Minutes 2001/04/09
77CR
Posting
Agenda
Roll Call
GPA 99-01
Special Meeting
April 9, 2001
Gilroy, California
The Mayor led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The City Clerk noted that the Agenda had been posted on April 4, 2001
at 4:23 p.m.
Present: Councilmembers: Guadalupe Arellano, Peter D. Arellano, Charles S.
Morales, Al Pinheiro, Anthony C. Sudol III, Roland Velasco, and Thomas W.
Springer - 7:01 p.m.
The Mayor noted a summary discussion of the General Plan Update. City of
Gilroy, applicant, GP A 99-01.
The City Administrator stated that staffwill give an update on any new
information. He noted the acknowledgements of the prior preliminary votes. He
stated Council will then look at any new requests that have been submitted since
April 10, 2000 and review traffic issues on the 664 acres.
Planning Division Manager Faus reviewed the General Plan Update process.
He noted the hydrology and traffic Special Studies reports involving 664 acres east
of the Outlets. He reviewed the new requests and information received in the last
two weeks.
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Pascal Violet, Keith Higgins & Associates, stated that currently the City of
Gilroy has a level of service (LOS) of C. He reviewed the LOS for specific
intersections both as the General Plan proposal is currently, which would lower
four intersections to LOS D, and if the 664 acres are included, which will lower an
additional three intersections to LOS D.
John Donahoe, RJA on behalf of Glen Lorna Group, noted land in the
northwest quad at Sunrise Drive and Rancho Hills Drive, that is proposed for
park/public facility designation. He noted the landowners and the City have been
working together to determine what a reasonable designation is for this site.
Susan Stansbury, Valley of Heart's Delight-Palo Alto, stated that she works to
raise people's awareness offood issues. She spoke in opposition to inclusion of
the 664 acres.
Suellen Rowlison stated that she concurs with the proposed General Plan
update as brought forward by the GPUc. She stated that she would prefer to see
the 664 acres remain as agriculture.
Joe Chase, 1111 Mariposa Street, commented on traffic congestion and
housing construction. He noted the four year General Plan update. He stated the
GPUC chose not to include the 664 acres into the General Plan, and set boundaries
for the industrial areas.
Autumn Bernstein, Greenbelt Alliance and also on behalf of the Gilroy
Farmland Protection Coalition, urged the Council to protect the agricultural
preserve. She requested rejection of the 664 acre inclusion.
Kay Filice, Denice & Filice Packing, requested inclusion of their 52 acre
property from Open Space to General Commercial/Industrial. She noted that this
property is in the 100 year flood plain, so the GPUC did not consider this property.
Ms. Filice noted that studies have been done on the hydrology on this property,
that traffic studies need to be done, but recommended that if the City Council does
not include this property at this time, they should seriously consider an amendment
to the General Plan after it has been adopted.
(At 7:48 p.m., Councilman Morales left the Council Chambers, and returned at
7:49 p.m.)
Pete Van Dyke, farmer in south county, noted the expenses for faIming. He
stated that it is unfeasible to farm in south county currently. He noted that it is
difficult to eke out a profit.
Carolyn Tognetti, 820 Carignane Drive, former member of the GPUC, noted
her opposition to inclusion of the 664 acres, although she is a property owner
within the 664 acreage. She noted the need for more housing if more industrial
economic development is approved. She noted the need for smart growth, not
sprawl, but rather building close to current development. She stated the proposed
General Plan has enough industrial acres, without the 664 acres.
David Collier, 1495 East Hillview Court, stated that he represented the
Planning Commission on the GPUc. He questioned whether Gilroy wants high
tech industrial jobs to come to Gilroy. He noted that Rancho 101 and the 664
acres east of the outlets are the two areas best suited for this use. He stated that
higher fees would be a deterrent for high tech businesses to come to Gilroy. He
stated the high cost of the acreage of the 664 acres makes this area highly unlikely
for development. He noted this is premature industrial development in prime
agricultural land. He stated the Rancho 101 land would be better suited to campus
industrial land. He noted that LAFCO would be more likely to approve the
Rancho 101 land.
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Bill Reimal, 7551 Kentwood Court, noted that he also served on the GPUC.
He noted the current proposed area for campus industrial is not viable. He
commented that farming is not viable. He stated the 664 acres may never be
developed, or it may take 10-15 years before it is developed. He noted that there
is currently nothing for industrial developers to look at for land purchase and
development.
(At 8:31 p.m. Councilman Sudol left the Council Chambers and returned at
8:33 p.m.)
(At 8:34 p.m. Councilman P. Arellano left the Council Chambers and returned
at 8:35 p.m.)
(At 8:35 p.m. Councilman Pinheiro left the Council Chambers and returned at
8:37 p.m.)
(At 8:38 p.m. Councilmember G. Arellano left the Council Chambers and
returned at 8:43 p.m.)
(At 8:44 p.m. Councilman Velasco left the Council Chambers and returned at
8:47 p.m.)
(At 8:50 p.m. Councilman Morales left the Council Chambers and returned at
8:52 p.m.)
Connie Rogers, member of the GPUC, noted an increase in demand for
agricultural land. She read a letter she wrote on behalf of Citizens for Balanced
Growth. She stated that the City has invested a lot of money in the General Plan
update, and has received advice from consultants.
Vic Vanni, 1520 Calabrese Way, distributed a Gilroy Revenue/Benefit Study
on the 664 acres if it were added to the General Plan and developed. He noted the
need in this area for future campus industrial land. He noted the current land
proposed for campus industrial is so split up in small acreage parcels that it would
be prohibitive to develop. He stated that the 664 acre area would be easier to
prepare a master plan for.
Conrad Lather, 780 La Alondra Way, reported on a meeting held on Saturday,
where he talked to Don Gage, and stated that Mr. Gage is opposed to the addition
ofthe 664 acres.
Ralph Santos, 1280 Old Bolsa Road, stated that preserving agricultural lands
needs to be included in the discussion for the General Plan update. He stated that
the ag producers were not really contacted or involved. He noted that at several
meetings, ag producers voiced their support of including the 664 acres into the
General Plan.
Gene Wells, 5465 Mesa Road, clarified that no one is suggesting mandatory
development of these properties. He noted the need to seek properties that are
available for development. He stated that something needs to be done to bring in
additional industrial land for development. He noted that the current proposed
campus industrial area will be virtually impossible to develop. He stated the
Council needs to determine what is in the best interest of the City. He questioned
what the vision of Gilroy is for the Council.
At 9: 13 p.m. the Mayor called for a short recess, after which he recalled the
meeting to order.
John San Filippo stated that it would not be impossible to develop small
industrial parcels. He questioned how the 664 acres got to move to the front of
the line, when he and others have been waiting 20+ years for the Buena Vista
Road area to develop.
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Cathy Monahan, representing her family's property and other's properties in
the 664 acreage, stated that there is strong and growing support to include the 664
acres into the City of Gilroy. She noted that the owner of Rancho 101 would like
his property to continue to be residential, and not changed to campus industrial.
She stated that this site should be included in the General Plan.
Lee Wieder stated that he also represents Joe McCarthy. He noted concerns
with fee increase costs. He explained that there is no time specified when this
property will be annexed into the City of Gilroy. He stated that it will take years
for annexation and development of this property.
Ruben De La Rosa gave his perception of Gilroy, having lived here all his life.
He stated that he is against adding the 664 acres, and he does not like what he sees
Gilroy becoming.
(At 9:44 p.m. Councilman Morales left the Council Chambers and returned at
9:45 p.m.)
Pat Matthews, GUSD, explained the request to change the General Plan
designation on approximately two acres along First Street on the Brownell
Academy property. She stated that this would save the District time and money,
by having this changed at this time.
All Councilmembers acknowledged their prior preliminary votes taken on
1-24-00, 1-31-00,3-13-00,3-27-00 and 4-10-00 with the exception of two
changes by Councilman P. Arellano that 1) under Location of Campus Industrial
land use [March 13,2000] changed his vote to keep the Campus Industrial
designation as proposed by the GPUC and PC and 2) under Rancho 101 land use
designation [March 13,2000] changed his vote to favor the area in its entirety as
Campus Industrial.
(At 10: 15 p.m. Councilman Morales left the Council Chambers and returned at
10: 17 p.m.)
(At 10:57 p.m. Councilman P. Arellano left the Council Chambers and returned
at 11:00 p.m.)
Motion was made by Councilman Sudol, seconded by Councilman Pinheiro
and carried (Councilmembers G. Arellano, P. Arellano, and Morales voting no) to
include the 664 acre proposal.
Motion was made by Councilman Pinheiro, seconded by Councilman Sudol
and carried (Councilmembers G. Arellano, P. Arellano, and Morales voting no) to
include the request of Denice & Filice Packing Co., with the condition that the
applicant pays for the hydrology study and the City will clarify the traffic capacity
of Bois a Road.
For the record, Councilmember G. Arellano stated that she voted no, because
she felt it was a detriment to have them go through this process with the City,
noting that it will take longer than if they applied on their own.
Motion was made by Councilman Pinheiro, seconded by Councilmember G.
Arellano and carried (Councilman P. Arellano voting no) to include the request of
Kenneth Machado, Jr.
Motion was made by Councilman Pinheiro, seconded by Councilmember G.
Arellano to include the request of the Gilroy Unified School District c/o Access
Land Development Services.
Motion was made by Councilman Morales, seconded by Councilmember G.
Arellano and the motion did not carry (Councilmembers Pinheiro, Sudol, Velasco
and Springer voting no) to retain the LOS at C.
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Adjournment
Motion was made by Councilman Sudol, seconded by Councilman Pinheiro
and carried (Councilmembers G. Arellano, P. Arellano, and Morales voting no) to
lower the LOS to D.
Motion was made by Councilman Pinheiro, seconded by Councilman Velasco
and carried (Councilmembers G. Arellano and Morales voting no) to require a
Specific Plan on the 664 acre area.
Motion was made by Councilman Sudol, seconded by Councilman Pinheiro
and carried (Councilmembers G. Arellano and P. Arellano voting no) to direct staff
to complete the environmental work and update the General Plan consistent with
the preliminary votes previously taken.
The Mayor noted the following meetings/events:
*Meeting will be televised on Channel 17
APRIL 2001
9 Study Session - Presentation by Competisys regarding Utility District - 5:30
p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
9*Special City Council Meeting on the General Plan Review - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy
City Council Chambers
10 SCRW A Meeting - 7:30 a.m., 1500 Southside Drive, Gilroy - CANCELLED
16 Closed Session - Labor Negotiations - 6:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council
Chambers
16*Regular City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
23 Study Session - RDO Small Builder Exemption Classification - 5:30 p.m.,
Gilroy City Council Chambers
23 City Council/Planning Commission Mini-Retreat "Vision of Gilroy" - 7:00
p.m., Gilroy Senior Center Meeting Room
24 SCRWA Meeting - 7:30 a.m., 1500 Southside Drive, Gilroy
30*Joint Workshop City Council/Planning Commission regarding RDO Process.
Growth Numbers and Affordable Housing Exemption Policy -7:00 p.m.,
Council Chambers
MAY 2001
3 Council Mini-Retreat re: Various Issues- 12:00 p.m., Temporary
Environmental Education Center (TEEC) building at the Ranch Site, Christmas
Hill Park, 7049 Miller Avenue, Gilroy, California
7 Study Session - High Density Housing Design Standards - 5:30 p.m., Gilroy
City Council Chambers
7*Regular City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
8 SCRW A Meeting - 7:30 a.m., 1500 Southside Drive, Gilroy
16*Study Session - Financial Plan - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
21 *Regular City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
22 SCRW A Meeting - 7:30 a.m., 1500 Southside Drive, Gilroy
29*Study Session - Financial Plan - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
JUNE 2001
4*Tentative Library Pre-Design Presentation - 5:30 p,m., Gilroy City Council
Chambers
4*Regular City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
12 SCRW A Meeting - 7:30 a.m., 1500 Southside Drive, Gilroy
18*Regular City Council Meeting - 7:00 p.m., Gilroy City Council Chambers
26 SCRWAMeeting -7:30 a.m., 1500 Southside Drive, Gilroy
27 Quarterly Workshop with the Gilroy Unified School Board -7:00 p.m.,
Temporary Environmental Education Center (TEEC) building at the Ranch
Site, Christmas Hill Park, 7049 Miller Avenue, Gilroy, California
At 11:21 p.m. the Mayor adjourned the meeting.