Council Agenda - City of Burbank

Tuesday, July 17, 2001

CITY OF BURBANK

CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE

MEMORANDUM

PURPOSE

This purpose of this report is a follow-up on renaming the street Victory Place to Kelly Johnson Boulevard.

BACKGROUND

At the January 23, 2001 City Council meeting, Vice Mayor Bob Kramer indicated that the Council had received a letter requesting a street name change of Victory Place to Kelly Johnson Boulevard in light of the 5 Points realignment and new development (the Burbank Empire Center) along Victory Place at the old Lockheed B-1 site (Exhibits A & B).  Vice Mayor Kramer directed staff to look into the matter.

Burbank Municipal Code (BMC) Sections 26-1001 through 26-1004 describe the formal procedure for street name changes (Exhibit C).  As a result, the first step in this process is obtaining a recommendation from the Traffic & Transportation Committee, which occurred at the Committee's regular meeting of March 8, 2001.  Upon review and recommendation by the Committee, the item is to be considered by the City Council through a public hearing process in which all those affected are to be notified.  Tonight's public hearing will fulfill this public hearing requirement.  Currently, there are a total of 33 addresses (including the Burbank Animal Shelter) along Victory Place that would be changed if this item is, ultimately, approved by the City Council (Exhibit D).

LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE

According to BMC Section 26-1003(b) "Street names may be established or changed when the proposed street name is for the purpose of honoring or calling attention to persons or places having special prominence and significance to the culture or the history of the City."  Based on his biography, Mr. Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson had an enormous impact on the aerospace industry, which played a pivotal role in the economic growth and well being of Burbank and the surrounding area (Exhibit E).  In 1952, Johnson was named chief engineer of Lockheed's Burbank plant, which later became the Lockheed-California Company.  When the office of corporate vice president-research and development was established in 1956, he was chosen for the post.  He became vice president for Advanced Development Projects (ADP), better known as Skunk Works, in 1958, a member of the board of directors in 1964 and a senior vice president of the corporation in 1969.  He officially retired from Lockheed in 1975, but continued as a consultant to the Skunk Works and the Lockheed projects.  Mr. Johnson has a long distinguished list of accomplishments and awards for his aircraft designs that include the following:

Table 1

Kelly Johnson is considered to be the aeronautical genius who shaped Lockheed's famed Skunk Works and who played a leading role in the design and development of more than 40 of the world's most advanced aircraft.  These aircrafts include the Hudson bomber, the Constellation and Super-Constellation transports, the P-38 fighter, the T-33 trainer, the F-94 interceptor, and the Jetstar.  Managing Lockheed's Advanced Development Projects Division (The Skunk Works), he developed the first double-sonic U.S. jet, the F-104 Starfighter, the U-2 spyplane, and the Mach 3 SR-71 Blackbird.  Mr. Johnson died on December 21, 1990 and is buried at Forest Lawn (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, California.

TRAFFIC & TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE REVIEW

At its meeting of March 8, 2001, the Traffic & Transportation committee unanimously recommended the street name change (Exhibits F & G).  During their deliberation the committee had two primary concerns.

1) Financial Impact to businesses involved

Although the committee was supportive of the name change, some committee members were concerned of the financial impact posed to businesses as a result of the street name change.  Most, if not all businesses, would need to change such items as office supplies including business letterhead, business cards, advertising with their current Victory Place address and possibly an array of other miscellaneous items to reflect a new street address.  The code does not address this issue in its street name procedure; however, staff would recommend that the effective date of the name change be on October 1, 2001 to alleviate this issue and, in essence, mark a good transition as that area will be transformed from both the new development and street improvements being completed.  This date corresponds with the Burbank Empire Center project opening and would allow some time for businesses to make the transition and minimize any impact.  Staff recognizes this issue as an inherent problem with any street name change.  Quantifying associated costs to businesses would be extremely problematic and difficult.  Thus, allowing a transition period is the one method staff recommends to deal with this issue.

2) Is there a name less cumbersome/shorter than Kelly Johnson Boulevard?

Some committee members raised the issue that the actual name may be too cumbersome or not "user-friendly" for local motorists driving in the area.  Staff agrees that the name is a bit lengthy for a street name; however, because Johnson is such a common name, simply renaming the street and/or shortening the name (i.e. Johnson Blvd.) may take away from the reason why we would be making the change and honoring this individual.  Even with the last street name change proposal in 1988, Bob Hope Dr., the Council approved using the individual's whole name.  Staff would recommend this approach again.  Additionally, in many respects, changing Victory Place to another name may make it less confusing for those who (have or) would otherwise potentially mistake Victory Place for Victory Boulevard or vice versa.

ANALYSIS

Staff believes Mr. Kelly Johnson does meet the criteria as laid out by the street name change ordinance.  Mr. Johnson is arguably responsible for many of the activities that shaped Lockheed's Burbank plant.  In turn, Lockheed had a significant impact on Burbank.  It is evident from his biography that Mr. Johnson had a tremendous impact not only here in Burbank, but also throughout the nation, in particular throughout the aerospace industry.  Staff's key concern is the potential cost to businesses affected if this proposal is approved.  Staff strongly recommends that, if approved, the name change does not go into effect until October 1, 2001 to allow time for businesses to make necessary changes.  Staff will immediately notify all property owners and tenants if the proposal is approved.

Additionally, proper notice of the proposal has been given to property owners as well as tenants on Victory Place prior to this hearing.  Staff has also been in contact with Zelman Development (developer of the Burbank Empire Center) regarding this name change.  Zelman Development has received both a copy of the initial report to the Traffic & Transportation committee along with tonight's Council report.  As well, staff has contacted the Main Post Office in Burbank and discussed the issue with their offices.  Other than making sure a street/address change form is completed and filed with their Address Management Systems Office, the Post Office had no objections or issues with the street name change.

FISCAL IMPACT

A total of six aluminum signs (12 panels) would be necessary to complete the name change for all of Victory Place.  The signs will cost approximately $450 each ($2,700 for all six signs); yet, this cost could be incorporated into the new street sign changes related to the Burbank Empire Center Project.  In addition, a total of nine non-aluminated signs will need to be changed.  Replacing these street signs will cost roughly a total of $250, which can be paid out of existing Public Works Signs and Striping funds.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends adopting a resolution renaming Victory Place to Kelly Johnson Boulevard.

EXHIBITS

A         Letter related to Victory Place street name proposal

B         GIS-based Site Map of Victory Place

C         Burbank Municipal Code Sections 26-1001 - 26-1004 related to Street Name Procedures

D         Master List of all current Victory Place address and property owners

E         Clarence L. "Kelly" Johnson Biography

F          March 8, 2001 Traffic & Transportation Committee Minutes

G         March 8, 2001 Traffic & Transportation Committee Staff Report