Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/20/2000MINUTES JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2000 - 4:00 P.M. LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM, 995 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ewan, Jan Howell Marx, Dave Romero, Vice Mayor Ken Schwartz, and Mayor Allen K. Settle All Council Members were present. Planning Commissioners Present: Planning Commissioners Jim Aiken, Allan Cooper, Alice Loh, and Orval Osborne Commissioner Peterson and Commissioner Whittlesey (arrived at 5:45 p.m.) and Chairperson Ready absent. City Staff Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; Gill Trijullo, Assistant City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer; Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; John Moss, Utilities Director; Gary Henderson, Water Division Manager; Ron Whisenand, Development Review Manager; John Mandeville, Long Range Planning Manager; Shelly Stanwyck, Economic Development Manager; and Mary Kopecky, Assistant City Clerk STUDY SESSION 1. ANNUAL 2000 WATER RESOURCES STATUS REPORT. Council met in a study session to review the Annual 2000 Water Resources Status Report. Utilities Director Moss introduced the staff report. Water Division Manager Henderson presented an in -depth overview of the status report. It was noted that both reservoirs are nearly full but the City still needs to develop additional supplemental water supplies. With the continuation of the Conservation Program and with water supply projects under development, the City is moving in a direction which will create a reliable supply of water to meet customers' current and future needs. IPublic Comment: City Council/Planning Commission Joint Meeting Page 2 Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Christine Mulholland asked for a breakdown of water allocation for annexations. Water Division Manager Henderson responded that the City does not allocate water at the time of 1 annexation. It is done when property is developed. —end of public comment Council and Planning Commission discussion followed and provided input to staff. No fora/ action taken. 2. WATER SHORTAGE CONTINGENCY PLAN. Utilities Director Moss introduced the report. Solid Waste Coordinator Munds presented an in depth overview of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan which has six components: 1) Water Consumption Reduction Methodology; 2) Penalties; 3) Prohibitions; 4) Revenue and Expenditure Impacts; 5) Reduction Measuring Mechanism; and 6) Preparation for Catastrophic Water Supply Interruption. Council and Planning Commission discussion followed. Solid Waste Coordinator Munds urged the City to retain current water usage guidelines, to use target per capita use rates, employ water allocation methods for residential customers, keep the current commercial and industrial programs, and maintain the current landscape program. He also suggested that the Council and Planning Commission continue the current system of penalties but direct staff to modify the system for each customer classification and to research the cost implication of implementing the proposed program. He further stated that the City should keep the existing appeals process in place and retain present prohibitions and enforcement. Additionally, he urged the establishment of minimum working capital levels and asked Council and the Planning Commission to direct staff to implement monthly billing during declared water emergencies. No formal action taken. However, the Council and Planning Commission concurred with Solid Waste Coordinator Munds's recommendations by consensus. Mayor Settle called at break at 6:00 p.m. The meeting was reconvened at 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENT None. STUDY SESSION CONTINUED 3. City Administrative Officer Dunn gave a detailed summary of the vision of the project from the City's perspective. Mark Rawson, project architect, summarized the conceptual plan. He reviewed project goals and discussed developments that have transpired since the original proposal. City Administrative Officer Dunn explained the benefits the Chinatown/Court Street project would bring to the City of San Luis Obispo. Economic Development Manager Stanwyck presented the staff report and outlined the City Council/Planning Commission Joint Meeting Page 3 Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. changes that have occurred since the commencement of the project. She addressed the ' issue of parking deficits as it relates to each phase of the project, as well as the structured phasing of the project. Finance Director Statler gave an extensive summary of the projected fiscal impacts and anticipated fiscal benefits. Council and Planning Commission discussion followed. Concern was expressed about the phasing of the project and parking deficits. City Attorney Jorgensen explained that the intent is to complete all phases of the project. While there are no guarantees, there is a substantial penalty for the developer for not completing the entire project. In addition the City has an obligation to build a parking structure that can accommodate 300+ automobiles. City Administrative Officer Dunn explained that currently there is not a definitive location for the structure or for the specific size of the structure. Staff is studying the possibility of locating the parking structure on the northerly end of Santa Rosa and providing transportation to the downtown for customers. Proiect Architect Rawson reviewed the proposed residential component of the project. City Attorney Jorgensen reported that the residential component is currently under analysis but is not mandatory. Public Comment: The following individuals expressed concerns regarding parking deficits and housing, but agreed that they still want the project to be a success: Paul Wolfe, Ray Sherer, Eugene Judd, Paul Dahan, Brett Cross, Ira Winn, and William Simbiate. The following individuals voiced opposition to the project: Christine Mulholland and Richard Kranzdorf. The following individuals expressed full support the project: Matthew Kim, Rob Strong, Dodie Williams, Brett Weaver, Bill Watson, and Tom Swem. Lillev Wong, downtown resident, expressed concern regarding the project's name and suggested that a Chinese cultural center be added to the project. Nancy Farrel, Paso Robles citizen, inquired about the funding for the archeology study. Mayor Settle called a break at 9: 25 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:35 p.m. Individual Council and Commission comments followed. Commissioner Peterson supported a residential component in the project, urged the City to be creative and not let parking dictate design, and asked the developer to work on pedestrian and bicycle access. Commissioner Osborne supported a housing component. ' Commissioner Loh supported the project because it achieves critical needs and honors the City's past. City Council/Planning Commission Joint Meeting Page 4 Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Commissioner Aiken supported the project because it will enhance the downtown by providing variety and diverse mixed uses. It also recognizes the importance of the historical Chinatown. He hopes the developer will prepare shadow castings to see how the buildings affect pedestrian areas. Commissioner Whittlesey supported going forward with this project and stressed the importance of continuing to consider the entire Downtown Physical Concept Plan. Commissioner Cooper commended the architect and developer for making changes suggested at the workshops. He stressed the importance of cooperation between the City and developer regarding the housing component and open space. Council Member Ewan expressed the need for the housing component to include low - income housing. He is pleased that staff is working towards finding alternative means for accessing the downtown and would like to see full -time downtown employees park elsewhere. Council Member Marx enthusiastically supported the project. Vice Mayor Schwartz strongly favored the project but was disappointed that Morro Street could not be closed. Council Member Romero heartily supported the project but had concerns about project phasing and the parking deficit. He also shared concern that the proposed parking structure will greatly exceed the budget. Mayor Settle supported the project because it provided an opportunity for further revitalization of the downtown. City Administrative Officer Dunn reported that the next step in the process is completing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) addressing the business, financial and real estate terms of the project. Staff is targeting consideration of the MOU for the August 30, 2000 Special Council meeting. Following the approval of the MOU, Copelands will be free to submit development plans to the City's Building Division, he concluded. COMMUNICATION Council Member Marx asked Planning Commissioners and Council Members to review the Architectural Review Commission Guidelines and forward comments to staff. 1 City Council/Planning Commission Joint Meeting Thursday, July 20, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Page 5 There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m. to Tuesday, August 15, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 8/15/00 MK:dr C Mary Cope ry Assistant City Clerk