HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/30/2004MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2004 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ewan, Christine Mulholland, Allen K. Settle,
Vice Mayor Ken Schwartz and Mayor Dave Romero
City Staff:
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City
Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City
Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development
Director; Mike Draze, Deputy Director Community Development; Jeff
Hook, Associate Planner; and Doug Davidson, Housing Specialist
PUBLIC HEARING
1. DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE.
'
Mayor Romero expressed appreciation to members of the Housing Element Update Task
Force, the Planning Commission and staff. Council discussed the order of the agenda for
the evening. Council agreed to hear a brief overview from staff and then take public
comments after Council discussion.
Associate Planner Hook summarized the various changes made to the draft by the Council
during the previous special meetings. He also highlighted the top ten affordable housing
tools set out in the document.
Council discussion and recommendations for revisions followed.
Council Member Mulholland referenced a letter from Residents for Quality Neighborhoods
dated March 30 and suggested Council consider their recommendations: 1) to remove
from the glossary the definition of "high occupancy residential use"; 2) to add to the
glossary a definition of "universal design" and 3) to eliminate "for accessibility, where
appropriate" in 8.2.1 on page 38. Staff had no objections. Council concurred to make the
suggested amendments.
Vice Mayor Schwartz declared that he had not favored the Council's process in reviewing
the document. He objected to the definition of "housing unit" on page 197 and summarized
other suggestions for improvement expressed in his Memo to the Council dated March 17"'
and included in the Council Agenda Report as Attachment #3 (on file in the Office of the
City Clerk). He also noted that the report was noticeably devoid of graphics. There was not
sufficient support for edits proposed by Vice Mayor Schwartz.
' Council Member Mulholland voiced concern about the rate of commercial growth and
argued that it is a main driver for the State's housing allocation and, further, is responsible
for creating the need for housing. She recommended that the inclusionary housing in lieu
City Council Meeting Page 2
Tuesday, March 30, 2004,7:00 p.m.
fee proposed for commercial development projects as outlined in Table 2 (which is equal to
5% of building valuation) be increased. There was no support for the recommendation.
Council Member Mulholland requested that staff bring back additional information,
including examples from other cities, on this issue in one year. Staff agreed.
Mayor Romero suggested changing two adjustment factors for two categories of residential
developments, as outlined in Table 2A on page 28. Council accepted the changes
proposed.
Vice Mayor Schwartz recommended revisions to page 103 (Appendix C) relating to parking
requirements in the downtown and lot size. Council accepted the changes proposed.
Mayor Romero opened the public hearing.
Mary Beth Schroeder, San Luis Obispo resident, urged the Council to not allow excessive
building to accommodate more students and argued that Cal Poly should build on campus
student housing.
Steve Delmartini. San Luis Obispo, spoke in opposition to lowering the average floor area in
Table 2A from 1,200 to 1,100 square feet.
Mayor Romero closed the public hearing.
Council Member Mulholland commented that she could not support the recommendation to
accept the negative declaration and suggested that the Council take a separate action on all
three of the CAD's recommendations. Vice Mayor Schwartz concurred, adding that he will
not be supporting adoption of the Housing Element, expressing disappointment in the final
draft. Council Member Mulholland noted that she, too, would not vote in favor of adoption
of the Housing Element because the work is merely a result of the State's housing mandate.
She spoke highly of the work done by the Housing Element Update Task Force, the
Planning Commission and the staff. Council Member Settle added that while he is equally
opposed to the State's mandates, he would be voting to approve because to do differently
would send the wrong message to all that worked so hard on the document. Mayor Romero
spoke in support of adoption.
ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to adopt Resolution No. 9543 (2004 Series)
approving a negative declaration of environmental impact; motion carried 4:1
(Mulholland opposed).
ACTION: Moved by Settle/Ewan to adopt Resolution No. 9544 (2004 Series)
amending the General Plan Land Use Element to ensure consistency with the
Housing Element, motion approved 5:0.
ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to adopt Resolution No. 9545 (2004 Series)
approves the 2004 Housing Element, as amended; motion carried 3:2 (Mulholland,
Schwartz opposed).
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City Council Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, March 30, 2004, 7:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the City 97opncil, Mayor R ro adjourned
the meeting at 8:54 to Tuesday, April 6, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. n the C�gncil Qfiam er, 990 Palm
Street, San Luis Obispo. //
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 4/20/2004
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Lee Price, C.M.C.
City Clerk