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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/29/1964ADJOURNED MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL September 29, 1964 - 8:30 P. X. CITY HALL Invocation was given by Mayor Clay P. Davidson. Roll Call City Council Clay P. Davidson, R. L. Graves, Jr., miss Margaret McNeil, Donald Q. Miller, Clell W. Whelchel Staff J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; P. Chapman, Planning & Building Director; W. H. Houser, City Attorney; R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer; D. F. Romero, City Engineer. Mission Plaza Commission M. Carpenter, H. Case, B. Corcoran, Mable Dunklee, B. Fugate Planning Commission K. Schwartz, Chairman; J. Abkin, L. Lenger, E. Blake, J. Brown Park & Recreation Commission B. Janssen 1. City Attorney Houser reported on the Building Code problem at Southwood Shopping Center located at Southwood Drive and Johnson Avenue. Mr. Houser explained the problems and presented a Covenant for the Council's consideration. Planning Director Chapman objected as this action would circumvent the ordinance and would be a subterfuge to allow the developer a way out of the problem that he created himself and would be a way to evade the requir:•:ents of the Building Code. Mr. Houser stated that the terminology used by the Planning Director c "circumvention, subterfuge, and evasion ", was ill- advised in that the ?roblem that existed was that the eave overhang and the door required minimum = 12arenc- that would not exist if the adjacent property owner in the future bu-:?: up to the property line and that the perpetual easement presented to the Courc'.� would forever prevent the adjacent owner from building in this minimum c;ear space required by the City's ordinance, and the easement could not be or revoked without the City's prior approval. Therefore, since the City was assured of the required clearance there no logical reason for insisting upon a fee in lieu of the perpetual easem...t. Councilman Miller explained that he believed that this adjustment was fa=_ cc the property owners and the City and urged that the City Council accept this Covenant. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Graves, that the Covenant be accepted and the Mayor be authorized to sign said Covenant cn behalf of the City and have it recorded. Motion carried. 2. At this time the Council studied the Mission Plaza Report dated August, 1964, prepared by the City Planning Department. Mayor Davidson stated that the purpose of the meeting was to review the Mission Plaza Plan proposed by the City Planning Department. City Council Minutes September 29, 1964 Page -2- Planning Director Chapman.then presented his report dated August, 1964, for the proposed development of the Mission Plaza. (See File #176) City Engineer Romero presented his proposal for developing twenty eight (28) parking spaces on Monterey Street and Broad Street across from Mission and Museum. Mr. Romero estimated the cost of a permanent improvement to both lots, including cost of lighting, to be $13,773.90. The City Council discussed the best approach to the parking lot development on Monterey Street as presented by the City Engineer, D. F. Romero. Mayor Davidson stated that several property owners have informed him if this plan is to be successful, additional parking is a must and must be provided now. He urged that the additional parking spaces and bridge be put in now, in the first phase, in order to encourage developer of the Cigar Factory Cafe to use the bridge in his development. Administrative Officer Miller reported that D. Jackson Faustman, Parking and Traffic Consultant, has started his study and within a few months will have a report of parking priorities for the Council's consideration. Councilman Graves stated he was afraid that if a permanent parking lot were placed in this ares of Monterey and Broad Streets it would be impossible to remove it later and it could hurt the Mission Plaza Development. Mayor Davidson stated that the Mission Plaza has been under study for the past (2) years and nothing has been done to date and if the City Council does not take action tonight it might be another year before any development would start. City Engineer Romero suggested that instead of designing the parking lot with all the fancy brick work and paving as suggested, that it be paved as is normally done and use the existing sidewalk and standard light fixtures which would reduce the initial cost of the lot development, but could be bro+lght up to the standard of the Mission Plaza Plan in future years. Burt Fugate urged that the City do something now and not do it over again in the next two (2) years. He suggested that the existing building be removed and put it all into parking and he offered a landing across the creek for the bridges on the east side to the rear of the old Cigar Factory. Ken Schwartz stated that the Planning Commission is very enthusiastic aLout th- plan presented by the Planning Director and hoped the Council would mcca a statement regarding their feelings and not pick parts of the plan to pi--ces. He also stated he concurred in the proposed expansion of Parking Lot Ski and the development of parking at the southeast corner of Broad and Monterev Street. He urged that a minimum of parking be allowed in the Mission ':..aaa area. Leonard Lenger agreed with Mr. Schwartz's statement and urged the development of large lots and not a lot of small lots which are very expensive to construct and maintain. Planning Director Chapman stated upon question of Councilman Whelchel that the only reason he recommended a parking lot in the Mission Plaza area was to give substitute parking to the tenants and occupants of the Warden Block who would be giving up their parking to open development along the creek. Mayor Davidson suggested that under conditions as they now exist that possibly the City should develop the twelve (12) spaces as permanent parking, keep the temporary lot 7, and build the bridges over the creek. City Council Minutes September 29, 1964 Page -3- Peter Chapman agreed that some start must be made so that some tangible evidence can be presented to the public and property owners so that private capital can be encouraged to participate in the plan to make it a success. Joyce Abkin, Planning Commissioner, did not agree with the Council's preoccupation with parking, as the block should be developed in an open style as proposed. Ken Schwartz suggested the Council should adopt the plan as a guide so that the merchants and property owners can see what is being planned. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Graves, that the Planning Department's Mission Plaza Plan be adopted in principal as a guide for development of the Ndssion Plaza. Motion carried. Mable Dunklee agreed that this plan is a start, but she did not agree with the plan as presented. Henry Case stated that the plan is not too objectional, but questioned the reasons for closing Monterey Street at Chorro Street. Further, he objected to the City going into the real estate business and renting out stores and offices. He also questioned the financing plan and objected to having this development built through general tax funds as he believed that the project should have its own financing scheme. Emmons Blake stated he believed that the operation by the City of shops and offices on Monterey Street and Broad Street would be one of the keys to get tourists and shoppers into the Mission Plaza area. Mr. Sues stated that he is placing a $97,000 investment in the downtown area and that he just does not have the money to also develop the creek and park area and further he stated that trying to arrive at a perfect plan would be.a mistake as you can try for utopia and make plans forever, but he hoped that the City would do something, whatever it was. Councilman Graves agreed that something should be done other than make plans and hold meetings, and that the City should actually start something on this development. Planning Director Chapman made the following recommendations: 1. He reported as follows on bids for additional copies of the Mission Plaza Report: 200 copies from the Litho Art Shop $400.00 200 copies from Preuss Press $408.00 200 copies from Blake Printery $218.00 He recommended that the Council accept the bid of Blake Printery, 1 with color plates, etc., and cost not to exceed $250.00. 2. He recommended that authorization be given to call for bids for twelve (12) permanent parking spaces and sixteen (16) temporary parking spaces with meters. 3. Mr. Chapman recommended that the City authorize the planting of a moreton Bay Fig tree at the end of Monterey in the Mission Plaza. 4. He recommended that the Council approve one of the two major parking lots suggested in his report. 5. He also suggested that the Council meet with the property owners and attempt to acquire easement or rights of way of private property behind City Council Minutes September 29, 1964 Page -4- the buildings facing Higuera Street. Mr. Chapman again listed action to date relating to the Mission Plaza, such as tree planting, etc. On motion of Mayor Davidson, seconded by Councilman Graves, that authorization be given to call for bids on Lot 410, and that a bridge be designed and plans be prepared and location of same to be adopted by the Council. Also, that the City Attorney be authorized to negotiate with the property owners on the south side of the creek for bridge landing and walkways. Motion carried. City Engineer Romero asked if he should plan for exposed aggregate sidewalk according to the Mission Plaza Plan as presented. Councilman Graves suggested that Planning Director Chapman and City Engineer Romero work out the design of sidewalk on Monterey Street. On motion of Councilman Whelchel, seconded by Councilman Miller, that authorization be given to print 200 copies of the Mission Plaza Report for a maximum of $250.00. Motion carried. On motion of Mayor Davidson, seconded by Councilman Whelchel, that the Faustman Proposal be accepted for a traffic study. Motion carried, Councilman Miller voting no. Councilman Miller opposed the study as he believes it is unnecessary to hire ' a consultant as the City can do the job. He also believed that they should leave Monterey Street open. Councilwoman McNeil agreed that Monterey Street should be left open.in front of the Mission. Councilman Whelchel stated that he felt Monterey Street should be left open. 3. The following letter was received from W. W. Price, 1213 Bond Street, regarding curbs and gutters: "By this time you should be well aware of what the City Engineer had done to our property while we were away on a vacation. We beg of you to take time out to look at our situation. Since our lot is only 50 feet by 50 feet, it seems the City Engineer could have allowed us the privilege of putting our driveways back so they could be useful as before. We had no problem until the grade was raised. If the City Engineer had allowed the construction company to put our driveways BACK on the level with the curbings, then they'd still be alright with us. If we hand't had loadlevelers on our car, it probably would also drag if anyone were in the rear seat. The car barely clears the concrete, now. When Mr. Romero informed us that the improvements were to be put in thF. full length of Bond Street, we then agreed to go along with the improvements, We were shocked when we returned from our vacation and found that the improvements did NOT go in on the Dolly Adams and Artendale properties. We don't feel that we should have to bear the expense of tearing out and paving these driveways the THIRD time because of Mr. Romero's poor engineering." City Engineer Romer explained that the driveway construction at the Price property meets City standards and that the Prices' had been requested to apply for an exception during the construction. He pointed out that in his opinion a modification in the driveway to allow the Prices' easy access for their house trailer would involve depressing the sidewalk to the extent that a pedestrian and a flood hazard would be created. He also pointed out that a dangerous precedent would be set throughout the community, since the criteria for a driveway would be not vehicle access but trailer access which can vary greatly. Mr. Romero explained that he had no objection to the granting of the exception, if the modification were made solely at the expense of the property owner. City Council Minutes September 29, 1964 Page -5- The City Council discussed with the City Engineer the steps taken up to the time the driveway was put in at the Price property. On motion of Councilman Graves, seconded by Councilman Miller, that the City correct the problem to create a 4" rise in Price driveway at the City's expense, if the property owner will absolve the City of liability in case of future flooding. Motion carried on the following vote: AYES: Miss Margaret McNeil, R. L. Graves, Jr., Donald Q. Miller NOES: Clay P. Davidson, Clell W. Whelchel ABSENT: None It was generally agreed by the City Council that the City Engineer should be allowed discretion in allowing minor exceptions to the adopted standards in unusual cases. 4. The following letter was received from Morgan Flagg, Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee: "We herewith request a permit for the use of a sound system on our pick -up truck to be used in the Democratic Campaign. We respectfully request that this be placed on the agenda on tonight's Council meeting." On motion of Councilwoman McNeil, seconded by Councilman Graves, that the request be approved and that both major political parties be allowed to use a sound system on a pick -up truck for campaign purposes. Motion carried. 5. On motion of Councilman Graves, seconded by Councilman Miller, the following resolution was introduced. Resolution No. 1337, a resolution thanking the California State Firemen's Association for holding their conference in San Luis Obispo. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: AYES: Clay P. Davidson, R. L. Graves, Jr., Miss Margaret McNeil, Donald Q. Miller, Clell W. Whelchel NOES: None ABSENT: None 6. On motion of Davidson and Senate Higbw On motion of adjourned. Councilman Graves, seconded by Councilwoman McNeil, Mayor Councilman Miller were authorized to represent the City on the ay tour of the County. Motion carried. Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilwoman McNeil, the meeting Approved: October 19, 1964 ✓�v ,,A. H. FIMATRICK, CITY CLERK