HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/26/2005MINUTES
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, JULY 26, 2005 — 4:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members Paul Brown, Christine Mulholland and Mayor Dave
Romero were present at Roll Call. Council Member Settle was seated
at approximately 5:10 p.m.
Absent: Vice Mayor John Ewan
City Staff:
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City
Attorney; Audrey Hooper, City Clerk; John Mandeville, Community
Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; John Moss,
Utilities Director; Jay Walter, Public Works Director; Mike Draze,
Deputy Director Community Development; Tim Bochum, Deputy
Public Works Director; Michael Codron, Associate Planner; Sue
Baasch, Administrative Analyst
INTRODUCTION
Utilities Director John Moss introduced John Hollenbeck, Nacimiento Water Project
Manager for the County.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None were forthcoming at this time. See Public Comments at 7:00 p.m.
STUDY SESSION
1. UTILITY BILLING ENHANCEMENT STUDY — REVIEW OF UTILITY RATE DESIGN
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES.
Administrative Analyst Baasch commenced the staff report. She discussed the history of the
project, and introduced Tom Gould, Vice President with HDR Engineering, Inc.
Mr. Gould provided an overview of the Project Team, the proposed study and scope of
services, as well as the rate- setting process. He reviewed the City's historical rate design
goals and objectives. He discussed ten attributes of a sound rate structure as contained in
James Bonbright's manual, Principles of Public Utility Rates. He restated those attributes,
clarifying and making them applicable to the City. He asked Council Members to rank and
return what they consider to be the top five rate design attributes by August 1 s`.
Mr. Gould and Utilities Director Moss responded to Council's questions throughout the
presentation.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
Administrative Analyst Baasch concluded by emphasizing that this presentation is the
foundation of what the study hopes to accomplish. After the rate structure analysis,
consideration will need to be given to billing frequency and to automated meter reading and
related options. She said the ultimate goal is to provide increased customer awareness and
satisfaction.
Utilities Director Moss concurred and noted the policy discussions will be held on August
23 after the weighting of the goals by Council.
Public Comments
None.
—end of public comments—
ACTION: 1. Received the initial presentation from HDR Engineering, IncJEconomic
and Engineering Services, Inc. (HDR/EES) on the City's Utility Billing system study.
2. Reviewed the City's existing water and sewer rate structure goals and objectives.
3. Council Members also received ballots on which to prioritize their top five goals
which will apply to the development of possibly revised water and sewer rate
structures for San Luis Obispo. The ballots will be returned to staff by August 1st.
Council recessed for dinner at 5:50 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The following residents objected to a two -story, three -unit apartment complex at 1922
Johnson Avenue and asked Council to stop the building until their concerns are addressed.
Their concerns included, in part, the proximity of the building to the residences, a disregard
for the City's requirements, removal of the plants and old growth trees which served as a
landscaping buffer, increased traffic and parking issues, lack of notification,
misrepresentation by the developer, and the project's lack of compatibility with the
neighborhood.
Gus Thomasson, San Luis Obispo
Lv -Lan Lofgren, San Luis Obispo (Ms. Lofgren also displayed photographs of her home
depicting the landscaping before and after the construction commenced, the scale of the new
building and its vicinity related to her property line, and windows that overlook her property.)
Larry Gay, San Luis Obispo
Raeanna Thomasson. San Luis Obispo
Peter Schwartz, San Luis Obispo
Community Development Director Mandeville explained that there was apparently inadequate
communication between the builder and the neighbors. He said that the project approved by
staff was consistent with the City's regulations and policies, but what is being built does not
conform to the approved plans in that the mature landscaping was removed without the
approval of the City. The builder is being required to submit a landscape plan that will
provide a similar degree of privacy. He discussed other steps that may be taken to mitigate
the neighbors' concerns related to privacy. He suggested that the neighbors and builder work
with the City's mediation service in an attempt to resolve some of their concerns.
In the ensuing discussion, Council members expressed concern particularly related to the
removal of the trees and other landscaping, and inquired as to what steps can be taken to
stop the construction, to resolve privacy issues (including modification of windows) or to in
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
some other way hold the builder responsible. There was also discussion related to the City's
Arborist granting approval for the removal of one of the diseased trees.
City Attorney Lowell indicated that he would like an opportunity to review this matter in order
to determine the City's enforcement ability, after which he will provide Council with further
information. He suggested that while Council is unable to take action on this matter at this
meeting, there may be some steps that staff can pursue.
Council asked for a report back on this matter.
PUBLIC HEARING
2. REVIEW OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DRAFT OF THE AIRPORT AREA
SPECIFIC PLAN (AASP) (CONTINUED FROM JUNE 14. 2005).
Community Development Director Mandeville commenced the presentation. He provided a
recap of the June 14, 2005, Council meeting, during which Council provided direction
primarily expanding boundaries of the Specific Plan (Alternative 3 of the Final Program
Environmental Impact Report). He displayed a draft of and discussed what the land uses
would look like for Alternative 3, as well as various components, benefits, and
environmental impacts of this alternative.
Associate Planner Codron expanded on the Land Use Plan revisions that were directed by
Council at the June le Council meeting, reviewed the revised and/or added policies to
ensure airport compatibility, and provided further information related to Alternative 3
impacts as well as recommendations for addressing the impacts.
Community Development Director Mandeville, Associate Planner Codron and Deputy
Director of Community Development Draze responded to questions throughout this portion
of the presentation.
Deputy Public Works Director Bochum provided an overview of the various components of
the Circulation and Transportation Plan (Chapter 6) of the AASP, including the roadway,
bicycle and transit plans. Staff responded to questions throughout this presentation.
Council recessed at 9:05 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 9:15 p.m.
Associate Planner Codron referred to Chapter 7 of the Plan (Utilities and Services) which
provides a framework for water sewage and drainage improvements to accommodate the
proposed development program. He discussed the major storm drainage objectives and
physical improvements associated with this Plan. He noted that the Water and Wastewater
Master Plans will have to be updated based on Alternative 3 land uses.
Utilities Director Moss explained why the updates to the Water and Wastewater Plan will be
comprehensive and will require a need to review all of the components.
Finance Director Statler discussed the Public Facilities Financial Plan (Chapter 8). He
pointed out that new development will pay its own way and that the proposed fees are
consistent with the City's Budget and Fiscal Policies. He explained that Alternative 3 will
reduce impact fees for properties initial proposed in the project and that revised AASP
fees will be brought back on August 23 . He clarified that revised water and sewer impact
fees will be part of the regular update in Spring 2006. He responded to Council's questions.
Discussion ensued during which Associate Planner Codron reviewed recommendations
made up to this point in the meeting.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
Page 4
Mayor Romero opened the public hearing.
Carol Florence, Principle Planner with Oasis Associates, representing property owners in ,
the AASP area, discussed her concerns about projects that are in process through the
County at this time and the impact the AASP will have on these projects. She asked staff to
provide an example depicting how the City's fee structure may impact projects that are
annexed.
David Sargeant. Town Planner with HDR, representing Avila Ranch project, spoke in
support of including that property in the AASP area. He also supported the emphasis on
transportation and transit.
Mayor Romero closed the public hearing.
Associate Planner Codron reviewed the following direction given by Council throughout the
discussion:
1. Reduce the threshold for requiring participation in Transit Demand Management
strategies from 50 employees to 25 employees.
2. As part of the development review process, require development in the Airport Area to
provide for transit facilities such as bus stops with turnouts, transit pads and shelters
adjacent to new development.
3. Implement Mitigation Measure PS -1.1, requiring development south of the 1994 URL and
east of the airport to submit an engineering feasibility study for water and wastewater
demand, through a new policy in the Specific Plan.
4. Include Goal 4.1.11: Agricultural Buffers, and Policy 4.2.7: Agriculture in the Specific
Plan, as recommended in the agenda report.
5. Revise Standard 6.4.3.2 of the Specific Plan, and other related discussion in the Specific
Plan, to identity Tank Farm Road an urban road with a continuous 4-lane section within
the proposed right -of -way.
6. Revise the Specific Plan to create setbacks along Buckley Road that will allow for the
roadway to be widened to four lanes in the future, if necessary.
7. Provide a fee analysis for a hypothetical project based on proposed AASP fees.
8. Revise airport compatibility policy 4.5.1 regarding the Cluster Development Zone and
add policy 4.5.2 regarding Airport Compatible Open Space on the Avila Ranch property.
9. Revise section 7.4: Energy in the Specific Plan to provide encouragement for all forms
of alternative energy production.
10. Delete T -2.4 from Exhibit A of the resolution.
11. Delete LU -2.1 from Exhibit A of the resolution.
ACTION: 1. Reviewed Chapters 6.0 through 9.0 of the Planning Commission Draft of
the Airport Area Specific Plan, and took public testimony. 2. Moved by Settle/Brown
to direct staff to include the direction summarized above; motion carried 4:0:1
(Ewan absent). 3. Continued the hearing to August 23, 2005, to provide staff with
time to prepare a summary of the changes and a final recommendation for adoption
of the Airport Area Specific Plan.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2005 - 4:30 p.m.
BUSINESS
3. RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONDOMINIUM CONVERSION FOR 1017 –1043
SOUTHWOOD DRIVE (PARKWOOD VILLAGE. CON 29 -05).
City Attorney Lowell presented the staff report. He explained that at the July 19"' Council
meeting, Council approved a resolution allowing for a 168 - condominium conversion project
at the Southwood Drive complex (Parkwood Village). As part of that deliberation, Council
relied on its belief that housing constructed on the Cal Poly campus (Cerro Vista) was
constructed in 2004 and could be counted in the calculations for the condominium
conversion. However, it was later determined that the project was constructed in 2003.
Council is, therefore, being requested to adopt a modified resolution that includes findings
which make clear the Council's basis for allowing the conversion to proceed.
A brief discussion ensued, during which Council Member Mulholland indicated that she is
not interested in revising the existing condominium conversion ordinance.
Public Comments
None..
—end of public comments—
ACTION: Moved by Brown/Mulholland to adopt modified Resolution No. 9714 (2005
Series ), which will approve a condominium conversion of all 168 apartment units at
Southwood Drive and supersede Council's approval of Resolution No. 9712 (2005
Series) on July 19,2005; motion carried 4:0:1 (Ewan absent).
COMMUNICATION
Council Member Settle indicated that in reviewing the documents from the July 19"' City
Council meeting regarding the Children's Museum, he has concerns about the bulbouts. He
said this is something he would like to have reconsidered.
A brief discussion ensued during which CAO Hamaian clarified the action taken at that
meeting and reviewed the reason behind that action.
ACTION: Moved by Romero/Mulholland to consider the matter of the remaining
bulbout at the Children's Museum on a future agenda; carried 3:1:1 (Brown opposed,
Ewan absent).
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned
the meeting at 10:35 p.m. to the regular meeting of Tuesday, August 16, 2005, at 4:30 p.m. in
the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo.
D
Audrey Hoope ;
City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 8/16105
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