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CITY OF PALMDALE Palmdale High-Speed Rail Station Area Plan Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan What is the Palmdale High-Speed Rail Station Area Plan? The City of Palmdale is undertaking station area planning around a future High-Speed Rail (HSR) Multi-Modal Station near the vicinity of downtown Palmdale. The study area for this effort is bound by Rancho Vista Boulevard to the north, Avenue R to the south, SR-14 to the west and 15th Street to the east. The primary focus area for the project encompasses approximately one-half mile around the planned HSR station to be located in the proximity of the current Palmdale Transportation Center (PTC). The Palmdale Station Area Plan (SAP) will analyze the benefits that a HSR station will generate for the City of Palmdale and the Antelope Valley. It will develop urban design recommendations, establish a mobility strategy, and identify economic development opportunities. Additionally, it will evaluate opportunities and constraints for improvements to jobs, housing, retail, entertainment, art, cultural amenities, pedestrian and bicycle access, parking, streetscape improvements, lighting, wayfinding, open space and recreation, and sustainability. With the introduction of HSR and Virgin Trains USA (VTUSA) in the region, Palmdale will experience a new era of growth thereby increasing interest and development around the station. A key component of the SAP will be the development of a new Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan as a new regulatory document. What is the Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan? A Specific Plan is a regulatory tool that local governments use to guide development in a localized area. While the General Plan is the City’s overall guide for growth and development and the Zoning Code is the tool for regulating development in the entire City, a Specific Plan focuses on the unique characteristics of a special area by customizing the planning process, land use and zoning regulation for that area. The Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan (PTASP) proposes a framework and development strategy for a pedestrian- oriented mixed-use district surrounding the PTC with the future high-speed rail (HSR) station focusing on the area surrounded by Technology Drive to the north, SR- 14 to the west, East Avenue Q-9 to the south and 10th Place to the east. The PTASP is intended to be a tool for developers, property owners, City staff and decision makers by providing strong and clear policies, a vision that guides land use decisions, form-based development and design standards, infrastructure improvements, and economic development strategies. Palmdale Transit Area Specific Plan Area FACT SHEET ---PAGE BREAK--- PTASP Components Community Involvement Project Schedule Next Steps Over the next several months, the planning efforts will be focused on incorporating public comments and finalizing the PTASP. Following the final community workshop in Fall 2019, the final PTASP will be recommended for adoption through the Planning Commission and City Council. The schedule above illustrates the key milestones and activities of the project including the remaining meetings. Stay Connected Mike Behen Transportation / Strategic Initiatives Manager Department of Public Works 38250 Sierra Highway Palmdale, CA 93550 [EMAIL REDACTED] I (661) 267-5337 www.cityofpalmdale.org/Projects/HSRSAP www.facebook.com/CityofPalmdale @PalmdaleCity FACT SHEET PALMDALE HSR SAP I • Development Vision: Guides development of a transit district surrounding a HSR Station in the heart of a new Downtown Palmdale • Aesthetic Guidance: Creates building forms and architectural style with a focus on a pedestrian friendly environment • Regulatory Framework: Provides the City with tools to evaluate and approve desired, quality developments in a consistent manner The City has focused on elevating public awareness and building stakeholder engagement throughout the Study process, including input from: the Authority, other state and local agencies, residents, business leaders, members of the development community, and other interested stakeholder groups. The planning process involved multiple public engagement opportunities, including a series of visioning workshops, student/youth engagement, stakeholder briefings, a stakeholder survey and technical working group meetings. A variety of collateral materials, project website and social media updates are also available to communicate project information. To learn more, please go to www.cityofpalmdale.org/Projects/HSRSAP