HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_1987-03-31_Regular 1987CITY OF TEMPLE CITY
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
ADJOURNED MEETING OF MARCH 31, 1987
INITIATION:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Pursuant to the Agenda posted on March 27, 1987, Mayor Atkins
called the adjourned meeting of the City Council to order at
7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 1987.
2. The invocation was given by William Swain of The Reorganized
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 9468 Broadway.
3. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mayor At-
kins.
4. ROLL CALL:
Present:
Absent:
Also Present:
Councilmen- Dennis, Froehle, Gillanders, Swain,
Atkins
Councilmen -None
City Manager Koski, City Attorney Martin,
Planning Associate Saldana, Parks and Recre-
ation Director Kobett, Public Works Coordin-
ator Peterson and Julie Estrada of the Temple
City Times
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Councilman Gillanders moved to make all correspondence
received since the prior City Council meeting of March 17
concerning the update of the General Plan a part of the
records of the City Council General Plan public hearings,
seconded by Councilman Swain and unanimously carried.
Mayor Atkins declared the public hearing reopened and
asked Mr. Dale Beland of Cotton /Beland /Associates Inc. to
give a little background on the status of the update.
Mr. Beland advised that the purpose of this evening's
continued public hearing was to review the other five
elements of the General Plan update as the public hear-
ings to date dealt with the land use element only. The
first element, circulation, must define the existing
roadway system and assure that there is an adequate
street system to meet the needs of development as pro-
posed by the land use element. The circulation element
in the Plan does identify a list of several operational
changes that could alleviate the traffic impact. Minor
modifications were made to the housing element which had
been updated in 1984 by City staff. Assurances have been
received from the State Community Development Department
that the proposed draft housing elements meets all the
mandates of the guidelines of the Department. The noise
element recognizes the need for noise buffering and
insulation and to avoid incompatible land uses where
possible. The public safety element emphasizes public
awareness and education programs, disaster and emergency
preparedness planning, and identification of hazardous
waste use and disposal. Mr. Beland displayed a map of
the City with an overlay showing the changes as proposed.
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Council Minutes, March 31, 1987 - Page 2
4 _ ! 8
Mr. Carrothers, Halifax and Daines, stated that he would
like to see Lower Azusa Road remain high density or
commercial designation as it is a busy street and he has
property on the street which he would like to develop;
and would like to see Halifax and Daines with a higher
designation.
Dan Noriaga, 9371 Lower Azusa Road, asked what impact
resident input has on the decision of the City Council
regarding the update of the General Plan. Mr. Noriaga
mentioned that he spoke at the last public hearing and
stated at that time that he would prefer to see his area
designated a higher density in order that he might build
an additional home on his property.
Mayor Atkins advised that the City Council has not yet
deliberated on the subject since the public hearing has
been continued. However, once the public hearing has
been closed, the Council will at that time seriously
consider all resident input concerning the changes to the
General Plan.
John J. Brown, 9913 Lower Azusa Road, advised that his
property was designated as R -4 and the updated
General Plan recommends a medium density. Mr. Brown is
against this change and would prefer to have the area
remain with a high density designation.
Thomas F. Brown, son of John J. Brown, explained that his
father's property represents a large investment and he
would receive a bigger return on his investment should
the area remain with a high density designation.
Joy Carrothers, 5503 Halifax Road, stated that in light
of the fact that there are condominiums on Lower Azusa in
close proximity to the area to which Mr. Brown referred,
it would seem logical that the high density or commercial
designation should prevail.
Mr. Beland clarified that Mr. Brown's property, is not
proposed to be changed on the existing General Plan. The
existing General Plan is medium density residential and
the proposed update would not change that. The existing
zoning is R -4 and probably this is where the confusion
lies - we are presently dealing with the General Plan
only and not the Zoning. Ultimately, should the Council
proceed with the General Plan update as is, and there
were to leave this property in its current general Plan
designation, they would be required by State Law to make
the change in the existing zoning so that it was compat-
ible.
Thereupon, Mr Brown requested Council consider changing
the existing General Plan to high density to conform with
the existing zoning.
Mary Kokayko, 6149 No. Camellia, presented a petition
representing 11 property owners on Map J requesting
these properties to remain R -2 Medium Density.
Tricia Bogle, 5127 Golden West stated she opposed in-
creased population density growth and had concern that
the proposed General Plan projected a 25% increase. She
was opposed to second and third units on lots of 10,000
and 15,000 square feet respectively as this encourages
lower quality homes and increases the need for additional
services. She and others she had spoken to were in favor
of allowing properties which have non - conforming uses to
be rebuilt. She noted that the Circulation Element re-
ferred to streets that were "near design" capacity but
failed to show those streets on the chart. She felt that
Council Minutes, March 31, 1987 - Page 3
the data used in the Housing Element from 1980 and the
statistics used from between 1970 and 1980 were not
representative since they were not current to our chang-
ing trends. She felt we need more parks and suggested
maybe we could possibly assess developers who want to
maximize the use of property.
Mayor Atkins commented that we now levy an amount of $200
against each new parcel being built for park development.
Councilman Dennis with reference to parks stated that the
City could acquire park land through a general grant.
However, then the City is locked into an ongoing mainte-
nance that we cannot rescinded even if there are insuffi-
cient funds.
Councilman Gillanders noted with federal grants come
federal strings that force a city to do things that are
not in their own best interests. He recognized that
demographics are going to change and the Council will
respond to them as they take place. We have to do the
best for the community as a whole, not only for the
people who live there now but will live there in the
future.
Tricia Bogle inquired further as to SCAG'S requirements
for low cost housing, loans for handicapped, etc., Mayor
Atkins replied the City is taking the position that we
are better able to make a determination as to the needs
of the City ourselves.
Robert Hepler, 6002 Cloverly, stated he would like to
retain his present R -3 status and had submitted petitions
from the surrounding neighbors to retain that status. He
stated that his R -3 lot could act as a buffer between the
R -4 and R -2 surrounding properties. He asked when Coun-
cil would be making a decision on the General Plan and
how the public would be informed as to the Council's
decision.
Mayor Atkins responded that once the public hearing is
closed, the City council will conduct one or two study
sessions reviewing the public comments relative to each
map before coming to a final decision. Agenda's are
posted the Friday before any Council meeting for the
public's information.
Gary Feinstein, (corner of Pentland and Cloverly) stated
we moved into Temple City because we thought L1 W; was a
single family community where we thought we could work
with the community which we found is true. He stated he
was in favor of more parks and slower growth than the 25%
projected.
Mayor Atkins stated the 25% is not a realistic growth
estimate
Mike Zinniker, 6148 Camellia, stated he purchased the
property because it was R -2 and would like to keep his
property R -2. He expressed concern stating in some
instances insurance companies will not provide inmlur +nnco
wherein if the property is destroyed by fire it cannot be
rebuilt.
Mary Kokayko, 6149 N. Camellia, was opposed to the low
income housing because no one in Temple City would bene-
fit if you have to use federal funds; and felt the parks
we have were not fully utilized now and therefore ade-
quate.
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Council Minutes, March 31, 1987 - Page 4
Pete Weise, 6119 North Oak, was also in favor of retain-
ing single family residence status and expressed
concern about population density growth and stated that
the City was already ahead of SCAG'S quota and therefore
needed no further units. He felt the general plan should
provide a clear justification for the amount of increased
density that would be allowed by the plan and a clear
projection of what parts of the city that increase is
aimed for and a justification for it being located in
that area.
Mr. Beland stated SCAG'S allocation model 1983 -1988 as
set forth in Table H -2, the Housing Need Summary, is
merely a statistical projection and not a quota. It is
an information source only and it is up to the Council to
make policy and by state law required to review its
performance annually. The draft of the .General Plan does
contain specific standards of land use development and
intensities required by law. The Policy Map substan-
tially down -zones the existing General Plan build -up
potential. The goals and policy that protect and amplify
those standards are shown in the Land Use Element.
Councilman Gillanders stated that the City evolved natu-
rally and we do not need or want the plan to restrict
development to specific numbers, types, and so forth of
construction that could be built in the future and that
the community interests as a whole must be considered.
Mr. Weise stated further that it appears the plan has
targeted the potential increase through the middle of the
City and impact the blocks below Workman where residents
have voiced objection. He felt letters expressing con-
cerns belong as part of the process but that petitions
were not accurate nor representative as he knows of
individuals who have signed petitions only because their
neighbor presented it. He also felt the plan should take
into consideration what the schools can realistically
handle.
Councilman Swain stated Council has gone to the school
district and have letters from the school superintendent
stating they are not at capacity. They have classrooms
if they need them which are not being used by the school
district. Additionally the State approved a $1.50 square
foot assessment to any owner who adds living area to
their home in order to provide monies for additional
school buildings.
Mr. Weise stated the General Plan does not show the Casa
Robles Retirement Home as an institution. It is owned by
a church and not available for residential use to the
general public.
City Manager Koski stated staff and Mr. Beland will
review that area.
Jeretta Buthman, 5217 Golden West, representing the
majority of homeowners on Golden West between Olive and
Lower Azusa and presented a petition to cul -de -sac the
end of Golden West at Lower Azusa or a barricade put up.
Joyce Hill, 5427 Welland, stated her children went into
the El Monte School District which is overcrowed because
they live at the end of Temple City and are not in the
Temple School District.
Councilman Dennis stated we do not have jurisdiction over
the El Monte School District; it is not over - crowded
because we in Temple City are over- building, but rather
that 35% of the students are bussed into that area from
15 4 fl 6 South El Monte.
Council Minutes, March 31, 1987 - Page 5
Nicki Emery, 9547 Garibaldi, stated her parents paid
$3000 for a professional EIR report and have still not
been able to build eventhough the report stated it would
not have a negative impact on the high density zoning
which we purchased it for.
Sandy Kidd, inquired when the' school district provided
Council with their information. One of her children is
not in a regular classroom at Longden Elementary because
it is so over - crowded this year.
Councilman Swain replied that Mr. Bosson, this year,
stated they have classrooms at Longden Elementary which
the county is using but could get back at any time if it
was necessary. She suggested the parents contact the
school district as the district is not under the juris-
diction of the City Council.
Cindy Sternquist, 6137 N. Camellia, a substitute teacher,
stated in the lower classes there has been a marked
increase in students which will result in increases in
classes at the upper levels. She would like her property
to remain R -2 but would be opposed to multiple units
being built.
Karla Carol, 6109 N. Primrose, stated she is opposed to
the Garibaldi project and asked Council to reconsider the
proposed general plan in making that area a medium den-
sity and would like it to be low density.
Judy Burns, 5926 N. Hart, inquired if all the new peti-
tions and correspondence received by council open to the
public to see, and expressed concern regarding the pro-
jected 25% build out
Councilman Swain replied that all correspondence and
petitions received were made a part of the hearing and
are available for public inspection at the City Clerk's
office.
In replying to the 25% projection, Mr. Beland stated what
the actual number is going to be is totally dependent
upon circumstances and actions by this council and other
councils in the future. Within the context of a general
plan document looking at a whole community for several
years is the way we do the job and the 25% projection is
the highest projection.
Tricia Bogle, inquired if the zoning process is part of
the General Plan and referred to the alternatives men-
tioned in the Environmental Assessment.
Mr. Beland replied that the alternatives in the Environ-
mental Assessment are to describe decisions the Council
might make in terms of general plan policy. One of the
major land use policy decisions that they could make as
an alternative is reducing the density potential in the
high density range. State law requires Council to assess
some reasonable alternatives.
An extensive discussion by Councilmembers regarding
zoning and density designations was had and the following
items were directed to the Planning Commission for amend-
ments of zoning text: Rebuilding, Set Back, R -1 Zone
Lot, Square footage (e.g. 600 sq. ft.), Lot Coverage,
Parking and Garages, Incentives, Height Limitations, R -3
Density, and Re- zoning Consistencies,
Mike Fernandez, 5503 Welland, regarding the density
reduction for the R -4, stated, just the fact of reducing
the amount of units per acre is not going to change the
quality of the building, people will try and build it ou
to the maximum. S 405
Council Minutes, March 31, 1987 - Page 6
As no one else wished to address Council, Councilman
Gillanders moved to close public hearing, seconded by
Councilman Dennis and unanimously carried.
6. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS:
A. APPOINTMENT OF TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER
Councilman Dennis moved to appoint Donald Griffith to
the Traffic Commission, seconded by Councilman Swain and
unanimously carried.
Council adjourned to a closed session regarding Personnel.
7. ADJOURNMENT:
On motion by Councilman Swain, seconded by Councilman Dennis,
the meeting of the City Council regarding the General Plan
update adjourned at 10:55 p.m. to a Study Session on Monday,
April 6, 1987, in the Community Room of the City Hall.
The next regular meeting of the city Council will be held on
Tuesday, April 7, 1987, in the Council Chamber.
MAYOR
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