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 7:05 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 and Planning Technician Barbara Doppieri.
City Attorney Michael Colantuono would be late.
General Plan Consultant Marc Blodgett was absent.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Judy Ennis led the flag salute.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Carroll asked the public to refrain from attacking other when they speak.
Elizabeth Karman, Encanada – gave a picture presentation on what is rural and what is not.
Bob Karman, Encanada – spoke regarding rural community character.
Norm Zezula, Canonita – stated the current definition of rural hasnÕt worked.
Mr. Colantuono arrived at 7:15 p.m.
Ann Eaton, Hacienda – spoke regarding the State Housing requirements.
John Beau, Casalero – spoke regarding definition of rural; stated he like Councilmember MillsapÕs definition and staffÕs definition.
Ruth Wolfarth, Benik – stated she was representing the Historical Committee; thanked the Council for all their time and effort; everyday they are searching for history of La Habra Heights; spoke regarding the definition of rural.
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.
Rick Martin, Reposado – asked what the City Council would be speaking on tonight.
Mayor Carroll stated they would be discussing staff report, which was on the back table for the public.
Mayor Carroll continued the public comment and asked for a staff report.
Ms. Massa-Lavitt gave a presentation on the definition of rural; suggested ÒThe rural atmosphere of the Community is comprised of many forms that make up the (charm) (diverse character) that is known as La Habra Heights. It is the terrain of rolling hills and deep canyons, the homes that express the individualistic ideals of the community, the desire for separation using generous setbacks and landscaping to provide the type of privacy desired by residents, the narrow winding roads, the lack of sidewalks; and, the ability to continue the appearance of agrarian surroundings by continuing the keeping of large animals, 4H Clubs, horse riding rings, training facilities, and the growing of citrus and avocado crops. The CityÕs vision and General Plan will not impede preservation of the small scale agricultural environment. The goals and policies of the General Plan will encourage and make available to new and old residents of the community continued enhancement of our very unique environment.Ó
Councilmember Millsap read her definition of rural 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 Douglas read his definition of rural. ÒLa Habra Heights is unique throughout most of metropolitan Southern California because of its rural Community Character. This Community Character is not an accident but reflect the intentional efforts of residents over the last 75 years. On the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of Incorporation of La Habra Heights it is appropriate to acknowledge those efforts and the goal to which they have been directed. La Habra Heights Character is most easily experienced by out senses, presenting distinct sights, sounds and smells to residents and visitor alike. Indeed, even our senses of balance and body position recognize La Habra Heights through its winding, wavering and rolling roads. Community Character is then best described as that feeling of tranquility and connection to our roots one experiences when returning home. That feeling is engendered by the simultaneous perception of all of these distinct sensory inputs; the purpose of much of this General Plan is to preserve those sensory inputs for future generations. ¦These sensory inputs begin with the larger scale views of rolling hills dominated by vegetation with homes only partially visible from any vista and the absence of any significant linear features. Homes built individually over the last 75 years on irregularly shaped and sized lots are accessed from terrain-conforming roads and so rarely display uniformity with neighboring homes in design, size, setback or landscape style. Natural drainage courses are the storm drains of the city and steep and winding canyons persist and provide irregular breaks in the concentration of homes. The historical standard of one-acre minimum lot size coupled with these large areas of natural terrain unsuitable for development yields generous areas of natural pen space interconnected by these existing drainage course.¦ Over twenty percent of the City land area is committed to permanent, public, natural open space with another twenty percent committed to recreational open space. These extensive open spaces give rise to dense vegetation and a natural look as contrasted to the manicured landscapes typical of other communities. Wildlife finds its homes and paths through these spaces, adding the sounds of foraging, predator and prey to the domesticated animal sounds and sights common to the La Habra Heights experience. These non-human sounds are experienced daily by residents because of the small traffic loads, absence of commercial activity and preserved open spaces. ¦ The lightly traveled roads are small and conform themselves to the terrain rather than reflecting modern civil engineering standards of efficiency. Streetlights, curbs and gutters and signage are minimal; roads are for the convenience of the resident first, with little attention given to requirements of commercial services and commuters. The absence of high density development coupled with confusing roads also discourages crime and gang activity, so residences avoids the intense lighting typically required for security in most of Southern California. Stars, the moon and the night sky stand in stark contrast to the surrounding bright regions, future discouraging outside traffic. ¦ This General Plan provides Goals and Policies dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of these components of the La Habra Heights Rural Community Character. All new development must not dominate nor interrupt the continuity of these characteristics, and that is the primary goals of the La Habra HeightsÕ planning and development practices.Ó
Councilmember Douglas suggested this be placed in the Introductory Section of the General Plan.
Mayor Carroll moved to accept Councilmember MillsapÕs version. Seconded by Councilmember Millsap. Mayor Carroll amended his motion to remove the word ÒshouldÓ. Councilmember Millsap accepted the amendment. Vote 2-3 Borrowe, Douglas and Klein.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to accept Bob KarmanÕs version in its entirety dated 12-4-03. Seconded by Councilmember Millsap. Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe amended his motion to eliminate the word ÒcarefulÓ. Councilmember Millsap seconded the amendment. Vote 1-4 Douglas, Carroll, Klein and Millsap.
Councilmember Klein moved to accept staffÕs recommendation as amended. Mayor Carroll seconded the motion. Vote 1-4 Borrowe, Carroll, Douglas and Millsap.
Councilmember Douglas moved to accept the original definition in the original General Plan ÒRural has been defined by the community as: variety of homes; natural terrain and dense vegetation; houses which blend in with the setting; privacy and large distances between homes; keeping of horses and farm animals; scenic viewsÕ no ÒcityÓ improvements such as curbs, gutter, sidewalks and street lightsÓ. Klein seconded the motion. Vote 5-0.
Councilmember Douglas stated this should go in with the guiding principals to emphasize its importance. Mayor Carroll stated we should also emphasize it is from the original General Plan.
The City Council then discussed Policy 6.
Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe moved to accept Policy 6 as it was written. Councilmember Douglas seconded the motion. Vote 1-4 Carroll, Douglas, Klein, and Millsap.
Mayor Carroll moved to accept the policy as drafted by Councilmember Millsap. Seconded by Councilmember Douglas. Vote 1-4 Borrowe, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
Councilmember Klein moved to accept the policy as written by staff. Seconded by Councilmember Millsap. Vote 2-3 Borrowe, Carroll and Douglas.
Councilmember Douglas moved to accept his language to read ÒStructures shall be appropriately scaled to the lot, neighboring houses, adjacent streetscapes and community character. Structures shall not appear much larger or more massive than neighboring houses and shall be scaled, masses and screened to accomplish this outcome.Ó Corollary Instruction to Ordinance Development: ÒThe full suite of conventional and unique planning tools shall be used in ordinances implementing Land Use Policy 6. These tools may include but are not limited to proportional interrelationships between structural and site characteristics such as lot size, house size, floor area ratios, cubic content ratios, setback ratios, graded area and volume ratios and impervious coverage ratiosÓ. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe.
Resident Linda Smith interrupted the meeting.
Councilmember Douglas amended his motion to remove streetscapes. Amendment seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe.
Vote 3-2. Carroll and Klein.
The City Council then discussed the proposed Policy 6A.
Councilmember Douglas moved to accept Mr. ColantuonoÕs Policy 6A as amended to read ÒFuture residential development shall continue the present variety and diversity of structural design and appearance and City Standards shall allow a variety of architectural designs and forbid the development of tracts which employee substantially similar designs and sizesÓ. Seconded by Mayor Carroll. Vote 5-0.
The City Council chose to discuss the rest of Councilmember DouglasÕ memo at the next meeting of December 16, 2003.
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS ON THE AGENDA
Ann Eaton, Hacienda – spoke regarding the definition of rural and the conservancy.
Katie Martin, Reposado - spoke regarding landscaping
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Klein moved at 9:40 p.m. to adjourn the meeting to December 16, 2003. Mayor Pro Tem Borrowe seconded the motion. Vote: All Ayes.
ATTEST: