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Home My WebLink About09/10/2001. MINUTES.. ' SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2001 —12:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Jan Howell Marx, Christine Mulholland, Ken Schwartz, Vice Mayor John Ewan, and Mayor Allen K. Settle City Staff: Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development Director; Glen Matteson, Associate Planner PUBLIC COMMENT There were no public comments on items not on the agenda. BUSINESS ITEMS 1. LAND USE ISSUES INVOLVING THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY AIRPORT. CAO Hampian and Community Development Director Mandeville made introductory comments. Associate Planner Matteson presented the staff report and recommendations as outlined in the Council Agenda Report. Public Comments Airport Land Use. Commissioner Romero (SLO resident) presented excerpts from the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) analysis demonstrating noise level limits in various zones around the airport, two-year history of nose complaints and recommendations for compatible uses (copies on file in the Office of the City Clerk). He commented In favor of the staff recommendation to appoint a subcommittee and voiced a hope for compromise on issues relating to noise levels and housing. Joe Cardoza, 684 Rancho Oaks (speaking on behalf of the Martinelli Brothers who own about 40 acres south of the east end of Prado Road and outside the City), expressed concerns about the open space designation, as shown by City staff on a map In the Council Agenda Report He argued that the property, currently zoned "Services and Manufacturing ", is hard to develop and asked that staff take the open space designation off the map. Diane Hull. 4485 Sunflower Way, commented that SLO County is expected to provide 2500 units of new housing each year and observed that it is not because of immigration but rather City Council Meeting Monday, September 10, 2001 -12:00 p.m. Page 2 to provide needed housing for current residents. She encouraged approval of the staff recommendation and indicated she was eager for the public to have an opportunity to participate. Carlyn'Christianson. 1159 Visa del Lago (speaking on behalf of Action for Healthy Communities), also stressed the need for affordable housing and urged the Council to look for ways to reach a compromise that will protect the airport and allow for housing. Andrew Merriam, Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee Member, commented that the airport and housing are critical for economic vitality. He spoke in favor of the recommendation to appoint a subcommittee and argued that 60 dB is an appropriate noise level limitation. He pointed out that there is much that can be done to construct homes with better noise control. Airport Land Use Commissioner Tefft, Morro Bay resident, presented excerpts from the Airport'Land Use Planning Handbook and other information to demonstrate how and why the ALUC has developed certain recommendations for amending the Plan (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). He noted areas of Inconsistency with State guidelines and clarified that the ALUC must look twenty to thirty years out beyond today's conditions. Land use density recommendations are to protect people on the ground, he asserted, and limitations are appropriate given the risks of livingtworking in the area of an airport. He summarized the ALUC's basis for noise policies and the recommendation for a 55 dB contour. In addition, he argued that the City needs to provide rental housing for students as opposed to single family homes for purchase. In response to questions from Mayor Settle, he explained the "quiet flight" program and explained that the airport has voluntary noise abatement procedures. Patricia Wilmore, SLO Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that the development proposed for the Margarita area is suburban not rural and housing is needed for employees. She spoke in favor of the staff recommendation and urged a compromise that would allow for a suburban noise limit of 60 dB. Tom Cantrell, SLO resident, expressed difficulty understanding why the City develops in a piecemeal fashion. He urged the Council to consider that building more housing is not the solution for solving the problem of providing affordable housing. He suggested that the proposed school in the Margarita area be moved Into the Orcutt area to avoid problems. Richard Deblauw, 744 Alta Vista Way In Arroyo Grande (Margarita area property owner), noted (in contrast to information presented by Commissioner Tefft) that• housing built today is more soundproof than in years past and can be constructed even more so. He stated that he is concerned that the ALUC is trying to prevent the development of the property for residential use and argued that the Margarita area is an excellent place for housing for people In the City. Julia Brem, SLO resident, also asserted that there is a critical shortage of housing and the Margarita area is appropriate for that type of development George Moylan, SLO Housing Authority, reported that the Housing Authority builds needed low income housing with construction materials that mitigate noise. He clarified that two sites for low income housing (40 units of rental housing) are scheduled for the Margarita area. He urged the Council to share this information with the ALUC and, further, to approve the staff recommendation. —end of public comments- City Council Meeting Page 3 Monday, September 10, 2001 -12:00 p.m. Council Members Marx and Schwartz volunteered to serve on the Council sub - committee. Individual comments followed. Vice Mayor Ewan expressed concern that the ALUC relies upon documents from the 1970's and noted that construction methods and materials referred to are out of date. Council Member Mulholland voiced concern about the amount of noise people in the airport area are subjected to. She urged the Council sub - committee to consider lower decibel noise levels as recommended by the ALUC. Mayor Settle advised the sub - committee to forge a strong relationship with the ALUC because it will make a significant difference whether the development of the Margarita area will proceed. He also stated that he believes the airport can do more to mitigate noise and spoke in support of encouraging the adoption of mitigation measures for departing and incoming traffic. Public Comment: Klaasie Nairne, Airport Manager, addressed the Mayor's comments by clarifying what the airport can do to mitigate noise complaints. She reported that County Airport staff have worked with pilots, formed a committee, and has produced good public relations tools including a brochure. All complaints are logged and each complainant receives a response. Restrictions are not imposed because they are not legally required. She summarized services and expected growth. Mayor Settle urged her to work with the Board of Supervisors to monitor County- approved projects in the airport area. ' —end of public comment — ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to: 1) Appoint Council Members Marx and Schwartz to a Council subcommittee to form a working group with a subcommittee of the County Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and with staff, to identify land uses for the Airport vicinity that are acceptable to both agencies. 2) Authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the ALUC inviting their participation in this process. 3) Give direction to the Council subcommittee and staff to pursue land use alternatives that are consistent, so far as possible, with the City's General Plan, the adopted Airport Land Use Plan, and the State Airport Land Use Planning Handbook, and to report back to the City Council within 90 days. COMMUNICATION Council Member Marx commended the City Attorney for drafting a model lease agreement that local property owners can choose to use when renting housing to students. She suggested that information about the model agreement be made available to the public. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORT Council Member Mulholland reported that the County Water Resources Advisory Committee will recommend to the Board of Supervisors that the 100 acre feet of State Water that has ' become available be allocated to Morro Bay. City Council Meeting Monday, September 10, 2001 -12:00 p.m. Page 4 There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at 2:10 p.m. to Tuesday, September 18, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. 'Vill 6'� Lee Price,-C.C. City Clerk APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 10/02101 LP /mk 1