The Arroyo Group Planning, Urban Design, and Community Engagement - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The Arroyo Group Planning, Urban Design, and Community Engagement Stanley R. Hoffman Associates Economics Iteris Transportation Planning EPT Design Landscape Architecture JMC2 Civil Engineering

• Introduction to the Downtown Hemet Specific Plan

– Background and Purpose – Specific Plan Area – Specific Plan Goals and Benefits – Scope and Schedule

• Existing Land Uses, Zoning and General Plan
• Land Use and Urban Design Opportunities
• Circulation and Parking
• Economic and Demographic Trends and Analysis
• Summary of Stakeholder Input
• Key Questions and Facilitated Group Discussion
• Open Forum: Opportunity for Additional Input

• The City has established the revitalization of Downtown as a priority

in its 2030 General Plan.

• The City is actively working with Metrolink to site a station for the

future extension of the Perris Valley Line in Downtown Hemet.

• The City was awarded a Sustainability Planning Grant from the

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to prepare a Specific Plan for Downtown Hemet to address revitalization issues and facilitate transit oriented development.

Specific Plan Area

Civic Center Historic Commercial Core City Hall Weston Park Santa Fe Education Center Hemet Elementary School Hemet Stock Farm

OAKLAND AVE ACACIA AVE GILBERT ST SANTA FE ST

• A regulatory tool that local governments use to guide

development in a localized area.

• Focuses on the unique characteristics of a special area by

customizing the planning process and land use regulations to that area.

• Builds on previous planning efforts for the Downtown.
• Comprehensive planning:

– Overall urban design framework – Public realm recommendations and design guidelines – Private realm zoning, development standards and design guidelines – Implementation strategies

• City-initiated Specific Plan to demonstrate a clear vision for new

development.

• Economic development tool to facilitate development.
• Regulatory to ensure long-term change.
• Will be adopted with a Program EIR (separate process):

– Creates certainty for future development by providing environmental clearance for specified levels of development intensity; and – Saves future development applicants future time and money by streamlining their CEQA review.

• Will support and enhance the future Perris Valley Line Metrolink

Station planned to be located in Downtown by facilitating Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

• Located within easy walking distance of a major transit stop.
• Contains a mix of residential, employment, retail, and public uses.
• Design emphasizes pedestrian-oriented environment and reinforces the

use of public transportation.

• Can be new construction or

redevelopment.

• Reduces auto dependency,

provides housing options, and helps revitalize areas.

• Revitalize the historic downtown area and stimulate infill

development.

• Foster economic development and job creation.
• Promote public health and safety.
• Increase housing opportunities in mixed-use development.
• Enhance greater equity in the community.
• Incorporate green building techniques/technologies.
• Create a thriving community center for residents, visitors and

workers.

• Increase access to transit facilities, Metrolink and encourage

alternative modes of transportation.

• Eliminate blighted conditions and enhance the attractiveness
• f public spaces.

May-July 2015 Existing Conditions Data Collection June 16, 2015 Stakeholder Interviews and Planning Commission Work Study Session July 8, 2015 Community Workshop #1: Visioning, Opportunities & Constraints September 2015 Community Workshop #2: Preliminary Land Use & Urban Design Concept Sept-Dec 2015 Preparation of Administrative Review Draft Specific Plan Jan-March 2016 Preparation of Public Review Draft Specific Plan April-May 2016 Public Hearings and Preparation of Final Specific Plan

Land Use Designations

Existing Zoning

General Plan Designations

Build on Downtown’s history, traditional street grid, and human scale to create a vibrant, walkable Downtown with a unique identity and sense of place.

Take advantage of various anchors (civic uses, Weston Park, schools, historic core, etc.) in Downtown to create the foundation for revitalization.

Intensify development at appropriate locations – particularly around the site of the future Metrolink station. Site design of the Metrolink Station and its environs will be critical to providing connectivity to the Civic Center and historic Downtown.

Capitalize on the large vacant and underutilized sites in the Downtown which can serve as catalytic development opportunities. Take advantage of City owned properties to leverage development.

The traditional street pattern facilitates a legible environment. Improve the streetscape with additional amenities and make Downtown more pedestrian, bicycle and transit friendly.

Preserve and enhance Downtown’s historic residential neighborhoods and promote infill development to help stabilize neighborhoods, improve the housing stock and preserve neighborhood character.

Build on the growing arts and cultural scene centered in Downtown Hemet, such that it becomes a part of Downtown’s identity, further contributing to the area’s revitalization and economic vitality.

Enhance and make better use of the various open spaces, parks, and pocket parks within Downtown and provide improved linkages between them.

Enhance pedestrian connections and linkages between major destinations in Downtown and to the residential neighborhoods.

Improve key intersections in the historic core and create gateways (major entry points) into Downtown.

• Major elements of Mobility

Plan for Downtown Hemet: – Regional Roadways and Transit Access – GP Circulation Network and Traffic Conditions – Florida Avenue (SR-74) – Parking – Non-Motorized Transportation  Pedestrian  Bikeways

Opportunities

• Extensive multimodal transportation network.

Opportunities exist to expand these facilities and enhance their utilization.

• The future realignment of Hwy 79 will help mitigate

current circulation issues.

Constraints

• Need for regional transportation facilities directly serving

the City and Downtown, integrating Hemet with the Greater Riverside County area.

• Caltrans’ jurisdiction over the two state highways: Hwy 74

(Florida Avenue) and Hwy 79 (various roadways) acts as a big constraint while planning for Florida Avenue.

Opportunities for Improvement

• Promote the extension of the Metrolink .
• Explore opportunities for other forms of transit including

trolley systems, bus rapid transit, and local transit routes.

• The future Metrolink station will provide the opportunity

for residents to commute to jobs outside the community.

Opportunities

• Circulation system accommodates

cars, pedestrian movements, bike paths and links neighborhoods with nearby shopping, consistent with the state’s “complete streets program”.

• Most of the roadways have

additional capacity available, with the exception of the intersection capacity on State Street intersections and roadway capacity

• n Florida Avenue.
• Harvard Street is Downtown’s major

asset that can be developed.

Street Name Classification ADT LOS D or Better Gilbert Street 2-lane undivided collector/secon dary 1,100 Yes State Street North of Florida Avenue (SR-74) 4-lane undivided secondary roadway 15,900 Yes State Street South of Florida Avenue (SR-74) 2-lane undivided secondary roadway 12,200 Yes Buena Vista Street 2-lane undivided collector 16,400 Yes Devonshire Avenue 2-lane undivided collector 6,100 Yes Florida Avenue (SR-74) 4-lane undivided secondary roadway 33,900 No* Acacia Avenue 2-lane undivided collector 8,400 Yes

Constraints

• Connectivity Gaps: For example Devonshire Avenue is an important

east-west street, but it does not connect State Street to San Jacinto Street.

• Hemet’s circulation has mostly acceptable level of traffic service.

However, Florida Avenue experiences congestion at key intersections such as at Sanderson Avenue, State Street and San Jacinto Street. Opportunities for Improvement

• Enhanced intersection geometrics such as adding turn lanes, and

upgraded and synchronized signal phasing will improve overall traffic flow.

• Addition of missing Devonshire Avenue connection.

Opportunities

• Two parallel streets north (Devonshire Ave)

and south (Acacia Ave) of Florida Avenue can accommodate potential diverted traffic from Florida Avenue. This provides opportunities to calm traffic on Florida Avenue while diverting traffic onto Devonshire and Acacia.

• Florida Avenue is already designated as a

Divided Secondary with Bike Lanes which provides opportunities to build Florida Avenue a multimodal divided roadway with amenities.

Constraints

• Florida Avenue acts as a barrier between

Harvard Street to the north and south.

• Sidewalk improvements are needed in many

places on both sides of Florida Avenue.

Constraints (contd.)

• The signals are too closely spaced, resulting in traffic queues on Florida Avenue

increasing delays and inhibiting pedestrian and bike traffic movement.

Opportunities for Improvement

• Strategies to narrow the roadway and calm traffic may discourage high speeds.

Provide amenities for other modes of transportation in order to create a more complete street that serves multi-modal user groups.

• Need to build bulbouts at the intersections and provide wider sidewalks,

especially at Harvard and Florida to provide a better experience for pedestrians on Harvard Street.

• Work with Caltrans to relinquish all of part of the highway. Some cities within the

region have taken over the maintenance responsibility – and thus gained local control- for portions of state highways.

• Consistent with General Plan goals, coordinate traffic signal timing on Florida

Avenue.

Opportunities

• City owned parking lots which are advantageous for future planning.
• Parking and access in Downtown is ample. Figure shows existing parking lots (private and City owned).

Constraints

• Visibility of Parking Lots is a big issue in Downtown, especially for people traveling on Florida Avenue
• The parking available behind shops is often underutilized.
• Many visitors chose to park in front, possibly due in part to lack of access, connections, or visibility.

Opportunities for Improvement

• Consolidate Parking lots and encourage shared parking .
• Utilize signage to help wayfinding to major parking facilities.
• Increasing awareness and visibility of the available parking options; better utilization of these parking lots.
• Create visible passageways which allow for access to the rear parking lots.

Opportunities

• The Hemet General Plan identifies many streets in

Downtown with Class 2 and Class 3 Bike Paths.

Constraints

• Lack of Existing bike path connections. Only

Oakland Ave and Buena Vista Street have existing Class 2 and 3 bike paths.

• Lack of existing bike infrastructure.

Potential for Improvements

• Additional North-south bike connections.
• Continuation of Bike Paths along State Street to

connect to Florida Avenue.

• Provide bike infrastructure (e.g. bike parking).
• Enhance future bike lane along Florida Avenue

with highly visible street markings.

• Implementation of the General Plan bike system.
• More emphasis on Class I Bike paths, e.g. along

the rail ROW for connectivity to the Transit Center.

Opportunities

• Shed map: Areas that are walkable to within a 5 to 10

minute walk along and around Florida Avenue. Florida Avenue scores a 82/100 on Walk-Score.com, as a highly walkable environment.

• Commercial part of Downtown Hemet area is entirely

within a fairly walkable district (one mile radius).

Constraints

• Lack of continuous sidewalks and other pedestrian

amenities.

• Lack of bulb outs and curb extensions.
• No mid-block crossings which are a core part of any

downtown walking area.

Opportunities for Improvement

• Focus streetscape improvements along Florida Avenue

between State Street and Santa Fe Street.

• Utilize signalization, flashing beacons, or other

pedestrian safety devices for safer crossings.

• Reduce street crossing times for pedestrians
• Better pedestrian linkages to the Transit Center

(location is still undetermined).

• What are the major population, employment and visitor

growth conditions that influence downtown revitalization?

• What is the retail competitiveness of Hemet and the strengths

and opportunities in downtown for strong retail capture?

• How are the market conditions and downtown’s land supply

poised for revitalization?

• Besides retail, what other residential and non-residential land

uses can developed?

• What is the role of public private partnerships and economic

incentives?

60,626 82,253 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

• Hemet population grew by about 21,600 from 2000 t0 2014.
• This was a 36% increase.

2,259 2,082 60,626 81,520 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 2000 2013 Downtown Hemet Hemet City

+20,894

• 177

While the overall city population was growing rapidly, the downtown showed a small decrease in population over this period.

901 858 29,668 35,710 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 2000 2013 Downtown Hemet Hemet City

+6,042

• 43

Similarly, while the housing units increased by about 20% citywide, housing units in the downtown decreased slightly over this period.

$37,227 $32,774 $59,486 $56,529 $0 $10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 2000 2013 Hemet Riverside County

• Hemet’s median household income showed a 12% decline from 2000 to 2013

in inflation adjusted dollars.

• Median household income was about 58% to 63% of Riverside County’s

median.

24.7% 33.3% 27.4% 30.9% 15.2% 19.5% 17.7% 20.4% 27.0% 34.6% 32.4% 36.5% 33.1% 12.7% 22.5% 12.2% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Hemet Riverside County Hemet Riverside County

65 and over 35 to 64 years 20 to 34 years Under 19 years

2000 2013

• Mature working age labor force (35 to 65 years) increased from 27.0% to 32.4%.
• Population 65 years and older showed a declined from 33.1% to 22.5%.

70.3% 51.0% 50.9% 38.9% 23.1% 36.2% 37.0% 46.0% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Hemet Riverside County Hemet Riverside County

American Indian and Alaska Native Alone Other Asian Alone Black or African American Alone Hispanic or Latino White Alone

2000 2013

• In Hemet, White population declined from 70.3% to 50.9% from 2000 to 2013.
• Conversely, Hispanic population increased from 23,1% to 37.0%.
• These trends were similar to those in Riverside County.

$0 $5,000 $10,000 $15,000 $20,000 $25,000 Hemet Comparison Cities Murrieta/Temecula Perris Moreno Valley San Jacinto Riverside County

2003 2007 2013

From 2007 to 2013, Hemet’s per capita retail taxable sales declined 22% from $12,535 to $9,824.

1.55 0.43 1.34 0.94 1.00 0.67 0.84 0.91 0.64 1.77 0.77 1.23 0.86 0.98 0.53 1.04 0.97 0.57 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60 1.80 2.00 Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers Home Furnishings and Appliance Stores

• Bldg. Matrl. and

Garden Equip. and Supplies Food and Beverage Stores Gasoline Stations Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores General Merchandise Stores Food Services and Drinking Places Other Retail Group

Comparison Cities Riverside County Key retail sectors for Downtown

Hemet lags behind other cities competitively in several key retail sectors.

1.0 line indicates relative retail competitiveness

Taxable Retail Sales Category Strong Moderate Limited Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers X Home Furnishings and Appliance Stores X

• Bldg. Matrl. and Garden Equip. and Supplies

X Food and Beverage Stores X Gasoline Stations X Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores X General Merchandise Stores X Food Services and Drinking Places X Other Retail Group X

• 1. While current demand potential is not as strong as expected in the future, it is anticipated to increase with

the introduction of rail transit, and future residential, retail, office, and related development in the downtown. Source: Stanley R. Hoffman Associates, Inc.

Retail sector shown above under “Strong” and “Moderate” categories are those recommended to focus on in Downtown along with health care, office and service uses .

$800,983 $800,983 $891,597 $1,014,598 $90,614 $213,615 $0 $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1,000,000 $1,200,000 Basecase Competitive Capture 2013 2020 Change

• Basecase – Existing Trends: 2020 Taxable Sales increase by $90.6

million.

• Increased Competitive Capture: 2020 Taxable Sales increase by

$213.6 million.

$800,983 $800,983 $1,209,541 $1,543,322 $408,558 $742,339 $0 $200,000 $400,000 $600,000 $800,000 $1,000,000 $1,200,000 $1,400,000 $1,600,000 $1,800,000 Basecase Competitive Capture 2013 2040 Change

• Basecase – Existing Trends: 2040 Taxable Sales increase by $408.6

million.

• Increased Competitive Capture: 2040 Taxable Sales increase by

$742.3 million.

Market area includes: Hemet, its Downtown, the neighboring City of San Jacinto and surrounding unincorporated areas.

1,683 20,906 32,001 2,283 45,096 79,177 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000 Downtown Area Hemet City Hemet Primary Market Area 2012 2020 2040

• SCAG forecasts Hemet to increase by 24,190 jobs by 2040.
• In contrast, forecast for Downtown only increases by 600 jobs by 2040.
• Downtown economic development strategy has to counter this trend.

7,939 9,947 15,445 5,434 6,909 10,884 2,825 3,686 6,770 1,930 1,967 3,232 419 1,641 4,086 2,359 3,017 4,679 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 30,000 35,000 40,000 45,000 50,000 2012 2020 2040 All other Construction Industrial Professional-office Retail, Restaurants and Leisure Education and Health

20,906 27,167 45,096

• Education and Health Care jobs constitute about 33% of all jobs by 2040.
• Retail, Restaurants, Arts, Entertainment and Office jobs constitute

another 40% of all jobs by 2040.

• These jobs are important for Downtown revitalization.

Primary Uses Short-Term Long-Term Retail Restaurant/Food Service Office- Professional Office- Medical Personal Services Hotel/Motel Educational Civic/Public Residential/Mixed Use

1.5 1.6 1.7 0.7 0.8 0.9

0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2012 2020 2040 Downtown Hemet

• Hemet’s Jobs-Household Ratio improves by 2040, but does not

quite reach 1.0 jobs per household.

• In contrast, Downtown jobs-household ratio reaches 1.7, but jobs in

downtown constitute only 5% of total jobs in Hemet.

• Gray and red shaded parcels considered most developable.
• Assessed Improvement Value to Total Value less than 25%.

14.2 9.9 13.4 57.6 0.0 1.5 10.2 52.6 0.0 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 100.0 120.0 No Improv. Value 25% or less 26% to 50% Greater than 50% Other Agriculture Public Residential Commercial

49.3 47.8 23.7 110.2 Total Acres = 231.0 30.2 35.8

• Total of 231.0 acres estimated in downtown area.
• Vacant acres estimated at 49.3 (21%), excluding schools.
• Acres with ratio less than 25% estimated at 47.8 (21%), including Stock Farm.
• These areas considered important for early redevelopment opportunities.

• Multiple focus areas in the downtown have vacant or underutilized parcels

with potential for growth or reuse.

• Building within these focus areas is key to strengthening the downtown.

Stock Farm Vacant City Properties (near future transit center)

• N. Carmelita St.
• N. Juanita St.

State St. Corridor

• N. Harvard

St.

• S. Harvard

St. Florida St. Corridor

• Strong economic and household growth is forecasted for Hemet and the

Hemet/San Jacinto Valley

• Downtown Hemet has the potential land supply, existing business

framework and motivated stakeholders to capture a competitive share of that growth

• The future rail transit station and planning a walkable, attractive and

accessible downtown can create a unique, competitive destination

• The population demographics are changing in Hemet to support a true city

center

• While in recent history, Hemet has grown outward, a mix of residential

and non-residential land uses with a jobs-housing balance and transit focus can become the catalyst for sustainable, attractive development

• Infrastructure investments from both public and private sectors, along

with targeted public grants and economic incentives will be important components of the revitalization plan

• City Council Members
• Planning Commissioners
• Various Community Groups
• Tourism Industry Representatives
• Downtown Property Owners
• Downtown Merchants
• Commercial Brokers
• Architects

Downtown’s assets:

• Traditional street grid, historic buildings and integrity of architecture.
• Harvard District, Civic Center, Weston Park.
• Central location in the Valley, scenic setting.
• Potential future Metrolink station.

Downtown’s challenges/needs:

• Need more street appeal, walkable areas, street lighting, pedestrian

amenities, restaurants and cultural opportunities.

• Homelessness, safety and cleanliness are problems.
• Florida Avenue – big challenge in terms of how to accommodate

heavy traffic flow while improving pedestrian environment.

• Parking is not visible, well-lit, or well-signed.

Land use:

• Harvard District should focus on restaurants and specialty shops;

create a destination.

• More housing options in the Downtown would be beneficial.
• More open space is needed, as well as entertainment space.
• Mixed use buildings/projects would be desirable in certain locations.
• Mixed opinions on office uses and medical office to support hospital.

Streetscape improvements:

• Streetscape amenities, lighting and landscaping are needed and can

have a big impact relatively quickly.

• Need streetscape to unify Downtown and improve appearance and

connectivity.

• Sustainable streetscape features are necessary.

Identity:

• Agricultural history and culture.
• Western/horse culture and history & Native American history.
• Ramona Pageant.
• Historic car and off-road interest groups.
• New identity of sustainability and solar city – be a leader in the region.

Implementation:

• Phasing is important; look for ways to kick-start revitalization.
• Need to incentivize new businesses.
• Look for public/private partnership and creating financing methods.
• Aggressively pursue grants for public improvements.
• Need community spirit, pride, ownership for anything to change.

Old Town Temecula

Claremont Village

Downtown Lancaster

Downtown Redlands

Downtown Culver City

Downtown Escondido

Please visit our project website:

www.cityofhemet.org

Click on the Downtown Hemet Link Join the Downtown Advisory Committee currently accepting applications

• Do you have any questions about the project or process?
• What are your favorite things about Downtown Hemet?

What makes Downtown Hemet identifiable?

• What are the most important things that could be added to

improve quality of life?

• What are the features of other successful Downtown’s that

you enjoy?

The Arroyo Group Planning, Urban Design, and Community Engagement Stanley R. Hoffman Associates Economics Iteris Transportation Planning EPT Design Landscape Architecture JMC2 Civil Engineering