HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/83 MINUTES RAMINUTES
BAKERSFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Special Workshop--February 8, 1983
The Special Workshop of the Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency
was called to order by Chairman Barton on Tuesday, February 8,
1983 at 1:08 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
James J. Barton
Chris Christensen
Thomas Payne
John Means
Art Rockoff
Vernon Strong
Staff gave an oral report regarding the Urban Design section
of the General Plan. Mr. Kennon stated that zoning is a type of
Urban Design control, dealing with the way the buildings relate
to the downtown and their impact upon the environment. He stated
that as projects and buildings are designed there should be sensi-
tivity as to the type of environment created on the ground level for
pedestrians.
Mr. Christensen questioned staff as to what they base sensi-
tivity on.
~r. Kennon stated that it is based on the scale and size of
a building and how the ground level environment is affected Ey the
structure so that it encourages pedestrian use or public open space.
He explained that also when constructing a building, the height an~~
size must be considered as to its impact npon the other structures.
Mr. Christensen questioned how the economics of Downtown Redevel-
opment can be changed to encou~-age development. Staff explained that
if the risk and uncertainty of developing in the downtown can be
reduced (or eliminated) and certain economic incentives provided
you begin to reach a parity with investment costs for suburban lands,
ant!l if tl~e investment is justified then the building will be
cor, structed.
P~r. Payne expressed concern regarding color schemes that might
be necessary to the developer's image, and if these schemes were
not compatible, can the City deny them the right to develop if the
property has al~eady been purchased.
Mr. Kennon clarified that the ability to control development
would only be used when it was necessary. The use of this kind of
review can only assume the worst case in which a building's color,
texture, size, material, etc., would have a negative impact on
neighboring structures.
Mr. Kelmar stated that all of these problems have a great ~eal
of flexibility.
P~r. Hartenberger stated that the reason for this guideline in
tV~e report is to protect investments already existing.
Staff gave an oral report on the Land Use element for the down-
town in which Mr. Rockoff questione~ staff if they were satisfied
with the assumptions in the Land Use report, and if they thought
the existing street system will adequately serve the public transit
syste~n for downtown.
i~r. Kennon stated that staff was satisfied with the assumptions
and that the streets are generally adequate to serve the downtown.
Mr. Kelmar stated that maybe sonde time, in the future, parking
will have to come off the streets, but many other alternatives are
still available.
Mr. Christensen cuestioned staff why 24th Street was considered
a part of the downtown.
Mr. Kennon stated that staff has recommended an improvement
program for that specific area because of its importance to
downtown and the service it provides to downtown.
Mr. Rockoff questioned why the property east of Central Park
was not included as part of the area.
Mr. Kennon stated that this area is industrial in nature,
and the individuals that were contacted were more oriented to the
Union Avenue corridor. The people did not consider themselves
downtown in terms of use.
Mr. Barton asked staff if the boundary lines were sufficient
for the future.
Mr. Kennon stated that the boundary lines could change but
for the short-term and medium-range of ten years staff is very
comfortable with the proposed specific plan study area.
~r. Kelmar staten that, at this time, the boundaries are not
critical and that it would take a nnmber of years to accomplish any
kind of development. He asked staff to explain how the concept of
Floor Area Ratio (FAR) compares to what is.existing now in C-2.
~fr. Kennon stated that C-2 has a maximum height of 160 feet
and the allowaLle building size is based upon certain ratios between
lot size and building size. The C-2 Zoning establishes prescriptive
standards such as set-backs, heights, parking, etc. He stated that
the boundaries proposed are not identical to the pro~oo~d C-3 Zone.
He explained that the ~rooosed FAR changes would modify ~he standards
and permit taller structures.
Staff gave ao oral report regarding the Circulation, Parking
and Publ~c Transit element for the downtown.
Mr. Means stated that when talking about street
especially "H" Street, the discussion is in terms of
there is no discussion regarding the widening of the
st~'aets.
Mr. Kennon explained that "H" Street has normal right-of-ways
and the sidewalks are very wide, but most of the businesses are
oriented to the streets crossing "H" Street. Me snated that staff
does make some recommendations for the improvement of the roadway;
for example, to modify the sidewalks to create another lane or remow~
parking from the streets.
Mr. Means stated that one immediate problem would be coordina-
ting the traffic signals. He also stated that the report states that
very little can be done on the part of the City government to demand
or cause changes in the public transit system. He stated that the
Council can take over the system. He commented that one of the most
important things for downtown is the analysis of how people come in
and out of the downtown. He asked staff's assumptions on the
specific growth, if the streets are going to be able to handle the
situation.
Mr. Kennon stated thgt this study is not contained in the text
but it can be provided. The results of these studies all reflected
in our recommendations.
Mr. Meams stated that nowhere in the report does it state what
the City anticipates five years from now, or ten years from now for
"H" Street, Chester Avenue, and Truxtun Avem~e. He stated that the
only conclusion that is in the report is changes to the streets,
separation of grade and 178 corridor, and eliminating parking.
Mr. Kennon stated that recommendations have been made, and
that staff has the backup supporting material. Staff will consider
additional discussion and recommendations when the draft elements
are completed.
Mr. Means stated that these recommendations to be identified
for a projection of ten years with a certain amount of growth
allowed for projection of 20 percent additional growth.
Mr. Kelmar recommendad that another section be added to
summarize what staff envisions as the future traffic growth in
the downtown area.
There being no further business to come before the Redevelop-
ment Agency, Mr. Christensen made a motion to adjourn at 2:55 p~m.
Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency
Roberta F. Gafford,~S~ecretary
Bakersfield Redevelopment Agency