Placentia Cit Council
AGENDA REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2022
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION: SANTA FE AVENUE STREET CLOSURE FISCAL
IMPACT: NONE
SUMMARY:
On May 17, 2022, the Placentia City Council held a study session to discuss the potential for a permanent closure of the 100 block of Santa Fe Avenue. Staff's recommendation to the City Council was to keep the street closed and engage with the local community to discuss the benefits of a permanent street closure, and the kinds of amenities that should be included as well as additional policy issues the City Council would need to consider. The City Council's direction to Staff was to reopen the street to one-way traffic while still allowing space for outdoor dining uses.
Pursuant to Council direction, Staff reopened the street in mid-August.
At the September 6, 2022 City Council meeting, public comments related to the street reopening were received by Council and Staff was directed to agendize a discussion item regarding the street closure for the September 20, 2022 City Council meeting. Inasmuch as the City Council directed this item be included on the agenda for discussion, further policy direction on this subject is within the City Council's discretion.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report and direct Staff accordingly.
STRATEGIC PLAN STATEMENT:
There is no specific strategic planning goal or objective associated with this agenda item.
DISCUSSION:
On July 21, 2020, the City Council approved a temporary closure of the 100 block of Santa Fe Avenue in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of indoor dining throughout the State. The street closure was well-received by the community and Old Town Merchants with the merchants reporting record sales as a result of the street closure. In June 2021, the City Council unanimously approved an extension of the street closure through June 30, 2022.
3. b.
Sept 20, 2022
City Council Agenda
September 20, 2022
A community survey gauging the public's interest in the street closure was published on January 27, 2022 and was open to the entire community as well as Old Town merchants. A total of 304 community members responded to the survey. Eighty-nine percent (89%) of the community survey respondents supported making the street closure permanent with new public amenities. A total of twelve (12) Old Town property and/or business owners responded to the survey, eighty- three percent (83%) of whom supported making the closure permanent. The survey results are attached for reference (Attachment).
On May 17, 2022, the City Council conducted a study session to consider the potential for a permanent street closure on Santa Fe Avenue and the creation of a new public plaza space.
Staff's recommendation to the City Council was to keep the street closed and engage with Old Town businesses and property owners to discuss the potential benefits of a permanent street closure and configuration of the roadway into permanent open space in the form of a public plaza.
The City Council's direction to Staff was to reopen the street to one-way traffic allowing space on either side of the travel lane to accommodate outdoor dining. That effort was completed in mid- August for a total cost of $78,773.
At the September 6, 2022, City Council meeting, the City Council received public comments regarding the street reopening. As a result, the City Council directed staff to place a discussion item regarding the street reopening on the September 20th Council meeting agenda for further discussion. Inasmuch as the City Council directed this item to be placed on this agenda, further policy direction is at the discretion of the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
Prepared by:1111 Approved by:
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Luis Estevez
Deputy City Adminis .tor
Attachment:
Resident and Business Survey Results
�Uam� n R. Arrula --
City Administrator