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 plan area.
• Desire to understand more about the potential future grade separation of Sunnyvale Avenue at the rail lines.
• Interest in increasing the tree canopy downtown.
• More information on the allowable maximum development intensity for the current and proposed plan.
Public Comment:
Members of the public made the following comments:
• Appreciation for the winter ice rink.
• Concern about losing downtown views of the mountains; and, a comment that the mountains would be visible from upper stories.
• Interest in improvements for car share, transportation network rides, scooters and bikes.
• Desire for a museum, entertainment or activities to draw people to the downtown.
• Interest in the type of retail that will serve downtown.
• Appreciation for the housing allowed in the draft plan.
• Appreciation for the timing of the plan update.
• Concern over the reduction of retail and hotel uses.
Adjournment:
Vice Mayor Melton adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.