PLANNING COMMISSION. COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC WORKSHOP Options for the Future. Introduction

Transcription

1 COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC WORKSHOP Options for the Future E n v i s i o n W h i t t i e r PLANNING COMMISSION Introduction This document provides background materials for board members and Commissioners attending the Commission/Public Workshop: Options for the Future on September 5 th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Your input during the workshop, together with previous input thus far, will provide a working foundation for each General Plan Element and the associated goals and policies. This input will guide recommendations proposed to the City Council this fall. Prior to the workshop, we ask that you read the background materials in this document related to your board or commission and come to the workshop ready with comments and ideas. Please review the questions and add your notes to the back page of this document. Each Commission background sheet includes: 1. Topic: The primary topic the Commission/Board will discuss, as well as which Whittier General Plan Elements this topic will inform. 2. Background: Analysis and public input collected as part of the Envision Whittier process which Commissioners should consider when discussing each topic. 3. Sample Goals and Policies: Goals from the current Whittier General Plan, as well as examples from other cities that may inform new goals and policies to be recommended. 4. Additional topics: Other topics your Commission should consider in addition to the primary topic. For more background information, please reference the General Plan Existing Conditions Atlas found at

2 OVERVIEW BACKGROUND PLANNING COMMISSION General Plan Element Land Use and Community Character Element Primary Topics Areas of Change Economic Development Housing Topics to Consider Visitors Gold Line Extension Design/Placemaking Homelessness Modes of Transportation Whittier is largely built out. Areas of potential change are limited given that single-family neighborhoods cover 46% of the City s land area and protected open space account for 25%. Any new development will occur largely within areas covered by Specific Plans: 1) Whittier Boulevard, 2) Uptown Whittier, and 3) Whittwood Center. Key retail market trends that affect Whittier include the demise of regional shopping centers, the flight to higher quality centers (due to a shrinking retail market overall), smaller big box stores, and consumer demand for experiential and pedestrian-oriented retail. Since 2010, retail sales growth in Whittier has lagged behind that in Los Angeles County as a whole (3.9% versus 5.0%). Over the past seven years, the number of retail outlets in Whittier has decreased by a total of 112 businesses. Whittier experiences a sales leakage to surrounding communities of virtually every commodity except groceries. This means that residents spend some dollars for goods outside of Whittier instead of locally. If the Gold Line comes to Whittier, opportunities will arise for jobs and housing growth within a one-mile radius of the station. The healthcare industry will continue to grow, and the concept of Health Districts with uses complementary to healthcare facilities has shown to be an economic force. PIH could be the catalyst for a Health District encompassing education, research and development, housing, recreation, wellness centers, etc. Older light industrial uses and storage yards adjacent to PIH can, given the right circumstances, be recycled into higher value and more contemporary uses. Regional demand for housing both ownership and rental remains significant. Housing trends include more dense housing due to high land costs, overall housing demand, and consumer interest in urban-style living; however, many people still aspire to own a detached singlefamily home.

3 SAMPLE GOALS Current General Plan Provide city programs to encourage neighborhood or community beautification, safety, and improvement, and continue to encourage Whittier residents to participate and take pride in their neighborhoods and their community. Preserve the character of existing neighborhoods and ensure that future residential development is compatible with the surrounding area and the City as a whole. Promote the development of quality housing at a variety of densities, with consideration for the environment, aesthetics, and the need for maintaining and expanding the infrastructure s capacity. Promote the development and maintenance of retail and service facilities which are convenient to residents of Whittier, provide the widest possible selection of goods and services, and supplement the City s tax base. Consider the capacity of existing infrastructure and the potential demand for public services in future planning and review of new development. Promote mixed-use development in those areas of the City so designated to provide additional housing and to assist in the revitalization of commercial districts. Encourage the development of mixed-use projects that include commercial and residential uses in areas with excess retail space, including areas along South Greenleaf, Penn Street, Philadelphia Street, Hadley Street, and Whittier Boulevard, and ensure that the design and signage is sensitive to surrounding uses. Actively pursue acquisition of open space areas not only to provide areas for traditional recreational activities, but also to preserve ecological features which are valuable for their scientific, educational, scenic, and cultural values. Other Examples to Consider (from other cities) Encourage a diverse housing stock while also ensuring that new development and substantially remodeled homes maintain the architectural and massing character of each unique residential neighborhood. Develop and implement distinct plans for each City neighborhood typology that respond to and maintain the character of each. Ensure that buildings along corridors are sensitive to adjacent neighborhoods, providing adequate scale transitions. Encourage the replacement of older low scale, auto oriented development with well designed new projects that offer pedestrian orientation, higher densities with more efficient use of land, and continued productive economic value. Build and support a local economy that promotes commercial, office, and industrial businesses that provide employment for a broad spectrum of skilled and professional labor. Support emerging businesses by establishing flexible zoning regulations that allow creative art and design-oriented and green-tech commercial and industrial uses. Support the use of the Light Industrial Incubator Overlay to ensure retention of light industrial lands and accommodate small incubator space for young businesses in green, biotechnology, software, and other emerging industries. Allow and encourage higher-density, transitoriented development along major corridors to provide housing, employment, and retail opportunities easily accessible from transit facilities.

4 HOMEWORK As you travel around town, consider the following questions and possible solutions in preparation for the workshop. To help you keep notes and organize your thoughts, the available space if for your use. These questions, along with other related topics will be discussed at the workshop to help inform goals and policies for the General Plan Update. Where along Whittier Boulevard would you consider land use changes? If so, what? What type of employment opportunities should Whittier attract? Should the City protect existing industrial lands? Related to the purview of the Planning Commission, what other key policy guidance should the General Plan include? How can the City provide for additional housing to meet demand? Should denser housing units be built? Where?

5 COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC WORKSHOP Options for the Future E n v i s i o n W h i t t i e r DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Introduction This document provides background materials for board members and Commissioners attending the Commission/Public Workshop: Options for the Future on September 5 th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Your input during the workshop, together with previous input thus far, will provide a working foundation for each General Plan Element and the associated goals and policies. This input will guide recommendations proposed to the City Council this fall. Prior to the workshop, we ask that you read the background materials in this document related to your board or commission and come to the workshop ready with comments and ideas. Please review the questions and add your notes to the back page of this document. Each Board background sheet includes: 1. Topic: The primary topic the Commission/Board will discuss, as well as which Whittier General Plan Elements this topic will inform. 2. Background: Analysis and public input collected as part of the Envision Whittier process which Commissioners should consider when discussing each topic. 3. Sample Goals and Policies: Goals from the current Whittier General Plan, as well as examples from other cities that may inform new goals and policies to be recommended. 4. Additional topics: Other topics your Commission should consider in addition to the primary topic. For more background information, please reference the General Plan Existing Conditions Atlas found at

6 OVERVIEW General Plan Element BACKGROUND Gateways. Whittier has several gateways: entry point at each end of Whittier Boulevard, on Beverly Boulevard at the I-605 interchange, at the intersection of Lambert and Colima Roads, and the intersection of Lambert Road and Washington Boulevards. Currently, these entry points provide minimal physical indications that you are arriving in Whittier. DESIGN REVIEW BOARD Land Use and Community Character Element Primary Topics Design Placemaking Aesthetics Topics to Consider Areas of Change Historic Preservation Corridors. Whittier has ten major corridors. Each has its own physical character and land use pattern. These corridors serve as major linkages, connecting residents, workers, and visitors to places in Whittier. Districts. Whittier s districts include Uptown, Whittier College, and PIH Health Campus. These areas are defined by land use type, architecture, neighborhood design and street pattern, and are distinct from other areas of the City. Places. Current trends have created a demand for activities and places that are experiential. Entertainment and social media photo-worthy opportunities enhance the user experience. This is influencing how places are planned and designed. Public Spaces. Activation of smaller public spaces such as alleys, parts of sidewalks, and available streetscape right-of-way is a trend that can provide opportunities for public amenities such as plazas, small parks, greenways, and flexible spaces. Community Character. How can Whittier ensure community character is respected in areas where there are no historic resources? Visitors Street Safety & Personal Safety

7 SAMPLE GOALS Current General Plan Maintain amenities along major roadways which provide beauty, identity, and form to the community and to neighborhoods within the community. Encourage the retention and development of parkways, median strips, greenbelts, bike trails, and other open landscape areas, which provide scenic variety and aesthetic improvements. Other Examples to Consider (from other cities) Architectural Quality. Encourage an architecturally distinguished city with a diversity of building styles. New development will recognize this by supporting a variety of materials, forms, and construction techniques while demonstrating contextual relationship to its surroundings through traditional physical concepts (orientation, scale, materials) and non-physical concepts (cultural, climactic, economic). Urban Form. A safe, well-designed, accessible City with a diversity of uses and forms. These diverse forms include distinct, walkable districts, corridors, and transit and neighborhood villages and cohesive, unique single and multi-family residential neighborhoods and open spaces where people of all ages can live, work, shop and recreate. Preserve Community Identity. Preserve and enhance the City s unique character and identity, and support the diversity of neighborhoods, boulevards, and districts within the City. Encourage Arts and Culture. Encourage arts and culture through land uses that maintain and promote the growth of the City s creative capital. Compatibility. Encourage well-developed design that is compatible with the neighborhoods, responds to the surrounding context, and creates a comfortable pedestrian environment.

8 HOMEWORK As you travel around town, consider the following questions and possible solutions in preparation for the workshop. To help you keep notes and organize your thoughts, the available space if for your use. These questions, along with other related topics will be discussed at the workshop to help inform goals and policies for the General Plan Update. How can the City improve public spaces and streetscapes? Where should these improvements occur? How can Whittier ensure community character is respected in areas and neighborhoods where there are no historic resources? How can public open space be provided given Whittier s built out character? Related to the purview of the Design Review Board, what other key policy guidance should the General Plan include?

9 HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC WORKSHOP Options for the Future E n v i s i o n W h i t t i e r Introduction This document provides background materials for board members and Commissioners attending the Commission/Public Workshop: Options for the Future on September 5 th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Your input during the workshop, together with previous input thus far, will provide a working foundation for each General Plan Element and the associated goals and policies. This input will guide recommendations proposed to the City Council this fall. Prior to the workshop, we ask that you read the background materials in this document related to your board or commission and come to the workshop ready with comments and ideas. Please review the questions and add your notes to the back page of this document. Each Commission background sheet includes: 1. Topic: The primary topic the Commission/Board will discuss, as well as which Whittier General Plan Elements this topic will inform. 2. Background: Analysis and public input collected as part of the Envision Whittier process which Commissioners should consider when discussing each topic. 3. Sample Goals and Policies: Goals from the current Whittier General Plan, as well as examples from other cities that may inform new goals and policies to be recommended. 4. Additional topics: Other topics your Commission should consider in addition to the primary topic. For more background information, please reference the General Plan Existing Conditions Atlas found at

10 OVERVIEW BACKGROUND HISTORIC RESOURCES COMMISSION General Plan Element Historic Resources Element Primary Topic Historic Preservation Topics to Consider Areas of Change Visitors Housing Economic Development Permitting. All applicable properties undergoing any alteration require a Certificate of Appropriateness permit, regardless of whether they are in a historic district or designated as a local landmark. Consider undertaking a review of the Code to streamline the process. Historic Districts. Whittier has four historic districts. The last district adopted by the City, the Earlham Historic District, was designated in Many of these districts lack a context statement and identified contributors. Should these districts be revaluated to promote clarity? Historic Resource Ordinance. The Historic Resources Ordinance is confusing and very technical. Consider a clean-up process to reduce confusion. Assitance and Training. Whittier does not participate as a Certified Local Government either at the state and federal level, thereby potentially limiting opportunities for focused preservation grants and receiving technical assistance and training. Technology. With the advancement of new technology, is there a potential to introduce new methods to promote the City s historic preservation program, including innovative educational ideas? Assessments. Determine best ways forward to assess historic resources that may be culturally significant. Explore drafting context statements related to various themes of Whittier s development to clarify the City s historic and cultural resources.

11 SAMPLE GOALS Current General Plan Determine the nature and extent of Whittier s physical and cultural heritage. Develop a historic resources preservation program, recognizing that effective utilization of the City s historic resources supports community identity and appeal, social and economic vitality, and neighborhood stability. Promote public awareness of Whittier s history and heritage. Other Examples to Consider (from other cities) The City s project review processes and procedures promote clear and effective historic and cultural preservation decisions Historic preservation policies, initiatives, and incentives are periodically reviewed to enhance performance and effectiveness. Historic and cultural preservation are effectively used as tools for economic development and tourism. Innovative technology and robust education and outreach programs actively engage the public in the appreciation and preservation of historic and cultural assets. The City uses innovative tools and approaches to protect its diverse historic and cultural resources.

12 HOMEWORK As you travel around town, consider the following questions and possible solutions in preparation for the workshop. To help you keep notes and organize your thoughts, the available space if for your use. These questions, along with other related topics will be discussed at the workshop to help inform goals and policies for the General Plan Update. Should the City consider reviewing and updating the Historic Resources Ordinance and/or the Certificate of Appropriateness permit process? Should established historic districts be evaluated to include a context statement and identify contributing resources? Should the City explore drafting new context statements related to various development themes and time periods to add new historic and cultural resources? Related to the purview of the Historic Resources Commission, what other key policy guidance should the General Plan include?

13 COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC WORKSHOP Options for the Future E n v i s i o n W h i t t i e r PARKING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION Introduction This document provides background materials for board members and Commissioners attending the Commission/Public Workshop: Options for the Future on September 5 th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Your input during the workshop, together with previous input thus far, will provide a working foundation for each General Plan Element and the associated goals and policies. This input will guide recommendations proposed to the City Council this fall. Prior to the workshop, we ask that you read the background materials in this document related to your board or commission and come to the workshop ready with comments and ideas. Please review the questions and add your notes to the back page of this document. Each Commission background sheet includes: 1. Topic: The primary topic the Commission/Board will discuss, as well as which Whittier General Plan Elements this topic will inform. 2. Background: Analysis and public input collected as part of the Envision Whittier process which Commissioners should consider when discussing each topic. 3. Sample Goals and Policies: Goals from the current Whittier General Plan, as well as examples from other cities that may inform new goals and policies to be recommended. 4. Additional topics: Other topics your Commission should consider in addition to the primary topic. For more background information, please reference the General Plan Existing Conditions Atlas found at

14 OVERVIEW BACKGROUND PARKING & TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION General Plan Element Mobility and Infrastructure Element Primary Topic Modes of Transportation Topics to Consider Visitors Gold Line Extension Street Safety & Personal Safety Complete Streets. In 2017, the City adopted its Complete Streets Program ordinance. The goal is to make streets safe and convenient to all users of all transportation modes. Collisions. Between 2012 and 2016, 1,796 collisions occurred within Whittier. Over 80% were between motor vehicle and motor vehicle, 9% were between motor vehicle and bicycle, and another 9% were motor vehicle and pedestrian. Gold Line Extension. An East Transit Corridor Phase 2 Light Rail Transit Extension (aka Gold Line Eastside Extension) alternative would extend the Gold Line from its current East Los Angeles along Washington Boulevard to Whittier. Transit Providers. Whittier is served by multiple transit providers Los Angeles Metro, Foothill Transit, Montebello Transit, Norwalk Transit, and Sunshine Shuttle. Transit Stops. Two transit stops average 200+ daily ridership: Montebello Transit s Norwalk Boulevard/ Beverly Boulevard and Whittwood Town Center. Other high ridership stops are on Philadelphia Street in Uptown, PIH Health, Norwalk Boulevard/ Whittier Boulevard, and Painter Avenue/Mulberry. Shuttle. Community comments frequently cite the need for a shuttle between key destinations: Uptown, PIH, the Quad, Whittwood Center, and trailheads. Bike Facilities. Whittier has approximately 32 miles of bike lanes and routes. Uptown Parking. Uptown Whittier has 10 parking lots and one parking structure in addition to onstreet parking. A new Uptown parking structure is planned. While parking is usually available, a frequent community comment is that parking in Uptown is difficult. Trailheads Parking. Community input suggests that on-street parking near trailheads is at or above capacity on evenings and/or weekends. Street Reductions. Political and stakeholder concern regarding tradeoffs between complete streets strategies and multi-modal safety improvements that may require the conversion of travel or parking lanes.

15 SAMPLE GOALS Current General Plan Provide a comprehensive transportation system for the movement of persons and goods with the maximum efficiency and convenience, with a minimum of danger, delay, and cost. Eliminate or reduce congestion at critical locations within the City. Emphasize traffic solutions that are both innovative and creative, without involving road widening projects, if possible. Encourage the development of a comprehensive public transportation system and alternatives modes of transit. Encourage the utilization of Dial-a-Ride, light rail transit, carpools, Whittier Transit, RTD buses, parkand-ride, and other mass transit systems though publicity programs and costs subsidies. Promote the use of alternative forms of transportation (other than single passenger cars) to reduce congestion, traffic, noise, and air quality impacts. Promote the use of carpools, whenever possible. Work towards the conversion of the City s vehicle fleet to flexible-fuel vehicles or lower-emission transit alternatives. Encourage the creation of a multi-use trails network in the City. Pursue the acquisition of linear park space along existing railroad rights-of-way for use as bicycle paths, walking paths, and equestrian trails. Designate bicycle lanes along major arteries or nearby streets parallel to them, and establish bike paths on residential streets connecting major activity centers such as parks, colleges, Uptown Village, the Quad, Whittwood Mapp, the new YMCA, etc. Other Examples to Consider (from other cities) Accommodate and encourage alternative transportation modes to achieve the City s mobility goals and reduce vehicle trip generation and vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Facilitate convenient and timely transfers between various travel modes. Emphasis should be on transfers between alternative transportation modes that minimize the need for use of singleoccupant vehicles. Support using the concept of complete streets to design, construct, operate, and maintain city and private streets to enable safe, comfortable, and attractive access and travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users of all ages, abilities, and preferences. Use the complete streets concept to better link district and other employment centers with Downtown and other nearby areas. Consider impacts on overall mobility and various travel modes when evaluating transportation impacts of new developments or infrastructure projects. Continue to implement Pedestrian Enhanced Designs (PEDs), especially on streets with projected excess vehicle capacity, to reduce either the number of travel lanes or the roadway width, and use the available public right-of-way to provide wider sidewalks, bicycle lanes, transit amenities, or landscaping. Ensure that the City s transportation impact fee program provides adequate funding for necessary transportation improvements that will benefit all travel modes, while also incentivizing development that is less dependent on expensive new transportation infrastructure. Consult with neighboring jurisdictions and County, State, and federal agencies toward maintaining and improving the existing regional transportation network, and identifying, funding, and implementing regional improvements to the transportation network.

16 HOMEWORK As you travel around town, consider the following questions and possible solutions in preparation for the workshop. To help you keep notes and organize your thoughts, the available space if for your use. These questions, along with other related topics will be discussed at the workshop to help inform goals and policies for the General Plan Update. As the City implements the Complete Streets Program, what can be specifically done to make streets more effective and safer? How can the City improve transit opportunities within the City? Should the City consider implementing a shuttle system that connects key activity areas? Where should the shuttle go; how should the service be provided? How can the City improve access to popular open space trailheads without negatively impacting adjoining residential neighborhoods? Related to the purview of the Parking & Transportation Commission, what other key policy guidance should the General Plan include?

17 PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNTIY SERVICES COMMISSION COMMISSIONS/PUBLIC WORKSHOP Options for the Future E n v i s i o n W h i t t i e r Introduction This document provides background materials for board members and Commissioners attending the Commission/Public Workshop: Options for the Future on September 5 th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Your input during the workshop, together with previous input thus far, will provide a working foundation for each General Plan Element and the associated goals and policies. This input will guide recommendations proposed to the City Council this fall. Prior to the workshop, we ask that you read the background materials in this document related to your board or commission and come to the workshop ready with comments and ideas. Please review the questions and add your notes to the back page of this document. Each Commission background sheet includes: 1. Topic: The primary topic the Commission/Board will discuss, as well as which Whittier General Plan Elements this topic will inform. 2. Background: Analysis and public input collected as part of the Envision Whittier process which Commissioners should consider when discussing each topic. 3. Sample Goals and Policies: Goals from the current Whittier General Plan, as well as examples from other cities that may inform new goals and policies to be recommended. 4. Additional topics: Other topics your Commission should consider in addition to the primary topic. For more background information, please reference the General Plan Existing Conditions Atlas found at

18 OVERVIEW BACKGROUND Recreation Needs PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNTIY SERVICES COMMISSION General Plan Elements Resource Management Element Mobility and Infrastructure Element Primary Topics Recreation Needs Topics to Consider Visitors Trails Recreation Needs Design/Placemaking/ Aesthetics Modes of Transportation Street Safety & Personal Safety Park System. Whittier has 23 parks and one greenway, totaling 475 acres of parkland. Acreage of Natural Parks. Natural parks make up more than 70 percent of Whittier s park acreage. To increase the number of park and sport facilities available to residents, the City has established joint-use agreements with school districts. Sports Field. A significant need exists for additional sports facilities, including baseball/ softball, football, soccer, and an aquatic center in the eastern half of the City. Limited Supply of Land. Vacant land is scarce in Whittier; thus, few opportunities exist to develop new parks. Park Access. In the City s southeastern area including several neighborhoods such as Friendly Hills, Sun Gold, and Whittwood residents are not within one-half mile walking distance of a park. Community Centers. The City operates two community centers: one in Uptown and the second at Parnell Park. The City also has two senior centers located adjacent to or within the community centers. Trails Greeway Trail. The Whittier Greenway is a major achievement; its development significantly improved the provision of park space. The trail is currently being extended to the Orange County border. Trailheads. Several trailheads in the City are managed by the Puente Hills Habitat Authority. These trailheads provide access to the Puente Hills Preserve, including Sycamore Canyon, Hellman Park, Turnbull Canyon, and Arroyo Pescadero. Backbone Trail. The Scharbarum-Skyline Trail within the Puente Hills Preserve is located on a ridge and forms the spine for numerous other trails within the Preserve.

19 Open Space Popularity. A Puente Hills Preserve survey conducted in 2016 revealed a roughly 2,618 percent increase in use from 2005 to The study also revealed that 75 percent of trail users do not live in Whittier. Residents of neighborhoods adjacent to trailheads have expressed concern with increasing trail usage, with visitors parking on nearby streets early in the morning and late at night, and some people leaving trash. San Gabriel River Trail. The multi-use San Gabriel River Trail is located just west of the City boundary. There is a trail access point from Whittier Boulevard, just west of the Pio Pico State Historic Park. However, there are no bike facilities and trails, including the Whittier Greenway Trail, that connects to the San Gabriel River Trail. San Gabriel River Trail does connect to the Scharbarum Trail just north of the City near Rio Hondo College. SAMPLE GOALS Current General Plan Recreation Needs Provide a wide range of safe, attractive, and accessible recreational opportunities to meet the needs of individuals of all ages, families, community groups, and the physically challenged who live in the City. Preservation of open space land for resource retention and recreational use will be a priority in future planning. Provide a sufficient range of recreational opportunities to meet the needs of residents of all ages and interests in the community. Trails Encourage the creation of multi-use trail network in the City. Other Examples to Consider (from other cities) Recreation Needs Provide a variety of park facilities that meet the diverse needs and interests of the community. Develop parks that contribute to active and healthy lifestyles, and allow for a balanced commitment to both organized recreation activities and passive park environments. Pursue developing an outdoor special use facility that includes a multi-field sports complex. Build, renovate, and maintain parks in a manner that is environmentally sustainable. Provide high-quality community services programs and services that provide opportunities for recreational, physical, and educational activities for residents of all ages. Provide comprehensive and multi-faceted cultural arts programs and services that provide entertainment and educational opportunities to the community. Trails Provide an extensive and safe system for walking and hiking that links areas of City. Develop and maintain a pathway system within the urban areas of the City. Explore opportunities to increase funding for trail maintenance to assure trails are well kept as maintenance costs rise. Inclusive and managed public access is provided to preserving the natural environment and limiting the impacts to surrounding properties. Minimize the impact park attendance has on surrounding residential neighborhoods.

20 HOMEWORK As you travel around town, consider the following questions and possible solutions in preparation for the workshop. To help you keep notes and organize your thoughts, the available space if for your use. These questions, along with other related topics will be discussed at the workshop to help inform goals and policies for the General Plan Update. With the lack of available land, what approaches can be taken to provide additional public recreational/open space facilities? What other recreation opportunities should be explored or added? How can the City improve recreational programming and services? How can the City improve access to popular open space trailheads without negatively impacting adjoining residential neighborhoods? Related to the purview of the Parks and Recreation Commission, what other key policy guidance should the General Plan include? Should the City consider activating commercial properties (adding gathering areas for events and/ or public amenities) along Lambert Road adjoining the Greenway Trail or other places in Whittier? If so, where?