09/10/19871
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - SEPTEMBER 10, 1987
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace was called to
order in the Council Chambers, Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road,
Grand Terrace, California, on September 10, 1987, at 5:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor
Barbara Pfennighausen, Mayor Pro Tem
Hugh J. Grant, Councilmember
Dennis L. Evans, Councilmember
Susan Shirley, Councilmember
Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager/Finance Director
Randy Anstine, Assistant City Manager
Juanita Brown, Deputy City Clerk
Ivan Hopkins, City Attorney
David Sawyer, Planning Director
Joe Kicak, City Engineer
ABSENT: NONE
The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Ray Williams, Grand View Baptist
Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Shirley.
Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at 5:35 p.m.
ITEMS DELETED FROM THE AGENDA
SPECIAL
PRESENTATION
Mayor Matteson asked if there were any items to be deleted from
the agenda. The City Manager requested Item 8(A) Closed
Session be deleted.
Mayor Matteson introduced the new Deputy City Clerk, Juanita
Brown, and introduced Councilmember Crawford with her new name
of Councilmember Shirley.
Constitution Week Mayor Matteson read a proclamation and presented the
proclamation to Mrs. Cox, representing Daughters of the
American Revolution, proclaiming the week of September 17-23,
1987 as Constitution Week.
National POW/MIA Mayor Matteson read a proclamation and proclaimed Friday,
Day September 18, 1987 as "National POW/MIA Day."
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen expressed her feelings about this
proclamation and stated that Grand Terrace had a citizen,
Colonel Merit, who was held as a POW for about eight years. A
tree was planted in his honor and now grows very straight and
tall at Grand Terrace School.
Mayor Matteson asked if there was anyone wishing to have items
deleted from the Consent Calendar.
CC-87-175 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen, second by Mayor
Matteson, motion carried 4-0-1 with Councilmember Grant
abstaining.
Item A - Approve Check Register No. 091087
Item B - Ratify September 10, 1987 CRA Action
Item C - Waive Full Reading of Ordinances and Resolutions on
Agenda
Item D - Approve August 27, 1987 Minutes
Item E - Approve to distribute old furniture from Fire Station
to other CDF Stations
PUBLIC
PARTICIPATION
Mayor Matteson opened the meeting for public participation.
Steven Perkio Mr. Perkio informed Council of graffiti on block walls in Grand
22401 Ladera Terrace which he had spoken to Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen
about. He felt if the City would offer a reward people would
come forward helping in the arrest and conviction of those
person(s) who commit vandalism or deface public property. He
stated a good way of getting the word out is through
Neighborhood Watches, the Sheriff's Department, Chamber's
Newsletter and the Foothill Journal.
Councilmember Grant stated Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen had
mentioned something about the amount of graffiti on walls in
the southern part of Grand Terrace several months ago. He
felt this was an excellent idea and was surprised that Council
had not thought of it before. Councilmember Grant indicated he
wasn't sure what the reward should be, but he concurred with
Mr. Perkio. He stated he will put this recommendation on the
agenda for the next Council meeting and asked everyone to think
about what type of reward should be offered.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 2
Mayor Matteson asked staff to do some research and bring
recommendations back to the next City Council meeting.
The City Manager informed Council it would be done and stated
the City has a budget of $2,000.00 which is basically
unallocated and non -departmental. He stated it is used for
donations and can be used if Council would direct staff to
develop a program. He stated it can be paid out of the budget
and would not need a motion only a direction from Council.
Mayor Matteson stated that there will be a penalty for those
caught defacing public property and the fine would be used to
pay the reward.
The City Manager indicated staff will develop a program and put
it in the next agenda.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated that almost on a weekly
basis the City was having the flag stolen and at that time, the
reward for the apprehension and conviction of whomever was
stealing the flag was established. She felt this was an act of
vandalism and theft and felt Council could piggy -back from that
without coming back with a new action, since that was an
official Council action at that time.
Mayor Matteson asked the City Attorney if that could fall under
the previous action? The City Attorney replied he wasn't sure,
he would have to research it.
Bill Dodge
Mr. Dodge stated an ongoing aggravation for himself, neighbors
22887 Finch St.
and those individuals bordering on the new construction going
on between west of Observation, south of Finch and north of
Oriole, are the Fieldcrest Homes that are going up in that
area. He stated earlier in August people in the area became
aware that the City had a noise ordinance preventing certain
types of construction activities before 7:00 a.m. and after
10:00 p.m. Mr. Dodge stated he and some of the neighbors began
to chart the activities that are going on there and had
contacted the Sheriff's Department on each occasion when the
builders had been in violation of that ordinance. Mr. Dodge
indicated the Community Services Director and City Engineer
were provided with a copy of the log. Mr. Dodge stated he and
his neighbors are tired of the developers violating the noise
ordinance and he would like Council to start some kind of legal
action to stop them. He stated he had no objection to noise
after 7:00 a.m. and up to 10:00 p.m.
Robert Faries
Mr. Faries stated the simple fact is the residents cannot stop
12491 Oriole
the developers from interrupting their sleep, their Sundays and
holidays. Mr. Faries pointed out the residents, the City
Council or the Sheriff's Department have not been able to stop
the developers. Mr. Faries stated two weeks ago a neighbor and
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 3
his son were roofing their house and the sheriff stopped them
from doing so, as a complaint had been made. He stated you can
stop a private citizen, a resident of this city, but you cannot
stop a construction crew.
Jim Sims Mr. Sims concurred with Mr. Dodge and Mr. Faries. He stated
22907 Finch the disturbances have been many and felt the City has the good
wisdom to set up an ordinance to control these types of things
and all the citizens are asking for is that they be enforced.
Quentin Raaz Mr. Raaz stated he was not aware of the noise ordinance until a
12467 Oriole week ago. He stated he and his sons-in-law were putting a roof
on his home and the Sheriff's Deputy came along and said there
had been a complaint about the noise. After he was made aware
of the noise ordinance, which at the time he wasn't, they quit
roofing. He stated he had called the City about the cement
trough and watering entering his home twice from the runoff and
had been told by a fried that the trough had been approved by
an engineer. Mr. Raaz felt commercial businesses should be
forced to comply with the code, rules and laws of Grand
Terrace.
Marilyn Dodge Mrs. Dodge stated they were told by the Sheriff's Deputies that
22887 Finch prior to obtaining the building permit to start Terrace Hills
Housing Construction, they had to sign an agreement to abide by
the noise ordinance of Grand Terrace; that the contractors are
fully aware of the noise ordinance, as the foreman has told the
deputies that he knew about it. She wanted to know what can
they do, is there any recourse.
Mayor Matteson stated there seemed to be two problems, one the
noise and the other, the runoff. He stated they should address
them separately starting with the noise ordinance.
Councilmember Evans stated he believed Council spent a good six
months with the noise problem, which resulted in a noise
ordinance relating to Inland Lumber. He stated Council came up
with the best solution they could at that particular time. He
stated construction workers want to beat the heat, but felt
they should recognize the wishes of people in the community.
Councilmember Evans noted once Council has established an
ordinance, it is not going to be any good unless it is
enforced. He questioned a condition of the building permit,
does a developer have to sign that agreement?
The City Engineer replied, "No," a condition of approval that
is set upon the developer is "you shall obey all the ordinances
of the city." He stated that is the only one that he knew of;
there is no special document that he signs regarding the
ordinances. He stated the developer was cited for a violation
on August 4, 1987 and notice of violation was given to him at
that time.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 4
Councilmember Evans asked if this was for the noise ordinance
or something else. The City Engineer replied for the noise
ordinance. Councilmember Evans questioned if the City
initiated that. The City Engineer replied the developer had
been cited on August 4, 1987.
The City Engineer stated he received today a copy of the list
of violations from the one Mr. Dodge compiled.
Mayor Matteson asked the City Engineer if he had any
suggestions as to what can be done.
The City Engineer stated he did not want to make suggestions,
but if there are any comments, he would like to hear them.
Councilmember Evans stated it is not like Council had been
inactive; Council had initiated something and obviously has not
been effective.
The City Engineer stated that is correct.
Councilmember Evans asked if the deputy who had gone out to the
scene had issued any citations.
Detective Reynosa replied,"Yes." The deputies had been at the
site, in the last month and a half, at least 36 times and on
two of those occasions issued citations.
Councilmember Evans asked other than the letter that the City
Engineer indicated, has anyone directly contacted the developer
on this project and expressed to him the problems that they
have been having and the concerns of the residents.
The City Engineer replied, "Yes," and the inspectors have
spoken to the previous superintendent, as well as the current
superintendent. He stated the citation was actually served on
Fieldcrest Homes in the field and was also forwarded to their
office, so the responsibility for compliance with the ordinance
is certainly with the developer; he felt the subcontractors
were also advised, so they all should be aware of the noise
ordinance.
Councilmember Evans questioned the City Attorney as to whether
it was possible to file a restraining order against the
developer to have them comply with the ordinance.
The City Attorney replied a
document that is preliminary
prohibit the continuation of
case is noise.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
temporary restraining order is a
to a preliminary injunction to
a public nuisance, which in this
Page 5
Councilmember Evans asked the City Attorney whether it would be
possible for staff to submit a letter to the developer stating
that if they do not immediately comply with the noise
ordinance, that the City will seek other legal means.
The City Attorney agreed to follow through.
Councilmember Evans asked that this be put on the next agenda
for Council to see if they have complied within the two -week
period and whether legal recourse in the form of a restraining
order is needed.
The City Attorney stated they probably would not wait two
weeks, since there were so many violations and they had not
complied with the law. He stated Council will be considering
calling an adjourned meeting prior to two weeks and at that
time Council could declare a public nuisance and seek the
injunction.
Councilmember Evans asked the concerned citizens whether this
was agreeable with them.
The City Engineer stated he will write a letter to Fieldcrest
Homes advising them that their inspections are suspended until
they come into compliance with this ordinance; this will not
stop them from working immediately, but it will stop them at a
point where they will have to have inspections in order to
continue with the next phase.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated that the City is not going
to favor the developer because he is going to bring in taxes
as citizens pay taxes too. She explained the noise ordinance
is called a nuisance ordinance and no one rolls on a nuisance
ordinance unless someone makes a complaint. As far as
construction defects, if property adjacent to this building
site is being adversely affected by the construction project
that is going on, it's our responsibility and your
responsibility to see that that it is stopped. If it exists
now, it should be corrected immediately. If this man's fence
has been undermined, it is Fieldcrest's responsibility to see
that the problem is taken care of immediately, not when the job
is completed. She indicated she has concerns for the residents
along Oriole. She stated if Council were to stop construction
on that site today, the winter rains could cause big problems.
She stated she would like to see the project finished because
of what it is going to do down line. It should continue in a
legal way, adhering to ordinances, abiding by building codes
and all that ought to be possible. She indicated she has some
real concerns about stopping the project at this point, but if
that is what has to be done, she suggests hauling in sandbags
to build a dam since there is no landscaping to stop mud flow.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 6
The City Attorney stated construction activity noises are
exempted from the probations of the noise ordinance prohibiting
loud excessive noises. However, construction activities
between 8:00 p.m., not 10:00 p.m., and 7:00 a.m. on weekdays
and Saturdays are not exempted and, therefore, construction
sites cannot make loud excessive noises between those
designated times, as well as make any loud excessive noises on
Sundays and national holidays.
Councilmember Grant stated we have a double standard and it is
not the sheriff necessarily exercising the double standard,
it's just that the big guy can put up with the pressure of
government longer than the little guy. He concurred with the
other Councilmembers on getting some kind of legal judgment
against the developers because apparently that is the only
thing that they are going to understand.
Mayor Matteson asked the City Attorney if he started on this
tomorrow, September 11, 1987, do you have to give the
developers so many days to comply, what would be legal?
The City Attorney replied he will start the process tomorrow to
stop the noise and if they completely ignore us, then next week
we will have a temporary restraining order preliminary to the
injunction.
Councilmember Evans stated he wanted it understood that he did
not want to stop the development of the project; but that the
developers comply with the order.
The City Engineer stated that they also needed to address the
drainage problem. He stated for the benefit of those concerned
regarding the existing ditch it is not a product that will be
accepted.
Mayor Matteson thanked the concerned citizens for bringing this
to Council's attention. However, this documentation started on
August 4, 1987 and he wished they had brought this matter to
their attention before this. He stated it takes the City a
certain length of time to put things in motion and the City is
here for the people, to protect them and to represent them, so
when something like this comes up let the City know
immediately.
Mr. Dodge stated the developers have done this since they broke
ground. He further stated it took the concerned citizens until
August 4, 1987 to get a hold of the ordinance and to supply the
sheriff with copies of the ordinance so he could enforce it.
Mayor Matteson stated this is the first time Council was aware
of this and Council will immediately take action.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 7
Mr. Dodge stated the citizens do not want to shut the
developers down. Mayor Matteson thanked Mr. Dodge and said
they do not have to shut down, but they do have to comply.
Mr. Faries stated he wanted something done about the drainage
problem. The rains will be coming down into their yards and
finishing the homes the developers are working on now is not
going to stop the water. The developers are building ten to
fifteen homes in the center of this development and they can
put in all the landscape they want, but that is not going to
stop the mud.
Mr. Sims stated he is a civil engineer and questioned the City
Engineer whether the developers are required to prepare a road
control plan to control drainage from within the tract so it
will not create the mud slides. He asked if the developers
have done this.
The City Engineer stated, in this particular case, the
estimated date of completion for the public road has since
passed so, based on their schedule, he felt that the area
would be adequately protected from any potential mud slides or
runoff, especially in the public right-of-way; therefore, in
this particular case they were not required to submit a plan.
Mr. Sims asked whether the developers could prepare such a plan
since they are running past the anticipated schedule.
The City Engineer stated he agreed with Mr. Sims, that such a
plan is an excellent tool, you can have the plan, but trying to
implement it and having the cooperation is another thing.
Mrs. Dodge Mrs. Dodge stated she prepared the response for the Southern
Pacific Transportation Company Railroad litigation versus the
City of Grand Terrace and filed it. She asked the Council to
do them a favor and get the Temporary Restraining Order, if
necessary.
Dick Rollins Mr. Rollins stated he would like to remind the City Attorney he
22700 DeBerry did work out an ordinance for a law regarding a reward for
vandalism of public property.
Mr. Rollins indicated a reward was posted in the park when
vandals burned down the bulletin board. He stated the City
Engineer came up with the answer. The developers are paying
over $6,000.00 a day in construction interest money, that time
is of the essence and the developers are going to ignore you
all they can to keep from paying other interest rates. He
stated the way to stop the developers is to stop the inspection
permits; stop the inspections and you stop construction; then
the interest rates go up and that will force them to abide by
the ordinance.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 8
Mr. Rollins stated that by the City Engineer writing a letter
it will be far more powerful than the letter the City Attorney
writes because the developer want those subs in there to get
the job done as fast as it can be done.
Mr. Rollins asked permission to hand out copies of Assembly
Bill 1637, which Barbara Riordan, 3rd District Supervisor, is
spear -heading for SANBAG. He further stated the Parks and
Recreation Committee is going to have an educational process
with taxpayers of this County.
ORAL REPORTS
Committee Reports There were no Committee reports.
City Council Reports
Councilmember Councilmember Evans stated last week he was contacted by a
Evans gentlemen who lives on the west side of the freeway in regard
to a problem involving the truck swampers and the traffic
problems they are creating along Barton Road. He had passed
the information on to the Community Services Director and was
curious as to what current status is.
The Assistant City Manager stated they notified the Sheriff's
Department, and those individuals that were stopped and parked
in the public right-of-way where it was posted no parking, were
moved on. He stated there are some individuals that are
parking on private property and the City has no control over
that property. He thought Mr. Hughes and some of the residents
from Grand Terrace Road have submitted a request to the Mayor
and members of the City Council to designate certain areas
along Grand Terrace Road as "No Parking" areas.
Councilmember Evans requested the Assistant City Manager to
review the letter and see if it would be appropriate to place
"No Parking" signs in those designated areas and hopefully
resolve the problem.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated the City needs to talk very
carefully to the people along Grand Terrace Road to find out
what can be done and advise them of how restrictive the
solution can be. She stated the other thing that she is
concerned about is the condition of the private property upon
which these people are parking. She felt the property should
be inspected for health and fire hazards. We need to make them
remove the trash and garbage, and if they are not using proper
toilet facilities, then the City needs to do something about
that.
Mayor Matteson noted that the piece of property is in escrow
and will be developed soon.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 9
Councilmember Evans asked the Assistant City Manager if he had
already inspected the property. The Assistant City Manager
indicated staff made a visual inspection after Councilmember
Evans reported it to staff and staff notified the County of San
Bernardino Environmental Health Department and the appropriate
notices of violation are being prepared.
Councilmember Evans stated as far as the impact of no parking
signs, it was explained to Mr. Hughes that he was to contact
the people who would directly be impacted by any potential
signs. He stated the letter that was submitted had the
concurrence of all the property owners in the immediate area.
He stated it is his understanding that the owners are fully
aware that if the signs do go up, it will have some impact.
The Assistant City Manager stated he would assume that if those
individuals who are going to be impacted by the proposed "No
Parking" area, concur with that request and it will then be
placed on the agenda for the City Council to take the
appropriate action, to so designate that as a "No Parking"
area.
Councilmember Grant concurred with the other Councilmembers;
sees it five mornings a week and felt it is a very sad
situation. He wondered to what extent, if any, Stater Bros.
Company could assist the City in this. He stated Warren Coake
is the chief security man for that company and felt something
ought to be done to involve Mr. Coake.
Mayor Pro Tem Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen indicated she and Councilmember
Pfennighausen Evans attended the first Municipal Water Advisory Board
Commission meeting after they were selected to do so. She
indicated they are going to be addressing 14 specific areas of
concern that was brought forth to them through a survey done
throughout the Municipal Water District and they are going to
tackle the first five at the next meeting and will report back
to the people at that time.
Mayor Matteson stated Victor Construction is planning on doing
a complex down on Commerce Way, but they don't want to wait
until the General Plan is approved for that area. He stated
they would like to have a meeting with the City Council to get
input next week to get the feel of Council and Planning
Commission. He asked how Council felt about this meeting and
stated he, personally, felt it is good to get an idea before
the developer gets too far into his plans on what we want for
the City down there.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 10
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated the meeting would be a
workshop -type atmosphere to give them some idea of the feeling
or the problems that people are going to have with the project;
it will be fully open to the public. This project is a
first -quality commercial development within our community.
Time is money and the development has funding. Funding doesn't
last forever and we would like to facilitate this with the
least impact. She further indicated we want to get it through
in a timely manner to a positive result within the City.
Mayor Matteson set the date and time for Tuesday, September 15,
1987 at 7:30 p.m. and asked the City Manager to contact the
Planning Commission.
The City Manager stated he would contact Planning Commission
and would advertise the meeting. He asked if Council wanted to
put the issue of the restraining order on as well. Mayor
Matteson indicated that would be a good idea.
Councilmember Evans suggested that the Chamber be invited to
the meeting and requested the City Manager to also notify
them. The City Manager indicated he would notify the Chamber
and run an ad in the Sun and Riverside Press.
Mayor Matteson notified everyone that October 10, 1987 will be
Grand Terrace's free dump day.
Mayor Matteson called for a ten-minute break at 6:40 p.m.
before going into Public Hearing which was scheduled for
6:30 p.m.
Council reconvened at 6:50 p.m.
Item 6(A) The Planning Director stated on August 17, 1987, the Planning
Appeal of Commission denied CUP 87-7 (Keeney), an application for a
Planning Conditional Use Permit allowing the operation of a combined
Commission's recreational vehicle park and retail shops facility to be
(Keeney) located in the City C-2 zone. He stated subsequently that
Mr. Robert Keeney has appealed the Planning Commission
decision to the City Council. The Planning Director stated
Mr. Keeney proposes a total of 11,600 square feet of commercial
floor space and 1,300 square feet of floor area devoted to the
RV park.
The Planning Director read the description and proposed uses of
the commercial and RV areas. He indicated if Council approves
this request, staff recommends several conditions to be made
part of the Conditional Use Permit. He further stated these
conditions are contained in the attached proposed resolution
and include recommended conditions by the Planning Department,
Engineering Department, the Department of Forestry, the
Department of Transportation and the Department of
Environmental Health Services.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 11
He stated the Planning Department's original recommendation to
the Planning Commission was for approval of this application as
conditioned by staff. He noted that it was staff's opinion
that the development of this parcel would be better suited to a
larger retail restaurant development combining this parcel with
the adjacent parcel to the east. However, the existing
developments on these parcels and the availability of other
potential sites in the area, which are more attractive to
developers at this time should keep such a development from
occurring in the near future. For this reason staff feels that
this project, if recommended, is an appropriate use for the
subject property at this time and, therefore, staff recommends
City Council approve Conditional Use Permit 87-7 as recommended
and conditioned in the resolution.
Robert Keeney Mr. Keeney stated this is a combined -use project that consists
12139 Mt. Vernon of a commercial center on the front portion of the property;
approximately one and a half acres of commercial and an RV park
on the rear of the northerly property approximately three
acres; indicating the commercial center having approximately
twelve thousand square feet of rentable space.
He noted they are trying to get different tenants in there,
such as restaurants, convenience stores, a hardware store and a
laundromat which will serve both the RV park and the community,
and any other use they feel is compatible in that C-2 zone.
Mr. Keeney stated the RV park will have approximately 115
spaces with a spa, attractive landscaping, greenbelt, a club
room and restroom facilities. He stated the RV park will not
be easily visible from Barton Road, Grand Terrace Road or
LaCrosse, indicating he knew this had been a major concern of
some of the citizens that have questioned this project.
Mr. Keeney indicated the first front third of the project will
be entirely commercial and the way the property is, it will
slope on a gentle rise for about a third of the project. The
RV park portion of it will slope toward the north. He stated
they have met with the neighbors and have their confirmation on
the project if they meet their concerns. He stated they feel
this project will be a catalyst for future development on the
west side of the freeway and Grand Terrace. He indicated in
the development process of this project, Barton Road will be
widened to an ultimate width of one -hundred feet of the
right-of-way and seventy-two feet to curb and it should
alleviate the traffic problem we are having there now.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 12
Mr. Keeney stated the property is approximately 250 feet wide
and 1,000 feet deep and, because of its unique shape, this
combined project makes a good use of the frontage with visible
commercial and also offers a site cover for the RV park. He
stated they plan to have an attractive design with the town and
country look compatible with Grand Terrace's current desires
for architectural landscaping. He noted the project is an
effort on their part to bring commerce to Grand Terrace. They
want to upgrade the area with a project that is compatible with
the neighbors and the City of Grand Terrace and would
appreciate a favorable consideration from Council. Mr. Keeney
indicated he would be happy to answer any questions or
concerns.
Mayor Matteson opened the meeting up to the public to find out
if there are any comments on this, either pro or con.
Steve Perkio
Mr. Perkio stated he had not heard of any of this before; he
22401 Ladera
missed the other Council meting where this was brought up. He
stated he has done a lot of camping with his wife and felt an
RV park would be nice to have in town as long as it is nicely
landscaped with nice facilities and is quiet for all the
neighbors. He felt it would be a great thing to have people
coming from out of town with their motorhomes to have a place
to stay.
Lois Pierce
Mrs. Pierce indicated she had been to their neighborhood
21845 Grand
meetings and felt this would be a great addition to their side
Terrace Road
of the freeway. They had a few concerns, such as the lighting
which they would like to have low enough so that it didn't
disturb the residents at night. They have been assured it is
going to have a solid fence; a chain link fence would be
unattractive. She further stated they had assured the
residents there will be 24-hour supervision to take care of any
problems that might arrive, and the emergency exit that they
have proposed will indeed be used just for emergencies. Since
the rest of the supporters did not show up, she would like to
encourage Council to adopt this plan.
Douglas Bruno
Mr. Bruno stated he is affiliated with Moore Construction
Moore Constr.
Development Company from Riverside, and they are very
Development
interested in this particular project because they may be
Company
coming to the area with a development of their own. He stated
they are presently negotiating on some property which he would
rather not discuss or reveal at this point. However, if this
goes they will be relatively close neighbors to this project
and it will enhance the area. It is encouraging to see that
development is coming up on the west side and he felt right now
there is a traffic problem which was a concern to them. He
indicated this will lend a lesser traffic problem because of
the RV parking and, if it were all commercial, that would
really put additional stress in that area for parking and for
traffic flow coming on and off of Barton Road to the freeway.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 13
Bruno stated he was in favor of the project and felt it
encouraging from a developer's standpoint.
Sandy Collins Mr. Collins stated he was not for or against this project
22697 Brentwood because he did not know much about it, but he heard people here
tonight say they are in favor and heard the Planning Director
state that you should approve it. He pointed out the reason
the project is before Council tonight is because the Planning
Commission denied it and he had not heard anyone say why.
The Planning Director stated the reason the Planning Commission
did not approve this Conditional Use Permit was based on
traffic impact and the feeling that this area was not suited
for an RV type development.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated she attended the Planning
Commission meeting when this item was discussed and at the end
of the discussion before the voting, they had managed to attach
45 conditions onto this project. She stated she was thinking
Mr. Keeney wouldn't go for these conditions, but he did.
She indicated she left the room completely confident that with
all of those conditions which had been placed on it to mitigate
all of their concerns that there would be nothing that the
Commission could do but approve the project. She stated she
left the meeting and three minutes later she heard the Planning
Commission had completely done a reverse on the direction that
they had been taking on the discussion. She told Mr. Collins
she did not know why the project was denied and she sat through
the whole meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated she did not have a
particular love for the project and had told Mr. Keeney that
from the beginning. The obvious best use is to combine all of
those parcels and have a large project, but in order to do
that, someone has to be willing to gather all of those pieces
together and there doesn't seem to be a meeting of minds.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated that earlier this evening,
Council had something before them that not long ago was a
problem on this particular property; the same swampers were
using this piece of property for a variety of uses that they
seem to find for vacant property. The swampers are gone and
now the property is just sitting there. If Mr. Keeney can
mitigate all of the factors of concern, the project should go
through. She also indicated if all criteria on the project
were met, she would vote in favor of this appeal.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 14
Councilmember Grant stated he wanted to see total commercial
development in that area and had expressed that opinion to Mr.
Keeney. He stated he thought Mr. Keeney had done his best and
it would be to Mr. Keeney's benefit to combine that with other
properties. Councilmember Grant felt Mr. Keeney had been
sincere in his efforts to make something better out of that
than what it is going to be and he concurred with Mayor Pro Tem
Pfennighausen. He stated he read the minutes from the Planning
Commission meeting; read the details; looked at the 40-odd
number of conditions and he cannot justify in good faith why he
should go against this appeal.
Councilmember Shirley stated she felt Mr. Keeney is very
forward thinking in being able to put together a project of
this type as he has stated. She said an RV park can be easily
removed for a better use of that real estate. In talking with
Mr. Keeney, he pointed out to her Item 38 in the stipulations
whereby the Department of Transportation had recommended that
there only be one ingress and egress into this property and to
use the emergency exit as the second exit and entrance into
this property.
She indicated she liked the way the plan is drawn; that Council
has here an exhibit with two entrances and, as the people who
live in the area have stated, they want that emergency entrance
strictly left for emergencies so that there will not be traffic
through their neighborhood.
Councilmember Evans stated when this project first came before
the Planning Commission the question was whether or not an RV
park was an allowable use in a C-2 zone. The Planning
Commission found that it wasn't an allowable use. The
surrounding property owners spoke in favor of Mr. Keeney's
project.
Councilmember Evans stated he needed a legal opinion or
explanation from the Planning Director on the change. He
indicated that in the staff report of June 25, 1987, the
Planning Director indicated, based on the Planning Commission's
decision, that this RV park is not compatible with the type of
development Grand Terrace is trying to obtain in the areas the
City currently has zoned C-2. It was his recommendation that
this was not a permitted use in the City's C-2 zone. Now, we
come up to September 10, 1987, where you agree it would be nice
to have this parcel assembled into a larger parcel. It had
been discussed, in the past, the assembly of three parcels
where you can have a larger retail or restaurant development.
The general concensus was that side of the City will probably
not develop as rapidly as some other areas. Now, the
recommendation is that Council approve the project.
Councilmember Evans stated he liked to rely upon input from
staff's expertise, as well as the input from our Planning
Commission. Why the flip-flop?
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 15
The Planning Director stated, the prior action was actually
taking a look at the determination of use and not the
individual project itself. He stated if that was approved at
that time as a use within the C-2 zone, we would then be
approving an RV park type of use on any piece of property
that's zoned C-2 in the City. He agreed with the Planning
Commissioners that it is not something that we wished to put
into our code. He stated the second recommendation that the
Planning Department has for Council tonight follows up on a
item of law that the City Attorney can explain a little better,
that we cannot outlaw any particular use in the City and
because an RV park is not allowed in any particular zone in the
City neither as permitted or with a Conditional Use Permit. He
indicated they then have the right to apply for a Conditional
Use Permit on any particular site in the City and that is what
they have done this time. The Planning Department has taken a
look at it from the staff's point -of -view and the Planning
Commissioners point -of -view as to whether or not an RV park as
presented in this proposal is appropriate for that particular
use and, as you have read, the Planning Commission and Mr.
Keeney disagreed on that and that is why the applicant has
appealed.
Councilmember Evans stated Council has no problems as far as
the project complying legally with any of the conditions.
The Planning Director stated, as long as they can come back,
one of the conditions of this Conditional Use Permit is that an
Architectural Review Hearing be held which is part of the code
requirement. At that time, a revised site plan, which meets
all the conditions that we placed on it in this particular
Conditional Use Permit meets all the standard ordinance
requirements should be presented to the Site and Architectural
Review Board for approval. He noted that particular plan would
need to meet all the regulations and these conditions.
Councilmember Evans stated that the rendering we have this
evening shows two entrances and two exits. Caltrans has shown
that because of this close proximity to the freeway
right-of-way, they will only go with one. How does that change
the traffic impact as it goes out onto Grand Terrace Road?
The Planning Director stated Caltrans' actual recommendation
and ratio recommendation in their memo stated that the driveway
should be pushed as far westerly away from the interchange as
possible and that there only be one -access way onto Barton Road
and that the emergency road entrance be used as a second
entrance. He stated that is not what staff is recommending.
Staff is agreeing with the Department of Transportation that
there should be one driveway on Barton Road as far westerly as
possible, but that driveway be constructed in a manner that is
wide enough to handle the egress and ingress as a one driveway
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 16
facility and that emergency entrance be kept as an emergency
entrance only. He stated because of that, there will be some
internal revisions that will be needed in order to allow the
turning ratios, but the traffic generation will be the same on
Barton Road as it is here which is put together into one
driveway rather than two.
Councilmember Evans asked the Planning Director to explain Item
No. 7. Mr. Keeney indicated Barton Road will be widened to a
100-foot right-of-way with 72-foot curb -to -curb as a result of
his project and questioned whether Mr. Keeney would be willing
in that area to do both sides of the street.
The Planning Director indicated asking Mr. Keeney, because he
wasn't sure what the intent of that memo was.
Mr. Keeney stated he wasn't willing to develop both sides of
the street.
Councilmember Evans stated he did not like the project because
he felt it wasn't the best usage for the City, but from a legal
standpoint, and the input from staff, he can't find anything in
which to deny the project, if Mr. Keeney meets all the
conditions. He stated he would much rather see all the parcels
assembled into a larger development which he felt would be more
of an asset for this community. However, since staff feels
this is not a reality at the moment, he can only support it at
this particular time.
CC-87-176 Motion by Mayor Matteson, second by Councilmember Grant, ALL
AYES, to grant the appeal of Planning Commission's decision of
CUP 87-7.
Undergrounding The City Engineer stated at the August 27, 1987 Council
meeting, Council adopted Resolution 87-20 setting a public
hearing on Council's intention to 100 lb. certain overhead
facilities along Barton Road, including the Southern California
Edison, Pacific Telephone and Cable Television facilities and,
in that same resolution, Council set a public hearing for
September 10, 1987 at 7:30 p.m.
The City Engineer stated he had met with Southern California
Edison personnel. The original map indicated the westerly
boundary could be the easterly right-of-way line of the freeway
which would include the parcel on the northwest corner of
Vivienda and Barton, and the parcels fronting on Barton Road
westerly of Michigan, specifically the service station on the
south west corner and the service station adjacent to the
freeway and the design center on Barton Road. He indicated it
had been requested that the boundary be amended to go easterly
along the center line of Vivienda, center line of Barton Road
and center line of Michigan Street, thus, eliminating the four
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 17
parcels west of Michigan and Vivienda on both sides of Barton
Road between those two streets and the freeway. In addition,
it had been suggested that certain parcels within the
boundaries remaining have an overhead pole set close to that
building that actually supports the lights from the Edison
Company facilities on Barton Road right-of-way close to their
homes and then drops from that pole down into the meter which
is fairly close to the structure. He stated it has been
suggested that if the City Council so desires, they can
eliminate the undergrounding of the overhead facilities from
the poles close to the structure to the meter, thus saving some
money. As we discussed previously, one of their considerations
that was given to the property owners for the dedication was
the total undergrounding or the undergrounding of all those
facilities. He stated staff, at this time, is recommending
that the boundaries be amended to eliminate the four parcels
westerly of Vivienda and Michigan. With respect to the
elimination of the undergrounding from the on -sight poles to
the meters, he felt this is something that the City Council
might want to discuss in further detail before staff would even
consider recommendations on that.
Mayor Matteson asked why were we eliminating those areas west
of Vivienda and Michigan? The City Engineer stated he had a
misunderstanding with the Edison Company representative when
they met; he thought they indicated the last pole that would
remain would be just easterly of the freeway right-of-way on
the south side of Barton Road. He stated what the Edison
Company needs to do is take the next pole down which is between
there and the Corner of Michigan and Barton. He stated the
pole on the southwest corner of Michigan and Barton would be
eliminated; the one just to the west of that would remain. Two
reasons, (1) the budget that they have prepared for the funds
did not include the relocation or the eliminating of that pole
and; (2) they need to anchor that pole just easterly of the
freeway right-of-way of Barton Road. He stated there is no
place to anchor that pole therefore, the second pole, the one
before the freeway and the one at Michigan and Barton, are the
only ones they can really anchor to maintain the line going
westerly that is to remain over the freeway right-of-way.
Mayor Matteson asked if he was saying the one on the corner of
Michigan and Barton Road would be eliminated.
The City Engineer stated the one on the southwest corner would
be eliminated.
Mayor Matteson
there, you run
up to a pole,
came up to the
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
said the other question is if you put a pole on
the Edison lines underground and then you come
wouldn't that be more expensive than if you just
houses up to the meter?
Page 18
The City Engineer stated probably not because you still have to
come up to the meter which is probably the same as coming up
the pole. However, you still have to convert the meter to the
underground facility from the overhead and that is a conversion
on the house itself. He stated, again, he wanted to remind the
City Council that in the transmittal to the property owners,
staff did tell them that the City would underground to the
house and this was a suggestion from the Southern California
Edison Company that if we wanted to save some money, this would
be one place where we could. He stated there is a total of
five residences involved in that particular situation.
The City Attorney stated he wasn't certain of the
communication, the pole on the southwest corner of Barton Road
and Michigan, would it still be standing? Mayor Matteson
responded, no sir. The City Attorney asked if it would be
underground and the response was yes.
Mayor Matteson asked if staff is recommending that you put in
the pole instead of going directly to the house?
The City Engineer stated staff has to honor the transmittal to
all the property owners and staff said that we would pay for
that portion of the conversion on private property to complete
the undergrounding.
Mayor Matteson asked how much difference the City Engineer is
talking about going from a pole to changing a meter over.
The City Engineer replied, "You are probably looking at an
estimated additional $400.00 or so."
Councilmember Shirley asked about the people who had deeded
property to the City and we promised them we would underground
to the house; she felt Council should honor that. She felt it
would be much better for the City if we could underground the
whole thing; if we are going to start with one part of it, lets
do it right.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen asked if there were poles on the
north side along the Grand Terrace School property.
The City Engineer replied not Edison Company poles, but a
telephone line along the frontage of that property and the
service coming to the Community Center is where the telephone
service is coming off of that system. The Edison Company
services to both the Community Center and the School is from a
system that is far removed from Barton Road.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen questioned, "would it be reasonable
in the City Engineer's estimation to pull those telephone lines
underground as we are doing everything else?"
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 19
The City Engineer replied the telephone lines from Vivienda
easterly, which is all on the north side of Barton Road, is
going down and so is the cable, there will be no facility.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated she understood that what he
was saying is that does he feel it would be unreasonable to
take those telephone poles down and put the rest of that
telephone service underground?
The City Engineer asked, "along the frontage of the school
property?" He thought it came under Rule 20 regulations and
wasn't sure we could ask the telephone company to go
underground without asking Edison to go underground in the same
boundaries. He stated that means if we ask the telephone
company to go underground along the northerly side of Barton
Road between Vivienda and the freeway, there is no Edison
facilities in that area and he wasn't sure of what the legality
would be.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated she heard what the City
Engineer was saying. It does seem to piggyback to what
Councilmember Shirley said that if we are going to do it, do it
right and, if that is right, then we need to do it. She stated
there is a definite reason why Edison has recommended retaining
that pole on the south side of the street and that makes
sense. She stated we want to clean up Barton Road; to beautify
the entrance into our City, we want to put everything
underground and we are going to leave poles on the north side
along Grand Terrace School, that doesn't make sense.
The City Engineer indicated, he would have to refer to some
legal advice or talk to someone who is far more familiar with
Rule 20-A than he was from a legal standpoint. He stated to
try and accomplish what we are talking about would mean that
the boundary on the northerly side of Barton Road would follow
the easterly right-of-way line to the center line then drop
back somewhere back to Michigan Street, which would include
only the telephone facilities on that side.
Mayor Matteson asked if it were possible to cross over the
street and then go with Edison down to the freeway, rather than
running separate lines down each side of the street.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated she did not understand what
the City Engineer was saying.
The City Engineer asked Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen, "as far as
the construction is concerned, is that what you are saying,
the installation of the underground?"
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 20
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated, there are facilities on
both sides of Barton Road that are going to have to be moved.
Where we originally started the freeway, Edison has a problem
because of anchoring another pole, so that saves strategic
problems that are solved there. Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen
indicated it didn't make sense to her that the only things on
poles along Barton Road north side of the freeway are telephone
lines. If we are going to underground, it doesn't make sense
that the telephone company is going to underground all of the
lines except from Vivienda to the freeway. Are we going to
leave the poles standing there?
The City Engineer replied, that is the logical boundary for the
undergrounding of Edison and, again, Rule 20-A pertains to
overhead electrical lines which requires all other facilities
to follow. He indicated he would like Sue Noreen, with
Southern California Edison Company, to explain that because he
did not understand it all.
Sue Noreen Ms. Noreen said she did not understand all the legal
Southern ramifications, but would explain to Council that when Edison
California declared the situation where Edison wanted to go out and find
Edison Company the Rule 20-A Project where they could spend the dollars that
Edison had set aside for you to beautify your City, there are
some certain guidelines that have to be followed. She stated
there has to be at least 600 feet, it has to be a heavily
traveled area or an area where there is a lot of overhead
congestion.
Ms. Noreen indicated the initial request that came to Edison
was to underground Barton Road from Canal to Michigan. She
noted what Edison usually does at that point is get together
with the City Engineer, bring in all the utilities and go out
and walk the project.
Ms. Noreen explained Edison could not serve the other side of
the freeway if the district went up to the freeway and the pole
came down, so they have to have an anchor pole there to
maintain the line which goes across the freeway. She stated
there is no way to underground across the freeway. She said
she could not speak for the telephone company, but it could be
because Edison goes out and walks the entire area before coming
up with the most practical, logical boundaries to block off the
underground districts if agreed upon by all three utilities,
cable, Pacific Telephone, and Edison. It could be that they
have met with the same conditions that Edison has; that they
have to have an anchor pole or they can't continue their line
across the freeway. Ms. Noreen further stated the boundaries
are agreed upon mutually by all the utilities. When the map
came to her originally, the boundaries were drawn incorrectly,
not the way that the utilities had agreed upon. Ms. Noreen
stated the agreement was the center line or the properties on
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 21
both sides of Barton Road from Canal to the center line of
Vivienda; the center line of Barton Road; and the center line
of Michigan, but the one Edison pole on the outside of that
boundary would be removed. She indicated that is what was
agreed upon by the utilities and the map should have been
presented to Council that way.
Mayor Matteson questioned, theoretically, the telephone company
would go underground up to Michigan and then up again?
Ms. Noreen replied "Up to Michigan." She stated she could not
speak for them. She did not know what their construction looks
like out there, but they must have a reason for dropping it off
at that point. Mayor Matteson said they are not going through
there by themselves. Ms. Noreen said they are the only ones on
that side of the street; she asked if the cable was with Edison
or on the other side of the street.
The City Engineer replied he believed the cable was on Edison's
side. He questioned Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen, "is that what
you meant by construction, if there are going to be two
trenches, one on each side?"
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated, "no," she just wanted to
make sure; she was getting a little bit scared, now she doesn't
know how logistically they are going to handle it.
Ms. Noreen said it depends on the construction schedule and if
they can all coordinate it; it will go into the same trench.
If one of the utilities is further ahead in construction than
the other, then it usually ends up being something that most
likely will go on one side of the street, because it will be
less expensive. The other two utilities will then go on the
other side of the street and it will be in conjunction with the
street widening on Barton Road.
The City Engineer stated the westerly boundary should be
amended from coming down the center line of Vivienda, westerly
on Barton and south on Michigan and maintain the rest of the
boundary eliminating the boundary westerly of Michigan and
Vivienda.
The City Attorney stated he did not know of any prohibition
that would preclude Council from drawing that boundary to
include the school site or the north side of Barton Road up to
the freeway. He suggested that if you consider doing that, you
should conduct a public hearing, then close it and continue the
matter. Do not make a decision so that you can then consult
with the telephone people and see what impractical problems
that might ...
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 22
Ms. Noreen said she was sure it was something impractical. She
felt it may have been considered at the time, but she certainly
didn't know.
It was observed that Councilmember Grant left the meeting at
7:30 p.m. and returned at 7:35 p.m.
The City Engineer stated, the property that would be effected,
is the Community Center and the school property, which is the
additional boundary on the north side as it is drawn.
Mayor Matteson asked the City Engineer to clarify whether the
utilities will go down to Michigan and stop there at Michigan.
The City Engineer replied, the undergrounding on the south side
or the Edison Company, which is where they are, will include
the pole on the southwest corner on Michigan and Barton and
everything easterly from there to the Canal right-of-way.
Mayor Matteson asked, "and the telephone company would
include?"
The City Engineer replied, "From Vivienda easterly to Gage
Canal along the north side of Barton Road," and he would be
happy to discuss the details of the problems with the telephone
company's representatives and go from there.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated whether it is five years
from now or fifty years from now, sooner or later something is
going to happen with the Grand Terrace School site, and at that
time, she was sure we are going to have all of those lines
underground so she can wait.
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Matteson opened the public hearing and asked if anyone
would like to speak on the subject.
Elsa Debald Mrs. Debald stated she was here representing her daughter who
owns parcel 022. She made reference to a letter that was sent
out stating that the property owner shall reconnect their
buildings to new underground lines; service lateral will be
provided without cost to property owners up to 100 feet from
the utilities main line. She wanted to know where is the main
line, is it out in the middle of the street?
The City Attorney indicated that Mrs. Debald was reading out of
the resolution, stating there was a letter that accompanied
i t.
Mrs. Debald read part of the letter and asked if the entire 100
feet plus going around through the meter will not be charged to
the property owners.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 23
The City Attorney replied, "That is correct." The City
Attorney stated the reason he had it put in a letter was
because the normal or standard form of a resolution is what you
are reading. However, the City Council has made the commitment
and what he tried to do is ease the owner's mind with respect
to what the resolution said and that is why he stated it in the
letter the way that he did.
The City Manager indicated that staff had taken up the issue of
the original resolution stating that language. He suggested to
make it clear for all the property owners in the second
resolution, which will allow staff to add one section to that
language that would state that those who dedicated would be
given the connection at no cost, just so that it is in the
legal form in the resolution.
The City Attorney mentioned that it should probably state that
the now improved properties having connections at this time
will be reconnected at no cost. There are others who do have
unimproved property. We can't make a commitment for down the
road.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated she also understood that
this would be an accommodation made to people who willingly
participated with the City in this. She thanked everyone for
helping the City clean up Barton Road. She noted there was
only one exception and she would like to see a Section 8 added
to the resolution so stating that all improved property owners
who willingly dedicated will have the power connected to their
house or place of business at no cost to them, as the letter
represents. Mayor Matteson asked if that was a motion and the
response was yes, and she would like that to be Section 8.
CC-87-177 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen, second by Councilmember
Evans.
Mrs. Debald Mrs. Debald asked if the meters currently on the houses are
going to be adequate to handle this new line or are there going
to be new meters. The City Engineer replied, no, we will be
using the same meters.
Motion CC-87-177 carried ALL AYES, to add to the resolution so
stating that ALL IMPROVED PROPERTY OWNERS WHO WILLINGLY
DEDICATE WILL HAVE THE POWER RUN IN AND CONNECTED TO THEIR
HOUSES OR PLACE OF BUSINESS AT NO COST TO THEM AS THE LETTER
REPRESENTS.
Mayor Matteson explained because of a prior commitment, he have
been asked to move Item 7(D) up to the next item on the list.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 24
Pico Park Site The City Manager stated that Council had asked staff to wrap-up
the Pico Park Site issue. Staff has received a summary from
Edison with all the conditions that they would require in order
for us to take control of the site. He stated, that the
fencing and irrigation will be about $6,000.00, the
reimbursement to Marygold is now estimated at $2,500.00 and the
lease is now estimated at $1,000.00. He noted the Parks and
Recreation Committee, at their last meeting, asked for
directions on this issue and therefore, we have summarized it
and placed it before Council to give both the Parks and
Recreation Committee permission, and staff direction on how to
proceed on this matter.
Mayor Matteson asked what was Council's desire.
Councilmember Shirley felt we should go ahead with the lease
with Edison; we need the land and indicated, it is more than
reasonable and it would be a real asset to the community.
Councilmember Grant stated he has consistently supported this
lease and would have liked to have seen a longer lease, but
felt delays in implementing this is going to cost us money. He
indicated, not being totally happy with all the conditions
requested by the Edison Company, felt the need of this park,
and the lease of this land from Edison outweighs those
concerns. He concurred with his colleagues and the Committee
that we need extra recreational parkland in this community. He
fully supports the intent of this agreement with Edison and
feels we would seriously regret this if we don't follow
through.
Councilmember Evans asked the Assistant City Manager, "If we
were to accept to this lease agreement, when would it be
effective?"
The Assistant City Manager indicated he may have to defer this
question to Sue Noreen, but he assumed immediately.
Ms. Noreen replied, it takes about 60 days to draw up a lease,
but you can have immediate occupancy. Edison will tell the
current tenant that the City has agreed to enter into a lease,
even though it might take Edison 60 days to draw up the paper
work. She also stated you can go in and do the improvements
that are being requested, as they have to be done first. You
wouldn't be able to go in right away; you have to get the
fencing up and start doing your work.
Councilmember Evans asked the Assistant City Manager if he were
recommending a cost of $9,500.00, is that for the lease, the
reimbursement for Marygold Farms, for fencing and irrigation?
The Assistant City Manager stated that is $6,000.00.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 25
Councilmember Evans questioned, assuming we were entering into
the lease agreement, do you have a timetable as to when any
improvements would commence and also exactly what it is that we
are going to do on that property and how much we are going to
spend to improve that property.
The Assistant City Manager replied if it is approved for
occupancy, staff will get back with the Parks and Recreation
Committee to finalize exactly what they are hoping to achieve
with the development of this site and work on obtaining some
concrete estimates as to exactly what it is going to cost.
Councilmember Evans stated we haven't done that to date.
The Assistant City Manager stated we really don't have anything
finalized, everything is strictly preliminary now.
Barbara Conley, Barbara Conley stated the Committee decided to put this through
Chairman
to Council because they felt the amount of time they have been
Parks and
dealing with Edison on the Pico Park Site has been over too
Recreation
long a period of time. She stated the Committee felt the land
Committee
within Grand Terrace City limits for possible park sites is
extremely limited. The availability of a land lease, provided
the City and Edison can agree on conditions, is a viable
option. She stated the original intent of the Parks and
Recreation Committee was to establish a simple park that would
include two adult softball fields, two little league fields,
and two or three soccer fields, depending on the season. She
indicated this proclamation was submitted in February, 1986 to
Edison and she believed was approved by Edison on that simple
basis. Future development concepts, provided they concurred
with the land -lease agreement, would be to include portable
bleachers, toilets, and/or drinking fountains. She stated in
answer to Councilmember Evans' question, we have come up with a
park design of which she had copies. It is not a completed
park design; it is one that was drawn up by one of the
Commissioners and this is what the Parks and Recreation
Committee felt was the best use for the land.
Ms. Conley stated that the cost associated with the simple park
site, backstops, fencing, preparation, seating, etc. had not
currently been assessed by staff; they just had the rough
outline of what they would like to see on that land because of
the ongoing debates. She indicated with cost of land
spiralling outrageously in Grand Terrace, they did not feel the
$1,000.00 per year lease is unreasonable, neither does she feel
that the $2,500.00 cost to reimburse Marygold Farms is
excessive, due to the delay that we have all been involved in
with signing this lease. The $3,500.00 for the first year to
lease ten acres of land would appear to be far below the
purchase price for yearly financing to purchase ten acres of
land here in Grand Terrace. The estimated fencing stipulated
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 26
by Edison Company would possibly be a cost we would incur no
matter where our park site was located. We might think that
there isn't complete fencing around our baseball diamond on
DeBerry, but you have to understand, that is more than a
softball diamond. We are talking about four softball diamonds
on this land on Pico.
Ms. Conley stated during the past eighteen months the Parks and
Recreation Committee has sent various action items to Council
and they are at the point where they would like a decision to
be made. She wanted to know if we are going to lease the land
or not, because they have other ideas and things they should be
working on. The Committee also felt that the possible lease of
these ten acres of land should not diminish the concern for
additional city -owned parkland or a sports complex in Grand
Terrace for the future.
The City Manager stated the estimate is only to do the minimum
that Edison required on the fencing, which is only to fence the
western portion that would separate our parcel from the
existing alfalfa.
Ms. Conley said the plan that the Parks and Recreation
Committee was working on had fencing all the way around and
that is on which she was basing her assumption. The City
Manager stated the cost estimate is just for that one piece.
CC-87-178 Motion by Mayor Matteson, second by Councilmember Grant, to
sign a lease and expedite it as soon as possible.
Councilmember Evans questioned the amount of money we are
willing to put into this park site.
The Assistant City Manager stated that is entirely up to the
City Council.
Councilmember Evans asked the Assistant City Manager if he had
any rough estimate based on what has been discussed over the
last couple of years?
The Assistant City Manager assured it could be as high as
$130,000.00 or maybe as low as $90,000.00. It depends on what
extent we want to go development wise.
Councilmember Evans questioned if this amount is for a park
site that will not be fully functional, by that, it cannot be
utilized year-round because we can't put permanent fixtures on
this land and, primarily, lights at this particular point.
The Assistant City Manager responded, "yes."
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 27
Councilmember Evans stated he had some concerns of spending
that amount of money towards a park that will not be fully
functional. He stated the City Manager has shared with Council
that he has been doing a study on possible sources of revenue
that we could utilize towards park acquisition land, which
would be the first step towards having an all-purpose site that
would incorporate what Ms. Conley talked about, a recreation
center, tennis courts, handball courts, lighted fields and what
have you.
Councilmember Evans asked the City Manager to share with
Council and the audience on how much money the City Manager
thought we would have available if we were to pursue going out
on park acquisition.
The City Manager stated he had been working out a residual
value deal with the 1981 housing issue and the closer we get to
actually putting this deal together, it appears it is going to
be more like $500,000.00. Basically, it is the residual cash
that will be available when that bond issue plays out, which
will be in about 15 years. He indicated what this does is
allow us to sell that at the present value and believed that we
could cash out at about $400,000.00, which would be available
to the Redevelopment Agency. If Council saw fit to spend that
on parkland, then we would have to transfer that in the way of
a payback to the City on loans. He further stated if Council
wishes to commit to a site and use those resources or other
resources that exist in the General Fund, there is money
available, as well as methods to use financing if we acquire a
site that we can't handle all at once.
Councilmember Shirley stated she felt Council is in agreement
that we need more than one park site in Grand Terrace, that we
are not stopping with the Pico Park Site if we do go through
with this. Councilmember Shirley asked the Assistant City
Manager how much, not withstanding any funding, we might get
from anywhere else. How much would it cost to purchase and
develop a fully functional park?
The Assistant City Manager stated it depends on what amenities
you want. If you want a multi -purpose type sports complex,
probably in the neighborhood of one million and a half to two
million dollars.
Councilmember Shirley stated she felt the Pico Park Site is a
bargain and a beginning. It is the second park site in this
town and hopefully the beginning of many more.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated that the Pico Park Site
backs directly up to a tract of houses. We would never be able
to light it even if Edison would allow us to put up lights;
that makes it a daytime field. She stated that really doesn't
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 28
bother her because we don't have the dollars and we don't have
the space to produce enough ball parks to keep everyone playing
ball except on weekends, so that is not a great concern to
her. If they want to play ball and they can't do it at night,
then they can do it on weekend as long as we have ball fields
to offer them. She indicated her second concern is that
already this year the turf at the upper soccer field is
starting to get torn up and worn out. She noted it has taken
us six years to get a turf bed that will hold up at all. She
stated if the people think that they are going to have two
useful soccer fields by the next soccer season, by taking the
Pico Park Site, she felt they are going to be sadly
disappointed. She did not think we could build a turf bed that
quickly and history has proven that we can't. She stated, as
far as an unlighted ballfield for softball, all of the things
that Barbara Conley, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation
Committee, referenced about their concept of the use of the
property was actually what she had perceived it would be,
something very simple, inexpensive to develop and something we
would be able to put into immediate use. She stated upon
reflection, we wouldn't be able to put into immediate use the
soccer fields, but we could put into immediate use the four
baseball fields on day time use only. Now her question is do
we take $100,000.00 plus and put it some place if we are going
to need it some place else. If all the questions were in
place, this is absolutely one of the best deals going. She
stated she is going to support the lease, but supports it with
reservation.
Motion CC-87-178 carried with Councilmember Evans voting NOE.
The City Manager asked for clarification, did the motion
include the appropriation that staff listed? The response was
yes.
Item 7(A) Mayor Matteson indicated every Councilmember had an opportunity
to interview the Planning Commissioner applicants the earlier
part of the week.
CC-87-179 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen, second by Councilmember
Evans, ALL AYES, to appoint Jim Sims as Planning Commissioner.
Item 7(B) The City Attorney stated the Planning Director will be making a
presentation shortly, but this is the second reading of the
ordinance, THE TITLE AND ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, CA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT
NO. GP 87-2.
The Planning Director addressed amendment changes to certain
land -use designation on the west side of I-215 in the City. He
noted there had been no substantial changes made to the
ordinance and it is now before Council for a second reading.
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 29
CC-87-180 Motion by Mayor Matteson, second by Councilmember Shirley, to
approve the second reading and changes of the General Plan
Amendment. Motion carried with Councilmember Evans and Mayor
Pro Tem Pfennighausen voting NOE.
Item 7(C) The Planning Director stated the second reading of the Zoning
Ordinance change is for the west side of the City at this time
only until the entire General Plan Revision is completed for
the entire City. At the meeting held on July 30, 1987, Council
held a public hearing and requested that staff change the
Planning Commission recommendation of 15 dwelling units per
acre in an R-3 zone to 12 dwelling units per acre. This change
was made in the ordinance.
CC-87-181 Motion by Mayor Matteson, second by Councilmember Grant, to
approve the changes in the Zoning Ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen indicated she opposed one portion
of the Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan Amendment. On the
west side of the freeway, it dealt only with one piece of
property. She felt it is totally unrealistic in today's
dollars to expect the developer to develop multi -family units
at 12 units to an acre. She felt that it is a move on the part
of Grand Terrace to shut that type of development down; she was
not sure we could do that unless we hurry up and get something
else done. Therefore, she will oppose this Zoning Ordinance
Amendment strictly based on the reduction of 15 units per acre
to 12 units per acre.
Councilmember Evans concurred with Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen
and felt we are taking a look at something that is totally
unrealistic and it is certainly going to create very serious
economic issues for the City in the future. He questioned
whether this had gone to the State yet? Even if we pass this
tonight, it can conceivably come back from the State at a
higher density, is that correct?
The Planning Director indicated his understanding was that the
State, in essence, would reject housing elements because they
must approve it and we would consider any recommended changes.
Councilmember Evans stated we would, therefore, have to go
through this whole process again to increase it.
The Planning Director responded, "That is a possibility."
Councilmember Evans mentioned there is also another concern and
the City Attorney needs to give us input, once it is adopted.
It is his understanding this document is for the entire City,
is that not correct?
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 30
The City Attorney responded, "Yes." The only problem that is
certain is if the designation does not exist east of the
freeway; therefore, it would not be applicable until such time
as you have adopted a General Plan Amendment for that portion
of the City.
The Planning Director stated the Planning Commission had their
meeting Tuesday night. They recommended a resolution, which
will clarify that this Zoning Ordinance and the General Plan
Amendments will not have any affect on the east side of the
freeway until the entire General Plan is heard and approved.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen asked if the Planning Commission
has the authority to do that once Council has adopted this
document. A similar zoning, and the only one she can think of
is A-1, that could be placed elsewhere in the City as we do our
General Plan Update on the east side of the freeway. She
stated all of the other portion of that now will apply to the
whole city, was she correct?
The City Attorney stated, no. Not until such time, and in his
opinion, even with the Commission action, it will not apply to
that area east because Council has adopted amendments that do
not exist in the area east of the freeway or until such time as
the other General Plan Amendment has gone through, or no longer
is compatible.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated if she understands what she
is hearing there is an R-3 Zone where Council has changed some
density regulations in it. She asked if the City Attorney was
telling her that is only going to apply to the west side of the
freeway; that any R-3 property on this side of the freeway is
not going to apply until the General Plan in its entirety has
been adopted and the new zoning has been adopted.
The City Attorney, replied, "Yes, you have zoning designations
that do not exist east of the freeway."
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen asked if we have R-3 on both sides
of the freeway.
The City Attorney stated, we have R-3 on both sides of the
freeway, but not within the designation as defined in the
ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen asked if the specific square
footage is what rakes the difference.
The City Attorney answered, "Yes."
Councilmember Evans questioned how is it going to affect the
proposed Mt. Vernon Villas Project?
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 31
The City Attorney asked if that is the Forest City Dillon
Project, Councilmember Evans answer was, "Yes."
The City Attorney replied, it won't because it is east of the
freeway, it will not until you have adopted a General Plan
Amendment.
Councilmember Evans stated, the question is, "it can easily fit
into the criteria of this document," if he understood it
correctly. He stated he has a hard time understanding it is
okay over here, but until you do this on the other side of the
tracks, it is not going to apply, but yet the R-3 that is in
that's particular area would fit the criteria.
The City Attorney stated it wouldn't fit the criteria of the
General Plan Amendment because you have adopted that General
Plan Amendment.
Motion CC-87-181 carried with Councilmember Evans and Mayor Pro
Tem Pfennighausen voting NOE.
Mayor Matteson stated we will adjourn this meeting until the
special meeting of September 15, 1987 at 7:30 p.m. The City
Attorney indicated not a special meeting. Mayor Matteson then
stated to the adjourned meting.
Respectfully submitted:
'ty Clerk y�
APPROVED:
Council Minutes - 9/10/87
Page 32