Minutes 86-04-2184
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
April 21, 1986
The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m.
on Monday, April 21, 1986, in the Administrative Conference Room of the Cypress City Hall,
5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California, by Mayor Otto Lacayo.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Coronado, Kanel, Mullen, Partin & Lacayo
ABSENT: None
Also present were City Manager /City Clerk Darrell Essex, City Attorney Mark Huebsch, and
staff members Beardsley, Eynon, Hurst and Jones.
Mr. Essex reported that the City was notified of a new Channel 4 News public service
program aimed at recognizing the accomplishments of local community volunteers
throughout southern California. Channel 4 was looking for volunteers who have contributed
to the community without getting a lot of recognition for it, and they would be filming the
residents during May.
The Council decided to submit names for consideration at the April 28 meeting.
Mr. Essex advised the Council of the New Mayors and Councilmembers Conference sponsored
by the League to be held May 14 - 16 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel, and he asked if
any Councilmembers wished to attend.
The Council agreed to consider this item later on the agenda.
WORKSHOP RE: DEVELOPMENT OF LOS ALAMITOS RACE TRACK PROPERTY: Mr.
Essex stated the purpose of the workshop was to discuss major issues relating to development
of the Race Track property. The following representatives of Hollywood Park were present
along with members of their planning, financial and traffic consultants: Marge Everett,
owner, and attorneys Noel Hatch and Neal Papiano.
Vern Jones, Senior Planner, stated development of the property will involve three major
documents: the final EIR, Specific Plan, and Fiscal Impact Analysis as well as adoption of
ordinances and resolutions for a General Plan amendment and zone change. He reported the
45 -day review period on the draft EIR expired April 17 and the consultants are evaluating the
comments received from the various affected agencies and surrounding cities and will
incorporate them in the final EIR. Following staff's review, the Final EIR should be
presented to the Council in late May or early June. Mr. Jones reported that staff was in the
process of updating the General Plan and it should be completed by late June or early July.
Mr. Hatch described development plans for the entire Race Track property. He pointed out
areas which could be retained for overflow parking and reported that 18,000 Race Track
patrons could be accommodated.
Mrs. Everett stated the company is looking for ways to produce more income and plans to sell
the property to finance major improvements they plan for the track. She stated they want to
attract more patrons and provide a first class racing operation. Mrs. Everett reported that
an architect is developing plans for a new mini - pavilion and the plans should be presented to
the Council by July.
Mr. Hatch reported that the Lincoln Properties proposal in the northwest area was dead. He
stated they wish to leave the southeast corner of the property for a later phase. He reported
there is interest for a hotel at the northwest corner of Walker /Katella. North of this they
propose a business park similar to what is across Walker Street but upgraded. At the
southwest corner of the property he reported a developer is interested in a corporate user
concept.
Mr. Essex reported that staff felt the southwest corner area at Lexington /Katella, which
contains the golf course /country club, should be retained for a later phase, and it could be
developed similar to the Cypress Land property.
Mr. Hatch reported that there were offers for retail commercial use at $8 and $10 /square
foot. The owners felt these were unacceptable figures and Mr. Hatch stated they suggested
to staff that a requirement for commercial use not be included in the Specific Plan. Mr.
Hatch reported there was a proposal for a discount development center, similar to Gemco
and Fedco, in the area near Lexington /Katella.
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City Council Minutes April 21, 1986
Mr. Papiano stated that if the land becomes commercially valuable the stables could be
relocated. Mr. Essex stated the stables are another concern and staff feels they should
remain in the plan. Mrs. Everett stated they want to maximize racing, not interfere with
parking, and save the most valuable property at Walker /Katella for a later phase to maximize
development. She stated they don't want development to interfere with the racing. Mr.
Papiano stated the stables do not need to be at the Race Track and the horses can be vanned
in for races. Mr. Essex reported they plan to reduce the stables from 1400 to 700. He
suggested that before any stables are removed they submit an alternative plan for the stables
with letters of support from the horsemen who use them. Mrs. Everett stated they would like
to proceed with the new grandstand within the year and any relocation of the stables is far
down the road and would be done after the grandstand improvements. Mr. Papiano stated
they would submit an alternative plan for the stables along with the horsemen's agreement.
Mrs. Everett stated they hoped to break ground for the mini - pavilion within the year. The
grandstand would remain but the old clubhouse and restaurant would be eliminated.
Mr. Essex reported that staff was concerned over parking and recommended that the Specific
Plan include a minimum guarantee. Mr. Papiano stated the two parking areas adjacent to the
Katella entrance will be maintained and areas on the perimeter of the track can be used for
overflow parking. Mr. Hatch suggested that a minimum of 7,500 parking spaces be
designated in the plan which would accommodate 17,000 patrons.
Mr. Essex reported that staff was contacted by a developer who felt the Lexington /Katella
corner was an ideal commercial location and was interested in a discount type store to
attract the Seal. Beach /Los Alamitos /Rossmore market. The City Attorney pointed out
alternatives the City could use to facilitate commercial development including assisting with
public improvements, contributing toward construction, or establishing an assessment
district. Mr. Hatch indicated he could meet with the City Attorney to explore these
alternatives.
Mr. Hatch asked if retail commercial would be exempt from the TSM formula charge. Mr.
Essex stated that retail commercial and hotels would be exempt from the traffic mitigation
formula fee.
The Planning Director reported that the Airport Land Use Commission considered the
Specific Plan last week and had concerns regarding the hotel location and land uses proposed
for different areas. The item was taken off the agenda but the Commission indicated they
would approve the plan at their meeting next month.
Staff reported they had concerns about the proposal to reduce the size of parking stalls and
what impact this would have on traffic in the area. They reported the TSM study is not
complete and they cannot make a recommendation until they have an idea whether the
business park can handle the additional stalls created by the reduced size. Staff reported
that the City's traffic consultant should complete his study of this matter by the end of
April. Mrs. Eynon recommended that the proposal be investigated as part of the TSM study
instead of making a decision now. She stated staff would request the consultant to study how
reducing the stall size would impact traffic and submit a report within a month.
Mrs. Everett reported that they anticipate having preliminary drawings for the clubhouse by
July or August and groundbreaking could be 9 to 12 months later. In regard to closing the
golf course, Mr. Hatch stated if there is no development interest this year, the northerly nine
holes could remain open. If the deal for the southerly portion of the golf course is firm, the
developer could begin by the end of the year.
Mr. Hatch asked if the proposal for the Residence Inn would be a problem for the City. Mr.
Essex indicated that staff was concerned and had scheduled a meeting with the applicant this
week.
Councilman Partin stated he had hoped that the golf course property would be developed in a
later phase and he felt the City would receive a lot of criticism with its removal. Mrs.
Everett felt the community should be advised of the plans to revamp the Track and she felt
the plans would be well received.
RECESS: The Mayor called a recess at 8:55 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:03 p.m. with
all Councilmembers present.
The Mayor added an item to the agenda regarding the New Mayors and Councilmembers
Conference.
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City Council Minutes April 21, 1986
It was moved by Councilman Mullen and seconded by Councilman Coronado to authorize any
Councilmember and the City Manager to attend the New Mayors and Councilmembers
Conference to be held in San Francisco May 14 - 16 and that they be reimbursed for all
actual and necessary expenses incurred. The motion unanimously carried by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Coronado, Kanel, Mullen, Partin & Lacayo
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Mr. Essex stated Cypress College planned a 20th anniversary celebration publication and he
reported on the rates for ads.
It was moved by Councilman Mullen, seconded by Councilman Partin and unanimously carried
to add this item to the agenda and approve an expenditure of $150 for a full -page ad in the
Cypress College publication. There are sufficient funds available in the 1985 -86 budget for
this expenditure.
Mr. Essex advised the Council that there is a strong effort by residents in the County island
area to annex the entire area to Cypress. He stated staff is assisting by providing
information to the residents and will begin negotiations with Supervisor Wieder soon.
Mr. Essex also reported that staff had contacted the owners and tenants of Lincoln Center
Mobilehome Park and both sides had agreed to use a Dispute Resolution Center in Orange.
He stated staff will present a report at the next Council meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Mayor Lacayo called an Executive Session to discuss litigation
matters at 9:15 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 9:45 p.m. with all
Councilmembers present.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
ATTEST:
/1 /
t
CITY CLE
OF THF/CITY OF CYPRESS
Y OF CYPRESS