Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-01-09 - RESOLUTIONS - OT NEWHALL PARKING LOT IMPROV (2)OWN RESOLUTION NO. RDA 01-2 I A RESOLUTION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ESTABLISHING A PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE DOWNTOWN NEWHALL PROGRAM AREA WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarity conceptually adopted the Downtown Newhall Improvement Program in June 1996; and WHEREAS, the Downtown Newhall Improvement Program contained recommendations for the revitalization of Downtown Newhall; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita adopted the Redevelopment Plan for the Newhall Redevelopment Project on July 8,1997; and WHEREAS, the overriding objective of the Redevelopment Plan is the elimination or alleviation of physical and economic blight within the Project Area; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency (the "Redevelopment Agency") desires to establish a Parking Lot Improvement Program (the "Program") for certain properties within the Downtown Newhall Area (the Program is attached hereto and referred to as Exhibit "A"); and WHEREAS, the City has adopted Design Guidelines and Special Standards for the j Downtown Newhall Special Standards District; and WHEREAS, the Old Town Newhall Parking Lot Improvement Program Area is located within the Special Standards District and new development/redevelopment is subject to the Design Guidelines; and WHEREAS, the Program is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under Section 16301, Class 1(minor alterations to existing buildings); and WHEREAS, the Newhall Redevelopment Committee recommends that the Agency approve and adopt the Old Town Newhall Parking Lot Improvement Program; and NOW THEREFORE, THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA does resolve, determine, and order as follows: SECTION 1. The Redevelopment Agency approves the Old Town Newhall Parking Lot Improvement Program (Exhibit "A", which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference). SECTION 2. The Redevelopment Agency delegates the Executive Director (upon recommendation from the Newhall Redevelopment Committee) with authority to approve or deny applications submitted for the Old Town Newhall Parking Lot Improvement Program; and SECTION 3. All appeals of the Executive Director's decision shall be forwarded to the Redevelopment Agency for consideration; and SECTION 4. The Secretary shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and certify this record to be a full, true, and correct copy of the action taken. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 9`" day of January, 2001. ATTEST: SECRETARY STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, Secretary of the City of Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Clarita at a regular meeting thereof, held on the a day of January, 2001 by the following vote of the Agency: AYES: AGENCY MEMBERS: Kellar, Ferry, Smyth, Darcy, Weste NOES: AGENCY MEMBERS: None ABSENT: AGENCY MEMBERS: None AV: nwhlydv\respark Exhibit "A" CITY OF SANTA CLARITA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OLD TOWN NEWHALL PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM INTRODUCTION The Newhall Redevelopment Agency adopted the Newhall Redevelopment Plan and the Downtown Newhall Improvement Program in order to improve the physical appearance and economic conditions in the project area, including downtown Newhall. The Parking Lot Improvement Program creates an avenue for property owners and businesses to work in partnership with The Santa Clarita. Redevelopment Agency to improve the physical appearance of parking lots, trash bin enclosures, and mid -block pedestrian walkways. This program utilizes redevelopment funds to promote parking improvements throughout downtown Newhall. The primary goals of redevelopment are to eliminate blighted conditions in the physical appearance of downtown, and to improve the economic vitality of the area. The Parking Lot Improvement Program provides a financial mechanism by which the agency can assist, complement and coordinate public and private development, redevelopment, revitalization and enhancement of the community. The rehabilitation of old and deteriorating parking lots in the downtown area will result in the creation of an attractive parking environment: This improvement -parking environment will assist consumers in easing their access to the downtown Newhall businesses. Attractive well -lit parking areas also promote the perception of safety to encourage consumers to frequent downtown Newhall businesses at any hour. This Parking Lot Improvement. Program exists to encourage cooperation and participation of the downtown Newhall property owners and businesses with the Agency. The Agency and downtown Newhall businesses share the goal of creating an economically vital shopping district. The Parking Lot Improvement Program provides a method to reach these shared goals and objectives. 1. PROGRAM GOALS a) Implement the Newhall Redevelopment Plan and the Downtown Newhall Improvement Program, which encourage improvements to downtown Newhall that upgrade the physical appearance of the area. b) Utilize redevelopment funds to promote private investment in parking improvements throughout downtown in order to eliminate blighting conditions and improve commercial vitality in the area. c) Create an attractive parking environment in the downtown to attract new shoppers and businesses. d) Create an attractive, memorable image that expresses downtown Newhall's history and character. ' 2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES a) Encourage the cooperation and voluntary participation of downtown Newhall property owners in the elimination of blighting conditions and the promotion of new or improved development of the area. b) Provide a financial mechanism by which the Agency can assist, complement and coordinate public and private development, redevelopment, revitalization, and enhancement of the community. c) Develop and implement programs and incentives for the rehabilitation of old and deteriorating parking within the area. d) Maximize parking efficiency. 3. PROGRAM AREA The program area includes all existing private parking areas in the Special Standards District of Downtown Newhall 4. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Throughout this program, eligible business/property owners will be encouraged to improve the parking consistent with the existing Downtown Newhall Design Guidelines, Downtown Newhall Special Standards, Newhall Redevelopment Plan and Downtown Newhall Improvement Program. This program is expected to result in the enhancement and improvement of the downtown Newhall commercial district. f In an effort to assist with the successful implementation of this program, the Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency will hire an architect to provide preliminary technical assistance to the City and the participant. The Newhall Redevelopment Committee (Design Review Committee) must approve all applications. All parking improvements shall be brought into conformance with the Downtown Newhall Special Standards District and applicable codes. Expenses available for rebate under this program include, but are not limited to: a) Paving Materials b) Striping parking spaces c) Architectural design expenses (provided that the improvement is constructed) d) Walls, Fences and Piers e) Landscape treatments within parking areas f) Surface Grading g) Lighting including ornamental fixtures h) Attractive enclosures surrounding trash bins i) Architectural enhancements j) Utility relocations k) Building and Planning Permit Fees 1) Hardscape and landscape of mid -block pedestrian walkways m) Attractive signs to rear shared parking lots n) Signage improvements or elimination FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROCEDURE The Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency will provide the following assistance to eligible businesses and/or property owners for a project within the program area for approved eligible renovations of existing parking areas. a) Fifty -percent of the total eligible project cost up to $25,000.00. b) An added percentage bonus of money . (25%) will be awarded if businesses/property owners agree to share parking with a contiguous parcel owner(s). In either case, the applicant shall be required to submit payment request letters with supporting documents including canceled checks, detailed invoices and photographs of the complete work to the City of Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency. Agency staff will review and approve this information to ensure conformance with the approved application, plans, and other requirements of this program prior to issuing funds to the applicant. Failure of the participant to complete the improvements in accordance with the approval shall result in the repayment to the Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency of funds forwarded to the participant. All work must be complete and inspected by the City to ensure that all improvements are in place as indicated in written request and application. A business/property owner must submit appropriate receipts, lien receipts and proof of payment in order to receive this assistance. Total project reimbursement payments will be issued on the following. schedule. Complete receipts shall be submitted as part of the initial reimbursement -request. 1. 1/3 of the Agency contribution will be issued upon completion of 1/3 of the project. 2. An additional 1/3 of the Agency contribution will be issued upon completion of 2/3 of the project. 3. The remaining balance will be issued upon 100% completion of the project, which includes the release of all mechanic liens on the project. The applicant shall attain all applicable permits and/or Certificate of Occupancy approval. 5. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS Availability of Agency Architect The Agency architect will prepare preliminary concept sketches within the program area. The property owner and/or business may utilize these sketches in their formal design drawings. The Agency hired architect will also be made available to the property owner/business for technical consultation during the preliminary stage of each project. Parking Plan Approval The Property owner/business will be responsible for submitting the formai parking area plans, details of trash enclosures, and design specifications for mid -block pedestrian ways for the parking improvements. The Design Review Committee, prior to initiation of the project, must approve these plans. The cost of design services is an eligible expense within the program. Selection of Contractor The'property owner and/or business will select his/her own contractor for completion of the parking area improvements, trash enclosure(s) and mid -block pedestrian walkways. Maintenance of Parking Facility After completion of all work, the Agency requires that the applicant (property owner and/or merchant) maintain the parking area, trash enclosure(s) and mid -block pedestrian ways in an acceptable manner for a minimum period of five years depending upon the amount of funds provided. Failure on the part of the participant to maintain these funded improvements in an acceptable manner shall result in a formal notice from the Agency to the applicant and property owner.requiring correction of the situation by providing the maintenance at the level that meets the Agency standards. Failure of the applicant and property owner to take the steps necessary to bring the funded improvements into compliance within sixty (60) days will constitute a public nuisance that is subject to abatement by the Agency. This provision includes the right of the Agency, upon failure to comply with the notice, to repair or rehabilitate the nuisance. The Agency has the right to enter upon the property for the purpose of performing this work and thereafter demand, collect and/or assess the cost of the work against the property on its property tax bill. 6. ELIGIBILITY The Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency will make funding for this program available on a limited basis. Therefore, eligible businesses/property owners are encouraged to apply immediately for consideration. Submittal of an application by an eligible business/property owner does not guarantee participation by the agency. All businesses and property owners located within the program area will be eligible to participate in the program on a first-come, first-served basis. if a tenant business is requesting the assistance, the legal property owner of the building will be required to consent to participation by the business owner within the program, join in the application and agree to be subject to all of the terms and conditions of participation. All tenant businesses must also have a current business license, if applicable, to be eligible for program assistance. All funded improvements in the Parking Improvement Program must be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Downtown Newhall Design Guidelines, Downtown Newhall Special Standards, Downtown Newhall Improvement Program and Newhall Redevelopment Plan, and must be approved by the City. 7. EXCLUSIONS The following business/properties or projects are not eligible for assistance through the subject program: a) New construction b) Residential c) Publicly owned parcels 8. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS a) Participants shall be required to maintain the parking lot improvements, trash enclosures(s), and mid -block pedestrian ways in accordance with the terms established in the approved application. b) Notarized letter of approval from the property owner when the applicant/participant is not the property owner. The property owner shall provide a signed letter which states that "the property owner is aware of the = project, consents to and joins in the application for making improvements and will maintain the improvements if the applicant fails to do so." c) Certificate. of additional insured for general liability on the applicant's policy naming the City of Santa Clarita and Santa CMta Redevelopment Agency as an additional insured with at least $1,000,000 in coverage. 9. APPLICATION/APPROVAL PROCESS a) Set up a preliminary project review meeting with staff and the Agency -hired architect. b) Submit conceptual drawings and schedule a preliminary review before the Design Sub -Committee. c) Complete and submit a formal parking improvement application and provide: 1) a copy of a current business license (if applicable), 2) proof of property ownership (if you are not the property owner you must submit the notarized consent letter from the owner), 3) photographs of the existing parking areas, trash enclosures and/or mid -block pedestrian ways area and photographs of adjacent buildings and parking lots, 4) drawings or sketch of proposed improvements, and 5) Two bids for the work to be performed (over $5,000). Once the Design Sub -Committee and City have approved the construction plans, the business/property owner will receive an assistance "commitment" letter from the Agency. The business/property owner may then proceed with the improvements. All work must be completed within six months issuance of the commitment letter. Assistance disbursement shall be in accordance with this program. CONCLUSION Pick up an application form at the Planning and Building Services Department located at 23920 Valencia Boulevard, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Questions regarding the program or application process please contact Alex Vasquez, Economic Development Office, City of Santa Clarita (661) 286-4166. SUGGESTED ATTACHMENTS a) Downtown Newhall Special Standards District Map b) Parking area improvement prototype drawing (Freedman Plan) c) Drawings of screen fence with piers along sidewalks, dumpster enclosures, and parking lots by Mainstreet Architects d) Suggestions e) Application t) Disbursement agreement MS/SNV /hfMTWI Q?AJDNDOC