Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-06-1998 Joint Study Session CC/PCMINUTES JOINT STUDY SESSION LAKE ELSINORE CITY COiTNCIL/ LAKE ELSINORE PLANNING COMMISSION 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, JANUARY 6,1998 ~~****~a*~*~*~*~~*****~~~~*~**~~r**a*~~*~~*~aa*r*r*~*~~~r*~***~a~~* CALL TO ORDER Mayor Pape called the Joint Study Session to order at 3:15 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: PRESENT: BOARDMEMBER5: ABSENT: BOARDMEMBERS: ALONGI, BRINLEY, KELLEY, METZE, PAPE NONE BARNES, SANDS, SCHIFFNER, WILSEY MATTHIES PUBLIC COMMENTS - AGENDIZED ITEMS None requested. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. La Laguna S~ecific Plan (F: 150.2) City Manager Watenpaugh noted that there is nothing wrong with tlus project, however ttus meeting was called because there are new members on the Planning Commission and City Council who have not had a previous opportunity see to the plan. He noted that La Laguna is a rather large Specific Plan which is a part of Community Facilities District 88-3, and is 489 acres consisting of lully tenain. He further noted that McVicker Canyon and Rice Canyon will be preserved in ttus plan as natural enhanced open space. He explained that this Specific Plan represents 660 units and represents 480 Single Family- detached homes on 164 acres and 180 Single Family-attached on 25.5 acres He stated that tlus project will represent 211 acres of natural open-space and 71 acres of enhanced open-space. City Manager Watenpaugh explained that it is located right behind McVicker Park. He gave an overview of the location. Senior Planner Morita gave an overview of the history of the project and e~cplained that this project is a little different than most Specific Pians, since the Development Agreement done in the eazly 90's entitled the project. He PAGE TWO - JOINT STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1998 noted that the reason ttris project was scheduled for today's Study Session was to discuss some of the design issues and design features. He fiuther noted that this is a residential project and has no commercial development. Senior Planner Morita noted the location of the project on a map, and explained that one of the reasons that the project has taken so long is because of the different issues that have arisen as the plan progressed, wluch staff is trying to help resolve. He noted that there will be no apartments in the plan. Chris Weber, Hunsaker and Associates, explained that they were the Civil Engineering firm that worked on the Specific Plan. He made note of the land use plan and addressed the design of the project in wluch they tried to be sensitive to the natural features of the site. He gave an overview of the design of the project and made note of the different planning areas within the site. Councilwomati Brinley asked how many homes will there be at build-out. Mr. Weber noted the azeas on tlie Map that Councilwoman Brinley cited and stated that it would be 480 homes. He e~lained that they do not have a product at tlus time, however the Specific Plan calls for a home of no less than 1,400 square feet, as well as a provision that 20% of the homes must be 15% greater than the minimum 1,40U. George Dale, owner, explained that he is just one of many owners of ttus project and he felt this was a fairly straight forward project. He noted that it has been in the works for the last 12 years, and gave an overview of the history of the `project, of the devetopment of the Community Facilities District and the role that Centex played in thia effort. He made note of the problems they have had with Fish and Wildlife and the amount of time it has cost their project; as well as the problems that Brighton Homes' actions caused for other developers. There was general discussion of Brighton Homes and the failwe of their project. Mr. Dale explained that his group is looking to gain entiflement for their project and they can proceed. Councilman Alongi quesYioned the phases of the proposed project and asked what the net acreage of each phase wpuld be, to give Council an idea of how many houses per net acre theFe will be. `1VIr. Dale stated that he did not have that information: Councilman Alongi.ciarified the area dedicated for condominiuns and asked how many net acres aze going to be used for tlus site, since that will decide tlie density. Mr. Da1e stated that a portion of that azea is going to be dedicated tQ landscaping and with exception of the slope landscaping'it will be net acreage. He expiained that net does not reflect streets and sidewalks, manufachued slopes etc., however the pad sizes as designed are minimum 6,000 square faot pads, however there will be others that will be larger. There was general discussion in regazd to the site. Chairman Wilsey noted his concerns in regard to design review aze the primary theme of the project; circulation of the trail systems that will have to be addressed through that area; tlie detail of the attached housing; and spelling out who is respansible for what and when. He noted that several projects fram the past have come back to haunt the City in regard to the PAGE THREE - JOINT STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1998 trails, parks etc. He noted the confiasion that has been experienced and suggested that particulaz attention should be given to tlris area to clarify the different areas and responsibilities. There was general discussion in regazd to detail. Councilwoman Brinley asked if Mr. Dale has met with the County Traii people. Mr. Dale stated that he has not, however he will be meeting with them in the future. Senior Planner Morita gave an overview of the meetings to date and indicated that the Trails meeting will be latter in the project. Counciiwoman Brinley stated that there has been problems causing tlris to be in the works for the last 12 yeazs. Councilwoman Kelley questioned the guarded gate and questioned the purpose. Mr. Webber stated that there was some interest from people who wanted to do a gated community and they tried to address that in the Specific Plan and it is an option but not a fixed situation. He stated that is why they showed it on the Specific Plan and other entrance would be a card-reader gate. He explained that if the azea were gated it would be private maintained streets done by a Home Owners Association. Councilman Alongi inquired if there was a park in the project. Mr. Webber explained that it would have a pocket park for the residents, which is more in line with a private pazk. Councilman Alongi stated that lus concem is the funding to maintain even a small gark. Mr. Webber stated that it would be maintained by the Home Owners Association. Councilman Metze questioned the placement of the attached Single-Family units in conjunction with the Single-Family detached. Mr. Webber explained the elevation of the property and the placement of the project. Councilman Metze stated that he would like to see Planning Commission add a condition to all of their Specific Plans and Tracts to read that the Codes and Ordinances that exist at the time of development, will be the ones followed and not the Codes and Ordinances that aze in effect at the time the Specific Plan is approved. He explained that he has found that the codes at the time the Specific Plan is approved by the time the project goes forward it coutd be five years or more and the Codes and Ordinances have been changed, in the meantime for improvements. City Attomey Leibold stated that it depends on what the Development Agreement states. She explained that the Development Agreement is a vesting document and it vests the right to develop the property based on the rules as the existed the date of the agreement, unless the agreement specifically says "any new ordinances subsequently adopted with respect to fees or development standards will apply". PAGE FOUR - JOINT STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, .1998 .: Mr. Webber read the secfion of the Specific Plan fo; La Laguna wlrich. addressed exceptions to note how tlus addresses the changes in the rules as the City changes. City Attorney Leibold addressed the rules of the Specific Plan and how it applies to the City. There was general discussion in regard to Development- Standards and how much they can change between the Specific Plan and development of the site. Councilman Alongi stated that it is not at the Specific Plan level, but rather at the Development Agreement level that the type of requirements for the project are called out. Chairman Wilsey stated that the Development Agreement only gives vesting rights to develop the property, however the Specific Plan sets the standards. City Manager Watenpaugh stated that the Development Agreement specifies certain specifications for different items. There was general discussion in regard to standards and when the standards are placed on the project. Chairman Wilsey stated that the object of this discussion is to give direction to staff and the developer for the type of standards, product and density that the Commission and Council would like to see. Senior Planner Morita stated that a development agreement is a binding contract between the developer and the City, and explained that the Specific Plan Document is the ne~ct step that provides information and detail regazding future design, however zoning codes are not addressed in this document and the Zoning Code is addressed at the time of construction. Chairman Wilsey stated that is:why the Planning Commission and Council needs to do their homework up front to prevent any problems. He noted that the Development Agreement should be provided at the time the Planning Commission and Council look at the Specific Plan to know what the project needs to have addressed. Commissioner Schi$'ner stated that he would like to see sufficient back-up documents on previous acfion to betteract on current business. He noted that some of the members of the Planning Commission have not seen some of the background material. Commissioner.Sands questioned the upgrades of the zoning for tlus project. Senior Pianner Morita explained that tlus was done in t1-e Specific Plan and addressed the density. .: ; ~-r1VE - JOINT STUDY SESSION - JANUARY 6, 1998 2. General Land Use Issues. City Manager Watenpaugh stated that this issue was listed to allow Planning ~, Commission and City Council to address issues and concerns regarding ' General Land Use. City Al~orney Leibold eaplained the pazameters of the topic and what they could discuss. Commissioner Schifl'ner addressed design review for large projects and asked if Planning Commission and Council should continue to review as has been done in the past or if it is possible to change tlus regazding Specific Plans and turn all of the design review over to staff. He asked Council's opinion. Councilwoman Brinley stated that she would prefer that the design review issues be heard by Planning Commission and not staff. Councilman Alongi stated that he felt that staff was capable of making the decisions, since the standazds have been set and they should not have to go before the Design Review Committee unless there is a change from the document. ADJOURNMENT THE JOINT STUDY SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:14 P.M. ~~i' i ~~ i7's. ~ .. v ti:1:i.I K.d.~AD, CITY CLERK