TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, Acting City Manager
FROM:
Richard Thompson, Director of Community Development
Quinn Barrow, City Attorney
David Biggs, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Approve Request for Proposals for Downtown Plan Preparation and Briefing on Possible Interim Regulations (Community Development Director Thompson).
APPROVE RFP AND RECEIVE BRIEFING
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve a Request for Proposal for the preparation of a Downtown Plan and Receive a Briefing on Possible Interim Regulations.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None as result of this action. The City Council has appropriated $100,000 for the preparation of a Downtown Plan which will be utilized to fund the technical expertise and services contemplated under the Request for Proposals. The consideration of possible interim regulations designed to ensure the continued economic viability of Downtown Manhattan Beach during the period required to prepare the Downtown Plan could result in the preservation and growth of the Downtown area as a revenue generator for the City.
BACKGROUND:
Downtown Manhattan Beach is the heart of the community and the City has focused significant attention and resources in the area to ensure its on-going viability. The City Council has made the development of a Downtown Plan a priority and appropriated funds to undertake this effort which will include a review of the zoning and development regulations for the area, design guidelines, parking supply and management, and appropriate mix of uses based on market conditions and an economic assessment of the trade-area. The next step in the process is to solicit proposals from firms or teams of firms to provide the technical expertise and services necessary to prepare the Downtown Plan and related studies.
People have raised concerns about changes to the composition and mix of uses in the Downtown. In October 2013, the City Council, pursuant to a goal set forth in the Strategic Plan, directed staff to review current regulations for the Downtown as they relate to office, banks, and other non-retail uses. This resulted in the Planning Commission considering possible regulations on non-retail uses in the Downtown core at a public hearing on November 13, 2013. Considerable amount of public testimony was received and the matter was continued to a second meeting in January, 2014. At that time, the Planning Commission took no action. Ultimately, the development of the Downtown Plan will address this and other issues.
DISCUSSION:
The development of the Downtown Plan will be undertaken to achieve the following goals as outlined in the draft RFP (attachment 1):
• Create a strong sense of community identity and sense of place for the Downtown;
• Enhance the vibrancy and economic vitality of the district through an emphasis on unique and independent retailers and businesses;
• Set the stage for and contribute to business success;
• Reinforce retail, entertainment, dining and active street fronts in the Downtown;
• Provide for the best mix of retail, commercial and service businesses;
• Boost the attractiveness of the Downtown for local residents and visitors alike;
• Strengthen the City's tax base.
It will also include a review and update of existing documents and plans which currently guide development and uses in the area. Staff has prepared a draft RFP, which if approved by City Council, will be made available to firms which can provide the services contemplated and which will be posted on the City's website.
The draft RFP was shared with the Downtown Business & Professional Association at their meeting on April 9, 2014, at which time Director of Community Development Richard Thompson reviewed the draft RFP, solicited comments, and answered questions. The current form of the RFP reflects modifications made based on the comments provided and the questions asked.
When completed, the scope of work outlined will establish updated zoning and land use designations, revised development regulations and standards, will include an update of the downtown Parking Master Plan, will result in updated Downtown Design Guidelines, and will include the development of a detailed Downtown Streetscape and Public Improvement Plan. The scope of work will also include processing the appropriate level of environmental review based on the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A key component of the scope of work includes active engagement of residents and stakeholders in the development of the Downtown Plan.
The City anticipates considerable public, property owner, and business interest in this effort. To that end, the City has created a Downtown Plan Project through the SpeakUp Manhattan Beach component of the City's website and will be utilizing this as one of the means spur interest and to engage those interested in the project. In addition, an initial Town Hall meeting on the development of the Downtown Plan will be hosted by the City on Thursday, June 5, 2014, to kick off the effort.
The RFP requires that firms or teams of firms respond by June 19, 2014, after which the proposals will be reviewed and contract prepared for consideration by the City Council by July 15, 2014.
Pending the development of the Downtown Plan, the City Council may wish to consider interim regulations. Interim regulations are generally enacted to call a time-out when a contemplated general plan, specific plan or zoning proposal which the city intends, or plans to study within a reasonable period of time, is being contemplated.
The City Attorney is prepared to further brief the City Council at the meeting.
CONCLUSION:
Proceeding with the development of a Downtown Plan and related studies is in keeping with a number of the City Council's strategic goals. The approval of the proposed Request for Proposal will formally launch this important effort.
Attachments:
1. Downtown Plan Request for Proposals