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CC - Approval of the Washington/National Transit Oriented Development District Streetscape Plan
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Contact Person/Dept: Sol Blumenfeld/Community Development
Phone Number: 310-253-5770
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (02/11/16 and 02/18/16); (Publication) Culver City News (02/11/16); (E-Mail) Neighborhoods - Eastern Washington Boulevard; (E-Mail) Timely Topics - Washington/National Transit Oriented Development Project (02/11/16)
Department Approval: Sol Blumenfeld, Director of Community Development
(02/17/16)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Washington National Transit Oriented Development District Streetscape Plan.
BACKGROUND
In March 2014, the City Council approved an agreement with AHBE Landscape Architects for the development of the Washington National Transit Oriented Development Streetscape Plan (Plan) for the Washington National Transit Oriented Development District (District). The purpose of the Plan is to guide the implementation of proposed streetscape improvements that encourage walkability, complement current and future transit oriented development (TOD) projects and support multi-mobility throughout the District. Staff has met with the District Stakeholders who have provided input and indicated their support for the Plan.
In March 2015, the City Council considered the draft Plan and recommended placing greater emphasis on bike connectivity and changes to the District identity graphics. (Please see Attachment 1).
DISCUSSION
The Plan provides a comprehensive design for the selection, type and location of street trees, street furniture, special crosswalk paving, ground planting, Low Impact Design (LID) and a graphic identity program to highlight the unique character of the District and support its multi-mobility objectives. (Attachment 3). The Plan includes canopy shade trees planted at approximately 30 foot intervals, consistent with the Urban Forestry Plan, in-ground planters to soften the street edge and capture storm water and use of LID features such as permeable pavers, concrete filtration planters, bioswale buffers and structural soil systems (Deeproot Silva Cells) consistent with the City’s storm water regulations.
The Plan also requires the use of uniform street furnishings (benches, trash/recycling receptacles, bike racks) as well as special paving that features a linear running bond pattern around tree wells and crosswalks to distinguish the District.
Moving forward, all newly entitled TOD projects will conform to the approved Plan and will incorporate Plan elements for offsite improvements. The City will implement District-wide improvements such as the special paved crosswalks and graphic identity programs using former Culver City Redevelopment Agency tax exempt bond proceeds.
Enhanced Elements of the Plan
Per City Council direction, further refinements have been included in the Plan.
1. Support Multi-mobility and Bike Connectivity
Highlight all the forms of mobility within the District and specifically bike connectivity. The Plan graphics now more clearly reflect bike improvements in the right-of-way which are required by the current TOD projects and consistent with the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) approved by the City Council in 2010. These improvements include the widening of Wesley Street to provide ample bike route widths, new dedicated bike lanes on National Boulevard, between Washington and Venice Boulevards (a result of a 10’ foot dedication on National Boulevard from the Ivy Station Project) and dedicated bike lanes on Washington Boulevard abutting the Platform, Access, and Ivy Station projects.
The Plan graphics include proposed “bike boxes” located at the Washington and National Boulevard intersection to assist bikers in navigating turning intersection movements. The bike boxes will be installed as part of the Ivy Station Project. Pursuant to the BPMP, “Sharrows” are also indicated on designated bike routes, and graphic wayfinding signage has been updated to assist in providing direction to bike path connectors and Metro’s bike hub and bus connections.
2. Branding and Graphic Identity
A graphic identity program and area way finding signage are included in order to promote and identify the District as a vibrant mixed-used development neighborhood served by mass transit. The District stakeholders recommended calling the District “The Hub”, which suggests a central point of connectivity and multi-mobility within the City. Way finding signage, directories, banners, and other elements of the graphic identify program incorporate Culver City “green” but include the Expo Line “aqua” to reflect the fusion of multi-modes of transportation. The graphics also feature an ombre of colors, punctuated dot matrixes and brushed aluminum/metal materials.
The Culver City logo is incorporated on all graphic elements to further reinforce the City’s brand. Bus, bike, train and pedestrian icons are prominent features in order to reinforce and encourage alternate forms of transportation. Graphic elements will be incorporated in District markers, street banners, utility box wraps, and directories positioned throughout the District.
3. Potential Gateway Treatment
The Plan recommends the use of special lighting to illuminate the train platform with color, logo, or “gobos” (projected shapes/patterns) to provide visual interest and serve as a gateway/welcome to the District. Implementation of these lighting elements would require approval by Metro and would be funded as a common area improvement by the City.
In addition, staff is exploring the use of a “collaborative art feature” with Lowe Enterprise Real Estate Group and VCN (both developers in the District) for the creation of a collaborate art piece to address the Art in Public Places requirement for these projects and potential use of the Cultural Trust Fund to enhance adjacent City property. The art is proposed to be located at the intersection of Washington and National Boulevards.
CONCLUSION
The Plan provides a comprehensive guide for future streetscape improvements in the District to encourage walkability, complement current and future TOD developments and will promote the District as a unique neighborhood served by mass transit.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The City has allocated approximately $461,000 of pre-2011 bond funds to implement “common area” streetscape improvements throughout the District. Given current construction bids on similar work, it is estimated that these funds will allow for the construction of the seven paved crosswalks as well as the graphic street banner program. Funding for the District markers and way-finding elements, estimated at approximately $169,000, not including maintenance, may be possible if the construction bid for the crosswalks is lower than expected. An additional funding source (grant or other) will need to be identified and/or an assessment district or BID will need to be formed to fund the balance of the graphic identity program, the platform lighting treatment, as well as on-going maintenance of these elements in the District. A breakdown of Plan elements and funding entities/mechanism is include in Attachment 4.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Attachment 1 -Washington National Streetscape Plan Report - March 23, 2015
2. Attachment 2 - Washington National Streetscape Plan - Updated
(Attachment 2 can be found in six separate files at
<http://www.culvercity.org/city-hall/city-government/city-departments/community-development>
please scroll down to the bottom of the webpage)
3. Attachment 3 - Current/Anticipated TOD Projects
4. Attachment 4 - Funding of Plan Elements
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
Approve the Washington National Transit Oriented Development District Streetscape Plan.