HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 18,1970
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
INVOCATION
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
MINUTE
APPROVAL
,
HEARING
(High
School)
CONTINUED
TO
AUGUST 26
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST L8, L970
The City CounciL of the City of Arcadia, CaLifornia, met in reguLar
session in the Council Chamber of the Arcadia City Hall on August 18,
1970, at 7:30 P.M.
Fred M. Barner, Jr., First Church of Christ, Scientist
Mayor Edward L. Butterworth
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth
None
On MOTION by Councilman Arth, seconded by Councilman Helms and carried
unanimously, the minutes of the regular meeting of August 4, 1970,
were APPROVED. Councilman Considine abstained from voting as he was
absent from said meeting.
An appeal was filed from the decision of the Planning Commission in
granting a conditional use permit for a Christian High School at 501
North Santa Anita Avenue subject to conditions outlined in Resolution
No.706.. The appeal was petitioned by property owners and tenants
within a 300 ft. radius of the subject property and others opposed to
the high school in the subject location. In their letter of appeal it
was stated in part that it was felt the parking was inadequate, the
ground space for student recreation was inadequate and the facilities
could not accommodate the anticipated expansion from 125 to 250 students.
Mayor Butterworth asked for and received a show of hands of those in the
audience who were either in favor of or opposed to the high school at
the northwest corner of Colorado Boulevard and North Santa Anita Avenue.
The Planning Director detailed on projecturals the existing and surrounding
improvements. There is presently a vacant church building on the approxi-
mately one acre of land which is zoned R-3. The applicant proposes to
conduct a private high school with a student body of not more than 125
students with a staff of 10 with a hope to expand at a later date but not
in the existing facility. The Planning Director explored the number of
accidents occurring at the intersection during the last eleven years and
stated that the site is adjacent to residential and multiple uses; that
there is not sufficient room for outdoor athletic activities. He indicated
the existing parking spaces which would be adequate for the enrolLment
presentLy anticipated. He recommended that a waLL be permitted to be
constructed on city Land to screen the parking area from the apartment
buiLdings and noted that the Commission recommended approvaL of the condi-
tional use permit for a period of one year and then enumerated the condition
of approvaL as set forth in the resoLution.
Mayor Butterworth declared the hearing open and the appLicant, PauL DisseLk.
introduced the PrincipaL of the Maranatha High SchooL, Mr. Green, who stated
in part that an option to purchase had been entered into with the owners of
the subject property. He said he understood the position of the adjacent
property owners as to the traffic generated in the area and the recreation
facilities. He said that similar problems were resolved after the schuol
began its operations in the City of Rosemead, which facility is beIng moved
to this area. He said that 110 students are enrolled at the presellt time
with seven fuLL and seven part time teachers, none of whom wuuLd be at the
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school at one time. The school hours are from 8:30 AM until 3:30 PM
Monday through Friday. That there are 30 seniors, Ll of whom wouLd
be driving their own cars and out of L7 juniors four would be driving
their own cars. That there are car pools with parents driving and
estimated no more than 30 to 35 cars would be parked there on any
singLe day. That events at which more cars would be parked are heLd
only about six times a year. He feLt that parking should be the least
of the worries of those concerned with the schooL.
Mr. Green continued that any recreation program would be carried out I
at County Parks and was in possession of a letter from the County Parks
and Recreation Department to that effect. He noted that students could
use the City parks aLso for athLetic activities. That the school has
aLways used pubLic faciLities for recreation, but expLained that they
wouLd not be used for football or basketball and expressed wilLingness
to remove the existing basketbalL backboard currently erected on the
premises. No eating or leaving rubbish on adjacent lawns could occur
because the school has a closed campus ruLe and students eat in the
dining room.
He stated that aLl students are screened and that christian schooL
organizations are growing rapidly throughout the country and if
permitted to move to the City it would enter the community endeavors;
that it would be a good neighbor and feLt that the fears of the property
owners and tenants would prove unfounded if given an opportunity.
Dick Norris, one of the Board of Directors of the School, noted that he
couLd have invited parents and aLumni to attend this meeting; but that
Mr. Green had presented the situation quite weLl; that in order to
accommodate more students than are to be enrolLed at the subject Location
the schooL wouLd have to acquire Larger space; that they are working on
obtaining a larger parceL of property consisting of several acres, but they
are not in a position to reveal any details at the present time.
David Fisher, Vice Principal, commented that the students work very hard
to remain in the school inasmuch as there is a merit system and leaving
campus wouLd constitute a de-merit and felt confident the students would
not vioLate the ruLe of not leaving campus during the Lunch time.
THOSE SPEAKING AGAINST...IN PART.
\,
Don Westlund, property owner of L8 and 21 W. Newman Avenue, stated in
part that he represented property owners and tenants who signed the
petition (on fiLe in the office of the City CLerk); that there was no
opposition to the school per se but that the site is not adequate for
the intended activity; that it did not seem feasibLe or good pLanning
to place a fast growing institution at the subject Location. He
expLored the reasons for petitioning Council to disaLlow the faciLity I
as set forth in the communication dated July 30. The primary concern
being the traffic situation, which at present is extremely hazardous
for those aLready residing there due to the off-ramp of the FoothiLL
Freeway. Reference was made to a report of the Planning Department
concerning the parking requirement, the possibility of increased
parking on the public street wh~ch would reduce the parking spaces
available to tenants and their guests in the area of Santa Anita Avenue,
Newman, Windsor and Cornell Drive. He stated in part that property values.
would be affected as would the rentabiLity of the apartments to desirabLe
tenants. In response to a question he stated that when the church was
Located at the subject site it only heLd services on Sunday which did not
conflict as persons were not going to work that day. Discussion heLd on
the possibility of altering the traffic pattern.
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Walt Barker, 520 Cornell Drive, stated in part that the site is not
adequate for the intended purpose; that the improvements take up
aLmost 75 percent of the property and the only recreation space would
be the front Lawn; that in his opinion the property values and
apartment rentabiLity wouLd be damaged. ,
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Duane Weimer, 534 CorneLl Drive, asked that Council reverse the decision
of the Commission for the safety of the residents in the area. He summarizec
a discuSsion he had with a staff member of the engineer's office concerning
the traffic hazard as it now exists on Newman, Windsor and CornelL Drive -
aLl dead-end streets; that there are no 'Not a through street' signs to
alert drivers who attempt to short cut from Santa Anita Avenue to Colorado
Boulevard in the subject area. He asked that no action be taken untiL a
full traffic study has been made as to what might occur during an extreme
emergency necessitating the assistance of the fire, police or ambulance
service.
Richard SchaLLer, 606 CorneLL Drive, stated in part that his main concern
is for the approximately 35 children already Living in the subject area -
they are picked up by a school bus each morning at the corner of Newman
and Santa Anita Avenues amidst traffic already hazardous.
Ogden NeeLy , 531 Wimsor Road, explored the difficult time encountered
by perSOns endeavoring to exit onto Santa Anita Avenue due to the fast
moving traffic.
Marian Reese, 915 N. Santa Anita Avenue, spoke on behalf of a group of
residents between the Freeway and north to Foothill Boulevard, on east
and west Floral Avenue and West Forest Avenue. She outLined the
existing traffic bottleneck and its hazards to those living in the area
and submitted that the existence of a facility requiring more traffic
wouLd only add to the situation. In referring to the non existence of a
'No right turn' sign at the southwest corner of Foothill Boulevard and
Santa Anita Avenue it was noted that staff wiLl once again request the
State Division of Highways to erect such a sign.
Don Betsinger, 12 Yorkshire Drive, owner of 5LO-5L4 N. Santa Anita
Avenue, questioned the adequacy of the size of the present facility to
accommodate so many students and was assured by Council that should the
schooL desire to increase its enrolLment it would have to return to
Council for consideration.
George Gilbert, 525 Windsor Road, felt that a school should not be
permitted inasmuch as the subject area is all R-3 and shouLd so remain;
that the former church was acceptable but evidently the proposed high
school is not in view of the protests.
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Harold Westlund, L8 W. Newman Avenue, spoke on behalf of the retired
residents in the subject area and expressed fear that the high school
would destroy property values and the peace and quiet of the neighbor-
hood.
Constance Weimer, 534 Cornell Drive, expressed concern for the safety
of residents and students. She stated in part that she had visITed the
facility in Rosemead and noted a school bus and questioned the practicaLity
of busing students to other locations for physical education activities
and spoke of how difficuLt it would be to maneuver a bus in the dead-end
street area and felt the traffic situation would only be compounded with
the increased number of cars and concluded by stating that the site was
inadequate in her opinion for the proposed use as far as the welfare of
the students was concerned.
Jean Fuches, 5L9 Windsor Road, asked that consideration be given to
regulating the traffic signals on Santa Anita Avenue especially during
the early morning hours when persons are going to work and during the
racing Season.
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Georgia Hampton, 532 CorneLL Drive,questioned the use of CoLorado
Boulevard entrance to the church property and expLored the difficulty
of entering the boulevard from that driveway.
F~ank Cann, 923 North Santa Anita, stated in part that he was not in
agreement with the present traffic flow or pattern; that there is too
much traffic on Santa Anita Avenue at the present time.
MX. Green, Principal of the High SchooL, answered some of the questions
thusLy; that the schooL does have a bus but does not bus students and
could not see why students could not use Santa Anita Avenue - it is a I
public street - that the approximateLy 28 cars could not possibLy add to ,
the existing traffic probLem. He reiterated that students wouLd not
Lounge or eat on the adjacent lawns as the dining area wouLd be used for
that purpose; that there wouLd be no cooking on the premises aLthough
it has the accommodations and that if CounciL desired it could limit the
number of.students who wouLd be permitted to drive cars to school and it
could also require the removal of the basketball backguard.
Don WestLund, addressed CounciL again stating in part that some of the
things brought up at this meeting were not mentioned in the application
o~ report and questioned the schooL Locating at the subject site in the
ftrst place when it Looks to the day for an expansion to some 250 students
which number the present property could not accommodate; that if it were
permitted the entire city would suffer because the surrounding improvements
wouLd depreciate in value.
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No one eLse desiring to be heard, the hearing was CLOSED on MOTION by
Councilman Hage, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried unanimously.
Councilman Hage submitted that from the evidence given most of the
objections propounded by the residents and tenants can be policed by
the school authorities, i. €., loitering, littering, and eating on the
lawn areas and noted there will be no recreational activities on the
site, therefore, it appears the main objections are the flow of
traffic and increased parking and suggested staff be instructed to
p~epare a study in that regard.
CounciLman Considine agreed and added in part that a change in the
t~affic pattern wiLl take pLace when the freeway makes its next extension
sometime in the Spring of 1971; that it wiLl stiLl be heavy but not as
heavy as it' is now. He also concurred that a traffic study is needed.
Councilman Arth stated in part that the schooL organization is one he
would weLcome into the community, but agreed that there is aLready a
serious traffic probLem in the subject area. He questioned the size of
the property to accommodate a growing facility.
In answer to question as to what effect a delay wouLd have on schooL
operations, Mr. Green noted that orientation takes pLace September 11
and school opens September L4.
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Councilman HeLms stated in part that the facilities do not appear 'to
be situated or adequate to conveniently and safeLy accommodate the
type of activity contemplated; that he wouLd not want to make a final
decision untiL some further studies had been conducted by experts in
the traffic department.
It was then MOVED by CounciLman Hage, seconded by CounciLman Helms and
carried unanimousLy that the matter be continued to August 26 at 7:30 P.M.,
and that the City Manager be instructed to conduct forthwith a study of
parking and traffic.
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HEARING The PLanning Commission by Resolution No. 703 recommended certain
(Planned changes in the zoning and subdivision ordinances relating to 'Planned
Unit Unit Developments which would permit residential development of a site
Development) of not less than three acres without regard to the present minimum
I lot sizes and yard requirements - density would remain the same as
;,[ . under existing ordinances. A conditional use permit would be required
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. .' 'and would not become operative until compLete final plans for the
&1 constructio~ a~d instailation of all improvements required were approved.
The Planning Director displayed and expLained various design concepts
indicating built-in privacy which could be obtained by living around a
commons with homes isolated from the street. How this differs from the
normal subdivision was discussed and it was pointed out that street
asphalt areas woqLd be repLaced with greenery' ~nd parks, and that any
legaL problems reLating to rights and responsibilities when sharing a
parcel of land could be controLled by city laws and developer contracts.
Mayor Butterworth decLared the hearing open and H. H. Goddard, 1010
South BaLdwin Avenue, was informed that the resoLution being considered
is the same as was discussed on July 22; tha~ no changes have been
made as yet, although when the City Attorney redrafts the ordinance
provision wilL be"made for deveLopment of hiPside properties under the
new regulations and provision for the ultima~e' decision to be in the
hands of the City CounciL.
In answer to Mr. Goddard's query as to why a conditional use permit
is to be required, Mayor Butterworth explained that this is an entirely
new concept and Council desires to have adequate control at Least until
it has more experience in the area. Mr. Goddard referred to and
enumerated procedures and requirements which 'a' Local subdivider feels
are not workable. The Planning Director explained .the intent and.
desire of the Commission in conditioning the ~~solution in this manner;
that it wished to ensure that the littLe rematning vacant land in the
city is developed to its very highest standard; that the conditional
use permit and the preLiminary plan requirements were included realLy
for the benefit of the deveLoper - that it is'a safeguard for all
concerned.
CharLes Gilb, 940 Singingwood Drive, on behalf of the Rancho Santa
Anita Property Owner's Association, was informed by the Planning
Director that the vote of the Commission on the subject matter was
five in favor with two members absent. He was also informed that
the County Assessor considers property for reassessment about every
six or seven years.
Councilman Arth MOVED that the hearing be CLOSED. Motion seconded by
Councilman Considine and carried unanimously.
It was MOVED by Councilman HeLms, seconded by CounciLman Considine and
carried unanimously that the City Council declare its intention to adopt
a Planned Unit DeveLopment Ordinance along the lines recommended by the
Planning Commission in its Resolution No. 70~; that the City Attorney
prepare the appropriate ordinance including various ideas presented for
consideration by Council at its next regular ~~eting on September 1.
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
d rJ.) - I I.AV
::;, (/1./-,,1 j'Roger Walker, Systems Manager of the FoothilL TV Cable Company, spoke
, of the recent adoption by the City of a utility tax ordinance (No. 1415).
"/),7.1:(' 'r) He stated in par~ that his company has a very smalL portion of the city
J 7 to service and that the requirement would be discriminatory against a
small number of people in the city; that the CaLifornia City Model
r~~' Ordinance excludes cable television from any utility taxation because
the business is ~ot considered a utility; that it has been ruLed a
service by court decision. He asked for exclusion from the requirement
and noted that his company does not have a guaranteed return but is
regulated - that the city sets the rate by fr~nchise.
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INCREASE
IN RATES
LIBRARY
GROUNDS
POLICE &
FIRE
COMMENDED
STREET
MAINTENANCE
(continued)
CONTRACT
AWARD
(Water
Lines)
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/
SECOND
AVENUE
l' REALIGNMENT
Y / / ;. /<1/
RESOLUTION
NO. ~'7"/..>7'
ADOPTED
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Council concurred that it would be discriminatory to impose such a
tax inasmuch as it services such a relatively few clients whereas
the majority of residents have television without having to subscribe
to the service. The City Attorney wiLl prepare the necessary document
to effect the deLetion of cable TV from the ordinance.
LesLie Bloom, 2L E. Las FLores Avenue, was advised that a date wiLL be
set at this meeting for the pubLic hearing on the request of the City
Refuse Service Company for an increase in rates.
Council commended Mrs. Gordon Shipman, 14 Christina Street, on her
interest in taking some action to preclude the grounds of the city
library from being Littered as occurred last July 4. She has voLun-
teered to bring it to the attention of the Friends of the Library and
perhaps provide additionaL trash containers and the Like.
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Council received and expressed appreciation for the commendations
received for the efforts of poLice and fire department in a recent
accident involving a young man.
Council accepted the recommendation of the City Manager and the Director
of Public Works and continued consideration of the bids received for
street maintenance (Job No. 365).
The City Manager and Water Manager reported on the folLowing bids and
made recommendation for the award of the contract to the Low bidder for
the modification of water distribution lines required for FoothilL-
Freeway Phase IV.
Vi do Samarzich Co.
J. M. Covington Corp.
Hood Corporation
Ace Pipeline Construction, Inc.
R. M. Vukanovich Construction Co.
M. E. Fridrich Co.
35,287.00
35,413.50
36,409.00
38,830.00
48,721. La
62,555.00
It was MOVED by Councilman Arth, seconded by Councilman Hage and
carried on roLL call vote as folLows, that the contract be awarded
to the low bidder, Vido Samarzich Company, in the amount of $35,287;
that alL other bids be rejected; that any informaLities or irregu-
Larities in the bids or bidding process be waived and that the Mayor
and City CLerk be and they are hereby authorized to execute the
contract in form approved by the City Attorney. Funds are budgeted
currently under Account 470-70 Item 4 and Account 470-71 Item 5.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
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The City Manager and the Director of PubLic Works recommended the
adoption of a resoLution requesting the transfer of funds from County
Aid to Cities Fund to pay the City for the portion of Bonita Park
property necessary in the widening and realignment of Second Avenue.
Whereupon the City Attorney presented, expLained the content and
read the tit le of Resolution No. 5054, enUt led, "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA CONVEYING A PORTION OF BONITA PARK
FOR STREET PURPOSES TO BECOME A PART OF SECOND AVENUE."
It was MOVED by CounciLman Considine, seconded by CounciLman HeLms and
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EVENT
APPROVED
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
RECONVENED
APPOINTMENTS
TO BOARDS
ADJOURNMENT
TO TIME
CERTAIN
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On MOTION by Councilman Hage, seconded by CounciLman Considine and
carried unanimously, the Tournament of Roses Association was granted
permission to hold its Fourth Annual Auto Show and Benefit Party on
October 22, 1970. The event wiLl be heLd at the May Company middle
parking Lot.
At 10:30 P.M., Council adjourned to an executive session.
At lL P.M. in the Council Chamber.
Mrs. George KiLleen was reappointed to the CiviL Defense and Disaster
Board for a fuLL four year term on MOTION by CounciLman Arth, seconded
by Mayor Butterworth and carried unanimously.
Mrs. Earl G. McNalL was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees
for a full four year term on MOTION by Councilman Considine, seconded
by Councilman HeLms and carried unanimously. ~
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Mrs. BartLing Anderegg was appointed to a full four year term on the
Library Board of Trustees on MOTION by Councilman Arth, seconded by
Councilman Rage and carried ~nanimously.
Mrs. Edward A. Gudus was appointed to filL the vacancy created by
the resignation of Thomas McKibben, to expire June 30, 1973, on the
Sister City Commission on MOTION by Councilman Hage, seconded by
Councilman Helms and carried unanimously.
At Ll:LO P.M., the meeting adjourned untiL Wednesday, August 26, 1970,
at 7:30 P.M.
!}~,l(j3Jt~
Mayor :
ATTEST:
~~Mf~
City Clerk
<,
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~~W1~
~~u1
/
TRANSFER
OF FUNDS
/
YOUTH
COMMISSION
/
INCREASE
IN RATES
ADDITIONAL
PAY - Police
Officer
APPROVED
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ORDINANCE
/&0. L417
ADOPTED
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carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full
body of Resolution No. 5054 be WAIVED and that same be ADOPTED.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
It was further MOVED by Councilman Considine, seconded by Councilman
Helms and carried on roll caLl vote as follows, that the Finance
Director be authorized to transfer funds in the amount of $63,901.50
from the County Gas Tax Account to the Reserve for Capital Projects
Account in the General Fund; that such fund be earmarked and reserved
for acquisition and/or development of parks and playgrounds.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
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The request of the Youth Commission for exclusive use of Wilderness
Park on Sunday, September 20, for a Special Youth Day was APPROVED on
MOTION by Councilman Hage, seconded by Councilman Helms and carried
unanimously. NOTE: The request for permission to charge a fee for
the event to be held at the public facility was not authorized.
Two public hearings were scheduled for SEPTEMBER 1.
Increase in rates - requested by 1) City Refuse Service Company
and 2) San Gabriel Valley Cab Company.
On recommendation of the City Manager and the Personnel Director it
was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine and
carried on roll call vote as follows, that the request of the Police
Chief be APPROVED and that he be permitted to increase the number of
Investigators from 6 to 7 at a cost of $300 per year - the proposal
is to pay one additional officer the $25 per month. The funds cannot
be provided from the vacancy factor since this is a deduction and not
an' increase in the budget. The Department will meet the additional
cost from existing budget totals.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
The City Attorney presented for the second time, explained the content
and read the title of Ordinance No. 1417, ,ent it led; "AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA PROVIDING FOR THE CONTINUITY
OF THE COUNCIL IN THE EVENT THAT FIVE VACANCIES EXIST ON THE COUNCIL."
It was MOVED by Councilman Hage, seconded by Councilman Helms and
carried on roll caLl vote as foLlows, that the reading of the full
body of Ordinance No. 1417 be WAIVED and that same be ~DOPTED.
1
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
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