HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 26,1970
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
ADJOURNED
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 26, 1970
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The City Council met in an adjourned regular session on Wednesday,
August 26, 1970, at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber of the Arcadia
City Hall.
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
City Attorney Robert D. Ogle
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth
None
The Planning Commission, by Resolution No. 706, granted a conditional
use permit to Paul Disselken to conduct a Maranatha High School at 501
N. Santa Anita Avenue (corner Santa Anita Avenue and Colorado Boulevard).
This action was appealed by residents and tenants adjacent thereto and
from other areas in the city. A public hearing was held on August 18.
APPROVED Persons spoke in favor and against the proposed use. The primary ob-
r /) ~/ jection appeared to be based on increased traffic in the area as well as
jr-/;/; ~increased street parking. The Council closed the hearing and continued
the matter to this doce. During the interim, staff was instructed to
conduct a traffic survey and recommend concerning the parking problem
for presentation to Council this date.
CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT
(High Schoo 1)
..
The City Manager and Director of Public Works submitted an analysis of
existing conditions and the effect of the vehicular "traffic in connection
with the operation of the school. (Report dated August 24 and on file in
the office of the City Clerk). It was noted therein that the subject site
is bounded by Santa Anita Avenue on the east, Colorado Boulevard on the
south and Windsor Road on the west and is about one block south of the
Foothill Freeway Interchange with Santa Anita Avenue. At present the
Freeway terminates at Santa Anita thus greatly increasing the traffic.
Another section of the Freeway is scheduled for completion early in
1971 and the total traffic is expected to be reduced by thirty percent.
Santa Anita Avenue is presently carrying approximately 29,500 vehicles
per day with some congestion during peak traffic hours but with minimal
delays. The southbound peak occurs between 7 and 8 a: m. while the
northbound peak occurs between 5 and 6 p.~. on weekdays.
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Colorado Boulevard: is a 2-lane arterial with left turn lanes at Santa
Anita Avenue and is currently carrying about 11,500 cars per day. West-
bound peak is between 7 and 8 a. m. and eastbound peak is between 5 and
6 p.m.
Newman Avenue: Is a 36' wide street running westerly from Santa Anita
Avenue and serves the R-3 area west of that avenue and north of Colorado
Boulevard. It is .currently carrying about 666 cars per day with the
morning peak between 7 and 8 a. m., and the evening peak between 5 and
6 p.m. It was noted that other streets with the same dimensions are
carrying over ten times this volume of traffic with no serious problems.
Concerning the accident rate: While the volume of traffic has nearly
doubled in ten years, the accident rate has remained about the same - due
in part to street improvements. After the Freeway is completed and traffic
reduced along with the improvements scheduled'in the near future it is
anticipated that the number of accidents will decline.
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A Study Plan was reviewed indicating how parking and traffic circulation
could be handled within the campus site. It was the opinion of staff
that the proposed use would not cause serious traffic problems, the students
would be arriving after the morning peak and leaving before the evening
peak. It was recommended that an additional 35' driveway be constructed
on Santa Anita Avenue near the north property line and be connected to
the driveway along the south side of the building and marked for one way
traffic and that traffic be allowed to exit by Cornell Drive, Newman
Avenue and thence to Santa Anita Avenue. The existing parking spaces
would remain just as they are. It was also recommended that the school I
issue parking permits not to exceed the number of available parking
spaces, and that no parking be permitted in front of the building, or
on the public street. Considerable discussion ensued as Council reviewed
a sketch of the proposed parking lot study plan along with a detailed
hourly traffic volume survey.
The City Clerk read into the record petitions with 265 signatures of
local residents ~gmg Council to grant the conditional use permit, a
Resolution adopted by the City of Rosemead commending the school for
its contributions in the field of education and moral training and a
communication from Pastor Richard A. Norris also urging the granting of
the permit.
Councilman Hage summarized his thinking on the matter; that the majority
of the objections have been met, i. e., the possibility that there would
be too many students on the property has been met with the limitation of
125 students; the concern of the adjacent residents that their properties
will be taken advantage of by parents and students in unloading cars has
been met with the requirement that permits be issued stating this cannot
be done; the fear that students will loiter on the lawns has been answered
by the school in that it has a closed campus. That leaves the traffic. He
referred to the Public Works Director's report indicating that the exist-
ence of the school will not materially increase the traffic; that both
Colorado Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue are operating below the capacity
at the present time. He continued that in his observation all school
properties in the City abut private property, single family dwellings
and/or apartment buildings and as far as he knows it hasnlt caused val~s
to decrease nor has it disrupted living conditions. He felt that in a
sense the school has almost 'put up a bond' in that the conditional use
permit is only for one year and it has no assurance it will be renewed
unless it proves to be a good neighbor; that he felt it should be allowed
the one year opportunity.
Councilman Helms observed in part that the only thing he could add to
Councilman Hage's comments was that the school itself has an excellent
reputation; that it would be a valuable asset in its own right within
the City; that the question to him appears to be whether or not the
site is suitable and whether the change from the church use, which was I
limited to primarily Sunday use when traffic was at a minimum, and whether
the change would adversely affect the neighborhood. That this is what has
concerned him the most - whether or not a hardship would be imposed on the
adjacent residents. He felt that the restrictions as recommended are
exceedingly harsh compared to most conditional use permits granted; that
the time for school opening is close at hand and that in his'opinion the
recommendation of the Director of Public Works in all probability will
satisfy the needs of the school and will also protect the property owners.
Councilman Considine stated in part that originally there was concern
that the structural aspects of the building were inadequate, but with
12 classrooms and with only 125 students there would only. be 12
students per room - far below the norm per school room in any other
school within the City - that in addition there is an auditorium, dining
area, recreation room, chapel and a cafeteria - all within the building.
The school has answered all the other problems i.e,requiring a closed
campus, etc. That the traffic was the pivotal point with him which has
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been answered by the traffic study, the parking requirements and
regulations; that he felt Council would be remiss if it did not
grant the conditional use permit on a one year trial basis.
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Councilman Arth stated in part that he too had checked into the
school and found nothing but the very best recommendations, but
that at the same time Council is considering the use of property
which is zoned R-3 on which a church had been conducted for some
time; that he has to consider those living within the neighbor-
hood and what the effect will be; that he really feels it is not
a good location for a growing school -- just too many people on the
size of property; that the 125 student limitation will not remain
and in order for the school to amortize the mortgage of approximately
$100,000 it will probably have to increase its enrollment; that in
his mind it would not be too many years until a request would be
submitted for an increase of students.
Prior to calling for the motion Mayor Butterworth stated in part
that he agreed with the majority of the Council members. That if
he were a resident of the area he would undoubtedly have been con-
cerned, but after hearing the objection by the residents and
responses by the school he could not reasonably conclude that the
school is going to disturb the life style or the living habits of
the residents; that the conditional use permit would not be in
perpetuity - only for a one year period, during which time it can
be ascertained whether or not the school will prove to be a good
neighbor. Whereupon he called for the pleasure of Council in the
matter.
MOTION
TO
APPROVE
Councilman Rage MOVED that the Planning Commission recommendation
contained in its Resolution No. 706 be SUSTAINED; that a Conditional
Use Permit be granted the Maranatha High School pursuant to regulations
and restrictions as recommended by staff including an additional drive-
way on Santa Anita Avenue (the entries be only on Santa Anita Avenue
and Colorado Boulevard with the exit to be only on Cornell Drive to
Newman Avenue to Santa Anita Avenue). That there be a closed campus
during school hours, restricting all vehicles to the school parking
area; that parking permits not exceed the number of parking spaces to be
issued by the school and no parking to be permitted on adjoining streets.
Councilman Helms seconded the motion which was carried on roll call vote
as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth
Councilman Arth
None
METROPOLITAN Pursuant to Section 336 of the Metropolitan Wa ter District Act it is
I WATER DIST. necessary on this date for the governing body of the City to take
, TAXES formal action electing to payout of municipal funds 50 percentum of
f '1?ir:- the amount of Metropolitan Water District taxes which would otherwise
-' ~ be levied upon property within the City for the fiscal year 1970-71.
ADOPTED
/
Whereupon the City Attorney presented, explained the content and read
the title of Resolution No. 5058, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ELECTING TO PAY 50% OF THE 1970-1971
TAXES LEVIED UPON PROPERTY WITHIN TRE CITY BY THE METROPOLITAN WATER
DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA."
RESOLUTION
NO. 5tl:Sl:l '7'/"-8
It was MOVED by Councilman Hage, seconded by Councilman Arth and
carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full
body of Resolution No. 5058 be WAIVED and that same be ADOPTED.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
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CITY TAX
RATE SET
AT $1. 00
/
"
ORDINANCE
NO. 1419
ADOPTED
./
PROCEDURAL
ORDINANCE
WAIVi
If: 7702
Council considered all aspects of the City Manager's detailed report
dated August 24 concerning the differentials in the estimated assessed
valuations and those certified to by the County-Auditor Controller.
Instead of the anticipated 1.5% increase there will be an increase of
only 0.45% which means that the City would receive $14,042 less than
estimated. That instead of the estimated population of 47,650 residents
the recent Federal Census indicates the City has 44,843 residents which
reduces revenue in cigarette taxes, motor vehicle license fees (in-lieu
taxes) and in gas tax funds. It was also noted therein that a review
of the payment schedules in connection with the recently adopted utility
tax reveals the receipts will be less than originally anticipated. Total
deficit approximately $103,000.
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Computations based on the originally considered $.95 tax rate were
explored as Were the census figures. Discussion held on ways in which
the population figure could be chal1eng~d and it was agreed that there
is no guarantee the figure would change if such a move were undertaken.
Reference was made to the anticipated revenue from the race track this
year which may be conservative inasmuch as it is not expected the track
will experience any interference or disruption in its racing days such
as occurred last year.
It was the consensus of Council that the budget could be reduced by
some $36,000 which would make it possible to reduce the tax rate by
5 cents; that the City Manager could determine where to cut the
budget who stated in part that there may be further adjustments
necessary as the year goes along - that perhaps the sales tax revenue
may have been estimated too high also. However, the $1.00 tax rate
was fixed by the following ordinance.
Prior to the ordinance introduction and on MOTION by Councilman Arth
seconded by Councilman Considine and unanimously carried, the ordinance
in the hands of the City Clerk was interlineated to reflect:
General Fund
Retirement Fund
Sewer Bond Fund
District Nos. 1 & 2
$.7766
.2146
.0088
District No.3
$ .7766
.2146
Total tax rate (per
each $100 assessed value) $1.0000
$ .9912
Whereupon the City Attorney presented, explained the content and read
the title of Ordinance No. 1419, entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA FIXING THE RATES OF TAXES AND LEVYING
TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1970-1971."
It was MOVED by Councilman Considine, seconded by Councilman Helms
and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the full
body of Ordinance No. 1419 be WAIVED and that same be ADOPTED.
I
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
In order to consider the following matter, it was MOVED by Councilman,
Arth, seconded by Councilman Considine and carried on roll call vote as
follows, that the provisions of the Procedural Ordinance be waived:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Rage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
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UTILITY
TAX
ORDINANCE
AMENDED
/"
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ADJOURNMENT
I
1': 7703
Pursuant to Council action of August 18 the City Attorney presented,
explained the content and read the title of Ordinance No. 1418,
entitled, " AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
REPEALING SECTION 2671.4 OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
A TAX ON PERSONS USING CABLE TELEVISION."
It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Considine
and carried on roll call vote as follows, that the reading of the
full body of Ordinance No. 1418 be WAIVED and that same be INTRODUCED,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Arth, Considine, Hage, Helms, Butterworth
None
None
(Section 2671.4 of the Arcadia Municipal Code imposing a tax upon
persons using cable television service within the city will be"
repealed).
Some discussion held on City of Bradbury communication.
At 9 p.m., the meeting adjourned sine die.
!LJ J6JJP~
Mayor
et:~~'~
City Clerk' ,
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