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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/1973MINUTES ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA Monday, November 12, 1973 - 7:30 P.M. City Hall Pledge P.oI I Cal I: PRESENT: ABSENT: City Staff: Councilmen John C. Brown, Myron Graham, T. Keith Gurnee and Jesse Norris, and Mayor Schwartz None PRESENT: J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; D. Williamson, Assistant Administrative Officer; A. J. Shaw,Jr., City Attorney; E. L. Rodgers, Police Chief; R. D. Young, Planning Director; and D. F. Romero, City Engineer. 1. Continued Council discussion on the adoption of the Architect- ural Review Ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission and the Design Review Board. R. D. Young, Planning Director, presented for the Council's consideration suggested revisions to the Architectural Review Ordinance as presented to the City Council. The proposed revisions were prepared by a sub- committee of the Design Review Board and staff in cooperation with the Mayor. Peter K. Phillibs;- Chairman, Design Review Board, suggested that on page 4, "Qualifications of Commissioners," be amended to read "The Architectural Review Commission shall consist of seven members who hav demonstrated their sincere interest in the physical environment of San Luis Obispo and are able because of their background training, exper- tise and experience to male positive and fair aesthetic evaluations on the projects which will come before them." Valerie Endres, Chairwoman, Planning Commission, presented an amended wording for the section on Qualifications of Commissioners as amended by.the Commission "An Architectural Review Commission is hereby estab- lished which shall consist of seven members who have demonstrated their sincere interest in the physical environment of San Luis Obispo and are able because of their background training expertise and exper- ience to male positive and fair aesthetic evaluations on projects which will come before them." Mrs. Endres again urged the City Council to adopt the Architectural Review Ordinance as proposed. She also stated that the Planning Commission felt that if the appointments were made on the basis of the criteria just mentioned, the concept of architectural review would be well served within the City of San Luis Obispo. She continued that because it was entirely possible that poor appointments ' could be made if the only criteria were the occupation of the potential members, the Planning Commission felt the new wording actually strengthened the proposed ordinance. Mavor Schwartz stated that since the last Council meeting on November 5, 1973, he had met with an Ad Hoc group consisting of representatives of the Design Review Board, City Staff, and Planning Commission members in an effort to incorporate into the proposed Architectural Review Commission Ordinance modifications that were suggested at the November 5, 1973 meeting. An effort was also made to clean up some of the language. Citv Council Minutes November 12, 1973 Page 2 He continued that unless new testimony was presented at this meeting, he would suggest that the City Council proceed as follows on the adoption of this ordinance: 1. Pass to print the ordinance as amended by the City Council. 2. Establish the effective date for the ordinance as of May 1, 1974. 3. On the presumption that final passage would occur; a. .Appoint a Council Architectural Review Commission interview subcommittee in December to begin immediately with the task of interviewing poten- tial commissioners. b. Direct the staff to prepare a commission recruit- ment ad to appear in the Telegram- Tribune as soon as possible after December 3, 1973. C. Charge the interview subcommittee to have recom- mendations for Council consideration and appointment after January 2, 1974. d. Direct the staff to immediately begin search for appropriate staff addition with appointment to be made not later than February 1, 1974. 4. Upon appointment, convene the Architectural Review Commission immediately, and charge them with the following responsibilities during the January - May 1 interim period. a. Establish commission rules of procedure and obtain Council concurrence. b. Establish Architectural Review Commission standards and guidelines as per paragraph D -2A of the ordinance and again obtain Council concurrence. C. Establish ARC procedures document as per paragraph D -2C of the ordinance and obtain Council concurrence. d. Review on an informal basis any projects which develop or Planning Commission may request advice or guidance. The Mayor felt that if the City Council adopted his procedures, this would permit a reasonable phase -in period. It would allow ample time for the City Council to consider appointments to the commission and hire the new employee, and it would also give that person time to get his feet on the ground prior to actual review hearings on projects. It would also allow the commission itself sufficient time to develop its own procedures as well as the standards and guidelines necessary to assist the public in moving through an architectural review smoothly and with the least loss of time. The City Council, with the help of the City Attorney, again reviewed the proposed ,Architectural Review Ordinance as amended by statements and suggestions at the last public hearing. Mayor Schwartz then declared the public hearing open for input from the public. 1 1 1 City Council Minutes November 12, 1973 Page 3 Fred Strong questioned the need of the proposed ARC as he felt it was just one more step in the process of delaying development in the City of San Luis Obispo, and he felt that this new group should not have the right of permit approval. Art Wilson, Secretary - Manager of the San. Luis Obispo Building Contractors'.. Association, objected to the working in the "Qualification of Commissioners" section as he felt that it was too loosely written to guarantee competent board membership. He stated that it was the feeling of his organization that the membership requirement should be more specific, and he hoped that two of the seven members would be construction managers or contract- ors in order to bring their expertise to the City in evaluating projects. He also felt that this commission should not be authorized to issue permits for construction. Dennis Wheeler, Building Contractor, spoke in favor of clarification of the composition of members of the Architectural Review Commission. He hoped that in all fairness, two of the members would be from the con- struction industry. Peter Phillips, Chairman, Design Review Board, felt that the re- wording of the paragraph listing "Qualifications of Commissioners" was a compro- mise by all the groups working on the proposed ordinance. He then attempted to show the relationship between the recommendation of the Planning Commission and the Design Review Board as they would relate to the new Architectural Review group. Jim Sunderland, General Engineering Contractor, felt that the construc- tion industry or management should be represented on this Architectural Review Commission. ' Dr. Larry Field, Design Review Board member, explained the time spent by the Design Review Board in finally coming up with the wording on the compromise qualifications of commissioners. Jerry Holland, builder, 1779 Husana St., felt that the City Council should make every effort to include representatives from the construc- tion industry on the Architectural Review Commission membership. Mavor Schwartz closed discussion by the public and referred discussion back to the City Council. The City Council again reviewed the ordinance section by section in an attempt to get a consensus from the Council members. Councilman Norris felt that the composition of the Architectural Review Commission, if the Council wished to proceed, should be made up of two architects, two construction managers or contractors, one landscape architect, and two members of the public at large. On motion of Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilman Gurnee that the qualifications as proposed by the Design Review Board be included in the ordinance. "The Architectural Review Commission shall consist of seven members who have demonstrated their sincere interest in the Dhvsi- cal environment of San Luis Obispo and are able, because of their back- . ground training expertise and experience, to make positive and fair aesthetic evaluations on the projects which will come _before them." Motion carried. AYES: Councilmen Graham and Gurnee and Mayor Schwartz NOES: Councilmen Brown and Norris ABSENT: None City Council Minutes November 12, 1973 Page 4 On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Graham the following ordinance was introduced and passed to print: ORDINANCE NO. 600, an ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo establishing an Architectural Review Commission and duties thereof. On the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Brown, Gurnee and Graham, and Mayor Schwartz NOES: Councilman Norris ABSENT: None Councilman Norris stated that he objected to keeping both the Design Review Board and the new Architectural Review Commission and was also opposed to the City Council authorizing the addition of staff and equipment without knowing exactly what that cost would be or what would be faced by the City. Dave Williamson, Assistant Administrative Officer, gave the Council estimated costs of adding one staff member and the approximate cost to support such a position for the balance of the fiscal year. However, he also noted that the question of increased staff load would be studied in detail in future weeks following an analysis of the Planning and Building Department. Several communities have found that the additional workload is not as great as might be expected provided that Commission policies and standards are clearly delineated and plans submitted by applicants are clear and self explanatory. 2 The City Council briefly reviewed the report submitted by the staff on the actions taken by the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District summarizing actions taken by the District since its formation and summarizing.actions taken by the City Council and Board of Supervisors regarding management of waterways within the San Luis Obispo creek watershed since the flood of 1969 and commenting on alternative courses of action for Council consideration. The District was,formed in 1945 by the County Board of Supervisors through an act of the State Legislature. Since that time, nine separate zones were formed for various flood control and water conservation projects. A tabulation of revenues to the District for ten years was also presented to the City Council. At a regular meeting held on November 5, 1973, the County Board of Supervisors rejected City .proposals for joint management of the Zone of Benefit encompassing the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed. At a regular meeting to be held on November 19, 1973, the County Board of Supervisors would consider formation of the Zone of Benefit. The staff stated as previously noted flood control projects were expensive. Major improvements such as dams, levees, and conduits would probably require Federal participation. Some options the City Council might wish to consider were: Support the formation of a San Luis Obispo creek watershed Zone of Benefit, Zone 9; which is empowered to undertake all of the objectives and purpose authorized for the San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District. These broad powers are already authorized for the District and provide for implementa- tion of the multiple use concept of public funds, a concept which will benefit county taxpayers by avoiding some duplication of expenditures for separate flood control and recreation open space land acquisition. Shifting the responsibility for flood control and related planning construction and maintenance from the City to 1 1 City Council Minutes November 12, 1973 Page 5 the County could greatly reduce cost that might otherwise be borne by the City, thereby making these funds avail- able to implement.programs which are more clearly local in scope. 2. Allocate funds for the immediate preparation of plans for future improvements to waterways presently within the City and for areas outside the City which contribute to the flooding problem within the City. 3. Take no position regarding actions of the Board to establish a Zone of Benefit for the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed. Refer all flood control and waterway main- tenance matters to the Flood Control District for resolution. This would clearly shift the major responsibility from Flood Control from the City to the Board of Supervisors. 4. Support the formation in Zone 9; in addition, contribute City money to the District to use in planning for and solving flood control problems within the City. 5. Take no position regarding the formation of Zone 9 and continue to expend City money for maintenance and improve- ments to waterways within the City. The City.Council then discussed what was to be the City's actions at the County public hearing to be held on November 19, 1973, regarding formation of the Flood Control Zone in view of the rejection by the County Board of Supervisors of a suggested joint maintenance and operation organization for the San Luis creek watershed area. ' Councilman Norris moved that the City Council go on record supporting the Formation of Zone 9 Flood Control District to be operated and managed by the County Board of Supervisors. Motion lost for lack of a second. The Mayor was authorized to appear at the public hearing before the Board of Supervisors and again request the Board of Supervisors to reconsider their action for a joint - powers agreement for City /County joint management of the Zone. If they rejected the suggestion, the County would then be allowed to do as they pleased. 3. The Quarterly Report of the City's Capital Improvement program was continued to a future meeting. 4. R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer, stated that in regard to the President's appeal for energy conservation, it was his plan to carry out the following steps among others to help in this effort to conserve energy, and that unless the Council had any objections, he would: 1. Instruct City personnel to travel at speeds riot exceeding 50 miles per hour except when on emergency runs. 2. Order thermostats set at not to exceed 68 degrees wherever controls permitted. 3. Save the cost of about 30 lights by turning off hall lights in the City Hall during daylight hours. 4. Discourage excessive use of City vehicles for out -of -town trips and encourage pooling of vehicles for such purposes where possible. City Council Minutes November 12; 1973 Page 6 The Administrative Officer admitted that savings from such measures would be slight at the local level, but could be substantial supplemented by voluntary cooperation throughout the community. The City Council accepted the recommendations of the Administrative Officer and urged the City staff to conserve energy wherever they could. 5. Communication from Richard D. Wood, Attorney representing Chumash Village Mobile Home Park (Use Permit Application #U0204) requesting the City Council to continue their appeal on the conditions established by the City Planning Commission to a later date so that they might make a presentation on behalf of their clients to the City Council. The City Council had no objection and the matter was continued. 6. Mayor Schwartz adjourned the meeting to Wednesday, November 14, 1973 at 7:30 P.M. for a joint meeting with the Human Relations Commission. APPROVED: February 19, 1974 _ � H. ATRICK, CITY CLERK 1 1