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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 1990 0328 CC JNTMINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL /PLANNING COMMISSION Moorpark, California March 28, 1990 A Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission of the City of Moorpark, California was held on March 28, 1990 in the Council Chambers of City Hall of said City, located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: The Joint City Council /Planning Commission was called to order at 7:11 p.m. by Mayor Lawrason. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner John Wozniak. 3. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Eloise Brown, Clint Harper, Scott Montgomery, Bernardo Perez and Mayor Paul Lawrason Present: Commissioners Glen Schmidt, Michael Scullin, Roy Talley, Jr., and Chairman John Wozniak Absent: Commissioner Bill Lanahan Present: Steven Kueny, City Manager; Pat Richards, Director of Community Development; John Knipe, Assistant City Engineer; Debbie Traffenstaedt, Senior Planner; and Dorothy Vandaveer, Deputy City Clerk 4. GENERAL PLAN UPDATE WORKSHOP Pat Richards introduced Terence Austin, Kendal Elmer and Ken Ryan from Austin -Foust Associates. Ken Ryan gave a brief overview of the traffic analysis that has been done by their firm and explained that this process will be faster and more accurate when the computerized traffic model being developed by Austin -Foust is complete. Mr. Ryan then turned the presentation over to Kendal Elmer who initially gave a summary of the handouts that were distributed at the workshop and how they related to the evening's presentation. He began the presentation with discussion of the existing traffic Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California 2 March 28, 1990 situations which have been evaluated within the City. He explained that these were analyzed by one of two methods 1) average daily trips (ADT's) which are calculated when a specific segment of roadway is monitored or 2) peak -hour traffic counts which are conducted at intersections. Mr. Elmer cited the existence of circulation deficiencies and high intersection capacity utilization (ICU) at specific intersections and portions of roadway within the City. He detailed recommendations for each traffic deficiency. Some of the improvements called for the widening of affected two -lane streets to four -lanes and six - lanes, and the addition of left -turn lanes at intersections in some instances. He emphasized that their first objective is to help tie the college area to the central part of town. The second objective is to serve the flow of through- traffic in the City. In response to a question regarding whether traffic at High Street /Spring Street /Los Angeles Avenue showed as a deficiency, Mr. Elmer responded that it had not appeared so in the analysis. He explained that there could be severe problems that the ICU would not show. Councilmember Montgomery requested that the date and time the counts were done be researched and that a recount may be necessary. Mr. Elmer agreed and indicated that at the last workshop it was suggested that a count be done on several intersections and that it revealed two intersections in particular that were worse than previously reported. In addition, it was asked if the intersections of High Street and Poindexter Avenue at State Route 23 showed up as a problem. Mr. Elmer said it did not and it was suggested by staff that he should call and get the numbers for that intersection, also. Commissioner Bill Lanahan joined the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The meeting continued with four alternatives for extending State Highways 118 and 23. These alternatives were intended to be short -term Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California 3 March 28, 1990 improvements that would be compatible with CalTrans improvements in the future. Five additional longer term alternatives for the highway gap closure were then discussed also. The question was asked as to why Austin -Foust had limited the alternatives to the City limits to which, Mr. Elmer responded that once the area of interest is expanded, they will examine it on that basis and then have to consider the County's land use elements. Mayor Lawrason noted that in the basic RFP to perform the analysis there was an item that asked for an extension of Broadway. He asked if this had been considered as part of the highway gap closure. Mr. Elmer said that they acknowledge it, but it was just not mentioned in the plans. Councilmember Montgomery said it should be mentioned and analyzed. Mr. Elmer summarized the key additions and modifications that are proposed as alternatives to the current circulation system in Moorpark and then responded to additional comments /questions from Councilmembers and Commissioners. Councilmember Brown noted that there is a problem with traffic on Grimes Canyon Road and that this is not indicated on the map with the traffic deficiencies. Mr. Elmer responded that Grimes Canyon Road has not yet been recognized as a deficiency. He stated that the traffic model is intended for the year 2020 and that the effectiveness of certain routes, including Grimes Canyon Road, is yet to be evaluated. Councilmember Harper indicated that the alternatives presented are not realistic because they have not taken into account the 118 bypass. Terry Austin said he realizes the alternatives may not be realistic, but they still have to be analyzed. Commissioner Glen Schmidt commented that his idea of the way the circulation element planning should develop takes place in three phases. Phase I allows a look at real problems that require improvements. Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California 4 March 28, 1990 Phase 2 would provide extensions of existing roads to provide a balance of traffic within Moorpark. Phase 3 analyzes the interconnectors between communities. He stated that we need a broader perspective to the area of interest and then a focus on the local areas, otherwise, we are only providing band -aids. Councilmember Brown stated that the City needs to enhance the circulation element of the County because they (the County) have not added roads in this area for years. AT THIS POINT IN THE MEETING, the Mayor called a 15- minute recess at 8:30 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 8:55 p.m. S. PUBLIC COMMENT: A. Dennis Hardgrave, 1830 Lockwood 1110, Oxnard, representing the Levy Company, presented a drawing of their proposal of what can be done about the traffic circulation deficiencies even if CalTrans cannot provide the 118/23 interconnect. Their proposal would use existing freeway rights -of -way as an alternative route for the through traffic and the point of connection with existing SR118 would come west of Gabbert Road. Their client owns the property to the south which would allow for proper left turn lanes to be built. Mr. Hardgrave requested that his proposals be considered. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the 118 bypass were to be extended where would be the logical extension. Mr. Hardgrave responded that it should go to the west of Grimes Canyon Road past the railroad crossing on State Highway 118. There was discussion that the grade coming down Grimes Canyon Road is not designed for major roadway development and that the development plans do not justify that kind of extension of the roadway. Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California 5 March 28, 1990 B. Robert Warren, Ramseyer & Associates, 1881 Knoll Drive, Ventura, spoke in favor of the Levy Company's proposal. He stated that the objective of the mapped route through their property is to provide a route for the recreation traffic to Happy Camp Canyon Park and the truck traffic.' In response to the question of what does the Levy proposal offer that improving the existing roadway does not, Mr. Warren stated that it would put traffic directly to a freeway. C. Eddie Ramseyer, Ramseyer & Associates, 1881 Knoll Drive, Ventura, said he did not need to speak, but was there representing a property owner. D. Herbert Rosenkrantz, 22924 Bluebird Drive, Calabasas, spoke regarding Alternative 4b as presented by Austin -Foust Associates. The land he owns has a dedication at the extreme south border to the flood control district and would make a good truck route. He indicated that the land on the south side of L.A. Avenue has heightened the interest in the development of that property due to the announcement of Payless and the other retail stores. The problem for the developers now is that the City does not know where the streets should be planned to go. E. Bill Fraser, 3929 Willow Creek Lane, indicated that most of the points he wanted to discuss have been addressed already. He said he supports the Hillside Ordinance and wishes it would be passed. F. Pat Basso, 3940 Southhampton Road, said she does not support the alternatives proposed by Austin - Foust. She does not want to see four - lane roads turned into six -lane roads. She expressed the need to get the traffic away from the City. Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California 6 March 28, 1990 G. John Newton, representing Newton Associates, 165 E. High Street, commented that Austin -Foust should be reminded that access to the regional park needs to limit the use of city streets by outside people using the park. He also commented that Austin -Foust should have some sort of a vision tying into the regional demands that are being placed on the City. 6. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS /COMMISSIONERS: Councilmember Harper offered to clarify for Dennis Hardgrave what the Comprehensive Planning Ordinance actually does. He stated that it only regulates proposed General Plan Amendments. Mr. Hardgrave said that he would be willing to discuss the function of the CPO with someone from City Staff or City Council to gain a better understanding. Commissioner Glen Schmidt said he has not seen major differences from General Plan to General Plan over the years and states that he has confidence in the general plan process being done every five years or SO. Councilmember Brown expressed her support for the traffic to be routed north of the City. She stated her dislike of six -lane highways in Moorpark. Councilmember Perez commented that the six -lane scenarios were based on current traffic patterns and are not meant to be ultimate solutions. He also inquired as to what will be discussed in future workshops. Mr. Ryan indicated that Austin -Foust will introduce land use alternatives and holding capacities. They will be seeking feedback from the Council and the community. Minutes of the Joint Meeting of the City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California 7 March 28, 1990 Mayor Lawrason asked if we can look at a more regionalized proposal. He stated that he feels this is very important. Terry Austin said they will start with regional context. Councilmember Montgomery commented to PBR and to Austin -Foust that he would appreciate the presentation materials in advance of the meeting and not provided just prior to the meeting. 7. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Wozniak closed the Planning Commission meeting at 10:10 p.m. MOTION: Councilmember Brown moved and Councilmember Montgomery seconded the motion to adjourn the City Council meeting. Mayor Lawrason declared the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m. Pa.ul W W. Lawraso . , May ohn Wozn' k, Chairman nmm�cm.