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1990/03/19 City Council MinutesRohnert Park City Council Minutes March 19, 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. The regular session was preceded by a closed session which commenced at 5:45 p.m. Call to Order Mayor Hollingsworth called the adjourned regular session to order at approximately 6:34 p.m. and led the pledge of allegiance. He advised that a closed session commenced this evening at 5:45 p.m. to discuss litigation matters. Roll Call Present: (5) Council members Cochran, Hopkins, Spiro and Hollingsworth Absent: (0) None Staff present for all or part of the meeting: City Manager Callinan, City Attorney Flitner, Director of Administrative Services /Assistant to City Manager Netter, Assistant to the City Manager Leivo, Planning Director Skanchy, and Director of Public Works /City Engineer Brust. General Plan Mayor Hollingsworth welcomed citizens to the City Council's public meting regarding the General Plan. He said that at the previous meeting the Council listened to public comments regarding the Housing Element and tonight's meting would begin with additional public comments. He asked members of the public to refrain from repeating something said at the last meeting. IV2- '"r�SU,.1ft�Ci�i Mayor Hollingsworth, at approximately 6:35 p.m., asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to give additional coffwnts regarding Chapter 4, Housing. Linda Branscomb, 21 Anne Way, said she represented residents of Sonoma Grove. She provided Council with corrected copies of letter dated March 14, 1990 requesting the Council's to protect the existence of Sonoma Grove for at least five years and shared the contents therein (copy attached to original set of these minutes). She concluded that the property owner was in agreement to this request. Discussion followed regarding zoning and /or including a statement in the General Plan designed to protect Sonoma Grove. The City Attorney said that if Council desires to change the zoning of this property, the zone change process would have to be followed. The Council can legally change the zoning. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (2) March 19, 1990 GENERAL PLAN Adi.Reg.Mtg. Mayor Hollingsworth said Sonoma Grove's request would be considered during Council's deliberation. David Wchel, 4405 Hollingsworth Circle, recommended deletion of "income" as a basis of discrimination from the paragraph on page 4.1, column 2. The statement added at the bottom of page 4.6, column 1 to "consider adoption of a property maintenance ordinance" is unnecessary since there is not a high degree of need in the City. Until such time as the need is revealed, he recommended deleting the paragraph on page 4.6, column 2, regarding housing discrimination complaints. It is hard to believe in this day and age that the public is not aware of what constitutes housing discrimination. He recommended deletion of the statement on page 4.23, column 1, "The treated wastelAater can be consumed by husman.s . " We should forego the reference to impact fees on Page 4.26, column 2 and insert an additional statement indicating that since most Rohnert Park homeowners already pay a high proportion of their incomes for their housing, it is unrealistic to expect them to subsidize others. It would be a unreasonable burden on them. Delete the added statement on page 4.39, item 3 regarding the approximate number of housing units and acres. Do not add the statement on page 4.40, item 11, regarding the establishment of a deferred loan program to help public employees purchase housing. Why should they get special treatment. This General Plan should not be committing to anything after 1995, therefore the added statement on page 4.40, item 17, "to obtain financing for certain housing projects to be undertaken after 1995" should be removed. This also applies to page 4.40, item 19 and page 4.41, item 31. Lastly, remove the added statement on page 4.42, item 34 because the need for an equal housing opportunity program in this area had not been shown. Alexis Tellis, owner of Sonoma Grove, said that: 1) the reference to Sonoma Grove being "dilapidated" in the General Plan should be removed, and 2) when, and if, Sonoma Grove is replaced, it should be replaced with something compatible and affordable. There being no one further desiring to speak on the Housing Element, Mayor Hollingsworth closed the public meeting at approximately 6:55 p.m. Mayor Hollingsworth asked if there were any comments from staff or Council regarding the Housing Element. Discussion followed regarding the following: 1. The added statement on page 4.1 referencing income as a basis of discrimination was standard language copied from the State guidelines and should be left in the Housing Element. 2. The "homeless" goal on page 4.1, column 1 should reflect a commitment to eliminate, not simply minimize homelessness. 3. There should be a goal added promoting communities throughout the region to accept their fair share of housing. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (3) March 19, 1990 CENE2AL PLAN Adj. Reg. Mtg. 4. The statement made on page 4.2, item 3, and referenced again on page 4.5, column 2, regarding a quote from "ABAG, Housing Needs Determinations, 1989, p. 82)" that "49 percent of low income owners overpay and 81 percent of low income renters overpay" is a substantiated fact. 5. Reference was made to page 4.3, item 6, column 1 stating that "lack of complete plumbing only exists in the Sonoma Grove travel trailer park, where common bath facilities are provided ". Staff responded that this could be rephrased and would examine all references to Sonoma Grove in light of previous Council direction. 6. State law stipulates that housing elements must address how cities intend to meet housing need allocations made by regional planning agencies. In order to receive Housing Element certification from the State Department of Housing and Community Development, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) housing need determinations must be addressed. Given the wastewater treatment capacity constraint, Rohnert Park will not be able to meet the ABAG housing need determination for the next five years. The draft housing elements indicates that the City cannot meet the determination because of health related issues beyond its immediate control, as defined in State law. The Council directed staff to clearly indicate ABAG housing need determinations instead of using the terms "housing demand" and "housing need." 7. On Page 4.6, column 1, in the last paragraph, regarding "the deterioration of older housing units, etc. ", the enforcement of rehabilitation language should be more vigorous. The reference to "adults" in should be changed to "senior citizens ". 8. On Page 4.6, column 2, the review of the 1983 housing element was included at the suggestion of State Housing and Community Development staff. 9. State and federal housing assistance programs were discussed. Use of the 20 percent housing set aside of Community Development Agency (CDA) funds for low income housing was clarified. The Council discussed other housing assistance programme including inclusionary zoning and "in lieu of" fees. Confirmation was given that projects where the City has requires a 20 percent set aside for low income households should be acknowledged in the housing element. 10. It should be made clear that the "Population Trends" Figure 4.1 on page 4.7 takes into account wastewater treatment limits. 11. On Page 4.8, column 2, regarding limited waste water treatment capacity should be so stated to make clear that wastewater treatment capacity has been reserved for industrial and commercial development. 12. On Page 4.9, column 2, the reference to declining houshold size in the nation and San Francisco Bay area should be replaced with a reference just to declining household size in Rohnert Park. 13. On page 4.16, the top of 1st column, remove the word "dilapidated" from the language referring to the maintenance of mobile home parks. 14. On page 4.23, column 1, remove the reference that "treated wastewater can be consumed by humans ". Point out that the treated wastewater is safe for use on landscape irrigation. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (4) March 19, 1990 GENERAL PUW Adj.Reg.Mtg. 15. On page 4.23, it was pointed out that the wastewater treatment capacities were based on the 1988 wastewater flow. The Council instructed the City Manager to meet with owners of residentially owned properties and determine, if more than 811 units were be constructed, how the additional building permits would be allocated among the different property owners. The City Manager should report the results of his greetings to the Council. 16. On Page 4.24 - the reference to "elderly" in the center of column 1, should state "senior citizens" to be consistent. 17. On Page 4.25 affordable housing It was noted that reductions. - it was decided to underline "The City mast seek guarantees that will result from its relaxing of standards and reducing costs." the reduction of housing lot sizes that did not result in price 18. On Page 4.26, column 2 - City staff indicated that the analysis of fees was intended to indicate that there would be an additional cost burden to other property owners if fees were waived for affordable housing projects. 19. On Page 4.27, section 4.12 - Potential Conversion of Assisted Housing - it was confirmed that State law will require cities to address conversion of affordable housing projects by January 1, 1992. There is one such project in Rohnert Park as indicated in the draft. 20. The need for student housing was reviewed. 21. On Page 4.37, columrn 1 the Council asked that the energy conservation section be revised to reflect opportunities for solar systems and to discuss the use of efficient wood burning stoves (rather than inefficient fire places). 22. On Page 4.38, column 1, top of page - the Council agreed to change the condominium conversion vacancy rate standard from 10 percent to five percent. Council members discussed the pending condominium conversion case. Responding to a question, the City Attorney noted that the General Plan had not been adopted and therefor the vacancy standards in the current General Plan apply to the pending case. The Planning Director confirmed that the adopted General Plan lists a vacancy rate standard of 5 percent. 23. On Page 4.39 - it was noted that the proposals to study sites for development of new housing were added because of a specific request by State Housing and Comrunity Development staff. The Council discussed striking items 3, 4, and 5 because they refer to lands outside the City limits but City staff advised that to do so would conflict with the State staff review. The State staff specifically reforencod the law which requires cities to identify future residential building sites. The Council noted that the language only mandates an investigation of sites. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (5) March 19, 1990 C ENERAL PLAN Adj.Reg.Mtg. 24. The Council discussed the new City idea and asked staff to incorporate the language used in the Land Use element. 25. On Page 4.40 the Council decided that the enployee housing loan program should apply to just City employees and that the statement should just propose a program rather than a "loan program." 26. On Page 4.41 the Council agreed to change wording in item 20 to "vigorously pursue placing utility wires underground." The Council asked staff to invite Sil Cincera of P.G.& E. to come to the next Council meeting and explain possible sources of funding. 27. On Page 4.42, item 33, the Council decided to include the 5 percent vacancy standard regarding conversions of apartments to condominiums and cooperatives. 28. The schedule of actions on Pages 4.43 and 4.44 should be amended to be consistent with the changes made by the Council. Mayor Hollingsworth declared a recess at approximately 8:14 p.m. Mayor Hollingsworth reconvened the Council meting at approximately 8:22 p.m. with all Council members present. He advised that the Council will listen to public comments on the remaining four elements tonight until 9:00 p.m. and public comments on the remaining four elements also will be heard at the next General Plan meting on Nbnday, March 26, 1990 at 6:00 p.m. :y V•• Mayor Hollingsworth, at approximately 9:25 p.m., asked if there was anyone in the audience wishing to give public comments regarding the next four elements; Chapter 5, Conservation; Chapter 6, Open Space; Chapter 7, Noise; and Chapter 8, Safety. Jams M. Clark, 80 Walnut Circle, said the Open Space elemnt should include a proposal to create a cemetary. David Mochel, 4405 Hollingsworth Circle, referred to a previous letter he had written to Council regarding traffic circulation. There have been no comments regarding the concerns he expressed relating to public safety at the intersection of Golf Course Drive and Wilfred Avenue. It is already the worst one in the City. The level of service is below standard and will be even lower when that area is Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (6) March 19, 1990 GENERAL PLANT Adj.Reg.Mtg. developed. It was designed as a little country intersection and not intended for the heavy traffic that now uses the intersection. The plan does not anticipate any inprovements except to put up street lights which will only slow down the traffic flow with more stops. This will will raise the frustration level of drivers, cause congestion, and add to air pollution. There should be a temporary moratorium on future development around that intersection until inprovements are made. George Horwedel, 7669 Camino Colegio, said there was nothing in the Conservation elemnt about how the City will control pollution. If there were a severe drought or contaminated wells, how could water conservation be encouraged without meters to keep tabs on use. There should be no hazardous developrrents around well sites. He proposed an additional implementation measure: set up a program with Junior High and High Schools to grow trees such as redwoods that would planted in green belt areas and could also be harvested for profit. Jake MacKenzie, 1536 Gladstone Way, said the fireplace issue could fit into section 5.7 - Air Quality. Some documentation should be added regarding the height of the water table. It should be made clear that there is not a concern about a dropping water table. There should be additional wastewater data in the Conservation Element including the information in the Draft EIR to be consistent. Also, the 1989 data should be added to figure 5.9. The numbers indicate that we are applying for too much water and wastewater treatment capacity for a population of 40,000. There needs to be fuller explanations if these numbers are not based on more growth. There needs to be a fuller explanation of the reasons to increase wastewater pumping capacity. There should be a description of how the City would address an expansion at SSU. Harvey Bell, 700 Lindsay Avenue, said he was only prepared to present comments regarding the Conservation element. He referred to a printed statemnt dated March 19, 1990 regarding Conservation Element Recommendations and shared the contents therein (copy attached to original set of these minutes). Charlie Artmsn., 25 Alexis, Sonoma Grove, said Rohnert Park is a pleasant place to live and will be confronted with various development pressures in the future. We must be set in our resolve to stick to our principles. Population should be concentrated in the cities so open space can be retained. There were some outsiders with proposals to do away with rent control. He congratulated the Council for making it unattractive for this type of effort. A strong emphasis should be placed on bike paths and the development of a rail system between here and San Francisco. It is necessary to go around a median when pulling out of the parking lot at his church. He recommended putting in a crossing for safety reasons. There being no one further desiring to speak, Mayor Hollingsworth closed the public meeting at approximately 9:15 p.m. and said the Council will continue to listetz to public cony ents on these elements next Nbnday, March 26 at 6:00 p.m. Rohnert Park City Council Minutes (7) March 19, 1990 GENEPAL PLAN Adj.Reg.Mtg. City Manager Callinan explained that copies had been provided to the Council of the schedule for the Gala Opening of the Performing Arts Center. He asked for Council's review and approval to enable staff to proceed with printing and distribution of the invitations. There being no objectives, the schedule vas approved. City Manager Callinan referred to a letter prepared for Mayor's signature regarding the endowment canYpaign for the Performing Arts Center. Mayor Hollingsworth directed staff to develop appropriate letterhead stationery for such uses. Council agreed that naming the theatre was not necessary for the endowment can-paign letter and recomwnded to keep it open for a while. City Manager Callinan reported that a volunteer coordinator had been selected for the Performing Arts Center and 88 citizens responded to the first call for volunteers. There being no further business, Mayor Hollingsworth adjourned the public meeting for the General Plan at approximately 9:22 p.m. to be continued on March 26, 1990 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Honorable Arthur Hollingsworth March 15, 1990 Mayor of the City of Rohnert Park City Hall Rohnert Park, CA 94928 Dear Mr. Hollingsworth, Once again may we extend our thanks to the Rohnert Park City Council for its action in support of Sonoma Grove at your meeting of February 20, 1990. At that meeting you were kind enough to listen to our designated speaker, Ms Linda Branscomb, and accepted into the record the transcript of her presentation,(see attached copy) along with nearly fifty requests for a change in the Draft General Plan to delete Section 20 appearing on page 4.22 Also at that meeting Alexis Tellis, the owner of the park, listened to our presentation and publicly enumerated a number of points in the Draft General Plan which bore revision, seemingly in support of extending the life of the Grove at least for the period covered by the now being revised Draft General Plan. For example a special rescheduling of the meeting was granted for the express purpose of hearing our request that Section 20 page 4.22 be deleted to "save the Grove." Funds for rehabilation of the trailers was discussed. It was even mentioned without objection that it may be Mr Tellis ,s heirs who finally allow it to be torn down after his death. However, Mr. Tellis has privately submitted the somewhat contradictory letter (see attached copy) on behalf of Octagon Company received by yourselves on March 8, 1990. In keeping with the thrust of the public meeting the letter requests that the status of the Trailer Park be converted from temporary to "legal non - conforming use ". However the letter also requests that the Section that was deleted by unanimous vote of the Council at the public meeting and "saved the Grove" be replaced by language that would ammend the general plan to allow the Grove to be torn down and replace it with ultra -high density student housing without benefit of open space. Tearing down the Grove would destroy a virtual green belt of trees, shrubs and grassy open space area. It would destroy the low cost housing alternative that the Grove provides and destroy the unique community that exists here; It would disrupt or end the educational opportunities for a large group of people and displace approximately 150 households. We again request that instead of such a drastic measure as destroying this community, that Sonoma Grove be allowed to remain in it's present form, at least for the period covered by the five year general plan being revised, and that rehabilitation funds be made available to private owners of Trailers located in the park as was discussed at the Feb. 20 meeting. Enclosed with this letter, please find suggested changes for your consideration. Sincerely, Date: From: March 15, 1990 Residents of Sonoma Grove l >4 To: Rohnert Park City Council Subj: Suggested revisions to the Draft General Plan affecting Sonoma Grove Copies: City Manager, Assistant to the City Manager, Planning Director [note: "Btt -ike evefs" are words to be omitted bold underlined are words to be added.] As discussed in Sections 2.6, 4. 15, and elsewhere in this General Plan, Planning planning in Rohnert Park, particularly during the next five years, should take into account the housing needs of Sonoma State students, faculty and staff as well as impacts on community facilities and services. City recognizes the existance of the Sonoma Grove Trailer Park as a legal non — conforming —use and acknowledges the housing need it serves, a need primarily generated by its proximity to Sonoma State University. CONSERVATION ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Page Item 5.4 A recent water sample test result was included in the March, 1990 City Newsletter. No explanation was given for the notation N.D., which appears often in the data. Also, no explanation was noted regarding the less than ideal taste of our water. One member of Concerned Citizens placed 3 filter units on his incoming water line and must change them every other month or more often to eliminate excessive particulate matter that they otherwise would be drinking. Do we test for that problem? 5.5 Figure 5.4 Could we add some average ranges of water usage for cities near us that have individual water meters on houses and businesses? 5.5 Add discussion about potential contamination from manufacturing discharge of high technology companies like Hewlett Packard. Add discussion about seepage from septic systems in Cannon Manor into nearby well water sources. Can we show a comparison of our water quality to New York City tap water, which reportedly is one of the best for major metro- politan areas. 5.11 Why do we plan to double our water pumping capacity in a general plan for a city of 40,000 which is already around 35,000? 5.12 Section 5.7 By what standards is "relatively few days of polluted air" an accurate statement. This paragraph appears misleading as many residents have expressed concern about the number of days of "beige sky" every year. How limited is temperature inversion? How many days per year and how has the severity changed over the past years. 5.13 Section 5.8 Item #5 Change water for residents of R.P. 5.13 #12 & 13 See note on page 2 5.14 Add the following new items: to "Insure and Improve" safe drinking - Encourage the installation of Solar Energy (passive and active) in all new construction including financial incentives. - Create a plan to eliminate either the septic systems in Cannon Manor or the use of water from wells in any are that could become contaminated by those systems. - Require individual site water metering for all new construction, (business, commercial, industrial and residential). - Develop a Hazardous Waste education and collection program to be implimented within 1 -year. (Almost 88% of 4000+ surveyed agree) Publish existing levels or volumes of toxins emitted by local businesses and industries and discarded in solid and liquid waste by households. Plan and conduct studies to obtain the needed data. Harvey Bell Page 1 of 2 March 19, 1990 CONSERVATION ELEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Page Item 5.14 Recommended new items to be added (continued): Publish the average family water usage - Prepare and publish a comparison of water usage in metered to non - metered usage. Prepare and publish a study of the number of "beige air" days and inversion layer days. - Prepare and publish a study to determine the cost to retro -fit all Rohnert Park homes and buildings with water meters including the anticipated water savings and the potential break -even point where that expense might be paid for in reduced water costs. Include an evaluation of innovative and creative financing plans. Also include the estimated cost of the 13.0 million gallon capacity pumping station that is on page 5.11 to allow a comparison of the cost to continue extravagant water usage versus the cost to have people "pay -as -they -use" water more efficiently. - 75% of the 4000+ survey respondents agreed that the City should do more to encourage water conservation. 80% of survey respondents will use the new recycling program. Did we give plastic boxes to apartment dwellers to help them sort and carry recyclables to an apartment complex collection area? 5.13 #12 & 13 Provide in this 5 -year plan only for sewage treatment capacity and water supply for the city of 40,000 that this plan defines. page 2 of 2 Harvey Bell March 19, 1990