HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/03/2007
B A K E R S F I E L D
--~ ~
St :Rhonda Sm y
For: Alan Tandy, City Manager
MINUTES
Zack Scrivner, Chair
Harold Hanson
Ken Weir
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Thursday, May 3, 2007 - 1:00 p.m.
City Manager's Conference Room -Suite 201
1501 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield CA
The meeting was called to order at 1:00:38 PM
1.
ROLL CALL
Committee members present: Councilmember Zack Scrivner; Chair
Councilmembers Harold Hanson and Ken Weir
Staff present: City Manager Alan Tandy; Assistant City Manager John W.
Stinson; Assistant City Manager Christine Butterfield; Management Assistant
Rick Kirkwood; Public Information Officer Rhonda Smiley; City Attorney Virginia
Gennaro; Public Works Director Raul Rojas; Development Services Director Stan
Grady; Associate Attorney Michael Richards; Planning Director Jim Movius;
Building Director Phil Burns; Civil Engineer Ted Wright
Others present: Dave Dmohowski, Premier Planning Goup; Steven Teglia,
Bakersfield Chamber; Cassie Daniel, Homebuilders Association; Chris Clark,
TRIP /Parsons; Dave Price, Kern County Resource Management Agency; Maria
Aleman, Auto Source America; Jerry Armstrong, City Auto Group, Inc.; Bart
Vielrano, City Auto Group Inc.; Juan Castillas, NextCar USA; Roger McIntosh,
McIntosh & Associates; Lyn Espericueta, California Auto SCS; Scott Blunck,
Castle & Cooke; Kevin Barton, Young Wooldridge; Various members of the
media
2. ADOPT APRIL 5, 2007 MINUTES 1:01:15 PM
Adopted as submitted.
Planning and Development Committee
May 3, 2007
Page 2
3. PUBLIC STATEMENTS
None.
4. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion regarding Highway Funding Proposal -Tandy / Rojas
1:01:50 PM
City Manager Alan Tandy provided an overview of nine staff
recommended action items for City transportation plans, funds, and
construction activity. A copy of the memorandum to Mayor and Council
dated April 5, 2007 and slide show presentation was provided.
Mr. Tandy made several comments regarding Kern County's proposal and
asked that the City Council respond with an action orientation and tangible
plan.
Committee member Harold Hanson asked that the County Ad Hoc Roads
Committee appointments be part of the May 9, 2007 agenda.
Committee Chair Zack Scrivner requested comments from guest speakers
regarding highway dedication and traffic impact fees. Roger McIntosh of
McIntosh & Associates advised that without seeing the program or
proposal or having an understanding of the model, he is unable to address
the issue. However, he would like to see the sales tax referendum be
brought to the February 2008 ballot.
Committee Chair Scrivner asked for staff recommendations. Alan Tandy
asked that the Highway Funding Plan be brought to City Council for action
and then staff implementation.
1:32:59 PM
Motion to forward action plan to City Council for adoption passed
unanimously by vote:
Ayes: Scrivner, Hanson, Weir
Noes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
5. DEFERRED BUSINESS
A. Discussion regarding electronic message signs -Grady / Gennaro
1:33:29 PM
Director of Development Services Stan Grady advised that staff met with
the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce to discuss the electronic message
Planning and Development Committee
May 3, 2007
Page 3
signs used in the City. Steven Teglia of the Bakersfield Chamber of
Commerce presented the following comments regarding electronic
message signs:
• That any ordinance, current or amended, allows for the
advancement of technology;
• The Chamber agrees in regulating the use of video signs;
• Requests that the City establish some type of contractual or
permit agreement with businesses identifying penalties for usage
of electronic signs;
• The Chamber is not supportive of completely limiting the use of
all electronic signs.
Stan Grady indicated that if electronic signs are allowed, more discussion
will be required. Development Services will conduct additional research to
explore more options.
Committee member Harold Hanson expressed concerns putting in place
an ordinance that allows the use of electronic signs by adult entertainment
businesses and the conflicts the City may encounter in reference to
freedom of speech. City Attorney Ginny Gennaro explained that the
current ordinance does not allow animated signs and digital billboards.
City Attorney Gennaro recommends enforcement of the current ordinance
and later have staff modify the ordinance to allow new technology.
Ginny Gennaro shared an article from the Washington Post relating to
digital billboards affordability to businesses and the struggles
municipalities have regulating the billboards. The article also addressed a
study by the Federal Government regarding the hazards animated
billboards cause the driving public.
The Development Services staff will work with the Bakersfield Chamber of
Commerce to get additional information and community feedback.
Committee Chair Scriver requested this discussion be deferred to the next
scheduled meeting.
B. Discussion regarding temporary signs -Grady /Gennaro 1:44:42 PM
Development Services Director Stan Grady gave a slide show
presentation regarding issues relating to correction notices given to
businesses for signs along major roadways and the auto mall area that
are not in compliance with the current sign ordinance. Under the current
sign ordinance the following signs are prohibited:
Planning and Development Committee
May 3, 2007
Page 4
• Banners, flags, pennants and balloons, except as permitted;
• Permanent for sale signs;
• Portable signs;
• Vehicle signs
One option for businesses is use of the Special Event Signs Process. The
process provides a means of publicizing events such as grand openings
carnivals, parades, charitable events, community holiday activities and
other related events. The Special Event Signs are limited per business to
forty-five days per calendar year in any combination of durations provided
the number of special events does not exceed five per calendar year.
However, no single event may exceed a duration of fifteen consecutive
days.
The Bakersfield Auto Mall has a special sign designation in the sign
ordinance which relates to the specific signs permitted in that area. Bart
Nelson of City Auto Group asked the Committee to give the same
consideration to smaller auto groups. Stan Grady clarified that the
Bakersfield Auto Mall is under the same criteria as the City Auto Group
and were also cited for non-compliance. Mr. Grady offered to provide a
comparison between the two businesses in regards to issues of public
right-of-way.
Lynn Espericueta with California Auto Center asked if there is any correct
way to use the banners on their lot. Staff advised that businesses are
allowed special event permits for banners in accordance with the Special
Event Signs Process.
Committee Chair Scrivner would like more discussion between staff and
local businesses that were cited. Jerry Armstrong of the City Auto Group,
Inc. stated that removing the banners gave their business the appearance
of being vacant and cut their business in half.
Committee member Ken Weir would like the Chamber of Commerce to
assist with the discussion between staff and local businesses regarding
temporary signs. Committee chair Scrivner suggested staff and the
Chamber of Commerce prepare a press release or website
announcement.
This item will be deferred to a future meeting.
6. COMMITTEE COMMENTS
None
Planning and Development Committee
May 3, 2007
Page 5
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 2:03:12 PM
cc: Honorable Mayor and City Council members
APPROVED 6/14/07