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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAC Minutes - March 17, 2004City of Central Point Central Point Citizen's Advisory Committee Minutes March 17, 2004 6:30 P.M. I. Meeting Called to Order II. Roll Cab: Herb Fazber, Chairman; Damian Idiart; Sam Inkley, Sc; Sam Inkley, Jr; Walter Mocrygemba; Amanda Vaughn; were present. Peg Wiedman; was absent. Also in attendance was Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director; David Alvord, Community Plauuer, Dave Arkeas, GIS Technician; and Lisa Morgan, Planning Secretary. III. Minutes The minutes from February 11, ?004, were unanimously approved. IV. Pub6cappearances There were no public appearances V. Business A. CAC consideration of Public Opinion and to formulate a Recommendation to the Planning Commission and city Council regarding the Wal-Mart Supercenter. Herb Farber, Chairman; made an opening statement then proceeded to have each member of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) members introduce themselves. He explained the purpose of the CAC this evening and to try to summarize all the information from the citizens into a recommendation. Mc Fazber introduced Tom Humphrey, Community Development Director; who gave the staff presentation. Mr. Humphrey went through the site plan on the overhead projector and identified the retaining walls, access points, landscaping and architectural designs for the benefit of those who may not have heard the overview from previous meetings. He further added that an economic and traffic analysis was submitted as pan of the most curent application. The applicant's traffic study only determines the traffic projection for opening day, but city planners have to look at [he long- range effect of traffic in that area, and the traffic increases that would come from not only Wal-Mart, but the boom in other businesses and development anticipated in the area. There is a long- range traffic study being conducted by the City, which will be available by the March 30'" Planning Commission. Mc Humphrey reiterated Mc Farber's statement for the CAC's purpose this evening. He explained that though the Citizen's Advisory Committee has received all the same information the Planning Commission has, the CAC must form [heir recommendation on public opinion, rather than whether or not the application meets criteria. Mr. Humphrey then tamed the meeting over [o the Committee to discuss key points brought up from Citizen input. Amanda Vaughn, Committee Member, stated that from what [hey have heard, in verbal and written testimony, [ha[ the citizens of Central Point overwhelmingly do not want Wal-Mart in Central Point. It appeared to her that the very few that spoke in favor of Wal-Mart lived in Medford. Walter Moczygemba, Committee Member, stated that he had to agree with Ms. Vaughn as far as the citizens not wanting Wal-Mart, and the concems of the citizens if they were to build there. Mr. Moczygemba mentioned that if approved, the development should have large shrubs or trees such as evergreens planted along the block wall. Sam Inkley, Jr., Committee Member, commented that he would also have [o agree [hat the citizens do not want Wal-Mart. Traffic seems to be the major concem. Sam Inkley, Sr., Committee Member said that he also feels that traffic is the main concem, along with other aspects such as 24 hour lights, noise, and the potential type of people staying over night. Damian Idiart, Committee Member, feels like [he comments and concems made by the citizens aze still unanswered, and that Wal-Mart has no[ met the concems of the citizens with the changes they have made. Mc Idiart feels like the low wage accusations and so forth are not a valid concem, [hough they are an argument. Herb Farber, Chairman, commented [hat Wal-Mar[ definitely had a public relations problem, when you can get a City like Los Angeles aggravated with them, that says something about their Public Relations. You can see it with all the advertising they do to try to improve their image. Though Wal-Mart does spend a fair amount of money in communities, Wal-Mart has no[ demonstrated or proved to be a quality neighbor Mr. Farber explained that the population in Central Point is approximately 14,000 people, which means that we have heard from approximately l0% of the community. Mr. Farber summarized his previous statement [hat (a). Wal-Mart is not a good neighbor and (b) traffic impact is a major issue. Mc Fazber explained his participation in the development of the Strategic Plan, and this proposal does not fit in with the "small towtt jeel "that the city strives [o encourage. He then offered historical information relating to K-Mart being constmcted in Medford and how it took away from the downtown. Then other developments came in and boosted the community and diversified the economy, making [he Rogue Valley no[ timber reliant. Walter Moczygemba, stated that he had trouble with making a decision on this. In [he five years he has been here that field has been empty. If Wal-Mart doesn't build there, what would come in its place, or having [he field stay empty for the next 10 years is undesirable too. Mc Moczygemba says he has nothing against Wal-Mart, he shopped at Wal-Mart in Texas and will here also. However, he knows it is his job to listen to the citizens. Mc Moczygemba stated that based on that, in listening to the citizens, [he majority doesn't want it. Herb Farber, Chairman, stated that Vaffic mitigation and architectural elements need to be key components of any decision by the Planning Commission and City Council. Damian Idiart, commented that is just too big for the site. According to the citizens opinion it should be denied. Other questions of the committee pertained to traffic problems, amd whether or not Wal- Mart could come in and improve the interchange. Other issues included [he proposed flood lights, overnight campers, limitimg delivery times, and ensuring that the proposed landscaping will be maintaimed. Mr. Humphrey, Community Development Director, said that the only things Wal-Mart has committed to thus far is a traffic signal, the opening day traffic analysis and System Development Charges (SDC's). He explained that traffic sigmals slow down traffic. To maintain proactive responsible planning the City is looking at every element of the traffic concerns. The City has met with stakeholders and other officials [o look at perhaps a grid street system, bridges to Upton Road, changing the configuration of the interchange and other possible long- term solutions. Amanda Vaughn, Committee Member said that if the Plamtittg Commission and City Council find [hat it is necessary to approve the application, against the desire of the citizen's that al] of the concerns brought up need to be considered, not just traffic. Herb Farber, Chairman, asked for a show of hands from the committee members for all in favor of recommending denial of the application. All members raised their hands. Mr. Fazber made a motion unanimously recommending to the Planning Commission to deny the application, however, if approved, special consideration should be given to traffic mitigation; architectural changes [o make the building look more like individual shops [o make it fit in better with the community s chazacter, and landscaping. VI. Miscellaueous There were no miscellaneous items. VII. Adjoummeut The committee adjourned at approximately 7:25 P.M.