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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-04-24MINUTES CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Room B-8, Civic Center Huntington Beach, California Monday, April 24, 1995 Mayor Leipzig called the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 5:00 p.m. in Room B-8, Civic Center. JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION REGARDING REVIEW OF GENERAL PLAN UPDATE (440.50) CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ROLL CALL PRESENT: Bauer, Sullivan, Leipzig, Dettloff, Green, Garofalo ABSENT: Harman ROLL CALL - PLANNING COMMISSION - LACK OF QUORUM PRESENT: Kerins, Speaker (Gorman arrived during meeting) ABSENT: Holden, Livengood, Biddle, Tillotson CITY CLERK ANNOUNCED LATE COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS The City Clerk announced the following communications which had been received following printing and distribution of the Agenda and pursuant to the Brown Act were available to the public at her desk. Overview of the Draft General Plan, April, 1995 Draft Copy of Table of Contents - General Plan The Community Development Director introduced Gerald Chapman and Jack Bowland representing the twenty-seven (27) members of the General Plan Advisory Committee. Ms. Fallon also introduced Brian James, Assistant Planner, and Herb Fauland, Associate Planner, staff members who have performed staff work for two years and who deserve much credit in getting the City's proposed General Plan to this point. She introduced Howard Zelefsky, Planning Director, who had realized the General Plan needed updating and began the project. Woody Tescher, consultant with Envicom was introduced to the Council and audience. The Community Development Director reported at length from the Overview of the Draft General Plan, April, 1995, stating that the General Plan is the city's basic planning document; the Constitution for all future developments that are approved within the city and provides a blueprint for development within the community; the vehicle for growth and development and upon which they are resolved. She stated that it is a long range vision of the residents and the business community for how we want our community to grow. She stated it addresses all aspects of development including housing, traffic, open space, safety, land uses and public facilities. 203 Page 2 - Council/Agency Minutes - 04/24/94 Howard Zelefsky, Planning Director reported on the efforts put into updating the General Plan stating that it is not just one group's views but is a consensus of community views. He presented background information. Mr. Woody Tescher presented a slide report utilizing the Overview of the Draft General Plan, dated April, 1995). Mr. Tescher addressed the seven elements that state law requires all General Plans to contain: Land Use; Circulation; Housing; Conservation; Noise; Open Space; and Safety. State law permits the preparation of optional elements and the City of Huntington Beach has chosen to prepare the following optional elements: Growth Management; Economic Development; Coastal; Urban Design; Historic and Cultural Resources; Utilities; Public Facilities and Public Services; Air Quality and Parks, Beaches, Recreation and Community Services. Mr. Tescher reviewed the procedure used to obtain public involvement. Jack Bowland. Chair of the General Plan Advisory Committee, reviewed the role of the General Plan Advisory Committee, stating that GPAC had been formed by the City Council as a result of the City Council's desire for public input. Mr. Bowland stated that the public input included auto dealers, Chamber of Commerce, most of the Homeowner's Associations and school districts. Mr. Bowland introduced Dr. Gerald Chapman. Dr. Gerald Chapman stated that over three and a half years it has been his pleasure to see how all the twenty-seven (27) members of the GPAC who have diverse interests, came together to do the best for the city. He stated that because the Council had the courage to form the GPAC, the city came out with a much better proposed General Plan. Mr. Tescher presented the definition of documents including Vision Statement, Planning Issues, Planning Principles, Environmental Impact Report, Technical Background Report. Mr. Tescher spoke regarding how the General Plan had been organized in order to avoid inconsistencies as has happened in other cities. He reviewed the Major Policies of the Draft General Plan. Mr. Tescher reported on the Circulation Element and the threshold for development. He commented that it was the recommendation that the Gothard Rail Corridor that bisects the community be preserved. He stated that to achieve the kind of uses the City wants, it must reach out for the kind of development desired and not be reactive. Herb Fauland, Associate Planner, stated that it was planned to have a series of study sessions at the Planning Commission level and in late June or July to begin public hearings at the Planning Commission level. Mr. Fauland stated that it is hoped at the City Council level a Council Committee could study major policy issues and have straw votes taken on the others. Mr. Fauland stated that a suggested public hearing schedule has been developed and hopefully the easiest sections will be resolved and the more involved sections can then be focused upon. 2.04: Page 3 - Council/Agency Minutes - 04/24/95 Councilmember Bauer stated he wished to echo the view of the Mayor; that this was a major task and he thanked the members of the community involved. Councilmember Bauer spoke regarding the need to follow through and see the plan gets implemented. He stated that as the city is so built -out it must be remembered that this General Plan will not solve everything. Councilmember Bauer spoke regarding the history of other General Plans and past mistakes to avoid. He spoke regarding the need to correct -the -deficiency of a lower sales tax base than we should have, water capacity and mixed use development, need for youth facilities. Councilmember Bauer stated that as the Circulation Element is to drive the General Plan the city must look at the variables. Councilmember Dettloff presented questions regarding how the General Plan can be ensured to be implemented. The Community Development Director and Mr. Tescher spoke regarding the difference between General Plans now and those in the past which had good intentions yet failed to be used. Mr. Tescher stated that the General Plan needed flexibility and should not be a General Plan that is developed and then put away for 20 years. Councilmember Dettloff asked if this document meets legal consistency and Mr. Tescher responded that he is confident relative to the document. Councilmember Dettloff asked Mr. Bowland and Dr. Chapman if there were any dramatic or controversial issues in the General Plan. Mr. Bowland stated that he did not believe there were any dramatic things however there were some controversial issues. He stated that the state law provides for a certain number of times the General Plan can be changed per year. He stated that he believed this document is so comprehensive that great efforts by the Planning Commission and City Council will be needed to change it. Dr. Chapman responded to Councilmember Dettloff's questions regarding the Bolsa Chica and stated there were general statements in it; there was a sub -committee of Realtors, Amigos de Bolsa Chica members and Chamber of Commerce members. He stated that the concern was that if the Bolsa Chica was annexed it not result in costing Huntington Beach citizens any money at all. Councilmember Garofalo stated that economic development and its impact on the General Plan is a critical issue to him as well as the Land Use Element. Councilmember Garofalo stated that he was not driven by thresholds but by market demands. He stated the need for alternative options to mitigate problems. Councilmember Garofalo requested that the Planning Commission Chairman ask the members of the Planning Commission who could not attend this meeting to view the videotape. Councilmember Green asked for more information on the Growth Management Element. Mr. Tescher responded and Dr. Chapman spoke regarding the importance of addressing the city's circulation plan. The Planning Director responded to Councilmember Sullivan's questions reporting on the approval of development as it relates to the city's infrastructure. Mr. Tescher also reported stating that a monitoring program is absolutely critical. 205 Page 4 - Council/Agency Minutes - 04/24/94 Councilmember Sullivan asked who determines the city's fair share allocation of housing needs. Mr. Tescher stated that it is SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments). Mr. Tescher stated that the state is getting very serious on the issue of housing policy. Councilmember Sullivan commented regarding references for twice as much high density housing than lower density. Planning Commissioner_.Gorman questioned -the legal time frame for adopting a General Plan. Mr. Tescher stated that an important mandate is updating a General Plan and there is a mandate for the Housing Element every five years. Mr. Tescher suggested keeping the General Plan updated on a year to year basis. Mr. Gorman presented questions regarding the "Whitehole" area and the Bolsa Chica area and the Planning Director and Mr. Tescher reported. Planning Commissioner Kerins inquired as to what the additional housing units will be estimated at based on the available land to be developed excluding those applications already processed and existing development agreements and Mr. Tescher responded. Mayor Leipzig again extended gratitude to all the members of the General Plan Advisory Committee. He stated there have been mistakes in the past however he believes the city can be very proud of what past city councils, planning commissions and citizens have done in the community and he hoped now that it can be improved upon. In response to a question by Councilmember Bauer. Mr. Tescher stated there was enough flexibility to address a situation when a development is of financial advisability but not from a traffic viewpoint. Mr. Tescher spoke regarding Councilmember Green's concerns about other General Plan Elements including the Growth Element. Councilmember Bauer asked if comments could be made early on regarding the proposed General Plan and the Community Development Director stated that early comments would be helpful. (CITY COUNCIL) ADMINISTRATIVE PUBLIC HEARING - TO HEAR PROTESTS - WEED ABATEMENT - HEARING CONTINUED TO MAY 1. 1995 The Mayor stated that a public hearing had been scheduled for this date pursuant to Resolution No. 6668 adopted on March 6, 1995, to hear protests to the proposed removal of weeds, rubbish and refuse upon certain streets, sidewalks, parkways and private property n the city. On motion by Dettloff, second Sullivan, Council opened the public hearing and continued the public hearing for any objection and protest open to May 1, 1995. The motion carried unanimously. 2�0 � Page 5 - Council/Agency Minutes - 04/24/95 RECESS The Mayor called a recess of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency. CLOSED SESSION The Mayor called a recess of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency for the purpose of -considering the following Closed Session items: Closed Session - City Council pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to meet with its designated representatives William Osness, Personnel Director, and Daniel Cassidy, Esquire, Liebert, Cassidy and Frierson, regarding Labor Relations Matters - Meet and Confer regarding the following employee organizations: Marine Safety Officers Association (MSOA), Police Officers Association (POA), Police Management Association (PMA), Municipal Employees Association (MEA), Municipal Employees Organization (MEO), Huntington Beach Firemens' Association (HBFA), Surf City Lifeguard Employees Association (SCLEA). (120.80) RECONVENE The Mayor reconvened the meetings of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency in the Council Chamber. ADJOURNMENT - CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY The Mayor adjourned the regular meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to 7:30 a.m., Friday, April 28, 1995 in the Community Room, Huntington Beach Mail, 7777 Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach, California. ATTEST: rZ ZAV4 City Clerk/Clerk Clerk of the Redevelopment Agency and City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California Mayor/Chairman 207