ORDINANCE 1296ORDINANCE NO. 1296
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, ENACTING FOR A PERIOD OF
FORTY -FIVE DAYS IN ACCORDANCE WITH
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858 A PROHIBITION ON
CERTAIN DEVELOPMENT IN THE DOWNTOWN
COMMERCIAL ZONE (C -RS) AND DECLARING THE
URGENCY THEREOF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council of the City of El Segundo ( "City Council ") ordains as follows:
A. For the past several years, El Segundo has considered various potential options
to improve the City's economic and physical development of its Downtown Area
( "Downtown');
B. As part of this effort, in June, 1998, the El Segundo City Council authorized the
formation of the Downtown task force ( "Task Force "), composed of local business and
community leaders;
C. In November, 1998, the Task Force issued its Final Report, in which it made
numerous recommendations regarding the revitalization of Downtown. A copy of the Final
Report is attached hereto as Exhibit "A" and incorporated herein by this reference;
D. Among other recommendations, the Final Report recommends that the feasibility
of a comprehensive revision to the El Segundo Zoning Code as it relates to Downtown be
evaluated. Alternatively the Final Report recommends that preparation of Downtown Specific .
Plan be considered;
E. As a result of the above planning efforts, the City Council has determined that
revitalization of downtown El Segundo is a key component of the City's on -going planning and
other efforts to promote economic development and improve the physical character of the City;
F. The City's efforts have also identified numerous problems relating to downtown
El Segundo that need to be addressed, as outlined in greater detail in the City Council Report
accompanying this Ordinance and the Final Report;
ORDINANCE NO. 1296
PROHIBITING CERTAIN
DEVELOPMENT IN
THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL
ZONE (C -RS) AND DECLARING
THE URGENCY THEREOF
PAGE
G. The City's review of its existing development regulations, including the zoning
code and the General Plan, indicates that these provisions do not adequately address the
planning issues relevant to downtown El Segundo or reflect the City's recent planning efforts
relating to downtown El Segundo. As a result, the relevant Municipal Code provisions are
inadequate and need review, study, and revision. In addition, numerous other planning
options have been discussed or are contemplated for downtown El Segundo. These options,
include, but are not limited to undertaking a thorough rezoning of the area consistent with the
City's economic development goals, and the adoption of a Downtown El Segundo Specific Plan
to avoid fractionalized development and address area -wide problems.
H. The City Council finds that until new regulations relating to downtown El
Segundo are adopted, properties in this area may receive entitlement which are inconsistent
with the City's planning strategies relating to economic development and other issues. The City
Council finds that pursuant to Government Code section 65858, the purpose of this Ordinance
is to adopt as an urgency measure an interim ordinance prohibiting any uses in the Downtown
area, which may be in conflict with a contemplated general plan, specific plan, or zoning
proposal, which the City Council, Planning Commission or the planning department is
considering or studying or intends to study within a reasonable time.
I. The City Council directs that all studies regarding the new zoning ordinances,
general or specific plans, or other measures be pursued as expeditiously as is practicable. In
order to prevent the frustration of said studies and the implementation thereof, the public
interest, health, safety, and welfare require the immediate enactment of this Ordinance. The
absence of this Ordinance would create a serious threat to the orderly and effective
implementation of any zoning amendments or amendments to the City's General Plan, which
may be adopted by the City as a result of the planning process, in that further development of
currently allowed uses within the Downtown area may be in conflict with or frustrate the
contemplated updates and revisions to the City's zoning code or General Plan or adoption of a
Downtown El Segundo Specific Plan.
J. The City Council finds that this Ordinance is necessary for the protection of the
City's retail trade, maintenance of property values, protection and preservation of the quality of
the City's neighborhoods and the City's commercial districts, and the protection of the City's
quality of life.
K. The City Council finds, determines, and declares that a current and immediate
threat to the public health, safety, or welfare exists, and the approval of additional subdivisions,
use permits, variances, building permits, or any other applicable entitlements for use which is
required in order to comply with a zoning ordinance would result in that threat to public
health, safety, or welfare. The facts constituting such an urgency are set forth in Sections A -L,
inclusive of this Ordinance.
L. The City Council further finds that this is a matter of City -wide importance and
is not directed towards any particular parcel of property or proposed use.
ORDINANCE NO. 1296
PROHIBITING CERTAIN
DEVELOPMENT IN
THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL
ZONE (C -RS) AND DECLARING THE
THE URGENCY THEREOF
PAGE
Section 1. Declaration of Prohibition.
Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, the City of El Segundo hereby declares
a prohibition on the issuance of building permits, grading permits, conditional use permits,
variances, tentative subdivision maps, vesting tentative subdivision maps, parcel maps, site
plan review approvals, development plan review approvals, or other entitlements, on parcels of
land located within the downtown Commercial Zone (C -RS). However, this Ordinance shall
not apply to retail uses and restaurants, financial institutions, general offices, medical - dental
offices, and theaters.
Section 2: Issuance of Permits.
Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, the City of El Segundo shall not issue,
nor accept an application for, any building permits, grading permits, conditional use permits,
variances, tentative subdivision maps, vesting tentative subdivision maps, parcel maps, site
plan review approvals, development review, or other entitlements for properties located within
downtown El Segundo, as defined in Section 1 above. This Ordinance shall not apply to
building or other permits necessary for repairs to individual properties required as a result of
flooding, earthquakes, or other natural occurrences.
Section 3: Severability
If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this
Ordinance, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court
of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of
this Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance,
and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences,
clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 4: Publication.
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and cause the same to be
published in the manner prescribed by law.
Section 5: Vote Required.
In accordance with Government Code Section 65858, as an urgency prohibition
ordinance, this Ordinance requires a four - fifths vote of the entire City Council if present or a
unanimous vote if all City Council Members are not present.
ORDINANCE NO. 12%
PROHIBITING CERTAIN
DEVELOPMENT IN
THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL
ZONE (C -RS) AND DECLARING THE
THE URGENCY THEREOF
PAGE
Section 6: Urgency Measure/ Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall be introduced, passed, and adopted at one and the same meeting
as an urgency measure. As an urgency prohibition, this Ordinance shall become effective
immediately and shall continue in full force and effect unless amended or repealed or extended
for a period of forty -five (45) days until April 2, 1999. The reasons for this urgency are declared
and set forth in Paragraphs A -L, inclusive, of this Ordinance and the same are incorporated
herein by this reference.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 161h day of February, 1999.
Mayor, City of El Segundo
ATTEST:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
CITY OF EL SEGUNDO )
I, Cindy Mortesen, City Clerk of the City of El Segundo, do hereby certify that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 1296 was duly introduced, passed, and adopted as an urgency ordinance at a
regular meeting of the City Council on the 16th day of February, 1999, by the following roll -call
vote:
AYES: Gordon, Wernick, McDowell, Gaines
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Jacobs
City Clerk, City of El Segundo
APPROVED AS TO FO M.
i Attorney, City of El Se do
ORDINANCE NO. 1296
PROHIBITING CERTAIN
DEVELOPMENT IN
THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL
ZONE (C -RS) AND DECLARING THE
THE URGENCY THEREOF
PAGE
-Developing a Vision
for
Downtown El Segundo
Submitted to the El Segundo City Council
November 9, 1998
by the
El Segundo Downtown Task Force
Leonard Blakesley
Jeff Brown
Patty Brown
Steve Claman
Joanne Edelfson
Dennis Estill
Frank Glynn
Ron Hart
Eric Johnson
Roanne Mahony
Brenda Newman
Brian Polkinghorne
John Purcell
Bill Ruane
Brian Simon
Ron Stone
Susan Truax
Nicky Wislocky
with assistance from
Dennis Zane
Marybeth Vergara
Gladstein & Associates
Woody Tescher
EIP Associates
Ef Segundo Downtown Task Force
Developing a Vision for Downtown El Segundo
As the City of El Segundo plans the future of its downtown, it is important to keep in mind and
nurture its fundamental strengths. These strengths are the foundation for the future of our
downtown, even as the City seeks to remedy its weaknesses.
Downtown El Segundo is a charming and eclectic mix of structures and enterprises, possessing a
one of a kind character. It's charm and small town feel reflects the essential character of the
community itself. This charm and eclectic nature is a vital and marketable asset that must be
preserved and enhanced.
Nevertheless, as a community downtown El Segundo does not measure up to our aspirations.
There is lack of activity, of people on the street. Downtown needs more than a boost, it needs a
Plan to:
• provide a better balance of uses;
• exhibit a stronger commitment to pedestrians;
• create a more thoughtful and creative use of public space;
• organize creative and consistent programming of events and public activity;
• create a consistent public - private partnership to market its assets to investors and customers;
• strengthen commitment to the strategic use of key parcels in the downtown;
• create more attractive landscaping and street furnishings; and,
• improve signage.
The City of El Segundo, the merchants and downtown property owners must recognize and
actively seek the allegiance of its natural markets - those who live, those who work, and those
who vivit in El Segundo.
Downtown El Segundo is really two distinct but mutually supporting districts: the Main Street
district and the Richmond Street district. Each of these districts has its own charm, its own
distinctive architecture and building type, and its own set of appropriate uses. Nevertheless, like
fraternal twins, the future of each district is interwoven with the future of the other.
It is a symbiosis full of opportunity and we should seize it.
If we do, we believe that a revitalized downtown can provide an essential center to the life of our
city, a center where more than commerce takes place, a center where we gather to become a
stronger, richer community.
We urge the El Segundo City Council to treat the revitalization of our downtown as one of your
highest priorities. We urge you to be proactive, creative and tenacious.
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General Recommendations
1. Assure continuity of effort and the implementation of Task Force recommendations
Assure that the following recommendations are fleshed out in necessary detail and that an
implementation strategy is developed. This is likely to include creating the necessary local
institutional framework and retaining a multi- disciplinary team to guide the city's efforts.
2. Develop creative downtown programming:
The Downtown Task Force urges the City of El Segundo to make a major early contribution
to the economic health of the downtown by developing high quality programming for both
Main Street and Richmond Streets. Regular special events, weekly or biweekly farmer's
markets, effective use of the plaza for thoughtful and creative weekday or weekend
programming is well worth the investment. These activities can help build the community
and merchant consensus behind the city's efforts, and can help build faith in the downtown
on the part of the investor and merchant community.
3. Plan and implement proactive marketing efforts for the downtown:
The Downtown Task Force believes that the City of El Segundo has a significant role to play,
in concert with property owners and merchants, in efforts to actively market our downtown.
We must proactively invite our community to enjoy the downtown and actively reach out to
the development, retail and investor communities to consider investment in fulfilling our
downtown goals.
4. Capitalize on specialty stores:
The Downtown Task Force strongly encourages the development of specialty store resources
in our downtown. Specialty stores can be mini -anchor people generators for downtown
because they are often destination uses that people will travel to visit. They work especially
well where architectural charm is also available. Examples, include the Porcelain Doll Shop,
charming antique stores or specialty book stores. In the absence of major anchor uses,
creating a specialty store motif, especially on Richmond makes a lot of sense.
5. Encourage housing in mixed use projects in the downtown:
The Downtown Task Force believes that El Segundo's strong housing market can serve as an
economic engine for some new development in the downtown area. Mixed -use development
can add new vibrancy and more pedestrian street life. Residents also can be an important
market for nearby businesses and provide an added security presence, as residents function as
a neighborhood watch group.
6. Develop design standards for store signage and awnings on Main and Richmond
Streets.
While many downtown businesses have developed very thoughtful and creative signage, the
signage on other businesses is unfortunate and needs to be removed or replaced with high
quality signage that is consistent with the charm and character of downtown. Awnings must
be replaced when they are faded or torn.
7. Manage existing parking better to meet parking needs:
In general, downtown El Segundo appears to have adequate parking. As revitalization
proceeds and new investments occur, the City must carefully monitor both the supply and the
efficiency of its parking. The City should consider developing a management system to
improve the efficiency of parking use and potentially to allow some lots to become sites for
strategic developments that will stimulate activity.
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8. Develop a plan for a Downtown El Segundo shuttle:
The Downtown Task Force wishes to encourage the development of shuttle programs to link
our downtown to neigliborhoods, employment centers and hotels. Shuttles can help bring
residents, employees and visitors from other parts of the city to downtown. Major employers
and local hotels might help finance shuttles to bring their employees and visiting guests into
downtown. There's also money available for alternative fuel and electric shuttle vehicles that
can be used to facilitate this goal.
9. Develop a strategy to attract a market back to the downtown area:
In general, while Task Force members thought it advantageous to have a market in
downtown, they did not see the Ralphs site as the likely site for accomplishing that goal,
given current lease conditions. Sites on Main Street or on Richmond Street could be equally
attractive.
In addition to these General Recommendations, we recommend the City of El Segundo give
special attention to key strategic sites, including the Plaza, the former Ralph's site, the entire
block of Main Street between Grand and Holly Avenues, and other key parcels on both Main and
Richmond Streets.
The Plaza
People like to go where people are. The Plaza can play a large role as a center of regular activity,
a gathering area to bring out families and employees for lunch time programs, farmer's markets,
outdoor meetings, and regularly scheduled events or concerts. Even its day -to -day activity can
be enhanced with push cart vendors, street entertainment, art exhibits or even outdoor dining.
1. Encourage family, children, and senior oriented design at the Plaza:
In El Segundo, seniors, families and children play a large role in the community. Many
communities have rebuilt their downtowns successfully by providing a special environment
for families. The Plaza should be redesigned with families, children and seniors especially in
mind.
2. Plaza design should be more welcoming and facilitate active uses:
The Plaza needs a more welcome feeling, a park -like atmosphere with creative landscaping
and places to sit. To open the Plaza outward and to tie it into Main Street, the City should
consider developing a small amphitheater for multi -use activities. The City also should
consider redesigning City Hall's exterior facade. Opening it up to the Plaza will create a
more attractive and interactive relationship, and to architecturally tie into design elements in
the downtown, especially the "Old Town" look of Richmond Street..
3. Redo the Plaza art program:
Art in the downtown plaza, done well, will help create an identity to be proud of, the
potential for a nice space to become a great space. We should replace the current art with a
creative, interactive, interesting and energetic art program that will attract the public to the
site. Local artists will be encouraged to create El Segundo centric artwork and will be
commissioned wherever possible.
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Main Street
Main Street is, of course, the heart of downtown El Segundo. Much of Main Street seems
healthy, viable and attractively maintained. The clean and well maintained exterior of many
stores helps make the street attractive- The street is largely devoted to retail, pedestrian oriented
uses likely to serve a fair share of community members. Main Street has several good quality
restaurants that are popular to residents, to the local workforce and to visitors.
However, some office uses on the ground floor, restaurants that fail to actively address the street
with unattractive exteriors and interiors, several businesses that are often closed, important sites
that are poorly maintained, and signage that is excessive and unattractive make the street look
less attractive and fail to contribute to its pedestrian life.
The City of El Segundo can take steps to remedy these problems.
Assure pedestrian oriented retail uses on the street fronts of Main Street:
Insist upon attractive pedestrian generating uses in the downtown, especially on the
groundfloor street frontage of all structures. Special conditions may require flexibility at
some sites. The City should effectively and creatively use its zoning powers to accomplish
this goal.
2. Upgrade restaurants and facilitate outdoor dining:
The Task Force strongly believes that enhanced quality restaurants and cafes, especially with
outdoor dining areas, will be a very positive development for the downtown. We must give
people a reason to come here not only for lunch, but after work and on weekends for dinner
as well. This will increase the daytime and evening population of the city and provide foot
traffic for other existing businesses. There are significant challenges that must be addressed
with the current downtown restaurant selection before this goal can be fully met. We believe
a lower -key, family oriented downtown is the El Segundo- style. Attracting late night
entertainment and bars is not where downtown should go.
3. Develop a more attractive approach to our streetscape and downtown landscaping:
Landscaping and street furnishings in downtown El Segundo are not attractive and should be
replaced as soon as possible. Ficus trees are often overly dense. They provide excessive
shade and often block view of stores and their signs; occasionally tree roots disrupt
sidewalks. The City should investigate efforts by other cities to manage these problems;
otherwise, consider a tree replacement program. Streetlights are too high and their light is
usually blocked by the trees, never reaching the sidewalks; the City should replace these
with lower poles of more appropriate design. Design of trash cans, benches and other street
elements should also be tied into the "Old Town" look of Richmond Street.
4. Consider narrowing Main Street to two or three lanes:
People are wary and must often scurry when trying to cross Main Street Yet, traffic volumes
do not appear to require four lanes. The city should consider narrowing Main Street to two or
three lanes. The gained space could be used for wider sidewalks to allow outdoor dining and
to make it easier easier to accommodate pedestrian activity. Landscaping, angled parking
with landscaped angles and lighting with banners, bike lanes and creating a meandering street
also should be considered.
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5. Develop "gateway" program for Main Street and Grand Avenue:
The City of El Segundo can create a sense of "gateway" at the intersection of Main Street
and Grand Avenue by- €veloping banners or signage that says you are in the downtown area
and encouraging an anchor store there. The building at the northwest corner of Grand
Avenue and Main Street is in a strategic position and represents an opportunity for an
attractive "gateway" anchor use, such as a quality restaurant, or major chain stores such as
the GAP, or Old Navy.
6. Study strategies to overcome the excessive width of Grand Ave. in the downtown:
Traffic volumes on Grand Ave. in the downtown area do not require four lanes. The street
width and parking in the middle detracts from the attractiveness of downtown and only serves
to make the area seem distant and isolated from the rest of Main Street.
7. Consider design standards and strategies to encourage business activity and pedestrian access
along the rear alley of buildings on Main Street.
The Richmond Street District
Richmond Street is its own "district" with an "old town motif' - not just another street in the
downtown. Even smaller in scale than Main Street, it has its own character and historic "old
charm ", with an early 1900 historic theme. With several historic buildings, many in a red brick
style, a designer district can be created to preserve and extend this theme.
The Richmond District could itself be a kind of "anchor" for the downtown. The City of El
Segundo can facilitate this development by:
1. Use zoning powers and other tools to encourage a specialty use district on Richmond
Street:
The city should take steps to facilitate the development of symbiotic and interactive uses on
Richmond Street, such as antique and specialty book stores, art galleries, and creative home
furnishings.
2. Encourage restaurants and cafes, especially with patio or outdoor dining:
Limit additional bar activity in the district.
3. Encourage mixed -use developments with residential and office above the first floor:
Richmond Street is a natural for mixed uses. Apartments or condominiums would make
sense, as would offices likely to find a market with the film industry, including pre- & post
production activities.
4. Consider creating a "promenade" on Richmond Street:
Richmond is a narrow street, with low traffic volumes. The City should consider creating a
"promenade" on Richmond Street with a creative paving treatment, wider sidewalks, and
bollards at key locations that can allow the street to be closed to traffic at specific times, such
as weekends, to encourage greater pedestrian use.
5. Consider encouraging development of under - utilized vacant lots or parking lots:
If joint parking at the Chevron lot can be negotiated, the City should encourage development
of under - utilized vacant lots and parking lots with mixed -use projects with retail on the
ground floor and residences or offices above.
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6. Connect Richmond Street to Main Street:
Richmond Street can be attractively connected to Main Street Through re- designed and
thoughtfully landscapr-a sidewalks and walk ways on the cross streets of Franklin, Grand and
Holly.. Small pedestrian connecting ways could be provided between Main Street stores,
akin to those on State Street in Santa Barbara, and efforts made to enhance those connecting
ways already there. -
Richmond Street, North of Grand Avenue
The block of Richmond Street north of Grand Avenue is a major opportunity for the City of El
Segundo to creatively plan to meet multiple goals for the downtown area. The Ralph's site at
Grand Ave. and the vacant lot at the other end of the block, at the corner of Richmond Street and
Holly Avenue, are each equally major opportunity sites. The City should carefully employ its
zoning and land use authority, as well as other tools, to accomplish significant public objectives.
1. Encourage a village -like mixed use development on the entire block of Richmond Street
between Grand Avenue and Holly Street: This block should be rezoned to encourage
mixed -use with small hotel or bed and breakfast uses or residential and office above the first
floor and interesting retail on the ground floor.
2. Provide slightly greater height and density at Richmond Street and Holly Street to
encourage preferred development: Since the northern end of this block of Richmond is in
a bit of a bowl, downhill from Main Street, it can support a bit more height and density, two
stories maybe three, stepped back from the street. Of course, a sensitive transition to
residential uses across the street is essential. Any development should meet its own parking
needs on site and could help meet other downtown parking needs.
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