1982 MAR 16 CC MINMINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR
MEETING OF THE EL SEGUNDO CITY COUNCIL
March 16, 1982
1. CALL TO ORDER
X lFi oCt
The E1 Segundo City Council convened in an adjourned regular meeting
on the above date at the hour of 6:00 o'clock p.m. in the Council
Chamber of the E1 Segundo City Hall. The Clerk reported that a Notice
of Adjournment had been posted as required by law and that an affidavit
of posting was in the City Clerk's files.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
Mayor Van Vranken led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3. ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmen Armstrong, Bue, Johnson,
Siadek and Mayor Van Vranken
Absent: Councilmen None
4. Mayor Van Vranken announced that this meeting had been called for the
purpose of meeting with the City's Housing Element Advisory Committee,
and suggested that the meeting be held in the West Conference Room.
The Council, staff, ten of the 15 members of the Committee and concerned
citizens moved to the West Conference Room for discussions.
Housing Element Advisory Committee Chairman Don McLees, stated that certain
aspects of the City's development had become of great concern to the com-
mittee, which were outside the Committee's assignment of preparing data for
the Housing Element of the General Plan. Advised that these concerns had
been discussed with the Planning Commission and the Committee had asked
for this joint meeting to discuss them with the Council.
Mr. Mark Marion, reported on some of the changes the Committee would like
to see happen in this City; that the people have been concerned about the
intensive construction on the east side of Sepulveda Boulevard and its
affect on traffic. Also talked about construction of single residences
next to commercial or multiple residential buildings; that he thought the
community would benefit from standards not related to zone. Asked if some
building standards could be applied to the zone to lessen these kinds of
impacts without violating the propery owners' rights. Stated that good
planning needs to be done.
Mr. William Eyre, stated that most of the Committee's concerns involved
zoning and development, and agreed that control of existing zoning can
be done within the power of the City government, that it appears the most
restrictive zoning is oe residences, which he believed there were ways of
controlling without restrictiveness. Stated he believed the people had
made it clear to the Council they do not want to see more of the kind of
development going on now and are asking the Council to do something.
Asked that the Council keep an open mind and try to come up with a work-
able plan that will control density and avoid a moratorium.
Mr. Gordon Stephens questioned environmental review methods and why large
Project's have shown the construction would have no significant impact on
the environment. Stated he believed there should be a way of reporting
impacts, even if it required a full blown environmental impact report.
Further stated he thought one reason for this meeting was to encourage
commitment of funds for - additional staff to redo the planning of this
City, that a policy should be adopted to tighten control within the zones
without rezoning. Stated the Committee was not sure the use of the Precise
Plan procedure was the right way of controlling development, and asked the
Council to consider some change in procedures.
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Mr. Duffy Wiegers stated the people are mainly concerned about high -
rise uildings abutting single residential lots and thought some gradua-
tion in zoning, from the least dense (R -1) to (R -2) to(R -3) to(C- 1)etc.
might be considered; that planting trees and shrubs as a buffer area
is not sufficient to ease the impact. Further suggested that the City
be divided into Commercial and Residential, making Washington street a
residential street, close off Maple,pak and Walnut Avenues in the morning
and afternoon to eliminate the heavy work traffic using these streets.
Councilman Johnson questioned whether the people would accept closing
the streets.
Mr. Wiegers stated he thought the majority would not be against the sug-
gestion, that the problem must be addressed and investigated even though
it might not be the solution.
Mr. McLees advised the Committee would follow up, would vote on this and
submit a report.
Mrs. Le Synadinos_stated she thought more restrictive standards meant
getting away from the Precise Plan, that the Committee would like to
have the building more compatible with the old style of El Segundo.
Mr. McLees stated the Committee discussed whether or not to go along
with the Precise Plan procedure or have a set Code with the members being
equally divided on this question. Advised this would also be included in
the report.
Mrs. Mary Jo Drean stated there is so much building going on the Planning
Department had only time enough to do the daily duties, and then all of
a sudden the people in the community woke up to the vast developments
going on in the City. Stated the Planning Department needs professionals
to determine how these problems should be handled; that development stan-
dards should be set, density reduced, heights restricted and restrictions
on contruction that would create a larger traffic problem then already in
existence.
Mrs. Colleen Ramsey stated that all members of the Committee had been
appointed by one of the Council members and at the beginning thoughts
were diverse with resistance to changes that are happening in the City,
which are different than what has always been done in E1 Segundo. Advised
that the philosophy of the Committee has changed and by sitting down and
talking about these problems, the Committee members have learned and have
a much better understanding of each other.
Mr. Jerry Chong stated his remarks would be redundant to others who had
already spoken.
Mr. Carl Jacobson stated he thought planning needs to be done in regard
to heights of projects, bur the most important thing for improvements
in the City was having a professional planner on staff.
Mr. Don McLees advised that the citzenry must have more input and more
communication with the Council; that there are ligitimate as well as
slanted views of what is going on in the City. Suggested the newsletters
be continued and more attempts made by the Council to communicate with
the people. Commented that the Committee was pointing out there are
needs for change in Council attitudes toward construction in the City,
that the problems of City development must be addressed because running
the City by referendum was wrong. Stated the General Plan needs to be
looked at seriously and that the Committee would stand ready to serve the
Council feeling this could be a positive tool to the Council.
Mayor Van Vranken expressed his appreciation for the input and he agreed
the Master Plan needed review. Stated he was sure there would be need for
a citizens' advisory group in this endeavor, but for the present, as soon
as the Housing Advisory Committee's tasks were completed, the Committee
would be dissolved, but the members would probably be appointed to other
committees. Reassured the members that this dissolution in no way re-
flected on any member of the group.
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Council Minutes
March 16, 1982
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Councilman Siadek stated he watched this committee evolve into a good
group and thought there was room for an Environmental Review Board in
E1 Segundo
Councilman Johnson thanked the committee members for the hours of work
put in on this assignment.
Councilman Bue asked if anyone had some ideas for better communications.
Mr. Gordon Stephens suggested forming a speakers bureau where members
could be delegated to speak at organization and club meetings to present
the City's views on important issues so the information would be directly
disseminated to a wider audience than just at the Council meetings.
There being no further business appearing to come before this joint meeting
of the Council and the Housing Element Advisory Committee, the Mayor
adjourned the meeting, the hour of adjournment being 7:00 o'clock p.m.
APPROVED:
Van Vranken, Mayor
Respectfully submitted,
Valerie A. Burrowes, City Clerk
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March 16, 1982