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CDC - Item 2D - Rosemead Towne Center Streetscape conceptE M 6 Q. ~?l//~ _ ~ll~~ 9 O Q~Q 9 ORPoRATF.D '9g • ROSEMEAD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION STAFF REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND COMMISSION MEM ERS FROM: ANDREW C. LAZZARETTO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTO DATE: May 8, 2006 SUBJECT: ROSEMEAD TOWNE CENTER STREETSCAPE CONCEPT SUMMARY Over the last several months, staff has been working with Lawrence Moss and Associates to design a streetscape project along Valley Boulevard between Rosemead Boulevard and Muscatel Avenue. Attached for the Community Development Commission's review is a conceptual color rendering of the plan as well as a detail of the courtyard area between City Hall and the Library. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Community Development Commission approve the conceptual streetscape design and include it in the specific plan process for the downtown area. DISCUSSION Creating and/or enhancing downtown areas has become a priority to many local cities over the last decade. In communities like Alhambra, Monrovia, Pasadena, and others, rehabilitation of downtown areas have helped to create a vibrant pedestrian friendly environment and has helped to attract nationally recognized retailers, restaurants, and entertainment uses to their communities. While these downtown areas are different in size and scale, they all can attribute a major part of their downtown's success to pedestrian friendly streetscape plans which included incorporating landscaping and pedestrian friendly amenities like street furniture and lighting, into their public streets. In the City of Rosemead, Valley Boulevard between Rosemead Boulevard and Muscatel Avenue, shares many similar downtown-like characteristics as compared to the cities mentioned above. For example, this area currently includes many of the typical uses that can be found in most downtowns like the Civic Center, shopping, dining, and housing opportunities. Valley Boulevard is also a major east/west arterial through the City and is wide enough to accommodate typical landscaping treatments required to create a pedestrian friendly area. APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: l ~ • 0 Community Development Commission Meeting May 8, 2007 Page 2 of 2 Many of the cities with successful down streetscapes have used Lawrence Moss and Associates, out of Glendale, for design services. Based upon staffs familiarity with Lawrence. Moss' quality product as well as positive recommendations for surrounding communities, the City retained their services to create the Rosemead Towne Center Streetscape Plan. Attachments 1 and 1a. are the conceptual color renderings of the streetscape plan designed by Lawrence Moss for Valley Boulevard between Rosemead Boulevard and Muscatel Avenue. The Plan includes incorporating landscaped medians and bowouts along Valley Boulevard and working in conjunction with the local property owners to re- landscape their properties with a similar plant palette. It also includes creating a central courtyard area between City Hall and the Los Angeles County Library. The existing parking will be relocated to other areas of the site. A second phase to this project would address the City Hall and Library parking areas would be presented to the Commission at a subsequent meeting. The courtyard area incorporates a unique water feature as well as pathways and seating areas designed to promote pedestrian activity. The existing Veterans Memorial is also included in the courtyard area. If the Commission approves the conceptual plan tonight, staff would incorporate this plan into the overall specific plan for the downtown area and present the Plan to the Los Angeles County Library staff and affected property owners for approval. PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. Redevelopment Ad mini strator/RCDC Deputy Executive Director Attachment 1 & 1 a - Rosemead Towne Center Conceptual Colored Renderings IC 20' /0' WATER FEATURE VETERAN'S MEMORIAL Rosemead Towne Center May 1, 2007 • 0 C Q) c v V v c 0 F--w ti v E Q) Lon 0 0 O^ N