CITY COUNCIL: Tour of Inspection, Closed Session & Joint Meeting with Planning Commission August 6, 2012

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CITY COUNCIL

Tour of Inspection, Closed Session and

Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission (begins at 5:30 p.m.)

Monday, August 6, 2012 – 4:30 p.m.

Council Chambers

East side of Monte Verde Street between

Ocean and Seventh Avenues

The City Council will meet at City Hall on the east side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues.

I. Roll Call, then Adjourn to Tours of Inspection

A. View the site of an appeal of the Forest and Beach Commission’s denial of an application for tree removal at a residence on Torres Street, 2 SE of Fifth Avenue.

B. View the site of the proposed beach restrooms at Santa Lucia Avenue and Scenic Road.

II. Closed Session

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956 et seq. of the State of California, the City Council will adjourn to Closed Session to consider the following:

1. Public Employment- Government Code Section 54957. Title: Administrative Services Director. City Council will meet to consider public employment regarding selection of the Administrative Services Director.

2. Public Employment- Government Code Section 54957. Title: Public Safety Director. City Council will meet to consider public employment regarding selection of the Public Safety Director.

3. Potential Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(b).2 - Conference with legal counsel regarding potential litigation – one (1) matter.

III. Announcements in Open Session (if any).

IV. 5:30 p.m.: Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission

A. Adjourn to the Joint Meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss, develop criteria, and provide policy direction for the redesign of the proposed beach restroom facilities at Santa Lucia Avenue and Scenic Road.

V. Reconvene to Closed Session

4. Public Employee Performance Evaluation - Government Code Section 54957.
Title: City Attorney.

VI. Adjournment

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

STAFF REPORT

TO: MAYOR BURNETT AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL 

FROM: MARC WIENER, ASSOCIATE PLANNER

DATE: 6 AUGUST 2012

SUBJECT: JOINT MEETING WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO DISCUSS, DEVELOP CRITERIA, AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION FOR THE REDESIGN OF THE PROPOSED BEACH RESTROOM FACILITIES AT SANTA LUCIA AVENUE AND SCENIC ROAD. 

BACKGROUND

Temporary restrooms have been in place for a number of years near the intersection of Scenic Road and Santa Lucia Avenue. In 2002 the City hired Carver and Schicketanz to evaluate two different sites for new beach restrooms on Scenic Drive, one at 10th Avenue and one at 13th Avenue. Both locations presented significant challenges and were never pursued. In 2008 the City again hired Carver and Schicketanz to begin design work for a restroom at the Santa Lucia location.

A public workshop was held on 17 November 2011 followed by conceptual hearings with the Planning Commission on 28 February 2012 and with the City Council on 6 March 2012. The architect took the direction from those hearings and then prepared final plans that were presented and approved by the Planning Commission on 13 June 2012. However, the Commission opted to rescind its decision on 11 July 2012 and re-opened the public hearing. The Commission gave extensive recommendations that are summarized below.

PLANNING COMMISSION REVIEW

After the Commission’s approval of the project on 13 June 2012 several letters of concern were submitted to staff as well as an appeal by a neighboring property owner. The Planning Commission reopened the public hearing on 11 July 2012 and heard many concerns from the public regarding the size, scope and location of the proposed restrooms. The Planning Commission made the following recommendations:

• Move structure towards the street (keep low profile); 
• Move structure to the South if possible;
• Doors should be moved to the side or rear of the structure so not visible from the beach; 
• Eliminate the eave overhang;
• Eliminate the shower;
• Consider unisex restrooms and/or one ADA and one non ADA to reduce the size; 
• Combine the washbasins (single washbasin for both restrooms);
• Remove all openings from beach view (create a non-building from the beach);
• Re-site the facility, but to remain at Santa Lucia & Scenic;
• Consider some tree removals if necessary to achieve better site design;
• Include only one small janitors closet;
• Reduce visibility of doors from street;
• Lower the roof;
• Decrease size, scope – look to simplify the design; 
• Maintain a world class structure; 
• Re-stake the netting before returning to Commission. 

CITY COUNCIL REVIEW

On 6 March 2012 the restroom project was reviewed by the City Council. The Council provided the following recommendations:

• Include a baby changing area;
• Remove shower area but keep single shower head;
• Remove the skylights and solar panels;
• Consider providing unisex restrooms;
• Reduce the size to the extent possible;
• Consider raising finished floor to reduce excavation and storm damage concerns;
• Consider communal hand washing area;
• Consider earthquake faults.

PURPOSE

Both the Planning Commission and City Council have provided recommendations for the beach restrooms. The Purpose of this meeting is to discuss these recommendations and develop criteria for the redesign of the restrooms. The architect will use the direction provided at this meeting to revise the plans.

The revised plans would be brought before the Planning Commission at a future date for Design Review and Coastal Development Permit approval and would then go to the City Council for final authorization.

RECOMMENDATION

Develop criteria and provide policy direction for the redesign of the proposed beach restroom facilities at Santa Lucia Avenue and Scenic Road.