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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-06-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - CITY HALL SITE (2)9 UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: June 12, 1990 SUBJECT: City Hall Site DEPARTMENT: City Manager BACKGROUND AGENDA REPORT • City Manager Approval. Item to be presented by: George Caravalho This item is on the agenda for discussion and selection of a City Hall site. Staff has analyzed each of the four sites presently considered feasible for the City Hall. As a result of this analysis, the following outline offers pros and cons for each of the four alternatives: CONS 1. Newhall Panhandle • We don't own it • Extensive planning & development • Less knowledge of site • Access • Likely end up with smaller site • Noise from speedway • Noise from proposed Hwy. 126 • Have to deal with NL&F 2. 238 -acre site • Poor access for trucks • Faults • Topography • Sounds from Speedway • Wind *'Roads could cost city • Timing for infrastructure improvements • Extensive planning & deve PROS • Possible good access • View • Topography • Visible • Centrally located • Water • Less wind • Integrate with central park • Opportunity for dev. financing • Joint planning with NL&F • Water • We own it • Lots of room • Opportunities for planning large scale • Great access with Rio Vista • Centrally located • View • Considerable knowledge of site • Accessible but separate for Corp Yard • No toxics • Could do total Civic Center • Joint planning with Bermite Agenda Item: 9 Page 2 CONS 3. Saugus Rehabilitation • We don't own it • Impact from treatment plant • Less knowledge of site • Access (currently) • Wind • Have to deal with Los Angeles • Roads could cost City • Less opportunity for developer financing • Could hear speedway • Tied in with Elsmere 4. Bermite • We don't own it • Toxics • Topography • Faults • Wind • Noise from speedway • No immediate access • Would have to deal with other entities • Little knowledge of site 0 PROS • View • Topography • Centrally located • Water • Lots of room • Possible good access • Good visibility • Joint planning with NL&F • Trade Saugus Site land with NL&F • Central Park backdrop and activities • Opportunities for planning large scale • Water • Potentially lots of room • Opportunity to get developer $ • Could do total Civic Center • Centrally located • View • Joint planning with City The decision on the location of the City Hall will have critical long term land use implications for the City. All four of the alternative sites proposed are located in the central city. Each site will require substantial planning and development work to improve access and circulation for the properties. This is a pivotal decision since adjoining properties are looking to the City for some direction and leadership so that they can properly plan their properties. For example, the Bermite property, which is currently in escrow with Anden Group, has expressed an interest in jointly planning the easterly portion of the 238 acres with the City for a village and civic center approach. The Newhall Land and Farm Company has also indicated a desire to do joint planning with the City for their panhandle area, which would include the river, the adjoining property, and the Saugus Rehabilitation Site. • It Page 3 It is my personal feeling that the City Hall should be located on the mesa just south of the Saugus property, next to Highway 126. This opportunity, however, must be coordinated with the development of the panhandle area, the extension of Newhall Ranch Road to complete 126, and, perhaps, the acquisition of the Saugus site. Ren Pulskamp and John Medina favor the 238 acres because we have done some work on that property, we own it, and, therefore, would have better control of the activities necessary to be successful in completing this project. In any event, the site is going to require a substantial amount of work, and it will be several years before a City Hall may be available for our use. It is my suggestion that the Council discuss this matter and indicate to us your preference as to locating the City Hall and also to consider inviting adjoining landowners to work with the City in the development of a. specific plan for the central core city area. Staff is prepared to begin the EIR process and master planning of the site once selected. It is imperative to reach a decision in order to remain on schedule with this project. Select a site for the civic center and direct staff to proceed with the master planning and EIR process.