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SANTA ANA HEIGHTS PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAC Minutes April 4th, 2006 6:30-8:30PM YMCA 2300 University Drive Draft/ subject to change In attendance: BV, Greg Carroll, Davis Stieve, Mary Slouka, Ted Nichols Jayne Jones, Tim Stoaks, Gary Hall, Harold Klassen, Rick Dayton Excused: Richard Moriarity 1: Chairman's Remarks: : The West side annexation application will be finished in the next two weeks then LAFCO reviews 6 to 8 months. BV also reported that she attended the work shop for the General Plan. In that plan they clearly stated at the top of the presentation that their goal was to preserve the integrity of the established communities as far as noise and traffic were concerned. Yet this plan also calls for over 3000 residential units around the airport. Birch and Campus area. This would directly affect our community. There will be a planning commission hearing this Thurs regarding noise issues and I suggest you attend. 2: Approval of Feb. 2006 minutes Motion to approve the minutes made by Mary, Ted 2nds. Motion passes 3: Public Comments: We ask that the public keep their comments to 3 minutes or less in as courtesy to others as we have many speakers and agenda items to cover in a timely manner. If you have a comment on anything on the agenda, please wait until that item is being addressed. Public comments can only address PAC related issues or proposed projects. We ask that you do not comment on issues PAC has no jurisdiction over. A suggestion is to prepare your comments in writing to keep you focused and within the time frame. No public comments Staff & Committee Reports: 4) Projects Overview Sub Committee Report � Barbara V (5 minutes) this report will give an overall progress report on projects and issues discussed with the County CEO�s office and the City during the past two months... Project Update Sub Committee: 3/31/06 Dave Kiff reported that the Fire Facility Overlay District was approved. This overlay adjusts the height limits for the Fire Training Facility but limits that increase to just the Fire Station parcel. Bids for the Fire Station Facility will come in April 4th. Depending on the bids, the City will attempt to award a contract around April 25th and start work on around June 1st. Construction time one year/ Greg says the 2nd screen fencing by golf course needs to be re worked. Cleaned up Undergrounding: Larry and Dave need to work on an invoice to give Edison another $30,000.00 for continued design process and preliminary engineering. Mesa Birch Park: Pederson architect has been approved for a additional scope fee for the additional civil study and he will come back on May 1st with completed plans and project specs. City staffers may get to review and approval time to advertise for a bid on 6/1 assuming acceptable bids award could occur on about 7/11. Work could start by 8/1 and could be completed in 4 months. The County has been in discussion with the property owner debating over the market value of the easement. We are asking to Larry to talk to the CEO real estate division and see if we can�t get the land we need for park transferred so we don�t delay the project while they negotiate the easement. Arena: Dave has two proposals from the environmental and permitting consultants and will discuss this at PAC. Orchard St. Park: Larry and the Bruce Thomas purchasing mgr. of the County will be talking to Natalia the property Mgr. and see the site next Wed. or Thurs. Maybe start construction in Dec. It is anticipated that this would take 1 month to construct. Kline Dr: Larry met with Jim Miller at RDMD he brought up a number of concerns. Larry needs to fund a study for the scope of work, including drainage issues etc. That will give RDMD some alternatives regarding what they can do and what they can�t do. He estimated that this could be a 2 year deal. The study could take 3-4 months and he may need to go to the BOS to get the money for the study. Irvine Ave Widening/ Bristol Side Walk: Paul Lanning reported before he left that we do not need to go back to the BOS for the additional funds needed for this project that PAC approved Community Center: April 11th is important date At the City Council�s afternoon Study Session set for 4:00 p.m. on April 11th, City staff and various pool experts will discuss several different concepts for pools, including 2 variations on the 50 meter pool, (a �meet� pool and a recreational pool), a 25 x 25 meter pool, and a 25 x 35 meter pool. 5/ Community Center- BV & Dave Kiff 15 (minutes) This project has been under attack once again. PAC has come to discover that, in term sheets between the YMCA and the City of Newport Beach for the YMCA-City operating agreement, there is language in the document for a 50 meter pool. There is also language reflecting a 25 meter pool. This was a surprise to PAC and to Council Member Ed Selich who, like us, thought this whole issue had been put to rest months ago. When Mr. Selich checked with the City Mgr. he was informed that council members Daigle and Ridgeway had pushed for making sure that a 50 meter pool stayed as a viable part of any City-YMCA agreement, despite previous recommendations of City Staff, PAC and YMCA against the larger pool. This is the third time this issue will be discussed. PAC, the surrounding neighborhood, the City Staff, the architects, all have given solid reasons as to why a 50 meter pool does not fit into this project. In order to fit this into the project: * A 50 meter pool does not fit into the current plan physically. We have already spent $70,000.00 on this with the architects. *There are strong questions if geologically it would even be feasible and if so, would the costs be so out of line to shore up the grading to support such a structure it would be cost prohibitive. *The building square footage may have to decrease losing community room space and work out space, all of which the community has strongly asked for in the Y study of 2004 *The longer this process is delayed the higher the cost of the facility. Most likely this could go way above 25 million dollars. Do we support such expenditure when it started out in 2002 at 11.5 million dollars? *The financial plan for the Center also changes drastically and one that does not pencil for the Y. RDA dollars can not be used for the operating deficit, so who makes up the loss? The City? And how much are the citizens of Newport willing to pay for this deficit? *The warm water senior programs will cease *The out door water facility for small children is most likely deleted. Dave Kiff inserts his comments here that �� not necessarily. There may be room for a warm water pool OR a splashpark, but having all three elements � 50 meter pool, splashpark, and warm water pool � may not fit. *The whole focus of creating a multi use facility for the broadest aspect of the community, now changes to a single use aquatic facility. . At this point we need to ask ourselves if this really the community concept we want. Dave Kiff explained the difference between the two different types of 50 meter pools. He went on to say that the type of 50 meter pool (a �meet pool�) for water polo and matches of that nature and swim meets, was not the pool the City Council was leaning towards. It was the 50 meter �recreational� pool that could be split into three sections. With a single body of water, there is no way to heat one section of the pool to a higher temperature to accommodate the wishes of seniors who like 83-84 degree water. BV raised the point that all the mail in the Daily Pilot that was in favor of the 50 meter pool, mention they wanted this size pool because of polo and swim meets. SO now this really does not make any sense because apparently it is not the version the City is proposing. Dave Kiff went on to say that the 25 X 35 meter pool accomplishes what our original scope was and still is and PAC should look at this. Craig Buell,swim coach at the YMCA explained all the reasons why a 50 meter pool works for swim teams. Leslie Daigle was in the audience and Rick asked some pointed questions he had directed towards her and she explained that she was there strictly as an observer and refused to answer his questions stating she would hold off answering questions until the City Council Study session on April 11, 2006. BV recapped the progress of this project since 2001. She stated that when the original scope was discussed it was for a community room, a small pool, a tennis court as well as a large outside green belt area with play equipment for children. That was the Kohl property on Cypress St. at 3.5 million dollars. The City would not get on board with this project since we had no one to run it as well as no operating financial plan to keep the facility in the black. The RDA and the County could not, and the City did not want to run any facility. So we went back to the drawing board. Then the YMCA came into the picture. They were selling the property, and housing developers came to the City to see if the City would purchase the property for senior low cost housing. The surrounding community did not want to see this happen. The sub committee saw an opportunity here. Keep the programs that the Y currently offered regarding, increase the community rooms for meetings so needed by the community, and work on an operating proposal so this facility would make money. The City would own the facility and enter in an operating agreement with the Y. This seemed like a win win for everyone. The price tag at that time was 11.5 million dollars. In 2004 the Y had an extensive study done at the cost of about 20,000.00 to identify what programs folks wanted this facility to offer. Overwhelmingly respondents wanted the current work our programs and the senior swim programs to continue. We also saw a strong need for community rooms for meetings. No where did it ever mention the need for a 50 meter pool and the programs that go along with that. These days the majority of emails that BV is getting from the community state that this project is spinning out of control dollar wise and scope wise. Residents are urging PAC to pull support from this project and place those dollars in other areas such as undergrounding for the West Side. Tim Stoaks makes this motion: If by June PAC meeting we don�t have a resolution for a cap of 18 million dollars on this project , and an agreement between the Y and the City, the PAC we will ask the Chairman to re evaluate the feasibility of this project. 2nd the motion by Davis. 8 approve 1 neg. 1 abstention motion passes 6 Budget Review � Greg (10 minutes) Greg met with County will share his thoughts and observations with us. He had a good meeting and will meet with John and they plan to meet again. He will give us more information at the next meeting. 7/ Arena & Equestrian Projects / Jayne Jones- Mary Slouka- Dave Kiff (10minutes) Since the Arena Project application was submitted to The California Coastal Commission last November the CCC has asked for addition information on four separate items in order to proceed with the application process. Those Items are: 1. Update Local Approval and Project Description. 2. Site Ownership. 3. Department of Fish and Game Easement 4. Manure Management Plan. Items 2.3.and 4. Have been answered. Dave Kiff is currently working with consultants on Item #1. Here is an update from Dave Kiff last week: "I have two requests out to CEQA/Permitting consultants to help us with The horse arena -- one is to Keeton Kreitzer, the person who handled the first arena project. The other is to John Douglas, who has done similar work for the City in the past. I expect to hear back from them in a week or so and will keep you posted. I have sent them lots of information that I have along with the link to the SAHPAC website." Once Item #1 is completed the application will be presented to the commission for approval at their regularly scheduled monthly meetings. On Feb 9, 2006 The Arena Sub-Committee met with 3 members of the Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends (NBNF) and Assistant City Manager Dave Kiff at Newport Beach City Hall to discuss the Delhi Channel Arena Project. The meeting was an introduction and fact-finding session for both groups. The NBNF was given an over view and update on the project. NBNF board member Dennis Baker stated that the board was in the process of gathering information about the project and did not have an official opinion regarding the project at this time. Now that contact has been make between both groups The Arena Sub-Committee will keep the NBNF informed as to the progress of the project. Dave said that the City wants to bring in an environmental consultant to address the Newport Bay Naturalists & Friends concerns. The consultant may have to prepare a new environmental (CEQA) document. The consultant�s cost to do this work, including the environmental documents and permit processing, will be about $39,000.00 . The consultant�s contract will have to be approved by the City Council. The consultant could refresh the old environmental work, but in light of the NBNF�s concerns, it�s likely that the consultant will have to prepare a Mitigated Negative Declaration � a process that could take 2-3 months, including public hearings. Dave has been talking with Keeton Kreitzer, the person who handled the first arena project as previously stated and seems to be leaning towards this consultant. Dave will be in touch with Jayne on this. 8/ Interpretive Center Suggestions �Jayne Jones (5 minutes) Per Sue Mcintire, Acting Senior Ranger for the Interpretative Center, the Parking Fees have been put on hold indefinitely while alternative revenue generators are discussed. She has also asked for the PAC to provide any past documentation of agreements or meeting notes that may have indicated a waiver of parking fees at the center. BV reports that in asking Mark Esslinger about this, there was no documentation regarding the original agreement and parking. I have talked with Dave Rudat at the County CEO�s office and he indicated that there will be no parking fees for the time being. He went on to say that the City and the County are negotiating for the RDA and that as they talk they will include this issue. So for now, this is on hold as Jayne reported. Dave Rudat stated that he will stay in touch if things change. The PAC had discussion about the fact that the parking issue that Sue is talking about would probably have been in the original environmental impact report and those reports are on file at the main library. Jayne, Tim and Mary will look for this report and get back to us at the June PAC meeting 9/ Development Committee � Rick (5 minutes) View Park Mesa Birch. They are in plan check and they are moving forward and they are doing the civil work. There are 2 parts to the project application: 1. Tentative Tract Map 2. PD (Planned Development) Overlay The tentative tract map is reviewed at staff level by the Subdivision Committee. Mark Esslinger is the case planner for that submittal. Case planner for the PD Overlay review is Jim Swanek. The PD overlay submittal similar to a Use Permit. It requires review by the Planning Commission. The staff report for the planning commission review supported the project. PAC's support letter was part of the review package, as was (1) letter against the project by a neighboring condominium owner who stated that the project should be limited to 2-story high units. One resident from the West Santa Ana Heights area, May Ranck, spoke at the hearing in favor of the project. In their discussion about the project, the planning commissioners had a problem with the 3-story high units and with the narrow setbacks (6 feet) between the units. They felt that 3-stories was not in keeping with the surrounding neighborhood, and they felt that 6 footbuilding separation was too close, also not in keeping with thesurrounding neighborhood. The project was turned down in a 2-3 vote. 3-stories are allowed under the Zoning Code as long as the total height does not exceed 35 feet. Side yard setbacks, or separation between adjacent units, are determined on a case-by-case basis in a Planned Development. There is no set standard in the Zoning Code. After the Planning Commission decision, Waterpointe met with Supervisor Silva and with Todd Ridgeway. According to Garrett Calacci from Waterpointe, both Silva and Ridgeway support the project as designed. Waterpointe has applied for an appeal to the Board of Supervisors. They are on the agenda 4/18 Board of Supervisors meeting. 10/ New Business��an agenda item for PAC members & the public to put new projects and issues out there and add them to the next agenda. BV will also follow up in this section with last month�s requests and answers. 1/ Tim Stoaks and Jayne Jones would like to bring up the possibility for crafting language in the residential equestrian zoning homes in SAH to help preserve the ability to build the new �Mansion style� home but continue to do so with a side yard set back that would preserve the possibility of access to the rear yard of the home. They propose 10' side yard setback on one side. The set back change would require a re-setting of the zoning code. This would have to go to the planning commission and city council for the process. Tim and Jayne are going to talk with our development committee to get this language correct and bring this back to PAC in June for a vote. This will be an agenda item. They will propose a motion at the June PAC meeting for this. The motion to read: Motion is to recommend for the REQ District a Ten (10) foot minimum side yard building setback on one side of the property while the opposite side yard building setback shall remain five (5) feet minimum. 2/Kline Dr. Lake Thanks to you and to the PAC for stewarding the Kline Drive project. I wanted to pass along that recent rains have re-opened the potholes which were covered with dirt during the recent fire hydrant installation on Kline Drive. The good news was, during the installation, crews dumped small amounts of leftover asphalt in some of the holes, and then they bulldozed leftover dirt into many of the remaining holes. The bad news was, they left the street covered with much more dirt than before. Rather than haul away the dirt displaced by the pipe, they apparently just spread it over what was previously mostly disintegrating asphalt and cement. Now, when we leave home during rainy spells, our tires spread the mud down Orchard St where it can be enjoyed by all (and washed into the storm drains, no doubt). When the mud dries out between storms, there's more dust than in the pre-hydrant days, and when it's not being blown into Kline Drive houses, it's usually carried toward Orchard, sometimes creating a cloud visible for blocks. In other words, the Kline Drive situation is affecting more and more of the community, not just the Klinites. Jeff Schneidewind 20281 Kline Drive Dave Kiff will give us a contact at IRWD and have them take care of this problem. Harold says that the current hydrants don�t meet the gallons per minute county fire authority or UPC. BV will talk with Larry about this problem. 3/ Linda Wooters Please consider including landscaping along Mesa/Birch as a new project. This area is very unsightly, and needs beautification. Making visual improvements is one of the Redevelopment agencies responsibilities. Up grading the chain link fence, adding retaining walls to allow for more landscaping surface along the golf course and side walks. As well as, a more visually pleasing bumper guard rail. Greg recommends that we take this suggestion to the New Projects meeting in May. Greg says the apartment complex is wanting sound intuation money from JWA and it is way beyond the time frame for sound intinuation and the acoustical program. This complex is a non conforming use and there is still a debate about this. Motion to close Tim 2nds motion passes meeting adjourned at 8:09 Next PAC meeting June 6th at the new Mariners Library this is slated to open on April 20th. |
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