FORM GEN. 160 (Rev. 6-80) CITY OF INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE

November 7, 2006 TO: Transportation Committee of the Los Angeles City Council Attn: Adam Lid, Legislative Assistant FROM: Jane Blumenfeld --. ~ Principal City Plan~(A Department of City Planning

SUBJECT: STATION AREA PLANNING EFFORTS FOR THE EXPOSITION LIGHT RAIL AND GOLD LINE EASTSIDE EXTENSION (CF 06-0871)

Plans for Exposition Line and Gold Line Eastside Extension Stations:

The Department of City Planning (Department) will utilize Proposition A funds to hire three consultant teams to develop seven station area plans for new transit stations along the Exposition Light Rail Line and the Gold Line Eastside Extension. The plans will result in comprehensive station specific implementation strategies to foster transit-oriented development within a half mile of each station. Linkage opportunities will include improved pedestrian and bicycle mobility options and recommendations for DASH style bus circulators at y" mile, 1 and 2 mile intervals. Also the plans will provide leverage to other city departments such as the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Bureau of Engineering to apply for capital improvement funds from such sources as the Metro Call for Projects. Groundbreaking for the Exposition Line occurred in September 2006 with completion scheduled for July 2010. Construction for the Gold Line commenced in late 2005 with completion scheduled for 2009.

Key objectives of the plans include:

. Develop conceptual land use/transit-oriented district plans for each station area . Identify opportunities for economic development and joint development around each station . Develop urban design measures (such as streetscape guidelines and signage) which create or enhance community identity around each station . Identify opportunities for transportation enhancements, transit linkages and multi-modal access to stations for pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users Proposal:

Station area planning for the Exposition Line and Gold Line Eastside Extension corridors will be led by the Department of City Planning and incorporated into the Community Plan Revision program with assistance from the Department's new Urban Design Team where appropriate. Such efforts wiii be coordinated with DOT, Community Redevelopment Agency, other City departments, Metro, and the Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority. The plans will build upon a variety of past, current, and future publicly and privately funded planning and development efforts around each station area. CF 06-0871

Based upon the many prior and current planning efforts around the two rail lines and the fact that several stations are in close proximity to one another, the Department recommends that the seven station areas be grouped into three separate Requests For Proposals (RFP). The RFPs will include, but will not be limited to transportation and parking demand management, market studies (to identify future area demand for housing, jobs, and retail services), 3-D computer visuals, community outreach, land use and transportation linkage analyses within station areas. A key component of each RFP will be the coordination among the consultants and the various public and private entities sponsoring current efforts around each station. Each RFP will be tailored to build upon and complement those efforts. The goal is to develop comprehensive station specific implementation strategies that foster transit-oriented development and balance the needs of the surrounding neighborhoods. Additionally, citywide policy issues, including those related to industrial land, affordable housing, and environmental sustainability wiii influence the land use patterns around each station.

The first RFP contains three Gold Line Extension stations located along First SI.:

Station Name Location Council District

Pico/Aliso Station First St.Utah St 14 First SUBoyie Ave. 14 First St.Soto SI. 14

The second RFP includes two Exposition Line stations located along Flower SI.:

Station Name Location Council District 23m St Station Flower St.23m SI. 9 Jefferson Station Flower St.Jefferson Blvd. 9

The third RFP encompasses two Exposition Line stations located along Exposition Blvd.:

Station Name Location Council District Vermont Station Vermont Ave/Exposition Blvd. 8

Western Station Western Ave/Exposition Blvd. 8

Remaining Station Areas

The remaining Gold Line Extension and Exposition Line station areas are currently included in other studies funded through City, regional, and/or other outside sources, or wiii be funded in future years, as follows:

Gold Line Extension Rationale Council District Little T okyo/ Arts District Part of Civic Center Study 9 Station funded in FY '07 3co/lndiana Station Located in County of LA, 14 adjacent to CD 14

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Exposition Line Rationale Council District Trousdale/Exposition USC/Exposition Park Master 8 Station Plans Included within CRA 10 Crenshaw Corridor study. La Brea Station Subject of Transportation Land 10 Use Collaborative "Envision La Brea" study.

La Cienega/Jefferson SCAG FY '07 grant 10 Station administered by Planning Department' Venice/Robertson Proposed funding by Planning 10 Department (FY'08). To be coordinated with current City of Culver City efforts and future Santa Monica Freeway improvements.

Coordination:

The Department of City Planning, in close coordination with the Department of Transportation, will be the lead in the selection of the consultants. The Department of City Planning will execute the contracts, with the Department of Transportation paying the invoices through Proposition A funds.

Conclusion:

The Department of City Planning believes creating three RFPs is the best approach to maximize the City's Proposition A funds. The Department looks forward to partnering with other City departments and the private sector to create high quality transit and pedestrian friendly environments around each station area. The objectives help fulfill the goals of the City's General Plan Framework to focus development around transit stations and transit corridors.

Recommendation:

The Department of City Planning recommends that the Council authorize the Department to issue three separate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) utilizing for transit-oriented station studies around seven stations of the Exposition Light Rail Line and the Gold Line Eastside Extension, to be funded with Proposition A funds identified in the current Budget for a total amount not to exceed $900,000.

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Attachments:

Exhibit A: Station Area Efforts Exhibit B: Draft Scope of Work Exhibit C: Gold Line Extension alignment Exhibit D: Exposition Line alignment

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Exhibit A

STATION AREA EFFORTS Exposition Station Areas- East to West The outline below defines the current and planned efforts being undertaken at each station by Metro, Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Transportation Land Use Collaborative (TLUC), Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), the City of Culver City Redevelopment Agency, Caltrans, Department of City Planning and property owners.

23'0 StreeUFlower Public and Private Efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of Southeast Los Angeles Community Plan . Community Redevelopment Agency o CD9 Corridors Redevelopment project plans . Current redevelopment of LA Trade Tech and Orthopedic Hospital site

Jefferson/Flower Staffinq Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of Southeast Los Angeles Community Plan . Community Redevelopment Agency o CD9 Corridors Redevelopment area plans . Council motion to change height districts of commercial zones along Figueroa and Flower Streets from 10 freeway to MLK Blvd. (HD1 to HD2) CF 05-0228/ENV-2006-7754-ND. . Development of the USC Galen Center and pending approval of University Gateway . Redevelopment of the Figueroa Corridor

Trousdale/Exposition . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of South Los Angeles Community Plan . Community Redevelopment Agency o Exposition/University Park Redevelopment area . Exposition Park master plan o Specific Plan o Museum expansions . USC master plan

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VermonUExposition Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of South Los Angeles Community Plan . Community Redevelopment Agency o Exposition/University Park Redevelopment area . Exposition Park master plan o Specific Plan o Museum expansions . USC master plan . SCAG Compass Blueprint contract with Fregonese Calthorpe for technical services including urban design, economic analysis and computer simulations of built-out potentials . Solimar's Exposition Line Infill Development Potential Analysis

Western/Exposition Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of South Los Angeles Community Plan . SCAG Compass Blueprint contract with Fregonese Calthorpe for technical services including urban design, economic analysis and computer simulations of built-out potentials

. Soli mar's Exposition Line Infiii Development Potential Analysis

Crenshaw/Exposition Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Park Community Plan . New/Pending CRA (Mid-Cities Corridors) Crenshaw corridor study (1-10 to Rodeo Rd) . Potential MTA study of Crenshaw Corridor . Potential redevelopment of West Angeles Church property and/or land swap with the City . SCAG Compass Blueprint contract with Fregonese Calthorpe for technical services including urban design, economic analysis and computer simulations of built-out potentials

. Soli mar's Exposition Line Infill Development Potential Analysis

La Brea/Exposition Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Park Community Plan . Community Redevelopment Agency o Mid-cities corridors redevelopment area

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. SCAG Compass Blueprint contract with Fregonese Calthorpe for technical services including urban design, economic analysis and computer simulations of built-out potentials

. Soli mar's Exposition Line Infill Development Potential Analysis . Transportation Land Use Collaborative of Southern California "Visioning La Brea" study

La Cieneqa/Jefferson Station Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Planning Department o Update of West Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Park Community Plan o Administering SCAG grant for TOD station area planning . SCAG Compass Blueprint contract with Fregonese Calthorpe for technical services including urban design, economic analysis and computer simulations of built-out potentials . Solimar's Exposition Line Infill Development Potential Analysis

RobertsonNenice Station (station located in city of Culver City) Public/private efforts . The Exposition Joint Powers Construction Authority o Metro Mid-City Exposition Light Rail Transit EIR o Urban design committee (station and streetscape plans) . Culver City Redevelopment Agency has allocated funds for the completion of a Specific Plan, including an EIR, through a contract with Johnson-Fain Architects. The Plan wiii recommend urban design solutions for the Los Angeles land areas adjacent to the Venice/Robertson Station. . Caltrans has received a grant to study potential reconfiguration of the on and off ramps for the 10 Freeway at the Venice/Robertson intersection. Market Study of station areas along the Exposition corridor will identify future area demand for housing, jobs and retail services.

Gold Line Eastside Extension Stations- West to East The outlne below defines the current and planned efforts being undertaken by Metro, Project Restore First Now streetscape plan, the CRA and the Department of City Planning at each station.

Little Tokyo Arts Station (FirsUAlameda) Public/private efforts . Metro o East Side Light Rail Community Linkages Program for Clusters A and Bincludes design concepts and recommendations as well as plans for the improvement of pedestrian sidewalks along the streets intersecting the station for up to y. mile o Eastside Corridor EIR/EIS . Planning Department o Update of Boyle Heights Community Plan . Little Tokyo Community Redevelopment Area which includes newly adopted Design Guidelines . RFP for Mixed-Use project at FirsUAlameda . FY '07 funded Civic Center plan

. Project Restore Streets capes sponsored, with Metro, the First Now streetscape plan which includes concepts for improving development and streetscape along First Street from Mariachi Plaza west to the Civic Center

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Pico Aliso Station (FirsUUtah) Public/private efforts . Metro o East Side Light Rail Community Linkages Program for Clusters A and B includes design concepts and recommendations as well as plans for the improvement of pedestrian sidewalks along the streets intersecting the station for up to y. mile o Eastside Corridor EIR/EIS . Planning Department o Update of Boyle Heights Community Plan . Project Restore Streetscapes sponsored, with Metro, the First Now streetscape plan which includes concepts for improving development and streetscape along First Street from Mariachi Plaza west to the Civic Center . CRA o Adelante Eastside Redevelopment Project Area . Housing Authority o Pubelo Del Sol . Los Angeles Unified School District o Construction of East LA area new high school #1

Mariachi Plaza Station (FirsUBoyle) Public/private efforts . Metro o East Side Light Rail Community Linkages Program for Clusters A and B includes design concepts and recommendations as well as plans for the improvement of pedestrian sidewalks along the streets intersecting the station for up to y. mile o Eastside Corridor EIR/EIS o Development RFP for site . Planning Department o Update of Boyle Heights Community Plan

. Project Restore Streets capes sponsored, with Metro, the First Now streetscape plan which includes concepts for improving development and streetscape along First Street from Mariachi Plaza west to the Civic Center . CRA o Adelante Eastside Redevelopment Project Area

Soto Station (FirsUSoto) Public/private efforts . Metro o East Side Light Rail Community Linkages Program for Clusters A and B includes design concepts and recommendations as well as plans for the improvement of pedestrian sidewalks along the streets intersecting the station for up to y. mile o Eastside Corridor EIR/EIS o Development RFP for site . Planning Department o Update of Boyle Heights Community Plan . CRA o Adelante Eastside Redevelopment Project Area

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Indiana Station (Third/lndiana) Public/private efforts . Metro o East Side Light Rail Community Linkages Program for Clusters A includes design concepts and recommendations as well as plans for the improvement of pedestrian sidewalks along the streets intersecting the station for up to y. mile o Eastside Corridor EIR/EIS o Development RFP for site . Planning Department o Update of Boyle Heights Community Plan . CRA o Adelante Eastside Redevelopment Project

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Exhibit B

DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

OVERVIEW & PROJECT OBJECTIVE: In this project, the City of Los Angeles is seeking consultants to assist in the preparation of a land use/transit-oriented development plan and market study for y" mile around the Line station at . The plan wiii build upon previous supportive efforts, as noted below, and identify detailed community opportunities for economic development, transit oriented linkage opportunities for increasing multi-modal access to the station, and land use and urban design guidelines to create or enhance the community's identity. The market study will identify future community and/or regional demand for housing, jobs, and retail services within y" mile of the station area.

It is the city's intention that the land use/transit-oriented development plan will serve as a platform from which to develop implementing ordinances and measures, as appropriate, that can be included in the soon to be updated Community Plan. The City will subsequently identify funding sources for transportation improvements and mitigation measures to further enable plan implementation. The market study will provide a basis for substantiating transit-oriented goals and defining economic infill development opportunities most likely to attract employers, housing developers and retailers to the communities adjacent to the station. The successful development and implementation of a transit oriented plan for the presents an opportunity to demonstrate to the community, local cities, and the region, the benefits, impacts, methodologies, strategies and most effective planning tools for transforming a fragmented, vehicular oriented, low to medium density corridor into a cohesive, vibrant pedestrian and transit oriented community. As the Los Angeles region continues to confront the negative effects of congestion resulting from a history of sprawl and segregated land uses, transit oriented developments can present a positive alternative whereby housing, jobs and neighborhood services are all located within walkable proximity and a greater proportion of trips are pedestrian, bicycle and transit in nature.

SUPPORTIVE EFFORTS

Several studies and preparatory work related to this project have been completed. It is the intent of this project to build upon such work.

The efforts of an Infill Development Potential Analysis completed by Solimar Research Group, Inc. in March 2006 wiii be made available to the consulting team. This study provides a conceptual review of the infill potential based upon current densities relative to present zoning uses. The study further identifies potential impediments to successful infill developments and suggests alternative policies by which the city could assist future development.

As part of the Compass 2% program SCAG has contracted with Fregonese/Calthorpe to analyze infill development opportunity sites, identify prototype projects, determine potential benefits and trade-offs, develop station specific policy recommendations, create photographic and mapped visuals depicting future conditions and examine financial impacts and tax strategies.

The Department of City Planning is current in the process of updating the Community Plan. This process entails numerous community workshops and meetings as well as detailed area analysis and forecasting.

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The will provide technical information regarding station design, location and configuration, street width and traffic lane modifications, track and bicycle lane alignment. In addition, Metro is currently compiling a programmatic technical paper which wiii provide basic urban planning tools for transit-oriented districts.

TASKS. DELIVERABLES & SCHEDULE:

Task 1.0 General Administration

Task 1.1 Meet with a "City team" to refine tasks. community workshops, and presentation materials.

City team, which will include representatives from the Department of City Planning, DOT, Public Works, and the Mayor's Office and Council offices and will provide ongoing technical assistance and feedback to consultants.

Deliverable: Written report from meeting detailing each task and each workshop.

Task 1.2 Collaboration with parties of interest'

COllaborate, as needed, with staff from the various agencies and organizations that have been and are currently involved in economic analysis, planning, design and construction of the station and station area. This includes efforts by Metro, Exposition Metro Line Construction Authority, Solimar Research Group, Inc. and Fregonese/Calthorpe.

Deliverable: Written report from collaborative engagement summarizing impact of prior efforts on land use plan development.

Task 2.0 Baseline Data and Station Area Mappina

Task 2.1 Baseline Data

Information regarding existing conditions, policy and regulations, and planned developments and improvements will be compiled from available resources from SCAG, City of Los Angeles, Metro, and others pertinent sources. Data will be depicted for the y" mile radius from the station area and, as appropriate, adjoining residential neighborhoods, commercial districts and open spaces.

Deliverable: Text, tables, maps, photographs, and illustrations documenting existing conditions, planned improvements, and other salient features

Task 2.2 Station area character and walkability

Urban form and walkability characteristics will be documented on base maps with supporting photographs and illustrations. Conduct field investigations to document the existing urban forum and walkability character of the area.

Deliverable: Maps, diagrams, and photographs of urban form and walkability characteristics

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Task 3.0 Market Study

Task 3.1 Backqround data collection and review of previous studies Background data collection will include review of soclo-economic data, business, and employment. For the purposes of this analysis, data wiii be collected from the City, the County and the market area. The County data is utilized as a benchmark against which the other data sets can be measured. The use of private data suppliers is integral to the analysis, as developers throughout the Country utilize these suppliers. These suppliers have a consistent methodology; thus, enabling developers to compare areas under identical assumptions.

Task 3.2 Assessment of market conditions

The assessment of market conditions will consider the current residential, commercial, and industrial market strengths and weakness embodied by the present uses.

Task 3.3 Demand proiections

Based on the assessment of current market projections and regional household, income and employment growth projections, potential demand for commercial and residential development in the market area through 2015 wiii be projected.

Task 3.4 Assessments of Opportunities

Based on the assessment of market conditions and demand projections, the team will identify the mix of land uses suited for development. Specific issues will include the configuration of retail space in any mixed-use development, the density of residential development and the type of residential development best suited for the area. The mix and density of uses will consider the demand projections at five-year intervals through 2015. Finally, this analysis will consider the benefits associated with the potential demand generated by the station's ridership. Deliverable: Report documenting baseline economic and market data, development demands projections, and development opportunities.

Task 4.0 Community Outreach

Task 4.1 Enqaqement of stakeholders

In order to engage stakeholders an important step is the identification of who they are and how to engage them. Stakeholder groups will include local residents, business owners, homeowner associations, neighborhood councils, community and faith-based organizations, health and medical service providers, educational institutions, libraries and social and civic groups

Deliverable: Community stakeholder database and public outreach material

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Task 4.2 Conduct community charettes

Hold community charettes to identify community issues, concerns, desires and opportunities; meet with individual stakeholder groups and elected officials as needed. The charettes are intended to improve the communities' understanding of the meaning and impacts of transit, transit-oriented development and density, Each subsequent charette will build upon previous discussions and conclusions such that the community views themselves as a partner in the evolution of community and land use considerations.

Deliverable: Charettes, sign-in sheets, report and graphic materials describing milestones achieved for each.

Task 4.3 City team meetinqs

Meet with the City team, as necessary, between the charettes, for discussion and refinement of workshop objectives and techniques, deliverables and tasks.

Deliverable: Written report from each meeting detailing discussion.

Task 5.0 Station area plans and desiQn and development standards The consultant team will prepare land use, urban form and design, streetscape, and transportation plans and guidelines/standards for the station area in consideration of the input received during the community charrettes, as reviewed and commented on by the City team.

Task 5.1 Land use recommendations

Land use plans will be prepared for the area within y" mile of the station integrating uses that capitalize and benefit from the presence of a transit station.

Task 5.2 Urban form and development standards

A concept plan will be prepared that will prescribe the form and character of buildings and their relationship to public places. Elements will include: development density/intensity, building configuration, building disposition, parking/driveway locations and characteristics, architectural characteristics, signage, and linkages to surrounding communities and districts.

Task 5.3 Streetscapes

Plans and design principles for the public streetscapes and open spaces within the station area will be prepared. Elements will include: street, sidewalk, alley, park, and public open space locations, standards for streets, sidewalks, medians, alleys, and public open spaces, street trees and landscape, street furniture, signage, street lighting, public art, and sidewalk and street crossing characteristics.

Task 5.4 Transportation and mobility

Key traffic engineering issues to be addressed: trip generation, fixed-route transit, pedestrian/bike circulation, on-site circulation, parking lot circulation, parking supply, and kiss-and- ride.

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Task 5.5 Implementation and development incentives

Implementation process will take into account the limited resources available to the City and the potential for development at key locations to be synergistic or to spur future development at adjacent sites.

Deliverable: Report analyzing existing traffic conditions, future travel demands, circulation characteristics resulting from proposed transit-oriented development, concept plan, including land-use recommendations, development standards and streetscape guidelines.

Task 6.0 Lessons learned symposium

Symposium conducted by the City to report on the analyses; recommended land uses, urban form, streetscapes, and open space, and mobility/transportation improvements.

Deliverable: Lessons learned report

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Exhibit C

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Exhibit D

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