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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2001-07-18 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING COMMISSION CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO SPECIAL JOINT MEETING JULY 18,2001 MUNICIPAL SERVICES BUILDING COMMUNITY ROOM 33 ARROYO DRIVE 1. Call to Order: 2. Roll Call: 6:06 p.m. Present: (Cassette Tape No. 1) Councilmembers Gonzalez, Matsumoto and Penna, Mayor Pro Tem Mullin and Mayor Fernekes Commissioners D'Angelo, Honan, Ochsenhirt, Sim, Teglia*, Vice-Chairman Romero and Chairman Meloni Absent: None *Commissioner Teglia arrived at 6:09 p.m. 3. Public Comments: None Mayor Fernekes announced that Item No. 4 will be considered after Item No. 6 on the Agenda. 5. Study Session: Consideration of proposed Child Care Facilities Development Impact Fee Staff report presented by Chief Planner Sparks. Consultants Joann Brion and Christine Anderson were introduced and a visual presentation of the study and project was presented. Mayor Fernekes opened up the discussion for Ms. Brion to respond to questions. Councilwoman Matsumoto discussed the cost estimates and factors that were taken into account when preparing the report and other methods to provide child care upon build-out. Councilman Gonzalez questioned the comparisons made with other communities regarding child care fees and the needs assessment. In response to Mayor Pro Tern Mullin, Ms. Brion further explained the comparison data, AB 1600, the 50% unmet child care demand assumption, the community meetings that were conducted, stakeholder interviews, the low return rate on survey forms, and the projected residential growth rate. Ms. Brion clarified for Councilman Penna the proposed hotel development fees that are based on the building's square footage, and how the formula was determined. In response to Mayor Fernekes, Ms. Brion discussed the projections for employment child care needs and that the issue has been addressed in the report. Vice Chairman Romero questioned the current "four children to one licensed child care space" ratio. Ms. Brion stated it was not calculated for the report, but it would roughly improve to a two-to-one ratio. Ms. Brion further addressed items of concern, including locating child care centers in closed schools, the School District's participation, a parcel tax as a potential funding source, and child care user fees. At the request of Commissioner Ochsenhirt, Ms. Brion discussed the feedback obtained from developers in other cities and their interest in wanting to know all the user fees in advance. In response to Commissioner Honan, Ms. Brion clarified that the city's growth is coming from employment uses, whereas a small percentage of child care is coming from employment uses. Commissioner Honan commented that she'd like to see more employers providing on-site child care. Ms. Brion discussed possible mechanisms for using the impact fee revenue and policies for creating incentives for employers to provide child care for infants or special needs. In response to Commissioner Teglia, Ms. Brion explained that the plan is to have the City become partners with developers or non-profit providers, rather than the City building child care facilities. She further indicated that several projects under current development are working together to provide child care centers. In response to Councilwoman Matsumoto's question regarding the effect the fee may have on building affordable housing units, City Attorney Mattas explained that Council and the Planning Commission will have the option to waive the child care impact fee as a density bonus. He stated that the unmet need will not have to be made up. Councilman Gonzalez stated a concern is unlicensed daycare, when older children miss school to stay home and baby-sit siblings. Ms. Brion and Ms. Anderson responded that policies can be adopted to address this concern by reducing fees, providing child care subsidies, etc., when the program fees are administered. Mayor Pro Tem Mullin reiterated Councilman Gonzalez's concern regarding unlicensed daycare, and that child care providers are undervalued. He discussed with an audience member current legislation for subsidized child care based on a regional area's medium income rather than the state's medium income. Ms. Brion concluded her presentation. She stated that the next step will be a Planning Commission public hearing in September. (Recess: 7:09 p.m.-7:18 p.m.) SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18,2001 MINUTES PAGE 2 19o Study Session: Transit Oriented Development Overlay District in the area surrounding the South San Francisco BART Station, San Bruno BART Station, and the South San Francisco Caltrain Station Staff report presented by Chief Planner Sparks. Consultant, Mr. Rick Williams, Van Meter Williams and Pollack presented a visual presentation. Mayor Fernekes opened up the discussion for Mr. Williams to respond to questions. In response to Commissioner D'Angelo's questions, Mr. Williams stated the Mission Road/Chestnut Avenue retail development will not conflict or compete with the downtown. He also stated that the linear park will extend into Colma and may extend through many cities. Commissioner Ochsenhirt stated his support for lower height limits and skepticism for opening up the PG&E easements to activities. He asked for clarification on the proposed areas designated open space. Mr. Williams responded and explained the importance of the first piece of the proposal to be the linear park from the BART station to Grand Avenue. Further discussion included the location of intersection traffic circles and the Crestwood Drive residents' concerns regarding the McLellan extension. Chairman Meloni stated that a concern of the Planning Commission is that the Hickey Boulevard extension be completed by the time the BART station opens, or there will be traffic problems in the Sunshine Gardens neighborhood. He stated his support for the project. Commissioner Teglia stated his concerns regarding big-box retail being incompatible with the proposal, current traffic/parking problems at the Costco site, and suggested that the problem be resolved before the TOD is considered. Mr. Williams responded to concerns such as the queuing at the Costco gas station, how that problem is being addressed, and the twenty-year plan for the Costco site including its demise. Commissioner D'Angelo questioned the student drop-off point from Mission Road to McLellan Boulevard. Mr. Williams responded that a recommendation will be for the engineering staff of BART and E1 Camino High School to meet and coordinate the circulation elements. In response to Councilman Penna, Mr. Williams discussed the pedestrian connection between Mission Road and El Camino Real and the exorbitant cost of a pedestrian over-crossing. They further discussed the market analysis conducted for commercial-retail/offices uses around a BART station that found such uses to be unsuccessful. Councilman Penna questioned the residential development regulations and stated his support for high quality construction products surrounding the BART station that includes tall residential buildings, seven-eight stories in height. Mayor Pro Tem Mullin questioned if Mr. Williams was aware of the quarter mile TOD standard being increased to a third of a mile for subsidized funding from regional agencies. Mr. Williams stated he will contact MTC and other sources to verify if a threshold exists. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18, 2001 MINUTES PAGE 3 In response to Mayor Pro Tem Mullin, Mr. Williams stated that the Costco facility has been factored into the plan at every level. Mayor Pro Tern Mullin commented on Kaiser's need for additional parking and that it is considering several options. He asked for a color rendition of the Power Point presentation and stated he would like to look at other TOD's built. Mr. Williams agreed to provide him with a list of locations that Mayor Pro Tem Mullin could visit. Councilman Gonzalez stated his concerns regarding the pedestrian traffic on El Camino Real, the benefits of a pedestrian over-crossing, parking at E1 Camino High School, architectural design features in the TOD that are representative of the community' s diversity. Councilwoman Matsumoto stated her skepticism that the BART station's landscaping will be maintained. She stated her support for limiting the number of parking spaces in the residential development, the proposed mixed uses near the BART station, bikeways, etc. She felt that Costco shoppers will patronize retail uses in the area. She further stated her support for high- rise residential and reiterated the need to force drivers out of their cars. Mr. Williams stated that the issues of quality of housing, height, and open space will be looked at closely for the next meeting. Mayor Fernekes stated his support for the plan and that he does not oppose the residential going higher in order to meet residential allocations. Motion-Ochsenhirt/Second-Honan: To adjourn the Planning Commission meeting at 8:52 p.m. Unanimously approved by voice vote. (Recess: 8:52 p.m. - 8:58 p.m.) Resolution authorizing inclusion of a ballot measure related to the City' s commercial parking tax on the next Municipal Election ballot in November, 2001, requesting consolidation of election with the County of San Mateo, authorizing the ballot title and statement, authorizing preparation of an impartial analysis by the City Attorney and authorizing specified City Council members to prepare and sign a ballot argument in favor of the proposed initiative measure Staff report presented by City Attorney Mattas. Council discussed alternative wording for the ballot question. Council's concern was that the question indicate clearly to the voters that the tax is being imposed on commercial parking companies and not residents. Council agreed to the following wording: Alternative No. 3: Shall an ordinance be adopted confirming and approving a previously authorized increase in the South San Francisco commercial parking facility business license tax, which is a tax that applies only to the gross receipts received by commercial parking companies, from four percent of gross receipts to eight percent of gross receipts? SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18, 2001 MINUTES PAGE 4 /"?2.. Mayor Fernekes and Mayor Pro Tem Mullin volunteered to prepare and sign a ballot argument in favor of the measure and a rebuttal argument, if necessary. Council directed staff to prepare a fact summary sheet for public consideration. Motion-Matsumoto/Second-Penna: To adopt Resolution No. 71-2001, to place before the voters of the City of South San Francisco an ordinance confirming and approving the Commercial Parking Facility License Tax at eight percent (8) of gross receipts; authorize Mayor Fernekes and Mayor Pro Tem Mullin to prepare the written argument in favor of and rebuttal argument if necessary, and directing staff to prepare a fact sheet. Unanimously approved by voice vote. 7. Consideration of City Council policy related to process for annual selection of Mayor and Vice-Mayor and possible adoption of proposed policy Mayor Fernekes informed Council that he asked the City Attorney to prepare Appendix iA, Selection of Mayor and Vice-Mayor, for the Council Handbook. Council agreed that it took at least two years for a newly elected Council member to prepare for the role of vice-mayor, and subsequently, mayor. City Attorney Mattas explained the proposed two-year progression that will include a process for newly elected members to move right into line upon taking office. He stated the language will be prepared for Council's review and then will become part of the Council Handbook. If further revision is necessary the item will be re-agendized. Motion-PennaJSecond-Mullin: To direct the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the City Council Handbook to provide for a two year process and insuring all newly elected Council members fall in order behind existing members who are continuing in service. Unanimously approved by voice vote. 8. Adjournment Motion-Mullin/Second-Gonzalez: To adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. Unanimously approved by voice vote. Submitted by: Syl~a M. Payne, City'Clerk City of South San Francisco Approved: /, JoYeph A. Fernekes, Mayor City of South San Francisco SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 18, 2001 MINUTES PAGE 5