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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-01-25APPROVED 2/15/77 MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH PLANNING COMMISSION Council Chafnbers, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1977 - 7 P.M. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Parkinson, Finley, Gibson, Slates, Newman, Boyle COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioner Shea was excused from the meeting because of illness NOTE: A TAPE RECORDING OF THIS MEETING IS ON FILE IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT OFFICE. PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENTS 76-6A THROUGH E CIVIC CENTER/OLD TOWN AREA Chairman Slates stated that presentations would be made on each of the areas and the audience would be invited to speak after staff presentation, but that no decisions would be made PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-6A THE EXTENSION OF LAKE STREET FROM MANSION AVENUE TO GARFIELD AVENUE (a) The creation of a primary arterial street with a 100 foot right-of-way generally coinciding with the existing Pacific Electric Railroad right-of-way. (b) Closure of Oregon Street at Yorktown Avenue. (c) Abandonment of Alabama Street between Yorktown and Clay Avenues. (d) Construction of a cul-de-sac street 728 feet south of Clay Avenue. Bryan Austin presented a vugraph and gave a brief presentation on the proposed precise plan. Chairman Slates invited the members of the audience to speak if they so wished. Bernard Rogers, a Lake Street resident, spoke in opposition to this plan, stating that he felt it would serve as access for residents living outside this community who would be travelling the streets. He requested that consideration be given to a service street, and also suggested that consideration be given to making Lake Street and Main Street into one-way streets. He did not feel the cost could be justified. He discussed the noise levels which would be created by the widening and the safety of children who have to cross Lake Street. Staff was directed to study this recommendation. Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25, 1977 Page 2 Clem Dominguez, a Pine Street resident, spoke in opposition to the widening, stating that it would create problems at Pacific Coast Highway and Lake. 'He did not feel the cost of one million dollars per mile could be justified. He also spoke against the closure of Main Street and how it will affect business in that area. He questioned what effect it would have on the redevelopment of the downtown area, and stated that the character of the area should be considered. Steve Holden, 949 loth Street, addressed the Commission and spoke in opposition to traffic being channeled down bake Street. He felt that more study should be given to 17th and Main, Garfield and Main, and Ellis and Main. Connie Mandic addressed the Commission and questioned the validity of th'e EIR on Lake Street, particularly the biological part of it. The Staff was directed to give this further study. Bill Taylor addressed the Commission and inquired as to what would happen to stop signs and,bus route changes. He was advised that sig- nals would probably be installed at Adams and Atlanta, and insofar as bus route changes, this would have to be determined after meeting with Orange County Transit District. PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-6B LAKE STREET FROM PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY TO MANSION AVENUE The widening of Lake Street to a 106 foot right-of-way and street section to preserve the existing westerly parkway. Bryan Austin presented a vugraph and gave a brief presentation on the proposed plan. Chairman Slates inquired if anyone in the audience wished to address the Commission. Barbara Goldfein, 1019 12th Street, stated that she did not feel it was necessary to extend Lake Street to provide more access for traffic. She further stated that the Master Plan was based on Destination Resort which she did not think would ever occur and therefore felt that there was no need for this. She felt that it would destroy the character of the area. Tom Gill, a Lake Street resident, spoke in opposition to the widening, stating that it would take away the existing ball field. Ron Weber, 216 Crest, stated that the portion which would not -be widened would create a bottleneck. He felt that study should be given to one-way alternatives. Laverne Rosow spoke in opposition to the plan, citing unsafe conditions and ruination of character as reasons. She was also against the removal of the bike lanes which would result if this plan is approved. -2- 1/25/77 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25, 1977 Page 3 Mel Heckman, 1203 Park, spoke in opposition to the plan. Lance Jacot, 215 Crest, spoke in opposition to downtown redevelopment, and stated that the widening of Lake Street would create a freeway. He stated that he was very much opposed to it. Norma Meakin, 705 Alabama, discussed the hazards of crossing Lake to the park, and stated that she did not feel the downtown should be split by Lake. She stated that she was in opposition to the plan. Don Perry, 313 2nd Street, stated that the traffic on Main Street could be kept down by maintaining the existing signal system. He spoke in opposition to the widening of Lake and felt the area should be pre- served as a greenbelt. Tom Overton, 1807 Lake Street, discussed the cost of the property acquisition, and spoke in opposition to it. Robert Laugher, 1830 Park Street, inquired if Main and Beach traffic will be modified. He was advised that alternatives are being con- sidered but there are no plans at the present time. S. Brown, 1205 Lake Street, spoke in opposition to the widening. He stated that Beach and Goldenwest lead to the beach areas. He felt the widening of Lake would make it an unsuitable living area for the residents residing there. Marshall Tinsley, 1111 Lake, stated that he had lived in the area since 1945, was opposed to the widening, and that the heaviest traffic is east/west. He felt provisions should be made to handle that traffic. Thomas Gray, 1119 Lake, spoke in opposition to the widening of Lake, and stated that there are other arterial streets which should be con- sidered for serving the interest of those trying to get to the beach. Bill Taylor again addressed the Commission and requested permission to poll the audience to see who was opposed and who was for the pro- posal. This resulted in a unanimous vote of opposition. PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-6C MAIN STREET REALIGNMENT Realignment of Main Street north of Mansion Avenue to coincide with the existing centerline of Crystal Street at Clay Avenue, curving easterly to align with Gothard Street at Ellis Avenue. The ultimate right-of-way to be 80 feet with the initial right-of-way between Clay Avenue and Ernest Street being 60 feet. Bryan Austin presented a vugraph and gave a brief presentation on ..r the proposed plan. -3- 1/25/77 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25, 1977 Page 4 The Chairman then invited the audience to address the Commission. There were no public comments on this proposal. PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-6D MAIN• STREET ABANDONMENT AND CLOSURE (a) The abandonment of existing Main Street from Holly Street to Garfield Avenue and from Clay Avenue to the proposed realign- ment. (b) Reduction of Main Street between Clay Avenue and Holly Street to a local street utilizing the western 60 feet of the existing right-of-way. (c) Closure of Main.Street at Seventeenth Street. (d) Closure of Seventeenth Street at Utica Avenue. (e) Creation of a service road on Utica Avenue between Main Street and Lake Street with a single access to Utica to regulate through traffic on Park and Pine Streets. Bryan Austin presented a vugraph and briefly outlined the plan. Commission discussion ensued.- Commission felt -that Park+and Pine cul-de-sacing should be given consideration. - Bob Laugher, who spoke earlier, addressed the Commission and spoke in favor of a cul-de-sac on Park and Pine as had originally been planned. He spoke against the closure of 17th and Main. John L. Peterson addressed the Commission and stated that he owned three lots at the corner of Utica. He discussed access problems he would encounter if this plan were approved. George Abbond, 1848 Park Street,,spoke in opposition to the plan. Ed Farber stated that if Main were closed it would have an adverse effect on business in the downtown area. Bill Regan, a downtown businessman, addressed the Commission and spoke in opposition to the closing of Main Street. He suggested that traffic could be diverted down Huntington. Laverne Rosow again addressed the Commission stating that since all who had spoken were in opposition to the changes she did not feel it was necessary to discuss further. Bobbie Rothbert spoke in opposition to the proposed plan. -4- 1/25/77 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25p 1977 Page 5 PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-6E THE EXTENSION OF HUNTINGTON STREET TO LINK WITH ELLIS AVENUE Provision of a through local street as a condition of approval for any future subdivision in this area. Bryan Austin presented a vugraph and gave a brief presentation of the proposed plan. There was no one present to speak on this proposal. PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENT 76-1A AND B ABANDONMENT OF SEVENTEENTH STREET BETWEEN CLAY AVENUE AND DELAWARE STREET AND CLOSURE AT MANSION AVENUE Closure of Seventeenth Street at Mansion Avenue and vacation of Seventeenth Street between Delaware Street and Clay Avenue. Bryan Austin presented a vugraph and gave a brief presentation of the proposed plan. Jack Clapp, representing himself as well as the Methodist Church on 17th Street, spoke in opposition to the plan, citing the drainage problems that exist already with the problem being compounded if closure was approved. He also stated that he was opposed to widening lake Street. He further stated that he was opposed to the closure of ain Street. Howard Trabart, representing the Methodist Church, spoke in opposition to the proposed plan. Mel Heckman spoke in opposition to the change in the Park Street plan from the original Precise Plan proposal. Connie Mandic addressed the Commission again and stated that she agreed with OCTD on mass transit corridor and felt this should be given a top priority in traffic planning. Thomas Gray readdressed the Commission concerning the cost of acquisition of property. T. Shoaff stated that he was opposed to the entire plan. Chairman Slates stated that there would be more hearings and alternatives at a later date. Chairman Slates requested that the Staff review the plans and come back at another study session and go over other alternatives. Commissioner.Newman felt that the outcome of the redevelopment hear- ing on January 31 would have a bearing on final implementation of precise plans. -5- 1/25/77 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25, 1977 Page 6 Commissioner Finley felt the situation should be'reassessed after the January 31 hearing. Commissioner Parkinson concurred with Commissioner Newman. Commissioner Gibson did not feel safety considerations had been adequately addressed. He felt the staff should develop alternatives with different goals than those reflected in existing policies. Commissioner Boyle felt several alternatives for circulation.should be brought back to the study session. ON MOTION BY SLATES AND SECOND BY PARKINSON PRECISE PLAN OF STREET ALIGNMENTS 76-6A THROUGH E - CIVIC CENTER/OLD TOWN AREA WAS CONTINUED TO FEBRUARY 23, 1977 BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: LYES: Parkinson, Finley, Gibson, Slates, Newman, Boyle NOES: None ABSENT: Shea THIRD YEAR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION Acting. Secretary Selich introduced -Steve Kohler, Housing and Community Development Specialist,and stated that he would be giving the pre- sentation. Steve Kohler reminded the Commission that last year's HCD Block Grant Application was approved by the City Council in March, 1976, and approved by HUD in August, 1976. He then stated that in November and December, 1976, the City Council appointed a 31 member Citizens Advisory Committee to make recommendations on a community development program and housing assistance plan for the third year HUD application. Since that time the Committee has met six times to review the first and second year HCD applications, the community development needs, long and short term objectives, and approximately 40 projects submitted for consideration as part of the third year community development pro- gram. The Commission requested that it be furnished with copies of the De- partment Head recommendations on third year HCD projects. Commissioner Gibson suggested that staff investigate shortening the environmental review process for the third year HCD application. The Commission agreed to individually rate all the potential projects and submit their priority list to the staff by January 31, 1977, so that staff could tabulate the results and present Commission's tentative recommendations at the public hearing on February 1, 1977. -6- 1/25/77 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25, 1977 Page 7 Mike Rodgers, member of Citizens Advisory Committee, addressed the Commission briefly and Stated that the major intent of HCD is to im- prove housing conditions and economic opportunities for low and moder- ate income families. Lynn Bolding concurred. SUGGESTED METHODOLOGY FOR INTERIM GENERAL PLAN REVIEW Monica Florian reviewed the suggested methodology with the Commission and sought concurrence with Staff recommendation. The Planning Commission directed the policy language be broad but mandatory, that policies concentrate on City activities but not to the exclusion of other agencies when necessary and that policies con- tinue to include directions for further study, investigation and research. Three Commissioners were appointed to serve on the standing committee who will review first draft revisions of the General Plan. They were Commissioners Finley, Newman, and Boyle, with Commissioner Gibson as first alternate and Chairman Slates as second alternate. ORANGE COUNTY NOISE CONTROL PROGRAM The Commission discussed staff recommendations on the implementation of the Noise Element. A MOTION WAS MADE BY GIBSON AND SECONDED BY BOYLE TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE CITY PARTICIPATE IN THE ORANGE COUNTY NOISE CONTROL PROGRAM BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: VOTE: AYES: Parkinson, Finley, Gibson, Slates, Newman, Boyle NOES: None ABSENT: Shea THE MOTION CARRIED. The Commission directed the Staff to contact other cities participating in the program to determine general level of satisfaction and transmit findings to the City Council with Planning Commission's recommendation. MISCELLANEOUS Commissioner Finley stated that she would be attending a 208 Planning Program in Orange on February 2nd. There followed a discussion between Commission and staff as to respon- sibility for water quality control. Acting Secretary Selich stated that Staff would report to the Commission on whether the City is responsible for enforcing water quality regulations. -7- 1/25/77 - PC Minutes: H.B. Planning Commission Tuesday, January 25, 1977 Page 8 The Commission directed Staff to add to the work program the develop- ment of an Energy and Conservation Management Program. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 p.m. and D. Sel'c Acting Secretary t 'I -8- 1/25/77 - PC