CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS
CITY COUNCIL
OPENING CEREMONIES
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Stan Carroll called the Special Meeting of the La Habra Heights City Council to order at 8:06 p. m. at the Community Center, 1245 N. Hacienda Road, La Habra Heights, California.
2. ROLL CALL
Those present: Mayor Stan Carroll, Mayor Pro Tem Ed Borrowe, Councilmember Bruce Douglas, Councilmember Fred Klein and Councilmember Tela Millsap. Also present City Manager John Hendrickson, Interim Community Development Director Sandra Massa-Lavitt, Planning Technician Barbara Doppieri, City Attorney Michael Colantuono and General Plan Consultant Marc Blodgett.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Hal Litzeau led the flag salute.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Carroll asked the public to be considerate of others when they speak.
John Smith, Shawnan Lane – spoke regarding cubic content, felt it was too personal in nature; square footage limit is better than cubic content.
John Beau, Casalero – spoke regarding the definition of rural; felt the definition in the General Plan is fine.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Carroll then moved on to Item 4.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Mayor Carroll asked the public if anyone wished to speak on the Environmental Impact Report. Seeing no one come forward he moved on to Item 5.
5. CONTINUE COUNCIL DISCUSSION REGARDING THE GENERAL PLAN
Mayor Carroll asked those wishing to speak on this item come forward.
Gene Beckman, Avocado Crest – spoke regarding the beginning of the City and mansionization.
Margarita McCoy, Kashlan – spoke regarding ridgeline protection.
Norm Zezula, Canonita – spoke regarding the size of homes.
John Beau, Casalero – spoke regarding ridgeline protection.
Ann Eaton, Hacienda Road – stated the plans for the future of the City are being written today; shouldnÕt regulate house size.
Seeing no one else come forward, Mayor Carroll asked for a staff report from Ms. Massa-Lavitt regarding Policy 20 & 21.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt stated both policies are not necessary as they are covered by state law.
Mr. Blodgett felt you could go either way.
Mr. Colantuono stated they donÕt change anything; they would be for informational purposes only and regardless whether they are in your plan or not, they are required by law.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to reinstate Land Use Policies 20 & 21. Seconded by Councilmember Douglas. Vote 5-0.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt then gave a report on the definition of rural. She explained she took the definition from the current General Plan and included, John BeauÕs version, Bob KarmanÕs version; John EricksonÕs version and staffÕs recommendation.
Councilmember Douglas explained the definition of rural was discussed in length at the GPAC Meetings; is in favor of what this CommunityÕs Character is; definition should be placed in the Introduction.
Mayor Carroll stated he was OK with the original definition, like samples from each writer and they should be included.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe stated the Goals of the City have been ignored; the County Plan showed pictures to define rural.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to include Elizabeth KarmanÕs picture of rural in the General Plan as well as Bob KarmanÕs definition of rural in its entirety. Councilmember Douglas seconded the motion.
Mayor Carroll stated he would prefer a shorter definition; asked Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe if he would split his motion in two.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe stated shorter hasnÕt worked.
Councilmember Klein stated shorter was better; did like the picture idea.
Councilmember Millsap stated she likes parts of everyoneÕs definitions.
Councilmember Douglas asked for it to be placed in the introduction; he preferred the picture plus the long definition.
Councilmember Millsap stated she wanted a blending of the definitions that were submitted.
Vote 1-4. Carroll, Douglas, Klein, Millsap.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to place Elizabeth KarmanÕs picture in the General Plan. Councilmember Millsap seconded the motion. Vote 5-0.
Councilmember Klein stated he could live with the definition of rural as it is in the existing General Plan or Ms. Massa-LavittÕs version; would like it one paragraph in the Introduction; wanted eclectic environment changed; 4th line should read privacy and large distances between homes using landscaping and setbacks to provideÉ; 5th line should read Éto continue the agrarian surroundingsÉ..
Mayor Carroll stated he was happy with the existing definition or Ms. Massa-LavittÕs definition.
Councilmember Millsap stated she took bits and pieces of all the definitions and put together her own definition that reads ÒThe rural atmosphere of the community is comprised of a variety of homes; a balanced blending of residential, agricultural, horticultural and animal husbandry with open space for recreation. Natural terrain and dense vegetation, privacy and large distances between homes. Keeping of horses and farm animals, scenic views, minimal improvements such as curbs, gutters, sidewalks and street lights. Rural living in La Habra Heights should provide joy and peace.Ó
Councilmember Klein moved to accept Ms. Massa-LavittÕs version with some updating. Seconded by Mayor Carroll.
Councilmember Klein moved to amend his motion to advise instruct staff to take all of the samples and combine them into one definition to be placed in the Introduction and bring it back to the meeting of December 4, 2003. Mayor Carroll accepted the amended motion. Vote 4-1. Borrowe.
Councilmember Klein did not want to see eclectic environment; 4th line should read privacy and large distances between homes using landscaping and setbacks to provideÉ; 5th line should read Éto continue the agrarian surroundingsÉ..
Councilmember Millsap liked privacy and large distances.
Councilmember Douglas liked the last couple of lines of John BeauÕs version; dominance of trees to man-made structures.
Mayor Carroll liked Òsharing life and blessings with friends and neighborsÓ.
The City Council then moved on to discuss Mr. ColantuonoÕs Memorandum regarding absolute limit on home size.
Mr. Colantuono presented the staff report laying out options available to the City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe stated big homes are not appropriate in our City; they are not rural. Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to accept his Policy #6. Motion died for lack of a second.
Mr. Colantuono explained it makes best sense to read his suggestion all together ÒIt is not the policy of the City to impose an absolute limit on home sizes throughout the City, however it is the policy of the City to ensure that residential structures are appropriately scaled to the lot to which they are located.Ó
Councilmember Douglas stated he liked Mr. ColantuonoÕs suggested ÒBÓ of broadening the goal.
Mr. Blodgett stated the definition is so critical because numerous policies throughout the General Plan relate to rural.
Councilmember Klein stated we do need to limits on size; needs to go hand in hand with the size of the parcel; important to continue variety and diversity of structural design and appearance.
Mayor Carroll asked if these three statements were put together would it make any sense to staff.
Mr. Blodgett felt these embody the unique character of the Heights.
Mr. Colantuono suggested not blending Policy 6A with Policy 6. Policy 6A deals with diversity.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to approve the original Policy 6 felt Policy 6a was too loose. Councilmember Douglas seconded the motion. Vote 1-4. Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap.
Councilmember Klein suggested ÒIt is the policy of the City to ensure that residential structures are appropriately scaled to the lot on which they are located by utilizing various proportional requirements based on total average slope, imperious coverage, setbacks or grading quantities and structures shall not appear much larger or more massive than neighboring houses and shall be scaled, masked and screened to accomplish this goal.Ó He then suggested separating out Policy 6A.
Councilmember Millsap suggested, ÒThe City shall ensure that all new and remodeled residential structures are appropriately scaled to the parcel on which they are constructed by utilizing various requirements (such as Lot Line Setbacks and Building Height Limitations) and proportional limitations (such as Impervious Coverage Ratios, Slope Density Ratios and Gradable area ratios) and/or other requirements.Ó
Councilmember Klein stated yes but include neighborhood character.
The City Council asked staff to put together the different Policy 6 and bring back to the next General Plan Meeting of 12-4-03.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe asked also to bring back the original GPAC version.
Councilmember Klein and Councilmember Douglas wanted Policy 6A added to this report with their changes
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
John Beau, Casalero – spoke regarding wastewater and percolation; nitrates and nitrites in the ground water.
Mayor Carroll thanked the public for their comments and then continued the EIR and General Plan to December 4, 2003.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Klein moved at 10:20 to adjourn the meeting to December 4, 2003. Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe seconded the motion. Vote: All Ayes.
ATTEST: