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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-10-23MINUTES Room b-B, Civic renter Huntington Beach, California Monday, October 23, 1976 A tape recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office Mayor Pro Tem Siebert called the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 7:00 P.M. ROLL CALL Present: Pattinson, MacAllister, Bailey, Mandic, Siebert Absent: Thomas, Shenkman MEETING WITH CITY DEVELOPERS Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert announced that this meeting had been called for the purpose of meeting with the developers in an effort to bring about better communicaton between them. Richard A. Harlow, Executive Director of the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of California, Inc., addressed the audience and stated that the meeting would deal with issues of a general nature bringing Council up to date from the builders' standpoint. The items he suggested for discussion were: (a) attitude toward development, (b) processing time, (c) decision process, (d) vested rights, and (e) where do we go from here? Councilwoman Bailey stated that in her opinion, 'communication' was the biggest problem. She believed that the City and developers have the sane goal, which is to continue improving the City. She stated that she was not a 'no growth' person and believes in `planned and managed' growth and the only way to achieve it is to know what one is doing; what the consequences down the line are; and what is being done today. She referred to problems such as traffic which she believed to be related to too many commercial areas. Councilwoman Bailey suggested that more care should be taken as to where expansion takes place. She believed mainte- nance to be a big problem and referred to sewers, etc. and the need to identify new goals. Whether there would be any low income and moderate income homes built in the City, she did not know. In her opinion the many apartment areas in the City breed crime. Councilman Mandic stated that he would like to see more 'planned development' beautifying the City, and anticipation of problems which may occur along the way. He stated that he would like to see a spirit of cooperation between the City and the developers. Councilman Mandic referred to the processing time; basic limits and hoped that the management change would help increase efficiency of the Building Department. He would like to see the Planning Code Division 9 revised, and referred to ambiguities and misrepresentation which should, in his opinion be ironed out in the beginning, and not brought up later on. In conclusion, Councilman Mandic stated that he believed things had been done in the past through staff without proper authority, which he added, was why he ran for office! r E-w Page #2 - Council Minutes - 10/23/78 Councilman Pattinson stated that he would like Council. to understand some of the problems of the building trade as he believes the City needs a good working rela- tionship with develoeers. He pointed out that in the building iundustry, time is money and costs keep rising; he was, therefore, in favor of cutting the process- ing time. In conclusion, he stated that he was 'pro growthand believed a spirit of cooperation ;-s moving along the right track. Councilman MacAllister stated that he is basically 'pro growth' but in a long- term Master Plan way. He admitted that there are problems in the processing proce- dure and ambiguities in the Subdivision Code and suggested that someone such as Dick Harlow, be given the opportunity to simplify it. He also believed that in the past authorioty had been taken on by staff which should in his opinion, have gone through Council. A more consistent set of rules would, he believed, make every- thing simpler for all concerned. Councilman MacAllister stated that he would like the City to continue to grow and develop, however; in regard to low and moderate income homes, he did not believe the City could afford such projects. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert concurred with much that had been said, adding that he knew nothing about the building industry, but believed the Subdivision Code to be a 'disaster'. He referred to problems he had had in interpreting the code. Mr. Harlow again addressed Council and stated that their move to consolidate two departments (Building and Planning) was a step in the right direction, giving reasons for his opinion. He referred to the involvement of the Fire Department and their concerns in getting equipment down narrow streets; an example of the need to expedite the planning and development process. A viewgraph was shown of the Planning Department process and the many procedures involved. Randy Blanchard, Vice President and Secretary, Sand Dollar Development, addressed Council and stated that he deals with fourteen cities, but Huntington Beach takes longer than any other, to process a tract map. In his opinion, Council needed more faith in their own staff who, he believed, were almost afraid of going against Council in their dealings with developers. He spoke of the great amount of paper- work which had to be gone through before final approval. Mr. Harlow suggested that perhaps a new way could be found to implement Council policy. He believed the City had, over a period of time, 'boxed itself in'. Discus- sion was held on the matter. Frank Mola, Mola Development Corporation addressed Council and referred to the General Plan. He believed that if the General Plan called for a particular type zoning, it was Council's responsibility to notify the developer of what type of work should be done with regard to curbs, etc. prior to 'putting pencil to paper'. He.also believed the developer should be made aware of the fire rating before spending money. Mr. Mola stated that the cost of building in the City is very high, along with the risk involved. He stated that eight months ago, Huntington Beach had the best Building and Planning staff possible, but that since then, many had left the City's employe. In his opinion, there must be some flexibility given to staff. He referred to the lengthy processing time, which costs money, which in turn is passed along to the home purchaser. Mr. Mola believed that steps were being taken in the right direction with regard to the Subdivision Code and dupli- cation of work but believed that Council should concern itself with general aspects. He also referred to environmental impact reports on residential and commercial areas which he believed to be unnecessary. 9C Page #3 - Council Minutes - 10/23/78 Prim Shea, Shea Construction, addressed Council and stated that their main concern is in single family homes and rehabilitation. She gave reasons why she believed staff was afraid to make decisions, and referred to the need for flexibility and situations where approved plans have gone and problems had later developed upon inspection. Charlie Hermanson, builder addressed Council and stated that he believed the Daily Pilot sensationalized everything which is said about the City. It costs $20,000 to find out whether a developer has a deal or not with the City, he stated. Mike Major, builder addressed Council and stated that he concurred with what the other builders had said. Jim Foxx, Foxx Development, addressed Council and referred to the time involved in plan checks, which he claims takes from four to six weeks, and the cost of construc- tion which increases monthly. He pointed out that many developers and builders would like to know early, if they will or will not get a project and if not, they should be told. In his opinion there was a need to treat people on a much more professional level. He stated that contrary to comments made by Councilmen Mandic and Siebert, he believed staff should be given more leeway, and also suggested that the City code have more flexibility built in; Planning a clause to the effect that any require- ments can be waived except density, if those giving approval feel that trade-offs are beneficial. In his opinion, the quality of development is higher elsewhere because downtown is roped in with restrictions. He believed that Council should have more confidence in staff's abilities, in order to cut down time and costs. R. Newcomb, Frank Ayres & Sons, addressed Council and stated that he was listening to input. Ray Newman, Family Home Builders, addressed Council and stated his approval of the present meeting, which he felt was a giant step forward toward improving the situa- tion. He pointed out that the City is furnished with professional staff and that in other cities, one can 'sail through Council', upon staff's recommendations. Referring to remarks of 'too much commercial' development, he believed this input to be improper as he believed owners of commercial properties had a vested interest in discouraging more commercial development. In regard to low cost housing, he stated that the largest factor is fees, and Building Department fees have gone up to a considerable extent. Mr. Newman reflected that over the years these fees were based upon service provided. However, since the passage of Proposition 1.3, it was his opinion that the builder had been singled out to solve all the other problems, and reminded Council that it is the consumer who eventually ends up with the bill. Mr. Newman stated that in the City of Los Angeles there are very clear- cut rules and regulations and interpretation of regulations; staff are professionals and each department has a limited time to give input. In his opinion, the City of Huntington Beach needs less flexibility and more interpretation; there has been too much flexibility in the past; proper rules should be established and upheld. Mayor Pro Tem ore Siebert stated that he was 'pro -industrial' and would fight to keep the Gothard Industrial Corridor 'industrial' as he believed it vital to the growth of the City. Discussion was held on the matter. Councilman MacAllister stated that he would like to see Council work with the builders on a supply and demand level. �i� Page #4 - Council Minutes - 10/23/78 Mr. Marlow referred to previous discussion regarding reasonable relationship of fee increases. He believed the fee process should be reviewed and a look taken as to where duplication occurs and procedures are outmoded. Councilwoman Bailey stated that she would like to see clear and precise policies and goals, and a General Plan that everyone can follow. She refuted an earlier statement pertain- ing to 'automatic votes'. Following further discussion, Mayor Pro Tempre Siebert stated that he believes time should be allowed at public hearings for people to say what they want to say. In his opinion, it was a question of leadership; each Mayor has the discretion to do what he thinks is best, and there is no set policy on the matter. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert further stated that in the past, sometimes before a public hear- ing, there would be a half-hour study session to address problems prior to the public hearing. Tim Paone, Planning Commissioner, offered suggestions to Council. Ray Olmstead addressed Council and stated that the only criticism he had of the City is the time involved in processing, with resulting higher costs to the builder. Ron Russell, Planning Commissioner, addressed Council and suggested that in regard to public hearings, the applicant be given the opportunity to participate in staff discussions. He also hoped that the planning process in the Planning Department could be accelerated. Dick Harlow addressed Council and stated that he believed it important to the developer to know at what point and time he has a project. Mr. Harlow offered his services to the City, believing that he could work on a committee basis, coming back to Council with recommendations for their review. He made several suggestions which might aid in avoiding delays at the Planning level. In regard to public hearings, he believed the applicant should have the opportunity to rebut comments made, and requested staff to come back with a procedure which would address problems of this nature. Following discussion, it was determined that this would have to. be at the Mayor's prerogative. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert stated that in his opinion, development in the City is too big an item not to spend more time on. He suggested that there are many places in the City where zoning is not in conformance with the General Plan and that he believed the Acting Planning Director had undertaken the task. Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert suggested that Council meet before a regular Council meeting and discuss what has been said, in an effort to work out a plan which can be followed. He stated that he would like a date set whereupon specific problems could be addressed and possibly rectified, and perhaps a committee of developers and Council people selected who can prepare something to bring before Council. Councilman Pattinson suggested that should developers have specific problems, they work through a liaison committee. Mr. Bruce Greer addressed Council and informed them that he is inovlved in construc- tion all over t e State of California in various ways. In regard to speeding up plan checks, he suggested that Council look into this procedure on a state-wide level. He also suggested that builders submit methods of speeding up the process. ��f Page #5 - Council Minutes - 10/23/78 Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert stated that he believes the prime concern is processing, which should be the number one concern, and that recommendations from staff and developers be encouraged. Discussion was held on the updating of the Subdivision Code, following which, Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert requested the City Administrator to look into its progress. Gordon Hatch addressed Council and referred to the public point of view. He believed that one of the problems is in communication; ttrat as the City relies on the Huntington Beach News which has a small circulation and the public is not aware of a project until they receive a postcard notice. In his opinion an improvement in the notification system would save the developer a tremendous amount of money. Sergio Martinez, land Use Technician, addressed Council informing them that he is well aware of the problems encountered in the planning process, since he deals on a daily basis with developers. He confirmed his commitment to the Planning Depart- ment and offered suggestions which he believed might help in resolving some of the problems. Councilman MacAllister expressed concern that ground rules be set up and Council's requirements, before a committee is formed; that proper direction be given to such a committee. Dick Harlow informed Council that he appreciated Council taking the time to sit down and meet with developers and listen to their problems. He stated that he would get back to Council at a later date with suggestions. Jim Foxx suggested that the developers submit in writing their problems, along with recommended solutions. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Pro Tempore Siebert adjourned the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach to Monday, October 30, 1978 at 7:00 P.M. Room B-8, Civic Center. ATTEST: Alicia M. Wentworth City Clerk BY: Deputy City Clerk Alicia M. Wentworth City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California BY: SV-Z" Deputy City Clerk Ron Shen man Mayor BY: Mayor Pro Tempore