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: