HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_1969-06-25_Regular 19691
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COUNCIL MINUTES
CITY OF TEMPLE CITY
ADJOURNED MEETING
JUNE 25, 1969
INITIATION:
1. Mayor Harker called the Adjourned Meeting of the City Council to
order at 7:30 p.m., following which he
2. Led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
3. ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: Councilmen-Beckley, Briggs,. Merritt, Tyrell, Harker
ABSENT: Councilmen -None
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Koski, City Attorney Martin, Planning
Technician Burnham, District Engineering Associate
Paul Holderman
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
4. PUBLIC HEARING: 7:30 p.m. Zone Variance Case No. 69 -283,
Santa Anita Sanitarium
Mayor Harker inquired if proper notice had been sent relative to
the Public Hearing, which was affirmed. He then declared the public
hearing open.
Councilman Briggs moved that all of the comments previously heard
by the Planning Commission, and all tapes, minutes, staff reports
and other materials provided to the Council by the Planning
Commission be made a part of the record of this Council meeting.
Motion seconded by Councilman Merritt and unanimously carried.
Mayor Harker asked, in the interest of expediency, that those
addressing the Council keep in mind that the Council is apprised
of all the previous discussion and reports concerning Zone Variance
Case No. 69 -283, which items were not part of the deliberations of
this meeting, and urged that repetition be kept at a minimum.
City Manager Koski reported that a Public Hearing on the matter
had first been before the Planning Commission as Zone Variance
Case No. 69 -278, in February, with continued Public Hearings on
March 11, 25 and April 8. Due to revised proposal, application
for zone variance was resubmitted under Zone Variance Case
No. 69-283, and Public Hearing held on. April 22, continued to
May 13 and May 27, at which time it was referred to the City
Council for consideration. He advised that the applicant, Merle
Collins, was seeking to add a portion of area zoned R -1 to the exis-
ting convalescent hospital .. complex, to relocate the existing parking
lot, and to expand existing hospital facilities. Applicants state-
ments in regard to the application and factual data were also reviewed.
Fourteen conditions set forth as staff proposals, including the
requirement of a 6 ft. high masonry wall, except in the required
yard area, to be built along the easterly and northerly lines of the
proposed addition and that portion of the property proposed as
nurses quarters, were recommended as conditions to the granting of
the variance. City Manager Koski also reviewed exhibits con -
cerning the complex and surrounding area, showing the previous
proposal as well as the present proposal. He advised that the
City's interest in acquiring additional park property created
changes which prompted the revised proposal for the 90 -bed guest
facility ;.on the part of the applicant. Basically the new pro-
posal added a 16 -unit nurses quarters, 20 parking spaces to the
rear and an access drive, and eliminated the parking -area in the
front of the.structure. A clarification of terms "Guest Facility"
and "Convalescent Hospital" under which the applicant held licenses,
was also presented.
Council Minutes, June 25, 1969 - Page 2
City Attorney._ Martin summarized that before the Council was the
matter of a variance to expand the present facilities northerly,
with a parking lot and a 90 -bed guest facility and nurses quarters,
and easterly, to the rear of the lots fronting on Hallowell, for
parking and accessory structures; and that the variance was being
processed in this manner because it was R-1 _property. It was noted
that legal lot sizes of 7200 sq. ft. would exist in all of the res-
idential lots fronting on Hallowell.
Mayor Harker noted that background data showed special permits had
been obtained in 1950, 1954 and 1957, each containing a statement
that no structures of any kind be placed within 40 ft. of easterly
property line of lots 14, 15 and 16, and inquired if these require-
ments were still binding. City Manager Koski advised that in the
past the County had this stipulation for special use permits, but
that the restriction was for street purposes, namely the extension
of Arden, and that the select system of streets for Temple City did
not include such extension of Arden.
In answer to an inquiry if all previous requirements had been lived
up to relative to accessory structures, City Manager Koski advised
that while the structures may have been built as accessory structures
to the residences on the R -1 lots, that the nature of the use had
changed, and that the storage buildings now serve the complex in
various ways.
Mayor Harker invited those-,i.n'the audience who wished to speak in
favor of the zone variance to come forward.
Mr. Morris Finley, 8439 Ravendale Road, San Gabriel, representing
Mr. Collins, spoke in behalf of the applicant. He advised that all
of the .requirements stipulated by the Planning Commission were
acceptable, including the block wall previously mentioned. The
architecture, previously designed for the facility as colonial, had
been redesigned to conform to community patterns as prescribed by
the Planning Commission. He advised that the previous request had
been for the expansion into area to the east of the hospital, and
the removal of the non - conforming use on the rear lots on Hallowell.
He described the problem that would be encountered should any of
these structures be damaged, in that building permits to rebuild could
not be obtained under present status., The new request had been pro-
posed because of the possible needs of the City to expand into the
present parking lot of the hospital facility, and that the new
parking lot was proposed adjacent to the 90 -bed guest facility.
Mr. Finley explained that the hospital employs approximately
260 persons, with a monthly payroll of $80,000, and provides an
important service to the community. He pointed out that the ser-
vice buildings that are non - conforming were on the property at the
time of incorporation, but that they were not sheds that should be
demolished, but buildings meeting strict fire department and building
regulations, and were kept in a clean and orderly manner. Following
recent inspections by the State Fire Marshall, a fire hydrant had
been placed inside the property, and entrance design requirements for
fire safety were incorporated in the new plans.
Councilman Tyrell inquired as to the occupancy of the nurses quar-
ters, and was advised that nurses aides, RN's and LVN's and their
spouses would occupy these units, that children would not be housed
there. Mr. Finley advised that Mr. Collins owned other single family
residences in the area which could be rented to those nurses who had
families, so that there would be no question of overburdening the
nurses unit. Mr. Finley also responded to inquiry that further
future development to the east into properties held by Mr. Collins
would not be probable in that these were nice homes, and that it
would not be economically feasible to destroy them for such expan-
sion.
Council Minutes, June 25, 1969 - Page 3
Mayor Harker inquired if anyone else wished to speak in favor of the
zone variance. No one came forward.
Those opposed were then invited to speak.
A. L. Himmelhoch, 5516 Hallowell Avenue, spoke in opposition,
advising that he represented himself and 13 home owners residing
on Hallowell. He outlined statements, previously provided to the
Planning Commission, opposing the further enlargement of the facility
into R -1 property, which they considered detrimental to the residen-
tial use now enjoyed by the residents of Hallowell. Their concern
had to do with the appearance of the facility, the delivery of
supplies, persons coming and going to work, and the coming and going
of visitors in addition to concern for patients who might leave the .
facility from time to time. Reference was made to the proposed park
expansion and the resultant noise that would be forthcoming from
ball games, etc., that would not be compatible to the housing of
the elderly patients at the facility. Mr. Himmelhoch also felt
that the extension of Arden Drive needed to be considered, which
would also provide a buffer between R -1 and non - conforming pro-
perties. It was the contention of those opposing that the nurses
quarters also destroyed the R -1 use, in that they were really
apartments.
A petition circulated by Mr. Himmelhoch, containing 349 signatures
opposing the facilities, was received for filing; however it was
pointed out that the Council could not legally give consideration
to signatures of residents beyond the 300' radius, which were in the
majority on the petition.
Certain inquiries from Councilmen Br.iggs.and Tyrell were directed
to Mr. Himmelhoch relative to the traffic pattern that would be
created should Arden be extended. Mr. Himmelhoch agreed that the
rerouting would not benefit the City of Temple City in general,
but would serve the interests of the Santa Anita Race Track, however
he considered that it may relieve some of the traffic now on
Hallowell which would benefit these residents. City Manager Koski
pointed out that extension of Arden would be prohibitive since right -
of -way would adversely affect many properties, including the hospital
facility itself, and would involve acquisition and destruction of
many other residences. Councilman Merritt requested clarification
as to which buildings on the rear lots on Hallowell were in
violation since incorporation, and Mr. Himmelhoch replied that he
did not have this information, but that he believed it to be several
and that he would like this checked. Mr. Holderman of the County
Engineer's office reported that records did not indicate that any
building permits, issued since incorporation, involved any of the
service structures.
Harry Scheibe], 10317 E. Olive, speaking in opposition, was con-
cerned as to Mr. Collins running two businesses, the rental of
properties and the running of the sanitarium, however it was
pointed out that this would have no bearing on-the matter. Mr.
Scheibe] advised that.Mr. Collins properties bordered him on three
sides and that they were very nice neighbors residing in them,
however he was concerned as to the kind of residents who would be
attracted to these rentals upon the expansion of the facility.
Again, the Council felt that no one could forsee or control the type
of persons who might move in, however proper policing would
eliminate undesirable conditions should they occur.
John Stacy, 5626 Gracewood, speaking in opposition, was concerned
as to the ultimate setback of the nurses home and wall that would
be constructed on property adjoining his residence. He stated that
he had been unable to get a permit to add on the front of his
residence because of required setback, however it appeared that the
new facilities did not have the same requirement to which he must
conform. He was advised that the standard street width is the basis
for establishing setback, and the line on which structures may be
placed would be the same. Mr. Stacy advised that he would not oppose
the facility from this standpoint, so long as the required setback
for the new facility was in conformance with his own. Mr. Stacy
then inquired as to the adequacy of only 20 parking spaces for the
Council Minutes, June 25, 1969 - Page 4
16 -unit nurses quarters. He was advised that because these were
one - bedroom units with the nursez residing at their place of
occupation, the occupants would not generally require two cars.
Mr. Stacy also called attention to properties south of him on
Gracewood that were not well -kept and should be policed. He felt
they were not compatible to R -1. It was pointed out that these
were properties that would be torn down for the new structure which
would eliminate the unkempt situation. Mr. Stacy was also advised
that the area was not strictly R -1 since his own property contained
two rentals, which is considered a non - conforming use
Harry Covington, 5613 Hallowell, speaking in opposition to the
variance, advised that he has lived at this location for 29 years,
and that he felt enlargement of the facility would only bring more
problems similar to those to which he was already subjected, such
as trash being thrown over the wall into his yard. It was pointed
out that these homes were rented homes, and that the litter could
not be attributed to the facility, nor to the employees of the
facility, unless it were determined that the persons occupying these
residences were indeed employees of the hospital. In any event,
there was a police problem which should be called to the attention
of the Sheriff's Department.
Mrs. Fern Duskin, 5634 Gracewood, came forward to clarify a state-
ment that three lots at 5632, 5634 and 5636 Gracewood, north of
the proposal, were not rentals but privately owned.
No one else came forward to speak in opposition.
Mr. Finley spoke briefly in clarification of surveys relative to
extension of Arden Drive. He advised that he had been surveyor
and subdivider for the development of Hallowell, and that it never
went through the County Planning Commission, and that street
reservation for this section and other sections did not include
the entire block.
Councilman Briggs moved to close the Public Hearing, seconded by
Councilman Merritt and unanimously carried.
Councilman Briggs stated that while he was in accord with the
expansion of the hospital as such, he considered the nurses quarters
as apartment dwellings and that he was not in accord with the
inclusion of this portion of the project.
Councilman Merritt advised that the nurses unit was compatible
from his viewpoint, and an improvement over existing structures.
Mayor Harker noted that the ball games at the park had not inter-
fered in the past, and that this was not a serious problem to
consider in connection with the proposed variance. He;also noted
that the single meter for-the entire nurses quarters may have a
bearing on the determination as to whether it is an apartment,
or customary structure in connection with the hospital.
City Attorney Martin counseled that when the City Council arrives
at a determination, there should be a finding made in the motion
as to whether the proposed nurses quarters is in fact an apart-
ment unit, or reasonable or customary structure found to co -exist
with hospital use, and that the single meter was a recommendation
by staff to prevent its interpretation as an apartment house.
Councilman Tyrell remarked that the proposed expansion was a
means to clean up the area by removing homes that have served
their purpose and have contributed to a people problem for a
long time.- By developing the area and enclosing it with the
block wall, it would enhance the area rather than detract, and
would provide greater control as well as provide a buffer area.
He considered the nurses quarters as necessary structures to the
operation of the facility, in order to provide proper service to
the patients and to provide more security and better service to
the public in general.
Council Minutes, June 25, 1969 - Page 5
Councilman Beckley commented on the prohibitive cost that would
be involved for any extension of Arden and ruled out any consider-
ation of this in his deliberations. He stated that in his opinion
the neighborhood would be improved by the development of the
facility, but that for all improvements contemplated by the City
there is always some objection on the part of citizens who are
closely affected, which is natural, however that for the overall
good of the City, he was in favor of the expansion, including the
nurses quarters.
Mayor Harker called attention to the fact that many people from our
own community are now in residence at this location, and the
community is served in this regard. He was also concerned that the
applicant agree to continue to police the housing unit so that only
employees of the nursing category will be housed there.
Councilman Tyrell proposed a motion to grant the zone variance as
requested, subject to staff requirements, in particular Item 8
having to do with nurses quarters; that there be a finding that
nurses quarters are an accessory use of the hospital; that all
other accessory structures be brought up to today's code; that there
be no breaks, gates or access in the block wall around the complex;
and that the City Attorney be requested to prepare the appropriate
resolution of terms and conditions indicated, to be returned to
the next meeting.
City Attorney Martin advised that before the motion is acted upon,
that the record should show the correction of certain terms, i.e.,
the term "non - conforming" (and expansion of non - conforming use)
is an improper term since the hospital itself is not a non - conforming
use in the legal sense, but a permitted use, having been permitted
by the County in the past. The proper term for inclusion should there-
fore be an expansion of a permitted use. City Attorney Martin also
advised that the resolution that will be prepared will have to
justify the grant on the grounds set forth in the ordinance as they
were outlined in the original application, with the understanding that
the grounds are met and proven to the satisfaction of the City Council,
and that the satisfaction might well be easier to obtain with regard
to an expansion rather than an original use.
The motion was affirmed by Councilman Tyrell with these understandings,
seconded by Councilman Merritt and carried by the following roll call
vote:
AYES: Councilmen: Beckley, Merritt, Tyrell, Harker
NOES: Councilmen: Briggs
5 ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved, seconded and carried to adjourn to the next regular
meeting of the Council to be held on Tuesday, July 1, 1969, at
7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, and the meeting
adjourned at 9:57 p.m.
ATTEST.:
I TY CLERK
MAYOR