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Placentia Cit Council
AGENDA REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES & INFRASTRUCTURE MARCH 19, 2024
SUBJECT: STREETSCAPE DESIGN OPTIONS FOR THE 100 BLOCK OF SANTA FE AVENUE
FISCAL
IMPACT: There is no specific fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
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 and its conversion into a public plaza space. 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, the City reopened the street in August 2022.
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. At this meeting the City Council directed Staff to remove the k -rail barriers from the street, reintroduce on -street parking and pursue the construction of new outdoor dining platforms, which was subsequently completed.
The Old Town Streetscape Improvement Project is being funded by the City/County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District and is currently in the final engineering phase. Based upon the current project cost estimate it appears that the cost to permanently close the 100 block of Santa Fe and construct a permanent plaza space will exceed available project funding. Staff has applied for several grants and federal earmarks to cover the cost of a permanent plaza space however has been unsuccessful in securing additional funding. In addition, the City has received positive feedback during the last year with the current configuration. This temporary design option has functioned well within the Old Town and allowed patrons to experience outdoor dining while also allowing one-way traffic to progress along Santa Fe Avenue.
Accordingly, Staff is now recommending that the City pursue the original design intent of the 100 block of Santa Fe as illustrated in the City Council -adopted Old Town Streetscape Master Plan.
The adopted plan includes amenities that will allow the City to temporarily close the street to traffic for special events and the City could still pursue a permanent closure and public plaza space in the future should funding become available and the desire to pursue that option exists.
3.a.
March 19, 2024
City Council Agenda
March 19, 2024
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report and proceed with designing and constructing the streetscape improvements for the 100 block of Santa Fe Avenue as designed in the adopted streetscape master plan.
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 because of the street closure. In June 2021, the City Council unanimously approved an extension of the street closure through June 30, 2022.
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. 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 2022.
At the September 20, 2022 City Council meeting, the Council directed staff to remove the k -rails from the street, reintroduce on -street parking and to construct outdoor dining platforms for the merchants to use that was subsequently completed. The Old Town Streetscape Improvement Project is being funded by the City/County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District and is currently in the final engineering phase. Based upon the current project cost estimate it appears that the cost to permanently close the 100 block of Santa Fe and construct a permanent plaza space will exceed available project funding. Staff have applied for several grants and Federal Earmarks to cover the cost of a permanent plaza space however has been unsuccessful in securing additional funding.
Accordingly, Staff is now recommending that the City pursue the original design intent of the 100 block of Santa Fe as illustrated in the City Council -adopted Old Town Streetscape Master Plan.
The adopted plan includes amenities that will allow the City to temporarily close the street to traffic for special events and the City could still pursue a permanent closure and public plaza space in the future should funding become available and the desire to pursue that option exists.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
City Council Agenda
March 19, 2024
Prepared by:
(Ais f s{t v)
Luis Estevez
Deputy City Administrator
Approved by:
Damien Arrula
City Administrator
Attachment:
Presentation
Approved by:
Jeannette'Ortega
Deputy -Director of Administrative Services