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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-12-27MINUTES REGULAR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1984 CIVIC CENTER COUNCIL CHAMBER * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Snyder convened the meeting at 7:15 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Member Jean Benson Member Phyllis Jackson Vice Chairman Richard S. Kelly Member S. Roy Wilson Chairman Walter H. Snyder Also Present: Bruce A. Altman, City Manager Doug Phillips, Agency Counsel Mary Frazier, Deputy Secretary Ramon A. Diaz, Director of Environmental Services Barry McClellan, Director of Public Works Kirby J. Warner, Director of Finance M. CONSENT CALENDAR A. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF DECEMBER 13, 1984. Rec: Approve as presented. B. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AGAINST THE AGENCY TREASURY - DEMAND NOS. 85-057. Rec: Approve as presented. Upon motion by Wilson, second by Jackson, the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item A was approved by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS N one V. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION OF NORTHSIDE FRONTAGE ROAD MODIFICATIONS. Chairman Snyder declared the public hearing open and asked for Staff's report. Mr. Altman reported that the engineer, Joe Foust, was in the audience as well as George Berkey, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Frontage Road Improvement Committee, and that they would make presentations to the Board. MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * MR. JOE FOUST, of Austin -Foust Engineers in Santa Ana, reported that this study had been started approximately two years ago and that the first part of this process ended with the City Council authorizing a pilot project for the south frontage roads in the Jensen's and Smith's Food King areas. The Council then authorized the study of the north side frontage roads, and it was found that it would take approximately two years to complete. The plan was to provide a two-way circulation system without creating the kinds of problems encountered when it was converted to one-way traffic. Mr. Foust reviewed in detail the changes to be made, noting that the plan had received favorable reaction with the exception of the owner of lots at the northwest corner of San Pablo and Highway 111. The plan called for leaving the northeast corner open to San Pablo but making the northwest corner a cul-de-sac, thus not allowing ingress and egress at that corner. He noted that he had met with the property owner and business owners of that corner earlier that day to try and work out an alternative. They indicated that they preferred to have the driveway and median left open as they felt that any closure would have a negative impact on their businesses. Mr. Foust suggested that one possible solution would be to close the median but leave the driveway open for right turn only ingress and egress. He further stated that there were three alternatives as he saw it: 1) approve the plan as presented; 2) approve the plan with the modifications as stated above; or 3) change the frontage roads to two- way traffic with no other changes to the access roads. MR. GEORGE BERKEY, 73-625 Joshua Tree, submitted a letter to the Board which outlined the Committee's recommendations (attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "A"). Chairman Snyder invited input in FAVOR of this request. MR. ROMEO PULUQI, 72-850 Tamarisk, stated his feeling that the proposed plan was a workable solution to the frontage road problem and would allow traffic to enter and leave each area more easily. He felt the Board should approve the plan and mitigate the problem with Mr. Morley on the northwest corner of San Pablo and Highway 111. MR. ROGER REISHER, 11734 Applewood Knolls Drive, Lakewood, Colorado 80215, of First Bank Holding Company in Colorado, stated that his firm had leased an acre of land at the corner of Highway 111 and Monterey and planned to build a bank on that site. He felt that this was a good plan which would allow good traffic flow and asked that the Board consider approving the plan so that they could move forward with plans for the bank. MR. JERRY LYNCH, 1012 La Hermosa Drive, Redlands, of Coldwell Banker, was also concerned with the property on the corner of Highway 111 and Monterey. He stated that Mr. Lyons, the owner of that property, had made several attempts to develop the land but had been unsuccessful because of the frontage road situation. He also asked that the Board approve the plan. Chairman Snyder invited input in OPPOSITION to this request. MR. JACK LINDSAY, 81-178 Helen Avenue, Indio, addressed the Board as owner of Sunshine Do -It -Yourself Center at the northwest corner of San Pablo and Highway 111. He stated that he did not like the idea of closing the median as 90% of his customers entered the business from that median. He did not feel that the business would profit from this change. MR. EARL MORLEY, #1 Lafayette, Rancho Mirage, stated that he owned the property on the northwest corner of San Pablo and Highway 111 and that he had first heard of this meeting when he received notice of the December 17th Frontage Road Committee meeting. He also noted that he had four tenants who never received any notice of the meeting until he notified them himself. He felt that Sunshine would not have as much a problem as the other businesses on that corner as people -2- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 would have to go through Sunshine's parking lot to get to them. He said he felt that they should not be penalized in order to help the other business people on the street. He stated that he agreed the frontage road problem needed to be corrected but did not feel the problem was with the median. He suggested to Mr. Foust that perhaps that intersection could be signalized differently. Mr. Morley then submitted a letter requesting that the Board postpone taking any action on this matter until he had the opportunity to further study the plan (attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "B"). MR. STEVE SULLIVAN, 72-835 Pitahaya, stated that he had an architectural business on the north side between San Luis Rey and San Pablo. He advised that he had not been notified of any meetings taking place now nor had he ever received any notice two years ago when the frontage roads were first converted. He felt that more study should be done prior to any action being taken. MR. CHESTER DORN, 73-242 Joshua Tree, stated that he owns the property where Ace Hardware is located. He was concerned with how people would get out onto the Highway with the exits as they were planned. He was also concerned about his parking lot being used as a thoroughfare by people driving through it to get to other businesses. Chairman Snyder asked for comments from the Agency Board. Upon question by Member Wilson about whether ingress and egress from the Highway would be right turn only, Mr. Foust responded that the existing ramps would be converted to T-intersections where either right or left turns would be permitted. Member Jackson stated that she was concerned about the notification of property and business owners. She felt that the Chamber of Commerce had done the best they could to notify everyone, especially since there were 83 letters sent to owners and approximately 150 phone calls to businesses, with one call back made to each business that was not reached on the first call. She further stated that she felt Mr. Morley's problem to be an important one. She asked if any consideration had been given to the possibility of leaving the median open, leaving the road open in front of his businesses, and installing a stop sign or signal in back of the opening for the frontage road. Mr. Foust stated that this had been discussed but that it did not seem to be a workable alternative. Upon question by Jackson about whether Caltrans had considered this, he responded that Caltrans was not agreeable to this and in fact wanted less signalization on Highway 111, not more. Member Wilson asked about the signalization of Sage and stated that he did not feel signals should be put in where they were not really needed. Mr. Foust responded that when the original super block concept was presented and considered, it included the signalization of Sage. There would be no left turn access to Highway 111 except where signals are located. Chairman Snyder invited REBUTTAL. MR. FRANK WAITE, 71-885 Magnesia Falls, owner of B do W Hardware, stated he felt that the area that needed to be converted was from Monterey to San Pablo. He also noted that once people drove past his store, it was very difficult for them to get back to it. MR. JERRY LYNCH asked the Board to consider approving the conversion of the frontage roads in the area of Highway III and Monterey since there did not seem to be any opposition in that area. MR. EARL MORLEY stated he felt the intersection at Highway 111 and San Pablo should be kept as it is, with left turn access allowed at the median into his property. He reiterated his feeling that closing the -3- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * median would have a negative impact on the businesses. He also stated that he had no vacancies in his buildings and felt that one of the reasons was because of the access to these businesses, and he did not want that to be jeopardized. Chairman Snyder declared the public hearing closed. Member Jackson asked the Board to consider approving the frontage road conversion from Monterey east to Las Palmas and felt that the other business and property owners should not be held up while the problems on San Pablo and Highway 111 are being resolved. Member Wilson stated his feeling that there might be other people along the frontage road who do not realize that major changes are being considered since more than one person stated that notification was not received. He also stated he liked the idea of initiating the changes piece by piece. Member Kelly suggested that some kind of sign -off system be used to show that every business and property owner had been notifed. The owners would have to sign the form stating that they were aware of the changes being considered. He stated that he also agreed with the idea of doing a piece at a time. Member Benson stated that she felt that with as much money as has been spent on this project, there should be some type of workable solution for everyone. Mr. Berkey stated that the Committee's recommendation to the Agency Board was that the plan be adopted in principle, and he felt that the problems in that one particular location should receive special attention. He reiterated the Committee's recommendation. Member Jackson moved to direct staff to prepare a report on converting the two blocks between Monterey and Las Palmas and leaving the Mr. Morley's block as it is now with the understanding that this would not preclude that it could not remain open. Mr. Wilson stated that Las Palmas might not be a good breaking point as people would still utilize the remainder of the frontage road to San Pablo as a two-way road. Member Jackson withdrew her motion. Member Kelly moved to approve the plan in concept with the modification that the Northwest corner of San Pablo and Highway 111 be opened up and the median be closed, that a sign -off of all property owners and businesses be done prior to adopting the plan, and that staff be directed to prepare the necessary CEQA and EIR documents. Motion was seconded by Jackson and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. VI. RESOLUTIONS None VII. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER N one VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO NEGOTIATE ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT CONTRACT. Mr. Altman reported that the Agency Board had been briefed on this in Study Session. Member Jackson moved to: 1) by Minute Motion, authorize the Executive Director to negotiate a contract in an amount not to exceed $54,800 for an economic assessment of the project area and the City with the consulting firm of Williams- Kuebelbeck and Associates, said contract to be in accordance with the Agency's Request for Proposal distributed in October, 1984, and the consultant's proposal dated November 21, 1984; and 2) by Minute Motion, authorize the Agency Chairman to execute such an -4- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * agreement. Motion was seconded by Benson and carried by unanimous vote of the Agency Board. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS N one X. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR None B. AGENCY COUNSEL None C. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY None XI. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Jackson, second by Wilson, and unanimous vote of the Agency Board, Chairman Snyder adjourned the meeting at 9:17 p.m. ATTEST: WA TER H. SNYD , CHAIRMAN/by RICHARD S. KELLY, VICE CH IRMAN \ MARY P. RF ZIER, DEPUTY SECRETARY TO THE PALM DESERT REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY -5- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EXHIBIT "A" The Smartest Address on the Golden Desert PAL OE/ERT. ORUORflIA 77Ch.mber of CommereeT, GOLF AND TENNIS VACATION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD 41. HIGHWAY 111 AT MONTEREY / PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 / (619) 346-6111 DONMCNEILLY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The Honorable City Council City of Palm Desert Palm Desert, California 92260 Re: North Frontage Road Dear Members of the Council: The Frontage Road Committee received the Austin -Feast Associates Conceptual Design Report of October 29, 1984. As a result of that meeting, another meeting was scheduled and held on December 17, 1984 to present and discuss the proposed Conceptual Design with property owners and owners of businesses on the North Frontage Road. The Chamber of Commerce sent 83 letters to owners and made approx. 150 phone calls to businesses (owners & persons operating businesses) located on the road. Copies of the communications are attached. At the meeting of December 17th, the only objector was Mr. Earl Morley, owner of property at the Northwest corner of San Pablo and Highway 111. He had strong objections to the concept as applied to his properties. Following is the recommendation of the committee: 1) The concept should be adopted without delay so that those who wish to develop property may proceed. 2) Traffic Lights should be planned for the Sage Lane intersection, thereby following the previous recommendaiton to ultimately have lights at approx. quarter -mile intervals between Monterey and Cabrillo. 3) Final Engineering and working drawings should be prepared for approval by Caltrans and then put out for bid as soon as practical. 4) Because the proposed work was planned to be done to benefit businesses along the Frontage Road as well as for the safety of the public at intersections, no changes should be made where businesses would be damaged by diminished access. In the opinion of the committee the concept will, in general, improve access to businesses but will slightly reduce parking spaces. We urge consideration of property acquisition by the City for present and future parking needs. The committee does not consider the proposal to be a 'band -aid' approach, because it is compatible with long range consideration of developing super -blocks. Respectfully, The Frontage Roads Committee George V. Berkey, Chairman -6- NUTES .GULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EXHIBIT "A" FROM THE DESK OF: DON McNEILL Y Executive Director, Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce December 3, 1984 Good Morning ! \.. We are writing you this morning from the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce to advise that a revamping of the North Side Frontage Road is in process. We will have an informal discussion of the prospective methods for improving the traffic on the North Side Road, on December 17th at 5 p.m. in the Administrative Conference Room at City Hall and you are invited to attend. The Engineer Consultant will have all of the plans on band and will explain them in detaiL..we hope that you can attend this meeting. SUN-cerely, Don (619) 346-6111 Highway 111 at Monterey Avenue Palm Desert, CA 92260 -7- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EXHIBIT '$ December 27, 1984 City Council City of Palm Desert 73510 Fred Waring Drive Palm Desert, CA 92260 Re: Redesign of Frontage Roads Dear Council Members: I am the owner of a parcel of real property located at the corner of Highway 111 and San Pablo Avenue. I understand that an item on your agenda for this date pertains to the redesign of the frontage road which serves the referenced parcel. The plans, which are being submitted to you for approval, propose to close access to the frontage road from San Pablo. While I understand that the issue of the redesign of the frontage roads in the City has been considered for some period of time, I had not been advised of any proposed action until I received a notice approximately two weeks ago of a meeting to be held by the Chamber of Commerce Committee to review and comment upon the proposed plans. While I understand that the property owners wnich could be affected by the proposed action were to receive written notice of any meetings regarding this matter, I failed to receive any notices of the proposed action until I learned of the meeting approximately two weeks ago. I have checked with the tenants in my building and they have confirmed that they have not received any notices of the proposed action. At the meeting which was held two weeks ago, I requested an opportunity to meet with the engineer who had been retained by the City to prepare the proposed plans. Only yesterday I was contacted by the engineer and advised that he would be able to meet with me at 4:00 p.m. today. While I appreciate the opportunity of meeting with the City's engineer, I would request that the Council continue this matter to a later date and post- pone taking any action until I have been afforded an adequate -8- MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 27, 1984 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * EXHIBIT "B" City Council City of Palm Desert December 27, 1984 Page Two opportunity to study and comment upon the proposed plans which could so dramatically affect the utilization of my property. Your anticipated cooperation in this matter is appreciated. Very truly yours, EARL MORLEY -9-