AgdaPkt 2008-05-19 Spec - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

8e Page 1 REPORT To the HQnorable Mayor and City Council From the City Manager May 19, 2008 INFORMATION ONLY SUBJECT New General Plan Monthly Status Report BACKGROUND The purpose of this report is to provide Council with a brief summary on the progress of the New General Plan since the last update was provided to you on April 28, 2008. Throughout the first part of May staff and the General Plan consultants held a series of meetings with various affinity groups such as neighborhood representatives, interfaith and youth groups, grass roots environmentalists and an interview with an urban design consultant for the General Plan. Those meetings and a brief summary of their content are presented below: . Neighborhood Representatives - April 28: Met with approximately 20 neighborhood representatives from all over the City, including representatives from the mobile home parks, The participants discussed the community assets of a good neighborhood and the major issues and challenges facing neighborhoods in general. Some wanted to have more of a sense of place, Le. a place with all the necessary conveniences and that also was connected to the rest of the City. They would like to have more gathering places and participate in neighborhood events, However, the participants acknowledged challenging issues such as flooding along East Bayshore, traffic and congestion, and infrastructure improvements such as better sidewalks and improved utilities. They discussed the need for better public transportation, gathering places for youth, the importance of diversity, and the need for more churches and community spaces. . Urban Design - April 28: Staff met with the urban design consultant for the General Plan. We discussed the important design elements ofthe City such as street corridors, the City's waterfront, and overall urban design concepts for infill developments, The result of this urban design analysis will be conceptual options that address key design issues of the multi-family districts, commercial districts and important street corridors of the City. Urban Design policies and implementation measures will be formalized and inserted in the New General Plan. Human Services Discussion - April 29: The General Plan consultants met with the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director and the Manager of the Fair Oaks Community Center. They discussed the various resources available for inclusion in the General Plan and considered making Human Services a chapter of a "Quality of Life" Element of the General Plan. This Element would also include culture, childcare, library