HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 2/2/1988MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP SESSION OF THECITYCOUNCILOFTHECITYOFGLENDALE, MARICOPA COUNTY, ARIZONA HELD TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1988, AT 2:30 P.M. Mayor Renner called to order the Workshop Session of GlendaleCityCouncilinConferenceRoomB-3 of the Council Chambers. Council members present were: Bellah, Huffman, Heatwole, Tolby, and Hugh. Member Absent: Falbo. Development Process StreamliningAfteradoptionoftheConvenience Use Permit Ordinance onSeptember22, 1987, the City Council expressed interest inalternativesforstreamliningtheusepermitprocess. Whilediscussingthisissue, staff also did a comprehensive reviewoftheuserpermitandsubdivisionprocessestoseeifitalsocouldmovefasterandbestreamlined.
At a recent joint meeting of the City Council and Board of
Adjustment, interest was expressed in how the variance
approval process might also be streamlines. Staff has
implemented the ordinance requiring a use permit for a
convenience use in a way to streamline the review process.
Customers apply for the use permit and development plan
reviews simultaneously, and the reviews are done
concurrently. The process is kept simply for the customer
because the use permit application and the development plans
are submitted as one set of plans. However, only the use
permit application will come before the Planning and Zoning
Commission and the City Council.
Recommended alternatives for the use permit and subdivision
processes would amount to the City Council delegating some
authority to Planning and Zoning Commission in exchange for a
shorter review time, and having fewer items on agendas.
Staff's recommendation is that the Planning and Zoning
Commission should make the final decision on use permits and
preliminary subdivision plats, unless appealed to Council.
To encourage neighborhood input, staff proposes that the
preliminary plat be decided upon at a public hearing.
Presently, preliminary plats are not approved subsequent to a
public hearing. We do not believe any change to the variance
process is needed since most applicants now wait only about
35 days for a decision on their case.
Jerry Swanson, Planning Director, reviewed the use permit
application and development plan reviews.
Mayor Renner asked what time limits would there be for
appeals. Mr. Swanson stated same amount of time as now.
Mayor Renner asked if one citizens request automaticallycausetheitemtocomebeforethecouncil. Mr. Swansonstateditwouldifitwasintheformofanappeal. Councilmember Tolby asked for clarification if the Counciltakesavotetoaccepttheappealortoapproveordenytheusepermit. Mr. Swanson stated they would hear the case andacceptordenythepermit. Mayor Renner stated he was willing to try this process butdidnotwanttooverburdenthePlanningandzoningCommission. Mr. Vanacour suggested discussing with thecommissionorhavethecommissionchairmantoaworkshop todiscuss. This item will be brought back to council for furtherdiscussionandtoreviewtheordinance.
1988 Community Development Block Grant Program
The Community Development Advisory Committee has begun the
citizens, participation process which will result in the
preparation of a proposed statement of Community Development
objectives and projected use of funds for the 1988 Community
Development Block Grant program. Prior to the public
hearing, staff and the Community Development Advisory
Committee Chairman would like to meet with Council to seek
direction on Council priorities for the preparation of a
Block Grant Program. The grant this year is expected to be
approximately $923,000. In the past, the Council has set
aside block grant funds for downtown redevelopment activities
as well as for housing rehabilitation, code enforcement,
voluntary demolition, vehicle removal assistance, paint
reimbursement and public improvements in neighborhoods.
Glenn Goodrich, Chairman, summarized the program.
Mayor Renner asked if there was still a need in the target
areas. Mr. Ludwick stated there is a continual flow of
applications for all the programs under the program.
Mayor Renner stated he felt this should be looked at very
carefully and would like an estimate on what the demand could
be for comparison of where we are. Mr. Goodrich agreed and
suggested an in-depth study.
Mayor Renner asked if a mid -year target area expansion would
be possible. Mr. Ludwick stated funds would have to be
reprogrammed.
Councilman Tolby stated many people get concerned when areas
are declared slum and blighted. Mr. Ludwick stated this
process will always have people who are interested in
receiving the benefits and others who are not.
This item will come back to workshop for further discussiononexpansion. 59th Avenue Right -of -Way Acquisition and Improvement OptionsTheCityCouncilhasreviewedthe59thAvenueimprovementsinworkshopsessiononseveraloccasions. Council's directionatthelastmeetingwastoproceedwithplansandspecificationstoprovidethreetravellanesineachdirectionadjacenttonewdevelopment, in conformance withthenewmajorarterialstreetconcept. Improvement districtfinancingwastobeencouragedandthescallopedstreetimprovementbillwastobeusedwhereappropriate. Property owners response to the request for dedication basedontheimprovementsanticipatedhasnotbeenpositive. Themoststrenuousobjectionisrelatedtothemedianislands,
which are viewed as an obstruction to property access.
Existing rights-of-way will not allow completion of the
ultimate cross section. Current traffic needs indicate that
a minimum of two travel lanes in each direction is urgently
needed.
An interim plan that will allow current traffic needs to be
met and facilitate future improvements as development
occurs. Because of right-of-way is not adequate for the
ultimate improvements in some areas, interim improvements
could be limited to the basic pavement and drainage required
at this time.
Tom Martinsen, Deputy City Manager, reviewed the project.
Ken Reedy, City Engineer summarized the plan.
Mayor Renner stated he felt it was a reasonable solution.
Councilmember Bellah agreed.
Mayor Renner asked the timeline. Mr. Reedy said they would
finalize the size of pipe and have the bid ready in 30 days
so the project would be ready to start in June with
completion in 5 to 6 months.
Mayor Renner asked if an improvement district was being
worked on at the intersection. Mr. Gardner 59th and Peoria
was completed except for storm drain work.
This item will go to a regular meeting with the bid contract.
Intergovernmental Report
Marion Porch briefed the Council on legislative issues.
Adjournment
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:25p.m. Assistant City Clerk