1990/03/12 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes
March 12, 1990
GENERAL PLAN
Adj.Reg.Mtg.
The Council of the City of Rohnert Park met this date in
adjourned regular session commencing at 6:00 p.m. in the City
Offices, 6750 Commerce Boulevard, Rohnert Park, with Mayor
Hollingsworth presiding.
Call to Crder Mayor Hollingsworth called the adjourned regular session to
order at approximately 6:00 p.m. and led the pledge of
allegiance.
Roll Call Present: (5) Council members Cochran, Hopkins, Spiro
and Hollingsworth
Absent: (0) None
Late: (1) Eck (Arrival time noted in these minutes)
Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager
Pro- Tempore Netter, Assistant to the City Manager Leivo,
Planning Director Skanchy, and Director of Public Works /City
Engineer Brust.
minutes Mayor Hollingsworth noted a correction in the February 20,
1990 minutes, page 4, that the annexation fee should be
$20,000 per acre for residential land and $50,000 per acre
for commercial land, and one acre should be donated and
designated to open space for every acre of annexed developed
land. Acknowledgment was made that all Council meeting
minutes were scheduled for approval at the regular Council
meeting tomorrow night, March 13, 1990.
General Plan
Mayor Hollingsworth welcomed citizens to the City Council's public meeting regarding
the General Plan. He said that City Manager Callinan was on vacation this week and
that Joe Netter was City Manager Pro- Tempore. City Attorney Flitner called and
excused himself from tonight's meeting due to another engagenent.
City Manager Pro- Tempore Netter advised that the Draft Environmental Impact Report
for the General Plan had been received from Earth Metrics and were available to the
public to purchase at $5.00 per copy. Discussion followed regarding whether the
City should charge the public for copies of the Draft EIR. The consensus of the
Council was that the City should put aside twenty copies of the Draft EIR and make
the rest available to the public at no charge.
Mayor Hollingsworth said a letter was received from the Department of Housing and
Community Development recommending certain revisions of the Housing Element.
Assistant to the City Manager Leivo has been drafting possible changes in response
to this letter but he has not completed his suggestions and the public and members
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
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March 12, 1990
GENERAL PLAN
Adj.Reg.Mtg.
of the Council have not had a chance to review the suggested changes. Mayor
Hollingsworth suggested that public input be taken on the Housing Element tonight.
Staff could mail out suggested revisions later in the week. At its next meeting,
the Council could hear any additional comments on the suggested revisions and then
proceed with its review of the Housing Element. The other members of the Council
agreed with this schedule. Council also reminded staff that completion of the
General Plan was the top priority project at this time.
Mayor Hollingsworth explained that the Council had been provided with copies of
amendments to Chapter 3, Circulation. He asked if Council had any comments to make
on the documents.
.
Council reviewed the amendments and acknowledged there were no changes on pages 3.1
through 3.7 and confirmed other changes as follows:
1. On page 3.8 regarding traffic projections, there should be no reference
to "overcrossing ".
2. On page 3.16 in the reference to promote safe bikeways, include paint stripes on
both sides of street.
3. On page 3.18, item k., state specifically "undercrossing" as discussed at
previous meeting for visual impact reasons and make no reference to "overcrossing ".
It was confirmed the language change to strongly specify "undercrossings" would be
most effectively expressed in implementation measure #10.
A motion was made by Councilman Hopkins, seconded by Councilman Cochran, and
unanimously approved, to approve Chapter 3, Circulation as amended.
City Manager Pro- Tenpore Netter said that a letter was received today from Alexis
Tellis, General Partner, Sonoma Grove Assoc i ates/Octogon Conpany which should be
entered into the record.
Mayor Hollingsworth, at approximately 6:23 p.m., asked if there was anyone in the
audience wishing to speak regarding Chapter 4, Housing.
David Mochel, 4405 Hollingsworth Circle, said that there were inconsistencies
between the Housing Element and other chapters of the General Plan. We need to
reserve wastewater treatment capacity for employers. We have a imbalance now with
more housing units than jobs. Priority should be for job growth so people do not
have to commute long distances to work.
Councilman Eck Arrives
Councilman Eck arrived at this time during the meeting at approximately 6:25 p.m.
Councilman Hopkins said that affordable housing is needed to attract the businesses
to locate here.
Mr. Mochel said that there are already people here who would like to work in Rohnert
Park but there are no jobs. Even if we wanted to attract a new business, we may not
have enough wastewater treatment capacity. We should hold off on single family unit
construction. Construction should take- place only within the current City
boundaries. To set goals for annexation seems to be violating the policies the
Council established earlier.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes
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March 12, 1990
GENEP-4L PLAN
Adj.Reg.Mtg.
Jake MacKenzie, 1536 Gladstone Way, said the Housing element and Land Use element
were not consistent and should be reconciled, particularly with regard to the goal
of an ultimate population of 40,000. There is a need in the Housing element to
address the proposed expansion of SSU and the resulting student and staff housing
needs. The University should be included in the future update of the General Plan.
Councilman Hopkins asked the City Engineer to explain the current wastewater flow
capacity of the University.
City Engineer Brust said that SSU is now at capacity. There is a meeting scheduled
with the SSU Plant Operations to discuss sewer capacity. SSU will probably come to
the City and request an increase. To date SSU has only asked for an increase in
water.
Robert Harkary, 6495 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, said that State law requires
the City to identify housing needs of special groups such as low income, homeless,
elderly, etc. He thought that students were one of these special groups. At a
recent meeting in Santa Rosa, eleven (11) of the thirty -four (34) homeless people
presently staying in the Armory had jobs but could not find housing. One way to
provide housing for such people is through the Housing Element. In 1992, Housing
Elements mist identify low income projects that will convert back to market rate.
Rohnert Park's Housing Element does not list any such complexes. They could be
identified now and the Housing Element would not have to be amended two years from
now. While there may be less federal funds for housing, there are other ways that
local governments can provide housing. The Blueprint for Bay Area Housing lists
these options. Chico and Irvine have ordinances which require developers to set
aside land for low or moderate income housing. Many cities are developing "in -lieu
of" fees. There are mixed use projects. The City must identify sites for homeless
shelters and transitional housing. Funds can come from the Community Development
Agency 20 percent housing set aside. There are not any constraints under State law,
but the cities that do not comply with the requirements may lose state federal
funds. There could be litigation.
Harvey Bell, 700 Lindsay Avenue, referred to a printed statement dated March 6, 1990
on Housing Element Recommendations and shared the contents therein (copy attached to
original set of these minutes).
Councilman Hopkins recommended obtaining a copy of Willie Brown's proposed regional
government legislation.
Mayor Hollingsworth declared a recess at approximately 7:25 p.m.
Mayor Hollingsworth reconvened the Council meeting at approximately 7:35 p.m. with
all Council members present except Councilman Hopkins who had to leave to attend
another meeting.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (4) March 12, 1990
GENERAL PLAN
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Ralph Jones, 5309 Country Club Drive, said one way to provide low cost housing would
be to provide financing for mobile homes. This could provide decent homes in the
$400 per month category. The rehabilitation costs could be recovered when the units
are sold. The State assisted Nhrin County in the acquisition of a mobile home park
and the Housing Authority provided assistance for space rents. It would be a way to
upgrade some of the parks and provide housing for the needy. There should be a
provision in the General Plan to accomplish this and the City should develop funding
In response to Council inquiry he recommended that the buyer get the appreciation.
Joe Boyle, 1372 Nhttice Lane, said a sense of humor is important. He shared humorous
stories to make his point regarding decisions of authorities. He referred to the
blackboard on the wall and explained an example of solar heating systems. High
quality corporations are looking for beauty but developers do not always realize the
value of beauty. We should retain open space to enhance the beauty of Rohnert Park.
Beth Robertson, 4722 Fairway Drive, said she would like to see some funds set aside
for low income housing. There should be a City representative that attends seminars
on low income housing.
Allen Stansbury, 6225 State Farm Drive, representing the Building Industry
Association of Northern California, said that there will be a meeting tomorrow at
the Daily Planet at which Donald NbDonald will discuss the provision of housing. He
asked if Council could block out future General Plan meeting dates to provide a
longer notice time. There are no solutions in the Housing Element to the problem of
not meeting ABAG housing needs. The City should comply with the projections. A
possible solution might be to move reduce wastewater volumes from existing housing
units. The Builder Industry Association has been working on this problem for over a
year and has come up with a very good program. Housing affordability could be
achieved through features like mortgage revenue bonds and mortgage credit
certificates. If Rohnert Park and other cities could get together with the Sonoma
County Housing Authority, substantial financial resources could be provided through
such programs. This would be better than inclusionary zoning. The Building
Industry Association would be more than happy to work with the City on this program
because we think it is a very crucial and needs to be given high priority. The
building industry helps provide information to owners. An aggressive and well
coordinated strategy is needed to obtain federal financing. The time table needs to
be tightened up in the City's program. The Building Industry Association has a
considerable amount of resources and will be glad to assist the City.
George Horwedel, 7669 Camino Colegio, said some wording should be changed in the
second goal. The word annexation should be stricken or changed to land already
designated for development. He supports turning down condo conversions and
referenced the pending conversion application. In the long term such a complex
could provide prime student housing. He agrees with residents' desire to retain the
population at 40,000 to 50,000. Nhybe an addition could be made to section 4.3-
Population Trends, specifying "can or wants to accotmnodate according to the survey ".
On section 4.5- Housing Needs, a statement should be added stating that it would be
advisable to build apartments around SSU. On the Cost of Housing section we are not
comparing like housing units. We are way in front of ABAG's 1980 projections. The
reference to trains creating obnoxious noise levels should be taken out. There;
should be no parking on street sweeping days. No right turns on red lights at
hazardous intersections could help solve the problem of not seeing bikers coming.
Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (5) March 12, 1990
GENERAL PLAN
Adj.Reg.Mtg.
David Mochel, 4405 Hollingsworth Circle, said Nhrin County is an example of jobs
being created prior to housing. He thought it vas advisable to have a better
balance between jobs and housing.
M •. %J V A COKO-Ok WyL } I
There being no one further desiring to speak on the Housing Element, Mayor
Hollingsworth closed the public meeting at approximately 8:11 p.m.
Nhyor Hollingsworth said Council comments on Housing would be made at the next
General Plan meeting on March 19, 1990. The Council agreed to hold a second
General Plan public meeting on Monday, Nhrch 26, 1990 starting at 6:00 p.m.
Discussion followed in which Councilman Eck referred to Alexis Tellis's letter
received today. Council confirmed this letter was received into the record prior to
Councilman Eck's arrival. It was confirmed that the Bay Area Housing book
referenced earlier in tonight's meeting was available and staff would make copies of
pertinent sections.
There being no further business, Mayor Hollingsworth adjourned the public meeting
for the General Plan at approximately 8:25 p.m. to be continued on Nhrch 19, 1990
at 6:00 p.m.
pR'
Depu 'City Jerk /° Nhyor
HOUSING ELEMB U RECOKYNDATIONS
Page Item
4.1 GOALS The following new goals should be added at the top of the
list:
- The addition of more housing than that already approved
and planned should not be allowed until we have fully provided
the infrastructure needed to adequately service the existing
population. (the proposed $85 Million budget reportedly
needed to bring the schools up to currently needed capacity
is an example of current needs that must be handled before
we add to our existing problems. We have allowed our increase
in housing units to produce more elementary school students
than our junior and senior high schools can hold at todays
current population. No new population growth should be
allowed until this situation is corrected.)
- We should balance the current jobs -to- housing imbalance
before any new housing development is approved. (66% of
the over 4,000 survey responses asked for a better balance
of jobs and housing).
4.1 GOALS The first goal stated should be re- written to say: Provide
as many housing units as previously approved and planned
prior to 1995. This and all future housing built should
include a majority of "middle income homes" and a significant
quantity of "Low income homes ". (82% of the residents surveyed
asked for more middle income homes. Our current shortage
of low income homes and the need to balance out our proportions
indicates a need for some percentage (like 200) of all
currently planned and future housing should be Low Income.)
4.1 GOALS The second goal should be deleted. It is not necessary
hold specified land aside for housing at this time to await
sewer capacity. It is up to future "thorough" General Plans
to determine the best use for each undeveloped area of our
city.
4.1 GOALS The third goal listed should be modified to say: Develop
and maintain an "appropriate" balance between ... j obs and
housing... and should go on to specify that what is needed
today and in the coming years covered by this 5 -year plan
is more jobs to balance the existing population and that
more housing is not needed until a proper balance is reached.
(66% of the over 4,000 residents surveyed asked for a better
balance of jobs and housing.)
4.1 GOALS The last goal in the first column should be amended to specify
that the student housing needs of SSU should be considered
as a primary factor in whether or not to allow apartment
to condo conversions. They should only be allowed if adequate
rental housing exists for the coming year or years of projected
student population.
4.2 #1 b. Delete the expressed "need ". R.P. does not "need" to build
the houses that ABAG projects.
4.3 Section 4.3 The last line of the section says the 1995 population
of R.P will be 35,500. Is this correct? We have been told
approximately 40,000, 38,500 etc. What is the real figure?
See page 2, 3, 4 March 6, 1990
Harvey Bell