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CC - 10-29-85 - Adjourned MeetingAPPROVED GiTY OF ROSEMEAD DAT~,ry 'p-------'-' MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING EY--L ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 29, 1985 AT 7:00 P. M. The Adjourned Meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Louis Tury at 7:10 p. m., in the Conference Room of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilman Cleveland. The Invocation was delivered by Councilman Bruesch. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Councilmen Bruesch, Cleveland, Taylor and Mayor Tury Absent: Councilman Imperial(entered chambers at 7:15 p.m.) 1. STUDY SESSION REGARDING GENERAL PLAN Mayor Tury turned the meeting over to John Carmona, Planning Director, who in turn introduced Donald Cotton, from Cotton and Beland and Associates and Mark Blodgett, also from the same firm. John Carmona, Planning Director, commented on what is being done and what is hoped to be done tonight. He stated that the City Council had a few questions at the Meeting of July 30, 1985 regarding the land use alternatives that were proposed, and also how the mixed use would be implemented. The package that has been presented to the Council tonight contains a description of the implementation of the mixed use. Also presented is a memo from Cotton and Beland and Associates describing the adjustments that were made from the direction given by the Council at the last meeting. He stated that Land Use 2000 Map depicts those changes. He requested that Mark Blodgett describe the changes made since the meeting of July 30th. Donald Cotton explained to the City Council why Laura Hutton was not available for the meeting with them at this time. Mark Blodgett stated that he had been involved in the prepar- ation of the background report that had been presented to the Council last summer and the alternative land uses. He commented on the changes that had been made which were a direct result of the Council's comments at the July 30th meeting, and pointing to the Revised 2000 Map he stated that there were six major land uses proposed for the City. The land uses proposed are Residential, Commercial, Office/Light Industrial; Manufacturing, Public Fa- cilities, and Mixed Use Office/Commercial and Mixed Use Residential/ Commericial. He stated that the entire map was redrawn so that the land use designations would correspond to the existing property lines. This would allow the Council to get a real feeling as to the magnitude of the proposed changes. He explained the mixed use categories and where they would be primarily located such as immediately south of the San Bernardino Freeway, two separate -areas along San Gabriel Boulevard, and another area that would. basically act as a buffer around the existing manufacturing uses at Garvey & Stingle Avenues. He stated that although the uses share the same designation,.: they would not necessarily have the same attributes. The mixed use office/commercial that is being pro- posed south of the freeway would be best described by the existing office/commercial development on Flair Drive. Other mixed office/ commercial developments along San Gabriel would be somewhat scaled down, such as medical offices, professional offices which operate in conjunction with some retail commercial. The second mixed use designation is termed mixed use residential/commercial. The pri- mary function of this designation is not to provide housing oppor- tunities for future residents, but to serve as a mechanism to up- grade the existing strip commercial. The City has an over-abun- dance of commercially zoned acreage. Virtually the entire lengths of the major arterials that traverse the City are zoned commercial. Especially in the southern portion of the City a lot of this com- mercial is in various stages of deterioration. Adj.C/M 10-29-85 Page #1 He felt that it was not an efficient contributor to the over-all blight o these deteriorating commercial areas residential uses would upgrade these requested from the Council some kind point whether this concept should be other concept. use of the land and a f this area. To fill in with higher density commercial areas. He of direction at this proceded with or try some John Carmona, Planning Director, explained the mixed use concept, and pointed out the two commercial cores, Valley & Rosemead, and San Gabriel and Garvey Avenues. He stated that what is being proposed, somewhat follows the requirement of State Law. That is that the Zoning and the General Plan have to be consistent. What the mixed uses do is give flexibility and give the opportunity to make decisions on a number of unlike uses, such as residential and commercial or some combination thereof. Under the existing zoning ordinance, the planned development requires one acre. That would mean a minimum of one acre before the Council would enter- tain any residential project. He commented on the example of the Implementation of Mixed Use Strategy - Residential/Commercial. He stated that these were the guidelines and are what is going to help the Council make decisions not only in terms of new zoning ordinances, but projects. He stated that these policies or devises provides. not just guidelines, but also requirements for the projects. One of the policies commented on was item 7. which encouraged through zoning "intensity bonus" devises for larger area developments, i.e. sq. footage to lot coverage and parking ratio reductions. Councilman Bruesch requested an explanation of the bonus plan. John Carmona, Planning Director, stated that to encourage some- one to put two acres of property together that would be desirable for the City, a bonus would be offered to the developer by looking at a reduction in ground area coverage or parking requirement re- ductions, or other reductions in terms of height or set-backs. This would be reviewed on its merits to see if those devises would be granted. Is there enough benefit and flexibility to grant an approval on the project? Mayor Tury inquired if there was anything that someone could just come in and build? John Carmona stated_if the General Plan was changed to Mixed Use, and there is an existing C-3 commercial, and that will not change, and the pro- perties will stay in conformance. To encourage and guide the development to go in the direction suggested to accomplish the goals, you need to create them. Councilman Taylor inquired what can be done if a developer acquires a couple of lots and is building apartments. John Carmona stated that there are public hearing requirements with Planning Commission and City Council. There are four public hearings,two with the Planning and two with the Council using the P-D Ordinance. Mayor Tury inquired if there was a project less than one acre, would that still be a P-D? Or would that be a C-3? John Carmona stated that would be a C-3, because it was under one acre and would be the same as it is right now. He then com- mented on the illustrated examples of Residential/Commercial mixed use. He stated that these were the mixtures that could occur if someone were to bring in a plan such as these. The commercial and residential are segregated so that they are not borrowing on each other and sharing the same parking places. Councilman Taylor commented on the possibility of lower the parking requirement as an inducement to developers, and he stated that one of the things that had been increased was the parking requirement and he did not want it to go backwards, and did not want to lower the standards, and slowly creep into high density housing, such as 20 per acre. He inquired what the reduction in the parking requirement be? Adj.C/M 10-29-85 Page N2 0 • John Carmona stated that using the Owens project as an example, that project developed at 14 units per acre. In essense it matched R-2. It came in at four parking places per dwelling unit and they could have done it with three. If the Council wanted a project similar to that one, you might have to reduce parking or something else like reducing the 750 sq. ft. per unit drop to 500 sq. ft., or maybe you would recognize that one bedroom, two bedroom and three bed- room units have different parking needs. Councilman Taylor stated that he had serous reservations about cutting the standards. Mr. Carmona stated that he felt that restrictions and guid- ance is necessary instead of leaving it to the market forces. Mayor Tury stated that he liked the mixed uses and the blending out of the areas in concept. He felt that there should be a cap put on the maximum density in the guidelines. Mr. Carmona stated that this was one way of reducing the commercial strips by focusing and giving flexibility to some of the options available. Councilman Bruesch stated that his major concern was the give backs, in that he would like to see what concessions were given and what were made, and what actually exists. So that when the Council receives one of these plans layed, out it would show what the zone calls for and what concessions are being made. He felt that this would give the deliberating body a handle on what is being considered, and to see if it is important enough to the City to give these things. Mr. Carmona stated that these policies are not absolutes. They are just examples. The real control lies in the policies. The policies that will be put down on paper that will guide the mixed use. If the Council does not like the bonus aspect or if they want to put more clarification into it, those will be the policies that will guide any development. Mayor Tury inquired if it couldn't be a maximum density of what is presently in the R-2 Zone? Councilman Taylor stated that was a favorable suggestion. He also stated that he was against the transient turn-over type, such as apartments. Councilman Imperial inquired about the increase in population to 64,122 with the proposed General Plan. This would be a 20,000 person increase, and this bothers him. Donald Cotton stated that is the potential figure, if every- thing is built out 100% throughout the entire City. He stated that in reality total build out is never realized, and is only a method of coming to some way of determining a particular plan- ning decision. Councilman Taylor stated that this Council does not want to encourage increase in the population by lowering the standards, the square footage and parking. Mr. Carmona stated that could be controlled by having only planned development, which is the same as saying condominiums. or individual ownership. If that is the concern, then a policy .stating that, will be worked on. Councilman Imperial stated that condominiums are no guarantee for owner occupied units, as there are many condos that are pur- chased and then later are rented to others, and there are ab- sentee landlords in condos also. Councilman Bruesch stated that it is very important to have the tightest handle on what goes in throughout the City, and agreed with Mayor Tury regarding the placement of a cap on the density in the mixed use areas. It would be important to have a well- written policy statement. Adj. C/M 10-29-85 Page r3 • • Mayor Tury stated the mixed use aspect appealed to him as long as there is quality that goes along with the developments. Councilman Taylor stated that he had reservations initially regarding the whole concept; however, realistically, he agreed that all the commercial strips having mixed use with housing going in would be fine, but not into high density, absentee landlord types of housing. Donald Cotton stated that he was understanding that mixed use was workable if the density of the residential development is controlled in the mixed use areas. This would be a maxi- mum of 14 units per acre such as in the R-2 zone. This could be written in for controls. Mayor Tury stated that he felt that the Council would feel more comfortable with that. Mayor Tury stated that in principle the Council feels that it is a good idea, however, more concrete guidelines are needed. This would give developers the option to put together a quality development, and Councilman Taylor felt that was what was desired by the City. Mayor Tury stated that he wanted the developers to build quality developments. Mr. Carmona stated that he would come back to the Council. with a policy encouraging housing ownership, encouraging planned developments with a division of land for individual ownership. Mayor Tury stated that he felt that if there were apartments over a store, it would be alright. He felt that this was an opportunity to do something constructive with the Commercial areas and in concept the City Council agrees with the proposed plan. He would like to see some guidelines before it is actually approved. Councilman Taylor inquired if those people who live along the San Bernardino Freeway, would have any.restrictions placed on them? Mr. Carmona stated that there would be no more legal divisions of land in that area for further residential develop- ment, but the people who live there would be allowed to remain as they are now. Councilman Taylor suggested that instead of Office/Commercial in that Columbia area, it should be Residential/Commercial. Mr. Carmona stated that when the Zoning Ordinance is adopted the non-conforming section will protect those houses. Councilman Bruesch inquired if a Flag Lot could be developed on Columbia? Mr. Carmona stated that a Flag Lot could not be developed there. Mayor Tury stated that he would like to see Residential/ Commercial be allowed in that area. He felt that the General Plan as it is now is too restrictive. Donald Cotton inquired what the feelings of the Council were about the San Gabriel Boulevard question, and inquired about the mixed use category suggested. Mayor Tury stated that he did not think there was a problem with having that area in the Residential/Commercial use.also there. The Council Meeting was recessed in order to call the Agency to order. The Council Meeting was reconvened. Adj. C/M 10-29-85 Page #4 Councilman Taylor stated that he did not want the current owners to be restricted from the current uses until someone buys them out. He inquired if the commercial precluded office development use. John Carmona stated that office development is allowed in commercial areas. Donald Cotton stated that the mixed use Residential/Commercial actually includes offices in effect. Councilman Imperial inquired about the northwest corner of San Gabriel and Walnut Grove. Mayor Tury stated that it is zoned commercial. Councilman Imperial inquired what commercial meant at that site. Mr. Carmona stated that he could mean retail. Councilman Imperial questioned what protection the City would have against something going in there that would destroy the aesthetics of that corner. Mr. Carmona stated that in the General Plan unlike uses can be discussed as far as sensitivity and as far as buffering or doing something to control these unlike uses with impacts. He stated that the Zoning Regulations are the real tools in guiding development and giving the Council authority to review. Mayor Tury stated since that is a very unique parcel, could it be spot zoned to be a P-D Zone? Councilman Taylor stated that right now it is spot zoned if it is commercial. John Carmona stated that it is high density residential within the existing General Plan, and it is zoned Commercial, and therefore inconsistent. It could be changed to P-D, but planned development allows three separate uses, Industrial, Residential and Commercial. It is not large enough for P-D as it is only 38,000 sq. ft. Councilman Bruesch stated that on Valley Boulevard he did not see any use for Office/Commercial since office is part commercial. John Carmona stated that there is no problem selecting certain areas and developing a separate set of guidelines for that area by itself and recognizing that it is unique. There is no reason why that cannot be done. Councilman Bruesch felt that there was a need for commer- cial parking on Valley Boulevard and wondered how future com- missions and councils could go about getting.more'parking. John Carmona stated that commercial parking on Valley Boulevard has opportunities right now. Just by removing some of the fences parking could be made available in a number of areas. Councilman Taylor inquired if the property on Columbia was decided on as far as land uses. John Carmona stated that it was decided that it would be classified as Mixed Use Residential/Commercial. Councilman Taylor inquired about Rosemead Blvd. north of Valley, and that it shows mixed use Residential/Commercial all the way to Muscatel, and requested that remain Residential. John Carmona stated that could remain Residential and then in five years it can be looked at again to see if it requires any change in the land use. Adj. C/M 10-29-85 Page #5 • • Councilman Bruesch stated that he also had a concern on Grand Avenue, and he noticed that the Industrial Zone went right down to the street, yet there is a strip of residential right there. Donald Cotton inquired if it was the Council's wish that this strip be retained as low density? Mayor Tury stated that he would like to see the zoning straightened out at the street providing there is a mechanism to protect the integrity of those houses that are there. Mr. Carmona stated that the design review process might work best there. Councilman Bruesch stated that he felt that there should be some type of buffering around Industrial zones. John Carmona stated that this area on Grand Street could be left Residential and in five years take a look at it again. Mayor Tury stated that sounds great. It was the consensus of the Con good one, and the Mayor stated that He requested that there be a way to done in the Office/Commercial area, Grand Avenue, give some explanation of San Gabriel. icil that the plan was a they liked the mixed zone. allow residences to be maintain residencial on south of Garvey and east'. John Carmona stated that the area containing the residential uses.would be adjusted to Residential/Commercial.. Councilman Bruesch stated that south of the Freeway north of Hellman and west of Del Mar be-changed to Residential/Commercial. Councilman Taylor inquired about, the entire area from San Gabriel to Del Mar right up from Garvey Park, several two story homes have been.built. He did not want that area to develop like Walnut Grove above Valley. He felt that area needs to be looked at a little closer to see how good the housing stock is. Councilman Bruesch stated that the strong point of the mixed use is that it gives the discretionary power right in the hands of the Commission and the City Council. Mayor Tury requested that guidelines be more specific in the mixed use areas. He stated that this was a whole new thing for the City of Rosemead and the success of the plan really hinges on that. Councilman Bruesch stated that before this is approved there will be Public Hearings on this. Mayor Tury stated that this being the first major change in the General Plan in 13 years, this will generate some interest. Mr. Carmona stated that they will start creating the specific text for the General Plan and the policies, and the land use will be adjustedto reflect the changes that the Council has asked for. He added that the next time there is a General Plan Study Session, there will be far more written material, Mayor Tury requested on a small map and color at them so that there wo each Councilman can give to be put in the General tailed. that the code them i't be any his input Plan. He hanges on the land use be made so that the Council can look misinterpretations. That way regarding changes that need requested that the map be de- Councilman Imperial stated that a fine job was done and that John Carmona made an excellent presentation. Adj. C/M 10-29-85 Page r6 . 0 r % There being no other business to handle, the City Council Meeting was adjourned to the next regular Meeting on November 12, 1984 at 8:00 p. m. Respectfully submitted Cit Clerk APPROVED: Adj. C/M 10-29-85 Page #i7