CITY COUNCIL: Receive report and provide policy direction on the City’s downtown directory signs

Meeting Date: 3 May 2011
Prepared by: Sean Conroy, Plng & Bldg Services Manager

City Council
Agenda Item Summary

Name: Receive report and provide policy direction on the City’s downtown directory signs.

Description: The City is considering the installation of directory signs at various locations in the downtown that would assist in providing information and orientation to visitors.

Overall Cost:
City Funds: No budget funds have been allocated at this time.
Grant Funds: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Provide policy direction.

Important Considerations: When tourists arrive in Carmel-by-the-Sea, they often seek out clear, easy-to-understand directions to frequently-visited spots in town, including the beach, the Sunset Center, Carmel Mission and the Visitors Center. Installing directory signs would be one way of providing information for visitors.

Decision Record: On December 7th, 2010 the City Council directed the Planning Commission to provide recommendations on the installation of directory signs. On January 26th, 2011 the Planning Commission made recommendations to the City Council.

Reviewed by:

________________________________ _____________________
John Goss, Interim City Administrator Date

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND BUILDING
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR MCCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: JOHN GOSS, INTERIM CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: SEAN CONROY, PLNG & BLDG SERVICES MANAGER
DATE: 3 MAY 2011
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION ON THE CITY’S DOWNTOWN DIRECTORY SIGNS

BACKGROUND
When tourists arrive in Carmel-by-the-Sea, they often seek out clear, easy-to-understand directions to frequently-visited spots in town, including the beach, the Sunset Center, Carmel Mission and the Visitors Center. On December 7th, 2010 the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended that the City Council consider placing directory signs at various downtown locations to help orient out-of-town visitors. The locations included the northwest corner of Ocean and Monte Verde, at the Carmel Plaza near the bus parking area, the north lot of the Sunset Center, and on Ocean Avenue near Devendorf Park.

The suggested template for the directories was the walking map found in the Official Visitors Guide. This map highlights places of interest and other useful information such as parking facilities, public restrooms, parks, libraries, and bank ATMs.

On December 7th, 2010, the City Council requested that the Planning Commission provide a recommendation on the directory sign concept. The Commission made its recommendation to the City Council on January 26th, 2011.

EVALUATION
Objective O1-11 of the General Plan encourages maintaining a pedestrian-oriented and attractive commercial district that is well integrated into the residential character of the community. Policy P1-82 encourages signs or directories that are simple, informative and compatible with their surroundings. This objective and policy should provide guidance to the Council as it discusses this issue.

Planning Commission Review: The Commission’s first recommendation was that the Council consider some technological applications that could accomplish a similar result as the directory signs, such as the development of a smart phone application. A smart phone application could be downloaded by visitors prior to visitors arriving in the City allowing them access to the map and any number of other beneficial features. The Commission recognized that no budget had been established for this project and that such a project may not be financially feasible at this time.

The Commission determined that if the Council decided to move forward with more traditional directory signs, the following recommendations should be considered:
• The directories should be as small as possible.
• The map should be as simplified as possible and highlight primarily points of interest such as City Hall, parks, Forest Theatre, Del Mar Parking Area, Sunset Center, etc. and possibly historic buildings of interest.
• The four proposed locations (Ocean & Monte Verde, Carmel Plaza, Sunset Lot & Devendorf Park) are appropriate. The Council should also consider Harrison Memorial Library, Piccadilly Park and the 1st Murphy House.

Budget: The Council has not allocated any budget funds for this project. If the Council is supportive of the directory sign concept, or the development of a smart phone application, it could direct staff to prepare funding estimates for the project.

RECOMMENDATION
Review the recommendations of the Planning Commission and provide policy direction to staff.