Media District Specific Plan Update
City Council
1.10.23 Project Team
CITY OF BURBANK
Amanda Landry: Project Manager
Fred Ramirez: Asst. CDD Director
David Kim: Associate Planner
Joseph Pangilinan: Assistant Planner
WSP: Land Use & Transportation
ARELLANO ASSOCIATES: Outreach & Engagement
PERKINS + WILL: Urban Design
RINCON: Environmental Analysis
KOSMONT: Economic Market Analysis
Burbank Media District
What is the Media District?
• One of several distinct neighborhoods in Burbank
• A compact and highly-developed 0.85-square mile
district on the southwestern edge of the city
• Home to several media and entertainment
companies, as well as residential areas, a high school, a hospital, and several recreational areas
• Located in the heart of LA County, close to Burbank
Airport, Universal City, Hollywood, and Downtown LA
Who is the Media District?
• The Media District accounts for 9% of
Burbank’s total population.
• There is a higher median household
income and educational attainment
than the rest of the city
• More White, Black, and Asian
residents reside in the district than in
comparison with the rest of the city
Jobs- Housing Ratio in the Media District
Existing Business and Economy
• Numerous media and entertainment companies
including The Walt Disney Company, Warner
Bros. Entertainment, Cartoon Network,
Nickelodeon, and Burbank Studios
• Many neighborhood-serving businesses along
the District’s main commercial corridor including
numerous restaurants, fitness centers, and event
spaces
• New developments including the Olive Avenue
Hotel and surrounding mixed-use space increase
the appeal of the district for residents and
visitors
Anticipated Development in the MDSP Area
• Saint Joseph Medical Center is currently planning an
expansion to extend greater healthcare resourcesto
the community while increasing local employment
opportunities
• Several new and planned mixed-use developments will
increase housing supply, reducing traffic congestion
and adding commercial space for new businesses
• Outdated power sub-station being converted into open
space to increase public health opportunities
Mobility Options
• Accessible by freeway, surface streets,
and public transit
• Five bus routes running along Olive Ave,
Buena Vista St, Alameda Ave, Riverside
Ave, and North Hollywood Way
• Areas located north of Alameda Ave
feature pedestrian-friendly streets with
shorter blocks, smaller buildings, and
narrower streets lined with trees.
• Future BRT station(s)
Recreation and Natural Resources
Johnny Carson Park
• Open space and recreational activities for the
area including a playground, picnic tables, and
a small stage
Natural Resources
• Johnny Carson Park Creek and the LA River
Nearby Recreational Resources
• Buena Vista Park, Verdugo Park and Recreation
Center, Griffith Park, and a variety of
equestrian facilities
Johnny Carson Park
THE SPECIFIC PLAN
What is a Specific Plan?
A specific plan is a formal planning document that guides the future development of a focused geographic area within a city.
A specific plan typically contains:
Objective development standards that implement
the Goals/Policies/Actions of a city’s General Plan
and current vision for how the area should evolve.
More specific goals and policies to help decision-
makers recommend or approve new development
projects.
Context
Land Use &
Development
Standards
Mobility &
Streetscape
Design
Guidelines
Infrastructure
Implementation
Specific Plan Components
Why Update the Burbank Media District Specific Plan Now? The Burbank Media District Specific Plan is being updated by the City, in partnership with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), to develop and implement policies and programs to:
Remove barriers to
housing production
Streamline the
permitting process
Introduce design
standards for new
development
Why Update the Burbank Media District Specific Plan Now (Continued)? The updated Specific Plan will foster a stronger jobs/housing balance within a safe, beautiful, and thriving community that embraces future mobility investments.
The Specific Plan Update is an opportunity to institute Objective Development Standards that better represent the City’s development and neighborhood design goals.
Objective Development standards will ensure that the City’s vision and neighborhood compatibility are maintained even if developments are processed through state mandated streamlining programs, such as SB
35. THE SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE
September 2022
Initiation
October 2022
Discovery
November 2022
Update
January/February 2023
Adoption
Community Engagement Timeline
Workshop #1
Workshop #2
Workshop #3
Workshop #4
Briefing
#1
Briefing
#3
Briefing
#4
Neighborhood
Walkabout
Neighborhood
Walkabout
Round #1
Introduction to the Project
Public Workshop and Online Activities
Open House Stations
1. Introduction to the Specific Plan Update
2. Existing Assets & Amenities
3. Mobility
4. Recreation & Natural Resources
5. Business & Economy
6. Tech Station: Social Pinpoint Commenting Tool
7. City Questions
Public Input
Vision for the Media District related to the themes listed above Travel patterns
Consumer habits
Summary of Public Input
Community Character
Potential opportunities should aim to protect
and preserve the character of the existing
neighborhoods.
Concerned about the impact of changes to
neighboring R1 parcels, especially regarding
parking.
Mobility
Safety concerns such as speed of vehicles,
dangerous curb extensions, and bicycle and
pedestrian safety.
Need for access to transit.
Recreation and Natural Resources
Johnny Carson Park difficult to access for
District residents, lack of amenities
Business and Economy
the importance of bringing in and sustaining
small businesses in the area.
Round #2
Land Use and Placemaking
Round Two – Placemaking
Place Type 1 -- Commercial
Corridor Adjoining Low Density
Residential
Place Type 2 - Media District Core
Summary of Public Input
What specific locations or areas are most suitable for additional development? • Current parking lots that could be redeveloped as multifamily housing. • W Alameda from S Keystone St. to N Hollywood Way.
• The area between S California St and Bob Hope Dr. along the 134 freeway. • Triangle between Lima St, W Alameda Ave., and W Olive Ave. • We need height restrictions for commercial areas that are next to R1 and R2. • Development should be focused in the center of the Media District. • It's impacted, it seems like you can only go up.
Round #3
Multimodal Transportation
Existing Plans
Existing Conditions & Policy Recommendations
Bikeways
Bike Parking
Safety & Education
Implementation
Existing Conditions & Policy Recommendations
Pedestrians
Motorists
Equestrian
Bicyclists
Transit
Riverside
Parking Programs
What are the trade-offs between
development and existing parking
requirements and availability?
Is it possible to de-couple parking
considering several state laws
allow reductions?
Can we look at other strategies,
fees, etc.. to develop more public
parking?
Shared Parking Agreements
Use by multiple companies
Carpool users
Public parking + private
parking
What are current limitations
of this tool?
Summary of Transportation Related Public
Input
Major employers emphasized how
significant their shuttle programs are
to their employees
Need for traffic calming measures
Concerns about street parking for
small businesses
Bike access & parking with higher
visibility & better safety
Interest in encouraging an inviting
atmosphere that is pedestrian-
friendly, shaded, and provides
community gathering places
Consider how public transit may
benefit the area and reduce the
addition of parking lots
Need more housing near transit
Need for enforcement of traffic
violations
Better access to the studios- bikes,
pedestrians, etc.
Upcoming Engagement
Next Steps
Round Four of Public Outreach
Walking tour/Stakeholder Meeting/Public Workshop
Presentations to other Boards and Commissions
How to Provide Input
Visit www.BurbankMediaDistrictSP .com
Participate in the formal public hearings in early Summer 2023 Available Resources
Project Fact Sheet
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Technical Terms
Project webpage includes a translation widget
All materials available in Spanish and Armenian
Stay Connected
For more information, please contact:
Amanda Landry
Senior Planner
Community Development Department
[email protected]
(818) 238-5250
Media District Specific Plan Update
City Council
1.10.23