HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2021-008�.. RESOLUTION NO. 2021-008
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING
SUPPORT FOR THE EL CAMINO REAL DOWNTOWN
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND AUTHORIZING
STAFF TO APPLY FOR GRANT FUNDING FOR THE EL CAMINO
REAL DOWNTOWN INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City Council has identified Downtown Enhancements as a major goal in
each of its last three strategic plans; and
WHEREAS, the primary goal of the Downtown Enhancements is public safety for all
roadway users: pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. A second goal is to enhance economic
development and stimulate economic growth in the downtown by creating a zone that slows traffic
speeds, enhances appearance and safety, and increases parking; and
WHEREAS, Atascadero High School and Atascadero Junior High School are located
within '/< mile of the El Camino Real Downtown Corridor. With additional vehicular, pedestrian,
and bicycle traffic in the Downtown area, concerns regarding the safety and function of El Camino
ON" Real have arisen from residents and business owners, particularly at intersections and existing mid -
block crossings; and
WHEREAS, Downtown Atascadero is experiencing an economic upswing due to City
investments and strong interest from private developers and business owners. Prior to COVID
restrictions, new restaurants, cafes, and breweries, in conjunction with a growing number of special
events, were bringing more visitors to the Downtown area. It is important that as our region moves
out of COVID restrictions, there is help available for those downtown businesses that have been
hit hard by the shut -downs; and
WHEREAS, merchants, residents, developers, and City leaders have expressed the need
for more parking and pedestrian access within the downtown district due to an increase in
economic activity and special events. Currently, the width and speed of traffic on El Camino Real
discourages visitors from using the corridor for parking or walking across El Camino Real to go
to a business on the other side of the street. Increasing parking opportunities on El Camino Real
will be advantageous in furthering the economic goals of the Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the City funded the development of conceptual designs and traffic analysis
for the EI Camino Real Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Project (Project); and
WHEREAS, given the ongoing development and redevelopment within the downtown
r" area, most notably the La Plaza Project currently being constructed, this project is a timely
opportunity to assess how the El Camino Real corridor can best serve the needs of residents,
businesses, and the multiple transportation needs; and
City of Atascadero
Resolution No. 2021-008
Page 2 of 4
WHEREAS, the City hired KTUA of San Diego to assist in the analysis and development
of the El Camino Real Downtown Corridor Plan, including traffic engineering and operations
analysis; and
WHEREAS, the established goals for design of the El Camino Real Downtown
Infrastructure Enhancement Project included:
• Provide public safety for all roadway users by incorporating complete streets and
"road diet" concepts and principals
• Enhance economic development by supporting existing and future merchants with
additional parking
• Support downtown business synergy through a partnership in crafting a Downtown
traffic calming plan
• Enhance the streetscape of EI Camino Real by creating a sense of place and arrival
into the Downtown
• Create safe pedestrian connections and crossings while enhancing the walkability
of Downtown
• Slow vehicular speeds to increase safety and visibility, including an analysis of
impacts to level of service (LOS).
• Enhance the ability to host more special events in the Downtown area
• Accommodate multi -modal transportation, where feasible; and
WHEREAS, the City conducted extensive public outreach meetings over a period of two
years to both educate and receive public input on concepts and designs for the Project; 7
WHEREAS, the Project's preliminary design concepts were honed, changed and
improved based on the extensive public input received; and
WHEREAS, the Project is designed to significantly increase pedestrian safety by slowing
down traffic through "roadway friction" and adding HAWK pedestrian Crossings at key
crosswalks used by students of the Junior High School and High School; and
WHEREAS, the Project will increase pedestrian safety in the Downtown Corridor,
connecting businesses on each side of the 80' wide El Camino Real, and creating synergy for the
businesses in the Downtown; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Project will provide
approximately 130 new parking spaces in the downtown area, supporting restaurants, bars and
small retail stores impacted by the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, the Project will provide a stimulus to achieve the community's' desire for a
vibrant Downtown by supporting local shops, restaurants, entertainment options, public parks and
plazas; and
City of Atascadero
Resolution No. 2021-008
Page 3 of 4
WHEREAS, the Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Project is shovel ready with
Council approved concept plans, finalized traffic and operational analyses, preliminary cost
estimates, an extensive public outreach program completed, and all needed land under the control
of the City of Atascadero; and
WHEREAS, the Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Project is strongly supported by
the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Improvement District, the Atascadero Unified
School District, Bike SLO County, the Home Builders Association of the Central Coast, and
residents as evidenced by the overwhelming public comment and support received at the August
11, 2020 Council meeting.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Atascadero:
SECTION 1. The above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Atascadero strongly supports the El Camino
Real Downtown Infrastructure Enhancement Project and its positive impacts on the social,
economic and viability of the Downtown area and the greater community of At iscadero. _
SECTION 3. The City Council finds that the Project represents a generational opporturilty
to improve the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists and motorist, including over 2,000 students
�+ attending Atascadero Junior High and High Schools, the vitality of the Downtown area, -and a
connection to public spaces.
SECTION 4. The City Council further finds that additional parking, safety features and
walkability provided by the Project will help all downtown businesses as evidenced by the large
number of comments and letters of support when Council approved the project in August 2020.
SECTION 5. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to apply for and submit
grant applications for the Project including the Community Project Funding grants.
SECTION 6. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to apply for and submit
to other applicable grants and funding opportunities for the El Camino Real Downtown
Infrastructure Enhancement Project.
SECTION 7. The City Manager, on behalf of the City of Atascadero, is hereby authorized
to enter into agreements, and take further actions as may be necessary to give effect to this
Resolution, such as executing amendments and approving funding applications.
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City of Atascadero
Resolution No. 2021-008
Page 4 of 4
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 13th day n
of April, 2021. I '
On motion by Council Member Bourbeau and seconded by Council Member Funk, the
foregoing Resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
Council Members Bourbeau, Danz, Funk, Newsom and Mayor Moreno
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
CITY OF ATASCADERO
Heather Moreno, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: 1 1
�tJ
Brian Pieri , City Attorney
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