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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/02/2003 Regular Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER 2, 2003 PLACE AND DATE Marana Town Hall, December 2, 2003 I. CALL TO ORDER By Mayor Sutton at 7:00 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Led by Mayor Sutton III. INVOCATION/MOMENT OF SILENCE A moment of silence was observed. IV. ROLL CALL COUNCIL Bobby Sutton, Jr. Mayor Present Herb Kai Vice Mayor Present Jim Blake Council Member Present Patti Comerford Council Member Present Tim Escobedo Council Member Present Ed Honea Council Member Present Carol McGorray Council Member Present STAFF Michael Reuwsaat Town Manager Present Jaret Barr Assistant to the Town Manager Present Frank Cassidy Town Attorney Present Jocelyn Bronson Town Clerk Present Jim DeGrood Development Services Administrator Present Attached is a list of public attendees. V. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member Honea, the agenda was unanimously approved. VI. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Minutes of the November 18, 2003 Council Meeting will be in the December 16~ packet for approval. MINUTESOF REGULAK COUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER 2, 2003 VII. CALL TO THE PUBLIC/ANNOUNCEMENTS Ed Stolmaker, Executive Director of the Marana Chamber of Commerce, invited the Council, Town staff and public to a holiday party being jointly hosted by the Chamber and the Marana Arts Council. He said that the party, to be held at the Lazy K Bar Ranch Resort on December 11~ from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., will feature an exhibition of local artists and that a raffle ticket would be given to everyone bringing non-perishable food donations for the Marana Food Bank. He said the cost was $12 per person and included hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer. Scott Simonsen, Arizona Daily Star reporter, addressed the Council regarding his upcoming departure from the local beat. He introduced Sarah Mauet who would be his replacement. Mayor Sutton announced that Congressman Jim Kolbe would be visiting Marana on Wednesday, December 17~. A tentative agenda for the Congressman was distributed to the Council. This document has been made a permanent part of the record. VIII. STAFF REPORTS There were no questions regarding the staff reports. IX. GENERAL ORDER OF BUSINESS A. CONSENT AGENDA 1. Resolution No. 2003-147: Releasing the Assurance Agreement for Continental Reserve Block 12, Trust No. 757, for Lots 1-71, and Common Areas "B", "D" and "E", and Acceptance of Public Improvements for Maintenance (Farhad Moghimi) 2. Resolution No. 2003-148: Releasing the Assurance Agreement for Continental Reserve Block 14, Trust No. 758, for Lots 1-82, and Common Areas "B", "D" and "E", and Acceptance of Public Improvements for Maintenance (Farhad Moghimi) 3. Resolution No. 2003-156: Application for Liquor License: New License for a Limited Liability Company: Consideration of recommendation to State -_ Liquor Board for a No.10 (Beer and Wine store) liquor license application submitted by Robert Duane Mahlstede, on behalf of Catalina Mart, located at 4202 W. Ina Road (Jocelyn Bronson) 2 MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER 2, 2003 4. Resolution No. 2003-157: Intergovernmental Agreement with Pima County for the provision of Transit Services (Jim DeGrood) 5. Resolution No. 2003-158: Resolution authorizing execution of a purchase agreement to acquire portions of Tax Parcel No. 219-36-006B for the construction of roadway improvements at and near the intersection of Tangerine and Thornydale Roads (Frank Cassidy) 6. Discussion/Direction: Reclassification of Police Records Supervisor (Jane Howell) Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member McGorray, the consent agenda was unanimously approved. B. COUNCIL ACTION 1. Resolution No. 2003-160: 2003 holiday employee/family appreciation event (Jane Howell) ~` Mr. Reuwsaat presented this item before the Council. He remarked that, due to budget constraints earlier in the year, a general pay increase normally granted by Mayor and Council was not given to Town employees. He said that he was proud of the employees who continued to be positive and professional in their provision of public services in spite of the lack of the annual pay increase. The Town Manager asked that the Council agree to give a special one-time employee/family appreciation event of additional holidays on Friday, December 26~ and Friday, January 2nd, so that the Towri s employees could spend more time with their families over the holiday season. Mayor Sutton thanked Mr. Reuwsaat for bringing this opportunity to the Council's attention. He said that it was a perfect way to demonstrate the Towri s commitment to families by giving the employees the two Fridays following Christmas Day and New Year's Day off from work. The Mayor commented that a four day weekend was a perfect show of appreciation. Upon motion by Vice Mayor Kai, seconded by Council Member McGorray, Resolution No. 2003-160 was unanimously approved. Mr. Reuwsaat credited Jane Howell, Human Resources Director, with the idea of asking for the two extra days off during the holidays. 3 MINUTES OF REGULAR CQUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER 2, 2003 2. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance No. 2003.27 and Resolution No. 2003-154: Proposed amendment to the Land Development Code of the Town of Marana, by adding Title 24 -Overlay District Regulations and adding Section 24.01 Silverbell Road Corridor Overlay District Regulations and adding Section 24.01 Silverbell Road Corridor Overlay District, establishing standards for structures, landscaping and other improvements on property within the Silverbell Road corridor which promote high quality, innovative site design and safe and efficient land usage and declaring Title 24 and Section 24.01 a public record (Joel Shapiro) Mayor Sutton opened and closed the public hearing as no speakers either pro or con came forward. The Mayor said that this item would be tabled until the December 16~ regular Council meeting in order to add further detailed verbiage to the proposed Council actions. Mr. Cassidy said that it was not necessary to re-advertise this item publicly as long as the item was continued to a date certain. Upon motion by Mayor Sutton, seconded by Council Member Blake, the continuance of Ordinance No. 2003.28 and Resolution No. 2003-155 and the continuance of the public hearing associated with the ordinance and resolution until the December 16, 2003 regular Council meeting was unanimously approved. 3. PUBLIC HEARING: Ordinance No. 2003.28 and Resolution No. 2003-155: Proposed amendment to the Land Development Code of the Town of Marana, amending Title 8 -General Design Regulations, by adding provisions for Residential Design requirements for single-family detached housing and declaring Title 8 and Section 08.06 a public record (Joel Shapiro) Mr. DeGrood presented this item before the Council. He briefly outlined the proposed Land Development Code amendments which added provisions for residential design requirements. He said that, due to a considerable amount of concern expressed about the design standards of the residential products currently being offered within the community; six new conditions were being proposed. Mr. DeGrood listed the conditions and pointed out that the amended Code permitted developers and builders ..~ to approach the Council with exemplary products that might merit additional consideration and/or deviation from the standard requirements. 4 MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCIL 1VlEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER 2, 2003 He emphasized that exceptions to the rule would be brought before the Mayor and Council for consideration. Mayor Sutton opened and closed the public hearing as there were no speakers from the public to come forward. Council Member Honea commented that he appreciated Town staff doing the necessary research and that the Town was going to have to make an effort to control product design. He said that there were two additional items that he wanted added to the proposed regulations. He explained that the first was a limit of no more than 50% two-story homes would be allowed in any subdivision. The Council member expounded on his reasoning for the restriction by pointing out that several subdivisions he had observed in the Tucson area were not attractive because of too many two-story homes in the development. He said that the second condition he wanted added was that a second story be no more than 50% of the living space of the first floor. He said that this would require developers to build a nicer two-story home with angles and design as opposed to flat walls with a box on box appearance. He said that there was room for negotiation on the eighth condition if a builder had an innovative design but that by setting preliminary guidelines the Town would accomplish the quality projects it was seeking. He concluded by saying that, at the least, the developer would have to appear before Council to request any exception for an altered design. Council Member Escobedo inquired about the current height restrictions and standard setbacks. Mr. DeGrood replied that the height restriction was 25 feet with allowable increases in exchange for increased side yard setbacks. He added that the back yard setback was at 20 feet with flexibility to reduce the rear yard setback in exchange for an increase in the front yard setback. He said that there was some flexibility in the Code allowing it to reduce down to 16 feet in front and back and a height maximum of 27 feet only in exchange for additional side yard width. Mr. Reuwsaat commented that the two conditions Council Member Honea suggested were subject to the Council's approval so that any variation would have to be brought back before the Council. He said that contract and design negotiations for a request for proposal (RFP) were ongoing that would address the residential design criteria as well as the commercial design criteria. He declared that these guidelines were interim steps and 5 MINUTES OF REGI~LAR COUNCIL MEFTiNG MARANA TOWN HALL. DECEMBER 2, 20Q3 would give the Council, the Town staff, the building community and the development community the ability to go through the design process to arrive at the product everyone wanted to see within Marana. He related that there was a lot of pressure on the Town with the enormous desire for development and that it was critical to put in place a set of standards that formed the type of product that could be built in Marana. He communicated that a full set of recommendations for residential and commercial design review was one of the Town staff's highest priorities. Council Member Comerford inquired on the estimated timeframe on the completion of the review. Mr. DeGrood answered that he estimated the process to be complete within the month with the goal to bring something before the Planning & Zoning Commission within three months. A discussion followed focusing on a variety of scenarios involving two- story homes and Planning Commissioner David Parker commented on exceptions to the rule that had been granted his family when building a two-story home. Mr. Parker emphasized that if the exceptions had not been -~~ made then he would not have moved to this community. He emphasized that sometimes placement was more important than the height of the residence and many times landscaping or orientation of the house can mitigate those issues. He continued by stating that he served on the Continental Reserve Architectural Design Committee and, in relation to Council Member Honea's remarks about 50% massing of the second story over the first story of a residence, he could testify that many homeowners want a second story with vaulted ceilings simply for the open spaciousness and not for the living space. Mr. Parker suggested that the visual quality issues could be addressed easily by paying attention to lot placement, landscaping, window placement, and roof style. He added that builder incentives might also be something to consider. Mayor Sutton pointed out that everyone was trying to reach the same results: visually attractive developments combined with practical, functional products for the homebuyer. He said that the Town was trying to be flexible while still keeping the design at the top quality level. Mr. Reuwsaat suggested that this item be continued to a later date in order to add interim language dealing with these issues and, most importantly, to put together the design review criteria. He also suggested forming a design review board. 6 MINUTES OF REGULAR. COUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER2, 2003 Mayor Sutton agreed, saying that a design review board was the only way the Council could see everything as it fit within a proposed development. Mr. DeGrood said that he would come back before Council with a review of residential product that was currently being offered, showing the elevations as well as the percentages so that the Council could get an idea of what the builders are producing in Marana. He said that he would like to involve the builders in the discussions as well. Mr. Cassidy suggested that the public hearing be continued as well in order to allow for public comment. It was decided that the January 20~ regular Council meeting would be the appropriate date. Upon motion by Mayor Sutton, seconded by Council Member Honea, authorization to continue the public hearing and the consideration of Ordinance No. 2003.28 and Resolution No. 2003-155 until the January 20, 2004 regular Council meeting was unanimously approved. n=- Council Member Blake requested that the Town staff remember that they were trying to avoid some of the visual things currently going on in the County and surrounding area, such as the box on box appearance, houses jammed together with no spaciousness. He emphasized that this type of development was not the right kind of look the Town wanted. Mr. Reuwsaat commented on the significant effort associated with the preparations of the Silverbell Corridor. He thanked the Council for their direction and support throughout the process. 4. Discussion/Direction: Request for approval of the restructuring of Development Services and corresponding consulting services (Mike Reuwsaat) Mr. Reuwsaat presented this item before Council. He gave an overview of the proposed restructuring, which included the tremendous growth in the Marana area and increasing pressure for planning and construction services. He explained that the recommendation was for the consolidation of the development subdivision coordination services under a deputy director of development services who would be responsible for subdivision coordination. He said that planning services, building services, and subdivision engineering would be brought in-house and placed under one person with skills and technical expertise to provide better services than were currently offered by the outside consulting firms. 7 MINUTES OF REGULAR COUNCILMEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER`2, 2003' He said that this restructuring would give the Town control over the development process, thus increasing the quality and consistency of service. Mayor Sutton commented that Marana had the highest impact fees in the County and, perhaps in the State, but that it was not hard for him to defend those fees because of the superior product the Town was demanding. He said that the current service level wasri t meeting the level of the fees and this was not meeting the Town's commitment to the community. He predicted immediate positive results coming out of the restructuring. Upon motion by Council Member Honea, seconded by Council Member Blake, unanimous approval of the recommended restructuring of Development Services and unanimous approval of the consulting contracts with Dan Sullivan and Dick Bowers was given. 5. Discussion/Direction: Staffing Recommendations for reorganization of Development Services, re-assignment of G.I.S. Division to Development .~.~ Services and Establishment of N.LT. Department, with Tony Cassella reclassified from M.I.T. Manager to N.I.T. Director (Jane Howell) Mr. Reuwsaat said that this item was the staffing recommendations necessary to make the service improvements discussed in regard to the previous item. There was no discussion. Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member Honea, authorization to hire a development services deputy administrator, a subdivision engineer and an additional deputy planner in charge of current planning, and the reclassification of the N.I.T. Manger to N.I.T. Director was unanimously approved. C. MAYOR AND COUNCIL'S REPORT Mayor Sutton reported that he and the Town Manager had recently attended a joint meeting of the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Pima Association of Governments, and the Pinal Association of Governments. He said that the focus was on transportation issues and that it was an opportunity to open up the dialogue between the three jurisdictions, particularly focusing on traffic along Interstate 10 through Pinal County which either generated ~` from Pima County or Maricopa County. 8 MINUTES. OF REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MARANA TOWN HALL DECEMBER 2, 2003 D. MANAGERS' REPORT Mr. Reuwsaat reported on a recent meeting with Pinal County Supervisor Lionel Ruiz and the Planning & Development Director, David Kuhl with Mayor Sutton, Vice Mayor Kai, and Marana senior staff also in attendance. He said that the meeting was very prod tc The Town Managers aid t the had regarding the La Osa Ranch developm received a complete development plan for the project and would formulate a written response to be forwarded to Pinal County officials by December 12~. He added that Town staff would be in attendance at the Pinal County Planning and Zoning hearing on December 18~. X. UPCOMING EVENTS Tammy Reyes reminded the Mayor and Council of the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony scheduled for Saturday, December 6~, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ora Mae Harn District Park. Ms. Reyes said that Mayor Sutton would light the tree at 6:20 p.m. and that the planned activities included hay rides, a snow area, and arts and craft vendors. She urged everyone to attend. Mayor Sutton asked Ms. Bronson to move this agenda item to the beginning of the agenda near Call to the Public, as it usually pertained to announcements. XI. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS There were no items suggested for future agendas. XII. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Council Member Escobedo, seconded by Council Member McGorray, approval to adjourn was unanimous. The time was 7:55 p.m. CERTIFICATION I hereby certify that the foregoing are the true and correct minutes of the Marana Town Council meeting held on December 2, 2003. I further certify that a quorum was present. .~~~~~I~~~e_ B Jocelyn onson, Town Clerk 9 MARANA TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Public Attendees DATE: Name Address