SR - - ADDENDUM TO MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION METROLINK PARKING STRUCTURE1. SUBJECT
Approval of a modification to the Metrolink Parking Structure construction plans and an
addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration to add 16 City -owned parking spaces to the area
designated as the construction lay -down (staging) area on the Lemon Street lot. In addition, the
Council is being asked to approve final design for the parking structure signs.
2. SUMMARY
As part of finalizing the parking structure plans, a fully improved surface parking area was added
to the project design to address the contractor's construction lay -down area at the south end of
the parking structure building. This area is approximately one -third an acre in size and will add
16 City -owned spaces to the inventory of parking available at the former Lemon Street lot.
13. RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Approve and adopt the Addendum to MND 1832 -14.
2. Approve DRC 4675 -13 allowing for parking structure signs.
3. Approve a modification to the project plans to re- establish a public surface parking lot
within the project's construction staging areas, following project completion.
4 FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S)
2. Be a fiscally healthy community
d. Effectively manage and develop City assets.
e. Create an environment to attract, retain, and expand economic opportunities.
5. Enhance and promote quality of life in the community.
a. Refurbish, maintain, develop, and /or expand public use places and spaces.
6. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Economic Development Goal 2.0 Cultivate a business environment that is conducive and
appealing to the commercial and retail industry, including smaller entrepreneurs.
Policy 2.4: Maintain adequate infrastructure, transportation system, and physical conditions that
encourage retailers to invest in the City.
Economic Development Goal 6.0 Provide sufficient infrastructure to support anticipated
economic development and growth.
Policy 6.1: Provide and maintain infrastructure adequate to support growth and expansion of
commercial, industrial, and institutional areas, including water, sewer, streets, curbs, gutters,
sidewalks, storm drains, access, and parking improvements.
17. DISCUSSION and BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Following City Council approval of the Metrolink Parking Structure Project and associated
environmental clearances on January 12, 2016, the City of Orange transitioned the Metrolink
Parking Structure construction drawings to the Orange County Transportation Authority for
bidding and construction. At the completion of the design phase, 16 additional parking spaces
were added to the construction plans to re- establish City owned parking within the area of the
Lemon Street lot that will be utilized by the contractor as a lay -down and staging area. The
design of the additional parking area, including landscaping and lighting, is compatible with the
historic district and in conformance with the Old Towne Design Standards and the Secretary's
Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. The parking spaces will be funded with the
adoption of the FY 2017/2018 budget and will be City owned and operated, adding to the overall
Old Towne inventory of available parking.
Also during final design, parking structure sign details were further developed. The City's Design
Review Committee (DRC) reviewed the construction -level sign plans (among other final design
details) on April 20, 2016. The DRC found the construction -level plans in substantial
conformance with previous approvals and conditions. However, because the sign details do not
strictly adhere to the Old Towne Design Standards and because Council was the original
decision - making body for the Parking Structure plans, Council is being asked make the final
decision on the parking structure signs.
ITEM 2 3/14/17
DISCUSSION
Arlrlandiim
Since the addition of parking spaces was added after the environmental clearances on the project
were already approved, it is now necessary to process an Addendum to previously- approved
MND 1832 -14 to address the addition of the spaces. An Addendum is appropriate when there are
minor changes to a project, but those changes do not cause a substantial increase in the severity
of previously disclosed impacts, new significant impacts, or the need for new mitigation
measures. The addition of the 16 parking spaces and other minor project changes were evaluated
and an Addendum to previously approved MND 1832 -14 has been prepared (refer to Attachment
2). The Addendum concludes that the changes in the project do not cause significant impacts
beyond those previously disclosed. Previously identified mitigation measures continue to be
adequate to reduce project impacts to less than significant levels. As such, an Addendum is
appropriate and nothing further is required to comply with CEQA. An Addendum does not
require public review, but is provided to the City Council for review and consideration.
Si — age
One sign on each of the two parking structure elevator towers is proposed, one on Maple Avenue
and one on Lemon Street. The signs are proposed as blade signs, consisting of a painted metal
cabinet with neon letters and an orange fruit and arrow graphic. The signs are proposed at 12 feet
5 inches high by 4 feet 9 inches wide and 6 inches deep, with a sign area of 59 square feet per
sign face. The signs are positioned at the building's second level.
The Old Towne Design Standards identify a maximum sign area of 15 square feet per sign face
for blade signs. The sign area maximum in the Design Standards was written to limit the size of
new signs on historic commercial buildings in the Plaza and did not anticipate the need for public
wayfinding signs. As such, and although the sign area exceeds the standard, the DRC
recommended approval, finding the sign in conformance with the intent of the Design Standards
based on the fact that the scale of the sign is necessary to fulfill its function as a wayfinding sign,
is appropriate for the size of the building, and the design and materials are compatible with the
historic district. There were no public comments on this item. The DRC minutes, staff report, and
sign plans for the April 20, 2016 meeting are provided as part of Attachment 3. Council is being
asked to consider the DRC's recommendation and approve DRC 4675 -13 allowing for the
construction of the parking structure signs as designed.
8. ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1- Location Map
Attachment 2- Parking Plan
Attachment 3- Sign Rendering
Attachment 4- Addendum to MND 1832 -14
Attachment 5- DRC Minutes, Staff Report, and Plans for April 20, 2016 DRC Meeting