HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/04/1974MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
March 4, 1974 - 7:00 P.M.
City Hall
Pledge
Roll Call
Present: John C. Brown, Myron Graham, T. Keith Gurnee,
Jesse Norris and Mayor Schwartz
Absent: None
City Staff
Present: J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; R. D. Miller,
Administrative Officer; A. J. Shaw, Jr., City
Attorney; D. Williamson, Assistant Administrative
Officer; W. Flory, Parks Department Director;
R. A. Paul, Water Department Director; E. L. Rodgers,
Police Chief; D. Romero, City Engineer.and
L. Schlobohm, Fire Chief.
I. At this time the City Council held a public hearing on the
recommendation of the City Traffic Committee to restrict parking on the
west side of Los Osos Valley Road from Madonna Road to the northerly city
limitc
D. F. Romero, City Engineer, presented a map showing the proposal under
consideration by the City Council at the public hearing which was a plan
to prohibit parking on the west side of Los Osos Valley Road from the
northerly city limits to Madonna Road for the installation of a bicycle
lane.
Mayor Schwartz declared the public hearing open.
Lew Weigold, Realtor, was opposed to the proposed parking ban on Los Osos
Valley Road as he felt that without curb parking in front of his business,
he would lose business as patrons would not park somewhere else and walk
back to his office. He asked the City Council not to cause any further
damage to the business by prohibiting parking.
Mrs. Hagerman, manager of Irish Hill Apartments, was opposed to the pro-
posal as she felt it would hurt her present tenants and prospective tenants
would not rent in the area. She continued that.the parking lot at the
apartment house was adequate for tenant parking, but that guests were
asked to park outside at the curb so that the parking lot could be used
by the tenants. She suggested that parking be allowed at the curb with a
bike Ii.ne or lane to be installed between the driving lane and the parking
lane.
At a Councilman's request, D. F. Romero, City Engineer, then showed a
sketch of Plan B, which would allow parking at the curb, a bike lane, and
the travel lanes.
Judy McGlasson, 1545 Los Osos Valley Road, was opposed to the proposed
parking ban as she felt that the Council's proposal would cause her loss
of business.
Mayor Schwartz declared the public hearing closed.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 2
Councii•.man Gurnee spoke in favor of the Council's proposal to ban park-
ing at the curb and install a bicycle lane. He felt that this was the
first time the City Council had an opportunity on a major thoroughfare to
install bike paths prior to development of the property adjacent to the
street.
Councilman Norris stated that he had been phoned by Aime LaLande, a pro- '
perty owner who was opposed to the parking ban as suggested by the City
Council as he felt it would cause a loss to his property values by taking
away the parking.
Councilman Norris stated that at the prior meeting he indicated he would
support Plan B, which would allow both the bike lane and the parking
lane adjacent to the west side of Los Osos Valley Road.
Councilman Brown stated that he felt the ban on parking on Los Osos Val-
ley Road was a foregone conclusion and would be required in the long run
as traffic increased on this major thoroughfare from the coastal commun-
ities. He suggested that possibly a parking ban could be placed on a
time schedule with parking allowed at certain times of the day.
Councilman Graham stated that he still supported Plan B which would al-
low curb parking with a bike lane next to the parking lane.
Mayor Schwartz stated that he was in support of Plan A which would Pro-
hibit curb parking on Los Osos Valley Road as he felt this was to be a
major access road for the City and should be protected and bike paths
implemented at this time.
On motion of Gurnee, seconded by Schwartz, that the C-ity install a bike I
Path on the west side of Los Osos Valoy Road and prohibit parking from
the City limit line to Madonna Road.
Motion lost on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gurnee, Schwartz
NOES: Brown, Graham, Norris
On motion of Brown, seconded by Norris that the City Council adopt Plan B
modified with two -hour parking allowed in front of the apartment houses
and the office on Los.Osos Valley Road .
A.J. Shaw, City Attorney; felt that the City Council proposal Plan B would_
make the City more liable for possible injury to cyclists using the west
side of Los Osos Valley Road due to the requirement of having the bike
lane moving in and out from the curb area to the street area in order to
permit parking, in front of specific parcels. He suggested that possibly
the bike path could be 10 feet wide, which would allow parking adjacent
to the curb and still allow 2 or 3 feet for a bike lane. He mentioned
that this was a way the problem appeared to have been solved in the City
of Davis, which was quite strong on bikeway systems.
Mayor Schwartz suggested that the Council adopt Plan A, which was the
bike path adjacent to the curb from Descanso to Oceanaire Drive and the
balance to Plan B where the development had been completed. The Council
and staff could then study other alternatives to this plan.
Councilman Brown and Norris withdrew their motion adopting Plan B modified,
and the Council asked the staff. to look into the City of Davis -type bike
lane for future report to the City Council.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 3
2. City Council considered the final 'passage of Ordinance No...607_
an ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo deleting the requirement
of the Municipal Code that the rear of taxicabs display the name of
the cab company.
r Mayor Schwartz declared the public hearing open.
No one appeared before the City Council for or against the proposed or-
dinance change.
Mavor Schwartz declared the public hearing closed.
On motion of Norris, seconded by Gurnee the ordinance was finally passed
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: All
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3. The City Council considered the final passage of Ordinance No. 6081,
an ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo, amending the Municipal Code
to require a plumbing permit for the construction of wells, establishing
standards therefor, and declaring wells in violation thereof to be public
nuisances.
Mayor Schwartz declared the public hearing open.
'No one appeared before the City Council for or against the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Schwartz declared the public hearing closed.
On motion of Gurnee, seconded by Graham, the ordinance was introduced for
final passage. Finally passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: All
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4. At this time the City Council considered the final passage of
Ordinance No. 604, an ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo adding pro-
visions to the Municipal Code prohibiting approval of real property divisions,
zoning changes, annexations, use permits, and building permits prior to
departmental determination in writing that City facilities could accomodate
the increased burden resulting therefrom and providing a mandatory procedure
for planning commission and Council review and correction of said deficiencies.
A.J. Shaw, City Attorney, reviewed the ordinance section by section for the
City Council, to include determination required by department heads, report
to the Planning Commission, review by the Planning Commission, review by
' the City Council, and exemptions to the ordinance. Also the requirement
that the City Council adopt criteria and standards for departmental use
in making the determinations required by the ordinance.
The City Attorney continued that there had apparently been wide concern
that the proposed •facility Ordinance No. 604 would render the City unable
to act if an overzealous or fearful department head failed or refused to
file the written determination required of him by the ordinance. If the
ordinance did, in fact, thus delegate such unlimited and undefined power
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 4
to an individual, the City Attorney felt that the ordinance would be
illegal and void from several standpoints. However, he stated that
the timely review procedure set forth in the ordinance sufficiently
protected the ordinance from any challenge of its legality based upon
unlawful delegation of authority. He then reviewed several sections
of the City Charter which granted the City Council power to act in the
name of the City, although, he warned, the City Council that neither
the City Charter nor the proposed ordinance permitted the City Council
to take arbitrary, capricious, discriminatory, or unreasonable and un-
lawful actions.
David Williamson , Assistant Administrative Officer, reported to the
City Council that since the meeting of February 19, the City staff
had accomplished the following with regard to the compilation of
standards into an easily understood format.
A) He had forwarded sewer and water standards to John
Carollo and Associates, consulting engineers for an evaluation of
the City standards relative to current practices in other communities
and for their comprehensiveness.
B) The City had hired a part -time, experienced technical
writer to organize the information into a format that could be under -
sfood by the public. He continued that as of this date, the technical
writer indicated it would take approximately 2 weeks to write and pre-
pare the format in a usable manner. He continued that he felt that there
was further need for the staff to see how the ordinance would work and
how they were to arrive at their decision on facilities. He felt that
it would take about three months to get an adequate flow report on sewer
alone, and therefor he felt that more time was needed to develop criteria
for determining over - burdened facilities. He explained problems involved
in each City department in attempting to define standards for facilities
so that an adequate report on public facilities could be given to the
citizens. Further, he felt that at this time there were few procedures
within the City to make determinations required by Ordinance No. 604.
Mayor Schwartz stated before he opened the meeting to the public hearing,
that the City Council could take any one of the following actions:
1) Adopt the ordinance subject to future adoption of standards
and criteria;
2) Not adopt the ordinance and junk the proposal; or
3) Modify the proposal based on evidence presented at the
public hearing.
Mavor Schwartz declared the public hearing open.
Clayton E. Clement, Attorney representing the Citizens for Environmental
Balance and Economic Stability (CEBES), and the San Luis Obispo County
Building Contractor's Association, stated that he felt the proposed or-
dinance of the City of San Luis Obispo, while technically being legal,
only looked at one half of the problem of over - burdened facilities,
which was to list the deficiencies which could and would prohibit
development, if any of the criteria or standards which had not, as yet,
been adopted could not be approved by the department head concerned.
He felt the ordinance is lacking provisions for the City to update or make
the necessary improvements in order to alleviate the deficiencies.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 5
He felt some of the problems of the ordinance relating to the criteria
used by department heads and the delegation to the department heads of
the City's Council power and duty to make decisions and plans for future
City facilities. He felt that the main lack of information available
involved the City's failure to comply with its obligation to plan for
and provide municipal service necessary for community growth. He sub-
mitted for the Council's consideration, an amendment to Ordinance 604 which
would add section 2800.6 as follows:
"In applying this ordinance and in considering applications pursuant
to the ordinance, the Council should be guided by the following
principals which the Council hereby adopts as a statement of policy.
The Council shall implement by ordinance resolution or otherwise,
the following principles:
A) The City has a duty to adequately plan for and construct the
facilities described in Section 2800 on a scale necessary to
serve the needs of the City's residents, both present and future.
B) It is the duty of the City to correct any deficiency in ex-
isting services and facilities which are determined to be inade-
quate by any department head making a determination under Section
2800.
C) In connection with the City's duty to plan and construct pub-
lic facilities described in sub - paragraphs A and B, the City
shall embark upon a capital improvement program to plan and con-
struct necessary public facilities for the City's future needs.
' D) The cost of services which are either used and insured by
the City as a whole or for which benefit-a portion of the City's
residents larger than the population generated by development or
construction being applied for shall be borne by either the City
as a whole or by that portion of the City's residents deriving a
benefit from the services.
E) No application for development or construction as defined
in Section 2800 shall be conditioned upon exactions in whatever
form which are not reasonably related to the needs generated by
the benefits conferred by the proposed development.
F) In making the determination required in Section 2800, each
department head shall make a specific finding as to :
1) the precise effect of the proposed development on
the relevant facility;
2) the degree to which temporary alternative measures
such as rationing can be used to accomodate the proposed
development until such time as the anticipated deficiencies
would be corrected;
3) the extent to which corrections ot any deficiencies
would benefit portions of the City's population beyond the
development proposed and the identity of others benefited;
4) the extent and nature of planned additions to the
facility involved. This finding shall detail the antici-
pated capacity of the planned addition to absorb new popu-
lation. The anticipated date of completion, the projected
cost and shall state whether the necessary public and govern-
mental agency approvals have been obtained."
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 6
Clayton Clements concluded by stating that he felt the City was not
doing a fair job for the citizens of San Luis Obispo in that they
were not adopting adequate criteria and standards clearly defined
before adopting the ordinance which controlled development. He felt the
Council was not making provisdons to make the necessary improvements I
to the public facilities operated by the City.
Fred Strong, Director of Citizens for Environmental Balance and Eco-
nomic Stability, submitted a statement for Council consideration
stating that the CEBES fully agreed that the basic problem of pro-
viding adequate service for the present and future residents of the
City should be solved as quickly as 'possible with minimum disruption
to or inconvenience for residents and business interests of the area.
They also agreed with the concept underlying the proposed Ordinance
No. 604 and they would support the ordinance if properly amended and
implemented. He felt the ordinance itself could not validly be sep-
arated from the criteria to be applied in administering the ordinance.
He felt that if the City established prerequisites for criteria at levels
more appropriate for long -range goals, they did a disservice to the City.
If they proposed service levels above present levels of actual service
for the benefit of the entire community and then hand the bill to only
one segment of the community, he felt that would be a gross injustice to
the new developers. He also spoke in support of the amendment to Sec-
tion 2800.6 as submitted by Mr. Clement, the attorney. He concluded
his statement after review of per capita standards of the number of
California cities by stating that Ordinance 604 proposed was overly sim-
plistic and open to serious abuses in implementation. He felt the amend-
ment proposed for the ordinance could be modified so that it would guarantee a
reasonable degree of equity in its application. He suggested that a ,
citizens' task force in the meantime could assess the community's de-
sire, ability and willingness to pay for those desires in the area of
standards of service and facilities. He felt such a task force could
evolve into an action group which would spearhead practical actions to
provide the public support necessary to implement positive steps to a-
chieve the elimination of existing deficiencies and initiate a program
to move toward desired goals. He felt that as a city, we were faced
with problems and that as a united community, these problems could be
solved without putting one neighborhood against the other or one in-
terest group against another. He felt the proposed amendment and the
subsequent adoption of the ordinance with 'proper standards and criteria
would be a reasonable first step toward an equitable and reasonable so-
lution to the problem of overburdened facilities.
Mrs. Huahs, secretary /manager San Luis Obispo County Building Contractor's
Association, felt that her association was not opposed in principle to
Ordinance No. 604, but she stated that the organization felt the ordinance
must be rewritten in order to make a document that was workable and viable
to the citizens of San Luis Obispo, She also felt that the City Council
must come up with both a plan and the finances necessary to eliminate de-
ficiencies in public facilities that served San Luis Obispo. It was her
feeling that if the ordinance was passed as presently written, it would
force a number of builders and the attendant workmen to leave the City of
San Luis Obisop as it was their feeling that construction would come to a
standstill. She concluded her remarks stating that her organization also '
supported the amendment presented by CEBES.
Dennis Wheeler, building contractor, stated that he felt in his own mind
that Ordinance No. 604 was without a doubt a no- growth ordinance for the
City. He felt that adding this additional burden to permit procedures
was just another attempt to hold up and hassle a builder or developer with
further costly delays in attempting to build or develop in the City.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 7
He further stated that these procedures would without a doubt increase the
cost of improvements and that tents would go up and building would prac-
tically come to a standstill. He wished to remind the City Council it was
not the builder or contractor who paid the extra cost, but the person who
1 was the ultimate purchaser of the dwelling. He felt that all this ordinance
would do was force the people in construction to move out of the City to
live and work. He also felt that this ordinance would force development
of housing outside the City which was the only place that construction
would be allowed in the area as this City Council was determined to stop
construction. He urged the Council to forget this ordinance and move
ahead with good planning and also to spend some money on improving the
City's public facilities.
John Thompson, life -long resident of the City of San Luis Obispo, was op-
posed to the provisions of Ordinance 604 as he felt the ordinance would
stop new construction and would not allow new businesses to come to town
and prepare jobs for their children and he felt that ultimately everyone
except people connected with the college as students or on the staff would
be forced to leave town. He felt that this was a wrong action by the City
Council.
Bob Neal stated that he was opposed to the adoption of Ordinance 604 as it
was not good for the citizens or the City of San Luis Obispo.
Mrs. Barger, senior citizen, was opposed to the adoption of Ordinance 604
as she .felt it was just one further action to stop development in the City.
Jim Sundland, contractor, stated that he was opposed to the adoption of
Ordinance 604 as he felt it would just add additional cost to building,
which was practically being prohibited at this time within the City.
Roger Brown, contractor developer, stated that he was opposed to this or-
dinance and that he felt that.if the Council was determined to proceed
they should include the amendments presented by CEBES.
Ed Halliday, construction worker, stated he was vehemently opposed to the
provisions of Ordinance 604 and hoped the council would junk it.
Gerard Parsons, property owner- businessman, opposed the provisions of
Ordinance 604 as he felt it was just one more way of stopping or slowing
down building construction in San Luis Obispo. He urged the Council
that if they insisted on proceeding with this ordinance, that they adopt
the amendments suggested by CEBES. He also stated that instead of buying
golf courses and open space, the City Council should take the $260,000
mentioned and start spending it in correcting deficiencies in their
sewer, water, streets, parks, etc.
Howard Cummings, construction worker, stated that he was opposed to the
Council adoption of Ordinance No. 604.
John Ross, architect-, stated that he was opposed to the ordinance, and he
suggested that the City Council, rather than find ways of holding up pro-
jects, should reorder their priorities and get their public utilities and
facilities in order. He felt that the City Council should start doing
their job and correct the City's physical plant and get the City facilities
in order. He mentioned the increased tares that the taxpayers had been pay-
ing and the windfall that developed in the City Council in their adoption
of the Utility Tax ordinance.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 8
Fred Schott, engineer, stated he felt that Ordinance 604 was a limited
growth ordinance and without a doubt would increase costs to people who
were trying to buy a home to live in, within the City of San Luis Obispo.
He felt it was wrong and should not be adopted. 1
Robert Barrows, 770 Mainecke Street, asked why the City department heads
did not sneak up when the operations under their concern had a problem.
He felt that had the department heads been allowed to speak up over the
years, the City's facilities would not be in the condition in which they
appeared to be in at this time. He did not feel that Ordinance 604 was
the answer and that the Council should proceed with plans to correct what-
ever deficiencies existed.
Bruce Pet rows ki, resident, felt that Ordinance 604 was not a limited
growth ordinance, but felt that the City should know the condition of
public facilities and that this report should be made available to all
people who were interested.
N'like 1.laino, lifetime resident of San Luis Obispo, felt that Ordinance
604 was not properly thought out, he felt that the standards and criteria
should be developed and adopted first, and then write an ordinance that
would cover the criteria in an easily understood manner.
Glennadeane Dovey, President of the League of Women Voters, submitted a
statement on behalf of the League of Women Voters on Ordinance 604. She
stated that the local League of Women Voters had long been concerned with
the way in which the City of San Luis Obispo grew. She continued that
over the past 12 years, the League had undertaken many studies on various
aspects of planning including the City's ability to challenge growth in
a way that was beneficial to all citizens. The League membership supported
all measures for planned, orderly growth and development, and for the
protection of land, water and air resources with emphasis on high stand-
ards of environmental quality. They also supported all enforcement measures
and implementation procedures needed to attain such standards. Based on
these support positions, the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo
urged the City Council to adopt the proposed City facility ordinance, Or-
dinance 604 as printed. She continued that if the City was able with re-
lative certainty to assure each homeowner and businessman adequate water,
sanitary and protective services, then it was essential that development
of City services be coordinated with the new growth. She felt that the
current water problem in the southerly part of the City with the resulting
building moratorium might have been avoided had such an ordinance as 604
been in effect at the time. She felt that there was a tendency on the
part of all citizens to wait until there was a crisis or a tragedy before
adjusting or reappraising procedures. She felt that Ordinance 604 would
help San Luis Obispo act prior to the crisis stage. She wanted to make
special note that Ordinance 604 as printed did not require the City Council
to deny development if any of the specified services were deficient. The
final judgment concerning adequacy in regard of health, safety and welfare,
lay with the City Council. As to proposed amendments, the League felt that
since the ordinances provided were a simple and specific outline of procedures
it should not be complicated by the addition of principles which were ir-
relevant to the intent of the proposed legislation. The issue of financing
public facilities was of such magnitude that it should be included in an
entirely separate consideration and not covered by the facilities ordinance.
Mrs. Dovey concluded that following their study of the City fiscal struc-
ture 1968, they felt very strongly that there should be broad public
participation in the establishment of priorities for San Luis Obispo. With
continuous monitoring of physical and planning activities, the League had
not changed its mind.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 9
J.B. MacDonald, realtor and property owner, was opposed to the adoption
of the Ordinance No. 604 as he felt that the ordinance was considered
to stop development in the City. He gave several examples of property
in which he had an interest that if they were destroyed by fire, he could
' not rebuild due to the lack of adequate facilities in the downtown City
area.
Hal Boyle, representing the San Luis Obispo Building Trades Council, was
opposed to Ordinance 604 as he felt it was a stop - growth, anti -labor or-
dinance, and that if the council insisted on passing it that they accept
the amendment of CEBES.
Marty Welde, representing ECOSLO, stated that they were-in support of
Councilman Gurnee and the adoption of Ordinance 604 as it was needed to
control growth in order to meet proper public facilities and develop the
community in an orderly way.
Tim Beedle, Chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, presented a reso-
lution of the CAC stating that it be resolved by the Citizens' Advisory
Committee of the City of Sari Luis Obispo that physical development in
San Luis Obispo should occur only after:
1) the City had adequately planned for it
2) the City had sufficient facilities to support the new
development.
He stated that he was personally in support of Ordinance 604 in order
to establish development standards and.criteria so that any development
was done in light of adequate facilities.
John Holloway, Business Agent of the International Brotherhood of Electri-
cal Workers stated he was in support of the amendment to the Ordinance 604
as proposed by CEBES and the Contractor's Association.
Charles Higairrs, resident of the City, stated he was in support of CEBES
and Contractor's Association suggested amendment.
Ellwood Smith, resident of the City, stated that he was in support of Or-
dinance 604 and that City growth should be controlled so that everyone did
not come to live here before utilities were installed and ready to serve
them, making a burden on the people already living in the community.
Arthur Hawthorne, Perfume Canyon P.oad.stated that he was in support of
Ordinance 604, but felt that the 5 day limit for department heads to re-
port their negative comments was not sufficient time. He felt that more
time should be given to the sutdy of the negative conditions but felt that
the ordinance provided an orderly procedure for development in the City.
He did not feel the amendment suggested by CEBES added anything to the or-
dinance.
Scott Maugher, 149 Carpenter Lane, stated that he was in support of Ordinance
No. 604 as it would make San Luis Obispo a nice place to live.
Lew Weiqold
spoke in
support of City Government
spending sufficient funds
to update the
needed
public facilities to serve
the citizens of the community.
He felt the
the City by
City Council
serving'it
was not taking care of
adequately with sewer, water
the property already within
and other public ser-
vices. He felt
that
until the City Council could
honestly state that they
were serving
the people
of San Luis Obispo, the, '
should not annex additional
land to add
additional
burdens to their alreadv
overburdened facilities.
Scott Maugher, 149 Carpenter Lane, stated that he was in support of Ordinance
No. 604 as it would make San Luis Obispo a nice place to live.
City Council minutes
I•Iarch 4, 1974
Page 10
Richard Barnhill, stated that he was opposed to the Council adoption of
Ordinance No. 604 as he felt that if this were adopted, he would be out
of work.
William M cKeen, realtor, stated that he was opposed to the adoption of the
ordinance and felt the City Council should assume the responsibility and
run the City, which they were elected to do, and not pass the buck to the
department heads to decide what should be built and what shouldn't be built.
David Burke, contractor, stated that he was opposed to the adoption of
Ordinance No. 604 and felt the City Council should plan and spend public
funds necessary to update public facilities within the City. He felt
that if the City Council insisted on passing Ordinance.No. 604, the
CEBES amendment should be included.
Marvin Dee, resident, stated he was oppposed to both the adoption of Or-
dinance No. 604 and the amendment proosed by CEBES. He felt that there
were sufficient laws on the city books now to do what Ordinance No. 604
was supposed to do. He felt that if the City Council would enforce the
present laws, the problem would be solved.
Elizabeth Webre, Flora Street, president of ECOSLO, stated she was in sup-
port of Ordinance No. 604. She did not feel the ordinance was a no- growth
ordinance, but felt that it was an attempt to control growth within the
means of the City's public facilities and financial capability. She felt
that the citizens of San Luis Obispo would some day have to face to question
of growth or no- growth due to the economic impact on the taxpayer.
Joe Caracas, architect, urged the Council to support the ordinance so that
the City Council could get a handle on public facilities and on their cost. 1
He was opposed to the amendment proposed by CEBES, but he urged that the
City Council employ a cost benefit technique to measure future_develop-
ment in the City of San Luis Obispo, particularly before approving any
annexations or large developments. He felt the Council should know the
cost benefit ratio of each development in the City.
Rose M cKeen, realtor, stated that she was opposed to the ordinance as she
felt that the ordinance would just increase the cost of buildings within
the City and she asked where would the people live if they could not af-
ford to rent or buy homes. She would support the amendment as proposed
by the Contractors's Association.
WiIIiam Alexander, Slack Street, stated he was in support of Ordinance
No.604 and against the amendment as proposed by CEBES. He felt that
this meeting would show the City Council that the people wanted the pub-
lic improvements put in first class condition and they should get on the
job of doing it.
Jimmy Jones opposed the ordinance but supported the CEBES amendment.
Warren Dolezal, builder, felt that Ordinance No. 604 was not needed. He
felt that there were sufficient regulations on both the state and City
books now to do ,just what Ordinance No. 604 purported to do. He gave,
as an example, his development under construction.on Lower Higuera Street.
Jack Foster, resident, stated he was opposed to Ordinance No. 604 with- ,
out first presenting and adopting the standards and criteria so that
people who worked with development knew what the criteria would be prior
to starting development.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page II
'Frank Hendricks, 495 Buena Vista, discussed growth philosophy for Council
consideration. He was in support of Ordinance No. 604 without amendments
as offered by CEBES. He felt that the ordinance would require the City
Council to be aware of the conditions of all public facilities before any-
one was allowed to develop.
Mavor Schwartz declared the public hearing closed.
9:35 P.M. Mayor Schwartz declared a recess.
9:50 P.M. meeting reconvened with all Councilmen present.
Mayor Schwartz requested Department Head comments.
D.F. Romero, City Engineer, stated that he had two concerns with the pro-
posed ordinance: 1) The wording of the ordinance states that a building
permit cannot be issued until the Department Head certifies as to the
adequacy of the facility. If for some reason a Department Head is able
to have gold - plated standards adopted, he can, by his sole determination,
either restrict building or force an unwarranted emphasis in City expen-
diture to upgrade the facility in one department. 2) Mr. Romero's second
concern involved the multiplicity of needs which the Council will receive
from each department, each carrying with it a prohibition against building.
If the City concientiously attempts to meet all these needs as rapidly as
possible, the City Council would loose the flexibility it now has in weigh-
ing other alternative improvements.
Councilman Gurnee stated that he was in support of the adoption of Ordinance
' No. 604, and felt that the ordinance was a sound concept for City development.
He continued that this ordinance had shown the council, staff and public that
the City did not have any idea of the condition of its public facilities or
the capabilities of the facilities that had been installed. He felt that
if this ordinance was not adopted, the City would continue to operate as .
they did now, a staff system that caused the Los Osos Valley moratorium,
contributed to flood conditions and other problems in the City. He felt
that what this ordinance would do was make department heads act responsibly
in operating their departments. As far as the public facilities were con-
cerned, he urged the Council to adopt Ordinance No. 604 without the CEBES
amendment and stated that the ordinance should not be operative until cri-
teria and standards.had been adopted after public hearing. He felt that
a council committee should be appointed to review the criteria and stand-
ards for inclusion in the ordinance.
: ouncilman Norris asked that the summary of the Maino letter dated March I,
1974, be included.in the record. Summary as follows:
1. This ordinance was unnecessary
6. The ordinance was unfair in that it provided only for disapproval
of an application based on the unrestrained whim or caprice of
single department heads and further provided no relief to the
applicant from an unreasonable position by a. department head.
2.
The
concept set forth in the ordinance should apply to subdivisions
and
annexations only.
3.
The
ordinance was poorly written
4.
The
ordinance was inconclusive
5.
The
ordinance discriminated against present land owners within
the
City as well as future residents of the City.
6. The ordinance was unfair in that it provided only for disapproval
of an application based on the unrestrained whim or caprice of
single department heads and further provided no relief to the
applicant from an unreasonable position by a. department head.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 12
7. The ordinance wasn't workable in that it established no time
limits for any of the required actions.
8. The ordinance wasn't workable since neither the staff nor '
the Planning Commission of the City of San Luis Obispo had
the time with present personnel to process the volume of re-
ports or public hearings contemplated by this ordinance.
9. The ordinance was costly. It would effectively prevent ex-
pansion or growth in the assessed valuation of the City and
at the same time, if properly administered, would require
vastly increased staff and staff time.
Councilman Norris felt that this ordinance was all encompassing and felt
that the provisions of the ordinance should be put into a vote of the
people, as they would be the ones who would be required to pay the bill
as the City moved ahead with these improvements. He also felt that the
ordinance would definitely shut down development due to incomplete infor -
mation on existing public facilities which could not be certified. He also
felt that this ordinance would force the City Council to spend great sums
of money to make the existing public facilities work much less to help
new development. He felt the ordinance should not be considered until a
complete study had been done on the standards and criteria of facilities
plus an accrued inventory of the City existing plans. He also objected
to department heads using national standards for development. For example
a fire station, parks, personnel, etc. He also opposed to adopting this
ordinance that was not nede
ed and_would_only cause more problems for devel-
opers in the community. He did agree that the City staff should continue
to acquire the information of actual condition of the City's physical plant
and to pinpoint areas of deficiency in public facilities so that the
Council could expend funds in an intelligent way to correct the deficiencies.
He urged the City Council to junk the ordinance.
Councilman Brown felt that the City Council acted hastily in passing Or-
dinance No. 604 to print. He felt the ordinance was adopted to print with-
out full information. He also felt that the City Council should take no
action but have the staff look into amendments as suggested by CEBES. He
felt that there was no rush and that the Council should take time to look
into all the facets of the proposal. He felt that the ordinance was simple
but too, all encompassing and could be very dangerous if enforced to its
ultimate.
Councilman Graham defended the City Council's past action in spending pub-
lic funds in improving public facilities. He continued that he did not feel
that this was a no- growth ordinance. He felt it was an ordinance to force
the City to supply adequate public facilities to the residents and he was
in support of the adoption of Ordinance 604 without amendment.
Mavor Schwartz stated that he was in support of Ordinance No. 604, felt
there was a need for the information on public facilities that this or-
dinance required. He also felt that the establishment of standards and
criteria would make full knowledge available to all developers of condi-
tion of public facilities. He continued that had this ordinance been in
effect, there would never have been a moratorium in the Los Osos - Lower
Higuera area, because not only would the City have known the conditions
of the public facilities but the developers would also know the conditions
and capabilities of the public facilities. He stated that he wished that
the City had 100% perfect public facilities and that they were all •i:n ex-
cellent condition to serve the needs of the public. But he felt to bring
all these facilities up to date at this time would require a tremendous
amount of expenditures of public funds and he wondered who would pay the bill.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 13
He felt that this ordinance required the department heads make a responsible
study and notify all developers and.builders whenever the City could not
serve a specific proposal. The Mayor agreed that a task force of repre-
sentative citizens of the City with Council members should be organized to
' meet and study the City's facilities and possibly to include ways to finance
whatever improvements were felt necessary by the tdSk force. He also felt
this task force should consider increases in City service charges and
rates in order to pay for facilities and they could also look into the
matter of bond issues, whether they be general bond obligations or revenue
bond issues, to pay for facilities. He agreed, with the spirit of the
ordinance but felt that in the interest of community harmony that the Council
should continue consideration of this ordinance, that they form a task force
with an established time limit to study the City's facilities, and develop
a recommended method to correct these facilities for the Council's considera-
tion.
Councilman Brown felt that this was the thing he was proposing in arriving
at a solution to the overburdened facility problem.
The City Council discussed the Mayor's proposals and the means of accomplish-
ing his suggestions.
Councilman Gurnee felt that the fact that the staff had been unable to come
up with criteria standards shows that there was a need_for the adoption of
Ordinance No. 604. He felt the ordinance should be adopted now and not be
operative until the studies of existing conditions had been _ made and cri-
teria and standards had been accepted.
Councilman Norris stated that he was in support of Mayor Schwartz's sug-
gestion. He felt that the information was needed before adopting any new
ordinance. Further, he felt the staff should continue their studies but
that he would agree with the appointment of a citizens' committee to study
the overall City public facilities, make an inventory and make recommendations
to the City Council on updating the facilities.
Councilman Brown felt that until the task force had completed their studies,
the Council could adopt the policy directing staff to review public facilities
prior to granting permits, etc.
A.J. Shaw, City Attorney, stated that unless the Council adopted an emergency
moratorium ordinance, the department heads could not deny permits if approval
is merly ministerial under the provisions of other ordinances.
Mayor Schwartz again suggested that a task force should consist of a repre-
sentative of the Contractor's Association, the real estate industry, mortgage
finance industry, environmentalists, development representatives, Council
members and possibly CEBES.
Atter discussion, the City Council authorized the Mayor to submit names for
membership on the Task Force at the next Council meeting for Council con-
sideration and approval.
On motion of Gurnee, seconded
by Graham that the City Council adopt Ordinance
No. 604, pending approval of criteria
submit names for membership on
a task
and standards to direct the mayor to
force and staff to continue develop-
ment of Criteria.
Councilman Brown stated he was
opposed
to adoption of the ordinance but
he would allow the task force
to make
their studies and recommendations to
the City Council.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 14
Councilman Norris stated he also was opposed to the adoption of the or-
dinance without prior consideration of criteria and standards and.also
a report from a City task force on existing facilities..
Councilman Gurnee called for a vote on his motion to adopt and finally
Pass Ordinance No. 604.
Final passage of Ordinance No. 604, lost on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gurnee, Graham
NOES: Brown, Norris and Schwartz
It was moved by Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Brown that the
City Council continue consideration of Ordinance No. 604, that the Mayor
be authorized to submit names for ad.hoc citizens' task force to evaluate
resources of the City, to make recommendations to the City Council h
deficient resources could be corrected and how to finance and update
these resources, with the City staff to continue to update criteria and
standards, and that the task force and staff report their recommendations
back to the City Council within sixty days.
Motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Sch,:rartz, Brown and Norris
DOES: Gurnee, Graham
With the Council's permission the City Clerk read the following letters
into the record dealing with Ordinance No. 604.
Communication from Marion J. Holley, 1477 Oceanaire Drive, supporting the
City facility ordinance.
Communication from Loretta Rice, 1638 Calla Street, opposing the adoption
of Ordinance No. 604, without prior consideration of cost to construct,..
necessary facilities to correct overburdened public utilities.
5. Continued discussion of correcting drainage facilities on the
Boriack property on Broad Street.
D. Romero stated that the Waterways Planning Board had again studied the
drainage problem involved in the Boriack property, and felt that the
waterway should be improved across Broad Street and to the rear of the
Boriack garage and that the remainder of the waterway should remain in
its natural state.
Councilman Gurnee stated that the Waterways Planning Board felt that the
first part of this drainage channel should be improved, that the remainder
should be kept in its natural state and requested on behalf of the Water-
ways Planning Board that the City Council proceed and order the improve-
ments installed.
A.J. Shaw, City Attorney, asked if the City Engineers had discussed this '
matter with Mrs. Boriack since the discussion several months ago.
City Engineer stated no, he had not discussed this matter as he felt that
Mrs. Boriack was opposed to the proposal.
Mrs. L. Boriack appeared before the Citv Council, stating that she was op-
posed to the City proposal, she did not wish to sell or give her property
to the City for drainage improvements, she had not changed her mind since
the last time she discussed this with the City Council, and she said she
was quite disturbed that after_spendinq quite _a.few_ hours with the_City
Council discussing thisllast fall, at which time the_C..ity Council_ decided __
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 15
they would not condemn her property for drainage, not they were back again
On motion of Graham, seconded by Brown, the matter was referred to the
City Attorney for preparation of the necessary documents for acquisi-
tion of the drainage easement on the Boriack property.
6. City Council considered the requ6st of Don Kra.1l requesting
that the City Council allow the card rooms within the City to operate on
a 24 -hour basis. This matter was continued from the January 21, 1974 meet-
ing.
Sgt. Clifford Chelguist, San Luis Obispo Police Department, submitted a re-
port to the City Council that the police department had studied the matter
and that they felt that amending the Ordinance to allow a 24 -hour operation
would create no significant enforcement problems. However, due to an ob-
jection by a resident of Baywood Park, the matter was referred to the Police
Department staff to research the matter further and return with a recommenda-
tion.
going through the same thing. She
stated she was
opposed to it and that
the City would be forced to pay for
her land.
_
little or
A.J. Shaw, Citv Attorney, suggested
that the City
Council refer the matter
'
to him for preparation of documents
for acquisiton
of the drainage ease-
ments for the Boriack property for
the updating of
appraisals and neces-
sary legal documents.
department recommended that the
ordinance
On motion of Graham, seconded by Brown, the matter was referred to the
City Attorney for preparation of the necessary documents for acquisi-
tion of the drainage easement on the Boriack property.
6. City Council considered the requ6st of Don Kra.1l requesting
that the City Council allow the card rooms within the City to operate on
a 24 -hour basis. This matter was continued from the January 21, 1974 meet-
ing.
Sgt. Clifford Chelguist, San Luis Obispo Police Department, submitted a re-
port to the City Council that the police department had studied the matter
and that they felt that amending the Ordinance to allow a 24 -hour operation
would create no significant enforcement problems. However, due to an ob-
jection by a resident of Baywood Park, the matter was referred to the Police
Department staff to research the matter further and return with a recommenda-
tion.
Mr. Charles Willits, Baywood Park, stated that he did not feel that leaving
card rooms open on a 24 -hour basis was a good thing for the community but
that without the report that he submitted to the police department being
made available to the City Council, he had nothing else to add.
Don Krall spoke on behalf of allowing a 24 -hour operation of card rooms
within the City. He stated that as an operator of a card room within the
City, he did not contemplate being open 24 hours a day every day of the week.
But he felt that there were times when a group of local citizens were playing
poker until 2:00 A.M. and they wished to continue playing but by law he was
forced to close and send them on their way and he knew that many times they
went somewhere else to play. He felt in this way at least they would be
under a controlled environment available for surveillance by the police
department.
He thanked the City Council for whatever consideration they wished to make.
Councilman Graham was opposed to allowing the 24 -hour card rooms operations
within the City. He even questioned the possible need of any card rooms
at all being allowed to operate.
There being no further discussion.
On motion of Councilman Norris, seconded by Councilman Gurnee, the following
ordinance was introduced and passed to prin.F: ORDINANCE NO. 609 (1974 Series)
Sgt. Chelquist continued that
they had consulted other cities
who licensed
card rooms that remain open after
hours of 2:00 A..M. and found
_
little or
no justification for retention
of the 2:00 A.M. closing time.
In fact,
'
in this survey one City felt
that it prefered the control situation
of
the card room to that of not
knowing how and where poker games
were being
played. Therefor, the police
department recommended that the
ordinance
be amended to delete the 2:00
A.Pl. closing time.
Mr. Charles Willits, Baywood Park, stated that he did not feel that leaving
card rooms open on a 24 -hour basis was a good thing for the community but
that without the report that he submitted to the police department being
made available to the City Council, he had nothing else to add.
Don Krall spoke on behalf of allowing a 24 -hour operation of card rooms
within the City. He stated that as an operator of a card room within the
City, he did not contemplate being open 24 hours a day every day of the week.
But he felt that there were times when a group of local citizens were playing
poker until 2:00 A.M. and they wished to continue playing but by law he was
forced to close and send them on their way and he knew that many times they
went somewhere else to play. He felt in this way at least they would be
under a controlled environment available for surveillance by the police
department.
He thanked the City Council for whatever consideration they wished to make.
Councilman Graham was opposed to allowing the 24 -hour card rooms operations
within the City. He even questioned the possible need of any card rooms
at all being allowed to operate.
There being no further discussion.
On motion of Councilman Norris, seconded by Councilman Gurnee, the following
ordinance was introduced and passed to prin.F: ORDINANCE NO. 609 (1974 Series)
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 15
an ordinance of the City of
San Luis Obispo amending the municipal Code
to permit
the operation of card
game businesses on a twenty -four hour
basis by
repealing previous
provisions against operation between 2:00 A.M.
and 6:00
A.M.
-
Ordinance
to on
the following roll vote:
passed print
call
AYES: Councilmen Brown, Norris, Gurnee , and Mayor Schwartz
NOES: Councilman Graham
7. The City Council again discussed the matter of screening being
constructed on the Santa Rosa street overcrossing of 101 Highway in light
of the pedestrian count submitted by the Public Works Department for
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 14 - 16, 1974. City Council
felt that in view of these traffic counts there was really no need for
this type of constructbon.
On motion of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Gurnee that the City
Clerk be authorized to write a letter to the local office of the Department
of Transportation stating that the City Council wished to go on record that
they opoosed the_pro.iect of placing the fence on the Santa Rosa overcrossing,
that the_Deoartment of Transportation not put fences on any other overcrossing
in the City, and if the local office could comply with the request, then
the City Clerk was to ask the Department of Transportation whom the City
Council might contact to notify of the City's objections to this hideous
construction. Motion carried.
8. Memorandum from Fire Chief Schlobahm establishing certain
conditions that he felt should be required of ECOSLO if they were to
allowed to continue their use of the City's property for recycling op-
erations.
He felt 1) that any future agreement with ECOSLO should include a require-
ment that all items not essential to continued operations of the recycling
center be removed from the premises within 30 days, including the unused
baler and many 5- gallon pails.
2) That the insertion of the screening redwood slats be completed within
thirty days in a manner satisfactory to the City Engineer.
3) That all equipment, containers and materials remaining after the 30
day deadline be relocated to an area twelve feet wide by 200 feet long
south of the chain link fence adjacent to the entrance road to the sewer
facility, to be done no later than May I, 1974. The relocation was nec-
essary so that paving of the training center could be accomplished prior
to the end of the budget year.
A representative of ECOSLO stated that all the conditions set by the Fire
Chief were satisfactory to ECOSLO, and that they would cooperate. First,
they had been removing the five gallon pails mentioned by the Chief..
Further, they would move the baler the first chance they had. They had
been having trouble with the screening of the -redwood slats which were
supplied by the City. The redwood slats were to fit within the chain link
fence on a diagonal, but it turns out that it is impossible to slide them
in due to their size. They are now trying to install them in a vertical
manner, but due to the length of the sticks they would all have different
tops. The ECOSLO was planning on continuing their project and at the end
would saw off the tops of all of them evenly so that the fence looked nice.
They would also cooperate by moving their equipment to whatever area the
Fire Chief deemed desirable.
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 17.
On motion of Brown, seconded by Graham, that the City Council approve
the recommendations of the Fire Chief, that the agreement with ECOSLO
continue on a month to month basis with the conditions listed. Motion
carried.
9. Communication from John B. Connally, President, C.L. Smith
PTA, expressing concern for adequate drainage for the City of San Luis
Obispo at the culvert under Highway 101 at the Los Osos interchange.
City Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. Connally on the action being
taken by the City through ?one 9 of the Flood Control District and re-
quest made to the Department of Transportation for improvements.
12A and 12B) Continuation on the public hearing on the appeal of
Chumash Village from the amendment to its use permit.
A.J. Shaw, City Attorney, presented for the City Council's consideration
a resolution aooroving the addition of criteria for mobile home parks
to the Water Department Director's report of November, 1972. This criteria
would allow recognition of factors unique to mobile home parks, and permit
certain optional water supply practices in conjunction with mobile home
park development. It would include:
A) static water source
B) portable pumping facilities
On motion of Gurnee, seconded
duced: RESOLUTION NO. 25692
San Luis Obispo approving the
to the Water Department Direc
adopted on the following roll
AYES: All
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
by Brown, the following resolution was intro -
a resolution of the Council of the City of
addition of criteria for mobile home parks
for-Is report of November, 1972. Passed and
call vote:
On motion of Gurnee, seconded by Graham, the City Council granted the ap-
peal of Chumash Village from the conditions of the moratorium subject to
the implementation of the criteria in the resolution. Motion carried.
13. Communication from William E. Flory, Director, Parks and
Recreation Commission forwarding the recommendation of the Parks and
Recreation Commission regarding improving the lighting system at Santa
Rosa Park.
The proposal was that the City would Pay for material for a:metal arc -type
system which sould increase the amount of light at Santa Rosa Park and a
commitment was made by Pacific Gas and Electric Company that if the City
would pay for the material, the PG &E Company would Provide the manpower
and equipment to install the lights. With this type of lighting Proposed,
C) volunteer fire supression
personnel; approved by the
City
Fire
Department.
Richard
B Wood, attorney representing the
owners of Chumash Village,
stated
that
he agreed with tha-- conditions as proposed
by the resolution and
the
Water
Director, he accepted the conditions
and requested that they be
al-
lowed
to expand their mobile home park at
the rate of 6 units per month
until
the moratorium was lifted in November,
1974.
On motion of Gurnee, seconded
duced: RESOLUTION NO. 25692
San Luis Obispo approving the
to the Water Department Direc
adopted on the following roll
AYES: All
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
by Brown, the following resolution was intro -
a resolution of the Council of the City of
addition of criteria for mobile home parks
for-Is report of November, 1972. Passed and
call vote:
On motion of Gurnee, seconded by Graham, the City Council granted the ap-
peal of Chumash Village from the conditions of the moratorium subject to
the implementation of the criteria in the resolution. Motion carried.
13. Communication from William E. Flory, Director, Parks and
Recreation Commission forwarding the recommendation of the Parks and
Recreation Commission regarding improving the lighting system at Santa
Rosa Park.
The proposal was that the City would Pay for material for a:metal arc -type
system which sould increase the amount of light at Santa Rosa Park and a
commitment was made by Pacific Gas and Electric Company that if the City
would pay for the material, the PG &E Company would Provide the manpower
and equipment to install the lights. With this type of lighting Proposed,
City Council Minutes
March 4, 1974
Page 18
two - thirds less electrical power would then be used than was presently
being consumed. The possible additional cost that would be incurred
after closer inspection might be overhead wire which would need re-
placement at an approximate cost of S90. Cross arms might have to be
provided at approximately $200, and two poles should be guide and rain
type fuses should be installed. Approximate total cost of the project
for materials only would be $4,400.
On motion of Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Norris to approve
the recommendation and authorize purchase of the materials. Motion carried.
On motion of Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Norris the following
resolution was introduced:. RESOLUTION N0. 2570 a resolution increasing
the 1973/74 budget (Account 400.6, Utility Tax - Park and Recreation Capital
Outlay, increased by $6,500.).
Motion carried on the following roll call vote:
AYES: All
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Brown the meeting
adjourned to 12:10 P.M., Tuesday, March 5, 1974.
APPROVED: August 19, 1974
A. P . TRICK, CITY CLERK
D
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