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74-0401_CC_Minutes_Special MeetingAPRIL 1, 1974 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRA14O 93 Pursuant to the NOTICE AND CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL, dated March 28, 1974, and signed by Mayor Roy L. Byrnes, for the purpose of reviewing issues associated with development along the Ortega highway, including designation of a school site east of Interstate 5, agreements for right of way on Ortega High- way, improvement schedule for Ortega highway, traffic impacts from Prima Deshecha and Owens-Illinois facilities, and consideration of Tentative Tracts 7673, 8485 and 5126, Mayor Byrnes called the meeting to order in the City Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Byrnes. Invocation was given by Councilman James K. Weathers. ROLL CALL COUNCILMEN PRESENT: Roy L. Byrnes, Mayor James K. Weathers, Mayor Pro Tem Yvon O. Heckscher John B. Sweeney COUNCILMEN ABSENT: Douglas B. Nash STAFF PRESENT: Donald G. Weidner, City Manager George Madsen, Senior Project Engineer William Murphy, Director of Public Works James Okazaki, City Attorney David Smith, Director of Planning Jo Bennitt, City Clerk MOTION TO READ BY TITLE ONLY It was moved by Councilman Sweeney, seconded by Councilman Heckscher, and unanimously carried, that all Ordinances and Resolutions be read by title only. SPECIAL PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF DEVELOPMENTS AND TRAFFIC ON ORTEGA HIGHWAY David J. Smith, Director of Planning, made a presentation covering the content of his Staff Report entitled: General Background and Status of Issues Pertaining to the Ortega Highway. William Murphy, Director of Public Works, reviewed his report: Traffic Impacts on Ortega Highway (April, 1974). Murray Storm, Assistant Road Commissioner for Orange County, indicated the Prima Deshecha Disposal Site on a display map, said site being 945 acres owned by the County plus 580 acres within the boundaries of San Juan Capistrano, proposed for acquisition. He took note of the immediate concern to provide access to the site, and observed that the County had acquired right of way and property to make a route to the Ortega-LaPata access. He distributed and briefly discussed ten alternative access routes, which he had initially presented to Council on February 11, 1974. Mr. Storm advised that, pursuant to Council directive on that occasion, the County has been proceeding to prepare Environmental Impact Reports for the ten routes, with special emphasis on the five for which Council had indicated their preference; i.e. 1. Alignment "A" (Out of San Clemente on Avenida Pico) 3. LaPata 4. San Juan Creek Road-LaPata 5. Camino de Los Mares 7. La Novia He said further that the EIR would be ready for presentation to Staff in April and that he would hope to make a public presentation to the Planning Commission or to Council. APR 11974 City Council Minutes April 1, 1974 Page 2 It was noted that Routes 3, 4 and 7 would have an impact on the Ortega Highway, Traffic volume, based on the present Forster Canyon operation, was projected at 80-90 trucks a day from the landfill, or 160-180 trips a day, with a possible 20o increase in traffic over the next ten years. This would result in a total of 1500 additional traffic count for the Ortega. The service area for the Prima Deshecha was described as generally that territory south of E1 Toro Road and the southern half of Laguna Beach. Mr. Storm reported the probability that the Coyote Canyon operation can be extended until 1977, so that no refuse north of the E1 Toro Road will ever have to come down to the Prima Deshecha site. Mr. Storm indicated that the usage could be limited to the present- ly owned site; however, in terms of the ultimate regional park, it would be preferable to expand the usage over the projected 1500 acre site. In response to the City Manager's query as to whether or not the County anticipates a contribution toward immediate widening of the Ortega Highway, Mr. Storm stated that they have been able to identify the problem areas on the Ortega insofar as they might affect access from the Ortega Highway either from Lallovia or LaPata. He reported an estimated cost for a special interim project at approximately $130,000. It is felt it would be better to apply this sum to a full and complete project if by such application the State might be encouraged to expedite their project on the Ortega. He felt, however, that it will be the end of 1975 before the State can go ahead because of the problems involved in the EIR, and that any County contribution would merely accelerate the project by three or four months. Mr. Murphy introduced Wally Knutsen, Senior Highway Engineer, State Department of Transportation, who agreed to the need for improvements on the Ortega Highway. He cited a bad safety record, manyletters from residents and the Council concerning danger on that highway, and concern about school bus stops. He expressed his awareness of a need to widen the highway, but agreed that the project could probably not commence until July, 1976. It was his thought that the project might be approved with only a nega- tive declaration in terms of the EIR. At this state there appears to be no major environmental impact. He noted that the fiscal year budget is normally acted on in October. In response to Councilman Heckscher's question, Mayor Byrnes ad- vised that a condition of tract approval has been the dedication of right of way. The Senior Project Engineer, George Madsen, advised that the City has required the right of way dedication on all but four parcels on the south side of the Highway. Mr. Knutsen indicated that the State would have to purchase rights of way that the City had not been able to obtain. It was noted that there had been discussion of widening to three lanes during the interim period if the right of way could be acquired. Noting the problems of traffic loads and school children, it was asked if the County might provide assistance in straighten- ing out some of the curves based on City acquisition of right of way for three lanes. Mr. Storm responded that the County had not eliminated any possibi- lity with respect to the Ortega Highway. He felt, however, that APR 11974 City Council Manutes9 5 April 1, 1974 Page 3 this would be a questionable investment, which would necessitate a determination based on traffic load. Councilman Weathers said that the only routes not impacting Ortega would be 1 and 5. Mr. Knutsen reiterated that funds budgeted by the Commission in October, 1975, may be spent, starting in January, 1976 --summer, 1976 would be the earliest time for going to bid on this project. Cost was placed at $950,000, exclusive of right-of-way acquisition. In response to a question, the Director of Planning indicated on the display map, the County's Flood Plain 1 and Flood Plain 2 zones and briefly discussed the effects of this zoning on the proposed tracts. fie stated that in future the City will not permit encroachment into the flood plain. In response to a Council question about drainage fees, their applica- tion to tract development, reimbursement agreements, etc., the Senior Project Engineer offered a brief explanation of the proce- dures. Bob Maurer, Maurer Development Company, noted that Calle Arroyo would draw off an undetermined volume of traffic. He stated their wish to proceed with Tract 8264, noting that they had worked very hard to obtain the right of. way. He said they would like to record in June and develop the first phase within eight to fourteen months. He projected three phases of fifty houses each. Tract 5126 is ready to proceed, with development flowing into 1975. In response to inquiry, the City Attorney advised that the school site agreement had been modified to satisfy Council's concerns, and that he was satisfied with it. Mayor Byrnes declared recess at 8:25 p.m. Mayor Byrnes reconvened the meeting at 8:43 p.m. with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Byrnes, Heckscher, Sweeney and Weathers. Mayor Byrnes introduced Supervisor Ron Caspers, who was in attendance. Bob Maurer described Tract 8264 as a Planned Development encompassing 40 acres, with 149 detached single-family residences; and Tract 5126 as an R-1 with 90 units on minimum lots of 7200 square feet, all connected with Calle Arroyo and Ortega Highway. Bart Pitts, representing Leadership Housing Systems, Inc., stated that their proposed development features 174 units in a unique concept which had been unanimously approved by the Planning Commission --a revolutionary type of tract which they are anxious to build. Dave Langlois, Vice President, Standard Pacific, spoke on behalf of Tract 8485, featuring 96 R-1 lots --7200 sq. ft. minimum. It will have a nine -acre park. With respect to the problems presented by the Ortega Highway and the school site, he observed that the traffic impact as projected would be lessened by the fact that a Pacesetter tract had been abandoned and, also, by the development of Calle Arroyo. He noted further that the $950,000 projected cost figure for the improvement of the Ortega Highway would be reduced proportionately as right of way improvements are installed in conjunction with tract development. Ile pointed out that by the time all of the maps have been recorded, a substantial percentage of the right of way along the south side of the highway will have been dedicated to the City. He estimated a six -months period from approval of the tentative until recordation of Final Map, with an additional year until the date of the first move -ins. This would delav first traffic impact until mid -1975. It was his opinion that the school site problem had been satisfactorily resolved. APR 11974 �7 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES April 1, 1974 Page 4 Following discussion regarding the feasibility of an immediate decision, Mayor Byrnes adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m., to a Personnel Session to be hold in the Council Chambers, immedi- ately following this meeting. PERSONNEL SESSION Mayor Byrnes called the meeting to order at 9:00 p.m., for the purpose of receiving advice on legal matters from the City Attorney and to discuss City Clerk and Commission/Committee appointments. Present: Councilmen Byrnes, Heckscher, Sweeney and Weathers Absent: Councilman Nash (Excused) It was moved by Councilman Sweeney, seconded by Councilman Weathers, and unanimously carried, to appoint Jerry Cole as the City's Representative to the Mosquito Abatement District. Mayor Byrnes appointed Councilman Sweeney and himself to the City of San Juan Capistrano Retirement Income Plan Administra- tion and Advisory Board. Mayor Byrnes appointed Councilman Heckscher as the City's Representative to the Intergovernmental Coordinating Council and Councilman Weathers as Alternate. Councilmen Weathers and Nash were appointed by the Mayor to serve as the City's Representatives on the Bicentennial Committee. Councilmen Nash and Sweeney were appointed as Members of the Civic Center Site Committee. Following discussion on the qualifications of various candi- dates for the position of City Clerk, it was moved by Council- man Sweeney, seconded by Councilman Heckscher, and unanimously approved that the City Manager be authorized to negotiate final terms and conditions of employment with the leading candidate. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Byrnes at 10:07 p.m. The next Regular .Monday, April 8, Chambers. Meeting of the City Council is 1974, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Qy T.. y nes, M. City of S n Juan lerk scheduled for Council D., Mayor Capistrano APR 11974