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AGENDA REPORT
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| | | | | | | | DATE:
| April 20, 2021
| TO:
| Mayor and City Council
| FROM:
| Stefan T. Chatwin, City Manager
| | SUBJECT: | Heart of Fairfield Plan Implementation Update |
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| | | | | | | | | RECOMMENDED ACTION | | Receive and file report. |
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| | | | | | | | | STATEMENT OF ISSUE | | This report provides a brief overview of actions undertaken since February 2, 2021, the last formal update to Council on implementation of the Plan, and presents strategies to advance the Plan in the year to come. |
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| | | | | | | | | DISCUSSION | Since September 2020, staff presents Council with this quarterly progress report on implementation of the vision of the Heart of Fairfield Specific Plan. Staff is committed to presenting Council with quarterly updates on the actions taken to implement the adopted Plan as seen in the attached Implementation Action Plan Section of the Plan. The first quarter updates are presented in the attached Implementation Plan Update. To better align presentation of City actions with the Plan, the update identifies actions numerically based upon the Objectives outlined in the Plan under the Ongoing, Short-Term, and Long-Term phases of Plan implementation. Additionally, the update provides a brief description of upcoming actions to further support implementation of the specific Action Item updates from the following departments:
Planning
Police and Planning staff continued outreach to new and existing businesses in the Heart of Fairfield Plan Area, and continues to host Business Watch meetings. The focus of the last meeting was the City’s beautification efforts and the ways staff and business owners can partner to create a vibrant downtown core. The next Business Watch meeting is scheduled for May 12, and will focus on gathering input about safety concerns and options for special events in downtown. By strengthening the partnership between downtown business and property owners, we hope to work together to create a safe and vibrant Heart of Fairfield.
To address the significant number of vacant commercial properties in and around the city, with a special emphasis in the Heart of Fairfield, staff has completed a draft Vibrant Vacancy ordinance. The Vibrant Vacancy ordinance will require owners of vacant commercial buildings to utilize the vacant storefront in a variety of creative ways until the vacancy is filled. A final draft of the ordinance will come before Council on May 18, 2021.
Housing Services
The Housing Services Department is moving forward with preliminary plans for several housing developments on Catalyst sites within the Heart of Fairfield Specific Plan Area. These proposed developments range from three lot subdivisions to large multi-family complexes.
Public Works
The Public Works Department continues to improve City-owned resources. Improvements to Allen Witt Park, utility undergrounding efforts, and improvements to City streets are a few of the projects currently underway in the Heart of Fairfield.
The parklet program that was initially approved by Council in December 2020 will begin by summer 2021. Due to delays in design and materials procurement, they were not installed by March, and completion has been moved to early summer. Rustwater Tap Room and Evelyn’s Big Italian have opted into the program, and parklets will be installed in existing parking spaces in front of the restaurants in May.
The bollard program, which was designed to facilitate quick and efficient street closures for various events in the Heart of Fairfield, was approved by Council February 2, 2021. The project will be completed in phases and will not affect either farmers markets or the annual 4th of July parade. Staff hopes to award a construction contract on April 20. In concert with this project, staff began engagement with residents and businesses to identify circulation and parking opportunities for one-way streets earlier in April.
Construction on the West Texas gateway (FTC Slip Ramp) project began on April 5, 2021.
Economic Development
Economic Development continues to connect with business owners through their outreach efforts. Increased business support initiatives and coordination with county business resources continues to be at the heart of Economic Development outreach strategies.
Staff is reviewing services available for streetscape improvements as prioritized by City Council on March 9, 2021. Tentative improvement plans include enhanced streetscape landscaping, street furniture, and other pedestrian amenities.
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| | | | | | | | | FINANCIAL IMPACT | | There is no direct financial impact to this update. However, subsequent HOF implementation actions are likely to have financial impacts that will be detailed when presented to City Council for consideration. |
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| | | | | | | | | PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION | N/A
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| | | | | | | | | ALTERNATIVE ACTION | | Council may provide staff with additional direction related to implementation of the Heart of Fairfield Plan. |
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| | | | | | | | | STAFF CONTACT | David Gassaway, Assistant City Manager,
Community and Economic Development
(707) 428-7398
dgassaway@fairfield.ca.gov
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| | | | | | | | | COORDINATED WITH | City Manager's Office, Community Development Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Police Department, Public Works Department
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| REVIEWERS: | | Reviewer | Action | Date | | Gassaway, David | Approved | 4/12/2021 - 1:52 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 4/12/2021 - 1:58 PM | | Alexander, Amber | Approved | 4/12/2021 - 1:58 PM |
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