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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC.Village.PP.revisedCity Council Meeting Results of the Village Plan Community Outreach -Next Steps- May 18, 2016 Village Community Outreach Community Outreach Strategy •Village Plan website www.saratogavillageplan.org. •Godbe Research conducted resident poll on the Village January 7th thru 17th. •Peak Democracy on-line survey fueled by social media outreach conducted January 9th thru March 15th. •Grassroots effort at Library and Farmers Market in January thru early February. •Coordinated with Chamber in meeting with Village Business Owners on March 15th. •Met w/ Village Property Owners on April 5th. Village Community Outreach Survey Results A total of 951 residents were surveyed and 27 Village business and property owners were engaged. Godbe surveyed 655 residents. Peak Democracy, a self initiated on-line survey, totaled 296 responses. 16 Village Business Owners participated 11 Village Property Owners participated. Village Community Outreach Survey Comparisons Godbe Peak Democracy Why Residents v/Village Dine Dine Coffee/Bank Walking/Exercise Walking/Exercise Coffee Why Residents Don’t v/Village No Grocery Store Businesses not appealing Businesses not appealing No grocery store Shop near work Parking inconvenient Parking inconvenient Village Community Outreach Survey Comparisons Godbe Peak Democracy Motivators to visit more often Different/better retail More parking Less expensive rest.Less expensive restaurants & More retail more variety More parking Different/better shops (44% bookstore) Entertainment More retail shops Movie theater Village Community Outreach Survey Comparisons Godbe Peak Democracy Qualities of the Village valued most Small town charm Close to home Close to home Pedestrian friendly Pedestrian friendly Small town charm Historic character Historic character Preserve views Preserves views Village Community Outreach Survey Comparisons Godbe Peak Democracy Role of the Village in Community Place to dine Place to dine Gathering place Place to hangout/relax Place to meet Place to meet Place to hang out Place to gather Community events Place to shop Village Community Outreach Survey Comparisons Godbe Peak Democracy •Preferred Infrastructure Imp.More parking More parking Preserve historic character Preserve historic character Increase public plazas Improve traffic circulation Improve traffic circulation increase public plazas Village Plan Community Outreach Village Business & Property Owners •Vibrant/Active Street Presence Promote Outdoor seating More Public plazas Encourage mixed use •Strategic Partnership Concerted effort with City as a partner to promote Village Encourage a more energetic business climate Village Community Outreach Village Business &Property Owners •Parking More parking Better parking management/enforcement •Circulation Turn -around at end of BB Way •Vision for the Village Destination (restaurant and specialty retail) vs. Resident Serving (grocery store, bookstore, personal services) Village Community Outreach Village Business & Property Owners •Business Supportive Policy Policy statements that support an active downtown. Perception is that City is tentative about livelier restaurants. Village Community Outreach Staff Observations Implementation Plan vs. Policy Document Current Village Specific Plan is an Implementation Plan. Describes existing conditions Identifies changes to be made to the zoning code Identifies framework for the Village Design Guidelines Identifies desired public improvements. The Village Plan has been substantially completed. Village Community Outreach Staff Observations •Moving forward, the policy development from this process would be better served in the: General Plan; Village Design Guidelines; and Zoning Ordinance Village Community Outreach Planning Commission Recommendation •Determine Village Specific Plan has been completed and served its useful life. •Village policy regulating development and design should be incorporated into the: General Plan Village Design Guidelines Zoning Ordinance •Series of workshops on major topics to be conducted to help develop policy. •City look to improve marketing and promotion of the Village. •Consider expansion of the Village boundaries to include areas south and east of the current boundary. Village Community Outreach HPC Recommendation •Determine Village Specific Plan has been completed and served its useful life. •Village policy regulating development and design should be incorporated into the: General Plan Village Design Guidelines Zoning Ordinance •In cooperation w/Chamber, market Village for “Heritage Tourism” •Inventory all buildings fronting BB Way, and require HPC review for any changes to buildings fronting BBWay. Village Community Outreach Next Steps The Council could direct staff to return to the City Council with a work plan and schedule for bringing forth amendments to the General Plan, Village Design Guidelines and Zoning Ordinance. Village Community Outreach Background •On September 2, 2015, City Council approved a work plan for implementing a community outreach strategy seeking public input on views of the Village. •November 17, 2015, the PC/HPC hosted a kick-off meeting to review existing policy and hear initial views of the Village. •Community Outreach Strategy was implemented between January 7 and April 5. Village Community Outreach Survey Results Godbe Peak Democracy •Scientific Unscientific •Both phone and email Self initiated social media platform •Demographic representation Unrestricted •While the numbers were different, the priorities and desired changes were remarkably similar Village Community Outreach Staff Observations Major Areas to be Addressed: •Parking Can more public parking be added? Parking Management of existing parking •Circulation Turn -around at the end of BB Way Village Community Outreach Staff Observations •Village Scale, Volume and Density Current policy works Changes in this area aren’t necessary to accomplish community’s goals Policy that reinforces “small town charm” •Village Vision Clarify goals and objectives for the Village Destination (restaurant and specialty retail) vs. Resident Serving (grocery store, personal services •Opportunity Sites Use this opportunity to identify site specific policy for key properties such as the Saratoga Village Square property. Village Community Outreach Staff Observations •The physical scale and form of the Village works. Community likes “small town charm” Community likes historic character Community wants to preserve views Spends lots of time walking, hanging out, gathering, meeting. •Changes expressed by the community are land use based. More vibrant business mix More street activity such as outdoor dining and use of public plazas. Broader choice of retail and restaurants Better parking and circulation Village Plan Community Outreach Survey Results It is important to maintain the current look and feel of the Village Godbe Peak Democracy Strongly or Somewhat Agree 65%56% Strongly or Somewhat disagree 30%44% Not Sure 5%---