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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-01-1994 City Council Study Session-General Plan IUNOTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION GENERAL PLAN CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH HAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 ***************************************************************** CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washburn called the General Plan study Session to order at 3:05 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI, BENDER, PAPE, WASHBURN ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: VACANT Also present were: city Manager Molendyk, Assistant city Manager Rogers, Administrative Services Director Boone, City Planner Leslie, Contract Planner Kimble, Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh, Public Services Director Tecca, Planning Commission Chairwoman Brinley, Planning Commissioner Metze, Planning commissioner Bullard, Planning commissioner Neff and City Clerk Kasad. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Pape. DISCUSSION ITEM - 1. General Plan Clean-up. (F:83.1) Assistant City Manager Rogers explained that the purpose of this Study Session is to discuss some clean-up issues on the General Plan, the Housing Element, and Circulation Element, as well as freeway overpasses. - City Planner Leslie explained that this is a clean-up rather than an update. He ~..t.ated that when the General Plan was adopted in November, 1990, it was recognized that there would have to be some clean-up done, however in the interim of the adoption of the General Plan it was found that there was a need for the update of the Housing Element and the Circulation Element. City Planner Leslie stated that laws were chingcd in 1992, regarding the Circulation Element and the State Housing Law has evolved and changed as well. He explained that the Housing Element adopted by the City in 1990, was never certified by the State Department of Housing and community Development (HCD). He stated that staff feels that they can now meet the requirements of HCD. City Planner Leslie stated that one of the reasons for the clean-up is because the EIR was based on a certain statistical summary of the Land Uses proposed by the General Plan. He explained that there were some changes to the Land Uses prior to the plan being adopted and were not fully covered in the EIR, therefore there is a need for an amendm~nt to the EIR to be sure that everything is consistent with the General Plan. City Planner Leslie explained the exhibits which addressed the Land Use. He stated that the new maps displayed are produced on the GIS system and now can reflect changes as they occur. Mayor Washburn explained that the GIS it shows the exact boundary and accurately reflects the land uses. PAGE TWO - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 Councilman Pape asked if this exhibit shows the City Limits and the Sphere of Influence. city Planner Leslie explained ~hat the General Plan Land Use designations cover everything 1n the Sphere of Influence as well as City Limits and this exhibit reflects the change in the Sphere of Influence. Councilman Alongi questioned Area "I" located near Riverside Drive and stated that he thought the area was a Specific Plan Area. set in 1990, and not just a proposal. City Planner Lesl1e stated that Area "I" is the Lake Edge Specific Plan and that has not yet been adopted. Councilman Alongi asked why Area "H" is not identified as a Flood Plain. City Planner Leslie stated that the General Plan adopted in 1990, did designate Area "H" as a Specific Plan area and the only difference is that the Eastlake Specific Plan has been adopted and os reflected. - Councilman Alongi asked if the change in Zoning from R-1 to R- 2 on Chaney Street has been ref lected on this map. ci ty Planner Leslie stated that this is a Land Use Map and not a Zoning Map and therefore would not necessarily reflect that zone change. He explained that the area Chaney Street is in is still showing as a future Specific Plan and includes all of Country Club Heights. Councilman Alongi asked if a person was going to purchase property on Chaney Street, would they be told the proper zoning since it still reflects a higher density. City Planner Leslie explained that since it has been changed to R-1, that would be the zoning designation information given. He stated that if a major land owner came in and proposed a major project, that might trigger the need to do the Specific Plan. Mayor Washburn asked if a map was going to be done that would show straight zoning. City Planner Leslie stated that the purpose of doing a clean-up on the General Plan is to check the zoning consistency since the General Plan is the zoning precedent and conformance is required. - Mayor Washburn stated that the General Plan sets the stage for what the traffic model does. City Planner Leslie stated that the statistical numbers used on the model are gauged on the maximum buildout. There was general discussion in regard to Chaney Street and its zoning designation. City Planner Leslie stated that everything on the south side of Chaney reflects the Lake Elsinore Downtown Historic Plan and the uses adopted with it; and the north side of Chaney and Country Club Heights is a Specific Plan. Mayor Washburn asked why there is still a proposed Specific Plan as an overlay on Chaney Street since the Council rezoned on Chaney from R-2 to R-1. He asked if this would be part of the General Plan clean-up. City Planner Leslie stated that Chaney has interim zoning, since when a Specific Plan is adopted it becomes the zoning in addition to the General Plan designation. He explained that Chaney is in conformance with the General Plan. - Councilman Alongi asked if a person could go into an area and build multiple units as long as the overall Specific Plan area doesn't generate more than 6 units per acre. city Planner Leslie stated that the Specific Plan as adopted could allow for that; and noted that there is a lot of flexibility. PAGE THREE - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 - city Manager Molendyk explained th~t ~he reason fo~ ma~ing that area a Specific Plan was the d1ff1culty of work1ng 1n that area. He stated that there are so many lots and so many problems with that area, it is felt that the only way to address it is to use a Specific Plan. Councilman Alongi asked if someone put together 40 or 50 parcels of land, could they then build a multi-unit project. city Planner Leslie explained that if someone put together that many parcels then their potential project would force the city or the developer into doing a final specific Plan to confirm the designation. Mayor Washburn then stated that the General Plan presented for review is the proposed final General Plan. 2. Circulation Element. Public Services Director Tecca explained that for every small zone on the Land Use map his department knows what traffic will be generated and calculates how many trips will be generated and or attracted to each one of the zones. He explained that all that information is loaded into a model and the computer designs trips and then generates a map which shows all the links. He stated that the exhibit is a projection of total build out. Public Services Director Tecca stated that it is impossible to know what will be built in the next ten years, therefore a complete build out model is used to show the maximum traffic possible for traffic circulation in the city. - Public Services Director Tecca stated that there is a policy for traffic circulation in the General Plan and explained the "level of service" concept and how it works. He noted that the "level of service" dictates how many lanes will be required to have every street operate in a reasonable fashion. He explained that there are options and circulation can be changed or added to by building more roads. Public Services Director Tecca stated that there are two areas that have not been addressed; one, is the area at the end of Main Street to Bundy Canyon; the other is at Grand and Ortega Highway. He stated that the City should make an assessment and decide what traffic policy they wish to have in that area. He explained that both of the areas are going to take a great deal of consideration in regard to what the City really wants. city Manager Molendyk stated that before the model was developed the developer used to bring a traffic plan to the City as part of their project. He explained that now the developer must prove to the model that the project can work. He explained that this is a master plan which the developer must comply with. Councilman Alongi asked how the roads were figured for the future specific plans if the city does not know what may be built. Public Services Director Tecca explained that it was figured upon the existing roadways that are in the area. He explained that these are the natural right-of-ways. City Planner Leslie explained that the Eastlake Traffic Study based on the land uses in the Eastlake Specific Plan was put through the model and brought the project into conformance with the Traffic Study. He explained that the model is based on the potential maximum density. PAGE POUR - STODY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 Councilman Alongi asked how the City figured Lakeshore Drive from Limited to Riverside Drive. Public Services Director Tecca stated that it shows as an Urban Arterial roadway which has six lanes. Councilman Alongi asked what the plans are for development along that section of Lakeshore Drive. Public Services Director Tecca explained that Lakeshore Drive was not necessarily figured on development, but rather the amount of trips traveled from one side of town to the other. Lakeshore Drive is traveled because there is no where else for them to go. He explained that if Strickland were improved, then that would assume some of the traffic but not all. - Councilman Alongi asked about the Red Lion Inn and when they have to submit their plans. City Manager Molendyk explained that they will have to submit their plans up front. City Manager Molendyk explained that Council must set a policy for Lakeshore Drive. He noted the Tourism Study that was done a few years ago, and in that study Lakeshore Drive was designated as a vista area. He further noted that with the widening of Lakeshore along that section of the Lake there would be a greenbelt and it would eliminate development along the Lake. City Manager Molendyk noted that one of the former Councilmembers had suggested that there be residential development along that section, which could be done if the homes were built on stilts over the water. He explained that when the original study was done by Ballew and Associates, one of the goals of the community was to be tourist-recreation oriented and in a tourist-recreation oriented community there are smaller or narrower streets to slow the traffic down. He pointed out that when Limited Street was realigned, it was designed to bring traffic closer to the downtown area to assist with the revitalization and give the City a larger parcel to develop along the lake shore for economic reasons. He explained that the model is looking at the traffic __ circulation strictly gauged by traffic engineering and not by the desire of Council. He explained that this is where we need a policy decision is needed to set the tone; and anything that is done must be in conformance with the General Plan. City Manager Molendyk noted that one thing that is holding up the Lake Edge Specific Plan is what Lakeshore Drive will ultimately be. He explained that although the widening of Lakeshore Drive is far in the future it must be planned for. Public Services Director Tecca explained that for now Lakeshore Drive only needs to be a two lane highway but, 10 years from now it may have to be widened. Councilman Alongi stated that there are still private property owners along Lakeshore Drive and it cannot be determined that the area in question will be a greenbelt. He stated that he felt it was necessary to set a plan in motion to allow for the public to know if there is to be a 15 foot dedication for a wider roadway. city Manager Molendyk explained that building is discouraged along Lakeshore Drive. Councilman Alongi stated that building can be discouraged, but the City cannot stop the private property owner who has the right to develop his own property. He stated that the property owners should be informed as to what the City wishes to do. Councilman Alongi stated that if the City is not going to allow building on Lakeshore Drive, then a moratorium should be set to prevent building and the property owners informed of that action. He explained that it is not fair for the property owners to pay taxes on the property and not be able to use it. -- PAGE FIVE - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 - Public Services Director Tecca stated that what is projected is a 50 or 60 foot half street. city Manager Molendyk explained that council will have to consider if they wish to keep it a two lane road or a four lane road. He asked what Public Services Director Tecca would recommend. Public Services Director Tecca stated that at this time it is recommended 100 foot right-of-way because that is what is on the bridge which is an additional 10 foot on each side. There was general discussion in regard to traffic circulation and the future of circulation in the area. Public Services Director Tecca explained that a few years ago the City started to become concerned with the development of Cottonwood Hills and other areas to the north, in particular the Railroad Canyon Road interchange. He stated that the City has all the traffic concentrating on all the little interchanges and it is creating problems; and the future of the areas is of real concern. He explained that BSI was hired to do an access study from Main Street to Olive Street, and explained the methods used by BSI. John Freedman, BSI, explained that the freeway is becoming the local circulation system and CalTrans wants the City to take back the local circulation for local traffic to solve their concerns. Mr. Freedman explained the problems that were found and positive areas that were found. Curtis Wright, BSI, presented slides, explained some of the findings from the Wilber smith traffic model and how this area impacts the freeway between the intersection of the freeway at Olive Street and the Main Street Area. There was general discussion regarding future growth and the impact that it will have on the traffic circulation system within the City. Councilman Alongi asked where the funding comes from to cover the improvements needed to be done for future traffic circulation. City Manager Molendyk explained that there is the opportunity for grants and developer fees. He stated that Council will have to look at the short term and long term plans because the cost will have to be figured in well ahead of time. Councilman Bender commented on the fact that the City of Lake Elsinore does not want to create roads, intersections and rights-of-way we have to maintain for people from other cities coming through, because the roads are more convenient to get on and off the freeway and money should be available from the users to pay for these roadways. He cited examples in the cities of Corona and Norco. Public Services Director Tecca explained that WRCOG and the County are developing a program called Inter-city Arterial. This would implement a trunk fee, which they have asked us to implement, to require all development to pay a certain amount of money to the County and the County will use that money for inter-city roads. 3. Housinq Element Contract Planner Kimble explained that the City's Housing Element is one of the eight elements that comprise the total General Plan and the Housing Element sets the city's policy PAGE SIX - STODY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 for meeting the housing needs for the community with an emphasis on affordabili ty. He stated that the Housing Element was ~dopted in 1990 with the General Plan and was subsequently subm~tted to the state and has not yet been certified or accepted. Mr. Kimble explained that the staff has been working very hard to put a document together that they feel the state will adopt. He noted that there are several sections of the Housing Element that involve financial commitments on the part of the City and he felt that Council needed to approve these actions. He explained that the state has commented extensively on what they require and indicated that the City needed to identify which state and Federal Affordable Housing Assistance programs the City will participate in. There are three programs which involve financial assistance on the part of the City including: 1) HOME program, made up of a matching funds program, which the City would apply for funds through the EDA to accomplish the match; 2) the First Time Home Buyer program, where the City would assist in development of a housing project that would attract several income levels which would involve some type of loan program or grant program from the City to buy down the price of the house to make the house affordable to the lower income groups; 3) and a Housing and Urban Development Program, Section 202, which invol ves an application to HUD for a Senior's Rental Program. This would include the City assisting, by award of a grant or donation of land for the purpose of building a housing project and would include the involvement of a non-profit organization that would development and own the property. Mr. Kimble explained that there are approximately twelve different programs available, but it was felt that the three suggested were the best for this City to meet the necessary requirements by the State. Mayor Washburn stated that the County has a First Time Home Buyer Program and assists the buyer; and the City gets credit for that action. City Manager Molendyk stated that the three suggested programs are administered through the County; and it is required that a ci ty of less than 50, 000 population, work through the County. Mayor Washburn asked how the City meters the amount acceptable for the cities. Mr. Kimble explained that the basis for affordable housing in the area is established by SCAG and they forecast what each City in the State of California will need to allocate or achieve at the various income groups. City Manager Molendyk explained that it is not what we have, it is what is projected for the future. Mr. Kimble explained that its not whether the City meets the requirements, but rather that the State sees that the City is making the attempt and is making progress toward those goals. Mayor Pro Tem Bender asked what the downside with the state law is if the City does not meet their recommendations; and does the state look at impaction as a consideration. Mr. Kimble explained that if the City does not make an attempt, then they jeopardize their funding opportunities; and if those programs were not put in the Housing Element, then the State would not accept the Housing Element and the City would not be in a position to apply for grants and money, since most of the agencies require that the City have an adopted Housing Element. - - .... PAGE SEVEN - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 - There was general discussion in regard to the cities who do not qualify for various affordable housing elements. Councilman Alongi questioned the definition of "decent" and explained that he did not feel that Nashland was the type of affordable housing that the city would want. city Manager Molendyk suggested that this be discussed at another workshop. Mayor Washburn stated that what this addresses is if the city wants to meet the state Mandate. city Planner Leslie explained the mandates in regard to different cities. City Planner Leslie explained that through development agreements and specific plan approvals the City has 10% to 15% set-aside requirements for low and moderate income units. This has been slow due to the economic conditions. City Manager Molendyk explained that today was designed to consider the funding programs, but Mr. Castaneda of Castaneda and Associates can better define the entire Housing Element at a different work session. Mayor Washburn stated that the programs listed are tools for the different requirements and can be changed. Councilman Pape clarified the fact that these programs which we will submitted to the state are not set in concrete. City Planner Leslie stated that these would be the programs that the City would use, since these are the goals that the city will try to accomplish. - Councilman Alongi stated that he felt that the City could build quality affordable housing no different types of than what is being built now; and he would like to see that implemented and in a plan. He stated that if the interest rate can be cut First Time Home Buyers, then it would reduce the payment and make the house affordable. Councilman Bender stated that the Housing Element sets the desired levels that the state would like to see the city achieve, and if the City approves this document then the city should make the attempt to achieve their goals. He explained that his concern is that he does not like the state telling the City what to do. Councilman Alongi stated that it is necessary to meet the state requirements to qualify for different funding. If the City does not choose to meet their requirements, then they will not qualify for funding and should not even ask for it. City Manager Molendyk explained that the development of Senior citizens housing, would qualify for low to moderate incomes and meet the requirements of the State as well as the requirements of the community. He again suggested a ~eeting with Mr. Castaneda to clarify some of these questions. - Councilman Pape questioned the portion where it shows that the city, in the next five years, needs to build just a 1.~t:.1\y very low and low income houses as market rate ho~sing and if the City chooses not to, then the State would withho~.d funds. He asked if the state can deny funds or withhold f'mds in any other area such as gas tax or some other fee. City Flanner Leslie stated that it has not come to that yet. Councilman Pape clarified that the only funding that the city would not receive would be for building low income housing and he stated that in that case they could keep the money. Councilman Alongi stated that Councilman Pape did not understand this PAGE EIGHT - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 1, 1994 type of housing. Councilman Pape pointed out Section VI, page 10 which stated that the City is looking at "low income rental housing" and this would encourage low income people to come in and rent as opposed to being property owners in this program, and he stated he wanted nothing to do with it. City Manager Molendyk explained that the reason for another study session is because Mr. Castaneda can explained what is meant by affordable and show what affordable housing looks like. He stated that this is a law that is mandated, even to developers and is not a question of what the City does or does __ not do. City Manager Molendyk explained that Mr. Castaneda does this plan for other cities as well as ours and is an expert that deals with Sacramento as well, and there would be no guess work as to what the different parts of the Housing Element mean. Mayor Pro Tem Bender asked if it would be possible for a representative of SCAG to be present at the next workshop, since they are the people that come up with the numbers. City Manager Molendyk stated that would be possible. Mayor Washburn asked if the City gets credit for the housing that the City has already built. Mr. Kimble stated that the City will get credit for what has been implemented in the past as well as what is planned. He explained that there will be an upcoming report which will show what the City has done to meet the State requirements. Mr. Kimble explained that when the State has approved a section, the City has left it that way and made no changes. He explained that some of the information is not correct, since there are changes in the services to the city. Councilman Alongi stated that there were Redevelopment Agency __ funds noted in the plan; and if the Redevelopment Agency is bottomed out where will the funds come from? city Manager Molendyk explained that the funds will come into play in the future. Councilman Alongi asked if it will be noted in the plan that there will be no funding from the Redevelopment Agency until some time in the future. City Manager Molendyk stated that it would be noted. ADJOURNMENT THE CITY COUNCIL 4:59 P.M. ~