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Placentia Cit Council
AGENDA REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE MAY 17, 2022
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION: SANTA FE AVENUE STREET CLOSURE There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on local businesses the City Council previously adopted proclamations allowing for outdoor dining on private property as well as temporarily closing the 100 Block of Santa Fe Avenue in August 2020 to vehicular traffic creating new outdoor dining and public plaza space for the community. The temporary street closure is currently in effect through June 30, 2022. Pursuant to prior City Council direction, Staff has analyzed the temporary closure's impact on traffic circulation and parking and has shared those findings with the community in a recent public workshop.
The City Council also directed staff to return within 12 months with additional analysis and recommendations for a potential permanent street closure. The street closure and outdoor dining experience was initially very popular and well-received by the community. Old Town Merchants have attributed record sales to the outdoor dining options and the street closure. The City has surveyed residents and Old Town businesses regarding the street closure, the vast majority of which strongly support the street closure concept and have provided additional input on how to improve the experience and expand available amenities. To that end, Staff engaged the original landscape architect who created the City's adopted Old Town Streetscape Master Plan to develop conceptual plans for City Council consideration. The permanent street closure concept focuses more on creating new public open spaces that create a sense of place while helping drive additional foot traffic into Old Town and blends seamlessly with the surrounding planned streetscape improvements. Outdoor dining for those businesses who wish to participate is also built into the permanent street closure concepts but on a smaller scale and more of an ancillary amenity. The recommended actions include providing Staff and the design team input on the conceptual street closure plans and continued community engagement to gather additional input before the City Council formally decides whether it would like to make the closure permanent.
Alternatively, the City Council could also extend the temporary closure as -is with no changes or direct Staff to reopen the street by July 1, 2022, with no changes to the adopted Old Town Placentia Streetscape Master Plan.
3.a.
May 17, 2022
City Council Agenda
May 17, 2022
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council do the following:
1. Receive and file the presentation and provide Staff with input on the conceptual plans as presented; and
2. Direct Staff to conduct two (2) public workshops with the community in Old Town to gather additional input regarding a permanent street closure and the conceptual plans; and
3. Direct Staff to return to the City Council with the additional community input and refined conceptual plans and policy considerations and analysis for its consideration.
DISCUSSION:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on local businesses the City Council previously adopted proclamations allowing for outdoor dining on private property as well as temporarily closing the 100 Block of Santa Fe Avenue in August 2020 to vehicular traffic thereby creating new outdoor dining and public plaza space for the community. The temporary street closure is currently in effect through June 30, 2022, and the closure has afforded Staff the opportunity to study the impacts of the street closure on parking and traffic circulation and to gauge the community's overall enthusiasm and support for a potential permanent closure. Pursuant to City Council direction, Staff analyzed the temporary closure's impact on traffic circulation and parking and shared those findings with the community in a recent public workshop.
The City Council directed staff to return with additional analysis and recommendations for a potential permanent street closure. The street closure and outdoor dining experience was initially very popular and well-received by the community. Old Town Merchants have attributed record sales to the outdoor dining options and the street closure. The following tables provide the net sale tax revenue received by the City for taxable sales generated in Old Town Placentia, before and during the pandemic. The data was provided by HdL and substantiates the record sales reported by the Old Town Merchants. The year over year boost in sales tax revenue collected from 2020 to 2021 amounted to a 32% increase.
Taxable Sales
Q1 2019 Q2 2019 Q3 2019 Q4 2019 Total
$18,942 $19,817 $20,722 $19,578 $79,059
Q1 2020 Q2 2020
$18,785 $12,267
Q1 2021
$18,573
Q2 2021
$25,065
Q3 2020 Q4 2020 Total
$17,473 $20,075 $68,600
Q3 2021 Q4 2021 Total
$24,534 $22,113 $90,285
Despite the initial popularity of the outdoor dining experience, foot traffic is down within the street closure area. The Merchants have also reported that continuing to serve tables located in the
City Council Agenda
May 17, 2022
street and further away from the building is becoming more difficult logistically due to ongoing staffing challenges outside of holidays or special events. As the novelty of the street closure has worn off, Staff has had to reexamine the long-term viability of the street closure absent other public amenities and uses that could be utilized within the street closure area. As such, the focus of a permanent street closure has examined the feasibility of establishing a new open public plaza within the closure.
The City surveyed residents and Old Town businesses regarding the street closure the vast majority of which strongly support the street closure concept and provided helpful input on how to improve the experience and expand available amenities. To that end, Staff engaged the original landscape architect whom created the City's adopted Old Town Streetscape Master Plan to develop conceptual plans for Council consideration which illustrate the possibilities of converting this segment of Santa Fe Avenue into a permanent open public plaza space.
The permanent street closure concept focuses more on creating new public open space designed to create a sense of place as well as a destination to drive additional foot traffic into Old Town and blend seamlessly with the surrounding planned streetscape improvements. The proposed plaza space will contain various amenities such as benches, picnic tables shade trees and green space for the public's use and would be designed and constructed to facilitate special events, provide pop-up vendor space, as well as provide space for outdoor performances. Outdoor dining for those businesses whom wish to participate is also built into the permanent street closure concepts but on a smaller scale and more of an ancillary amenity that would require separate permitting, design, and operational standards. The survey results and summary are attached this report for reference (Attachment 1) and summarized in the attached presentation (Attachment 2).
Policy Considerations
A permanent street closure and the creation of a new public plaza will require additional policy considerations beyond the cost and effort to physically close the street and construct the proposed improvements. The City Council will need to consider the following:
• Develop sidewalk dining regulations, design standards, application/permit process and potential fees
• Leasing space on public property to private vendors
• Utilizing staffing resources to schedule and manage outdoor events and entertainment o Cost/budget implications of new programming
• Cost to maintain new plaza space and amenities
o Examine a Business Improvement District or a new Old Town Community Facilities District
• Design standards and public amenities to include in a permanent closure • Capital costs to construct improvements
o Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District and external grant funding.
Should the City Council elect to continue studying the merits of a permanent street closure, Staff will analyze the above-mentioned policy impacts for additional discussion and recommendations for the City Council.
City Council Agenda
May 17, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
Prepared by: Approved by:
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Luis Estevez
Deputy City Administrator
Attachments:
1. Resident and Business Survey
2. Presentation
Damien R. Arrula
City Administrator