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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8_23_2005 - Council Minutes - Ajourned Regular MinutesI I APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13,2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING August 23, 2005 The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened an Adjourned Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Council. Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 7:00 P.M. JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION I.OPENING 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Mayor Mark Murphy 1.3 ROLL CALL Citv Council PRESENT - Smith, Ambriz, Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru ABSENT - None Planning Commission PRESENT - Imboden, Pruett, Bonina, Bilodeau ABSENT - Enderby 1. 4 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None 3. CONSENT CALENDAR - None 4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR MURPHY - None 5.REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS - None 6.REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS - None APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING August 23,2005 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 7.1 Report on the Comprehensive General Plan Update. (C2300.E) Alice Angus, Community Development Director, introduced the item. Anna Pehoushek, Principal Planner, reviewed the process to this date. Mr. John Bridges, Cotton/Bridges/Associates, provided a power point presentation on the proposed General Plan. He acknowledged the work of the General Plan Committee (GPAC) members and reviewed the progress to date. He reviewed the Vision Statement, which is the foundation for General Plan goals and policies. Land Use Classification Svstem Mr. Bridges reviewed recommended Land Use Classification System, which includes the addition of new Mixed-Use categories, modifies the Industrial categories, and adds higher FAR' s for several categories.Mayor pro tem Cavecche clarified that there was no commercial/recreation designation without a residential mix.Councilmember Smith noted that the current four Industrial Areas have been reduced to two.Councilmember Smith also inquired about the Urban Mixed Use and how the Traffic Element is addressed as part of that.Mr. Bridges indicated there will be a complete set of all Elements to the General Plan - that this is just a review of the Land Use Element. Mayor pro tem Cavecche clarified that the Traffic Element was not taken into consideration when these Land Use designations were considered. Mr. Bridges indicated that the first step is to look at Land Use designations, then the impacts of those designations, and then modifications can be made after that. In response to Chairman Bonina's question about an economic analysis, Mr. Bridges stated there will be a fiscal analysis which looks at the final result as well as a proposed Economic Development Element. 2 I I APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13,2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING August 23, 2005 Land Use Focus Areas Mr. Bridges reviewed Land Use Focus Areas, which are areas of change, and general GPAC recommendations for each one: West Chapman / Uptown Orange - includinga recommendation for an Urban Mixed Use for the majority of the area, but with a need for open space.Eckhoff Street / Orangewood Avenue - recognizing thepotential to continue to provide options for lower scale office uses and business park oriented light industrial uses.West Katella Avenue Corridor - including a recommendationto expand the Commercial Recreation Mixed Use, which is intended to be a regionally oriented destination.East Chapman / EI Modena - including a recommendation fora Neighborhood Mixed Use designation for certain commercial areas.Tustin Street - Mall Area - including a recommendation for a Neighborhood Mixed Use designation for a large number of properties.Councilmember Ambriz asked if a SR 55 off-ramp at Meats Avenue was considered.Mr. Bridges indicated that issue was discussed but is not part of the recommendation.Tustin Street Palm to Ouincv - including a recommendation for mixed useswith more walkable components.Main Street / West Chapman Avenue - considered a major medical hub with anumber of medical institutions; includes a recommendation for an Urban Mixed Use and Urban Office Professional designations.Chapman Avenue / Tustin Street - focus was on Chapman Hospital designated as Neighborhood Mixed Use, Grijalva as Open Space, and that Y orba Park remain a park.Commissioner Bilodeau noted the absence of a Hospital zone.Mr. Bridges stated that the current designation for the Chapman Hospital property is General Commercial.Councilmember Dumitru suggested more consistencies with the designations for hospitals.Councilmember Ambriz asked about the GP AC recommendations for Y orba Park.Mr. Bridges indicated there was a great deal of discussion on Y orba Park and the Committee members had strong feelings that it should remain a park.3 APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING August 23, 2005 Industrial Areas - includes a recommendation to maintain Cully Drive as residential.Lemon Street Corridor - includes arecommendation for Light Industrial along the western side of Cypress south of Collins and Medium Density Residential to the east of Cypress extending north of Collins.Old Towne / Santa Fe Depot - includes a recommendationto reduce residential densities to maintain the character of the area; with a mixed use around the Plaza and spoke streets.In response to Council questions, Mr. Bridges indicated there is no change for Chapman University from the existing General Plan; that the proposed General Plan is consistent with the Chapman University Specific Plan; that anything currently applied to the Historic District will still apply; that the land use maps are intended to reflect use, not ownership; and that the map will be changed to reflect the closure of Center Street at Chapman Avenue.Lincoln Avenue Corridor Sullv Miller Issues - this was not one of the original Focus Areas, but surfaced throughout the discussions. There are no GP AC recommendations, but there are factors to be considered when contemplating land use options. Speakers John Moore - suggested that the City needsto look more at what the population of Orange really wants.John Baker - stated that the proposed land usesare too developer friendly and will develop the City at a pace that the majority ofresidents don't want.Anja Friday, Cully Drive - wants to see Cully Drive remain as Residential.Vonda Barela, Cully Drive - wants to see Cully Drive remain as LowDensity Residential.Lois Barke - spoke on the need to retain existing residential neighborhoods; and that too much intense development and higher density is being proposed. Jeff Frankel, OTPA - spoke in support of downzoning the Old Towne Historic District; and requested that GPAC members receive current copies of maps, because there seems to be inconsistencies.Augie Morales - spoke on the need to protect the Cypress/ Lemon neighborhood James Obermayer, GPAC Committee member - noted that the Committee members were given alternatives to work from andchose the least dense alternatives given to them; the Committee members were concerned about open space and parks but made little progress on that; and suggested the Council look closely at the comments from the community.Marty Adair - spoke on the Cully Drive issue.Stephanie Holcomb - spoke on the need to address traffic congestion and over development, and to consider open space.Cesar Corvarrubias, submitted written comments on the need to provide balanced residential districts.4 I I APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING August 23, 2005 Council/Commission Comments Commissioner Bilodeau commented that some of the recommendations are overwhelming with regard to densification; that infrastructure needs to be addressed, especially in major corridors; and that the City does not have the resources to address all those issues. He agreed that Cully Drive needs to remain residential. Commissioner Imboden stated he would like to see the GP AC members continue through the process and provide comments and feedback, as it would be beneficial to hear directly from the committee members. Councilmember Smith noted that a mixed use concept is very interesting but suggested more education is needed on exactly what that means; she suggested that perhaps more parks and open space can be utilized in those recommended mixed use areas; and suggested that an economic study be done to determine if more parks and open space can be created in the City. She agreed that infrastructure, such as underground utilities, needs to be addressed; and also expressed concern about the traffic impacts and how that will be managed. She also suggested a timeline for this process. Councilmember Dumitru expressed concern on placing more residential uses along major corridors where the density and traffic is already an issue. He asked for clarification on the alternatives provided versus actual recommendations; and stated he was glad to see parks and open space, as well as Santiago Creek, being addressed. Councilmember Ambriz suggested the City explore partnerships with the School District for parks and open space; and agreed the infrastructure needs to be addressed, especially on Tustin Street. Mayor pro tern Cavecche noted the Plan needs to be aligned with the community vislOn statement; asked for a time line; asked that the GP AC members stay involved with the process; and suggested she would like to meet with some of the members to get a more personal input on the process. She expressed concern on traffic issues, especially if pedestrian traffic is increased along major corridors, suggesting that mixed uses should not be intensified along major streets. She commented that Orange could be a real center for the medical community and suggested relooking at designations for West Orange. It is possible that medical offices could protect the uses in West Orange, while still providing a complement to the medical community. She agreed it is nice to see more parks and open space, but pointed out that the City receives direction from the State to increase housing. There is a need for more housing, but that has to be balanced with the needs of the current residents. She suggested that as businesses come into the City, there could be a fee structure established to encourage businesses to create more open space. She agreed that Cully Drive needs to stay residential. She noted to the Planning Commissioners that she carefully reads their meeting minutes, and encouraged them to go on record with comments on as many things as possible throughout this process. 5 APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING August 23, 2005 Commissioner Pruett commented that in the past, communities were developed which put people in a position where they had to use their cars; and now the Planning community is trying to make a transition where people can live close to where they shop and work. He also noted one of the biggest factors of an increasing population is growing families who need housing to meet that growth. He commented that as all the Elements of the General Plan are pulled together, it will be easier to see how they impact each other and how they flow together; that this meeting was just to look at one element. There is a long way to go in this process, and the issue is to stay involved and be patient. Mayor Murphy noted this meeting was just one step as part of a very long process with a great deal of work ahead. There will always be change and evolution in the City, and there are many variables in trying to manage that change. Input from the business community is extremely important to this process, as it is the economic engine which drives the majority of this. It is also very important to develop a model that the citizens and business community will embrace. Alice Angus, Community Development Director, reviewed a tentative timeline, and will provide a refined time line within the next few weeks. It is staffs intention to bring this to the Planning Commission by late Winter 2006 and to the Council shortly thereafter. At least one additional study session will be planned with a more refined document and more goals and policies. The Council and Commissioners all thanked the staff and GP AC members for their hard work and efforts; and also thanked the community for their involvement. Mayor Murphy asked that when the final timeline is ready, it be published on the City's website. 8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER - None 9. LEGAL AFFAIRS - None 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of the City Council Agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meeting of August 23, 2005 at Orange Civic Center kiosk, Poliee Facility at 1107 North Batavia, and Shaffer Park; all of said locations being in the City of Orange and freely accessible to members of the public at least 72 hours before commencement of said Adjourned Regular Meeting; and also available at the City Clerk's Office.MA MURPHY ITY CLERK 6