Burbank Planning Board weighs in on proposed mixed-use development standards
Accessibility, building design, open spaces and maintenance of public amenities are just some of the topics the Burbank Planning Board wants to see addressed in proposed mixed-use development standards for the city.
City planning division staff updated board members on Monday about their efforts in creating standards for city planners to use when reviewing new mixed-use projects in Burbank.
Lindsay Hagan, a senior planner for the city, said Burbank does not have standards for mixed-use developments, and city staff members currently review proposed projects on a case-by-case basis.
Fred Ramirez, assistant community development director, said because there are no clear guidelines on which developers can base their mixed-use projects, city planners have to “Frankenstein” or combine the city’s residential and commercial standards and work with developers on what they can do.
“Depending on what specific plan area that you’re in, the result is that [you] end up with these planned developments and development agreements,” Ramirez said. “[City staff members] take those development standards and, in essence, morph them and create a separate set of standards under the planned development.”
The proposed mixed-use standards would make it clearer for developers to understand what the city and residents would consider a viable project.
Hagan said the standards are focused on three areas in Burbank that would most benefit from mixed-use developments — the Media District, the downtown area and the Golden State Specific Plan area, which is east of Hollywood Burbank Airport.
Board member Apraham Atteukenian said he wants to make sure the standards address accessibility in and out of mixed-use developments, specifically making sure there is adequate parking or public transportation people can use when visiting these areas.
“Perhaps within each one of these districts, there should be some sort of transportation mechanism that should be implemented to give people access to these storefronts,” Atteukenian said.
Atteukenian added he would like the standards to address design elements developers need to incorporate into their projects.
He said he wants to see clear guidelines on design elements so there is not a scenario where there is a development that does not fit in with the surrounding area.
“When they’re designing their building, we don’t want it to be the odd-ball building in the neighborhood,” Atteukenian said. “We would like it to [possibly] use the features of the neighborhood and incorporate that within [their] building. Don’t design your building in a vacuum.”
Board chairman Christopher Rizzotti said the standards should address incorporating a pocket park or some kind of open space into the mixed-use development project, which he thinks is crucial in making a community-friendly project.
If the city does require developers to incorporate some kind of public amenity, Atteukenian said the standards should also look into who should be responsible for the maintenance of those features, preferably the developer, given the city’s current difficult financial issues.
City staff will continue the conversation about proposed mixed-use development standards with the City Council during a study session scheduled for Nov. 14.
anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com
Twitter: @acocarpio
