HomeMy WebLinkAbout1/12/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (7) DATE: January 12, 2005
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING
SUBJECT: DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council approve the attached Minute Order and appoint members to a new Downtown
Urban Design Committee which will act as an advisory committee for development of new community
design standards for the downtown area.
SUMMARY
This Committee will act as an advisory sub-committee to the General Plan Steering Committee,
Planning Commission, and City Council during the crafting of a new Downtown Design Element forthe
General Plan. The Committee make-up is intended to include a cross section of community members
including Maintstreet, Historic Tennis Club Neighborhood, General Plan Steering Committee,
Architectural Advisory Committee, Tribe, and Planning Commission.
BACKGROUND
The General Plan Update work program includes a Downtown Urban Design Program. This Program
would focus on the development of detailed standards and development guidelines. The Work
Program will be a very comprehensive evaluation of the downtown area, a strong community
involvement program, evaluation of detailed policy, and development of visual simulations/massing
studies. Refer to the Comprehensive General Plan Update Scope of Work, pages 4.13 to 4.16 for a
more detailed discussion. The proposed process is summarized as follows:
1. Scoping and Resource Interviews;
2. Downtown Opportunities and Direction Workshop;
3. Downtown Opportunities Focus and Implementation Charrette;
4. 3D Computer Modeling -AMD
5. Development of a Downtown Design Element.
This process is specifically designed to provide the general public, downtown merchants, and property
owners with the opportunity to get involved in defining the future of downtown. Property owners who
are currently developing plans will be invited to participate in the process and use this process to seek
community and design input for projects such as the Palm Canyon and Desert Fashion Plaza projects.
Staff recommends that a separate committee be formed to work hand in hand with the General Plan
team. This will allow the General Plan Steering Committee and Planning Commission to continue
working on the overall General Plan Work Program, while this focused effort proceeds at the early
stages of the General Plan process. This part of the General Plan Update will start in March 2005 and
a Draft Downtown Urban Design Element should be completed in April 2005.
Exhibit 2 to this report includes the recommended Downtown Urban Design Committee. Staff is
contacting individuals and this Exhibit will be provided prior to the meeting.
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Director of Sfrategic Planni�
City Manager
Attachments-
1. Downtown Urban Design Committee
2. Minute Order °
EXHIBIT 2
DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE
January 12, 2005
Design Community:
Jim Cioffi, Architectural Advisory Committee Member
Don Wexler, Retired Architect
General Plan Steering Committee:
Bill Scott (HSPB Member also)
Mainstreet:
Larry Pitts, Property Owner
Bill Matthews, Downtown Business Manager
Historic Tennis Club:
Bill Davis
Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation:
Steve Nichols, Property Owner
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI:
Todd Hooks, Director of Economic Development
Planning Commission:
Marshall Roath
Leo Cohen
City Council Sub-Committee (optional)
NOTE: Key property owners and developers, who are actively designing projects such as The
Palm Canyon, Desert Fashion Plaza, and Alejo/North Palm Canyon, will be invited to all meetings.
These architects will be instrumental in providing information and observations during this process.
EXHIBIT 2
DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN COMMITTEE
January 12, 2005
Design Community:
Jim Cioffi, Architectural Advisory Committee Member
Don Wexler, Retired Architect (not confirmed)
General Plan Steering Committee:
Bill Scott (HSPB Member also)
Mainstreet:
Larry Pitts, Property Owner
Bill Matthews, Downtown Business Manager
Historic Tennis Club:
Bill Davis (not confirmed)
Palm Springs Economic Development Corporation:
Steve Nichols, Property Owner
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI:
Todd Hooks, Director of Economic Development
Planning Commission:
Marshall Roath
Leo Cohen
City Council Sub-Committee (optional)
NOTE: Key property owners and developers, who are actively designing projects such as The
Palm Canyon, Desert Fashion Plaza, and Alejo/North Palm Canyon,will be invited to all meetings.
These architects will be instrumental in providing information and observations during this process.
MINUTE ORDER NO.
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE
APPOINTMENT OF A DOWNTOWN URBAN DESIGN
COMMITTEE TO ACT AS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COMMUNITY DESIGN
STANDARDS FOR THE DOWNTOWN AREA.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Minute Order approving the designation of a Downtown
Urban Design Committee to act as an advisory committee for development of new
community design standards for the downtown was adopted this 12'h day of January
2005.
JAMES THOMPSON
City Clerk
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