07-26-2011 CC RPT 11 - Laserfiche WebLink

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P11 -0199 • Page 2 STAFFIPLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommended approval subject to the recommended conditions of approval. On May 19, 2011, the Planning Commission recommended approval of Planning Case P11 -0199 by a vote of 5 ayes, 0 noes and 1 disqualification, with modifications to staff's recommended conditions. BACKGROUND At the June 21, 2011 City Council meeting, a Resolution of Intent was adopted to vacate approximately 13,588 square feet of public right -of -way, consisting of a segment of Fairmount Boulevard, between University Avenue and Whittier Place, and a segment of a mid -block alley, located west of Fairmount Boulevard, between University Avenue and Whittier Place. The public hearing was set for July 12, 2011 pursuant to the Public Streets, Highways and Service Easements Vacation Law. At the July 12, 2011 meeting, the City Council continued this matter to the July 26, 2011 meeting at the applicant's request. Subsequent to Planning Commission consideration of this case, Planning staff and RCCD staff met on numerous occasions to discuss this vacation and how it relates to public access and safety considerations associated with the phased development of the RCCD School for the Arts. Specific items discussed included, but were not limited to, pedestrian access across the site to the north side of White Park, Police Department security and response needs and Fire Department response requirements. The RCCD has been extremely cooperative in working with staff to address concerns raised at these meetings. The RCCD desires to be a partner with the City to best address the security considerations raised at these meetings and indicated that gates will be installed at all vehicular driveways to prevent parking in the parking areas before and after school hours for the interim and final phases of development. Other security measures are recommended below: Phasing and Implementation During the first or interim phase of the RCCD development, where only surface parking will be provided (Exhibit 2), it is recommended that pedestrian connection across the site be provided along the westerly edge of the development to allow for pedestrian access from University Avenue to Whittier Place and White Park, mainly for special events programmed at White Park. The pedestrian -only gate along the north side of White Park will be retained and will be accessible during special events only. The RCCD has verbally agreed to enter into an agreement with the City whereby parking spaces within the RCCD development could be utilized to accommodate special community events at White Park. Prior to construction of the final phase of the RCCD Development, where an above ground parking structure would be constructed on the westerly portion of the site and subterranean parking would be provided under the new School for the Culinary Arts building (Exhibit 3), it is recommended that the fire lane along the westerly perimeter of the site be gated just south of the entrance to the above ground parking structure, such that vehicular access to the fire lane will only be available to Police and Fire Department personnel, RCCD faculty and any private security firm utilized by the RCCD. A key pad for RCCD and Police Department staff and "Knox box" device for Fire Department access will be provided at the gate to allow for access to the remainder of the fire lane. Additionally, it is recommended that the above ground 11 -2