sr-020811-3hCity Council Meeting: February 8, 2011
.Agenda Item:. J?'
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Eileen Fogarty, Director of Planning & Community Development
Subject: Contracts for Services Related to Priority Land Use & Circulation Element
(LUCE) Implementation Efforts and Design Coordination
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute contract
amendments with:
1) The Odermatt Group (Contract #8729) for an amount not-to-exceed $75,000 to an
existing multi-year contract for preparation of the LUCE and the EXPO Light Rail
Station Area Planning for a total amount not to exceed $940,000. The additional
scope is for urban design services to implement Downtown visioning for the City-
owned site at 5th Street and Arizona Avenue and Bergamot Area Plan as identified in
the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE); addressing building form, massing
and streetscape priorities; and connections to Expo Light Rail station design.
2) Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates (Contract # 8866) for an amount not-to-
exceed $190,000 to an existing multi-year contract for LUCE preparation and Light
Rail Integration for a total amount of $714,785 to continue providing transportation
planning services for implementation of the LUCE bicycle and circulation network;
shared parking strategies for new development; focused circulation planning in the
Downtown, Bergamot Transit Village and Memorial Park; and participation in
community workshops.
Staff also recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a new
LUCE implementation contract with:
3) Urban Studio, aCalifornia-based company, for an amount not-to-exceed $125,000
to provide architecture and graphics services in support of the Downtown Specific
Plan and Bergamot Area Plan; production of visualizations and maps; project
feasibility studies; and meeting facilitation.
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Staff further recommends that the City Council:
4) Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the amount of $652,500
from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Bergamot Transit
Village and Mixed Use Creative District Master Plan.
5) Authorize budgetary changes as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Action
section of this report.
Executive Summary
As presented to Council on December 14. 2010, LUCE implementation is underway on
a number of dedicated planning efforts including:
• Plans for the Bergamot/Mixed-Use Creative area, Memorial Park Neighborhood,
and Downtown to address the detailed issues of height,. mass, scale and other
standards not specifically outlined in the LUCE.
• Neighborhood Conservation and Transfer of Development Rights
Bicycle, pedestrian, transit and congestion management improvements
• Expo Light Rail station integration and access planning.
• Interim Ordinances and the Zoning Ordinance Update
The expertise and technical abilities of The Odermatt Group, Nelson/Nygaard
Consulting Associates, Fehr & Peers, and Urban Studio are needed to support
completion of these efforts. Federal and State planning grants totaling $1.2 million were
recently awarded to the City for the Bergamot Area and Memorial Park plans, a portion
of which will assist in funding consultant services for these efforts.
The Odermatt Group will provide urban design services to advance the LUCE vision in
several critical planning areas, including Bergamot, Memorial Park and Downtown, as
well as focused design services on the City-owned 5th/Arizona property in Downtown
and the connections to Expo Light Rail station sites.
Nelson/Nygaard will provide services to guide LUCE implementation of the bicycle
network, parking management and shared parking, and transportation demand
management, and circulation strategies to support the planning efforts in Bergamot,
Memorial Park and Downtown.
Urban Studio will provide architectural and graphics support for LUCE implementation
through the detailed investigation of specific height, scale and massing alternatives and
renderings or other graphics that communicate design intent.
Funding for the proposed contracts is .available in the Expo LR CIP Rail Reserve
account created for station area planning and community outreach and the LUCE
implementation professional services budget. Additionally, a portion of the $1.2 million
in Federal and State .planning grant funds awarded to the City is available for these
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consultants' work in connection with the Bergamot Area Plan and Memorial Park Master
Plan. The Odermatt Group amendment is for an amount not-to-exceed $75,000,
bringing the total not-to-exceed multi-year contract amount to $940,000. The
Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates amendment is for an amount not-to-exceed
$190,000, bringing the total not-to-exceed multi-year contract amount to $714,785. The
LUCE Implementation Urban Studio contract is for an amount not-to-exceed $125,000.
Background
In July 2010 the Santa Monica City Council unanimously adopted the updated Land Use
and Circulation Element (LUCE) of the City's General Plan which establishes a
comprehensive vision to guide land use and transportation policy for the next 20 to 30
years. The General Plan establishes the framework for subsequent implementation
efforts including area plans that establish more detailed height, massing or land use
visions; transportation improvements and programs such as bicycling, pedestrian,
transit and vehicle infrastructure; transportation demand management programs; and
the standards of an updated Zoning Ordinance. A coordinated approach to the first
phase of LUCE Implementation was presented to Council on December 14, 2010. The
proposed contracts engage three consultants to provide specialized support to complete
priority LUCE implementation projects.
Discussion
Currently underway are separate planning efforts for the Bergamot Transit Village and
Mixed-Use Creative Districts (Bergamot Area Plan), and the Downtown Specific Plan.
A third major planning effort for the Memorial Park Master Plan will begin in the next.
few months. These efforts integrate more detailed design, land use and transportation
planning efforts within the districts, responding to unique needs, opportunities, and
community priorities for each. They address the issues of height, mass, scale and
other standards not specifically outlined- in the LUCE, and outline implementation
strategies for key components like transportation demand management, shared parking
and community benefits. Specific areas of focus for the consultant firms will include:
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Bergamot Area Plan
(Partially funded by a $652,000 Federal Community Challenge Planning Grant)
• Urban Design: Identifying design guidelines to achieve an "urban village" character,
including site layout and orientation, pedestrian-oriented uses, open spaces, and
building design.
• Circulation and Station Access: Identifying location and hierarchy of roads/pathways
including connection to Expo Light Rail, shared or transit-oriented parking
opportunities, pedestrian and bicycle connections.
• Creative Arts and Housing: Outlining strategies to enhance existing Bergamot
Station Art Center, while dispersing additional creative and cultural art activities, as
well as housing, into the larger planning area.
Downtown Specific Plan
• Strategic Visioning: Detailed visioning and evaluation of catalyst sites such as the
City-owned 5th and Arizona site.
• Land Use and Development Standards: Determining recommended heights and
intensity in coordination with circulation, land use mix including housing, commercial,
recreation, hotel and open space, and transit-oriented development opportunities.
• Urban Design: Identifying an integrated vision with strong connections to the Civic
Center and Expo Light Rail station.
• Ensuring Mobility and Access: Identifying enhancements to the walking, bicycling
and transit experience on existing streets, and access to and from the Expo Light
Rail station.
Memorial Park Master Plan
(Partially funded by a $550,000 California Sustainable Communities Planning Grant)
• Neighborhood Quality: Developing design and development standards to achieve
new mixed-use housing around the expanded Memorial Park, strengthening critical
linkages to adjacent neighborhoods, particularly those across the I-10 Freeway.
• Shared Parking: Identifying strategies to support efficient parking and shared use.
• Integration with open space, arts and. institutions: Identifying strategic relationships
with surrounding institutions, open spaces and gathering places.
• Connections and Circulation: Identifying strategies to strengthen station connections
and support an integrated network of walking, bicycling, transit and vehicle
circulation.
There is a critical link between the plans implementing the LUCE and the detailed
design and engineering for the Expo Light Rail. It is important that these plans be
completed quickly so that the City can provide informed guidance to developers for
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integration with Expo Light Rail stations. This process will continue to require the City to
remain highly interactive with the Expo Construction Authority as it finalizes the planning
for the line through .Santa Monica. This next stage will include extensive community
outreach to ensure opportunities for input as the planning evolves. Consultant work will
take into account the unique conditions created by Expo Light Rail and consider:
• Connections between Light Rail and surrounding bus or shuttle network
• Vehicle circulation, congestion management and parking around the stations
• Increased pedestrian -and bicycle demand, particularly for direct and convenient
connections
• Opportunities for integrated parking management.
Available grant funding for the Bergamot Area Plan and Memorial Park Master Plan
must be spent within the timeframes indicated by the funding authorities; therefore, it is
necessary to move forward with these plans as quickly as possible.
Contractor/Consultant Selection
The Department has developed a list of qualified firms in the areas of urban design,
integrated land use and transportation planning, architecture, community facilitation,
process implementation and project management through distribution of several
Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) to over fifty firms. Most recently, in December 2006,
a Requ"est for Qualifications (RFQ) was widely distributed to develop a list of qualified
firms for specific work efforts related to LUCE and other planning needs. Twenty-two
firms that responded have been put on a qualified list. The following three firms have
been selected to continue their services on the LUCE and LRT planning into the first
phases of LUCE Implementation based on their subject knowledge and relevant
experience, as well as their ability to communicate effectively with the Santa Monica
community:
The Odermatt Group
The Odermatt Group has functioned as an urban design and planning advisor to the
City on a number of major projects, including LUCE workshops, Strategic Plans and
preparation of the LUCE and technical analysis and design for conceptual. stage of the
Exposition Light Rail, as well as specific projects including Santa Monica Place and the
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Civic Center Village. The firm will continue to play a key role in working with the City to
advance the broad LUCE vision in several critical planning areas, including Bergamot,
Memorial Park and Downtown, and deliver comprehensive planning documents that
implement the direction of the LUCE in future Transportation Oriented Development
opportunities. The Odermatt Group will also provide focused design and visioning
services on catalyst sites such as the City-owned 5~h/Arizona property in Downtown.
The City Council first approved a contract for $197,000, with the Odermatt Group on
June 26, 2007 for the Building Block workshops and strategic approach for the LUCE
and design review. The contracted was amended on April 8, 2008 for $160,000 for
preparation of the LUCE strategic plan, and on March 24 2009 for $235,000 and on
March 9, 2010 for $225,000 to provide services for detailed Expo LRT design review
and LUCE completion. The majority of the funding for the current amendment is largely
from the HUD Community Challenge grant. With the requested amendment the total
contract amount is $940,000.
Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates
Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates is recommended to work with staff, the
community, Planning Commission and City Council to implement a wide array of the
circulation components in the LUCE, focusing on the Bergamot Area Plan, Downtown
Specific Plan and Memorial Park Master Plan. Nelson/Nygaard will provide services to
guide LUCE implementation of the bicycle network, and will develop parking
management and transportation demand management strategies, and work with staff to
incorporate them into new City plans or private development projects. In the
neighborhoods, LUCE strives to create complete streets that support neighborhood
quality of life; Nelson/Nygaard will assist staff in implementing pilot programs and
projects that support the vision. The City Council first approved a contract with Nelson
Nygaard on December 11, 2007 for $250,000 and March 24 2009 for $210,000. With
this Amendment the total contract amount is $714,785.
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Urban Studio
Urban Studio specializes in urban design and architectural services that support
strategic planning and implementation efforts. Urban Studio is recommended to provide
urban design and architectural support to City staff related to implementation of LUCE
identified plans and priorities. Urban Studio will provide essential support for LUCE
implementation through the detailed investigation of specific height, scale and massing
alternatives, urban design strategies for site and areas, and renderings or other
graphics that communicate design intent. Urban Studio has participated in a number of
City projects throughout the past decade, and has exhibited excellence in developing
innovative concepts, guidelines, graphics, and illustrations that communicate effectively
with the Santa Monica community. Urban Studio will provide on-call urban design,
architectural and planning services to accelerate LUCE implementation in key areas
such as the Bergamot Area Plan, the Downtown Specific Plan, and others.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Tasks related to LUCE implementation and Light Rail station area planning were
anticipated as part of the City's FY 10-11 Budget process and specific funds were
authorized for these purposes. Additional funds in an amount of $652,000 for the
development of the Bergamot Area Plan are provided by a Federal HUD Community
Challenge Planning grant. Additional funds in an amount of $550,000 for the
development of the Memorial Park Master Plan are provided by a California Proposition
84 Sustainable Communities Planning grant.
The Odermatt Group contract amendment will be paid with $25,000 from Account No.
C017039 (LUCE Implementation Specific Plans) and $50,000 from the HUD Community
Challenge grant in account P206028.589000.
The Nelson/Nygaard contract amount will be paid by: $120,000 from Account No.
C017039 (LUCE Implementation Specific Plans). An additional $70,000 will be set
aside from the HUD Community Challenge grant in account P206028.589000.
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The Urban Studio contract amount will be paid by $45,000 from Account No. 0017039
(LUCE Implementation Specific Plans). An additional $80,000 will be set aside from the
HUD Community Challenge grant in account P206028.589000.
The following FY2010-11 budget changes will be necessary:
1. Establish a revenue budget in the amount of $652,500 at account number
20266.408170.
2. Appropriate the grant funds to the following account:
$652,500 at account number P206028.589000 to reflect receipt of the HUD
Community Challenge Grant.
3. Transfer $187,500 from 0017039.589000 to P016028.589000 to reflect the local
match.
Prepared by: Francie Stefan, Manager, Strategic and Transportation Planning
Forwarded to Council:
Director, Planning & Comr
Development Department
<-~-~.~~
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachment A: Timeline of Major Tasks Associated with LUCE and Expo Light Rail
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Approved:
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ATTACHMENT A
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Reference Contract No.
9338 (CCS) and Amended
Contract Nos. 8729 (CCS)
and 8866 (CCS).