Item 11-A
Planning Commission Meeting:
September 7, 2005
TO: Planning
Commission
FROM: City
Staff
SUBJECT: Opportunities and Challenges Report for the
Land Use and Circulation Elements Project (Discussion Item 11-A)
INTRODUCTION
The Opportunities and Challenges Report was released
for public review on July 29, 2005; it is the second milestone work product
since the project was initiated last year and provides the direction for future
land use and circulation analysis. Information in the report is presented in
four chapters. The first chapter includes several overarching policy questions
that build on initial public outreach, the existing environment, and
anticipated trends, both locally and regionally. The broad concepts identified
in the Emerging Themes Report (April 2005) have been translated into policy
questions that highlight the themes’ significance and the tradeoffs that may be
required to accomplish the themes. The analysis also frames the potential
impacts these tradeoffs may have on future policy decisions. The questions focus broadly on regional influences;
neighborhood conservation; economic vitality; transit and land use linkages;
and, urban design. Woven throughout the questions and documented in the report
are longstanding policy issues related to housing affordability,
sustainability, active living, preservation and other City priorities. Recognizing
that some areas of the City may warrant further study because of pressures to
change or remain the same, or because of other unique land use and circulation
opportunities, Focus Areas are identified for more in-depth planning and
transportation analysis.
Chapter 2 analyzes existing conditions and trends in
the context of the Emerging Themes to identify opportunities and challenges
that advance the initial outreach effort. Information from this and the
following chapters were used to support the policy discussion at the beginning
of the report. Chapters 3 and 4, respectively, provide the context for the
analysis with detailed information on the City’s existing environment, or
conditions, and anticipated trends.
DISCUSSION
The Opportunities and Challenges Report was
previously transmitted to the Planning Commission. Since its release the report
has been available at City Hall, the main and branch libraries and posted on
the project website. The report was provided to all who requested a copy,
including the Landmarks Commission, Architectural Review Board and Housing
Commission. The report is also available on compact disc, which was distributed
at an informal open house held at the
The Architectural Review Board and Landmarks
Commission have been discussing the overall project. Comments from the Board
and Commission are also included with this report as Attachment B and C, and
will be forwarded on to the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
The City Council is scheduled to discuss this
Opportunities and Challenges report on September 27, 2005. It is anticipated
that the Council will direct staff to proceed with the preparation of
alternatives plans and trade-off analysis, consistent with the findings in the
report, broad policy questions and focus areas – as possible modification. To
that end, staff seeks the Planning Commission’s comments on the report and direction
as to whether the policy questions and focus areas, which form the framework
for the next project phase, are on track or if and how they should be modified.
The Planning Commission’s comments will be forwarded to the City Council.
Prepared by:
Lucy
Dyke, Transportation Planning Manager
Jonathan
Lait, AICP, Principal Planner
Beth
Rolandson, Senior Transportation Planner
Michelle
Glickert, Transportation Planning Associate
Betsy
Kollgaard, Administrative Analyst
Planning
and Community Development Department
Attachments:
A.
Open House Correspondence (August 16, 2005)
B.
Architectural Review Board Memo
C.
Recommendations of the Landmarks Commission
D.
Other Correspondence: Santa
Monica Conservancy (August 29, 2005)