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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/11/2011 - Study SessionCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH City Council Minutes City Council Study Session January 11, 2011 — 4:00 p.m. I. ROLL CALL H. Present: Council Member Hill, Council Member Rosansky, Mayor Pro Tern Gardner, Mayor Henn, Council Member Selich, Council Member Curry, Council Member Daigle 1. CLARIFICATION OF ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR. Regarding Item 7 (Funding Under the Measure M2 Comprehensive Transportation Funding Program), Mayor Henn stated that he would like to work with staff to formulate the specifics of the application. 2. LIDO VILLAGE CONCEPTUAL PLAN. Mayor Henn announced the order in which the presentation will be heard and encouraged Council Members to ask questions. Tim Collins, Consultant, provided a PowerPoint presentation that included the guiding principles, alternatives, community comments, definitions, explanation of the programs and uses, and team recommendations. Todd Larner provided a PowerPoint presentation that included the project approach, district building blocks, photos, maps, circulation patterns, activity nodes, landmarks, land swap proposal, alternative massing, proposed community service center, City Hall site, and the parking inventory information. In response to Council questions, Mr. Larner stated that the title to the Finley access will be addressed at a later time, noted that the land swap will not result in the City losing footage, clarified that the project proposes to expand the pedestrian access way to Mariner's Mile; and discussed the approach to alleviating the parking deficit. Richard Gollis, The Concord Group, utilized a PowerPoint presentation that included the redevelopment area programs and values, City Hall values, and graphs. In response to Mayor Henn's question, Mr. Gollis confirmed that the proposed Senior Housing element will contain some assisted living units. Don Howard expressed support for the revitalization of the Lido Village area, thanked Council for commissioning the project, expressed appreciation to T.C. Collins and Associates for their hard work and guidance, expressed concern about adding retail businesses that would compete with existing businesses, provided a letter from supportive residents, encouraged the approval of an exclusive parking Volume 60 - Page 1 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 11, 2011 Craig Batley stated that a senior housing factor is not exciting and noted that more proposals are needed. Denys Oberman thanked Council for their efforts, expressed concern for the plan's commitment to existing businesses, believed that hospitality use is needed, and stated that more stakeholders should be solicited for input. Bill Dunlap, St. James Church, expressed support for the plan and expressed concern about future parking arrangements for the church. Mayor Pro Tem Gardner expressed support for having a mixed tenant use and including a historical society in the plan. She questioned the need for having a community center in Banning Ranch and on the Peninsula and clarified that the proposed canal will incorporate water quality improvements. Council Member Selich stated that the current plan is much improved from the original plan and discussed the timing and design for the area. He expressed support for the canal, community center, housing options, and a historical society addition. Council Member Rosansky stated that he supports the approved version of the design, believed that the City should retain the Finley Avenue access, and supported the lot line adjustment. He expressed support for a historical society, but believed that the community services center should be much larger than proposed. Council Member Curry believed that revenue - generating entities are the best public use for the property, expressed the need for good retail for both visitors and residents, and hoped that the hotel idea will be addressed. Council Member Daigle stated that the types of housing will require more discussion and discussed the benefits of selling the City Hall site. Council Member Hill stated that the plan is an improvement from the original plan, believed that the City Hall site should never be sold, recognized the concern of stakeholders, believed that more time is needed to involve residents and to explore the various uses, opposed relinquishing the Finley Avenue access, believed that more pedestrian pods are needed, favored having upscale senior housing at the location, discussed his concern about the elevated walkways, and talked about the possibility of having public service on the land at no cost to the City. Mayor Henn expressed his support for the updated plan, summarized the discussions, thanked and congratulated the team that worked on the plan, expressed Appreciation to the stakeholders for participating in the process, and commended the public for providing input. It was the consensus of Council that certain elements remain in the plan as presented,. such as the greenbelt, dual access .for Finley Avenue, and allowing the lot line adjustment. Council also reached consensus in support of their willingness to trade off residential density increases in retun for more open space and view corridors to the water. Council did not reach consensus on the issues of the size of the community service center element and the nature of the housing element. These issues will be considered again at the January 25 meeting, when the final concept plan is presented for approval by Council." Volume 60 - Page 2 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 11, 2011 management study, believed that phasing is important, and urged Council to move quickly. In response to Council questions, Mr. Howard stated that his needs include a lot line adjustment and confirmation of the uses for the City Hall property. He also stated that they do not support the creation of a sky bridge and asked for independent access off of Newport Boulevard to Finley Avenue. He emphasized that competitive retail is considered incompatible with his property location. Matt Montgomery, Bayfront Holdings LP, provided his intentions for his property, expressed support for the plan, and encouraged Council to support the plan. Niguel Varnado expressed support for the plan and complimented everyone who worked on it. Larry Porricelli, Regency Theaters, expressed support for the project. Russ Flueter expressed concern that the project is being rushed, believed that a quality residential apartment is needed in the area, provided potential cash flow estimates, and discussed parking. Lee Sterns expressed opposition to allowing a land swap, expressed support for retaining a fire station, and believed that the block structure should be reinforced. Bob Rush believed that there is a need for a vibrant composition of occupants and expressed concern that Hoag Hospital will be an occupant in the space. Hugh Helm urged Council to appoint a representative from the Lido Isle Community Association to be a part of the planning process. Nancy Helm believed that the Lido Theater should be the focal point of the area, stated that the median on Via Lido should be removed to allow space for more sidewalk area, and expressed concern about the amount of parking spaces. Tim Henson expressed concern that the plan permanently removes some of the Elks Lodge slips and urged Council to consider the character of the area as well as the uses. Blaine Bush expressed support for the plan and thanked Council for proposing to improve the area. Linda Klein believed that affordable senior housing does not support the plan for a vibrant upscale gateway to the Peninsula. Bernie Svalstad urged Council to consider adding a historical society to the plan. Tom Billings expressed support for the plan, stated that a police substation is needed on the Peninsula, opposed the addition of a canal, expressed concern about parking, and commended Mayor Henn for his work with the plan. Laura Curran expressed concern about the clarity of details, discussed transit problems, talked about circulation and connectivity, and addressed non - vehicular transportation modes and provided possible solutions. Volume 60 - Page 3 City of Newport Beach City Council Study Session January 11, 2011 III. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None IV. ADJOURNMENT - 6:16 p.m. The agenda for the Study Session was posted on January 5, 2011, at 2:50 p.m, on the City Hall Bulletin Board located outside of the City of Newport Beach Administration Building. Mayor City Clerk '