HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/1998 BAKERSFIELD
Patricia M. Smith, Chair
Patricia J. DeMond
Kevin McDermott
Staff: John W. Stinson
AGENDA
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, February 17, 1998
12:15 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room
City Hall, Suite 201
1501 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA
1. ROLL CALL
2. PRESENTATIONS
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
4. DEFERRED BUSINESS
None
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FROM THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS & PROPERTY OWNERS
ASSOCIATION (DBA) VISION COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS UPCOMING PLANS
REGARDING DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS
6. ADJOURNMENT
February 9, 1998 ~'~,.~ ~
John W. Stinson, Assistant City Manager
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FALE COPY
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
VISION COMMITTEE
"MISSION STATEMENT"
To develop a consensus among property owners on a philosophy and
standards associated with a "livable community" in regards to traffic
circulation, parking and land use in the downtown area. Thereby:
· maximize use of existing downtown assets;
create best value for property owners and potential
developers;
improve access, parking and circulation;
identify opportunities to Create synergy, efficiency and the
ability to include amenities which could not be achieved
individually;
· enhance the desirability and utilization of downtown by visitors
and residents from the greater Bakersfield area.
Develop an implementation strategy to bring the vision to reality.
Colonel Baker's Field
The Next 100 years
Preamble:
Existing patterns of urban and suburban development seriously i~npair our quality of
life. The symptoms are: more congestion and air pollution resulting from our
increased dependence on automobiles, the loss of precious open space, the need for
costly improvements to roads and public services, the inequitable distribution of
economic resources, and the loss of a sense of community. By drawing upon the best
from the past and the present, we can, first, infill existing communities and, second,
plan new communities that will more successfully serve the needs of those who live and
work within them. Such planning should adhere to these fundamental principles:
VISION COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. The Vision Committee recommends that the DBA board of Directors pass the
following resolution and forward it to the Bakersfield City Council and the
Kern County Board of Supervisors.
The Downtown Business Association urges the Bakersfiehl City C(mncil and
the Kern County Board of Supervisors to form a joint 2010 l'lmming
Commission whose purpose would be to review proposed amendments to
the 2010 Plan, conduct required public bearings and develop
recommendations to be voted upon by the City Council and Board of
Supervisors. The 2010 Planning Commission would also be charged with
contim~ous review of the 2010 Plan to assure that it is in compliance with
effective land use, transportation and livable communities practices.
The 2010 Planning Commission would utilize the followin~ pri.ciples by
which projects and proposed amendments to the 2010 PIm~ would be
evaluated:
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Community Principles:
I. All planning should be in the for~n of complete and integrated communities
containing housing, shops, work places, schools, parks and civic l'acilities
essential to the daily like of the residents.
2. Colnmunity size should be designed so that housing, jobs, daily needs and
other activities are within easy walking distance of each ortner.
3. As many activities as possible should be located within easy walking distance
of transit stops.
4. A community should contain a diversity of housing types to enable citizens
from a wide range of economic levels and age groups to live within its
boundaries.
5. Businesses within the community should provide a range of job types for
the community's residents.
6. The location and character of the community should be consistent wilh a
larger transit network.
7. The community should have a center locus that combines co~nmercial,
civic, cultural and recreational uses.
8. The community should contain an ample supply of specialized open space
in the form of squares, greens and parks whose frequent use is encouraged
through placement and design.
9. Public spaces should be designed lo encourage the attention and presence
of people at all hours of the day and night.
10. Each community or cluster of communities should have a well defined
edge, such as agricultural greenbelts or wildlife corridors, permanently
protected from development.
I I. SI;reels, pedestrian paths and bike paths should contribute to a system
fully-com~ected and interestiug routes to all destinations. Their design
should encourage pedestrian and bicycle use by being small and spatially
defined by buildings, trees and lighting; and by discouraging high speed
traffic.
12. Wherever possible, the natural terrain, drainage, and vegetation of the
community should be preserved with superior examples contained within
parks or greenbelts.
13. The community design should help conserve resources and minilnize waste.
14. Communities should provide for tile efficient use of water through the use
of natural drainage, drought tolerant landscaping and recycling.
15. Tile street orientation, the placement of buildings and the use of shading
should contribute to the energy efficiency ot~ ll~e community.
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Regional Principles:
1. 'File regional land use planning structure should be integrated within a
larger transportation network built around transit rather than freeways.
2. Regions should be bounded by and provide a continuous system of
greenbelt/wildlife corridors to be determined by natural conditions.
3. Regional institutions and services (government, stadiums,' museums, etc.)
should be located in the urban core.
4. Materials and methods of construction should be specific to the region,
exhibiting continuity of history and culture and compatibility with the
climate to encourage tile development of local character and community
identity.
Implementation Strategy:
I. Tile general plan should be updated to incorporate the above principles.
2. Rather than allowing developer-initiated, piecemeal development, local
governments should take charge of the planning process. General plans
should designate where new growth, infill or redevelopment will be
allowed to occur.
3. Prior to any develop~nent, a specific plan should be prepared based on
these planning principles. With the adoption of specific plans, complying
projects could proceed with minimal delay.
4. Plan should be developed through an open process and participants in the
process should be provided visual models of all planning proposals.
5. The Vision Committee recommends that the DBA Board of Directors urge
the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, tile Future Bakersfield
Foundation and other iuterested organizations adopt the above similar
resolution.
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