Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/1975CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 1976 PAGE 2 Robert Strong, Community Development Director, outlined Item 15 -C, a recommendation-from-the Planning Commission regarding approval of Minor Subdivision - #433, 1687 and 1695 E1 Cerrito Court-,.being proposed by Leonard Blaser. The Planning Commission recommended_a lo.t.line adjustment. However, the staff recommended against this and were opposed to the driveway proposal. Actually the whole problem was created when the original subdivision was approved. It did not meet minimum standards, according to Mr. Strong. Mayor Schwartz.asked how.the Planning Commission could-have made the necessary determinations for a variance as prescribed by state law. Robert Strong said the slope really wasn't being changed that much compared to the orginal subdivision proposal. Jeff Jorgensen, Legal Assistant, said this was about the only way the lots could be developed. Tom Courtney, designer, appeared and pointed out difficulties of the site. He felt the proposed solution.offered the least adverse effect on surround- ing development. He talked about the use of solar heat for the houses on the site. Councilman Graham asked if you could put the garages below. Tom Courtney said there was too much rock strata below and the location there would also cause problems for delivery vehicles and older persons who would have to climb the hill. An extensive discussion of turn- around problems ensued. Mayor Schwartz said he would support the development as proposed under certain conditions. Basically, he felt the garages on top were far preferable to the location in front. Driveways above could serve a dual purpose as play areas for children. On motion of Ma.or.Schwartz, seconded-by Councilman Petterson, that the minor subdivision, for lot line adjustment,. be approved subject to four conditions: 1. .A _turn around provision shall be provided at the end of the driveway with- out a garage_en_try.. 2. A landscape plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for the bank between lots 11 and 12. 3. A common access agreement shall be submitted to the City Attorney for approval. 4. Site development shall be subject to approval of the Architectural Review Commission. Councilman Gurnee was disturbed at the fact the original subdivision was approved in this manner. Councilman Norris hoped the developer.would be required to follow the approved plans and that other problems did not develop. Motion carried. All ayes. J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk, appeared during the discussion at 12:50 p.m. 13. The City Council considered the recommendation of the Design Review Board regarding festive decoration system proposal for downtown, Madonna Plaza, ' and the College Square Plaza as presented by John Augsburger. Councilman Norris left the meeting at 1:15 p.m. Wes Ward, Design Review Board, presented the recommendation of the Design Review Board stating that the concept approved by the D.R.B. involved a hardware system that could be used throughout the City for special events and holidays as well as at Christmas time, Fourth of July, La Fiesta, etc. and could incorporate banners or other devices displaying the talents of many local artists in that CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 1975 PAGE 3 it would enable several variations of banners that could be used or replaced from time to time. The recommendation of the D.R.B. is that John Augsburger be employed as a special.consuhtant. to establish a prototype system and demonstration composed of.three free - standing masts with one (1) free -ended banner.and two.(2) aero- vanes,_or con- strained banners, to be located and erected in Mission.Plaza.for the 1975 Christmas season. The total cost to be $2,200 to be paid to John Augsburger. Mr. Ward stated he was very enthusiastic and excited over the Augsburger , proposal. He felt that the idea was attractive and interesting and he encouraged the City Council to put up the funds for the prototype system proposed by Augsburger. John Shaw, representing the Madonna Road Plaza Merchants, asked for clarification of the Design Review Board /Augsburger proposal as it affected the authorized Christmas Banner Program. He explained that at no time were the Chamber or other.merchant groups consulted or asked to discuss the new additional banner program at what seems to be a very high per unit cost for the City. Wesley Ward agreed that no one knows how these supplemental decorations may be accepted or all problems which-might be revealed and this is Wly the D.R.B. wants the $2,200 of public funds for experimenting with the Augsburger prototype system. Ron Dun].n, representing the Downtown.Association, stated he also objected to the Design Review Board/Augsburger-proposal at this -stage and stated he was unaware of why the concept was being-pursued and what it involved. Robert Strong, Community Development Director, stated that.he felt that the proposal should come as no surprise to the Chamber or merchant groups because when the Christmas decoration--committee took the lesser-cost, Christmas Banner scheme, the Design.Review.Board in their joint review sessions had felt the.balance of the .public funds .should be used for experimental-decorating systems. The - Design Review Board.and.staff felt that the Augsburger proposal.regardless.of cost.per unit,.was- satisfactory, and with a demonstration system and test period providedbby the proposal, its possbile extension could be considered by other interested groups. Councilman_Petterson.felt the Council - should wait.to.see what the Christmas banners looked like before going into a new banner project. Councilman Graham said he would pledge full support on the artistic proposal of the Design Review Board /Augsburger plan and stated he would spend the money requested. Mayor Schwartz questioned the comments of John Shaw and Ron Dunin in criti- cizing the work of the Design Review Board. He felt it was money well spent and that these things were discussed by the-Design.Review Board at the time the overall banner plan was considered. He too, will support the artistic approach and would place City tax money aside on the program. Councilman Gurnee, stated, he too, would support the Design.Review Board/ Augsburger program as outlined by Mayor Schwartz. On motion of Councilman Graham, seconded.by Councilman-Gurnee, that.the City Council approve the proposal and also authorize the expenditure of $2,200 to John Augsburger as.recommended by the Design Review.Board. Motion carried. I Councilman Petterson voting no. 16. Memorandum from Robert Strong, Director of Community Development, requesting that the City Council .consider acquisition of certain properties for future public purposes when offered for sale. He felt that these proper- ties were presently becoming available and that the City should buy them to avoid conflicting private development-proposals where it seems the City may CITY COUNCIL MINUTES NOVEMBER 18, 197.5 PAGE 4 need the property for future use in street widening or extension, park or public facility planned for the site.. Two properties currently on the market which might be of interest to the City were (1) a 50 x 120 ft. lot at the north end of Rockview at Perkins Lane, zoned R -2, which would be essential for future extension of Rockview to-Lawrence Drive to provide internal cir- culation between the Yoakum Tract and Meadow Park area. He-stated the asking price was $11,000; and (2) the former service station site and triangular lot at III - 350 Elks Lane adjoining the freeway across from the drive- in_theatre. ' He felt this property should be acquired due to the flood hazards, noise, seismic safety and utility service limitations in the arcs.. The asking price is $38,000. After discussion with the City Council, the matter was received and filed due to the shortage of funds and the Council was not interested at this time in buying more property for possible future projects which the City had not resolved by C.I.P. or precise plans. 17. Communication from the Promotional Coordinating Committee recommend- ing the City Council approve the following grants for reimburseable grants from Promotional funds. 1. Downtown Association - $2,133.75. The Promotional Coordinating Committee recommends that a repayable loan in the amount of $2,133.75 be granted to pay for the downtown merchants portion of the Christmas Banner Program, funds to be repaid from receipts of the B.I.A. A.J. Shaw, City Attorney, stated that he did not believe that the City of San Luis Obispo has the legal authority or procedure to loan money to private business organizations to pay their bills and he did not feel the City could give a grant to the Downtown Association-as there is no way the City could enforce the loan provisions. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, that the request ' be denied due to legal limitations of repayment.provisions. 2. The Promotional Coordinating Committee recommended that a grant of $700 be given to the San Luis Obispo Jaycees for Santa's House and Candy Cane Lane, the funds to be used for repair and maintenance of Santa's House and uniform, Santa's wages, promotion of Santa's House, candy for the kiddies and material to put candy canes on parking meter posts. The P.C.C. recommends the approval of the requested funds as the program improves the quality of life for San Luis Obispo by providing an exciting event for the children of San Luis Obispo and surrounding areas. On motion of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Petterson, that the request be denied. Motion carried. Councilman Norris absent. 17.a Communication from the Promotional Coordinating Committee saying they had received a request from the Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with T.B.G. Productions, who are scheduling a sequence a feature motion picture in San Luis Obispo on December 1, 2-and 3, 1975. On the basis that the City may receive some publicity from this movie and other benefits from having a movie company in the City, the Promotional Coordinating Committee recommends that the City Council approve the proposal and cooperate with the film.company. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Graham, that the request be approved and the City staff be asked to cooperate with the film ' company.if they come to the City.. Motion carried. 18. Communication from the Human Relations Commission requesting a grant by the City Council of funds for-the Social Service Coordinating Council of the County of San Luis Obispo for radio programming. The programs would be County wide and would relate to social service agencies and their programs throughout the County. Orloff Miller, Social Services Coordinator for the City, appeared on behalf of the request and explained the aims and goals of the San Luis Obispo Coordinating Council and the need for funds in the amount of $350 to pay for a half -hour type show on local radio program.