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�ya'ty°f't° STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
DATE: November 1, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director -l=
By: Jim Kasama, Community Development Administratgrand
Don Stockham, Building Official
SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION OF POLICY
REGARDING PROPERTY ADDRESS CHANGES
Requested Action: Provide Direction
BACKGROUND
At the June 7, 2011 City Council meeting, the Council voted 3-2 to rescind Resolution
No. 5569, which was adopted in 1991 to establish a $500 fee for address changes.
This action took place after the second discussion on the subject. The first discussion
was at the May 3, 2011 City Council meeting, which ended with the Council requesting
that staff provide an analysis of the time and costs involved in the process of changing
property addresses. The analysis was presented to the City Council at the June 7,
2011 meeting, and that discussion ended with the rescission of Resolution No. 5569.
Attached for reference are the May 3, 2011 and June 7, 2011 staff reports.
At the City Council meetings on September 6 & 20, 2011, a local realtor, Ms. Jih
(Jean) Tang addressed the Council about customer requested address changes; in
particular, about 44 W. Wistaria Avenue. She also sent an email to the Council about
this subject, which included three attachments: 1) 99 signed statements from
neighbors in support of changing the address of 44 W. Wistaria Avenue; 2) a table of
address numbers 13, 4, 44, & 444 in Arcadia and nearby cities; and 3) address
change application forms from the cities of San Gabriel, Monterey Park, and
Alhambra. In response to Ms. Tang's comments and request to allow address
changes at the September 20, 2011 meeting, the Council agreed to revisit the matter.
Because the City Council feels that this matter deserves the attention of the full
Council, it was scheduled for this meeting to avoid prescheduled absences from the
two October meetings. At that time, the City Council also directed that staff not
prepare any new analysis of the issue, or devote any additional staff time, but to
resubmit the earlier reports.
The subject of addresses with the number '4' and the City's policy on changing
addresses were the topics of the attached article that was published in the Sunday,
October 2, 2011 edition of the Star News newspaper. In response to the article, the
five attached letters and emails were sent to the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
The June 7, 2011 staff report recommended a fee of $1,250.00. Since then, the City
has negotiated new Memoranda of Understanding with the various employee groups,
and the Administrative Services Department has comprehensively calculated the
overhead costs attributable to the various Departments involved in processing address
changes. The result of these changes is that the total cost is now estimated to be
$2,282.16. Based on this updated study (attached) a fee of $2,250.00 could be
charged for the processing of an address change; if the City Council wishes to
reinstate the practice. Staff estimates that there would be 20 to 25 address change
requests per year, at least in the first year following reinstatement of the practice.
RECOMMENDATION
Provide direction.
Approved: ,33ayta-
Donald Penman, City Manager
Attachments: May 3, 2011 Staff Report
June 7, 2011 Staff Report
Star News Article from Sunday, October 2, 2011 Edition
Correspondence Regarding Address Changes
Updated Time and Cost Study dated November 1, 2011
Address Changes
November 1, 2011
Page 2
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�.n,cy or�a STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
DATE: May 3, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Directory
By: Jim Kasama, Community Develo ment Administrator and
Don Stockham, Building Officia
SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING CUSTOMER
REQUESTED PROPERTY ADDRESS CHANGES
Recommended Action: Provide Direction
BACKGROUND
At the March 15th Council Meeting, the Council requested a report on the City's policy
related to proposed address changes. The Development Services Department stopped
processing customer requested property address changes approximately five years
ago. Addresses are still changed for corner lots when the orientation of a house is
changed to the other street, or for new subdivisions and lot splits. The customer-
requested address changes were stopped because of the volume of requests (20+ per
year) and the difficulties and confusion that it created for City record-keeping and for
other agencies required to be notified. In addition, address changes are very time
intensive and required substantial staff time. Customer requested address changes
generally had no purpose other than to change the number because it was considered
unlucky.
DISCUSSION
For many years, the City granted address changes for any reason, and requests were
rare. In the early 1990s, the number of requests increased significantly, and a fee of
$500 was imposed to cover the administrative costs associated with the process, which
is comprised of the following steps:
• Accept an application for an address change. This includes a review of records
to determine that a new address number is available
• Field verify that the address choice is available and sequential
• Process application, which entails circulating the request to other City
departments to verify that the new address is acceptable
• Prepare a form letter to inform other City departments and outside agencies of
the address change — at last count, 23 departments and agencies are notified
• Issue new address and change address in permit system and all related files;
paper as well as digital. It is assumed that all other City departments and
agencies also do this
In addition to staff time, there are the attendant material costs for office supplies,
photocopying, postage, and vehicle expenses for the field work. And, despite sending
written notifications to the various departments and agencies, there are frequently
problems because not all records are updated or a specific person (e.g., utility service
person or postal employee) does not receive the notice. These problems usually arise
soon after the address change, but in many instances they come up years after the new
number assignment. Confusion among the many agencies notified is common.
There are instances when an address change is warranted, or a new address number is
necessary, such as in the case of a corner lot or a subdivision. In such cases, not only
does the address number change, but the street name of the address also usually
changes. Other instances for a new address would be the addition of a unit; residential
or contmercial.
In the 1990s, when the volume of requests for address changes increased significantly,
the requests were often not associated with any new development. Rather, the
requests were based on a desire by a buyer, seller or realtor to avoid the number 4,
which in many Asian cultures is considered especially unlucky or objectionable; much in
the way many Western cultures avoid the number 13.
The fee of $500 was imposed to cover the costs of processing address changes, and
was also intended to avoid the frivolous changing of addresses. However, because
there is a strong affinity for numerology in many Asian cultures, the fee did not dissuade
any address change applications. Anecdotally, realtors and developers would say that
the elimination of the number 4 from an address, or the inclusion of the number 8, which
is considered fortuitous, would substantially improve the attractiveness, if not the actual
value of a property.
A phone survey was conducted of the surrounding cities regarding their process and
fees for address changes. Monrovia and San Marino do not allow address changes.
Monrovia stopped due to clerical errors and confusion at outside agencies and San
Marino never allowed changes. Temple City, Rosemead and San Gabriel allow this
process and receive between 2 and 15 per year. Sierra Madre also allows the process
but rarely receives a request. It is estimated that Arcadia would receive 20 - 25 per year
if the process was reinstated. In terms of fees, San Gabriel charges $1180 and Temple
City charges $500, the same as Arcadia. Other cities charge a nominal fee less than
$200.
Address Changes
May 3, 2011
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT
The elimination of address changes and the attendant $500 fee did not have a
noticeable effect on the City's General Fund. If address changes are to be re-initiated,
the Development Services Department recommends a thorough cost-allocation analysis
by all affected departments to be sure that the City recovers the costs of processing
address changes. Even if full cost recovery analysis is implemented, staff time will be
involved which could impact service levels depending on workloads.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Provide direction.
Approved: I'e ..eco P
Donald Penman, City Manager
V
Address Changes
May 3, 2011
Page 3
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a'4h'`y of,o STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
DATE: June 7, 2011
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Directory-K.--
By: Jim Kasama, Community Develo ment Administrator and7a&
Don Stockham, Building Official.. I
SUBJECT: REPORT, DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING CUSTOMER
REQUESTED PROPERTY ADDRESS CHANGES
Requested Action: Provide Direction
BACKGROUND
At the May 3, 2011 City Council Meeting, there was discussion regarding the City's
policy on property address changes. The May 3, 2011 staff report is attached. Staff
had recommended that if address changes are re-initiated, that a thorough cost
analysis be done so that an appropriate fee can be charged to recover the City's costs
associated with processing an address change. After the discussion, the City Council
requested that staff provide an analysis of the staff time and costs involved in the
process of changing property addresses.
DISCUSSION
Building Services contacted all of the City Departments, and they provided information
about their processes, personnel and time involved in accommodating an address
change. This information was used to calculate the cost of processing an address
change — see the attached spreadsheet. The address change process is initiated with
Building Services, which notifies the other City Departments and outside agencies.
The City processes are as follows:
Building Services
• Applicant submits address change request and fee — preliminary determination
of address change possibility and address numbers available
• Verify validity of existing address and determine that the requested address is
possible — review in-house records and conduct a field survey
• Notify applicant that requested address number is acceptable
• Prepare and issue notice of address change to other City departments and
outside agencies:
• Administrative Services
• Business Licensing
• Code Services
• Engineering Services
• Fire Department
• Library
• Planning Services
• Police Department
• Public Works Services —Administrative &Water Services
• Adelphia
• Arcadia Unified School District
• AT&T
• Chamber of Commerce (commercial & industrial addresses)
• Champion Broad Band
• Los Angeles County Assessor
• Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters
• Los Angeles County Tax Collector
• Southern California Edison
• Southern California Gas Company
• United States Postmaster
• Verizon
• Waste Management
• Verify receipt of address change notices
• Update digital and hardcopy records
• Respond to and follow up with inquiries and errors
Administrative Services
• Update digital and hardcopy records and monitor billings to verify payments
based on new address
Business Licensing
• Determine if subject address is associated with any licenses or permits, and
update records as applicable
Engineering Services
• File notice for future cross-referencing and update maps
Address Changes
June7, 2011 — page2
Fire Department
• Update digital files, and update maps at the three fire stations and in each
vehicle/apparatus (approx. 20)
Planning Services
• Update digital and hardcopy files and maps
Police Department
• Update maps
Public Works Services
• Update digital files, maps and water meter records
• Remove and repaint address number on curb
It has not been determined what affect an address change has on all of the outside
agencies, but there are some recurring issues:
• The Arcadia Unified School District routinely follows up with Building Services
to verify that the address change is not the result of a new unit
• It is apparent that the Los Angeles County Assessor does not update its
records unless some other activity is associated with the address change, such
as a change of ownership, significant construction, or some other change in
valuation
• Mail delivery is disrupted unless the applicant also files a change of address
with the Post Office
FISCAL IMPACT
If address changes are re-implemented, the Development Services Department
recommends a fee of $1,250 to cover the processing costs so that there is no fiscal
impact to the City.
REQUESTED ACTION
Provide direction.
Approved:
Donald Penman, City Manager
Attachments: May 3, 2011 Staff Report
Spreadsheet: Address Change Time and Cost Study
Address Changes
June 7, 2011 —page 3
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Supe:lii .,n hurts
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By iiireeda Giaaar staff Writ ' ,
ATt�CtAedUTA==Tire fear of four has ,� ^°�- ';”" ,
rProm'i tlt Arcadia of iciuls to ag a to '� •.
e city'8 ctldtraversihl policy. 7.,,� ,
of 'nOt allowing homeowners � Np....;a� ,, �im�e j'y" r :!°� �u ,+ (:":.:f! .
Oh their .;
Months after.u holdin the � , - �� ei
the.City Count has agreed to eon- r
aider it aster several homeown- a� " '` --4� f
era compeii they can't sell,their F,f r u ,e R ,; , * e - � #
homes at fair market value due to a '
u l'''' a.-444,4.' YriA3 t ,� a E°it ,` e-m•popular Chinese belief. f' ` , �" 4 �Q r1 ,
The number fear is considered ";.;',;'1",...-v,4-,." e 7` " ' 'xa i �' .. d r '',,
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rt, a r? t I !�ei`'. i'v•-4�{ �, a s . ti ��
unhuky�by many in the Chinese cal- � t'�r , R A �� .��,
turesiiicea1t�sounda like the word-for
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death.la Mandarin. Add addresses
with multiple'fours are considered m
particularly inatisnidous. r-
"It has a real impact on People," z
Mayor`Cary libva cic said. "I don't i
think We can cast It off as a,nutty
superstition.I think we:Have to dunk
at the true econoinie impact of rthis, i
whether you believe in this.supersti-
tion•or': ot"
Arcadia'has an Asian. population
60 percen, and many
potential yers.in Ilse city are Chip eliatisraplio
neap;!officials have said .
The issue,whitih fuss discussed at w.a aaaalni sad
the gept ko i�ottnoil meeting, Daniel Luong and his mother have been trying to seN their"bursae at 4>a W,Wistarig Ave,.In Arcadia Ante
Ill like -1„,'
e-lam,on the,Nov. 1 March,but have had no success.The'numberfour is considered unlucky by many in C.hinese.cttlture Arcadia
agenda; City Manager Don Penman
said. has an Asian population near 60 percent and many potential.:buyers in'ihe city'are Chinese, ;the ls,saiti,
"It's probably one that merits a full home at 44 W. Wistaria Ave: since were interested in that ro
council;"he said,noting that.not all P Petty lint Several cities in tlae San Gabriel
Pave ebhuieil ntietisb be present Mme"when his father unexpectedly when they found out that the Cki was 'valley sdlaw`h affieo srs to:t 108,:d
�`coo - eilbetS will present
then' passed away. not going to change its pals' ,"they theiraddt�ess ltr . a,:;age.
t uture c a ci'v*true'a significant `fie are desperate and wefeel that away, -said Jean Tang of mead, Temple d
dit loo s li a it wiee. tinows nifi it's we.-are the,victims in this ease,"he RE/MA'Pr'emier Properties. .. West.Covina.
d�to end OP'. told'the council on'Sept.6. "This is not superstitious a reel But Councilman s x 4a, flier,,
the lho 1'l Voted 9�2 to igh , she said in an email t�l, is is a real who voted
i Iii June, Lunt said his next door ne bor ,s ai het ,: e, 1=
who has an older•home and almost right n n.'(-that):re an in par societe Icy f>i hint,s policy ttdt .s i. WtIt.i e
slid a policy pod tl}e°stooks aidce :right Clow as more•and more ese "bad pttb9ic pol3 �to,ah m ii,
lb91 that allowed customer-requested the,same lot dimensions,was able to #
ion his pi�o'' i of otily the U, E.
address changes fora fee..Unaware .Pe for $1.7 million 'homeowner Min . '
ray immigrants move tb Arcadia. N
the council hall approved;the policy "within wee vii listing it.In epic: ap . t d.,al has notify some g dips ate halt•i
their-home has b 1 ivd else leas ew icadow, i ,
3�aaa ire, Tdie Aev'ela�pwent 5ier- ti'a� been sated kw .lives at*it W Foo�illl n red �
raoixths unaucee� icy r just over requested the council r that its pol not 'sit ontc a gx lack e�
eq6 casks ..9., , lbwing ifi iiy, noting in a letter that "tiny r its,i h Ai in, ld m fn pOu ` }
ye 3 rs ago due;to a high $1.¢:million,he sari have told us they l hot•even 4. era in a'n emergency a said
k y 4 a of r uests and di iculties.it "JEve talon
offer we' , ,„.„,,,...,,,,,b..., skier in a.hnls ,;, " a P ►t#al'ly, I d� o
cre for city'rec'o -keeping, ofd- beeen contingent on y�..-Wh r h T m d e.s 4% 1 }r st#b 4 P� cy:t,.-,,,f..
Ci�a1ve said. r� Pal, 7 a been address adage le to be�a' l Q�4,e .x t�uj!es :. p " t e m 44v 1.F r s
C o 4140. ,�28 dl%h and his not,Luong said. �:� - �: ,¢,,,e,-'�"n." a lei t j i`r ,
• d. ' ,.,.r Wi`1G r er : 5�rg S '�fi Ath,'�°e 'f "'M
aa+b s er eve been dying sell their More than a dozen potential nyers tnpolicy.
SUNNY CONSTRUCTION&DEVELOPMENT CORP
68 GENOA ST UNIT A
ARCADIA CA 91006
Phone 626-574-8083 Lic B737977
Fax 626-574-8693
c `
October 5, 2011
RECEIVED
Gary A. Kovacic, Mayor CITY OF ARCADIA
City of Arcadia City Council OCT 1 7 2011
P.O. Box 60021
Arcadia, CA 91066-6021
tr TY COUNCIL
Dear Mayor Kovacic,
I am writing to you as a concerned Arcadia citizen, business owner, and Arcadia real
estate developer in regards to the issue of allowing property address changes. Aware of the
ongoing issue, I wanted to voice my support in allowing property owners to apply to change their
addresses.
As a real estate developer there are times where we do not purchase properties ending
with a"4" for development, even though the property is in a desirable location. This is not due
to our personal superstitions but it is a fact that these properties are harder to resell once they are
complete. Property values are lower if it has an address ending with a"4."
We understand the City's point of view of not allowing address changes for safety
reasons,however many of our neighboring cities(with a good Asian population) allow such
change with no issues. To combat unwarranted and frequent address changes, I suggest that the
City raise the fee substantially,perhaps to $2,000-$5,000 so that only serious homeowners will
go through the process. In return this will help hire additional staff to process applications if
needed. Also, the City can limit the number of times a property can change the address so there
won't be unnecessary and frequent requests.
We believe properties should be valued based on their characteristics and location and
not be affected by a simple number that could be changed. We cannot control what people's
superstitions are but sadly it is a fact that this number affects home values negatively. I trust the
City will be fair in the assessment and will make a decision from an economical, not superstition
standpoint.
Respectfully yours,
Sunny Chan
President
RECEIVED Jeffrey K Bowen rTTy OF ARCADIA
IA
1919 Wilson Avenue
Arcadia, California 91006 OCT 0 6 2011
CITY COUNCIL
October 5, 2011
Arcadia City Council
City Hall
240 W. Huntington Drive
Arcadia, California 91007
Mayor and Council,
I am very pleased that you have decided to re-visit the issue of allowing
Arcadia homeowners to change their street address slightly, for a fee, to
remove a number "4". (Pasadena Star-News, October 2, 2011)
I have been a realtor in Arcadia since 1985, and I know the significant
financial impact a "4" has on the sale of a property. Like it or not, it is a
big problem, today.
I am preparing to list a home in Arcadia with the address of"44". The
sellers are keenly aware, as am I as their realtor, that their address is going to
present a challenge, ultimately impacting the price, unless they are allowed
to change the address.
Please give this issue fair consideration, and think how you would feel, if you
lived in a house numbered "44", and wanted to sell it in the Arcadia real
estate market, as it exists today.
• cerely,
Oft4, A G
effrey K. Bowen
•
From: laelandtom(aaol.com f mailto:laelandtom@aol.comJ
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 5:00 PM
To: City Council Email
Subject: To Roger Chandler
Dear Councilman Chandler,
I so appreciate your position on the "number 4" address matter. No one group should be
given preference over the laws of our City. I just sent this to the Star News:
Regarding your article, "Addressing number 4," here is yet another, "exception"
being contemplated for a particular group of people. Look around Arcadia and
notice the bending of the law regarding business signs and window
advertisements. Not a pretty sight to this long time Arcadian. This is the
second time I have had to write about this, "number 4"fiasco, and I hope it's
the last. While sorry for the owners who can't sell, this IS America and I trust
any new residents are aware of our regulations before choosing to come here.
Lael Blocker
Arcadia
(626) 446-0912
I hope you will continue to oppose any change in the existing policy. Welcoming
immigrants is one thing, but catering to their unique beliefs is another.
My regards and thanks,
Mrs. Lael Blocker
From: Terri Anderson Imailto:terbery@ msn.coml
Sent: Monday, October 03, 2011 6:41 PM
To: Mary Buttice
Subject: To The Entire City Council: Houses With a Number Four in the Address
A home with a number 4 in the address in Arcadia, owned by an Asian,
doesn't sell. The homeowner blames the non-sale on an Asian superstition
regarding the number 4.
If my husband & I were to own the same home and it didn't sell - what could
we blame it on?
We wouldn't have an excuse nor answer other than it's a lousy economy right
now. And yes, we are Caucasian.
We are sick to death of honoring other ethnicities' quirks, rules and
superstitions.
We live in the United States of America. Yes, we welcome all who come here
legally to live. But we have taken it to the extreme. We have the worst
economy in history. People are out of work.
To bend rules for a silly superstition is a slap in the face to the Americans
who have lived and worked here their entire lives.
And the cost of such a frivolous change? The city and state economies can't
sustain this hit - changing maps, emergency personnel information, etc. It is
not a simple number change.
Surely a buyer will come along to buy a property with a "4" in the address.
But until then, let the homeowner join the rest of Americans who are trying
to sell in a buyers' market. Either re-evaluate your home, the price you
want, or enhance the home's assets.
If my husband and I were to somehow buy a home/property in an Asian
country and that real estate had 666 or the number 13 in its address - could
we ask the Asian government to change the number to suit our beliefs? I
think not.
Please keep Arcadia as it is. We have already suffered through the monster
mansions. To ask the local government to change the residential address
system to suit a certain ethnic group so it will enhance the resale value is
absurd. Our local government has more important issues it should be
addressing and not an address - that may or may not mean the sale of a
home to a nervous seller.
Terri Anderson
Arcadia
From: Mike Jones fmailto:mike1jean2Caverizon.net1
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 12:34 PM
To: City Council Email
Subject: Address changes
I don't believe the City Council should entertain the thought about allowing
immigrants to this city to change their address because numbers in the address are
superstitious in their beliefs. I live on South Tenth and there are plenty of Asians buy
houses here and could care less about numbers in the address. Are you going to let
Asian immigrants and real estate agents come here and step on our culture and create
animosity between Asians and the citizens of this community? Immigrants that come to
the United States of America need to adapt to our way of life and our culture and not
rape our Country of our benefits afforded to U.S. citizens just because they have a lot of
money!! As far as I can see Councilman Rodger Chandler is the only one that can see
through this superstitious hokey pokey as a waste of TAX PAYER'S money and not be
impressed by someone because they have a lot of money!!
On another note what does it take to get Public Works to fill pot holes? I live on
S. Tenth between Camino Real and Duarte Rd. my self and a few neighbors have called
to get pot holes filled, they came buy filled five or six then left. There are some on this
street that are pretty good size that remain to be fixed. They use a quick cold patch that
floats out after a couple rain storms, why can't Public Works use a hot asphalt and roll it
and be done with it instead of coming back year after year.
Sincerely: Mike Jones
ADDRESS CHANGE
TIME AND COST STUDY November 1, 2011
Hourly Rate Hours Cost
Administrative Services
Sr.Accounting Technician 67.88 2.00 135.77
Building Services
Building Technician 69.56 6.00 417.36
Building Official 135.91 2.00 271.82
Business License
Business License Officer 71.3 0.33 23.53
Engineering Services
Assistant Engineer 93.56 4.00 374.24
Sr.Administrative Assistant 69.56 0.08 5.56
Fire Department
Radio Captain 137.51 3.00 412.53
Planning Services
Community Development Administrator 161.53 0.25 40.38
Sr.Administrative Assistant 69.56 1.00 69.56
Associate Planner 93.56 0.50 46.78
Police Department
Dispatcher 78.71 0.08 6.30
Public Works
Administrative Assistant 98.03 1.50 147.05
Associate Civil Engineer 164.61 0.50 82.31
Streets Maintenance Crew Supervisor 124.49 2.00 248.98
Total Time&Cost 23.24 $2,282.16
Address Change
Time and Cost Study
November 1, 2011