HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/28/2006MINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2006 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members Paul Brown, John Ewan, Christine Mulholland,
Vice Mayor Allen Settle and Mayor Dave Romero
City Staff:
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City
Attorney; Audrey Hooper, City Clerk; Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City
Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development
Director; John Moss, Utilities Director; Neil Havlik, Natural
Resources Manager; Mike Draze, Deputy Community Development
Director; Jeff Hook, Senior Planner
PUBLIC COMMENT
Don Hedrick San Luis Obispo, expressed concern that there is not enough public
involvement in the development of the City's working documents. He also expressed concern
regarding the reduction in information on the City's web site.
Jan Howell -Marx presented Mayor Romero with a plaque expressing appreciation by the
Sierra Club for the City's support of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection
agreement. She also Introduced Karen Merriam, Chair of the Local Chapter of the Sierra
Club.
1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Community Development Director Mandeville acknowledged staff members present (as
indicated under Roll Call), as well as Planning Commission Vice Chair Andrea Miller. He,
Senior Planner Hook and Natural Resources Manager Havlik made the staff presentation.
Andrea Miller, Vice Chair of the Planning Commission, discussed the approach the
Planning Commission took in considering the Conservation and Open Space Element
(COSE), including the extensive opportunities for public testimony. She noted that the
COSE was dedicated to the memory of Bill Rolman.
' Staff responded to Council's questions, following which the format for the public hearing
was discussed.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. He called for comments that relate to the overall
contents of the COSE, as opposed to specfic chapters. Comments related to specific
chapters were called for at the appropriate time in the discussion.
The following speakers represented and/or are members of SLO Green Build and spoke in
support of the language in COSE encouraging sustainable development, providing green
building guidelines and incentives for green building: Mike Robertson. Frank Cullen, and
Andy Pease.
Jan Howell -Marx, San Luis Obispo, asked Council to refer to the comments contained in her
letter when considering the related sections of the COSE. (Her letter is on file in the City
Clerk's office.) She also asked Councli to take into consideration comments submitted by
Jodee Bennett, ECOSLO, who was unable to attend this meeting. She suggested that an
environmental protection or open space committee should be expanded beyond what was
contained in her recommendation. She concurred with comments made by Eugene Jud in
his correspondence (on file in the City Clerk's office) related to view protection.
Lori Atwater, San Luis Obispo, spoke in support of the COSE, discussed grant
opportunities for low impact developments, green buildings or open space conservation.
Patricia Wilmore' Chamber of Commerce, discussed the value the Chamber places on open
space and noted that the COSE reflects the values of the community. She said she would
address policy 4.30.017, requiring solar power for new dwellings, and the issue of forming
an environmental task force at the appropriate time in the meeting.
Andrew Christie, Chapter Coordinator, San Lucia Chapter of Sierra Club, read a statement
containing the Sierra Club's recommendations (on file in the City Clerk's office).
Alex Rothenberct. Board Member of SLO Green Build, homeowner and business owner, San
Luis Obispo, concurred with the previous speakers that the COSE represents the
sentiments of the community and urged the Council to adopt the new element.
Dr. Richard Kreisa. Fisheries Biologist, reviewed some of the concerns contained in his
letter to Council (on file in the City Clerk's office) and asked Council to take his comments
Into consideration. The majority of his concerns related to COSE Chapters 7 and 8.
Bill Almas, volunteer with Chamber of Commerce, encouraged Council to approve the
COSE and General Plan amendments.
Staff responded to questions, following which Council commenced a review of Chapters 1
through 7.
The following summary reflects amendments concurred with by a majority of the Council
Members, as well as public comments.
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.20 Use of Terms. The words "under normal circumstances" will be dropped from the
sixth sentence.
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter 1. None were forthcoming.
Chapter 2 - Air 1
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 3
2.10 Background. The last sentence will be revised to read: "The City sentieaes is an area
that continues to be a State non - attainment area..."
2.21. Air Quality. The word "survival" will be deleted.
2.21.1. Atmospheric change. The words "should not add to and should," will be deleted and
replaced with "shall."
2.21.4 Promote walking, biking and use of public transit to reduce dependency on motor
vehicles. "Should" will be changed to "shall."
2.30.5 General Plan amendment. The first sentence will be revised to read: " ... the City 1) will
consider amending its General Plan..." The last sentence will be deleted.
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter 2.
Lori Atwater encouraged Council to err on the side of being more rather than less restrictive
in terms of environmental protection.
Jeff Morgan, San Luis Obispo, said the time line is important and it is important to have
committees controlling and monitoring air quality.
Council recessed from 8:55 until 9:05 p.m. and reconvened with all members present.
Chapter 3.0 Cultural Heritage
3.22.12A Cultural resources and open space. "Should" in the last sentence will be changed
to "shall."
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter 3.
Patricia Wilmore, Chamber of Commerce, expressed her hope that community input will be
sought as the "CHC Whitepaper" recommendation for an historic preservation ordinance
(3.30.10) evolves.
3.30.10 Cultural Heritage Committee Whitepaper. The word "a" will be changed to "an."
City Attorney Lowell explained that because Council Member Ewan has a potential conflict
of interest related to his business and will need to recuse himself during the discussion for
sections 4.23 through the end of the Chapter 4, Chapter 4 should be considered in two
parts.
Chapter 4 - Energy
4.21.6 Energy efficiency and Green Building in new development. The first paragraph will
remain in this section. The remainder of 4.21.6 will be moved to the end of Chapter 5. Each
section will cross - reference the other.
4.21.6.E Projects over 60,000 square feet. The words "Developers of will be added at the
beginning of the first sentence. (This section will appear at the end of Chapter 5.)
1 4.22.3 Compact, high - density housing. The word "infill" will be deleted.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 7:00 p.m.
Council Member Ewan recused himself from discussion regarding items 4.23 through the
end of Chapter 4 and left the Council Chamber at this time. 1
4.23.1 Solar access standards. Include a definition of "reasonable solar access" in the
glossary; i.e., add 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on December 21st.
Table 2 - Solar Access Standards. The first two categories related to conservation/open
space and residential uses should be deleted.
4.30.12 Monitor energy use. The word "all" should be deleted.
4.30.13 Prepare energy plan. The word "should" in the second sentence should be changed
to "shall."
4.30.17 The word "power" should be changed to "collectors." The words "of the new units
built" should be added after 4 %. In addition, as recommended by staff, language should be
added exempting multi - family developments from photovoltaic solar power requirement
except for common use areas.
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter 4.
Andrew Carter, San Luis Obispo, speaking as private citizens, suggested that section
4.30.17, Require solar power for new dwellings, would be more appropriately contained in
an ordinance than in a General Plan element because of its specificity.
Patricia Wilmore , Chamber of Commerce, referred to a letter from the Chamber in support
of the staff's recommendation, but noted that in most discussions the Chamber concurred
with Mr. Carter's comments that section 4.30.17 is too specific. She also clarified that the
letter from Chamber's Chair incorrectly referred to section 4.30.16, when it should have
referred to section 4.30.14.
There was not a majority consensus to delete section 4.30.17.
Council Member Ewan returned to the Council Chamber at this time.
Chapter 5.0 Materials
5.30.4 Use of materials with reduced environmental impacts. The word "should" in the
second sentence should be changed to "shall."
A new section 5.30.7 will be added with the following language: "In its development review
the City shall require facilities for recycling in new development."
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter S. None were forthcoming.
Chapter 6.0 Native Minerals
No changes were made.
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter 6. None were forthcoming.
Chapter 7.0 Natural Communities
7.10 Background. The word "significant" will be dropped from the last sentence.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 7:00 p.m.
Discussion followed regarding concerns raised in Dr. Krejsa's correspondence to Council.
7.21 Sustainable natural populations. The word "fish" will be added following "plants" in
the last sentence.
7.21.2E Species of local concern. The word "areas" will be deleted from item E.
7.22.1 Protection of significant trees. The words "as determined by Council or its advisory
bodies" will be added after "Significant trees."
7.30.1 D Protect natural communities. the words "including species on the California Native
Plant Society (CNPS) list 1 B and species of local concerns" will be added.
7.30.2 Replace non - native with native vegetation. The word "invasive" will be added aver
the word "removing" in the first sentence.
7.30.4 Protect wildlife corridors. The word "sensitive" will be deleted from the last line.
7.30.5 Creek setbacks. Appropriate language regarding setbacks as further described in the
Zoning Regulations will be added at the beginning of this section.
Figure 4 Creek Corridor and Setbacks. This diagram will be clarified.
Mayor Romero called for public comments on Chapter 7. None were forthcoming.
1 ,.
1
ACTION: Moved by Brown/Mulholland to continue items 1 and 2 to March 21 st.
78-05).
This item was not considered. Action was taken under item 1 to continue it March 21st.
Vice Mayor Settle referred to a letter form Dave Mullinax on and noted his concerns regarding
cutbacks in CDBG funding.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned
the meeting at 11:07 p.m. to a Special meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at
noon in the Council Hearing Room, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
Audrey Hoo
City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 3/21/06