BACKGROUND:  The Land Use Element of the City�s General Plan is the blueprint for all future development in Burbank.  It sets policies for all development in the City, and its Land Use Plan map ensures that land is provided at appropriate locations for all types of development, open space and public facilities.  The General Plan Land Use Element is one of the major tools used to determine how Burbank will look and function in the years to come. This important document is currently being updated and it is critical that the vision that the community has established for itself be reflected in the Plan and that the goals and policies of the Plan implement that vision.

In order to make sure that the Land Use Element reflects the needs, goals and priorities of the residents, the Planning Division has spent the past year reaching out to the community in a variety of ways to learn what the residents want for their City.

Three well-publicized public meetings were hosted by the Planning Division early in 2002.  These meetings were designed to share information with residents and business owners and more importantly to listen to the residents� concerns and ideas.  These meetings were video taped by the City�s Public Information Office and replayed numerous times on cable television channel 6 for the benefit of residents that were unable to attend.

In further outreach efforts, the Planning Division made use of utility bill inserts to spread the word of the General Plan update process.  In addition, flyers and cards were placed in libraries and at public counters to explain the update process and let people know that staff is anxious to hear what the residents have to say and to answer any questions they may have. The City�s web site contains information about the General Plan Land Use Element update and has had a variety of questionnaires to be answered on line that are aimed at eliciting input from residents.

The most recent outreach effort involved the distribution of a questionnaire simply titled Your City, Your Plan: Share Your Vision!  (Exhibit A)  In addition to being posted on the City�s web site, the questionnaire was distributed at the public libraries, City Hall and other City facilities, local schools, and community organizations including the Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Realtors.  Planning Division staff members also set up tables at numerous community events throughout the summer of 2002 including outdoor movie nights at the Media City Center Mall, Sunday evening concerts at the Starlight Bowl, youth sporting events at George Izay Park and at back-to-school-night at Burbank schools.  This direct community outreach provided staff the opportunity to speak with many Burbank residents, educate them about the General Plan, and encourage them to provide input on their vision of Burbank.

The questionnaire sought input from those who live or work in Burbank by asking the following five simple questions:

                                                          1. What is unique about Burbank?

                                                          2. What is special about your City that you want to preserve?

                                                          3. What would you like to change?

                                                          4. What does Burbank need that it doesn�t have?

                                                          5. How would you define the �character� of Burbank?

Close to 300 questionnaires were filled-out and returned.  A wide variety of responses were received, however, many of the responses had similar themes and spoke to the same issues.   

The following is a summary of the most popular responses to the questionnaire.

1.  What is unique about Burbank?

• It has a small town feel with big city conveniences

• City feels safe and has civic pride

• Good services/resources/ activities

2.     What is special about your City that you want to preserve?

• Small town feel

• Sense of community

• Starlight Bowl

• Programs � Municipal and School

• Downtown Burbank businesses (large and small) and studios 

• Services - responsive/independent/high quality

• Character/landmarks/trees

3.     What would you like to change?

• Schools and youth programs

   

      Increased accessibility

      More activities for the youth

      Speed zones by schools

      More school counselors

      Increase after school programs

   

•  Business

           Give older, outdated stores a modern feel

           Support small business along Magnolia and Burbank Blvds; many small business are closing.

           More nightlife

           Keep businesses away from residential areas 

•  Housing

           Limit multiple family dwellings

           Keep single family homes

           The high property and rental prices

           More trees in residential neighborhoods

•  Improve traffic:

           Around the new NBC studio construction

           Between Costco and Buena Vista

           Traffic at Empire center

           Restrict traffic flow around residential areas

•   Airport

           Reduce noise zone near airport

           Stop planes landing at all hours of the night.

•  Visual blight

           Arterials need to be softened

           Remove overhead utility lines

           Upgrade deteriorating residential pockets

           Clean up airport area and Lake Street area

4.     What does Burbank need that it doesn�t have?

• Low cost housing

          Lower rents

          First time home buyers program

          More houses for sale for people that have low income

• Parks and Recreation

          Kids/Teen Programs � summer and after school

          Bike routes more accessible to children

          Little league field

          Roller skating rink

          Dog park

          Miniature golf course

          Area for events such as car shows, farmers market etc.

          Sports complex for youth sports teams

          Increase in community activities

• Businesses

          Improve Mall with better stores

          Improved downtown and make it more attractive

          Bookstore at Empire Center

          Art galleries

• Transportation

          Better airport terminal

          Increased parking citywide

          Neighborhood bus system

          Better traffic flow

5.     How would you define the �character� of Burbank?

• A rich history of media and manufacturing in a small town

• Small town feel

• Clean

• Community oriented

• Entertainment industry

• Great place to work and live

• Safe

The actual responses to the questionnaires are attached as Exhibit B.

ANALYSIS: After compiling and summarizing the questionnaires, staff analyzed the responses in an attempt to formulate a vision for Burbank�s future to be used in an updated Land Use Element that will guide future planning and development in Burbank.  The role of a vision in the update process is shown in Exhibit C.  Several dominant themes emerged from the questionnaires that will prove valuable as staff moves forward with the Land Use Element update.  First and foremost, Burbank residents like their community and its �small town� atmosphere. The vast majority of questionnaires commented in one way or another about the small town feeling of Burbank and the sense of community that it embodies.  At the same time, most of the respondents also commented on the �big city� services, facilities, and activities that they enjoy in Burbank.

Residents commented positively on the high quality of community programs, facilities, and municipal services as well as the variety of shopping and entertainment opportunities.  Residents appreciate the variety of retail opportunities in the community and want to maintain the diversity by ensuring the quality and economic vitality of both large chain stores and smaller �mom and pop� establishments.  Of primary importance to questionnaire respondents is the protection and preservation of existing single family residential neighborhoods.  However, residents also showed that they are aware of the necessity for more housing variety in the community and the need for more affordable housing opportunities.  Some respondents expressed a desire for additional activities and programs for youths and young adults, yet most sought to minimize the impacts of additional development and activities, such as traffic congestion.

While residents� vision of Burbank as a small town and a big city may seem to be in conflict with itself, these ideas are not necessarily incompatible. They call for BALANCE in the community; a careful, planned balance that will allow for an increase in urban conveniences and opportunities without overpowering the small town community they serve.  Staff believes that balance is central to any vision of Burbank in the future and should be the guiding principal for the Land Use Element update.

Many of the issues that residents discussed, such as the need to provide affordable housing opportunities while maintaining and protecting single family neighborhoods and the need to promote all types of retail opportunities, are issues that can and will be addressed directly by the Land Use Element.  Through the update process, staff will review the land use designations and densities throughout the City as well as the policies that direct development in Burbank to ensure that the proper balance is maintained in all aspects of the community.

As Burbank goes into the 21^st century, it is our responsibility � the residents and City planners of today � to preserve and enhance the unique qualities that make Burbank such a special place to live while at the same time strengthening Burbank�s role in the regional community. Regional cooperation and coordination can help resolve issues that affect Burbank residents on a daily basis but which are too extensive to solve as a single jurisdiction.

The following is a list of Community Values that have been gleaned from public input over the past 2 years and reflect a high level of community consensus.  These core values are what have helped shape Burbank into a place where over 100,000 residents have chosen to live, work, play and raise their families. The following are the land use related values that form the foundation for a vision of Burbank in the future.

Burbank is a town with�..

• Small Town Character � The residents of Burbank prize above all else the Small Town character of the City, best illustrated by the slogan �Big City in a Small Town�.  This small town character affords residents a sense of belonging and a sense of community.

• Balanced Development � The City of Burbank strives to maintain the delicate balance of residential, commercial and other land uses to best serve its residents while maintaining the small town feeling of the community.

• Community image and character � The architecture and design of new development identifies and further characterizes Burbank as a unique destination.  Existing areas are upgraded and revitalized as needed.  The introduction of new urban trends, such as mixed use development and transit based development enable the City to grow while maintaining the small town convenience and cohesiveness so important to residents.  Residential densities are set to reflect the values of the community.

• Quality Neighborhoods � Neighborhoods are a basic building block of Burbank�s small town urban experience. In an effort to support and enhance the various neighborhoods in the City,  unique neighborhoods are identified and issues specific to each neighborhood are addressed, and public facilities, services and retail opportunities are provided at the neighborhood level.

• Varied Housing � Burbank has a wide range of housing opportunities aimed at meeting the housing needs of residents of all age groups and income levels as well as residents with special housing needs.

• Ease of Mobility � The City of Burbank prioritizes streets that are safe, efficient and free of congestion.  Public parking facilities are planned to meet the needs of both residents and visitors.  Convenient public transportation within the City links Burbank to the regional transit system.

• Safety � The safety of its residents is of paramount importance to the City of Burbank.  The City�s foremost concern is to protect its residents from both natural and man-made disasters, and to ensure a healthful environment.

• Economic Vitality � Burbank has a vibrant, healthy and varied economic base.  The City supports the media related industries that are such a vital part of Burbank�s economy and seeks to capitalize on this unique aspect of its economic base. 

• Open Space and Recreational Opportunities� The City of Burbank is fortunate to include a portion of the beautiful Verdugo Mountains, a unique open space resource in an urban environment; the residents consider the preservation of this valuable asset to be a priority. Burbank�s parks and active recreational facilities are irreplaceable resources for the community and are carefully maintained and preserved, and expanded wherever possible.

• Strategies for Sustainable Growth � The City makes prudent decisions regarding the amount and location of growth and supports the revitalization of neighborhoods and commercial areas that are physically or economically in need of improvement.  Environmentally sound development is encouraged with special attention given to issues such as urban runoff, water and energy conservation, materials recycling and transit.

While some of the core values gleaned from the community may not have direct land use manifestations, it is important that the City staff and the City Council keep these goals, concerns and priorities in mind for all decision making regarding Burbank�s future.  The following are additional community core values that Burbank residents emphasized as being important in a future vision of Burbank.

• Quality Schools � Burbank public schools are a source of pride for the Community and a resource to be supported and protected.

• Proactive Community Services and Public Facilities � The City of Burbank provides services and public facilities that support safe, convenient and attractive neighborhoods, quality educational, recreational and social programs, as well as reliable and economic public utilities.

• Responsive Government � The municipal government in Burbank listens and responds to the needs and concerns of those in the community.  There is a high level of community involvement in Burbank, in both municipal governance and community programs and activities.

Planning staff will share the residents� values and concerns with other City departments to ensure that they too are able to implement the City vision .

FISCAL IMPACT: None  

RECOMMENDATION:  Staff asks that the City Council actively support the core values gleaned from the community input and endorse the vision of a Balanced Community as discussed in this report as a guide for staff in the preparation of the updated Land Use Element.  In light of the many questionnaire responses related to the big city conveniences and small town feel of Burbank, staff believes that the slogan �Burbank � a Big City in a Small Town� best represents this vision of a balanced community.  Staff intends to utilize this slogan throughout the Land Use Element update process and in the new Land Use Element document.  Staff seeks direction from the Council to implement the vision for Burbank described in this report through goals and policies in the updated Land Use Element.

EXHIBIT A:             Questionnaire

EXHIBIT B:             Detailed responses to Questionnaire

EXHIBIT C:             VISION Graphic

Public Input

↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓↓ 

GOALS

Objectives

LAND USE IMPLICATIONS

Review existing Land Use Element

In terms of VISION

 Prepare NEW Land Use Element

                                                                                   EXHIBIT C

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