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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-05-23; City Council; Minutes (2)-1 L a e MINUTES MEETING OF: CITY COUNCIL (Regular Meeting) DATE OF MEETING: MAY 23, 1995 TIME OF MEETING: 6:OO P.M. PLACE OF MEETING: City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lewis called the Meeting to order at 6:OO p.m. ROLL CALL was taken by the Assistant City Clerk, as follows: Present: Council Members Finnila, Hall, Kulchin, Mayor Pro Tem Nygaard, and Mayor Lewis. Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: John Jones, 3044 State Street, Carlsbad, a member of the Historic Preservation Commission, addressed the Council regarding the awards ceremony at the previous meeting to honor Historic Preservation Week. Mr. Jones thanked Commissioners Judith Schwei and Joe Valenti for their work on the art contest. DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: 24 1. AB #13,149 - IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT FOR THE FIELDSTONE/RANCHO SANTA FE 45 ROAD HABITAT CONSERVATION PIAN. Don Rideout presented the staff report as contained in the agenda bill, stating that this would be the final action required by the City to secure federal and state endangered species permits for this property. With the use of transparencies, he reviewed the plan, including the location of the open space (approximately 700 acres of habitat onsite) as well as up to 240 acres of off-site conservation in the corridor linking Carlsbad to the San Dieguito River Valley. He reported that 63 species have been included in the plan. Mr. Rideout explained that Fieldstone has agreed to contribute funds to obtain the off-site habitat, as well as make a $150,000 contribution to the City for the Habitat Management Plan, establishment of a managementlmaintenance program for the conserved land, and $50,000 for independent research on the California gnatcatcher. Dolores Welty, 2076 Sheridan Road, Leucadia, representing Friends of Batiquitos Lagoon, spoke in opposition to the Fieldstone Habitat Conservation Plan. She expressed concern that the plan is exempt from the NCCP Program, stated that the HCP should not be approved before the MHCP or the MSCP have been finalized, and expressed opposition to allowing the Fieldstone Co. to set aside money instead of securing acreage for mitigation. i/ 7 .4 ' 0 0 May 23, 1995 CITY COUNCIL Page 2 DEPARTMENTAL AND CITY MANAGER REPORTS: John Barone, 5465 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, representing Fieldstone Company, spoke in favor of the Implementation Agreement. He stated that this process was actually begun over six years ago and has been a collaborative effort between Fieldstone, the City of Carlsbad, the State Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He stated that this agreement is the first of its kind anywhere in the nation, thanked all who worked on it, and thanked Council for hearing the matter tonight. Gail Kobetich, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, requested approval of the agreement. He stated that this is the first multi-species plan, that 63 species have been found, and that the HCP is a model others should follow. He urged approval of the agree'ment and continuation of work on the citywide Habitat Management Plan. Michael Beck, Box 841, Julian, representing the Endangered Habitats League, spoke in support of the agreement. He noted the complexity of balancing biological goals, planning issues, and financial issues, and commended all involved in working out this agreement. He urged council to approve the HCP and to move forward with the HMP also. Karen Messer, 2399 Jefferson Street #18, Carlsbad, representing the Buena Vista Audubon Society, spoke in favor of the agreement. She noted that Carlsbad is very desirable and expensive, and that the HCP was done in a very balanced and professional manner, and stated that it is a big step forward from the piecemeal approach to habitat mitigation. Janet Fairbanks, of SANDAG, spoke in favor of the Fieldstone HCP, which is the first in the region. She stated that Carlsbad has been a leader in the meetings regarding the North County Multiple Habitat Conservation Plan (HMCP), and that approval of the HCP is important for all of North County. Council commended staff and all other parties who participated in the process of developing the HCP for their commitment and efforts. ACTION: On motion by Mayor Pro-Tem Nyaard, Council adopted RESOLUTION NO. 95- 128, approving the "Implementation Agreement for the FieldstonelRancho Gta Fe Road Habitat Conservation Plan" and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement. AYES: Lewis, Nygaard, Kulchin, Finnila and Hall PUBLIC COMMENT: (Council agreed to hear additional Public Comment at this time.) Jim Gault, 7552 Navigator Circle, Carlsbad, President of the Rosalena Homeowners Association, addressed Council and expressed concern regarding the trails which go through the backyards of twenty homes. He stated that in many cases the trail on top of the Lagoon bluff is merely 35 feet from the back of the homes, and in some cases less. He expressed their concern about the lack of privacy from the proposed trail which provides viewing of back yards of the homes, rear sides of houses, and in some cases into second story bedrooms. //h * 0 e May 23, 1995 CITY COUNCIL Page 3 PUBLIC COMMENT: (Continued) Mr. Gault stated that the homeowners favor a trail along the shores of the Batiquitos Lagoon, however, they feel the trail should start at the far eastern end of the Lagoon and proceed westward under the 1-5 Freeway, along the North edge of the Lagoon to the Pacific Ocean, to permit unobstructed viewing of the Lagoon and maintain the privacy of the homeowners. Following Mr. Gault’s comments, Council requested that this matter be placed on a future Council Agenda for discussion. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Meeting of May 23, 1995, was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. to the Southwest Quadrant Community Forum Meeting. Respectfully submitted, dd& Assistant ~5