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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 26,1970 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 1:7699 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 26, 1970 I 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. I 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. 8-26-70 - 1 - 1:7700 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 8-26-70 - 2 - \<f:7701 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. I 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 8-26-70 - 3 - 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. I 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 8-26-70 - 4 - UTILITY TAX ORDINANCE AMENDED /" {J .I1f/~ I 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' , 8-26-70 - s -