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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/28/2003 - Study Sessioni CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes Study Session October 28, 2003 - 5:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: CURRE 1. 2. Heffernan, Rosansky (arrived at 5:25 p.m.), Ridgeway, Webb, Nichols, Mayor Bromberg Adams (excused) CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Council Member Heffernan announced that he will be pulling Item 4 (Council Policy H -1) tonight because it should receive more public exposure. RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND PROJECTS AT OR NEAR CRYSTAL COVE STATE PARK. Assistant City Manager Kiff utilized a PowerPoint presentation and stated that there are experts in the audience, including Rich Rozzelle and Ken Kramer of the California Department of State Parks. He reported that Crystal Cove State Park is administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, is about 2,700 acres with 3.5 miles of beach, is home to one of the State's only underwater parks, and about 20% of it is partially within the City's limit. He displayed a map of the project in relation to the City limit and the four projects to be discussed. In response to Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway's question regarding parking, Mr. Kiff reported that people do park at the end of Newport Coast Drive; however, parking is also available in the Los Trancos lot near El Morro and at the Reef Point parking lot which is within the City. Mr. Kiff reported that the Morro Ridge Trail Link opened on Monday, October 20, and allows hiking and mountain bike access into the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Crystal Cove State Park. He stated that it is open only on the weekends and will later have access into Bommer Canyon in Irvine. Mr. Kiff reported that the Planning Area No. 6 Park will be the last park built in Newport Coast and will be built to coincide with the conclusion of its build -out. He stated that it will be a public park, will be run by the City, and will have two ball fields and up to three soccer fields. He indicated that the park will have trailhead access into Crystal Cove State Park and the Morro Ridge Trail Link. He reported that The Irvine Company is doing all the planning and noted that the park will be paid for with existing assessment district money. Council Member Heffernan asked how the Planning Area No. 6 Park differs from the Ridge Park at San Joaquin Hills and Newport Coast Drive. Mr. Kiff reported that Newport Coast parks were constructed with developer fee exactions and The Irvine Company applied an irrevocable offer of dedication on the parks. He added that the homeowner associations are allowed to keep the Volume 56 - Page 464 INDEX Recreational Opportunities/ Crystal Cove State Park (62) City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 28, 2003 INDEX parks private because they are currently funding its maintenance. Mr. Kiff reported that the Crystal Cove Historic District has 46 cottages on the National Register of Historic Places. He stated that the Preservation and Public Use Plan has been adopted and approved by the Recreation Commission to restore the cottages so that 31 of them can be used for individual overnight rentals and three for dormitory uses. He indicated that the remaining cottages can be used as a common area, housing for Crystal Cove State Park staff, small conference sites, orientation area, docent facility, park management, and a lifeguard substation. He stated that this project will initially cost $12.1 million and is fully funded under Proposition 40 and the Coastal Commission. He indicated that estimated occupancy will occur during winter 2004 -2005. He believed that the cottages will be parceled out on a lottery system since the rental rates will be relatively inexpensive. Mr. Kiff reported that the El Morro Village Mobile Home Park is out of the City's limit, there are 294 coaches, they have been operating under a 20 -year lease, and received a five -year extension that expires on December 31, 2004. He stated that the proposed reuse plan would remove all the mobile homes and replace them with open beachfront, overnight camping, restored water course and habitat, parking, and an amphitheater. He indicated that this project is fully funded by Proposition 12 ($12.9 million) and construction will begin as soon as the facility is vacated. Mr. Kiff also displayed an overview of the El Morro Public Use Plan. He stated that Friends of the Newport Coast asked Council to take a position supporting this plan. He noted that other supporters include Surfrider, the Orange County CoastKeeper, and other environmental/public access groups. He stated that opponents include the residents of the mobile home park and others concerned about placing camping facilities near El Morro School. Mr. Kiff stated that the City should care about this plan because it is about a quarter mile from City limits, it increases parking and visitor access to the Crystal Cove State Park and beaches, and Newport Beach children attend El Morro School. Mr. Kiff reported that more information can be found at www.parks.ca.gov, www.crvstalcovenet, and www.crvstalcovestatepark.com. In response to Council questions, Mr. Kiff displayed Laguna Beach's sphere of influence and the school's boundary. He noted that neither cities nor the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) have authority over school district boundaries, and added that they were set years ago before the development was approved. He reported that the developer, The Irvine Company, was asked to contribute money to the El Morro School. Nancy Gardner, Newport Beach Chapter of Surfrider, stated that they support the park plan. She noted that this is a State park and access is very important. She stated that there is nothing more dampening to visitors that are not familiar with the area then to have private residences there. She indicated that she was part of a visioning process for the State parks and one of the points that was made by the ethnic groups is that they felt hesitant about coming to State parks. She reported that she took a group of at -risk kids on a hike at Crystal Cove and told them that everything they see is theirs and hers because they are a part of the State. She stated that their faces lit up. Volume 56 - Page 465 N 1k City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 28, 2003 Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway asked what position Laguna Beach has taken regarding the El Morro Village plan. Mr. Kiff indicated that he does not believe they have taken a formal position, noting that they discussed doing so earlier in the spring /summer but it was tabled. He added that the City and Laguna Beach would probably be the only cities to consider taking a position. Iryne Black, Stop Polluting Our Newport (SPON), read a resolution that SPON passed on August 25 which supports the State plan. She indicated that she takes walks in Crystal Cove three times a week. She stated that she understands the City's feelings about jurisdiction, but feels that the City should pass a resolution since it will be helpful to everyone concerned. Allan Beek, Friends of the Irvine Coast, stated that Council has received correspondence which outlines their history of protecting the coast. He reported that they would like to see the land that has been a public park for 25 years available to the public. He stated that the only substantial argument made against the park development is that it would not be safe to have the park adjacent to a grammar school. However, he reported that San Clemente Concordia Elementary School has been next to a State park for 20 years and the principal said there has never been a problem. He noted that the Santa Ana Register reported on October 9, 2003 that the Laguna Beach Police arrested someone on drug charges who lived at the El Morro Mobile Home Park. Laura Davak, Crystal Cove Alliance, expressed their support for the completion of the Public Use Plan for the Crystal Cove State Park. Further, they support having the campsites and the RV park. She believed that it is time that the property is opened up to the public and urged Council to support this. Fern Pirkle, League of Women Voters, stated that they sent Council correspondence today and believed that the public deserves the right to go to the beach and the campground after 26 years. She indicated that the only way to go to the beach now is to walk along the rocks because there is currently no place to park. She believed that this plan would relieve pressures on the City since there will be more places for people to go to the beach and there will be a place to go camping overnight. She stated that, since this is a State park, the City should not be too concerned with Laguna Beach's interest because it shouldn't be any more than the City's. In response to Mayor Pro Tern Ridgeway's questions, Ms. Pirkle stated that a couple of Laguna Beach council members think it's a good idea to have low -cost housing there since the tenants have promised to build it for the people of Laguna Beach. Further, a lot of prominent people have also supported having 50 low -cost housing units there. She reported that she does not believe that enough Laguna Beach council members are convinced that this makes sense. Jeannette Merrilees, Sierra Club, stated that they organized the campaign against building the resort in the Historic District. She reported that this part of the park has been designed since 1982 when the park department held meetings to come up with a general plan that included the Historic District and the E1 Morro Village. She stated that the Sierra Club Task Force has turned its attention to E1 Morro and read their purpose which includes converting the El Morro Mobile Home Park into a public use area. Ms. Merrilees noted that she is a 30 year resident of Laguna Beach and that the parents who live at the mobile Volume 56 - Page 466 INDEX City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 28, 2003 9TI—ITO home park spearheaded a movement about three years ago for the El Morro School PTA to oppose the conversion to public use. She stated that they carried the campaign to the school board and tried to get other PTAs to join them, but this did not happen. She reported that the school board is no longer opposed to the camp area next to the school. Ms. Merrilees believed that no position has been taken by the Laguna Beach city council because there was so much controversy that they took it off their agenda. Sandy Cooney, El Morro Community Association, stated that he is an El Morro Village resident but grew up in Eastbluf£ He noted that the plan would place an RV camp next to an elementary school and an amphitheater and campfire center at the heart of where the Laguna Beach fires occurred. On behalf of the 300+ families that live in the village, he asked that Council take no position or join the association in supporting a lease extension. He stated that the village is an affordable community made up of young couples, senior citizens, and families. Further, it is a close knit family and is a good neighbor to its surrounding cities. He stated that the village has supported the elementary school and, even though they occupy only about 1% of the 2,791 acres, they generate more than $1.3 million annually in profit for California and believed that they would generate considerably more in an era of deficit. He stated that, for nearly 80 years, El Morro Village has been an important economic contributor to Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. He believed that the State's current plan is as unsafe and socially irresponsible as it is economically unsound. Mr. Cooney reported that they bring kids every summer to the beach who would normally not have the opportunity through events called "Great Day At the Beach ". He noted that the beach, canyons, and hills are already open to the public. In response to Council Member Webb's questions, Mr. Cooney stated that there are about 50 parking spots inside El Morro on the inland side, and reported that they have put up signs to encourage the public to park there but the State had them take the signs down. He indicated that, other than that, there is the reef point parking which is about a half mile away. He stated that there has always been ways to access the beach and that he would not characterize the parking situation as "difficult ". He indicated that, if people have special needs, they have accommodated them to the extent they could. Helen Dinkens stated that she agrees with everyone except the last speaker. She indicated that she is tired of hearing the fears about having RVs or tent campers next to the elementary school, noting that children have been touring San Clemente State Park for years and there has never been a problem. She believed that the City has every right to take a position on this and hoped that Council is in favor of the plan to open the area to the public. Mayor Bromberg noted that staffs recommendation is to receive and file the report; however, Council can give staff direction to prepare a resolution. Mayor Pro Tem Ridgeway stated that he lived in one of the beach trailers on the weekends in the early 1970s. He indicated that he is troubled with the jurisdictional issues with Laguna Beach and the park's sphere of influence. He reported that the State purchased Crystal Cove in the late 1970s or early 1980s, they own the land where the mobile home park sits, and created the plan that is before Council in 1952. From a real property perspective, he stated that he has Volume 56 - Page 467 N i City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 28, 2003 to respect that this belongs to the State and there was an agreement for an extension of the leases until December 31, 2004. He noted that he believes in the integrity of contracts and there is an obligation for the people who currently live there to leave. He indicated that he doesn't want to get into the issue of a State park and its ultimate use because he wants to respect that Laguna Beach will do the right thing. Mayor Pro Tern Ridgeway stated that he is the chairman of the City's Local Coastal Plan (LCP) Committee and they are working hard to incorporate public access and recreational elements into the City's beaches. Regarding the plan that was approved in 1982, he asked if the people really need a resolution from the City since there are agreements with the mobile home park tenants and the land is owned by the State. Council Member Webb agreed with Mayor Pro Tern Ridgeway and feels that he would support the State plan regarding the mobile home park. However, he expressed his concern about the City taking a position on something that is in the sphere of influence of another city. He noted that the City has been in a similar situation with the Santa Ana Heights annexation and Costa Mesa. He stated that the City can reconsider its position about adopting a resolution if Laguna Beach adopts something that the City could support. Council Member Heffernan stated that, since the City's beaches are overcrowded and this is part of the State beach system, he would be in favor of the City generating a resolution that supports the State plan. He indicated that he believes in the enforceability of a contract, but noted that a City resolution could also be used by the proponents of the plan to reinforce it. He believed that one of the things that is incumbent on the City is to expand upon the available recreational facilities that are adjacent to or in the City. He added that this would be a good asset for the City. Council Member Nichols stated that he supports moving forward with the park, but does not believe this is a location for Laguna Beach's affordable housing. He noted that the City has a good portion of the park within its boundary and the only attachment for Laguna Beach is the peninsula going out to the school. He stated that he does not see Laguna Beach's sphere of influence being closer than the City's, so he does not see why the City should not take a position. He added that he does not have a problem with the State developing the area as a park. Council Member Rosansky stated that he has hiked through the park and is aware that there is a lack of camping facilities. He indicated that he would be in favor of pursuing the State plan, but wonders whether it is appropriate for the City at this time to express an official opinion. He encouraged the residents of the City to be active in the project and its development. He suggested that the City request that the State keep them informed on the project's progress. Mayor Bromberg stated that he is hearing a lot of support for the State plan, but has a sense that the plan might change once the new governor takes office. He pointed out that, until it is determined what will be on the Marinapark site, the City is giving short lease extensions so income and revenue keep flowing. He indicated that he would be supportive of the current State plan, but would also support maintaining some form of lease extension until it is determined what will happen there. He believed that Council should weigh in and take a position because it is only a quarter mile from the City. He added that he does not feel the City would be stepping on anyone's toes if Laguna Beach has determined Volume 56 - Page 468 INDEX City of Newport Beach Study Session Minutes October 28, 2003 that it does not want to take a position. He believed that, if the City takes an advisory position, it sends a message that the park needs to be open to the public. He noted that this issue will come back on an agenda if Council decides to adopt a resolution. He agreed that the City will not support putting affordable housing on the beach. Mayor Bromberg suggested taking a straw vote on the issue. Mayor Pro Tern Ridgeway stated that he supports the State plan, it has been approved, and noted that the plan has a certified Environmental Impact Report (EIR). He indicated that he would like to defer this for six months to see what Laguna Beach does. He believed that, if Laguna Beach does not do anything, it is appropriate for the City to weigh in via a resolution. He indicated that the City should talk to Laguna Beach and let them know that this Council has been requested to adopt a resolution, but deferred doing this. He emphasized that this is not difficult for him to support since it opens the area up to the citizens of the State. He stated that he does not support having affordable housing there, noting that he is the chair of the City's Affordable Housing Task Force. Mayor Bromberg stated that he is not hearing strong feelings from Council one way or the other, which tells him that this issue should come back. He indicated that the City should communicate with Laguna Beach in the meantime, adding that this does not need to come back in two weeks. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. ADJOURNMENT - at 6:10 p.m. +e +,trrxe *�rtt *x�s,ett *tt +t* *true The agenda for the Study Session was posted on October 22, 2003, at 2 :40 p.m. on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. ' Recording Secretary City Clerk Volume 56 - Page 469 INDEX a