ENVISION WHITTIER GENERAL PLAN UPDATE LAUNCH WORKSHOPS SEPTEMBER 23 & 30, 2017 SUMMARY Overview The City of Whittier held four General Plan Update launch workshops in September 2017. Over 75 residents attended these workshops, which were at locations across the City to encourage participation from a diverse cross-section of the Whittier community. General Plan Launch workshops were advertised through social media, the Envision Whittier website, a local news site, the City’s website, and flyers. Partner stakeholders, including local community and business groups, promoted the event to their members. Workshop 2 (Ocean View Elementary School) and Workshop 3 (Whittier Train Depot). Date Time Location September 23, 2017 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Parnell Park September 23, 2017 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Oceanview Elementary School September 30, 2017 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Whittier Train Depot September 30, 2017 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Palm Park Envision Whittier | 1 The workshop objectives were to: 1. Engage residents in conversation regarding what they value most about Whittier 2. Present information on the General Plan’s purpose, process, and timeline 3. Generate excitement for the General Plan Update process and encourage the community to stay involved Community members were given passbooks and encouraged to visit the workshops’ five stations. Each station included a fun, family oriented activity where participants discussed key issues, opportunities, and ideas to inform the General Plan Update. The five stations were: 1. Where do you live? 2. What do you value most? 3. How do you get around? 4. How do we stay healthy? 5. What are Whittier’s community assets and future opportunities? The Whittier Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department also staffed a table for children to color and draw their vision for Whittier. (Left) Participants received a stamp for every station they visited. Participants received a parting gift when they returned passport. (Right) Children drew what they envisioned for Whittier’s future. The workshop content and findings are summarized below. The questions posed were open ended; as a result, the findings are qualitative with the purpose of being explanatory only. Photographs of maps and comments are organized by station; they are included in the Appendices. 2 | Envision Whittier Station 1: Where do you live? Community members indicated where they live by placing a sticker on a large map of Whittier. Workshop 3 (Whittier Train Depot) and Workshop 4 (Palm Park) participants mark where they live on a map. Findings The “Where do you live?” findings were summarized by looking at the maps and noting where stickers are grouped (see Appendix A: Where do you live?). Workshop participants live all over Whittier. Only one participant, from Buena Park, reported living outside the City. Workshop 3 (Whittier Train Depot) participants live more centrally with a cluster around Uptown Whittier, while the participants at the other workshops were more widely scattered. Station 2: What do we value most? The “What do we value most?” station solicited input about participants’ community values. Community members wrote the three most important values they think a community should have. Participants then posted these values under categories informed by the feedback from previous stakeholder interviews. An “Other” category was provided for community values that did not fit within the identified categories. The values are intended to serve as the foundation for a shared community vision for Whittier’s General Plan. Workshop 1 (Parnell Park) and Workshop 2 (Ocean View Elementary School) community members share their ideas for community values. 3 | Envision Whittier Findings The values listed below combine participants’ input from all four workshops. Similar values have been combined into value statements. The “additional values” under each value category are unique and/or distinct values recorded by community members. The categories are ordered from the category that had the most values (Community) to the category that had the fewest responses (Historic). The values are ordered alphabetically. Appendix B: What do you value? provides photographs of each workshops’ value board responses. Community Community-wide spaces and events, such as arts and music, recreation, libraries, for all ages Cultural and income diversity and communication Homeless services and homelessness resolution Preservation of existing building and neighborhood character while renovating or redeveloping as necessary Public gathering places and centers, including for those with young children Quality selection of eating establishments, nightlife, places to socialize, and retail Quality education for children, young adults, and the community Safety - Personal safety for people walking and using open spaces; traffic safety for people using streets Additional Values Beautifying Uptown Whittier (building upkeep, street maintenance) Improve the City website, big a bigger presence on social media. Be the community hub! Provide connection from Whittier Green Trail to San Gabriel Bike Trail No motels No marijuana in Whittier Revise Whittier Boulevard Specific Plan. All development should be under conditional use. Rubbish - A system that picks up the trash that the street sweeper does not; enforce a code for businesses to pick up their trash around their business; more trashcans on the streets Site specific comments: o Lambert Road businesses (between Painter and Mills) should be required to adhere to a uniform color of exterior of buildings. o Keep F.C. Nelles property intact. Do not remove nature trees from property. Slow increase in rent for businesses and residents due to gentrification Smoking - No smoking/driving district between Hadley and Philadelphia on Greenleaf; no smoking outdoors on streets Livability Clearly marked entrances to districts and the City Clean streets and trails Community concerts in the park Ease of traveling by car and different types of car (electric charging station) Housing for homeless populations Mix of housing for different income levels Modes of transportation other than car - Options for traveling around the City including by bicycle, buses, train, and shuttle; walkable community Public safety in open spaces, Uptown, and in the City in general Senior services and ability for people to age in place Sustainable living and healthy environment 4 | Envision Whittier Additional Values Better integration of multi-family housing with commercial and residential neighbors City growth = more jobs, more people Fewer fast food chain restaurants Limit RV parking in residential areas. Whittier has abandoned homeowners and their aging sewer systems, forcing homeowners to bear the full cost of replacement and repair. Whittier needs to step up and bear financial responsibility. More homes on Whittier Boulevard; support local businesses More resources for different areas of Whittier (not just Uptown) Preserve the parks and trails. Stop building so many motels. Other Art and art education Diverse mobility options including train, trolley, and shuttles Education and educational resources for children Environmental sustainability Options to move around the community including bus and train transit and more parking in places like Uptown Whittier and Hellman Park Additional Values Add more community events like the Winter Sonata. Business mix - Less massage/nail places; small retail businesses; another cineplex or a Dave and Buster’s to have more people from out of town to spend their money in Whittier Great community to live, in work, and play! Make this community greater; invest in resources Include renters and not just homeowners in the discussion. Massive investment on Whittier’s Urban Forest and street/park trees. Improve aesthetics and environment! More parking Uptown but no more dense development like enormous apartment complexes or motel/hotels Need to increase traffic control; add right hand turn lanes Calmada Avene at Lambert Road Noise pollution – loud cars and motorcycles Overall concept: good and rising quality of life for ALL Whittier citizens Projects in City: public needs to be asked regarding new buildings Safety and Police – Protection for undocumented families; City lighting; more police presence in neighborhoods (drive-bys); less police presence; citizens oversight committee Transportation – access to services, they are available!; How do people find out? Wildlife preservation and educating the community of the local wildlife, e.g., coyotes Collaboration Addressing homeless situation Civic engagement among youth Engagement between Whittier College students and community members Multi-modal connections between Whittier, job centers, and other communities Provision of preventative and response services for mental health, homeless, addiction, and senior needs Tradition of and engagement opportunities between City and community, and City and City 5 | Envision Whittier Additional Values Collaborate with the City of La Mirada to have their squirrels (overabundance) at Creek Park relocated to the Whittier Hills Better community, maybe people to people to unite the community Bringing in businesses with higher sales tax revenues Electric Vehicle (EV) incentives like parking spaces! Partner with the City to attract more conventions and/or seminars. This will attract more business. The coyotes will find sustenance in the hills as opposed to in the City Restaurants/food halls, more opportunity small