Council briefed on Florence Boulevard design concept report; planning commission to hold public hearing

City staff and consultant J2 presented the final draft Florence Boulevard design concept report (DCR) at a study session, describing corridor‑wide streetscape concepts, multimodal facilities and two options for the downtown segment’s lane configuration.

Paul (city staff) said the project began with an Urban Land Institute technical assistance panel, carried through public outreach and a voter‑approved general plan that created a downtown land‑use category extending toward Florence Boulevard. He said the DCR provides two design options for the downtown segment: Option A retains the existing five through‑lane profile (four through lanes plus a continuous left‑turn lane) while Option B would reduce the downtown segment to a three‑lane configuration (one travel lane each way plus a center turn lane) to free pavement for wider sidewalks, separated bike lanes, additional landscaping and roughly 60–70 additional on‑street parking spaces…