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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/31/2005 B A K E R S F I E L D ~'~--- (~-) ~~ Sue Benham, Chair Sta~ff: John W. Stinson David Couch For: Alan Tandy, City Manager Mike Maggard AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT SPECIAL MEETING PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, January 31,2005 -1:00 p.m. City Manager's Conference Room 1. ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. Present: Councilmembers Sue Benham, Chair; David Couch; and Mike Maggard 2. ADOPT DECEMBER 6, 2004 AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT Adopted as submitted. 3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS 4. DEFERRED BUSINESS A. Discussion and Committee recommendation on Tree Manual Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen reported staff has reviewed the Tree Manual with Dana Karcher from the Tree Foundation. The manual includes an updated tree list. As this is an internal administrative procedure manual, it does not require Council action, only Committee approval. Committee Chair Benham requested staff to report back on the following: The appeals process: Check with Legal on including the appeals process in the manual, so the public does not have to search through the Municipal Code. Structural soils: Check with Public Works to see if there could be more specific information on soils. Standards for tree removal: Include standards for tree removal. Staff will report back to the Committee at the April 18th meeting. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, January 31,2005 Page 2 Committee Chair Benham stated with the above recommendations the tree manual is approved and does not need to be put back on the Committee agenda. The Committee unanimously agreed. Committee Member Couch stated there are trees listed on the "Rio Vista" landscape plan that are not on the list included in the tree manual. This was brought to his attention by Park Way Committee members. Public Works Director Raul Rojas explained the park was designed two years ago and the consultant was directed to include a mixture of tree types and varieties. City Manager Alan Tandy explained trees not appropriate for medians could be appropriate for a 32-acre park. Staff will research the landscape plan. Lorraine Unger, Sierra Club, spoke regarding eucalyptus trees not being appropriate trees to include on the list. Urban Forester Paul Graham responded he does not recommended eucalyptus varieties for right-of-ways or parking lots. Committee Member Maggard expressed some uses of eucalyptus trees, such as in a grove of trees, provide a very striking and beautiful effect. Committee Chair Benham expressed the need for education and training of employees in the following areas: · Public Works: Tree protection during construction, root pruning and sidewalk replacement · Parks Division: Provide for better care of trees during lawn mowing and maintenance · Removal of trees' consistent with standards: For example, trees that were planted using a previous grant were removed during construction of the Baker Street streetscape · Development Services: Grant applications for streetscapes need to be consistent with the City's Tree Manual Staff will report back to the Committee at the April 18th meeting. B. Status report and recommendations regarding enforcement of parking lot shade tree ordinance City Attorney Ginny Gennaro reported staff had not been able to meet with Dana Karcher to obtain copies of ordinances from other cities to compare with Bakersfield's ordinance. The City Attorney provided an overview of suggestions AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, January 31,2005 Page 3 on Section H in the Minimum Landscaping Standards Ordinance; however, staff needs Committee input on what regulation language is reasonable and appropriate to include for commercial parking lots in order to obtain a 40 percent shade canopy. Any language added to the ordinance needs to be very clear on what is required from the developers and the timeframes for achieving the canopy. Committee Chair Benham emphasized in addition to enforcement, there needs to be an educational effort to make sure developers know what is expected on the front-end planning of a development and through the plan check process. Urban Forester Paul Graham explained proper management of trees in parking lots including proper pruning will be necessary to reach the 40 percent shade canopy. He suggested 15 years as a benchmark for reaching the shade canopy. Dana Karcher, Tree Foundation, spoke regarding inspection, education, and not allowing unlicensed contractors to trim trees. Committee Chair Benham requested staff to report back to the Committee in April on the following: · Does the City ordinance require an applicant to have a contractor's license to trim trees in right-of-ways? · Check on adjusting the tree list format to make it more user friendly by alphabetizing by botanical and common name. · Is it possible to have a computer program that Plan Check staff could use to easily verify the plan complies with the tree list? · There is a perception that inappropriate trees arer still being put'in parking lots. (Staff explained if a project meets its shade requirement, sometimes crepe myrtles and other shrub types are included for color.) · Requested the BIA be contacted for any input on how we can provide them information earlier in the process. · Report back on the Urban Forester's input into the plan check process? Jim Eggert, Principal Planner, verified the project landscape architect currently provides the formula to achieve the 40 percent shade tree canopy at maturity. Development Services Director Stan Grady clarified he has approved a tree list from the Master Tree list to be used for commercial parking lot shade trees, as all trees on the Master list are not suitable for parking lots. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, January 31,2005 Page 4 5. NEW BUSINESS A, Discussion and Committee recommendation regarding downtown development incentives Committee Chair Benham reported she had met with the Downtown Business Association (DBA) and ideas were discussed on downtown revitalization. Some suggestions were the possibility of a specific plan for the downtown area, or if that is not recommended, how downtown development might be incentivized. When meeting with the DBA there were concerns expressed regarding the underutilization of key buildings and empty lots in the downtown area. Economic Development Director Donna Kunz provided an overview of the memorandum included in the Committee packet, which included downtown revitalization efforts and accomplishments, such as the Greater Bakersfield Vision 2020, which included the Downtown vision and goals; development of a "River Street"; and the three-day Charrette conducted by the City Planning Department. Under the guidance of Vision 2020 and more specifically taking the concepts from the Charrette, several City-sponsored redevelopment initiatives are either under way or have recently been completed. A list of completed public projects listed in the memorandum was reviewed, as well as several sizeable private activity projects currently under planning or actual construction. It was noted the City's zoning codes have been amended to facilitate desirable mixed use development in the downtown area. Economic Development Director Donna Kunz explained the limitations of a specific plan. It does not allow creativity by developers, as it lays out uses very stringently and is very difficult for older developed areas unless you are dealing with open land. City Manager Alan Tandy further explained development standards can be enforced for new development, but in the area of reuse of existing buildings, strict standards for beautification may discourage remodeling and use of old buildings, unless these efforts are subsidized. In 2002, the State Legislature enacted SB 975, requiring prevailing wage to be paid on any redevelopment project receiving financial assistance except for affordable housing development financed through the affordable housing fund. Although SB 975 has not cancelled the ability to provide incentives, it has significantly increased the cost to developers using public funding for projects. Committee Member Couch suggested the City buy vacant land as it becomes available as an investment in future developments or to trade in order to have property available when development opportunities arise, which would be a long-term investment program. This would allow for developing of a financial district with large key buildings, which would attract retail and other outlets to the district. AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, January 31, 2005 Page 5 Economic Development Director Donna Kunz explained there is a five-year limitation to hold Redevelopment property before it is used for a project. Philip Bentley from the DBA spoke regarding pockets of blighted buildings in the downtown and finding a plan for incentives to develop these properties. Economic Development Director Donna Kunz suggested as the downtown area is so large, it may be more productive to prioritize one area, as redevelopment and block grant funding is limited. Focusing on a project that adjoins existing efforts currently in progress or newly completed would provide better investment opportunities for funding. There are several key buildings along Chester Avenue held by individuals in family trusts or private investors who have shown no interest in developing their properties. However, if the DBA should pick one of these as their priority focus, staff could meet with the property owners to explore if there is any interest in improving their properties. At the Committee's request, Economic Development staff will meet with the DBA to get their top area of focus and report back to the Committee at the March meeting. B, Review and Committee' recommendations on current Planning and Development Committee items for future agendas The Committee reviewed the list and referred the following issues: March Committee Meetino · Downtown Development Incentives · Bakersfield Growth Indicators · Hearings re. Tracts 6086, 6087 and 6104 - Vesting Rights April Committee Meetinq · Landscape Ordinance Enforcement · Enforcement of Parking Lot Shade Tree Ordinance · Education and Employee Training on Tree Care and Maintenance - report back · Air Quality Mitigation Fees - check with Air Pollution Control District - Program EIR - Leaf Blowers - check with Air Pollution Control District May Committee Meetinq · Zoning Process--Big Box Centers; and Commercial Development--Overnight Parking and Camping in Lots · Establishment of Memorial Grove Committee Member Couch will meet with Assistant City Manager John Stinson on the status and prioritization of the following: · Minimum Park Size and Park Credits for Gated Communities · Shellabarger Road · Additional review of issues related to the GPA/EIR including bus turnouts · Landscape Plans - Coordination between Parks and Public Works AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING Monday, January 31, 2005 Page 6 Public Works · CNG Fleet Vehicles - check with Air Pollution Control District on new incentive program - does not need to be agendized. Report any good news. Referred to Joint City/County Meeting · ~/2 Cent Sales Tax for Transportation C. Discussion and Committee adoption of 2005 meeting schedule The Committee unanimously adopted the meeting schedule. 6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS Committee Member Couch inquired about the fines for littering in the Kern River. City Attorney Ginny Gennaro will research the ordinance. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m. Attendance-staff: City Manager Alan Tandy; City Attorney Ginny Gennaro; Assistant City Manager John Stinson; Assistant City Manager Alan Christensen; Development Services Director Stan Grady; Public Works Director Raul Rojas; Planning Director Jim Movius; Principal Planner Jim Eggert; Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Allen Abe; and Urban Forester Paul Graham Attendance-others: Dana Karcher, Executive Director, The Tree Foundation of Kern; Lorraine Unger, Sierra Club; James Burger, reporter, The Bakersfield Californian; Philip Bentley and Cathy Butler, the Downtown Business and Property Owners Association cc: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers S:~JOHN\Council Committees\05Planning&Development\05Jan31summary.doc