HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11a - Regular Meeting Minutes of December 19, 2023 1 12-19-2023
ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Verlato called the Regular Meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
2. INVOCATION – Pastor Terrence Shay, Arcadia Police Department Chaplain
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Girl Scout Troop 945
4. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
PRESENT: Cheng, Kwan, Wang, Cao, and Verlato
ABSENT: None
5. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA
ITEMS
City Manager Lazzaretto noted that a few emails were received for public comment and provided
to the City Council.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation of Mayor’s Certificate of Commendation to the Rio Hondo Prep Football
Team for winning the CIF Southern Championship Section, Division 9 Title.
b. Presentation of Mayor’s Certificate of Commendation to the Arcadia Performing Arts
Foundation.
At the request of Mayor Verlato, representatives of the Tzu Chi Foundation provided a
presentation.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Resolutions and Ordinance related to General Plan Amendment No. GPA 22-01, Zone
Change 22-01, Minor Use Permit No. MUP 22-02, Architectural Design Review No.
ADR 22-06, a density bonus, and a lot line adjustment along with an Environmental
Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) for “The Derby
Mixed-Use Development”, with 214 residential units, including 9 affordable units,
located at 233 & 301 E. Huntington Drive.
Resolution No. 7530 adopting CEQA findings of fact, adopting a Mitigation Monitoring
and Reporting Program, and certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report for “The
Derby Mixed-Use Development” with 214 residential units, including 9 affordable units,
located at 233 & 301 E. Huntington Drive.
Recommended Action: Adopt
Resolution No. 7531 approving General Plan Amendment No. GPA 22-02 to amend
the General Plan Land Use Designation for the properties at 233 & 301 E. Huntington
Drive from “Commercial” to “Downtown Mixed Use,” and revise the General Plan Land
Use Map to reflect the changes.
Recommended Action: Adopt
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Resolution No. 7532 approving Minor Use Permit No. MUP 22-02, Architectural
Design Review No. ADR 22-06, a density bonus, and a lot line adjustment along with
an Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) for the “Derby Mixed-Use Development” located at 233 & 301 E. Huntington
Drive.
Recommended Action: Adopt
Ordinance No. 2398 amending the zoning designation of the properties at 233 & 301
E. Huntington Drive from “CG- General Commercial” to “DMU-Downtown Mixed Use”
with a height overlay of H7 with respect to the “Derby Mixed-Use Development” and
make revisions to the Zoning Map to reflect the zone changes for these properties.
Recommended Action: Introduce
Development Services Director/Assistant City Manager Kruckeberg and Deputy Development
Services Director Flores presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Verlato opened the Public Hearing.
Dustin Nicolarsen, Applicant and owner of The Derby and Souplantation site, appeared and
provided an outline of the proposed development of the Derby Mixed-Use Project.
In response to Council Member Kwan’s inquiries, Linda Vidov of Top Commercial Realty and
member of the development team, indicated that the permit process would take 6 to 12 months;
that construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months and would begin in 2025; she noted that the
Applicant is currently funding the project and is looking to work with a venture capital firm to further
finance the project; and that additional affordable housing units were not considered as only 5%
of the total units were required to be affordable to receive the 20% density bonus.
In response to Council Member Kwan’s inquiry, Assistant City Manager/Development Services
Director Kruckeberg stated that the Downtown Mix-Use zone allows a height of 60 feet; he
indicated that the proposed building would have an H7 Height Overlay that would allow an overall
height of 71 feet, and explained why six stories is an appropriate height for the site plan.
In response to Council Member Cheng’s inquiries, Mr. Nicolarsen indicated that The Derby
restaurant would remain open during the development phase of the proposed project; he spoke
about the structural problems of the existing building; and shared his vision for the display of
historical memorabilia at the new building.
In response to Council Member Wang’s inquiries, Mr. Nicolarsen indicated that there were no
requirements for affordable housing units; he explained why the development team opted for very
low-income senior housing; that hiring local workers for the construction of the proposed project
was not previously considered, but that he was open to discuss it with the City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Cao commended Mr. Nicholarsen for undertaking such a significant development
and expressed his support for the proposed project.
In response to Mayor Verlato’s inquiry regarding additional housing units, Ms. Vidov indicated that
the team was not aware of grant programs through the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust
Fund and that it is something they can further explore.
Council Member Kwan referred to the Density Bonus/Affordable Housing chart within the
PowerPoint Presentation and noted that she would like to see an additional seven units set aside
as affordable units.
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In response to Council Member Kwan’s request, Assistant City Manager/Development Services
Director Kruckeberg reiterated the timeline for the completion of the proposed project and Mayor
Verlato stated that the Derby restaurant would remain occupied until demolition of the property
sites begins.
Bill Witte, an Arcadia resident and member of the development team, appeared and read a letter
on behalf of Randy Shortridge, lead designer, at auWorkshop Architects and Urbanists. The letter
indicated that the design of the proposed project was centered around The Derby restaurant.
Richard Burns, member of the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, appeared and
explained why he believes he will be affected by the environmental impact of the proposed project.
Francine Chiu, Member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, expressed her support of the
proposed Derby Mixed-Use Project.
Harvey Hyde, an Arcadia resident, appeared and explained why he is in support of the proposed
project.
David Freeman, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed his support for the proposed
project.
In response to City Manager Lazzaretto’s request, Kristen Starbird from Dudek, introduced herself
as the Senior Project Manager for the Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) preparation; she
indicated that Dudek responded to the comment letters received before the meeting and stated
that there are no additional environmental issues to be concerned with based on the comments
submitted during the Public Hearing.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council
Member Wang, and seeing no objection, Mayor Verlato declared the public hearing closed.
After City Council discussion a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council
Member Wang, and carried on a roll call vote to adopt Resolution Nos 7530, 7531, 7532 and
introduce Ordinance No. 2398 related to General Plan Amendment No. GPA 22-01, Zone Change
22-01, Minor Use Permit No. MUP 22-02, Architectural Design Review No. ADR 22-06, a density
bonus, and a lot line adjustment along with an Environmental Impact Report under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) for “The Derby Mixed-Use Development”, with 214
residential units, including 9 affordable units, located at 233 & 301 E. Huntington Drive.
AYES: Cao, Wang, Cheng Kwan, and Verlato
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8. PUBLIC COMMENT – No one appeared.
9. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from
the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense [AB 1234]).
Council Member Cheng expressed his appreciation and thanked his colleagues and City staff for
their commitment to the City; he provided words of encouragement to the community; and he
provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending as a representative
of the City; and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
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Mayor Pro Tem Cao provided a report on the various events that he attended or will be attending
as a representative of the City and he wished everyone happy holidays and a happy New Year.
Council Member Wang provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be
attending as a representative of the City and she wished everyone happy holidays.
Council Member Kwan noted the recent smash-and-grab incidents at The Shops at Santa Anita
and requested City Council support to place an item on a future agenda to discuss installing
automated license plate reader cameras at the entrances and exits of the mall (Mayor Verlato
and Council Member Cheng concurred); she wished everyone happy holidays; and she thanked
the City Council for their support throughout the first year of her term.
City Clerk Glasco shared fond memories of when he and his father visited The Derby restaurant;
he congratulated Mr. Nicolarsen and his team on the approval of The Derby Mixed-Use
Development Project and Pastor Terrence Shay on becoming a Chaplain for the Arcadia Police
Department; he thanked the City Council and City staff for their support; and he wished everyone
happy holidays and a happy New Year.
Mayor Verlato provided a report on the various events that she attended or will be attending as a
representative of the City; she requested City Council support to place an item on a future agenda
to consider adopting a resolution against a ballot initiative Measure H (Council Member Kwan and
Council Member Wang concurred); and she wished everyone happy holidays and a happy New
Year.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Regular Meeting Minutes of November 21, 2023, and December 5, 2023.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
b. Resolution No. 7533 accepting dedications for street and sidewalk purposes, and
easements for sidewalks and public utilities from the property at 150 North Santa Anita
Avenue and surrounding properties as part of Parcel Map No. 83499 for the Alexan
Arcadia Mixed Use Development.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Adopt
c. Resolution No. 7535 extending the City’s deadline to establish an online permitting
system for post-entitlement phase permits under California Government Code Section
65913.3.5 (AB 2234).
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Adopt
d. Reorganization of Administrative Services Department, revision to Administrative
Services Director salary, and establishment of new Human Resources Director
classification and salary; and Resolution No. 7541 establishing compensation and
related benefits for City Council, Executive Management, Management and
Unrepresented Confidential Employees for July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2024
(Human Resources Director; Administrative Services Director).
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve and Adopt
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e. Contract with R&R Roofing & Waterproofing, Inc. for the Reroof at Various City
Facilities Project in the amount of $846,440, with a 10% contingency.
CEQA: Exempt
Recommended Action: Approve
f. Instructional Service Agreement with Rio Hondo Community College District to support
Fire Department training.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Approve
g. Memorandum of Agreement with San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to
receive reimbursement grant for City Homeless Program.
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommended Action: Accept and Approve
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Cao, seconded by Council Member Wang, and carried on a roll
call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 10.a through 10.g.
AYES: Cao, Wang, Cheng, Kwan, and Verlato
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned at 9:38 p.m. to Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the City
Council Conference Room.
Linda Rodriguez
Assistant City Clerk