HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 20,1971
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CITY COUNCIL ~OCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF TRE CITY CLERK
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PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
ADJOURNED
TO EXECUTIVE
SESSION
RECONVENED'
APPOINTMENT
GENERAL PLAN
M I NUT E S
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 20, 1971
The ,City Council of the City of Arcadia, California, met in adjourned
regular session on Wednesday, October 20, 1971 at 7:00 p.m., in the
Council Chamber of the Arcadia City Rall.
George Weisner, Press representative.
PRESENT: councilmen~di~ Rage, Relms
ABSENT: Councilmen~, Butterworth
At 7:05 p.m., Council adjourned to an executive session in the
Conference Room with the City Manager in attendance.
At 7:30 p,m" Council reconvened in the Council Chamber.
It was announced that William D. Woolard has been appointed the City
Planning Director.
Council continued its deliberations on the General PIan.
ITEM 15:
a. West side of Santa Anita Avenue from the freeway north
to Foothill Boulevard is indicated on the General PIan as
medium density and commercial. It is currently zoned R-2
and C-2 and developed with medium density residential
uses and a service station at the corner of Foothill and
Santa Anita.
Considerable discussion held on this area with residents participating
as follows: Frank Cann, 923 N. Santa Anita Avenue, referred to the
noise emanating from the freeway, the speed of the vehicular traffic
on Santa Anita, the almost impossibility of obtaining desirable tenants
under these conditions, Asked about an anti-noise ordinance and was
informed that one is under consideration. Suggested C-l or C-2 use
for the area to be held in abeyance until a development for the entire
area comeS about.
Benjamin M, Strain, 813-817 N. Santa Anita Avenue, agreed with Mr, Cann,
and enlarged on the tenant problem, Re stated in part that financing
just is not al[ai-I:abl'e"'for resident ial use in the area and asked for a
change in zoning.
Esther Allen, 825 N, Santa Anita Avenue, concurred with the previous
speakers, adding that it should go commercial.
Mrs, Marion Reese, 915 N, Santa Anita Avenue, spoke on behalf of other
residents on the west side of Santa Anita, requesting consideration of
another classification for the property which is unsuitable in its
present zoning. She spoke of the noise from speeding vehicles
including motorcycles, the problem of retaining tenants, and 'urged
Council to place a realistic zoning on the property - i.e., for an
hotel, hospital, etc.
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CONSENSUS:
(by motion)
EATON'S
PROPERTY
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Extensive discussion held on the future of this area. It was noted
that legal1y it would be possible and even desirable for Council to
indicate the possibility of a reclassification if and only when a
proper development which would encompass the west side of Santa
Anita, the east side of Tindalo, between the 'freeway and Foothill
Boulevard,was submitted and approved,., along the lines of an
apartment complex or office type structure ..,
It was subsequently MOVED by Councilman Considine, seconded by
Councilman Arth and carried unanimously that the subject area be
indicated on the General PIan for a future Planned,Commercial De-
velopment, This would not change the present zoning.
b. East side of Santa Anita from the freeway north to I
Foothill Boulevard is indicated on the General PIan as
low density residential, zoned R-3 and developed with
mixed medium and high density residential.
CONSENSUS:
Remain as indicated on the General PIan, Righ
Density R-3 zone.
During the discussion on this portion, Ted Weigand, 27 E, Floral
Avenue, expressed agreement with what has thus far transpired for
the subject area.
ITEM 21.
Property at the southeast corner of Michillinda and
Colorado indicated on theGeneral PIan as low density
residential (R-l) and currently developed with a
commercial use through a variance granted originally
in 1939.
The Planning Director explored the uses permitted under the
variance and the City Attorney explained the legality of the
zone variance which was granted by Council and amended at
various times during the years; that if a variance, or
conditional use permit, were granted today the terms of the
original variance would not apply, however, it was and is still
legal and that in his opinion the property may continue the use;
that the intent of a non-conforming use is that one day it will
be removed whereas with a variance it is contemplated it will go
on indefinitely just as if it were a zone change, Re noted that
some landlords do have unique properties which take a long time
to market and during that period it could not be said the use has
been abandoned. That is the case unless specific action is taken
to limit that indefinite continuation. It was noted that the
Planning Commission is thinking in that direction.
William S, Ruby, Investment Manager for the Times Mirror Company,
owners of the property, Re noted chronologically the history and
the condition of the property when the original variance was granted;
there were no homes surrounding the corner, He said they assumed
full possession of the property in January 1970 and since that I
time have made every effort to secure a suitable buyer; that in
every instance they have referred the buyer to the City to as-
certain what could or could not be done with the property; that
although the business has been closed there is no thought of
abandonment. He referred to economics as one cause for the 1na-
bility to sell; that they have no interest in leasing the property.
Re distributed fact sheets and explored the advertising campaign
currently underway. Re submitted the substantial investment in
the property and improvements and the approximately $31,000 annual
property tax. He concluded by stating in part that the property
will be kept weeded in the future and the intense campaign will
continue.
John Maize, 1148 La Rosa Road, expressed opposfrion to any zoning
other than R-l, as did Mrs, Edward Berry, 1167 Volante Drive. She
also submitted the possibility of the property being acquired for
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CONSENSUS
(by motion)
ADJOURNMENT
TO DATE
CERTAIN
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single family residences and was advised that the asking price is
around $2,500,000. William Gleason, 901 Monte Verde, President of
the Rancho Santa Anita Residents Association, commended the Times
Mirror for its endeavor to maintain the property and went on record
as opposed to any zoning other than R-l. Re suggested consideration
of a 5 year limit to the existing variance. Michael Card, 816
Victoria Road, observed that the property in question could become
a part of the lower rancho area which is an inward-turning de-
velopment, Re also suggested that the County Assessor could be
consulted by the Times Mirror for an adjustment in taxes as it is
really R-l property.
Inasmuch as there can be no substantive change made in the zoning at
this time that it remain in its present status. Whereupon it was
MOVED by Councilman Considine that the subject property remain as
indicated on the General PIan - R-l - under the existing variance.
Based on the legal opinion rendered by the City Attorney, Councilman
Arth seconded the motion which was then carried unanimously.
At 10 p.m, the meeting adjourned to Wednesday October 27, 1971 at
7:30 p.m.
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
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