HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/1992, 4 - COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS FOR MEETING WITH BUSINESS COMMUNITY lllN�l��l��llllll"IIIfi�Ilulll CI-W Of San LUIS OBISpO MEETING DATE:
12/15/92 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER: iV
FROM: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer,J' t)
SUBJECT: Council Subcommittee Appointments for Meeting with Business Community
CAO RECOMMENDATION: Appoint two members of the City Council to meet with
representatives of the business community to discuss concerns discussed during the
Council meeting of December 1.
DISCUSSION:
During the Council meeting of December 1, 1992, Mr. Jim Dee asked the Council to take
actions which would limit the number of movie theaters allowed in the pending Copeland
Project. While the Council pointed out that the City had no legal basis for intervening at
this time in the approved Copeland Project, at the request of Mayor Pinard, the Council
agreed to appoint a subcommittee to meet with the representatives of the business
community to discuss the overall concept of limiting the number and size of certain
commercial developments within specific zones. The CAO was directed to contact the
Chamber of Commerce and the BIA to arrange for a meeting to discuss this subject, and
the letter to these organizations is provided as Attachment 1.
The purpose of this agenda item is to allow the Council to designate its two
representatives to the meeting. A specific time and place for the meeting may be known
by the time these appointments are made, and if so, this information will be made
available to the Council
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ATTACHMENT:
Letter to Chamber and BIA
Letter to Jim Dee
\sub.rpt
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II city of sAn luis oBispo
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100
Pierre Rademaker December 2, 1992
Chamber of Commerce
Betsey Lyon
BIA
Dear Betsey and Pierre:
At the City Council meeting of December 1, under Public Comments, Mr. Jim Dee spoke of the
competition to the Palm Theatre as a result of the Downtown Center (Copeland) development.
He stated that he would like to see three or four theaters in the commercial complex rather than
the seven that are planned. A Councilmember made it very clear to Mr. Dee that plans for the
development are complete and approved, and that there is nothing that the City can do at this
point to change those plans. Mr. Dee in his comments made it clear that he was in
disagreement with the letter from the staff (a copy of which is attached for your information).
However, in the ensuing discussion it was suggested by Mayor Pinard that the City involve the
business community, specifically the Chamber and the Business Improvement Association, in
further discussion of this issue in a more generic sense, and report back to the City Council.
The questions, phrased differently, could be: 'What is needed to protect and promote the small
business environment within our community?" and "How do we keep the good things that we
have downtown and in other commercial centers and, at the same time, plan for desired long-
term change?"
Though not done at the last meeting, it was suggested that the Council designate a
subcommittee to work with representatives of both of your organizations to discuss these and
related matters. We will ask the Council to formally appoint this subcommittee at their meeting
of December 15. Therefore, the meeting with the business community can be scheduled for
sometime thereafter.
Please share this City Council request with your Presidents and appropriate others with your
organization.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter, and best of success in deliberation of
these and other related points of concern to the business community. If further information or
clarification is desired, please feel free to catch either Mayor Pinard or myself.
Sincerely,
Joh Dunn
it
Administrative Officer
C. City Council
Dave Garth ?
Lynn Block JD:bw\theat.ltr
city of sAn tuts omspo
990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100
September 30, 1992
Mr. Jim Dee
280 Almond Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 94105
Dear Mr. Dee: .
At the City Council meeting on September 15, 1992, during the public comment period, you
expressed concern that the imminent construction of a seven screen movie theater in the new
Copeland project would have a detrimental effect on the continued viability of your own Palm
Theater. I felt it may be helpful to you to have additional information regarding City land use
regulations applicable to the Copeland project.
All of the uses proposed for the Copeland project, including the movie theater, are allowed
outright by the Zoning Ordinance. That means that those uses can be established by right without
further review by the City. This also means that there is no further process available for appeal
or other challenge of their establishment. In this particular case City involvement was limited
to approval of the architectural style of the buildings, a mixed-use parking reduction, and
building permits.
The City does not regulate the number of similar uses which may occur within a zoning district
which otherwise permits the use. Similar to other local jurisdictions, City regulations have
focused on physical compatibility considerations, and health and safety issues. Economic
regulation through use limitation has typically occurred in redevelopment districts or special
purpose areas where overall development is under the control of a single entity.
'I can certainly understand your concern for the additional competition represented by the new
theater, and the need for continued provision of a unique selection of films to retain your place
in the local market. However, I'm confident that if the current situation were reversed you
would appreciate the opportunity to prove your ability to compete in this market with minimal
obstruction from the City.
An idea which has been suggested, which you may want to consider, is for you to discuss your
situation with the Copelands, and to attempt to reach some mutually-beneficial understanding.
Agreement between private parties often makes more sense than an attempted regulation by the
City of marketplace competition, which is generally considered beyond the City's land-use
authority and an infringement upon private-sector activity.
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Please let me know if I.can be of furtliei,assistance:
_ Sicele
Arnold B. Jonas
Community'Develop. nt Director.
c City Council
City AdminiMtive Officer
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