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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin 1974-06-12 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH JUNE 12, 1974 - PAGE 1 The City Council convened in special session at the Veterans Memorial Building, Seminary and Oak at 8 : 05 p.m. with Councilmen Weinkauf, Simpson, Wood, and Mayor Pearson present. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE --- The invocation was led by the Reverend Mr. Elmer Schmitt and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Weinkauf. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING PRELIMINARY GENERAL PLAN AND DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT Mayor Pearson made opening remarks which outlined the procedure the City has followed since the inception of the General Plan when the General Plan Citizens Advisory Committee was organized to; its consideration by the Council at this time. City Manager reported that Carol Walker, Lampman and Associates representative, was unable to attend the meeting because of illness; however, two representatives from the Company were present in the audience. In a memorandum dated June 12, 1974, City Manager reviewed issues raised at the last meeting and set forth proposed solutions to said issues. It was recommended that the memorandum be presented as a recommendation to the Planning Commission for consideration and that Planning Commission hear testimony on any other areas where existing uses should be reflected. The areas of change dealt with open space, hillside/grazing, minimum lot sizes in agricultural areas, designation for future public facilities, a social element, increased intensity of residential uses, and designations of Lake Mendocino environs. The following persons were present in the audience and spoke concerning the General Plan: Bob Axt Lois Cook Joan Sorenson, Talmage Linton Norman Larkin Younce, Oak Knoll Dorothy Barber Ann Near, Doolin Canyon Douglas Parker, Oak Knoll Richard Mattern, South State Dan Sargentini Al Niderost Walter Heady Fred Pritchard Agreement with the City Manager ' s memo was expressed by some as a possible solution to the major objections expressed at the previous meeting. Other points of agreement with the proposed plan were ex- pressed as follows: 1) The General Plan is a tool for all to use; it is not restrictive - it is liberating. 2) The General Plan is a plan which is to be reviewed every two years; it is a living thing, to grow with Ukiah. 3) The Council should respect the work of the General Plan Citizens Advisory Committee and stop catering to special interest groups. 4) The control should be kept here before the state and federal government does it for us. 5) No objection to the General Plan; just want it clear and precise. i Opposition to the General Plan was expressed in the following allegation 1) Objection to the City incorporating so much land and so many people living in the County into the General Plan; object to the City spending the amount of money spent for the preparation of the General Plan which includes zoning in an area over which it has no control & over which it has no jurisdiction; the County has a plan suitable to the County residents - why spend taxpayers money for a plan that includes property outside the city limits. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH JUNE 12, 1974 - PAGE 2 2) Where there is orderly development taking place, why is it necessary to have strict rules and regulations that create an additional burden on the land owner. 3) Land which was determined to be agricultural zoning several years ago and plans and investments made accordingly by the property owner are now proposing to be changed, in part to in- dustrial. This is unreasonable and unrealistic. 4)Weary of restrictions - the General Plan would bring more 1 hardships than the citizens can bear. 5) The General Plan will result in no end of costs for the individual - taxes are becoming unbearable. 6) Council has a responsibility to the citizens; if they object, the Council should listen; otherwise serious problems will result. 7) Question of how the Council will delete the obsolete material contained in the plan and how the citizens will be so advised. 8) Growth projection of 35, 000 is too low. 9) Request that the General Plan be brought to the vote of the people. If the measure is valid it will pass, if not, it will not pass. 10) Against anything that enters into the rights of other people; distrustful of such a thing. 11) When the General Plan is adopted the Council will try to incorporate more land into the City. Those outside do not want to have any part of paying for the expenses of the City - want to be left alone. 12) Concern expressed with the method of modification of proposed plan three times per year. The city must do everything in its power to implement the plan and influence agencies in the county to go with the plan. Each time a change is made in the plan it was suggested that the Council adopt a resolution and so advise m. every citizen of said change via mail. Public hearing was declared closed at 9 : 42 p.m. Councilman Wood spoke to some of the major objections. He stated the city is mandated by the state to adopt the plan and certain elements; otherwise the Attorney General can move into the Building Department and building permits for any further develop- ments cannot be issued. He stated a referendum of 146 pages to go on the ballots would be an impossible task. The question of why the City considers area outside city limits in the plan is necessitated by demands made for city services. It is also to answer the question of what Ukiah is today and what will Ukiah be tomorrow. There is a need for city-county cooperation. The General Plan is one last thing the city has to maintin control. Councilman Simpson stated planning means continual change. After the input to date there should be further consideration by the Planning Commission and a public hearing scheduled. Rezoning of an area does not mean it will be rezoned overnight. Councilman indicated general approval of the City Manager ' s memo pertaining to proposed corrections to the plan; however, was of the opinion that the minimum on agricultural land needs more discussion. Councilman Simpson made a motion to send the General Plan to the Planning Commission for study with the suggestions outlined by the City Manager, a public hearing following all legal re- quirements and Planning Commission recommendations to be re- turned to Council for further consideration. The motion died for lack of a second. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH JUNE 121 1974 - PAGE 3 Councilman Weinkauf stated his desire to forward to the Planning Commission, the staff recommendations, Council recommendations, and report of General Plan Citizens Advisory Committee hearing. On a motion by Councilman Wood, seconded by Councilman Weinkauf it was unanimously carried to continue Council discussion on the General Plan until the June 19th meeting at which time Council will have an orderly and workable set of recommendations to refer to the Planning Commission for its consideration. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10: 12 p.m. Mayor ATTEST: r City Clerk