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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN 1989 1030 PC SPCMINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL /PLANNTNG COMMISSION Moorpark, California October 30, 1989 A Special Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission of the City of Moorpark, California was held on October 30, 1989 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 7:12 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF The Pledge was led by Councilmember Lawrason 3. ROLL CALL: 4 5 Present: Councilmembers Clint Harper, Paul Lawrason, Scott Montgomery and Mayor Eloise Brown Absent: Councilmember Bernardo Perez Present: Commissioners Bill Lanahan, Glen Schmidt, Michael Scullin, Roy Talley, Jr., and Chairman John Wozniak Steven Kueny, City Manager; Richard Hare, Deputy City Manager; Pat Richards, Director of Community Development; Lillian Kellerman, City Clerk; and Eva Crooks, Deputy City Clerk. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS, AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: None. REORDERING OF, AND ADDITIONS TO, THE AGENDA: MOTION: Councilmember Lawrason moved and Councilmember Harper seconded the motion that Item 11.B. be continued to allow more time for discussion. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. 6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: 1. Ronald S. Tankersley, 2800 28th Street, Santa Monica, indicated he opposed the Hillside Ordinance because it designates his property as hillside instead of valley floor, Minutes of the Joint City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 2 October 30, 1989 and the ordinance excludes his property from the identified core area of development. Ile stated that there is no support for the Hillside Ordinance to apply to any slopes less than 20 %. He stated that Specific and Precise Plans are usually adopted for the purpose of addressing unique features, land uses or topography and should be exempt from the Hillside Ordinance. He stated that the Planning Department has drafted a Hillside Ordinance, which eliminates hillside areas in the core area of development and restricts those to designated open space. Ile recommended eliminating density averaging because of minimum lot size for rural land and open space. 2. Larry Schmidt, representing Watt Industries, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, stated that the Hillside Ordinance condemns land without compensation. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS: None. 8. CONSENT CALENDAR: None. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS: None. 10. COMMENTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS /PLANNING COMMISSION: Councilmember Lawrason stated that with the completion of the Downtown Study alternatives can be discussed and this item can go forward. Councilmember Harper indicated that the Downtown Study was discussed ten years ago and that it should not be delayed any further. Mayor Brown stated that there needs to be more positive work done on the Downtown Study and that misconceptions should be cleared up as they move forward. 11. DISCUSSION /ACTION ITEMS: A. Recommendation: Direct staff as deemed appropriate. r — Minutes of the Joint City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 3 October 30, 1989 Pat Richards, Community Development bisector, presented the staff report and indicated that short And long term decisions are needed to regulate current architecture And color palette and long term revitalization programs. Councilmember Lawrason request:ad clarification of the Main Street Program. Mr. Richards indicated that the Main Street Program was originally created for the preservation of historical buildings. Mayor Brown stated that she is concerned about keeping the downtown area revitalized until the long term plans can come to fruition. Mr. Richards stated that the processing time for permits could be shortened, public improvements could be deferred and conditions normally placed on commercial developments could be revised. He suggested that si.gnage, land uses and outside activities be reviewed. Commissioner Lanahan stated that this project should be assigned to someone for the next year. Commissioner Schmidt stated he was involved in discussions regarding the downtown area ten years ago and that this community might not be ready for the revitalization until other factors such as the freeway connection take place. He suggested the ideas be drafted and that the information be made available when the community is ready. Mayor Brown recommended that the lighting on the north side of the street be increased. Councilmember Harper stated that more money is available now than ten years ago. He recommended installation of planters, completion of the sidewalks and suggested construction of entrance signage at the main arterials. He also recommended period lamps and steps for geographic distinction, and that the requests for proposal (RFP) be distributed as soon as possible for professional advice. Steven Kueny, City Manager, stated that the 1989 -90 Budget includes funding for the completion of the curbs, sidewalks and storm gutters. Mr. Kueny recommended a comprehensive plan before any landscaping is done. Councilmember Lawrason suggested that the design standards be produced by City staff. Minutes of the Joint City Council. /Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 4 October 30, 1989 Mayor Brown indicated that determination of architectural style had already been decided. Mr. Richards indicated that the Victorian, rustic, mission, and contemporary style has been used as a temporary guideline. Councilmember Harper stated he recollected that color renderings had been submitted by the Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Schmidt stated that there is a commitment needed from the community and that funds should be included in the budget for five to ten years. Commissioner Wozniak stated that funds are needed to go forward with this project now and that consistency is needed. He stated he concurred with other comments made this evening. Mayor Brown recommended relaxation of the sign ordinance in the downtown area. Councilmember Harper suggested that staff review awnings with hanging signs for pedestrian traffic. Councilmember Montgomery recommended that a list of improvements be identified for the next budget cycle. He recommended codification of zoning ordinances and establishment of a new commercial zoning for the area. He stated that the area has to be improved as a whole before any more business can be generated. He indicated that this would not change the underlying land use, but make it distinct with different standards. Commissioner Schmidt suggested that the priorities be identified and funds be set aside for staff time. Mr. Kueny stated that the City policy has been to avoid establishing assessment districts and provide the public improvements. He indicated a banner might be effective advertising, but there has to be a reason for people to go there. }le stated they are encouraging people to contribute to the parking fund for rear parking. He said the CPD process could be expedited for future businesses in the area. He also indicated that the specialty commercial designation might preclude offices which generate pedestrian traffic. Mr. Kueny recommended that the architectural design be established by committee rather than by staff. Councilmember Montgomery asked what committee. By consensus it was agreed that the committee to look at signage and architectural design would he the Community Development Committee. Minutes of the Joint City Council / Plnnning Commission Moorpark, California Page 5 October 30, 1989 Councilmember Harper recommended establishing a policy for in -lieu fees required for centralized parking and that this item be placed on a future agenda. Mayor Brown suggested that projects be expedited by staff and the Planning Commission to help move projects forward. Councilmember Lawrason indicated that establishing a design criteria may not be the mechanism for revitalizing the downtown area. Councilmember Harper suggested that while he and Councilmember Lawrason were out looking at the signage issue they could look at some streetscape improvements and perhaps design; a presentation regarding interim streetscapes could be made at a future meeting. A discussion followed regarding decorating High Street for the holidays with Christmas lights. It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to report back on the feasibility of Christmas lights on High Street. Mayor Brown suggested that the High Street merchants plan a one night a week shop night for the holiday season. Linda Plaks, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stated they were working with City staff on some programs to encourage shopping on High Street during the holidays. Commissioner Wozniak suggested search lights be put up at the ends of the streets. Mayor Brown suggested that Christmas carolers be encouraged to participate. Commissioner Schmidt indicated a time certain needed to be established to get feedback from staff and the Committee. Mayor Brown recommended that the Community Development Committee report back in two months, in January or the first meeting in February if the holidays made an earlier schedule difficult. Commissioner Lawrason requested that an interim report be given in December. Commissioner Schmidt requested an update on the projects which were in the "pipeline" to upgrade the downtown area. Mr. Kueny asked for clarification that the Committee would discuss signs, streetscape, work with staff to develop the Minutes of the Joint City Council / Plnnning Commission Moorpark, California Page 6 October 30, 1989 RFP, overlay plan, and proceed with RFP or alternatives to accomplish. Councilmember Montgomery indicated that the processing time needs to be reviewed. Mayor Brown stated that the small developers need procedural guidelines. Councilmember Harper stated that he recollected that the Building and Safety Department had already agreed to put together some guidelines. Mr. Rueny indicated that the reports will be brought back to the Council. B. Draft Hillside Performance Standards. Staff Recommendation: Direct staff as deemed appropriate. This item was continued to a date uncertain. 12. ORDINANCES None. 13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS: None. 14. CLOSED SESSION None. 15. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Schmidt moved and Commissioner Lanahan seconded a motion to adjourn the Planning Commission meeting at 8:57 p.m. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. MOTION: Councilmember Montgomery moved and Councilmember Harper seconded a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting at 8:58 p.m. Motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Paul W. Lawras r., Mayor Moorpark City Council Minutes of the Joint City Council /Planning Commission Moorpark, California Page 7 October 30, 1989 ATTEST: Lillian Kellerman, City Cl ohn Woznia Chairman Moorpark Planning Commission