Adjourned Reg Meeting 10/23/12APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 27, 2012
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
STUDY SESSION
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA
October 23, 2012
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on October 23, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
for an Adjourned Regular Meeting, Study Session in the Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman
Avenue, Orange, California.
6:00 P.M.
Council Chambers
1. OPENING
1.2 ROLL CALL
PRESENT - Whitaker, Smith, Cavecche, Dumitru, Bilodeau
ABSENT - None
1.3 PRESENTATIONS/ ANNOUNCEMENTS/ INTRODUCTIONS — None
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
3. CONSENT CALENDAR — None
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR CAVECCHE — None
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS — None
6. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS — None
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS — None
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
8.1 Update on Implementation of the Recommendations from the Organizational
Assessment for Development Services (From September 25, 2012)
Rick Otto, Assistant City Manager, gave an introductory staff report on the Development
Services Organizational Assessment options. Ed Knight Interim Community Development
Director then explained the twenty opportunities for streamlining the development review
process.
Mayor Cavecche confirmed that staff is looking for direction on how to proceed and that any
changes would still come back to the City Council for formal approval.
Pace 1
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 23, 2012
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued)
Councilmember Whitaker confirmed that all the changes to the Zoning Code are text changes;
no changes to boundaries are included in these recommendations.
Councilmember Smith inquired concerning service stations and alcohol sales. With vehicles
present and traffic involved, are additional permits required. Staff explained that these types of
requests are rare, only one every three years.
Mayor pro tern Bilodeau confirmed that it includes all alcohol sales not just beer and wine.
Mayor Cavecche and Councilmember Whitaker mentioned that Churches and Bingo are good
uses for industrial areas. They confirmed that a CUP requires that noticing must be sent to the
affected area.
Councilmember Smith stated her objection to having the Community Development Director
making decisions alone, in favor of more input into the process not less. Regarding recycling
centers: The public must have a voice in the decision making process. She added, If
determination are made by the Director, staff could add a noticing process to insure the public
is included.
Mayor Cavecche and Councilmember Smith agreed that the DRC should not have final
decision making power. Old Town residential additions are tricky. Councilmember Smith
wants a better public notification process to make sure items are heard efficiently. Smith
identified a project that was built without permits and without public notification in Old Town.
For Non Contributing structures and simple requests, Councilmember Whitaker stated he is in
favor of the DRC making decisions.
Council asked for clarification on Signs. Mayor Cavecche stated she has heard complaints on
the sign program. Councilmember Whitaker stated he also heard complaints of the difficult
process of getting sign permits through the DRC.
Councilmember Smith asked how busy the Community Development Director will be with all
these decisions moving across their desk. Mayor Cavecche asked about the staffing levels
within the department if these changes are implemented. City Manager, John Sibley, updated
Council on the hiring process for the new Director. He added that Customer Service will be a
key component of making these changes successfully. The new Director will need to be a
facilitator of change. Councilmember Whitaker wants staff to be empowered to make changes
to improve performance.
Councilmember Smith noted that over the counter approvals need to be done with people who
understand the community. Contract staffing does not provide good results. Councilmember
Smith wanted to insure that mandatory training is done for all Planners.
Paize 2
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES October 23, 2012
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER (Continued)
Council asked what the process is for approving the annual tree lots that results in parking
being taken away from commercial centers during the busiest time of year. Mr. Knight stated
that the SRC will review all new requests.
Councilmember Whitaker wants to add flexibility related to home based businesses and
allowing limited visiting of the home business. Councilmember Whitaker stated he wants to
see landscape standards be uniform across the Code.
The Council wants to insure that the SRC has all the relevant information and public comments
at the time the decision is required. Councilmember Smith added that the public should be
included in the SRC discussions and that she wants to see the process sped up so the public
does not have wait for decisions.
9. LEGAL AFFAIRS — None
10. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 7:20 p.m. to its Regular Meeting of Tuesday, November 13,
2012, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
Declaration of Chief Clerk, Robert Zornado, declaring posting of the City Council Agenda of
a Study Session on October 23, 2012 at Orange Civic Center kiosk, Police Facility at 1107
North Batavia, and Main Public Library at 407 N. Chapman; 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 Study Session; and available at the Civic Center City Clerk's Office.
aa �jr
ROBgkT ZORNADO
CHIEF CLERK
Paae 3