HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-07-02 - MINUTES - STUDY SESSION NOTES (2)City Council Study Session
July 2, 2002
Call To Order: 5:36 p.m.
Roll Call: All Councilmembers were present
Flag Salute: Led by Rick Winsman, Planning Commissioner
ITEM 1 PROPOSED LAS LOMAS ANNEXATION TO THE CITY OF LOS
ANGELES PROPOSED BY DAN PALMER — Ken Pulskamp, Interim City
Manager presented the Council with a brief introduction regarding the Las
Lomas annexation which City staff has been following very closely for several
months. This project would consist of 555 acres; 5,805 homes; 2.8 million square
feet for commercial use; a hotel; grade school K-8; and grading of 20 million cubic
yards. Vince Bertoni, Planning Manager gave an in-depth presentation of this
project and the impact it will have on the City. Mary Lou Cotton, representing
the Castaic Lake Water Agency presented Council with a brief summary of the
impact this project will have regarding water issues.
Council questions, concerns and comments included: Impact on schools
and school district boundaries; water restrictions and impacts; condominium
ratio; high speed rail; additional on / off ramps; importance of articulating all of
the City's concerns; take a strong stand in opposition on this project as soon as
possible; devastating impacts on the City; get all the opposition the City can;
Council is pleased that the City will head into this project early on; project
contradicts everything in the One Valley One Vision plan and the General Plan;
have a multi -faceted approach; deal with case issues; get all agencies involved
as well as Cal Trans; keep gathering information; trash impact on Sunshine
Canyon; impact on Wildlife corridor; tax base impact; importance of a lobbyist;
have the developer make a presentation to Council; get community involvement;
important for new legislation; possible huge ally with L.A. Unified School
District.
ITEM 2 ANNEXATION POLICIES - Ken Pulskamp, Interim City Manager presented
the Council with a brief introduction regarding the annexations that have taken
place in the City since incorporation, consisting of 10 residential, 8 commercial,
and 3 other areas consisting of mixed uses and open space. Several questions
that staff are seeking guidance to, include: Does the City Council want staff to
draft an annexation policy: If yes, should the policy evaluate strictly fiscal
impacts of annexations? Should the policy evaluate annexations on a variety of
levels, including fiscal impacts? Steve Stark presented the Council with further
information regarding the current annexation process; property tax dollar
breakdown; fiscal impact analysis; comparison of the process of other cities; case-
by-case factors.
Council questions, concerns and comments included: necessary for written
guidelines / policy; appreciate flexibility; passive annexation policy; fiscally
driven; City cannot afford annexations that are heading into the negative; need
very clear guidelines; guidelines will help staff to evaluate what comes before the
City; Council desires review of the policy from the City of Fontana; explore
possibility of assessment fee to homeowners - similar to stormwater fees; concern
with sphere of influence and lack of success in that matter; provide information
and fact sheets to the citizens; case-by-case handling is a consideration; this is
a big decision, and either mean One Valley One Vision or become passive. If the
City is not aggressive it will affect the quality of life in the City; concerns with
the Parks & Recreation programs and allowing citizens outside the City
boundaries the same opportunities as citizens within the City - this is passive
and must change if City is to be aggressive; impact on Santa Clarita if areas such
as Castaic and Stevenson Ranch become cities; do not want to become another
Palmdale / Lancaster.
Speaking during public participation on both issues were: Alan Cameron and
Jennifer Kilpatrick.
Mayor Ferry adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Geri Bryan, Deputy City Clerk