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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/06/1976 - Adjourned City Council MeetingID1 Roll Call ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COSTA MESA April 6, 1976 The City Council of the City of Costa Mesa met in adjourned regular session at 6:30 p.m., April 6, 1976, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California, said meeting having been duly and regularly ordered adjourned from the regular meeting of April 5, 1976, and a copy of the Notice of Adjournment having been posted as required by law. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Invoca- tion by Councilman McFarland. Council Members Present: Raciti, Hammett, Hertzog, Smallwood, McFarland Council Members Absent: None Officials Present: City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Planning, Director of Public Services/ City Engineer, City Clerk .Public Hearing The Mayor announced that this was the time and place Final.EIR and set for the public hearing for the Final Environmental Land Use Element Impact Report for the Westside Community Plan; and of the Westside Lane Use Element of the Westside Community Plan. The Community Plan affidavit of publication is on file in the Clerk's office. Twenty-nine communications have been received in favor of preserving the Canyon area for public park purposes. The Planning Director recommended that the various issues discussed in -the Land Use Element be considered one at a time, beginning with Issue S2 - Canyons Area, and then Issue S1 - Transition Zone, and finally Issue S3 - Nineteenth Street Commercial District. This was acceptable to the Council, and Doug Clark of the Planning staff proceeded with a summary of the information contained in the Land Use Element concerned with the Canyons Area. The main thrust of this discussion was to state the importance of adopting a Land Use policy to guide the future development or nondevelopment of the Canyons Area. The Planning staff recommendation is that this area be acquired for public park purposes. The Planning Commission concurred with this recommendation and suggested implementation by seeking County, State, and Federal funds. Bob Burke, 924 Evergreen Place, Costa Mesa, and Pat Dolan, 923 West 20th Street, Costa Mesa, representing "Save Our Canyon Committee" gave a slide presentation showing the canyon in its existing condi- tion, and spoke in favor of retaining this area'as a natural park. Mr. Burke and Mr. Dolan were opposed to any homes being removed to accomplish this concept. John Moran, 973 West Arbor Street, Costa Mesa, also expressed concern that no homes should be removed and the City Manager responded to assure Mr. Moran that this was not the City's intent. The following Costa Mesa residents spoke in support of the canyon being retained for park purposes: Verlyn Marth, 3197 Cape Verde Place; John Burkhardt, 890 Darrell Street, representing Mesa West Homeowners Association; and Sylvia Jones, 2040 -Monrovia Avenue. Annabelle Quigley, 990 Oak Street, Costa Mesa, asked if the financial investment in the west side of the City has been proportionate to other areas of the City. Carol Radcliffe, 960 West 19th Street, Costa Mesa, asked how soon the City's development plans for the canyon would be known, assuming that the land is acquired by the City. Howard Fry, Senior Vice President of State Mutual Savings, which owns approximately 35 acres of the canyon property, stated this organization's intention to sell the property and their willingness to enter into negotiations with the City at any time. During the discussion which followed, Mayor Raciti appointed Vice Mayor Hammett and,Councilman McFarland to work with the City Manager to investigate the purchasing price of the canyon property in question. On motion by Vice Mayor'Hammett, seconded by Councilman McFarland, and carried, the City Manager was authorized to proceed with the Council committee with the selec- tion of a property appraiser for this purpose. Issue S1 - Mike Robinson of the Planning staff summarized that Transition Zone portion of the Land Use Element dealing with Issue S1 - Transition Zone. This is the area located on the north side of 19th Street, west of Federal Avenue. Mr. Robinson indicated the staff's opinion that con- tinued commercial use of the Transition Zone is not recommended. Their studies show a poor economic situation which has come about for a number of reasons one of which is suggested to be an overabundance of commercial zoning. The Planning staff recommendation for the Transition Zone is Option A, to encourage redevelopment. This option suggests a repeal of the Transition Zone, relocation of businesses, widening of 19th Street, low interest loans for upgrading property, and a return of the area to strictly resi- dential use. The Planning Commission recommendation on this issue was that the Transition Zone west of Monrovia Avenue be continued, and east of Monrovia Avenue be continued but offer limited commercial zoning with lot consolidation; enforce all applicable codes and standards; widen and extend 19th Street; and that a requirement of sidewalks for all new construction projects and any major remodelings be enforced. The following Costa Mesa residents spoke in opposition to the recommendations of the Planning staff concerning the Transition Zone: Charles Freeland, 864 West 19th Street; Carol Radcliffe, 960 West 19th Street; Mrs. Coleman, 930 West 19th Street; J. A. Hirsch, owner of three parcels of property on West 19th Street; John Burkhardt, 890 Darrell Street, representing the Mesa West Homeowners Association; and Bob Burke, 924 Evergreen Place. Council discus- sion followed after which it was decided that no action would be taken on this issue at this time. Issue S3 - Mike Robinson discussed that portion of the Land Use 19th Street Element dealing with Issue S3 - 19th Street Commercial Commercial District. This area is located on 19th Street between District Newport Boulevard and Monrovia Avenue. The problems of this area as seen by the staff are of a physical and economic nature, together with an excessive amount of commercially zoned property. The Planning staff recommends Option B to encourage recycling of excess commercial property, and a General Plan Amendment of 8.5 acres of commercial property for immediate conver- sion to High Density Residential. A map of the 19th Street Commercial District was displayed showing those areas identified as 1 through 6, which are being proposed for conversion. The Planning Commission voted on Areas 1 through 4 as follows: Area 1, recommended fora General Plan Amendment to High Density Residential with a subsequent rezone to R4 -CP; Area 2, recommended to remain as it is with a Cl zoning classification and a General Commercial General Plan designation; Area 3, the parcels which front on Pomona Avenue in Area 3 to remain commer- cial and the Bethel Towers property be recommended for a General Plan Amendment to High Density Residential with a subsequent rezone to R4 -CP; Area 4, recommended for a General Plan Amendment to Medium Density Residential with a subsequent rezone to R2 -CP. Mr. J. A. Hirsch spoke in disagreement with the High Density designation being proposed for his property. John Burkhardt, representing Mesa West Homeowners Association, opposed any change in Area 1. During the discussion which followed, it was felt that a financial feasibility study and a circulation plan be made available as a necessary aid in these deliberations. At the con- clusion -of discussions, no -action was taken on Issue S3 at this time. Adjournment On motion by Vice Mayor Hammett, seconded by Councilman McFarland, and carried, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. to an Executive Session on April 7, 1976, at 5:30 p.m. It was also mentioned at this time that the regular meeting of April 19, 1976, would adjourn to April 20, 1976, to continue the hearings on the Westside Community Plan. 1 ATTEST: ayor of the y o osta Mesa City Clerk of the City of Costa sa 1 1