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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13 - General Plan Vision StatementCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 13 March 25, 2003 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Planning Department Tamara J. Campbell, AICP, Senior Planner 949.644.3238 tcam Abel I(aD-city. newport- beach. ca. us SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN VISION STATEMENT - SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT Please note that the voting record for the Planning Commission was incorrectly stated in the original City Council report. The Commission voted 6 to 1 to endorse the Vision Statement, not 4 to 1 as previously indicated. Senior Planner Submitted by: Sharon Z. Wo Assistant City Manager CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. is March 25, 2003 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Planning Department Tamara J. Campbell, AICP, Senior Planner 949.644.3238 tampbeII Qcity.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: GENERAL PLAN VISION STATEMENT ISSUE: Should the City Council endorse the Vision Statement as prepared by the General Plan Advisory Committee? RECOMMENDATION: Endorse the General Plan Vision Statement DISCUSSION: At its meeting on 2/24/03, the General Plan Update Committee (GPUC) voted to send the new General Plan Vision Statement to the Planning Commission to discuss and make a recommendation on whether the Vision Statement be "adopted" or "endorsed" by the Planning Commission and City Council to guide development of the General Plan Update. One GPUC member indicated that adoption would be more official, but endorsement would provide more flexibility. The Vision Statement was crafted by a seven - member General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) subcommittee who drew from information obtained through the various Visioning process efforts. After conducting a series of discussions and reviewing four drafts, the entire GPAC unanimously voted to approve the statement. The statement is intended to be a retrospective view of our community by an observer in the year 2025, to cite the City's achievements as a result of our current "vision." A copy of the Vision Statement is attached as Exhibit A. The Planning Commission discussed the Vision Statement at its meeting on March 6, 2003. After deliberating the question of whether to "adopt" or "endorse" the statement, GENERAL PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE — REFILLING OF VACANCIES March 11, 2003 Page 2 the Commission voted 4 to one to endorse it. The minutes of the meeting are attached as Exhibit B. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: The action is not considered a "project' and therefore is not subject to CEQA Prepared by: 11 111 19 .. U.VRi :' . . -.. 9. - r. ri Attachments: Exhibit A -Vision Statement Submitted by: Sharon Z. Wood, sistant City Manager Exhibit B - Planning Commission Minutes CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH VISION STATEMENT Community Character We have preserved and enhanced our character as a beautiful, unique residential community with diverse coastal and upland neighborhoods. We value our colorful past, the high quality of life, and our community bonds. The successful balancing of the needs of residents, businesses and visitors has been accomplished with the recognition that Newport Beach is primarily a residential community. Growth Strategy, Land Use and Development We have a conservative growth strategy that emphasizes residents' quality of life —a strategy that balances the needs of the various constituencies and that cherishes and nurtures our estuaries, harbor, beaches, open spaces and natural resources. Development and revitalization decisions are well conceived and beneficial to both the economy and our character. There is a range of housing opportunities that allows people to live and work in the City. Design principles emphasize characteristics that satisfy the community's desire for the maintenance of its particular neighborhoods and villages. Public view areas are protected. Trees and landscaping are enhanced and preserved. A Healthy Natural Environment Protection of environmental quality is a high priority. We preserve our open space resources. We maintain access to and visibility of our beaches, parks, preserves, harbor and estuaries. The ocean, bay and estuaries are flourishing ecosystems with high water quality standards. Efficient and Safe Circulation Traffic flows smoothly throughout the community. The transportation and circulation system is safe and convenient for automobiles and public transportation, and friendly to pedestrians and bicycles. Public parking facilities are well planned for residents and visitors. Community Services We provide parks, art and cultural facilities, libraries and educational programs directly and through cooperation among diverse entities. The City facilitates or encourages access to high quality health care and essential social services. Newport Beach is noted for its excellent schools and is a premier location for hands on educational experiences in the natural sciences. Our streets are safe and clean. Public safety services are responsible and amongst the best in the nation. Recreation Opportunities Newport Beach attracts visitors with its harbor, beaches, restaurants and shopping. We are a residential and recreational seaside community willing and eager to share its natural resources with visitors without diminishing these irreplaceable assets in order to share them. We have outdoor recreation space for active local and tourist populations that highlight the City's environmental assets as well as indoor facilities for recreation and socializing. Coastal facilities include pedestrian and aquatic opportunities. Boating and Waterways We are recognized as a premier recreational boating harbor. We have maintained a hospitable, navigable pleasure boating harbor in the lower bay through careful, low density, non - intrusive on -shore development by regularly dredging navigation and berthing /mooring areas, and by providing adequate access to the water and vessel related servicing facilities. The upper bay retains an unencumbered shoreline and its waterways are maintained free of sediment and debris. Airport We remain united in our efforts to control and contain noise, air and traffic pollution associated with operation of the Airport. Our City government vigorously and wisely uses the political process to control the impact of the Airport on our community. This has resulted in a level of Airport operation that preserves our unique character and land values. Responsive Government Elected officials and City staff listen and respond to the interests of residents and the business community. City of Newport Beach Planning Commission Minutes March 6, 2003 Commissioner Tucker noted that as this is an initiation item we do not have all the details; it is premature to have a discussion now. Commissioner Toerge asked how often the City receives and approves applications for accessory dwelling units. Ms. Temple answered that since this statute was adopted, approximately 18 applications have been received and 12 were actually implemented over a span of 15 years. Public comment was opened. Public comment was closed. Motion was made by Commissioner Agajanian to initiate an amendment to Title 20 amending Chapter 20.85 (Accessory Dwelling Units) to be compliant with assembly Bill No. 1866, Chapter 1062, Statutes 2002. Ayes: Toerge, Agajanian, McDaniel, Kiser, Gifford, Selich, Tucker Noes: None SUBJECT: General Plan Update Visioning Statement Commission review of draft Vision Statement Chairperson Kiser noted that the Planning Commission is being asked to review the proposed Vision Statement and to recommend to the City Council whether or not to 'adopt' or 'endorse' it. He asked for clarification of the terminology suggested. Ms. Wood noted that this language is the same as passed in the motion by the General Plan Update Committee. They did not have a strong direction they wanted to go, so they were leaving flexibility for the Planning Commission and the City Council. Commissioner Tucker asked what it means to either adopt or endorse. What is the difference with receive and file? What are the consequences? Ms. Wood noted the committee supported this idea. The feeling of the General Plan Advisory Committee, comprised of 38 people, spent a lot of time putting this together based on what they heard from all the public outreach methods used during the visioning process. The idea was to have something that would guide us as we do the actual update of the General Plan. Their thinking is that some official action on the Vision Statement is taken by the Planning Commission and City Council that it would have more weight as we go through this process. There is no legal consequence between adopt or endorse, it is not being added to the INDEX Item No. 4 GPU Visioning Statement Recommended City of Newport Beach Planning Commission Minutes March 6, 2003 General Plan at this point although we might want to include something like that in the updated General Plan when we do get to that point. Commissioner Tucker noted: • Served as a Charter member of the General Plan Update committee. • He asked for an update of the status of the economic and traffic studies that are key component of the vision process. How do we adopt or endorse a vision statement that is still missing pieces of what should guide the overall thought process? Ms. Wood noted the lack of those studies is part of the reason for the generality of the Vision Statement. The fiscal impact analysis of existing land uses has been drafted and has been reviewed by the Economic Development Committee. It will be brought to the General Plan Advisory Committee within the next few months following some additional information from the consultant. Mr. Edmonston noted that the draft model has been accomplished that shows the existing traffic as replicated and what the traffic projections would be based on the current General Plan. Those are still under staff review and should be finished within two weeks. Ms. Wood added that the Scoping Sub - committee of the General Plan Update Committee met last week and talked about the questions raised at the prior joint meeting. They will be recommending, as part of the scope, five key decision points when there would be study sessions with the Planning Commission and City Council. Those would be as we formulate what the land use alternatives will be that would go out for review, when that review is back and we are drafting policy; a couple of times when they are recommending a larger public participation and input event. They are meeting again to put more detail on that so you will be seeing some good answers to the process and how the policy makers get involved fairly soon. Commissioner Selich noted that the Vision Statement is very general; there had been in -depth discussions about choices and where decisions have to be made. I would have expected that would have framed the issues more than something like this. I am perplexed why we are even doing this as it does not bring any of the issues to the forefront. Ms. Wood answered that GPAC was unable to produce something more specific due to the fact that they did not get those technical studies early enough to be able to talk about the trade offs, which had been the intent early on from the General Plan Update Committee when both Commissioners Selich and Tucker were participating. Public comment was opened. Barry Eaton, member of General Plan Update Committee, noted the following: • General Plan Advisory Committee is comprised of many people with various opinions. INDEX City of Newport Beach Planning Commission Minutes March 6, 2003 It would be nice to recognize the extensive work done by GPAC and establish the process on a positive note. I had originally suggested 'adopt' the vision statement, as it shows some recognition of a generalized vision statement of what we hope Newport Beach will be in 20 years. The reason for the word 'endorse' was recommended by the consultant and agreed to by Ms. Wood to make it more pliable and less rigid. Commissioner Tucker noted he did not understand the reason to adopt it other than to make people feel good. Mr. Eaton answered that would be a positive note to continue with the update process and you will get much more specific policies and implementation programs. One of the things to be recommended is a hierarchy of goals and policies and implementing programs. Those will be very specific than this. Nancy Gardner, member of GPAC, noted the reason the Vision Statement is not specific is because that was our mandate. We were told this is a vision and visions do not include details. You don't need a traffic study to say that in 20 years you want traffic to be flowing smoothly. What economic data will change the fact that you want it to be primarily a residential community and that you want the residents' needs to be considered? This is what we have heard. We wanted this to be a vision. There was a lot of discussion on the verbiage of the statement itself. If it did not go beyond a committee of volunteers, who represented every aspect of the City, why not? It would be meaningful as we continue this process to have both the Planning Commission and City Council agree that this is a vision that we can all agree on for our City. Philip Lugar, co- chairman of GPAC noted that we are asking that you endorse the vision statement. Basically you do not have to do anything with it, but endorsing it would send a message that we are on the right track. Is it enforceable, it is only a general statement. Tom Hyans, resident of West Newport noted it is important that GPAC be acknowledged and recognized for their work. At Commission inquiry, Ms. Ciauson stated that an endorsement would not have legal ramifications or commitment. It is just a matter of whether this Commission, as recommended by the GPUC, can say that they think this is on the right track. As stated before, another thing to say was, 'that you recognize the efforts of, and agree, that this is a good starting place' rather than endorse. Ms. Wood suggested that the Planning Commission could 'endorse this as guidance for the General Plan Update' might be a good way to go. Chairperson Kiser noted that he has read the statement and certainly there could be comments and changes to it, there is nothing in the statement that is objectionable and given comments from the City Attorney's office that INDEX City of Newport Beach Planning Commission Minutes March 6, 2003 recommending that our City Council endorse this statement has no detnmental ramifications with respect to the development of the new General Plan made the following motion. Motion was made by Chairperson Kiser that the Planning Commission recommend that the City Council endorse this Vision Statement. Commissioner Gifford noted that there was a lot of discussion about wanting feedback, involvement and support. There was a great deal of time and effort put into this statement. Substitute motion was made by Commissioner Tucker to commend the effort of General Plan Advisory Committee and generally concur with the direction of the Vision Statement. Commissioner Gifford noted her support of the original motion. This recommendation was discussed at the GPUC meeting at which there were three councilmembers present; the vote was to move this forward. Chairperson Kiser noted that this is a statement that is recognition of the work done. Commissioner McDaniel noted his support of the original motion. Commissioner Agajanian noted his support of the substitute motion. Commissioner Tucker changed his substitute motion to, 'recommend to the City Council that the Council generally concur with the Vision Statement'. Ayes: Agajanian, Tucker Noes: Toerge, Kiser, McDaniel, Gifford, Selich Original motion: Ayes: . Toerge, Agajanian, Kiser, McDaniel, Gifford, Selich, Noes: Tucker ADDITIONAL BUSINESS: a) City Council Follow -up - Ms. Wood noted that the City Council on February 25th approved the Use Permit and Draft Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Park and the Senior Housing project at Bayview; discussed the proposed project by Sutherland Talla Hospitality at the Marina Park site on the peninsula; considered a report on procedures for appeals and calls for review, additionally Councilmember Heffernan had called for review a setback encroachment on Peninsula Point that turned into a discussion of 10 INDEX Additional Business