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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-11APPROVED MINUTES HUNTINGTON BEACH REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION/ PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT MEETING Room B-8 - Civic Center 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach, California THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 1977 - 7:00 PM PLANNING COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: GIBSON, STERN, NEWMAN, HOFFMAN, SHEA PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: SLATES, FINLEY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: PEREZ, GAROFALO, GRANGER, MILKOVICH REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: BAZIL Vice Chairmen Perez and Gibson called the joint meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: ON MOTION BY GAROFALO AND SECOND BY MILKOVICH1 MINUTES OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MEETING OF JULY 14, 1977, WERE APPROVED AS TRANSCRIBED, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Perez, Garofalo, Granger, Milkovich NOES: None ABSENT: Bazil OLD BUSINESS: WARNER-GOLDENWEST PROJECT STATUS REPORT Monica Florian informed the joint meeting that the Warner/Goldenwest Redevelopment Plan ordinance has had its second reading and will become effective at the end of August. She also reported on the status of work on participation agreements between the City and two major devel- opers. DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PROGRAM Monica Florian introduced the Program, identifying proposed projects and funding sources. She pointed out that, because of the reduced scope of the area, tax increment financing cannot bear all the costs and the program will involve a significant financial commitment from the City. The Commissions are being asked to review and comment on the program and concur with the concepts, objectives, and actual tasks outlined in that program. Secretary Selich noted the two alternative approaches the City can take in the area: 1) recognize existing ownership patterns in the area and the fact that the City will be dealing with individual owners on each parcel, which is the underlying theme that is being presented in this Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 Page 2 program; or 2) adopt the lot consolidation concept, clearing parcels and aggregating the property for large-scale development. He stated that in his opinion the two approaches must be mutually exclusive. Mr. Selich also informed the Commissions that the adoption of this long-term program would not mean that all the projects would be accom- plished in the near future, but would permit the City to begin work in several areas which can be implemented at present without adopting a redevelopment plan, without use of tax increment financing, and without exercise of eminent domain - namely, the Main Street project, the Old Civic Center district development, and development of the pier area. The Commissions discussed the proposal extensively. Commissioner Garofalo and Commissioner Stern expressed the opinions that parking is a fundamental question which should be addressed early in the process by the Agency. Physical means of providing parking were reviewed, such as some type of parking structure, use of City -owned land for park- ing, etc. Financing through a parking authority or an assessment district was discussed. Joe Milkovich concurred that lack of adequate parking would mean the failure of a specialty commercial center or other small commercial use in the area. Commissioners Stern and Shea questioned whether there might not be sufficient interest by private developers in the area to make financing by the private vs. the public sector feasible. Staff informed them of many prior meetings with interested developers, pointing out that the interest is indeed there but each developer has asked to know what the City itself can provide in the way of assembly of developable parcels of land and design concepts. Commissioner Gibson said that too much emphasis is placed in the summary of the program on the commercial uses; he felt that the City should attempt to improve the basic infrastructure of the area as it presently exists, improving the quality of living conditions in the downtown area through the use of capital improvement funds. The "specialty commercial" designation was considered generally as not economically feasible, and alternative restaurant, theater, and entertainment uses proposed. However, some Commissioners felt that such specialty uses would service a presently unserved market area, with Commissioner Hoffman expressing the opinion that a mix of specialty com- mercial, residential, recreational, and small general commercial uses would best serve the area. Commissioner Perez pointed out that the aim of the program is to fix an overall policy and go on to specifics from there, not taking an incremental approach to the program. ON MOTION BY GAROFALO AND SECOND BY MILKOVICH THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMIS- SION ADOPTED THE MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION PROGRAM AS PREPARED BY STAFF, WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY THAT THE STAFF BE DIRECTED TO PURSUE A PARALLEL PROGRAM ANALYSIS OF THE AREA FROM A CONCEPT OF NEW CONSTRCTUION RATHER THAN REHABILITATION, AND THAT SAID CONCEPT BE ADDRESSED AS RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY NEED USES RATHER Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 Page 3 THAN SPECIALTY COMMERCIAL USES (SUCH RECREATIONAL AND COMMUNITY USES BEING DEFINED AS FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE FACILITIES, ENTERTAINMENT FACILITIES, AND RELATED USES). SAID ANALYSIS SHOULD INCLUDE ALL RAM- IFICATIONS OF BOTH CONCEPTS, INCLUDING ALTERNATE FINANCING BY THE PRIVATE SECTION AND/OR TOTAL LOT CONSOLIDATION BY THE CITY, IF POSSIBLE, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Garofalo, Granger, Milkovich NOES: Perez ABSENT: Bazil ON MOTION BY SHEA AND SECOND BY NEWMAN THE PLANNING COMMISSION ADOPTED THE MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION PROGRAM WITH THE SAME RECOMMENDATIONS AND QUALIFICATIONS NOTED ABOVE IN THE PRIOR MOTION BY THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Gibson, Stern, Newman, Hoffman, Shea NOES: None ABSENT: Finley, Slates TOWNLOT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM Monica Florian presented the Townlot Improvement Program, in more specific form methods to upgrade the area and the which itemizes costs in- volved. She asked the Commissions' guidance and recommendations, so that this program or a modification thereof could be forwarded to the City Administrator for consideration and possible inclusion in the five-year Capital Improvements Program presently being formulated. Discussion included consideration of low- and medium -income housing in the area, alternate uses for the existing Senior Citizens Center should that facility be transferred to the old Civic Center site, street im- provements, and methods of funding. Concern was expressed by the Com- missioners in regard to proceeding with the capital improvements portion of the townlot before a final plan for Project Area I has been formu- lated; it was also pointed out by Commissioner Gibson that no time has been allowed for the Commissions to focus on individual items and set priorities. It was the consensus that other concerned Departments within the City should be contacted by Planning Staff in regard to this program prior to Commission action. ON MOTION BY STERN AND SECOND BY GIBSON THE JOINT COMMISSIONS DIRECTED STAFF TO PREPARE A PRIORITIZED LIST OF THE ITEMS INCLUDED IN THE TOWN - LOT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (TO BE PREPARED IN CONCERT WITH OTHER INVOLVED CITY DEPARTMENTS) AND SUBMIT SAID LIST TO THE COMMISSION AT ITS SEPTEM- BER 8, 1977, MEETING FOR REVIEW PRIOR TO FORWARDING THE TOWNLOT IMPROVE- MENT PROGRAM TO THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR FOR INCLUSION IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Gibson, Stern, Newman, Hoffman, Shea, Perez, Garofalo, Granger, Milkovich NOES: None ABSENT: Slates, Finley, Bazil Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS: PIER PROJECT Secretary Selich presented a memo from Vince Moorhouse, Director of Harbors and Beaches, in regard to a policy for development of the pier. The proposed plan would call for a master lessee who would then be responsible for development and subleasing. The Commissions are being asked to review and concur that this would be an acceptable approach to transmit through the City'Administrator to the City Council for authorization to solicit proposals from interested developers. The proposal was discussed by the Commissioners in relation to how such a policy would tie into the Main Street project and how the City could be assured that such a project would be compatible with the total plans for the downtown area. Legal status of existing leases on the pier was also questioned; Mark Travis reported that the present tenants have franchises for three-year terms. It was the consensus that preparation of the project should be left to the discretion of Mr. Moorhouse, but that staff should be directed to pursue the project to assure compatibility of the proposals. ON MOTION BY GRANGER AND SECOND BY GAROFALO THE JOINT COMMISSIONS ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATION AS SUBMITTED, REQUESTING THAT MR. MOORHOUSE PREPARE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE COMMISSION'S NEXT MEETING FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL PRIOR TO SUBMITTAL TO THE CITY AD- MINISTRATOR. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Gibson, Stern, Newman, Hoffman, Shea, Perez, Garofalo, Granger, Milkovich NOES: None ABSENT: Slates, Finley, Bazil Commissioner Shea left the meeting at 9:27 p.m. OLD CIVIC CENTER SITE ALTERNATIVES Secretary Selich presented three alternatives for provision of senior citizen housing on the Old Civic Center Site, prepared in the form of requests for proposals to interested developers and basically contain- ing provisions for three levels of development intensity. He explained the Department's reasons for preparation of the project and requested that the joint Commissions consider the proposals in light of project suitability to the site, timing of the development, and which level of intensity would be most desirable. Commission discussion followed. Commissioner Hoffman indicated that if the project is compatible to the plans of the City and the expressed wishes of senior citizens he would consider that the site was suitable Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 Page 5 and would favor directing Staff to proceed. Commissioner Perez, on the other hand, felt that the site was probably not suitable, citing conflicts of the elderly people with the generally youthful population in the downtown area, distance from shopping, medical, and other fac- ilities, and the influence such use would have on the pattern of development in the downtown area. He noted that if the plan is adopted it would be his preference to provide the maximum number of units and the maximum space for service facilities, noting that he would not be in favor of a plan which -would retain the library. Commissioner noted that he would be in favor of sending out the requests for proposal, but that a fourth concept should be added, perhaps as "none of the above," requesting that a developer submit his own proposal for whatever project he might feel would be more advantageous to both himself and the City. Commissioner Stern objected to the high density proposal and high-rise on the site and indicated his preference for retaining the library. Commissioner Granger also indicated that he would want to adopt the moderate density if the plan were to be approved. Commissioner Newman questioned what would happen to the present uses now on the site. She said that her preference would be for the highest density level, incorporating as many public service facilities as possible with relocation of existing uses to another appropriate site. Commissioner Garofalo spoke in favor of the project, saying that it would be the only realistic major project that could serve as a catalyst for other downtown development and is the most appropriate use for the land. Alternative approaches were discussed by Commissioner Gibson, including use as parking, long-term leasing, or outright sale of the property by the City with the funds to be used in other locations. A MOTION WAS MADE BY GAROFALO AND SECONDED BY NEWMAN THAT THE JOINT COMMISSION TRANSMIT A RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE OLD CIVIC CENTER SITE BE CONSIDERED A SUITABLE LOCATION FOR SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING: AND THAT STAFF SHALL BE DIRECTED TO PROCEED IN SOLICITING DEVELOPMENTAL PROPOSALS PRIOR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN; AND THAT SAID PROPOSALS INCLUDE THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF THE LAND, INCORPORATING AS MANY FACILITIES AS POSSIBLE INTO THE STRUCTURES. Discussion followed. A MOTION WAS MADE BY STERN TO AMEND THE MOTION TO RESTRICT THE CON- STRUCTION ON THE SITE TO NO MORE THAN FIVE STORIES. MOTION FAILED FOR LACK OF A SECOND. Discussion of the possible height limitations followed, considering the history of high-rise proposals in the area. Mr.'Garofalo noted that in the light of past actions he felt any proposal higher than ten stories would not be feasible. Secretary Selich suggested that the key could be compatibility with the surrounding area. Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 - Page 6 WITH CONCURRENCE OF GAROFALO AND NEWMAN THEIR ORIGINAL MOTION WAS AMENDED TO -ADD: . . BUT THAT THE ULTIMATE PROJECT BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SUR- ROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD." AMENDED MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: AYES: Granger, Milkovich,Garofalo NOES: Perez ABSENT: Bazil AMENDED MOTION FAILED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION: AYES: Newman, Hoffman NOES: Stern, Gibson ABSENT: Slates, Finley, Shea Following action on the motion, Commissioner Gibson requested that Staff incorporate some of the considerations discussed at this meeting into the transmittal to the City Council, both in favor of and against the project. FORMATION OF DOWNTOWN PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE Monica Florian informed the Commissions of the requirements of the Rede- velopment Law in regard to the formation of a Project Area Committee and requested them to submit names of any residents of the area who they felt would be particularly qualified and interested in serving on such a committee. She emphasized that the committee must be formed by August 20, 1977. RESOLUTION FOR RON CONTRERAS Staff presented a Resolution of Appreciation to Ron Contreras for his service with the Redevelopment Commission. ON MOTION BY MILKOVICH AND SECOND BY GRANGER THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMIS- SION ADOPTED RESOLUTION NO. 8 IN COM14ENDATION OF RON CONTRERAS, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYYES: Granger, Milkovich, Garofalo, Perez NOES: None ABSENT: Bazil MISCELLANEOUS: Commissioner Milkovich requested that the Commissioners be supplied with a copy of the referenced "Redevelopment Data Overview" mentioned in the letter from the office of Joe Coomes and also a copy of the newly enacted California Redevelopment Law. ON MOTION BY GRANGER AND SECOND BY MILKOVICH THE REDEVELOPMENT COMMIS- SION ADJOURNED TO THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1977, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Granger, Milkovich, Garofalo, Perez NOES: None ABSENT: Bazil Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 Page 7 WARNER AVENUE SEWER LINE The Planning Commission reviewed the Staff's analysis and recommenda- tion on the Warner Avenue sewer line. ON MOTION BY NEWMAN AND SECOND BY HOFFMAN THE COMMISSION FOUND THAT THE PROPOSED SANITARY SEWER LINE ALONG WARNER AVENUE FROM SPRINGDALE STREET TO 800 FEET WEST OF GRAHAM STREET IS IN CONFORMITY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Gibson, Stern, Newman, Hoffman NOES: None ABSENT: Slates, Finley, Shea ATLANTA AVENUE ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENTS Secretary Selich outlined for the Commission's information the history of the existing condition of precise plans for Atlanta Avenue and the reasons for requesting that an alternative plan be processed at this time. Commission is being asked to recommend to Staff which of the alternatives under consideration should be pursued in its preparation of the final plan. Commissioner Stern inquired whether the proposed developer who has re- quested this alignment change has any connection with Mariners Savings and Loan, stating that in such event he would have to disqualify him- self from participation in this matter. It was the determination of Mark Travis that, since the matter before the Commission is only to set a precise plan for public hearing, a majority of quorum is all that is required and discussion and action can proceed without Mr. Stern's vote. Rich Barnard gave a Vu-Graph presentation of the four alternative plans which had been submitted to the Commission as well as a fifth which was subsequently prepared by Staff. Mr. Barnard stated that Alternatives 1 or 2 would be best for obtaining optimum circulation for east -west traffic and crosstown connections. Ed Selich pointed out that in all traffic studies for the downtown area with any intensity of development the recommendation has always been for a smooth flow of traffic between Atlanta and Orange Avenues (which 1 and 2 would provide) and that this traffic flow must be weighed against the lesser cost of other alterna- tives. Commissioner Newman, noting that Alternative 5 is less costly than the other plans, suggested that it might be more acceptable if Lake Street is made a major arteriAl, with which Staff agreed. ON MOTION BY HOFF14AN AND SECOND BY NEWMAN THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOM- MENDED ADOPTION OF ALTERNATIVE PLAN 5 FOR THE PRECISE PLAN OF ALIGNMENT OF ATLANTA AVENUE, AND DIRECTED STAFF TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR RESCINDING THE EXISTING PRECISE PLAN FOR THAT STREET, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Gibson, Hoffman, Newman NOES: None ABSENT: Slates, Finley, Shea ABSTAIN: Stern it 1 4 Minutes, Planning Commission/Redevelopment Commission August 11, 1977 Page 8 ON MOTION BY HOFFMAN AND SECOND BY NEWMAN THE PLANNING COMMISSION AD- JOURNED TO THE MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 7, 1977, BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: Gibson, Hoffman, Newman, Stern NOES: None ABSENT: Slates, Finley, Shea /11 TO., -0 A .'�. 9. 1 Edward D. Selic Secretary - Planning Commission Redevelopment Com- mission :df Charles Gibso , hairman Pro Tempore Planning Commission Manny Perez, Chairman Pro Tempore Redevelopment Commission