HomeMy WebLinkAboutJULY 16,1996_3
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE AUDIO AND VIDEO TAPE RECORDED AND ON
FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY 'OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 16,1996
The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in a Regular Meeting on
Tuesday, July 16, 1996, at 7:00 p,m, in the Arcadia City Hall Council Chamber.;,
INVOCATION Rev, Ron Fraker, Victory Chapel, Church of the Foursquare Gospel
PLEDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE Patrick Malloy, Maintenance Services Director
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmember.; Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
ABSENT: None
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2,
NLAMP
(Marko Brown)
O/!>"o_~O
AI;,'
OUTGOING
COMSNRS,
(Kelly, Wong,
Leatherman,
Patnou)
PROCLAMA-
TION
(National
Parents' Day)
PRESENTATIONS
Ms, Marko Brown was present on behalf of the New Los Angeles Marketing Partner.;hip
(NLAMP), a partner.;hip between the public sector and the private sector within Los
Angeles County which was created a year and a half ago. NLAMP is a five-year
program designed to improve the image of Los Angeles County and encourage
businesses to come to the area, Ms, Brown looks forward to having the City of Arcadia
join as a member of NLAMP, (The City Manager later verified that Arcadia is a
member.)
On behalf of the City Council, Council member Chang presented plaques in appreciation
of their service to Roland Kelly, outgoing Arcadia Beautiful Commissioner, and
William Wong, outgoing Parking District Commissioner,
On behalf of the City Council, Councilmember Mary Young presented plaques in
appreciation of their service to Peggy Leatherman and Lois Patnou, outgoing Senior
Citizen Commissioner.;,
Mayor Kuhn presented a proclamation to Heidi M. Iseda, East San Gabriel Valley
Parents' Day Coalition Coordinator, proclaiming July 28, 1996, National Parents' Day.
Mayor Kuhn encouraged all residents' to join in recognizing the importance of
responsi,ble parenting to creating a healthy society,
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CPR CERTIFl- AI Little, President of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. presented a CPR certificate
CA TE TO to Mayor Kuhn, who attended and graduated from a CPR class sponsored by the
MAYOR KUHN Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Kuhn encouraged everyone to become certified in CPR
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3,
ORD, & RES,
READ BY
TITLE ONLY
4,
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PUBLIC
HEARING -
PROPERTY
LIENS FOR
COLLECTION
OF DELIN-
QUENT FEES
(APPROVED)
0.3 ftl?1-.i.. (l
RESOLUTION
NO, 5933
(ADOPTED)
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38:0236
SUPPLEMENTAL INF9RMA TION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
The City Manager reviewed today's Council meetings. At a closed session at 7:00 a,m"
Council discussed matters of litigation between the City, Sully-Miller Company and
Seaboard Surety Company regarding the Downtown 2000 Project, In open session,
Council reviewed the Downtown 2000 Project and took actions to finalize project costs
and payments to contractors; authorized an appropriation from a lighting district to pay
for a portion of project costs; granted a loan between the Redevelopment Agency and the
City for short-term financial purposes; and accepted completion of the Downtown 2000
Project. At a 5:30 p,m, meeting the Council had a presentation from NLAMP, the New
Los Angeles Marketing Pannership, regarding how the City, the Chamber of
Commerce, and the community relate in the marketing effort within the region,
It was MOVED by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Chang, and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows that ordinances and resolutions be read by title
only and that the reading in full be WAIVED,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
PUBLIC HEARING
Consideration of report and recommendation to adopt Resolution No, 5933, ordering the
placement of liens upon real property for the settlement of delinquent rubbish, sewer,
and property related fees, Ordinance No, 2008 authorizes the collection of delinquent
charges and services fees by placing liens on the related real property. Council has
received an updated list of those fees which have become delinquent. After the hearing
is closed, staff will correspond with the County Tax Collector, if Council concurs, to
place liens upon the properties, It was noted by the City Treasurer that at this time all
property owners on the list, except one, have settled their accounts,
Mayor Kuhn declared the public hearing to be OPEN,
No one desiring to be heard, the public hearing was CLOSED on MOTION by
Councilmember Lojeski, seconded by Councilmember Young and CARRIED on roll call
vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Council members Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
The City Manager presented and read the title of Resolution No. 5933, entitled: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA, ORDERING THE PLACEMENT OF LIENS UPON REAL PROPERTY
FOR TJiE SETTLEMENT OF DELINQUENT RUBBISH, SEWER AND PROPERTY
RELATED FEES."
It was MOVED by Councilmember Lojeski, seconded by Mayor Pro tern Harbicht and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows that Resolution No. 5933 be and it is hereby
ADOPTED.
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38:0237
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Council members Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO
ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
Manmerite Soencer, Mayflower Avenue, stated in part that as yet minutes have not been
prepared for the Planning Commission's meetings of April 29, April 30, May, 14, May
16, May 30, and June 25 during which testimony was taken regarding the General Plan
Amendment. She noted that only the meeting of April 29 was televised for the ease of
the transcriber, and suggested that all meetings should have been video recorded to
facilitate the preparation of a written record of testimony, which might be called for
should any party take legal action, Holding up the distribution of written records until
the General Plan Amendment is approved by Council is unwise, since evidence was
heard by planners and not by the City Council,
Frank Goddarg, 620 West Huntington Drive, in part, read from a letter addressed to him
from the City Manager with regard to the proposed commercial entertainment center on
Santa Anita Race Track property. The letter stated that the City Council would not
interfere with the initiative process in the event that sufficient signatures were received
to qualify the initiative for a public vote, Sufficient signatures have been obtained, and
the issue will be placed on the November 19% ballot. However, if the City Council
approves a change in land use for the Santa Anita Race Track property to commercial,
this will be construed as interfering with the right of the people of Arcadia to make such
a decision. Mr, Goddard urged the Council to see to it that no major change is made in
zoning or approval of projects to be built on the Santa Anita property until the people of
Arcadia have voted at the November election,
Gino Roncelli, Ramona Road, stated in part his view of the future of Arcadia if Council
adopts the General Plan and Environmental Impact Report (EIR) as submitted, Santa
Anita will develop its south parking lot into commercial and entertainment venues,
resulting in traflic problems, air pollution and falling property values. At times of big
races, there will be insufficient parking, and Santa Anita will become a lesser attraction
and may lose attendance. At that time Santa Anita may ask to rezone the remaining
property for commercial, and might then sell the property to another party, Council
must anticipate the problems before they become unsolvable, Mr. Roncelli asked
Council to accept the Planning Commission's findings and wait to rezone until an
application is presented.
.
().;, \ ' ,;, Colleen Doa!], 422 Gerona Boulevard, San Gabriel, a planning consultant representing
the Neighbors for Arcadia, commented in part on Council's concurrence of all of the
Planning Commission's recommendations for the General Plan Amendment and EIR
except for the area of the Santa Anita property, She stated that the boundaries of the
area referred to on a map for zone redesignation relate to 1,111.000 square feet, which
is more ,than the maximum requested by Santa Anita and more than Scenario B studied
in the EiR. Ms, Doan referred to standards and criteria specified in Scenario B which
were exceeded, including traffic capacities, She hopes Council considers reduction of
the land area to west of Holly Avenue and reduces the density below the 975.000 square-
foot maximum, She emphasized that the EIR is legally challengeable and lacks the
infonnation necessary for certification, Ms, Doan stated that it is not responsible for
Council to change the land use when it has not dealt with the impacts of that decision,
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LOJESKI
(NLAMP)
(Citizens
Financial
Committee)
(Proliferation
of advertising
and election
signs)
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CHANG
(Funding for
freeway sound-
walls)
(Contractor
permits)
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MA TIERS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS
With reference to a comment made by Ms. Marko Brown, Councilmember Lojeski asked
for confirmation that the City of Arcadia is currently a member of NLAMP. The City
Manager stated that there may be some confusion but, yes, the City is a member and is
listed as such,
Council member Lojeski stated that he would like to discuss former-Councilmember
Ulrich's request for a citizens financial committee if the rest of the Council wished to do
so, Mayor Pro tern Harbicht stated that he would not be interested in such a committee. '
The key responsibility of Council is to plan the financial future of the City, He has
noticed that the cities which have financial committees seem to be those which want to
raise taxes and want to have someone else recommend to them that they do so.
Councilmember Lojeski stated that his idea was the committee would be used as an
advisory body only, He suggested that if other Councilmembers are interested, perhaps
they could so inform the City Manager.
Council member Lojeski brought up the matter of the proliferation of advertising and
political signs, a matter which he first brought up after the election in April. He asked
about the status of direction given to the City Attorney regarding this problem. The City
Attorney stated that he and the Community Development Administrator are in the
process of putting together information with regard to other cities, and the information
is not complete but should be forthcoming in the next thirty days,
Dr, Chang commented that in March 1996 Proposition No, 192 was passed. approving
the issuing of a bond to retrofit earthquake-damaged highways and bridges. He believes
that funds from this bond issue may be available for other purposes, such as helping to
fund soundwalls on the north side of the 210 Freeway in the City, Mayor Kuhn has
written a letter on behalf of the City to State Assemblyman Margett, who is on the
Transportation Committee, Councilmember Chang would like staff to follow up if there
has been no response, perhaps by writing another letter to Assemblyman Margell, or to
the State authority to see if this project can be moved up as soon as possible,
Councilmember Chang told of occasions where contractors have failed to obtain
appropriate permits from the City, leaving homeowners to bear penalties, additional
expenses. and even redoing an entire project. In instances such as this, Councilmember
Chang feels that contractors should be made to bear some of the expense and conse-
quences of their actions, The City Attorney stated that there are times when a "fIy-by-
night" contractor does a job without obtaining the proper permits, and then cannot be
located when the work turns out to be deficient. In that case, the City pursues the
property owner, who must in turn pursue the contractor and sue for their remedies, The
Community Development Administrator added that it is an enforcement problem in that
there are not enough people to watch every job. When it is found that a contractor is not
complying with City regulations, steps are taken,
Mayor Pro tern Harbicht suggested keeping a list of contractors who habitually do not
comply with City regulations and perhaps denying them a business license renewal, The
City Mtnager noted that the City is trying to educate residents on the matter of
contractor permits by means of the City Newsletter. Councilmember Lojeski suggested
inserting information into the water bills, in addition to the City Newsletter, and adding
a "hot line" number for residents to call with questions. Councilmember Young advised
that property owners should be aware that contractors are required to obtain and post an
inspection card at each job site. Dr, Chang agreed that there should be a program to
educate the public,
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7/16/96
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(Vote on
utility tax
increase)
lOSt) .<lfJ
.J, '
'V..'S r/
YOUNG
(Citizens
financial
committee)
KUHN
(Lane closure)
7,
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FILL FOUR
VACANCIES
IN MAINT.
SERV, DEPT.
(APPROVED)
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Dr, Chang suggested that the issue of a temporary, one-year City utility tax increase be
placed on the November 1996 ballot for a vote of Arcadia residents. He would like to
discuss this at the next Council meeting. A State measure which will be on the
November ballot. if passed, would require all tax increases to be approved by the voters,
including tax increases of charter cities. Also, since the City already will have an
initiative measure on the ballot, it will not be as costly to add another measure. There
was no consensus of the Council on this suggestion by Councilmember Chang.
Councilmember Young agreed with Councilmember Lojeski that a citizens financial
committee would be worthy of consideration if Council has enough infonnation to give
them'so they have enough work to do.
Mayor Kuhn announced that the eastbound No.2 lane on Colorado Street from Vaquero
Road to just east of Old Ranch Road will be closed to through traffic from Monday, July
22 through Thursday, July 25. This is due to installation of a water line,
CITY MANAGER
Consideration of a report and recommendation to authorize the Maintenance Services
Department to fill various vacancies within the Department. There are five full-time
positions currently vacant, with a sixth becoming vacant in August, They are: General
Services Manager, Field Services Manager, Street Superintendent, Administrative Aide,
Water Services Representative, and Assistant Engineer, The Maintenance Services
Director feels that the positions of General Services Manager and Field Services Mana-
ger can be held vacant for a while, saving the City up to $150,000 in Fiscal Year 1996-
97,
Mayor Pro tern Harbicht noted that this particular recommendation is responding
exactly to what Council was trying to accomplish in asking for review of vacant
positions before they are filled, In addition, the two positions that are not going to be
filled as yet are managerial; the four being filled are for those employees who do hands-
on work.
It was MOVED by Mayor Pro tern Harbicht, seconded by Council member Young, and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to DELAY filling the General Services Manager
position at a savings of up to $78,000; DELAY filling the Field Services Manager
position at a savings of up to $42,000; and FINALIZE the recruitment and fill the
positions of Street Superintendent, Administrative Aide, Water Services Representative,
and Assistant Engineer, with a combined potential savings of $30,000.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
7b, Consideration of a status report regarding a pending exclusive agreement with NEWCO
EXCLUSIVE Waste Systems, Inc., for the collection of residential refuse and recyclables, Several
AGREEMENT months ago, the City withdrew from a multi-<:ity refuse collection process, Staff was
WITH NEWCO directed by Council to negotiate with NEWCO in an attempt to reach a new agreement
WASTE SYST. for refuse and recylable collection. The Maintenance Services Director stated that
(APPROVED) NEWCO has been the City's refuse contractor for the past eight years and has been pro-
cJ f.:J<2 - (.,(\ viding the City with an excellent level of service. Both sides have reached an agreement
on the tenns and conditions of the contract. The Maintenance Services Director
reviewed some of the changes which were negotiated.
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DRAFT
GENERAL
PLAN
UPDATE AND
DRAFT EIR
(Continued
to 8-20-%)
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38:0240
The Maintenance Services Director noted a number of administrative changes in the
contract, summarized as follows: The contract term will be eight (8) years, and may be
renegotiated or revised during the seventh year of the agreement. The City will assist
NEWCO in obtaining recycling containers through a cooperative purchasing agreement
with the City of San Bernardino, NEWCO will provide the City with more reportS
containing a broader range of information that will help the City keep track of diversion
programs and maintain compliance with AB 939. Mr, Craig Freeman, representing
NEWCO Waste Systems, thanked staff and Council for their time and effortS, He also
confirmed that there will still be unlimited yard waste pickup, and clarified that during
the one-week cleanup program in the fall and spring, NEWCO will pick up. free of
charge, an unlimited amount of material,
It was MOVED by Council member Young, seconded by Councilmember Lojeski, and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to DIRECT staff to FINALlZE a rate resolution
and a formal agreement with NEWCO Waste Systems, Inc,. with an eight (8) year term
which may be revised or renegotiated in the seventh year; .
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
(A TRANSCRIPT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEM)
Continued consideration of the Draft General Plan Update and the related Draft
Environmental Impact Report. The Community Development Administrator provided
a synopsis of previous Council comments on the subject in the July 16, 19% staifreport.
Council discussed and asked questions regarding the General Plan text and the EIR.
Considerable discussion took place regarding the designation of "Commercial" with a
floor area ratio (FAR) of ,30 given to the 85 acres of the south parking lot of Santa Anita
Race Track property, The ,30 FAR would allow about 1,100,000 square feet of new
development within those 85 acres, Council at its last meeting chose to strike the
designation "Commercial Entertainment" from the General Plan, so that every reference
to the term "Commercial Entertainment" would be revised to "Commercial,"
Mr, Lloyd Zola of LSA Associates explained that at this time Council should decide
what modifications it wants to the General Plan document, and those modifications will
be brought back in final wording for Council action, Mayor Pro tern Harbicht asked for
clarification of a General Plan goal which states, "Provide housing opportunities for all
residents regardless of soci<H:COnomic status," especially as concerns the word
"residents." Mr, Zola suggested modifYing the wording to say, "Provide housing
opportunities for all economic segments of the community," which is the phrase from
State law,
With reference to the Community DeVelopment chapter and land use designations,
Mayor Pro tern Harbicht pointed out that it is important to understand that there is no
such land use as "Commercial Entertainment," and it is his desire that there not be such
a desigJ)lltion. He recommends that the Draft General Plan be revised to remove all
reference to Commercial Entertainment, since that designation refers to a specific plan
of that nature and there is currently no such specific plan before Council. The wording
should be written to refer to commercial use on the property with regard to the
compatibilities with the Race Track and Santa Anita Fashion Park. Mayor Pro tern
Harbicht agreed with Councilmember Lojeski that if Santa Anita presents a plan for
commercial use of the property, they should attempt to make it more compatible with the
mall. and place it physically a little closer to the mall. He would like to see general
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38:0241
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wording of that nature, Councilmember Young agreed that all reference to Conunercial
Entertainment should be removed in the final General Plan, Mayor Kuhn had assumed
that it would be,
Council further discussed the Draft General Plan. With regard to the section which
refers to housing for special needs groups, Mayor Pro tern Halbicht stated he does not
believe the City should be providing shelters for the homeless, Mr. 20la clarified that at
a minimum. the City must make sure that transitional housing and homeless shelters are
permitted somewhere in the City in the zoning ordinance. With reference to wording
which says, "Actively pursue the establishment of light rail service to Arcadia, including
'a transit stop within the downtown redevelopment area," Council would like to see a
stop in Arcadia but is concerned about cost. The Community Development
Administrator explained that to "pursue" is defined as investigating the matter, and
taking action if the proposed activity proves to be feasible and desirable,
Discussion continued with regard to other matters in the Draft General Plan, Council
concurred that there should be a statement in the section on noise regulation stating
there will be continued lobbying of Caltrans to construct soundwalls on existing
freeways in the City, It was also suggested that the Anoakia School property on Foothill
Boulevard be preserved as a historic site, However, this could not be done without the
property owner's concurrence. It is possible that, as part of a development project, the
Planning Commission would make appropriate findings relative to the feasibility of
preserving the building in place.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED FOR 10 MINUTES
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Council further discussed goals and policies recommended by the Planning Commission
in Resolution 1535 related to Transition Area I. Councilmember Lojeski commented
that the specific sites mentioned on page 6 should be deleted, retaining the statement
"on key vacant properties." Mr, 20la noted that the Planning Commission's
recommendation to retain horse racing, but not to change the designation until such
time as there is a specific project for the Race Track property is not consistent with
Council's current direction, Council member Chang stated he concurs with the Planning
Commission's recommendation for the preservation of the significant architecture and
viewscapes of Santa Anita Race Track if the property is developed. Mayor Pro tern
Harbicht agreed, Mr, 20la suggested that revised text of the General Plan document and
response to all written comments that have been received on the Environmental Impact
Report be prepared and submitted to Council for review by August 9, for consideration
at the August 20 Council meeting,
It was MOVED by Councilmember Young, seconded by Mayor Pro tern Harbicht and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to CONTINUE consideration of the Draft General
Plan Update and the related Draft Environmental Impact Report to August 20, 1996,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSEN}':
Councilmembers Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
8,
CITY AlTORNEY
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Sa, The City Attorney presented for adoption and read the title of Ordinance No. 2053:
ORDINANCE "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA,
NO, 2053 CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 6439(17) OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL
(ADOPTED) CODE REGARDING NEWSRACK MOUNTING REQUIREMENTS,"
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7/16/96
9b,
CLOSED
SESSIO~ ~
OliO .,0
LOJESKI Council member Lojeski adjourned the meeting in memory of Dr, Antone Willard
(In Memory of Nisson, "It's with sadness that I report the passing of a long-time Arcadia supporter, an
Dr. Antone individual that I certainly, in my YeaIS of dentistry and really in City government, have
Willard Nisson) looked up to, The gentleman's name, Antone Willard Nisson, D,D,S,-he was known as
"A.W," to his friends-was born in Washington, Utah, on May 20,1912, and passed
away on Sunday, July 14, 1996, at the age of 84. A. W, was a long-time Arcadia
resident, dentist, and Arcadia Unified School District School Board member, and he was
chairman of that Board many, many times, Tony moved to SI. George, Utah, about 13
YeaIS ago after retiring from his dental practice, which he was in in Arcadia down on
Duarte Road. He graduated from the USC School of Dentistry in 1944, practiced in the
, San Gabriel Valley, then served in World War" in the Navy as an officer at the San
Diego Naval Base, He was assigned to a submarine tender there, and he returned to
Pasadena and then eventually to Arcadia, where he retired from dentistry in 1974, He
served for 14 YeaIS on the Arcadia Unified School District School Board, from 1958 to
1971. And interestingly enough, Tony served in those formative YeaIS when the School
District 'was going through a lot of changes, there was a lot of building, the population
was growing extensively through the community, and he saw the addition of two
additional junior high schools and a number of the newer elementary schools. He also
served as chairman of the Board when the administration building was built for the
School District, He was always interested in education, and he fully appreciated that the
future of society and the future of our country always was going to lay within the young
people and within the children of the community, He is survived by his wife, Cornelia,
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8b,
ORDINANCE
NO, 2055
(INTRO-
DUCED)
O€{(JL) ,~(q
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9a,
CLOSED
SESSION
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38:0242
It was MOVED by Mayor Pro tern Harbicht, seconded by Councilmember Young, and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows that Ordinance No, 2053 be and it is hereby
ADOPTED,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Council members Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
The City Attorney presented for introduction and read the title of Ordinance No. 2055:
"AN ORDINANCE OF TIlE CITY COUNCIL OF TIlE CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECfIONS OF PART 9. ARTICLE III OF
TIlE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO TIlE VOLUNTARY
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAM,"
It was MOVED by Councilmember Lojeski, seconded by Councilmember Young, and
CARRIED on roll call vole as follows thai Ordinance No. 2055 be and it is hereby
INTRODUCED,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Council members Chang, Harbicht, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
None
None
The City Attorney announced that Council will enter a Closed Session pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956,9(a) to confer regarding the existing Workers
Compensation case involving Andrew Ballantyne, and
that Council will enter a Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
for the purpose of an annual performance evaluation of the City Attorney position.
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7/16/96
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KUHN
(In Memory
of Albert
Wesley
Corrigan)
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ADJOURN-
MENT
(July 24, 1996
7:30 a,m.)
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38:0243
daughters Jody and Emily, son Bill, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
He has a brother, Dr, Leroy Nissen, and two sisters, Nina Fry of Salt Lake and Phyllis
Anderson of St. George, In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Golden
Generation Foundation at Dixie College in St. George, Utah, of which Dr, Nisson was
quite a supporter, They have a foundation, they have a program set up.. ,contributions
can be made in his name, So it's with sadness that I do report the passing of an
absolutely wonderful human being and a very staunch supporter of this fine community.
Tony Nisson.
Mayor Kuhn adjourned the meeting in memory of Albert Wesley Corrigan, "I'm also
very sad to report the passing of Albert Wesley Corrigan, who passed away on July 3rd
at the age of 77, AI was born in Pasadena, He lived his entire life in the San Gabriel
Valley and for many years in Arcadia, He was a captain in the Army during World War
11 and served in the Mrican Campaign and in Italy. In addition to his interest in real
estate, AI loved politics and was very active in the Arcadia Republican Club. To say
that AI loved politics is putting it mildly. He was passionate about politics, He was well
read and knowledgeable in a variety of subjects and was respected for his modem
philosophy, and he was a wonderful person to talk to...conversation that would never
end, AI and his wife Helene traveled extensively, and Spain was one of his favorite
places, They would have celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary this year, and AI
was very, very much in love with his wife, Romance was still in their marriage, It was
a wonderful uuion, He was particularly proud of his son Peter, who is an emergency
room doctor at Huntington Memorial. And he was very proud of his country, AI was a
patriot. His close friends refer to him as "Mr, America" because of his patriotism, an
example of which was a ceremony AI coordinated a few years ago to honor veterans of
Desert Storm. He was a very special friend to me...he had a twinkle in his eye and a
spring to his step, and he always had love in his heart for everyone, A very special man,
an outstanding member of the community who will be greatly missed. Services were
held on July 9, The meeting is adjourned in loving memory of Tony Nissen and AI
Corrigan, "
At 9:55 p,m, the City Council ENTERED a CLOSED SESSION, RECONVENED and
ADJOURNED the Regular Meeting at 10:30 p.m, to Wednesday, July 24, 19%, at
7: 30 a, m, in the City Hall Council Chambers for an Adjourned Regular Meeting to
discuss City and regional issues with Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael
Antonovich, and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters or
evaluation of properties,
Barbara D, Kuhn, Mayor of the City of Arcadia
ATTEST:
//~
Robert C. Harbicht, Mayor Pro tem
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7/16/96
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T RAN S C RIP T
(Insofar as decipherable)
RELATING TO
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
I
PUBLIC HEARING - CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT GENERAL PLAN
UPDATE AND THE RELATED DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
JULY 16, 1996
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CONTINUED CONSIDERATION
OF TIffi
DRAFT GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AND
RELATED DRAFT ENVIRONMENT IMPACT REPORT
JULY 16, 1996
CITY MANAGER. WILLIAM KELLY: Mayor and' CO'!11cil, the next report deals with the continuation of the General Plan
Update and Draft Environmental Impact Report discussion, The report we gave you synopsized your actions from the
previous two meetings and we suggested a format for further discussion of the General Plan, I'll defer the matter now to
Donna Butler and Lloyd Zola for further presentation on this matter,
DONNA BUTLER: As Mr, Kelly indicated, we have provided you with a synopsis...if this is incorrect, we would like you to
please let us know, This is On all the transition areas that you discussed at the last meeting, The City Council tonight should
proceed with a discussion on the General Plan text including, but this isn't limited to just these items, but the overall goals
and objectives which are outlined on pages I through 7 and at the beginning of each chapter, The goals and policies which
were recommended by the City Council in their resolution 1535, You need to discuss the text pertaining to the land use
transition areas, especially transition area #1, which begins with page 2-14 in the General Plan and you may want to refer to
their April lOth and April 7th letter from Santa Anita Realty. Also, the General Plan strategies which are outlined at the end
of each chapter and we've included them also in the information which you had received at the last meeting, And then
review of Chapter 6 which is at the back of the General Plan which is implementation and monitoring and this chapter does
set forth the standards by which staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council will be reviewing projects as they are
submitted to the City, And finally, you need to review the General Plan text in relation to the letters that you have received
from the public, As part of this overall review, you also need to discuss and review the General Plan EIR. You can do it
separately, you can do it in conjunction with your discussion on the General Plan, but that's where we'd like you to begin,
Once this has your complete consideration and you've completed your discussion, what we will do is finalize the response to
comments on the draft EIR, circulate those response to comments to the commenting agencies, and revise the wording on the
General Plan per the recommendations of the City Council. Both of these will be brought back to the City Council for your
review, and based upon the Council's review of the final EIR, the Planning Commission's review and recommendations, and
testimony presented at the public hearings, and all other information provided during the decision making process, the City
Council should direct staff to prepare the appropriate resolution which will set forth the Council's findings and decisions,
Tonight the first step is to proceed with discussion on the General Plan text and EIR. This does conclude my staff report,
Mr. Zola, did you have anything?
DR CHANG: I have a question here,
MAYOR BARBARA KUHN: Yes Dr. Chang,
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CHANG: Okay, on this transitional area #1, according to the staff report here, it's approximately 85 acres. I thought it was
123.
BUI1..ER: The infonnation that was given to you in your staff report dated July 8th...those showed approximately 123 acres,
I believe,it was, that was something we put together based upon the area that was submitted quite a while ago as part of the
specific plan, It was a random area, The decision that was made that you have before you tonight was the map that was
presented ...as you recall, Santa Anita made a presentation at the first meeting that said they would like the southerly
racetrack to be, I believe it was commercial, to allow them the most flexibility and they came back the next week and
presented a map along with the letter that said this is the area that they were discussing, which it has been reduced down in
size from the area that we showed on another map.., they show 85 acres there,
CHANG: So this is not the map now?
BUI1..ER: That is the map, yes.
CHANG: This is the map?
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BUI1..ER: That's 85 acres, correct.
CHANG: That's 85 acres?
BUI1..ER: Right. The plan we showed you in all the handouts extended northeast to the intersection of Colorado.., that
intersection there, Thank you.
CHANG: Then that would be 123 acres?
BUI1..ER: Well the total for everything then would have been approximately 123 acres,
CHANG: I would say that if we increased all of this, well....okay. My question here really is the FAR here. We have a FAR
of .3 right?
BUI1..ER: That's what was recommended at the last meeting which equates to approximately 1.1 million acres.
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CHANG: Okay, I agree that's for commercial. Commercial is up to ,5 right? And this point .3 is moderate for commercial,
however when we come to the entertainment, I believe the FAR should be no more than ,18 - is that correct? I noticed
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this...look at the General Plan Update, page 6-4. The commercial entertainment (CE) in the section implementation and
monitoring, you have commercial entertainment here...the maximum intensity is ,18 FAR So I just want to bring out this, I
Commercial looks okay but when it plans to use this for the purpose of commercial entertainment, then this one is too much.
LLOYD ZOLA: That's not the case, There's no such thing as a commercial entertainment zone. The original General Plan
was suggesting that that be a zone, but the Council at its last meeting did not accept that recommendation and zoned it
Commercial.
BUTLER: That was the recommendation, that was what we, as staff, put together and was recommending, What the City
Council did at its last meeting, they did not go with the commercial entertainment designation, they created a designation of
commercial with a floor area ration of .30 for that 85 acres only,
CHANG: Yes, I know this, I know that for commercial, a FAR of .3 is okay, but I think everybody knows that this
commercial is going to be developed as entertainment, commercial entertainment. And According to implementation and
, monitoring section of the General Plan, the commercial entertainment maximum intensity is ,18. So when the time comes,
how are we going to adjust this difference?
ZOLA: There is no difference, That commercial entertainment designation in there has been stricken. If I could...
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CHANG: I don't understand.
ZOLA: The recommendation that Council made at their previous meeting would involve the foIlowing changes to the table
that you're looking at which is Table 6A. It would take what is now on page 6-4 which is commercial entertainment and
delete that from the General Plan, The recommendation, as I understood Council, was not to have that designation, Iustead,
we would have a commercial designation which we would then use on the southerly parking lot on the 85 acres that would
show a floor area ratio of .3 and, as you've heard some discussion, that would allow about 1.1 million square feet of new
development in those 85 acres and that's the way I understood your recommendation, That would also mean that every
reference in the General Plan document in front of you to the term "commercial entertainment" would be stricken from the
General Plan and revised to either "commercial" or the "southerly parking lot", but any place we're referring to the property,
we'd refer to the property...any place we're referring to the name of the designation, that would be commercial,
CHANG: WeIl, I thought that the implementation and monitoring section is for,..Every development should be foIlowing
these sections.. .implementation and monitoring. So I'm confused about this,
ZOLA: You are correct. When this plan is adopted, all future projects wiIl foIlow the implementation and monitoring I
program, However you, as the City Council, now have the ability to add or subtract or change everything that's in Chapter 6,
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That's the purpose of the discussion we have. As another example, on page 6-3, there is a multi-family residential category
allowing up to 30 units per acre, Your recommendation is to modify that so that 30 units per acre would not ever appear on
the land use map and you also modified the multi-family residential 12 to pennit senior projects at 18 units per acre and you
modified the multi-family 24 to allow up to 30 units per acre for senior uses, So what we're talking about right now are what
modifications do you want to the document in front of you. When you have gone through all of those modifications, we'll
bring back final wording for your action.
CHANG: So apparently we need to do some modification in this particular section...implementation and monitoring in terms
and this particular Table 6A - General Plan Designations.
BUTLER: That is correct. In fact, whatever changes you make tonight and eventually adopt, we will be making those
changes. This is a draft copy. We will be making the changes to the document that you set forth tonight.
CHANG: Now, let me ask one step further. Are we going to delete the commercial entertainment designation?
BUTLER: Yes, If that is the wish of the Council, and that's the direction as of this far,
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KUHN: You have a question Bob?
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BOB HARBICHT: I don't have a question, I have some discussion.
KUHN: Okay, discussion.
HARBICHT: Going by the staff's recommendation on the overall goals and objectives, I'm in agreement with the overall
goals and objectives. Looking at specific goals in each section, I had a couple that I wanted to talk about and one of them I
guess is just a question for clarification, I'm looking at page 2.2, General Plan Approach-COmmunity Development Goals,
and one of those goals is: provide housing opportunities for all residents regardless of socio-<<onomic status, and I know
we've discussed this in our requirement for housing, but I find it a tittle bit contradictory that we have a statement that says
provide housing opportunities for all residents, assuming that means people who are living here, regardless of socio-economic
status, and I think that's a worthy goal; the fact is that the socio-economic status of the vast majority of Arcadia is middle
class and above and yet we're also being required apparently to provide low income housing and moderate income housing
which is not for the people who are currently residents of Arcadia Am I correct on this?
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ZOLA: Yes, What might be better wording is to take that goal and modify that to say: "provide housing opportunities for all
economic segments of the community" which is the phrase from State law and that will be a lot.
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HARBICIIT: Okay, I'd like to see that change,
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KUHN: So would I.
HARBICIIT: With regard to community development and layout of the planned land use designations, etc., I'm looking at
page 2-14. In the second paragraph from the bottom it says, "the purpose of establishing a commercial entertainment land
use" and I think it's important to understand that we have no such land use and never have had that That there was a
recommendation that we establish such a land use but my understanding, or my desire, is that we not establish such a land
use, I think the commercial designation does very nicely and that, as was stated in reference to that particular designation,
should be stricken and all of the next several pages should be reworked because they were written, and we've talked about this
over and over, that the confusion that was created by the fact that we had a specific plan before us at the same time as we had
a General Plan. The specific plan is no longer before us, Even if it was, they are two separate issues and I'm unhappy that
the Draft General Plan here has a great deal of wording which refers to that specific plan or a specific plan of that nature, I
think that it should be written in such a way that it refers to commercial use on that property, with regard to the
compatabilities with the racetrack, Santa Anita Fashion Park, and I think that on page....I'm not going to go through all of
the changes...the paragraph at the top of page 2-18 I think should come out totally because it refers to specific uses, All of
that will be addressed if and when we have a specific proposal before us, Right under "Urban Design" on page 2-18, I think
Dr, Lojeski's suggestion oflast week was that if Santa Anita were to come back with some sort of a commercial use, that they
should attempt to somehow make it ~ore compatible with the mall and I think he referred to physically placing it a little
closer and I kind of agree with that and I guess I would like general wording of that nature included in there, And then as we
discussed, going back to implementation and monitoring on page 6-4, we have a designation "commercial entertainment" and
some things about population intensity, maximum intensity, etc" that whole thing should be stricken since it doesn't exist and
it's not one that the Council intends to create,
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MARY YOUNG: Bob, I agree with you, I think every reference to "commercial entertainment" should be removed for the
final plan.
KUHN: Well, I was just under the assumption that would be done,
HARBICIIT: Yes, but it's going to take some rewording of some of the wording here too. I also had a question on page 2-
17, second paragraph, it's talking about transition area 1, it says "future uses that are introduced to the area south of the
racetrack need to be compatible with existing racetrack architectural design," Now does the term "compatible" mean "not in
conflict" or does it mean the same general design?
ZOLA: It means "not in conflict with."
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HARBICIIT: Okay, that's what I hoped it meant because I think there needs to be some flexibility there basically which i!
saying "not in conflict with" that. Do you want me to go on?
KUHN: Sure, go ahead, you're on a roIl,
HARBICIIT: I couldn't find my paperwork. You know we have all of these statements, General Plan Strategies for
Community Development, etc, and I think for the most part I'm in agreement with these. I think they basically layout a
framework for how we're going to accomplish what our vision is for the City of Arcadia but there are a couple that I'd like to
discuss with the Council and the first one is on page 2-40 and it's Community Development, #27 and it's "B" underneath
that. This has Housing for Special Needs Groups and "B" is assist in the provision of adequate shelter opportunities and
assistance programs for families or individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, I'm not in favor of that. I
don't think that the Ci~ should be providing shelters for homeless and so I would like to see that removed,
KUHN: I have a question as how we address the issue as far as the requirements from the State.
!(ELL Y: I was going to refer that to the consultant Madam Mayor and Council, Does that mean we physically must do it or
can we suggest that other cities that have them make people aware of this kind of housing in the region? I think that just
needs clarification.
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ZOLA: Yes, that could be as simple as a referral program, it could be...some cities have used battered women shelters,
centers for families who are having problems at home, transitioual housing. This is not necessarily picking up winos on
Central Avenue and saying "Come on out to Arcadia," So there's a lot of things that can be done with that. At a minimum,
the City needs to make sure that transitioual housing and homeless shelters are permitted somewhere in the City in your
zoning ordinances.
HARBICHT: I guess my concern is basically it says "assist in the provision of shelter opportunities" and I guess I'll get
political here. I think that welfare is the cruelest joke we've played on the poor people of this country for the last 30 years,
We have created a permanent welfare class and I think that providing shelter to so-called homeless people is just another step
down that same road. Start giving free housing to somebody and there's somebody else who is just half a step above that who
says, "Well I'll go to the free housing rather than provide my own housing" and get a growing group and I guess in my small
way, I want to object to that and so I don't have any problem with referring people, I certainly don't have a problem when
you're talking about battered women or those kinds of things.. ,transitional housing. I'm on the Board of Arcadia Welfare &
Thrift and we do provide, as a private organization. transitional housing from time.to time for people who are in trouble, I
don't have any problem with that. It's that "assist in the provision of shelter opportunities," If we could reword that to talk
about making information available and directing people and stuff, I would be much happier.
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YOUNG: Bob, if you take that, and I guess we need to ask the experts, take that first sentence and put a period after "groups" I
and then just not include "A,B,C". But maybe do we have to include "A, B & CT'
KUHN: Do we have to implement the following strategies is what you're asking,
YOUNG: Yes, well do we have to include the wording? Can't we just have the one sentence?
ZOLA: You could take out the wording in paragraphs A, B & C but we would still be required to include programs for
housing for the elderly, housing for physically disabled, and...
YOUNG: Well, if you include the first sentence - "Assist in the provision for housing for the elderly, disabled, large families,
homeless and other special needs groups."
CHANG: By implementing the following strategies, so A, B & C. You know, for "B" - "Assist in the provision of adequate
shelter opportunities, it is very dependent upon how we interpret this.
HARBICHT: I don't want to interpret it, I just think we ought to be specific about it. Why leave it open to interpretation? I
guess, I think Mary has a good idea. If you look now to CD 29 on open space, it is preserve the integrity and viability of the
existing open space areas, It doesn't go into A, B & C of how to do it, it just says that is our general policy and what we're
going to do to...
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YOUNG: Well that sentence says "promote provision",
ZOLA: Yes, it would work to take that out because we still have the programs in Chapter 6 that you'll be reviewing so we
would be all right by deleting A, B & C,
KUHN: I would agree to do that.
HARBICHT: The next one...! suspect there may be some differences of opiuion on this. I'm looking at page 3-28, FS 13
"Municipal Facilities and Services", This is actively pursue the establishment of light rail service to Arcadia, including a
transit stop within the Downtown Redevelopment Area, I believe that fixed rail transit is exactly the wrong strategy for the
Los Angeles area. I don't think there's a study that's been done by any impartial agency that says that fixed rail transit is
going to work in Los Angeles and the money they we're dumping into,.."we" I mean the entire area and specifically through
grants from the Federal government are a big part of it...what we're dumping into fixed rail is, compared to the number of I
people moved by buses at a far, far lower cost, the even lower cost of establishing high occupancy vehicle lanes which we
keep iguoring while we put, what is it, $3 billion dollars a mile into subways...I'm just not in agreement with this, I don't
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think that that is going to solve the transportation problems of Arcadia or anybody else along that line, I think you're going
to have a bunch of empty trains rumbling through there just like you do everywhere else where fixed rail transit is and to
adopt this as our policy as to actively pursue the establishment of light rail, I'mjust not in agreement with,
KUHN: Well I agree, it's not the ultimate answer to the total problem but I think it's ouly a part, but it is a part of the answer
to people moving and to opening up the corridors for people to go to Arcadia and through Arcadia and beyond I see it as a
viable necessity,
ZOLA: Maybe a couple of words could be causing confusion. The words "actively pursue" vs. "pursue". The issue is "rail
stop". I think the issue is that the rail facility, the rail lines, the train, whatever, will go through Arcadia, I mean, we are on
the route, The question fundamentally is "DOes Council want to stop in Arcadia?" And "actively pursue", we can just delete
"actively" and just say "pursue" or "assist", I think the question "Does the Council want a stop in Arcadia" and then we can
change the word accordingly.
HARBICHT: My concern is that I remember about three years ago when the Blue Line was being trumpeted for Pasadena
and there was a move afoot to get it to extend beyond Sierra Madre Villa in Pasadena out to, I believe it was, Duarte or
Irwindale.
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KUHN: Duarte.
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HARBICHT: And at that time, some of these cities were working towards trying to do that and they were talking about the
City of Arcadia putting in $20 million dollars, our share of bringing that through. The ear Trans or MT A, ,whoever it is
that's in charge of this thing, was looking for local effort to say "We're not going to come through there unless there's local
effort" and our local effort was $20 million dollars at that time and if that means actively pursuing this, that we might put up
$20 million dollars, which is approximately pretty darn close to one year's budget for running the entire City, I don't believe
that that's a good use of our money and that's the concern that I have with this,
YOUNG: But don't you think that can be worded so that it would say if the rail line comes through, we would like a stop, but
we're not footing any bills, I mean obviously, we don't have the money for that.
HARBICHT: You mean passively pursue it?
YOUNG: Yes,
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CHANG: Well I think that light rail service is good in downtown you know. To have a stop over there I think will be
beneficial to the downtown business and you know, if we don't have the money, we don't have the money so actively pursue I
doesn't mean that we really have to do it when we cannot do it. So Bob, I see no problem with this.
HARBICHT: I don't have any problem if it comes through, having a stop here.
YOUNG: But let's just have it say that.
HARBICHT: Yes this "actively pursue the establishment oflight rail service to Arcadia" is pretty dam specific.
BUTLER: Perhaps I might like to point one thing out as Appendix B in the back of the General Plan provides some
definitions because some things sound I think, I don't want to say worse, may need some clarification. It's defined back here
as "pursuant", it says "action will be taken to investigate the subject to determine whether or not some further commitment is
in order as a prelude to undertaking implementing action, The expectation is that effort will be expended for research and
evaluation and that if the proposed activity proves to be feasible and desirable, it will be undertaken" and that the definition
that we've provided here for "pursue" so I think that it somewhat means what you're talking about. It doesn't mean that we
implement it but it does mean that we at least investigate,
HARBICHT: I guess I'd rather see the word "investigate" the establishment of a light rail service rather than "actively
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pursue" .
KUHN: Do you want to do that actively or passively?
HARBICHT: I will actively suggest that.
DENNIS A. LOJESKI: For the definition of "pursuing", why not just drop the word "actively"? If the line is coming
through, I'd like a stop here.
KUHN: I'd like a stop.
HARBICHT: I don't have a problem with it stopping.
LOJESKI: I'm not saying if I'm for or agaiust the line, that becomes almost immaterial and with the definition Donna read
of "pursuing", I think that handles that concern,
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YOUNG: Well, you could leave "establishment" out...just pursue light rail service to Arcadia,
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HARBICHf: On the next page, 3-29 FS 22, FS 22 and FS 27 are similar. FS 27 involves our fire suppression personnel and
the development review process by referring development requests, the City of Arcadia Fire Department for review and
comment which I think is something we already do,
BUTLER: That is correct.
HARBICHT: FS 22 is a similar thing for police personnel and I guess I would like to see that limited somewhat by some
modifier in those cases where there's reasonable expectation that they may have an interest or there may be a police situation
involved, I'm just concerned about ifwe routinely refer things to the Police Department because then they have to respond to
it and I'd guess I'd rather have them out catching bad guys,
KUHN: Well, it's also another bottleneck in the process,
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HARBICHT: Right, and so I'd just like some modifier in there that woUld be in those situations where there was some
reasonable expectation that there might be a policing effect or something,
HARBICHf: And then on 5-20, this is under the section on "Noise Regulation" and I would like to see us add an additional
EH 20 1/2 or something, that we ac:tively lobby Cal Trans for sound walls on existing freeways, EH 20 talks about if there are
improvements to the freeway, that we kind of bird-dog Cal Trans to make sure that at the time they're doing the
improvements, that they put up the sound walls, but I guess I'd like to see, I know there's a great deal of interest in the
community, in sound walls and I'd like to see a statement in there that it is our policy that we're going to continue to keep
pressure on Cal Trans to put sound walls where there are none.
KUHN: I think that's a good point.
YOUNG: This is where we need the "actively",
KUHN: The words "ac:tively" pursuant.
HARBICHT: Yes, I'll take it out of the other place and put it here,
I HARBICHT: Those were the comments that I had on the strategies,
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KUHN: Anyone else have anything?
YOUNG: Yes, I want to go back to page 220 and I think Bob maybe referred to this. It looks to me like there's a whole
section there that's referred to, even on 2-19, It's talking about commercial entertainment. There are several paragraphs
that are talking about that and I would expect all of them to be removed,
HARBICHT: Yes, I think that whole section needs to be reworked. Incidentally, we also need to rework the map.
KUHN: Yes, definitely,
!CELL Y: Mayor and Council, we will have to go through this document page by page in all those issues and somehow we'll
do an errata document so you can see what's been changed so when you come to adopt the final, all of your comments and
everything you've directed will be cleaned up one time so you can see exactly what's been modified,
KUHN: I would like to discuss the Anoakia property and their concern with regard to the historical designation. Donna, I
need help as to where I'd find that.
BUTLER: On the material that I passed out with the pink cover, on page 416 in the General Plan it talks about historic
resources and it identifies the Anoakia school site which we cannot ignore as being a historical site, It has already been listed
on the State Office of Historic Preservation Historical Property Data File. It is not designated as a State historic designation,
nor is it on the national register, but it bas been identified as potentially being able to be listed. So we have included that here
because we can't, we don't feel it's appropriate to ignore the issue, The concerns that were expressed by Mr, McCaslin have
to do with, I believe, some of the general strategies that are set forth on page 4-25 and top of 4-26 and we can, depending on
how you would like to, where that we can soften, We feel that this does allow the flexibility to...we note that when there are
places of historic value, we need to recognize them, however we also recognize that we don't want to preclude development
on properties and perhaps we may be able to rework that a little bit.
ZOLA: The policies that we have actnally I think are fairly mild. In looking at Mr. McCaslin's letter, I think one of the
arguments that are made is that the architecture is not representative of any particular style. That's only one of the criteria
for determining historical significance. Another one is that reflects the broad cultural, political, economic or social history of
the community...I would think that any of the Baldwin family's homes would do, Significance because of design,
aesthetically pleasing in its appearance, important to the history of the community but does meet the basic criteria.
The rules that we have in the General Plan right now are one to reqnire that any new development or remodeling be
compatible with the building of the site's historic significance...fairiy reasonable, The only other requirement would be that if
the house would be proposed for demolition, and this is ER 46, and this one really is only for demolition because of public
improvement projects..,that we look at relocation, And what they are talking about...not appear that ER 46 would apply and
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all we'd really be looking at is that the new development be compatible with the historical significance of the site. I think
that's relatively mild, There's no policy, in fact we had looked at one that would have prohibited demolition of any of these
sites and we have not proposed that. I'm not sure that we have really done anything more...in fact, I don't think we've done
anything more, than what the designation of the site calls for under State law anyhow.
HARBICIIT: What about ER 45? I'm not familiar with exactly what that process is...the landmark designation process.
ZOLA: That is a process where both State and Federal agencies have either codes..,for example, in the State codes you can
exempt historic properties from unreinforced masonry act. There are alternative building codes available for historic
structures and the listing is really more of an identification that there is a historic resource which needs to be considered in
future development. The current listing of the Anoakia site is not on the Federal Register, it does not have the same type of
protection that say the Hugo Reid Adobe would which is listed...it is merely identified as being eligible, It does seem to meet
the criteria but in this case, even ER 45 would not apply directly in a proposal for the development of the site.
HARBICIIT: Is this something we could do is designate this as a landmark?
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ZOLA: The City would have the ability to designate the site as a local landmark. You do not have the authority to designate
the site as either Federal or State land,
HARBICIIT: How does that come about?
ZOLA: That would come about through the State and Federal agencies and on the State Register it does require concurrence
of the land owner.
HARBICHT: Yes, that's the reason I'm asking the question because I'm very much concerned about taking away people's
property rights by somehow putting them on some landmark status without their concurrence and then all of a sudden they
are restricted with what they can do with their own property. I mean I'm all for preserving these kinds of things if possible,
but I think if we want to preserve it, we ought to buy it from them or something rather than just." because too many times it's
heavy-handed, that basically they lose their property rights because they happen to live in a historic home.
YOUNG: I'm confused about the Anoakia property anyway. My understanding is the house cannot be moved because of its
construction, type of construction.
HARBICIIT: It would be real tough.
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KUHN: It would be expensive,
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YOUNG: And the other thing...we hear that they're taking down a mural out of the house...that destroys the original edifice I
anyway, I understand a lot of other things have been removed. The point of it is, it's not going to be what it was so is it
worth saving?
BUfLER: It's not a matter of saving ,it'sjust a recognition and that's one thing ifyou...in travels, you often find where it
says "This site w3s the site of such and such"...there's nothing there anymore but it shows that it was the site. As Mr. Zola
said and Mr. Harbicht was discussing, the property owner does have to concur to be on the register, they have to agree, so it's
not something like the City or somebody else just couldn't go there and say "Well gee, we think this is a wonderful historic
place and we want to place it on the register," That is not feasible to do without the approval of the property owner, so what
we are doing here is recognizing that it is a part of the City's histolY. We are not precluding removal of any of the structures
on the lot. It is just acknowledging that this does exist, we would like to encourage, and what is happening right now with
the removal of some of the artifacts - they are being donated to the State Library and some other uses, so they are preserving
those parts of the dwelling and of the actual interior.
KUHN: Okay, Bob?
HARBICHT: Yes, I might just mention, out of interest here, I was involved for approximately a year with a group of people
who were trying to figure out how we might save the Anoakia mansion and we looked at a lot of alternatives - buying it. One
of the alternatives we looked at was moving it and found that while velY, velY difficult and expensive, it would be possible to
move the bnilding, obviously not the basement, but one of the interesting things that I'd never thought about until we got
involved in this process is that if we wanted to move it south of the freeway, because we're talking about possibly the
Arboretum or the racetrack, that it would have to go over the freeway and the two nearest overpasses are clear out at
Irwindale Avenue or clear over in Pasadena on Orange Grove or Lake or something, So it's not just a matter of the two mile
hop down there, you'd have to go ten miles out of the way just to get it across the freeway. I think that ifl understand what
Mr, Zola is saying, that it's the other way around on this landmark process where sometimes we have bnildings that don't
meet current codes and somebody wants to come in and do some modification on it, we take that opportunity to force them to
bring the entire bnilding up to code, That if a bnilding such as this had some historic value to it, we could waive that
reqnirement, allow them to do what they wanted to do without bringing the entire building up to code and so I guess it
basically...! was concerned that it was the other way around but what I'm hearing him say is that this would allow people who
wanted to preserve the building to preserve it by relaxing some of those codes,
KUHN: Is that a good synopsis?
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ZOLA: Yes, you are correct The other thing that I should point out is that as part of the housing element being
recommended to you by the Planning Commission, we have assumed development of residential units on the Anoakia
property.
CHANG: That's the question I'm going to ask. So how would it affect the so-called landmark that we are talking about? We
just ignore that if somebody wanted to develop it? Would we turn it down because it has been designed as a historic site or
something like that?
ZOLA: No, I think if you follow the discussion that Council has just had, yon have made a series of statements and
essentially those would be the hasis of making findings that if relative to the feasibility of preserving the building in place,
Simply be as a part of a project for the Planning Commission or whoever was hearing the project, make appropriate findings,
recognize the historic nature of the site, determine the feasibility of preserving the house, which based on your discussion,
does not seem to be feasible, based on the discussion of the letter, not seem to be feasible to take place. Add to that some of
the discussion that you have just had regarding portions of the house, the murnl for example, or other things are being
donated to museums and donated for preservation, you would have effectively mitigated loss of the house, I think you can
make findings like that; it simply is a matter of making appropriate findings for the final project.
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YOUNG: I think there's another question when it comes to developing the land, The house is in the wrong location to
successfully develop the land properly,
BUTLER: It would be very difficult to do a conventional subdivision on the site, You would not be able to do it It's located
pretty much right smack dab in the middle of the property,
YOUNG: And not straight as I understand it.
BUTLER: No; it's kind of placed diagonally on the property. The only probability, and I won't even say feasible because
there are the problems that Mr, McCaslin has outlined in his report, but the only feasible thing would be if you were to create
like a planned unit development, to cluster housing in the area rather than develop conventiallots.
KUHN: Okay, Any other discussion items?
!(ELL Y: Mayor and Council, perhaps we could just take a short break and let the staff and consultants just sit down and try
to refocus where we need to come back now...talk about issues, So if we could have about a 10 minute break, we could try to
come back through the agenda and refocus,
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HARBICHT: (Inaudible)
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KUHN: Sony about that Bob, you should have waited. Okay, we will recess for 10 minutes,
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KELLY: Thank you.
KUHN: The Arcadia City Council is back in session.
KELLY: Mayor and Council, I would like to refer back now to Donna Butler to discuss where we need to go from this point.
Donna,..
BUTLER: Yes, what we'd like you to do is focus on, there's two issues that really pretty much remain,..the goals and policies
that were recommended by the Planning Commission in Resolution 1535, It establishes some vision statements of transition
area # I which we feel would be, a portion of this should be incorporated in the document. I think it sets forth some good,
ta1king about the retention of horse racing and some other things, but they've also recommended some goals under Section 3
on page 5 that you should look at and we need to know if you would like these to be included and incorporated. Some of
these are, I don't want to say a more simplified version...we feel that some of these are already included but I think it's also
important, if you feel that these should be added, let's go ahead and discuss that. And the final thing we think is important to
discuss tonight is the implementation and monitoring which is Chapter 6 of the General Plan and this sets forth, as we
mentioned before, how the City will review projects in the future - the staff, the Planning Commission and the City Council.
And that's included in your packet that was distributed at the last meeting, So those are the things that we would like you to
focus on and first I would suggest taking Planning Commission Resolution 1535,
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LOJESKI: I've got a comment on that. That's on page 6 where it specifies key vacant property such as Foulger Ford,
Arcadia Lumber, Baker's Square sites. I'd like to see the deletion of those specifics because they may be specific sites today,
they could change ownership and then what do you have? Or there could be additional ones down the road and I think just
the statement "and on key vacant properties" makes a little more broader sense.
HARBICHT: I agree with that.
LOJESKI: I think generally speaking, the comments that are made, particularly on page, I guess they start on page 3, and
proceed over to page 4...they're pretty generalized statements . "maintain architectural compatibility with the existing
racetrack grandstands" - that type of thing that doesn't get so specific but it ties into anything and yet it gives some leeway
architecturally and that sort of thing,
YOUNG: But for only considering in a general sense,
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ZOLA: What those statements would do, if we take the Commission's recommendation, starting on page 3, just passed
halfway down the page, the first paragraph is consistent with the recommendation and the consensus of the Council. The
second paragraph is the one that you spent a great deal of time talking about which talks about the vision as to retain horse
racing but not to change the designation until such a time that there is a specific project. That is not consistent with your
current direction on the racetrack side or the southerly parking lot. The rules that show up, starting at the top of page 4,
would be appropriate. I think you have already said that in some cases the text that is in the General Plan now should be
generalized and made consistent with the Commercial category and we will rework those. But the bullet listing at the top of
page 4 is consistent with General Plan type language that would provide the rules by which a future development would be
reviewed and that would be appropriate and we will, with the concurrence of Council, incorporate that into final wording.
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HARBICHf: I'd like to see those particular bullet points dropped into Section 3 which begins on page 5 because I think
Section 3 is really more of what I consider General Plan type language where they talk about the existing commercial areas,
and then when they get down here in #2, I would like to see that split into two separate points because I think they are talking
about two pretty different kinds of things here. The first part of it has to do with promoting and encouraging live horseracing
at that site, and then the second part, it says "the City should also adopt policies and procedures that will promote and
encourage the preservation of the significant architecture and viewscapes of Santa Anita Racetrack. I see that as kind of a
separate issue because it impacts more than just the racing - it impacts development around there and so (inaudible) of that
area. I think that the Planning Commission's points are excellent. Some of them are repeating a little bit some of the things
that are already in there but, for the most part, I think it's kind of a philosophical overview of where we want to go,
ZOLA: It was also the Planning Commission's intent that where you see the statements in this listing - "The City shall adopt
policies and procedures" that with concurrence of Council, we would prepare that wording where actually for adoption in the
General Plan.
CHANG: I have a little bit of concern about this statement here - "To preserve the existing..... It says somewhere in here that
we mentioned about preserve the view of the existing grandstand structure.,.
BUTI..ER: On page 6 of the Resolution, under Item 2, on the page 6, the last sentence it says "The City shall also adopt
policies and procedures that will promote and encourage the preservation of the significant architecture and viewscapes of
Santa Anita Racetrack."
CHANG: Is it going to be enforced or what?
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BUTI..ER: It is my understanding we had one Councilperson who suggested that that be included in the Goals and Policies of
the General Plan.
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CHANG: I'm just expressing a concern that is this going to be enforced in the future when they develop this southside
parking lot, southside parking area. How are they going to preserve the viewscapes of this grandstand? I
BUTLER: This is the policy and the City Council would have to...ifthis is placed in the text of the General Plan, then this is
something that any developer in the future would have to take into consideration as part of the development
CHANG: I would like to have it happen so that the viewscapes of Santa Anita Racetrack be kept.
ZOLA: In relation to that policy, as was pointed out in the Environmental Impact Report, any development or any new
buildings in the southerly parking lot, you will lose some of the view of the grandstand, You cannot retain a completely open
view of the grandstands as they exist today and allow development of the southerly parking lot...that's not compatible. The
issue would be in the determination of consistency with the General Plan would be based on - Are there still views of the
important grandstand? Is grandstand recognizable as a grandstand? And that it what you would look at, not "Can we see the
grandstand as we do today without any obstruction?" That kind of rule that no obstruction is incompatible with new
buildings inside that southerly parking lot.
HARBICHf: Well we have in here, it says "The City shall also adopt policies and procedures that will promote and
encourage the preservation of the significant architecture and viewscapes of Santa Anita Racetrack." I don't think that, and I
don't see that as saying "absolutely no", just that we would be sensitive to that in anything that we did,
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ZOLA: That is correct.
HARBICHf: I have no problem with that- that's what I want to see, You know, with regard to Chapter 6, you asked that we
comment on that? I did comment on page 6-4 on the commercial entertainment that that should be removed and the reason I
didn't comment anymore was because I agreed with all the rest of it.
KUHN: So what else do you want Donna?
BUTLER: If everybody is in concurrence, it makes our life easy.
ZOLA: The last piece that we had asked you to look at this eveuing is in relation to the letter from McCaslin regarding
Anoakia which you have already looked at. There is also an April 10th letter regarding text of the General Plan as it would
affect the southerly parking lot of the racetrack, I would suggest rather than going through the April lOth letter from Santa
Anita, that we bring back recommended text in relation to the changes you have already requested and then you can look at
their concerns regarding the existing text in relation to the revised text - there's just not much sense looking at solving I
existing text until we bring back the new recommendation.
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BUlLER: What we anticipate doing is we will be working on the rest of the response to comments, the rewording of the
document based upon the discussion tonight, and bring this back to you. We will try to have it distributed to you by August
9th for consideration at the August 20th meeting,
YOUNG: That will be the whOle revised General Plan so we'll have more than two days to read it?
ZOLA: Yes. We're going to give you a little bit more than a week. We'll give you from the 9th until the 20th. You will be
asked at that time to review and ready to take action, obviously it's your decision whether you do, on the General Plan as well
as on the final Environmental Impact Report. So on the 9th you will get recommended revisions to the General Plan
document. You will also get response to all the written comments that have been received on the Environmental Impact
Report on the 9th, and then you'll be considering on the 20th the adequacy of the Environmental Impact Report in relation to
the General Plan as it is being recommended that evening,
MICHAEL MILLER. CITY ATIORNEY: So tonight Lloyd, you'll need a motion to continue this item to August 20th, is
that correct?
ZOLA: Yes.
I MILLER: Okay, thank you.
YOUNG: I so move,
KUHN: Okay. Is there a second to that?
HARBICHf: Second.
CHANG: Second.
KUHN: Roll call please.
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JUNE ALFORD. CITY CLERl(:
Councilmember Chang - yes,
Councilmember Harbicht - yes.
Councilmember Lojeski - yes.
Councilmember Young - yes.
Mayor Kuhn - yes,
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