HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-12-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - APPROVAL BEAUTIFICATION MP (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by: Lisa Hardy
PUBLIC HEARING
DATE: December 11, 2001
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE CITY BEAUTIFICATION MASTER
PLAN.
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Building Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council conduct a public hearing and adopt a resolution approving the City
Beautification Master Plan.
BACKGROUND
The City's beautification effort was initiated in 1998 by the City Council to guide
the selection and placement of a broad range of streetscape improvements before
initiating case-by-case improvements along the public rights-of-way.
In May 1999, the preparation of the City Beautification Master Plan was initiated
with RRM Design Group, a team of urban designers, architects and landscape
architects. The goal of the City Beautification Master Plan is to develop a creative
and comprehensive design program for major roadway and public space elements
including lighting, signage, primary and secondary entryways, landscaping and
street furniture. Such a program would not only contribute to the City's visual
resources and overall physical environment, but would eliminate the use of
inappropriate materials and piecemeal installation of elements in the public
rights-of-way.
A comprehensive community outreach program was conducted as part of the
master plan preparation process. City staff with RRM Design Group conducted
numerous stakeholder interviews, completed a photo survey and attended
community meetings to receive input as to the beautification concerns, needs and
goals of each community. These meetings helped to develop design themes and
possible logos to capture the character of each individual community. The design
concepts identified in these initial meetings were integrated into the draft City
Beautification Master Plan. In Summer 2001, staff returned to these individual
community groups with the draft City Beautification Master Plan to share the
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draft version of the master plan and to solicit additional comments prior to
beginning public hearings before the Planning Commission and the City Council.
The Parks and Recreation Commission typically reviews issues regarding
medians, landscaping and parks. Therefore, the Parks and Recreation
Commission reviewed the document, received staff presentation and provided
comments on October 4, 2001 meeting. The Planning Commission reviewed the
master plan and conducted a public hearing on November 6, 2001. Following
Commission discussion, the Commission unanimously adopted a resolution
recommending approval of the Beautification Master Plan to the City Council.
ANALYSIS
General Plan and Unified Development Code Consistency
The master plan is consistent with Goal 2 of the Community Design Element "to
encourage design excellence in the development of all public and private projects
in the City," Goal 6 "to protect and enhance open space areas that provide visual
and aesthetic character and identity to the community," and Goal 8 "to ensure
that signage throughout the City is visually attractive and minimizes
distraction." In addition, guidelines and standards within the master plan are
consistent with the requirements established within the UDC.
Master Plan Components
The City Beautification Master Plan is divided into three areas: the Citywide
Design Guidelines; the Community Design Guidelines; and the Implementation
Plan. The Citywide Design Guidelines identify a signage program which include
gateway monumentation, directional monuments, trail and open space markers,
roadway signs, special event banners, business signs and consolidation of clutter
along the roadways. In addition, this section provides recommendations for
streetscape and public transportation enhancements.
The Community Design Guidelines addresses the individual communities of
Canyon Country, Newhall, Saugus and Valencia. Within each community, the
proposed enhancements include a community identity logo, median treatments,
landscaping, roadway and intersection treatments and other beautification needs.
The last portion of the document outlines an implementation plan. The potential
implementation programs include funding through Federal, state and local
sources. Some local funding sources, including, but not limited to the City's
General Fund, Landscape and Lighting Districts and Development Impact fees,
such as Bridge and Thoroughfare fees are available depending on the type of
enhancement. Examples of state funding sources are Metropolitan
Transportation Authority Transportation Improvement Program Call For Projects
and California Department of Transportation Minor Capital Improvements.
Federal funding sources include Community Development Block Grants and
Transportation Equity Act for the 21" Century (TEA -21).
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the City Beautification Master Plan will not result in any fiscal
impacts. However, implementation of the master plan per City Council direction
would require funding. Specific projects and priorities would be identified by the
City Council at a later time.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Draft City Beautification Master Plan
CITY COUNCIL READING FILE
Planning Commission Staff Report
Planning Commission Resolution
JJL:VPB:LH:WD:lep
pbs \advance\ beautymp\city council agenda report