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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-31-1995 Joint Study Session CC/PC MINUTES JOINT STUDY SESSION CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE ROOM A & B - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1995 ***************************************************************** CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washburn called the Joint City Council/Planning Commission Study Session to order at 9:50 a.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI, BENDER, BRINLEY, PAPE, WASHBURN ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: ALLENBACH, METZE, SANDS, WILSEY ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: MATTHIES Also present were: City Manager Molendyk, Community Development Director Leslie, Engineering Manager O'Donnell, Associate Planner De Gange, Community Services Director Sapp, Community Services Manager Edelbrock and Deputy City Clerk Bryning. -- DISCUSSION ITEM 1. Residential Project R 95-4 - USA Properties: and Apartment Complex Development Standards. City Manager Molendyk stated that U.S.A. Properties have proposed an Apartment Complex Development and Council expressed concern regarding development standards. Mayor Washburn introduced and welcomed the new Planning Commissioner, Daniel Allenbach. Community Development Director Leslie explained that the City received an application for an Apartment Complex and it is the first one that the City has had since 1986. He further explained that the proj ect is located on Casino Drive and Franklin and gave an overview of the exhibits. Community Development Director Leslie pointed out that the entire project is going to be rent restrictive which will equate to 40% of the units being rent restrictive at 50% of the median income level of Riverside County and the remainder 60% of the units at 60% of the median income level. He explained that this project meets the standards of the City and some of the concerns that staff is working on the carports, as well as storage and visibility along the freeway. PAGE TWO - JOINT STUDY SESSION - OCTOBER 31, 1995 still have things that everyone else has stored in their garages. He made several suggestions. He noted that one of ~he ~r~blems with other Apartment Complexes built in the past, 1S v1s1ble storage. Councilman Alongi stated that he knew that this was a low income project, but asked if it could be a gated community. Mayor Washburn confirmed that the plans show an open complex. Community Development Director Leslie stated that at this time it is designed with a stucco wall, with three openings. - Councilwoman Brinley asked if it would be feasible to move the carports behind the units and instead of carports make it garages. She stated that it would give them storage space and have the ability to close the garage doors to keep things confined and neat. Community Development Director Leslie stated that the way the units are designed there is no behind. Councilwoman Brinley stated that she agreed with the fact that she does not want to see carports used to store personal items which gets out of control and can lead to encroaching on someone else's space. Mayor Washburn stated that it could be controlled through CC & R's. Councilwoman Brinley stated that it depends on how well it is enforced. Councilman Alongi asked who will own the proj ect. Mayor Washburn stated that U.S.A. will own the apartments for 15 years. Mr. Steve Gall of U. S .A. stated that under the agreement U. S .A. will own the complex for a minimum of 15 years and their intent is to own them for much longer than that. Councilman Pape asked what type of ownership it is. Mr. Gall stated that it is a limited partnership with Sun America as the limited partner and U.S.A. as the general partner as well as the property manager. Councilman Pape asked if this was a public partnership or a private partnership. Mr. Gall stated that it is a private partnership. - Mayor Washburn asked that at the end of the 15 year partnership what opportunities are there for the partnership. Mr. Gall stated that this is a single investor partnership being locked in for 15 years and it is their intention to own it considerably longer than that. He explained that after 15 years the initial investor which is U.S.A. would have the opportunity to purchase the rights from the other partner and own it completely. Commissioner Metze asked if there could be a change in property managers. Mr. Gall stated that it could happen, but since they are the general partners it is unlikely since it is their management company that is managing the property and they have no intention of changing. Councilman Pape asked if Sun America is getting the tax credits. Mr. Gall stated that they were. Councilman Alongi questioned the arrangements for the trash. PAGE THREE - JOINT STUDY SESSION - OCTOBER 31, 1995 an apartment complex and explained that property management, guarantees for maintenance of landscaping and expressed concern regarding the bars on the balconies were considered. He explained that unless there is some type of contract that would prevent bicycles and surf boards from being stored on the balconies, he would like to see them enclosed. He pointed out that there have been problems in some of the older apartment complexes which cause problems and deteriorate the neighborhood and he would like to see them prevented. He noted that if there is parking allowed for two cars then they cannot be up on jacks, nor the car be worked on in the complex. City Manager Molendyk stated that he realizes that most of these problems can be addressed through proper management, but it is up to U.S.A. to show Council that their company can do that. Mayor Washburn explained that it is important to address the image of the City and that Council has been fighting against the old image and wishes to present a proper image. He stated that quality is important since it can be seen from both the freeway as well as the street. Councilman Alongi stated that storage is the seat of his concern since there will be families living in these units and they have the same storage needs as all of us do and if there isn't proper storage, then where do people put their things. Mayor Washburn suggested that the extra land that is being purchased can be utilized for storage. Commissioner Wilsey stated that in the Agenda package it was noted that Planning Department was working on the laundry facilities and he commented that he would like to see more facilities added to accommodate the entire project. He made note of the fact that with the carports in the front of the units, if it is landscaped properly it can provide security and privacy and can be of benefit. Councilwoman Brinley asked if there would be hookup's for laundry facilities in the apartments themselves. Mr. Gall stated that there would be none and explained that the main facility for laundry would be by the pool, but that they can add in satellite facilities. Councilman Pape stated that one facility location would not be enough. Councilwoman Brinley asked about excess parking for the four bedroom units when there could be teens that are driving and living at home. Mr. Gall explained the formula for parking and noted that from previous experience there should be more than enough. Councilwoman Brinley questioned the age of the children in the complex. Mr. Gall explained that the age projectionis 11 to 18 and made comparison to other developments. Councilman Alongi asked about handicap apartments. Mr. Gall explained that State Law requires 2 1/2 or 5% and he was not _. _ __ _ _ _ L..! _ L _ __ _ _ _ __ -'- ___ _ L _ .! PAGE FOUR - JOINT STUDY SESSION - OCTOBER 31, 1995 that there is enough flexibility to the site plan to allow for that. Commissioner Metze pointed out the problems and the fact that U. S .A. should be able to address this issue. Communi ty Development Director Leslie explained that the parking spaces are required to be so many feet from the units for handicap parking and U. S .A. might have to address the striping. Mr. Gall introduced the architect Scott Adams and Mr. Adams stated that he designed the site and pointed out that throughout the site to coincide with the handicap adaptable units there are end stalls which would meet the needs of the handicaps as well as uncovered parking that could and would addressed handicapped situations. Commissioner Metze questioned the assignment of parking. Mr. Gall explained how the stalls are assigned and handicap stalls can be added now or as needed. He pointed out that handicap persons are welcome. Councilman Alongi stated that he would like to see a roof over the top of the trash enclosures as well as solid doors. He noted that trash enclosures have a bad habit of overflowing and causing an unsightly mess. Mr. Adams explained that they are stucco walls and provide for two of the rollout 4 X 6' bins. Councilman Alongi explained that there are two story buildings with windows looking down on the enclosures. He further explained that in the past there have been trash enclosures with stucco walls, but the front has iron gates and there is no top to the enclosures and trash overflows the top of the bin and he feels that it is not presentable. Community Development Director Leslie stated that the plan calls for solid gates and a possible opening so a person did not have to open the gates. Mr. Gall explained that one of the times that there are problems is when the large gates have to be opened and closed and sometimes people do not close them and that is why they designed them with a side entrance. He pointed out that there are tops on the bins. Councilman Alongi stated that this does not address the problems when there are multiple units, and experience has shown that tenants will open the bins up and fill them with trash until they cannot be filled anymore and then there is trash spill. He explained that he felt that this was the purpose for a roof over the enclosures. Community Development Director Leslie stated that the City Standards do require a roof on a trash enclosure if it is a certain distance from a two story building. Councilman Alongi stated that he would like to see roofs over all of the trash enclosures regardless of location to buildings. Mayor Pro Tem Bender stated that he felt that the ownership issue was addressed and the fencing as well. He commended them for doing the project without a request of funding from the City and asked about some of the other properties listed in the information that U.S.A. provided and stated that he would be paying some of them a visit to check their appearance. He asked that Mr. Gall provide addresses. Mayor Washburn suggested that Mr. Gall fax the addresses to Council. Mr. Gall stated that he had a video that would show Council t-h~ """TnO r"\-F 'Y"\......."",4",....~ .....h_+- .....1-_.... ____ _______ _ __" - - PAGE FIVE - JOINT STUDY SESSION - OCTOBER 31, 1995 separate ownership. Mr. Gall stated that it could not be done since if it would sold it would have to be done through the City. He explained the ownership of the project and how it locks in the owners for a long period of time and keeps the project on a superior level. - Mr. Gall presented a video which showed two of the projects that they have built and manage. Councilman Alongi requested a copy of the video. Mayor Washburn asked if there was anyon-site child care planned. Mr. Gall stated that there is none. Mayor Washburn asked what would happen if an individual wanted to baby sit. Mr. Gall stated that residents may take in one or two children, but not like a day care. Mayor Washburn asked about social activities which would bond the community. Mr. Gall explained that there is a recreation center designed into the proj ect and there are different programs proposed for the center. Mayor Washburn asked about computer modules. Mr. Gall stated that they did not have any plans to do something of that nature. Councilman Pape stated that he would like to follow up on the units built by U.S.A. and check with their local Code Enforcement and Police to see what type of reports were generated from that area. He explained that he does feel that the roofed trash enclosures are a good idea since that would screen them from the second stories and pointed out areas where extra trash enclosures are needed. Councilman Pape stated that storage is a problem and he would like to see this addressed. Mr. Gall explained the appearance of the project as well as the storage capacity in each unit. He stated that his company does not like doing garages, since they feel that they have a greater potential of becoming unsightly than a carport. City Manager Molendyk pointed out the Bird Tract and pointed out that the garages become storage and the cars sit outside. Mr. Adams stated that on site management controls the factor and garages do not get used for cars, but rather jet skies as well wood shops and other uses. Councilman Alongi stated that with families there comes bicycles and such that need to be stored and if storage cannot be done on the balconies, which he does not want, then there needs to be some type of storage where each person can store bicycles and other items such as barbecues. Mr. Gall stated that in their facility in Sacramento they provided storage cubes for bicycles and other items and this could be addressed in this manner. Councilman Alongi stated that he would like to see something of that manner for security and enhancement of the area. Mayor Washburn asked if all the roof lines were enclosed. Mr. Gall stated that they were. Mayor Washburn asked what roofing material would be used. Mr. Gall stated that it would be concrete tile. PAGE SIX - JOINT STUDY SESSION - OCTOBER 31, 1995 Mayor Washburn stated that he would prefer along the freeway side to not see a fence line. He explained that he would prefer to see a buffer of mounded landscape with trees and shrubs to give the appearance of a hillside, and not the appearance of a wall on a hill. Mr. Gall stated that they would have a combination of both. Mr. Crowe explained that he has met with Cal Trans and the mounding need to be in their right-of-way and they have similar concerns along with the addition of a flat area that they can drive their maintenance equipment on. He stated in his discussion that a sound wall should be at the top of the slope and not at the bottom to prevent a collection of trash or debris. He explained the grading and elevation plans which Cal-Trans wants and how it will look as well as addressing noise factors. Councilman Pape addressed security and asked about the indi vidual alarm systems. Mr. Gall explained that this system is set off on site and does have the ability to subscribe to a central monitoring system if the tenant chooses. Councilman Pape asked how many people will be living in this complex. Mr. Gall explained that it would be approximately 378 persons. Councilman Pape asked if U.S.A. was going to contract with a private security company to patrol the complex. Mr. Gall stated that his company will have a contract with a level of service as needed for the area which will be in the evening. Councilwoman Brinley asked about the daylight hours. Mr. Gall explained that during the day there is on-site management and they find that this is very effective in the case of security. Councilman Alongi asked if their CC & R's addresses the size of dogs that will be allowed. Mr. Gall stated that they have a small dog policy. Councilman Pape questioned the number of units that will be allowed for low income. Mr. Gall stated that under the Taxpayer Program all the units are rent restrictive. He explained that 40% of the unit will be rented to persons who do not make in excess of 50% of the median income which is $15,000 to $23,000, and the remaining 60% of the units would be rented to persons who do not make in excess of 60% of the median income which is $18,000 to $27,000. He further explained that the 50% of the median income for a two bedroom would be $430 and on the 60% for a two bedroom can be charged up to $525 and his company suggests $475. Councilman Pape clarified the rent for the units. Councilwoman Brinley questioned the utilities provided by U.S.A. Mr. Gall stated that they pay sewer and water, the tenant must pay for their own gas, electric, cable and phone. Commissioner Metze stated that before it comes to Planning Commission he would like to have more information regarding the A.D.A. requirements. He also asked for Sheriff's Department input regarding the lay-out and design of the proj ect. He questioned the parking potential on Casino Drive. (""''''",....",....,..:1......._........__ n......":_'___ __1___' i - - PAGE SEVEN - JOINT STUDY SESSION - OCTOBER 31, 1995 ADJOURNMENT MAYOR WASHBURN ADJOURNED THE ME Respectfully submitted, ATTEST: 2f~~ VICKI KASAD, CITY CLERK 11:00 P.M. Clerk