HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/1980City-Council Minutes
October 14,-1980-- 6:15 p.m.
Page 2
1. . City. Council met in. joint.._ session .. with ... tha- .City._Planiiing. Commission
for.. the. purpose - of- discussion;.o.f.'.mu_tual concerns in:..the:Planning /Community
Development Department aiea:
2. Mayor Cooper adjourned.the'meeting --at 8:00 p:ia. to the City Council
Hearing Room at City Hall, 990 Palm Street.
Approved::
rge Thacher, Deputy City-Clerk-
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, OCTOBER.14, 1980 - 8:10 P.M."
HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET
Roll Call
Councilmembers
PRESENT: Melanie Billig, Alan Bond,.Ron Dunin, Gerald Munger and Mayor Cooper
ABSENT: None... .
City Staff, _
PRESENT: George Thacher, Deputy.City Clerk
Planning Commissioners
PRESENT: Charles Andrews, Randal.Bullock, Sylvia Drucker, Rob Rossi,
Alan.Settle;'and Mike Deneve,.Chairman
ABSENT: Sidney Findley
1. . Mayor Cooper.explained.that.the purpose.of the meeting was to be
an informal discussion between the. councilmembers .and.planning.commission
members in an attempt to come closer.together.and..discuss real or imagined
problems-between the.two.groups.
Commissioner.Settle stated he.objected. -to the-staff being excluded from the
meeting and.asked for an explanation.
Mayor Cooper stated that in discussion..with..some.of:..the members of--the-council
and planning commission, . that the least number of participants would.make
for more fruitful discussion and also.some people -felt that both councilmembers
and planning commission members might. speak more frankly if a large mumber of
other members were present, although he felt that the attorney should be present
if needed on legal matters.
The Mayor continued that he would like to.proceed item by item on the '
suggested agenda.
NUMBER 1 - WORK PROGRAM PRIORITIES
Rob Rossi stated the_Planning:Commission.has. decided-on-four-(4) advanced
planning items for study and prioi:itized.them for.completion. He- .admitted
that they are behind 'schedule,- _but,.no more-than a.meeting or two. He continued
that the Planning Commission tries to take on an item at a time for study.
He felt the commission should stick to .the priority .schedule- establ- ished. The
Planning Commission would sit down again,in January or February to establish new
priority schedules-of incomplete items.
City Council Minutes
October 14, 1980 -8:10 P.M.
Page 2
Mike Deneve expressed some concern that some other items should have gone
before the four items adopted and prioritized for _study. He was quite concerned
that the Planning Commission had not given any input to the master park plan.
Sylvia Drucker had no comment on Item No. 1.
Jerry Munger had no comment on Item No. 1, but a general comment of the Planning
Commission's role in interpreting the pulse of the community. He felt that the
City Council needs the Planning Commission's input in trying to address the needs and
concerns of the community.
Ron Dunin stated he felt the Planning Commission did not receive clear direction
from the council. He agreed that amendments to the general plan and zoning
ordinance were important. Nevertheless, he felt that the Planning Commission,-
should move ahead on other planning issues. He did feel that the Planning Commission
tends to get hung up on small issues and he felt that the Planning Commission's first
priority should be communication with each other and act as a body rather than
individuals.
Alan Bond had no comments.
Melanie Billig stated the Planning Commission was unable to see the forest through
the trees. She felt Planning Commission should emphasize future planning
rather than smaller entitlement issues. She also felt that the Planning
Commission was an independent advisory body and the City Council should not
dictate to the Planning Commission.
Charles Andrews discussed with Councilman Munger re the Planning Commission
sitting apolitically vis -a -vis with the City Council. He felt the commission
should be concerned with specifics and generalities.
Allen Settle felt that the priorities the.Planning Commission have set are
' months behind and there are a great number of issues still to be addressed.
Randal Bullock felt the Planning Commission spends too much time on
uncompromising issues...a lot- of'time spent without result.
Sylvia Drucker stated the Planning Commission has a time schedules, but she
was unclear whether the questions is that the City Council is in agreement with
the priorities established by the Planning Commission or is it a matter of
sequence.
Melanie Billig stated it was the time and diligence in which the Planning
Commission moves is of concern. She continued that the City Council is saying
if the Planning Commission is having trouble getting through their priorities,
they should pay attention.to the prioritizing or else delegate some of the
work to staff or ask the City Council for advice or help.
Lynn Cooper stated if the City Council was more aware of the workload of the
Planning Commission, the City Council could better judge when to request
answers or recommend actions from the Planning Commission.
Rob Rossi stated he felt that the Planning Commission had been fairly faithful
to their schedule.
Melanie Billig stated that the energy program has been a concern to her. She
continued that the Planning Commission had not met the July 1980 deadline
on energy, although she can understand that other more pressing matters took
precedence, from their perspective, but the energy program was also important.
She added that the new zoning ordinance was a likely spot for energy regulations,
but this too had been ignored.
Alan Bond stated that he felt that the Planning Commission meeting a$peared to
disagree. He felt too much fillibusting by individual Planning Commission
members was going on.
Jerry Munger felt that the Planning Commission rather than speak to specific
parcels, should speak to broader issues.
City Council Minutes
October 14, 1980 - 8:10 p.m.
Page 3
.;Melanie „Billig felt -the Planning Commission should gpend less time on .
some items. She felt too much rhetoric prior to a decision. Some -:.
recommendations should be made as soon as practicable on every item.
Lynn Cooper felt that this concluded Item No. 1. He felt Planning Commission
had priorities and City Council should not disrupt shcedules unless there is
an urgency to do so.
NUMBER 2 - DISCUSSION OF MATTERS THAT COULD BE DELEGATED
,
Lynn Cooper stated Item 2 dealt with delegation of certain planning /zoning
decisions; but on second thought, this might not be a good idea and less
should be delegated.
Rob Rossi stated that most items considered for delegation are items that come
to the Planning Commission in any event at present, and he felt that making
a final decision at the earliest possible stage is preferred.
Charles Andrews felt that items that do not have to be appealed should stay
at the Planning Commission level.
Mike Deneve felt that if the Planning Commission was doing their job right,
they would establish a favorable reputation; for example, fi the City Council
supported the action of the Planning Commission for most parts, then the
Planning Commission would be doing its job.
Melanie Billig felt that Planning Commission members have an important function
at the City Council meetings,. She felt that -they could-point out discrepancies
in information between the Planning Commission and council. - r,
Alan Bond felt that final maps should be handled at the staff level.
Sylvia Drucker did not feel it was necessary to have Planning Commission members
at every council meeting.
Mike Deneve stated he felt there was a lack of trust between the council and commissio
.
and between the commission and staff.
Alan Bond felt staff should handle more matters. If the City Council had
faith in the Planning Commission, they should give them more decisions at
the final level subject to appeal or not.
Lynn Cooper felt that the City Council should put decisions at the lowest
possible decision - making level. He was very critical of "technical” denials.
Ron Dunin was concerned with denying the right to appeal.
Allen Settle had no problem with delegation, but he did not want to deny the
right to appeal.
NUMBER 3 - HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT
Alan Bond stated city should look to developing standards for the whole
community. But, he felt that hillside development plans should be the first
priority item.
Melanie Billig stated that hillside development requests often result in a
free - for -all due to the absence of standards. She felt that hillside
standards should be a first priority item.
Randal Bullock felt that hillside standards should be arrived at jointly by
the City Council and Planning Commission.
Alan Bond felt that the staff should be putting together a preliminary
draft of hisslisde standards including consultation with cities which have
formulated such standards.
R. Bullock felt that there was too much discussion by the Planning Commission
and staff on the intent of ordinances, guidelines and other Planning Commission
declarations. He felt more clarification was needed for better understanding
of the matter.
Melanie Bii!i A stated she wanted the best advice of the Planning Commission
wi out concern of what they felt the council wanted to hear.
City Council Minutes
October 14, 1980 - 8:10 p.m.
Page 4
Lynn Cooper agreed that clear, concise hillside standards were necessary
for the entire community.
NUMBER 4 - ADOPTION OF PRECUDURES OR PROCESSING MANUAL FOR PLANNING COMMISSION
Rob Rossi stated the majority of the membership of the Planning Commission were
lay people with broad backgrounds in many fields utilized to professional
staff planning decisions.
' Sylvia Drucker felt that there should be an orientation and indoctrination
program for new.members of the Planning Commission to include legal and .
administrative information. She felt orientation was better than a manual.
Melanie Billig felt that bot a manual and orientation were important. She
also felt that a manual for the council might be helpful as well. •.
Allen Settle did not feel there was enough communications between the Planning
Commission and City Council.
Lynn Cooper suggested that council recommended that Lee Walton, CAO, look into
an orientation program, a cooperative effort to educate new planning commission
members.
NUMBER 5 - NEED OF DIRECTION FROM CITY COUNCIL
Jerry Munger felt that the City Council should give some direction and communication
to the Planning Commission. He felt this would result in more harmonious
relationships between the two groups.
Allen Settle suggested that rather than make inconsistent interpretations of
the general plans, they should alter the plans.
Ron Dunin suggested joint meetings with the two groups would be helpful every
' six months.
NUMBER 6 - PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SCHEDULES AND PRIORITIES
Jerry Munger felt that Planning Commission had responsibility for long term
planning but he felt that Planning Commission tends to often get stuck on specifics.
Mike Deneve cited the shopping mall proposal as an example of confusion.caused by
breach of communications and understanding between commission and council
Lynn Cooper asked Planning Commission who they would prefer to make presentations
at Planning Commission meetings.
Sylvia Drucker stated anyone should be able to work with either the commission
or council. She felt questions were inappropriate. She felt it was the
Planning Commission responsibility to work as well as possible with all staff.
Allen Settle felt the Community Development Director should designate who should
appeal before council or commission.
Charles Andrews felt for the commission to say who they would favor to make
presentations would require public evaluations.
' Alan Bond did not feel this was a fair questions at this time.
Mike Deneve felt the commission involvement should be mainly with the Community
Development Director because he coordinates the planning program.
Lynn Cooper asked for comments on the structure of the Planning Commission.
R. Bullock.stated he would support any streamlining of the process..
Allen Settle favors seven person commission.
Charles Andrews favors five person commission. He felt selection was critical.
Melanie Billig favors seven person commission.
Alan Bond favors five person commission.
City Council-.Minutes
October-14,.'1980 - 8:10 p.m.
Page 5
Ron :Dunn, favors :five :person commission-.f.
Jerry Munger favors five person commission with each.councilmember selecting
one member..
Sylvia Drucker asked-.that if obtaining .a.quorum.is.a..problem, she.did. not feel
reducing"the membership was the.answer.;-rather..dismissal of -the non- attending
members. She also felt the-:commission should represent :the entire community.
Thus, seven person commission would more accurately reflect this.
Mike Deneve has no preference. He would be- willing to. -try five.
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Rob Rossi had no.preference:
::Lynn Cooper asked.for_:a..recap: of the..evening.'.s..discussion.
Rob Rossi felt it was valuable to have joint meetings. He sees Planning
Commission voting a.planning decision and.forwarding it to council.
Mike Deneve felt it was.a good idea -to have joint meetings.
Sylvia Drucker felt that this meeting was..more.constructive -than previous
joint meetings. She felt they should be held more often.
Jerry Munger felt that an understanding between.the. commission and.
.council-was important.
Ron Dunin felt that this meeting has:closed.._the.communication gap..
Alan Bond hoped.that some direction would result-from-the meeting and would
result.in staff suggestions for a change.
Melanie Billig.felt..the staff should .begin..work_on.many..of..the items discussed
Charles Andrews .felt that the end result of the meeting should be evident in
.-the next 4. "to 5 months.
Allen Settle felt the commission needed council.direction :on major issues,
citycwaterr,capacity;ras an :emmaple:
R.- Bullock.felt_ there should be more.meetings. of this. type.
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LJI
Lynn Cooper stated he. hoped.everyone- recognized..that once a:decision.is made,
forget. it ,and move on to the next item... He.thanked everyone for attending and
taking part in the discussion. He felt that many matters had been cleared up and he
hoped the commission.and council.could move_ahead.with a little more understanding
of each other's problems.
The City Council thanked the Planning Commission for joining them for dinner
and,for the frank discussions following-the dinner meeting..
2. At 10:25 p.m., the City Council-adjourned to Executive Session to
discuss ongoing litigation - Biloderac Suit.
At 10:35 p.m., the City Council reconvened in regular session; all
councilmembers present.
3. . There being no.further. business to come before -the City Council,
_- Mayor. Cooper. adjourned the meeting at. 10:30 p.m., to.4.;00.p.m. Tuesday,
October 28, 1980.
APPROVED:
11/3/80 J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk
By
George Thacher, Deputy-.City Clerk
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