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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-26-1958 - Special MeetingMarch 26, 1958 The City Council of the City of Newport Beach met in. special session in the Council Chambers of the City Hall on the 26th day of March, 1958, at the hour of 2:30 P.M., for the purpose of reviewing the decision to provide traffic channelization at the junction of. ' Balboa and Newport Boulevards between 21st and 23d Streets, and to review the plans and specifications therefor. The roll was called, the following members being present: Councilmen Hart, Stoddard, Higbie, Ridderhof and Hill; Councilmen Wilder and MacKay being absent. The City Clerk read the Notice of Special Meeting and stated that the Consent and Waiver of Notice had been signed by all Councilmen. The City Manager stated that Mr. Walter G. Franz, President of the South Coast Company, had requested that a discussion be held regarding the proposed traffic channelization at McFadden Place. Mr. Franz had explained that if the construction of the street improvements were made as proposed, great hardship would be done to his business. The City Manager further stated that the plans as proposed had been approved by the Division of Highways, both at the District and the State level; the use of Gas Tax funds had been authorized; and that the City Clerk had been authorized to advertise for bids to be opened on April 11, 1958, in her office. He stated that the engineering staff had reviewed the request of Mr. Franz and that no plans and specifications had been issued to bidders pending a decision by the Council on the proposal submitted by Mr. Franz. Mr. Franz spoke from the audience and stated that great hardship would be worked upon his company if the channelization were completed as proposed by the City. Among the reasons he cited ' was that large trucks would have to go beyond his place of business and endeavor to negotiate a difficult turn off Balboa Boulevard to load and unload on his premises. M Special session. Re tra g-iC c c anne gzation. Roll call. Notice of Special Meeting_read -by Clerk. Statements of Walter G. Franz and City Manager. Mr. Louis Briggs, representing Mr. Franz, described a proposed Further discussion. change in the plans which would accomplish Mr. Franz' objectives. Mr. Cotton Goff, owner of property in the vicinity, also spoke from the audience opposing the channelization as planned by the City. Mr. Roger'Hardacre was present in the audience. Mr. Franz stated that he was authorized to speak on behalf of Dr. Alan Gray. It was stated that the Sales Tax received by the City from the businesses represented would be adversely affected by this proposed channelization. The Public Works Director was asked whether or not the change Statements of Public was possible and advisable. He stated that he was of the opinion Works Director. that the channelization as proposed by Mr. D. Jackson Faustman, Consulting Traffic Engineer, and as approved by the Council, was the proper way to proceed and that he was not sure that State approval could be obtained even after a great delay in the construction of the improvements. Mr. Ben Reddick spoke from the audience urging that the Statements of Ben construction of the improvements be commenced as planned. He Re icc. displayed pictures showing that signs had been installed on private property, indicating spaces on public streets as private parking spaces for South Coast Company personnel. ' Mr. R. L. Patterson spoke from the audience when requested to Statements of R. L. do so by Councilman Stoddard, and he stated he had no comment to Patterson. make except that he thought it was high time we got busy with the improvement. He had not studied the proposed changes and was unfamiliar with the additional recommendations. Mr. Al Forgit spoke from the audience requesting that immediate Statements of Al action be taken as authorized by the Council. Forg ?.t. Councilman Stoddard made a motion, seconded by Councilman Hart Motion to proceed and unanimously carried, that after consideration of all evidence with present plan. presented at the meeting today, it is the finding of the City Council that the greatest benefit to the entire community will be achieved by going ahead with the present plan on the present schedule, that said plans are hereby reapproved at this time, and the City Clerk is again instructed to carry on and meet the bidding schedule as it has been set forth. It was stated that efforts would be made to cooperate with the property owners to alleviate any hardship if it is found possible to do so at a later date. On motion of Councilman Stoddard, seconded by Councilman Meeting adjourned. Ridderhof and carried, the meeting was adjourned. ' Ray`yor ATTEST: pity C er