Title
A discussion concerning the Downtown Phase II Redevelopment Plan.
Executive Summary: Staff is seeking Council's agreement to proceed with the Downtown Phase II Redevelopment Plan including the scope of the plan and a schedule for adoption as proposed.
Body
Legislative History
Staff expects the plan to become part of the Comprehensive Plan. The most recent version of the Comprehensive Plan was adopted August 4, 2004 in Ordinance No. 04-69.
Purpose & Explanation
Several events have occured that lead to initiating this project each of which we briefly discuss here. First, according to the Charter of the City of Hudson, current as of November 6, 2012, the Comprehensive Plan must be examined every ten years. It is therefore timely that we take up the Comprehensive Plan at this time with the expectation that the plan would be adopted in 2014, ten years after the last plan was adopted.
Secondly, according to the Strategic Plan adopted by Council on October 3, 2012 Goal 1 is to create a more vibrant and connected residential community with the objective of (reactivating) the planning for the Downtown Phase 2 Redevelopment. Staff had scheduled this work to begin in the spring of 2013 and be adopted by April 1, 2014.
Third, staff contemplated this project in 2012 when it proposed its budget to Council. The budget was adopted with funds allocated for this plan.
Finally, the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study announced grant recipients for its competitive Connecting Communities Planning Grant program at its Policy Committee meeting May 16, 2013. Hudson was an unsuccessful applicant for two $50,000 grants. Staff was awaiting the outcome of the AMATS grant program to determine its next course of action. We intend to proceed with the project by retaining a consultant to assist the City with the plan using City funds. Staff is proposing the scope of the plan to be the same as what was described in its grant application which was stated as follows in the Purpose and Outcome section:
The purpose of the study is to provide a framework for future projects that will further expand downtown development and provide sensitive connections to adjacent neighborhoods. The expected outcome of the project will be a plan that will include: 1) a land use plan component that will include mixed use development including commercial, service, and recreational uses that will build on the success of Hudson's commercial core and add needed amenities for residents; 2) a transportation component that will include a road network, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and a discussion of how bus service might be enhanced; and 3) an implementation component that will include a list of projects that will result in fulfillment of the plan, and parties responsible, time frames and cost estimates for each of the projects.
Timing Considerations
Staff's breakdown of the Strategic Plan work tasks and due dates are as follows:
Evaluate previous studies/documents May 10, 2013
Conduct assessment project Feb. 13, 2014
Summarize results and create final recommendations Feb. 28, 2014
Present final recommendations to City Manager Mar. 17, 2014
Present final recommendations to City Council Apr. 1, 2014
Despite the delay in getting started, staff is hopeful final recommendations can still be presented to Council by or near the originally anticipated date of April 1, 2014.
Fiscal Impact
X Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
Appropriation Not Required.
Staff has budgeted $30,000 in its Professional Services line item. Staff is investigating whether this amount will be enough to accomplish both the land use and transportation components of the plan.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff is seeking Council's agreement to proceed with the Downtown Phase II Redevelopment Plan. With Council's agreement staff will seek requests for proposals, then seek Council's approval to enter into an agreement with a recommended consultant.
Submitted by,
Mark Richardson, Director of Community Development