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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-27-1992 Joint Study Session CC/PCMINUTES JOINT STIIDY SESSION ~ CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING COMMISS CITY OF LARE ELSINORE 31315 CHANEY STREET LARE ELSINORE~ CALIFORNIA TUESDAY~ OCTOBEA 27~ 1992 ************************************************************* CALL TO ORDER The Joint Study Session was called to order by Mayor Washburn at 4:05 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Washburn. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ALONGI, CHERVENY, DOMINGUEZ, WASHBURN ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: WINKLER PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: BULLARD, GILENSON, BRINLEY ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS: NEFF, SELLEVOLD Also present were: City Manager Molendyk, Assistant City Manager Rogers, Administrative Services Director Boone, Community Services Director Watenpaugh, Community Development Manager Shear, City Planner Christen and City Clerk Kasad. DISCUSSION ITEM Laguna Heights Specific Plan (.F:15Q.21 Councilman Alongi inquired how this matter could be addressed while it is a County project. He stated that there are still negotiations between Mr. Chen and the residents and stated that he could not see why the City would address an issue that is not within the City. Mayor Washburn clarified that this is a Study Session for information only and no Council action will be taken at this time. He further clarified that this is the opportunity for the Planning Department and the applicant to address Council with the appropriate information in regard to the project and allow for questions from Council. City Planner Christen explained that this project was originally presented to Council in a Study 5ession on August 20, 1992, and prior to and since that Study Session there have been numerous meetings between the Brookstone Homeowners Association Steering Committee, Western Development Company and the planning staff to work on solutions to the concerns of the Brookstone residents. An alternative plan has been developed and is being presented to address those concerns. Mr. Christen further explained that this presentation will focus on an alternative plan. Mr. Christen also explained that if the project goes forth there will be two separate PAGE TWO - JOINT STUDY SESSION MINUTES - OCTOBER 27, 1992 ~ plans in the hearing, one being the Specific Plan with the original site plan for 219 units and a Hotel and the second plan that is to be presented here. He explained that this is set up for the E.I.R. to address the alternative plan so that in the Council will have the opportunity to consider two different plans. He further explained that the Planninq comments regarding the E.I.R. have been sent to the applicant previously and the Engineering comments were faxed to the applicant this date. David Gottlieb, Project Manager for Western Properties, gave an overview of the original project proposal. He explained the proposed revisions are as follows: The deletion of the hotel; the units reduced from 366 to 120; the school site and commercial area have been deleted; the 160 acre National Forest Service property deleted; and with the reduction of units the traffic impact has been reduced with a net result that all of the projects traffic can be handled by the existing Amorose Street and Toft Drive. Mr. Gottlieb stated that he feels that the project is sensitive to the needs and concerns of the Brookstone property owners and he feels that this is a good and viable plan to take forward into a public hearing process. John Gamlin, The Keith Companies, responsible for the Environmental Impact Report, explained that after working with the Brookstone property owners and planning staff a good plan has been agreed upon and currently City staff is reviewing the second screencheck of the EIR and Specific Plan. He further explained that after they are satisfied that the documents are thorough and complete they will be circulated for a period of 45 days. He gave an overview of the costs of the project and the type of project that this will present to the Community. He further stated that the original plan was a very good plan and he felt that Council and Planninq Commission should also look at it well. Mayor Washburn asked where the applicant was with L.A.F.C.O. processinq at this time. Mr. Gamlin stated that it is going through the L.A.F.C.O. process concurrently. Mr. Gottlieb clarified that until there is a certified EIR and Specific Plan from the City of Lake Elsinore they are on hold with L.A.F.C.O. City Manager Molendyk explained that earlier this year the City was approached by Mr. Chen and his group to consider this project to consider annexation because it is in the City's Sphere of Influence. He further explained that at that time he met with some of the adjacent property owners and heard their concerns; as a result the developer and the property owners have worked together to solve their problems with the developer hoping to take this to L.A.F.C.O. for hearing by the first of the year. He further explained that they are fighting a time frame for financing. Mr. Molendyk explained that one of the amenities is a golf course and they were hoping to start grading the first part of next year. Chairman Brinley asked if this was going to create an island situation. Mayor Washburn explained that L.A.F.C.O. would address this issue and instruct the applicant accordingly. PAGE THREE - JOINT STUDY SESSION MINUTES - OCTOBER 27, 1992 ~ Councilwoman Cherveny questioned the deletion of the school site. Mr. Gamlin explained that there is no school site on the property, however there is a alternate site that would better suit the area under consideration by the School District ~ith which they could assist. She further questioned the area that is known as the future specific plan and whether it will be annexed into the City. Mr. Gamlin explained that this will be annexed in alonq with the rest of the project however, it will remain vacant and the zoning will be changed to be compatible with the current zoning of the County. Mrs. Cherveny expressed her concern regarding police protection for this project. Mayor Washburn explained that this impact will be addressed in the EIR. Councilman Alongi asked if the proposed project is in the County. Mr. Gottlieb stated that it currently is in the County. Mr. Alongi asked if the access to enter the project would be through the County area. Mr. Gottlieb stated that it would. Mr. Alongi further questioned the deletion of Laguna Heights Road and asked if it would create an impact on Amorose and Toft. Mr. Gottlieb stated that it would increase the amount of traffic. Mayor Washburn inquired whether the residents concerns could be heard at this meeting. City Attorney Harper advised that they could. Planning Commissioner Bullard questioned the Laguna Heights Road and there was general discussion in regard to traffic circulation. Mrs. Lee Rutledge, Brookstone Homeowners Association Steering Committee, stated that the homeowners moved to Brookstone welcoming change from their former city existence to an open space equestrian style existence. She further stated that what the developer is offering is a golf community. She explained that the deletions that were stated were not concessions, but rather items that had to be chanqed in any event. Mrs. Rutledge gave an overview of the items deleted by the developer. She further explained that traffic circulation and equestrian land use has not been adequately addressed. Mrs. Rutledge summarized by stating that density, equestrian and consistency of land use with adjacent project are still the Brookstone Homeowners Assaciation's major concerns and still need resolution. Mayor Washburn commented on the text presented by the Committee and stated in reference to the second page, first paragraph the City Council makes the final approval in regard to the Specific Plan and the EIR. He further commented on Page three regarding the environmental issues stating that part of the process is the approval of CEQUA and the 5tate Law and this is all part of the EIR. Dr. K.S. Chen, Developer of Laguna Heights, explair.ed his desire to develop in the Lake Elsinore area and that he sees his development as part of the natural progress of the area. Ae further explained the compromises that they have made with the Brookstone property owners. Mr. Chen discussed the design of the proposed golf course and why he fel~: that it would be good for the City of Lake Elsinore. PAGE FOUR - JOINT STUDY SESSION MINUTES - OCTOBER 27, 1992 Mayor Washburn stated that he has seen riding stables, canyon areas and golf courses blending together and this is an avenue that can be followed. He further explained that recreational uses do work well with those concepts. Mayor Washburn stated that he felt that annexation of this area could be beneficial, but all the concerns will have to be resolved. He further explained that he does not like to see entrenched sides and by the comments by Mrs. Rutledge and Dr. Chen he hopes that they will work out the concerns and come to an understanding. Councilman Alongi explained that he understands that this is a rural area and he feel that it is Council's responsibility to protect the rights that the property owner moved to the area for. He further stated his concern in regard to the annexation of the Brookstone area due to the annexation of his development. He explained that he would like to see this type of development but not at the expense of a community that is already established or at least without their cooperation. He further explained the equestrian trails be contiquous with all other trails. Councilwoman Cherveny asked if the houses are still abutting the existing homeowners. Mr. Gottlieb stated that they were not and explained their location. Mayor Pro Tem Dominguez stated that as an example equestrian activity and golfing activities are proved compatible in Canyon Lake. Councilman Alongi asked if the one acre lots abutting Brookstone property will be used as equestrian property. Mr. Gottlieb stated that it would not be zoned equestrian. Phil Irvinq, 14678 Amorose Street, explained that he felt that there were still two problems to be addressed. He asked if their property were annexed would they have the right to sell their property as equestrian zoned. Mayor Washburn stated that if their property were annexed it would still be zoned equestrian. Mr. Irving then asked if the streets would handle the traffic without widening the roadway to accept the extra traffic. Mayor.Washburn stated that would be found in the EIR. Mayor Washburn adjourned the Stu Heights Specific Plan at 5:25 p. ATPEST^ ~~ / /~-e.~+r.,r~v' VICKI KASAD, CITY CLERK Session regardinq Laguna ~~~~~~ WASHBURN, MAYOR