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HomeMy Public PortalAbout93-163 (12-21-93)RESOLUTION NO. 93-163 ~ - - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD, '~ ~~~ CALIFORNIA, ENDORSING THE SELAC CORE STRATEGY AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AND SUPPORTING COMPLETION OF EFFORTS TO INCORPORATE THE CORE STRATEGY INTO THE REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHEREAS, the Southern California Association of Governments (SLAG) is required under federal and state law to prepare the regional plans for growth, housing, transportation, and ,~,. air/water quality for the Southern California region; and ,.~ WHEREAS, the SCAG Executive Committee has authorized development of a Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP) to integrate these plans with other important regional issues; and WHEREAS, the RCP is being prepared, in part, by cities and counties through subregional organizations in a cooperative planning process to ensure that cities and counties are fully involved in the preliminary policy development phase of the RCP; and WHEREAS, the Southeast Los Angeles County (SELAC) Study Committee is providing the decision-making forum for the SELAC Subregion in the preparation of the subregional input to the RCP; and WHEREAS, the SELAC Study Committee has completed and recommends a draft SELAC Core Strategy on behalf of the SELAC Subregion; and WHEREAS, the SELAC Study Committee believes it is in the best interest of SELAC Cities to httluence the RCP to reflect this Core Strategy, subject to certain limitations regarding the use of the SELAC Strategy; NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Lynwood resolves as follows: Section ]. That the City Council of the City of Lynwood endorses the SELAC Core Strategy and its recommendations for the Regional Comprehensive Plan; and Section 2. That the City Council of the City of Lynwood supports completion of efforts by the Study Committee to incorporate the Core Strategy, subject to limitations expressed in Attachment 2 thereto: Understanding the Use of the SELAC Strategy, into the Regional Comprehensive Plan. Introduced, approved, and adopted this 21st day of December, 1993. ATTEST: .""_~ ---~,_ PAUL H. RICHARDS, II; MAYOR Andrea L. Hooper, City Clerk Fausfm Gonzales,~Cit}~ onager ~I APPROVED AS TO FORM: APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: ~,J~u.~:. a.12.d.~ City Attorney 'lam/~~ Sol Blmnenf ]d, irector Commnnity evelopment Department wp 51 \COEEEESO\sf STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) I, the undersigned, City Clerk of the City of LYnwood, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Lynwood at a regular meeting held on the 21st day of December ,1993 AYES: BYRD, HEINE, HENNING, REA, RICHARDS NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE w of ~ app City Clerk, City of Lynwood STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) I, the undersigned City Clerk of the City of Lywnood, and Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a full, true and correct copy of Resolution No..93-163 on file in my office and that said resolution was adipted on the date and by the vote therein stated. Dated this 21st day of December 1993. ~ ~ ~~~~ City Clerk, City of Lynwood .~ _~ Attachment 2 Understanding the Use of the SELAC Strategy The SELAC Strategy is: ^ A strategy which explores possibilities and courses of potential action rather than formally established commitments; A collection of information in draft form which responds to the opportunity for participation in the regional comprehensive plan process in a very limited time period and which requires additional time to achieve thorough review, refinement and building of consensus. ^ An agenda for further collaboration within SELAC, between SELAC cities and adjacent areas, and between SELAC cities and other appropriate levels of government as well as private sector interests; ^ A constantly evolving set of ideas and opportunities responding to issues at a point in time as the basis for further dialogue; ^ An opportunity to identify commonly shared subregional goals. ^ A basis for competing more successfully for funding programs of benefit to SELAC cities; ^ A joint commentary on the initial versions of the SCAG Regional Comprehensive Plan; ^ A contribution to the beginning of a top- down/bottom up planning approach within the SCAG region which serves as a geographic component of the SCAG RCP for the SELAC area; ^ A recognition of the fact that many issues of importance to citizens within SELAC are necessary to address at the subregional and regional levels, as well as city by city; and ^ A statement that SELAC cities, as the primary deliverers of services to the citizens, know best how to implement regional goals, to what extent and on what schedule. The SELAC Strategy is not ^ A document which has any legal or enforceable standing; ^ A formal commitment of individual aty policy on any matter covered within it; ^ A physical plan having status under the California Government Code; ^ A commitment of individual city resources or finances, although it may influence their use if deemed appropriate by a particulaz city; ^ A limitation on any city's prerogative to express individual views or independently seek changes in regional policies, programs or priorities; nor ^ Subject to change except by collaborative determination by the SELAC cities who prepared it. The Strategy is not to be used: ^ To determine conformance or consistency with any plan, whether regional or local; ^ To represent a city's official position on any subject; nor As the basis for commentary by any county, regional, state or federal agency on a proposed plan or project within a SELAC jurisdiction. ATTACHMENT C Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion SOUTHEAST LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUBREGIONAL STRATEGY Draft November 4, 1993 THE SELAC CORE STRATEGY The two most important insights generated by cities of the Southeast Los Angeles County (SELAC) subregion are participating in the SCAG Regional Comprehensive Plan (RCP): 1) the critical need for economic revitalization in the area and 2) the considerable economic potential that exists if SELAC can capitalize on its strategic advantages. The purpose of this paper is to describe a Core Strategy that will beneficially,influence the RCP and position SELAC cities to reverse recent economic losses. It contains the most essential conclusions and recommendations for the SELAC subregion. The essence of the SELAC Core Strategy is to focus public and private sector energies on restoring a healthy and prospering economy by expanding the most promising clusters of existing economic activity in the SELAC area: world trade, goods movement and certain manufacturing sectors. The Strategy is necessary because the potentials described more fully below are neither automatic nor guaranteed. ~ 1. EVOLUTION OF SELAC'S STRATEGIC ROLE IN THE REGION For many years the SELAC area was the dominant manufacturing center in the region. It was well served by rail and port facilities and provided access to markets well beyond the region. Major infrastmcture improvements, particularly transportation facilities, were put in place to serve this industrial pattern and the growing residential communities that emerged as well. This included the existing rail, freeway and arterial highway systems. Historically, this growth was attracted by SELAC's locational advantages, labor force, land supply, affordable residential communities, and actions by many of the SELAC Cities to encourage manufacmring and industrial development. More recently, structural changes have occurred in the economy, with many of the traditional manufacturing activities phasing out and not being replaced. The current recession has taken a major toll on the SELAC economy, including industry, resulting in SELAC being the only subregion in SCAG to experience a net employment loss during the past decade. The SELAC subregion is now largely built out, with older infrastructure, and the regional economic trends are changing. These conditions provide added challenge to economic revitalization. At the same time, additional improvements have been made or are planned, including: port expansion and modernization; completion of the I-105 freeway and the Blue Line; and planning for the Alameda Corridor, Green Line, I-710 truck lanes and I-5 capacity enhancement. As shown in Figure 1, SELAC Strategic Location; SELAC is well positioned to play a key role in the region because of its pivotal location and critical connections to ports, rail lines and the freeway network. Of key significance is the fact that the region's goods movement system focuses on SELAC and adjacent South Bay: In particular, the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the Hobart Rail Freight Yards (center for containerized transfei) and the planned development of the interconnecting Alameda Corridor. The Planning Center Regional Comprehensive Plon Program November 4, 1993 Po9e 1 VerRura To Sacramento Burbank Airport Los Santa Monica LOt Angeles Ird'1 Akpal ~ Pasadena LOS ANGELES COUNTY SELAC Strategic Location Pomona Ontario Airport SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY To San Bemaraino RIVERSIDE COUNTY To Rrversioe '' ~{~, Long ~~~~°°~' Beach To World Markets Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion Anaheim Santa Ana ORANGE COUNTY Jonn Wayne Alrpon To San Diego (~.+~++~ Alameda Corridor L~-r Major Rail Frciglu CorriJors l-.t Hobart Yards (~ THE Mrt( PLANNING t\7iNJ CFTITER 9, „rr,LL,.~ FIGURE~i Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion f'^~ These historic and current economic realities combine with the concept of ewnomic clusters as described in the RCP: primary industrial activities which are the driving force behind broader economic change. They capitalize on an area's streng[hs and tend to expand themselves as well as energizing other economic sectors. Without these clusters, the economy cannot prosper. Besides its excellent location relative to the region and world markets, additional key factors shaping the Core Strategy include: ^ SELAC will grow in population and employment more slowly than the region, yet will nevertheless be significantly impacted by regional growth in population, economic development and traffic elsewhere because of its strategic central location within the region. s SELAC is the only subregion with a net loss in employment over the last ten years, much of it in basic industries which provide the foundation for other economic activity. ^ Average overall income and buying power per household are low and declining. ^ SELAC is already the most densely developed of the 13 SCAG subregions, not including the numerous undocumented residents in the area. (With a combined city population of approximately 1,675,000, SELAC contains over 10 percent of the SCAG region's projected population in about half of one percent of the SCAG territory). ^ SELAC cities are almost totally built out, leaving the challenge of revitalization to reuse, intensification, limited infill and redevelopment. ^ SELAC is in a particularly strategic location within the region in terms of goods movement, transit and freeway access. ^ Many recent major investments in SELAC have set a foundation for further investment in the area: the Alameda Corridor, port facility improvements, the Blue and Green Lines, the Century Freeway and the World Trade Center are examples. ^ With careful planning and coordination, the future transportation system can provide a higher level of service than in the region as a whole according to regional modeling analysis. ^ SELAC cites have a long history of collaboration. ^ There is a strong interest in economic revitalization through building solid industry clusters at the regional and subregional levels. ^ Several SELAC cities have already identified a number of desired activity centers which offer valuable revitalization potential. The Planning Center Regional Comprehensive Plan Program November 4, 1993 Page 3 Core Strategic Features Foarw~m Hobart Cuf AnT •~ ,~,~ V No6ro I L~MWk r~ FuBmw °~` r~ ~~~ Bueu Pork •~• Alameda Corridor ...... Metro Blue Line 1 ~ Metro Green Line __. Metro Link Hobart Yards Key Industrial Areas 6~.J Activity Centers --Port of Long Beach of Los Angeles Southeast Los Angeles ~(/~''~~(~ ~.7i./ PLANNING County Subregion = \\\..779~CC~~J///CINtER- FIG RE 2 Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion Instruments: Not a large sector historically, but potential growth in relation to new "intelligent", high technology transportation systems; Food Processing: Food processing is the second largest manufacturing jobs sector and has further growth potential. Other key growth sectors for consideration include: ^ Wholesale Trade: Both durable and non-durable, linked to the port expansion, goods movement, and truck transportation; ^ Professional Services and Finance: A major generator of new jobs, supporting expansion of world trade and goods movement; ^ Construction: Major construction activity anticipated in the SELAC subregion could result in many of these jobs going to local workers if the appropriate training is provided. 3. ACTION TO IMPLEMENT THE CORE STRATEGY The most important action is to recognize the necessity fot a strategy and commit to appropriate efforts to revitalize the economy. Before determining the appropriate organizational approach, endorsement by SELAC Cities and support by SCAG is necessary. If SELAC is to maintain its competitiveness, it must focus on the leverage an action program can provide which emphasizes: ^ Transportation infrastructure -- investing in improvements and maintenance, with particular emphasis on the Alameda Corridor; ^ Manufacturing -- promoting the strengthening of key manufacturing clusters; ^ Labor force enhancement -- training with support of the private industry council, community colleges and other organizations, and; ^ Expanded collaboration between cities and between government and the private sector --specific efforts led by cities to cooperatively pursue the Core Strategy. In an increasingly competitive world, where job location decisions are being made with greater selectivity, SELAC can enhance its own competitiveness through collaboration. While SELAC may choose a more or less formal structure, already some subregions within Southern California are adopting collaborative approaches. The San Gabriel Valley Cities Consortium and the North Los Angeles County (Lancaster/Palmdale) Regional Economic Development Council are examples of various approaches. While these entities are still advisory to their respective member governing bodies, key elements among these approaches, to varying degrees, include: I) involvement of the public and private sectors; 2) fact finding surveys and studies, 3) sharing economic and related information; 4) cooperation in attracting basic industries and building industry clusters; 5) improving the overall image of the subregion; and, 6) preparation of marketing materials and economic strategies. To be economically competitive with other subregions, SELAC may have to embark on some or all of these activities in the near term. The Planning Center Regional Comprehensive Plan Program November 4, 1993 Page 6 - . >x Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion r~ /'~"~ !~` A companion document to [his Core Strategy, The SELAC Strategy, a Geographic Component of the SCAG Regional Comprehensive P[mr, contains more derailed recommendations, supporting discussion, and related technical reports. Attachment One ro this document presents additional recommendations in support of the Core Strategy. Attachment Two states how the SELAC Strategy should be interpreted and used, particularly by regional agencies. The Planning Center November 4, 1993 Regional Comprehensive Plan Program Page 8 Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion (~-*' ATTACHMENT ONE STRATEGIC PRIORITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE SELAC CORE STRATEGY The following position statements are intended to reinforce the SELAC Core Strategy They are expected to be reflected in the SCAG RCP and form the basis for additional work at the regional and subregional level to achieve the Core Strategy They reflect issues of concem in SELAC and reinforce the important functions the SELAC Subregion performs in the SCAG Region. a. Subre>;ional Components of the RCP The products of each Subregional planning effort should be recognized in the RCP to acknowledge the importance of differing Subregional priorities. In the case of SELAC, the products are: 1) the SELAC Core Strategy, and 2) a more detailed Subregional Strategy which serves as a basis for continued dialogue regarding priorities and timing for attention to issues of mutual concem. This document must not be used as leverage against the subregion's cities by regional agencies and should not be an ingredient in regional conformity or consistency determinations for local projects. Any portion of the SELAC Strategy documents which appears in the RCP must be accompanied by the statement entitled: Understanding the Ilse of the SELAC ~-+, Strategy. b The Economy The important economic functions of the SELAC area should be recognized and supported in the RCP: world trade; goods movement and basic industry. These functions are critical forces in the region's economic revitalization: Major components of the existing and emerging system and resource base which support these functions include: the Port of Long Beach (as well as the adjacent Port of Los Angeles in the South Bay Subregion); the Alameda Corridor and parallel Route 710 truck lane improvements; the Hobart Yard containerized freight terminal in Vernon and Commerce; the World Trade Center and related uses in Downtown Long Beach; avast supply of industrial land and buildings open to industrial uses in strategic locations throughout the subregion; a large local work force; and an emerging transit system to provide employee access. All of these merit continued strong Regional support. G Goods Movement The SELAC area performs a unique and fundamental goods movement function within the Region. It is a major rail center and an important part of the port linkage between the western United States, the SCAG Region and world markets, particularly Pacific Rim markets. This role is enhanced by the Subregion's strategic location between coastal and inland areas and along major routes extending along the coastal belt to the north and south. A high priority should be given to planning and funding port facilities, Alameda Corridor improvements, truck routes, grade separations and other facilities which will expand the goods movement capacity of the Subregion and link it to nearby industrial areas slated for revitalization. The Planning Center Regional Comprehensve Plan Program November 4, 1993 Page 9 Southeast Los Angeles County Subregion f population and level of development to be served and identify the nature of Regional support in accommodating these pressures. i. Housin>; Improving housing choices ,is an important ingredient in the overall strategy for achieving positive change in the SELAC area. Overcrowded conditions and serious impaction of lower income households in many communities suggest three strategies which should become a part of Regional and Subregional approaches to housing in the SELAC area: 1) facilitating housing for higher income residents in highly impacted communities; 2) facilitating transfer of housing funds and credits between jurisdictions in meeting affordable housing targets; and 3) reflecting the unique nature of each community and its degree of impaction in applying fair share housing methodologies. j Flood Control The active participation by a number of SELAC cities in the Los Angeles Drainage Area (LACDA) Alliance indicates the importance of reaching flood control solutions for the Los Angeles/Rio Hondo River system which avoids substantial land taking and avoids excessive flood insurance costs. Regional support for this type of solution will be a significant contribution to the economic revitalization so critical to SELAC communities k. Water ualit Water supply and water quality are, of course, high priorities regionally. The initiative taken by several SELAC cities to reverse the contamination of water flowing from the San Gabriel Valley into the critical water basin serving SELAC has both short term and long term significance in support of the SELAC Strategy. This program of water quality improvement merits continued support regionally. f~'' The Planning Cenfer Regional Comprehensive Tian rrogram November 4, 1993 Poge l l Southeast Los A d Infrastructure Infrastructure is a major component of growth management. The SELAC area has a comparatively mature infrastructure system, with water, waste water and dxainage facilities in some portions of the Subregion either inadequately planned and funded, requiring rehabilitation, or facing potential breakdown. Infrastructure adequacy should be a major component of Regional Growth Management in addition to the current Urban Form emphasis. Regional assistance in sustaining this infrastructure system should also be part of the Region's growth management strategy. e. Urban Form The SCAG Strategy emphasizes changes in urban form at various scales as a means of achieving regional goals. The SELAC strategy not only adds infrastructure as a major component of growth management, it identifies an array of activity centers as an expression of urban form potential within SELAC. These activity centers, identified by the cities in which they are located, represent the extent of urban form modification initially considered desirable by the cities. In the aggregate, they support the urban form concepts in the SCAG Strategy and should thus be recognized in the RCP. f Transit Support A major thrust of the SELAC Strategy is to capitalize on new transit facilities, such as the Blue Line and Green line, and expand existing bus and para-transit services. This expanded transit capacity is one of several necessary strategies for improving the area's industrial potential, making activity centers feasible, and enabling the work force to improve its economic condition. Increasing bus service and expanding para-transit services with a strong local involvement in defining need should be a high priority in regional mobility plans, programs and budgets. v Future Transportation Systems While it is critical to improve the existing transportation facilities, including existing arterial highways, it is cleaz that funding for future capital improvements will be limited. As a long range strategy, given the pivotal transportation role performed by the SELAC area, there is a need to find more cost effective transportation modes which still accommodate the relatively spread out pattern of development and associated mobility patterns. There should be strong Regional commitment to exploration and, when feasible, testing of new transportation technologies such as shared low emission vehicle systems, intelligent highway vehicle systems and "smart shuttles". This strategy will lead to increased use of transit facilities, more efficient use of existing roadways and reduced levels of costly construction. h. Undocumented Residents Within the SELAC azea undocumented residents and illegal dwelling units are placing significant burdens on facilities and services in many cities. It is possible that actual population levels are approaching the "official" 2010 projections already. Methods should be found to incorporate these factors in Regional growth projections to yield a more realistic picture of the actual The Planning Center Regional Comprehensive Plan Pap November 4, 1993 Southeast Los Angeles c:ounry ~uuiCyt~t ~ .-~ 4. WHAT THE SELAC CORE STRATEGY MEANS TO SELAC CITIES The significance of the Strategy is that it identifies a common cause that is of direct or indirect impor[ance to each city: the economic revitalization of the subregion and an approach to sustaining that revitalization over the long run. Moreover, the Strategy seeks to gain regional support for the unique needs of this area because of its value to the region. [t provides a foundation for further deliberations by SELAC cities in deciding what steps they wish to jointly take in pursuing the strategy and through what form of collaboration. Finally, it is the fundamental basis for having the resources to sustain eff ubli o ervices, other issues of importance to SELAC Cities: infrastructure improvements, overcrowding, p and numerous others. 5, WHY THE SELAC STRATEGY WAS PREPARED The RCP was initiated by SCAG to achieve a more comprehensive basis for dealing with substantial anticipated regional growth and its impacts on mobility, air quality, housing, eta (expected to reach 21 million from [he current 15 million by the year 2010) and to shape that foundation with extensive involvement by local governments. This is referred to as "Top DownBottom Up" planning. Thirteen Subregions were identified as [he means to achieve local participation in this effort, one of which was SELAC. Although SELAC cities had considerable experience in addressing specific topics in reaction to problem conditions or proposals by other governments which raised City concerns, there had been ho attempt at joint comprehensive advance planning. There was a mixed rationale for involvement by the Cities. Some saw potential opportunities to beneficially influence regional priorities in support of City needs; others felt the need to defend against what they expected would be detrimental regional actions by imposing additional demands on Cities or impeding critical development projects. Some saw the possibility of forging common long term interests within SELAC irrespective of the RCP. All of these motivations were at work during the process. 6. HOW THE SELAC SUBREGIONAL PLANNING WAS APPROACHED A work program was fashioned by the SELAC Planning Directors' Committee, acting as a technical committee, and a consultant was hired to conduct the work and coordinate the effort. A committee of elected officials, the Study Committee, provided policy direction. A special Committee or the SELAC City Managers' Group provided periodic review and advice. Over a period of six months, issue papers, technical reports, draft strategies, and recommend::!ions on a number of subjects were prepared. A number of recommendations were forwarded to SCAG input to use in drafting the RCP. the Planning Center Regional Comprehensive Plan Prp ~am November 4, 1993 Southeast Los Angeles County suareglon ~ 2. FOUNDATION OF THE SELAC CORE STRATEGY Through the analysis conducted as part of the RCP process, a strategy gradually emerged which capitalizes on the key strategic location of.SELAC in relation to the rest of the region and in :elation to world markets outside the region. Described as the SELAC Core Strategy, it builds on the strong potentials in world trade, goods movement and a resurgence in certain kinds of industry. I[ builds also on identifying core industry clusters that are most likely to enable SEg C tgho cgmpete successfully in the region. These ingredients provide the foundation for the Core Stmte hi li hted at the beginnirfg of this paper. Regional forecasts for the year 2010 are that professional services will create a net increase of over 1.4 million jobs; transportation and wholesale wade, about 780 thousand; diversified manufacturing, almost 890 thousand; defense/high technology manufacruring, over 380 thousand jobs. The bottom tine is: how much of that potential can be captured by SELAC cities? Figure 2, Core Strategic Features, illustrates some of the features which can propel SELAC's economic revitalization: 1) the Ports, Alameda Corridor and Hobart Yards as discussed previously; 2) the expanded freeway system; 3) outstanding transit access (Blue Line/Green Line/Metrolink); 4) extensive industrial areas ripe for intensification and revitalization; and 5) numerous, locally- identified emerging activity centers which can add vitality to the subregional economy. The economic clusters which appear to have the greatest potential for SELAC are described below. They are important to cities because they link to other industries and services and have spinoff benefits. ^ World'lYade. Dramatic completed expansion of the two Ports and the Alameda Corridor as now planned will result in more than doubling the metric tons of cargo through the system by 2010, adding 700,000 new jobs in the region. The link to world markets is of statewide and national significance and will expand substantially under this scenario. ^ Goods Movement. This is linked to all forms of transportation and wholesale trade as well as direct jobs in transportation services. Major increases in rail, truck and Port activity will also stimulate added jobs: for example, over three rimes as many trains and a 75 percent increase in trucking jobs. Aggressive action to assure funding of required improvements is essential to maintain the current momentum. ^ Manufacturing. The top five SELAC manufacturing sectors in 1993, in tetras of employment, are fabricated metals, food processing, apparel, other machinery, and rubber and plastics. Properly promoted and supported, the following sectors have the potential to maintain strong business investment and employment roles in the revitalization of the subregion, reinforced by goods movement and world trade: Apparel: An area of recent net growth and continued potential; Fabricated Metals and Machitierv: The largest manufacturing sector in terms of estimated current jobs, with considerable potential to support new transportation technologies, assembly and fabrication; ~r.~„<r,nrtation Eouinment: Net recent job growth and significant potential for new transportation technologies in light of California's emphasis on this sector to drive statewide economic recovery; Regional Comprehensive Plan P aqe 4 The Planning Center November 4, 1993