HomeMy WebLinkAboutJANUARY 25, 1955
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Council Chamber, City Hall
Arcadia, California
January 25, 1955, 8:00 p.m.
TO: ALL CITY COUNCILMEN AND PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
SUBJECT: pLANNIl'lG COMMISSION MINUTES
The City Planning Commission met in regular meeting with
Chairman Balser presiding.
PRESENT: Commissioners ACker, Balser, Daly, Pratt, Robertson,
Sorenson and Vachon
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Caniphouse, Mansur, Nicklin, Ro'gers, McGlasson
and Talley .
The minutes of the meeting of January 11, 1955, were approved
as written and mailed.
Mr. Laverty, Mr. Porter and AIr. Moody, representing the Los
Angeles County Flood Control District, appeared before the Commis-
sion in connection with the requested opening of Doshier Avenue
between Highland Oaks Drive and the Flood Control spreading grounds,
Mr. Laverty exhibited, a map showing the present and proposed de-
velopment of the spreading grounds, including the area near the
easterly extension of Doshier AVenue prot:losed to be filled with
debris from various debris basins. He pointed out the necessity of
keeping the debris basins de silted to provide capacity for succ.eed-
ing storms. He stated that the district had requested the opening
of Doshier Avenue in 1953 but that the matter had not been pressed
until after the recent fire destroying natural cover on the water-
shed and creating hazardous flood conditions. '
Mr. Pratt st~ted that it was his recollection of previous con-
versationsthat the only access to the spreading area required by
the Flood Control District was Elkins Avenue and that the fUture
extension of Doshier Avenue had been provided to be used after the
disposal area had been filled and mi,mt be converted to recreational
or some other use.
Mr. Laverty stated that the present roadway, extending south
from Elkins Avenue along the westerly side of the Flood Control
property was a one-way roadway and that during periods of emergency
it was necessary to provide means for trucks to operate in a cir-
cuit in their use of the disposal area. He also stated that to
widen the present roadway on Flood Control property would require
reconstruction of inlet structures at each settling basin amounting
to approximately $3,000.00. He stated that one heavy storm would
probably fill a debris basin to the extent of requiring desilting
and that this condition would continue to exist until the natural
cover of the water shed had regrown, Which would be about a 7-year
period. Mr. Laverty also' stated that the dumping area, adjacent to
Doshier Avenue and on the west side of the channel of Santa Anita
Wash. would be used only in emergencies and that during periods when
the flow of Santa Anita Channel permitted, the dumping would be done
on the east side of the channel with acc.ess through Elkins Avenue
thus reserving the west side for emergency use only.
Mr. Pratt brougbt up the question of maintenance of the streets
which were of residential type construction and not planned for
heavy truck traffic. Mr. Laverty stated that much of the debris ~
coming to the area would be routed by way of Grandview Avenue and
that it would be quite expensive and time conS\Ulling to route the
truoks up the hill of Santa Anita Avenue to Elkins Avenue. Also,
that regardless of the route of the trucks, whether by way of Elkins
Avenue or Grandview Avenue to Doshier Avenue, the same wear on the
pavement might be anticipated. He stated that from 'Past experience
the cost of hauling material up steep grades amounted to about
$1.75 per cubic yard compared with 75 cents per cubic yard on com-
paratively level roads. Mr. Acker asked if the Distric.t propo.sed
to open the full 50-foot width of Doshier Avenue and was informed
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that they planned, to, open only the south half of the street which
would give them adequat~ accesa.
The Cha1rmahthanked Mr. Laverty for his appearance at the Com-
mission pleeting ahdanswering various questions. He stated that the
City des~re!i t9 cooperate fully with the work of the District but ,
that they s~Uld also consider the general damage and inconvenience
that heav~ trucking througn a highly developed residential area
might create. He stated that the matter would be considered by the
Commission and that a recommendation would be made to the, City
Councll.
Pursuant to notice given, a pUblic hearing was held on the pro-
posed classif1cation of zoning to be placed on all or portions of
the parcels of property located on the south side of Huntington
Boulevard between Mic~illinda Avenue and Holly Avenue, proposed to
be changed from Zone R-3 to Zone C-o. or 0-1 as contemplated by Reso-
lution No. 179. The Chairman and the Planning Co~sultant explalned
the conditions leading Up to this hearing, resulting from the ,
removal of doctors' offices from the permitted uses in Zone R-3 and
the need to prOVide some other area to accommodate these and other
professional office uses.
A communication from Leland S, MacDougall, 110.4. .vest Hunting-
ton Boulevard, favored the change of zone and indicated that, in
his opinion, the street should be zoned for general commercial
business. A communication from Bruce R. Wetmore, 30.0. West Duarte
Road, the owner of property at 10.14 West Huntington Bo~levard,
stated that he felt that the entire area along the south side of
Huntington .Boulevard should be zoned for general commercial use the
full depth of the lots and recommended that all buildings be made to
conform to an architectural standard and that the minimum sized
building be established as 200.0. square feet, thus assuring that the
area would be developed with large businesses and would prohibit
the promiscuous construction of small business buildings.
The Secretary stated that he had received a phone call from
Homer Ormsby, 818 West Huntington Boulevard, stating that he felt
the area should be left in the R-3 Zone and that several of his
neighbors were of the same opinion, Mr. F. Wesley DaVies, repre-
senting Rancho Santa Anita, Inc., and the newly created Arcadia
Civic Improvement Associatio!'l, stated that he had every desire to
cooperate with the City but that they were unanimously agreed that
no more property should be rezoned promiscuously for business pur-
poses, except after careful consideration, and until the need for
more business nroper.ty had beenshovin. He stated that a zoning of
long areas to business would result in scattered business buildings
with "poor architectural plan and recomml:lnded that the area be re-
tained as Zone R-3.
Mr. ~omas C,Sullivan, 1'760. Alta Oaks Drive, stated that large
areas should not be zoned for commercial uses when the demand was
not warranted and called attention to vacant commercial buildings on
Huntington Boulevard, First Avenue and Baldwin Avenue. He pointed
out Foothill Boulevard as an exam~le of property zoned for commer-
cial use and very s~arsely developed. He stated that information
had been given to him that there was now approx1mately $1,0.0.0.,0.00.0.0
worth of commercially zoned property in the City which was still
vacant. He statad that in some instances, property zoned R-3
actually sold at a higher price than commercially 20ned property.
Mr. and Mrs. P. S. Rose, 904 Huntington Boulevard, urged that
the property be zo ned for cominercla1 purposes as the only way to
recover their investment. ~~. Albert Perkins, 848 West Huntington
Boulevard. stated that in his opinion there would be a time when
this property would warrant commarcial development but that placing
it in 0-1 Zone at the "present time would only result in small un-
desirable businesses and urged the retention of Zone R-3. t~.
Harry Shepheard, 746 Huntington Boulevard, and Mr. Jack Rennick,
90.7 Huptington Boulevard, each stated that small businesses would
only degrade the area.
Mr. Ralph Merriam, owner of the newly constructed Arcadia
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medical center at 540 W~st Huntin3ton Boulevard, stated. that he
desired to extend the medic.al building on the two lots to the west
and that he had heard of no protests to the type of institution that
he had constructed. Mr. W. B'. Ahrens, speaking for Donald Hartman,
722 Huntington Boulevard, reque~dthat his lot be placed in Zone C-2
to proVide enough area for a good commercial development on the
southwest corner of Huntington and Baldwin.
Mr~ Fred Stubbs, 410 Hunting.ton Blvd., expressed a desire for
Zone C-O between Holly Avenue and Baldwin Avenue on the basis that
there would be a definite demand for doctors' offices ,near the prop-
erty of the new hospital. Mr. Norman Cole, 1000 Paloma Drive, con-
curred with the remarks of Mr.' Davies and Mr. Sullivan. Mr. Earl
Bauer. 948 West Huntington', stated that in his opinion the area was
not ready for business and that he was satisfied with Zone R-3. Dr~
Haynes, 480 Huntington Boulevard, expressed a desire ,to maintain his
medical pffice and to add a real estate office at the location.
No other person desired to be heard. The Chairman stated that
the haaring would be continued to receive the report of the Planning
Consultant and that the matter would be taken under advisement. He
requested that each Commissioner again view the area and give it
conl!lideration.
The request of Dorothee de Pont, 1430 South Tenth Avenue, for
division of property and extension of Loganrita Avenue was reported
em by Mr. Acker and Mr. Sorenson.. The requested division proposed
the extension of Loganrita Avenue through the lot a distanoe of
81.87 feet and the division of the lot iDto three parcels, each of
more than the required area and width. Motion by Mr.. Sorenson,
seoonded by Mr. Acker and carried., that permission to extend the
street and divide the North 81.87 feet of Lot 36, F. A. Geier Tract
be reoommended for approval subject to the following oonditionsl
1. That a final map prepared by an engineer or surveyor be
filed with the City Engineer;
2~ That dedication for the extension of the stree.t be provided
including'dedication in fee of a two-foot strip at the end of
the street;
3. That a recreation fee of $50.00 be paid for the two new
lots created;
4. That all improvements of the street required by the Sub9i-
vision Ordinance be made. Improvement plans to be submitted
and approved and improvement bond~ for all improvements be
furniahed before approval of the lot split by the City Council.
The request of Joseph B. Henry, 434 Harvard Drive, for division
of property was reported on by Mr. Acker and Mr. Sorenso~. This
request amounted to a sale of a small triangular parcel to the owner
of the adjacent lot to make ownership lines correspond with existing
,fence lines. Motion by Mr. Acker, secended by Mr. Sorenson and car-
ried, that the request to _divide a portion of Lot 25, Tract No.
15318 described as followsl Beginning at the most Easterly oorner
ot said Lot 25: thence Northerly, along the curved, Easterly line ot
said Lot 25, 6.96 feet; thence North 87016'47" West 10,0.04 feet to
the most Westerly corner of saId Lot 25; thence South 8301712811 East
100.00 feet to the point of beginning be recommended for ~pproval
subjeot to the tiling of a tinal map prepared by an engineer or sur-
veyor-.
The ,request of O. M. Knudsen ,for division of property at 1404
South Second Avenue ~as re~orted on by Mr. Balser and Mr. Pratt.
Thi~, request was to divide the North 11&.63 feet of the West 160.92
feet '"f Lot 28, Tract No. 808, and the South 5 feet of t he West
160.92 teet of, LO,t 29, Tract No. 808. into two lots 60 feet and
60~63 feet in width. A report from the City Engineer reoommended
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that if allowed, the owner should submit a final map, dedicate 12
feet for the widening of Second Avenue and pay the $25.00 recreation
fee. Mr. Pratt called attention to the fact that while the lots
would contain more than the required area, the 60-foot width would
be less than surrounding lots in the vicinity. Matian by ~r. Pratt,
seconded by Mr. Balser and carried, that the request be recommended
for denial and that the owner be instructed to attempt to acquire
more land to provide wider lots.
Final map .of Tract No.
Vista Drive was cansidered.
Mr. Pratt and carried, that
mended far approval subject
20290, located at the narth end .of Bella
MotioOn by Mr. Robertson, seconded by
final map .of Tract No. 20290 be recom-
toO the payment .of the following fees:
1. Sixteen street trees at $5.00 each;
2. Recreation fee for five lots at $25.00 each;
3. One street name sign at $25.00;
4. Street lighting system to be determined after a plan is
developed by the Edison Campany.
Communicatian from Myer Wolkoff, 654 West Huntington Baulevard,
requested a Change .of setback an Lot 4, Tract No. 6985 toO allaw an
addition toO the building in line with the building to the west.
Mation by Mr. Vachon, seconded by Mr. Daly and carried, that inas-
much as this loOt is located in the area now being oansidered for
pas sible re-zanlng and alsa passible changes in the building line,
that the matter be held for consideration with the entire block.
A tentative map of Tract No. 20869, located in the easterly
partion .of the City .of Manravia and referred to this Commissian tor
reoommendation wa.s ordered filed.
The Commission considered a decision on the proposal t.o change
the zone an Duarte Road, between First Avenue and Secand Avenue,
fram Zones R-l"R-2 and R-3 to Zones R-2, C-O and C-l. A report
from the City Engineer recommended that dedication be secured far
the widening of Second A~enue and Duarte Road to 84 feet. and that a
2O-foot wide alley be seoured in the raar of all property zoned for
oommeroial purposes to provide for loading, deliveries land aooess
to parking areas. A repart from the Planning Consultant recommended
that the praperty faoing Duarte Raad be rezoned toO Zone C-1 and that
certain property on Second Avenue and Duarte Road be re~oned to Zone
R-2and that dedication for street widening and for alley purpases
be required. It was pointed out that dedicatian for an alley south
.of Duarte Road might be difficult toseoure. The Chairman stated
that the matter would be held for further study and consideration.
He requested that copies .of the Planning Cansultant's report be fur-
nished eaoh Commissianer. and that the matter be placed an the
agenda for the next meeting. He alsa requested that the Planning
Cansultant furnish a draft of a requirement far architectural con-
tral which has been used in other cities.
The .matter .of the annexation .of certain praperty on the west
side .of Baldwin Avenue was held for further cansideratim .
The request of Vaughn Wilson, 431 West Faothil1 Boulevard, to
divide property was 'referred toO Mr. Sorenson and Mr. Vachon toO in-
vestigate and repart.
The Chairman presented and had read a letter he had received
fram Mayar Robert W. Dow, expressing the gratitude and appreciation
of the City Counoil far the service whioh the Planning Cammission
.is rendering toO the City.
The City Attorney present ResalutJ,on Na. 181, reoommending the
denial. of the applicaticn of Reuben V. Senior and others for a ,',
chan~e of zone from Zone C-2 toO Zone M-l on property located an Las
Tunas Drive and Live Oak Avenue. '1'he findings in the Resolutian
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Were read and discussed. Motion by Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr.
Pratt and carried, that the reading of the entire body of the Reso-
lution be waived. Motion by Mr. ;pratt, seconded by Mr. Sorenson
and carried that Resolution No. 181 be adopted.
The City Attorney presented proposed Ordinance No. 909, amend-
ing Subdivls.ion Ordinance No. 860 by providing certain required oon-
ditions to be made applicable to the division oJ: property, namely
a recreation ~ee for each new lot, sewer lateral where no lateral
now exists, final map to be filed, and any other requ.Jr ements con-
sidered applicable. Motion by Mr. Pratt, seoonded by Mr. Acker and
carried, that this Co~ission recommend approval of the substance
of Ordinanoe No. 909.
The City Attorney discussed the advisabUity of revising the
Fire Zone Ordinance to conform to commercial zones and variances for
commercial purposes. The Chairman requested that the City Engineer
and Building Inspector submit a written recommendatio~ at an early
date regarding amendments to the fire zoning.
The Chairman requested that each commissioner be furnished a
new copy of Zoning Ordinance No. 760 and its various amendments.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
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L. Ill. TALLEY J
SecrEi.tary
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