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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