RECOMMENDATION(S): (CONT'D)
DIRECT the Department of Conservation and Development to file the Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk, and
DIRECT the Redevelopment Agency to arrange for payment of the $50 handling fee to the County Clerk for filing the Notice of Exemption
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the County General Fund. The estimated project cost is $400,000 and is funded by Redevelopment Agency (100%).
BACKGROUND:
The Contra Costa County Redevelopment Agency is in the process of building many improvements to the area including a new multi-modal transit village at the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART station. The wayfinding sign program will direct motorists, bicyclist and pedestrians to regional locations serving public and private facilities. The design will present a professional image consistent with the requirements of the Contra Costa Centre Area Specific Plan and the character of the Centre and will establish a uniform family of sign types suitable for application to future locations.
Wayfinding signage has already been installed within the transit village area as part of the development plan (DP04-3099). The proposed wayfinding program extends the signage beyond the development to include the entire Specific Plan area.
The EIR prepared in 1997 for the Amendments to the Contra Costa Centre (Pleasant Hill BART Station) Area Specific Plan referenced a sign program to improve access and circulation. The discussion of Signage Impacts includes a Mitigation Measure stating that signs should have a "degree of uniformity in appearance to foster a sense of identity within the station area. This will mitigate another problem of the station area which is identity and legibility such that visitors understand when they are entering and leaving it, and what land uses are a part of it....." (Page 11-46, Impact #8). Further, on page IV-33-Impact 5 of the DEIR, it is stated that "Measures to encourage use of alternative modes of transportation.... Incorporation of a signage system throughout the Specific Plan to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access in the area".
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Delay in approving the project will result in a delay of design and construction and may jeopardize funding.
CHILDREN'S IMPACT STATEMENT:
Not Applicable