Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-02-01 - MINUTES - JOINT STUDY SESSION NOTES (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA City Council / Planning Commission Joint Study Session* February 1, 2005 Call to Order: 5:33 p.m. Roll Call Council: All Councilmembers were present with the exception of Councilmember Ferry, and Mayor Smyth. Roll Call Commission: All Commissioners were present. Flag Salute: Jason Smisko, Senior Planner led the flag salute. ITEM 1 DRAFT DOWNTOWN NEWHALL SPECIFIC PLAN— Ken Pulskamp, City Manager, introduced the item and Stefanos Polyzoides ofMoule and Polyzoides who provided a summary of the Draft Downtown Newhall Specific Plan and how the plan expects to provide property and business owners with the tools to entice private investment into the area and to create a series of business thriving economic engines in Downtown Newhall. Mr. Polyzoides also introduced the consultants working on the proj ect. Council / Planning Commission questions, concerns and comments included: Finding ways to entice people to get involved; the excitement of the project; the need for specificity of types of affordable housing, senior housing, student housing; getting the streetscape in first; how will the increase in traffic and pedestrians in the area be synchronized; an outreach program; making the planning process simple; quality of life and the need to be able to purchase housing without fear of neighborhood breaking down. Public comment on this item was made by Connie Worden-Roberts; Patty Finley; Carol Rock; and two unidentified women. Mayor Pro Tem Weste recessed the meeting at 6:40 p.m. and reconvened at 6:42 p.m. ITEM 2 SIGN COMPLIANCE PROGRAM — Ken Pulskamp, City Manager, introduced the item and Jason Mikaelian, Associate Planner, who presented the item stating that the City of Santa Clarita adopted its Sign Ordinance in 1990 to help beautify and reduce competitive streetscape clutter along the City's roadway corridors. At that time, the City Council agreed to a nine-year amortization period giving businesses and property owners the flexibility to fully meet the requirements. In 1999, the City began its Sign Compliance Program to remove the remaining non- conforming signs. To date, over 97% of businesses comply with the Sign Ordinance with approximately 65 signs remaining non-compliant. The City is now ready to begin the final phase of the program and reach 100% compliance. Council / Planning Commission questions, concerns and comments included: Standing strong on compliance; enhancement to businesses; and whether a lien could be put on the property out of compliance. No public comment was received on this item. Mayor Pro Tem Weste adjourned the meeting at 7:08 p.m. gja4n Coffman Deputy City Clerk