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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-20-1994 City Council Study Session MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 SOUTH HAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 -- ***************************************************************** CALL TO ORDER Mayor Washburn called the Lake Edge Specific Plan Study Session to order at 9:35 a.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, Manager of Special Projects Watenpaugh, Public Services Director Tecca, Planning Commission Chair Brinley, Planning Commissioner Metze, Planning Commissioner Bullard, Planning Commissioner Neff and City Clerk Kasad. DISCUSSION ITEM 1. Allev Reauests. (F:16.1) - City Manager Molendyk explained that there have been several requests for the closure of alleys in the city. He stated that he felt that Council should receive the available information to better form an opinion for any future action. - Public Services Director Tecca explained that the city has received several requests, the majority from Matt Anderson, and explained the expressed reason for the closure are that the following problems would be eliminated, or at least improved: 1) the actual and anticipated level of accidents that have/will occur within the alley; 2) the level speed that drivers are choosing when they use the alley; and 3) illegal activities which are occurring because of the convenient location of the facility. Public Services Director Tecca noted that a specific study was done and the alley in question covers Langstaff Street to the east and Lindsay Street to the west and it was discovered that of all the alleys in the city there has only been one accident in the last three years and by chance that one accident happened at the alley way in question. He explained that it could have occurred at any location. Public Services Director Tecca further explained that if the alley were closed it would not be possible for a car to turn around in the space available and Law Enforcement would not be able to patrol the alley way; further the trash pickup would have to be moved to the front of the residences to be picked up. He explained that the alleys are not used as public thoroughfares and the one in question which is dirt, is only used by the residents. He noted that there are eleven garages open to the alley and the ingress and egress to the garages would have to be changed. Public Services Director Tecca explained that it is concluded that there are no valid traffic engineering reasons to close the alley; and to maintain reasonable pOlice enforcement activities, this alley should not be closed. He stated that it is his recommendation that the alley should not be closed unless 100% of the residents who use the alley wish to have it closed. PAGE TWO - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 Mayor Washburn asked Lt. Garthwaite his opinion of alleys. Lt. Garthwaite noted that through alleys offer an advantage to Law Enforcement, because they give Law Enforcement the opportunity to access the rear of properties. He explained the if alleys are closed off and made a dead end situation, then it creates a problem similar to Nashland. Officers will not patrol that type of area unless they are sent in because it is an adverse safety situation. He explained that an open alley will be patrolled, and he stated that he did not feel that this alley was different from any other alley in the _ City, because most of the crimes that occur in alleys are opportunistic crimes. Lt. Garthwaite explained that by closing off the alley, there could be an increase in crime in the area because of the lack of patrol of the area. Councilman Alongi asked if there were any lights in the alley. Public Services Director Tecca stated that there are none. Councilman Alongi asked if alleys could be lit through the Lighting and Landscaping District. Public Services Director Tecca explained that the reason that lighting is not installed in alleys is because it lights the back yards of residences and illuminates the back of their houses, and the residents complain. Councilman Alongi stated that the angle of lighting can solve that issue. He explained that his problem with closing the alley off is the fact that homes have already been set up with garage and rear entrances off of the alley. He noted that this would bring the trash back out on the front street again and he does not want to see that happen. Councilman Alongi stated that he does not feel that dark alleys are safe and they should be lighted, but he is not in favor of closing the alley. Mayor Washburn stated that he is also opposed to closing alleys. He stated that this is more a clean up, protection __ and trash issue. He stated that something is needed to retard criminal activity and he concurred with the recommendation. Councilman Pape stated that he felt that it made more sense to light the area than to close the alley. Planning Commission Chairwoman Brinley stated that she has an alley in the back of her house and she and her neighbors installed lights and it did eliminate a lot of the problems. Mayor Washburn asked if the City could light the area with light sensors so that if someone were to come around the lights would go on and if no one were present, then they would remain off. Public Services Director Tecca stated that he did not know if Edison had that type of lighting, but he would look into it. Mayor Pro Tem Bender stated that he sees no reason to close alleys and he does not feel that the City should light or pave alleys when there are so many other streets to be paved in the city. Councilman Alongi stated that alleys and streets are the same and should be maintained by the city. He explained that alleys are much less expensive to maintain. -- Mayor Washburn noted that the consensus of Council appears to concur with the recommendation of Public Services Director Tecca and he asked that Lt. Garthwaite direct patrol to go into that area. He further suggested that the lighting issue be pursued. PAGE THREE - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 - 2. Lake Edge SDecific Plan. (F:150.2) City Planner Leslie explained that when he came to work with the City a year ago, the city was working with the County on the Draft Lake Edge Specific Plan, since a portion of the plan was in the unincorporated area of Lake Elsinore. He stated that the intent was that the County and the City would both adopt the plan at the same time and it would be effective in both areas. He noted that the County requested that the city do an updated traffic study and explained that the City had done a recent traffic study in conjunction with the EIR. City Planner Leslie stated that it was the city's opinion that the traffic study could be done as actual development occurred, however the County wanted to have an update before development. He explained that the County is in need of a community Development Plan for Lakeland village and the County want the City to incorporate a community Plan including zoning, into the Lake Edge specific Plan for the Lakeland Village area. city Planner Leslie clarified that the Lake Edge specific Plan focuses on the Lake Edge only and does not include the entire area of Lakeland Village. Joanna Craft of Ballew and Associates, explained that the Lakeland Village area was concerned about the commercial section on Grand Avenue as well as their density. City Planner Leslie explained that the County informed him that they would not join in with the Lake Edge specific Plan unless the City developed a Community Plan and did an update on the Traffic Study. He explained that after staff consideration it was their opinion to go ahead with the plan; and the portion that pertains to the County would be advisory only. He noted that this would be similar to the General Plan which covers the sphere of influence and is advisory only. If any of the areas were to annex into the ci ty then the designations of the Lake Edge Specific Plan would become effective on those properties. He explained that since all the discussion wi th the County, qui te a bi t of time has elapsed and the City's Traffic Engineer suggests that we pursue an update on the traffic study. Mayor Washburn stated that if we adopted this plan before another traffic study was done it would impact Lakeshore Drive plans. City Planner Leslie explained that one of the major questions is the roadway around the Specific Plan. He noted that the plan shows these roadways as four lanes and with ultimate buildout they are shown as six lanes. He stated that what was previously discussed was the possibility of recognizing this as four lanes with a dedication of land that would allow for six lanes . City Planner Leslie explained that as development occurs around the Lake this would have to be improved by the developer and this issue should be decided by Council prior to the adoption of the Lake Edge Specific Plan. He explained that then if the city decided later that six lanes is the standard, the City would have to incur the cost of the extra lanes. Mayor Washburn asked if the city adopted a new Traffic study, whether it would override any other uses proposed on any other plan. City Planner Leslie explained that the General Plan the City adopts will have to make findings and all plans will have to be consistent with the General Plan; and that is why these issues will have to be resolved. He explained that if the Council wishes to maintain four lanes, then it will have to be justified and possibly stated that it is an interim condition PAGE FOUR - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 and this would gi ve the City the opportunity to have more lanes in the future if the City should decide to do so. Public Services Director Tecca explained that the current roadway system is going to be two twelve foot lanes and a bike trail. He stated that if the traffic becomes a problem then the roadway can be restripped, eliminating the bike lane and converting to three eleven foot lanes. Mayor Washburn stated that Riverside Drive is Cal-Trans _ jurisdiction and they are calling for 134 feet with six traffic lanes and a median; and asked if the plan they are in process of reviewing is consistent with the City's plan. Councilman Alongi asked about the Elsinore West Marina and the future dedication of roadway which would put the sewer pumps in the roadway. He stated that the road width could restrict the type of development that can be done or make the property impossible to develop. Councilman Alongi stated because of this the City should state that it should be four or six lanes to allow the property owner the right to know what and how they can develop. Councilman Alongi stated that bike lanes should be retained at any cost. He noted that the City has been fighting for bike lanes for a long time and should not give them up. Public Services Tecca stated that the City's width is smaller than that required by Cal-Trans. Councilman Alongi stated that anyone who owns property on Riverside Drive should be aware of the requirements of Cal- Trans and the plan should reflect that requirement. City Manager Molendyk stated that the City has been working on the Lake Edge Specific Plan for four years and explained that there are two options for the bike lane; either make a _ decision to have four lanes or six lanes with a bike trail; or install a separate trail system along the lake edge which would eliminate the bike lane. City Manager Molendyk stated that he feels it is important to maintain the bike lane, either on the road or on a trail system and he address the view area section of Lakeshore Drive. Mayor Pro Tem Bender noted that Cal-Trans has jurisdiction on Riverside Drive up to Ortega Highway and that is most of the roadway on this plan for the Lake Edge. He stated that he felt that the roadways were not an issue since the City has to adopt Cal-Trans road standards and the issue that should be considered is what will be done on Lakeshore Drive and the bike lane area. Councilman Alongi agreed that Lakeshore is the area that needs the attention. He stated that Cal-Trans should be contacted and bike lanes should be discussed with them, since Lake Elsinore is a recreational area. City Manager Molendyk explained that the tourism study noted that the bike trail would improve the area and bring people in for its use. He stated that it is safer to place people along the Lake Edge and that option should be considered. ...., Councilman Alongi stated that the problem with placing the bike lane on the Lake Edge is the level of the Lake and the fact that the lane would have to be on private property and has the potential of flooding. !- PAGE FIVE - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 - city Manager Molendyk explained that there would have to be an easement along the Lake Edge and would not only allow for recreational uses, but would allow emergency and maintenance vehicles access as well. He noted that this is a strong management tool and important access for clean-up and emergencies. Ms. Craft explained that in the plan, a bike lane was designed along the Lake Edge as well as on the roadway. councilman Alongi stressed that he has a problem with crossing private property. City Manager Molendyk explained that because of the open, undeveloped fields around the Lake there are not a lot of problems with access for City crews to get to the Lake Edge for the removal of dead fish, treatment of the water and water related emergencies such as drowning and injuries; however, in twenty years that access will not be there and the City needs to address the problem now by gaining an easement to address these issues. - Mayor Washburn questioned the configuration of the trail and asked if it would meander in and out of projects along the Lake Edge. Ms. Craft stated that such standards could be included in the plan. City Planner Leslie stated that the Lake Edge Specific Plan is more of a policy, and specifics for the plan would become goals and obj ecti ves . He explained that as development occurs the bike trail can be entered as part of the project. Mayor Washburn asked if it would be possible to condition for a conservation easement as each property develops. ci ty Manager Molendyk stated that at the beginning of the project the elevation was set at 1240' and then 1249'. He explained that since the Mystic Lake project has come into being, there is a possibility that the reclaimed water would be pumped to that project. city Manager Molendyk explained that the elevation of the water needs to be firmly established in order to allow development and potential projects in the city. Mayor Pro Tem Bender stated that he sees the bike or walk lane around the edge of the Lake meandering and curving in and out of some of the potential projects and along City property and up and down to the street area at a reasonable elevation. He further stated that he felt that Council should concentrate on Lakeshore Drive and address that area first. - Mayor Washburn explained that very few single family residences have direct access to the water; the majority of the private residences are in the County. He gave a history of the Lake Edge and questioned the lack of homes with direct water access in the city. He stated that he would like Council to look at other options for development. Councilman Alongi stated that he would not have a problem with a few homes along the Lake Edge. He stated that it would improve the value. He stated that the biggest problem the City will experience is along the County side and the lack of regulations and enforcement. City Planner Leslie stated that the objective is not to work PAGE SIX - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 with the County, but rather to not let their concerns stop the City from adoption of the plan. Councilman Alongi stated that the City needs to look at the access factors for the private property owners. Mayor Pro Tem Bender stated that his concern is the aesthetic views of the Lake and the only place that the Lake is visible is on Lakeshore Drive. He stated that for the most part he would like to see the roadway on Lakeshore Drive free of any __ development. He stated that this is the only area around the Lake where people drive by and see the Lake and he feels that this section provides a visual impact for everyone going in and out of the City and there is no other area that this can happen. Mayor Pro Tem Bender stated if homes were allowed to be built on that area, then that view would be gone forever. He stated that he did not want a six lane speed way. Councilman Alongi stated that if a six lane road were planned, it would not make it impossible for some of the property owners to develop; and the City would need to do an inverse condemnation and there would have to be money to purchase the affected property. Mayor Washburn asked if the lower road, Acacia st. which runs parallel to Lakeshore Drive, is City owned. Public Services Director Tecca stated that it is privately owned. ci ty Manager Molendyk explained that the local government financing has changed a lot in the last four years and Council should consider optimizing the land uses as much as possible. He noted that Council has directed staff to treat the Lake as an enterprise account and this makes the land use more important than it was in the beginning of the program. Councilman Pape stated that he agrees with Mayor Pro Tem Bender and explained that if the Lake is going to be recreational tourist attraction then there should not be more than three lanes with bike lanes. He noted that all cities should have bike and jogging lanes. He stated that there is not room to build homes on the lake edge; and on Riverside Drive there is room for private development, as well as in other areas. - City Manager Molendyk stated that in the plan public parking should be considered. Mayor Washburn asked if it would be possible to get three lanes on Lakeshore Drive by cutting into the hillside slope. Public Services Director Tecca stated that Engineering is looking at two lanes up the slope and two lanes down the slope. Councilman Pape asked if three lanes would be adequate. Public Services Director Tecca stated that the traffic model shows that there should be four lanes to handle the quantity of traffic. Mayor Washburn stated that eventually Strickland Street could be an alternate route. Public Services Director Tecca proposed a small split roadway next to the lake. Mayor Washburn stated that if a roadway is dropped down it will eliminate the opportunity for any exclusive homes on the water. He stated that if the City allowed for existing lots to develop quality single family homes on that area, it would make the area unique. - PAGE SEVEN - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 - Mayor Pro Tem Bender questioned the lot values. Councilman Alongi stated that he agrees with Councilman Pape regarding the three lane roadway to keep traffic at a slower pace. He stated that just like Canyon Lake there should be special development plans to develop on the Lake and on the hillsides which would encourage unique high-end homes. He stated that he does not feel the City should acquire the property for a greenbelt. If the city does not wish to acquire the property then the owners should be apprised of what they could do. City Manager Molendyk stated that there is a perception that the city does not have enough public recreation access now and as the community grows if the Council wishes to be tourist/recreational attractive and bring in more public to use the Lake, he suggested that Council make a list of suggestions for Ms. Craft and Planning to give them an idea of what they would like to see. Ms. Craft stated that she could provide more information regarding where the Lake level is and how much right-of-way will be required and how many home sites could be located in that area. Mayor Washburn asked that she include the view shed layouts for the Lake. Mayor Pro Tem Bender stated that he is not opposed to certain areas being developed, just not a total closure of-the view. He explained that he would like to see a balance. - Ms. Craft asked what the consensus of Council was regarding Lakeshore Drive. Mayor Washburn stated that he felt. that the desire was to slow the traffic down and keep it that way through a three lane roadway with bike lanes. city Manager Molendyk stated that Council should look at a plan for 1240' and 1249' elevations. Councilman Alongi stated that if the Outflow Channel is at 1255' then that is the minimum that should be considered. Ms. Craft stated that the minimum building elevation is 1263.3' . City Planner Leslie stated that there is also the stilts concept for building on the Lake edge. Mayor Washburn stated that there were those types of homes in that location before. Councilman Alongi stated that he would not like to see homes on stilts, but he would like to have the maximum elevation and how much land will be required for the roadway, then the City can give the property owner an idea of what they have to build on and any land which cannot be developed the City can do an eminent domain action. - City Planner Leslie stated that anything less than four or six lane will create a situation with the traffic model and will require the City to provide an alternate route for traffic. Mayor Washburn stated that strickland can be developed to handle the traffic as an alternate route. Public Services Director Tecca stated that between 1-15 and the Lake there is a need to pass 14 lanes of traffic eventually. Mayor Washburn asked about the development of Pasadena street. PAGE EIGHT - STUDY SESSION - SEPTEMBER 20, 1994 Ci ty Planner Leslie stated that he feels that Council is asking the Traffic Engineer to go back and remodel the plan to remove traffic from Lakeshore Drive and allow a lesser number of lanes and width. He stated that this would have to be done first in order to give Ms. Craft the information necessary for her to prepare and present her study regarding the development potential. City Manager Molendyk asked Council to place a time frame on __ this project. Mayor Washburn stated that Council will meet again as soon as Ms. Craft has prepared her study. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PAPE, SECONDED BY ALONGI AND CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL M TING AT 10:45 A.M. i~ VI CKI . Y.....\::iA LERK -- -