HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/03/2015 - Special Meeting ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015
Prior to the start of the Special Meeting, the City Council moved the meeting to the Council
Chamber due to the number of attendees.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Kovacic called the Special Meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. in the Council
Chamber Conference Room, 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California.
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT: Council Member Beck, Chandler, Segal, Tay, and Kovacic
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS - All public comments were heard under Study Session (a)
STUDY SESSION
a. Report, discussion, and direction concerning moratorium on residential demolition or
development during consideration of changes to residential development standards.
Asst. City Manager/Development Services Director provided information on how a moratorium
would be implemented on residential demolition or development regarding single-family residential
development; and provided the several stages to the approval of a home and issuance of permits.
In response to a question raised by Council Member Segal regarding where in the process are the
two properties that were part of the Save the Arcadia Highlands lawsuit, Assistant City
Manager/Development Services Director responded that the two properties are scheduled for public
hearing at the November 17, 2015, City Council meeting.
Council Member Segal explained the reason and purpose of bringing this item on the agenda for
discussion.
Mayor Kovacic announced that due to the numbers of speakers, a three minute time limit is set for
each public speaker.
City Manager Lazzaretto read into the record a letter received prior to the Study Session regarding
the moratorium on demolition permits submitted by April A. Verlato, ARB Chair, Highlands HOA,
Laurie Thompson, ARB Chair, Village HOA and Jack Lynch, ARB Chair Oaks HOA.
City Attorney Deitsch explained the moratorium and public hearing process.
Mayor Kovacic opened public comments.
April Verlato appeared and spoke about property values declining, and explained what planning and
zoning has done to property values; she commented about adopting a floor area ratio; and in
response to Council Member Segal's question about dropping the initiative, she indicated that she
would have to speak to the Save Arcadia team, but indicated that they would not be opposed to
dropping the ballot initiative in exchange for the moratorium.
The following individuals appeared and spoke in opposition of the moratorium on the issuance of
building permits.
Mike Lucas Frank Rizzi Jenny Chen
Eric Rosa Vipula Yalamanchili John Chow
Joe Sira Shirley Lam John MacDonnell
Joanna Yip Rebecca Lau
Charles Chan Grace Qwok
Darin Gruber Jay Huang
No action was taken by the City Council.
City Manager Lazzaretto announced the Thursday, November 4, 2015, community meeting at
Foothills Middle School and urged everyone to attend.
b. Report, discussion, and direction concerning undergrounding of utilities on Morlan Place
associated with the development of the Rusnak Mercedes-Benz expansion project.
Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg provided information regarding
the development of the Rusnak Mercedes-Benz expansion project and the cost involved in moving
the utility poles underground.
Victoria Rusnak, representing Rusnak Mercedes-Benz, appeared and spoke in support of
undergrounding the utilities on Morlan Place.
It was moved by Council Member Segal, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Chandler, and carried on roll
call vote authorized and directed staff to prepare an agreement for City Council approval that
Rusnak Mercedes-Benz would pay $250,000 (1/4), and the City would advance $750,000 (3/4) of
the cost of undergrounding utilities on Morlan place with the City's (3/4) share being reimbursed to
the City over time through sales tax receipts over and above the threshold amount $800,000 per
annum of sales tax generated by the Rusnak Mercedes-Benz project in future years.
AYES: Council Member Segal, Chandler, Tay, and Kovacic
NOES: Council Member Beck
Mayor Kovacic adjourned the Study Session meeting at 6:59 p.m.
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ayo'of the City of Arcadia
ATTEST:
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Ch eI;.uty City Clerk/
Rec. • Manager