MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE LOMPOC PLANNING COMMISSION. January 23, 2013

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE LOMPOC PLANNING COMMISSION. January 23, 2013"

Joleen King
5 years ago
Views:

1 MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE LOMPOC PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 2013 Adopted March 13,2013 ROLL CALL: Commissioner Cioni Commissioner Allan Clark Commissioner Ron Fink Commissioner Jack Rodenhi Commissioner Mary Leach STAFF: Planning Manager Lucille Breese Principal Planner Keith Neubert Deputy City Attorney Brandon Ward ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Tim Smith, City of Lompoc Wastewater Superintendent - advised the Planning Commission the City Council will be considering rate increases in the future; noted the recent expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant is prepared for large capacity which has not yet been met; advised the rates are based on the number of connections; and asked the Commission to consider this in future hearings. Marc Donars, owner of the Lilley Building - expressed concern with Commission review of the Old Town Specific Plan unless the underlying economic issues are also considered; including but not limited to the estimate for repair of the Theater; possibility of condemning buildings on South H Street; and the problem with allowing auto dealers in the Old Town. Commissioner Fink requested Mr. Donars provide his concerns in writing for consideration. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: CONSENT CALENDAR: None None PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS: 1. OLD TOWN SPECIFIC PLAN - TA The Planning Commission will begin a comprehensive review of the City of Lompoc Old Town Specific Plan (OTSP) and prepare a recommendation to the City Council for possible updates. The OTSP was prepared by Urban Design Studio and adopted by the City of Lompoc in December 2000 following a series of community workshops. The OTSP contains Development Standards delineating Architecture, Signage, and Permitted Uses in the Old Town Area. A copy of the OTSP is available on the City website at town specific plan.pdf

January 23.2012 Page 2 Planning Manager Lucille Breese briefly summarized the written staff report.

2 January Page 2 Planning Manager Lucille Breese briefly summarized the written staff report. Commissioner Fink advised the audience there were three (3) questions to be discussed by the Planning Commission at the meeting and he requested the comments remain focused on those items. Discussion point 1 - shall the OTSP be retained? OPEN PUBLIC HEARING at 6:40 p.m. Stephen Pepe, Chair of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) - presented a power point identifying changes suggested by the EDC; noted the OTSP should be less stringent and more business friendly; expressed a need to attract individual business to the Old Town; and agreed the area should be pedestrian friendly. Alice Milligan, EDC member - was involved in original OTSP and expressed frustration nothing has happened; stated there has only been one (1) change to the text of the document; and stated there should be marketing of the community to potential businesses outside the area. Nicholas Gonzales, property owner - noted one of the biggest blocks to progress is financial feasibility; stated some things are out of the Planning Commission prevue; expressed concern with size of some of the buildings, should allow multiple tenants; noted architectural requirements were costly; and agreed OTSP needs revisions. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING at 6:50 p.m. Commissioner Cioni has recently read the OTSP; agreed with need for a plan to retain the energy for the Old Town; stated it was a shame nothing has happened; noted an OT Manager was recommended; agreed with a need to attract investors; and agreed with the need to modernize the document. Commissioner Leach stated the OTSP should definitely be retained; noted some goals should be identified that could be accomplished to show progress; agreed with need to update but not completely change OTSP; noted funding section needed careful review; and encouraged the audience to participate and comment at future meetings. Commissioner Clark agreed it is important to retain the OTSP; noted the plan can achieve nothing by itself but is a framework; stated a OT manager would be a good idea as there would be a person to focus on the area; and reiterated the plan is a good starting point to move ahead. Commissioner Rodenhi stated the OTSP has more benefits than cost; noted there don't appear to be many serious restrictions; agreed some changes can be made by the City but business owners need to step up and take advantage of the plan; and identified progress such as pavers and street furniture that have been installed by the City.

3 January Page 3 Commissioner Fink agreed with retaining; noted if there are areas where it has not been successful changes can be made; stated three (3) large projects have been approved (Chestnut Landing, Ruskowski Building; Walnut & I) however none have been completed; stated finance was key to improvement; and advised there would be several meetings held to discuss changes. Discussion point 2 -review stated purpose of OTSP Purpose No. 1: Develop the Old Town Commercial District and appropriate development standards; OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Stephen Pepe, EDC Chair - noted the language needs modernization and suggested only prohibited uses be listed. Carol Benham, resident - noted purpose is the same to create a thriving Old Town core and encourage visitors and residents to spend time; agrees with EDC bullet points except for auto use; indicated need for more retail than office; stated after OTSP was adopted LHCDC proposed commercial development in much of the Old Town; and indicated the City had relied on LHCDC to perform. Debbie McComb, EDC member - stated auto sales promotes pedestrian activity and stated her dream was for the Old Town to remain retro and quirky. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Consensus on Commission to retain purpose No. 1 Purpose No 2: Prepare guidelines for the design of architecture, storefronts, landscaping, and signs which enhance the Old town image and encourage pedestrian activity; Commissioner Cioni and Commissioner Rodenhi agreed with the need to encourage pedestrian activity. Commissioner Fink indicated the Commission would examine impacts of storefront and signage. Purpose No. 3: Develop an appropriate urban design and streetscape concept plan for Old Town; Commissioner Rodenhi suggested adding "new construction" Commissioner Leach indicated the building on the south east corner of H and Ocean wouldn't have been allowed if it had been constructed after adoption of the OTSP. Commissioner Fink expressed a cautionary comment about having too explicit language in the document. Mary Saladino - suggested artists and Historic Society could help design storefronts and expressed need for tourist buses to park.

4 January Page 4 Commissioner Leach reminded the audience the City cannot make improvement to private property it is incumbent upon the property owners to step forward. Ms. Long - agreed with need for old buildings to be updated and noted Old Town Orcutt did a great job. Toni Ostini - reported during a weekend trip to Monterey she had viewed the need for a theme for continuity in an area. Dirk Starbuck - owns property on South H Street and noted the impediments to investment because of the lack of return on investment. Purpose No. 4: Encourage the development of Old Town Lompoc as a center for specialty retail, mixed-use projects, and cultural activities; Commissioners Cioni and Leach agreed with the need for a specific feel to the Old Town. Arlen Sechrest - pointed out the successful business in the old Moores Building which provides people an opportunity for a variety of uses. Commissioner Fink concurred. Purpose No. 5: Enhance Old town automobile and pedestrian circulation; Commissioner Cioni expressed need to put priority on pedestrian not automobile traffic and stated the OTSP discussed underground parking. Commissioner Fink agreed but noted the limitation of a State Highway bisecting the area. Commissioner Clark agreed there was a difficulty with H and Ocean and that "automobile" should be removed from purpose. Commissioner Rodenhi would like to remove "automobile" from purpose; suggested development be focused further south; and noted concern with impacts on existing business by the Old Town Market activities. Commissioner Leach agreed the State Highway was problematic; however, agreed with need to reduce automobiles and suggested a shuttle from the hotel area or "wine ghetto" and noted the limited adding "mass transportation" to the purpose. available parking needs to be addressed. She suggested OPEN PUBLIC HEARING

Planning Commission Minutes Adopted March 13, 2013 January 23.

5 Planning Commission Minutes Adopted March 13, 2013 January Paqe 5 Alice Milligan - expressed agreement with removal of automobiles; stated successful Old Town needs people not automobiles; and suggested looking at adding trees to median. Dawn Thomas - stated as written the language seems to serve the purpose. Debbie McComb - agrees with Commissioner Rodenhi about location of future development; pointed to Solvang with a similar problem of the State Highway; and noted need for Old Town shuttle and creation of a Town Square. Toni Ostini - expressed concern with State Highway and noted Solvang has same problem; suggested narrowing Hwy 246 through the Old Town; and agreed with need for trees in median and a Town Square. Ms. Long - agreed parking should be off main street; pointed out success of Teddy Grossini's business in the Old Town; and suggested changing the intersection of H and Ocean to one where the pedestrian can move in any direction when crossing. Nicholas Gonzales - agreed with need to preserve preferential parking status to provide easily accessible parking for visitors and noted in other successful areas, such as Pasadena, where the alleys are closed down during specific hours to allow pedestrian access. Mary Saladino - agreed closing the alleys during specific hours was a good suggestion however there is the problem of large delivery trucks. Carol Benham - agreed with removal of "automobile11 and suggested enhancement of accessible parking. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Purpose No. 6: Provide strategies for the effective implementation Old Town Specific Plan Commissioner Cioni suggested the need to look at existing and short-term small improvements. Commissioner Rodenhi agreed and pointed out the EDC set up short term goals when the Committee was formed and suggested coordination with the EDC. Alice Milligan - agreed it is important to show progress and stated the need for staff members at City Hall to focus on Old Town. Debbie McComb - stated the language in the plan was too general and suggested a more aggressive marketing and pro-active outreach to business.

6 January Page 6 Commissioner Leach expressed concern with assuming the City should pursue an aggressive marketing statement and noted the City provides funding for the Chamber of Commerce to engage in marketing the community. Commissioner Rodenhi agreed the Chamber of Commerce does a great job of marketing Lompoc and noted the unique advantages of the community in the wine and aerospace areas. Commissioner Clark noted it would be very valuable for the business community to form an association. Commissioner Fink concurred with language provided by Ms. McComb. Purpose No. 7: Ensure consistency with the Lompoc General Plan. Review of the 2030 General Plan Update will be started by the City Council on January 29, The OTSP is consistent with the current 1997 General Plan Discussion point 3 - boundaries of OTSP area OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Janelle Osborn EDC member - expressed agreement with existing OTSP boundaries. Mary Saladino - asked if the Artesia School would be included in the OTSP area. CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING Commissioner Clark noted current boundaries have non-conforming auto related uses. Commissioner Leach suggested deleting the area of North H Street that is north of Walnut Avenue and the area of East Ocean Avenue that is east of G Street since these areas don't reflect the uses in the Old Town, and noted people would not walk from one end of Old Town to the other, indicated removing the parking allowance would be a concern. Commissioner Fink discussed the more compact form and doesn't disagree with the change. Commissioner Cioni questioned allowing automobile uses. Commissioner Leach replied automobile sales would not be preferred in the Old Town. Commissioner Rodenhi noted an auto dealership is not necessarily contrary to a pedestrian friendly area.

7 Planning Commission Minutes Adopted March 13, 2013 January 23, 2012 Page 7 Commissioner Fink noted the next meeting on the OTSP is scheduled for February 27, He suggested an ad hoc committee be formed of two (2) Planning Commissioners and three (3) or four (4) members of the EDC to be staffed by Planning staff for the purpose of providing recommendations on the plan and help provide structure to upcoming discussions. Commissioner Clark and Rodenhi volunteered. Staff will contact the EDC for their list of volunteers. Dennis Block, owner of American Host - concurred with the evening's discussion; noted optimism for the plan; and suggested microbrewery or more wine tasting opportunities in the Old Town. Commissioner Leach indicated the concept of a public plaza needs to be included as well as opening the alleys for pedestrian access. NEW BUSINESS -None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - None DIRECTOR/STAFF COMMUNICATIONS - Planning Director Lucille Breese advised the Commission: the City Council will hold a meeting on January 29, 2013 to consider a schedule of review for the 2030 General Plan Update, and there are business items for the February 13, 2013 regular meeting. COMMISSION REQUESTS - Commissioner Clark asked about the sidewalk vendor who had been cited by the Police Department in the Old Town. Staff indicated they were aware of the matter and would provide background information to him. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Fink adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Qicille T. Breese, AICP Secretary Ron Fink Chair

Minutes of the Planning Commission / Economic Development Sub-Committee Workshop

Minutes of the Planning Commission / Economic Development Sub-Committee Workshop April 25, 2012 ROLL CALL: Planning Commission: Allan Clark Nicholas Gonzales Ron Fink Mary Leach Economic Development Sub-Committee: