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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-11-19 Packet - SpecialCITY OF UKIAH CITY COUNCIL AGENDA Special Meeting CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBERS 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, CA 95482 November 19, 2008 4:30 p.m. 4:30 PM 1. ROLL CALL 2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. STATUS REPORT REGARDING DOWNTOWN/PERKINS STREET ZONING DISTRICT (FORM BASED CODE) PROJECT 3. PUBLIC COMMENT 4. ADJOURNMENT I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the City of Ukiah City Hall, located at 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California, not less than 24 hours prior to the meeting set forth on this agenda. Dated this 7th day of February, 2008. Linda C. Brown, City Clerk ITEM NO.: MEETING DATE: AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Special Meeting 2a November 19, 2008 SUBJECT: STATUS REPORT REGARDING DOWNTOWN / PERKINS STREET ZONING DISTRICT (FORM BASED CODE) PROJECT SUMMARY: The Downtown!Perkins Street Form Based Code project is a high priority project and will contribute to our strategic planning priority for maintaining downtown Ukiah's historic place as a regional center for civic and economic activity. The draft code was unveiled last spring and we received a considerable number of suggestions and identified a number of complex issues. Through the process of studying the issues and developing alternatives for resolving them, we've embarked on revising the draft document rather than preparing a list of suggestions for consideration. This Agenda item is intended to brief the City Council on the approach we're taking, the progress we've made, a tentative timeline for completing the project, and to receive any direction the Council may have. REVISED DRAFT: The draft is being revised in response to a number of issues. These include, but are not limited to traffic circulation, inconsistency with the B2 airport compatibility zone, and document length and complexity. Traffic Circulation: As previously reported to the Council, a study of the traffic resulting from build-out of the area under the new code revealed that a significant number of street and intersection improvements would be required to avoid gridlock. These improvements include the reconfiguration of street lanes, a new signal at Main and Perkins, widening, roundabout installation at Perkins and Orchard, installation of medians, modification and elimination of some on-street parking, etc. To avoid the necessity of some of these improvements, Staff is reevaluating the size of the study area and the maximum permitted densities. (continued on page 2) Fiscal Impact: Budgeted FY 08/09 ~ New Appropriation ~ Not Applicable ~ Budget Amendment Required Continued on Page 2 and Provide Direction to Staff Alternative Council Option(s): N/A Citizens advised: N(A Requested by: Charley Stump, Director of Planning and Community Development Prepared by: Charley Stump, Director of Planning and Community Development Coordinated with: Jane Chambers, City Manager and Kim Jordan, Senior Planner Attachments: None Approved: e Chambers, City Manager Subject: Status Report -Downtown/Perkins Street Zoning Meeting Date: November 19, 2008 Page 2 of 2 Airport Compatibility Issue: A major portion of the study area is situated in the 62 Infill area north of the airport (Extended Approach and Departure Zone). This zone has limitations on densities and limits buildings to two stories. The draft code would permit densities that exceed the maximum permitted and allow buildings with more than two stories. We are working with Mead & Hunt, airport consultants to determine options for resolving these issues. A list of options should be completed this month and will be shared and discussed with the Council. Document Length and Complexity: Staff has taken a close look at the draft code and examined it for ease of use by property owners, architects, general public, and developers. The draft document grew into a fifty page set of regulations that was difficult for Staff to read and explain, let alone for the public to understand. We are in the process of editing and reorganizing the document with the goal of making it simpler and more straightforward. We are not modifying the standards that will allow the charrette vision to evolve, nor are we deviating from the underlying goal of providing certainty to both the community and developer. We're making the code more visual with easier to use tables, limiting the introduction of new terminology, and reorganizing the various sections. Staff is prepared to discuss this further with the Council at the November 19'h meeting. TIMELINE: Staff is in the process of developing a timeline for completing the project, but there are a number of variables, such as the airport compatibility issue, that need further examination before we can estimate how long it will take to resolve the issue. Our hope is to have a revised public review draft document published in January and begin the review and adoption process shortly thereafter. Reduce Density and Resolve Traffic Circulation Issue Downtown Reduce Density Edit, Simplify and and and Potentially Add More Modify BZ Airport Perkins Street Graphics to Draft Zoning Code Compatibility Document Zone Boundary Meetings with Property Owners, Groups, and the General Public