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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIV(a)_03-20-2024 GPAC meeting minutes DRAFTAttachment No. 1 Draft minutes of March 20, 2024 Page 1 of 5 CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH GENERAL PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES COMMUNITY ROOM – 100 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE MARCH 20, 2024 REGULAR MEETING – 5 P.M. I. CALL THE MEETING TO ORDER – 5:00 p.m. II. WELCOME AND ROLL CALL Present: Co-Chair Arlene Greer, Dennis Baker, James Carlson, Annie Clougherty, Susan DeSantis, Laird Hayes, Charles Klobe, Ruth Kobayashi, Scott Laidlaw, Katie Love, Anthony Maniscalchi, Thomas Meng, Jim Mosher, Maxwell Pearson, Nancy Scarbrough, Debbie Stevens, Christy Walker, and Paul Watkins Staff: Principal Planner Ben Zdeba Excused: Co-Chair Jeremy Evans, Curtis Black, David Guder, Amber Snider, and Lori Williams Absent: Nicholas Acevedo, Matthew Brady, Jeff Cefalia, Lynn Hackman, Robert Rader, Harrison Rolfes, and Graham Wahlberg III. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS GPAC Member Jim Mosher questioned whether the City should consider the greenlight [Charter Section 423] safety valve related to State mandates, so the Council can approve the Land Use Element Amendments pertaining to the Housing Element. GPUSC Chair Nancy Gardner expressed concern for this approach and noted the Council would vote at its discretion. IV. CURRENT BUSINESS a. Meeting Minutes of February 7, 2024 Motion made by GPAC Member Charles Klobe and seconded by GPAC Member Dennis Baker to approve the meeting minutes of February 7, 2024, with GPAC Member Mosher’s edits. The motion carried unanimously with all in favor. b. Arts and Cultural/Historical Resources Subcommittee Recap The GPAC Arts and Cultural/Historical Resources Subcommittee met on February 27, 2024, to identify a chairperson and to review the Historical Resources Existing Conditions and Background Analysis Report. GPAC Member Arlene Greer was identified as the Chair of this Subcommittee. Attachment 2 included a cover memo, action minutes from the Subcommittee meeting, the PowerPoint displayed at the meeting, and Dudek’s report. General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting March 20, 2024 Page 2 of 5 Recommended Actions: 1. Receive an overview from the GPAC Arts and Cultural/Historical Resources Subcommittee; 2. Provide any feedback on the Subcommittee’s efforts; and 3. Receive and file Attachment 2 to guide the initial outreach efforts. Principal Planner Zdeba introduced Elizabeth Dickson from Dudek. She used a presentation to review the purpose and importance of the Historical Resources Background Analysis, process for GPAC feedback, gave an overview of the Historical Resources Element Analysis, identified historical resources and landmarks, as well as outreach and policy considerations. Subcommittee Chair Greer reviewed the focus areas of the Subcommittee meeting including community outreach, a federation to cover all the historical groups that exist in Newport Beach, curating oral history to highlight the historical resources, creating a committee for a master plan, and City staff’s involvement. The Subcommittee also believed it important to acknowledge Newport Beach as a year-round destination. She expressed interest in collecting input from the GPAC. GPAC Member Paul Watkins complimented Dudek on the work they have done on the historical resources and thought the program is ambitious since it seems to allude to the need for a credentialed preservationist. GPUSC Chair Gardner noted that a consultant was hired at the start of the Arts Master Plan and thought a similarly positioned consultant may be able to assist in leading the City through the same process for Historical Resources without hiring full-time support. GPAC Member James Carlson noted missing resources from the list that have since been renamed. In response to GPAC Member Baker’s inquiry, Ms. Dickson indicated that the historical resource list is dynamic, and the City has a process for identifying local historic resources. Principal Planner Zdeba reiterated that that the report provided for this item is a conversation starter and not intended to restrict or commit the GPAC to any of Dudek’s recommendations. In response to GPAC Member Scott Laidlaw’s concern and inquiry for resource preservation in a commercial environment, Co-Chair Greer noted that past DEIR evaluated paleontological resources and the City has gone through great lengths to preserve historical resources and involve tribal communities. Principal Planner Zdeba relayed that it is within the GPAC’s purview to make a recommendation on how to preserve historical resources. In response to GPAC Member Anthony Maniscalchi’s question, Principal Planner Zdeba shared that the City does not have its own threshold for determining the historical significance of a property; however, he shared that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) generally describes that buildings 50 years or older require additional consideration. General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting March 20, 2024 Page 3 of 5 GPAC Member Mosher inquired how the background report is informing the initial outreach. In response, GPUSC Chair Gardner thought the background report can provide a sense of what the community deems as important. Ms. Dickson explained the community outreach approach regarding conversation about policies. GPAC Member Mosher thought some of the recommendations were ambitious and it is unlikely the City Council will support many of them. GPUSC Chair Gardner stated that her report will include the outreach results and a recommendation and there are several passionate historical constituencies in Newport Beach and the outreach will measure the depth of their passion. GPAC Member Maniscalchi opposed adding a layer of personnel to attend to the historic resources. GPUSC Chair Gardner thought that creating a federation would avoid this and create one voice for many. Co-chair Greer noted a lot of availability in the sphere of influence making it possible to find people to help with preservation. A member of the public, Philip Bettencourt, offered to help with helping to share historical resources and tribal cultural information related to Banning Ranch. GPAC Member Susan DeSantis thought that work needs to be done to preserve history and save it for future generations. GPAC Member Baker asked where the business community fits in. Co-Chair Greer thought it could be combined with different historical societies within the City. GPAC Member Debbie Stevens cautioned publishing tribal culture, as there are certain protections in place to safeguard potential resources. GPAC Member Nancy Scarbrough suggested including a method for public input of design concepts, particularly McFadden Square and the Newport Pier. A member of the public, Virginia Anders-Ellmore, suggested the Lido Isle Club House and bridge be added to the list. The GPAC unanimously agreed to receive and file the attachment and to post the report on the City’s website. c. Recreation/Natural Resources, Harbor and Bay, and Safety Subcommittees Recap The Recreation/Natural Resources Subcommittee met on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, to identify a chairperson and to review the Resilience Existing Conditions and Background Analysis Report. GPAC Member Charles Klobe was identified as the Chair of this Subcommittee. The Harbor and Bay and Safety Subcommittees held a joint meeting on Tuesday, March 12, to identify chairpersons and to also review the Resilience Existing Conditions and Background Analysis Report. GPAC Member Curtis Black was identified as the Chair of the Harbor and Bay Subcommittee and GPAC Member Nancy Scarbrough was identified as the Chair of the Safety Subcommittee. Subcommittee Chairs Klobe, Black, and Scarbrough provided a collective overview of the Subcommittees’ discussions and any actions. Attachment 3 included a cover memo, action minutes from the Subcommittee meetings, and the PowerPoints displayed at the meetings. General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting March 20, 2024 Page 4 of 5 Recommended Actions: 1. Receive an overview from the GPAC Recreation/Natural Resources, Harbor and Bay, and Safety Subcommittees; 2. Provide any feedback on the Subcommittees’ efforts; and 3. Receive and file Attachment 3 to guide the initial outreach efforts. Ms. Dickson provided a brief overview of the Resilience Existing Conditions and Background Analysis Report, background information, relationship to the General Plan, nine primary areas of the resilience findings, and outreach and policy considerations. GPAC Member Klobe suggested a policy be added for water conservation and recycling. In response to GPAC Member Laidlaw’s suggestion to address water quality, GPUSC Chair Gardner noted efforts made by the City and areas for improvement. GPAC Member Baker noted the Newport Bay Water Shed Committee, two sources of water pollution, improvement work done, and a tremendous problem. He expressed an interest in capturing the matter in the General Plan. In response to GPAC Member Mosher’s inquiry about tracking resiliency findings, Ms. Dickson noted her efforts to provide revisions and updates. GPAC Member DeSantis expressed concern for areas adjacent to fire hazard zones and requested fire hardening be considered as a possible safety solution and policy item, as well as other opportunities, to improve safety for residents that may be reducing insurance coverage. Principal Planner Zdeba noted that the Safety Element will address this matter. GPAC Member Mosher suggested the GPAC consider making some elements stand alone. Principal Planner Zdeba thought that there may be a way to call out areas of an element as a single component within Implementation Program, so they do not get diluted. GPAC Member Baker noted that the items on GPAC Member and Harbor & Bay Subcommittee Chair Curtis Black’s report had been addressed. Ms. Anders-Ellmore relayed her involvement with the Water Quality and Tidelands Committee, noted fire hazards along the cliffs and mitigation efforts that created more plant growth along the cliff side and algae growth in the bay from the rainwater, and described an amber reduction threat by replacing window screens on homes with finer holes. An unidentified speaker stated that the City of Newport Beach is ahead of the others with water quality efforts, such as constructing a water wheel. The GPAC unanimously agreed to receive and file the attachment and to post the report on the City’s website. d. Presentation: Overview of Upcoming Deliverables and Objectives Dudek and Kearns & West shared more information about current work, upcoming deliverables, and what to expect in terms of next steps. General Plan Advisory Committee Meeting March 20, 2024 Page 5 of 5 Recommended Action: Presentation only and no action requested. Jenna Tourje-Maldonado from Kearns & West utilized a presentation to provide outreach and engagement updates, process steps, notifications, website engagement metrics, pop-up events, and the Mayor’s Egg Race – material and activity. She noted that the Outreach Subcommittee reviewed the materials and directions will be provided by the library for the central library event on April 22. Co-chair Greer thanked the consultant for their work on the Subcommittee presentations and outreach overview. Ms. Dickson used a presentation to outline the next steps. Principal Planner Zdeba noted that the City’s IT Division is available for City email account issues and reminded the GPAC that a file repository for working drafts is posted on the GPAC webpage. He added that documents will be posted on the Newport, Together website after full GPAC review and concurrence. He offered his general assistance to GPAC members. V. COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS OR MATTERS WHICH MEMBERS WOULD LIKE PLACED ON A FUTURE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, ACTION OR REPORT (NON-DISCUSSION ITEM) At GPUSC Chair Gardner’s suggestion, the GPAC agreed to discuss at a future GPAC meeting the opportunity to create an extension of the GPAC for annual review of the elements and identify gaps. GPAC Member DeSantis thought it would be problematic if housing was only discussed as a State mandate because it eliminates other housing issue causes. In response to her concern for messaging, Ms. Dickson noted the frequently asked questions piece of the social media tool kit for the Land Use and Housing Element. Principal Planner Zdeba relayed a fact sheet will be provided for the GPAC’s use at a future date. GPAC Member DeSantis emphasized the need to educate the community. GPAC Member Mosher provided directions on where to find the General Plan Implementation Plan and suggested the implementation status matrix for the Safety Subcommittee report be included in the repository. Principal Planner Zdeba agreed to add it to the repository and noted a future agenda item to discuss including the GPAC in the progress report process and materials for GPAC members. VI. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Co-Chair Greer adjourned the meeting at 6:27 p.m. until, May 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.