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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/16/1978 . . . . MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 16, 1978 The Special Meeting of the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Santa Ana was called to order by Chairman David Brandt at 2:35 P.M. in the City Council Chambers, 22 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, California. After the pledge to the Flag, roll was called: PRESENT ABSENT David Brandt Gordon Bricken Vernon Evans John Garthe James Ward Harry Yamamoto David Ortiz Others in attendance: Richard E. Goblirsch, Executive Director Tom Hammill, Real Estate Officer Stacey Creveston, Secretary Keith Gow, Acting City Manager/City Attorney Dan Stone, Assistant City Manager CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS REMOVED & DISSENTING VOTES Agency member Yamamoto requested removal of Item 3.A. (Monthly Activity Report and potpourri), and Item 3.B. (Contract for Special Administrative services). Agency member Ward abstained on Item 2 (Relocation Assistance Program), and Item 4 (Request for Authorization to Solicit Bids for Demolition Within the OCTD park- And-Ride Site). CONSENT CALENDAR STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED On the unanimously approved 6:0 motion of Mr. Garthe, seconded by Mr. Evans, the Agency approved the recommendations of Staff on the following Consent Calendar Items: MINUTES Approved the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on August 22,1978, and the Special Meeting held on October 2,1978. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Authorized the Executive Director to payments as follows: (Mr. Ward abstained) issue relocation OCTD PARK-AND-RIDE PROJECT SITE Commercial tenant at 510 N. Broadway Actual Move Substitute Equipment Loss of Personal Property $8,000.00 REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO SOLICIT BIDS FOR DEMOLITION WITHIN THE OCTD PARK-AND-RIDE SITE Authorized the Executive Director to secure bids for demolition of structures within the OCTD Park-And-Ride parking garage site. (Mr. Ward abstained.) * * * * * * * * * * * CONSENT CALENDAR FINIS * * * * * * * * * * MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT AND POTPOURRI . Agency member Yamamoto questioned what final decision would be reached in November, with regards to the Performing Arts Center. The Executive Director reported that in November the non-profit corporation will appear before a major foundation to solicit foundation funds, with the intent of the Performing Arts Center being located on the North Main Street site, and making the assumption that if the foundation is favorable, the Performing Arts Center can proceed. If it is not favorable, chances are very good that the Performing Arts Center would not be constructed in Santa Ana. Agency member Yamamoto questioned whether or not the Forestrong site was to become the future home of the Multi Modal Terminal. The Chairman explained that this issue was on the agenda and to be voted on today. . Agency member Yamamoto expressed concern on how the bond was being repaid (as stated under "Tax Increment" on the potpourri memo), and feels that the City is not in a position to be floating a bond and feels that the City should buy the bond back. The Executive Director explained the process of how the bond is being repaid, and explained the purpose of the trustee special fund and how it works, and stated that Staff would be happy to prepare a more detailed report on this. Agency member Yamamoto stated that he had not been aware of the fact that the Agency was responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Fashion Square Parking Garage. A motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Garthe and carried (Mr. Yamamoto voted NO) to receive and file the Monthly Activity Report and potpourri. CONTRACT FOR SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Agency member Yamamoto stated that he felt this contract should be put out to bid, and that he feels that the hiring of this person is a conflict of interest. A motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Garthe and carried (Mr. Yamamoto voted NO) to receive and file the Contract for Special Administrative Services. . RESOLUTION 78-31 - PUBLIC HEARING ON CONDEMNATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT SITE The public hearing on condemnation of real property located in the Heritage Development site was opened by Chairman David Brandt. The Chairman requested that Staff identify the property and the project, and to comment on the factors and evidence necessitating the condemnation action. Mr. Tom Hammill, Real Estate Officer for the Agency, reported that the property is located at 619 West Third Street, being the northeast corner of Third and Parton Streets, Santa Ana. The property contains a total area of 3,398 square feet and is fully improved with a one-story shop building constructed in 1958. The shop building contains 3,330 square feet of space with 314 square feet in office space and contains no off site parking. Property is zoned C-2. The construction consists of a foundation slab with concrete block walls and single span steel I-beams, wood roof structure, plywood sheathing and composition cover. . -2- . . . . This parcel is a part of the block containing 11 parcels. This parcel must be acquired to carry out proposed development plans. Modifying the development at this point would result in increased costs and would leave a substandard parcel surrounded by new high rise development that would continue to create a blighting influence in the total area. The block in question contains a mixture of land uses -- commercial, retail, residential and vacant parcels. The combined mixture of substandard and vacant retail facilities includes sleeping rooms, vacant lots, one single family house, one duplex, one seven unit apartment, thrift shops, auto repair, printing and restaurant/bar. Most of which contain no off street parking. The total block creates a very blighting influence upon the neighborhood. To the south is a multi million dollar new multi-family residential complex. To the north, another multi million dollar public investment in the Civic Center. The living conditions for the residents of the block are or were extremely substandard and detrimental to health and safety. The commercial buildings have been in a state of economic and structural deterioration over the past years. This condition was caused by the shift of primary retailing out of the area, which allowed secondary retail use to occupy the space, or caused the space to remain vacant. The creation of the multi story office commercial complex will produce both short term and long term employment in the area, add needed tax revenue to the City and contribute to the economic growth of the immediate area by providing jobs and additional customers for the adjacent retail merchants. The elimination of blight, the removal of hazardous living quarters, the generation of tax dollars and the increased employment all serve the public interest. The project is located to provide office space complimentary to the Civic Center as well as retail services to the employees and visitors of Civic Center, and to provide commercial and professional services to the 398 apartment units adjoining and southerly thereof. An additional 315 units of one, two, and three bedroom units are in the process of development in the area immediately southerly and westerly of this location and will have convenient access to this site. This site represents a location compatible with the neighborhood and overall economic rehabilitation of the downtown, and serves the greatest public good with the least private injury. The property, because of its location, is suitable and desirable for the contemplated use. Because of its location, size and adaptability for the proposed improvement, the acquisition of the property is an integral part of the entire plan and therefore necessary. The Chairman then requested comments from the public. Mr. Robert Waldron, representing Mr. & Mrs. Leo Friis, and James Friis, requested that the public hearing be continued due to the fact that James Friis is in the hospital, and feels it important that Mr. Friis be able to attend the public hearing. Discussion was held between several of the Agency members and Mr. Waldron regarding Mr. Waldron being able to represent his clients in their absence. After lengthy discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Garthe and carried unanimously to continue the public hearing to November 6, 1978 at 2:00 P.M. -3- RESOLUTION 78-32 - PUBLIC HEARING ON CONDEMNATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT SITE . The public hearing on condemnation of real property located in the Heritage Development site was opened by Chairman David Brandt. The Chairman requested that Staff identify the property and the project, and to comment on the factors and evidence necessitating the condemnation action. Mr. Tom Hammill, Real Estate Officer for the Agency, reported that the property is located adjacent and east of the northeast corner of Parton and Third Streets, Santa Ana. The property contains a total area of 3,398 square feet and is a vacant lot presently leased for parking purposes. Mr. Hammill asked that the statements made as to the Friis property public hearing, as to the public interest, location and necessity, be incorporated into the record, as it is a duplication in this case. The Chairman then requested comments from the public. none, the public hearing was closed. There being . A motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Ward and carried unanimously by the following roll call vote to adopt Resolution 78-32: A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES IN THE HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT SITE IN THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND DECLARING THE PUBLIC NECESSITY THEREOF. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Brandt, Bricken, Evans, Garthe, Ward, Yamamoto None ortiz ORANGE COUNTY TERMINAL TRANSIT DISTRICT PARKING FACILITY AND MULTI MODAL Agency member James Ward excused himself from the meeting. The Executive Director reported that Staff was prepared to show charts and make a presentation on the OCTD Parking Facility and Multi Modal Terminal, and that Brian Pearson of OCTD was also present to make a presentation if .the Agency members so desired. The Executive Director stated that the Agency members were familiar with the recommended changes; that the Redevelopment Commission had acted on this matter; and that this has been taken before the Planning Commission for informational purposes only at this time. . A motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Bricken and carried by the following roll call vote to change the location of the Orange County Transit District Multi Modal Terminal, reduce the number of spaces in the OCTD Park-And-Ride structure, and authorize Staff to negotiate a substitute site with Forestrong. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Brandt, Bricken, Evans, Garthe Yamamoto Ward, ortiz Mr. Tully seymour, representing the Presbyterian Church, stated that his group feels that this is a much more satisfactory arrangement, but feels that there should be more studies of the site, and they would be interested in seeing charts on the traffic pattern. EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE FOR HERITAGE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY . A motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Garthe and carried by the following roll call vote to authorize a six month exclusive right to negotiate with Heritage Development Company. -4- AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Brandt, Bricken, Evans, Garthe, Ward, Yamamoto Ortiz . REALIGNMENT OF FOURTH AND ROSS INTERSECTION/IMPROVEMENT OF SASSCER PARK AND PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS The Executive Director stated that this was a three part request to approve a concept only at this time. The Executive Director referred to the map that was contained in the agenda packet with reference to the three above concepts. The map illustrates the pedestrian overpass linking Santa Ana Plaza of the Flags into the Heritage Development multi story office building; the realignment of Fourth Street to eliminate a bad intersection at Fifth and Ross and the closing of Fourth Street between Ross and Parton; and a different shaped Sasscer Park. The Executive Director stated that Staff would like approval to prepare preliminary plans on all three concepts. He further stated that Heritage Development is willing to financially participate in the pedestrian overpass (the estimated cost is approximately $180,000), and that he would like to contact the Civic Center Commission to see if they would be willing to fund a part of the pedestrian overpass since it is a part of the Civic Center Master Plan. . The Executive Director stated that Staff has slowed the developer (Dennis Development) down in preparing his preliminary plans for the block bounded by Fourth, Fifth and Ross because of the effects the street pattern will have on his development. The Executive Director reported that Heritage Development is committed to building a mall (plaza) within their development, and Staff's intention is to pick up the plaza concept and carry it North into the Sasscer Park area. He further reported that the Park was named after a Police Officer that was killed in the line of duty, and that Staff has been working with the police Association. The police Association is supportive of this concept. This would turn the Park into a very nice pedestrian area plaza. . Agency member Bricken stated that a number of years ago, discussion of the realignment of Santa Ana Boulevard was held regarding that end of Fourth Street by the downtown merchants. He felt that the merchants were not satisfied with the decision of closing Fourth Street because it cut them off from traffic. The Executive Director stated that Staff could come back before the Agency with the downtown merchants' recommendations. He stated that Staff has shown the plans to the Planning Commission and the Board of Directors of the Downtown Merchants Association. The Executive Director stated that he did intend to take it further and get more input. A motion was made by Mr. Bricken to authorize Staff to proceed with the development of the concept of realignment of the western end of Fourth Street and Ross Street, without reference to the specific plan presented, but with the idea that it could be included as one of the alternatives that could be studied. Chairman Brandt stated that a couple of other ideas, such as the park and the pedestrian overpass, were addressed in this report and questioned Agency member Bricken if he intended to incorporate them into his motion, or act on them individually. . Mr. Bricken realignment stated that he hoped that the relationship of the would incorporate all of the interaction of a -5- . . . . resolution of those issues, such as the park, and such as the future of the mall, and such as traffic flow. He also hopes that the Planning Commission and the Transportation Advisory Commission will be brought into this deliberative process along with the other groups. Agency member Ward seconded the motion, but stated that there should be comment about, for instance, the overpass, and feels that input should be acknowledged on the motion. Agency member Bricken acknowledged this. The question was then Yamamoto voting no. called for. The motion carried with Mr. RECESS At 3:15 P.M., the Chairman called for a recess. The meeting was reconvened at 3:23 P.M. with the same members present. JONES DEVELOPMENT - EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE The Executive Director reported that the Redevelopment Commission has been discussing this proposed development since January of this year, and made a recommendation to the Agency that Mr. Jones be given a six months right to negotiate, subject to taking care of the problems with Garnsey Street. The Executive Director stated that Mr. Jones was in the audience and prepared to make a presentation, and that Alexander Nalle, Chairman of the Redevelopment Commission, was also in the audience and prepared to speak with regards to the Commission's position on this matter. A motion was made by Mr. Bricken, seconded by Mr. Garthe, but failed by the following roll call vote to authorize a six month right to negotiate between the Agency and Allen Jones, developer. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Brandt, Bricken, Garthe Evans, Ward, Yamamoto Ortiz Agency member Evans stated that he felt that there was still too much left to do before a six months right to negotiate should be entered into, and suggested that Mr. Jones try to put it together himself. Mr. Evans stated that it was too controversial, and that a lot of remarks are being made around the community regarding this development. A motion was made by Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Garthe and carried unanimously to continue the question of the exclusive right to negotiate for the Jones development. Before the question was called for, Alexander Nalle, Chairman, Community Redevelopment Commission, attempted to address the Agency members. The Agency members requested that he speak at the continued meeting. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY/COMMISSION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION STUDY COMMITTEE Agency member Ward stated that he feels that this type of program should hire one staff person at a time. He stated that he is not prepared to hire two or three people at this time, but would authorize the hiring of a Director for the Economic Development Corporation. A motion was made by Mr. Ward, seconded by Mr. Evans and carried unanimously to approve the Economic Development Corporation Director and budget. -6- . . . . . . . . APPROVAL OF CONCEPT OF MOHLER DEVELOPMENT COMPANY Agency members Ward and Evans left the meeting. The Executive Director reported that Staff did not have the drawings for the Mohler Development, and requested a continuance on this matter. A motion was made by Mr. ~í~he and seconded by Mr. Brandt to continue the approval of cdrlcept of the Mohler Development Company. Before the question was called for, much discussion ensued. Agency member Bricken expressed concern that the public neighborhood be informed of what is transpiring in the area. and The Executive Director reported that the property owners and adjacent property owners have been contacted, and have been shown the illustration of the proposed Mohler development at the Commission level. The Executive Director stated that the purpose of today's meeting was to present the basic concept of the multi story office building as proposed by Mohler, and to show the direction the Agency is proceeding along. The office building will be about 11 or 12 stories. The EIR is being prepared, and subject to required hearings, the public will have the opportunity for input at that stage, and at least three or four more opportunities prior to the time Staff will bring this back to the Agency for final action. Mr. Bricken again expressed his uneasiness about not notifying the people in the entire area before it gets too late. The Executive Director stated that Staff intends to make contact with all involved once Staff has additional information from the EIR report so that Staff could talk intelligently about the impacts, but stated that if the Agency wanted Staff to do it sooner, he would be happy to do so. The question was then called for on the motion made by Mr. Garthe and seconded by Mr. Brandt to continue the approval of the concept of the Mohler Development Company. The motion carried unanimously. MEETING DATE OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY A motion was made by Mr. Bricken, seconded by Mr. Ward but failed by the following roll call vote to establish the fourth Tuesday of each month as the Redevelopment Agency meeting day. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Brandt, Bricken, Garthe Ward, Evans, Yamamoto Ortiz A motion was made by Mr. Garthe, seconded by Mr. Bricken and carried by the following roll call vote to continue the issue of the meeting date of the Redevelopment Agency. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Brandt, Bricken, Garthe, Ward Evans, Yamamoto Ortiz ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Community Redevelopment Agency, the meeting was adjourned at 3:42 P.M. upon the motion of Mr. Evans, seconded by Mr. Ward and carried unanimously. ::~ Executive Director David L. Brandt, Chairman -7-