceptual ideas were presented regarding
potential economic opportunity areas. Downtown is one of those areas, as
it is very important from an economic development standpoint.
Enhancement of what has already been achieved Downtown will attract
new companies to Bakersfield as a whole.
DBDC President Bell said that there is a large group of dedicated and
determined individuals who are willing to work hard to make this succeed.
He reiterated that it can only succeed if the City is on board.
Committee member Weir said he believes the City Council will be
supportive, and that when an action plan is in place, he is interested in
another presentation.
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
Planning and Development Committee
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Page 4
Committee Chair Smith asked for a time estimate, and Mr. Jackson said that
it they would expect to have it ready in late Fall.
Community Development Director McIsaac reiterated that the challenge is
to raise corporate resources to keep the planning effort moving forward.
DBA President Butler reported that there is an upcoming fundraiser that will
help.
One public speaker said that the Downtown is stronger now than in the last
25 years. Another speaker noted that the younger generation is drawn to
the Downtown and that should be capitalized upon.
Committee Chair Smith thanked Mr. Jackson for the presentation.
COMMITTEE AND STAFF COMMENTS
There were no Committee or Staff comments.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:54 p.m.
All meetings will be held at City Hall North, First Floor, Conference Room A
Adopted: DRAFT
Planning and DevelopmentCity Council Meetings
Committee Meetings 3:30 Closed Session
12:00 p.m.5:15 p.m. Public Session
Holidays - City Hall Closed
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League of California Cities Annual Conference - September 30, 2015 - October 2, 2015
APRILMAYJUNE
Planning and Development Committee Calendar
January 2015 Through December 2015
JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH
JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER
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