11-17-1986 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
M I N U T E S
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
November 17, 1986
The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor
Shearer:,at 7:30 pm in the Senior Citizens Center at Cortez Park, West Covina.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember Manners.
ROLL -CALL Mayor Shearer, Mayor Pro Tem Chappell, Councilmembers
Manners, Bacon, Tennant
Others Present: Fast, Wylie, Miller, Curtis, Johnson, Collier, Urban,
Gurr, Duggan, Berry
.PUBLIC HEARING -
PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY
Assistant City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit
of publication. Mayor Shearer outlined the procedures
to be used.during the evenin; and then opened the public
hearing.
Presentation
Planning Director Curtis began the staff presentation.
Larry Morrison of the Arroyo Group explained the charts
and future land use possibilities which came about from
the study. Mr. Curtis then continued with the recommen-
dations of the Planning Commission, which had been included
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in the staff report.
Recess
Mayor Shearer called a recess at 8:20 pm to allow
staff time to gather the cards from the audience of those
interested in addressing Council. Council reconvened at
8:27 pm.
Public Testimony
Mayor Shearer opened the public portion of the
hearing and reading the names from the cards, - invited
the individuals to address Council.
Steve Yuhas
Steve Yuhas, 1839 Norma Avenue, complained about
the recently constructed block wall surrounding the
Datsun Dealership adjacent to his property. He felt
the "prison wall" was unnecessary. He also asked how
many houses would be taken to expand the auto center.
Mayor Sharer noted that all questions would be
addressed after everyone had a chance to speak.
Steve Hamilton
Steve Hamilton, 2430 Pearl Court, commended Council,
staff, and the consultants for the high degree of pro-
fessionalism and patience. He felt the study pointed
out the need for a long range guide while affording a
Buffer for the residential areas. He urged Council to
receive and file the study and suggested it be reviewed
every five years.
Ron Ballard
Ron Ballard, P.O. Box 2848, Covina, representing
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Louis Brutocao and Barranca/Garvey Associates, supported
planned development within the community, particulary
in reference to the standards developed for the northwest
corner of Holt and Grand Avenues.
Bill Tackabery
Bill Tackabery, 1516 Buena Vista, San Clemente,
property owner near Grand Avenue, commended staff and
the Arroyo Group and urged support of the study.
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CITY COUNCIL, MINUTES
November 17, 1986
Page Two
Alice Elko
Alice Elko, 13057 Bess, Baldwin Park, property owner
of two acres of land near Merced and Garvey, favored
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development and asked if there was any possible way her
property_-, could be developed�jto a_higher intensity.
Edna Owen
Edna Owen, 3292 E. Holt; -East Hills\,Homeowners Assn.
President, disagreed with some of the suggestions contained
in the study and would voice them at the time future
developments would be considered.
Mary Butler
Mary Butler, 3142 Oak Knoll Drive, disagreed with
the study but considered it only a, "dream; ".'xiiakirig. i t
difficult to object to. She too will be watching future
developments.
Katherine Castucci
Katherine Castucci, 430.Pima Avenue, appreciated
the public input procedures used throughout the study.
She encouraged Council to use condemnation procedures
only as a last resort and to keep West Covina.from turning
into another.Santa Ana or Glendale.
Elmer.G. Harder
Elmer G. Harder, 1618 Mardina Street, asked if the
study calls for,Mardina Street to become ,a.service street.
Sarah E. Edgell
Sarah E. Edgell, 113 S. Baymar Street, felt that the
developers always win out over property owners when it
comes to redevelopment projects.
Lewis W. Starble
Lewis W. Starble, 1332 S. Meeker Avenue, spoke favor-
ably of the study On behalf, of the West Covina Chamber of
Commerce Executive Board". -
Fr ed Burkhardt
Fred Burkhardt, Executive Director of the West Covina
Chamber of Commerce, addressed each of the Planning Com-
mission's recommendations regarding the study. He urged
Council to receive and file the study.
Mark A. Branch
Mark A. Branch, 127 S. Baymar, wondered what could be
done now about the parking problem on Garvey Avenue in
connection with the automobile dealerships.
Toni Tukoy-
Toni Tukoy, owner/proprietor of Baskins'Robbins,
asked when it would be appropriate to start redecorating
and refurbishing her business located.on.Glendora Avenue.
Public_ Testimony closed"
Mayor Shearer closed the public testimony portion of the
hearing and Planning Director Paul Curtis offered the
following comments'in.response'.to the.above statements.
Staff response
In regards to Steve Yuhas' statement regarding the
wall behind the Nissan Dealership, staff -would investigate
its structure with the conditions specified in the Precise
Plan. On another matter, no houses are proposed in the
plan for condemnation in order to enlargen the Auto Center.
The study shows where potential expansion could take place,
if the opportunity presented itself.
In regards to.Alice Elko's request to develop her
property, it was pointed out that her property lies within
the Westside Specific Plan which allows for development
up to 30 feet or two stories, but not for the construction
of high rise buildings.
In regards to Katherine Castucci's comments, the'
Planning Director clarified his statements at an earlier
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meeting regarding condemnation.
In regards to Elmer Harder's question, there is no
plan to turn Mardina Street into a frontage road.
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
November 17, 1986
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In regards to Sarah Edgell's comments, the houses
east of Johnson Motors are not in a redevelopment project
area, a prerequisite for considering any houses for eminent
domain proceedings, and then only after many, many hearings.
T.n regards to Mark.Branch's comments about the traffic
situation on Garvey Avenue, -staff would again forward the
complaint to the Police Department.and Code Enforcement
Officers. The auto dealerships are not to use Garvey Avenue
for vehicle test driving, nor.loading and unloading cars.
In regards to Toni Tukoy's question, the Atrium
project is expected to move forward in the very near fixture.
Council discussion
Mayor Shearer asked Planning Director Curtis if the
homeowners should be holding back on any improvements or
remodeling plans for their homes because of this study.
Mr. Curtis answered no.
Councilmember Tennant asked about Mrs. Elko's situation
What would she have to do to develop her property to a
height surpassing thirty-five feet. Mr. Curtis responded
that she would need to go through a specific plan amendment.
Council reiterated their reluctance to initiate
eminent domain proceedings and always resorted to condem-
nation as a last resort for redevelopment .projects.
Council was pleased with -the overall_.concept of a plan
to use as a guideline for future developments along the
freeway corridor. They,also noted that -none of the sug-
gestions or recommendations that came out of the study are
set in concrete; rather, they are simply: the starting
points. Opportunities for citizen input and testimony
on individual developments will continue and the citizens
were encouraged to participate.
Motion by Bacon, seconded by Tennant to receive
Preliminary Feasibility
and file the Preliminary Development Feasibility -Study as
Study.received & filed
prepared by the Arroyo Group with the addition of an
elevated people mover concept in the Central Business
District, and to receive and file the comments by the
Planning Commission. Motion carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Tennant, Bacon, Manners, Chappell, Shearer
NOES: None
OTHER MATTERS
No other matters were brought before the City Council.
_ADJOURNMENT Motion by Chappell, seconded by Tennant, and unanimously
carried to adjourn t e meeting at 9:42 pm.
fayor Chester E. Shearer
ATTEST:
City Clerk Helene ra. Mooney
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