SR-509-000-05 (25)
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Santa Monica, c4llrornia, October 3D, 1980
TO:
FROM:
Mayor and City Council
5tJ?- PaJ:?-OS- , I..E
~{'l'J 1 1. '980
Ci ty Sta ff
SUBJECT: Maln Street and Colorado Ave, Intersection Landscaping
Introduction
This report presents two proposals for the landscaping of the intersection of
Ma1n Street and Colorado Avenue,
Background
On May 13, 1980, the City Council approved the plans to realign the Maln Street and
Colorado Avenue intersection. The new alignment created two triangular-shaped
areas deslgnated for landscaping, The total landscaped area is 14,377 sq. feet or
.33 acres.
The proposed landscape plans include the follo\>Jing considerations:
1. V1sua1 relationship to Santa Monica Place,
2, Presence of heavy pedestrlan trafflc.
3. H1gh vislbility of thrs area to the publlC.
4. Traffic and pedestrian safety at the intersection,
5. Reasonable maintenance costs.
Plan A
Plan A proposes the use of Washingtonia Palms as the domlnant planting, based on the
existence of these palms to the south, and thelr use at Santa Monica Place. The
palms would be planted in pairs of varied height along the southerly sidewalk, At
the base of each palm pair is a circular bed planted In a variety of annuals and
perenn1als to provide maXlmum color year round. The remaining area 1S planted 1n
turf grass with benches located as shown, New shrubery would be added adJacent to
the freeway barrier ln the easterly tr1angle, Automat1c lrrlgatlon 1S lncluded,
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NOV 1 1 1980
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TO:
Mayor and Clty Council
Santa Monica. California, October 30. 1980
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Plan A (contlnued)
The existing straight slope would be graded to include a slight roll.
Plan B
Plan B proposes the use of evergreen trees along the southerly sidewalk. Due
to the coastal exposure, tree choices are limited. Ficus Nitida would have
the most unifying effect on the total space because of their use on Second St.
and at Santa Monica Place. In this applicat1on~ roots would not be a problem.
Other trees considered were Kafir Plum. Braz11ian Pepper and Magnolia. Kafir
Plum is less desirable because of its rather large fruit. Brazllian Pepper
and Magnolia are questloned due to wind exposure. As in Plan A. the circular
beds are proVlded for color. but their location 1S between the trees rather
than directly under the trees.
In both plans. trees are planted back from Colorado Avenue to make the inter-
sectlon as large and open as possible, to compensate for the scale of Santa
Monica Place. and to provide the least visual confuSlon for traffic.
Plans and lllustrations will be available at the Council meeting and in the
Recreation and Park offlce.
Funds for the project have been approved by the Redevelopment Agency. The
est1mated cost lS $24,650.
Recommendat1on
Staff recommends approval of Plan A. Based on the considerations stated on
Page #1. Plan A 15 stronger than Plan B in #1 and #5. Plan B is stronger in
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TO:
Mayor and Clty Council
Santa Monlca, California. October 30, 1980
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Recommendation (continued)
#3. Both plans are equal ln #2 and #4.
Prepared By: Donald T. Arnett, Director
Recreation and Parks Department
Doug Stafford, Superintendent
Parks Division