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HomeMy Public PortalAboutMinutes - 1971/06/22 - RegularPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 22, 1971 INITIATION 1. The regular meeting of the Planning. Commission of the City of Temple City was called to order by Chairman Atkins at 7:35 p.m., June 22, 1971. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Chairman Atkins. 3. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners: Dennis, Garvin, Lawson, Startin, Atkins Absent: Commissioners: None Also Present: City Manager Koski, Asst. City Attorney White and Planning Director Dragicevich. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There being no additions or corrections, Commissioner Garvin moved to approve the minutes as presented. Motion was seconded by Com- missioner Dennis and passed. • 1 • 1 . CONTINUED PUB-LFC HEARING •-CONSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS TO AMEND TEMPLE CITY ZONING CODE RELATING TO CREATION OF A C -1, RETAIL COMMERCIAL ZONE, AND A CHANGE OF ZONE FROM C -2, GENERAL COMMERCIAL, TO C71, RETAIL COMMERCIAL ZONE, OF PROPERTIES FRONTING: LAS TUNAS DRIVE, BETWEEN OAK AND KAUFFMAN .AV_ENUES,, The Planning Director stated he had no new evidence to present. Chairman Atkins declared the public hearing open. Mr. Matt English, Manager of the Temple City Chamber of Commerce, gave the background of the Chamber's participation in this matter, holding study sessions, making surveys, etc. The culmination was a closed Chamber of Commerce Board meeting held that morning at which meeting the decision was made to have the Planning Commission base their decision on testimony of interested tenants and property owners who would address the Commission this evening. The Chamber is not authorized and cannot make legislative decisions, but it has studied the proposal and informed those who would be affected. He concluded by expressing appreciation to the City Hall staff and Commissioners for the cooperation the Chamber had received from them in exploring the subject matter and bringing it before the people. Those in favor: Mr. A. L. Nunamaker, 9549_ Las Tunas Drive (Cool's Candy), stated the business community in the City must look to the future and plan how they want the City to progress, and to use the full potential of the parking lots and pedestrian malls, and this investment must be pro- tected. He considered the proposed zone change a forward - looking one which would 1) guide and encourage proper land use, 2) develop com- mercial property for retail uses, 3) make full use of the parking districts, and 4). the pedestrian malls would generate the foot traffic that encourages retail sales. • PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 22, 1971 PAGE TWO rs Carl Ludlow, 9615 E. Las.. Tunas Drive (.Stoppel's and Pink Petticoat), airman of the Chamber of Commerce Committee on this item, said origin - lly a C -2X zone was proposed as a means of controlling drive -in restaur- ants from locating in a given area, and to encourage them to spread out and serve a larger community. His committee is interested in bringing retail business into the City which will, in turn, promote tax dollars, rather than service - oriented businesses. The Committee wants a closer relationship in the retail section, a true shopping center. The City will Isoon face hardship when the Santa Anita Fashion Center in Arcadia opens, and Temple City must do something quickly to offset that, and to plan for the future. The proposed zone change would hurt no one as there is a 10- year abatement period, or a 6 -month abatement for vacancies, for noncon- forming uses. Mr.. Dominic --Mortel lar-o, 9629-31 Las Tunas .Drive (Domi n i c's Shoes) worked on the Committee and with the Chamber. He stated he was in favor of the 5 -block area zone change. He would like to see, and be competitive with, new retail businesses in the proposed area. Further, he continued, a concentrated shopping area, such as the one -block Arcadia Hub, encouraged business, whereas an area which allows any and all types of businesses, such as downtown Arcadia, has a tendency to "dry up ". Retail shops tend to help one another, he added, and a concentration of retail businesses creates a "center of town ". 1111 Mr. Albert S. Anspach, 9565 Las Tunas Drive, (_Li eberg's_), was in favor of the zone change for the entire five -block area as proposed. He felt the time given for consideration of the proposal was not quite adequate, and would like to extend the emergency ordinance for a period of one year. There should be a more concerted effort to seek new businesses to locate in the City, and offices for professional services should not necessarily be excluded from the proposed zone as they round out a community. IMr. Ralph Gunst, 9560 Las Tunas Drive (Gunst Sporting Goods), said there had been enough procrastination regarding the business district in the past, and he is in favor of proceeding with the proposal as presented. In opposition: Dr. Robert M. Ewing (Dentist), 9516 Las Tunas Drive, owns and occupies the building at that address, which was designed for a single purpose - as a dentist's facility, and would be impossible to be used for something else. The proposed ordinance would work a hardship as he would have to out. He, too, felt a further study should be made of allowable uses. • get The benefits that the City is hoping to achieve from the proposed ordinance are not realistic. Mr. Clyde Sutton, American Legion Post No. 279, felt the proposed amend- ment might not achieve the desired effect, and by eliminating some uses which generate foot traffic, the action may have a result opposite of what is being sought, and might hurt retailers rather than help them. Time is needed to reconsider the proposed change. Business conditions at this time are poor, and do not warrant such a. change. The street floor of the American Legion -owned building is presently occupied by a beauty school, which use is not included among those permitted under the proposed zone; and while there are some retail sales transacted, Mr. Sutton felt a greater benefit to the merchants was the foot traffic the use generated. He was concerned that, if the school vacated, there would Ibe another vacant store on the main shopping district, and the American Legion Post would be hard - pressed to meet its expenses. Asst. City Attorney White explained the abatement clause, and stated this requirement was not new with the proposed ordinance, but was a part of the zoning ordinance presently in effect in the City for nonconforming uses. 4110 r. Sutton said, in answer to Commissioners' questions, that the proposal ould be more acceptable if the abatement for the particular use was re- moved, but he would still be against the ordinance as proposed, 1111 Commissioner Garvin moved to close the public hearing. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Lawson and passed. Chairman Atkins declared a recess at 8:50 p.m,, and reconvened the meet- ing at 8:55 p.m. Commissioner Garvin, in closed discussion, said he was strongly in favor of C -1 zone. He did have questions, however, about a couple of the uses listed, and also about the size of the proposed zone. He moved to continue the discussion to the next regular meeting. Motion died for lack of second. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 22, 1971 PAGE THREE Dr. Glenn I. Harris (Dentist), 9675 Las Tunas Drive, stated the proposal, f passed, would require that he move out in ten years at the most, and e would go along with the proposal if the City could sell his property or rent it to a good retail use, but he has invested a great amount of money in the building and would not want it to remain vacant, Mr. Ken Primisinq, 9475 E. Las Tunas Drive (Mobil Station), said his business would also be abated in ten years under the proposal, and the building torn down. He felt this would be unfair, and if the abatement period for his business were removed he would be in favor of the proposal. Mr, J. W. Parkhurst, 9651 Olive, Finance Officer for American Legion Post No. 279, felt the proposal was a type of segregation of businesses, and favored integration of all types of business for a mixed community. Sales tax dollars are collected from merchants all over the City, wherever they are located, and concentrating them won't increase tax dollars. Mr. Johnathan Duddy, 9667 Las Tunas Drive (Architects & Engineers Supply), said his company chose to settle in Temple City because of its proximity to freeways, and to get away from the "rat race ". He explained the type of products and services his organization sells, and concluded that some of the business establishments in the City should be required to clean up their grounds. Mr, Elmer Black, 9519 Las Tunas Drive (Realtor) called attention to the fact that there are presently 29 vacancies along Las Tunas Drive; if the proposed change should occur, this number could easily be increased in the next two-three year period, even though the rents in this City are very reasonable. It is extremely difficult difficult to interest any retailer to come into any of the buildings;. with limited parking. He strongly advocated limiting the area to two blocks, one on either side of Temple City Blvd, along Las Tunas Drive, get these two blocks built up, there is good parking, and consider that area the "heart" of the downtown area, Mr, Ed Shaniuk, Temple City, questioned whether the subject proposal was the only direction the City could go, and that the "integration" approach should be explored. He suggested improving the aesthetic appearance of the district and filling the vacancies. He admitted that a compact re- tail section might have benefits, Mr. Bob Burns, Treasurer of the West Coast Shoto Kan Karate School, 9506 W. Las Tunas Drive, questioned where their facility could relocate under the proposed zone change, which was explained to him, Commissioner Lawson was in favor of the C -1 ordinance as presented. For the future growth of the City a change is needed; this proposal may need changes, and if so, amendments can be passed. If, in a few years, the change does not prove effective, the zone can be dropped and revert back to C -2. • PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 22, 1971 PAGE FOUR Commissioner Startin said he was aware of the pros and cons and was undecided. He felt there might be other solutions to be ex- plored. Since he was only recently appointed as a Planning Com- missioner he felt he did Trot have sufficient background, and being undecided, he chose to abstain. Commissioner Dennis was of the opinion that a two -block C -1 zone was desirable, that the City must determine a forward - looking direction, and as Planning Commissioners they have to establish goals. He felt a concentrated retail area was good planning. Downtown Arcadia is a good example of what happens where mixed uses are permitted. The proposal will hurt a few businesses, but an effort must be made to upgrade Temple City. Chairman Atkins felt a two -week postponement would be wise in view of the testimony, both pro and con, brought forward this evening. Commissioner Garvin regarded the C -1 proposed zone as a start toward doing something constructive. Reducing the area to two blocks, where a customer could do a l l his shopping in one :stop, should be considered. He had reservations about the types of uses permitted, that possibly some types of service businesses should be allowed. He concluded that 4111 he was in favor of a two -week delay to study zone size and permitted uses. Commissioner Dennis moved to recommend the proposed ordinance to the City Council. Commissioner Lawson seconded. A roll call vote was taken as follows: Commissioners Dennis and Lawson voted for; Com- missioners Garvin and Atkins against, and Commissioner Startin ab- stained. Chairman Atkins voted against_rthe motion with the explana- tion that he did not think sufficient study was given in view of all the testimony presented this evening. Asst. City Attorney White announced the motion was lost and a new motion was necessary. Commissioner Startin moved to carry the item over for two weeks to allow the Commission to study it further. Commissioner Dennis seconded, based on the situation that a decision could not be reached. Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Atkins thanked all those who were present for coming, and invited them to the next regular meeting of July 13, 1971, at which 1110 time the Commissioners will discuss the item further and make a decision, but that the hearing at that time would be closed to fur- ther testimony. Chairman Atkins adjourned the meeting to a study session at 9:15 p.m. to discuss the proposed ordinance referring to establishment of a zoning administrator vs. a zoning modification committee (Planning Commission Resolution No. 71 -401PC and City Council proposed ordinance No. 71-320). The meeting resumed at 10:00 p.m. 6. COMMUNICATIONS Planning Director Dragicevich announced that the City Council re- appointed Tom D. Atkins Jr., and Robert Garvin for another two -year term starting July 1, 1971, and ending June 30, 1973. 111 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES June 22, 1971 PAGE FIVE 7. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK T There was no one. 4111 8. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS Director Dragicevich called attention to policy in the past of holding only one Planning Commission meeting each month during July and August. The Commissioners were in agreement, and deter- mined that only the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Commission would be held during the months, of July and August. It was suggested by the Planning Director that, if the agenda is light for the July 13, 1971, meeting, the Commission continue their study pn the proposed lindergrounding Utilities Qrdinance at an adjourned meeting, and that the representatives from the utilities companies he invited _to.participete in this meeting. The Commission was in agreement. 9. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Commissioner Lawson moved, and Commissioner S.tartin seconded, that the meeting be adjourned to the next regular meeting on July 13, 1971. Motion carried and the meeti_ng adjourned_.at 10:15 p.m. • 1 ATTEST: e retary Chairman