Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MARCH 16, 2016
Subject/Action
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD FOR DIVISION 7
ACTION: AUTHORIZE EXECUTION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of West Hollywood for a joint visioning process for Division 7.
Issue
ISSUE
In 2015, the Metro Board directed staff to work with the City of West Hollywood (City) to pursue an MOU to establish a collaborative process and general framework for the planning of any improvements and potential development at Division 7, a Metro maintenance facility with a fleet of 230 buses. Through initial collaboration and study, staff has identified portions of Division 7 that have potential for development that maintains the facility's current operations and meets the City's objective to extend the current retail/commercial frontage along Santa Monica Boulevard, improve neighborhood compatibility and create a more dynamic pedestrian oriented environment for the community.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Metro received an unsolicited joint development project proposal for Division 7 in October 2011, from Cohen Brothers Realty Corporation of California (CBRCC). The proposal contemplated using the Division 7 property for a commercial/residential development and rebuilding Metro's bus operations and maintenance facility as an underground facility. A two-year Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) was entered into between Metro and CBRCC in April, 2013. With the ENA set to expire on April 17, 2015, the West Hollywood City Council took action on February 17, 2015, requesting that Metro allow the ENA to expire due to lack of support for the proposed project from the residents, community and City staff. The City Council also affirmed the need for an MOU with Metro (Attachment B) to establish a collaborative visioning process to expl...
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