CC 1997 03-18 CITY OF POWAY, CALIFORNIA
NINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR NEETING
HARCH 18, 1997
The March 18, 1997, regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Poway, was called to order at 7:03 p.m., by Mayor Higginson at the Poway
Community Center, 13094 Bowron Road, Poway, California.
COUNCXLMEMBERS PRESENT AT ROLL CALL
Mickey Cafagna, Bob Emery, Jay Goldby, Betty Rexford, Don Higginson
STAFF MENBERS PRESENT
James Bowersox
Marjorie Wahlsten
Steve Eckis
Peggy Stewart
Bob Thomas
Mark Weston
Reba Wright-Quastler
Randy Williams
Warren Shafer
Steve Streeter
Jim Nessel
John Falconer
Penny Riley
Patrick Foley
Scott Nespor
City Manager
City Clerk
City Attorney
Director of Administrative Services
Director of Community Services
Director of Engineering Services
Director of Planning Services
Director of Public Services
Director of Redevelopment Services
Principal Planner
Senior Planner
Sheriff's Captain
Assistant to the City Manager
Senior Management Analyst
Management Assistant
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Mayor Rexford led the Pledge of Allegiance.
PROCLANATION
Mayor Higginson proclaimed March 20, 1997 as "Camp Fire Absolutely Incredible Kid
Day" and presented a proclamation to a group of Camp Fire Girls who were present.
PUBLIC ORAL COmmUNICATIONS
Mayor Higginson explained the procedure for Public Oral Communications. The
following persons were present wishing to speak:
Roger Willoughby, 13732 Fairgate Drive, requested a ballot measure
regarding term limits for Councilmembers.
Teresa Clark, (no address given), asked questions about why John Fitch had
resigned from the City.
Josh Meehan, 13116 Bonita Vista, requested a skate park in Poway. Mayor
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Higginson requested a report regarding the status of recent legislation that
would limit cities' liability for recreational activities such as skate parks.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion by Councilmember Rexford, seconded by Councilmember Emery to approve the
Consent Calendar as follows:
Adopt Resolution No. 97-021, entitled, 'A Resolution of the City Council
of the City of Poway, California, Designating Voting Delegate and
Alternates to the Southern California Joint Powers Insurance Authority
(SCJPIA) and rescinding Resolution No. 95-040." (1503-21)
Appointment of Alyze Dreiling-Rozsnyai as Chairperson to the Performing
Arts Advisory Committee. (701-09}
e
Appointment of Redevelopment Services Director as Assistant Executive
Director and Assistant City Clerk as Assistant Secretary of the
Redevelopment Agency. (403-04R)
6. Ratification of Warrant Register for period of February 24 - 28, lg97.
(401-10)
Motion carried unanimously.
ITEM 1 (203-21)
WET'N WILD WATER PARK PROJECT
Mayor Higginson opened the public hearing. Item introduced by City Manager
Bowersox. If the City Council approves the water park project proposed at this
meeting, on April 15 staff will propose a development agreement and owner
participation agreement. One of the conditions of the OPA is a 3% ticket tax
expected to generate $400,000 total annual revenue. $300,000 will go to the
Redevelopment Agency and $100,000 would be used for promotion and advertising by
Wet'n Wild.
Staff report by Director of Planning Services Wright-Quastler. This public
hearing is for the Wet'n Wild Water Park's final Subsequent Environmental Impact
Report as well as the development applications, including the Specific Plan
Amendment (SPA 84-01DD), Tentative Tract Map 96-01, Conditional Use Permit 96-05
and Development Review 96-02. The Specific Plan Amendment will create a new land
use category which will allow a water park by conditional use permit. The
Tentative Tract Map will divide 102 acres into 9 lots for purposes of ownership
and use. The Conditional Use Permit will establish the conditions under which
a water park can operate and the Development Review is required for site plan,
architectural, signage, landscaping, and grading plan approval.
The project is south of the intersection of Scripps Poway Parkway and Stowe
Drive. It is part of the Tech Business Center tentative map approved in 1989.
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There are three areas. Area A is 43 acres north of Kirkham Way. It is the site
of the proposed water park and all the development applications apply to Area A.
Area B is 42 acres south of Kirkham Way. This area is only subject to the TTM
application and will be developed as originally approved: industrial lots and
natural open space. Area C is 8.6 acres immediately east of Area A and the
applicant plans to expand the water park in the future. It is only subject to
the Specific Plan Amendment and Tentative Tract Map. Future development will
require separate environmental review and development applications.
Bulk grading in conformance with the previously approved Tech Business Center map
is proposed for all 3 areas in order to balance the grading quantities necessary
for the water park development and future development in Areas B and C.
The three main issues that seem to be of concern to the community are traffic,
serving alcohol and the minimum age for unattended children in the park. The
traffic generated by this use will be less than industrial development. The
developer has proposed some restrictions on the alcohol sale including using
clear cups. The developer proposes to post a sign regarding their policy of not
allowing drop of children under 8 years of age.
George Millay, President of Wet'n Wild, made the presentation and described the
proposed project and the facilities it will have. He answered questions from the
City Council.
Speaking in opposition to the project:
Doris Binhgam, 11555 Eastridge Place, San Diego, expressed concerns
regarding traffic and serving alcohol.
Ken Werner, 12956 Gate Drive, expressed concerns regarding security, noise
and traffic.
Eric Wiseman, 14546 Glenville, expressed concerns regarding traffic, lights
and serving alcohol.
W. Scott Biel, 550 West 'C", San Diego, with Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison,
stated he represented a group of between 5 and 12 Poway residents. He presented
written comments and stated the EIR is flawed.
Natty Varban, 13002 Neddick Avenue, expressed concern regarding the future
development of Area C and asked if the City had any control over the sale of the
water park to another operator.
Bernie Gusman, 13518 Aldrin Avenue, requested the project be put to a
public vote.
Hugh Largey, 11721 Pickford Road, San Diego, asked that alcohol not be
served in the park.
Larry Cruse, 13734 Utopia, President of the Southwest Poway Homeowners
Association expressed concerns regarding the City's contribution to the financing
of the project. In response to query by Councilmember Rexford, City Manager
Bowersox stated the City will advance the costs of some off-site public
improvements which will be reimbursed by other developers when they improve their
property.
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Chris Cruse, 13734 Utopia, expressed concern about a future drought and
stated she does not want Poway to be a tourist attraction.
Peggy Collette, 13969 Bernadotte Lane, expressed concern regarding serving
alcohol, live music, and whether approval of this project would lead to other
tourist attractions being proposed for the South Poway area.
Constance Griffin, 12655 Gate Drive, stated she had been told there would
be no alcohol served and no live music.
Peter Stein, 13314 Neddick Avenue, read a letter from Kathy Muhlea, 13333
Racquet Court, who was unable to attend the meeting.
Gail Trunnell, 13314 Neddick Avenue, stated concern regarding the loss of
'The City in the Country."
Richard Ludwig, 12720 Metate Lane, asked questions regarding conflict of
interest; and stated the EIR was flawed.
Speaking in favor of the project:
Ron Enos, 16342 Martincoit Road, Green Valley Civic Association, stated
they are in favor of the water park but think there should not be alcohol served
and the drop off age should be 10 or 12.
Orlando Malanga, Poway Unified School District, spoke in support of the
opportunities for youth employment.
Roger Willoughby, 13732 Fairgate Drive, stated if alcohol is not allowed
at Wet'n Wild, then it shouldn't be allowed in City parks.
Dick Lyles, 15606 Quail Mountain Road, stated this project will be good for
the youth of Poway.
Josh Meehan, 13116 Bonita Vista, stated the water park will be good for
kids in that it will provide jobs and fun.
Merrilee Boyack, 14418 Crestwood, stated children 8 years of age are too
young to be left unattended and expressed opposition to alcohol being served.
Bud Wiederrich, representing the Poway Chamber of Commerce, stated they are
in favor of the project.
Dwight Ritchey, 13742 Poway Road, stated Wet 'n Wild will be good for other
businesses in Poway
Michael Felix, 13458 Starridge Drive, suggested alcohol be in designated
areas and not throughout the Park.
Carlo Succi, 17126 Cliquot Court
Ann Calvert, 15245 Ridgeview Place
Neville Bothwell, 3575 Kenyon Street, San Diego, stated he owns land
immediately west of the proposed project.
Motion by Councilmember Emery, seconded by Councilmember Cafagna to close the
public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.
RECESS AND CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Higginson recessed the meeting at 9:30 p.m. and called it back to order at
9:45 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
Councilmember Rexford stated that noise, alcohol and drop off age are the three
biggest issues but she is generally in favor of the project. She suggested that
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the drop off age be 10 or 12 and that alcohol only be allowed at private parties.
Mayor Higginson stated he feels the project typifies Poway in that it is a
wholesome family recreation activity. He stated he does not object to serving
alcohol in designated areas and at private parties and suggested the Conditional
Use Permit be reviewed annually. He asked about the sale of the project to
another operator. City Attorney Eckis stated that the conditions are the same
no matter who the owner or operator is, they run with the land.
Councilmember Cafagna stated the project offers jobs and entertainment for the
youth of Poway and to him the drop off age is a parental issue.
Councilmember Emery stated he took a stand during his last campaign that he would
support this project if certain questions were answered to his satification and
they have been. He suggested the drop off age be 10 years old and the alcohol
be served and consumed only in designated areas.
Councilmember Goldby asked about the use of water during a drought. City Manager
Bowersox stated the City Council adopted Ordinance 408 that is the City's water
conservation plan. He requested a restriction on the serving of alcohol and
suggested 13 as the drop off age limit, perhaps through use of a Wet'n Wild
issued identification card.
Motion by Mayor Higginson, seconded by Councilmember Emery to adopt Resolution
No. 97-022, entitled, mA Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway,
California Certifying the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report for the
Proposed Wet'n Wild Water Park Project (Final SEIR - State Clearinghouse No.
96071095) and Adopting CEQA findings and a mitigation monitoring and reporting
program for project implementation," Resolution No. 97-023, entitled, mA
Resolution of the City Council of the City of Poway, California Approving an
Amendment to the South Poway Specific Plan, Specific Plan Amendment {SPA 84-
01DD)," and Planning Resolution No. P-97-11, entitled, mA Resolution of the City
Council of the City of Poway, California Approving Tentative Tract Map 96-01,
Assessor's Parcel Numbers: Portion of 323-090-73, Portion of 323-090-70, and 325-
010-09.~ Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Mayor Higginson, seconded by Councilmember Emery to adopt Planning
Resolution No. P-97-12, entitled, mA Resolution of the City Council of the City
of Poway, California Approving Conditional Use Permit 96-05 and Development
Review 96-02, Assessor's Parcel Number: portion of 323-090-73," except for the
drop off age and alcohol. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Councilmember Emery, seconded by Councilmember Goldby to approve the
serving of alcohol with the restrictions proposed by the developer and in
designated areas to be worked out with staff. Motion carried 4-1 with
Councilmember Rexford voting ~no."
Motion by Councilmember Emery, seconded by Mayor Higginson to approve a drop off
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age of 10 years. Motion carried 3-2 with Councilmember Rexford and Councilmember
Goldby voting
ITEM 2 (1402-02)
FUNDRA[S)NG FOR NEW LIBRARY
Staff report by City Manager Bowersox. City staff has met with the County
librarian to discuss fundraising opportunities for the new library. Staff
recommends a volunteer group of professional 'business representatives be
identified to develop and conduct a fundraising campaign for the new library.
Motion by Councilmember Cafagna, seconded by Councilmember Rexford to approve
staff recommendation. Motion carried unanimously.
CITY ATTORNEY ITEMS
City Attorney Eckis stated that due to the lateness of the hour, he would not
request a closed session be held.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Higginson adjourned the meeting at 11:08 p.m. on motion by Councilmember
Emery, seconded by Councilmember Rexford.
· Wahlsten, City Clerk
way
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