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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-09-30 Development & TransportationCITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION Special Meeting Minutes September 30, 2014 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:39 p.m. in Room 1600 of the City Hall Ross Annex ATTENDANCE The following Committee Members were present: Vincent Sarmiento, Michele Martinez, David Benavides Staff present were: David Cavazos, City Manager; Karen Haluza, Interim Executive Director /Planning & Building Agency; Fred Mousavipour, Executive Director /Public Works Agency; William Galvez, City Engineer; Ryan Hodge, Assistant City Attorney; Melanie McCann, Associate Planner; Alma Flores, Senior Management Assistant; and Rosa Barela, PBA Executive Secretary. PUBLIC COMMENTS Robin Cook spoke on the homeless situation and noted vacant building 16 Civic Center Plaza could possibly be used for the homeless, and noted it would be a benefit to them to provide restrooms, showers and storage for personal belongings. Peter Katz commented he attended the meetings regarding the proposed shelter, noted research needs to be done on the Armory on the type of problems and incidents as it is next to a school, residential and commercial and get a report from the Police Department adding you can eliminate fears if you sell the site to the public, added this facility will only put a dent in the homeless population and not solve the Civic Center problem. AGENDA ITEMS 1. DISCUSSION ON HOMELESS FACILITY {Strategic Plan Nos. 1, 1G; 5,3D} Chairman Sarmiento noted he requested the special meeting in order to get background information on Senate Bill 2, discussed the proposed purchase of the site by the County of Orange for a homeless shelter on Normandy Place adding the opposition from the public, noted written correspondence was sent to the Board of Directors advising them there was concern by the public on the site being selected, and noted he requested item be brought to Committee with options. A. OVERVIEW OF SENATE BILL 2 (SB2) Karen Haluza provided background information on Senate Bill 2 (SB2) which became effective January 2008 which sought to remove barriers for establishment of emergency shelters by requiring cities to identify at least one zone where emergency shelters are allowed by right and must be reflected and implemented in the Housing Element noting the city has fulfilled and completed the requirement, noted it is reflected in the city's Strategic Plan where there are specific goals and strategies relating to establishing emergency shelter and collaborating with other government agencies and community groups to provide resources for the homeless population. Ms. Haluza then provided a timeline on the process to adopt SB2 including multiple meetings including industrial property owners, wide range of groups and government agencies were involved in the stakeholder /working meetings including the Santa Ana Unified School District, adding there was an enormous amount of input, research, study, tours of other shelters which resulted in the ordinance adopted by the Council. Chairman Sarmiento inquired during these discussions if the specific site of Normandy Place was disclosed. Ms. Haluza noted no specific sites were identified at that time. Ms. Haluza discussed the methodology to identify a zone, zones that could satisfy the SB2 requirement, reviewed the separation buffering criteria noting there is a total of 995 acres identified, reviewed the operational standards, noted one of the most important parts of the ordinance is the requirement of a Management and Operational Plan which is an opportunity for the public to be involved in establishing the parameters under which the shelter would operate and used as a tool to address some of their concerns. B. POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS TO CITY'S EMERGENCY SHELTER ORDINANCE Ms. Haluza discussed four options to amend the Emergency Shelter Ordinance. • Amend the ordinance to include additional operational standards. Requires a zoning ordinance amendment. State law places limitations on these. • Amend the ordinance to reduce the number of beds permitted by right for the multi - service center. Requires a zoning ordinance amendment. • Reduce the areas within the Industrial zones where shelters could be allowed. Requires a zone change. • Adopt a moratorium to stop the permitting of any new emergency shelters. May not apply to shelters that are approved ministerially. May not apply to shelters on County -owned property. Renders City out of compliance with the Housing Element law. Discussion ensued on the replacement of the Armory site which had approximately 200 beds, number and size of shelters allowed in the ordinance, the moratorium process, economic development affects to the industrial area and businesses, potential for County Pre - Emption of city's code, the proposed shelter in Fullerton, County outreach meeting on July 2, and notification to area property owners and tenant residents. Vice Chair Martinez noted frustration indicating when the County sought to buy the bus terminal in the Civic Center a letter was sent to the County indicating the city controls the land use and the zoning, now saying that this code applies just in Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 2 September 30, 2014 general, it should have applied when the County wanted to buy the bus terminal, noted we cannot continue to move and say certain laws apply for certain areas, it is about being equitable and fair. Chairman Sarmiento noted concern on the lack of outreach by the County and attempting to find a way for the constituents to have an opportunity to be heard. Ms. Haluza noted the ordinance requires the operator to work with the community to come up with a plan to address their concerns. C. DISCUSSION ON ALTERNATIVE SITES Ms. Haluza displayed a map which indicated 19 sites considered but not selected by the County, the Normandy site and the Armory; and noted staff's recommendation to engage the community through the RFP process and the development of the operational standards to address their concerns. Motion by Chairman Sarmiento to open discussion with the whole Council and specifically discuss funding for research on additional alternative sites; and if the County is not able, to provide additional outreach to the residents; and include an agenda item with options at the October 21 Council meeting for discussion and possible action. Seconded by Vice Chair Martinez and approved unanimously by a vote of 3:0. David Cavazos noted a letter will be sent to the County of Orange requesting their attendance at the October 21 meeting. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Vice Chair Martinez noted the importance of including the Community Engagement Strategy adding it is extremely vital with issues as this to engage and create opportunities for stakeholders to play an active role, and thanked Ms. Haluza for moving forward in that direction. Committee member Benavides noted at September 29 Public Safety & Neighborhood Improvement Council Committee meeting they discussed general strategy to address homelessness and a check -in center for personal belongings, noting they will be bringing that conversation back and asked that data on the Armory be presented. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - None ADJOURNED 6:58 P.M. - The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. Karen Haluza Interim Executive- Director Planning & Building Agency RB N:Council Comm\Cewn& Transp CM 0930 -14 oevol& Trans, CC Minutes - special Development & Transp. Council Committee Minutes 3 September 30, 2014