13 Staff Report - Develop Vison for Los Gatos BoulevardTOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: September 1, 1994
TO: MAYOR AND TOWOUNCIL
FROM: TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:
COUNCIL AGENDA
DATE: 9/6/94
ITEM NO. 3
APPROVE EXPENDITURE OF $15,000 TO FUND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORUMS TO
DEVELOP A VISION FOR LOS GATOS BOULEVARD.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve the expenditure of $15,000 the planning, advertising, consulting services, materials and
follow-up for two public participation forums.
2. Appropriate $15,000 from the reserve for Los Gatos Business Fund 100-36010 to the Planning
Department's Advance Planning Program (3150-60005) and establish a separate project (AP-BLVD).
3. Approve October 27 and November 12, 1994 as the dates for the public forums. (see Attachment
3)
BACKGROUND:
In May 1990, Council accepted the Commercial Specific Plan Committee Report which identified specific
goals and implementation measures for Los Gatos Boulevard. The goals primarily focused around retaining
and attracting new automobile sales and encouraging new commercial development (see Attachment 2).
Last year the Los Gatos Boulevard Community Alliance was established consisting of Los Gatos Boulevard
business and property owners with the goal of enhancing and promoting the Boulevard. In March 1994
Council charged the General Plan Committee with studying alternatives toward improving the appearance
and commercial viability of Los Gatos Boulevard. The Boulevard Community Alliance has been actively
working with the Committee toward this end.
PREPARED BY:
LEB:KH:mb
n:\dev\cnclrpts\LGBlvd.exp
ATTACHMENTS:
DISTRIBUTION:
LEE E. BOWMAN (� -'
PLANNING DIRECTOR
(See Page 4 for list of attachments)
(See Page 4 for distribution list)
COUNCIL ACTION/ACTION DIRECTED TO:
9/1/94 2:43 pm
File #
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORUMS TO DEVELOP A VISION FOR LOS GATOS BOULEVARD
DATE OF MEETING: SEPTEMBER 6, 1994
In February of this year, Council adopted the Route 85/Vasona Light Rail Element of the General Plan which
changed the land use designation of property north of Lark Avenue from predominantly residential and
agricultural to mixed use commercial. The portion of Los Gatos Boulevard between Lark Avenue and Good
Samaritan Drive is currently being widened to four lanes and will become six lanes as the area is developed.
During the last five years, several events have occurred that could affect the focus of commercial
development along Los Gatos Boulevard. Two of the most significant are:
1. Major parcels have been vacated due to auto dealerships leaving Town. It is unlikely that any new
major auto dealerships will move into Town unless an auto mall is created. The property owners are
anxious to know how they can develop their property.
2. Route 85, including a full interchange at Los Gatos Boulevard, will open in October and will provide
easy access to the study area. Many people have expressed concern that the properties north of
Lark Avenue need to be redeveloped since it will become the gateway to the Los Gatos Boulevard
commercial area. Additionally, the Boulevard Community Alliance would like to make Los Gatos
Boulevard a destination with its own identity separate from the Downtown.
The General Plan Committee has discussed a variety of alternatives to improve the Boulevard including
establishing landscape themes as a means of identifying places along the Boulevard, developing design
guidelines for private development that would discourage strip commercial and encourage pedestrian
orientation, and developing a public improvement plan that includes wider sidewalks, wider medians and
more trees and landscaping.
DISCUSSION
A. Rather than hire a consultant to develop a plan and then getting public response, the Committee
recommends getting the public involved in the initial stages to help develop the "vision" for the area.
Two public participation forums are proposed to provide an opportunity for the public to get
involved and exited about creating a vision for the Boulevard.
1. First Public Forum (October 27, 1994)
Michael Friedman is a well known urban designer and has designed a number of public
places in the bay area including Castro Street in Mountain View (see attached resume). He
often makes presentations to professional groups including the League of California Cities
and the American Planning Association. The services rendered by Mr. Friedman include
meeting with staff on the morning of the public forum to discuss the issues and take a tour
of the Town and specifically the study area. Using the afternoon to prepare a presentation,
Mr. Friedman returns in the evening for a public presentation and question and answer
session. The cities of Cupertino and Chico have had this one day service and indicated it
was very valuable. Mr. Friedman's best qualities include exceptional presentation skills and
his ability to present ideas that expand the public's imagination as to the real possibilities
of improving its community.
2. Second Public Forum (November 12, 1994)
After Mr. Friedman's presentation arouses public thought on this issue, approximately two
weeks later a more involved all day public participation forum is presented called a
"charette". Approximately 15 or 20 professional architects, landscape architects and urban
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORUMS TO DEVELOP A VISION FOR LOS GATOS BOULEVARD
DATE OF MEETING: SEPTEMBER 6, 1994
designers together with the residents and business and property owners, break into small
groups. Each group using marking pens, tracing paper and maps graphically brainstorm
ideas for the 'Vision" of Los Gatos Boulevard. The charette is held on a Saturday and food
and refreshments are provided throughout the day. The location would be someplace on
the Boulevard and people would come and go freely. Typically, people will come for a two
or three hour period. At the end of the day, each group makes a presentation both orally
and graphically of their ideas.
B. The AIA will facilitate the charette which gives the Town objective, professional insight to planning
the Boulevard, combined with the ideas and goals of the community. Both Cupertino and Redwood
City have used the AIA to facilitate charettes and were very impressed with the results.
There was some discussion by the General Plan Committee about having professionals volunteer
their time outside of the AIA Charette Program. Staff found that most AIA members are not willing
to circumvent their professional organization. The AIA will provide 20 to 25 professionals for
approximately 10 hours. Looking at market rate for these professionals time, the Town appears to
be getting excellent services for the money. The $5000 goes toward the AIA scholarship fund.
C. On August 10, 1994 the General Plan Committee recommended that Council:
1. Authorize $2,000 for consulting services and expenses for Michael Friedman, well known
urban designer, to participate in a one evening public presentation and participation forum;
2. Authorize $5,000 for professional services provided by the Santa Clara County Chapter of
the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for facilitating an all day public participation
forum.
3. Authorize approximately $2,500 for materials and resources including maps, aerials, tracing
paper, tripods, flip charts, brochures, etc., for facilitating the public forums.
After discussing costs with the cities of Redwood City,
public forums and after meeting with the AIA, the Planning
$5,500 that may be needed for reproduction of handouts,
day care for children on -site and assembling a document
CONCLUSION:
Chico and Cupertino which went through similar
Department recommends budgeting an additional
food and beverages if we can not get it donated,
that summarizes the results of the public forums.
The public forums are intended to spark public interest and participation and invite citizens to be the authors
of any plan or policy that may result. Once these public forums are completed, the Town will need to
evaluate the information it has and determine the shape or form the policy or plan should take (i.e. general
plan amendment, design guidelines, public improvement plan, specific plan).
FISCAL IMPACT:
Appropriate $15,000 from Account #100-36010 to Account 3150-60005. Establish budgets with special
project AP-BLVD, 61004 - $7,000, 60500 - $2,500, 60515 - $5,500.
1. Authorize $2,000 for consulting services and expenses for Michael Friedman, well known urban
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FORUMS TO DEVELOP A VISION FOR LOS GATOS BOULEVARD
DATE OF MEETING: SEPTEMBER 6, 1994
designer, to participate in a one evening public presentation and participation forum;
2. Authorize $5,000 for professional services provided by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for
facilitating an all day public participation forum.
3. Authorize approximately $2,500 for materials and resources including maps, aerials, tracing paper,
tripods, flip charts, brochures, etc., for facilitating the public forums.
4. Authorize $5,500 for other possible expenses such as day care provision„ food and beverages,
reproduction costs, facilities rentals and other resources and materials that may or may not be
donated.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Los Gatos Boulevard Land Use Map
2. Commercial Plan goals and implementation
3. October/November calendar
4. Michael Friedman resume
5. American Institute of Architects letter
DISTRIBUTION: General Plan Committee
Elizabeth Cilker-Smith, 1631 Willow Street, Suite 225, SJ 95125
ZO\
_LLLLL
LLLLL
LLLLL
LLLLL1
oa
Varat
Alto Pea
Rate 85
51uti4 Awls
fowl L mite
P
Highway Commercial (CH)
Neighborhood Commercial (C-I )
Single Family kes►derrt►al C f-I)
Multiple Family esiderrtial (pM)
Office (0)
I'escurce Conservation (PC)
/11.10
AL im.
SCHOOL
ATzaisba
Ago 7.1.11r
SCALE
0 500 1000 1500 2000
ATTACHMENT 41
LOS GATOS BOULEVARD
PROJECT STUDY AREA:
Shannon Road
4/!I/94
Dra' PRQ
Route 85
N \ACAD\PLANNING\IGDPRO1.DwG
C. LOS GATOS BOULEVARD (AREA 5)
1. GOALS
a. To attract new auto dealerships and retain existing auto dealerships.
b. To provide clear direction to potential developers.
c. To encourage redevelopment of parcels that are experiencing a high
vacancy rate.
d. To encourage the development of one new shopping center.
2. IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
a. Develop a program of incentives to encourage new auto dealers.
(Committee priority ranking - 7 high, 2 medium, 1 low)
b. Work with existing auto dealers, commercial property owners and
merchants to develop a marketing strategy specifically for Los Gatos
Boulevard. (Committee priority ranking - 7 high, 3 medium)
c. Revise the development review process for exterior improvements to
existing buildings to allow approval by staff subject to compliance with
specific design criteria that will assure architectural excellence. (See
Section 11. C. 1 and 2). (Committee priority ranking - 5 high, 4 medium,
1 low)
d. Allow auto dealers to conduct occasional promotional sales activities
with a 'festival" atmosphere. (Committee priority ranking - 6 high, 2
medium, 2 low)
e. Develop land use policy to provide clear direction to potential
developers. (Committee priority ranking - 6 high, 4 medium)
ATTACHMi NT
at
a
0
4-3
0
•
:'4i•.:•
N
0
O
N
03
N
N
KIRK HEINRICHS
U
Charette scheduling'
2t1
•:
•
N
N 0'
rl 2p
rl ri
O (�
co N
,_ rl
0
N
•
N
41.
0i
co
KIRK HEINRICHS
Copyright 1993 WordPerfect Corp.
U
08/24/94 15:18 T21415 291 9833 FEB
Lgi 001
FREEMAN
1 U N G B
BOTTOMEEY
Urban Design & Planning
District Revitalisation
Street & Plaza Design
MEMORANDUM
VIA FAX
DATE: August 24,1994
TO: Mr. Kirk Heinrichs
City of Los Gatos
Fax: (408) 354-8431
# PAGES: 1
FROM: Colette Haroun
Office Administrator
RE: Speaker Biography for Michael Freedman
In response to your request for a speaker bio on Michael we have prepared the following:
Michael Freedman is a Principal of Freedman Tung & Bottomley, an urban design
and planning film offering specialized services in downtown revitalization, land use
and development planning, civic facility master planning, and streetscape design
Their completed projects include the Castro Street Design and a Transit Corridor
Specific Plan for downtown Mountain View, downtown revitalization strategies for
Ventura, Yuba City, Arcadia, Mountain View and Cathedral City, streetscape designs
for Downtown Phoenix, Pleasanton, Arcadia, artd Ames, Iowa, and City gateway
designs for San Leandro, San Mateo, Cupertino, Ames, and Redwood City.
Mr. Freedman is also a founding partner of the newly formed urban design education
and training service, Communities by Design. CBD offers educational seminars and
media on topics ranging from "The Fundamentals of Urban Design" to focused
seminars on specific urban problems such as downtown revitalization, commercial
corridor renovation, streetscape design and design review. CBD seminars and training
services are available on call.
Mr. Freedman is a frequent speaker for the League of California Cities, the American
Planning Association, the Local Govenunent Commission, and the American Institute
of Architects.
For his presentation Michael will need a slide projector, a large screen, and a room that can get very
dark. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please don't hesitate to call me.
47 Kearny Street
Suite 500
San franc.zco, CA
94108.5522
415.291.9455
■
ATTACHMENT
4
AIA Santa Clara Valley
A Chapter of The American Institute of Architects
August 3,1994
Mr. Bud Lortz
City of Los Gatos
P 0 Box 949
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Dear Mr. Lortz:
RECEI VED
AUG 0 01994
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
In response to your inquiry, AIA Santa Clara Valley would be most pleased to organize a
Charette for the Los Gatos Boulevard area in the Town of Los Gatos.
The goal of this charette is to give the Town of Los Gatos a vision of what Los Gatos Boulevard
could be. This may not be a solution to the problem, but will certainly give you a variety of
options that are possible. Sufficient meetings with you and others on the charette committee
will be held prior to the charette to determine your goals and discuss pertinent details.
The process usually involves 6 or 7 teams of 5 or 6 people and a facilitator which would be
provided by the Chapter. Citizens of Los Gatos and Town Officials would be encouraged to
attend and provide input. The charette would take place on a Saturday with an organizational
meeting on the Friday evening preceding the all day Saturday charette.
Some costs that you could anticipate are meals for the teams on the day of the charette, tracing
paper, colored pens, a photocopy or ozalid machine, homosote boards or other means of tacking
the tracings up on walls. Optional items which could, hopefully, be donated would be T-shirts
for the teams and posters publicizing the charette to attract the residents of Los Gatos. You
should probably plan on a budget of approximately $2,000 if you cannot get the meals, etc.
donated.
At the end of the charette the Town of Los Gatos would be provided with color prints of the
suggested solutions. The actual tracings would be the property of AIA Santa Clara Valley. As
I mentioned to you on the phone, in the past we have received a $5,000 contribution to the
Chapter for a charette, and this is quite standard for all Chapters who participate in
community charettes.
This letter is an expression of interest only. If you wish to proceed, we will be pleased to meet
with you and discuss the details. Please feel free to contact me at 408-298-0611 or Jerry King,
AIA at 408-295-2210. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
,02
Kathryn R. Davis
Executive Director
36 S. First Street, Suite 200
San Jose. California 95113
(408) 298-0611
ATTACHMENT 5
•
September 6, 1994
Los Gatos, California
A PLACE FOR TEENS/STATUS REPORT (08.44)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council accept report regarding
A Place for Teens construction progress for filing. Carried unanimously.
NATURAL GAS/DISTRIBUTION CENTER/CORPORATION YARD (09.44)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council accept report designating
Service Center facility for compressed natural gas distribution. Carried unanimously.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION/UNLAWFUL DEMOLITIONS (11.15)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council accept informational report
for filing. Carried unanimously.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION/ICMA RETIREMENT CORP/RESOLUTION 19944-134 (12.10)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council adopt Resolution 1994-
134 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AMENDING TOWN'S
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN TO INCLUDE ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION.
Carried unanimously.
LOS GATOS BOULEVARD/VISION PLAN/PUBLIC FORUMS (13.47)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council approve expenditure of
$15,000 for the planning, advertising, and materials for two public participation forums to be
held October 27 and November 12, 1994. Carried unanimously.
9328 PROJECT/LOS GATOS CREEK TRAIL/RESOLUTION 1994-127 (14.35)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council adopt Resolution 1994-
127 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE TOWN
MANAGER TO EXECUTE FIRST AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH COUNTY OF
SANTA CLARA FOR PARK PROJECT (LOS GATOS CREEK TRAIL). Carried unanimously.
9426 PROJECT/TREE LIGHTING/LOS GATOS ELECTRIC/RESOLUTION 1994-128 (15.35)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council adopt Resolution 1994-
128 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS TO AUTHORIZE TOWN
MANAGER TO ADOPT RESOLUTION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH LOS GATOS
ELECTRIC TO COMPLETE PROJECT 9426 (DOWNTOWN TREE LIGHTING
RENOVATION). Carried unanimously.
ASPHALT PAVER/NEGOTIATE PURCHASE (16.28)
This item was removed from the agenda.
8805 PROJECT/PARKING LOT 4/GEOMATRIX/REMEDIATION PROJECT
DESTRUCTION OF 13 MONITORING WELLS/RESOLUTION 1994-129 (17.35)
Motion by Mrs. Benjamin, seconded by Mr. O'Laughlin, that Council adopt Resolution 1994-
129 entitled, RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS AUTHORIZING THE TOWN
MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH GEOMATRIX FOR
PARKING LOT 4 REMEDIATION PROJECT MANAGEMENT TO ALLOW FOR THE
DESTRUCTION OF 13 MONITORING WELLS IN AND IN THE VICINITY OF THE
PARKING LOT. Carried unanimously.
TC: D6: M M090694 3