TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) relating to a grant awarded to the Department of Development Services for professional planning services to prepare a new development code for Long Beach Boulevard and related environmental documents. (Districts 1,6,7)
DISCUSSION
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) has awarded the City of Long Beach a Compass Blueprint Grant. The Compass Blueprint Grant Program provides planning services to local government jurisdictions. The goal of the program is to promote creative, forward-thinking, and sustainable development solutions that fit local needs and support shared regional values.
Under this grant program, the Department of Development Services will work with land use and environmental planning specialists, Cooper Cary, to prepare a specific plan and related environmental documents for Long Beach Boulevard between Anaheim Street and Wardlow Road (see Attachment for project area map). Specifically, this plan will facilitate Long Beach Boulevard's redevelopment into a transit-supported, mixed-use corridor by creating the regulatory framework required to achieve the desired new investment along the corridor; support increased walking, bicycling, and transit use as a viable alternative to automobile travel; and improve the economic conditions. The Long Beach Boulevard Specific Plan will supersede the Long Beach Boulevard Planned Development (PD-29) and require approval by the Planning Commission and adoption by the City Council.
The plan will be prepared in a manner that ensures that any new regulations or ordinances accurately reflect the needs and desires of local stakeholders, including residents, workers, and property owners. These efforts will include, but not be limited to: (1) the creation of a project steering committee, (2) charrette-based workshops to develop and test alternative land use scenarios, and (3) an outreach program designed to efficiently disseminate project-related information to all affected stakeholders.
City Council authorization is required to execute the contract and accept these planning services.
This matter was reviewed by Assistant City Attorney Michael Mais on September 23, 2011 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 3, 2011.
SUSTAINABILITY
The proposed initiative will involve the adoption of sustainable development policies and programs to encourage compact development and facilitate biking, walking and use of transit.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on October 18, 2011 to ensure the timely completion of the study by the winter of 2013.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total project costs are anticipated to be $465,000 over 15 months. The City will receive $220,000 in grant funding from the SCAG, with an estimated $245,000 match from the Development Services Fund (EF 337) in the Department of Development Services. SCAG will retain the grant funds and administer the contract with Cooper Cary. The City will reimburse SCAG for its share of the project. The match is included in the Fiscal Year 2012 budget for EF 337. There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund. The plan will facilitate investment on the Long Beach Boulevard corridor which will have a positive impact on local jobs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
AMY J.BODEK, AICP
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER