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PC - Minutes - 08-14-68PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES OF AUGUST 14, 1968 A special Joint session of the City Council and the Planning Commission was held at the T & J Restaurant, 8526 Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, at 12 noon on Wednesday, August 14, 1968. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Whiddon at 12:30 P.M. PRESENT: Councilmen: Anderson, Maude, Taylor and Whiddon Commissioners: Floe, Holmes, Hunter and Schymos Ex Officio: City Administrator - Milton Farrell Administrative Assistant - Steve Street Director of Planning - Al Hersh Planning Secretary - Foy Burton 1. POLICY AND PROCEDURE Mayor Whiddon explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the policies and procedures of the City Council and the Planning Commission, and to acquaint the new cemrnissioners with some of the background of established ordinances. A. ROLE,OF CITY PLANNER, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND CITY ATTORNEY Mr. Farrell and Mr. Hersh outlined the responsibilities of the Administrative staff and the Planning Director to report to and to advise the Commission, and of the City Attorney to advise on the legality of the Com-- mission actions and policies. Mr. Hersh informed the group that with most of the existing Commission policies to be included as regulations in the upcoming Sub.- division Ordinance, staff was beginning a draft of pro-- posed new policies for the Commission to consider. Open discussion followed concerning legal recourses t6volvingIP.J finning Commission actions advisability of viewing properties before case appears before Commission, hazards of applicants discussing a case with Commission members before hearing, the legality of denying a case on the basis that it would be detrimental to the development of the city. 11. PLANNING COMMISSION FUNCTION Mr. Farrell explained the purpose and function of the Pl nning Commission; that often it acts as an advisory body to the City Council; that the Commission follotts the policies and directives set forth by the City Council. 111, PLANNING COMMISSION POLICY A. LOT SPLITS Mr. Farrell outlined the history of Commission actions on lot splits,in the City .including an extensive study made on lots splits in 1962. He stated, end the .Councilmen concurred., it was best the Commission be firmly consistent in their actions regarding lot splits. PC August 14, 1968 Page Two Open discussion followed regarding possible solutions to the lots split situation in Rosemead, solutions of the problem in other surrounding cities, possible higher standards to deter poor developments on lot splits, the possibility of a questionaire to sample potential standards and polccies, the tax situation with regard to deep lots, elimination of lot splits that could result in more subdivisions being submitted, res- ponsibility of the City to approve developments which would better the city, ordinances written explicitly_. to avoid requests for undesirable developments, the possible solution being to require all new homes in the R -1 Zone to have street frontage on a dedicated street and requiring two homes on one lot to be legally kept under one ownership. The members of the Council present agreed that in the R -1 Zone: 1. All dwellings should be located on a dedicated and improved street (street frontage). 2. Lot splits should be eliminated. 3. , Two. houses may bb :bull t 6n :a, lot with adequate area, but the property retained in undivided ownership. B. MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL Mr. Farrell stated the primary point to be made was that the R -3 zoning in the City and the extensive study of the subject in 1963, resulted in a strict and very good ordinance. Open discussion followed concerning effectiveness of existing R -3 regulations and the necessity for a study of R -2 standards. C. CURBS, GUTTERS, SIDEWALK AND STREET TREES Mr. Farrell outlined the background of the circumstances necessitating the need and establishment of the existing ordinance requiring street improvements to be installed when an improvement of $2000 or over is developed. Open discussion followed concerning possible exceptions to the ordinance, the need for strong enforcement of the ordinance, and establishing that extreme hardship to be determined by the City Engineer be the only way to avoid installation of improvements, and requiring a deposit to be made in lieu of improvements, necessity end benefit of an intent and purpose clause that should be included in the ordinance. The Councilmen present expressed themselves as favoring tight adherence to securing necessary street improvements. PC August 14; 1968 Page Three D. BARS Mr: Farrell explained past experiences With bars in the City.that resulted in the Council passing art ordinance eequlring a Conditional. Use Permit be granted for an on- premise use, of liquor on properties within 200 feet of a residential zone and the requirement of exclusive Parking fdcillties+ ,OpOAAiscuss1bn followed regarding probbem.of .'toe many undesirable "beer joints" in Rosemead, the need for an ordinance regulating possible annoyances to neighbors in the area of bars, the necessity of establishing strong reulations to discourage development of too many bars or undesirable bars, the problem of bars on San Gabriel Boulevard affecting possible tenants to potentially good commercial sites, the role of licensing in es- tablishme0t of a bar in the City, inclusion of an intent and purpose before the existing regulations on bars, and standard phrases for findings when cases approved or denied. The Councilmen present expressed themselves as generally opposed to the establishment of bars. E. STREET CIRCULATION AND STANDARDS Mr. Farrell stated this subject had been largely covered in the discussion of street improvements, that dedication should always be required where needed, and that street standards were clearly defined in the General Plan and the Commission should always refer to these standards. Open discussion followed regarding the property developers being advised of needed dedication and street improve- ments involved in development their property. There being no further business it was moved by Councilman Andersen, seconded by Councilman Taylor that the meeting be adjourned. Mayor Whiddon adjourned the meeting at 2:00 P.M.