HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-03; City Council; 9417; Open Space Initiative”?& a CIT” OF CARLSBAD - AGEND“ BILL
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DEPT. WAG
4-3-88 MTG.
TITLE: DEPT. HD..~
OPEN SPACE INITIATIVE CITY AlTY
CITY MGR.~
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Mayor Lewis to appoint a City Council Sub-committee to meet with
the proponents of the Open Space Initiative.
DISCUSSION:
An Open Space Initiative has been filed with the City of Carlsbad.
In order for the Open Space Initiative to accomplish its stated
purpose a careful review of its effect and consistency with the
Cities Growth Management Program is considered vital.
With this concern clearly in mind a City Council Sub-committee with staff support is proposed to meet with the proponents of the Open Space Initiative.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff time in supporting the City Council Sub-committee
ROBERT C. LADWIG
3289 Donna Drive Carlsbad, California 92008
May 3, 1988
Council Members
CITY OF CARLSBAD
1200 Elm Avenue Carlsbad, California 92008
RE: AGENDA ITEMS 10 AND 11 HOSP GROVE FINANCING AND OPEN SPACE INITIATIVE SUBCOMMITTEE
Dear Council Members:
Tonight you will be considering instructing your staff as to what financing methods to follow for the purchase of the Grove. In addition, you will be considering appointing a Council subcommittee to meet with the proponents of the Open Space Initiative. In addition to these two items, there is also a petition being circulated for an initiative that would propose commercial development on about 11.5 acres of Hosp Grove.
I have been concerned that we are dividing our community again and that an argument could turn out to be very costly for the citizens of this city. My personal feelings are that the
citizens have approved the purchase of the Grove and its
designation of open space and we should leave it like it is. I
also disagree with the Open Space Initiative as currently presented. I have worked closely with the City's Growth
Management Plan and I see the proposed Open Space Initiative as seriously limiting the ability for the orderly development of this city. The Open Space Initiative, if passed, would virtually
prohibit the ability for anyone to process a Master Plan or
General Plan Amendment that would involve even slight
modifications of the existing Open Space Plan. On the issue of
the Hosp Grove financing, I understand that the Finance Director feels that there may be a potential for losing the tax exempt status for funding the purchase of Hosp Grove if development is
proposed. Losing that status could potentially increase the
overall cost of the Grove.
In the recent past, Carlsbad has made great strides improving the
I am quality of life for existing and future residents. concerned that the citizens are now going to be spending a lot of
Carlsbad City Council Members
May 3, 1988 Page Two
energy on non-productive issues that could potentially seriously impact the orderly development of Carlsbad.
I have discussed my concerns and ideas with representatives of
the Open Space Initiative group and also with a representative of
the group proposing to develop a portion of the Grove. The
individuals I talked to could not speak for the entire group, but they all both interested in exploring my proposal, which would be as follows:
The Council should direct the Planning staff to prepare an
interim ordinance based on existing policies, ordinances and
other regulations pertaining to the development of open space.
This could be adopted as soon as possible, perhaps as an emergency ordinance, should the Council be able to do so with the direction from your City Attorney. The ordinance would very explicitly state what can and cannot be done with open space and
provide an immediate strict level of control to preserve open space. I have discussed this briefly with your Planning Director and he feels that the development of an ordinance, as I have generally outlined, would be possible.
If the City Council agrees to develop the interim ordinance, it
should be done with several understandings. The first would be
that the Open Space Initiative group and the group that wants to
develop a portion of Hosp Grove agree to not put their respective issues on the ballot. Secondly, the Council needs to direct the staff to immediately form a Citizen's Committee to come up with an accurate inventory of open space and guidelines for
development, if any, of open space and procedures for amendments.
This would then be turned into a permanent ordinance that would
be adopted after significant public input and public hearings. This procedure would also provide a means for the two separate groups to work together in developing this permanent ordinance to achieve the goals of the citizens of this city in the protection of our open space.
If the Council accepts this proposal, it would be important to
establish a very tight time line to adopt a permanent ordinance
well in advance of the election this Fall. As I mentioned, I did discuss this with both proponents and they were all interested in hearing more and, hopefully, work together for what would be best for all the citizens of this fine city.
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Carlsbad City Council Members May 3, 1988 Page Three
Thank you for considering my request. I would be happy to answer any specific questions. Sincerely,
Robert C. Ladwig
RCL: kd. 001
cc: James R. Swab, 2924 Highland Drive, Carlsbad 92008 Girard (Lefty) Anear, 1728 Calavo Court, Carlsbad 92008 Julie Fish, 2440 Lorna Lane, Carlsbad 92008 Dan Hammer, 4015 Isle Drive, Carlsbad 92008 Courtney Heineman, 2879 Woodridge Circle, Carlsbad 92008
.
1200 ELM AVENUE CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA 92008
Office of the City Clerk
May 11, 1988
Ms. Ann Mauch
6741 Oleander Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
Dear Ann:
Per our telephone conversation this date, enclosed is a copy of the
article which appeared in the La Costan on Wednesday, May 4, 1988.
I'm sure you understand my concern since signatures cannot be
gathered until publication of the Notice of Intention, Ballot Title
and Summary.
If you have any questions, please call me.
Sincerely,
LEE RAUTENKRANZ
City Clerk
TELEPHONE
(619) 434-2808
LR: ar
Enclosure