Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/26/2005 - STAFF REPORTS • TO: David Ready FROM: Lee Husfeldt DATE,: Jan. 21, 2005 RE: Edited version of written comments, flip-chart notes and e-mails following the community visioning and priorities session held Oct. 27" and issues listed at the July 8'workshop DOWNTOWN"TOWN • Physical unification between the Desert Museum and Convention Center and Palm Canyon/Indian Canyon drives • Support mixed used development projecrts (retail and residential) • Limit downtown building heights to preserve the view •Make the downtown a cultural center • Fill empty stores, improve building facades, develop empty lots •Develop a specific plan • Improve retail opportunities •Redevelop the Desert Fashion Plaza TOURISM • Develop an ongoing series of community events that bring segments of the community together for a shared experience •Build on the prior success of VillageFest by upgrading it with a greater variety and high-end vendors •Attract"higher image"and less intrusive events •Promote Palm Springs as a year-round destination •Explain the importance of tourism; educate the community,how they are involved • Take a comprehensive look, examination of tourism • Create the brand message •Market our assets—tram,temperature at the tram, casino, attractions •CVA,Bureau of Tourism •Eco-tourism GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT •Balanced • Protect the mountains and foothills • Enforce specific design policies that come from a true visionary plan for the city •Limit building heights • Smart growth with an emphasis on maintaining the charm of the city, protecting the mountain vistas, night skies • Development should move faster •Reality of infill,hillside,tribal land, limited developable land ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT • Expansion of job opportunities beyond the tourism/service industry • 4- • Go after companies and businesses that really appreciate the Palm Springs lifestyle • Promote interesting,individually owned businesses to avoid the generic franchise look • Top-end stores/food. •More local retail • Shopping—assist the Palm Springs Mall in offering a Wider selection • Shopping centers at Vista Chino and Palm Canyon could be turned into office and professional uses and perhaps,include some live-work lofts • Bring in the kind of businesses that will bring in tax revenue • Fill the empty stores on Palm Canyon and Racquet Club • Gene Autry entry —continue to fill in with light industrial • Higher education—design/art TRANSPORTATION •1-10 interchange,rail transportation, connection to Metro Link • Keep passengers who land at Palm Springs International Airport in this city • Wider range of year-round direct flights from major and minor U.S. cities •People moving, inter-city transportation,citywide loop • Parking areas and transportation to destinations • Make it easy to get around town,an easy to use bus system that is a tourist attraction itself • Make the city more bicycle friendly • Address traffic congestion. Concerned about air quality • Examine sense of arrival from all locales ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY •Preserve, enhance and promote unparalleled natural beauty •Preservation of open space and mountain views • Highway l I 1 entrance from I-10 should remain an open desert corridor • Protect night skies -Keep mountains pristine from development •Require new developments to make use of drought-tolerant landscaping •Maximize our unique location to gain best branding • Establishment of a commission to see how we can efficiently and inexpensively bury power lines • Solar power •Air quality • Water HOUSING • Wide range of housing opportunities to accommodate a divers community of varied interests and socio-economic levels • Encourage development of apartment buildings/complexes that set aside a certain percentage of units for low income families and individuals,rather than entire projects of low-income units • Adopt a modified rent-control program -2- • •No more gated communities •No more reduced lot sizes,maintain existing grid development, encourage cul-de-sacs within these grids • Additional multi-family housing and affordable apartments needed • Be concerned about density COMMUNICATION CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT NEIGHBORHOODS • Improve communication, especially to those most affected by proposed developments • Hold quarterly Town Hall meetings with topics defined in advance • Require developers to notify homeowners in the surrounding area,up to t mile away. • Create an electronic community using the city's web site. •Value livability and the character of the neighborhoods as important as tourism • Make it a priority to serve today's year-round residents •Do not allow the opinions of neighborhood organizations to overshadow the individual residents •Make it friendly to middle-class families • Greater outreach to the everyday citizen through regular surveys and/or neighborhood visits to better assess the views of all residents • Recognize communities for uniqueness,history • Develop a volunteer core BUDGET ISSUES • Take a comprehensive look at the budget from a zero balance • Look at consolidation of services,health plans,privatization, employee benefits, revenue generation,tourism, quality of life • A fiscally sound local government which residents will respect in terms of its management practices. Greater use of citizens and employees in helping strategize creative solutions to the city's current financial situation SENIOR(OLDER) CITIZENS •Address affordable housing • Transportation, ADA tram, access to medical services • Quality of life • Public safety •Frailty issues, senior falls • Maintaining independent living • Elder crimes •Multi-generational living—experiences SAFETY • Crime/drugs • Lighting • Evaluate speed limits • JPAs between Palm Springs and other cities for police/fire • Add officers downtown, don't cut police budget -3- APP1 ARANCE OF THE CITY • Community cleanup of medians, empty lots,downtown • Trim palm tree skirts • Better code enforcement of political signs • More modern art/sculpture • Beautification of main streets HOMELESSNESS • Solve the issue of homeless and transients • Discourage Father Joe's proposal • Find a way to pay to stay(community service) TRIBE • Relationship,partnerships,joint ventures • Opportunity to educate the public • Opportunity to celebrate diversity • Historical perspective • Cultural • Economic development,tourism enhancement HISTORY.UNIQUENESS • Respect the city's past/history •Imperative that Palm Springs remain unique •Retain the"village" charm of Palm Springs •Retain appropriate"connections" or acknowledgment of our heritage without getting/remaining "stuck in the past" -4- CITY OF PALM SPRINGS 40%t CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 27, 2004 An Adjourned Meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tern Mills, at the Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, at 5:00 p.m., at which time, the City Attorney announced items to be discussed in Closed Session. There was a public reception held from 6-7:00 p.m., and open session re-convened 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER - SPRINGS CONFERENCE ROOM— 5:00 P.M. a) Roll Call (as all entities) Present: Councilmembers, Foat, McCulloch, Pougnet, and Mayor Pro Tern Mills Absent: Mayor Oden CLOSED SESSION a) Announcement of Closed Session Items, and Public Comments thereon (See Page 3 of agenda) b) Convene Closed Session (to be held at Convention Center) RE-CONVENE - CALL TO ORDER - SPRINGS CONFERENCE ROOM —7:00 P.M. a) Roll Call (as all entities) Present: Councilmembers, Foat, McCulloch, Pougnet, and Mayor Pro Tern Mills Absent: Mayor Oden b) Flag Salute PRESENTATIONS: None REPORT OF POSTING OF AGENDA: Acting City Clerk reported the agenda was posted on Friday, October 22, 2004, in accordance with established policies and procedures. REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY ON MATTERS DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION (All Entities) - See items on Page 3 of agenda this date. City Attorney announced there were no reportable items. . HOUSING AUTHORITY: INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: FINANCING AUTHORITY: COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: No Business k Noim� City Council Minutes October 27, 2004 CITY COUNCIL i MAYOR'S WELCOME Mayor Pro Tem Mills made welcoming statement. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. COUNCIL WORKSHOP FORMAT 1. COMMUNITY INPUT CITY STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISIONING PROCESS Mayor Pro Tern Mills introduced Duane Knapp, the strategic planning and visioning process facilitator. Jane Smith, city of residency was not disclosed, read her letter outlining her many concerns including: (letter submitted and on file) • Key staff members should reside in Palm Springs; • PM10 issues, the processes within the Planning Department; and • Continued development in Palm Springs. Carol Bertold, Palm Springs, read a letter submitted to senators opposing amendment 3874 concerning land acquisition for a homeless shelter near the City's entrance. (letter submitted and on file) Amanda Speed, representative from The Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc., spoke of the need for affordable housing. Peter Fitzgerald, Palm Springs, resides near Ruth Hardy Park, spoke in support of the comments made by Amanda Speed, suggested post high school education facilities be located in Palm Springs, and commented he likes the Palm Springs flavor and supports un-gated and open neighborhoods. Bill Mathews, Palm Springs, spoke of the growth in Palm Springs, supports controlled managed growth and development, and possibly look at alternatives relating to affordable housing, and the empty storefronts in north Palm Springs. Mindy Wooley, Palm Springs, resides in Sunrise Norte, commented on the lack of space for the children in her neighborhood for playing, commented on the vacant lot near her home and asked if it was possible for the City to acquire the lot for the children to play at. Jon Hildner, Palm Springs, commented on the following and submitted a letter for the record: • Downtown should be plaza like rather than a strip, • Have commercial/retail/residential downtown, • Conduct a study not just in Palm Springs, but include surrounding communities on how money and where money is spent, • Create more public places, • Discouraged gated communities and cookie-cutter houses, and Page 2 City Council Minutes October 27, 2004 • • Create a sense of'place'for both residents and tourists. April Hildner, Palm Springs, spoke stating concurrence to the comments made by Jon Hildner. Duane Knapp, Facilitator, ask participants to think of three (3) cities they think Palm Springs should be like and submit their thoughts at the end of the meeting. Pat Grimm, Palm Springs, suggested pro-active town hall meetings, and starting the dissemination of information relating to proposed development projects earlier in the process. , ,r Councilmember Foat stated she and Councilmember Mills have been working on a neighborhood council process and would encourage her to become involved. Unknown man from audience stated all pending projects are posted in the Planning Department at City Hall and may be viewed by the public. Mr. Stuart, Palm Springs, stated buyers have a responsibility to looking at the zoning code in the area which they are buying their homes. Frank Gaydos, Palm Springs, commented on the high values on the quality of life, and the meaning of value is different for different people. He introduced the following persons: Mallika Albert, Dana Stewart, Greg Day, Scott Kennedy, and • Frank Tyson. Mallika Albert, Palm Springs, stated she was inspired by the July 2004 Visioning Session and suggested Palm Springs a Village, a community network. (letter submitted and on file) Dana Stewart, Palm Springs, stated much is at stake at the present time, i.e. the Section 14 referendum, Hillside initiative, and the Palm Hills referendum. She also suggested joint citizen and city staff processes. Greg Day, Palm Springs, spoke of creating a visioning process, stated he did not feel the current process is not adequate. Scott Kennedy, a representative of Palm Springs Modern Committee, commented on the following: • Would support a planning staff member to interact with the citizens possessing more knowledge in CEQA requirements, historic structures, flexible state historic building codes, etc. would be a positive change, • Supports the Contempo Homes projects, • Opposes the Palm Springs Village project, and • Feels Planned Development Districts are not compatible with the Palm Springs village image. Frank Tysen, Palm Springs, spoke of downtown revitalization and tourism. He • stated tourists are not supportive of the current developments, suggested adding quality anchor stores and getting rid of the mall quality stores, make downtown Page 3 City Council Minutes October 27, 2004 fun and classy, and criticized the type of merchandise and the clientele at VillageFest. Mayor Pro Tem Mills stated Palm Springs will never be like Santa Barbara, adding the term "Village" is used to describe a, feeling (atmosphere) not necessarily the look. He commended Duane Knapp and his assignment to the audience for the assignment of supplying the name of three (3) cities they would like Palm Springs to be like. Additionally, Mayor Pro Tem Mills state the planning process is not perfect; however, it has improved recently with the formation of neighborhood groups. He stated his concurrence with comments regarding providing information relating to pending planning projects to the public as early as possible. Councilmember Foat stated every time the Council makes a decision they must balance everything, and the Council is not proud of some-things. She added they are working with Mr. Wessman and progress is slow. She stated some shops have been there a long time, and they have lost some businesses i.e. Saks and Leeds. Dana Stewart, Palm Springs, suggested focusing on redevelopment instead of new development. Ernie Vincent, Palm Springs, stated he moved to Palm Springs from Upland, and provided comments on the following: • The Hillisde initiative has good intentions; however, you cannot take other people's property; and • There should be dialog between developers and citizens. Carole Sukman, Palm Springs, favors growth when it is handled properly, stated Palm Springs will never be like the cities down Valley due to the fact there is so much Indian property in Palm Springs, suggested getting stores i.e. Crate & Barrel and The Gap for its residents and citing high end stores had been here and left Palm Springs due to lack of business. In closing, she stated she did not want Palm Springs to be like Orange County. Dennis Cunningham, Palm Springs, spoke supporting responsible growth, stating the City has a good Council, Planning Commission, and planning department with a good process. Due to the fact it is a good process he feels it should not be discarded and a new process put in its place. Instead of starting a new process the current process may be enhanced. He stated he concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Mills' comments regarding looking at Santa Barbara for ideas, and adding he is a former resident of Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara has had its own share of problems in the past. James Hayton, Palm Springs, commented on the following: • Left Orange County, opposed the greed of developers and lack of vision; • Opposes cookie-cutter homes; and • The Shadow Rock development. Page 4 City Council Minutes October 27, 2004 • Jon Caffery, Palm Springs, representing Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation, commented on the following: • The need for affordable housing; • The need for some high end developments, • The need for quality growth; • The need to adhere to the General Plan; and • Planning by referendum and initiative is wrong. In closing Mr. Caffery stated Palm Springs has a unique charm; therefore, this City does not need to be like other cities. Councilmember Foat stated the City has lost some of its business in the downtown to the surrounding cities due to incentives those cities have offered these businesses, and asked for his opinion on how the Council may be able to keep some of these businesses from moving. Mr. Caffery state they are working on getting good stores to be located downtown, Main Street, and the Desert Fashion Plaza, working on the parking issue, downtown clean up, etc. to help bring more businesses to downtown. Monte Stettin, Palm Springs, spoke of including solar energy in the City's vision, and providing incentives. Jim Stuart, Palm Springs, provided the following comments: • • Relating to chain businesses, Ruby's and Starbucks are chains and have not been bad for the City; • Would support a joint powers authority (JPA) for public safety (both police and fire) with the Cities of Cathedral City and Desert Hot Springs; and • Mello-Roos (assessment districts) is not good for home resales within the assessment districts. Steve Nichols, Palm Springs, commented on the following: • Measure V (temporary increase in the utility users tax) needs to be passed by the voters; • Does not feel there would be realized savings by forming a JPA for public safety; however, some savings may be realized if the dispatching function was combined with the neighboring jurisdictions; and • A General Plan initiative is the worst thing for the City. Councilmember McCulloch stated combining dispatch functions has been addressed at CVAG, and the task force is exploring the possibilities. Nick Chicola, Palm Springs, provided the following comments: The City needs a mission statement and without one visioning is not possible; • Downtown, redevelopment and the Desert Fashion Plaza needs to be addressed; and • The City can make incremental changes, i.e. types of developments and • stop approving gated communities. 4& 40g Page 5 City Council Minutes October 27, 2004 Councilmember Pougnet stated downtown is actually a larger area than the Desert Fashion Plaza, adding that he and Mayor Pro Tern Mills serves on the subcommittee and they are looking at all those issues. Councilmember Foat provided an explanation relating to Council subcommittees to the audience. Sheila Grattan, Palm Springs, stated her vision of downtown would include walkways meandering to and from the Convention Center, to downtown, Desert Fashion Plaza, the casino, and museum. This walkway could include shading and a misting system (to encourage usage during the summer months), native plants, lighting, and benches along the route. Wesley Cole, Palm Springs, provided the following comments: • It is difficult to have vision if the eyes are closed, and some people have provided only negative comments. He has talked to many people and comments he have received were positive; • There are many businesses downtown other than at the mall; • John Wessman has made many improvements at the mall; and • The downtown area is in need of being cleaned up. Nancy Stuart, Palm Springs, spoke,of the following: • Visions require money; • Tax base will need to be increased; • Smart planning is needed. The need for commercial clusters, i.e. Wal- mart located at Ramon and Gene Autry. Due to the location it will draw shoppers outside of the City of Palm Springs. • Regarding earlier comments relating to chain businesses. She added she shops at SteinMart. The SteinMart in Palm Springs is stocked differently than the one located at the eastern part of the Coachella Valley. Chains will tailor the merchandise carried in their stores toward the clientele. Joy Meredith, Palm Springs, stated she noted there were eight (8) members of the General Plan Steering Committee present at tonight's meeting. Additionally, citizens need to become involved if they want to be informed, adding the Council cannot be expected to go door to door disseminating information. She added she checks the City's website weekly and goes to the Office of the City Clerk for information. Duane Knapp, facilitator, thanked all the participants. 2. CONTINUED STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISIONING PROCESS 10 No discussion. 3. NEXT STEPS IN STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISIONING PROCESS Duane Knapp, facilitator, stated these ideas will collected and funneled into meaningful priorities and guidelines will be produced. Page 6 City Council Minutes October 27, 2004 City Manager added ideas will continue to be accepted through November 10, 2004, and the next Strategic Planning and Visioning Session will most likely take place in January 2005. Councilmember Foat commented this document will be a guide and shall be a fluid guide. Mayor Pro Tem Mills stated this information is important as the City will be starting the process to update the City's General Plan. Councilmember Pougnet stated concurrence to comments made by Councilmember Foat and Mayor Pro Tem Mills. He added though some comments were negative, the City can learn from negative comments. Councilmember McCulloch thanked everyone for their participation. COUNCIL COMMENTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/INTERAGENCY REPORTS: None REPORTS & REQUESTS: CITY COUNCIL reports or requests: Councilmember Pougnet requested rent control statistics from speaker Amanda Speed. PUBLIC reports or requests: None STAFF reports or requests: None ADJOURN: There being no further business, Mayor Pro Tem Mills declared the meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Kathie Hart, CMC Acting City Clerk • Page 7 Draft Vision Statement Palm Springs aspires to be a unique world class desert community. Our residents and visitors enjoy our high quality of life and the fun, festive, relaxing experience. We desire to balance our natural, cultural and historical resources with responsible, sustainable economic growth and to enhance our natural beauty. We are committed to providing responsive, efficient, unmatched customer service in an environment of sound fiscal management. d 'Gde�f'a'-t:` -FE-- O1/26/05 STRATEGIC PLANNING Summary of City Council Comments and Citizen Input 1 . Vibrant Downtown/Uptown 2. World-Renowned Tourism Destination 3. Responsible Balanced Growth and Development A. economic development B. transportation C. environment and energy D. housing 4. Quality Relationships A. communication, citizen involvement, neighborhoods B. senior (older) citizens C. youth services D. tribe E. homelessness 5. Effective and Efficient City Services A. budget issues B. safety C. community beautification D. Information technology General Plan Update Steering Committee Draft Vision and Value Statements — March 25, 2004 (revised) Draft Vision Statement "Palm Springs is a world class desert resort community that aspires to provide a high quality of life for its residents and visitors, to balance its coveted natural, cultural, and historic resources with sustainable economic growth and to maintain its beauty, openness, and opportunities to enjoy nature." Draft Value Statements Palm Springs will become a World Class desert Palm Springs aspires to balance its coveted resort communityb natural, cultural, and historic resources with y sustainable economic growth by: ➢ Celebrating diversity within our community ➢ Increasing our options for recreational and cultural ➢ Promoting our airport as an asset activities ➢ Encouraging development that will increase/ ➢ Encouraging mixed-use residential/business/ enhance our reputation as a world class commercial properties in the downtown area destination resort ➢ Establishing and maintaining ordinances that are Y Maintaining/improving.our infrastructure both resident and business friendly ➢ Promoting a wide spectrum of housing ➢ Taking a leadership role in energy and water opportunities conservation (management) ➢ Encouraging a wide variety of employment ➢ Delivering city services in a timely and efficient opportunities manner ➢ Creating unforgettable shopping opportunities Y Providing a variety of transportation alternatives Y ➢ Facilitating adaptive re-uses of existing structures ➢ Creating irresistible settings for cultural and civic ➢ Maintaining a business friendly environment events ➢ Maintaining rural streetscapes ➢ Becoming a magnet for creative people ➢ Ensuring a safe community Palm Springs aspires to provide a high quality of Palm Springs aspires to maintain its beauty, life for residents and visitors by: openness, and opportunities to enjoy nature by: ➢ Ensuring that new developments are compatible ➢ Recognizing the value of open space as a land with surrounding neighborhoods use ➢ Being respectful of our historic resources ➢ Protecting public view corridors ➢ Encouraging a diverse economic base Y Ensuring access to nature/hillsides ➢ Protecting and preserving historic buildings and (pedestrian/bike)working with state and federal areas agencies ➢ Encouraging dialogue and healthy relations with ➢ Creating extraordinary city parks the Agua Caliente ➢ Having distinct streetscapes Y Attracting compatible new shopping/retail ➢ Encouraging the return to desert planting and ➢ Encouraging boutique hotels and businesses landscaping ➢ Empowering our leaders to use tools available to redevelop various areas of the city ➢ Encouraging a hospital/medical district ➢ Encouraging alternative health/spa development ➢ Ensuring a safe community ➢ Providing outstanding education opportunities (K- 12) ➢ Preserving a friendly, hometown atmosphere ➢ Encouraging community involvement General Plan Update Steering Committee Guiding Principles Exercise March 25, 2004 ELEMENT GUIDING PRINCIPLE Land Use To preserve and protect our past while understanding that growth is a reality. To develop and improve a convenient and integrated Circulation transportation system that encourages alternatives and is available to all residents and visitors. Housing To provide a diverse range of housing opportunities to meet the needs and desires of the population. O oConservation To require responsible stewardship of our natural resources Z and environment. To protect, preserve, and manage open space within our Open Space community including views and scenic corridors. Safety and To promote a safe and healthy community. Health Noise To manage noise to balance quality of life for residents and visitors. Parks and To provide and preserve open space for recreational use and Recreation enjoyment of the community. a p Community Design a O Historic/Cultural To preserve significant architectural, historical, and cultural Resources resources. General Plan Update Steering Committee Mission Statement Notes from October 30, 2003 The Vision statement was broken out into four separate areas, the team then brainstormed ideas for each area in order to begin to flesh out the details of the Mission statement. Following are the notes taken during that session. You are now being asked to look through the list and to add any ideas you feel are germane to the Mission Statement. Palm Springs will become a World Class desert Palm Springs aspires to balance its coveted resort community by: natural, cultural, and historic resources with substantial economic growth by: ➢ Celebrating diversity within our community ➢ Increasing our options for recreational and ➢ Promoting our airport as an asset cultural activities ➢ Encouraging development that will increase / ➢ Encouraging mixed-use residential / business / enhance our reputation as a world class commercial properties in the downtown area destination resort ➢ Establishing and maintaining ordinances that are ➢ Maintaining/improving our infrastructure both resident and business friendly ➢ Promoting a wide spectrum of housing ➢ Taking a leadership role in energy and water opportunities conservation (management) ➢ Encouraging a wide variety of employment ➢ Deliver city services in a timely and efficient opportunities manner ➢ Creating unforgettable shopping opportunities ➢ Provide a variety of transportation alternatives ➢ Providing outstanding education opportunities ➢ Facilitating creative uses of existing structures (K-12) ➢ Maintaining a business friendly environment that ➢ Creating irresistible setting for cultural and civic protects existing businesses while attracting new events business ➢ Becoming a magnet for creative people ➢ Maintaining rural streetscapes ➢ Preserving a friendly, hometown atmosphere ➢ Encouraging community involvement ➢ Ensuring a safe community Palm Springs aspires to provide a high quality Palm Springs aspires to maintain its beauty, of life for residents and visitors by: openness, and opportunities to enjoy nature b : ➢ Ensuring that new developments are compatible ➢ Recognizing the value of open space as a land with our neighborhoods use ➢ Being respectful of our historic resources ➢ Protecting view corridors ➢ Encouraging a diverse economic base ➢ Ensuring access to nature/hillsides (pedestrian?) ➢ protecting and preserving historic buildings and working with state and federal agencies areas ➢ Creating extraordinary city parks ➢ Encouraging dialogue and healthy relations with ➢ Using desert landscaping the Agua Caliente ➢ Maintaining clean areas ➢ Attracting new shopping/retail ➢ Having distinct streetscapes ➢ Encouraging boutique hotels and businesses ➢ Encouraging the return to desert planting and ➢ Redeveloping the under utilized areas of our city landscaping ➢ Empowering our leaders to use tools available to redevelop various areas of the city ➢ Encouraging the development of an internationally recognized medical center/mecca ➢ Ensuring a safe community O1/25/2005 18:58 FAX 760 320 8207 CITY OF PAL61 SPRINGS a STEVE POUGNET Z002 STRATEGIK PLANNING Summary of City Councilmments and Citizen Input 1.Vibrant downtown/uptown 2. World-renowned tourism destination 3_Responsible balanced growth and development A. Economic development B. Transportation C. Environment and energy D. Housing 4.Quality relationships A. Communication,citizen involvement,neighborhoods B. Senior(older)citizens C. Youth services D. Tribe 5.Effective and efficient city services A.Budget issues B. Safety C. Community beautification D.Homelessness 01/26/05 -1- O1/25/2005 18:37 FAX 760 320 8207 CITY OF PALM SPRINGS a STEVE POUGNET Z 001 Draft Palen Springs aspires to be a unique world class desert community. Our residents and visitors enjoy our high quality of life and the fun, festive, relaxing experience. We desire to balance our natural, cultural and historical resources with responsible, sustainable economic growth and to enhance our natural beauty. We are committed to providing responsive, efficient, unmatched customer service in an environment of sound fiscal management. 01/26/05 1. VIBRANT DOWNTOWN/UPTOWN—Full of energy,the place to be •Physical unification between the Desert Museum and Convention Center and Palm Canyon/Indian Canyon drives • Support mixed used development projects (retail and residential) • Limit downtown building heights to preserve the view • Make the downtown a cultural center • Fill empty stores, improve building facades, develop empty lots • Develop a specific plan •Improve retail opportunities • Redevelop the Desert Fashion Plaza 2.WORLD-RENOWNED TOURISM DESTINATION • Develop an ongoing series of community events that bring segments of the community together for a shared experience • Build on the prior success of VillageFest by upgrading it with a greater variety and high-end vendors •Attract"higher image" and less intrusive events • Promote Palm Springs as a year-round destination • Explain the importance of tourism; educate the community,how they are involved •Take a comprehensive look, examination of tourism • Create the brand message •Market our assets—tram,temperature at the tram, casino, attractions • CVA, Bureau of Tourism •Eco-tourism 3.BALANCED GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT •Protect the mountains and foothills •Enforce specific design policies that come from a true visionary plan for the city • Limit building heights • Smart growth with an emphasis on maintaining the charm of the city,protecting the mountain vistas,night skies •Development should move faster •Reality of infill, hillside,tribal land, limited developable land • Respect the city's past/history • Imperative that Palm Springs remain unique • Retain the "village" charm of Palm Springs • Retain appropriate"connections" or acknowledgment of our heritage without getting/remaining "stuck in the past" Economic Development • Expansion of job opportunities beyond the tourism/service industry • Go after companies and businesses that really appreciate the Palm Springs lifestyle • Promote interesting, individually owned businesses to avoid the generic franchise look -1- • Top end stores/food. • More local retail • Shopping—assist the Palm Springs Mall in offering a wider selection • Shopping centers at Vista Chino and Palm Canyon could be turned into office and professional uses and perhaps include some live-work lofts •Bring in the kind of businesses that will bring in tax revenue • Fill the empty stores on Palm Canyon and Racquet Club • Gene Autry entry —continue to fill in with light industrial • Higher education—design/art Transportation •I-10 interchange, rail transportation, connection to Metro Link • Keep passengers who land at Palm Springs International Airport in this city • Wider range of year-round direct flights from major and minor U.S. cities • People moving, inter-city transportation, citywide loop • Parking areas and transportation to destinations • Make it easy to get around town, an easy to use bus system that is a tourist attraction itself • Make the city more bicycle friendly •Address traffic congestion. Concerned about air quality • Examine sense of arrival from all locales Environment and Ener¢v •Preserve, enhance and promote unparalleled natural beauty • Preservation of open space and mountain views •Highway 111 entrance from I-10 should remain an open desert corridor • Protect night skies •Keep mountains pristine from development • Require new developments to make use of drought-tolerant landscaping • Maximize our unique location to gain best branding •Establishment of a commission to see how we can efficiently and inexpensively bury power lines • Solar power • Air quality • Water Housing • Wide range of housing opportunities to accommodate a diverse community of varied interests and socio-economic levels •Encourage development of apartment buildings/complexes that set aside a certain percentage of units for low income families and individuals, rather than entire projects of low-income units •Adopt a modified rent-control program •No more gated communities -2- •No more reduced lot sizes,maintain existing grid development, encourage cul-de-sacs within these grids • Additional multi-family housing and affordable apartments needed • Be concerned about density 4. QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS— Inclusive,respectful,honest, open, friendly, partnership building Communication. Citizen Involvement,Neighborhoods • Improve communication, especially to those most affected by proposed developments • Hold quarterly Town Hall meetings with topics defined in advance • Require developers to notify homeowners in the surrounding area,up to 1 mile away. • Create an electronic community using the city's web site. • Value livability and the character of the neighborhoods as important as tourism • Make it a priority to serve today's year-round residents • Do not allow the opinions of neighborhood organizations to overshadow the individual residents • Make it friendly to middle-class families • Greater outreach to the everyday citizen through regular surveys and/or neighborhood visits to better assess the views of all residents • Recognize communities for uniqueness,history • Develop a volunteer core Senior(Older) Citizens • Address affordable housing • Transportation, ADA tram, access to medical services • Quality of life, maintaining independent living • Public safety, elder crimes • Frailty issues, senior falls Youth Services Tribe • Relationship,partnerships,joint ventures • Opportunity to educate the public • Opportunity to celebrate diversity • Historical perspective • Cultural •Economic development, tourism enhancement 5. EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT CITY SERVICES—Responsive,progressive, extending unmatched customer service in an environment of sound fiscal management Budget Issues • Take a comprehensive look at the budget from a zero balance -3- `Y •Look at consolidation of services,health plans, privatization, employee benefits,revenue generation,tourism, quality of life • A fiscally sound local government which residents will respect in terms of its management practices. Greater use of citizens and employees in helping strategize creative solutions to the city's current financial situation Safety • Crime/drugs • Lighting • Evaluate speed limits • JPAs between Palm Springs and other cities for police/fire • Add officers downtown, don't cut police budget Community Beautification • Community cleanup of medians, empty lots, downtown • Trim palm tree skirts • Better code enforcement of political signs •More modern art/sculpture •Beautification of main streets Homelessness -4-