AgdaPkt 2005-02-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST A. Legislation (information only) - This sub-section involves possible discussion of City Position on Proposed Legislation described in the League of California Cities Priority Focus Bulletin No. 5-2005. Council may direct staff to act on positions taken by Council. (Copies of League of California Cities Priority Focus available in City Clerk's Department) B. Presentation of Concepts for Improvement of Middlefield Road between Woodside Road and Main Street - Council Member Bain Council Member Bain stated that he would be providing some ideas to consider and expects that discussion might occur at a later date. He further stated that he was prepared to receive feedback after the presentation. Council Member Bain stated that his focus on Middlefield Road is because it is a highly visible gateway to the downtown and was noticeably missing from the Downtown Area Plan. The particular area of Middlefield Road being discussed was between Woodside Road and Main Street. It is an historic neighborhood, cuts right through the heart of the Stambaugh-Heller neighborhood and there are many Victorian homes in these neighborhoods, some going back as early as 1860. The area is within walking distance to the library, City Hall, the new theatre, and the train station making it a potential location for transit oriented development. He stated his belief that there is opportunity for increasing the quantity and quality of housing, improving the esthetics on a major corridor to the downtown, providing equity of services, and restoring the character of an historic neighborhood. Council Member Bain provided a PowerPoint slide presentation of the area in its current state, displaying power lines, showing homes that are a potential for restoration and preservation of the City's history. A slide depicting the land across the street from Peninsula Christian Center could provide an opportunity for a public park. A dialogue could occur with the church involving a possible land swap plus cash and a use permit to allow Bethlehem AD to be staged. Subsequent slides showed pictures of what Redwood City could look like using photos of houses from other cities. He suggested creative ways of achieving private and public partnerships, ideally getting private developers interested in that part of the city. He stated that the purpose was to offer some ideas and at some later date his hope is to have discussion about the concepts. He shared possible next steps such as request that City staff explore the costs and funding for under grounding of utilities; discussion of land use with PCC church; creation of a task force of key stakeholders; research of funding; and development of a precise plan. He JOINT CITY COUNCIL AND REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 14, 2005 PAGE 4 DRAFT . NOT FOR CITATION