Downtown Gilroy Is the Historic Heart of the Community
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Downtown Gilroy is the Historic Heart of the Community Over the past 15 years, the City has invested over $20 million dollars in its revitalization, but there is more for the City and the property owners to do. • New streetscape improvements have been installed north of the Transit Center and new signage installed throughout downtown. • 296 spaces of free public parking is operated and maintained at taxpayer expense. • The City purchased the mid-block property on Monterey between Fifth and Sixth Streets, demolished the URM building on the site, and created a paseo to provide a direct pedestrian path between parking and Monterey Street businesses. • The City installed LED street lights throughout the downtown and installed security cameras to improve public safety. • City staff regularly sweeps and maintains the landscaping and sidewalks of downtown….which are the responsibilities of private property owners in other shopping centers. • The City installed an automatic irrigation system and hanging flower baskets that are changed out two times per year. • City government has exercised its regulatory authority to require the demolition or repair of unsafe buildings that have kept downtown from realizing its full potential. • Taxpayers support the Downtown Business Association by helping to pay for staffing, banners, and promotions. • The City set aside $15,000 in taxpayer money to stimulate downtown façade improvements. 1 Downtown Investments (cont.) • Using Development Impact Fees, the City acquired the site at Monterey and Seventh, eliminated a major blighting influence, and helped establish the interim Arts Center. Yet, much more needs to be done…both by private property owners and the City. Future success will depend on the participation and the cooperation of all. The City’s General Fund is still recovering from the Great Recession. The Capital Improvement Budget does include projects such as a downtown plaza. The City also has the ability to help downtown property owners and merchants to help themselves. For example, with downtown support, the City can establish assessment districts to provide lower cost financing for further improvements to streetscape and public parking. Also, if there is support, the City can also establish a mechanism for all merchants to help pay for downtown marketing and promotional materials. In the meantime, the City continues to invest in the public infrastructure that supports our neighborhoods and our shopping districts. For example, we will soon complete a major resurfacing of Eigleberry Street from First to Tenth Streets, and improvements to Sixth Street from Monterey to Eigleberry Streets will also soon be complete. The City continues to support the Visitor’s Center that introduces new customers to our Downtown. Downtown deserves our support and help so that private investment can develop the remaining vacant parcels, rehabilitate unsafe buildings and upgrade outdated storefronts. 2 Roundabouts Gilroy has two operational roundabouts in use at West Luchessa and Thomas Rd. and on the third Street extension, west of Santa Teresa Blvd. A new roundabout is now being constructed on Santa Teresa Blvd. at Miller Avenue. More are planned. Please familiarize yourself with these simple tips. A roundabout is an intersection where traffic travels around a central island in a counter-clockwise direction. Vehicles entering or exiting the roundabout must yield to all traffic including pedestrians. When you approach a roundabout: •Slow down as you approach the roundabout. •Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the roadway. •Watch for signs and/or pavement markings that guide you or prohibit certain movements. •Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic. •Drive in a counter-clockwise direction. Do not stop or pass other vehicles. •Use your turn signals when you change lanes or exit the roundabout. •If you miss your exit, continue around until you return to your exit. For roundabouts with multiple lanes, choose your entry or exit lane based on your destination as shown in the graphic. For example, to: •Turn right at the intersection (blue car), choose the right-hand lane and exit in the right-hand lane. •Go straight through the intersection (red car), choose either lane, and exit in the lane you entered. •Turn left (yellow car), choose the left lane, and exit. Multiple and single lane roundabout Under Construction Existing 3 The 721 Acres – Location and Explanation of Recent Council Action Area Map Showing the Location of the 721 Acres for which the City is Seeking Approval for Inclusion into the Urban Services Area. The City Council has certified the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and approved an application to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for inclusion of 721 acres into the City’s Urban Service Area (USA). The area commonly referred to as the “North Gilroy Neighborhood District” already lies within the Urban Growth Boundary, although most lies outside the City limits. If approved by LAFCO, the area could be annexed to the City. The application for inclusion in the USA is sponsored by property owners in the area who have asked the City of Gilroy to be responsible for the Specific Plan that might lead to eventual development of the area in accordance with the neighborhood district standards of the General Plan. If approved by LAFCO, the Specific Planning process might get underway within a few years and take at least two years to complete because it will provide specific guidance on the type and location of development and how the City will deliver and pay for services to the developed area. The City’s Specific Planning process requires extensive community outreach and engagement as well as separate environmental analysis. Any future residential development will also be subject to the process and scheduling of the City’s growth management system known as the Residential Development Ordinance. (RDO) It is anticipated that LAFCO will hear the application for the North Gilroy Neighborhood District USA in April 2016. 4 Wet Weather Readiness During this rainy season, sand and sand bags will be available to Gilroy residents at Chestnut Fire Station, 7070 Chestnut Street. You must bring your own shovel, and fill your own bags. The sand bunker is located behind the fire station, use the driveway entrance off of East 9th Street. Get text messages on flood alerts and flood safety information. Just text the word “water” to the short code phone number 844-44. You’ll then receive a welcome message confirming you have signed up. This service is offered by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. #gilroyready (please note that this image of Miller Crossing at Uvas Creek is from a previous season and does not depict current conditions.) 5 IMPORTANT NOTICE! Beginning November 1st, 2015, watering is allowed only 1 day per week. This is down from the 2 days per week which was in effect since May, 2015. Gilroy Drought Hotline for questions or to report concerns: 408-846-0412 Marina Chislett Sarah Mansergh Tree Care During the Drought The City of Gilroy Public Works Department Be sure to water your trees with several has hired two new employees as part-time gallons of water per week, preferably Water Conservation Officers. Their duties will gray water applied with a bucket near the include education, responding to citizen base of the tree (Don’t use lawn inquiries, and enforcement of the current drought regulations. sprinklers). 6 Mandatory Level 2 Water Supply Shortage Regulations Now in Effect 1. Limits on Watering Hours: Watering is prohibited with potable water between the hours of 9:00 am and 5:00 pm, except by use of a hand-held bucket or hose with positive shutoff, and for purposes of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. 2. Limits on Watering Duration: Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water using a landscape irrigation system or a watering device that is not continuously attended is limited to no more than fifteen (15) minutes watering per designated water day per station. 3. Limits on Watering Days: Watering days are limited to Monday for odd house addresses and no house addresses (e.g., common area at a condominium complex), and Tuesday for even house addresses when using potable water beginning November 1st. 4. No Excessive Water Flow or Runoff: The application of water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, driveway, street, alley, gutter, ditch, parking lots, or structures is prohibited. 5. No Washing Down Hard or Paved Surfaces: Washing down hard or paved surfaces, including but not limited to buildings, structures, sidewalks, walkways, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, patios or alleys, is prohibited. 6. Obligation to Fix Leaks, Breaks or Malfunctions: All leaks, breaks, or other malfunctions in the water user’s plumbing or distribution system must be repaired immediately. 7. Recirculating Water Required for Water Fountains and Decorative Water Features: Operating a water fountain or other decorative water feature that does not use recirculated water is prohibited. 8. Limits on Washing Vehicles: Using water to wash or clean a vehicle, including, but not limited to any automobile, truck, van, bus, motorcycle, boat or trailer, whether motorized or not is prohibited, except by use of a hand-held bucket or similar container or a hand-held hose equipped with a positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle or device. This subsection does not apply to any commercial car washing facility. 9. Pool Covers and Refilling of Existing Pools: All new pools shall be required to have a pool cover or solar blankets to reduce the loss of water through evaporation. Refilling of existing private pools is prohibited, except to maintain water levels, unless the pool is in eminent danger of failure.