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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-09-23; Design Review Board; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Time of Meeting: 4:OO p.m. Date of Meeting: September 23, 1987 Place of Meeting: DESIGN REVIEW BOARD (Special Meeting) City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Rombotis called the Meeting to order at 4:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Chairman Rombotis, Board Members Hall, Holmes, McCoy and McFadden. Absent : None. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Chairman Rombotis. Staff Members Present: Chris Salomone, Community Redevelopment Director Brian Hunter, Associate Planner Ron Ball, Assistant City Attorney Gary Wayne, Senior Planner CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: 1. RP 87-2 CARLSBAD INN TENNIS CLUB Request for major redevelopment permit to build five tennis courts and a 1,335 square foot club house in AT&SF right-of-way. Gary Wayne summarized the previous staff report, stating the applicant could have placed these tennis courts on their original site. The use of the AT&SF right-of-way conflicts with the intent of the TC zone, as this land should be available for future transportation needs. Mr. Wayne reported the clubhouse was not a temporary structure and was not allowed in this zone. Staff also indicated this project was not compatible with the North Beach Study. The use would be considered commercial, and staff could not recommend such use for this land. Ken Chriss, Architect, representing the applicant, stated new information was available. The lease with the railroad for this property would be on a 30-day basis, which would be very temporary. Also, he read a sentence from the North Beach Study, as follows: "Although the proposal for a clubhouse might seem contrary to the recommendations above relating to rail transit, a modest structure would obviously enhance the tennis club and perhaps also the linear park and could be removed if necessary at future time. Mr. Chriss stated the building would be considered a temporary structure and could be easily moved within 30 days. Washington Street was discussed next, with Mr. Chriss stating that Street has been thoroughly discussed for 15 years, and there is still no decision on whether the street is to be extended. MINUTES September 23, 1987 Page 2 As far as the commercial aspect, Mr. Chriss stated the railroad owns the land and would be leasing to the applicant. by the railroad, as the railroad leases its land to make money. The public is not involved, as this is not public land. This is done on several other parcels owned Chairman Rombotis noted several petitions had been submitted to the Board, including one from the Carlsbad Merchant Association. Chairman Rombotis re-opened the public hearing at 4:lO p.m., and issued the invitation to speak. 3im Anderson, 3075 Blenkarne Drive, spoke in favor of the application, stating this would be an asset to the village area and serve to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. This would help expand the recreational options in the City, without using City funding from a lean budget. Mr. Anderson felt this would be an important tennis-training center. Mr. Anderson stated that in his opinion the arguments against this project were unfounded and uninformed. traffic impact from this facility would not be a problem. As far as parking, there would not be a problem unless there was a tournament. He felt the condition that imposed 25 parking spaces on this project was unfair, as they should not be held to retail standards. The Mr. Anderson further stated this project would add prestige to a blighted neighborhood. railroad did not consider this excess property for expansion. He said the As far as reducing the size of the clubhouse, Mr. Anderson stated staff did not understand the function of a clubhouse and the activities needed. Mr. Anderson stated SANDAG has been talking about using the right-of-way for 15 years. If that right-of-way is to be used at any time, the tenant would have to move within 30 days. He concluded, stating if this project is denied, the citizens would be the losers. Bob Prescott, 3303 Belle Lane, representing the Village Merchants, stated the merchants were in favor of this project without a dissenting vote. asset to the village area and improve an area that is at present an eyesore. This would be an Mr. Prescott stated that with a 30-day lease, the applicant would be the one at risk. is needed by the light rail and commuter lines, this would not be for several years, and a new generation of tennis players could be developed before that time. Gerald Bowers, 3199 Falcon Drive, spoke in favor of the project, stating it would be a welcome addition to the City. He stated the south side of Oak Street is unimproved, and he woul-d like to see that finished before any more traffic is directed to that street. If the right-of-way . MINUTES September 23, 1987 Page 3 Staff indicated the street improvements for that area are in the CIP and scheduled to be installed within the next 18 months. C. B. Dick Brown, a tennis player, spoke in favor of the project, stating the building could be easily moved. Glenda Hasselo, 3299 Donna Drive, spoke in favor of the project, stating the tennis programs center around what is offered at the clubhouse, and the social portion of any tennis program is important. Steve Densham, 3965 Monroe Street, representing Neimans/Dooley McCluskey's, stated he was in support of this use of the area for this type of facility. He felt this would increase the beauty of the downtown area and residential area. If the facility does not work out, it could be remedied quickly. George Willis, 539 Elm Avenue, spoke in favor of the project, stating it would upgrade the neighborhood. Steven Tague, 3819 Skyline Road, stated he felt the facility would enhance Carlsbad and not be used exclusively by the Carlsbad Inn. has been helping the youth of Carlsbad achieve excellence in tennis for years and does a good job. clubhouse would enhance the area and make the area appear more in the village theme. He stated David Smith The Bob Nelson spoke in favor of the project, stating this would clean up a blighted area. setting a precedent, there is no precedent in the Redevelopment area, which is an important point. Mr. Nelson asked all those present in favor of the project to please stand up, and approximately 60 to 70 people stood up. He stated as far as Wayne McCabe, representing the adjacent property owners, spoke in opposition to this project, stating the project would be ten feet from the living room and bedroom windows of his property. He added that his property would be the most directly affected by this facility. He stated he did not oppose the project, but felt it should not be placed next to apartments. Alex Kononchuk, 3305 Tyler Street, stated he occupies property in the industrial area on the other side of the railroad tracks. The right-of-way serves as a buffer between the industrial area and the residential area. He stated he did not object to the tennis courts, but felt the structure would set a precedent for future development. Ken Chriss spoke in rebuttal, stating the lights from the tennis courts would be shielded and would not create any glare. There would be very little noise from the courts, as the hours would be kept reasonable. MEMB _I- .. MINUTES September 23, 1987 Page 4 Mr. Chriss stated they were dropping to a three-foot fence in the parking areas, and with an on-site manager, they felt this would prevent people crossing the railroad tracks. He also indicated a block wall wuld be installed in the area between the two streets. In answer to Board query, Mr. Chriss stated the hours would be from 8:OO a.m. to 9:OO p.m., seven days a week. Board Member McCoy inquired whether it was possible to move the building to the south, to allow for more parking. Mr. Chriss indicated this could be done. Board Member Hall commented there was not enough parking, and he inquired about the use of the tennis courts. Mr. Smith stated the use of the courts would be intermingled, and the operation would be open to the public. Mr. Smith added he would not be working for Carlsbad Inn, but would be replacina the tennis facility lost at the Royal Palms. Mr. Smith stated anyone could purchase a membership for $45 a month, and use the courts unlimited time. A $5 fee per hour per person would be imposed on all other users. Mr. Smith reiterated his proposal for teaching the children and being part of the Parks & Recreation program, concluding with a statement that he would be running the facility. Chairman Rombotis of the meeting at Board Member Hall aqreement for pub closed the public testimony portion 4:53 p.m. stated he would be in favor of an ic use of the tennis courts. Mr. Salomone stated there is an agreement with three separate parts; one for the use by Carlsbad Inn and their guests; one for general public use; and one for public use scheduled by the City of Carlsbad Parks & Recreation Department. Board Member McFadden stated there is too little parking, and the structure is larger than needed. She would like that building to be very temporary. Mrs. McFadden stated she would like to see the tennis courts go in there, and appreciated the sensitivity of the view corridor to these streets. She also felt the clubhouse could be moved to allow more parking, and was concerned about the improvements in the surrounding streets. Board Member Holmes stated this was a good-looking building, but felt it should be placed someplace else. He felt he could not approve the clubhouse at the present size, but would like to see the tennis courts there. With a review on a yearly basis, and more parking, Board Member Holmes stated he could support the project. MEMBERS \1 MINUTES September 23, 1987 Page 5 Board Member McCoy recommended moving the building 20 feet back, and develop the remainder of the property into parking, with at least five more spaces. He felt a building of this type would be much more attractive than a trailer-type of building. However, he felt any building should be temporary to allow for light rail to be installed in the coming years, and the circulation pattern should be improved. Board Member Hall stated he was in support of the project, but felt there was not sufficient parking. He expressed concern about the citizens' use of the tennis courts, and felt planning staff should look into the continuation of Washington Street. Chris Salomone commented people in the area could not complain about the industrial uses, as they were there first. Chairman Rombotis stated he supported Washington Street going through, but the North Beach Study recommended it not go through. Staff clarified it was the consultant's recommendation to not put Washington Street through. Chairman Rombotis stated the building was a great building and would be needed to support five tennis courts. He agreed more parking was needed, and he would like to see something done to mitigate the closeness to the duplex apartment. Design Review Board returned RP 87-2 Carlsbad Inn Tennis Club to staff to include the concerns expressed by the Board, and be returned with appropriate conditions of approval. Board Member McFadden stated she was in favor of the tennis club, but felt this should have been placed on the original site, as the applicant intensified their land use unreasonably. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, the Special Meeting of the Design Review Board of September 23, 1987, was adjourned at 5:11 p.m. Respectfully submitted, CHRIS SALOMONE Community Redevelopment Director Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk Rombot is Hall Holmes McCoy McFadden