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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