HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/18/2005 B A K E R S F I E L D
Sue Benham, Chair
David Couch
Mike Maggard
Staff: John W. Stinson
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMI'n'EE
of the City Council - City of Bakersfield
Monday, July 18, 2005
1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room, Suite 201
Second Floor- City Hall, 1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
AGENDA
1. ROLL CALL
2. ADOPT MAY 23, 2005 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Staff update and Committee recommendation on planning standards for big box
centers and big box aesthetics - Grady
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Staff report and Committee recommendation regarding requests from the Sierra
Club:
a. Proposed policy requiring builders to include photovoltaic panels as an option.
when constructing new homes
b. Request from the Sierra Club that the City endorse the upcoming Solar
Symposium on September 20th
B. Staff report and Committee recommendation regarding development standards in
the area of Panama Lane and Buena Vista Road - Grady
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
7. ADJOURNMENT
B A K E R S F I E L D
DRAFT
~ '~0 ~--~,~- Sue Benham, Chair
Staff: John W. Stinson David Couch
For: Alan Tandy,. City Manager Mike Maggard
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, May 23, 2005 - 1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 1:07 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers Sue Benham, Chair; and David Couch;
Councilmember Mike Maggard arrived at 1:09 p.m.
2. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
3. CLOSED SESSION
A motion was made by the Chair to move the Closed Session to be heard after
Deferred Business 7.A. The Committee unanimously approved the motion.
The Closed Session was called to order at 1:23 p.m.
A. Conference with Legal Counsel--Potential Initial of Litigation Pursuant to
subdivision (c) of Government Code section 54956.9 - one case
The Closed Session adjourned at 1:59 p.m.
4. CLOSED SESSION ACTION
There was no reportable action.
5. ADOPT APRIL 25, 2005 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
There was one correction to the agenda 'summary report. The Closed Session on
April 25, 2005 was called to Order at 12:14 p.m.
Adopted as submitted with the above correction.
DRAFT
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
Monday, May 23, 2005
Page 2
6. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
7. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Discussion and Committee recommendation regarding appeals of
extension of vesting rights
City Manager Alan Tandy explained there was a long time in the City's history when
discretionary extensions of vesting rights for subdivision maps were granted. When
the City Council began to set the traffic impact and park development fees at the
true levels and adopted the new fee schedules, staff believed at that time, although
it was not in writing, that requests for discretionary map extensions would no longer
be granted. If all the developer appeals and requests for extensions of time for
vesting rights now before the City are approved, the City would lose $3.2 million in
traffic impact and park development fees as it allows developers to develop at the
previous fee schedule rates.
Staff is recommending that all the appeals be denied, except for the one by Public
Works (which is actually to appeal a Planning Commission decision to allow two
extensions of vesting rights), and a policy be adopted that the City not grant
discretionary extensions of timefor vesting rights in the future.
Roger Mclntosh spoke in favor of granting the appeals to extend the vesting rights,
as this has been past practice. He agreed if the City is not going to grant
discretionary extensions, there should be a written policy.
Committee Member Couch stated he has met with staff on this issue several times
and cannot come up with a rationale to grant the appeals because there will always
be unforeseen equally important reasons in the future for other requests from
developers to grant discretionary extensions of vesting rights. At past meetings
regarding setting the impact fees, Committee Member Couch recalled Committee
discussions and direction to staff that discretionary extensions of vesting rights
should no longer be granted.
Committee Member Couch made a motion to accept the staff recommendation on
the pending appeals and requested staff to draft a formal policy stating
discretionary extensions of vesting rights for subdivision maps no longer be
granted. Staff will draft a formal policy for Council consideration and also put the
appeals back on the Council agenda with the Committee's recommendation that
discretionary extensions of vesting rights no longer be granted.
The Committee unanimously approved the motion.
The meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 1:20 p.m.
'DRAFT
PlaNNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMIITEE MEETING
Monday, May 23, 2005
Page 3
8. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
9. ADJOURNMENT
The regular meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.
Attendance-staff: City Manager Alan Tandy; City Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Assistant
City Manager John Stinson; Development Services Director Stan Grady; Public Works
Director Raul Rojas; Civil Engineer Marian Shaw; and City Clerk-Pam McCarthy
Attendance-others: Roger Mclntosh; and Kath McWhorter, Castle and Cooke
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
S:~JOHl'ACouncil Com m ittees\05Planning&Developm ent\05May23sum mary.doc
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council APPROVED
FROM: John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager DEPARTMENT HEAD
DATE: May 27, 2005 CITY AI'i'ORNEY
CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: Resolution establishing City Council policy regarding the extension of vesting rights for
subdivision maps
RECOMMENDATION: The Planning and Development Committee recommends adoption of the
resolution.
BACKGROUND:
The Planning and Development Committee reviewed the issue of the extension of vesting rights for
Subdivision maps.
The Public Works Department appealed the decision of the Planning Commission to allow extensions of
vesting rights for two Tracts 6087d and 6104 phases 1 & 5. The extensions of time allow the developers
(Castle and Cooke and Centex Homes) to avoid the .newly adopted Transportation and Park Development
Fees. The difference between the old and new fees is $170,565 in lost revenue to the City.
Porter-Robertson appealed one tract and Mclntosh and Associates appealed decisions of the Planning
Commission to deny extensions of vesting rights on twelve other tracts (Developer- Castle and Cooke). If the
Planning Commission's decisions are overturned and the extensions of time for vesting rights for the
developer appeals are approved, the loss in revenue to the City between the old fees and the new Traffic and
Park Development Fees would be $3.3 million (approximately $2.8 in traffic impact fees and $500,000 in Park.
fees). These monies are needed to pay for traffic and park improvements required by these developments
and staff recommended the extensions not be granted.
When the Council was considering these development impact fees, there was clear direction the fee
schedules be developed in such a way that would pay for the needed infrastructure. Not granting
discretionary vesting rights extensions is a logical step to ensure the needed money will be collected.
Citywide there are other developments that may request one-year extensions to be able to develop under the
old fee. If the extensions of vesting rights continue to be granted, it is possible the City would give up
additional fee revenues above and beyond the $3.3 million in Transportation and Park Development fees
noted above.
The Planning and Development Committee agreed with staff that discretionary extensions o! vesting rights
should no longer be granted and recommended that the City Council adopt a formal policy in this regard in
order that all requests are treated consistently.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Page 2 "
Staff has been notified that Castle and CoOke has withdrawn their appeals of the Planning Commission's
decisions regarding Tracts 6086, 6087, 6111, 6127, 6128, 6150, 6151, 6185, 6199, and 6223. 'Porter
Robertson's and the Public Works Department's appeals are still pending. These appeals have been
scheduled for hearings and further consideration before the City Council later on this agenda.
RESOLUTION 'NO.
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CITY COUNCIL POLICY REGARDING THE
EXTENSION OF VESTING RIGHTS FOR SUBDIVISION MAPS.
WHEREAS, the City Council receives requests for. the extension of vesting'rights
beyond what is granted 'by statute in the Subdivision Map Act for subdivision maps; and
WHEREAS, under State Law the City has discretion as to the granting of such
extensions; and
WHEREAS~ the City has established fees related to development which are designed to
provide for certain public infrastructure an~l facilities which are to serve such development; and
WHEREAS, the discretionary extension of such vesting rights by the City Council would
result in an insufficient amount of funds Collected for the infrastructure required by the related
development pursuant to city fee programs; and
WHEREAS, it is important that there be consistency in the. discretionary granting or
denial of extensions of vesting rights by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Planning and Development Committee of the City Council has
recommended that the City ad°pt a .policy to no longer grant discretionary extensions of
vesting rights for subdivision maps beyond that granted by State law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Bakersfield as
follows:
1. The above recitals are true and correct and incorporated-herein by, reference.
2. The City will no longer grant discretionary extensions of vesting rights for subdivision
maps.
The following documents pertain to the:
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT COMM.
meeting of Monday, July 18, 2005
at 1:00 PM.
NANDOUT AT JULY 18, 2005
PLANNING & DEVELOPHEI~
COlqlqITTEElqEETING
URBAN DECAY THRESHOLDS
GENERAL PLAN POLICY: Require new commercial development to evaluate
it's impacts on existing commercial uses as set forth in the implementation
measures ( measure #s will be cited here ).
IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES:
· -Require Urban Decay Studies for commercial shopping centers over 250,000
square feet in size.
· Require Urban Decay Studies for superstores. A superstore is defined as a retail
store that will occupy more than 90,000 gross square feet and twenty percent
(20%) or more of the gross floor area is devoted to the sale of non-taxable
merchandise. The term "superstore" shall exclude wholesale clubs or other
establishments selling primarily bulk merchandise and charging membership
dues or otherwise restricting merchandise sales to customers paying a periodic
assessment or fee.
At time of site plan review, if an Urban Decay Study has not yet been prepared
and a project meets or exceeds the thresholds listed above or additional
information would make preparation of a new or revised Urban Decay Study
prudent, an Urban Decay Study must be prepared. Phased submittal of a PCD
plan will require that assumptions regarding size of the entire project be made to
enable the City to determine the need for an urban decay study.
· Require Urban Decay Studies with Project Level EIRs for projects containing
individual commercial land use or zoning designations in excess of 20 acres. An
Urban Decay Study may also be required for projects meeting this criteria being
evaluated with a Program Level EIR at the discretion of the city.
· If an Urban Decay Study has not been submitted, the City shall require a PCD or
PCD Combining zone on all commercial projects over 20 acres in size.
Designations within specific plan areas are exempt from this requirement.
S:\Urban decay thresholds\Thresholds 5-3-05.doc
URBAN DECAY TRESHOLDS
Advisory team
DUANE KEATHLEY 633-3816
duane.keathley@cbre.com
JOHN BROCK 395-0541
jbrock~Bynuminc.com
MICHEAL BURGER 587-1010
burger~bakersfieldappraisers.com
SCOTT UNDERHILL 862-5454
sahill~asuassociates.com
GARY GRUMBLES 326-1141
Gary.grumbles~lennar.com
Staff
Jim Movius 326-3992
Stanley Grady 326-3733
Robert Sherfy 327-3721
B..':' A K E -'~'R S F ! E L D
Develodament Services. 1)et~artment .. Jalanning' Divixion
July 18, 2005
TO: PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
FROM: STANLEY C. GRADY, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
SUBJECT: BIG-BOX RETAIL STORE REGULATIONS
The following is a listing of sample big-box retail regulations. There are other examples.
However, these are most representative of the types of regUlations applied to the review and
approval big-box retail projects. They are regulations based on AB 84 proposed by Assembly
members Floyd and Villaraigosa in 2003, guidelines from a 1998 APA Conference, and
standards adopted by the Development Services Department of Scott County, Kentucky.
1. Retail business size cap - establishes maximum gross building square footage for large-
scale retailers. (AB 84)
2. Non-taxable merchandise sales cap - establishes maximum area as a percentage of
gross building square footage or number of items for non-taxable merchandise. (AB 84)
3. Architectural Character
· Forbid "uninterrupted length of any facade" in excess of 100 horizontal feet. Facades
greater than 100 feet in length must incorporate recesses and projections along at
least 20% of the length of the facade. Windows, awnings, and arcades must total at
least 60% of the facade length abutting a public street.
· Require that smaller retail stores that are part of a larger principal building have
display windows and separate outside entrances. Such smaller stores are
encouraged by the city.
· Encourage greater architectural interest in the main structure by directing the use of
a repeating pattern of change in color, texture, and material modules. "At least one of
these elements shall repeat horizontally. All elements shall repeat at intervals of no
more than 30 feet, either horizontally or vertically."
· Dictate variations in roof lines to reduce the massive scale of these structures and
add visual interest. Roofs must 'have at least two of the following features: Parapets
concealing fiat roofs arid rooftop equipment; overhanging eaves, slopes roofs, and
three or more roof slope planes.
· Require that each principal building have a clearly defined, highly visible customer
entrance with features such as canopies or porticos, arcades, arches, wing walls,
and integral planters.
3. Color/Materials
· Predominant exterior building materials must be of high quality. These include'brick,
w, sandstone, other native stone, and tinted/textUred concrete masonry units.
Smooth-faced concrete clock, tilt-up concrete panels, or pre-fabricated steel panels
are prohibited as the predominant exterior building materials.
· Facade colors must be of "low reflectance, subtle, neutral or earth tone colors. The
use of high intensity colors, metallic colors, black or fluorescent colors is prohibited."
· Building trim may feature brighter colors, but neon tubing is not allowed as an accent
material.
4. Relationship to Surrounding Community/Streets
· "All facades of a building that are visible from adjoining properties and/or public
streets should contribute to the pleasing scale features of the building and encourage
community integration by featuring characteristics similar to a front facade. This
policy is implemented by requiring architectural treatment as discussed above.
· "All sidesof a principal building that directly face an abutting public street shall
feature at least one customer entrance. Where a principal building directly faces
more than two abutting public streets, this requirement shall apply only to two sides
of the building..."
· The minimum setback of any building facade is 35 feet. Where the facade faces
adjacent residential uses, an earth berm of at least 6 feet in height and planted with
evergreen trees at intervals of 20 feet on center, or in clusters is required.
· Loading docks, trash collection, outdoor storage and similar facilities and functions
"shall be incorporated into the overall design of the building and the landscaping so
that the visual and acoustic impacts of these functions are fully contained and out of
view from adjacent properties and public streets. Use of screening materials "that are
different from or inferior to the principal materials of the building and landscape is
prohibited." No delivery, loading, trash removal, or similar operations are permitted
between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except in special circumstances and
where steps are taken to reduce noise impacts.
· Each retail establishment must "contribute to the establishment or enhancement of
the community and public spaces" by providing at least two community amenities
such as a patio/seating area, water feature, clock tower, and pedestrian plaza with
benches.
5. Pedestrian Flows
· Sidewalks "at least 8 feet in width shall be provided along all sides of the lot that abut
a public street," and a continuous internal pedestrian walkway must be provided from
the perimeter public sidewalk to the principal customer entrance. This internal
walkway must feature landscaping, benches, and other such materials/facilities for
no less than 50% of its length.
· Sidewalks must be provided "along the full length of the building along any facade
featuring a customer entrance and along any facade abutting public parking areas.
Such sidewalks shall be located at least six feet from the facade of the building to
provide planting beds for foundation landscaping..."
· Internal pedestrian walkways must provide a weather protection feature such as an
awning within 30 feet of all customer entrances.
2
· The internal pedestrian walkways must be distinguished from driving surfaces
through the use of special pavers, bricks, or scored concrete to enhance pedestrian
safety and the attractiveness of the walkways.
6. Parking Lots
Encourage structures to be located closer to streets and that parking areas be broken up
into modules separated by landscaping and other features. The primary mandatory standard is
that "no more than 50% of the off-street parking area for the entire property shall be located
between the front facade of the principal building and the primary abutting street."
APA National Planning Conference - 1998
Chris Duerksen and Robert Blanchard
ARTICLE I - AESTHETIC CHARACTER
1. Facades and Exterior Walls
INTENT: Facades should be articulated to reduce the massive scale and the uniform,
impersonal appearances of large retail buildings and provide visual interest that will be
consistent with the community's identity character, and scale. The intent is to encourage a more
human scale that residents of Georgetown-Scott County will be able to identify with their
community. The resulting scale will ensure a greater likelihood of reuse of structure by
subsequent tenants.
GUIDELINE: Developments with facade over 100 feet in linear len~gth shall incorporate wall
projections or recesses a minimum of 3 foot depth and a minimum of 20 contiguous feet within
each 100 feet of facade length and shall extend over 20 percent of the facade. Developments
shall use animating features such as arcades, display windows, entry areas, or awnings along
at least 60 percent of the facade.
(Photo courtesy of Hamburg Place)
3
2. Smaller Retail Stores
INTENT: The presence of smaller retail stores gives a center a "friendlier" appearance by
creating variety, breaking up large expanses, and expanding the range of the site's activities.
Windows and window displays of such stores should be used to contribute to the visual interest
of exterior facades. The standards presented in this section are directed toward those situations
where additional, smaller stores, with separate, exterior customer entranCes are located in the
principal buildings or development site.
GUIDELINE: Where principal buildings contain additional, separately owned stores, which
occupy less than fifty thousand (50,000) square feet of gross floor area, with separate, exterior
customer entrances:
a. The street level facade of such stores shall be transparent between the height of three feet
and eight feet above the walkway grade for no less than 60 percent of the horizontal length of
the building facade of such additional stores.
b. Windows shall be recessed and should include visually prominent sills, shutters, or other
such forms of framing.
3, Detail Features
INTENT: Buildings should have architectural features and patterns that provide visual interests,
at the scale of the pedestrian, reduce massive aesthetic effects, and recognize local character.
The elements in the following standard should be integral parts of the building fabric, and not
superficially applied trim or graphics, or paint.
GUIDELINE: Building facades shall include a repeating pattern that shall include no less than
three of the elements listed below. At least one of these elements shall repeat horizontally. All
elements shall repeat at intervals of no more than thirty (30) feet, either horizontally or vertically.
o Color change
o Texture change
o Material module change
o Expression of architectural or structural bay through a change in plane no less
than 12 inches in width, such as an offset, reveal, or projecting rib.
projecUng'ribs
:r~.eal~
· structural bay layout
Expression of Architectural or Structural Bay
(Dr8win~ oou~$y of Fo~ Collin$, Colorsdo)
4
4. Roofs
INTENT: Variations in roof lines should be used to add interest to, and reduce the massive
scale of large buildings. Roof features should compliment the character of adjoining
neighborhoods.-
GUIDELINE: Roof lines shall be varied with a change in height every 100 linear feet in the
building length. Parapets, mansard roofs, gable roofs, hip roofs, or dormers shall be used to
conceal flat roofs and roof top equipment from public view. Alternating lengths and designs may
be acceptable and can be addressed during the preliminary development plan.
(Photo courtesy of Hamburg Place)
5. Materials and Colors
INTENT: Exterior building materials and colors comprise a significant part of the visual impact of
a building. Therefore, they shoUld be aesthetically pleasing and compatible with materials and
colors used in adjoining neighborhoods.
GUIDELINE:
a.. Predominant exterior building materials shall be high quality materials. These include,
without limitation:
· Brick
· Wood
· Sandstone
· Other native stone
· Tinted, textured, concrete masonry units
b. Facade colors shall be Iow reflectance, subtle, neutral, or earth tone colors. The use of high
intensity colors, metallic colors, black or fluorescent colors is prohibited.
5
c. Building trim and accent areas may feature brighter colors, including primary colors, but neon
tubing shall not be an acceptable feature for building trim or accent areas.
d. Predominant exterior building materials as well as accents should not include the following:
· Smooth-faced concrete block
· Tilt-up concrete Panels
· Pre-fabricated steel panels
6. Entryways
INTENT: Entryway design elements and variations should give orientation and aesthetically
pleasing character to the building. The standards identify desirable entryway design features.
GUIDELINE: Each principal building on a site shall have clearly defined, highly visible customer
entrances featuring no less than three of the following:
· canopies or porticos
· overhangs
· recesses/projections
· arcades
· raised corniced parapets over the door
· peaked roof forms
· arches
· outdoor patios
· display windows
· architectural details such as tile work and moldings which are integrated into the building
structure and design
· integral planters or wing walls that incorporate landscaped areas and/or places for sitting
(Photo courtesy of Hamburg Place)
6
ARTICLE II - SITE DESIGN AND RELATIONSHIP TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY
1. Entrances
INTENT: Large retail buildings should feature multiple entrances. Multiple building entrances
reduce walking distances from cars, facilitate pedestrian and bicycle access from public
sidewalks, and provide convenience where certain entrances offer access to individual stores,
or identified departments in a store. Multiple entrances also mitigate the effect of the unbroken
walls and neglected areas that often characterize building facades that face bordering land
uses.
GUIDELINE: All sides of a principal building that directly face an abutting public or private right-
of-way shall feature at least one customer entrance. Where a principal building directly faces
more than two abutting public or private rights-of-way, this requirement shall apply only to two
sides of the building, including the side of the building facing the primary street, and another
side of the building facing a secondary street.
The number of entrances for the principal building shall be addressed at the preliminary
development plan stage. Where additional stores will be located in the principal building, each
such store shall have at least one exterior customer entrance, which shall conform to the above
requirements.
Smallergetail
CUstOmer ]~ntran~s
PUblic Street
Example of a development with customer entrances on all sides which face a public
street.
(Drawing courtesy of Fort Collins, Colorado)
7
2. Parking Lot Orientation
INTENT: Parking areas should provide safe, convenient, and efficient access for vehicles and
pedestrians. They should be distributed around large buildings in order to shorten the distance
to other buildings and public sidewalks and to reduce the overall scale of the paved surface. If
buildings are located closer to streets, the scale of the complex is reduced, pedestrian traffic is
encouraged, and architectural details take on added importance.
GUIDELINE: No more than 60 percent of the off-street parking area for the entire Property shall
be located between the front facade within the front yard of the principal building(s) and the
primary abutting street unless the principal building(s) and/or parking lots are screened from
view by outlot development (such as restaurants) and additional tree plantings and/or berms.
3. Back and Sides
INTENT: The rear or sides of buildings often present an unattractive view of blank walls, loading
areas, storage areas, HVAC units, garbage receptacles, and other such features. Architectural
and landscaping features should mitigate these impacts. Any back or side of a building visible
from a public or private right-of-way shall be built in accordance with Article I. The Planning
Commission may waive this requirement as part of the development plan.
GUIDELINE: The minimum setback for any building facade shall be in accordance with the B-5
requirements (Zoning Ordinance, Section 4.484, 1- 4). Where the facade faces adjacent
residential uses an earthen berm shall be installed, no less than 6 feet in height, containing at a
minimum, a double row of evergreen or deciduous trees planted at intervals of 15 feet on center.
Additional landscaping may be required by the Planning Commission to effectively buffer adjacent
land use as deemed appropriate. All additional landscape requirements of the Landscape
Ordinance shall apply.
4. Outdoor Storage, Trash Collection, and Loading Areas
INTENT: Loading areas and outdoor storage areas exert visual and noise impacts on
surrounding neighborhoods. These areas, when visible from adjoining properties and/or public
streets, should be screened, recessed or enclosed. While screens and recesses can effectively
mitigate these impacts, the selection of inappropriate screening materials can exacerbate the
problem. Appropriate locations for loading and outdoor storage areas include areas between
buildings, where more than one building is located on a site and such buildings are not more
than 40 feet apart, or on those sides of buildings that do not have customer entrances.
GUIDELINE:
a. Areas for outdoor storage, truck parking, trash collection or compaction, loading, or other
such uses shall not be visible from public or private rights-of-way.
b. No areas for outdoor storage, trash collection or compaction, loading, or other such uses
shall be located within 20 feet of any public or street, public sidewalk, or internal pedestrian way.
8
c. Loading docks, truck parking, outdoor storage, utility meters, HVAC equipment, trash
dumpsters, trash compaction, and other service functions shall be incorporated into the overall
design of the building and the landscaping so that the visual and acoustic impacts of these
functions are fully contained and out of view from adjacent Properties and public streets, and no
attention is attracted to the functions by the use of screening materials that are different from or
inferior to the principal materials of the building and landscape.
d. Non-enclosed areas for the storage and sale of seasonal inventory shall be permanently
defined and screened with walls and/or fences. Materials, colors, and designs of screening walls
and/or fences and the cover shall conform to those used as predominant materialSand colors of
the building. If such areas are to be covered, then the covering shall conform to those used as
predominant materials and colors on the buildings.
e. Temporary sales/displays, such as Christmas trees, landscape materials, and fireworks,
shall follow all outdoor requirements for B-2, B-4, and B-5 districts as described in the Zoning
Ordinance. Location and time/duration of such sales/displays shall be reviewed and approved
by the Planning Director or appointed designee.
5, Pedestrian Flows
INTENT: Pedestrian accessibility opens auto-oriented developments to the neighborhood,
thereby reducing traffic impacts and enabling the development to project a friendlier, more
inviting image. This section sets forth standards for public sidewalks and internal pedestrian
circulation systems that can provide user-friendly pedestrian access as well as pedestrian
safety, shelter, and convenience within the center grounds.
GUIDELINE:
a. Sidewalks at least 6 feet in width shall be provided along all sides of the lot that abut a
public or private right-of-way, excluding interstates, Cherry Blossom Way, and McClelland
Circle. The Planning Commission may waive this requirement as part of the development plan.
b. Continuous internal pedestrian walkways, no less than 5 feet in width, Shall be provided
from the public sidewalk or right-of-way to the principal customer entrance of all principal
buildings on the site. At a minimum, walkways shall connect focal points of pedestrian activity
such as, but. not limited to, transit stops, street crossings, building and store entry points, and
shall feature adjoining landscaped areas that include trees, shrubs, benches, flower beds,
ground covers, or other such materials for no less than 50 percent of their length.
c. Sidewalks, no less than 5 feet in width, shall be provided along the full length of the
building along any facade featuring a customer entrance, and along any facade abutting public
parking areas. Such sidewalks shall be located at least six (6) feet from the facade of the
building to provide planting beds for foundation landscaping, except where features such as
arcades or entryways are part of the facade.
d. Internal pedestrian walkways provided in conformance with Subsection b above, shall
provide weather protection features such as awnings or arcades within 30 feet of all customer
entrances, constructed parallel to the facade of the building. This is not intended to extend into
the driving aisles or parking areas.
9
e. All internal pedestrian walkways shall be distinguished from driving surfaces through the
use of durable, Iow maintenance surface materials such as pavers, bricks, or scored concrete to
enhance pedestrian safety and comfort, as well as the attractiveness of the walkways. Signs
shall be installed to designate pedestrian walkways.
6. Central Features and Community Spaces
INTENT: Buildings should offer attractive and inviting pedestrian scale features, spaces and
amenities. Entrances and parking lots should be configured to be functional and inviting with
walkways conveniently tied to logical destinations. Bus stops and drop-off/pick-up points should
be considered as integral parts of the configuration. Pedestrian ways should be anchored by
special design features such as towers, arcades, porticos, pedestrian light fixtures, bollards,
planter walls, and other architectural elements that define circulation ways and outdoor spaces.
The features and spaces should enhance the building and the center as integral parts of the
community fabric.
GUIDELINE: Each retail establishment subject to these standards shall contribute to the
establishment or enhancement of community and public spaces by providing at least two of the
following: patio/seating area, pedestrian plaza with benches, transportation center, window
shopping walkways, outdoor play area, kiosk area, water feature, clock tower, steeple, or other
such deliberately shaped area and/or a focal feature or amenity that, in the judgement of the
Planning Commission, adequately enhances such community and public spaces. Any such
areas shall have direct access to the public sidewalk network and such features shall not be
constructed of materials that are inferior to the principal materials of the building and landscape.
Although Georgetown does not currently maintain a public bus system, areas should be
provided or designed to accommodate possible (future) bus service and the growing number of
private bus services (i.e., nursing home/assisted living, Housing Authority, Bluegrass Action ·
Council, etc.)
:'-",: ;'~ · ~ ~!
Example of a center with numerous special features and community spaces
(Drawing courtesy of Fort Collins, Colorado)
Development Services - Scott County
Georgetown, KentuckY
10
~rhe Bakersfie!d Californian · Business editor: Christine Peterson 39-~418 · fax: 39.~7519 e-mail: cpeterson@bakersfield.com -
RIC FRANCIS / AP
Estela Roque, center, and other pedestrians stroll and relax outside this Wal-Mart in Long Beach, Wal-Mart and other retailers '~
are using different designs to meet local aesthetics,
You're pretty-
fo, r a Wal-Mart
S^RR¥ C~.UCK / ~
This Wal-Mart super store located In
Big boxes forced to play ball with cities On aesthetics Round RiSCA; Texas, is a new prototype:
that features a broken plane and
By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO would be roo costl~ to redesign ~ts sta~daz'd different levels of roof tops, enabling It' '
The Associated Press
concrete block buildLrtgs, ~cordJng to towzt to be more easily customized to different
NgW YORK-- Whe~ WaJ-Mazt Stores I~c. '- - o~Qci~ But a/'mr ayear of.d~bat~, the wofld's~:~:'~ communities.
began lookLqg amtmd Freehold, N.J., compa- la~estretaJ/erfinaJIycam~up wiQ~af~mc-red '-'
ny oQ~ciaJs assumedit could just move. Lqto brick colo~ desig~ ~ ~tLsfied the town- ': just aquesfion ofwhe~," said Az~tus. The*ordi-
townw~-thasta~tda_rdsupercenLerandSam,s s~pcommJttee. Bothstore-~,aresettoopenLq **.'. [umce at least would [z~tLmize the visual
Club warehouse store. They were w~ong, early 2006.. .... . '~'iimpact of the store, he sa/cL
ALmJ~ to pmtgct i~ rich heritage from Wai-iVf_,~c was noL e_qthuSiasQc about the ~ * Such adjustments are becomLqg more
retaJJ sprawl, the tow~-- est~bEshed Lq 1693 . ordLqa~ce, but town officials would ~o~ back 'commonptace as commuzdQes across *the
-- had adopted ~ ordix~a~ce Q~ dictated dorm, sa/d Tom Az~rus, tow.~s.' hip admLrdstra- country are adopt~g stricter ordi~mces dic-
new commexcial consmJcQon would have to [or for IA~.AoI& The result was "reasoru~l¥ taUng size a~d desig~ of retail outlets. The
embrace tmdJQonaJ a-rc_~ectural styles ~ aJ~z-acQve-- for a big box," he sa~d. I~ws, a/meal squa~ly at cu.rb[ng behemoth
colorfia], Federal, Oeo~ or Victori,3~ "Big boxes ate the iai;est rage. We l~ew retaJJers, force them to scale down stores and
A~ fiz~t, WaJ-Mazt baJked, az~u~g t.hat it theywerecomJngi~toourCOmmtm/ty;jtwas PleasetumtoBOXES/A14
Business
BOXES: Critics say what's truly ugly
about big boxes is the sprawl they bring Shopping along miles of aisles
A look at how the floor space of three selected retailers
e"°nlinu~dta~nAl3 Stores are ~learning from these size up against one another:
conform to the Ideal landscape, towns and learning they can push the
The so-called ~bigq3ox" retailers are envelope," said Ta~a Bruce, senior vice Target * Home Depot Wal-Mart* ,,
learning to be more fla.'tibia in order to president of development at Develop-
openthenewstorestheyneedtomeet ers Diveml~ed Realty Corp., which is
azmual sales growth target. But local building the Wal-Mart stores in Free-
activists azgue the designs merely hold. ............................................................................................... ! ..............................
T°ta' square feet ~24 i
dress up the same old retail sprawL But commtmity activists a..-en't buy- 233
The trend began in resort areas Iike ingit. . (in millions)
Bal Harbour, Fla., but now mounts/n- "It's a skin-deep ctmz~e. It's tike put- ' .............................................................................................. i ..............................
Average square
themed or seaside vemions of big box ting a tuxedo on FrunkensteirL The footage per store
stores are popping up in ordinary monster is still there," said Al Norman,
towus like Freehold and Gaithersbur~ president of Sprawl Busters, a group (in thousands) . SuperTarget only ** Super~nters orA.
Md. Wal-Mart has astore with a ~nber that works with local communizes to s~ufco: th, ¢o,,~,ie~
facadeinCentennla[,Colo.;anartdeeo fight unwanted store development.
store in Long Beach and a design in Norma~ispushingforcommunities this past spring to split the store in counter.
Round Rook, T~xas, meant to resem~ to limit.the size of these stores to no two -- a retail section and a garden 'We have to mainm/n all ou~ option
bleasedesofMainStreetstorefmnts, more tban 50,000 square feet, witha center side by side a~d sharing a and be flexible, to be whem the coc.
Target has a colonial-style store in 25,01N)-squam-foot timit per floo£ By parking lot. sumers are and where they waz~t the
Gaithemburg, Md., and The Home comparison, a typical Wal-Mart super But the retailer backed away fi'om stores,' she said.
Depotlnc. opened last summer a sea. center averages 187,000 square feet theideaa/teritcausedanuproarinthe Lastyear, Wal-Mart came up with a
side-themed store near an inletin West and a Home Depot store averages community. It is now proposing one new prototype that can be easily
Vancouver, Canada. about l00,00O square feet. stem that meets the town's 75,000- tomized to a particular community..
Fast-food outlets have also been a Retailers are finding novel ways square-footsizerequLmment. 'Weare finding that them are manT.
target, forcing McDonald's Corp. to around those limits. Faced withlimi- ~ Masten, a spokeswoman for areas thathaveh/gherex~ons~r¢
give up its golden arches for colonial rations that would blook plans for a Wal-SL3z~ said the company is not mi- the types of stores t/mt are cora~g ~'
architecture in Maine and adobe style 145,000-square-foot store · in ing out the option elsewhere -- the said Bill Correll, dizector of architec-
in?a'izona. Dunkirk, Md,, Wal-Ma.,'t proposed fi.mtamaz~ementofitskindforthedis- ture at Wal-Mart. '
VALLEY: For project to work, memb rs "
will need to put regional interests first
~fra~Al3 percent below the state
Assemblywoman Nicole Parrs, D- Between 1990 and 2003,-unemPloy.
I-Iazffo~ who inmxtuced a bill to cre-
ment in the Central Valley avenged I0
ate a s~ body in December 2004, percent. That's 4.2 percentage polnts
said the group would give the walley a higher than the state rate.
leg up when it comes to funding fi'om Another report fzom the group ~Jaid
state grants and programs. 14 percent of people in the walley f~o.m
'We'vebeenidentffiedinthe Cenlzal infants to asa 64 have no health insur-
Valley as the A,opalactda of the west,' ance. That's the same as the state as a
Parrs said et'Ideal needs, whole.
The valley has spatial needs in the The executive order requires :'the
areas of transportation, air pollution group to produce a San Joaquin Strata-
and poverty. Those can get lost in the gicAddon~tosendtothegover-
state Legislature because valley repre- nors office, the board of supervisors in
sentatives are oummnbered by offi- pa..-'dcipal~ng counties and city councils ~oa~ WaU~E~ / m~s~o ~.~ v~
cials fi"om more populous coastal in each valley county by Oct. 31, 2006. Gev. Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, presents California AssemMy member
regions, said Amemblyman Kevin Congmssman XunCosta, D-Fresno,
McCarthy, R-Bakersfield. · applauded the governor's decision to NIcole Parrs her copy of Executive Order S-5-0S, which created the
That's why the valley needs the new create the group, saying it formalized California Partnership for the San Joaquln Valley, after he signed it
parmership, patnerships he worked to develop during the fourth annual Central California Mayors Conference, Friday in
"It doesn't guarantee everything but during his time in the state Legislature. Fresno.
whatitdoesguaranteeisavoiceatthe But he said the group must actually
table,' McCarthy said. show improvements for the region, ernor is giving some attention and behind regional interests, said. Carol
According to a January report from 'You're .ultimately judged by how resoui'ces to the valley'sproblems. But Whiteside, president of the Great ~,'~
Mode~to-based research group The muchyou are able to achieve," Costa itwillbeuptothepowemthatbeinthe leyCenter.
Great Valley Center, per capita income said. region to put solutions into place. That"I think it's up to the-region to ma~
for 2002 in the Cenlral Valley was 26 The newpa.,tnemhipshows thegov- my mean putting individual priorities it work," Whiteside said.
HOUSING: L°ng-term interest rates .:,, . .
will play a big part, economist says . , ,
The 'U.s. Consumer Product Safety were reported.
CoMtnuat from Al3 , sales last month fell'by 6.5 percent to Cor~mission, in cooperation with the Descdptloa: The water,qlled teethef
oocurced so t'ar this year. $217,000. An,31,ys-~ attributed th[ firm named below, announcedavotun- bright gmen o, bluewi~ha~'e~mand~e
"Th,e. big key going forward will be decline to a big .d~..p'ln sales in the · tary recall of the following consumer plastic butterfly 0~ turtJe in ~he cente~.
KERN-KAWEAH CHAPTER
July 18, 2005
To: Planning and Development Committee
From: Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club
Re: Solar Photovoltaic Conference
Back~round:
Without a doubt, Bakersfield's weather and location make it an ideal market for use of solar
photovoltaic panels for the generation of electricity. The less dependent we are on fossil fuels for
the production of electricity, the cleaner our ak can become. For the past three years housing
developers in the Northeast and other areas of the city have made agreements with the Sierra Club
to offer solar photovoltaic panels as an option to home buyers. Providing brochures that explain the
benefits of solar energy along with a model home with the option incorporated are also part of the
agreements.
Issue:
The suppliers of these panels and the construction knowledge needed to incorporate the equipment
into current housing designs are not readily available in the Bakersfield area. Even though many of
the home builders are national companies, the regional office needs information about the process.
In addition, city and county planners and planning commissions need to be aware of how to use
solar photovoltaic panels as an air mitigation tool.
Conference:
On Tuesday, September 20, 2005, the Kern-Kaweah Chapter of the Sierra Club is planning a solar
conference to be held at the Norris Road Veterans Hall from 9AM-3 PM. Home builders,
city/county planner, architects, school district representatives are the primary audience. Experts in
the solar energy field along with manufacturer representatives and dealers will speak to the
audience about the merits of solar panels on residential and school buildings. Two developers
(Lennar and City in the Hills), along with the Kern-Kaweah Chapter, have each contributed $3,000
to help cover the costs of the conference. On Tuesday, August 2, from 1-4 PM, a planning meeting
consisting of building industry representatives will develop the topics and direction for the
September conference.
Proposal to the Planning and Development Committee:
Therefore, the Kern-Kaweah Chapter requests that the city of Bakersfield:
1) endorse the conference and encourage attendance by key planning personnel
2) adopt a planning policy for housing developments that requires builders to offer, as an
option to home buyers, solar photovoltaic panels on new home construction
Barbara Grimm-.Marshall
June 13,2005
James Movius, Planning Director
City of Bakersfield - Development Services
1715 Chester Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
RE: Draf~ Negative Declaration for GPA and Pre-zoning #04-1764 (southeast corner of~
Panama Lane and Buena Vista Road)
Dear Mr. Movius:
As a property owner within 300 feet of the above proposed project, we want to express
the following concerns regarding the draf~ negative declaration:
Circulation elements' must be addressed in the area. Transportation issues are
created as more residential areas are developed. Buena Vista Road is a major
arterial road and, as such, improvements are critical to adequately deal with future
traffic impacts. Currently, the traffic circulation on Panama Lane and Buena Vista
Road is outdated and inadequate.. Improvements need to be addressed today, prior
to even more housing coming on line.
The intersection of Panama Lane and Buena Vista Road is a gateway to future
residential development in the area. In order to maintain the best possible quality
of life for current and future residents, adequate landscaping and streetscaping
must be included in the area.. We have had discussions with adjacent land
developers, Council member Harold Hanson and neighbors and all agree that this
arterial will be the next Gosford Road. It is critical that the city maintain a high
level of standards not only for future residents, current residents but for the'city of
Bakersfield as a whole. I hope you agree.
Lastly, we hope the applicant must be held to the highest standards when
mitigation measures are developed on this proposed project of 41 acres.
Mitigation measures must address the needs of current residents living in this
area, for us personally this would include but not be limited to traffic (ingress and
egress to our property), drainage, lighting, noise abatement, perimeter walls,
landscaping, lot size, and multilevel homes adjacent to our property.
In conclusion, it is important to note that we do not oppose this.project or the proposed
negative declaration, but we do ask for the department's aWareness as we address our
concerns with the applicant directly. We are available at your convenience if you have
any questions, to further discuss our concerns. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Sincerely,
Barbara Grimm- Marshall
Darcy M~hall
Cc: City Council members
Bakersfield Planning Commission
Buena '~sta P~oad Bakersfield. California 95511 661.831~873 8~l.S31.159Z(.,Fax)