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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 20,1971 I I CITY COUNCIL ~OCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF TRE CITY CLERK 19:7941 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. 10-20-71 - 1 - , CONSENSUS: (by motion) EATON'S PROPERTY 19:7942 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 10-20-71 - 2 - I CONSENSUS (by motion) ADJOURNMENT TO DATE CERTAIN I 19:7943 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: O~/tffl/*- Vor ~:vr~~ ~~ City Clerk 10-20-71 - 3 -