HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/24/2004MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ewan, Christine Mulholland, Allen K. Settle,
Vice Mayor Ken Schwartz and Mayor Dave Romero
City Staff:
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Gil Trujillo, Assistant City
Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City
Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development
Director; Michael Draze, Deputy Director Community Development
and Jeff Hook, Associate Planner
CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT
City Clerk Lee Price provided the Closed Session announcement as follows:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code § 54957
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE: CITY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
CITY ATTORNEY
AGENCY NEGOTIATORS: GARY BRUNNER AND
SHARON BRUNER
City Clerk Lee Price reported that the Closed Session was held and that there was no
reportable action.
Mayor Romero announced that the events of the past weekend's Mardi Gras would not be
discussed during this meeting but noted that the matter would likely be disussed on some
future agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING
DRAFT HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE. (Continued from the meeting of February 3,
2004)
Community Development Director Mandeville provided background and summarized Land
' Use Element policies regarding the conservation and development of residential
neighborhoods. Associate Planner Hook presented an overview of the staff report, which
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2004,7:00 p.m.
Page 2
addresses questions raised by the Council during previous meetings, and responded to
questions from the Council.
Mayor Romero re- opened the public hearing.
Steve Barasch, San Luis Obispo, suggested that the Council consider establishing a housing
development zone and spoke in favor of providing incentives to inspire well designed
housing in the right location.
Jon Olsen, San Luis Obispo, suggested that the area on the westside of Broad Street be
returned to the original zoning of R -2.
Jerry Bunin, Government Affairs Director for the Home Builder Association, spoke in support
of the policies proposed, describing them further as `tools for the planning toolbox ". He
commented that the new defintion of "in- fill" is an improvement and noted that if it (in -fill)
occurs on property other than vacant land, it will do what it is intended to do. He also spoke
in favor of relaxing open space requirements to help create incentives for builders and
summarized a handout he brought that shows an alternative approach to achieving affordable
units (on file in the Office of the City Clerk).
Wes Bur President of Association of Realtors, argued that there is a need for moderate
income housing and proposed that a mechanism be developed that would allow incentives
for builders to construct smaller units without deed restrictions. He also stressed a need to
allow for more in -fill development on under - utillized lots in San Luis Obispo. He concluded by
noting that the Association of Realtors supports a variety of programs in the document.
Mary Beth Schroeder, San Luis Obispo, spoke against the idea of relaxing open space
policies and urged the Council to do nothing that will promote growth.
Brett Cross, San Luis Obispo, suggested that the City be allowed the first right of purchase for
affordable units and suggested that there may be alternatives to Table 2 (Inclusionary
Housing Requirements). He also recommended that the definition of "in- fill" not include
current neighborhoods.
Gary Fowler. San Luis Obispo, remarked that the Draft contains no land designated for group
homes, like fraternities and sororities. Staff reported that the Draft does, in fact, include a
policy statement (6.2.6), which is consistent with the Land Use Element, addressing group
homes, but noted that there is little or no vacant or under - utilized land available large enough
for this purpose.
Marguerite Bader, President of League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County,
commented in support of the Draft as written because it Is consistent with the League's
positions on both state and local housing issues.
John French, San Luis Obispo, urged the Council to accept the Planning Commission's
recommendation to approve the Housing Element Update, but noted that the 1971 definition
of a dwelling unit in R -2 zones remains unchanged. He argued that the current definition
creates disincentives to build three bedroom units and suggested that more flexibility be
provided in an effort to create greater incentives. In response to inquiry from Council
Member Ewan, he observed that there is concern that more bedrooms equate to more
people living in the home and explained that there will be much to balance out when
determining how density is being calculated. He also clarified that he didn't mean just in
the expansion areas. In closing, he added that restrictions on R2 parcel size and setbacks
will not get the number of units needed to meet State mandates.
City Council Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, February 24, 2004, 7:00 p.m.
Steve Delmartini, San Luis Obispo, also spoke to the need for more moderate income range
housing and encouraged more planned developments on properties less than one acre.
There is ability to draw funding from the realtors association as well as other ideas to promote
affordable housing, he added.
—end of public comments—
Council continued their page by page review beginning with 6.3.1. Suggestions were made
to modify various sections.
A majority of the Council agreed to amend:
Sections 6.3.1, 6.3.26.3.5, 6.3.6, 6.3.9, 6.3.14, and 6.3.16
Goal 7.1 and Sections 7.2.6, 7.2.7 and 7.3.3
Section 8.2.1
A majority of the Council agreed to strike.
Sections 6.3.8, 6.3.15 and 7.2.8
A majority of the Council agreed to modi and move to LUE 2.2.12:
Section 7.3.4.
1 ACTION: Continued to March 1, 2004 regular Council meeting.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned
the meeting at 10:55 p.m. to Monday, March 1, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Coyacil Chamber, 990
Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. /' � � 1
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 3116/2004
LP:jo
1
City Clerk