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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-30-1993 CC Minu EDub GPA/SP ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING - March 30, 1993 CLOSED SESSION At 6:30 9.m., the Council held a closed executive session to discuss Pending Litigation, City of Dublin vs. County of Alameda, in accordance with Government Code Section 54956.9(a). * * * PUBLIC MEETING An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Dublin was held on Tuesday, March 30, 1993, in the Regional Meeting Room of the Dublin Civic Center. The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m., by Mayor Snyder. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmembers Burton, Houston, Howard, Moffatt and Mayor Snyder. None· * * * * PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (610-20) Mayor Snyder led the Council, Staff and those present in the pledge of allegiance to the flag. * * * PUBLIC HEARING EASTERN DUBLIN GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT & SPECIFIC PLAN (420-30) Planning Director Tong explained the format of the meeting and advised that the City had contracted with the firm of Moore, Iacofano and Goltsman, Inc., to help facilitate the public hearing, with Carolyn Verheyen acting as facilitator. The hearing will be an opportunity for the community to identify and discuss key planning issues and for the City Council to provide direction to City Staff regarding the need' for additional information. Ms. Verheyen discussed the structure of how the meeting would be conducted, and introduced Jim Oswald, Graphic Reporter who would be noting the comments on a large chart. I · WELCOME/INTRODUCTION A. Purpose and Process B. Agenda Overview II. PROJECT BACKGROUND · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · CM - VOL 12 - 143 Adjourned Regular Meeting March 30, 1993 III. OVERVIEW OF ALTERNATIVE PLANS A. Plan Components B. Common Features and Differences C. Key Planning Issues D. Public Comments Item added to hear presentation on plans for Camp Parks IV. DISCUSSION AND PUBLIC COMMENTS ON KEY ISSUES A. Number of Housing Units B. Housing Density and Mix C. Open Space D. Designation of Undeveloped Areas E. Park Location F. Circulation G. Camp Parks H. Ridgelines I. Airport Protection Area J. Subregional Context K. Phasing of Development L. Other V® SUMMARY/NEXT STEPS A. Key Issues B. Direction from City Council Regarding Additional Information for Next Meeting C. Next Steps VI. CONTINUE PUBLIC HEARING TO APRIL 20, 1993 Mayor Snyder advised that the next workable date for the Council to continue the public hearing would be April 27th rather than the previously discussed date. The meeting would begin at 7:30 p.m., and be held in the Council Chambers. Planning Consultant Brenda Gillarde presented an overview of the project and a timetable on how long this issue had been studied. The process started in February, 1987, when the City Council was presented with a request to view a specific plan for a portion of the area. Discussion followed and the City COuncil decided that instead of just looking at one piece of property, the whole eastern area should be looked at as a whole. Ms. Gillarde gave a description of the proposed plan which was recommended by the Planning Commission, and discussed the land uses and the rationale behind them. The GPA area is approximately 7,000 acres, and the Specific Plan represents about 3,300 acres. The bulk of the development is focused on the flat area. The plan takes advantage of the freeway exposure and allows for major retail and commercial development. A major component would be an area comprised of high density residential and office use near the BART station location, which would maximize people being able to use this as a major transportation source in lieu of driving their automobiles. Single family homes would be developed using the village center nm nm nm nm nnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnn n n n n n n n nm n Adjourned Regular Meeting March 30, 1993 concept in the outlying areas. Within each village center would be services such as grocery and drug stores and some smaller shops. With regard to circulation, there would be 2 major east/west corridors. The major north/south access would be Tassajara and it is recommended that Fallon Road be extended to connect to Tassajara. This would be designed as an expressway with limited access. The transit spine is also an important feature of the plan, designed to facilitate public transit. Ms. Gillarde advised that a very detailed study had been done on existing and future recreational needs. There is a great need to have additional ball fields, so 2 large community parks were proposed, as well as a large more passive park in the northern portion. The plan also includes 570 acres of open space. Senior Planner Dennis Carrington addressed the plan known as Alternative 2 in the EIR, and discussed the major differences, including the total amount of land, total number of dwelling units and the impacts on the jobs/housing balance. Alternative 2 is basically the same plan, but within Dublin's sphere of influence. The acreage is reduced significantly ~to about 4,400 acres instead of the 7,000 acres. Residential land use has been reduced by half from about 5,000 to 2,500 acres. The number of dwelling units would be reduced from 18,000 to 12,000, with 4,000 being single family residential. There would be about 1,300 fewer jobs and the number of employed residents would be reduced by approximately 7,000 people. All of this would affect the jobs/housing balance for the City. Elementary schools would be reduced from 9 to 7 and parks would be reduced from 25 to 20. With regard to the environmental impacts, impacts to 1-580 between 1-680 and Hacienda in 2010, and impacts to the Airway/Dublin Boulevard intersection would be reduced to a level of insignificance under alternative 2, otherwise the same impacts and mitigation improvements would have to be made. Dan Marks presented the key points of the citizens' proposal. He felt this was an important opportunity for the City and the surrounding area. He summarized what their consortium agreed with, stating they agreed with many of the goals. There were goals however, that they felt needed to be added. Their concerns went well beyond the map. While they recognized that this has been a very long process, what the City Council decides will set the goals of the City forever. They support the concept of a balanced community, affordable housing, and conservation of the resources in the area. A list of goals was presented which they felt should be added. These related to: Complement and Enhance the City of Dublin; Fiscally Responsible Development; Fully Utilize Camp Parks and the BART Station; Phased Development for Orderly Growth; Flexible, Incremental Development; Urban Growth Boundary for Housing and Open Space; and ResPect for Natural Resources for High Environmental Quality. Lt. Col. Mark Nelson, Commanding Officer of Camp Parks addressed the group and advised that there is a lot of activity on their site. He pointed out that this facility is a much needed one and the base closures strengthen the necessity for the Parks Reserve Forces · · · · · · · · [] · · · · · · · · [] · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · CM - VOL 12 - 145 Adjourned Regular Meeting Marah 30, 1993 Training Area. There is a great density of reserve units in the Bay Area, and they train a great many units at their facility. Their workload has gone up and indications are that it will continue to go up. Charts and statistics were presented. In 1992, they provided over 2,000 man days of training. What he hears from various sources is that this facility must stay. They are definitely dedicated to environmental concerns, and want to make sure they are on the right track environmentally and to be as sensitive as .possible. Part of his commitment is to make sure they don't do any dumb things and end up with timebombs. Discussion centered on the 3 plans with similarities and differences pointed out. With regard to the 12 key issues, many people gave input and provided comments. The comments were listed by Mr. Oswald on the graphic chart displayed at the meeting. Ms. Verheyen briefly summarized all of the comments and advised that she would prepare a summary report to the City based on the comments recorded by Mr. Oswald. Mr. Tong requested that comment sheets be completed and returned to Staff also. Mayor Snyder stated he thought from past meetings, it had become apparent that the City Council was not sold on or extremely interested in the proposed plan. This was the plan that went through the Planning Commission process and was presented to the Council with the Planning Commission's recommendation. He felt the Council agreed that this was more than what they wanted to do. A lot of discussion has occurred and some agreements were reached on alternative 2 which had also been through the planning process. Without making major modifications, it fits within the current EIR which has been developed and circulated, and is one which could possibly be adopted without major rework to the environmental document, but with some finetuning on the part of Staff. Cm. Burton stated at this stage, Alternative 2 comes the closest to satisfying both sides; although you can't please everybody. Alternative 2 would be the first step in trying to figure out where we are. Mayor Snyder stated that tonight's direction was just a straw vote regarding Alternative 2. Cm. Moffatt stated he also concurred with this. In looking at the County's proposed East Area map, it looks like they are thinking the same way. Mayor Snyder advised that direction needed to be given to the Planning Staff on the outstanding issues. Airport Protection Area - Cm. Houston stated he is in favor of the APA and it should be incorporated within the plan. Cm. Burton stated he also would like to see the APA recognized. Cm. Moffatt felt this is a · · · · · · · · · -~ · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · CM - VOL 12 - 146 Adjourned Regular Meeting March 30, 1993 necessary area and he also supported this. The Airport folks however, seem to feel that Dublin is the only piece of action out there. Livermore and Pleasanton both seem to have all kinds of abilities to develop out there. Cm. Howard stated she would like to see how this fits in the plan. Cm. Houston pointed out that it doesn't say we can't build anything there, just not homes. We can look at other development possibilities. Pleasanton and Livermore have made their mistakes and we have an opportunity to learn from them. Cm. Burton stated he feels this is.a regional airport; not just Livermore's. We shoUld have an opportunity to have representation on the Airport Commission. This obviously will be something to deal with in the future. The Council direction to Staff was to consider other non-residential uses with no concentration of people. Staff pointed out that only a portion is designated residential. One of the options presented was the ability to designate this as a future study area and make no determination on what specific type of non-residential land use designation would be placed in it. The Council concurred with this. Mayor Snyder stated no specific direction had been given with regard to grading policies. Mr. Tong stated slight modifications to the wording of the grading policies were put in the Specific Plan that would further protect the area, but allow a certain amount of grading to occur. These were brought up during the hearing process and staff felt they had some merit. Staff requested further direction on whether the Council concurred with this or if they wanted the grading policies to remain as drafted. The Council concurred that it would be appropriate for Staff to modify the wording as recommended. Mayor Snyder stated the curvilinear street system and design guidelines need to be more flexible and the Council concurred that flexibility should be included in street design standards. The transit spine needs to be widened to four lanes. Relocation of the high school - Mayor Snyder stated he was not in favor of this. Cm. BurtOn stated it doesn't make sense to have it right off the main town center and that he would put it out by Fallon Road where the elementary school is. Cm. Howard stated you don't want it near an elementary school. Cm. Burton suggested that it just be moved over, so as to be out of the commercial area. The consensus of the Council was to leave the high school location alone. Mayor Snyder stated, with no disagreement expressed by the Council, that the wastewater treatment and water supply had been adequately addressed in the EIR. Financing of Infrastructure - Mr. Tong stated there were specific financing questions/concerns which were addressed by Steve Spickard with ERA at the last meeting. He felt the responses were adequate for the GPA and SP. The plan has specific action programs that call for further analysis'of the appropriate funding mechanisms for addressing · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · CM - VOL 12 - 147 Adjourned Regular Meeting March 30, 1993 this, which would be done as the proposed projects come on board and as areas are proposed for prezoning and annexation. Cm. Burton asked if there was any special language to the effect that it will carry itself. Mr. Tong responded yes, there is. Mayor Snyder pointed out that it is up to any subsequent political body to make sure in the review process that that is in place. San Joaquin Kit Fox - Mr. Tong stated Staff had proposed specific mitigation measures and felt it was adequately addressed in the EIR. Tassajara Road - Mayor Snyder stated there might be possible concurrence that it should be considered as a 6-lane rather than a 4- lane thoroughfare. Mr. Tong stated it would have the ultimate designation of 6 lanes, but only those lanes would be built that are necessary to support foreseeable development. Office Park designation along the freeway - Cm. HOuston suggested liberalizing this and making this a general statement versus office park along the freeway. Mr. Tong stated it would not hurt to clarify this. Mayor Snyder stated he thought there was concurrence on the City Council that this should be a very general statement, which could be reviewed as time progresses, between Dublin Boulevard and 1-580. Mr. Tong clarified that it could be either general commercial or campus office to be determined in the future. The Council concurred. Cm. Moffatt expressed a desire to discuss phasing. Mayor Snyder felt this would occur naturally without being dictatorial in.~the process. Cm. Moffatt stated his concern was that we should not get further out than our infrastructure. Mayor Snyder felt this, along with the financial aspects, would be reviewed by the City Council or any subsequent political body when the time occurs. Town center - Cm. Houston stated he would like to see this evolve as a natural situation. He liked the idea of housing and shopping staying along the freeway. Cm. Burton stated he had recently attended a meeting in Hayward with a number of political people and planners on the topic of making a community more liveable. While he did not agree that everything they talked about was good, they discussed mixed development zoning in order to help create an atmosphere of not having to have a car. He felt the Council should instruct Staff to have a flexible housing mix with retail and office deVelopment in the general central area. He would like this considered. Zoning, by its nature, tends to isolate things. Mr. Tong stated there were a number of policies that would accommodate this, and which would allow residential above retail. Tassajara Village and buffer in the northern area - Cm. Houston felt the Council should review where the boundary line might be. Mayor Snyder stated Alternative 2 makes major modifications but does not include the suggested buffer area. Cm. Burton felt this would be something that could be looked at, but the timing would be some time away. He felt it would be beneficial to give direction without having to go back to the EIR. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ~ · CM - VOL 12 - 148 Adjourned Regular Meeting March 30, 1993 Cm. Howard asked if the Council could vote at the next meeting. Snyder asked Staff if they felt a decision could be made by the Council on April 27th. Mayor Mr. Tong advised that Staff would need to review the input from this meeting and examine more thoroughly to determine if it needs to go back to the Planning Commission and what environmental modifications might need to be made. There is a~possibility that additional EIR work might have to be done. Cm. Burton advised that the Camp Parks issue keeps coming up and the public should understand that this was listed as a high priority goal for the City to try and work something out on the lower portion. The City Council have agreed that they would like to' see high density around the BART station. With regard to agricultural versus open space designation, the CounCil discussed this and 'concurred that the designation should be very general; future study area or urban growth area. Mr. Tong stated one of the options was that it be a future study area. Another option was to come up with an actual open space designation or calling it urban boundary. The Council concurred on using a future study area designation and agreed that it may be 20 or 30 years before anything is done. We should have our name on the property. Cm. Moffatt indicated that the direction from LAFCO was for us and Livermore to develop a. plan and then they will review them and make a decision. Mayor Snyder summarized that Staff was requested to bring back the information requested to the City COuncil at the next East Dublin public hearing to be held on April 27, 1993 at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chambers, and continued the public hearing until then. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 10:10 p.m. * * * * * * · [] · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · hdjourned Regular Meeting March 30, 1993