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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 23, 1960 r:' ROLL CALL MINUTES ZONE VARIANCE (Hinshaw's) r-. .... ~- MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION OFTRE CITY OF ARCADIA REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 23, 1960 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular ,session in the Council Chamber of the City Hall at 8:00 o'clock P.M., August 23, 1960, with Chairman Acker presiding. PRESENT: Commissioners Acker, Ferguson, Forman, Golisch, Michler and Rutherford ABSENT: Commissioner,.Norton OTHERS PRESENT: City Councilman Edward L. Butterworth City Attorney James A. Nicklin Director of Public Works C. E. Lortz Planning Secretary L. M. Talley The minutes of the meeting of July 26, 1960 a~d August 9, 1960 were approved as written and mailed. The Chairman introduced Mr. E. E. Rutherford, a newly appointed Plan- ning Commissioner, and welcomed him to the commission. The Planning Commission was to have held a public hearing on the ap- plication of Elrovia Corporation and Hinshaw's Department Stores for a zone variance to permit a customer service building and annex"at the rear of 1429 S. Baldwin Avenue. The Planning Secretary advised the commission that through an over- sight the Notice of Public ,Hearing which had been mailed to the affected property owners did not include the purpose of the variance; it included the legal description and made refe.rence to plans on file in the Planning Department, but it was not a complete notice as re- quired by ordinance. The City Attorney advised that the Notice of Public Hearing should set forth the nature and purpose of ,the variance which is requested, There had been evidence that there would be opposition to the grant- ing of the variance, and he would recommend that the hearing be con- tinued to the next regular meeting; that new correct notices be mailed, and the Planning Secretary should provide a prepared state- ment for any person present in the audience who would desire to reg- ister a written protest to the requested variance tonight, if it be inconvenient for the signer to attend the next regular meeting. The Chairman announced that the public hearing would be held over until the next regular meeting of September 13, 1960 due to the mail- ing of an improper notice; and he invited those who would desire to protest the granting of the variance to sign the statement prepared Page One August 23, 1960 r ZONE VARIANCE (Arcadia Pub.) r~ C)-. ~ by the Planning Secretary if they could not conveniently attend the nell't meeting. No one desired to sign the statement. The commission held a public hearing on the application of Arcadia Publishing Company for a zope variance to permit a day care pro- gram for children at 12 - 16 W. Huntington Place. The Director of Public Works pointed, out at the map the location of the property involv~d in the application. It was indicated that all the other property in the block is zoned commercially ell'cept the property to the west which is the school property, and that the sub- ject piece of property is zoned R-3. The Planning Secretary read from the application which requested per- mission to operate a day care program for children. All nursery school operations require variances regardless of the zone ,in which the property happens to be located, There were three surrounding property owners Who signed in favor of the application. The Planning Secretary read thestaH report wh:fl: h stated this is the applicatiDn of the Arcadia Publishing Company, purchaser of the property at 12 - 16 W. Huntington Place, for a zone variance to use the property as a day care program for children. This property is zoned R~3 with two apartment buildings originally built in 1946. All the adjacent property to the east and south is zoned C-2, and is used by the Arcadia, Publishing Company office and printing presses and a swim school on Santa Anita Avenue; a filling station at the corner of Duarte Road and Santa Anita Avenue; and a restau- rant on Duarte Road, Immediately west of this property is the athletic field of the high school. To the north, across Huntington Place, is the golf course of the Arcadia County Park. The Chairman announced that this was the time and place for public hearing,and asked for those in favor of the application to come forward and give their names. Mr. Harold Roach, appeared in favor of the variance request, and indicated his willingness to answer any questions the members of the commission might have. Heell'plained that there are two sep- arate buildings both presently used as apartments, and that the eas.t apartment would be used as the nursery school. The Chairman asked for those opposed to the application to please come forward, and there was no res?onse. Moved by COlIDDiss foner Forman, seconded by COlIDDissioner Gol isch and carried to close the public hearing on this variance application. COlIDDissioner Forman stated that he has had occasion to be in the vicinity of the variance application many times, and he believed the nursery school would act as a, buffer insofar as sound is con- cerned from the presses of the newspaper; and, he would vote in favor of this variance application. Moved by Commissioner Forman" seconded by Commissioner Golisch to recolIDDend the approval of the application of Arcadia Publishing Page Two August 23, 196,0 r/ /-~', . '---' Company for a zone variance to permit a day care program for chil- drenat 12 - 16 W. Huntington Place. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Ferguson, Forman, Golisch, Michler and Acker NOES: None ABSTAINED: Commissioner Rutherford ABSENT: CommissionerNorton RESOLUTION No. 385 - The City Attorney presented Resolution No. 385, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THE GRANT- ING OF A ZONE VARIANCE TO ALLOW THE OPERATION OF A DAY CARE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AT 12 and 16 WEST HUNTINGTON PLACE." Moved by Commissioner 'Forman, seconded by Commissioner Michler and carried to waive the reading of the full body of Resolution No. 385. Moved by Commissioner Michler, seconded by Commissioner Golisch for the adoption of Resolution No. 385. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Ferguson, Forman, Golisch, Michler and Acker NOES: None ABS~INED: Commissioner Rutherford ABSENT: Commissioner Norton ANNEXATION No. 14 The Chairman stated that although this matter was not on the agenda he would like to bring it up, because this is the last meeting at which this area can be acted upon, otherwise the entire considera- tion would have to be forwarded to City Council without any recom- mendation from the Planning Commission. The City Attorney reviewed the history of Annexation 14, and advised the commission this is the last night that the Planning Commission, if it is possible to get four members of the cOllUDiss-ion to vo,te one way or another on the proceedings that the commission instituted, to reconsider the zoning to be placed on the territory designated as Annexation No. 14. The Planning Secretary explained from the display board for the bene- f,it of the cOllUDission the proper,ties affected in Annexation No. 14. The Chairman advised the commission that due to the handicap of operating with a 5 man commission instead of the usual 7 members, this situation has developed in connection with this zoning. He suggested that the commission recommend to the City Council the original resolution No. 362. which had been decided upon after much study and deliberation. He ,felt that the City Council would also be handicapped without some sort of a recommendation from the Plan- ning Commission. This property has usage, and the commission should Page Three August 23, 1960 " "~~ '---~ reconsider this original resolution. The Planning Secretary informed the commission that the vote on Resolution No. 362, which was adopted in February, 1960, tlcluded 5 yes votes and Commissioner Stout voted IIno". Commissioner Golisch stated that at the Planning Commission meet- ing of July 26, 1960, Mr. Bernard one of the owners of property included in Annexation 14 asked if he could meet with Commissioner Norton and Commissioner Golisch to see if perhaps he could not influence the two commissioners to alter their opinion on the pro- posals. Such a meeting was held, and for approximately 3 hours this particular problem was discussed, No new facts were presented as far as Commissioner Golisch could determine. He felt that the principal objection to the proposed developments for ~his area was the convalescent home. Commissioner Golisch suggested as an alternative to the plan for a rest home that the property be zoned R-3 restricted to single story apartments, which would be equitable to the property owner and would be a reasonable solution insofar as the city is concerned. The City Attorney advised that the rest home is a separate applica- tion from the overall consideration of Annexation 14. He added that if the commission were to look favorably upon Commissioner Golisch's ~uggestion, he, the City Attorney, would make a counter suggestion; that the front portion of the property go R-3 absolute and the rear portion go single family as was previously recommended; being under common ownership the R-l portion would act as protection to the adjac- ent residences from the R-3. There is no provision in the Zoning Ordinance to attach conditions on an outright zone charge; it would take a denial of the zone change and a variance in order to attach a condition. Commissioner Michler stated that he would certainly like to get this matter resolved, since it has been on the agenda time after time. The commission has heard nothing but protest about extending R-3 properties; he felt, that if the large parcel involved were to be developed as a rest home it would more or less stop the continued inroad southward on Baldwin Avenue from the standpoint of business. If an apartment were allowed to be built it would encourage additional applications for R-3 properties. Commissioner Michler continued that he believed Mr. Clarizio had come before the commission and worked up a fine solution to a problem lot. He added that a rest home, as planned, would ,cause a lot 'less trouble and traffic than an apartment. Commissioner Forman stated that there is an interest in part of the property contained in this annexation by the real estate company with which he is associated. And as a result of a conflict of interest, he was going to have to abstain from fur.ther discussion on this par- ticular matter. The City AttOrney advised that the commission cannot obtain 4 votes on this matter, and so it will have to be forwarded to City Council without any recommendation. The Planning Secretary questioned Commissioner Golisch on what he would recommend be developed on the prpperty north and south of the property he proposed for R-3 single story apartments.. Commissioner Golisch stated he would recommend commercial on the north side of Page Four August 23, 1960 TRIBUTE to Mr. Edward Stout LOT SPLITS the R-3, and the requested one-story commercial office building and one-story professional office building at the corner of Callita Street. The Chairman invited Mr. Edward Stout, a former Planning Commissioner to come forward, and introduced him to the newly appointed Planning Commissioners, Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Rutherford. Councillllan Butterworth then read a plaque, which stated "A tribute to Edward F. Stout, member of the Planning Commission in appreciation of the faithful service rendered in the interest of the City of Arcadia", signed by Mayor Camphouse and the other members of the City Council. Mr. Butterworth continued; the plaque is a material evidence of a heartfelt debt of gratitude that the city feels it owed to Mr. Stout. His work included grand jury service where he took the rowing oar against narcotics in an attempt to stop that evil; and the many hun- dreds of 'hours which he spent on the Planning Commission in the ser- vice of the city was simply indescribable. Councilman Butterworth con- cluded by saying that the plaq~e actually did not come from the City Council but from the 41,000 people with their very sincere thanks and appreciation for a wonderful job and for being an ideal and model citi- zen of the City of Arcadia. Mr. Stout thanked Mr. Butterworth and the commissioners for their very fine tribute. He went on to say that Arcadia had always been his home, and represented to him "the good life" frequently associated with our American way. The more successful he would become the sooner he would be able to plan on returning someday; everyone had been so wonderful he couldn't see how anyone could live up to it. The City Attorney was excused from the meeting at 8: 50 P.M. No. 301 - Julius R. Hector, 1052 Tenth Avenue. The Planning Secretary read the engineer's report which stated this is a ,request to divide a small parcel 57' x 84' containing 4800 square feet to sell to the owner at 1018 Bungalow Place; the remaining parcel contains 9562 square feet. Commissioner Forman stated he had been unable to view this property; however, in looking over the map it looked like the remaining parcel contained more than the square footage which the minimum requires., and it certainly would improve the size of the lot on Bungalow Place, which is now 84 by 89', and he would recommend its approval. Commissioner Ferguson concurred completely with Commissioner Forman's analysis of the lot split application. Moved by Commissioner Forman, seconded by Commissioner Ferguson and carried to recommend the approval of Lot Split No. 301, subject to the following conditions: 1. File a final map with the City Engineer. 2. Remove all the buildings from parcel No.1. No. 302 - A. H. Rude, 143 E. Sycamore Avenue, referred to Commissioners Forman and Ferguson. The Planning Secretary read the engineer's report which stated this Page Five August 23, 1960 is a large parcel of ground and it is proposed to cut off a lot 85' x 156' facing Oakhaven Lane, a private street. Commissioner Forman wished to find out if the existing garage on parcel 2 was to remain. The Planning Secretary explained that the garage would remain and was in good condition. There is also a garage across the lot line, and that is the one which is required to be removed. Commissioner Forman believed the lot was a fine lot and he would re- commend that this lot split be approved. The Director of Public Works wished consideration given to whether or not parcel 1 or 2 had some legal interest over what is now Oak- haven Lane, a private street. The Planning Secretary stated that insofar as the staff was able to determine from the title report, the title to the west half of Oak- haven Lane belongs to the property north of parcel 2, and the title to the east half belongs to the ~roperty north of where Oakhaven Lane bends; to his knowledge this property has no legal title to Oakhaven Lane. The Director of Public Works added he felt that some sort of a clear- ance should be obtained to make certain there is no problem regarding title; the many pages of title search were very complex, and he would like to be certain everything in the document is clear. The Planning Secretary suggested that this lot split could be recom- mended for approval, subjec't to any interest that this property owner has to be dedicated for street purposes. Moved by Commissioner Forman, seconded by Commissioner Ferguson and carried to recommend the approval of Lot Split No. 302, subject to the following conditions: 1. File a final map with the City Engineer. 2. Provide a sewer lateral for parcel No.2. 3. Dedicate a 15 foot radius at the corner of Oakhaven Lane and Sycamore Avenue. 4. Pay $25.00 recreation fee. 5. Remove the building across the lot line. 6. Build a new garage for parcel No.1. 7. Deposit $60.00 to complete the curb and gutter on Sycamore Avenue. 8. Dedicate for street purposes any interest, if any, in Oakhaven Lane, a private street. COUNTY TRACT No. 26114 - The Planning Secretary displayed the map of a proposed txact located in county territory on Mayflower Avenue north of Camino Real, containing 6 lots. The property requested to be de- annexed is a part of lot 7 on Loganrita Avenue and a part of lot 6 also on Loganrita Avenue, and would go into making up lot 4 of this Page Six August 23, 1960 " ARCADIA AVENUE HUNTINGTON PLACE Change of Name new tract. This tract is in a county zone R-l 7500. The lots meet this requirement. The street is shown as 40 feet wide which meets county subdivision requirements, though below the City of Arcadia's standards. The Planning Secretary explained that the first action for de annex- ation must be an approved legal description from the Los Angeles County Boundary Commission; if Arcadia City Council would give its consent it would become deannexed and a part of county property. The Director of Public Works in answer to queries stated that any- one who has ever owned a parcel of property part of which is in the city and part of which lies in the county or another city knows that such a situation makes things extremely difficult, particularly in relation to tax billing; he would urge the commission to give affir- mative consideration to the deannexation of the property necessary to complete this subdivision. Moved by Commissioner Michler, seconded by Commissioner Forman to instruct the Planning Secretary to advise the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission that the City of Arcadia has no objection to Tract No. 26114, but would recommend that the street in this tract be increased to a 60 foot width; and after obtaining proper legal description from the Los Angeles County Boundary Commission to recollllllend to the City Council the deannexation of the property for the proposed subdivision, ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Ferguson, Forman, Golisch, Michler, Rutherford and Acker NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Norton The Planning Secretary presented an informal verbal report of the City Council action on Arcadia Avenue to the commission. At the last regular City Council meeting the council abandoned the idea of the opening of Arcadia Avenue, due to the cost and due to the pro- tests from the property owners. The Planning Secretary asked the commission to recall about two years ago the Planning Commission recommended that Duarte Road, running west of Holly Avenue to the business area at Baldwin Avenue be rezoned to Zone R-3, conditioned on the opening of Arcadia Avenue on the north side and the opening of a new street on the south side of Duarte Road as well. There was never any action taken on the south side, and now the action on Arcadia Avenue has been abandoned; the matter has not officially been returned to the commission by the City Council, but there were some remarks made, that possibly the commission should take another look at the entire area as to the zoning that should be made applicable. No action was taken on this matter, pending outcome of the considera- tion for a master plan. The Planning Secretary informed the commission that communications had been mailed to all the property owners on the proposal to change the name of Huntington Place. Out of 11 inquiries sent out, 8 answers were received; only 7 of Page Seven August 23, 1960 .' - those answers were from people wno actually are property owners. Four of those favored a change in the name and 3 did not wish a change in the name. The suggested names were "Golf Course Avenue", "High School Avenue", "Apache Place", Varsity Drive", "Church Road" and "Avenida de Las Angeles". Councilman Butterworth suggested the possibility of asking the Arcadia Tribune to conduct a poll to determine the popular wishes in this matter. The Planning Secretary was directed tQ contact the Arcadia Tribune about the possibility of conducting such a poll. MATTERS FROM TIlE AUDIENCE Mr. Bernard, 1540 Chelsea Road, San Marino, appeared and addressed the commission regarding the property at the southeast corner of Camino Real and Baldwin Avenues, included in Annexation No. 14. The City Attorney explained that the matter bad been considered earlier in the meeting and bad been referred to the City Council without recommendation. ADJOURN There being no further business to come before tbe Planning Commis- sion the meeting adjourned at 9:20 P.M. ~~. L. M. TALLEY Planning Secretary j-' Page Eight August 23, 1960