Title
Study Session Summary of January 31, 2017 - Land Use and Transportation Element and Environmental Impact Report
Summary
Call to Order:
Vice Mayor Larsson called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
City Councilmembers Present:
Mayor Glenn Hendricks
Vice Mayor Gustav Larsson
Councilmember Jim Griffith
Councilmember Larry Klein
Councilmember Nancy Smith
Councilmember Russ Melton
Councilmember Michael S. Goldman
City Councilmembers Absent:
None.
Study Session Summary:
Director of Community Development Trudi Ryan provided the staff report and
presentation summarizing both the planning process and the content of the 2016 Draft Land Use and Transportation Element (LUTE).
Vice Mayor Larsson opened the discussion for questions and comments.
Comments and Questions from City Councilmembers:
• It is important to understand the growth for our larger region and related population and transportation limits. The transportation system and infrastructure are a major limitation. Each city has its own perspective on where and what kind of growth should occur.
• Cars are a huge problem. Electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles present a solution. Parking limitations and alternative transportation modes are only incremental solutions and only serve to aggregate the community. Do not squeeze cars out, improve technology.
• The Village Centers concept is a good one.
• Reducing parking is critical for mixed use.
• Have heard a lot from the community about the jobs to housing ratio that could result from the plan. Need to assure outreach covers the context for this measurement.
• Please review the resident input from Open City Hall and let us know in more detail what comments were received.
Public Comment:
Public Comment opened at 6:43 p.m.
• A medical professional with office located in one of the proposed village centers, expressed concern that there was not more outreach regarding the LUTE and that the village center concept might affect the building and businesses on the site.
• Community members are very concerned about City selling land and about increased growth. Also, there is concern about the LUTE EIR, in that it indicates the City is not responsible for evaluating the land outside the city.
• An Eichler homeowner located adjacent to Foothill Medical Center (part of a proposed Village Center at Fremont and Mary) expressed concerns about the height of potential mixed use buildings that could be allowed at the village center and the impact on neighbors’ privacy, parking, noise, light access, and traffic.
• Concern about traffic on Hollenbeck Avenue. Would like the 3-ton limit for vehicles to be put back in place.
• Make sure that LT 5.9-21 are retained in the LUTE with no weakening of the language. LOS E or LOS F intersections are also a concern. Stop fixing traffic issues by promoting more car use through roadway improvements.
• Supports complete streets and likes that it is incorporated into the LUTE.
• Pleased with village centers concept. Lives nearby to one of the proposed village centers. Please consider the economy and businesses of the immediate neighborhood. Wants consideration of buffers and graduation between single-family homes and the village centers.
• Would like to see a plan for senior communities, provide transition options, senior housing.
• Concerned about housing affordability with the proposed jobs to housing ratio. Will make impossible for young workers (like commenter) to live.
• Good to see emphasis on TDM in draft LUTE, but stronger TDM is needed. Minimum housing densities in village centers need to support vibrant communities. Stronger transportation policies are needed to reduce significant and unavoidable traffic impacts.
• Supports revitalization of the intersection at Fremont and Mary but has concerns about the specifics of the proposed Village Center, especially potential resulting building heights.
• Concern about jobs growth and growth of commercial/office buildings in the City under the proposed LUTE. Need for more housing than LUTE provides including homes for single people, micro-units, and seniors. Village centers could provide a good alternative housing option.
Comments from City Councilmembers:
City Council requested staff to define the areas for further focused discussion and return with another City Council study session.
Adjournment:
Vice Mayor Larsson adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.