Minutes 75-06-30MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
June 30, 1975
The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council
was called to order at 7:35 p.m. on Monday, June 30, 1975
in the Cypress City Council Chambers~ 5275 Orange Avenue,
Cypress, California, Mayor Alice Frankiewich presiding.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Harvey, Lacayo and Frankiewich
Councilmen Kanel and Sonju
Also present were City Manager/City Clerk Darrell Essex
and the following City Staff Members: Hawley, Osborn and
Schatzeder.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Councilman Lacayo led the pledge to
the flag.
CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATION OF $2500 FOR TAX COLLECTOR'S
SALE ~1188: The City Manager presented a report dated June
50 which requested that a $2500 appropriation be made by
the City Council to purchase a parcel of property adjacent
to the Civic Center site which is available for sale because
of delinquent payment of taxes. The City Council authorized
this purchase on April 14, 1975.
It was moved by Councilman Harvey and seconded by Councilman
Lacayo to approve an appropriation of $2500 for the purchase
of property identified as Tax Collector's Sale #1188o The
motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote.~
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
3 COUNCIL~N:
0 COUNCILMEN:
2 COUNCII~IEN:
Harvey, Lacayo and Frankiewic}
None
Kanel and Sonju
COUNCILWOMAN SONJU ARRIVED AT 7:40 P.M.
At the City Manager's request, it was moved by Councilman
Lacayo, seconded by Councilman Harvey and unanimously carried
to place on the agenda a matter regarding thoroughbred racing
at the Los Alamitos Race Track.
The City Manager reported that the City had received a request
to support 14 days of thoroughbred racing at the Los Alamitos
Race Track in conjunction with the Orange County Fair. He
stated the City would benefit by receiving additional
admissions tax from this event and that the Cities of
Westminster, Seal Beach, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos and
others had supported this request.
It was moved by Councilman Lacayo and seconded by Councilman
Harvey to direct a letter to the California State Racing
Commission supporting an additional 14 days of thoroughbred
racing at Los Alamitos Race Track in conjunction with the
Orange County Fair. The motion was unanimously carried by
the following roll call vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCILMEN: Itarvey, Lacayo,
Frankiewich
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEN: None
ABSENT: 1 COIR~CILMEN: Kanel
Sonju and
City Council Minutes
-2-
June 30, 1975
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Mayor Frankiewich inquired if anyone
wished to address the Council in regard to any matter not
on the agenda. There was no one wishing to speak.
CONSIDERATION OF PUBLIC HEARING RE: PROPOSED AIRPORT LAND
USE ENVIRONS PLAN: The City Manager advised that this
meeting was not a required public hearing but that it
was an informal hearing requested by the City Council
in order to hear public testimony on the airport environs
land use plan for Los Alamitos Naval Air Station. He
stated this matter would be the subject of a public hearing
on July 17 before the Orange County Airport Land Use Com-
mission. The City Manager reviewed the background actions
by the Airport Land Use Commission and City Council leading
to the consideration by the Commission of an environs
plan for Los Alamitos Air Station based on the 1963 level
of activities at the station.
The City Manager reported that the staff and Council members
had visited legislative representatives and Defense Depart-
ment officials in Washington to determine the future status
of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station. He reported that the
official written response from the Deputy Assistant Secretary
of Defense for Installations and Housing confirmed what the
City had learned during the visit that none of the military
services associated with the Armed Forces Reserve Center
at Los Alamitos had any immediate or long-range plans
which would cause an increase in air activities° The Defense
Department also indicated that an airport installation
compatible use zone study, estimated to be completed in
early 1976, would evaluate how much land under the control
of the Defense Department at Los Alamitos Air Station will
be required to be retained. The City Manager indicated
this information will be transmitted to the Airport Land
Use Commission.
The Planning Director made a visual presentation showing
the noise and crash hazard contours based on the 1963 and
1973 level of operations at the Air Station. He outlined
the areas impacted by both plans. The Planning Director
reported that the 1973 noise and crash contours were based
on a 1973 study prepared by the U.S. Army Department of
Mental Hygiene for reactivation of the Air Station as an Armed
Forces Reserve Center and that these contours were recom-
mended to the Airport Land Use Commission by their staff.
He stated the Commission rejected these contours and decided
to consider an environs plan based on the 1963 level of
operations. The Planning Director indicated that a majority
of the undeveloped property in the southern portion of the
City was located within zone B-1 which is a considerable
crash hazard, high noise impact zone according to the 1963
contours. Zone B is defined as a zone indicating potential
loss of life and property due to aircraft accidents as
sufficient to require density and intensity use restrictions.
In this zone he reported the Airport Land Use Commission
finds unacceptable any land use where lot coverage exceeds
50% and where more than 25 persons are placed for long
periods in an area or structure capable of being demolished
by the crash impact of aircraft° He reported that the
City's standards for commercial and industrial zones
place no limitations on the amount of lot coverage which
may be permitted. The Planning Director presented a chart
showing various land use categories and their relationship
to the crash and noise impact zones. He reported that some
uses are permitted in the crash and noise impact zones
City Council Minutes
-3- June 30, 1975
subject to conditions but that the Airport Land Use Commission
does not specify what these conditions are and the City staff
is unable to determine their impact on the development of
commercial or industrial uses.
Mayor Frankiewich asked if anyone wished to present
testimony in regard to this matter.
Mr. Joe Hardcastle, 4588 Blanca Drive, Cypress, objected
to the term "extreme" being associated with adoption of
the environs plan and he did not feel the plan would be
as extreme as it sounds. He did not feel adoption of the
guidelines would be extreme or would place an absolute
prohibition on construction in the impacted area since
the Airport Land Use Commission's ruling on any proposed
development can be overridden by a 4/5 vote of the City
Council.
Mrs. Meredith Slick, 9637 Kathleen Drive, Cypress~ stated
Cerritos Elementary and Apollo Jro High School were located
in Zone B and she asked what would happen to these schools
if the plan is adopted.
Miss Deanna Walsh, 5521 Cerritos~ Cypress, stated she
strongly opposed going back to the 1963 plan and that she
could not see the necessity of it. Under the 1963 plan she
felt there was a chance the Harvey property owners could
claim to be suffering under adverse condemnation and if
they win in court the Defense Department would purchase
their property and could expand the runway and accommodate
larger jet aircraft. She felt with ~doption of the 1973
plan the City would have a chance to develop the Harvey
property.
Mrs. Maureen DeMarco, 11622 Palawan Street~ Cypress, PTA
President at Patton Elementary School and also representing
Hettinga School, stated the area impacted by the plans has
changed a lot since 1963 and the residential development
has added a tremendous number of school children. She felt
the schools' location in the high noise level area would
disrupt the learning process.
Mr. William Pryor, 6663 Teakwood Street, Cypress~ stated he
felt the Airport Land Use Commission could be influenced
by a demonstration of broad-based support for the 1973 plan
as opposed to the 1963 plan and he recommended that there
be a show of hands to determine how many of those present
support the 1973 plan and that this be transmitted to the
Airport Land Use Commission.
Mr. Richard Jones~ 9842 Via Sonoma, Cypress~ felt the use
of the Harvey property is influenced by this airport question.
He stated the Orange County and Los Angeles Airports existed
before the residential area developed around them and he
felt the complaints were from homeowners and not industrial
interests. He stated increased expenses for City services
~uld result from residential and not industrial development.
Mr. Dale Pelican, 11422 Anegad~ Street, Cypress, asked
who was responsible for considering the 1963 plan, the
proposal for a joint commercial/military use of the Air
Station~ or the proposal for an expanded operation. He
asked what type of aircraft might be flown if operations
are expanded.
City Council Minutes
-4- June 30, 1975
Councilman Harvey indicated that the Board of Supervisors
had initiated the study of the joint use of airports and
their motivation was to relieve congestion at the Orange
County Airport which is reported to be the second most
active airport in the country. He indicated that a change
in operations at Los Alamitos would require that public
hearings be held to determine the impact of the proposed
activity on the existing environment by the responsible
parties which include the Navy, Army Reserve, Defense
Department and U.S. Congress.
Mrs. Daryle Ellwart, Manager, Cypress Chamber of Commerce,
read a letter from the Chamber Board of Directors which
indicated their action at the June 19 Board meeting was
to oppose the adoption of the 1963 airport environs plan
and any other action by the Airport Land Use Commission
which might prohibit or curtail the commercial or industrial
development of property adjacent to the Los Alamitos Naval
Air Station.
Mrs. Barbara McGruder, 10471 Sande Street, Cypress, felt
the noise problem at present from traffic on Cerritos and
the Los Alamitos Race Track is greater than the noise from
aircraft in 1963. She stated she has lived at this location
for 15 years.
Mrs. Sharon Pritchett, 5776 Stratmore Avenue, Cypress,
past Chairman of the Concerned Citizens' Committee to
Protect Community Welfare and the Environment in 1970,
stated she opposed the 1963 plan. She felt people would
respond en masse as they did five years ago to increased
air activities at Los Alamitos.
Mr. Joe Hardcastle, 4588 Blanca Drive, Cypress, felt there
was a misunderstanding of the subject under discussion which
related to the extent of influence of the Airport Land Use
Commission and not expansion of the Air Station. He stated
he favored the 1963 plan which was a protective plan for
persons living under airport noise. Mr. Hardcastle felt
the City should have the opinion of the Airport Land Use
Commission prior to any development of the vacant land in
the City.
At this time Mayor Frankiewich asked for a show of hands
of those persons favoring the 1963 plan and those favoring
adoption of the 1973 plan. There were approximately 25
persons who supported the 1963 plan and 76 persons who
supported the 1973 plan. The City Manager announced the
address of the Airport Land Use Commission for those who
wished to write which is 4011 West Commonwealth, Fullerton,
California, 92633.
Commander Mel Blixt of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station,
stated the Air Station supports the 1963 plan. He stated
that although there is no major activity for the Air Station
planned at this time it would be premature to state there
will be a restriction on the level of activity since the
8000 foot runway can handle any type of aircraft. He felt
this was the reason for the Airport Land Use Commission con-
sidering the 1963 plan. Captain Blixt stated the present
impact statement does not restrict any type of aircraft
except afterburner aircraft and the Defense Department
has not restricted any type of aircraft on an interim basis.
He stated that although the Defense Department does not
consider the Air Station a major facility he feels it is.
City Council Minutes
-5- June 30, 1975
Captain Blixt read a letter from the Department of the Navy
to Congressman Patterson dated June 12 which stated that
Los Alamitos Naval Air Station is still a major aviation
facility and that consideration of the lease or purchase
of land adjacent to the Air Station is being held in
abeyance pending completion of the Air Installation Compat-
ible Use Zone Study being conducted by the Department of
the Army. Captain Blixt felt it would be premature to
adopt anything less than the 1963 plan before the comple-
tion of the AICUZ Study which Study ~igh~ reduce the area
o£ compatible land.
Councilman Lacayo questioned why the Air Station wished to
acquire or trade the 93 acres at the end of the runway,
which would be taken off the City's tax rolls, without
the City's knowledge and he felt the 1973 plan would be
safer than the 1963 plan since it would indicate that no
further air activities are planned for the-base. Captain
Blixt indicated the Station's willingness to enter another
99 year lease for the property.
Mrs. Christine Luster, 6319 Dominica, Cypress, stated she
opposed the 1963 plan and had opposed the plan at the Airport
Land Use Commission meetings. She felt the plan would be
detrimental to the City of Cypress and would be an invi-
tation to the base to do whatever they want including
expanding activities.
Mr. E. Dilley, 5132 Canterbury Drive, Cypress, read from
the Administrative Coordinating Team's development plan
for the Harvey property which he felt indicated the staff's
concern about development around the Air Station. The
staff advised him that this study was based on the 1973
UoS. Army environmental hygiene study.
Mr. Henry Roberts, Tonga Circle, Cypress, stated he appre-
ciated that the Council is faced with conflicting interests
of supporting the military and protecting its residents.
Mr. Howard Rowen, 5831 Shirl Street, Cypress, felt the
residents are fighting an agency which was established
under law for their protection. He stated the members
of the Airport Land Use Commission are not laymen since
two are airport managers and two are ex-military aviators.
Mr. Rowen read from Assembly Bill 1856 which outlined
the need for the establishment of Airport Land Use
Commissions, the composition of the commissions, and
their powers and duties which are advisory only. He
reported that the duties of Airport Land Use Commissions
are to make recommendations for the use of land surrounding
airports, to assure the safety of air navigation and
promotion of air commerce, to study and make recommendations
on the need for height restrictions on buildings near
airports, to hold public hearings on these matters and
make findings that are advisory only to the involved
jurisdictions, and to formulate a comprehensive land
use plan that provides for the orderly growth of an airport
and surrounding areas and which includes a long range
master plan that reflects the anticipated growth of the
airport during the next 20 years. Mr. Rowen stated the
powers of the commissions do not give the commissions
jurisdiction over the operation of an airport and the
plan under consideration this evening would not give
the Airport Land Use Commission jurisdiction over a
military airport. Mr. Rowen also read from the Public
Utilities Code which placed military airfields under the
jurisdiction of Airport Land Use Commissions. Mr. Rowen
City Council Minutes
-6- June 30, 1975
reported that the Los Alamitos Air Station has an area of
influence which is far in excess of the plans under con-
sideration this evening and which extends from the west
County boundary north to Orange, east to Beach Boulevard,
south to Chapman, and westerly to the ocean. Mr. Rowen
read a letter dated June 4 from the Anaheim City Council
which supported the environs plan for Los Alamitos based
on the 1963 level of operations and recommended that an
environmental impact report be prepared to reflect the
potential level of operations and that the planning area
be expanded beyond the 60 CNEL level because of the adverse
noise impact. Mr. Rowen pointed out that there was jet
activity in 1952, 1954 and 1963 and that the development
of the Larwin Tempo homes in 1969 and the rezoning of a
portion of the Harvey property and development of the
College Park homes came later along with homeowners'
complaints about aircraft activity. Mr~ Rowen felt it
was the responsibility of the Airport Land Use Commission
to review proposed land uses around the airport and deter-
mine safety and noise guidelines and he supported the 1963
plan. He felt it was more practical to plan for what can
occur and not have it happen than to not plan for something
and have it happen.
Councilwoman Sonju felt an overwhelming majority of
persons present at the meeting supported the 1973 plan
and she felt the Council had sufficient input to transmit
to the Airport Land Use Commission° She felt the community
survey supported this action since it indicated 70% of
Cypress residents were opposed to expanded activities at
Los Alamitos Air Station.
Councilman Harvey indicated that when the City rezoned a
portion of the ttarvey property which was an exchange of
zoning for industrial property to the south it resulted in
removing the residentially zoned land from an important
air impact zone and in the City gaining 50 acres of
industrial property. He reported that under the original
Master Plan for the City, the area which has existing
single-family homes was zoned and approved for high density
apartments which plan was not opposed by Navy base officials.
Councilman Harvey stated the members of the Airport Land
Use Commission were not elected by Cypress residents
and were not accountable to them but the Cypress City
Council was accountable which is why it was taking
public testimony in order to represent the citizens.
It was moved by Councilwoman Sonju and seconded by Council-
man Laeayo that the City Council advise the Airport Land
Use Commission that it has held a public hearing on the
proposed 1963 environs plan and that the persons attending
the meeting were overwhelmingly in favor of adopting the
1973 environs plan and also indicate that the community
survey found 70% of Cypress residents opposed to an expan-
sion of the Los Alamitos Naval Air Base. The motion was
unanimously carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCILMEN: Harvey, Lacayo,
and Frankiewich
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEN: None
ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEN: Kanel
Sonju
City Council Minutes
-7- June 30, 1975
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Frankiewich adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
ATYE ST:
CITT~LERF/"OF THE/CITY OF CYPRESS