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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/02/2009 S A K E R S F I E I, n Zack Scrivner, Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager , Chair y 9 Harold Hanson For: Alan Tandy, City Manager Ken Weir AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Thursday, July 2, 2009 - 1 :00 p.m. City Hall North Conference Room A First Floor - City Hall North, 1600 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA The meeting was called to order at 1 :21 :56 PM. 1. ROLL CALL Present: Councilmember Zack Scrivner, Chair Councilmember Ken Weir Councilmember Harold Hanson Staff present: Alan Tandy, City Manager Steve Teglia, Administrative Analyst Ginny Gennaro, City Attorney Joshua Rudnick, Deputy City Attorney Jim Eggert, Asst. Planning Director Kate Shea, Associate Planner Jim Movius, Planning Director Justin Crumley, Associate Attorney Others present: Dave Dmhowski, Premier Planning Group Bob Decker, HBA Denise Celis, Student Crystal Diaz, Student 2. ADOPT THE JUNE 16, 2009 AGENDA SUMMARY Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS None. 4. NEW BUSINESS A. Discussion and action regarding Northeast Plan - Movius Planning and Development Committee July 2, 2009 Page 2 At the City Council meeting of June 24, 2009, Committee member Ken Weir referred the Northeast Community Concept Plan to the Committee and requested assistance from staff to achieve the following vision for Northeast Bakersfield: Preserve and enhance the unique aspects of the northeast experience through the development of a healthy, sustainable community complementary of the area's resources and identifiable though theme architecture and landscaping. Committee member Weir shared his ideas on how this vision could be achieved through a presentation that was previously shared with the northeast community and the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce. It was well received by both groups. Committee member Weir provided a brief overview of the concepts and planning process to the Committee and asked them to consider potential future ordinance changes consistent with the overall goal and community plan presented. Planning Director Jim Movius presented planning strategies to the Committee including alternatives and suggestions to help achieve the Northeast Concept Plan. In developing a strategy, staff needed to consider the following constraints within the area: I . Topography. Effected by water overflow, urbanization and wildfire. 2. Wildlife/Endangered Species. Fully protected Blunt Nose Lizzard, fox and cactus. 3. Landfills. Gas migration as the materials within the landfill decay and the gases move out into adjacent soils. Landfills also block area access. 4. Alquist Priolo Zones. Requires further studies to determined fault lines before developing structures. 5. Vesting Tentative Tracts/Fractured Ownership. Approved and pending tract in the area that limit the effectiveness of any plan adopted due to vesting maps. 6. Transmission Lines. Major lines for Southern California Edison that serve millions in Population for Southern California. Easement rights impact road alignments. Mr. Movius added that although challenges exist, there are unique opportunities as well. The Kern River provides a recreational opportunity for the area. It is also a water source and trail hub for the northeast. The topography also serves as an aesthetic attribute to the area. The northeast boasts scenic views, diverse settings, and canyon trails that are not seen in other areas of the City. With regard to the endangered species, a trust group has purchased approximately 400 acres of land in the northeast that will allow for endangered species propagation. The trail system, which connects to CALM, will provide an educational opportunity as well. In order to implement Committee member Weir's vision, staff has developed a Northeast Community Concept plan which will include an architectural theme, commercial standards, dark sky criteria, consistent landscaping, wallkability, mixeduse and transitions d � Planning and Development Committee July 2, 2009 Page 3 to rural areas. The plan is to create a cohesive identity for the area. Some aspects of the plan include the following: 1 . Architectural Theme. Integrate the use of a river theme as a design guideline, incorporating river rock, timbers, water features, boulders and tree selection. Setbacks can be reduced to de-emphasize garages and move homes closer to the street creating a more inviting neighborhood. 2. Commercial Design Standards. Include variation in elevations on all sides of the buildings; repeat architectural patterns; enhanced screening of parking lots; required bicycle parking and pedestrian friendly enhancements; pedestrian access to adjacent residential neighborhoods; and community space within commercial centers. 3. Dark Sky Criteria. Encourage the use of shielded, directional fixtures; low brightness light sources such as florescent, induction, and LED's; curfews and time controls; and effective outdoor lighting codes. 4. Consistent Landscaping. Instead of the highly manicured, water demanding landscaping seen in the southwest area, plant more natural drought-tolerant vegetation. Incorporate the use of boulders, oaks sycamores and other indigenous trees. 5. Walkability. Integrate detached sidewalks, discourage use of walls in the residential design plan and design services with 'A mile from residential areas. Connectivity is important for walkability. Planning developments with services and recreation within walking distance could help the City receive credits for Greenhouse Gas Initiatives. 6. Mixed Use and Transitions to Rural Areas. For 50 years the City has done zoning to basically separate uses that residents use daily that should be integrated. General Plan Amendments call for roads between the residential and the commercial centers, instead of walls on all sides. There are several trail systems adopted that are specific plan trail systems in the City. The plan is to connect residential to the trail systems, the trail systems to each other and have corridors to the Kern River. Mr. Movius concluded that if the Committee wishes, staff can begin the process of developing ordinances to implement this plan. Committee member Weir added that comments from the community meetings were provided to staff and asked that staff incorporate those comments into the plans. A motion was made by Committee member Weir for staff to come back to the committee with an ordinance that addresses the issue of night sky, landscaping and architectural them. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote. Planning and Development Committee July 2, 2009 Page 4 Dave Dmohowski of Premiere Planning commented that the northeast is a large area to impose a defined architectural theme and suggests that staff focus on landscape design as a vehicle to create a quality image. Committee member Weir asked staff to check into areas that have been successful with hillside development plans. Audience member Denise Celis asked if the theme for the future parks in the canyon will be for walking, bike paths or if it will be more of a children's playground. Mr. Movius responded that the parks will be regular neighborhood parks similar to others in the city, but will have connecting trails. 5. COMMITTEE COMMENTS None 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1 :57:57 PM. cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council members