HomeMy WebLinkAbout7_25_2000 - Council Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 8, 2000
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING July 25, 2000
3:30 P.M. SESSION
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on July 25,2000 at 3:30 p.m. in an
Adjourned Regular Meeting in Conference Room C, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange,California.
1. OPENING
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Led by Councilman Murphy
2. ROLLCALL
PRESENT - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz ABSENT -
Spurgeon, Alvarez Councilman Alvarez
arrived at 3:45 p.m.)3. PUBLIC
COMMENTS - None 4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
4.1 Discussion
of the Santiago Hills II Project.Mr. Stan Soo
Hoo, Community Planning Manager, reported this is the last ofthe Study Sessions regarding the Santiago
Hills II Project and will focus on the Supplemental Environment Impact Report. Comments have
already been received from the public regarding this EIR and the Environmental Consultant is
responding to those as part of this process. Those comments and responses will be
compiled and made available to the Planning Commission and City Council as part ofthe entire
package. He then introduced Kathleen Brady, Bonterra Engineering, the Environmental Consultant and
primary author of the Supplemental EIR.Ms. Kathleen Brady,
Environmental Consultant, reported an EIR was previously certified in 1989 as part
ofthe East Orange General Plan and has already addressed major issues. The Supplemental EIR focuses
on changes in the environment and the project over the last II years and incorporates new
information that was not known at that time. This was done per the California Environmental Quality
Act (CEQA) which does not require a new EIR, just that it be updated. Both the
original EIR and the Supplemental need to be looked at for this project.The original and
Supplemental EIR have been available for review for 45 days. There have been two public meetings
held during this time, for which transcripts are available; as well as 49 letters which are
being responded to.PAGE 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
July 25. 2000
4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Continued)
She noted the 1989 EIR was a Program EIR which is prepared when there is either a large projectorachainofapprovalsareallrelatedeitherbecauseofthetypeofapprovalsorgeographically.They have used the previous document as base data and added to it. This was done for allsections - traffic, air quality, noise, biology and cultural resources.With
regard to traffic concerns, Ms. Brady explained the traffic analysis uses a traffic model as thedatabaseforwhatthefuturetrafficwillbe, assuming the Orange County Preferred 96 modifiedgrowthassumptionsandasocio-economic data base for the Orange County area fordoingplanningstudies. It assumes the buildout for all projected growth - not just this project,butallgrowththroughouttheentireCounty. It addresses cumulative traffic for the year 2020 andpost-2020. It assumes the build out for the 1989 plan.
In response to questions by Mayor Coontz, Ms. Brady explained that the County, Orange CountycitiesandtheCenterforDemographicResearchatCSUFullertonallsubmittedinformationtoSCAG, who provided the information for their use.
Mayor Coontz noted it would be helpful to have this information reiterated with the exact trafficstudiesandinformationthatwereused; and this information should be available prior to thepublichearing.
Bob Bennyhoff asked about the traffic conditions at Cannon and Santiago Canyon Road.Ms. Brady explained there are a number of scenarios which affect traffic - existing traffic levels,andgrowthprojectionsthrough2005, 2020 and post-2020. This particular intersection is showntobedeficientwithorwithouttheprojectandreviewedseveralmeasuresavailabletoremedythesituation.
Shirley Grindle asked who is going to pay for the traffic improvements.Ms. Brady explained these traffic measures are already included in the City's CapitalImprovementProgramandTheIrvineCompanywillpaytheirproratashare.
The Director of Public Works reported these traffic measures are included in the ClP budget fortheyears2003-04 and 2004-05 (design work) with construction slated
for 2006-07.Mayor Coontz noted the Council can re-evaluate the ClP budget each year; and asked how this relates to
the development time frame.Ms. Brady stated construction is expected to begin approximately
2002 and last
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES July 25, 2000
4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (Continued)
The following people spoke:
Eric Noble, Orange Sphere ofInfluence (submitted photographs of the area)
Julia Jones Ufkes
Shirley Grindle
Their concerns were expressed as follows:
The grading has already begun. It is being done without permits and even before the EIR is
certified, and should not be done until there is an approved plan by the City. It was noted that a
chunk has been cut from the north facing slope that is visible from Irvine Regional Park.
Staff explained this particular area is in the County and not part of the City's jurisdiction; and the
City was told by the County that permits were not required. City engineering staff has gone out
to look at the site to determine if the grading activity is unusual or extraordinary. Access ways
are being cleared, which is consistent with the work to be done. City staff received a report from
The Irvine Company that a biologist was consulted prior to the grading activity to ensure there
was no impact to wildlife or flora and fauna.
Mayor Coontz suggested there should be an environmental consultant present at the site during
the activity in addition to being consulted ahead oftime.
Councilman Slater asked where in the EIR process is this grading supposed to be done.
Staff explained this work was supposed to be done earlier, but was delayed because of gnat
catcher breeding. The work needs to be done in order to do the tract mapping and proceed with
the process. The initial tract map work is not to subdivide each lot, but to create large parcels
consistent with proposed land use sectors.
Councilman Slater expressed concern this may be a "cart before the horse" situation; and
suggested a letter be sent through the City Manager to the County asking for clarification of the
process and what the legal requirements are for grading and preliminary work.
Councilman Murphy suggested there needs to be some type of schedule given to the Council and
staff of any planned activities on the site.
Mayor Coontz agreed there needs to be an understanding of any activity so there are no surprises;
and a contact person needs to be available at the County.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
5. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
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CASSAND ATHCART, CMC
CITY CLERK
July 25, 2000