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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2005-013 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-013 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA,ENDORSING AN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY FOR THE ATASCADERO DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PLAN DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY WHEREAS, the City of Atascadero has formed a Redevelopment Agency for the purposes of revitalizing the historic Downtown core of Atascadero; and, WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Atascadero adopted the Atascadero Downtown Revitalization Plan on July 25, 2000; and, WHEREAS, the Revitalization Plan contains a Vision Statement, Goals and a conceptual land use plan but no phasing plan or implementation strategy; and, WHEREAS, the Community Redevelopment Agency of Atascadero has issued redevelopment bonds for the purposes of revitalizing Downtown Atascadero; and, WHEREAS, a public participation process has been conducted to gather the public's input regarding the prioritization and timing of Downtown improvements; and, WHEREAS, the proposed Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy does not amend the July 25, 2000 Downtown Revitalization Plan but rather provides a strategy for the phasing of improvements; and, WHEREAS, the Atascadero City Council at a regular meeting held on March 8, 2005, studied and considered the proposed Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy; and, City of Atascadero Resolution No.2005-013 Page 2 of 8 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Atascadero SECTION 1. Endorsement of the Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy. The City Council of the City of Atascadero, in a regular session resolved to endorse the Downtown Revitalization Implementation Strategy consistent with the following: EXHIBIT A: Downtown Vision and Goals EXHIBIT B: Downtown Revitalization Plan Vision Diagram EXHIBIT C: Downtown Revitalization Priorities and Policies. EXHIBIT D: Downtown Study Area Diagram On motion by Mayor Pro Tem O'Malley and seconded by Council Member Clay, the foregoing Resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Clay,Luna,O'Malley and Mayor Scalise NOES: None ABSENT: Council Member Pacas ADOPTED: March 8, 2005 CITY OF ATASCADERO By: Wend calise, or ATTEST: Marcia McClure Torgerson,C.M.C.,Cit lerk APPRPV-ED AS TO FORK , Patri .Ed4t,City Attorney City of Atascadero Resolution No.2005-013 Page 3 of 8 Exhibit A: Downtown Vision and Goals 2005 Downtown Revitalization Strategy The Vision of Downtown Atascadero The Downtown Revitalization Plan is based on a community vision where: 1. The Downtown has become recognized as an important social and commercial center of Atascadero. People frequent the Downtown to walk among the shops, along the Creek,have coffee, dinner, or see a movie. 2. The Sunken Gardens and City Hall are restored to their original grandeur and provide a the central focal point to downtown. New paths, lighting and decorative paving in the Sunken Garden make it a comfortable place to stroll and relax. Restaurants and eateries surround the Sunken Garden while special events in the Garden attract tourist and families Downtown. 3. The streets have been improved with new trees with white lights, benches, antique street lamps, signs and colorful banners. A pedestrian bridge allow crossing of the Creek. The El Camino Real corridor through the Downtown is a pleasant and safe place for pedestrians to walk from nearby parking. Traffic still moves smoothly, but calmly along El Camino Real 4. The buildings are full and the windows reveal a range of interesting products and activities within. The storefronts have been refreshed with paint, new signs, awnings and flowers. In some cases, the original brick facades have been restored. 5. Residents take their guests downtown to dine in the many restaurants, often lingering into the evening at one of the quiet, outdoor patios under the oaks along West Mall. Tourists just passing by on the Highway are also drawn Downtown by the views to City Hall and activities in the Sunken Gardens. 6. The Downtown supports surrounding office and residential areas by providing ample shopping, eating and entertainment opportunities as well as upper floor space for residences. 7. The Atascadero Creek corridor offers a unique natural setting within the Downtown. Creekside benches are full at lunchtime as it is a popular location to meet for lunch in Atascadero. Trails now provide a connection through the Downtown to other parts of the City like the new youth center. 8. The Downtown is alive and jumping at night; shops are open late and a new Downtown cinema complex along El Camino Real attracts people from all over the Central Coast. After seeing a movie or artistic performance, visitors eat, shop, go to a bookstore or coffee house, visit an art gallery, or listen to music. 9. Downtown is the center of thriving local arts and cultural activities with community theaters, museums, galleries and the library. 10. It seems that there is always something going on Downtown at the Sunken Gardens. Events like Colony Days and the Tree Lighting Celebration, concerts, Art in the Gardens, sidewalk sales, farmers market, movies in the park and a wide variety of seasonal promotions that are fun for families and a destination for tourists. City of Atascadero Resolution No.2005-013 Page 4 of 8 Exhibit A: Downtown Vision and Goals 2005 Downtown Revitalization Strategy Ten Downtown Goals The vision described above will be realized through the implementation of the following Goals for the Downtown Revitalization Plan: 1. Enhance downtown Atascadero as a source of community pride, cultural activity and as a community focal point. 2. Establish a safe, pedestrian friendly scale and character that distinguishes Downtown Atascadero from other commercial areas in the City. 3. Sunken Gardens should provide the central hub for the Downtown connecting El Camino Real, City Hall, and Atascadero Creek to other Downtown activity areas. 4. Develop a distinctive architectural character for the downtown while allowing for reasonable design flexibility. 5. Improve the Downtown circulation system for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. 6. Improve the appearance of El Camino Real and reduce its impact as a pedestrian barrier through traffic calming measures. 7. Provide adequate parking to support downtown uses. 8. Enhance Atascadero Creek as a natural amenity and encourage pedestrian pathways and creek oriented businesses. 9. Promote downtown's economic vitality by encouraging a mix-of including theaters, restaurants and specialty retail through the strategic use of public funds and projects. 10. Encourage the long term relocation of schools and armory to other sites. City of Atascadero Resolution No.2005-013 Page 6 of S Exhibit Q Downtown Revitalization Priorities and Policies 2005 Downtown Revitalization Strategy Downtown Revitalization Priorities and Policies Short Term Priorities (within one year) 1. Install street lighting improvements to improve pedestrian safety and security. 2. Adopt a Downtown parking strategy/plan. 3. Support the renaming of Traffic Way to a more inviting and tourist friendly name. 4. Enhance the Sunken Gardens with historic character diagonal walking paths, lighting,benches and decorative paving. 5. Adopt a natural restoration and protection plan for the Downtown portion of Atascadero Creek. 6. Support a theater and entertainment complex in the Downtown with the adoption of a zoning code amendment creating an exclusive Downtown Entertainment Zone. 7. Identify a location for a Downtown public restroom facility. 8. Support findings that "Auto Repair and Services" land uses located within the Downtown Study Area are "inconsistent with the character of the immediate Downtown neighborhood and contrary to its orderly development." 9. Expand the fagade program to include assistance for historic un-reinforced masonry buildings. Medium Term Priorities (within five years) 10. Establish a Downtown maintenance program. 11.Install Downtown parking improvements. 12. Install streetscaping improvements to improve pedestrian safety and provide traffic calming. 13. Recruit and encourage restaurants and eateries around the Sunken Garden and Atascadero Creek. 14. Promote the natural restoration and protection of Atascadero Creek while enhancing public access with pathways and pedestrian bridges. 15. Protect the Colony House and Gardens and incorporate them into the Atascadero Creek pathways and access program. City of Atascadero Resolution No.2005-013 Page 7 of 8 16. Adopt a public art plan for the Downtown area which includes a restoration program for the Maidens statue. 17. Construct the Lewis Avenue Bridge. 18. Enhance and improve a transit opportunities in the Downtown area. 19. Support a special events center at the historically restored Printery Building. 20. Provide pedestrian trail connections to Stadium Park and the new Youth Center. 21. Encourage reuse and reinvestment of under utilized area surrounding the Carlton Hotel and along El Camino Real. 22. Support the 101/41 interchange project with an emphasis on creating a Downtown Gateway. 23. Create an identifiable and unique Downtown area gateways and signage program. Long Term Priorities (within 10 years) 24. Develop a mixed use/affordable housing project in the Downtown. 25. Restore the historic City Hall. 26. Locate cultural arts facilities and the Library Downtown. 27. Encourage the landscaping and buffering of the armory site. City of Atascadero Resolution No.2005-013 Page 8 of 8 Exhibit D: Downtown Study Area Diagram 200S Downtown Revitalization Strategy CITY OF ATASCADERO Downtown Stu. Area b S t f i 4 0 {