HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet 091107 - Town HallNOTICE OF A SPECIAL MEETING
ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL
City Council Town Hall Meeting
Downtown Streetscape, Phase II
AGENDA
Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 5:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California
ROLL CALL: Mayor Luna
Mayor Pro Tem Brennler
Council Member Béraud
Council Member Clay
Council Member O’Malley
DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE PHASE II:
Description: Request for input and approval of projects developed in response to the
ongoing public input process.
Fiscal Impact: Funding for the Streetscape project is allocated from Redevelopment
Agency funds, Wayfinding funding, Transit and PG&E street light replacement funds.
The City General Fund will not be impacted by this project. The amount of funding to
design and construct all the projects exceeds the funding allocated to the projects per
the two tables below. Staff will develop more precise cost estimates, based on actual
design documents, after the City Council accepts the proposed projects and design
elements. We will then bring a report to council on the final design and costs. Based
on this information Council can decide which projects to build.
Recommendation: Council approve Streetscape, Phase II projects and elements,
and direct staff to start the design process. [Public Works]
ADJOURNMENT: The City Council will adjourn to their next regularly scheduled
meeting.
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO )
CITY OF ATASCADERO )
VICTORIA RANDALL, being fully sworn, deposes, and says: That she is the duly appointed Deputy City
Clerk of the City of Atascadero and that on Wednesday, September 5, 2007, she caused the above Notice
to be posted on the doors of City Hall, 6907 El Camino Real, Atascadero, California.
_________________________________________
VICTORIA RANDALL, Deputy City Clerk
EXHIBIT A
Approved Streetscape Design Elements
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,
EXHIBIT B
Downtown Revitalization Plan Vision
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 Council Member _______________________ and seconded by Council Member ________________________, the
foregoing Resolution is hereby adopted in its entirety on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ADOPTED:
CITY OF ATASCADERO
By: _______________________________
Wendy Scalise, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Marcia McClure Torgerson, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
Patrick L. Enright, City Attorney
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 a s 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 alo ng El Camino Real
attracts people from all over the Central Coast. After seeing a movie or artistic performance, visitors eat, shop, go to a b ookstore
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.
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.
Exhibit B: Downtown Revitalization Plan Vision Diagram
2005 Downtown Revitalization Strategy
Exhibit C: 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.
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 Entrainment 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 façade 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.
Exhibit C: Downtown Revitalization Priorities and Policies
2005 Downtown Revitalization Strategy
15. Protect the Colony House and Gardens and incorporate them into the Atascadero Creek pathways and access program.
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.
Exhibit D: Downtown Study Area Diagram
2005 Downtown Revitalization Strategy
EXHIBIT C
Wayfinding Sign Examples
STREETSCAPE, PHASE II
Walking Tour Results 03-08-07
EL CAMINO REAL-ROSARIO TO TRAFFIC WAY
More defined parking
Re-strip to allow bike lanes & turn lane
Trees- big
Median
Single lane
Bulb-outs
City parking lot @ Ocean Harvest
Landscape
New fence @ P.D.- Vines
Bus shelter @ P.D.
Fix sidewalks
ADA crosswalk @ Virginia Plaza
EL CAMINO REAL –ON ATASCADERO CREEK BRIDGE
Median – landscaped
Arch way – Way Finding
Decorative railing
Arch- similar to Lewis Ave. Bridge
Lights with pilasters
SUNKEN GARDEN
Public restrooms
Pavers along E. Mall
EXHIBIT D
Informational kiosk
Clock / Monument
TRAFFIC WAY
Lighted overhead banner
Additional traffic calming
At Palma – stop signs
Additional event banners
Additional lighting
ADA access- Palma!
Little Bulb- outs- like ped alley behind The Carlton
Trees- BIG!
Move crosswalk
1) Other side of Palma
2) East to Palma
DOWNTOWN IN GENERAL
CONSISTANY IN STREET FURNITURE
Lights
Trees
Benches
Trash cans
o Benches face away from the street
o Trees along ECR
o Fix uplifted sidewalks
o Way Finding signs
o Ped bridge
o Business signs at Exit ramps
o Public art
o Sign for Chamber of Commerce and Library
o Parking lot with pavers
o Signs for parking
o Parking lot @ fire department parking lot
o W. Mall extension under US 101
o Bus shelter
o Lights on Palma
o Music downtown
o Up-light trees
o Light bollards @ corners
o Bike racks
PED TUNNEL
Move fencing back- angled
Increase tunnel lighting
Incorporate Cal Poly students ideas
Public bathroom
Stores at Tunnel
ENTRADA
Irrigation for planters
Consistent sidewalk / Streetscape
@ Palma – pavers and bulb-outs
@ Palma – 3 way Stop
Palma – One Way- Traffic Way to West Mall
Lights
KEY FEATURE SUMMARY:
1. New bulbout.
2. New street trees and grates (in sidewalk areas).
3. Landscaped median.
4. New Trees.
5. Bus Shelter.
6. Trash/Recycling Receptacles.
7. Classic Style Benches.
8. Parking lot bio-swale planted with vine or hanging
bush.
9. Heritage street lights.
10. Landscaped area with wood mulch.
11. New planter.
12. Potential location of Downtown Entry Gate Sign.
13. Proposed pavers.
EXHIBIT E
El Camino Real Gateway Enhancements
@ Rosario
KEY FEATURE SUMMARY:
1. New ADA bulbout
2. New street trees and grates
3. Heritage street lights
4. New yield sign
5. New pedestrian crosswalk sign
6. New pedestrian warning sign
EXHIBIT F
El Camino Real Pedestrian
Enhancements @ Virginia Plaza
KEY FEATURE SUMMARY:
1. Landscaped median within existing painted zone.
2. New street trees and grates.
EL CAMINO REAL AND TRAFFIC WAY
EXHIBIT G
El Camino Real Enhancements @
Traffic Way
KEY FEATURE SUMMARY:
1. Colored and scored sidewalk from Palma (north side) to
new bulbout.
2. New street trees and grates.
3. Heritage street lights.
4. New street bench.
5. New cross gutter and spandrel and ADA ramps on Palma
Ave. (north side).
6. Mountable landscaped median with pavers.
7. New street signs.
8. New bicycle rack.
9. New Downtown garbage container.
EXHIBIT H
Traffic Way @ Palma Enhancements
EXHIBIT I
Sunken Garden Enhancements Along
East Mall
Additional colored sidewalk
PEDESTRIAN TUNNEL
IMPROVEMENTS
KEY FEATURE SUMMARY:
1. New trash container
2. New street trees
3. Heritage street lights
4. Replace existing bollards
5. New concrete block wall with decorative finish
6. New planter area
7. New colored and scored concrete sidewalk
EXHIBIT J
Pedestrian Tunnel
KEY FEATURE SUMMARY:
1. Landscaped median
2. New street trees and grates
3. New Heritage street lights.
4. New classic style benches.
5. New bridge railing with lights and handrails
6. New urns and architectural elements on bridge
median.
7. Proposed bulbouts
EXHIBIT K
El Camino Real Enhancements
(Atascadero Creek Bridge to Morro
Road)
Highway 41
Sunken
Gardens
CREEK BRIDGE TO HIGHWAY 41
EXHIBIT L
El Camino Real Entry Arch
EXHIBIT M
Bulbout Locations – Mid-State Bank/Denny’s and Colony Square
COLONY
SQUARE
DENNY’S
Mid-State Bank
Bulbouts
Bulbouts Re-aligned
Driveway
EXHIBIT N
Original Bridge Railing
EXHIBIT O
Conceptual Bridge Elements
EXHIBIT P
Atascadero Creek Bridge Median
EXHIBIT Q
Proposed Downtown Bus Stop Standard
EXHIBIT R
Proposed Trash Container
This sturdy, stylish receptacle offers the following
features:
Made of heavy-gauge, hot dipped galvanized, fire-safe
steel.
“C” Channel rails fabricated from 16-gauge steel.
Weatherproof, Uni-Koat powder-coated finish.
12-in. Diameter disposal opening.
Leak-proof rigid plastic liners.
Retainer bands hold poly bags securely out of sight.
Leg levelers provide stability on uneven surfaces.
Cable-secured lid.
TRASH RECEPTACLE TO BE REPLACED IS
SHOWN BELOW
DATE: 09/11/07
Atascadero City Council
Staff Report – Public Works Department
Downtown Streetscape, Phase II
(Request for input and approval of projects developed
in response to the ongoing public input process)
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Streetscape, Phase II projects and elements, and direct staff to start
the design process.
REPORT IN BRIEF:
The City Council has budgeted over $3.5 million over the next two years for the design
and construction of the Streetscape Phase II projects. These projects include
streetscape, street lighting and wayfinding. This is based on over 7 years of planning,
study and public input. Through a public input process, area s and elements for the
Streetscape Phase II projects have been identified and conceptual plans of the
improvements created.
Staff is requesting the City Council provide direction on the conceptual plans with input
from the public, Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Main
Street. Based on this direction, staff will finalize the design and bring the projects to
construction.
DISCUSSION:
Background: The City Council approved the Atascadero Downtown Revitalization Plan
on July 25, 2000. The purpose of The Downtown Revitalization Plan is to:
Implement the City’s General Plan and Redevelopment Plan with a detailed focus
on the Downtown Area;
Develop a community consensus on an overall vision for the Downtown Area;
Coordinate public and private investments in the area to realize the vision; and
Enhance the Downtown’s character with public improvements constructed using
approved streetscape design elements.
The first implementation project in the Revitalization Plan was the Downtown
Streetscape Phase I on El Camino Real from Traffic Way to West Mall. Streetscape
Improvements are designed and constructed to calm vehicle traffic, improve pedestrian
and bicycle access, enhance aesthetics and make Downtown Atascadero a desirable
place to visit. Elements of Atascadero Streetscape are medians, bulb outs, enhanced
sidewalks, decorative streetlights, benches, urns, trash cans, street trees and other
elements.
The City Council approved the specific design elements for Atascadero Streetscape on
September 24, 2002 (see Exhibit A) and Streetscape Phase I improvements were
completed in December 2004. These design elements were also used in the Sunken
Gardens and the Lewis Ave Bridge Projects.
The City Council endorsed the Implementation Strategy for the Atascadero Downtown
Revitalization Plan March 8, 2005. This Strategy provides for a phasing of
improvements and approved a Downtown Revitalization Plan Vision that maps out
conceptual improvements in the Downtown (see Exhibit B). This Strategy listed
specific Goals and Priorities, which apply to Streetscape, Phase II as follows:
Goals
Establish a safe, pedestrian friendly scale and character that distinguishes
Downtown Atascadero from other commercial areas in the City.
Improve the Downtown circulation system for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
Improve the appearance of El Camino Real and reduce its impact as a
pedestrian barrier through traffic calming measures.
Priority
Install street lighting improvements to improve pedestrian safety and security.
Install streetscape improvements to improve pedestrian safety and provide traffic
calming.
The City Council approved the Wayfinding Program on February 27, 2007. This
program will help visitors to identify the Downtown and where specific areas are. The
Program features Entry Arches, Community Entry Markers, Interchange Monuments
and Pedestrian Wayfinding Signs (see Exhibit C).
With these goals and priorities in mind, the City Council budgeted over $3.5 million for
Downtown Streetscape Phase II, street lighting and wayfinding improvements in the
2007-2009 Budget. The Council directed staff on a public input process for determining
Downtown Streetscape Phase II project areas and elements. The process consisting of
a kick-off meeting with Main Street, a Downtown walking tour, follow up meetings with
Main Street to review specific improvements and elements and finally a Town Hall
Meeting, where the City Council will select the improvements and elements of
Downtown Streetscape Phase II. The Town Hall Meeting was well advertised and
members of the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Main Street,
Chamber of Commerce, and attendees of the other meetings were invited directly.
When the Town Hall process is completed Staff will begin producing the plans,
specification and engineer’s estimates for the selected projects. Staff will bring a report
to Council on the final designs and construction cost estimates after it is completed.
Based on this information Council can decide which projects to build.
Analysis: The kick-off meeting with Main Street was a brainstorming session looking at
“what if” ideas for the Downtown. Main Street identified areas and projects that the
members believed would be appropriate and desirable for the Downtown area. The
Downtown walking tour visited all the sites identified in the Main Street kick -off meeting
and was well attended. The goal of the walking tour was to further refine the identified
areas so conceptual designs could be generated. After the tour, the group moved to
the Carlton to capture input on elements in the Project areas (see Exhibit D). The
conceptual designs were presented to Main Street for further input and consensus .
The projects presented below are a result of many hours of successful collaboration
between the public, Main Street and staff.
El Camino Real Gateway Enhancements @ Rosario Ave:
The Gateway Enhancements gained popular consensus among all participants during
our outreach. Participants and staff believed it was important to improve the downtown
gateway areas in order to visually convey that you are entering the downtown core. In
addition, the improvements will help calm traffic in this area.
The Rosario Gateway Enhancements are shown on Exhibit E and consists of:
1. New bulbouts to calm traffic on southbound and northbound El Camino Real.
This is the first potential location for a Downtown El Camino Real Entry Arch per
the Wayfinding Program (see Entry Arch, Exhibit L). The City has only enough
funding for one Entry Arch in this budget.
2. New trees and plants along the freeway and Police Department wall. All new
plantings will be drought, heat and cold tolerant to the extent practical. The
plantings along the top of the Police Department wall will cover the fence and
wall, softening it and attenuating sound and heat.
3. New planted medians with pavers to soften El Camino Real and calm traffic.
4. A brick, paver or stamped concrete paved area prior to the entry feature. This
will create a visual feature that you will both feel and hear in a vehicle. This will
create a sense that you are entering Downtown.
5. New bus shelter area on north and southbound sides of El Camino Real.
Replace or remove existing Cobra style street lights and install new light at bus
shelter.
El Camino Real Pedestrian Access Enhancements @ Virginia Plaza:
The El Camino Real pedestrian access enhancements will be insta lled at the location of
the existing crosswalk and are shown on Exhibit F and consist of:
1. New bulbouts will be installed with ADA accessible ramps to shorten the path of
travel for pedestrians crossing El Camino Real and providing traffic calming by
narrowing of the travel way. The bulbouts will be installed in the parking area
and bicycles will be provided a class III bike route.
El Camino Real Enhancements @ Traffic Way:
The El Camino Real and Traffic Way improvements are shown on Exhibit G and
consist of:
1. New landscaped median with pavers.
El Camino Real Enhancements (Rosario Ave to Traffic Way):
The El Camino Real Enhancements along this section consist of:
1. New and replacement Reywood Ash street trees will be installed. The new street
trees will have irrigation and watering systems to provide healthy trees that do
not lift up the sidewalk.
2. New street light installed on the west side of El Camino Real.
3. Elements from the Wayfinding Program, including: pedestrian signs, entry arch
and vehicle information signs will be included where appropriate.
4. Striped class III bike route.
5. Repave El Camino Real from Rosario to Traffic Way.
Traffic Way @ Palma Ave Enhancements:
The Traffic Way @ Palma Ava enhancements are shown on Exhibit H and consist of:
1. New sidewalk from Palma Ave. north along the buildings to the end of new
bulbout. This sidewalk is old and cracked and its height above the curb is
greater than the current standard 6” design . This will also allow drainage
improvements to remove puddling and paving improvements to obtain a better
road cross slope.
2. Install new ADA sidewalk ramps on Palma Ave. north to enhance pedestrian
access.
3. Install new street trees and replace existing mismatched trees with Ornamental
Evergreen Pears. Install a new deep watering system to all trees for irrigation
purposes.
4. Install new bulbouts at Palma Ave. south on both side of Traffic Way to enhance
pedestrian crossing and induce traffic calming by means of lane narrowing. The
existing bike lanes will be retained. T he bulbout on the north side of Traffic way
will expand the sidewalk area and will create new opportunities for sidewalk
seating. In addition, the bulbout is designed to have new street trees, lights,
furniture and bike racks which should greatly enhance use and accessibility.
5. Install a new planted median with a pedestrian refuge area on Traffic Way at
Palma Ave south. The median will prohibit lefts in and out of Palma Ave. This
vehicle turning movement is low volume with poor sight distance and conflicts
with the crosswalk on Traffic Way. Lewis Ave will be available for any vehicle
that wants to go to or from Palma Ave., Entrada Ave. or Traffic Way with a left
hand turn.
6. Elements from the Wayfinding Program will be included where appropriate ,
including pedestrian and vehicle information signs.
Entrada Ave Enhancements:
The Entrada Avenue improvements will consist of:
1. Replace existing Cobra Lighting with the downtown standard light.
2. Install new trees on south side of Entrada Ave. to provide shade for pedestrians.
3. Install new bike rack on south side of Entrada Ave. to encourage bicycling
downtown.
4. Elements of the Wayfinding Program will be included such as pedestrian
signage.
5. Change Entrada Ave, between Palma Ave and Lewis Ave, from one-way to two-
way traffic and install a 4-way stop at Palma Ave. and Entrada Ave. This will
provide better access to businesses on Entrada Ave. between Palma Ave and
Lewis Ave.
Sunken Gardens Enhancements along East Mall:
The vendors at the Wednesday afternoon Farmers Market set their tables and pop ups
on the sidewalk. This does not leave enough room on the sidewalk for shopper’s to
walk and stand on. The Sunken Gardens Sidewalk improvements are shown on Exhibit
I and consist of:
1. Sidewalk widening with pavers to provide additional pedestrian walking area
during farmers market.
Pedestrian Tunnel:
The Pedestrian Tunnel under US 101 provides a major access to Downtown
Atascadero from churches, Atascadero High School, residential areas and parking. The
Tunnel is poorly lit and uninviting. The conceptual Pedestrian Tunnel improvements are
shown on Exhibit J. The final design will be based on this concept and address
constraints presented by slope, drainage, utilities, and Caltrans. The project will consist
of:
1. Entrance improvements at both ends of the Tunnel using ornate stucco walls
and tiles and scored colored concrete walking surface . These improvements
would:
Beautify the entrance
Make the tunnel more inviting to use
Provide ADA access
Allow more natural light into the tunnel
2. New lighting on the inside of the tunnel
El Camino Real Enhancements (Atascadero Creek Bridge to Morro Road):
The community goals for this section of El Camino Real are traffic calming, pedestrian
access, beautify and softer the roadway and accent the bridge railing with historic
elements.
The El Camino Real Enhancements (Atascadero Creek Bridge to Morro Road) are
shown on Exhibit K and consist of:
1. Installation of two planted medians from the Atascadero Creek Bridge to Morro
Road with turn pockets servicing driveways. The Colony Square Project will
combine the Denny’s and Mid State Bank driveways into one driveway that will
line up with the project driveway and the median opening (see Exhibit K).
2. Crosswalk Installation at the Colony Square Driveway. The Colony Square
Project will install bulbouts on both sides of El Camino Real at the crosswalk.
This will provide traffic calming, better visibility of and for the pedestrian, and a
shorter distance across El Camino Real. A refuge area for pedestrians will be
provided in the median. This is the second potential location for a Downtown El
Camino Real Entry Arch per the Wayfinding Program (see Exhibit M). The arch
would be placed near the cross walk and lights in the Arch would light up the
crosswalk. The City has only enough funding for one Entry Arch in this budget.
3. Install bridge railing enhancements that are similar to the original bridge railing
(see Exhibits N.) This will incorporate lights mounted on the railing (see Exhibit
O.)
4. New medians on the bridge at Atascadero Creek (see Exhibit P). The Median
across the bridge will have raised design elements since the bridge structure
cannot be planted.
5. New street trees are proposed, with watering system, along El Camino Real from
Denny’s to Morro Road.
6. New street furniture and garbage cans will be located at strategic locations.
7. New Street Lights to replace existing cobra lights and to match the downtown
light standard.
8. New Wayfinding Signage will be located at strategic locations to assist visitors
and citizens to find local places.
9. Repave El Camino Real from East Mall to Morro Road.
El Camino Real Entry Arch:
The current 2007-2009 budget includes funding for wayfinding improvements, including
funding for an El Camino Real Entry Arch. A graphic detail of t he entry arch is included
as Exhibit L. Staff has proposed two locations for the entry arch to span El Camino
Real; the first location is at the Colony Square driveway and the second location is at
the south corner Rosaria Ave. Staff has evaluated each location and recommends that
the Arch be installed across El Camino Real at the Frontage of Colony Square and
Denny’s Restaurant.
The Colony Square location provides a number of advantages over the Rosario location
including, visibility from a distance up a nd down El Camino Real, the ability to light the
proposed cross walk from Denny’s to Colony Square, ample space for installation and
proximity to the original entry Arch. In anticipation of sign installation, the Colony
Square developer has agreed to install bulbouts on the Midstate Bank and Denny’s
driveways. Bike lanes will not be impacted because of bulbouts installation.
The cost of the El Camino Real Entry Arch improvements are estimated to be:
$250,000 to 300,000. The budget for all wayfinding improvements is $550,000.
Downtown Bus Stop Design Standard:
Staff enlisted the design services of Pierre Rademaker to develop a new downtown
standard bus stop. The Bus Stop has been reviewed and approved by staff and the
Main Street prior to presentation to the City Council. The final design contained in
Exhibit Q is a direct result of the public input we received. Staff desires to gain
approval for the proposed bus stop so it can be incorporated into the projects proposed
and future projects.
City Standard Trash Container:
Staff is recommending changing the City downtown standard trash container from the
current standard 18-gal trash can to a 48-gallon can. Both trash containers are shown
in Exhibit R. The new trash can offers several advantage including sturdiness, an all-
weather coating and a larger capacity which will reduce the number of times that the
trash cans will need to be emptied per week.
Conclusion: Staff desires to receive Council’s direction on the following items:
Streetscape Phase II Areas and Elements. Provide staff with direction on the
proposed conceptual design areas and elements. Based on this input s taff will
move forward with construction design and cost estimates. When the design is
complete, staff will present them to Council and look for direction on what to
construct based on cost and need.
El Camino Real Entry Arch (Arch.) Where should it be installed? Currently, there
is only enough money for one Arch. Staff recommends that the Arch be placed
on the proposed bulbouts at Colony Square and Denny’s. When future funding
is available, staff recommends that the second arch be installed on El Camino
Real at Rosario Ave.
Downtown Bus Stop Design Standard. Approve standard.
City Standard Trash Container. Approve standard.
The construction of the approved projects will begin this fall with the placement of
streetlight and conclude in the summer of 2008.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the Streetscape project is allocated from Redevelopment Agency funds,
Wayfinding funding, Transit and PG&E street light replacement funds. The City
General Fund will not be impacted by this project. The amount of funding to design and
construct all the projects exceeds the funding allocated to the projects per the two
tables below. Staff will develop more precise cost estimates, based on actual design
documents, after the City Council accepts the proposed projects and design elements.
We will then bring a report to council on the final design and costs. Based on this
information Council can decide which projects to build.
The following tables outline the estimated and funding mechanisms for the project:
TABLE 1
PROJECT ESTIMATED DESIGN AND CONSTRUTION COSTS
PROJECT EXPENDITURES
El Camino Real, Rosario to Traffic Way $1,000,000
El Camino Real, West Mall to Morro Road $750,000
Traffic Way, El Camino Real to Palma Ave $175,000
Entrada Ave, El Camino Real to Palma Ave $50,000
Pedestrian Tunnel $175,000
Sunken Gardens Improvements $75,000
Wayfinding $550,000
Street Lights $150,000
Construction Total $2,925,000
Design Services (8% of Construction) $234,200
Construction Support (10% of Construction) $292,500
Contingency (20% of Construction) $585,000
TOTAL PROJECT EXPENDITURES $4,036,700
TABLE 2
PROJECT FUNDING ALLOCATION
PROJECT FUNDING SOURCES
Downtown Streetscape, Phase II $2,806,200
Wayfinding $613,600
Street Lighting $103,600
TOTAL PROJECT FUNDING SOURCES $3,523,400.00
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A – Approved Streetscape Design Elements
Exhibit B – Downtown Revitalization Plan Vision
Exhibit C – Wayfinding Sign Examples
Exhibit D – Walking Tour Results
Exhibit E – Gateway Enhancements @ El Camino Real and Rosario
Exhibit F – El Camino Real Pedestrian Enhancements @ Virginia Plaza
Exhibit G – El Camino Real Enhancements @ Traffic Way
Exhibit H – Traffic Way @ Palma Enhancements
Exhibit I – Sunken Gardens Enhancements Along East Mall.
Exhibit J – Pedestrian Tunnel
Exhibit K – El Camino Real Enhancements (Atascadero Creek Bridge to Morro
Bay)
Exhibit L – Entry Arch
Exhibit M – Bulbout Locations – Mid-State Bank/Denny’s and Colony Square
Exhibit N – Original Bridge Railing
Exhibit O – Conceptual Bridge Railing
Exhibit P – Atascadero Creek Bridge Median
Exhibit Q – Conceptual Bus Stop Standard
Exhibit R – Proposed Trash Container