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Council weighs zoning changes, marketing RFPs and parking fixes as downtown priorities
Summary
Economic development and planning staff briefed council on a downtown assessment, upcoming joint meetings and potential zoning amendments to support placemaking and first‑floor uses; council also discussed tourism marketing procurement and near‑term parking and pedestrian safety measures tied to AB 413.
City economic development staff presented phase‑by‑phase work on downtown vitality: an assessment of opportunity sites, business and visitor surveys, and follow‑up market and fiscal analysis that would underpin zoning amendments for the downtown mixed‑use master plan. Colette (economic development) said the first assessment phase was complete and that the next steps include business and resident outreach and a March joint meeting with the Planning Commission.
"We're currently working with a consultant to conduct surveys of businesses, residents, and visitors to further assess, you know, what would you like to see downtown?" Colette said as staff outlined outreach and a forthcoming market analysis. Community Development staff also said they will sequence any code changes with a fiscal and market study to test the impact of proposed limitations such as reducing first‑floor office space.
Council also discussed parking and the state 'daylighting' rule AB 413 that may eliminate approximately 15 downtown on‑street stalls; staff said repainting and stall adjustments will most likely be coordinated with Measure F repaving work. Members urged short‑term traffic calming, improved signage and potential diagonal parking on side streets to regain net capacity.
Why it matters: downtown zoning and marketing decisions influence the economic mix of retail and restaurants, short‑term visitor experience and long‑term housing and land‑use outcomes. Council asked staff to return with detailed zoning amendment proposals, market/fiscal analyses and concrete parking strategies to implement alongside repaving work.
