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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-12-08MINUTES Council Chamber, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California Monday, December 8, 1980 A tape recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office Mayor Bailey 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, Finley, Bailey, MacAllister, Mandic, Kelly Absent: Thomas r CONSOLIDATION OF PARK/TREE/LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL - APPROVED - TREE HOLDING FARM DECLARED SURPLUS The Acting City Administrator presented a communication from the Director of Public Works requesting consolidation of the offices of the Landscape and Tree Maintenance personnel with the Park Maintenance offices in order to improve communication and coordination between these two sections of the Park, Tree and Landscape Division. The Director of Public Works requested that Council authorize moving the Community Clinic building from the old Civic Center to the Park Maintenance Yard. The cost of all improvements would total $96,700. He suggested that the site of the exist- ing tree holding farm in the City Yard be declared as surplus property and sold as residential lots. Daryl Smith, Superintendent of the Park, Tree and Landscape Division presented slides and viewgraphs showing the site and clarified the proposal. Following discussion, a motion was made by MacAllister, seconded by Pattinson, to consolidate the offices of the Landscape and Tree Maintenance personnel with the Park Maintenance offices; to authorize moving the Community Clinic building from the Old Civic Center to the Park Maintenance Yard and other improvements as listed in the memo from the Director of Public Works dated December 3, 1980 for a total cost of.$96,700. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Pattinson, Finley, Bailey, MacAllister, Mandic, Kelly NOES: None ABSENT: Thomas On motion by MacAllister, second Finley, Council declared the two parcel site of the existing tree holding farm in the City Yard as surplus property. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Pattinson, Finley, Bailey, MacAllister, Mandic, Kelly NOES: None ABSENT: Thomas 14 Page #2 - Council Minutes - 12/8/80 PUBLIC HEARING - COASTAL ELEMENT - CONTINUED TO 12/15/80 The Mayor announced that this was the day and hour set to continue a public hearing opened November 17, 1980 to consider the Coastal Element, a proposed addition to the General Plan which indicates the kinds, location and intensi- ties of land uses in the City's coastal zone. The Mayor stated that testimony would first be heard on the Downtown Area and then on all areas of the coastal zone from persons who have not previously given testimony. June Catalano, Senior Planner, presented viewgraphs showing alternative intensi- ties and catagories of uses for the downtown area. Discussion was held by Council regarding height limit recommendations. Ida Henderson, Chairman, Anti -High Rise Committee of Huntington Beach, presented an informal petition listing 607 names protesting urban development of the area. Roseanne Hall spoke on behalf of the Environmental Board in favor of Alternative 1 or 2. She recommended protection and acquisition of the old railroad right-of-way. Rita Bohanan spoke regarding negative aspects in the old downtown area including parking pro lems, sewers and crime. She stated that she believed that high rise buildings would exacerbate the problem already experienced in the downtown area. Ann Carter spoke in favor of Alternative 1. Martin Benson spoke in favor of Alternative 1 and in opposition to Alternatives 2 an 3. He was concerned about parking and wanted a village atmosphere. Harold Jobe stated that he believed a buffer zone is needed between high rise and residential land uses; he cited Fashion Island with golf courses and natural can- yons; and that he did not believe high rise was a compatible development for the downtown area of Huntington Beach. Doug Lan evin stated that he owns a building downtown, but would not be in- fluenced y ecisions regarding zoning as his building is not condemned. He spoke against high rise citing possible parking problems and traffic congestion and spoke in favor of Alternative 1. William Stanim spoke regarding density involving the block running from Pacific Coast Highway from 6th Street to Goldenwest Street. He stated that he believed that medium density residential with commercial nodes would best serve the needs of the communi ty. Kenneth Flint urged Council to approve Alternative 1 and stated that he believed it was the east objectionable of all the alternatives that had been presented. He stated that the downtown area was already high density than elsewhere in the City and would be even more so after zoning as defined in Alternative 1. He stated his concern regarding parking and littering. Dean Albright stated that he represented the Huntington Beach Environmental Board and spoke in favor of Alternative 1. He stated his concern regarding preservation of the railroad right-of-way corridor citing possible future use for rapid transit such as a monorail or tram. Page #3 - Council Minutes - 12/8/80 Jim Samuelson stated that he did not oppose high rise building and cited the need for p anning in the City. Jim Hemsley spoke in opposition to high rise. He stated that he believed that t e entire community had made it clear that they did not want high rise and ad- monished the Council to vote the way their constituency wanted them to vote. He further stated that he believed that the issue should be a matter for referendum on which the citizens could vote. Charles Case requested a show of hands from people in the audience in favor of A ternative . He stated his concern regarding the statistical data used in the fiscal impact reports. He distributed a communication to Council. Frank Mola stated that he was not in favor of any of the alternatives and re- minded �Council that all of the property in question was presently zoned R-4 and that by implementing the present zoning high rise over three or four stories would be precluded. He stated that his company was willing to comply with any decision that the City Council might make. Nancy Aldridge spoke regarding problems she perceived in the downtown area and drew a correlation between high density and an increase in crime, She stated that she believed that the three story building height downtown at the present time was fair and urged Council to keep that height limit. John Stern referred to a newspaper article written by Bob Barker that appeared in��Daily Pilot on November 17, 1980. Mr. Stern stated that he saw a lack of consistency in planning the downtown area in that arteries feeding traffic into the area had been narrowed constricting traffic circulation which would be incom- patible with high density. He urged Council to keep density in line with the previous decisions or change some of the previous decisions and be consistent with current intentions regarding the downtown area. Linda De Gercio stated that she had been working with the proposed skating rink or downtown and cited the lack of facilities for young people in the area. She requested that Council include provisions for young people in the downtown area. Bob Terry stated that he was a downtown property owner and a member of the Down- town 'Development Committee. He stated that the Committee consisted of property owners, Council members and City staff and. that the Committee had discussed mixed use development. He recommended that Council adopt Alternative 3 with no heights mentioned. He also recommended Pacific Coast Highway be enlarged to six lanes and pointed out that Ultra Systems.recommended Alternative 3. Joyce Rollin s, President, Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, stated that to be economically viable the downtown area should be developed under Alternative 3 with no reference to height limitation. She stated that they believed that height could be dealt with during the specific plan process. She spoke regarding the mobilehome park and Pacific Coast Highway and distributed a communication to Council. Will Woods of Huntington Beach Realty stated that the downtown area must change and that it cannot remain a sleepy little village. He stated that he believed that if a change is not forthcoming the City faced rent control and inclusionary zoning. John Conle stated that he bought property twenty years ago and that he was told at that time there would be a revitalization of downtown Huntington Beach and that instead the area had been deteriorating and that it must change. Page #4 - Council Minutes - 12/8/80 Judy_Condomat_os spoke in favor of Alternative 1 and opposed high rise off the coast. Gar Mulligan stated that he was a property owner downtown and was in favor of A ternati, He stated that he believed that private enterprise could do the best job in developing the downtown area and that economics would dictate -the height of buildings. Margaret Ea leton stated that she was a property owner and that her family did not favor high rise. She stated that she believed they would be forced to change but that there must be a compromise plan that could benefit both the business people and the residents. Michael McMahon commended the City Council and Planning Commission on the planning of the town of area. He stated that he was not opposed to a limited number of quality high rise and commercial buildings if they were limited to the downtown area. He stated that he was opposed to changing the density in the townlot area or the extension of high rise buildings from the downtown area down toward Golden - west Street. Richard Harlow stated that he represented the Huntington Beach Company and favored Alternative 3 and suggested that land use be decided separately from high rise. He suggested high density, but not high rise. Tom Moseley stated that as far as he was concerned high rise or low rise was not the issue; he was speaking as a concerned taxpayer. He spoke regarding future City expenditures and taxes and urged Council to develop the downtown area in sucha manner as to bring tax dollars into the City. Cynthia Doe stated that she was against high rise and cited psychological factors, "ire f g fng problems associated with high rise and potential earthquake problems. Dick Dusterhoff described the area he lived in before moving to Huntington Beach as overpopulated and cited traffic congestion, noise and crime. He recalled Huntington Beach when it was predominately a farming community. He stated that he supported Alternative 1. Ed Zschoche stated that he was for change, but one that was compatible with the re'siential environment of the community. He spoke in favor of a'height limita- tion of three stories and the need for a mixture of commercial and residential uses. He stated that he believed that the transportation corridor was an asset in the development of any plan. Lieiana Rinaldi reminded City Council of a Council meeting held December 11th where they voted to rezone 2nd Street. She urged Council to protect the residents of 2nd Street and stated that she was in favor of Alternative 1. Lance Jacot spoke regarding the Project Area Committee and stated that the community had respon ed again and again that they wanted a village concept. He mentioned water bill surveys and input from citizens throughout the City that were in favor of Alternative 1. Leonard Wright spoke in favor of a village and beach atmosphere for the downtown area, a spoke in favor of Alternative 1. 17 Page #5 - Council Minutes - 12/8/80 Richard Holt stated that he was a member of the Downtown Planning Committee; that he had purc ased property in the downtown area in 1963 and had been waiting to see the new city put together. He referred to a memo to Police Chief Robitaille and read statistics regarding crime reports in the downtown area. He distributed a communication to Council. John Gable spoke regarding the crime rate in the downtown area. He paraphrased remarks made by Chief Robitaille regarding crime and downtown redevelopment. Carley Hilton stated that she would speak for the youth of Huntington Beach. She spoke regarcGin9 parking problems, litter at the beach and a dearth of youth activ- ities in the area. She requested that Council consider young people when making decisions regarding the downtown area. Gordon Smith spoke regarding various Boards and Commissions and the wetlands issue. He states t he believed that the definition of wetlands should be argued before the Department of Fish and Game and not before the City Council. Ma!:X Lou Matthias, President of the Huntington Beach Fountain Valley Board of Realtors, spoke regarding her concern for housing within the City. She stated that staff from the Board of Realtors had presented Council with copies of some suggestions to the original draft of the Local Coastal Plan. She stated that they would like to reiterate their position in the matter. Peter Green presented an informal petition to the City Clerk of 2,427 names. The petition was "To Save the Bolsa Chica Wetlands From Marina and Waterfront Home Development." He urged Council to listen to the Planning Commission, Citizens Advisory Committee and the people of the community regarding planning of the Bolsa Chica. Leon Paulos resident of Huntington -By -The -Sea Mobilehome Park spoke regarding com- pensation to property owners if their land was designated wetlands. He spoke regarding the wetlands adjoining the mobilehome property. Ann Bra stated that she lived at the Huntington -By -The -Sea Mobilehome Estates. She stated that she wished to remind Council that four different agencies, each through independent criteria and study, had determined the area from Beach Boulevard south to the Santa Ana river along the Pacific Coast Highway to be wetlands. Tim Paone stated that he was a resident of Huntington Harbour and represented KTJ Properties involving five acres off the end of Edinger Avenue. He reviewed the history of the property and some aspects of the staff report. He stated that commercial use of the property was not feasible. Paul Thompson stated that he was a minor stockholder of the KTJ Properties and spoke regarding the leasing program he had pursued. He stated that commercial use was not viable for this location. Hugh Finley,.of Coldwell Bankers, spoke regarding their efforts in leasing out. sites on the KTJ Property. He stated that they were unable to secure customers due to access.to and location of the site. Don Abby, of Grubb and Ellis, stated that he was an Associate Broker and that KTJ Properties had requested that Grubb and Ellis look at their property last summer and that after deliberation they had decided not to associate their name with the project. He stated that because of the location of the project it was not a viable commercial area. Page #b - Council Minutes - 12/8/80 Bob Odle of the Warmington Company stated that they would be the residential dev�oper for the KTJ Property were it rezoned for this use. Richard Overdorff stated he was a concerned neighbor of the KTJ Property pro- ject and favored residential zoning of the property. Don Glowacz stated he was a neighbor of the KTJ Property and favored residential zoning of the property. Ernie Follico requested that Council change the zoning of the KTJ Property to any type o resi ential zoning. There being no one present to speak further on the matter and there being, no further protests filed either oral or written, the hearing was closed by the Mayor. Mayor Bailey stated that Council would be studying the Coastal Element at the adjourned meeting at 6:00 P.M., Monday, December 15, 1980, and that the Coastal Element would also appear on the December 15th regular City Council meeting agenda, with a final decision scheduled for January 5, 1981. RECESS - RECONVENE Mayor Bailey called a recess at 10:25 P.M. Council reconvened at 10:30 P.M. PERK R/W - AMENDMENT TO CIRCULATION ELEMENT OF GENERAL PLAN TO BE PREPARED Councilwoman Finley reported on the PERR right-of-way Committee and stated that the committee requested that Council make a policy decision regarding the Pacific Electric Railroad right-of-way. Following extensive discussion, a motion was made by Kelly, seconded by Finley, to direct staff to prepare an amendment to the Circulation Element of the General Plan to preserve the PERR right-of-way from the Pacific Ocean to the border of the City. Councilman MacAllister suggested that the motion be amended to preserve the corridor, but that it go around the Huntington Beach Company ranch. Following discussion, the motion made by Kelly, seconded by Finley, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Finley, Bailey, Mandic, Kelly NOES: Pattinson, MacAllister ABSENT: Thomas EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Bailey called an Executive Session of Council for the purpose of discussing litigation matters. RECESS - RECONVENE Mayor Bailey called a recess of Council at 11:07 P.M. She reconvened the meeting at 11:25 P.M. 19 Page # 7 - Council Minutes - 12/8/80 ADJOURNMENT The Mayor adjourned the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach to Monday, December 15, 1980 at 6:00 P.M. ATTEST: C y .Ole- Clerf----- 6 ZZ, •z I � , � �,,- � � � City Clerk ana ex-officio C erk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California 2