REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session Summary of January 7, 2020 - Downtown Specific Plan Amendment Presentation.
Summary
Call to Order:
Vice Mayor Melton called the meeting to order at 6 p.m.
City Councilmembers Present:
Vice Mayor Russ Melton
Councilmember Glenn Hendricks
Councilmember Nancy Smith
Councilmember Michael S. Goldman
Councilmember Mason Fong
City Councilmembers Recused:
Mayor Larry Klein
Councilmember Gustav Larsson
Study Session Summary:
Trudi Ryan, Director of Community Development and Andrew Miner, Assistant Director of Community Development delivered a presentation on the draft Downtown Specific Plan Amendment.
Councilmembers asked questions and made comments on the following topics:
* What are the economic impacts of not having a hotel in DSP Block 18?
* What will the community benefits be used for, and whether it can be used for pension fund?
* What are walkability and pedestrian improvements?
* Desire to understand more about the changes to district boundaries.
* Concern about availability of short-term parking.
* Desire for any above ground parking structures to have superior architecture, with a preference for not seeing any parking.
* Interest in how design of roadway medians is addressed and understanding why they are included in some Avenues.
* Rideshare accommodations and how these are handled in the plan, and if rideshare accommodations can be incorporated into the design of each project
* Question whether Frances Avenue can be extended to McKinley Avenue.
* Interest in a seasonal ice rink (Plaza del Sol or Redwood Square).
* Clarification on height changes for development proposals.
* How will the jobs to housing ratio be covered in the plan?
* What will be included in the Downtown Wayfinding?
* Questions about the requirements or plans for maintenance of the landscaping in the plan area.
* Timing of the development agreements.
* Desire for more community input.
* Interest in improved bus and bicycle access for the...
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