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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1984-11-19 11-19-84 Seal Beach, California November 19, 1984 I The City Council and the Planning Commission of the City of Seal Beach met in regular adjourned session at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Brownell calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. ROLL CALL City Council Present: Mayor Brownell Councilmembers Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson Absent: None Planning Present: commission Chairman Jessner Commission Members Covington, Hunt Absent: Commission Member Perrin Vacancy: One Commissioner Perrin arrived at 7:35 p.m. Also present: Mr. Parker, City Manager Mr. Joseph, Assistant City Manager Mr. Baucke, Director of Development Services Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk I WAIVER OF FULL READING Clift moved, second by Wilson, to waive the reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions and that consent to the waiver of reading shall be deemed to be given by all Councilmembers after reading of the title unless specific request is made at that time for the reading of such ordinance or resolution. AYES: NOES: Brownell, Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried AGENDA AMENDED Clift moved, second by Wilson, to amend the agenda to include a proposed resolution, as requested by the City Manager. AYES: NOES: Brownell, Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried I RESOLUTION NUMBER 3431 - AUTHORIZING REFUNDS - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY Resolution Number 3431 was presented to Council entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH AUTHORIZING THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY TO MAKE REFUNDS OF THE UTILITY USERS' TAX ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH." By unanimous consent, full reading of Resolution Number 3431 was waived. Risner moved, second by Grgas, to adopt Resolution Number 3431 as presented. AYES: NOES: Brownell, Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried Commissioner Perrin arrived at the meeting at 7:35 p.m. DISCUSSION - STATE LANDS COMMISSION PARCEL The City Manager reported that a meeting was recently held 11-19-84 with the State Lands Commission staff to discuss development of the State Lands parcel located at First Street and Pacific Coast Highway, the State Lands being interested in what type of development the City would support on that site. Mr. Parker also made reference to a letter dated October 23rd from the Planning Commission Chairman to the State Lands expressing concern with the status of development of this parcel. He reported that for several years a lease I has existed between the State Lands and Fountain Plaza Partnership, a potential developer of the site, for which the State Lands receives a $450 per year lease payment. The City Manager reported that a copy of the lease was provided to the City, that it has been reviewed by the City Attorney, and it is his feeling that there are grounds to break the lease with the developer, and that that opinion was conveyed to the State Lands. He noted that several proposed projects for the site have been denied in the past. Mr. Parker referred to a memorandum from the City Attorney of June 7, 1983, which states that even though it is a government owned property it is proposed to be privately developed, therefore the City would have zoning control over the development, additionally, that the lease requires compliance with all rules, regulations, statutes, etc., of the State Lands Commission and any other governmental agency, noting that if the Commission chose to use the property for a public purpose they could place anything they wanted on the site, however that right is lost when the property is under lease and privately developed. The City Manager pointed out that a substantial problem exists with the City's adopted Specific Plan, which is broad in scope and merely calls for retail/commercial uses. He explained that the developer has not as yet brought forth his plans and EIR for the most recent proposed development, I noting that should he do so under the adopted Specific Plan, the City would be obligated to process the development and to approve it unless specific issues exist. Mr. Parker concluded that the State is asking what type of development the City wants on that property, that the Planning Commission is seeking a narrower definition of what development and criteria would be acceptable, and suggested that discussion now be directed toward acceptable uses, consideration of amending the Specific Plan, and adoption of a moratorium on the property pending modifications of the Specific Plan. It was pointed out that the site is within the Redevelopment Area; the Specific Plan's conformity with the Redevelopment Plan was questioned; and it was suggested that either the State, as the applicant, or the developer, be required to enter into an owner participation agreement or a development agreement for the site, with a stipulated deadline for submittal of plans and development. The Council and Commission expressed their views regarding a hotel development on the property, the potentially positive impact on hotel developments that are presently in the process, the forecasted increased need for such development in the future, as well as increased sales tax, bed tax, and overall benefit to existing retail/commercial businesses. Some concern was expressed as to conflict and impact on those hotel developments presently proposed. The City Manager I presented a brief summary of projected hotel demand and supply, based upon data from the Pannell Kerr Forster Hotel Market Feasibility Study for Seal Beach dated October, 1984, pointing out that the increased demand for hotels is expected to compound annually through 1991 on an average of four percent, with the supply projected to increase only two percent. It was suggested that a hotel development on the State Lands property could also include recreational 11-19-84 I facilities such as a pool and tennis courts, and a quality restaurant. The City Manager requested that the thirty- five foot height restriction also be addressed. A member of the Council suggested that the City may want to consider a Code amendment that would allow up to a ten percent variance of height restrictions in certain instances, so that a reasonable request for variance is not precluded. Mr. Baucke acknowledged that various means are utilized to allow development variances by some cities, however clarified that the State Lands Specific Plan provides that the building height to be determined by the Redevelopment Agency. Discussion continued regarding various land uses, a nursery in conjunction with a restaurant, a dinnerhouse restaurant complex, and a dinnerhouse/theatre. It was noted that traffic impact with a hotel would be minimal, the unique location of the site as an entrance to the City and its value was referenced, and suggested that any retail/commercial be directly related to the hotel or restaurant use. It was reported that over the past few years hotel development firms have shown an interest in this parcel, and that they have been referred to the State Lands as the property owner. A member of the Commission suggested it may be worthwhile to delay development of the site for seven to ten years, looking toward the increased demand, and possibly allowing an interim use until that time. It was also suggested that it may be beneficial to the State if they were to allow the Redevelopment Agency to act as agent and put together a development package. It was the majority consensus of those present that a hotel with a quality restaurant, ancillary retail and service use, as well as meeting/conference rooms, banquet and recreational facilities, would be the first priority development project for the State Lands site; a restaurant complex would be second; and a dinnerhouse/theatre development would be a third priority, each with retail/service uses directly related thereto. It was suggested that a dinnerhouse/theatre could also be considered as a part of a hotel development, also that a marina area and related recreational activities could possibly be considered at a future time in conjunction with any of the projects recommended. Further, it was recommended that any open space/recreational use be made available specifically to Seal Beach residents. Mr. Baucke stated he would like to further review parking requirements, landscaping, and building materials, and to amend the Specific Plan accordingly. The City Manager requested consideration of placing a moratorium on the site for a legally allowed forty-five days, afterwhich the Planning Commission could hold a public hearing to extend the moratorium pending completion of amendments to the Specific Plan. I I ORDINANCE NUMBER 1171 - MORATORIUM - STATE LANDS COMMISSION PARCEL - FIRST and PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY - URGENCY Ordinance Number 1171 was presented to Council entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A MORATORIUM ON CERTAIN LAND USE APPROVALS AND PERMITS RELATED TO THAT PORTION OF THE CITY LYING IN THE VICINITY OF PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY AND FIRST STREET AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF." By unanimous consent, full reading of Ordinance Number 1171 was waived. Clift moved, second by wilson, to adopt Ordinance Number 1171 as presented. AYES: NOES: Brownell, Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried 11-19-84 / ll-26-84 Again noting that the Specific Plan calls for a building height to be determined by the Redevelopment Agency through an architectural review process, it was suggested that some consensus be reached regarding this matter in order to provide some guidelines for building height. The City Manager asked if there would be any objection to allowing thirty-five feet above the grade of Pacific Coast Highway. Discussion followed. There was a consensus reached that I there should be some limitation to the building height, related in some way to the grade of P.C.H., and that this particular determination be discussed in conjunction with revision of the State Lands Specific Plan. It was clarified that the Specific Plan presently calls for Spanish style architecture, and suggested that a Mediterranean style may be a consideration, noting that the architecture is subject to architectural review by the Agency. PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURNMENT Covington moved, second by Hunt, to adjourn the Planning commission meeting at 9:10 p.m. AYES: NOES: Covington, Hunt, Jessner, Perrin None Motion carried CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNMENT Wilson moved, second by Clift, to adjourn the meeting at 9:11 p.m. AYES: NOES: Brownell, Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson None Motion carried I and ex-o J.C10 City Council of the Approved: Q_~.~J~h Nay ---<.. - .. ",~ Attest: Seal Beach, California November 26, 1984 The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular session at 7:00 o'clock p.m. with Mayor Brownell calling the meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag. I ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Brownell Councilmembers Clift, Grgas, Risner, Wilson Absent: None