HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCDC Minutes 06/09/19753
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
OF THE
CITY OF PETALUMA
Minutes of Monday, June 9, 1975
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Helen Putnam at
the hour of 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Petaluma
City Hall, Post and English Streets, Petaluma, California.
ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Cavanagh, *Daly, Harberson, Mattei,
**Perry, and Chairman Putnam.
Absent: Commissioner Brunner.
*Commissioner Daly arrived at 7:05 p.m.
**Commissioner Perry arrived at 7:15 p.m.
INTRODUCTION Mr. James B. Williams, Chairman of the Downtown Association
of Petaluma spoke to the members of the Redevelopment Agency
briefly thanking them for the opportunity to present the
plan which had been devised through the efforts of the Downtown Association in
cooperation with Larry Martin. Mr. Williams stated they had presented the
plan to various people in the downtown area. They know there are still many
questions to be answered; however, the plan seemed to have received favorable
comment wherever presented. Mr. Williams further stated, as an appointed
committee, they would be willing to cooperate with the Redevelopment Agency in
any way possible and asked the Agency to call on them when needed. Copy of
the letter from Mr. Williams to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Petaluma
is on file with the Recording Secretary.
DOWNTOWN Mr. Larry Martin, Downtown Planning Coordinator, hired by
REVITALIZATION the Downtown Association of Petaluma, presented an extensive
PLAN plan to the Redevelopment Agency indicating the approximate
project area, the preliminary redevelopment plan, the primary
acquisition area, and the primary rehabilitation area. The
approximate project area is numbered one through eight and "A" through "G".
The first alternate suggested by the group would be the purchase and clearance
of Block #2 to construct 150 parking spaces. This area is located between "B11
Street and Western Avenue abutting the River. The estimated effective development
cost would be $573,000. Alternate #2 would be the purchase and acquisition of
Blocks #1 and #2 to construct 280 parking spaces. This would be the area
between Washington Street and "B" Street along the River and the estimated
effective development cost would be $1,474,000. Alternate X63 would be to
purchase and clear Blocks #1 through #8 to construct 280 parking spaces. It
would be the Downtown Association's intent to sell 34,000 square feet in Block
#1 for redevelopment and to sell 350,000 square feet in Block_ #3 through #8
for redevelopment. The estimated effective development cost for this project
would be $2,396,000, including the deduction for the sale of land. The report
also includes cash flow estimates for the three alternatives. The complete
Redevelopment Agency Minutes
June 9, 1975
DOWNTOWN
REVITALIZATION
PLAN
(Continued)
report with graphics and letter, dated June 6, 1975, to the
Redevelopment Agency Executive Director Robert H. Meyer from
Mr. Martin is on file with the Recording Secretary.
In prefacing his review of the report, Mr. Martin stated
there were two reasons for the City of Petaluma to become
involved in redevelopment. One is the problem of affecting the health of the
downtown area which affects the vitality of the City. The second reason, and
just as important, is to deal with growth. Mr. Martin said he was amazed to
learn the population projection shows the market area will almost double in
size in the next ten years. Mr. Martin stated as the population grows, there
will be compelling pressure for industrial and commercial development in the
area and the City will find itself in the position of wanting and needing this
commercial and industrial growth to provide the public revenues to service
people. The trend in recent years, Mr. Martin stated, has been for commercial
and industrial growth to "happen" along freeways and major arterial streets
which results in commercial sprawl along automobile routes. He further indicated
he felt the Redevelopment Agency would find redevelopment a very positive tool
or method of handling the growth and channeling it where and when the City
wants growth to take place. He further stated the plan which has been prepared
was done so with the idea of accommodating the above reasons for redevelopment,
but it also added a requirement that whatever was proposed could be afforded
by the community.
Mr. Martin reviewed some elements of the Rimov Plan which had been prepared in
1968. He indicated there were many elements of the plan which were very good
and outlined, four elements of the plan to open the River in the downtown area
for the public by removing structures along the riverfront; the second was to
turn Kentucky Street into a pedestrian mall, to indicate the area near "D"
Street for redevelopment and, to encourage housing in and around the downtown
area. Mr. Martin stated the probable reason for the failure for the plan to
be implemented was the extreme cost. It was not prepared in such'a manner
that it could be done in small sections at a time. The plan proposed by the
Downtown Association of Petaluma could be done in increments as they could be
afforded.
Mr. Martin advised the Redevelopment Agency it would be necessary for the
Agency to work with the Planning Commission to designate a survey area, which
is part of the Redevelopment Law. The survey area shown in the proposal is
bounded by Payran Street, takes in McNear Island, goes west of Petaluma
Boulevard, past the City Hall, and back up to Petaluma Boulevard on the north.
It would incorporate much of the old industrial and commercial areas of the
City. He suggested the survey area would probably contain most of the portions
of the City in which redevelopment would be necessary. From the complete
survey area, a portion would be designated as an area for study and Mr. Martin
said since the meeting this evening is concerned primarily with downtown
revitalization, he would contain his remarks to those areas. He continued his
presentation by use of the viewfoil designating the various areas as described
above and how they could be done in blocks or increments. The downtown
revitalization area is bounded by Washington Street, Howard Street,, Sixth
Street, "D" Street, Lakeville Street, and would include the properties on both
sides of the streets. Mr. Martin stressed one of the most important steps the
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Redevelopment Agency Minutes
June 9, 1975
DOWNTOWN Redevelopment Agency would need to undertake would be to
REVITALIZATION designate the project area because this would be the area
PLAN where the Agency would be actually spending money buying
(Continued) property and freeze the tax base and collect the tax in-
crement revenues. The survey includes the commercial
properties in the downtown core area, but does not include
some of the older industrial areas. Mr. Martin explained the.plan is not a
detailed architectural plan, but more of a land use plan. He further stated,
from a logical standpoint, if anything were to be done with the River it must
be dealt with on both banks. Aesthetic values have to be considered if you
are going to build on one side of the River, the opposite bank should also be
redeveloped. Mr. Martin further stated the bridge system creates a good loop -
system to service both sides of the River with a good circulation pattern.
Mr. Martin stated the plan provides for parking where the greatest need is
projected. He referred to the Faustman Plan prepared several years ago which
recommended parking along Petaluma Boulevard to service the downtown core area
and the proposed plan calls for parking along the eastern side of Petaluma
Boulevard for approximately 250-300 cars. Mr. Martin stated by providing some
upgrading of the Water Street parking lot and the railroad trestle along the
bridge and by doing some landscaping and decorating, the riverfront could be
made a more attractive portion of the downtown core area. He further stated
from this standpoint, the proposed pedestrian bridge could be built across the
river to tie in with the Golden Concourse to connect the Golden Eagle Center
on the opposite side of the River.
Kentucky Street could be developed into a semi -mall which is basically an
upgraded pedestrian environment without closing the area off to traffic or
removing parking. Mr. Martin stressed the fact that the historical buildings
in the downtown area would be preserved. Some of the vacant lots in the area
could have new structures built and some of the older buildings could be
upgraded. He also stated it would be possible to double deck the Keller
Street parking lot to provide for more parking; however, he did not attach
first priority to this project. He further stated the area between "D" Street
and "B" Street on Petaluma Boulevard. near the River is underutilized for a
downtown area and contains primarily warehouses. This land could be very
valuable for accommodating commercial growth.
Mr. Martin then addressed his remarks to the income which could be used to
support some redevelopment'in the downtown area. First, he spoke of the
parking meters which presently charge five cents an hour --there would be some
funds available from Assembly Bill 103 funds; the parking lots could generate
some revenues; and, the fourth source of income could be a subsidy or a
special tax assessment. Mr. Martin further stated he was aware of the fact
that when the parking meter bonds are paid off, there has been some pressure
to remove the parking meters from the downtown areas. Mr. Martin stated in
surveying various cities where parking meters have been removed some have
found it to be beneficial, but others are giving consideration to reinstalling
parking meters because the parking situation has become such a problem. In
addition, Mr. Martin stated the revenues for the parking lot were anticipated
on a validated system whereby the downtown merchants would validate parking
tickets in order to provide parking for their customers. The anticipated cost
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Redevelopment Agency Minutes
June 9, 1975
DOWNTOWN
REVITALIZATION
PLAN
(Continued)
for parking in the lots would be 15 cents per hour, which is
a figure the City of Santa Rosa is presently using. Mr.
Martin reviewed all the cash flow estimates for alternates
#1, #2, and #3 stating he did not feel the Redevelopment
Agency would want to consider alternate #3 unless they were
able to contact a developer who was willing to take over the
project construction and financing.
Mr. Martin explained that alternate X61 would provide some incentive for redevelop-
ment of the downtown area and would clearly show some progess being made on
redevelopment and would be the least expensive of any of the alternatives.
Alternative #2 would include Blocks #1 and #2 and would open up the riverfront
for approximately 1,000 feet and create an excellent visual tie-in with both
sides of the River. It would also provide more parking for some of the more
important parts of the downtown area. In addition to providing the pedestrian
bridge across the River and a boardwalk along the River, it would create a
much more beneficial impact on the downtown area. Mr. Martin suggested that
the Redevelopment Agency may not want to consider alternate #3 unless they had
a developer or a large enterprise strongly committed to purchasing the land as
soon as the Redevelopment Agency had it ready to sell. Alternate #3, of
course, would have the ultimate impact on the downtown area. Mr. Martin then
reviewed the preliminary estimate of the tax increment revenues stating they
had based their revenues conservatively on what they felt could be generated
in the downtown area. He further stated the Committee prepared the report as
an attempt to satisfy their Association that meaningful revitalization could
be accomplished within the limits of the financial resources of the community
and was presented to the Redevelopment Agency as a means of future study and
exploration as the Agency gets more involved in redevelopment and revitalization
of the downtown area.
At the conclusion of Mr. Martin's presentation, Commissioner Cavanagh questioned
Mr. Martin whether or not the Downtown Association of Petaluma had made any
preliminary contacts with the State Lands Commission for carrying out any of
the projects along the River. He advised Mr. Martin the time -frame for working
with the State Lands Commission appears to be quite lengthy and if any development
were to be done along the River, especially parking out over the River such as
the Water Street parking lot, the State Lands Commission would become involved.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Redevelop-
ment Agency, the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
ATTEST:
Recordin Secretary
Chairman