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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-21-1994 City Council/PC Work Session MINUTES CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISSION WORK SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1994 ***************************************************************** - CALL TO ORDER The City Council/Planning Commission Work Session was called to order by Mayor Washburn at 3:08 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: DOMINGUEZ, WINKLER, WASHBURN ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI, CHERVENY PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: BULLARD, METZE, NEFF, WILSEY, BRINLEY ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NONE Also present were: City Manager Molendyk, Assistant City Manager Rogers, Administrative Services Director Boone, Community Se~vices Director Sapp, Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh" Public Services Director Tecca, City Planner Leslie, Acting Chie Building Official and Deputy City Clerk Bryning. DISCUSSION ITEM - 1. Desiqn Review Committee Commission. Functions Assumed by Planning Ci ty Manager Molendyk explained the trans~er of responsibility from the Design Review Committee to the -Planning Commission and explained the need to follow the Design Standards for the Historic Downtown. Mr. Molendyk explained that the boundaries of the Historic Downtown Area and stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Standards to maintain the efforts of the revitalizing the Downtown area continue. Mayor Washburn pointed out attending the meeting today Committee and have a grasp of the Design Standards. that most of the officials have sat on the Design Review why it is important to preserve Councilman Dominguez stated that each time there is a new member appointed to the Design Review Committee there are problems because of a lack of understanding of the Cal-Polly Study that was used to set the Design Standards. Mayor Washburn explained that the Design Review Board will have the ability to decide the usage of the area and the compatibility to adjacent businesses. He explained that this is not just following Title 17, but also the Historic Elsinore Architectural Design Standards which were adopted by the City Council in 1993 and amended in 1994. Commissioner Neff asked if there had been any CUP's approved for the Downtown area. City Planner Leslie discussed that the businesses which are in the Downtown area and stated that they do not fall under that criteria. PAGE TWO - JOINT WORK SESSION MINUTES - JUNE 21, 1994 Chairman Brinley stated that vacancies are a problem and the landlords are anxious to rent their buildings, but it is important for the Commission to stand firm in regard to the Standards in order to maintain the integrity of the Historic Downtown. There was general discussion regarding vendors and the type of merchandize that was acceptable. There was general discussion regarding signage and the problems that have been experienced by the Design Review Committee. - John Ballew, Ballew and Associates, explained the concept of the Historic Elsinore Design Standards and the fact that the Cal-Polly Study was used as one of the criteria to set the standards. He stated that the Design Standards were used to assist in the revitalization of the Historic Downtown and that it is to enhance the area and promote regrowth. Mr. Ballew stated that the Historic Downtown has a defined area and has had a survey in order to guarantee the design of the 1920/30's era. He explained that the defined areas of the Historic Downtown area are required to follow the Design Standards to improve and up-grade that specific area of the City. Commissioner Neff asked if the City was offering financial or density incentives. City Manager Molendyk stated that the City is looking to the developer and the Council will give incentives if their projects conform, retaining the flavor of the residential area. Mr. Molendyk explained that the improvements that have been implemented in the Downtown area have improved and up-graded the area, and have cut down on the amount of vandalism which used to occur in that area. Mayor Washburn explained that in the past, there was a real problem with compatibility of structures and nO\"l with the Design Standards there is a conformity which lends to the quality of the area. - John Ballew stated that the City is well recognized throughout the State of California for their efforts and accomplishments regarding the Historic Downtown area. Councilman Dominguez stated that the Design Standards not only address the design of the building, but the color and logo's as well, in order to improve the appearance. Mayor Washburn stated that he and Councilman Winkler had the opportunity to meet with the Senior Vice President for the Red Lion Inn and explained that he had seen Lake Elsinore in the late 1970' s and part of the reason that Lake Elsinore was considered was because of the changes observed in the last 10 years. Councilman Winkler stated that the concept of high density in the downtown area is something that he is not in favor of, but rather single family residences. He stated that possibly the new Council may want to reexamine this philosophy since he has seen high density in old downtown areas, done well and with __ taste which has caused him to reconsider his initial opinion. He stated that to have high density it must be done with very strict standards in order to have the project fit-in with the communi ty. He encouraged the new Council to consider the renovation of older homes to retain the flavor of the old community. PAGE THREE - JOINT WORK SESSION MINUTES - JUNE 21, 1994 There was general discussion regarding the improvement of the Downtown area by using lighting and landscaping to up-grade by the use of special street lighting and landscaping to enhance the effect of the 1920/30's look. Mayor Washburn suggested that all the members of the Planning Commission study the Design Standards to become familiar with them. Commissioner Bullard questioned the problems that might be experienced by the Commission regarding the Red Lion and the compatibility to the Historic Downtown. City Planner Leslie stated that since they are tied to the Downtown Area they will have to incorporate the standards even through they will be a Specific Plan. John Ballew stated that they will have to follow the Design Standards as part of the Specific Plan. Commissioner Metze asked if the Commission will need to take a hard line approach. It was the consensus of the members present that a hard line needs to be taken to continue to improve the downtown revitalization that has occurred. Chairman Brinley stated that she would like to .oee staff require the applicants to have professional plans and paint chips available for review at the time of hearing. She stated that she would like to see a more formal presentation than has been presented in the past. Commissioner Wilsey stated that the Design Standards assist in the formula of long term goals for the Historic Downtown and he asked if there was a list of the type of businesses that would be most desired in the Downtown area. Councilman Dominguez stated that the improvements done on existing business have increased their business and it was his suggestion that there is a need for someone to promote the Ci ty' s Historic Downtown Area as well as consider a more active Code Enforcement program. Chairman Brinley pointed out the sidewalk displays and the encouragement of their business. John Ballew stated that the Design Review Board will have the ability to exercise diversity and expect quality. He explained that if they do not find that the criteria is met, then they can return the item back to staff for further improvements. There was general discussion in regard to the permitted uses in the Downtown area and what type of businesses can be promoted. The Design Standards were discussed in regard to permitted uses. Councilman Dominguez stated that some of the uses that should not be permitted are churches and gyms which do not add to the retail businesses and should be located in the industrial areas. He stated that the limited parking should be addressed on Main Street since the new parking lots are in place. Mike Ballew stated that the Design Standards set the criteria and prevent the type of business that should not be in the Downtown area. PAGE FOUR - JOINT WORK SESSION MINUTES - JUNE 21, 1994 The City Council encouraged the Commission see the video done on the Historic Downtown area and to enforce the Design Standards and follow that criteria. ADJOURNMENT THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION WAS ADJOURNED AT 4:25 P.M. ,1' .~ - ~ VICKI ~ASAD, CITY CLERK "';- - -