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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 8,1960 1 ROLL CALL WEST ARCADIA REZONING (Referendum) llNDE::}{EJ) J~)D7 1 04907 M I NUT E S CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 8, 1960 Pursuant to the order of adjournment of the regular meeting of the City Council of March 1, 1960, the City Council of the City of Arcadia met in regular adjourned session in the Council Chamber of the City Hall at 7:30 P.M. March 8, 1960. PRESENT : ABSENT : Councilmen Balser, Camphouse, Jacobi, Phillips, Reibold None Mayor Reibold stated that in the election to be held in Arcadia on April 12, 1960, there will be submitted a City Measure with regard to Ordinance No. 1071 on which written arguments, not to exceed 300 words in length, for or against said measure, must be filed with the City Clerk not later than March 11, 1960 in order that such arguments may be sub- mitted to the voters with their sample ballots for said election. He thereupon called on the individual Councilmen to present their comments in order that their ideas might be condensed and summarized in 300 words for presentation to the City Clerk. Councilman Camphouse stated in substance that Council has been presented many times with requests for a master plan for the entire city; that in this particular instance an attempt has been made to rezone an entire area at one time, placing thereon certain restrictions and conditions that could not apply if the rezoning were done lot by lot, and that this in effect is master planning but on a smaller scale; that the reaction encountered in this matter would be magnified should Council attempt this same planning on a larger scale. Councilman Balser stated in part that he strongly believes that Arcadia is primarily a city of distinctive homes; that personally he has always strongly opposed the encroachment of business development in a residential area; that in this particular instance a different situation exists in that the zoning included in Ordinance No. 1071 covers a declining residential area adjacent to an established major shopping center. He compared the proposed development to one in Pasadena on Foothill Boulevard near Michillinda which had been strongly objected to by Arcadians at public hearings on the theory that it would deteriorate nearby residential property, but stated that time has proven this fear unfounded in that the last few lots in the area have recently been improved by houses costing approximately fifty to sixty thousand dollars. That the proposed development in West Arcadia is similar in scope and will prove to be an asset. That in his opinion traffic will not be increased to any discernible degree as it will be channeled to 'the major highways. Councilman Phillips commented in part that he has not changed any of his opinions regarding the proposed development; that he had voted in favor of Ordinance No. 1071 and would do so again if necessary. Councilman Camphouse suggested that a committee embody the ideas and thoughts of the Council in for presentation to the City Clerk. be appointed in order to not more than 300 words 1. 3-8-60 t/--ct07 04908 TREES (Downtown Business Section) (: ,~/~ ADJOURmlENT , ~. ()\ ~~ Councilman Jacobi stated in part that he also still favors the rezoning as contained in Ordinance No.' 1071 and commented that it is deplorable that the buying income of Arcadians leaves the City. Mayor Reibold stated in substance that he believed the referendum has accomplished one important factor in that it has made a large number of citizens more cognizant of the City's business and its future goal. He added that Arcadia's buying income the past year was approximately $98,600,000 of which approximately $68,000,000 had been spent in Arcadia; that approximately $22,000,000 were food purchases upon which no tax is realized. He pointed out that if this proposed development jumped across the street in less than one long block it could be in the County, beyond the control of the City and from which the City would not benefit I revenue-wise. He presented other figures showing percentage increases in cost of fire and police protection and public works which outstripped the increase in assessed valuation, and that with the ever increasing population ways and means must be found to increase the City's revenue. ,~' That the 'full commercial development of the area in question would eventually result in return to the City of approximately 29 cents on the tax rate. The City Attorney advised that the Election Code provides for the submis- sion of arguments both for and against a measure; that it contemplates that more than one argument will be submitted and sets up a priority list to guide the Clerk in the selection of the arguments for and against the measure; that the first priority is to be given to the argument submitted by the legislative body or by ,a' member of n\embers of the, legislative body authorized by the Council to submit an argument. Councilman Camphouse moved that Mayor Reibold appoint a committee, composed of members of the Council, to prepare an argument representing the opinions of the Council in regard to the aforementioned City Measure, not to exceed 300 words in length, for presentation to the City Clerk not later than March 11, 1960. Councilman Jacobi seconded the motion and it was carried unanimously. Whereupon Mayor Reibold appointed Councilmen Balser,phillips and himself to serve on such committee. In answer to Mayor Reibold's inquiry if anyone in the audience desired to address the Council, Mr. D. H. Johnston of 250 West Camino Real, stated that he had read in a newspaper that the City is contemplating planting trees and inquired if the cost quoted of between $600.00 and $700.00 per':tree is true. The City Manager advised that such information had been obtained from the Downtown Los Angeles Committee on planting trees in downtown Los Angeles, which included the cost of the tree, the construction of a well, a grate over the top of the well, and a metal protection for the tree. In answer to Mr. Johnston's further question as to whether this was the I cost for the proposed planting of 330 trees, he was advised that the cost of planting 300 trees along Santa Anita Avenue will be approximate 1 $3500.00. That the program first referred to is contemplated for the downtown business area and that he had been authorized to discuss the matter with the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, it being anticipated that '-' this cost will be borne by the businessmen themselves. No one else desiring to be heard, Mayor Reibold declared the meeting adjourned at 7:55 P.M. '. ". ,ATTEST: .'1'''. -". W~~~k'ry,~ City Clerk 3- 8- 60 2.