Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 2000 0426 CC JNTMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION Moorpark, California April 26, 2000 A Special Joint Meeting of the Moorpark City Council and Planning Commission was held on April 26, 2000 at 6:30 p.m. at the Moorpark Community Center located at 799 Moorpark Avenue, Moorpark, California. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Hunter called the City Council to order at 6:49 p.m. Chair DiCecco called the Planning Commission to order at 6:49 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: City Council Present: City Council Absent Planning Commission Present: Councilmembers Evans, Wozniak, and Mayor Hunter Councilmembers Harper and Rodgers ( Councilmember Harper left the dais before roll call and returned at 7:42 p.m.) Commissioners Haller, Landis, Otto, Parvin, and Chair DiCecco Staff Present: Steven Kueny, City Manager; Wayne Loftus, Director of Community Development; John Libiez, Principal Planner; Deborah Traffenstedt, City Clerk; and Blanca Garza, Deputy City Clerk. 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair DiCecco led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. PUBLIC COMMENT: Dale Parvin, 15308 Bitner Place, discussed plans for the Moorpark Centennial celebration. _ In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Parvin stated that residents could obtain more information on the Centennial from the Chamber of Commerce regarding planned events. _ Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 2 April 26, 2000 Jim Hartley, 5950 Gabbert Road, questioned whether the City could regulate truck traffic on State Route 118 through the City or benefit from the traffic. He also stated that the City should consider roadway extensions, such as a High Street extension, which would benefit local circulation. 5. PRESENTATION /ACTION /DISCUSSION: Mayor Hunter announced that Items S.A. and S.B. would be considered at the same time. A. Consider Report on the 118 Arterial Bypass. B. City of Moorpark Goals and Objectives FY 2000/2001. Mr. Loftus gave a staff report on the 118 Arterial Bypass. Mayor Hunter introduced Ginger Gherardi, Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) Executive Director. Ms. Gherardi gave a presentation on a Highway 118 Corridor Survey conducted in December 1999 by Fairbank, Maslin, and Maullin for VCTC. She stated that prohibiting trucks on a State Highway might not be possible. She also stated that a permanent truck weigh station might reduce the number of trucks. She introduced Chris Stevens, Deputy Director of VCTC, and Tad Tafuri, Caltrans. She summarized the survey questions and results. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi stated that the survey did not address truck concerns in Moorpark but did address the issue of a bypass. She stated that the accuracy rating was plus or minus 5 percent on the overall survey. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi explained that widening and improvements for State Route (SR) 118 may take 10 to 30 years to plan and build and that this was the beginning of the planning process. She also stated that a State Route 118 bypass feasibility study needs to be finished and that she did not have an estimate on the cost of a bypass. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Gherardi stated that the environmental document for the highway improvements would Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 3 April 26, 2000 need to include analysis of alternatives. She recommended that when a bypass feasibility study is completed, a new survey poll should be done. She stated VCTC could help the City with the Request for Proposal for the feasibility study. AT THIS POINT in the meeting, Councilmember Harper returned to the dais. The time was 7:42 p.m. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi stated that Fairbank, Maslin, and Maullin wrote the survey with direction from VCTC staff and Commissioners and from Caltrans staff. In response to Councilmember Evans, Ms. Gherardi stated that widening SR -118 from Moorpark to Saticoy was estimated to cost from $100 -$150 million and that a bypass cost would be in addition to that amount. She stated that her estimate included the cost for land acquisition and that a grade separation at the railroad crossing would cost in the $15 -$20 million range. In response to Councilmember Evans, Mr. Tafuri stated that 100 -120 feet is needed for an expressway width. In response to Councilmember Evans, Mr. Kueny stated that a right of width of 200 feet is planned in the City for the bypass. In response to Councilmember Evans, Ms. Gherardi stated that the City's chance of removing SR -118 from the National Circulation System map was zero. She also stated that the weigh station may reduce truck traffic but would not reduce local traffic. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi stated that SR- 118 has adequate geometrics for trucks. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Tafuri stated that Caltrans surveys state highways to determine improvements that are required. Ms. Gherardi stated that in determining whether geometrics are adequate, Caltrans looks at whether a truck can turn safely. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 4 April 26, 2000 Mr. Tafuri stated that Caltrans has a roadway rehabilitation program and that an additional cap would improve the condition of SR -118. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Tafuri stated that widening of SR -118 might increase traffic. Ms. Gherardi stated that widening of SR -126 did not increase truck traffic and that SR -126 does not have a weigh station. She also stated that truck traffic on SR- 118 is about 16 percent of the total volume. In response to Commissioner Haller, Ms. Gherardi stated that she could provide information to the City regarding the possibility of restricting truck traffic to the right lane except when a left -turn is required. Councilmember Wozniak stated that Caltrans had already _ responded "no" to that question previously. He stated that his concern was that west of town there is no where to escape an oncoming vehicle. In response to prior Council questions, Mr. Tafuri stated that the current traffic volume on Los Angeles Avenue in Moorpark is approximately 16,300, that the projected traffic for Los Angeles Avenue is 33,400, and that currently truck traffic is 14 percent of the total volume. In response to Councilmember Harper, Ms. Gherardi stated that VCTC is looking at overall traffic issues, including Port related traffic, but that the Port Authority was a separate entity. In response to Commissioner Landis, Ms. Gherardi stated that the impact to Moorpark from widening SR -118 to four lanes had not yet been studied, since this was the beginning of the process. Mayor Hunter stated that traffic on Los Angeles Avenue has an impact on quality of life as well as an economic impact, because residents don't want to go onto Los Angeles Avenue to access businesses. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 5 April 26, 2000 Michael Caro, 6131 Gabbert Road, questioned how far north could the SR -118 bypass arterial be located and what would be the percentage of trucks that would use the bypass versus Los Angeles Avenue. He also stated that he agreed with the weigh station. In response to Mayor Hunter, Mr. Kueny stated the issue is, if the bypass is constructed, which would be the State highway. He stated that the City could only preclude trucks on City streets. Diana Caro, 6131 Gabbert Road, asked how far north the bypass could be located. Joe Ahearn, 484 E. Los Angeles Avenue No. 214, stated he participated on various committees pertaining to safety issues for SR -118. He stated that he agreed that the City is not receiving any benefit from the Port, that _ immediate actions for SR -118 should include turnouts and cutouts, and that an emergency safety plan is needed now. Dennis Hardgrove, 651 Via Alondra No. 711, Camarillo, representing the Hitch Ranch project, stated that the City should have control over planning for the bypass and that developers would work with the City on a bypass cost estimate. Mayor Hunter indicated that a written statement card had been received from Jennifer Diamond in opposition to new reconstruction of SR -118 and a written statement card from Steve Arnold. Steve Arnold, 4909 N. Butter Creek Road, stated that he had submitted a written statement card but wished to speak. He suggested an underground thoroughfare for Los Angeles Avenue, such as a cut - and -cover design. He referenced examples in other cities. He stated that the City should have input on any survey. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi stated that their survey was intended to provide countywide input. She concurred that another survey is needed for just Moorpark. She also stated that safety turnouts and cutouts are feasible and that Caltrans has funding for safety improvements. _ Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 6 April 26, 2000 In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi stated that VCTC has agreed to put the RFP together and when results are available, then another poll should be done. She also stated that once there is an approved plan, incremental phases could then be built following a 3 -4 year environmental study. Commissioner Haller stated that Caltrans should commit to repairing Los Angeles Avenue from State Route 23 to the west end of town. In response to Councilmember Harper, Ms. Gherardi stated that 100 percent funding is available for a weigh station and that the issue is the location. In response to Mayor Hunter, Ms. Gherardi stated that the SR -118 improvement project would be phased and that a bypass could be broken out separately as a phase. She stated that an issue is where the bypass will connect to Los Angeles Avenue. She also stated that SR -118 could be widened at the weigh station location to allow consistency with any future widening project. In response to Councilmember Harper, Ms. Gherardi stated that the City could work with VCTC, the Highway Patrol, and Caltrans to determine the site for a weigh station and that she would check to see if the Council could advance funds. AT THIS POINT in the meeting, a recess was declared. The time was 8:42 p.m. The joint City Council and Planning Commission special meeting reconvened at 9:10 p.m. All Planning Commissioners and Mayor Hunter, Councilmember Harper, and Councilmember Wozniak were present. Mayor Hunter announced that Item 4.B., Consider City of Moorpark Goals and Objectives FY 2000/2001, would now be discussed. Mr. Kueny gave the staff report. Mayor Hunter suggested the Planning Commissioners describe their proposed objectives listed in the staff report. Chair DiCecco suggested each Commissioner address the draft objectives they had suggested. _ Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 7 April 26, 2000 Commissioner Landis described proposed Objective B.7. Mayor Hunter stated that he agreed with the recommended objective. Commissioner Haller stated that High Street may be more appropriately developed with office, theatre and restaurant uses versus more retail, and that a refocus is needed on priorities for High Street. Councilmember Harper recommended adding "government services" in Objective B.7. CONSENSUS: The City Council determined to include modified Planning Commission Objective B.7. (add "government services" following "restaurant uses ") in the draft Goals and Objectives for further consideration. Commissioner DiCecco read the Planning Commission's recommended Objective C.9. In response to Commissioner Haller, Mr. Loftus stated that there are City street improvements that could facilitate access to the Downtown, such as a High Street extension. Mayor Hunter suggested an amendment to draft Objective C.9. to add the words "both local and" following the word "addresses" in line three. Councilmember Harper stated that he did not want to preclude keeping trucks on Los Angeles Avenue and that the wording should maintain flexibility. Mayor Hunter stated that the objective as written provides flexibility. Commissioner Landis stated that Mayor Hunter's language change addresses the impact on the local community. Commissioner Haller explained the reasoning for proposed Objective C.10. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 8 April 26, 2000 Councilmember Wozniak stated he agreed with the objective as long as the wording is changed to be clear that the City will focus on getting Caltrans to make improvements. Mr. Kueny stated the City Council did not typically include in the Goals and Objectives actions to be done by other agencies, such as Caltrans. He suggested the objective be rewritten. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the Council directed staff to rewrite draft Objective C.10. Commissioner DiCecco read the Planning Commission's proposed Objective C.11. Commissioner Otto stated circulation linkages for buildout of the City should be looked at. _ Councilmember Harper stated that the language should be softened, since there are other issues to be considered such as preservation of open space. Commissioner Haller stated that the City should maintain a certain level of service. CONSENSUS: By consensus, the Council directed staff to look at level of service and circulation linkage language. Chair DiCecco discussed proposed Planning Commission Objective G.16. Commissioner Parvin discussed air space condominium and zero -lot line projects. She stated that she would not like to see projects approved in Moorpark with small lots, no driveways or rear yards, such as had been recently built in Simi Valley. Councilmember Harper stated that a definition page was needed for proposed Objective G.16 and suggested that this should come back onto the agenda. Councilmember Wozniak stated that what was proposed was policy language versus an objective. _ Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 9 April 26, 2000 Mayor Hunter suggested that for the Planning Commission's proposed Objectives G.16 and G.17 that staff bring back a resolution allowing the Commission to study and then return back with specific zoning recommendations. Mr. Kueny stated that a resolution was not needed and suggested that the Council direct the Planning Commission to come back with more information on recommended zoning amendments. Mayor Hunter stated that he agreed with the Commission that in some cases the level of authority for approval might be too high. Councilmember Harper commented on conflicting architectural styles along Los Angeles Avenue and stated he would like design standards looked at again to develop an overall theme. He also suggested different design themes by region. Commissioner Landis stated that the Zoning Code when originally drafted did not envision some of the projects that are being proposed today. His suggestion was that language should be incorporated to require recommended open space for air space and zero -lot line projects. Dr. Roseann Mikos, 14371 E. Cambridge Street, recommended that the City think about transportation in a more broad way, such as where the City will be in the year 2020. She stated that the City should have transportation visioning that improves public transportation along with road improvements. She also stated that the City should have a dial -a -ride for its senior citizens. She also recommended the Council look at its Landscape Plan review objective to require more use of native plantings. Commissioner Haller asked if the City Council had looked at setting aside money for economic incentives for new companies to come to Moorpark. He also suggested that the Planning Commission should have more interaction with the Council committees or ad hoc committees. Mayor Hunter stated that the Goals and Objectives item would be brought back for further City Council discussion. Minutes of the City Council and Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 10 April 26, 2000 6. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Hunter adjourned the City Council meeting at 10:03 p.m. Chair DiCecco adjourned the Planning Commission meeting at 10:03 p.m. ATTEST: ��Alir / 1/&' 2 - Mar iCe co, Chair Administrative Secretary