HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 06-23RESOLUTION NO.06-23
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION,ARIZONA,APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE DOWNTOWN
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE CROSSROADS REDEVELOPMENT AREA.
WHEREAS,the City of Apache Junction is desirous of implementing a
strategic plan for the downtown;and
WHEREAS,the City has previously approved by resolution the Crossroads
Redevelopment Plan in 1998;and
WHEREAS,the citizens of Apache Junction have been involved in 28
different visioning documents on the downtown in the last 10 years;and
WHEREAS,the Downtown Implementation Plan is a synthesis of the
Crossroads Redevelopment Plan and of all other downtown planning documents;
and
WHEREAS,the Council has set downtown development as a policy priority;
and
WHEREAS,the City has all of the tools in place to undertake a
comprehensive Downtown Implementation Plan;and
WHEREAS,the Mayor and City Council must adopt a resolution approving
and adopting of the Downtown Implementation Plan.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of the
City of Apache Junction as follows:
THAT THE DOCUMENT ENTITLED "APACHE JUNCTION DOWNTOWN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN",
THREE COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE WITH IN THE OFFICE OF APACHE JUNCTION CITY
CLERK AND ATTACHED HERTO AS ATTACHMENT A IS HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION THIS 6TH DAY OF JUNE 2006.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 6TH DAY OF JUNE 2006.
Resolution No.06-23
Page 1 of 2
DOUGLAS
Mayor
ATTEST:
G '
// / ,
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
.525704___
RICHARD J.STERN
City Attorney
Resolution No.06-23
Page 2 of 2
°LEMAN
FINAL DRAFT -APRIL 24, 2006
Attachment A
APACHE JUNCTION DOWNTOWN
DEVELOPMENT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
Background
The Crossroads Redevelopment Area (CRA) Improvement Plan was adopted by the
City in July 1998 as the first,and an important,step in the improvement and
revitalization process.The CRA Plan was developed to meet the requirements of
ARS Section 36-1471 etseq.and to set the stage for substantial private and public
investment which will benefit the entire community.(See Attachment 1 for a map of
the CRA.)
Since the adoption of the Plan, significant public and private investments have been
made within the CRA.South of Apache Trail and the Old West Highway private
investors have developed significant,and much needed,neighborhood service
shopping areas to help meet the day-to-day shopping needs of residents within the
CRA for such needs as groceries and other household goods and services.This
initial development was much needed, not only to provide the basic needs for the
existing residents,but also to provide a base of services needed to develop
significant residential development.The City has also made major financial and
development commitments in the CRA with the new civic complex, including a new
City Hall, Public Safety Headquarters, Library and a Multi -Generational Recreation
Facility.Additionally the Post Office, state offices, and the Pinal County government
complex all contribute to make downtown the governmental center for Apache
Junction.
While these significant public and private investments have been made around the
Downtown portion of the CRA,little investment and reinvestment have occurred
since the adoption of the Plan.The Downtown is defined as that portion of the
Crossroads Redevelopment Area bounded primarily by Old West Highway on the
south, Out Post Road on the east, Superstition Blvd on the north and Plaza Drive on
the west (see map in Attachment 2).
Many reasons can be identified for the lack of reinvestment within the Downtown,
including: a) an inadequate street layout and circulation system; b) poor lot layout
and subdivision platting relating to size and accessibility;c)deterioration of
properties or other improvements; d) a diversity of ownership; and e) a lack of public
infrastructure designed and constructed to support the redevelopment of the
Downtown.These conditions have made the assemblage of property within the
Downtown into useable redevelopment parcels difficult.While development of the
CRA will be a long-term incremental process requiring a public/private partnership,
there will be significant short-term opportunities for redevelopment within the
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
Downtown once the majority of the land has been assembled for redevelopment
purposes.
Redevelopment Implementation Plan Purpose
The CRA is a specific area that has been identified as the "heart" of the Central
Business District.This redevelopment area designation provides an opportunity to
implement unique enhancements that are not able to be established elsewhere in
the City.The CRA Plan approved by the City Council in 1998 is a comprehensive
document integrating many elements into one plan.Although each of these
elements is distinct, their goals and objectives overlap and reinforce each other.
The redevelopment of the Downtown will be accomplished by a multitude of
incremental steps or phases of development.Substantial and ongoing private
reinvestment in the area is necessary to create a "critical mass" of mixed -use
developments that will ultimately provide the goal of sustainability.Although many
individual private reinvestments will be required to achieve this goal, it will be the
recent and continued public investment in governmental facilities, transportation,
streetscape and other public infrastructure improvements that will link these
individual private investments into a cohesive, identifiable and sustainable place—a
thriving Downtown,the heart of the community.
The CRA Plan as adopted anticipated that as the redevelopment process moves
forward, the City, working with the private development community and the residents
of the community, will create the necessary "tools" for the implementation of the
Plan.For these tools to be effective, an Implementation Plan, or Action Plan, must
be approved by the City Council.The purpose of this Downtown Development
Implementation Plan document is to identify the necessary actions to carry out the
CRA Plan.
Over the years, the community has had many discussions, forums, and plans on
how to revitalize the Downtown.For the downtown to be successful there seems to
be a consensus that a pedestrian oriented,mixed -used downtown should be
developed.To accomplish this, the following important actions must take place to
create an environment to attract quality developers.
1.The design and construction of major arterial street improvements that will
be the backbone of the CRA's transportation network that will provide
access to and around,but not through,a more compactly developed
Downtown.These arterial street improvements should include: a) relocating
Highway 88 to east edge of the Downtown; b) narrowing and traffic calming
of the Old West Highway from a point west of North Apache Trail to a point
just east of Out Post Road; c) completing improvements to Superstition Blvd.
; and completing improvements to Idaho Rd. from the Superstition Freeway
to Downtown.In addition to this arterial street network, as redevelopment of
the Downtown proceeds and funding is available, the other streets within the
2
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
Downtown that will connect to the arterial network.Idaho Road,North
Apache Trail and Junction Street should be appropriately improved and
landscaped to create the "Main Streets" of the Downtown.Streets, alleys,
paths and trails should all interrelate and interconnect forming a cohesive,
efficient and safe pedestrian -friendly circulation plan.Special attention
should be given to incorporating a strong transit and pedestrian linkage
between the Central Arizona Community College campus and these Main
Streets of the Downtown, as well as connecting existing adjacent residential
areas.These connections must be comfortable and safe,with sufficient
lighting, shade, public facilities and rest areas.
2.The City of Apache Junction will continue to lead the way in reinvestment in
the area, as it has demonstrated with the recent development of the new
City Hall,Library,Public Safety Headquarters,and Multi -Generational
Recreational facility.Tying these major public investments to the remainder
of the Downtown through the development of the public infrastructure
(streets, sidewalks, utilities, etc.), which will provide the basis for the major
private investment that will create the "place" where the community will
gather to celebrate.This continued pattern of public and private
reinvestment should also include public art,open space and aesthetic
improvements.
3.A variety of programs must be developed and initiated to enhance and
redevelop existing residential and business areas within and adjacent to the
CRA.Emphasis should be placed on actively incorporating and spurring
greater interaction between existing and future residential developments with
current and future commercial centers and public spaces
Crossroads Redevelopment Area Goals and Action Items
The following Goals and Action items identify specific activities that will implement the CRA
Plan and define and enhance Downtown Apache Junction's identity.These actions are
based on traditional downtown/neighborhood design concepts that will anchor the
continued development of the City.
To realize its full potential, the Apache Junction Downtown should consist of traditional
urban mixed -used pedestrian friendly developments with commercial shops, offices, and
loft residential creating a Village Center at the core of the Downtown,surrounded by
traditional residential neighborhoods,schools,and parks.Central Arizona Community
College should also be integrated into the development of the downtown area. Land use
classifications in the Downtown will not the same as those used elsewhere in the City. In
the Downtown, horizontal and vertical integration of mixed land uses will be encouraged so
as to contribute to the desired traditional downtown Village Center character.This will
require building heights and densities greater than what is currently permitted in the City.
3
FINAL DRAFT -April k. -r, 2006
The development emphasis of the Downtown should be based on a pedestrian -oriented
street and sidewalk system. Buildings should have minimal setbacks to bring them closer to
the street, thereby encouraging pedestrian window-shopping and street -side dining. The
traditional Village Center design concept promotes a circulation system that is multi -modal,
focusing on pedestrians, bicyclists, buses, and light rail.This circulation system will provide
access to the Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods, schools, parks, commercial and
employment areas.
Action Plan
This Implementation Plan identifies actions that are based on the goals approved in
the 1998 CRA Improvement Plan.The Action Plan is organized into the following
five categories:
1.Design
2.Retail/Private Sector Employment
3.Residential and Neighborhoods
4.Parking/Pedestrian and Vehicle Circulation/Transportation
5.Public Services and Facilities.
Each category identifies goals and a specific implementation project or action.For
each project or action, the lead responsibility and timeframe are identified.From the
list of implementation actions, a priority list should be developed and the specific
action items and projects incorporated into the City's Capital Improvement and
Operating budgets.To be effective, the Action Plan should be reviewed annually.
1.DESIGN
Goals
1.Develop a mixed -use,pedestrian -oriented downtown surrounded by
traditional residential neighborhoods.Create a central gathering place for
special events,cultural activities,and downtown residents.Incorporate
Central Arizona Community College into the Downtown.
2.Downtown should include a mix of uses, including retail shops, restaurants,
offices,hotels,entertainment,and residential that foster pedestrian
interaction.
3.Buildings should have varied design and interesting.Retail, service, and
entertainment uses should be on the ground floor, with office and residential
on the upper floors.
4.Encourage businesses to open to sidewalks and pedestrian plazas.
4
FINAL DRAFT—April 24, 2006
5.Downtown sidewalks should be of sufficient width to accommodate
pedestrian -oriented amenities and sidewalk cafes.
6.Provide for adequate public parking and encourage shared parking within
mixed -use developments.Parking areas should focus on the pedestrian, not
the automobile.Discourage automobile -oriented uses within the retail core.
7.Design attractive and pedestrian -oriented signage,especially in the retail
core.
8.Encourage art in public places.Promote cultural development,special
events, and activities for all ages.
1.DESIGN
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
A.Prepare a Conceptual Development Planning &
Plan that includes incorporating Zoning X
Central Arizona Community College
into the Downtown City
Manager's
Office
B.Add a Downtown Mixed -Use Zoning
_
District to the Zoning Ordinance that Planning &X
will allow for mixed uses and mid-Zoning
rise buildings not to exceed a height
of 75 feet.
C. Prepare and adopt Design
Guidelines for the downtown area Planning &X
that creates an urban pedestrian-Zoning
oriented downtown.
D.Amend City codes to provide zero Development
building setbacks to promote Services X
pedestrian activity.
5
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
E. Amend City codes to allow outdoor Planning &
dining, displays, and other Zoning X
pedestrian -oriented activities.
•
F.Provide the necessary inducements City
to encourage upper floor outdoor Manager's
activities, such as residential patios,Office X
patio dining, view decks, etc.
Economic
Development
G. Design and construct improvements
along Idaho Rd, North Apache Trail,Public Works X X X
and Junction Street that will create
a pedestrian -oriented "Main Street"
character.
H.Design and construct streetscape
improvements that include shade
structures, covered walkways,
canopy trees, benches, bicycle Public Works X X X X
parking, seat walls, decorative
surface treatments, pedestrian-
scale lighting, and landscape
planters separating pedestrians
from automobiles.Plans should
consider future light rail.
I.Amend City codes to prohibit off-Public Works
street surface parking lots fronting
Idaho Rd., North Apache Trail, and City X
Junction Street (the downtown retail Manager's
core)Office
6
FINAL DRAFT—April 24, 2006
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
J.Amend City codes to require parking Planning &X
structures to be fronted with retail or Zoning
other appropriate uses at street and
plaza levels.
K. Amend the sign ordinance to allow Planning &X
_
for flexibility and creativity in Zoning
business identification signage.
L.Amend City codes to prohibit in the Planning &X
retail core area auto -oriented uses Zoning
and other uses with drive -up, drive-
through, and drive-in facilities.
M.Create an Art in Public Places City
program funded by a "Percent for Manager's X
the Arts" development fee.Office
N.Design and construct "gateways"Public Works
_
that will provide a defined and X X X X
formal entryway into downtown.City
Manager's
Office
7
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
2.RETAIL/PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
Goals
1.Increase and improve the variety and quality of goods and services for the
City's residents and visitors.
2.Increase and improve the quality and accessibility of job opportunities in the
City.
3.Encourage private investment.
4.Collaborate with Central Arizona College to provide opportunities for the
development of skilled workers to attract businesses to the Downtown and
City.
5.Develop Downtown as a vibrant and attractive hub for business.
6.Utilize Tax Increment Financing as an incentive tool to assist in financing high
quality projects that provide employment opportunities.
2.RETAIL/PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYMENT
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
A.Conduct a market study to identify Economic X
new opportunities for retail and Development
employment
B.Facilitate the development of mixed Economic
use developments that integrate Development
office, retail and residential X X X X
City
Manager's
Office
8
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
C.Develop employee training Economic
programs with Central Arizona Development
Community College (CACC)
City X X
Managers
Office
CACC
D. Develop a technical assistance Economic
program for business development Development
X X
City
Manager's
Office
E. Develop design guidelines and Planning &X
policies that encourage pedestrian Zoning
oriented retail uses
F.Create a tax increment financing
district. [COMPLETED -1998]
9
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
3.RESIDENTIAL AND NEIGHBORHOODS
Goals
1.Encourage high density housing, including lofts, townhouses, condominiums,
and apartments in the Village Center.
2.Encourage the provision of good,market -rate housing in a suitable living
environment that is in proximity to business and cultural activities.
3.Create a sense of community and neighborhood as a place to live, work, and
play.
4.Encourage residential lot layout in neighborhoods adjacent to the Village
Center that provides a range of housing types and densities
3.RESIDENTIAL AND NEIGHBORHOODS
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
A.Develop Design Guidelines for
Residential Development
Planning &
Zoning
X
B.Revise the Zoning Ordinance to Planning &X
allow the integration of residential Zoning
and commercial uses in the City
Center.
C.Revise the Zoning Ordinance to Planning &X
permit a maximum residential Zoning
density in the City Center of 50
units per acre.
10
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
4. CIRCULATION/PARKING
Goals
1.Provide a safe,efficient,and attractive circulation system that minimizes
conflicts between pedestrians,bicycles,automobiles,transit,and service
vehicles.
2.Provide safe, efficient, and attractive vehicular access to the Village Center
from major regional highways, neighborhoods, Central Arizona Community
College, and business/employment centers.
3.Provide for easy and safe pedestrian and bicycle movement throughout the
downtown, especially in the high density areas.
4.Discourage auto -oriented uses within the Village Center.
5.Locate parking facilities so that traffic on the adjacent street system will be not
be disrupted by parking activities.
6.Encourage public parking and shared parking for private use within mixed-use—
developments while protecting the pedestrian orientation of the Downtown
public spaces.
7.Encourage short-term on -street parking to provide convenient parking for
customers.
4.CIRCULATION/PARKING
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
A.Develop a "Main Street" pedestrian Planning &
and transit -oriented streetscape Zoning X
design standards for Idaho Road,
North Apache Trail, and Junction Public Works
Street that also accommodates
bicycles.
B.Revise City Codes to prohibit auto-Planning &X
oriented uses, including drive -up,Zoning
drive -through, and drive-in facilities
in the Village Center.
11
FINAL DRAFT -April k -r,2006
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
C.Develop design standards to create
a Downtown Streetscape theme for Public Works
streets and pedestrian pathways X
that integrates the downtown with Planning &
adjacent neighborhoods, Central Zoning
Arizona Community College, and
commercial and employment
centers.Standards should include
trees, street lighting, pedestrian
lighting, signage, special pavement
crosswalks, and bicycle pathways.
D.Develop a plan for locating transit
stations and design standards for Public Works X X
the stations and park and ride lots
located adjacent to the downtown.
E.Relocate a portion of Highway 88 to
the east of downtown to provide for
higher speed through traffic around Public Works
the Downtown by constructing a X X
new 6 lane arterial roadway City
beginning at Idaho Rd, just south of Manager's
the Old West Highway, then along Office
an alignment east of Idaho Rd. to
the existing alignment of Highway
88 before it intersects with
Superstition Blvd.
F.Improve Idaho Road from the City
Superstition Freeway to Downtown Manager's
with landscaping, signage, and new Office X X X
paving to create an entry/gateway
from the Freeway to Downtown.Public Works
12
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
G.Underground all existing and future Public Works
electrical and utility lines within
street and alley rights -of -way.City X X X
Manager's
Office
H.Prepare a Parking Master Plan for Planning &
Downtown that includes a shared-Zoning X X
parking model for mixed -use
developments.Public Works
I.Allow diagonal on -street parking in Planning &
the Village Center as part of the Zoning X
"Main Street" character.
Public Works
J.Develop design standards for Planning &X X
parking structures to make them Zoning
aesthetically pleasing and
pedestrian friendly.
K.Develop policies and necessary Planning &X
code revisions to prohibit off-street Zoning
parking lots within the Village
Center.
13
FINAL DRAFT -April LT,2006
5.PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES
Goals
1.Assure that public services and facilities are adequate to meet the needs of
the Downtown area.
2.City, County, Federal, and State government functions should be located and
clustered in the downtown area.
3.Regional financial, cultural, entertainment, and health institutions should be
located in the Downtown.
4.Encourage the expansion of the Central Arizona Community College
Superstition Mountain Campus in the downtown area.
5.Provide a variety of open space areas for recreation, public gatherings, and
pedestrian movement.At least one of these areas should be large enough to
accommodate large public gatherings.
5.PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES
Project/Action Lead Tim eframe—Yea rs
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
A.Develop a public infrastructure plan Public Works
to accommodate build -out of the X X
Downtown.City
Manager's
Office
B.Develop a Tax Increment Financing Economic
Plan to fund necessary public Development
infrastructure improvements.X X
City
Manager's
Office
14
FINAL DRAFT -April 24, 2006
Project/Action Lead Timeframe—Years
1-2 2-3 3-5 5+
C.Prepare an expansion plan for the CACC
Central Arizona Community College X X
Superstition Mountain Campus City
Managers
Office
D.Develop a strategy to locate a City
_
hospital and other health related Manager's X X
facilities in the Downtown.Office
E.Prepare a public facility master plan City X X
for City, State, and Federal Managers
facilities.Office
F.Prepare an Open Space Master Planning &X X
Plan for the downtown area that is Zoning
integrated with the Conceptual
Development Plan.
15
0.125 0.25
Downtown District
0.5
Miles
Legend
CrossroadRedevelopmentArea
AreaName
litZ' Dow-item District
C:I CrossroadsFile: The Crossroa d'sRe dev elo pme ntAre a2. mxd
0 0.125 0.25
Downtom District
0.5
Miles
Legend
CrossroadRedevelopmentArea
AreaName
DotAntowl DE rid
CrossmadsFile: The Crossroad'sRedevelopmentArea2.mxd