CC - Item 5A - Garvey Avenue Corridor Specification Plan Request for Proposal and Appointment of a SubcommitteeROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: DECEMBER 10, 2013
SUBJECT: GARVEY AVENUE CORRIDOR SPECIFIC PLAN - REQUEST FOR
PROPOSAL (RFP); AND APPOINTMENT OF A SUBCOMMITTEE
SUMMARY
The availability of vacant and underutilized land in the Garvey Avenue corridor provides
a key opportunity for the City to develop and adopt a specific plan to carefully shape the
corridor beyond what current General Plan, zoning standards, and the 2012 Garvey
Master Plan design policies can achieve. A specific plan is a regulatory tool that local
governments use to guide development in a localized area to systematically implement
the general plan and create a "sense of place." A carefully crafted specific plan
developed by City officials, staff, and an expert land use consultant has the potential to
strengthen the identity and image of Garvey Avenue, as well as expand opportunities
for concentrated commercial, industrial and residential uses that contribute to jobs and
tax revenues to the community.
Staff Recommendations
It is recommended that the City take the following actions:
1. Authorize staff to advertise and solicit bids from qualified entities for the
preparation of a Garvey Avenue Specific Plan and related environmental impact
documents through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process; and
2. Appoint a Specific Plan Subcommittee proposed by the Mayor, consisting of two
(2) members from the City Council, one (1) member of the Planning Commission,
and one (1) member of the Traffic Commission.
BACKGROUND
The commercial and industrial districts in Rosemead and the jobs and tax revenues
they provide contribute significantly to the City's financial well- being. Economically
viable commercial and industrial businesses generate tax revenue, provide a variety of
shopping and commercial activities, and ensure the long term fiscal health of the City.
ITEM NUMBER
City Council Report
December 10, 2013
Page 2 of 3
The City's General Plan Land Use Element outlines goals and policies that address
preserving and encouraging a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential activities
and revitalizing underperforming commercial corridors. One of the plan's action items
calls for preparing a specific plan to plan for future development, as well as for both
private and public realm design features, in the "High Intensity" commercial areas.
The largest "High Intensity" commercial area in the City exists on Garvey Avenue,
specifically in the vicinity of where the former Los Angeles Dealer Auto Auction once
operated. The availability of this vacant and underutilized land provides a key
opportunity for the City to adopt a detailed development plan.
ANALYSIS
The specific plan is an effective tool for developing a community "sense of place." It is
intended to be a more detailed development plan than a general plan, as it contains
definitive development standards and requirements relating to land use, density, lot size
and shape, siting of buildings, setbacks, circulation, drainage, landscaping, architecture,
water, sewer, public facilities, grading, maintenance, open space, parking, and other
elements deemed necessary for proper development of an area. Such projects take the
form of a map and written text. Specific plans are also subject to an environmental
study in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The preparation of a specific plan encompassing the entire length of the Garvey Avenue
corridor will require the collection and analysis of significant amounts of detailed data,
as well as technical environmental studies. It is anticipated that the scope of this project
will require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Close
collaboration between City staff, an expert land use consultant, and an appointed
subcommittee will be essential to achieve a plan that strengthens the image, identity,
and sense of place of one of the City's prominent commercial corridors.
Subsequent to the work of the expert land use consultant, staff and the appointed
subcommittee, the proposed specific plan and the environmental documents will be
reviewed for consideration by the Planning Commission and the Traffic Commission
prior to final review and action by the City Council.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
It is proposed that the cost of this project be covered by financial resources in the
General Fund unallocated fund balance. It is anticipated that a budget amendment will
be considered by the City Council in conjunction with its approval of a contract with the
successful land use consulting firm that emerges from the RFP process.
City Council Report
December 10, 2013
Page 3 of 3
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item was noticed through the normal public agenda posting process.
Prepared by: / /S, u by:
Sheri Bermejo Michelle G. Ramirez
City Planner Community Development Director