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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-22-93Planning Commission proceedings are taped recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, June 22, 1993 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, June 22, 1993 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman Tom Clark presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Daggett, Hedlund, Huang, Clark ABSENT: Commissioner Amato MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to excuse Commissioner Amato from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to approve the Minutes of June 8, 1993. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING: Mayor Joseph Ciraulo Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Lojeski City Manager Donald Duckworth City Attorney Michael Miller Acting Planning Director Donna Butler Assistant Planner James Kasama PRESENTATION BY MICHAEL FREEDMAN ON THE DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION STRATEGY PLAN Donald Duckworth, the City Manager, gave a brief synopsis of what Michael Freedman is proposing for the downtown area. He invited the Commission's participation and introduced Mr. Freedman to the Commission. Mr. Freedman said they had a good turn out in the four workshops that were held and there was a lot of community input. He showed some slides to the Commission. Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/22/93 Page 1 In answer to questions by Chairman Clark, Mr. Freedman said based on an educated guess and without any research and just by looking at it, he anticipated the cost for the first phase of the construction project at approximately 2.5 million. The City will have to work on several projects at once. While the street project is getting off the ground, the City should be looking for a few successful businesses that are interested in opening at a location in the downtown area. If the City can find a successful business that will already bring with it a loyal customer base, you will find activity materializing where there wasn't any. In order to get these businesses to come, you are asking them to anticipate a market that is not even there and that takes money. What they are recommending is that the City set aside "seed" money for things like recruitment. If the city really wants a particular business to come in, low or zero interest loans could also be provided to lure them in. With the street mprovement project, the City will be trying to loosen up small scale private investment immediately and taking the entire program and proactively marketing the downtown. That means Council has to authorize a good deal of staff time to be spent in order to make a part of the City come out of the ground, which will take staff time away from other parts of the City. Either more staff has to be hired or have to authorize current staff to redistribute what the priorities are - this cannot be done any other way. Large scale retail and housing are the two semi hot areas of investment right now - the "engines of change ". The City has to be able to accommodate large scale retails such as a "Lucky" store or a higher density housing development like a small scale single - family particularly near the train station. Those sites will have to be identified by staff, just as if the City owned the land, and the City will have to go and look for people to spend money to develop those areas. That type of activity is very powerful especially if the City is out there welcoming business of certain quality. He went on to say that there are some sites in the downtown area which will be well worth spending money in. Operating on all those fronts simultaneously which means staff time as well as City money is the only way that the present conditions can be turned around. It was his opinion, that if the Council and public can support this program enthusiastically, downtown can be flooded with people. In response to a question by Commissioner Huang, he said a better pedestrian environment has to be provided. One way to do that would be to use the train station in a way which will capitalize investment. He did not think it would be a good idea to have the public sector legislate the market or try to. They feel in the downtown area, the market should be left open for as many potential investors as possible. They only recommend to clamp down at ground level and not allow any use there that won't generate activity, i.e. all retail uses, restaurants, theaters, art galleries, should be allowed on Huntington Dr. between Second and Santa Anita. They would like to create a downtown area which will be able to serve a larger cross section serving a broader spectrum. Commissioner Huang suggested art work in public locations. Mr. Freedman thought that is a great idea that could be related to the bridge but they are not recommending the overpass be redesigned at this time because after it was designed, they found out that it is going to be destroyed when the light rail station is put in and that could be from two to thirty years. In response to a question by Commission Daggett, Mr. Freedman said as part of the change in the development criteria of downtown„ any business that does an addition or new construction will be encouraged to add a back facade with a door which allows access to the store. It was his impression that based on the census data and signs that he has seen on buildings, Arcadia is getting an influx of younger married couples, singles and Asians who are coming into north of Huntington Dr. area in the small industrial area. He thought because of that there will be continued overall change in the variety, as far as age and race in downtown. Fancier and better quality home improvement type stores do not go into Pasadena as much as they do in Arcadia. He thought Arcadia has a great potential with the Asian community, especially when during this bad economy, many of the new businesses belong to Asians. Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/22/93 Page 2 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Al Landsperger, 1047 Loganrita, complemented the City in trying to bring in Michael Freedman and to try to stimulate business in the downtown area. He attended all the workshops and feels their company is very professional. In the workshops they were very well prepared and had good data for all their recommendations. He indicated that after they purchased the property in 1988, they spent a lot of money to upgrade the building and make it earthquake safe. They have been unable to lease it and he remarked they "can't even give it away" and yet they have to make their monthly mortgage payments. He stated something should be done to beautify such as what Michael Freedman is suggesting. He thought the ambience of the rack track should be incorported into this area. He was impressed with their proposal of getting rid of all the parking on Huntington Drive. At the workshops there was no real objection to the proposed plans. He thought their whole concept fit in nicely. He urged the Commission and Council to continue with the proposals to help the businesses in the downtown area. Mr. Duckworth said that at the Council's request, Mr. Freedman will be proceeding with the specific detail cost engineering, a proposal to do some cash flow analysis and relocation recruitment program as well as the design assistance program. At a later date, a public hearing will be held before the Council with regard to the proposals and recommendations. Mr. Freedman will probably present some proposals with regard to land use. The City Council would like to see the improvements on Huntington Drive quickly. He would like to start as soon as possible and said ideally they would like to have it completed by Christmas. He said the improvements have to be friendly to the business so there won't be a lot of dislocation. He hoped to take this before Council in July and asked for any comments and or recommendations. Chairman Clark said the Commission seems to be in agreement with all the recommendations and asked how fast this plan could be implemented and how was it being funded? Mr. Duckworth said that although all the budget issues have not been ironed out yet, the Redevelopment Agency has funds available to fund this kind of a program within a year. He urged the Commission's involvement and said they want to have a unified strong team representing the City. Chairman Clark thanked both Mr. Freedman and Duckworth for bringing the Commission up to date. RESOLUTION 1501 A resolution granting CUP 93 -005 to operate an infant and pre - school child care facility at 1881 S. First Ave. RESOLUTION 1502 Ms. Butler read the titles of the resolutions. MOTION A resolution granting V -93 -001 to create a "granny house" type unit by adding a kitchen to an addition which is attached to the main dwelling at 418 Sharon Rd. It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to adopt Resolutions 1501 and 1502, and to formally affirm the decision of June 8, 1993 and the vote thereon. Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/22/93 Page 3 ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Daggett, Hedlund, Huang, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Amato Chairman Clark noted that there is a five working day appeal period. MA I ERS FROM COUNCIL None MATTERS FROM COMMISSION Commissioner Hedlund summarized the actions of the Modification Committee. There was discussion regarding the recent appeal by a homeowner of the association's denial of a proposed addition at 1863 Oakwood. Councilman Lojeski briefly explained what happened at the Council meeting. Commissioner Hedlund said the City has to be very careful that the actions the City takes are all within the ordinances. Mr. Miller said the Commission and Council are two appellant bodies available to homeowners. The ARB is created by the City but it does not mean their actions are going to be blessed by the City every time. MATTERS FROM STAFF In answer to a question by the City Attorney, staff said the hillside text amendment and zone change will be before the Commission on July 13th. The subject property is owned by the Martin's who are in the process of preparing plans for development and have asked that the public hearing be continued for another six months. The Commission will have to meet and continue the project. Ms. Butler said there will be a special joint session with Council on July 13th at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the ADR. ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m. to Ju 13,1993 Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/22/93 Page 4