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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-07-1990 Minutes City of San Bernardino, California March 7, 1990 This is the time and place set for a Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino at their regular meeting held at 8:30 a.m., on Monday, March 5, 1990, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, California. The City Clerk has caused to be posted the order of adjournment of said meeting held on March 5, 1990, and has on file in the office of the City Clerk an affidavit of said posting together with a copy of said order which was posted at 10: 00 a.m., Tuesday, March 6, 1990, on the door of the place at which said meeting was held. The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino was called to order by Mayor Pro Tempore Maudsley at l:39 p.m., Wednesday, March 7, 1990, in the Kellogg Room, Feldheym Library, 555 West Sixth Street, San Bernardino, California. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken by Deputy City Clerk Reese with the following being present: Mayor Pro Tempore Maudsley; Council Members Estrada, Reilly, Flores, Maudsley, Miller; Deputy City Attorney Empeno, Deputy City Clerk Reese, Deputy City Administrator Richardson. Absent: Mayor Holcomb; Council Members Minor, pope-Ludlam. DEVELOPMENT CODE PRESENTATION Hillside Manauement Overlay District - Page II-142 John Montgomery, Principal Planner, introduced Ron Pflugrath, Urban Design Studio, 446 N. Newport Blvd., Suite 202, Newport Beach, CA 92663. He explained that Mr. Pflugrath and Mr. Mark Brodeaur are consultants assisting with the preparation of the Development Code. Mr. Pflugrath distributed a three-page document entitled "Pros and cons of attached single family development in hillside areas" and explained the provisions, which included the advantages and disadvantages of attached single family development in hillside areas; graphics giving examples of attached and clustered developments; and highlights of the Freeway Corridor Overlay District. Mr. pflugrath stated that the General Plan encourages cluster type of attached single family units in the hillside area. He explained that decreasing lot sizes and clustering of attached units can create greater opportunities to preserve 1 3/7/90 hillsides in a natural state, provided that overall densities are not increased. Clustering of units can reduce required number and lengths of roads and utility runs, provide less interference with natural drainage features due to reduced grading, and the use of less water for irrigation. However, there may be some disadvantages. Attached units may require larger graded pads due to larger footprints which can produce severe grading on steeper slopes. Attached units on hillsides often produce structures in visually protruding horizontal bands and are usually two stories. Amenities usually associated with attached condominium-type units (i.e., swimming pools, tennis courts) require additional grading. Mr. Pflugrath described the graphics on handout which illustrate the terminology and construction of attached single family units areas. page 2 of the concepts of the in the hillside He also explained proposed provisions for cul-de-sacs for hillside management overlays. They are proposing a maximum length of 1,000 feet with a limit of 20 dwelling units, and terminated with a turn-around area of not less than a radius of 50 feet. Gene Klatt, Assistant City Engineer, answered questions regarding the design of cul-de-sacs which would provide an adequate area in which to maneuver safety vehicles. Mr. Klatt answered questions. He stated that if a developer is requesting approval of a slope between 6 % and 9 %, he must explain, in writing, the reasons for the grade. It is then up to the discretion of the Director of Public Works whether to approve the request. Anything above 9% slope requires approval from the Fire Chief, the Police Chief, Public Service Director and Public Works Director. There may be factors that would allow a higher grade for a short section of street. The Public Services Department has a standing rule that its trash pickup trucks cannot go over Little Mountain because of the steep grade. Mark Brodeaur, Urban Design Studio, 446 N. Newport Blvd., Suite 202, Newport Beach, CA 92663, explained that a 12% slope is recommended, and that anything over 12% would require approval. The recommended standards are those that the City Attorney could defend in court if necessary. If an 18% or 19% grade were approved as part of a subdivision, and an accident occurred because of this, the City might be liable because the grade exceeds normal engineering standards. John Montgomery, Principal Planner, answered questions and explained that Title 18 of the San Bernardino Municipal Code contains language relating to grade restrictions. 2 3/7/90 Mr. Bonadiman, 250 S. Lena Rd., San Bernardino, stated several years ago former City Engineer Glenn Wilson and engineers from surrounding cities met to discuss slopes. consensus was a recommended figure of 15% grade. that city The Jack Vanderwoude, Tahiti Group, P. O. Box Bernardino, CA 92412, stated there has been an professional people from San Bernardino because they quality single family homes in the community. He that the standard grades on hillside be set at 15%. 544l, San exodus of can't find recommended Mr. Warkentin, 3197 C Airport Loop, Costa Mesa, CA, stated that he and his firm are currently involved in three hillside developments in San Bernardino County, and one in the City. It is their opinion that density is not a function of slope, except to a very limited degree. Rather, it is a function of circulation and access, underlying geology and hydrology and view analysis, archeological and geological considerations. He suggested that a site specific analysis be done that determines each of the qualities involved, and then a conclusion can be reached as to a responsible density. Mr. Warkentin stated that good grading done responsibly, and designed appropriately with engineering consideration, often has a remedial effect on the property. Mr. Warkentin also recommended permissive criteria allows things to happen, not to disallow them, and incentives design excellence. He felt that this policy could provide City with an outstanding hillside development. that for the John operating provisions considered. Montgomery, principal Planner, stated that staff was under a constraint on slope designations because of in the General Plan. However, a change could be Mr. Victor Corona, 686 S. Bunker Hill Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92410, Planning Commissioner, explained how the density policy was reached. He stated that the Commission wanted to reserve the foothills and provide a near 0 density within that hillside management area. For that reason he was not in favor in changing the policy. Mr. Ronald Coats, 25819 Date, San Bernardino, CA 92404, member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, stated that when the Committee was considering the General Plan, one of the reasons it tried to limit density in the foothill areas was because of possible liability to the City if houses were damaged or destroyed in an earthquake. There is a fault along that area. 3 3/7/90 Mr. Courtney Buse, 3808 N. Osbun Rd., San Bernardino, CA 92404, member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, felt that in the rush to adopt the General Plan, the Committee was not given the opportunity to fully discuss hillside management. Mr. Buse also suggested that better definitions be provided in the working documents. Elliott Shaw, Wainscott & Associates, distributed a letter dated February 23, 1990, from Melcorp Investments Inc., in which concerns and suggestions regarding provisions in the Hillside Management (HM) Overlay District and Foothill Fire (FF) Overlay District are set forth. These suggestions relate specifically to standards for cul-de-sacs, street grades, geologic recommendations, severe cutting, and the protection of existing topography. Staff agreed to provide boundary lines of the Hillside Management area. Freewav Corridor Overlay District. Page II-l3l Mark Brodeaur introduced the Freeway Corridor Overlay District. He explained that one of the areas focused on in the General Plan was a need for a Freeway Corridor Overlay District which provides a more purposeful, aesthetic window to the City. He explained that this overlays and is in addition to the existing zoning on the property. Mr. Brodeaur explained that these provisions apply to property within 300 feet of a freeway, or the first public street (whichever is greater) from the edge of the freeway right-of-way. Basically, it requires a 25 foot landscape buffer along the edge of the freeway and a 50 foot building setback. He explained that monument signs cannot extend to a height of more than ten feet above the freeway elevation. Mr. Brodeaur explained that another key element of the Freeway Overlay Zone was an almost unanimous desire to prohibit metal buildings and billboard signs. Metal buildings and billboards are not necessarily undesirable, but they are not wanted in the area within 300 feet of the freeway. He stated this overlay zone also requires that all service and outdoor areas be screened. Mr. Brodeaur answered questions, stating he had received significant comments from staff and others in the community regarding the proposed standards on metal buildings. He stated they had also talked to representatives of the metal building industry and were favorably impressed with guidelines that the metal building industry publishes and distributes. He stated they were willing to work on variations to the standards for metal buildings. 4 3/7/90 valerie boundaries of questions. Ross, the Senior Planner, showed a Freeway Corridor Overlay Zone map and showing answered Mr. Brodeaur described and drew diagrams of various signs that are allowed. He also explained the method by which the size of signs are determined so they are large enough to allow travelers driving on the freeway at 55 miles per hour to read the message. For this reason, signs along the freeway are larger than those in other areas. Mr. Brodeaur answered questions regarding general advertising signs. Signs with distinctive logos such as automobile symbols are allowed. However, the use of signs such as those at restaurants that advertise a beverage or other products sold at that location, rather than solely the primary business, are discouraged. These signs are often provided to the restaurant owner by the beverage company in exchange for the advertising value. Mr. facades. standards. Brodeaur answered questions He stated these provisions regarding the use are just guideline, of not A discussion ensued regarding the need for definitions regarding the facade section. Mr. Brodeaur answered questions, stating that glass buildings that reflect light are acceptable in some areas, but are inappropriate within 300 feet of the freeway because of glare in drivers' eyes. Sandra Paulsen, Senior Planner, and Mr. Brodeaur answered questions regarding sign standards. A discussion ensued regarding the placement of freeway signs within 600 feet of each other. Mr. Brodeaur answered questions, stating that the provisions don't specify exactly where the signs should be. He also stated that murals, such as found in the Los Angeles area are not considered to be signs. Fire DeQartment comments - vehicle access in hillside areas Mikel Park, Fire Marshal, Fire Department, commented on access to the hillside areas for safety and emergency situations. Cul-de-sacs cause the Fire Department tremendous problems in getting through the community, and described the difficulties in maneuvering large vehicles in a cul-de-sac. He recommended there be a minimum of 50 feet for the turn-around of the vehicle in a cul-de-sac. 5 3/7/90 Mr. Park also spoke regarding the street grades in the City. He stated that fire trucks are designed at the factory to function on a maximum of a 12% grade. The trucks can operate on a grade more than that, especially if the truck has momentum, but the Fire Department would like to keep the 12% grade restriction rather than a higher figure because there may be a situation in which the truck cannot make the grade. He felt that the same situation applies for the Refuse Division vehicles. Residential Development Design Guidelines - Paue II-26 Mr. Brodeaur read the purpose of the Residential Development Guidelines, which is intended as a reference to assist the designer in understanding the City's goals and objectives for high quality residential development. He explained that these guidelines relate to lengths of streets, placement of buildings, curbing, and streets. The goal is to create functional and visual variety along local streets and to discourage subdivisions where identical homes are situated with no variation in building placement or the street scene. A discussion ensued possible variation, such appearance. regarding the design of walls as decorative vines to enhance and the Mr. Brodeaur stated they are not requ~r~ng any specific type of wall design, but are suggesting various methods for making the wall more attractive, such as capping the wall, and perhaps providing some landscaping in front of the wall. Commercial Development Desiun Guidelines - Paue II-78 Mr. Brodeaur introduced the section on Commercial Development Design Guidelines. The major components of the guidelines relate to site planning, parking and circulation design, landscaping and screening. The provisions are intended to provide a maximum amount of flexibility. Mr. Brodeaur answered questions regarding roof tiles and what was considered to be inappropriate for certain types of architectural style. He also answered questions regarding the use of awnings. He stated that the only places he considered appropriate for metal awnings were residential structures. He did not think they were appropriate for commercial buildings. Industrial Districts - Page II-99 Mr. Brodeaur explained the provisions of the Industrial Districts portion of the proposed Development Code, which are probably the most general type of guidelines. They include the provision of appropriate areas to accommodate industrial enterprises, provision of adequate parking space, minimal traffic congestion, protection from objectionable enviromental 6 3/7/90 influences, promotion of high consolidation of industrial industrial uses that provides and assurance of compatibility standards of site planning and uses, promotion of a mix of a sound, diverse industrial base, with adjacent land uses. Mr. Brodeaur described ways to improve the appearance of the loading bays at industrial sites, and suggested a planned arrangement of signs, rather than free-for-all placement. Mr. Brodeaur answered questions regarding wrought iron fences and emphasized the need for a strong structural basis. Next meetinu It was determined that the next Development Code workshop would be held at 1:30 p.m., March 19, 1990, in the Feldheym Library. Adiournment At 3:32 p.m., Council Member Miller made a motion, seconded by Council Member Reilly and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned. SHAUNA CLARK City Clerk by /fJcE2t~ ~.e-<.!.L/ Deputy ty Clerk No. of Items: 5 No. of Hours: 2 7 3/7/90