01-21-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

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GENERAL LAND USE POLICIES Senior Planner Charles View reviewed the City's non-conforming use policy introduced at the January 12 orientation session and indicated staff would proceed with an aggressive attrition strategy based on the Council's implied assent. Planning Manager Ken Adams indicated the Master Plan called for synchronizing infrastructure improvements with anticipated growth. Councilmembers discussed developer fees and cautioned staff not to price development out of the market by requiring single sites to bear a disproportionate share of infrastructure costs. Councilmember Richardson requested that any maps used by staff in making the Master Plan presentation not provided in the printed background material be duplicated and forwarded to the Council. Ken Adams showed slides of several major developments and stated the policy regarding key employment and revenue producing sites was to identify and protect them through compatible adjacent land uses. He further explained staff's intent to educate developers regarding the need to exceed minimum development standards and to establish, as a baseline, the expectation that each development project would result in benefit to the community. Councilmembers discussed methods of increasing developer awareness, including the realtor's "drive-by" technique, to point out quality projects to prospective developers. Ken Adams described the Master Plan guidelines regarding historic structures and neighborhoods, noting innovative reuse and creativity were required for their maintenance and preservation. Councilmembers discussed the need for flexibility for historic projects, particularly regarding parking requirements; the use of Mills Act funds for financing historic renovation; and the treatment of each site and neighborhood as a unique entity. Councilmember Richardson volunteered to serve on a task force to meet with the Federal Courthouse architect to encourage congruity between the structure and the surrounding area. He also requested Mills Act financing be scheduled for discussion at a future Council meeting. Ken Adams reported staff was preparing an Urban Design element for the General Plan to ensure complementary public and private physical improvements and mitigation of their impacts on adjacent neighborhoods. Robyn Uptegraff assured the Council that staff was sensitive to the need for Santa Ana to not "over regulate" in order to remain competitive in the development market. Councilmembers discussed developing an outreach plan for communicating Santa Ana's standards to developers prior to purchase in order that requirements for upgraded amenities be factored into the purchase price, complimented staff on the quality of city-sponsored projects, and suggested that parking structure window patterns reflect adjacent historic structures in future. CITY COUNCIl. MINUTES 37 JANUARY 21, 1993