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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/28/20047, L 1 1 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 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; Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney; Audrey Hooper, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development Director; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director; Paul Le Sage, Parks & Recreation Director; Mike Draze, Deputy Director Community Development; Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager. PUBLIC HEARING 1. DRAFT MARGARITA AREA SPECIFIC PLAN (MASP) AND FINAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT. Community Development Director Mandeville and Deputy Director Community Development Draze presented the staff report as it related to land use distribution and responded to Council's questions. Public Works Director McCluskey and Deputy Director Public Works Bochum reported on the circulation component of the Draft Specific Plan, and showed a simulation of the proposed alignment of Prado Road, as well as a simulation of the Garcia's access plan. Staff responded to questions raised related to the Prado Road alignment, as well as to the circulation component of the Draft Specific Plan. Council Member Settle stated for the record that the Airport Land Use Commission has endorsed the MASP. Council Member Mulholland expressed concern that a plan is being proposed around a Circulation Element that is out of date, and that full consideration hasn't been given to the circulation at the southern end of the area, including Buckley Road and the expansion of Tank Farm Road to four lanes. Her concern included the potential truck traffic going through a residential area. She also expressed concern related to the affordability of future housing in the Margarita area, since the costs of a Prado Road overpass will be borne by the developers. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. City Council Meeting Tuesday, September 28, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Elizabeth Kyle- Rhigetti, Chumash Village, referred to correspondence she has sent previously (on file in the Community Development Department) and discussed her concerns related to units that could be built near the mobile home park. Council recessed from 8:45 to 8:55 p.m. Page 2 Mary Beth Schroeder. San Luis Obispo, spoke in support of the Damon- Garcia families, the sports fields, and the residential development. However, she opposed a mixed use development and the alignment of Prado Road. Todd Cooper, San Luis Obispo, spoke in support of the MASP and the northern alignment of Prado Road. He said that, in light of the Damon - Garcia family's willingness to provide right -of -way, the construction of Prado Road should be expedited. Tenn Simons, San Luis Obispo (representing the Damon- Garcia family), said that with the exception of minor issues related to the Planning Commission's draft, they support the proposed MASP. He confirmed that the Damon - Garcia family is prepared to enter into agreements with the City to provide the right -of -way, along with planning documents, to allow construction to the first phase standard of Prado Road. Nick Muick, San Luis Obispo, disagreed with the northerly alignment of Prado Road. He said he would like to see other simulations, and that he doesn't think roundabouts create the same traffic break that signals do. He also said he has concerns about Route 227 going over Prado Road. Eugene Jud, San Luis Obispo, explained why he doesn't.think there is a need for Prado Road to be located next to the sports fields. He distributed information in support of his position (on file in the Community Development Department). Bill Wilson, San Luis Obispo, spoke in opposition to the alignment of Prado Road and in support of a fourth field on the sports complex. He displayed drawings in support of his comments. Michael Sullivan, San Luis Obispo, expressed concern about certifying the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) without a full CEQA review of the Prado Road interchange and apart from the Airport Area Specific Plan. He displayed a number of slides supporting his belief that there are a number of components in the EIR that are inadequate. He said he thought the southern alignment is preferable to the northern alignment, which is too close to the archeological site and is incompatible with the playing fields. Mila Vuiovich- LaBarre, San Luis Obispo, opposed the northern alignment of Prado Road and stated that the land should be used for other recreational purposes. She expressed concern regarding the lack of an environmental study related to circulation, noise and pollution on Prado Road and Broad Street, and suggested the connection should be through Tank Farm Road. Andrew Carter, San Luis Obispo, disagreed with Council Member Mulholland's estimate of what it will cost developers, and thus new home buyers, to build the proposed interchange. He said there is a need for this Council to comply with the decision of the previous Council related to the alignment of Prado Road. He questioned the size of Prado Road and whether there is a way in which it could take up less land. City Council Meeting Tuesday, September 28, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Page 3 John French, San Luis Obispo, pointed out that the alignment of Prado Road has been raised and confirmed many times since the Circulation Element was adopted. He explained why he thinks the proposed alignment is the best option. Patricia Wilmore, representing the Chamber of Commerce, discussed the critical need for housing in San Luis Obispo, noted that the plan provides for 870 housing units, and said it would be remiss not to focus on this aspect of the Draft MASP. Dave Watson said he was speaking on behalf of John King (King Ventures). He said 1) they support the Planning Commission recommendations related to land use and circulation; 2) they are in support of the EIR; 3) they have met with residents from Chumash Village and have proposed increased setbacks, and would suggest that Council consider adding a requirement that would limit garages in the setback to one -story; and 4) they would welcome the dedication of right -of -way to the community by Damon - Garcia and Martinelli at the earliest possible date. Bill Almas, representing Unocal, supported the plan, but indicated that they still have concerns regarding the fee structure, which they'll address at a future time. John Hammond, San Luis Obispo, supported the proposal, including the Prado Road extension in order to alleviate traffic on the east side of the City. He also supported construction of the housing. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. Council Member Mulholland responded to Mr. Carter's comments related to the fees for the Prado Road interchange. Community Development Director Mandeville, Public Works Director McCluskev, Deputy Director Community Development Draze responded to questions and clarified comments made by members of the public. Council Member Settle discussed his involvement in the adoption of the Circulation and Land Use Elements of the General Plan, and expressed his continued support of the northern alignment as part of the City's goal to provide the housing the plan proposes. Council Member Ewan also spoke in support of the plan, concurring with comments made by Council Member Settle, and noting that the issue is the housing that must be built in accordance with the City's Housing Element. He discussed the need for a connection both with Higuera Street and Broad Street, and pointed out that it could not occur at Tank Farm Road and Broad Street. Council Member Mulholland clarified that Council is not being asked, in the agenda report, to certify the EIR at this meeting and asked that this not be done. She said that she likes the housing and layout of the plan, but opposes the circulation plan. She concurred that anything built in the 20 -foot setback adjacent to Chumash Village should be one -story in height. Staff clarified that they were proposing that no structures be built within the 20 -foot setback. I Vice Mayor Schwartz discussed the importance of building the Prado Road interchange. He supported the comments made by Council Members Settle and Ewan related to the MASP and the EIR, and the need for the housing. City Council Meeting Page 4 Tuesday, September 28, 2004, 7:00 p.m. Mayor Romero said he is anxious to see progress made on the housing. He discussed his original support of the Industrial Way alignment, which is no longer an option. He asked that consideration be given to having adequate right -of -way to eventually expand Santa Fe to four lanes. He expressed concern with the modal split of bicyclelpedestrian trips and automobile traffic used in the City's traffic plan, and suggested that there will be more cars than the modal split predicts. He also suggested that a 2025 buildout date is too short a time frame in which to design the highways.. He said he thinks Tank Farm Road will eventually need to be a four -lane road, as will Buckley Road. Staff clarified that it is within Council's purview and discretion to preserve extra right -of- way. While the number of traffic lanes is related to the EIR, the size of the right -of -way is not In accordance with language proposed by Community Development Director Mandeville, Council Member Settle moved to endorse the Land Use and Circulation Chapter of the MASP and to direct staff to return on October 12th with a presentation of infrastructure and financing, as well as ordinances and resolutions to adopt the MASP. Council Member Ewan seconded the motion. Council Member Mulholland stated for the record that she will be voting against the motion because she cannot endorse the circulation component. The motion passed by a 4/1 vote (Mulholland opposing). Council Member Settle moved to continue this matter to the meeting of October 12`". Council Member Ewan seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 5/0 vote. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m. to Tuesday, October 5, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. Audrey Ho City Cler APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 10!19/2004