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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/24/1970MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF-SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA AUGUST 24, 1970 - 7:30 P.M. Pledge Roll Call. Present: Emmons Blake, Myron Graham, Arthur F. Spring, Donald Q. Miller, Kenneth E. Schwartz City Staff Present: R. Young, Planning Director; J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; H. Johnson, City Attorney; R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer; D. F. Romero; City Engineer; W. Flory, Director of Parks and Recreation; W. H. Woodward, Battalion Fire Chief 1. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded June 15, 23, 26, and 29; and July 6, 13, and Motion carried. 2. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded Kenneth E. Schwartz was elected delegate and alternate to represent the City at the Annua Conference. Motion carried. by Councilman Graham, minutes of 15 were approved as submitted. by Councilman Spring, Mayor Vice -Mayor Emmons Blake as L League of California Cities 3. Communication from the County of San -Luis Obispo forwarding•a resolution of the County Board of Supervisors approving and authorizing an agreement for sale to the City of San Luis Obispo of the Veterans Memorial Building. Councilman Blake reported that the -matter,of the Veterans Memorial.Building was brought up for discussion when the Council committee met with a represent- ative group from the County of San Luis Obispo regarding the lease of City owned property at the airport to.the County. The purpose of the meeting was to try to arrive at some arrangment for the County to lease or acquire the City owned land in order to incorporate.it.into the County airport to accommodate proposed development and enlargement plans. In the discussion of the airport property the matter of selling the Veterans Building to the City of San Luis Obispo for use as a recreational center and civic auditorium was brought up. Councilman Blake wished to assure the Council that the Council committee made no commitment to-the County officials on whether or not the City was interested in acquiring the building. Apparently the County officials were quite serious about-disposing of the building and had offered it to the City for $1.00. He suggested that this matter of acquisition of the Veterans Memorial Building be referred to the Parks and Recreation Commission for an in -depth study of the building and also suggested that the Civic and Fine Arts Association offer their comments. Councilman Miller, the other member of the Council airport committee, agreed with the report of Councilman Blake that no commitment had been made for acquisition of the building.. He also hoped that a study could be made of its possible use to the City. He urged his fellow Councilmen not to continue this matter indefinitely but have a solid package prepared within 60 to 90 days so that negotiations could proceed. Communication from the Civic and Fine Arts Association was presented to the Council informing them that the Civic and Fine Arts Association had taken action to urge the San Luis Obispo City Council to seriously consider the acquisition of the Veterans Memorial Building for a multi- purpose community center.. Further, they recommended that the City Council retain an architect who could prepare a master plan for full development and utilization of the building's facilities. The Civic and Fine Arts Association also stated that they had a substantial amount of funds which could be used to assist the City in an orderly planned City Council Minutes August 24, 1970 Page 2 development for performing arts, permanent and traveling.-.exhibits and for convention and recreation facilities. Wes Conner, Vice - Chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission, stated that the Park and Recreation Commission had not studied this matter in any great detail and they hoped that the City Council would appoint a committee of representatives from the Council, Park and Recreation Commission, and Civic and Fire Arts Association to prepare a report for the City Council on the merits or disadvantages of acquiring the Veterans Building. Mr. Commer concluded that the only information he had to date was that it would be quite expensive for the Park and Recreation Department-to maintain and operate the building. Clay Davidson, Civic and Fine Arts Association, stated that the Association had not studied the matter in great depth as far as the financial picture of revenue and expenditure was.concerned but felt that the building could be economically developed for multi - purpose'uses such as recreation, arts, veterans organizations, etc. He also urged that the City Council appoint a committee to study the proposal and prepare a report for the City Council's consideration. Further, he stated that he personally.felt that the City would be a better and more effective manager of the facility than the County had been. Councilman Blake stated that there was-no tie -in between the leasing or selling of the airport land to the County and the acquisition of the Veterans Building by the City. He felt that each item was a separate decision and one decision should not hinge on the other. William Flory, Director of Parks and - Recreation, agreed with the appointment• of a committee who would look into the:entire•Veterans Memorial Building offer, study its present::usbz:and its-potential, and see if this.building could-:be' operated on an economical basis. He continued that some of the factors that must be investigated are whether the County will leave the furnishings in the building and whether or not the existing County personnel will be absorbed by the City or will the present City staff be� required to assume the additional work. Mayor Schwartz stated he wished the County and the public to know that the City Council was not being ungrateful for the offer by the County Board of Supervisors but that the City Council must very carefully look into any additional expense for maintenance. and operation of new City facilities and determine from what funds these expenses could be paid. He continued that the Parks and Recreation tax levy was.limited and that other sources of revenue were committed. Mayor Schwartz appointed Councilmen Blake and Graham-as Council representatives; Donald Van Harreveld, Chairman, and Wes:,Conner, Vice Chairman, of the Parks and Recreation Commission as Commission - representatives; Administrative Officer, R. D. Miller, and Park and Recreation Director W. Flory as staff members, with one additional member to be appointed by the Civic and Fine Arts Association. This committee was to make a study and prepare a report to the City Council relative to the Veterans Memorial Building. The City Council concurred in the appointment and make -up of the citizens committee. Mayor Schwartz also suggested that this committee, if it found the plan favor- able for the City, make recommendations for a program of phasing in the use of the new building and closing out the facilities at.the now existing Recreation Center. 4. Mayor Schwartz opened the discussion of planned development stating that the purpose was to discuss with the City Council, planned development sub- committee of the Planning Commission, and the City staff the procedures for administering the'City's Planned Development Ordinance. The Mayor read the intent of•the Planned Development Ordinance Section 9220.18.1 and stated that the reason such .a provision was placed in the City Ordinance was an attempt to up -grade and achieve.some outstanding development for the City of San Luis Obispo. 1 City Council Minutes August 24, 1970 Page 3 The schedule for planned development is: 1) Review by the Planning staff of the preliminary plan; 2) Review and.approval by the Planning Commission of the preliminary plan; 3) Review and approval by the City Council of the preliminary plan submitted by the Planning Commission; 4) The developer then prepares the precise plan for development from the preliminary plan approved .by the Council and Planning Commission; 5) The precise plan.•.is reviewed, approved or rejected by'the Planning staff; 6) The final approval of the precise plan is made by the Planning Commission. At no.time under existing procedure does the City Council ever become involved in the precise plan except on an appeal basis. Mayor Schwartz stated that he wondered if perhaps over the years the adminis- tration of the Planned Development Ordinance has become not too well enforced. He wondered if the. Council and Planning Commission should require the Planning Director to have on file all the required documents of the planned development before the preliminary development plan is presented to the Planning Commission and City Council, and before public hearing are held on the development. John Evans, Planning Commission Chairman, stated he felt that since he had• been on the Commission the Planned Development Ordinance was very weak in that words such as 'innovative," "imaginative," "unique," etc. meant different things to different people and he felt that he was not in accord with what these words may mean or might have meant to those who wrote the ordinance. He continued that the ordinance does not lay out any criteria for a developer, the Planning Commission or City staff.to follow and he felt that definitions should be clarified and explained so that when involved in a discussion the developer. and Planning Commission would each know what is meant by the various words. H. T. Franklin, Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission, felt that possibly the problem could be solved if the definitions in the planned development sections of the Code were clarified as to their intent so that some guidance could be given to the developer to follow in preparation of his plans. He also felt that if some guidelines for planned developments were adopted for the guidance of the City Council, Planning Commission and developers, then possibly there would be fewer attempts by the staff and the developer to ignore -some of the provisions of the ordinance. M. Dee, Planning Commission member, felt that at the preliminary planned devel- opment.level, not enough information was given by the developer to the Commission to enable them to make an intelligent analysis of the proposal. He continued that he felt that more detailed information was needed at the preliminary plan level and also felt that some guidelines should be adopted so that all proposals could be fairly considered by the Commission. Laverne Schneider, Planning Commission member, felt that some guidelines should be adopted in the Ordinance for the guidance of the Planning Commission and the developer. Councilman Graham wondered if developers, when presenting a planned development, were presenting their case properly and in accordance with City Ordinance. He also felt that before acceptance by the City-staff, all the required documentation for a planned development required by Section 9200:18.3, entitled "Application Procedures ", should be filed with the City before.the.plan was presented to either the Planning Commission or the City Council for consideration. Councilman Blake wondered if the developer for the service station at Santa Rosa Street and Foothill. Boulevard had filed the necessary documents on his planned development. City Council Minutes August 24, 1970 Page 4 R. Young, Planning Director, stated that all required documents had been filed on this development for the preliminary consideration by the City Council. He personally felt that the precise plan spoke for itself and for the developer. Councilman Spring stated that it was his opinion that the preliminary plan and precise development plan should be substantially the same. Councilman Miller felt that the planned development sections of the Zoning Ordinance had not been successful because each developer is attempting to place too much density on the property for its size and therefore goes "planned development" in order to increase the density. Therefore he felt this was the reason the City had never received a planned development of a unique design or imaginative character. He felt that all the City had gained was higher density on smaller parcels of land. He agreed with other members of the City Council that planned development to date had not been of good quality due to the increase of density and no imagination in development. Mayor Schwartz felt that the planned development was an excellent tool to encourage good development in the City and that a developer who properly used this section of the ordinance had the advantage of allowing more density on the property but also must use some unique approaches to achieve the density. He stated that he felt the City of San Luis Obispo must keep its high development standards for which the City was well respected and he personally felt that the Planning Director must take a stronger stand when discussing planned development with a developer and should not accept proposals that did not meet the high standards of the Commission or the requirements of the Code. Councilman Blake felt that the Planning Director should lean heavily on the conditions of the Planned Development Ordinance and should, in his own mind, know what is meant or intended in the section concerning unique development, etc. For the purpose of general discussion, R. Young, Planning Director, brought to the City Council and Planned Development Subcommittee an application for a planned development at the corner of Prefumo Canyon Road and Los Osos Road. The area consisted of 20 acres of land to be developed with 48 condominiums, 98 single family dwellings and 45 apartments. The City Council and Planning Commission members present discussed this development and what they thought were its objectionable . points and what was in accord with the idea of a planned development as presented by the Code. Ed Rodgers, real estate.salesman, objected to the City Council, Planning Commission and staff discussing the planned development which was currently under consideration by the Planning Commission without the developer, John Deeter, being present to defend his proposal and to present additional information relative to his.planned development. Mr. Rodgers continued that what was being considered was the physical layout of the planned development on a map without any of the economic reasons and data for such a proposal. He continued that John Deeter presently had 20 acres on option and if developed, he had an additional 80 acres available for development. He stated that John Deeter was bringing much needed housing to San Luis Obispo in various categories and that he was.bringing housing prices that could be afforded in the community. Ed Rodgers stated that John Deeter was developing the planned development with risk capital at high interest rates and that Deeter should get a fair return on his efforts in this development. He then urged the Planning'Commission to relax its extremely high expectations and allow anything in the community to get the much needed housing. Councilman Blake stated that he agreed with Ed Rodgers that possibly the City Council and Planning Commission should not have discussed a specific planned development without the developer being present. Mayor Schwartz stated that there was no= intent -of tearinb down the Deet6i development but it was used to illustrate the planned development concept for this discussion with the Planning Commission subcommittee. Councilman Spring agreed with Councilman Blake that perhaps the discussion should not have been held without the developer being present. Councilman Graham felt that this discussion was a good exercise by the Council, Planning Commission and staff in the discussion of planned development. . City Council Minutes August 24, 1970 Page 5 R. Young, Planning Director, stated that John Deeter knew that the Planning Commission and City Council were going to discuss his planned development at this meeting and he did not object as he wished to see if any one would salute his proposal. If not, he would try another scheme. Mayor Schwartz stated that the purpose of this discussion by the Planning Commission subcommittee and the City Council was for free discussion of the amenities of planned development, including concepts of open space for recreation and open space for passive relaxation. He felt some of the questions that must be asked of developers proposing planned development should be (1)_what about access to the various elements; (2) what about parking for the residential units; (3) what about recreation for young people and for elderly people; (4) what about access within the development; etc.? They should also ask shy the units were not placed one on top of another to allow more open space. No further discussion. Mayor Schwartz called a recess at 9:30 P. M. The meeting reconvened at 9 :40 P. M. with all Council members present. 5. Discussion of Mission Plaza. 5A. R. Young, Planning Direcotr, reported that Phase I of the Mission Plaza construction should be completed within a week but did not include landscaping. 5B. J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk, reported that the City had received to date $2,302.30 from public contributions towards the landscaping.: 5C. Communication from Richard B. Taylor, landscape architect for the Mission Plaza, stating that in the studies being made for Phase II of Mission Plaza, the plants being considered consisted mostly of native trees, shrubs and ground cover in order to overcome some of the objections that native plants were not being included in the development. He continued that the final plans for Phase II would depend heavily on native plants to maintain and enhance the indigenous character of the.site. Mr. Taylor continued that in-the more formal Phase I portion of-the project the trees and plants selected were more in keeping with the design of the Plaza than native plants would be. He felt that most native plants were not of the proper character or durability for this type of planting and close inspection. He continued that he was restudying the planting for the south side between the paved plaza and the stream and would attempt to incorporate native plants .in that area of Phase I. Mrs. Maxwell objected to the landscaping plan submitted by R. Taylor due to the great number of plantings being set in the planters as she felt that fewer plants should be used in order to avoid having to remove them as the years.went by. She again urged the.Council to consider planting native shrubs,. etc. She then stated that she would like to offer plants from her garden which were all native to San Luis Obispo and would be available at no cost to the City. L. C. Schlimmer, representing the Nighttime Lions Club, stated that his group had offered to plant the bank of San Luis-Creek on the east or Higuera Street side with native plants but the offer. =was initially rejected by the architect as the plans had not been completed and he did not know what to tell the club members regarding their offer.. Bob Leitcher asked that the Council consider the planting of.a Christmas tree somewhere in the Mission Plaza where it could be seen so that it could be used as a community Christmas tree. Wesley Conner., Vice Chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission and instructor of ornamental horticulture, stated that he agreed with R. Taylor's comments regarding the formal portion of Mission Plaza planting. He further felt that the plant choices by R. Taylor were excellent and his comments regarding the effect of irrigation on native plants were true and the landscaping plan for Phase I was excellent. Councilman Graham felt that native plants and shrubs should be included wherever possible. City Council Minutes August 24, 1970 Page 6 Councilman Spring also felt that the Mission Plaza should be planted with native trees and shrubs. Councilman Miller stated he would like the City to use native trees and shrubs in Mission Plaza if possible and he hoped that the City would plant some sycamore trees. Councilman Graham agreed that sycamore trees should be used in the lower levels along San Luis Creek. Mayor Schwartz stated that.several months ago, upon approval of the Council, he had contacted many.groups and organizations for funds to landscape the Mission Plaza area and that in selling the program, he presented:the list of trees, shrubs and plants suggested by the architect and approved by the Council. At no time did anyone condition his contribution for specific.personal choices. On motion <_of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Blake, that the City Council accept the recommendations for planting the Mission Plaza boxes 1, 2 and 3, and that the staff redesign plantings for.boxes 4 and 5 to include appropriate native plants. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Emmons Blake, Myron Graham, Arthur F. Spring, Kenneth-E. Schwartz NOES: Donald Q. Miller ABSENT:. None R. Dunin, president of the Motel Hotel As stated that his organization would contribute two hundred dollarss for the Christmas tree to be planted in the Mission Plaza. 5D. Mayor Schwartz.reported that he felt benches for Mission Plaza Phase I would possibly be contributed to the City and asked Council permission to use some of the contribution funds if needed to place the benches. On motion of Mayor Schwartz, seconded by Councilman Blake, the Mayor was. authorized to use funds if necessary to place benches in Mission Plaza. Motion carried with Councilman Miller voting no. 5E -1'. Lane Wilson, Park Foreman, stated that the brick pathway on the east side of San Luis Creek in Mission Plaza would be completed by the Youth Corps and Park employees within two to three days. He felt that the Youth Corps personnel this year were excellent, did a good job and the City received its - money's worth. 5E -2. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, reported that the work on the creek retain- ing wall had several more weeks before completion and he felt that the several Youth Corps boys did an excellent-job-and he stated he would like to keep a couple of the young men on for a few more weeks in order to finish the project. The City Council authorized any.Youth Corps member who wished to continue working, to work.until September -11, 1970. 5F. R. Young, Planning Director, reported that R. Taylor, architect, was half way through the revisions for Mission Plaza Phase II and the complete plans would soon be ready for the Council's review. 5G. R. Young, Planning Director, presented for the Council's information sketches for the proposed rehabilitation of the Murray Adobe to bring the exterior of the building back to the original as much as possible. The estimated cost to the .City for this rehabilitation of the building only was $10,000. Mayor Schwartz felt that the City should do all possible to save the adobe and Mr. Taylor had incorporated it in Phase I landscaping, sidewalks, etc. Councilman Miller informed the City Council that he had now changed his mind and would support the rehabilitation of the Murray Adobe for its historical value. City Council Minutes August 24, 1970 Page 7 On motion of Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilman Miller, plans and specifications were authorized -in preparation for restoring the adobe. Motion carried, Bob Leitcher asked the City Council to consider the rear lean -to portion df the adobe when it was restored. 6. Councilman Miller brought to the Council's the Park -o -meter parking meters on the balance Miller semi- automatic type.. He explained that old, did not work much "of the time, required s constant complaints from the public. He urged meters so that all the City equipment would be attention the proposal to convert of Pacific Street to Duncan- the Park -o- meters were quite abstantial service and generated that the City convert these of the Duncan - Miller type. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, stated he estimated it would cost approximately $578 to replace the clock equipment in the existing Duncan - Miller meters to convert from 2 -hour to 10 -hour mechanisms. On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded by Councilman Spring, that the City Engineer be authorized to order replacement parts and repair the Park -o- meters on Pacific Street. Motion carried. . 7. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, presented for the Council's consideration the proposal that since the State is not going to proceed with the new entrance to Cal Poly at Highland Drive and the City's portion of the funds for the signalization would be carried over, the City Council should authorize the preparation of plans and specifications for construction in 1971, of the traffic signal at Madonna Road and Higuera Street intersection. D. F. Romero continued that at the present time the traffic there was almost unbearable but that next spring it would become a major traffic problem. He estimated that the cost of signalization due to the complexity of the intersection would be approximately $30,000. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Graham, the City Engineer was authorized to prepare plans and specifications for signalization of the Madonna Road - Higuera Street intersection. Motion.carried. 8. The planned discussion of the layout.of Parking Lot No. 12 at the corner of Higuera Street and Nipomo Street was continued to the next study session. 9. R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer, brought to the,Council's attention the matter of complaints received on the results of the 1970 weed abatement program. He stated that the Citizens Advisory Committee was quite interested in the results of this program as the changes inaugurated for the 1970 weed abatement were based on proposals made by the committee. Lee Scholbohm, Fire Chief, explained to the Council the procedures used this year on the weed abatement. program. On duty personnel were used to post the, lots but the actual abatement was assigned to private contractors who had shown a willingness to take part in the program. He stated that a number.of lots on which the Administrative Officer had received complaints were properties that had been referred to the private contractors for abatement. Chief Schlobohm suggested that as he had just returned from vacation on this date, that he be allowed to prepare a report on the 1970 weed abatement program for the Council's information prior to the September 15 deadline. Councilman Spring felt that the weed abatement program conducted by the City this year was the poorest in the past six years and he stated that he had made a special effort this year to personally follow -up on the weed abatement complaints that were made -to him as a Councilman. Gene Lawn, Citizens Advisory Committee, informed the City Council that he personally was quite disappointed with the 1970 weed abatement program the framework for which had been adopted by the City Council at the recommendation of the Committee. He concluded that most of the lots on which some work had been done this year had been poorly completed and he hoped that some of them could be done in the remainder of this year and really clean up the weed problem in the community: