HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/10/1994 B A K/,~ R S F I E L D
~'/_~andy, C~ty Ma ge/r' Randy Rowles, Chair
Kevin McDermott
Staff: Gail E..WaitersJ
/
Patricia M. Smith
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Thursday, March 10, 1994
12:15 p.m.
Development Services Building
1715 CheSter Avenue
i
First Floor Conference Room
1. ROLL CALL
Call to Order 12:25 p.m.
Present: Councilmember Randy Rowles, Chair; Vice Mayor Kevin
McDermott; and Councilmember Smith
(Councilmember Rowles present for agenda items 1 through 5A)
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the November 24, 1993 and December 20, 1993 meetings were approved
as submitted.
3. PRESENTATIONS
None
4. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
APPROVED AS AM]ENDED APRIL 13. 1994
FILE COPY
Urban Development Committee
Agenda Summary Report
March 10, 1994
Page 2
A. REVIEW OF ORDINANCE FOR UNDERGROUNDING UTILITY LINES
The City's underground utility ordinance has recently been questioned as to its intent
of the following clause, "All utility distribution facilities, including cable television
must be placed underground." The Public Works Department has interpreted and
in fact practiced that only new utilities be underground and that all existing utilities
can remain above ground. The City Attorney Office opinion is that all utility
distribution facilities be placed underground, not just some of them. The Committee
recommended a revised ordinance be prepared for the Council which sets out the
current practice by the Public Works Department, and that staff prepare a report
that would suggest other alternatives to encourage, rather than require
undergrounding. Staff should work with the community and industry representatives
to come up with these alternatives.
B. ROLLER BLADES ON BIKE PATH
A current City ordinance prohibits roller skating/blades on the Kern River bicycle
path. Since the path was originally established for bicycles, it will be difficult to
ensure that a level surface typical for roller skating would be maintained. The
Committee is recommending to the Council that the current ordinance be revised to
include roller skating as a permitted activity and that staff construct signs along the
path to encourage users to wear appropriate head and body gear.
C. COUNCILAPPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS -Williams
Staff provided the Committee with a handout and reviewed the process for Council
appointments to boards and commissions. The Committee suggested that there may
be some opportunity to reduce the number of boards and commissions. Staff was
asked to review all boards and commissions to correct any inconsistencies and to
assess whether some could be combined or sunsetted.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. SETTING REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING DATES
Meeting schedule was adopted as submitted.
Urban Development Committee
Agenda Summary Report
March 10, 1994
Page 3
B. TRAFFIC SERVICE LEVELS - Joel Heinrichs, County of Kern
County staff made a presentation to the Committee on traffic service levels. Their
concern was related to addressing Service Level C, while only mitigating to cover
Service Level D. They indicated their willingness to resolve the issue and move
forward. County staff must make a report to their Board and would like to establish
a joint and consistent plan with the City on this issue. The Committee stated
Council's recent action which clearly identifies Service Level C as a Council goal.
The Committee indicated that the City is willing to look at alternatives, but lowering
the service level is not an alternative they are prepared to entertain. Staff has been
asked to bring back a list of projects the City would not accomplish if it were to
decrease the service level from C to D; and to provide the Committee with two fee
comparisons -- current fee and LOS C fee -- that would represent the total cost to
development.
C. SIGN ORDINANCE - Hardisty
Staff gave an overview of the amended Sign Ordinance which was referred to the
Committee at the February 23 City Council meeting. There was some question as
to whether retail centers were trying to use those provisions of the ordinance that
were reserved for commercial centers. The Committee recommended that the Sign
Ordinance go back to the City Council for approval, and that it include alternatives
for any areas staff felt were inconsistently administered.
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
In attendance: City staff: Gail Waiters, Assistant City Manager; Judy Skousen, Acting City
Attorney; Jack Hardisty, Planning Director; Robert Sherfy, Assistant City Attorney; Carol
Williams, City Clerk; and County staff: Joel Heinrichs and Lloyd Norton; others included
members of the press, developers, and business owners.
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council
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