Morro Bay Power Plant Master Plan

Introduction

The City of Morro Bay is currently in the process of creating a master plan for the 95-acre Power Plant property and would like your feedback!

What is a Master Plan?

A master plan establishes a vision and policy framework for the development of an area. It helps guide decision makers and the public by providing design and development parameters for the future physical development of the planning area.

Why is the City creating a Master Plan?

Pursuant to Morro Bay General Plan Policy LU-5.4, a master plan is required to be prepared upon receiving a proposal for property development. A proposal has been received for a battery energy storage system in the location of the previous oil tank farm area.

The master plan process will ensure a holistic approach to planning for the Power Plant site and surrounding area. The master plan will establish a vision and plan for growth and development of the Power Plant site and surrounding area, including consideration of the physical relationship and compatibility with the proposed battery storage system project.

Where is the Power Plant site?

The map below shows the boundaries of the Power Plant property. The map also shows where the proposed battery energy storage project would be located as well as identifying environmentally sensitive habitat areas in and around the planning area.

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Power Plant Site Map

How is the Master Plan area organized?

For purposes of this master planning process, the planning area has been organized into 4 main areas:

Area #1 - Power Plant Embarcadero frontage
Area #2 - Power Plant building area and graded area with Pacific Wildlife Care
Area #3 - Hillside area along Scott Street
Area #4 - Morro Creek and Keiser Park

These areas are depicted on the map below.

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Master Plan Planning Areas Map

Land Use Preferences

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* 1. Within the four planning areas shown above, briefly describe what you would like to see in those areas in the future. Fill in the blank.

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* 2. Which potential uses would you prefer to see on the Power Plant property? Please select all that apply.

Harbor related (such as boat yard or commercial fishing)

Hotel

Park or open space

Museum

Renewable Energy

Conference center

Housing (such as multi-family or mixed use)

Education facility

Commercial recreation (such as paddleboard or boat rentals, whale watching tours, or kayaking)

Restaurant

Aquarium or wildlife facility

Retail commercial

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Which potential uses would you prefer NOT to see on the Power Plant property? Please select all that apply.

Harbor related (such as boat yard or commercial fishing)

Hotel

Park or open space

Museum

Renewable Energy

Conference center

Housing (such as multi-family or mixed use)

Education facility

Commercial recreation (such as paddleboard or boat rentals, whale watching tours, or kayaking)

Restaurant

Aquarium or wildlife facility

Retail commercial

Other (please specify)

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* 4. What uses would you like to see in Area # 1- Power Plant Embarcadero frontage? The picture below provides a current view of the area. Please fill in the blank.

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* 5. What uses would you like to see in Area #2- the Power Plant building area and graded area with Pacific Wildlife Care? The picture below provides a current view of the area. Please fill in the blank

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* 6. What uses would you like to see in Area #3- the hillside area along Scott Street? The pictures below provides a current view of the area and shows the existing hillside topography. Please fill in the blank

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* 7. We asked about your vision for potential land uses within different planning areas of the Power Plant site. Are there uses that you believe would be more compatible with the proposed battery energy storage site? Are there uses that you believe would be less compatible with the battery energy storage site? Please fill in the blank.

Circulation and Connections

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* 8. To enhance the pedestrian connection across the Embarcadero, what types of pedestrian connection improvements should be considered? Select all that you think apply.

Bridge

Crosswalk

Pedestrian crossing light

Roundabout and crosswalk

Other (please specify)

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* 9. Where should pedestrian connection improvements across the Embarcadero be prioritized? Please select all that apply.

Near Maritime Museum

Coleman Drive and Embarcadero intersection

Near the existing Power Plant site entrance

Beach Street and Embarcadero intersection

Other (please specify)

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* 10. Should the existing pedestrian bridge over Morro Creek be expanded to accommodate vehicle connections to Highway 1 and State Route 41? Should vehicle connections also be provided at the southeast area of the property at Quintana Road and Main Street? See images of areas below

Vehicle access at pedestrian bridge to Highway 1 and State Route 41

Vehicle access at Quintana Road and Main Street

Both

Neither

I don't know

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* 11. Area #1 - Power Plant Embarcadero frontage is an important public facing edge along the Power Plant site and a key focal point that should be carefully designed. What are the most important design considerations for this area and edge? Rate the following in order of importance.

	High importance	Medium Importance	Low Importance	Not important
Prioritizing pedestrian connections and pathways	Prioritizing pedestrian connections and pathways High importance	Prioritizing pedestrian connections and pathways Medium Importance	Prioritizing pedestrian connections and pathways Low Importance	Prioritizing pedestrian connections and pathways Not important
Prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle connections and trails	Prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle connections and trails High importance	Prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle connections and trails Medium Importance	Prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle connections and trails Low Importance	Prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle connections and trails Not important
Creating connections with nature and natural landscape features	Creating connections with nature and natural landscape features High importance	Creating connections with nature and natural landscape features Medium Importance	Creating connections with nature and natural landscape features Low Importance	Creating connections with nature and natural landscape features Not important
Creating prominent gateways and focal point features	Creating prominent gateways and focal point features High importance	Creating prominent gateways and focal point features Medium Importance	Creating prominent gateways and focal point features Low Importance	Creating prominent gateways and focal point features Not important
Providing commercial and economic opportunities	Providing commercial and economic opportunities High importance	Providing commercial and economic opportunities Medium Importance	Providing commercial and economic opportunities Low Importance	Providing commercial and economic opportunities Not important
Incorporating public art and/or historical elements of the area	Incorporating public art and/or historical elements of the area High importance	Incorporating public art and/or historical elements of the area Medium Importance	Incorporating public art and/or historical elements of the area Low Importance	Incorporating public art and/or historical elements of the area Not important
Creating defined spaces for seating and viewing areas	Creating defined spaces for seating and viewing areas High importance	Creating defined spaces for seating and viewing areas Medium Importance	Creating defined spaces for seating and viewing areas Low Importance	Creating defined spaces for seating and viewing areas Not important
Designing for nighttime activity and safety	Designing for nighttime activity and safety High importance	Designing for nighttime activity and safety Medium Importance	Designing for nighttime activity and safety Low Importance	Designing for nighttime activity and safety Not important

Other (please specify)

Design and Amenities Preferences

Designing successful public spaces is important for creating strong community connections. Public spaces can take many forms and serve a variety of purposes. Please answer the following questions to help us understand your preferences for public spaces at the Power Plant site.

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* 12. Should public spaces on the Power Plant site serve as:

Regional destinations and amenities

Local destinations and amenities

Both

I don't know

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* 13. Please rate the following functional public spaces at the Power Plant site in order of importance.

	High importance	Medium importance	Low importance	Not important
Active recreation and play areas	Active recreation and play areas High importance	Active recreation and play areas Medium importance	Active recreation and play areas Low importance	Active recreation and play areas Not important
Entertainment and social gathering areas	Entertainment and social gathering areas High importance	Entertainment and social gathering areas Medium importance	Entertainment and social gathering areas Low importance	Entertainment and social gathering areas Not important
Natural open space/greenways	Natural open space/greenways High importance	Natural open space/greenways Medium importance	Natural open space/greenways Low importance	Natural open space/greenways Not important
Public trail connections	Public trail connections High importance	Public trail connections Medium importance	Public trail connections Low importance	Public trail connections Not important
Community garden(s)	Community garden(s) High importance	Community garden(s) Medium importance	Community garden(s) Low importance	Community garden(s) Not important

Other (please specify)

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* 14. What type of public space amenities would you like to see on the Power Plant property? Select all the apply.

Outdoor seating

Pedestrian passageways

Public event space

Public Plaza

View overlooks and education areas

Unique art and lighting

Other (please specify)

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* 15. The City adopted the Downtown Waterfront Strategic Plan in 2018 to connect and enhance the design of Morro Bay’s downtown and waterfront areas. The Plan includes design guidelines focused on maintaining and enhancing the nautical/fishing village character of the waterfront area.

The document can be viewed at the link below and design guidelines for the waterfront area begin on page 3.30

https://www.morro-bay.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/11592/City-Council-Adopted-DWSP-2018?bidId=

Should the Master Plan consider incorporating similar design guidelines to expand the nautical/fishing village character?

Yes

No, it should have its own unique guidelines

If no, do you have any ideas of development design characteristics you would want to see? Fill in box below.

Conclusion

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* 16. Please provide any additional suggestions, questions, or comments regarding the Morro Bay Power Plant Master Plan below.

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* 17. What is your connection to Morro Bay?

I live in Morro Bay

I work in Morro Bay

I live and work in Morro Bay

I do not live or work in Morro Bay, but I live and/or work in San Luis Obispo County

I do not live or work in San Luis Obispo County

Other (please specify)

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* 18. How long have you lived in Morro Bay?

0-5 years

5-10 years

10-15 years

More than 15 years

I do not live in Morro Bay

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* 19. Please provide your email if you would like to receive updates and information on future events related to the Morro Bay Power Plan Master Plan.

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* 20. Thank you for taking this survey. To keep up to date on the project and upcoming events, visit and save the project website: www.morrobayca.gov/bess