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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMARCH 10, 1959 .. ROLL CALL MINUTES ZONE CHANGE NAOMI AVE. ~Je. MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA REGULAR MEETING MARCH 10, 1959 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session in the Council Chamber of the City Hall at '8:00 oiclock P.M., March 10, 1959, with Chairman Acker presiding. PRESENT: Commissioners Acker, Forman, Michler and Robertson ABSENT: Commissioners Davison, Stout and Vachon OTHERS PRESENT: City Councilman Reibold, Nicklin, Lortz, Talley and Mrs. Andrews, The minutes of the meeting held February 24, 1959 were approved as written and mailed. The Chairman announced that this was the time and place for the public hear- inll on the application of Michael J. Blake and others for a change of zone from Zones R-l and R-2 to Zone R-3 on portions of Naomi Avenue and Lovell Avenue. The application stated that the area had changed due to the construction of the medical building and the mortuary and that a new super market was to be buil t. in the area and that new employees coming into the area would need places to live in .close proximity to their work. The Secretary stated that a protest petition had been filed, signed by 27 persons, representing 18 parcels of land; also a communication from Chas. H. Casebaum, owner, ,1401 Lovell Ave. protesting to the change of zone, The Chairman called for proponents of the application to be heard: Mr. James O. Warner, 1225 Lovell Avenue, stated that he was not opposing the application, but was interested in the entire area and felt a buffer should be established with the present development of the area. He felt that the request was not inconsistent in the area, and stated that he understood that 22 out of 33 properties backing to this commercial develop. ment were in accord with the re-zoning. He was speaking on behalf of hilllSel f and a number of proper.ty owners, and reques ted a favorable con- sideration of the application. Mra. C. A. Jason, 644 Naomi, stated that when the parking lot was constructed it depreciated her property, and that a re-zoning was necessary with the development of the area. Mrs. A. L. Wilson, 626 Naomi Avenue, felt the parkillg lot had ruined a reaidential diatrict; that with the planks around the lot to prevent parking, the appearance of the neighborhood had suffered, and people were not keeping up their property as they did before. She felt that a re- zoning was necesaary. Mi~hael ~. Blake, 1245 Lovell Avenue stated that his lot was 70 x 286 feet and was a single family zone. His lot could not be used for another house under the present zoning, and he would like to improve the balance of his prClperty. 'Clarence Skinner, 1229 Lovell Avenue, felt that West Arcadia was growing and that the business people should be able to expand, and that the re- Page: One March 10, 1959 . ZONE CHANGE Lorena Ave, zoning of his area would tie into the progress in the area. Mrs. Mary Leupold, 663 Naomi Avenue, felt that the property could be kept up much better if it had income units. The Chairman called for those to be heard in opposition to the zone change: Mr. Charles S. Penny, 612 W. Duarte Road stated he was speaking for himself and Mr. W. H. Stephens who owns Lot 4, 620 W. Duarte, Mrs; Berry Lots 1; 2 and 5 and he owns Lot 3. Some of these lots are not included in this application. The back portion would be R-3 and the front part 'would be R-l, They fett that Lot 4 should be zoned the same as the property fronting Duarte Road. He felt that Lot 5 should be excluded from this zone change. He felt that in time more of the property on Duarte Road would be changed from the present zone to zone C-2. He was asking that there be a uniformity of zoning on the lots and not resulting in one owner having a parcel that carried two Zones. Mr. T. W, Royer, 606 W. Naomi Avenue, stated that he was told all of the property owners were in favor of the zone change. He had .found that this was not. the case. More people on the south side of Naomi are opposed to the change. 9 parcels of property are definitely against re-zoning and 7 are for it, There are 27 signatures on the property, Some. of the deep lots would accumulate a number of bungalow type units and would not up grade the area. He felt that Fairview Avenue was an example of the change from R-l to R-3. Lovell Avenue has nice residences, and he felt they would not be torn down. Some of the people feel that it would increase the value of the property and they desire to sell. He fett there was adequate R-3 now. The Chaitman declared the hearing continued until the next regular meeting of March 24, 1959 for staff reports, and decision. The report of the Zoning Committee was presented on the request for a zone change from Zone R-l to Zones R.2 and R-3 on portions of Lorena Avenue, Haven Avenue and Newman Avenue, The requested zone change covers 12 lots, in Tract No. 23948, which were recently subdivided and are still all vacant. 9 lots on the west side of Lorena Avenue of which 3 are vacant, 5 are improved with single dwellings and i appea~s to have a duplex, 2 lots on the north side of Haven Avenue, one of which has two units, and 3 10 ts on a private northerly extension of Lorena Avenue. .The area is bounded on the West by R-3 lots facing First Avenue, on the north by property of the American Legion which is Zoned R-3, on the east by the channel of tbe Santa Anita Wash, and on the south by R-3 lots on Colorado Boulevard. The lots are smaU, containing 7500 square feet or less. The proposed freeway, if cons.tructed as now shown, would eliminate 4 oftbe lots and take a considerable corner of another. The freeway would also eliminate the intersection of Lorena Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, leaving the only ac~ess to this area byway of Haven Avenue. The Committee is opposed to tbe granting of Zone 1-3 on Lots 20' and 21, but saw no objection to the granting of Zone 1-2 on tbe entire requested area. If a change is granted on the lots on tbe private extension of Lorena Avenue, north of Haven Avenue, it should only be after the dedication and improvement of an acceptable public street. Any development on the three lots on tbe south side of ~ewman Avenue should be encouraged to provide access from Newman Avenue instead of from the alley on account of the future freeway closing up the alley. Mr. W. T, Beckwith, the realtor representing the owner, discussed phases of the development of the property It was decided that study should be made in the light of the freeway and an Engineer's report as to the opening and dedication of the street, as to Police and Fire protection, and that a report be made at the next regular Planning Commission meeting of March 24, 1959. Page Two March la, 1959 , . AMEND REAR YARDS LOT SPLIT NO. 237 LOT SPLIT No, 238 The report of the Zoning Committee on the proposal to amend rear yard requirements was read'by the Secretary,stating that the present require- ments .are satisfactory in ZonesR-O and R-l, also that no change should be made of the requirements in Zones R~2 and R-3 at the present time. The population density, yard requirements and parking requirements in Zones R-2 and R-3 should be reviewed by the Commission in the near future, The proposed land .use survey which is now being started will provide the infor- mation for this study. If, after this study is made, it ia felt that land should be preserved for future alleys or streets in some areas, this should be done by a future street program, similar to the past program which has helped develop many subdivisions. The Committee recommended that the Zoning Ordinance be amended to prohibit building on any easements for public utilitie's, this including water, s.ewer, drainage, gas, power and tele- phone, II, after investigation, it .is determined that building on a portion or all of such an easement on any individual lot would have no undesirable effect a variance from this requirement could be granted by the Modification Committee. Mr. Nicklin felt that tliere was some benefit .to be derived from the uniform location of the required rear yard, and if that were to be measured from the rear lot line, there are many areas where, by prior developments,'or a total lack of need for or, possibility of alleys to the area, the require- ment that the required rear yard be measured from the rear lot line would not be necessary. The element of time consuming procedure should be con- sidered. If that be the only objection, he would suggest s~plifying the modification procedure, rather eliminating the good requirement, if there be one, because some other facet proposes a problem. If the principle is protection of future streets and alleys in given areas, it would probably be better to require the vacancy ofportlons of property, by means of a uniform requirement of an open space that is uniformly applicable through- out the zone, than by requiring a person not to build on a certain portion of his land, because of a proposal of a future ,street which would probably result in legal actions. This would not occur if there is a uniform pro- vision as to all lots under the same circumstances and simplify the modi- . fication procedure. It was recommended that the matter be referred to the Staff and the Zoning Committee, together with Mr. Nicklin, and that the report come before the Planning Commission as a whole at the ne~t regular meeting, March 24, 1959. Lot Split No, 237. Mrs. Ralph D. Sparks, 2330'S. Santa Anita Avenue was reviewed by Mr. Michler and Mr. Acker. The Engineer's report was read. This lot is 168..9 feet by 250.31 feet. by 250.31 feet and is vacant. This is conforms with the other adjacent lots. The requested new lot is 84 feet above minimum lot requirements and Moved by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Acker, and carried, that Lot Split No. 237, 2330 S. Santa Anita Avenue, be recommended for approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. File a final map with the City Engineer. 2. Provide a sewer lateral for Parcel 2. 3. Pay $25.00 recreation fee. Lot Split No. 238. Lorillda M. Van Lanen, 933 S. Fourth Avenue was reviewed by Mr. Michler and Mr. Acker. Page Three March 10. 1959 . '. LOT SPL IT No. 239 SCHOOL The applicant now owns two parcels of property, being 50 feet by 240.92 feet and 100 feet by 340.92 feet, shown as separate parcels on the tax roll since pti~r to 1945. The request is to divide a building site 60 feet by 140.92 feet. An old unoccupied dwelling is situated very close to the proposed new lot lines at the southwest corner of Parcel 2, The owner desires to retain this building for storage and possible future cabana. The proposed 60 foot parcel is less width than required, but contains 8455 square feet of area. The Engineer's report was'read. Moved by Mr. Michler., seconded by Mr. Acker, and carried, that Lot Split No. '238, Lorillda M. Van Lanen - 933S. Fourth Avenue, be recommended for approval, subject to the following condit~ons: 1. File a final map with the City Engineer. 2. Move. an existing water meter to serve Parcell. 3. Complete the driveway approach on Parcel 1 to comply with city regulations. 4. Remove a small screen porch from the unoccupied dwelling to provide clearance from the south line of Parcel 2. 5. Change the location of electric panel on the unoccupied dwell ing to provide legal clearance from the west, line of Parcel 2. 6. Record a covenant. to guarantee that the unoccupied dwelling will not again be used for living purposes. 7, The westerly 100 feet of the 50, foot wide parcel to remain under the same ownership and be' a part of Parcell. Lot Split No. 239. Dr. Jules Lerner, 1406 S. Santa Anita Avenue was presented by the Secretary in connection with the communication received from the Arcadia Unified School District. This is the rear portion .of the property, being 93 feet wide by 181.52 feet long, lying adjacent to the Dana School playground. It is proposed to sell the property to the School District for the playground area. The balance of the lot,. after the proposed division, is well above minimum size. Moved by Mr. Michler, seconded by Mr. Forman and carried, that Lot Split No. 239, Dr. Jules Larner, - 1406 S. Santa Anita Avenue be recommended for approval, subject to the following conditions: 1. File a final map with the City Engineer. 2. The divided portion of the property to be sold to the Arcadia Unified School District and not to be used as a separate building site. A communication had been received from the Arcadia Unified School District requesting a recommendation for the acquisition of the rear portion of 1406 S. Santa Anita Avenue, Dr. Jules Larner property for school purposes. Discussion ensued. This property was discussed at the time the subdivision to the south was approved. It was anticipated at that time that the school desired to purchase the rear of 1406 S. Santa Anita for school purposes; therefore, the property was not considered in connection with Tract No. 21741. Page Four March 10, 1959 ; .. AMEND ZONE R-l BUDGET COMMITTEE ADJOURN Moved by Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Michler and carried that the COllDllission recommend the acquisition of the rear portion o,f the property located at 1406 S. Sa,nta Anita as described in Lot Split No, 239 for school purposes as outlined in the communication received from the Arcadia Unified School District, Dr. Alton Scott, Assistant Superintendent of the School District desired the record to show the appreciation of the School District for the prompt action taken on their request. The City Council had requested that the Commission proceed with the proposed amendment of Zone R-l as proposed by the City Attorney. A resolution had been prepared by the City'Attorney setting the matter for hearing, The City Attorney presented Resolution No. 325, entftled: "A Resolution of the City Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, California, declaring its intention to insti- tute proceedings for the purpose of considering and making recommendations concerning the amendment of Ordinance 760 by amending Section 5 thereof to permit the construction of more than one dwelling on Lots in Zone R-l and for the purpose of considering and making recommendations concerning conditions under which additional dwellings may be constructed on lots in Zone R-l and concerning the amendment of t~e min- imum site and floor area requirements for dwellings on lots in R-1." Moved by Mr. Robertson, seconded by Mr. Mic~ler, and carried that the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 325 be waived. Moved by Mr. Forman, seconded by Mr. Michler, and carried, that Resolu- tion No. 325 be adopted. The Secretary announced that a committee should be appointed to go over the budget for the coming fiscal year. The Chairman appointed Mr, Michler and Mr. Robertson as a committee to review the needs of the COllDllission. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned. 'KYifu . L. M. TALLEY Planning Secretary