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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 11-14-90 CITY OF UKIAH CITY COUNCIL MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES JOINT REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING COUNTRY CHEF RESTAURANT 676 SOUTH ORCHARD AVENUE NOVEMBER 14, 1990 The City Council and the Planning Commission convened in a joint regular adjourned meeting at 7:12 a.m. at the Country Chef Restaurant, 697 South Orchard Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers/Commissioners were present: Councilmembers McMichael, Wattenburger, Shoemaker, Schneiter, and Mayor Henderson. Commissioners Long, Sandelin, Reid, Sheehy, Farr, and Chairman Dickey. Commissioner Svendsen was absent. Staff present; City Manager Rough, City Attorney Rapport, Assistant City Manager Horsley, Director of Community Development Harris, Principal Planner Sawyer, Planning Assistant Yarbrough, and Recording Secretary Yoast. MEETING PROCEDURES Mayor Henderson noted that this would be an informal meeting and that a new staff member was present. City Manager Rough introduced the new Principal Planner, Bob Sawyer. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Fences Richard Shoemaker gave a brief history of the fence issue. He advised that many variances had been requested because of unusual shaped lots. He felt there should be noticing in the paper and/or articles in the City's Newsletter which would educate persons relative to the City's fence requirements. Commissioner Farr indicated that many of the problems are with corner lots which essentially have two front yards. He advised that the Planning Commission is currently reviewing the Zoning Ordinance and are proposing to change the 20-foot setback rule for corner lots and provide for a 10-foot setback on one side. Discussion followed concerning older homes that have fences built to the sidewalk, enforcement, and traffic safety. Councilmember Shoemaker suggested that there be a grandfather-type situation for illegal fences, then do a visual inventory, and strictly enforce the rules thereafter. Different fence configurations and locations were discussed as well as different means of educating citizens concerning fence regulations. B. Parking Requirements Commissioner Dickey indicated that the Planning Commission is constantly dealing with parking variances, which they have been granting in most instances, and asked for direction from Council. He noted that on one hand they would like to encourage reduction of the number of cars on the road but on the other hand, parking is very necessary. Councilmember Schneiter indicated that Council has not seen anything regarding parking in quite a while so it appears that the Planning Commission is handling this issue in a satisfactory manner. Councilmember McMichael indicated that he would like to make allowances for parking to persons trying to rehab old buildings. He further noted that because of redevelopment, perhaps the parking district should be enlarged. He further advised that there have been recent variances requesting the leasing of off-premises parking and he finds that a reasonable solution. City Manager Rough indicated that whatever is decided will need to be codified so that any restrictions, relaxing of rules, etc., are spelled out. Commissioner Farr feels that people are overbuilding on their lots. Programs need to be set up to encourage people to.get out of their cars; making less parking spaces will not accomplish that goal. He feels the existing ordinance is adequate. Councilmember McMichael would rather see landscaping in-lieu of large numbers of parking places in some instances. He would also like to see each project considered on a case-by-case basis. City Attorney Rapport noted that the goal is to bring properties in line with current zoning requirements as quickly as possible without depriving someone of their property rights. If the City does not or can not force compliance of certain rules, the rules should be changed. Parking in the downtown area was discussed and how parking affects affordable housing. C. Historical Preservation Chairman Dickey advised that the Ordinance is on hold until the General Plan revision is completed. He asked for Council's direction. Commissioner Reid noted that he feels the Ordinance is just adding another layer of government. Councilmember Schneiter indicated that Council has received input from the community relative to the discussions that are being held at the Planning Commission level and many people are very much opposed to the establishment of a Historical Preservation Ordinance. Councilmember McMichael indicated that he would not support the current Ordinance. He would, however, support a voluntary situation where they can help with either resources or ability to save the building by allowing breaks for parking, etc. He noted that Sheridan Malone discovered that an Ordinance does not have to be in place in order to accomplish this type of thing. Mayor Henderson noted that what the Council was looking for was a means of acquiring state or federal monies to offer financial encouragement for restoring these older buildings. Commissioner Sheehy indicated that he would like to support the Historical Ordinance. Discussion followed as to whether an actual Ordinance was needed or if the City merely having a "list" of historical properties would benefit property owners. Planning Director Harris advised that Judy Pruden indicated she wanted this matter considered in conjunction with the General Plan process. He advised that the State law allows individual building owners to use the State Historic Code if they are identified by the local, state or federal government. However, the City's original 200 properties is not considered a "list." If the property owner wants to use the State Historic Code, they can request the Council to identify that property as historic. City Attorney Rapport agreed and indicated that the City can set up a system that is less cumbersome to designate properties as historic. There could be standards to determine when a building qualifies and a determination made by the City Council or Planning Commission. Discussion ensued regarding the economics of restoring older buildings. It was noted that in some instances they are being torn down and replaced with apartments, in some cities the older buildings are being burned down, and whether this could be handled in some way by design and review. It was noted that the community also does not like the section in the Ordinance where they have to divulge their personal finances. Commissioner Farr noted that they have to decide as a community what they want, if they want to save these places he feels a Historical Ordinance is necessary. Reg. Adj. Mtg. November 14, 1990 Page 2 Councilmember Shoemaker noted he would prefer that there was an Ordinance but it must be workable. He added that 85% of the feedback he has received has been negative. Commissioner Farr noted that there is a lot of misconception regarding the Ordinance and noted the one being proposed is very lenient. Chairman Dickey noted he would like to see a volunteer body such as Main Street set up to help owners of historical buildings. Discussion followed concerning the restoration of historical homes going on in Ukiah currently and there being a difference between residential and commercial historic buildings. City Manager Rough indicated that the input he has received from the community is that they do not want a government bureaucracy telling them how to do their project. Discussion followed concerning this matter being opened up to the entire community during the Growth Management process. D. Solar Energy/Conservation (ACCESS Committee) Commissioner Sheehy noted that he is interested in having the City Council re-create the ACCESS Committee which presented an excellent energy conservation document ten years ago. He feels the Committee should be made up of persons with technical expertise. He would like the City of Ukiah to establish energy consciousness into policy. A committee would help provide direction to the City's Electric Department regarding energy conservation, education, and instituting energy conservation in the City. Also, energy is only one facet of the environment and perhaps the new commission could have a broader function than just that of energy conservation. Councilmember McMichael agreed with Commissioner Sheehy and noted that this matter also needs to be considered in the General Plan process. He noted that he is a conservation activist and noted that often when people calculate the benefits of solar energy they do not calculate the total energy that has gone into developing a solar unit, transporting it, and installing it. He noted that he received a flyer from the Rocky Mountain Institute which indicates one of the largest drains out of a community is for the purchase of energy. Councilmember Shoemaker suggested that the Council review the ACCESS Report. Discussion followed and it was determined that this matter would be discussed further in the Growth Management process. E. Code Enforcement Commissioner Sandelin noted that he has a problem with variances that come before the Commission where deficiencies other than what is being applied for are tacked on as conditions ~for granting the variance. He suggested applicants be required to bring their property into compliance before they submit their application. Discussion followed which included the legal ramifications of holding up an application. It was noted that other communities use this method for taking care of non-conforming uses, it could also apply to other types of applications, and how the process could work in the case of someone who is trying to purchase a piece of property. Planning Director Harris indicated that it would be difficult for Staff to know of the violations until after the application is submitted, unless they hold the application a week or two to allow the opportunity to go out and inspect the property. F. Property Maintenance/Property Beautification Commissioner Reid indicated that he placed this on the Agenda after the run-down cabin at 345 North Main Street started on fire and spread to a neighboring apartment building. The fire was started by a person sleeping on Reg. Adj. Mtg. November 14, 1990 Page 3 a mattress next to the stove. Half the windows were tin foil and had hardly any foundation. He mentioned some of the other cabins in town which are in disrepair and noted he has seen such conditions as open circuit breaker boxes with children playing in the area, inferior electrical wiring, and when the buildings fall down the children play in the remains. He indicated that when they turn these places into the Health Department nothing is resolved. He further noted that in another nice area of town, a person is running a perpetual garage sale and it is lowering property values for other people in the neighborhood. Discussion followed regarding whether this falls under health and safety or property maintenance. It was noted that a majority of the City Council is opposed to a beautification program and the State has authority over mobile home parks. City Manager Rough advised that the Building Official has recently been granted additional enforcement authority because the City wants to take a more proactive approach to these kinds of conditions. Hopefully, they can get the property owners to cooperatively correct the unacceptable conditions. He noted that after the fire situation that occurred last week, the City received a major complaint from a group of concerned citizens relative to the substandard living conditions at the cabins on Clay Street. He noted that Staff is in the process of investigating that complaint. Councilmember Schneiter indicated that the system needs to be changed if these types of things are being reported and nothing can be done. City Attorney Rapport indicated that there would have to be some budgetary considerations made if the City seeks enforcement as there are costs involved such as for relocation of the residents. He noted there may be several different agencies involved for Health Code, Housing Code, Uniform Building Code, and City Zoning Code violations. G. Metal Building Ordinance Discussion followed concerning the prohibition of metal buildings in the City, especially in the Main Street area. It was noted that it makes good economic sense to construct out of metal, however, they should use other attractive siding on metal buildings that is compatible with the neighborhood. H. Growth Management Plan/General Plan Revision Proiect City Manager Rough noted that the process is well under way. He noted that Sheridan Malone was named Chairman of the Growth Management Steering Committee and Carl Ehmann, Vice President of the College, was named Vice Chairman. They need more citizens for the Citizen's Advisory Committees on each of the elements so they have put out an appeal to the Steering Committee to recruit people. There will also be more information put out through the media to get additional citizens involved. They hope to be completely set up by the first of the year. A Planning Commissioner will be on each of the committees and will be the first initial review body for the Plan once it comes from the Growth Management Steering Committee. The Planning Commission will then make its recommendations to the City Council. Councilmember Shoemaker wondered how the General Plan is tied into this process. City Manager Rough advised that the General Plan update is part of the Growth Management Project. Ail elements will be completely updated. The entire document will be filed with the State and they will work in conjunction with each other. 5. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 9:03 a.m. with the City Council adjourning to the meeting of November 20, 1990 at 7:00 a.m. in Conference Room 3 of the Civic Center. Karen ¥oast, cretary R:Ccmin4 Reg. Adj. Mtg. 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