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04-29-1957 - Regular Meeting - Minutes• 10 ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE .CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA April 299 1957 The meeting was called to order by Mayor Kay at 8:00 P.M. in the Coronado School. located at Glendora and Vine Avenues. Invocation was given by Councilman Mottinger. 00aw"11410 Present Mayor Kay, Councilmen Mottinger, Crumley.9 Browny Pittenger Others Present: City Manager; City Clerk and Assistant Administrative Offi.cer9 City Treasurer; City Attorney, Planning Commission Secretary. UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT NO. 18. LOCATION-. Northwesterly side- of Glendora Dr. Samuel Ching and Mrs. Lily Ching Avenue, between Service and Cameron APPROVED Avenues. RERUESTg permit to construct and operate a hospital and attendant facilities. EXISTING ZONE. R-A Recommended for approval by the Planning Commission at their meeting of March 69 1957, Resolution Noo �80. Set for ;tearing an April 1, 1957 by the City Council. Referred back to the Planning Commiss..on by the City Council at their -adjourned regular meeting of April l., 19S7. The Planning Commission report was received and hearing was set for April. 29, 1957 at 8000 P.M. at the Coronado School by the City Council at their regular meeting of April 8, 1957. Maps were presented by Mr. Gerschler who stated, "The Planning Commission on April 3, 1957 submitted a report with a motion by Commissioner Jackson and seconded by Commissioner McNutt, which was carried,, that the Commission re- affirms its previous decision on Unclassified Use Permit No. 18 and recommends to the City ,Council. to review all testimony and facts th�-:t were presented before the Commission, with further recommendation that additional hearing be granted." MAYOR KP_Y OPENED THE PU111C HE °.RING Mr. Gerschler presented and read for the redord Resolution No.e';480 and recommenda- tions of the Planning ,Commission approving this Use Permit. Mayor Kayo This hearing is being continued to take further testimony on both sides of the,case. The applicant and principal speakers will appear first., then others of those supporting this matter, which will be followed by those who wish to speak in opposition. Forty-five minutes will be permitted for presentation of their case 'by the applicants, one hour for presentation of those in opposition with a 15 minute period of rebuttal permitted to the proponents. Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Pace two • (Since proponents presentation was permitted in excess of the 455 minutes time allotted, the opponents presentation was granted equal excess of time other than the one hour stipulated.) All those desiring to present testimony in regard to this matter were sworn in by the City Clerk. Dr. Samuel Ching, owner of the property and residing at 725 South Glendora Avenue turned the case for the proponents over to Dr. Norman G. Snyder who acted as head spokesman for those in favor. Dr. Norman G. Snyder of 2042 Daniels, "West Covina spoke in regard to the criticism received for not presenting their case more fully at the last meeting of the :Council. on this matter, although they were present, and explained that doctors are very critical of doctors giving any publicity as doctors- -or speaking publicly, in certain instances, as doctors. Although now it was felt the matter had been forced and also that the demands of those people,'that- this be carried through, should be met. n Mr. Pat McCown of 19541 E. Puente Avenue, Covina, with business location at 1211 Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina spoke in favor. Mr. McCown stated the need for a hospital which was brought home to him due to a recent accident in his family and since there were no local. facilities available patient had to be pent to Los Angeles. • The City Clerk presented and read for the record 2 letter prepared by Mr. McCown on behalf of thecommitteehe represented in regard to construction and financing of this hospitalP and outlined in part the ambitions of this committee toward a hospital within the boundaries of this city which would help serve the entire East San Gabriel, Valley. He cited this as a n ' on --profit. organization,, that the cotand.tutee was in agreement with the location of the piece of property offered by Dr. Ching for the purpose mentioned and was to explore all Possibilities in regard to building methods. Mr. McCown cited tremendous shortage of.'hospital beds and accessories necessary to a hospital, with doct'ors depending upori'an adequate accessories for diagnosis based upon equipment and hospitals at their disposal.. We cannot expect men in the medical profession to work with less than modern conveniences, keeping in mind the type of work they do. Mr. McCown :cited legislation granted for acquiring Schools, flood control, etc., through condemnation, if necessary, and certainly not too much to consider that hospitals be also granted such legislation. Since this is not available it becomes incumbent Upon citizens to see and have a well balanced by sustaining community. 1) Major hospital with necessary diagnostic equipment and use will be built at earliest possible date. 2) Such an installation can 'be built and it is the re'�ponsibility of this committee, working with authorities, to determine how it can best 'be built to render the best service to all. -2- 17J Adj. C.C. 4­29-57 Page three 3) The financing of this institution becomes the responsibility of this committee and with it they have enough information 'to believe that financing can be .accomplished. 4) Let us- 9 as laymen, look into our own Lives. :1as anybody been so generous to charity as dr)ctors themselves.9 with no thought of time and effort to relieve suffering? The least we can do is Cooperate. Mr. McCown presented and read a list of those members of this committee which was presented to the City Clerk for the record. Dr. Snyder stated that two years ago the future need was recognized and a meet-, ing was held witIr that in mind.„ Articles of incorporation were drawn up which still, exist. This same site was considered but because at the time Lark Ellen -Hospital was being built and Inter. -Community was expanding, needs were met. However, even with that expansion thoseneedswill not now be Met and it was, felt that now was the time to set aside this 15 ac,res for this use9 and that is the reason they are applying for zoning now. This site is accessable and most desirable from population and geographical location. Petition was delayed on this mat -ter until the Hospital drive at the Inter -Community was assured of success, as it was the feeling, this hospital should be helped first, financially. We do not feel this is pre -mature as the need is nowbut proper zoning must behad'for future plans, as it takes many months to plan and build this. The approximate population in the city if 44,000 with the saturation point at 75,,000. West Covina alone can support 135 beds now. Mr. Dewey Harnish, architect for the proponents with offices at 222 E. fIBIT Street, Ontario spoke in favor. Our organization is experienced in the planning of hospitals and I believe we speak with some authority on that subject with the present development of 11 with 1 :,, hospital projects, some under construction an'", some in planning stage. The request was made by doctors to look this land over and evaluate it on basis of a possible hospital. site and after surveying this over -a period of two or three months, we developed the report which the Council has before them. I feel this area is of sufficient size and pop-nCLation density to justify a hospital of some size. Bounded ' as it is by Cameron, California and Glendora and a lot depth away from Service, accessibility of the site seems to be of high quality and hardly controversial. We went into the analysis of the need and of the existing hospital facilities. Utilizing the booklet given to the Council, as prepared by the Bureau of Hospitals in the State,, the need wasfor450 'beds in 1954. However, it has been recently indicated the need is even greater now. I Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page four • Mr. Harnish pointed .out the effort made to make this site acceptable to the area by providing more than ample planting strip around the site and more than adequate parking. He stated that hospitals are an orphan in zoning as usually they are not placed within a given area and is sometime placed in areas that are left over and thus many are badly placed. This is an exceptionally good site here for such use, with sufficient land so that buildings themselves will not over -power the site or cause detriment to neighbors, with uses coinciding with hospital uses well inside the area and screened. As with most cases, hospital being planned is so designed it can be built in stages with the first phase planned to provide 100 beds, While this will not • fill the need for hospital facilities in West Covina, it is a large under- taking since hospital beds cost approxirm tely $18,000.00 to et into operation for land, construction, equipment and supplies. One hundred beds in a hospital is about as big an under -taking as any community can justify- as a starting point. The first stage of the hospital will 'be two stories in height. First story 44 beds, including maternity, and second floor will be 56 beds for the 100 total. In some future time this Precise Plan would indicate a two-story addition when and if it was possible to justify the need and provide financing for an additional 100 beds on a third and fourth level. Plans also made for the problem of the aged and a one-story unit on the grounds has been considered for such purpose. • Mr. Deering cited need of 875 hospital beds in this area and that with all expansion, hospitals already active and under construction as well. as beds all-otted for this area in the County hospital-, there is still a need of 485" and these hospitals do not include mental hospitals, nursing homes or tubef- culosis hospitals. Mr. A. Gebhardt of 334 N. Leland spoke in relation to the need and hospital. beds not being available because all are full, with patients being sent to various hospitals in the area ' or else to County General on occasion of accidents or other needs requiring hospitalization. Mr. D. Richardson of 1008 W. Cameron Avenue spoke on accessibility of the site and importance of that accessibility in relation to this site 'being easily serviced from all points by major roads in the city as well. as easy, accessibility to freeway. Mr. Richardson also spoke in relation to the one and three-quarter parking space per bed plus use of Cameron since all houses will 'back up to that street and there would be no drive -ways to contend with. Mr. R. Harrison of 715 S. Glendora Avenue remarked as to affect of this site on * the immediate neighborhood safety. He stated the relation of hospital structures to nearest residences and that those being the nearest, on the north side, were the :residents mostly in favor of this. He cited that in a survey made of 81hospitals, 65, or 80.3% of these hospitals were built with at least one side being residential area with only 1.6 that could not be considered as be.&*ng in residential area, -4- Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page five 0 Map was presented of the hospital, sites named here. Mr. Harrison cited the widening of and heavy traffic uses expected on Glendora and Cameron Avenues regapd]l.ess of what use goes in here and the high leve'l. of maintenance ustiall _L _y found around a hospital site. *WJ th only 14 homes having frontyards facing this site, 6 on Glendora and 8 on California, he wondered if any other site would affect so few people. Dr. Snyder stated it was never said this hospital would start out as a 250 'bed hospital but it could be started with from 50 to 1.00 beds determined by need and financing. It would 'be a non-profit organization servicing the needs of the community and putting back whatever money it makes into the hospital. The committee set up will explore means of financing as we do not thing a hospital should be tax supported. If it is found after a reasonable length of time that we are not ready for a non-profit hospital we will. build a profit hospital, but we feel it can be -111urned.to a non-profit organization *hen it would be feasible, He presented for the records a list of the names of 20 doctors approving this site and two letters of approval from doctors in Baldwin Park and ha ?uente. There was a recess taken it 90109 reconvening at 9,.20 P,M� OPPOSITION: Mr. Clawson of 1045 W. Susanna attorney representing 6'4 residents who had signed a petition against this use, stated that the doctors had met the request of a month ago to come forward to give more specific details and plans. There is no objection to the hospital as such, and we recognizetheneed, but we are concerned with the location of the hospital as proposed as this area is truly residential, He commented on the proponents statements regarding just one side of the hospital site containing residencesq but that this site has four sides with homes. He stated there wasn't room enough for use and construction of necessary facilities on this 15 a(Tre site) unless the area was enlarged to adjacent property which will be then, converted in time to professional or commercial uses. He referred to the statement by proponents as to no zoning usually allotted for hospital use although usually placed in zones bther than residential or R-1. All of the property surrounding the tract involved is R-1, although present zone is R-A. However, the Councils previous actions recognized the surrounding territory as R-1 type and in that sense they would breach. their own previous planning if this was permitted at this time and location. -5- Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page sLx We have prepared to show many other sites in this community that could meet almost all or all -of the requirements that the proponents 'show are necessary to such a facility. Mr. Lee Mohnike of 1307 Herring Avenue operating a real estate office at 608 So. Sunset in 'West Covin,��, spoke in opposition. He spoke in regard to the survey made and locating of other sites Just as ideally situated. That any public building of any kind constructed near residences, the valuation of the residence deteriates, and in buying a home,, one would not choose 'to 'Live next to a public building. • He commented on a statement made of this being ideal and quality site and it was his opinion that this was because of the nice residential area that surrounded it and that an ideal site for such use is not bounded on any side by residences, least of all single family. An ideal site would provide adequate buffer or natural barrier around it and such sites available within 81-R zone were discussed. Maps were presented showing total 81-R Zone, 82,-R Zone and boundaries totaling .these zones. He stated a survey of this area discolDsed that it would contain, in about 12 years, about 190,000 pe ple and no hospital at all designated within that area, nor are there any proposed. He stated that the nearness of a hospital was good but that a ride of 10 to 15 minutes was certainly to be considered • close enough. He mentioned of one site available within tl%e area which is bounded on one side by the freeway, south by Walnut Creek Wash and east and west by commercial property. He thinks the question of this being an ideal site is only a matter of applying personal converii.ence and not because any proper survey was made. There is a vast acreage of unimproved property in.the County zoned A-1 classification on which this use can 'be granted for this facility, with population possibly exceeding that of West Covina, with easy accessibility and within a 10 or 15 minutes ride of this City. The picture is clear that this site is not ideal and request the . Council not step on 614 people who signed the peltion when other sites are readily avail- able. Mr. J. Bell of 721 S. California Avenue spoke in opposition. Three of us made a survey of Inter -Community Hospital and its surrDundins. Most of that area Contains renters not home owners. Most statements . indicated that hone owners did not desire to live within the boundaries of a hospital and that they could not sell these properties at the prevailing prices so there was depreciation of the area in value. Adj. C.C. 4­29-57 Page seven There is also a traffic problem in the vicinity of he Inter -Community Hospital and while no fault of the operators, it has grown and started to expand. They are currently purchasing property around them for expansion and parking and home owners indicated that the purchase price of these properties did not compare with prices as on other structures of a similar size not located near hospital. Renters were asked if they ilould purchase near such a facility and about 80% answere in the negative. It was indicated that some property owners have to get the police to remove • cars from their driveways or in front of their driveways because of the parking problem at the hospital. This may not be a problem here but is one that Could grow and become one if this facility goes in. There is no room for expansion of this facility if necessary. The statement that "it would seem to affect only a few people's reside'.aces" Would 'be concurred in if it were not for the fact of much virgin land 'being available and that this is in a surrounding _R.7L, ?one. These other Properties run M000.00 per acre which. falls wellintocatagory, of this property. He stated that he is in favor of the hospital but all possible sites should be considered that will not encroach on privacy of citizens in West Covina, 0 A film was shown in relation to the statements made by Mr. Bell. Mr. Clawson stated that assistance has Peen offered to these doctors in support �T of building a hospital in this community, raising needed finances and SDlicita- tion of whatever mcessary signatures were needed to develop a community non- profit hospital to be operated under the California Act. Mr. T. Geddes of 733 California Avenue Spoke in oppos-ition. In the survey of hospitals Most of them seem to have empty land around them no matter when they were constructed and most of them are in residential areas. The proposed Glendora Hospital is on Highway 66., On one side is a trailer • Court, west side has nothing and east of it a medical, dispensary. North of it is a proposed Shopping Bag Food Store. The Presbyterian Hospital in Whittier attempted to get into the Friendly Hills area, but people did not want it and so turned it down and put in, an industrial section of town. California Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, Mt. Sinai, San Diego General are not in residential areas and St. Luke's has nothin(,r in the immediate area, Redland's Hospital is three miles from the heart of town. None of these hospitals are centrally located. The IADSpital in Fontana is not located in residential. The Arcadia Methodist Hospital has 138 beds on 21 acres and here on this site we want 250 beds. I%Tith Cameron going in you will leave 12.6 acres for whatever • facilities that are to be built. Adj. C.C. 4­29-57 Page eight • Mr. D. Shaw of 1905P Bonita Avenue, Covina, stated regarding the property bordering -the City Hall. IINTe own property on the proposed Cameron Avenue extension south of the freeway. -Dr. Burrows and myself went to Dr. Ching and thought there may be some kind of a way to exchange properties in that our property might be acceptable to a hospitalo This property was thought of in the past for multiple zoning so we thought that this property might work out and have an excellent chance for a hospital." Mr. Charles Kranz of 667 California Avenue reminded the Council of its obligations and responsibility to some 600 people who signed petitions against this site. Ample eviderice.that other sites are available which will. not injure so many people. Many sites between here and La Puente would lend itself to • this use. Mr. Wm. Foster of 669 St. Malo, West "I"ovina, stated need had been firmly established but he thinks it would be better to state why there cannot be another site for this use and why this site is so excellent, The problem here is whether -this site is suitable or not. I think these people should 'be made to show they have undeniable exhausted all other possible sites. I think there is an attempt 'being made to rail -road a decision in favor of the hospital -rather than study other proposed sites, -Mr. L. Bowman of 1102 W. Camila Road, West Covina, spoke in opposition. • Mr. W. McKay of �93 Oak Park Place spoke in regard to the few persons on Service Avenue having lots and homes. These few are the only people in favor of this use. There had been indicafed that this hospital may purchase the back of these lots for an alley to run through. These people are prompted to be in favor by such indication and I am wondering h,cw many will live in the area rea when this use comes in. The area will change and this will be detrimental ,.to the area. I see no reason. why this location should be chosen in such a crowded area when there is plenty of other room to build such a use some other place. Mr. Aiello of-1013 W. Cameron Avenue, West Covina, contended this property should remain residential and the hospital located in a more isolated area than one Proposed. Mr. Aiello presented and. readfor the record a letter from • Mr. Herman Weisel, builder of the homes on Oak Park Place and Jewel Homes which, in essence, stated this proposed site was not a good one for hospital use and had no place there. He indicated he had seen sites comparable to this LS one and that the matter thrown in the papers regarding �2-R zone is only a camouflage, there being no truth in it. The main thing here is that we need a hospital but let us not put it here. Mr. H. Leslie of 727 So. California Avenue, appraiser, stated that this Would be detrimental to surrounding property in lowering values. By rule of the thumb,, 10'!, is °knocked off9 on property near a hospital,. Records are available to the Public and also tax rolls disclose that resi-dentia]l, property values adjacent • to hospitals in Los Angeles show a depreciating trend anywhere from 10%. to 30%. 1 feel none of these doctors practice close enough to I West Covina to have any interest in West Covina, ��9 Adj. C.C. 4-291-57 Page nine Mr. Clawson summarizing opposit-ion stated there has nog been demonstrated,9 public convenience, necessity and welfare to Justify granting of this use and 0 that other sites were available within the geographic and population center of the. community to be served by the hospita-i . Dr. Snyder spoke in rebuttal. stated that other sites had been surveyed and it was still felt this site was the best. Mr. Harnish: Other were pointed out but have been pin-W.inted in La Puente or adjacent to the freeway. There are indica- tions there will be two hospitals necessary in the La Puente area and there is need shown for them but- they will not serve the West Covina area. This area is served almost directly in its center of population from the site we have chosen. So far as depreciation is concerned around existing hospitals the reason for that depreciation can be summed up by (1) lack of parking causing a bad situation on the periphery,, ',°Jle have provided for all neceassary parking of ultimate expansion, (2) lack of proper screening and we have provided screen- ing on all four sides of this proposed hospital. Usual great demand for doctors clinics in adjacent area. We have planned for these clinics within the area. I believe these three reasons, which have been adequately taken care of, should do away with -depreciation of bordering properties. • Mr. Ha.rrison: Fifteen sites within the, city were studied and only one site came up that might have been comparable. C� Map of these sites were presented for the record. A statement was made in this being best in commercial zone. According to expert testimony, 80.3 % 3f the hospitals in operation within the County are within residential areas and trend seems to be in that direction. Why should citizens of West C.1ovina go outside of their own city to get hospital service? I think this is a need here because of the size and growth of the City. We have a group that is ready to start this project eight now and plans are already two years old. T Mr. vohn P. Preston,of 526 Montezuma Way, and present administrator of Inter -Community Hospital, was sworn in by -the City Clerk.* I think the back of many public buildings, if photographed, would show refuse stored ready to be picked up. We have had to purchase additional property for parking because of poor planning that was done in the beginning. So far as property values are concerned, the purchase of property around the hospital has indicated that it is far from having gone down. We have paid 40 in excees of $2000.00 regular price for parcels to obtain that parking. -9- Adj. C.C. 4-29-57' Page ten • Property values have not gone down :but increased from the standpoint of property owners on the north side of Cottage Street. Opponents tonight were talking about designation of 82-R in accordance with the state law is the Pomona Area. 81-,R is the Covina -West Covina area. Dr. Snyder: We feel that the problems existing at the Inter -Community are because it was not well planned or provided for and we do not think the same thing will happen here in West Covina. Mr. McCown- The point was broughtup 'by the opposition that property values • around Inter -Community had reduced. I, personally, offered one of the owners 5 timest6he amount paid for a parcel in 1949 and was rejected so I do not think values have gone down, We are getting together a team to 'build a hospital and it is a difficult task to do. But we think,it is fortunate that this '.1ity has such a team here. This land has been offered., doctors have offered their time. I,ale have a very fine Committee and can see no reason whywecannot handle financing. I have done considerable work around Inter -Community when it was built and I, too, was aware that getting rid of rubbish and debris was 'a problem, but that just goes with any type of place where people are involved and I think an excellent job has been done of keeping refuse under cover and not strewing • it on the highway and streets. I think the unit is well run for working under very adverse circumstances. Dr. Snyder: One of the opponents stated that proponents do not practice in West Covina, but we all do. Mr. L. Smith of 252 W. Camila asked if any site had been set aside for, future hospitals or proposed before this, to which Mayor Kay replied that present, land -use maps showing potential zoning has no indication of potential Zone for hospital use. Mr. Smith: Several sites were proposed', many of which are in La Puente area. None of these sites proposed have a guarantee that 10 they would ever be Toned. for a hospital. Only So much land is Toned for commercial or other such type of sites. It takes many years to build a hospital from the time of its inception and in raising money we are not asking you present or the taxpayers for a dime, all we are asking is for the privilege of having this surveyed for a site for a hospital. There being no further testimony presented, the hearing was declared closed. Mr. Gerschler presented and read for the record a report on findings of investigation by the Planning Department and Planning Commission. 40 Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Mayor Kay: Councilman Crumley: Dr. Ching: Council -man Crumley: Dr. Ching: Page eleven Are there any questions from the Council? How long, Dr. Ching,, have you owned this property? Since 1942. No. Am I to take it you are to give this land away for the purpose wanted? Mayor Kay: I was wondering if the target date was set for launching construction of the ' hospital or raising of funds, or what i.ntentiohs might there be. This does not have direct bear- ing on the zoning but I believe it Would be of interest to the community. Mr. McCown: We will immediately proceed with construction and financing of this hospital if, zoning is granted. There will be a 0 Board of Directors elected to operate if we find it possible to build a non-profit unit. If that proves impractical to do we intend to build a hospital of profit making type and get Trite) financing immediately. Mayor Kay: 111r. Harnish, you testified in reference to having developed some 50 hospitals but very little was mentioned by either • side on what supporting uses or zoning was necessary in the area immediately adjacent to the hospital. You are concerned with this 1.5 acres but usually around the hospitals or on the site there is a pharmacy, quarters for nurses, etc. Mr. Harnish: Everything that is required is planned within the Precise Plan as shown. The trend is away from providing nurses h6mes be -cause of the high incidence of married nurses. Such services as pharmacies, restaurants being in compatibility with the adjoining area these are generally frowned upon, other than guest accommoda- tions or patient accommodations. There is a pharmacy planned "-Jut its use is incidental to the hospital. Eating facilities are planned but not in competition with other business of West Co-ina. • The principal use adjacent to hospitals is that of medical clinics and that we have provided for. One coming trend is for the care of the aged and we have even prepared for that if the need arises. Mayor Kay: All of the needs are met within the proposed area and not encumbered on the city to grant further zoning of surrounding area? Mr. Harnish: We believe it will be better met within the site than in • most existing hospital plans as theyarenow, _11 - Adj. C.C. 4­29-57 Page twelve • Councilman Mottinger-. I think we all have been taking notes to get a complete prospective on this. This is a matter of real concern to the community as a whole and in the best interests of the community this Council. must make a decision. It is unfortunate that we cannot decide in such away that everybody will be h4ppy but we must act. In studying the Precise Plan 1 feel that it is an excellent plan. It seems to have made effective use of set -backs :and landscaping with homes being 100 feet or more from the buildings thatareproposed-in this plan. • My only real objection to the Precise Plan is the 4-story structure. I do not believe that is too great a thing and it can be limited to two-story and still be effective. At our last hearing I pointed out the argument of traffic haTard. 'We are going to have that hazard regardless of what goes in this particular property. Cameron and Glendora Avenues will be major streets. This may drain off some of the traffic going down Cameron, and Service Avenues. This Precise Plan has overcome many objections to neighboring hospitals, particularly that noted at Inter -Community --that of parking. Our Planning Department has looked into that matter very strongly and thoroughly and in fact on the Precise Plan required adequate parking. I think this has more • than been taken care of in this particular site. It seems strange, but we have identical objections to hospitals, churches and schools but in spite of that, we have to have all three of them. They are vital to the community. Unfortunately hospitals do not just start themselves and it takes someone, some group, to ',get the show on the road?. The proponents have taken this initiative and this is the only area under consideration and the only area under which we can actually judge this evening. As a safety -valve to the development of this area if granted, I think it would be in order to put a time limitation.. Vle do that on subdivision plans that dome into US for homes. Whether it would be two years or orle year I do not • know, but I think two years would probably be an adequate limiting factor. The proponents and opponents within the 300--foot area are almost equally divided. Outside that area we must listen to everyone, it is our duty to try to judge on the basis of what is good for the community as a whole.. In all due conderation to both sides, I feel I must take my stand in granting this unclassified use. Councilman Crumley- There is no question of need for this facility and that it is needed some place in the area. This financing thing is not too well. clarified to me. They have a committee and are working but I think all, the facts should 'be known and if this is a non -profiting organization or not. 0 Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page thirteen Councilman 1"rumley - Ccntinued. We have not supported Inter -Community so obviously we are not going to support a bell -ringing, door -knocking campaign. I think you should know -the facts of what you are getting into on a nonprofit hospital. A statement was made twice that if people and industry would get behind this you will have a hospitual., 30 you are expected to. donate to this hospital so I think you better Consider those facts carefully-. I think the noise and traffic would be enormous and I' think that this hospital • site desecrates the whole area. I think this hospital should be on the peri- phery of the city and that -there are many places on the periphery for it. The hospital could be developed elsewhere and Dr. Ching would not.be out anything. 0 • He has had since 1.942 and I wonder why he did not come in some time ago and ask for this hospital. I have gotten the impression that all we have to do would 'be like Superman and like magic, there will be a hospital appearing there and I do not think a hospital is going to get there that fast. It violates the master plan. It is R-A, Potential R-1 and I can't see a hos- pital going in there at all. Councilman Pittenger: I made quite a few notes also. I planned to take exception to those present who criticized the Council s action the last, time. We were criticized for sending the matter back to the Planning Commission, that,we were influenced by the opponents of the plan. That is true. I try to come to meetings with an open mind, to listen to both sides, and try to reach. a decision based on that and frankly the proponents presented no plan that night. In fact, this book (presented by the proponents) as the crux of their plan was presented to me this evening. I am concerned only with the building of a hospital within West Covina. I do not care what can be built in La Puente. With industry and development in that area it will need a, hospital and a bigger one than we are going to have. I am concerned only with. this site..not any other site, because no other site has been advanced by these men. There are freeway properties-mi-e-ntion,ed which are at $225,000.00 per acre,, if you want to pay that,, 'but would rather buy 08,000.00 per acre property. However, the price of this thing is of no matter of the Council.,. f think this plan is a very good plan, well laid out and beautifully land- scaped. It is 200 feet from the nearest 'building to the property line on the south. It is 170 feet from property to the nearest building on the west. That is only the building, there is a good deal of landscaping between there. I think you are going to get a lot less noise than you. would get from a park or a school. Adequate parking facilities have been brought into' the plan. -13- Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page fourteen • Councilman Pittenger - Continued: The crux of the situation so far as the opponents is the possibility of property depreciation. I have heard that in relation to schools and churches. I know people feel their,property will depreciate.in value, and maybe it will,, but I doubt it very much in this type of plans I am very much in favor of this plan and would like to see it carried through. Councilman Brown- UsuallyI agree with Councilman Crumley but tonight I am forced to disagree with him. I will not make too much comment on this but I think there -should be • a two-story limit in height and a two-year limit.; in financing and building, although financing is no problem of the Council. Mayor Kay: I would like to commend both sides this evening on the thorough presentation. I think they have clearly laid on the table the problem before us and shown that both groups are not as far apart as when they walked in the door. All issues are not always absolutely clear., not all black or white and there is not always just one way to do something. I think that our own previous City Council actually failed the public in their last examination of the so-called Master Plan in that no provisions were • made for suitable sites for Hospitals as a part of the community developments We are not only concerned with commercial and manufacturing but a master plan of developing the whole city and we have not gone into detail on all these other phases. I think there will be many of these things that are going to confront the Council -in the future years, from time to time. In considering this proposal there is one.citi.csm and that is that I do not think the four story 'building i.s the most desirable to be located in the immediate area. I think the study of the Faster Plan of Streets and Highways as to traffic that is actually to be carried down Glendora, will show that it will occur regardless. Vincent Avenue will 'be connected with it direct to the City of Azusa and the volumn is not going to be appreciably affected one way or the other, California Avenue should gain considerable release once that connection is made. Cameron Avenue has been planned ever since before I came on the Council-, as a major east -west street to parallel the freeway throughout, the city and was made an 80=foot wide street for that purpose. So., I quite frankly feel there are some details to be adjusted such as the height of buildings, some egress and ingress of the alley, but those are things'to be handled on the administrative level.. I feel, however, I will have to support the hospital. ai4.� Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page fif-toen_ • Motion by Councilman 'Brown, seconded by Councilman Mottinger and carried that Unclassified Use Permit No. 18 be approved subject tc the recommendations Df the City Engineer and Planning Commission with the stipulation that the building height limit be two—story only and a two year time limit to start construction. Motion passed on roll call as follows-. Ayes- Councilmen Mottinger, Brown, Pittenger, Kay Noes: Councilman Crumley Absent- None • DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED RE: Letter from Harold L. Johnson, Registered Civil ANNEXATION OF PROPERTY Engineer., on behalf of Vincent P. Schilz and John HELD OVER Q. Schilz requesting the City of West Covina consider proposed annexation. of a portion of their property. This matter was held over due to current lack of report from the City of Covina. RESOLUTION NO. 1123 "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST Appointing Alternate COVINA DESIGNATING ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE BOARD OF Sanitation District DIRECTORS OF COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS NO. 15 AND. No, 15 and 22 220" Jay D. Brown Motion by Councilman Mottinger, seconded by Councilman isAPPROVED Brown and carried that futher reading of the body of the resolution be waived. Motion by Councilman Pittenger, seconded by Councilman Mottinger that Resolution No. 1123 be adopted. Motion passed on roll call, as follows - Ayes: Councilman Mottinger, Crumley, Pittenger, Kay Noes: None Absent: None Abstaining-. Councilman Brown MEETING DATE TAITH City Manager: we are ready to present to the Council • CIVIC IMPROVEMENT the preliminary report and study a week from this COMMITTEE evening, May 6tho Whatever date you decide upon can May 189 1957 be made from that date of your meeting, unless you desire to set a date this evening which would be all right with use Mayor Kay-. I would suggest date of May 18 at 9 o'clock A.M. in the Civil Defense Building. Would that give sufficient time after our meeting to send out notices notifying the proper persons of this meeting. City Manager: I believe that would give plebty of time, even in the event of any suggestions to this report that might necessitate a revision. It was consensus this date 'be set for meeting with Civic Improvement Committee. U C� Adj. C X . 4-29- 57 Page sixteen AUTHORIZING SIGNATURES Motion by Councilman Brown, Seconded by Councilman Pittenger and carried that from the date of April 29, 1957., the signatures of James Kay., Mayor., Fern Sayers Merry., City Treasurers Robert Flotten9 City Clerk; and/or Vaughn Walters, Finance Officer be authorized to sign checks for the City of West Covina at the Covina branch of the Bank of America and the Covina branch of the California Bank, City Treasurers I wanted to obtain information as to what monies we could put out'on interest and asked for a report and recommendations from the Finance Officer, This report showed there could be $629000000 of the General Fund and $80,000 of the Trust -Account invested, My idea was to put these 1.1i United States Treasury Bills which would be for 91 days, to that nothing would have to be held out for 180 days, You. would get 3% interest -plus after the end of the 91 days. City Manager: This would sound perfectly fine and we have been trying to do this for some time. We have been studying the possibility of these investments for funds not needed momentarily. However, our flood control money should. be available sooner than the 1.80 days as we may need this money for plans or installations under this money which was levied for here, City Treasurer: With these Bills you can obtain the money at the end of 91 days. Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Pittenger that the City Council approve and order investments in the amounts of $62,000.00 from the is General Fund and $80,000 from the Trust Fund in United State Treasury Bills (91 days). Motion passed on roll call as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Mottinger., Crumley, Brown, Pittenger, Kay Noes: None Absent: None City Manager: In relation to the recreation program and district. We have a corrrmittment which makes it apparent we are one step closer to our own program. We can carry on under an interim basis until we revert • to program, and we will coritract with the school district to carry on the program. With the Council ,Is consent we ask for a voreen lights to proceed on this basis. We will attempt to do this since the County no longer participates and in turn will apply for A.D.A. money. Motion by Councilman Mottinger, seconded by Councilman Brown and carried that the City Manager be instructed to proceed with formation of recreation district, SPECIAL CENSUS City Manager: The special census has gotten under way today and we request this 'be made known. With the cooperation of tha newspapers, as far and wide in the city as possible so we can get as many people as possible in the City entered into this census count. A16m Adj. C.C. 4-29-57 Page seventeen INSTALLATION OF Mr. Gerschler: We would request permission to construct WATER LINE TO a temporary water line across Mr. Berger°s property ORANGE-MERCED from Sunset School to the Pony League Ball Park located PARK SITE at the Orange -Merced Park Site and that the city obtain permission from Mr. Berger for this purpose, with the provision that the city shall remove the water lane upon 30 days written notice. Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Mottinger and carried that permission be granted to construct a temporary water line as requested if such a permit to do so is obtained from Mr. Berger. CENTENNIAL PROGRAM National Education Association The City Clerk presented and read a presentation from the West Covina Teachers Association extending an invitation to attend the Centennial Program planned in recognition of the occasion at the Merced School, May 6, at 7:30 P.M. REQUEST FOR DATE OF The City Clerk presented and read a HEARING TO BE CHANT.}ED communication from Edward and Gladys LaBerge requesting that the date of hearing; on 40 Zone Change No. 1.01 and Precise Plan No. 110, set for date of hearing on May 279 1957, be heard by Council on May 13, 1957 at their regular meeting. It was consensus this be done. There was no further business,, the meeting was adjourned at 12208 A.M. until Monday, May 6, 19570 JAMES W. .KAY Mayor of the City of West Covina ROBERT FliOTTEN City Clerk of the City of West Covina n17— 's • 0. 0; IN THE MATTER OF PUBLIC HEARING 0- UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT NO. 18 APPLICATION OF DR. SAMUEL CHING AND MRS. LILLY CHINO. Held at Coronado Elementary School West Covina, California Monday, April 29, 1957 8:00 o'clock P.M. BEFORES THE CITY COUNCIL OF WEST COVINA REPORTED BY J'AMES W. KAY, Mayor JAY D. BROWN, Councilman DALE PITTENGER, Councilman Mayne Crumley, Councilman VERNON R. MOTTINGER, Councilman HARRY WILLIAMS, City Attorney MALCOLM C. GERSCHLER, Secty., Planning Commission ROBERT FLOTTEN, City Clerk W.L.+IC-AT44 C OT-E OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER DEPOSITION NOTARY 704 SOUTH SPRING ST. LOS ANGELES 14, CALIF. T R I N I T Y 0 7 2 7 OUR NO. i 1251 r PLEASE RETURN WITH YOUR CHECK OFFICIAL COURT REPORTERS • DEPOSITION NOTARIES 1251 The City Council of Writ Covina. Attens Robert Flotten, City Clerk City Hall of West Covina West Covina, Calif'orni� FINANCIAL CENTER BUILDING •SUITE 510 704 S. SPRING,ST.• LOS,ANGELES 14, CALIF. Kay 22, 1957 TRINITY 0727 IN RE n - PUBLIC HF-ARING RE UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT NO. 18 APPLICATION 4F DR. SAMUEL CHING and MRS.. LILLY CHINC Transcript of proceedings taken at West Covina, California on Monday, April 29, 1957 3448 fplios @ .45. To reporter's Per Diem $156. 64 106041 c •+ 1 2 3 4 b 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 YY. L. AGI11 Y11.V 1GI VYYILIAL RCYV KTGK 2 WEST COVINA* CALIFpRNIA9 MONDAYe APRIL 29, 1957 8s00 O'clock P.M. MAYOR RAY: If we can have your attention,, please,, we will now bring the meeting to order. We will open the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Councilman Crumley,, and the Invocation by Councilman Mottinger. (Pledge of Allegiance to the --.Flag and Invocation) MAYOR KAYs The first item on the agenda is the Unclassified Use Pewit No4 18, Applicant* Dr. Samuel Ching and Mrs. Lilly Ching. Locations Northwesterly side of Olendora Avenue$ between Service and Cameron Avenue. Requests Permit to construct and operate a hospital and attendant facilities. Existing stone,, R-A. Recommended for approval by Planning Commission at their meeting of March 6,, 19579 Resolution No. 480. Referred back to the Planning Commission at their adjourned regular meeting of April 1,, 1957. Z believe that is an error on the agenda. The Planning Commission report received and hearing set for April 29,, 1957,, at 8s®0 p.m.,, at the Coronado School by City Council at their regular meeting of April 8, 1957. Will you read the transmittal back from the Planning Commission,, Mr. Oerschler7 1 • 2 3 4 b 6 • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 MR. MALCOLM C. GERSCHLERo fir. Mayor, the Planning Commission on April 3rd, upon the direction of the City Council, submitted a report. It was a motion by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner McNutt and carried that this Commission reaffirm its previous decision on Unclassified Use Permit 18, and recommends the City Council review all testimony and facts presented before the Commission for further recommendation and that additional hearing be granted. MAYOR Y4 At this time we will reopen the public hearing on Unclassified Use Permit 18 and ask Mr. Gerschler if he would read into the minutes the resolution from the Planning Commission, No. 480. MR. GERSCHLER: Mr. Mayor, this is the Planning Commission Resolution No. 480. 10A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT NO. 18 UPON PROPERTY LOCATED ON THE NORTHWESTERLY SIDE OF GLENDORA AVENUE, BETWEEN SERVICE AND CAMERON AVENUES,, IN THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA. 'THE PLANNINGs COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWSs "WHEREAS, there was filed with this Commission a � r • 1 2 8 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 O _ 13' 14 16 16 17 18 19 L r J71 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 4 petition of Ur, Samuel Ching and Mrs. Lilly Chinga, requesting an Unclassified Use Permit to construct and operate a hospital and attendant facilities in Zone R-A., under provisions of Ordinance No. 325 of the City of West Covina, upon property owned by the applicants and located on the northwesterly side of Glendora Avenue., between Service and Cameron Avenues, in the City of West Covina; and "WHEREAS., the Planning Commission did on the 16th day of January, 1957, conduct a duly advertised public hearing as prescribed by law to consider Unclassified Use Permit No. 18 on that property legally described as follows-." Then there follows a rather lengthy legal the following facts to exists "(1) Subject property is presently classified R-A, potential R41. "(2) An intensive survey shoves a substantial need for hospital facilities .in this area. This survey also indicates that presently planned facilities will not keep pace with anticipated population increases. "(3) There is an obvious need for a community hospital of sufficient size to 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER economically permit maintenance of sufficient staff, diagnostic and treatment facilities and other specialized services required in the modern metropolitan community. "(4) The property is ideally located for the uses proposed, particularly from the standpoint of access and serviceability. "(5) The precise plan presented will provide an exceptionally well designed facility, meeting allof the standards and requirements of the City of West Covina. Elements of said plan appear to give adequate protection to surrounding properties and will assure a reasonable degree of compatibility to the neighborhood. "NOW, THEREFORE,. BE IT RESOLVED, that Unclassified Use Permit No. 18 be recommended for approval, and that before this may be exercised, all conditions enumerated hereinafter shall be complied with and be made a part thereof: "(1) That all street improvements outlined in Section 490 Ordinance No. 225, including utilities, be installed accordingly and meet the approval of the City Engineer. This to IM W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 1 • 2 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 6. include street lightsg sidewalks and sanitary Y sewers. "(2) That the Precise Plan conform to the proposed R.O.W. of Cameron Avenue extention per C.S.B. No. 2453-2. "(3) That all necessary street widening of Glendora and. Cameron Avenues shall be deeded to the City of West Covina. "(4) That all buildings and signs not exceed the heights shown on the plot plan. "(5) That all exterior lighting be installed and maintained in a manner eliminating any nuisance to adjacent residential property. "(6) That adequate water supply and fire protection be provided as required by Ordinance No. 237 and Ordinance No. 451. "(7) That all excavating and grading work conform to provisions of Ordinance No. 384. "(8) That all bonds, fees and deposits for improvements be posted before building permits are issued. "(q) That the site be graded to drain to public streets or that suitable storm drain facilities be provided9 satisfactory to the City Engineer. "(10) That all driveway openings be shown • 0 • 7� ,1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 7 as 30 feet wide. "(11) That the street intersection cur%~,,k returns be shown as 35 foot radius. 98 (12) That use of any medical or professional unit shall not be allowed until at least 25 percent of the hospital has been constructed. "FINALLY RESOLVER that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the City Council for its attention in the manner prescribed by law. "I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the City Planning Commission at a regular meeting held on the 6th day of March, 1957 by the following vote 14AYES3 COMMISSIONERS GREEN, JACKSON, TOWNER, MCNUTT. "NOES& NONE. "ABSENT-* COMMISSIONER MORGAN. E. N. GREEN, Chairman Planning Commission." MAYOR KAY: At this time, continuing the hearing, we will take further testimony on both sides of the case. With the approval of the rest of the council, I would like to ask the applicants, or their principal 0 • 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER speaker to appear. first, and the other persons supporting the applicetiono to be followed by persons speaking in, opposition. I would suggest that we allow approximately 45 minutes for the presentation of the case by the applicants and approximately one hour for the opposition and a 15 minute rebuttal period by the applicants. If there is need, of course, we can deviate from this schedules . ELDON R. CLAWSQN*- We would like to request a five minute recess between the proponents and opponents$ case. MAYOR $'AYS I Imagine that would be all. right with the council. Is that all right with the council? If.all all persons desiring to testify would stared at once and be sworn inp the clerk will give the oath. (All witnesses were duly sworn) MAYOR KAYs At this time we will hear from the proponents. DR ;E , :CHINE: I am fir. Ching., owner of the property to be discussed this evening, and I would life to present DrSnyder at this time. MAYOR KM Dr. Chingv would you give your address for the record? • • 0 1 2 3 4 b 6 7 s a 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 9 DR. CHING: I reside at 725 South Glendora Avenue in West Covina. DR. NOMANG. SNYDER: MY name is Norman G. Snyder,, 2042 Daniels, West Covina. It is gay privilege to lead the debate in favor of this request for a classified use permit. I am now able to speak in favor of a community project of great need and merit; whereas five weeks ages I was forced to keep silent for reasons not even clear to us as the proponents. Not everybody gets a second chance., after our humiliating defeat. We were advised, by the council for not speaking last time that we were negligent. We were present. I would like to state at this time that the doctors are very critical of any other doctor getting any publicity or tooting his sawn born as a doctor, and it is against our ethics to speak publicly as a doctor. However,; we are now forced to do so. We are here also because we feel the people demand that we carry through with this project. At this time I would like to introduce Patrick NcCownv, Chairman for our committee for a major hospital in West Covina. F. M. NO COWNNo Thank you; Dr. Snyder. NIr. Nayorp gentlemen of the council°; I would like to say first FORAY : .Pardon me. Mould you give your W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 1® • • 0 1• 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 address? MR. SIC CCWN: My plant facility is at 1211 Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina. I reside at 19541 East Puente in the City of Covina. I would like to say first that it is a real pleasure to be here in the capacity that I am tonight. I realize there is a tremendous need for this hospital facility, and unfortunately for me, it was brought Dome to me last year when I had an accident in my family. There was an accident to any little baby boy and one of the doctors involved here saved his life, and I am very appreciative, because unfortunately we didn't have the hospital facilities that we needed in this area at that time. My wife had to make two trips a day into Los Angeles to see the boy. It was very, very difficult as most of you know. I am not going to take much time because I have prepared a letter here which it is the wish and sentiment of the Committee which I represent, and having had considerable experience serving on hospital boards, we don't see that there is going to be too much of a problem in financing this hospital. I know there has been a. great deal of concern and a great deal of conversation with regard to that. I think if industry gets behind us$ gets behind this thing and gets the people behind it, then we don't have any 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER f li particular problem, but I would at this time like to have the City Clerk read into the minutes of this hearing a letter presented by the Committee. MR. ROBERT FLOTTENo This letter is directed to the Honorable City Council, West Covina, California, and is dated April 29, 1957. "Gentlemen: "The Committee for construction of a major hospital in West Covina has requested the writer, as its chairman, to direct this correspondence to you, the governing body of the City of nest Covina. "This letter is to outline in part the ambitions of said Committee toward erection of a hospital within the corporate boundaries of the City of West Covina, which mould serve the entire .east San Gabriel `Talley area. "It is the intent of the Committee to build a. nova -profit hospital organization on a certain piece of property, which you now have before you in discussion. Said piece of property has been very unselfishly offered for this purpose by Dr. Samuel Ching, and this Committee is in complete agreement that the location of this property is ideally suited for the purpose herein mentioned. • 1 • 2 3 4 s 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • • 13 14 is 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2s 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 12 "As this council no doubt knows, there are various methods by which a hospital can be built. It is the responsibility of this Committee to explore all the possibilities and build the hospital in the manner which would be of greatest service to all. The council also must be aware that regardless of where the hospital were to be constructed, there would, without a doubt, be opposition. However, the opponents to such a project are in most instances unduly alarmed as an Installation of this type can render a great service to the entire community and will not in; any sense of the word cause property values to be affected in the immediate vicinity. "It is important that this council realize that such an installation is of utmost importance to the Fast San Gabriel Valley. There is a tremendous shortage of hospital beds. There is an even greater shortage of the accessories pertinent to the operation of a hospital such as laboratories, X-ray, etc. Doctors must depend upon these things greatly for a correct diagnosis, and their efficiency and their ability to save lives is based upon the type of equipment and the type of 0 • 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 13 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER hospitalization they have at their disposal. Those of us who are businessmen are well aware that plant facilities are the key to the enormous strength and organization of the industrial giant that is the America of today. Certainly we could, not expect men in the medical profession to work with less modern conveniences than we would expect to have in our organizations for production, especially with the thought in mind that they are dealing with human lives and not with material things 'This Committee does not feel that anyone is more aware than the doctors themselves that people must be taken care of in spite of themselves. Pathologically spea%ingo we could certainly be assured that, we the people„ are our own worst enemies. It is surprising indeed to find the strong opposition that has arisen as a result of this fine effort. We Feel that the opposition is evidently not properly informed or it would not be possible, in fairness to those who need hospital care, for them to rise up against something that could only worn to their own good. "History has repeated itself Many times in the sense that a few good citizens have always 13 • i 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. MCA I MLrV I C. VFFIGIAL KEFORTER carried the burden of furnishing to the community the necessities for sustaining life, and what is more Important,, a life that is healthy and happy, "Legislation has been granted so that sohoolso flood control; projeots.,O and manly other projects and departments of public service can acquire through condemnation procedures those assets necessary and pertinent to the safety, education and welfare of the public. "Certainly it would not be too much to expect that hospitals also be granted such legislation. Since no legislation is available for this cause, then it becomes incumbent upon the good citizens of the community to give of their time$ talent and monies to see that they have a well bal.ancedo self-sustaining community. "So that this letter does not become too lengthy and boring upon members of this council., I would like to close by enumerating the most Important points outlined herein. "1. ,A major hospital with all necessary diagnostic and out -patient facilities should be built at the earliest possible date. "2. Such an installation can be M7 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 • zo 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 15 built and it is the responsibility of this Committee working in conjunction with the proper authorities to determine how it can best be built to render the greatest service to all. "3. The financing of such an institution also becomes the responsibility of this community and we have enough information at this time that we feel there is no reason to believe that the financing cannot be accomplished. "Let us all as laymen look into our own lives and ask the question of ourselves -- has anyone of us been so generous in our attitude toward charity as has the doctors themselves; They give much of their tunes with no thought of remuneration for their efforts to relieve suffering and to save life The least we can do is cooperate with them in their effort. "We enclose herewith the names and addresses of the members of this Committee for the Construction of a Hospital in Wiest Covina, and we requests gentlemen, in all sincerity that you grant the special use permit necessary for this construction forthwith and immediately, as time is certainly of essence. I W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER • 0 • C� 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15' 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 0 "Very truly yours, "Committee for Non -Profit Hoapital,'West Covina (Signed.) F. M. He Coven, Chairman "Marston Young, 2049 E. Vine, West Covina "Jerry Co Nichols.. 3421 Miriam Drive, West Covina. "Moritz Pick, 1623 W. San Bernardino Roach, Wdot Covina. "Floyd H. Oelvin, 903 S. Sunkist, Feat Covina.. "Richard L. De tricko 3331 Chaparro Road, Covina. "Frances J. Zoelle, 525 S. Citrusp West Covina. "0. D. Harbert,. 421 S. Citrus, 'hest Covina. V. M. McCown, 19541 E. Puente, Covina. "Jack 'Warshauer, 2527 E. Cameron, West Covina. MAYOR AY Bees that complete your presentation at this time, Mr. McCown? MC CO8 Yes. DR. SNYDERg Over two years ago n group of doctors and interested private parties even then recognized the future need of a hospital and held rl • • I W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. YIGN11'1<.VICI VYFI(:IAL RCYVKICK 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 • • 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24. 25 26 first f did not . but - d publicity is our a r in any way. We do not feel that we are premature In asking for •ningi The need is now. We must have the a ning'as a nucleus around which to lay our future plan84 It takes many months to finance, plan and build ^.• good hospital. The populationof West Covina is now estimated + ' ,. r ! '-i O and a saturation ss z understand iestimated to be at approximately 75000. West Covina a hospital of 132 beds right now. West Covina deserves agood hospital and in - end we feel the community t ;tn i i ' ii I now yield the floor to a man who is an expert in hospitalplanningi construction. He 11as participated in the planningof, more hospitals. Mr. Harnish will now speak on the need of hospital facilities and the precise plan - of our proposed hospital. I present Mr. Dewey Harnish an architect. My office address is 222 East B Street, Ont6rio e Among • m'tl staff are two home i • 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 26 W. L. HEATH -COTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 19 architects. As was pointed out, our organization does specialize in the planning of hospitalso and I believe that we speak with some authority on that. particular subject At the present time we are developing eleven hospital projects, Some of them are under construction and some of them are in the planning stage. Several months ago a group of West Covina doctors asked, lime to come over and look at a piece of land and evaluate it on the basis of a possible hospital site. This we did and over a period of two or three months developed the report9 a copy of which Y believe each of you has in front of you. This report was written over several times �a CLAWSCN3 Reuse one. Is there a copy of the report which we could look at? MAYOR KAYaq I think that can be made available for you later. 't. HARNISH: As soon as I finish. MAYOR Ym You should let Mr. Harnish finish his testimony before you interrupt hint. HA TISH: Over a period of two months we prepared this report, comprising eight pages and eight 1 2 4 b 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 13 14 lb 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER �9 20 drawings it is fairly condensed, We went into a description of the area which the hospital would serve, covering all of the City of West Covina, the southeastern portion of Baldwin 'ark, the hilly area known as Covina Highlands, and the west portion of La Puente. We felt assured that this area was of sufficient size and of sufficient population density to justify A hospital of some size. The second thing we did was to attempt an analysis of the specific site that was given to us as a guidepost,and a part of our specific program. . Being bounded as it is by Cameron, California, Glendora, and a lot depth away from Service, the accessibility of the site to the Service area seems to be of such high quality that it is hardly controversial. The next thing we went into is an analysis of the need of hospital facilities Within the area.' We made an analysis of existing hospital facilities, and utilized, a booklet that was given to the council last meeting, prepared by the Bureau of Hospitals of the State of California wherein the need for some 450 beds was shown in 1954. believe a subsequent speaker with a letter received today from the Bureau of Hospitals, bringing that bed need up-to-date, will show that the needIs practically double that need, because of the tremendous growth since the 1 • 2 3 4 b 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 VV. L.. KC.A 1 KCiV 1 C, VFFIGIAL KEFORTER figures were published in that particular booklet that was referred to at the last meeting. The need then on the authority of the Bureau of Hospitals as of this week, or as of the latter part of last meek seems to be beyond controversy. That would seem to take care of the site as a logical hospital site, the area, the service area in which it is located and the accessibility: as a hospital site seems to be well provided. We weft a stop further and planned a precise plan for the 15 acre site, and with your permission, in order that the audience may follow It, I will go and attempt to make an analysis over here. (Witness indicating on map posted on the board.) . i ARNISH -0 This is Glendora Avenue. This is Cameron Avenue. This is California ,Avenue and Service Avenue is up here. we purposely planned in an effort to make the hospital accessible to the area in which it is located by providing a planning strip around the entire site, and to break up the parking areas with three wells, in an effort to make it fit its location as well as possible. A hospital is an orphan in zoning, in that most zoning ordinances do not specifically place hospitals within a given area. As a result, they fit into areas that are left over, oftentimes badly placed. 21 • 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 22 This particular site, in our opinion, is as gooda site as we have ever had an opportunity to work with. 'There is sufficient land so that the buildings themselves will not overpower the site, nor be a detriment to the neighborhood. We have planned an area in this corner for professional offices, built against an area of a planned oourto with a medical service area in the center of the court. Such things as laboratories, X-rays that would food the various doctors offices are in here. Ideally, a certain number of general, practitioners and as many specialists as possible are grouped around a hospital.. and that makers ,for the best operation of a hospital plank because at all times there is personnel available practically at the back door or the front for emergency eases no matter how dire the need, no matter how difficult or how specialized. As is the erase with most hospitals being planned today, the scheme is so designed that it can be built in stage. We have planned in this general area what is known as a hospital core. The surgical department, the delivery rooms, the general laboratory, the hospital X-ray departmento the administrative area., the kitchens; the Service department • 1 2 3 4 b 6 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER � 23 would fit within this block. The first phase of a. hospital plan is to provide 100 beds which, while it will not by any means fill the need for hospital facilities in west Covina, 'is nevertheless a very Large undertaking since a hospital bed costs approximately $18,000 to get into operation for land, construction, equipment and supplies. Therefore o a 100 bed hospital is about .as big an undertaking as any community can justify. That is about as big as they can justify for a starting point. We have therefore planned a patient wing, the first story of which will be two stories in height. The first story will house 44 beds including a maternity department. The second floor would contain 56 beds for a total of 100 beds. At some future time this precise plan would indicate an additional two stories, I believe, when and if it were possible to justify the need and provide the financing for an additional 100 beds on the third and fourth levels Again, because of the fact that the problem of old age convalescence has become more acute within the past few years, we have foreseen the possibility of a convalescent unit that would be a one story unit, served by the hospital in this general area, if and when that is built is problematical9 but with the crying need for convalescent space and space for elderly citizens, we 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. YIGHIYI..VIG. VFFIC:IAL rtEYVRTER 24 felt that it might be wise` ,,to indicate the possibility of that unit as the final unite This again, the third and Fourth floors could be done singly, adding 50 beds at a time, so it could be done in one, two, three or four stages if necessary* We believe the scheme will provide an early development for the site in question. We believe the site is an excellent one. We believe the site as planned will not depreciate surrounding property values We believe that the traffic pattern as de`Telopedp parking areas as developed will provide hospital facilities at which you can point with pride if it is built. Thank you. DR. g : It appears to us that the need is obvious and is indisputable. We just today received a letter from John R. Derry, assistant chief of the Bureau of Hospitalsp and it is directed to Dr. Moser, and I would like to read it to you. "This will acknowledge your request of April. 26, 19579 for information regarding the need for hospital facilities in the West Covina area. "Pre l lminary data for the California State Plan, effective July 1a 195T - June 30s 1958 estimates the total beds needed 7 8 9 10 11 r] • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. FICAI nUUT E, VFFICIAL KEFORTER 25 for area 81- ,., Covi6a -m West Covina to be $T5 beds. The existing acceptable beds as of March 159 1957 are 390 beds, including 117 .dos Angeles County General Hospital beds assigned to this area. The additional beds needed are 485 beds giving the area 45 percent of the estimated beds needs. The estimates are based upon population of the 193,900 as of July 10 1956 for this area which includes the major oomunities of Azusao Glendora, Covinap WestCovinao Puente andBaldwin Park, "If you desire further infomation on this matterplease advise us." I would like to break down the existing beds as of March 15 at the Inter -Comunity Hospital, 123 beds; the Lark Ellen Hospital at present with 43 beds; the Hartland Hospital, 31 beds$ the Glendora Hospital, which is not yet under construction., but soon, 76 beds, for a total of 273 beds, and a 117 from the Los Angeles County Hospital, which gives us 390„ subtracted from 875P which is 405. The population increase since July 1, 1956 is estimated to be approximately 34,00 . When those figures are added in, it will give us a need of 90 more beds W. L. KCAI MoU 1-C. VFFICIAG. KEFORTER 26 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 0 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 1 would like to point out that this need Is based on a General Hospital need only, and does not include the need for nursing homes, a t.b. hospital, or a mental hospital. To cite a personal example, on the might of February 120. 1957a I was called to see a Air. Clausen m not the fir. Clawson here but Mr. Clausen was very ill. He suffered a stroke and suffered pneumonia. He had been sent home from the County Hospital because he was in the hall down there. They realized he was.seriously sick, but they sent him home because they needed a bed for someone sicker. On try house call, I was awa3re$ and it was obvious that Mr. Clausen needed to be hospitalized. The family did not want to go back to the General Hospital. We attempted to get him in the Covina Hospital. They were full. The Harmon Hospital was full. We called his previous hospital in Pomona, who attempted to get him in, but it was full. I called the County Hospital and they accepted him back reluctantly. He decided that that would be better than nothing. He died a few days later. The same night I was called to see an infant, Robert Brown of Puente. He had pneumonia. I attempted to get him into the Covina Hospital. They were full. The Hartland Hospital was fall. 1 sent • 1 • 2 3 4 b 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 lb 16 17 18 19. • 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFMIAL REPORTER ,. 27, him to the Children's Hospital .in Los .Angeles and he was returned here because the Childre ss Hospital was full. By early morning I was able to got him Into the Hartland Hospital. It was not ,`because I. am not on the staff of these hospitals or because I have no influence at either place that I was unable to get him into those hospitals, It was not the hospital's fault at that time. I myself had several patients in the hospital. It was because there were no available bedsp not only in our own local hospital. but in the Cbildre is Hospital and the Los Angeles General. Hospital and the Pomona Hospital as cello I would like to point out as a matter of interest that Mr. Prestono the Administrator of the Covina. Inter -Community Hospital was unable to get his own wife in the hospital, although he is the administrator of the hospital,, because it was full. A few days after the last public meeting, DIY°. Gebbarto a resident of Kest Covinat had a very interesting experience® He has asked us to be heard at this t1meo I now yield the floor to Mr. 4ebhert Q ALFRO A. EM. My name is Alfred A. Gebhart g reside at 334 North Leland. Mr i Mayor, members of the City Councils fellow citizens of • 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11. 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER West Covina Two days after our last hearing, my wife caught herself on fire preparing breakfast, and was quite severay burned. She was rushed to the Inter"Community Hospital in Covina for emergency treatment. The doctor who attended her wanted to hospitalize her for several days to give her proper treatment for these burns. ,At that time the Inter -Community Hospital was full. Due to the goodness of our neighbors and friends,g 1 brought my wife home and she was taken care of there. That is a deplorable condition to exist and it behooves us all9 as progressive thinking citizens to rectify and remedy this situation as rapidly as possible Having attended this last council session on this matter, I left rather confused, so I obtained a set of minutes of that council meeting which I very thoroughly digested and ready It seemed apparent to me that the facts were adequately presented at the prior meetings in that I consider the recommendation and the testimony of the Planning Commission to be that of export witnesses. I noted that the needs for the beds was further expressed by Mr". Preston of the Inter -Community Hospital. I also noted that Mr. Means, who drives an ambulance encounters the situation of being forced to sun around with ' • 1 2 3 4 b 6 • - - 10 - 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 1 2 3 4 b 6 8 9 `$ 10 11 12. U] 0 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 citizens of .automobile involving the injury to eight persons Is not what we could consider any type of a major catastrophe., and while we redognize that our city is basically a city of homes,, we must also face the fact that we are not lamuned against some '"'catastropheor `# i :", -.4E 4 Icall to your attention _airline disaster where a jet and a transport collided over Pacolma and the remnants of . into a school ground, 13elieve moo it West Covina aI!, it is now that we shouldsteps o see that we are adequately a: o take care of Thera% you. (Applause) MAYOR KAYp You have approximately ten minutes loft. rlease bear that in mind. It you have need of more time, please say so. DR. S ER: ,I think that we will possibly need more time MAYOR KAY2 We will add it onto the opponents' time also. DR. SNYDERs The more we investigate the need and the location of a bo pitalo the more convinced become that ours is the beat site left in the entire San Gabriel Valley. it is the most desirable 30 • 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 • • 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 31 from the standpoint of availability, aooessibility and economy. It is available now. In a book by Isadore Rosenfeld called Hospitals, Integrated Design, on page 30 he states and I quotes 'The closer to the center of population and to the geographic center., the better the locations provided certain specific shortcomings are not implied. Thus the center of the population �may involve high cost o .and, costly clearance of the it and an uninspiringoutlook." We shall attempt to prove that our site " meets all of these qualifications. On this same page he also states, t°The most important consideration in ohoosing a location for the hospital is.t.o have a site conveniently reached by the cheapest and the most open weans of transportation. Hospitals must be easily reached not only by patients. but also by doctors, nurses., visitors, helps supplies, fire fighting services and so forth We have 15 acres at the center of population that has none of these shortcomings, will now yield the floor to Mr. Dale Richardson, who will spew on the excellence of our site from the standpoint of accessibility. We Dale Riohardsonb. DALE RICHARDSOM My name is Dale. Richardson. W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER • 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 . 26 5 I live at 1108 West Cameron Street in hest Covina. I aid within 300 feet of the site. Gentlemen, I would like to talk about the accessibility of this site, 1 think this is one of our most Important matters that we have to consider. We all agree that there Is the necessity for a hospital here and we all teed it I would like to use the master plan of West Covina to show my Covina,I would like to point out, the master plan of West s proposed s hospitalthe , We have in the red here the major highways here. (Indicating) This Is Glendora,, Azusa.. OUr secondary highways are Cameron,, and these are in green Cameron. We all know that Cameronnot yet oompletedo but we know it will be completed. it will be completed o matter or not. I would like to also point out that on Cameron.# it is a direct route to Baldwin Parko Glendora. La Puente.., Pomona,, i i M.• + 6. or east !b Covina freeway,2coeboible any way you want to look at it right on the to take into consideration not only our own c1ty,of West Covina,, but our neighbors, 32 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 33 • 2 4 6 0 • • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 34 town, they will be able to come off of the freeway onto the major highways, and it wonet affect our homes. As far as ambulances gaveling on our streets, they will be able to tame the major highways. It was brought out at the last meeting that the children are liable to be run over. We are right on our major highways. We couldn't locate this hospital and find a better spot for it as far as accessibility is concernedo As far as the main highways and the second highways are concerned, it is right in there. I would like to bring out another point relative to the flood, oondition. This is Walnut Creek. (Indicating) You gentlemen are all familiar with it. The county flood control is buying Frights of way along here to widen the Walnut Creek. The army engineers will build it and.take cane of the water. We are all familiar with what comes from the north, that the water comes from, the north and all flows this way. finless we have a major flood, we are not affected by the water. The last rains in the last three years which I have practically lived there two and a half years, it hat not affected us. 3o I think we have got a good spot as far as taking care of our floods. Summing up again, I would like to emphasize W. L. 17CATt1L;VI t. VFFICIAL KEFORTER • 1 . 2 3 4 b 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 .0 • .• 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 the fact that the location of the hospital is just ideal. I have really studied am sure that won'twe i a better spot.m own heart feel thatanybody = T ilk =Y . q that has honestly studied far as accessibilityis i protest 0, the site. They oould not find better highways, a better centrally a .#' . Not only that, we have to think of the price of building this hospital. I think funds can be raised. We have to consider the Now., I would like to bring up the parking l_talked 4 Wyman :i Los Angeles Parking Commission. I asked him what the Los Angeles Parking Commission requires as far as parking space'for their hospital Igo Now$ he told me that they required one parking space for one bed. Gentlemen, one ;a three adjacentquarter parking spaces per bed. Plus.we have Cameron Avenue. If you are familiar here at Oak Park Place,, right behind Cameronv homesspate, There will be nothing but.the rear of the on 1 r Not any dr.T eways unless people 3allowed to put driveways in the bai of m 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 in front of my driveway either all of the time. I want some privacy just like the rest of these peoplep but 1 feel that we have now 438 parking spaces on our plans forthe hospital. s `s have a parking problem.can'tsee becausebegin witho if we did itp it would be quite a while the hospitalnot r be250 bed hospital right aw As far beauty of our ,t hospitalgoing to have that4 They took care of that in their plans. The -C;4 very boautifu16 The hospital convalescent on the quiet side,, on California. The busier section will be off of Glendora. 1. don't believe any of s living in that section believe If Ifelt { was goingo be • ulis be among the opposition, I think if anybody deeply looked "reallystudiedit,. theywould see that this is the spot6 Thank you ,ti:,o very u: much* DR. _' '. ehave been told that - project goes against the precise plansp and the master plan. When the master plan was firstoriginated, It said the things hot provided for ;; ,:. parks, churches s: hospitals. We do not feel that hospitals necessarily .4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER f 37 belong in the commercial zone. They are more related to a.residential area. Since there is no hospital zoning now, we feel that we are not against the precise plan, but are in accord with it. would like to read under unclassified use, Section 1200, "Permitted Uses." "All of the following and all matters directly related thereto are declared to be uses possessing characteristics c of such unique and special form as to make Impractical their being Included ultimately in any classes set forth in any zones herein defined . " r. Bob Harrison whose land has the longest border next to Dr. Ching°s property will now speak on the neighborhood effects of such a hospital. . ROBERT HARRISON: My name is Robert Haxdson. I live at 715 South Glendora, West Covina,. Mayor,, gentlemen of the council: .As a property owner Immediately adjacent to this hospital site, I have been asked to make a few remarks as to the effect on the Immediate neighborhood'around this site. Points to be brought out are backed with facts by authoritative people in the relative fields mentioned. .0 • 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. rtG/11 R\..V 1 GI VYl1{.:IAL RCYV KICK i` We would like to start this portion with a question. If hospitals are a detriment to the safety of our children, would two major hospitals in the area, Inter -Community Hospital and Lark Ellen be located newt to the Covina City park and an elementary school respectively? We would like to point to a few facts pertaining to this site in relation to the surrounding neighborhood. First is clearance. Following are the clearances of the nearest hospital structure to any residential structure in this area. I might inject that this was taken from the precise plan drawn up by Mr. Harnish, and I tried to stay on the aonservative'side. On the north side,the nearest clearance is 107 feet. On the south sided the nearest clearance is 285 feet. I might also inject this is not the property lines. This is structures. The following clearances are the nearest house structure to any residential structure in the area. On the east aide, 250 feet. On the west side, 225 feet. It might be well to point out at this time • 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 39 the nearest residential structure is on the north aide and the majority of these property owners have gone on record as being in favor of the hospital as planned. Except for one row of homes on Service Avenue, which are the homes to the north, the hospital and all of its facilities,,including parking, are contained in one unit, a square block. Secondly, we have a survey. We mould like to read at this time from a hospital site survey. In determining the ideal location for development of any organization, it is normal procedure to study like organizations in relationship to their site for guidance. In studying sites for major hospitals located within the County of Los Angeles to determine the trend in hospital sites and the development occurring after such hospital is established, only major hospitals based on existing facilities over five years existence or longer was studied. It is believed this approach gives a better and more accurate picture of hospital site development since it shows development after the hospital has been established as well as before. The only authoritative guide to site selection has been found, that has been found is quoted. The first and most important consideration • 0 1 2 3 4 b 6 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W_ L_ HEATHf:nTP- nrvi vai Pvpna- in orienting the proposed site in the community is the highway network. This is a paramount consideration since if access to the site is via residential structuresp public opposition can be expected. This in no way implies that the only consideration in locating the hospital near a highway network is to avoid public opposition, but it does show that this has been an important consideration many tines before, for without public support many projects have failed although developed along rational lines with due regard to the health, amenity and convenience of the community as a whole In our survey of major existing hospital sites of five years duration or longer, located within the County of Los Angeles, it was found that there were 81 such hospitals. 4f these 81 hospitals, 65 or 80.3 percent are bounded on at least one side by residential areas with only 16 that cannot be considered as' being located within a residential area. These hospitals ranged from the Los Angeles County General Hospital with only one side exposed to a residential area to the Cedars of Lebanon which is enclosed on all four sides by a residential area. While there are many famous hospitals such as the above mentioned Ceders of Lebanonp Queen of Angels, Sit. Vincent's and the White Memorial Hospital that have 4® 0 0 0 • • 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 n .20 2.1 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER sections. As the plot plan of the proposed bospital readily abowso botb considerations bave-been met W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER • • 0 0 • n �J 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18" 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 with the hospital located at the intersection of two main thoroughfares, Glendora Avenue and Cameron Avenue$ with entrance and exit on these streets, and yet still located in the quieter residential district. Point three, traffic patterns As has been pointed out by Mr. Dale ]Richardson, the access routes are available in the form of Glendora Avenue as laid out by the Los Angeles County master plan, for streets and highways in 1929, and has been concurred with by the City of West Covina. This major highway is to be 100 feet wide with four lanes of traffic The east -west route is to be Cameron Avenue, a secondary highway, as planned by the master.plan for struts and highways of the City of West Covina. It might be pointed out at this time that Cameron will go through as planned, no matter how the land in question is developed, hospital, residential or whatever zoning the land use is put to. Point foury maintenance. We believe hospital maintenance is always kept at a very high level both in structural and grounds. The reason for the high maintenance., of course,, is to protect a large capital investment. Y think we have all observed the fine work done in hospital grounds dare especially. In sorting up the report, we believe it W_ 1 _ MrWrMC`ATF_ nwPirt A1. Prv^aTR0 • 1 • 2 3 4 5 • 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 -10 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 43 noteworthy to point out only fourteen homes actually have front yards facing this hospital site. There are six on Glendora Avenue and eight on California Avenue. We wonder if any other site in a residential district in best Covina with all the advantages of land size, accessibility and location equal to this property would affect fewer people. We believe this is the beet place for the hospital for the citizens of West Covina. Thank you. DR. S ER: We don't want to run this into the ground. I have only got a little bit more. We have been criticised because it is said that this is all a pipe dream and that we neither have the means, the ability nor the intention of building any kind of hospital. In the first place, let me emphasize that we never said that this hospital has to start out as a 250 bed hospital. That is a vision of the future. It could be started at from 50 to 100 beds depending on the determined need and the financing. As doctors we know and we sincerely believe that a non-profit hospital best serves the interests of the community, Row better could the community be served than by a hospital that takes whatever profits it makes and puts them back into the improvement and • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 r] • • I•J 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. MEAT HGUTE, UFFICIAL REPORTER future expansion of its own plant. Such a hospital belongs to the community and the profits are not withdrawn for personal use as in a private hospital These are technicalities and not a.valid part of this meeting. • • 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 45 2 building a hospital. Next, I would like to read a letter from more than twenty doctors, and since it is signed by doctors, I had better reed it. "We the undersigned physicians who live and practice within the City of West Covina hereby petition the City Council of West Covina to approve the application of Dr. Samuel Ching for a hospital. "We know from our own experiences that there is a need for more hospital facilities and that the need is constantly expanding as the community develops.. We also feel that the central location is a great advantage to the community." This is signed by the following doctors: Lawrence Moser,, Paul D. Seymour, Norman C. Snyder, myself., John F.. Meyer, Dr. Alexander, John B4 McQueen, Charles.M. Mintz, Morton T. Siegal, Mitchell E. Langner, Charles Stephan, George; Sinko, Mare E. Cherin, Eugene A. Weber, Ralph Muckley, Robert Fitz, E. Morales, Walter Ferrell, 1 2 3 4 b 6 7 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 13 19 20 21 22 23 vZ1a 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER Robert Newschwander,, James H. Sands, W. P. 'Thearle, Wallace E., and I can't make that outo George W. Silby9 Earl H. Rex,, Robert D. Nethery, Robert E. Keating, Dr. Krauses James L. Slate. YEAR KAYs . Would you leave that petition with the City Clerk? DR. S ER0- I also have a letter addressed to the City Council from John C . Mayne and one from John B. McQueen of Baldwin Parks which I would like to read. The first one is from John C. Mayne, addressed to the West Covina City Council. "Dear Sirs: "The recent rejection of Dr. .Samuel Chingos application for rezoning his property in West Covina for hospital facilities has prompted me to write and urge reconsideration and approval of his application. "'The number of accredited hospital bed available for use in this area is inadequate for our present population, and no one knows better than you gentlemen the rate at which the population continues • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 15 16 17 18 • 19 • zo 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 YY. L. '1GM11"16..V IGVrNlil A1. RCYVKICK 47 to increase t°In addition to providing much needed hospital facilities for the residents of West Covina, the site of the proposed hospital is so ideally located that the residents of the surrounding communities would be mutually benefited. Q°Please reevaluate Dr. Ching's application and pave the way for a project which will be an asset to the entire East San Gabriel Valley." This is a letter from John Pia McQueen addressed to the Nest Covina City Council "Gentlemen E "As a practicing physician of Baldwin Parr and as a resident of West Covina, I urge you to approve the request of Dr. Samuel Ching for hospital zoning. °'The need, for more hospital beds in this area is acute- and this need which is constantly growing only recently prompted the City Council of Baldwin Park to endorse the Inter -Community Hospital building fund campaign. 'The envisionment of this proposed hospital in West Covina will be a tremendous • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 7 8 9 10 11 1.2 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 48 asset to the entire East San Gabriel ®alley. Its location on a secondary highway (Cameron Avenue) which extends through the center of Baldwin Park will be a boon to the people of Baldwin Park. Again I urge you to approve this application and I know that your conscience will be pleased." I would like to submit these as exhibits. In closing, let me state that we feel that we have shown the need; we feel that we have shown the excellency of our site from the standpoint of population, geography, accessibility, and economy. The recommendations of your own Planning Commission bear this out. We are convinced that our location is the least obtrusive to the neighborhood of any site you could pick in the area. I would also remind you at this time of the over thirteen hundred cards mailed to the City Council in our favor. 0f the 42 proponents within a 100 foot distance of this petition, these are in our favor. We were told from several different sources that if we did not pack this meeting tonight with proponents, we were dead ducks. This angered me and I was ready to do it and initiated the sending of new 1 . 2 3 4 6 • 6 3 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 13 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. MLATHUOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 49 cards, asking people to appear. Sober thought, however, and the rest of the proponents agreed that it would tend to impugn the.judgment of this council. e therefore now submit to you the facts here presentedp and we will respect your judgment, MAYOR Y: Thank you. At this time the council will recess for a period of ten minutes and we will reconvene at 9e20 by the clod on the back of the wall (Recess) MAYOR Yo If we can have it quiet, please, the council will reconvene. At this time I would like to ask Malcolm Gerschler to be prepared at the end of the testimony to read his recommendations into the record. I forgot to have that done at the beginning. Row, we will hear the opposition. They will be allowed 115 minutes time based upon the time for the proponents. ELDON R. CLAWSON.* My name is Eldon R. Clawson. I am an attorney. I reside at 1045 South Suzan& in the City of Wiest Covina. I ant here representing a group of 614 residents of the City of West Covina who have signed petitions in opposition to this application for an unclassified use permit. So that the council can be apprised of the W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER P• - r1 LJ 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 s 9 i 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 } 50 sincere and real interest that these residents feels and that they have with regard to the affect upon their properties if this application is approved, I would like those opponents to the application to either stand or raise their hands so that the council can Judge for themselves the opposition to this. (Those in opposition stood) ?. CLAWSON: I would like to compliment the doctors on their case. I think they have done an excellent Job in presenting their side of this proposition, and I can say that sincerely they have met the request that we made a month ago to come forward and give us specific plans and details in a large part. As we made clear a month ago, we do not oppose a hospital as such- we recognize, because we also have been in touch with the state Department of Public Health, the Department of Hospitals, and we recognize that this area is growing, that there exists a present need for hospital beds, and that this need will increase as our population grows. We are concerned here in opposition, however, to the location of the proposed hospital upon the site selected. This area is a truly residential area. The testimony was given, I think, by Mr. Harnish that wA excuse me, by Mr, Harrison, that 80 percent of the • 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9' 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCUTE, VFFICIAL KEFORTER 51 hospitals in this country are bounded at least on one aide by residences. You will note that this particular piece of ground, is bounded on four sides by holes. The point that has been made by the doctors and in honesty, because this is certainly the case, it is to their advantage for the efficient operation of a hospital if there can be located close to it recommended facilities such as pharmacies, doctors offices, clinics and other recommended facilities. This fact makes more acute the situation existing with regard to the use of Dr. Ching's property for the proposed hospital because with the acceptance of the present 15 acres there is no available room for the use and construction of these necessary facilities, unless the entire area reaching far beyond the adjacent property Is also subverted and in time changed to a commercial or a professional and business use. We are interested in it only to present facts and information which will bear upon the use of this site. As Dr. Snyder brought out again to the attention of the council, as I did a month ago, the zoning ordinance of the City of West Covina permits the council to use and to place hospitals in any zones, any zones or any classification of zones other than 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 i 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 lb 16 17 18 • is • 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 52 that which is used for residences or -1 properties. All of the properties surrounding the tract involved is zoned presently as R-1, True, Dr, Ching's property is still zoned residence -agriculture, but the council by the previous action has seen fit and has recognized that the surrounding territory is residential property .of the dl type, and in that sense they would be in breach of their own previous planning'if they permitted at this time the location and construction of a building and a hospital which would of necessity require the reversal of their previews zoning application which would mean at some time in the near future small additional tracts of necessity would have to be zoned back again to either business, professional or commercial property, We are prepared to show that there are many sites in this community which Meet all of the requirements that the proponents require,, or that is necessary and essential for the efficient use and location of a, hospital. Particularly it,was pointed out that a hospital should be located in the geographic center of the population, the geographic center of the community which it serves and also that it should be located in the population center of the community in which it serves. 1 will refer to you the key map in the front of fir. Harnish's exhibit which 1 2 3 4 • 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 15 16 17 18 • • is 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 53 shows that the City of West Covina is not strictly in a geographical center of the proposed hospital zone and I will refer you also to the key map D next to the last page near the last of the applicant's case which shows that within a mile of the present site and within the very center of the existing highway access rows which have been related as being suitable and available for the use of this hospital exists areas that are presently zoned as commercial, and general commercial, We have had real estate men familiar with this area and who understand the values make a survey of the community to determine ghat specific zones are available, and we would like at this time to have Mrs Lee Noneky present to the council this evidence. R, LEE MONEd I am lee Koneky. I reside at 1307 Herring Avenue in West Covina. I am now here as a, citizen interested in the development of my community, I might add that I am in the real estate business with offices located at 608 South Sunset in West Covina, and I have worked in this general area for about. ten years. We have heard, from the proponents that this site is desirable for a hospital and a medical centero but we have looked around the city and have found a couple of sites that we feel are more ideally W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 0 • 0 • • • s 54 1 suited, 2 Nowo repeatedly this site as proposed has 3 been labeled ideal for a hospital. Yet how can we 4 as the interested developers of our city and you as 6 the officials in our city not recognize the right of 6 these little fellows that live around the site. T 7 think that each one of us would have to agree that 8 when a public building of any kind is put in across 9 the street from a residence, that its value is 10 diminished. 11 Now, I am sure if any of you started out 12 to buy a home that you would not buy a home adjacent 13 to a public building. You would, prefer a quiet 14 residential neighborhood. Now., that is what we have. We have a quiet 16 residential neighborhood. Mr. Harrnish has said that 17 this hospital site is ideal because of its high 18. quality, alrnd we as the people who live in the city 19 thine that this is the reason that it is not ideal. The 20 reason it is high equality is because of the homes that 21 ar,e there and of the folks that live in those homes, 22 Now, we feel that an ideal site would. be 23 one that is not bordered on any side by residences,s 24 at least by single family residences. We feel that 26 the ideal site would, be one that is set aside for a 26 hospital and that has been provided with adequate W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 55 1 • 2 3 4 b • 6 • 7. 8 9 10 11 12 • • 0 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 buffer zones or adequate natural barriers around it .Such sites are available within the city limits of West Covina as well as within the total 81-R zone that has been .. discussed tonight. anotherCity Council would be remiss in their duty if they approved this site and stepped on one man's property value If there is available wouldn't encroach on a residential neighborhood. We have prepared r y Council andthe'audiencep showing the total 81-R zone* showsNow, the 82-R soneo the state designated zone there is outlined It. blue. All the way around it does extend from Crystal Lake + in the-mountainsdown to the original extendsline6 It _ extension of the comesstreet that down out o.. Glendorav westerly on the western sidet which takes it in clear down to Basset. Now, on your map West Covina is darkened in with blue to give you a better picture of it. Nowp in this West Covina area we are told by the proponents that there is a saturation point of 75,000 people and the red area as outlined in the lower lef thand side of your map., we are told by private industry which has surveyed the area that it has a population, not a saturation, but an estimated population in about twelve years, that it will be about 190,000 people YV. L. f7GA 1 tI;V 1 C, VFFIGIAL KEPORTER M 1 . 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12. • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 •o there is no hospital at all within 'fib d are " of.that site. The red area as outlined has no ho spital and as far as I can determine there is no proposed M +r r for s 'y".we as residentsto be • to hospital a•. anywhere I would think within a ten to fifteen minute drive would be considered close to a hospital. I can't imagine that the state would break down an area like that into such a bugh area e' designate that as being in need of 845 beds and expect to have all of those beds within one centralized Now., in our city we have a site available that is bordered on one side by the freeway; it is bordered on the southerly side by the Walnut Creek wash • It is bordered on the east and west by commercial property. It is for sales.. Now, I think we have got a. case maybe of a tail wagging the dog here. We have got the Proponents of the. site landing on a spot in a smatter of their own convenience and trying to tell us it is ideal. They have not to my knowledge gorse out and ferreted out what really are the ideal sites. I thing it i a matter of personal convenience to theme, and they should have gorse out and made the surveys which I made. 1 • 2 s 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 0 i C. 13 14 16 16 17 18 19, 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W 1 YCAVUl n-r. nee -. 0....... 5T Now, in the red areas 1mmediately adjacent to our city and inc lLid i a part of our city, there are other sites available. There are vast acreages available, unimproved property, property that the county has noted in the A.-1 classifications and the county has said that a use permit or a zone variance would be granted in those areas for a hospital site. There is in those areas a considerable population at the present time, probably exceeding that of the City of Vest Covina. There is in that area major highways to provide accessibility to a hospital. That area is within a ton to fifteen minute drive of our city. I can't imagine that the picture could be any clearer to the City Council that this site is not the ideal site, that there are other more ideal sites, and I 'beseech you not to step on the 600 people that feel that their property has been damaged. There are other sites available. Thank you very much. (Applause) CIAWSON s Because of the existence of the surrounding property which is -x, I believe it is only proper that the council consider the effect upon the owners of that property and as to the personal inconvenience, the nuisances if I may use the terns, that they will be subjected to by the erection and use of a hospital on this site, and in that connection I 1 2 4 6 • .6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • • 0 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L.. KG.AI tll:V 1 t, VFFICIAL KEFORTER ip e have had other members of our group examine the territory Immediately surrounding.some of the present existing hospitals in this area and we have found that the neighbors living adjacent -to these 'hospitals do Feel and have told us and would testify that there is an increase in noise, that their property, that the peaceful use and, enjoyment of their property has diminished because of the increased traffic. The related inconvenience that is caused by the gradual. oba ,;e of their property from a truly residential area to one of commerce, that logically and naturally follow the erection of such a plan should all be taken into consideration We have had a film prepared which we would like to show to the council and the public of some of the conditions that now exist around some of the hospitals. We have had a film prepared which shows the conditions that have developed over a period; of years near one of the surroundingp near one of the presently existing local hospitals, and we would like to have Mr. Jay Bell testify as to the examination he madeq then we would like the opportunity to show this film. MAYOR yq Mr. Clawson,, will this film conclude your test irony? MR. CLAWSON o No. W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 11 • 2 3 4 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 • • 0 0 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 KAYOR KAY: Is .it Important that it be presented at this stage of the testimony? MR. CIAWSON: It very short., about five minutes. MAYOR KAY: Proceed. MR. JAY BELL: Your Honor,, members of the City Council, I believe by now we are almost getting to know one another Sinoe this thing has carried on so long. I would like to take this opportunity to express any appreciation to the doctors for their sincere interest In the hospital. They have definitely demonstrated it bore this evening. If we have done anything also,, we have brought this out. They have certainly shown themselves,as capable leaders in this community.. Now, three of us made a survey of the Inter -Community Hospital and its surroundings. I think to start off with one of the most Important things that we could point out here,, the survey shows that approximately two -tenths of the inhabitants In the Immediate area of the Inter -Community Hospital are home owners. The rest are People who rent. The indication that we got from our conversations which I will just discuss briefly in a moment are that the home owners did not desire definitely to live within the confines of this hospital • 1 • 2 3 4 b • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 • • 26 26 1 . 2 0 • 0 10 1i 12" 13 14 15 .16 : 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. PICATI"IGV IC, 'VFFICIAL KEFORTER m W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER M 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 8 8 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 Now, I think we should drag a comparison with our own community. Here is the Inter -Community Hospital that has stood for some time. We talked with Mr. - with some residents that had moved in directly across in 1939. They complained that they have to get the police out now and then to have cars removed from their driveways or in front of their driveways so that they can have access to it. This may not be a problem in this proposed hospital, but it could grow into a problem as indicated. They don't intend to establish a 250 bad hospital to start with, but eventually it will probably grow into it. We have got to take that into consideration. Once that property is full, that is the endo There is no room for expansion. a think in planning, you have planned for the future and twelve years is not too Bauch in the future, to provide adequate property for this, and in an area which will allow you to expand. Although this is growing up and become very populated, by planning where there are no resident home structures surrounding the hospital, with such a site, you could have adequate buffer zones in the mature of rental two-story dwellings where people move into these and rant with the knowledge that they are near a hospital. • 1 • 2 8 4 6 s • 7 8 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 1s • 20 21 22 23 • 24 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 63 Now, other communities I am sorry to say do realize that they should get their hospital out of the residential area and we have a gentleman here this evening that will point out very clearly* and he will name numerous hospitals and one, by the way, is the St. Frances,, which is not directly surrounded by residential dwellings. There is a main artery on one side and dwellings around it. They are not anywhere in the number that we have adjacent to this proposal. Now, it would be well to loots whether it would be wise to okay this proposal. Possibly for the present it may be, but not considering the influx of population that will come into this area and the growth that must take place. Number one, it will not be in the center of population, that is anticipated in herep and further there is tremendous industry going in down at Basset and La Puente areas which you are all . aware of. Therefore, future planning which is your responsibility for West Covina and the people and the future residents, it is definitely not a wise decision to make. Again we are not attacking these fine people that have demonstrated the need for this hospital. There was at times the phrase brought up that the need of the community overruled the adverse • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 ri. L. t1GF11 Yd 4..V 1 GVFY141A I. rtCYV KTCK /� 64 effects of a few citizens. I could go along with this wholeheartedly if it wasn't for the fact that we do have considerable virgin land to look at where it would not encroach upon the serenity of the residents and our city or any other city as gar as that goes. In considering this 82-•R zone, if we put it in this area, we would have m- we would notice over the years that there was a definite expansion of a hospital. There would have to be,, if the population continues and these people expect to expand these facilities, and.we would find slowly that this buffer zone that would come in would come in as substandard dwellings. We have pictures that strikingly demonstrate this. We have one very fine shot of property up and near -the Lomitas-La Cienega Boulevard area which is a main artery which shows a typical site that is not surrounded by residencesif you were to drive on La Cienega Boulevard Just above galley, you would notice considerable more. Also, there are sites indicated just above.. These properties, I understand, run in the neighborhood of $60000.00 per acre which falls J very much in line with the proposed property. Then we will take a few shots around the Inter -Community Hospital and again we definitely don't want to infer that we are making any derogatory comments • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 19 • zo 21 22 23 • 24 25 . zs W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 65 . against any personage, but rather demonstrating the conditions that will prevail there. There is congestion although we donft show the full traffic congestion at the t iraae . There is an indication that this property is expanding out further by a proposal, which you will see, for further resulting in an effort to enlarge their plant and adjoining medical facilities. You will got a shot of an alleyway that will be typical of the alley proposed im6dia.tely south of Services and since we feel this is a natural consequence of a hospital, we say it is an outrage. Then we have taken a few shots of the kids in the neighborhood. As I have said before, it is a demonstration. We don't plan any emotionalism over it at all, but we are placing the facts at hand. Fortunately, we got considerable traffic in this film and it will demonstrate the problem. It is also.said that this would be somewhat eliminated with Cameron running through. That is true, but what are people going to do coming from the western section of our own city to make access to this particular hospital site. Further, in order to alleviate the problem, there would have to be considerable work done because there is a tremendous amount of traffic on that road. I have lived there two and a half gears and I have yet i W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER • to see the traffic to a oint where I could enjoy it 1 P � �' s • 2 even when there was no direct connection off a 3 freeway. 4 If you will permit files, we would like to 6 show you these pictures. • 6 A SPECTATORS What is the gentleman's name,, . 7 please? 8 SIR. BELL$ JayI Bells %2l California Avenue. 9 �a felt as though you knew me by now. 10 (Show of fill) 11 MR. JAY BELL: We don't intend this to bes shall 12 we says State's evidence. It is a demonstration of • 13 what we feel is the situation that we are facings 14 and also we are definitely in favor of a hospital. We 16 have offered our support. We will support a hospital, 16 and we will not support any derogatory statements to 17 the proponents in any way or manner„ but we definitely 18 want to consider all possibilities of sites that will • 19 not encroach upon the serenity and the privacy of 20 citizens of West Covina. It doesn't matter whorl they 21 are located. 22 Thank you. 23 (Applause) • 24 MR. CLAWSON2 Mr. Bell mentioned that this group 25 that is in opposition to the granting of the • 26 application for the use of Sirs Chingos property has • 1 • 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 YY. �. nct+n.UcVFFIGIAL RCYUf(I C!( 67 i offered the assistance to these doctors to build a hospital in our community. I would like to read into the record a letter of April 3, 1957, which was sent to both the City Council and to the members of the Planning Commission. I cant seem to locate it, so I won't have the pleasure of reading it into the record, but the City Council"bas seen a copy. The substance was that this group offered its assistance in raising the needed finances and in doing leg work,, if I may use the term,, to solicit whatever necessary assistance was needed to develop a community nonprofit hospital. Mr., Tom Cetties of our group has spent considerable time in visiting surrounding community hospitals to determine the mature of the hospital buildnngs and the sites upon which they are constructed. Mr. Getties; . THOMAS GETTIESe d My name is Thomas Gett ies . I live at 733 California Avenue. I would First like to congratulate the doctors on a very fine spirit, and the desire to see everything taken care of. I am proud to be a member of this committee and of this city,, to be a part of this political bombshell, you might say. I am no authority on where hospitals are supposed to be, and I cannot tell you why after going U 15 • 2( 2] 22 22 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. MEAIPIGUI E, UFFICIAL KEPORTER 68 all over people don't seem to want to live around them. I personally don1t think truthfully that I would want to live next to a hospital. All I know is that my mind tells me I don't want to raise my children near it. I am not against hospitals, and I wholeheartedly think that we need a hospital in this area. There are three predominant facts that seem to persist in me going around, you might say, that some of them are going to be contrary to what you say about the propqnents. There seems to be a woodchuck in the woodpile somewhere. One of them is that most of than hospitals, whether they were started in the beginning that way or act, most of them seem to be in the industrial type of area. Secondly, there seems to be predominately empty land around them. In some cases some of these hospitals are twenty years old. Third, most of them are residence areas, particularly where there is children involved with young families. I have talked with people near the Ha and Hospital, the Lark Ellen Hospital, and they say that they were operating on a 50 percent capacity, that they are not having any trouble at all, or they are having trouble getting people to come to then. That is what they tell me. Might now, the Hartland has • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 • • U] 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER M got room for added facilities for a Gaon -surgical type of patient, such as mental breakdowns,.and rest, for 200 beds. They are also expanding to 100 beds for hospital surgioal type of servioes, such as obstetrical and surgery; Lark Ellen is also expanding to approximately In driving around, I went by Lakewood, right adjacent to my Company. They have a big sign that says, "Listings wanted for the Lakewood segregated medical facilities." Now, Mr. Harn sh says that most hospitals are orphans. 1 Cantt say that. He said they are badly plaoedi The hospitals I saw, I don't think that they are badly placed, but I don't see anytbings don't see anybody coming around theca which betters their situation. They either get industry around them, or they get apartments or they just stay there by themselves, and I can't tell you why.. The proposed Glendora Hospital whichis on Highway 66, that particular sited the only thing that is on that particular site is a trailer court. To the east of it, to the west of it, excuse me, is nothing. To the east of it it a very fine medical dispensary with doctors' offices on the four Corners, • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • • 7 s 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 . 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L.. PICA I-PIC:V IC, VFFICIAL KEFORTER a a gas station and another comercial type of struce. Directly north of this particular proposed hospital in Glendora is a proposed Shopping Bag food store. The Presbyterian Hospital proposed in Whittier was intended to be put in the Friendly Hills area. There again the people didn't want it tberee It "'wad then changed and put in thq Whittier, .industrial section of town. The California Hospital in Dos Angeles is not in a residential area. I will have to say this,, the St. Frances is not in a residential area. It is in South Cate. I have personally seen these areas. I have been there with my wife. She has fought me every week. Mount Sinai, is not in a residential area. The San Diego Children's Hospital in San Diego, and the San Diego General Hospital is on Highway 395 on the outskirts of town. The Loa Ca mpanos Hospital on Compton Boulevard in Compton is not in a residential area. Here is a hospital that has been built ups I don't know how many years. St. Lukas, to this day there is nothing coming around It. There is nothing going up around it in the (mediate area. I think there is an Elks Club nearby or some sort of facility of that sort. 70' • 6 8 9 10 11 12 r] 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER The Redlands Hospital is three wiles from the heart of town® incidentally, 2 would like to point out that none of these hospitals are centrally located from any particular post office or city hall, The Kaiser Hospital in Fontana is not in a residential area. The Lark Alen Hospital across the street, there are three residences It has been said that they can't understand why there is a grammar school there. 1 can't either, but in other sections the kids are kind of cooped upj they are not running around, The French Hospital in Los Angeles is not in a residential area. In Fact, Chinatown is completely around it almost, The Glendale Sanitarium and Hospital is not in a residential area, here is an interesting hospital., the Arcadia Methodist Hospital, which is right across the street from the Santa Anita Race Track, right next door to the Q. ty Hallo They have four stories of a hospital there, 138 beds on 21 acres. Now,, here we want 250 beds with Cameron going through as we know, and it is going to leave 12.6 acres of land left for whatever facilities they should see fit. The City of Hope is completely isolated. it is not in a residential area. FE W_ L. WEATWCnTE_ nvvIniAv_ Rvannrr. 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 13 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 72 The harbor General Hospital in San Pedro is not in a residential area. The Sister penny Folio Hospital in El Monte,, the back of it is right adjacent to the San Gabriel Rivero There are very fear residences around It, and which ones I have seen, a, lot of them are for sale although there doesn't seem to be a very bad,. traffic situation there at All. The Beverly Community Hospital in Montebello Is not in a residential area. There is a horseshoe shape all around it, sitting empty. I think they are going to put nurses quarters in this area. I think I read something about that in the paper. The Huntington Hospital in Pasadena is one block east of Fair Oaks, one block tests excuse me; one block east is the Pasadena. Gas Storage facilities. About a block and a half south of this hospital is the Pasadena Wrestling ,Arena. Might on Fair Oaks is the Elite Cleaners. Where are several buildings which house building contractor storage yards for their various articles. Nurses quarters are 'all around the area and gas stations. There is spot parking. They had planned to have adequate parking, but they arrays seem to underestimate these items. There are parking lots on this corner., parking lots in the center of the block.. us ■ urwrunnrr new....... oee..e��e 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 0 7 3 a 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 1s • zo 21 22 23 24 26 26 73 Tonight on the way home, I stopped by the proposed San Gabriel Hospital at 216 Santa Anita Avenue. This particular site is one and a halt blocks north of the San Gabriel Mission, to clarify the position in your mind. I stopped in there tonight. There are two houses on this property. This Is going to be a proposed 70 bed hospital, privately owned. There are two resident houses to be moved. That is all the resident houses there are on this lot. Incidentally, the only other type of residences are three two-story multiple dwelling apartments. There are signs out in front saying, 89No children or pets allowed." There was one child. He was nine vears old who lived in one of the apartments. Now, I realize we need medical facilities, and g am very sorry about fix°. Gebhart o s wire not being able to get into the Community Hospital. My wife was there the night I was there Two days later, Mrs. Gebbart was badly burned and gay Mite said she saw three 'empty beds in one room. I don't know whether there were patients ready to come up to them or what. Z am just quoting what she saw. There are also some ether interesting facts which pertain to no beds available. This I personally will testify happened to me. Living in Temple City, my two ohildren almost died, due to bronchial pneumonia. I W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 0 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 <� 74 I called my family doctor and he said that she bad bronchial pneumonia and I had better get them both to a hospital. This is the first question he asked moo and this is no reflection on the doctors. He asked me, "Do you have any money?" I said, "No," He said, "Do you have a medical plan facility available?" a said, "No,91 and he said, "you will have to send them to the general Hospital." I realized the General Hospital is a crude facility, but it still is a wonderful hospital. Now, there is a couple of factors which we must take into consideration. If you are a doctor and you are practicing at this hospital, you will have some patients you won't be able to admit unless it is an emergency. I won't game any names, but -there were certain cases that happened bore recently in hest Covina., very severe cases where they gent to the General Hospital due to the fact that they had no practicing doctor there and no money. It is a harsh thing to say about the type of'society, but it is true. As far as that is conderned, we all ought to wake up to the fact that you can't drive 60, T0, 80 miles an hour on the freeway. These people that are getting slaughtered, they are getting slaughtered of their own free will. MAYOR KAY: Pardon me a moment. If you could, W. L. FItAiHUU1f-,, VFFICIALKEFORTER 15 1 2 3 4 s • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 . 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 I would ask you to confine your testimony a little closer to the case before us this evening. MR. BELL: in. closing, I would like to state that about a year and a half agog one of your mayors tried to rezone some land just adjaoent to this property for a gas station. Most of these private individuals that think very much about their property object to this type of commercial zoning in their immediate area I would. Like to say that I have seem these things with my own eyes; and 1 have spoken the truth to you. This is a congested area and it is going to get worse and it will be triply worse with a hospital there. I don't think two wrongs is going to snake one right. Thank you. MR. CIAWSON2 A number of individuals that are opposing this have asked us for an opportunity to personally address the council. We would like to make some time available for them. Mr. Shaw has asked for this opportunity as well as Mr. Charles. Krantz,, and we would Like those two men to speak first and other members of the group as they desire to. MR. DARWIN SHAW; My name is Darwin Shaw. As you gentlemen know, I have been before you several times before on this property that we have bordering W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL. REPORTER 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 . 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 the City Hall. Part of that 38 acres is vacant there Where I some into this picture is that Dr. Burrows and myself several weeks ago went to Dr. Ching's house, and we thought maybe there might be some kind of a way we could trade him properties which we felt that our property was presently zoned so it would take care of the hospital. We felt that the tax situation was with Dr. Ching that he couldn't sell his property because it would kill him in a tax deaf but on a trade he could be able to come out and still have properly zoned to build a hospital, and,, as you know, that property there in the past has been thought of with a multiple story dwelling. I mean business property, so I feel that the hospital would have an excellent chance of working something. on that property. Thank you. MR. CHARLES NTZa Mr. Mayor, members of the council. My name is Charles Krantz at 667 California Street. I would just like to very briefly remind the council of the 600 people who have signed petitions against this particular hospital site. Like everyone else,, we are not particularly opposed to a hospital in the city. There has been established a need for one. Howeverq there is ample evidence that other sates which would not injure so many people are available, n. L. AGNInLVIG� VFFI[:IAL RCYV KICK • 1 • 2 3 4 6 0 • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 A Certainly one site has been pointed out tonight. There are other sites between here and the Puente area which would lend themselves very much better to a hospital site and not injure so many people in so many ways. There are young people who have moved into this area to raise their children in what they believed would remain a residential area,, Remember,, gentlemen, that this hospital site would be surrounded on four sides by residences. I am opposed to the hospital 'because I want to continue to enjoy living in a residential area. I couldn't tame a stand in favor of the hospital because I have no desire to profit inaneially from a hospital being built in that particular area. It is rather common knowledge that there are a lot of hopes and a lot of plans for a lot of expansion that normally goes around a hospital when It is built in a particular area, so I submit, gentlemen of the aouncil, that you take all of there things into consideration and that you remember that you are respbad ible not only to all of the people in the area, but to the 600 some people who would suffer by the placing of a hospital in this site. There are other sitea in this area available. MAYOR KAY: Is there anything farther, any further testimony In opposition at this tithe? f7.. • • 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER MR. CIAWSON: If I may be permitted, we have some other formal testimony. We just granted to allow a few minutes of time for the members of the group, MAYOR KAyo You have approximately 20 minutes of your time left. MR. WI LIAM H. POSTER*- I am William H. Poster of 669 South St. Marlow, at the corner of Service, in the iamamediate vicinity of a hospital. I know we have had firmly established the need, for a hospital in West Covina.. Ithink it is redundant to continue repenting this. It was established at the last meeting. The doctors wrote a long letter and the Committee for the hospital wrote a long letter. They all established the need and we all agreed with this need. it would have been far better in my opinion if they stated a few concrete facts why this hospital could not be built elsewhere, why this site is exclusive. I believe the meeting tonight was not called to establish the need for a hospital, but whether this site is suitable at all for the proposed hospital. I should think by the people that have shown up tonight, the opponents of the plan, it is obviously not desirable4 The hospital would be bounded on four sides by residences which have already been established,. I should like to add to the long list of 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER T9 those who are opposed to it. St. Vincent's Hospital is right acrose the street from where 1 works, and ' it is bounded on the east side by a service stations by a motel, by an ,empty lot, and by 'a private doctors offices, bounded on the north side by a school for young nurses, bounded on the south side by a Standard Oil Station And small businesses and an empty lot; bounded can the west side by a small cafe and a parking lot and three multiple dwelling units of the two-story variety. None of these are residential homes: Now , by day I am an engineer in electronics and in the evening, during the past couple of years, I have been instructing a class in college. We have fifmly established that about 90 percent of the solution to our problems is establishing the problem. The problem is whether or not this site is suitable. New ideas require easeful consideration. They require planning, and an instance of lack of planning in the case of the Telephone Company who asked me to allow them to locate a telephone pale on my property between two residences because they had not planned to put the telephone pole out there in the street or on the street side, and I live on the corner. Now, the idea is that Mere tonight we must give careful consideration since it has aroused the' • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 8 8 10 11 12 • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W.'L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 80 amount of opposition that it has. Much of the testimony has been questioned. Some of it has been repudiated.. It has been stated without qualification that it will not be depreciating the neighborhood in any war. It is apparent as has been established by the opposition tha:t.t does tend to depreciate the neighborhood and in view of the large number of the opponents, it would indicate that we think it Mould, depreciate the neighborhood.. I think that the proponents, if the; wish to establish this particular site must sho* that they have undeniably exhausted all possible sites, many of which might be more desirable than the one proposed. They have attempted, In my estimation, to railroad a decision tonight in favor of the hospital, using n6gligenae9 oversight as a lame excuse to foregoing careful consideration and to prevent further study of other proposed sites. I think that I shall disregard the rest of mar statement since most of them have been made before. I should like to close by saying that the proponents have established a need; they have established the fact that they have a plan. The opponents have vividly illustrated that other situ are available. I think they have vividly illustrated a depreciation of the property adjacent to the hospital.. The proponents have not established that W. L. HhATKUUTho UFFICIALr • 3 4 0 1 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 this is an exclusive site. I think there bus been a considerable amount of confusion tonight and perhaps either knowingly or not knowinglya they have Clothed the problem in a veil of need and speed.. I think it would be an admirable move on the part rof, the council to fulfill the need of West Covina and at thO'dam'le time to protect the home owners in the vicinity by possibly considering -some other site. It Is a nice neighborhoodo gentlemen* let's keep it a nice neighborhood. X&YOR YAK'; Is there any further testimony in opposition? MR. LEO BOWW� I am Leo Bowman. I live at 1102 West Camillo Road. I am a transportation superintendent for Wilson and Company,, and I work in Lob Angeles. That is about 20 miles from West - Covina. In 1935 1 lived at 35th and Hope. We were moved out at 35th and Hope on the,donstruotion of a freeway. We moved to 35th and Hoover Street, and we were moved out on the construction of the University of Southern California. Finally, I made my home in West Covina. I have lived here two years. We have a wonderful community. We have a wonderful residence and I would like to keep it,,. but with the proposed site of our hospital., t See no further reason for me to reside in the City of West Covina. 5 M. t • 1 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 3.9 • 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 82 Thank you. MR. WAL`fER MkC KAYt I am halter MacKay. 1 live on Park dace, 893, A four story hospital will be just apposite any house. I have been working out here in Wiest Covina and Ideal with the public all of the time. I know a great many of the people here. I would like to say that the surrounding area in the oommunity here is 100 percent against this hospital. We want to protect our homes. Now, there are a few on Service Avenue who have Lots, and there are homes there and these are the only people that are for this hospital. There has been something brought up at one time that the hospital may purchase the back end of these lots for an alley to run through. Now, these people have been thinking of profiting by this, and I wonder how many of them will live in the area when the hospital does come through, if it does. As I say, Y deal with the publics here and I know a lot of people here in Nest Covina. I see.a lot of strange faces here tonight. These people that are for it. I believe they live clear out of the area and are not the residents of the community right Mere where the hospital is plannod. I have a large family and I moved here in West Covina and I am proud of my home, and, I would like • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16. 16 17. 18 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 83 .. to keep it, but if this was to coarse about, I will have to leave the neighborhood, because I rant to live in the area, but if it develops into a hospitalo as I say, I won1t be able to stay here. As I sang, this hospital will serve the community well, but in the future years, ton, twelve, fifteen gears, there is no place for expansion for this hospital. I look ahead into the feature; and I can see that if this hospital is put here, this whole area will change. They can't expand and the homes will gradually deteriorate all around this area. While it is now a city of beautiful homes, this area is part of that city, and I ask you to please consider thisb let's keep this area this way and make it a city of beautiful homes because it is not crowded like Los Angeles where there is just one little open field to build a hospital. There is no other place that it could be constructed there. There is all kinds of land around bore where a hospital can be built and for the future,, there is expansion and they can spread out and not go into the domes and ruin the whole neighborhood with a hospital. Thank you. MR9 FRANK AXELLOa Gentlemen of the council-, My name is Frank Aiello, 1013 Wiest Cameron. I have in. my presence a letter addressed to Dr. Samuel Ching and Dr. Lawrence Moser with reference to our conversation 2 3 4 • 6 • 7 9 10 11 12 0 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 .of last week regarding the rezoning of the property for a hospital. It is my personal belief that the property in question should remain'a residential zone, R-1. It is my further belief that a hospital should be located at a more isolated area rather than in the center of a residential area such as proposed at present. Gentlemens, there are many friends that I have bore in this hall this evening that I happened to have worked very bard for in the last electiono and I think that those same people that are present bore should respect the wishes of us few people on the west side of town in that we would like ow property protected against a major hospital of this type and category. I have labored for these people in this area very hard b I spent a terrific amount of time with them and God help us very dearly because I pray that you gentlemen will render a just decision to use Just deep down in my hearts- I really and truly enjoyed being in West Covina.' I gave worked very bard for the congressmen of this area. I have -worked very bard for the assemblymen of this area and I have worked for West Covina and I will continue to work for West Covina and I wish that you men up there are Working for one this time, I realize that we have before us doctors • • • 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER that wish hospitals. Now, all doctors want hospitals, but I really and truly believe that if they got dorm to brass tacks, we have investigated -- We have looked around the area and we see sites Just like you gentlemen can, just like the doctors can. This is not the only site in West Covina. Clod bless these men it they think that it is because it isn't, and all of the material that they have thrown into the papers regarding 82-R gone to camouflage the whole deal is, lotts say it is east neither hero nor tbere 2 don a t see it. I appreciate their attacks and 1 think that the main attack is bore that we need a hospitals but letts not put it here, so I leave it with ion gentlemen to make your decision tonight, or whenever you are going to make that decision. You have before you a group of people who desire to maintain their residence here and to work in West Ravin. Thank you for your time. MAYOR KAYs There is approximately five minutes left for the opposition's testimony. RENR`T. LESLIEs My name is Henry T. Leslie. I reside at T2T South California :Avenue in West Covina. I am an appraiser by days and at night I am just a nest Covina citizen trying to protect his propertyp and as you can see, T2? South California will 0 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 86 bea right acmes the street from the service entrance o+Egthe hospital. Gentlemen,, it was my understanding from the very beginning that the issue was the unclassified use of Dr. Ching o a property, which is the northwesterly corner of Glendora bounded by Service and Cameron and so forth. Now, gentlemen, it seems to one that this particular issue has become clouded. It seems to me that the citizens of West Covina have been confused as far as the issues are concerned. Publicity has been given to both sides but still the issues seem to be whether or not we need a hospital. I am in favor of the hospital as everyone else with civic pride would be, this being a very Noble and ambitious project for 'hest Covina and, also for the entire East San Gabriel Valley. Now, my experience as an appraiser has taught me the aluiple basic fundamentals, the fundamental lessons that all residential properties bearing upon a. hospital, barring noanep any residential properties that are adjacent to a hospital have been degenerated in value ,I am not at liberty to disclose specific sites because of the nature of my job and my boss .would prohibit me using the jab as a tool or as amunitioft 3 4 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 25 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER ri 87 for this particular issue. However., our rule of thumb .method in revaluating real property which Is adjacent to a hospital bao been, as the first step, to lcwek'ten percent , off It is, just, a bas ic, rule of thumb method. However,, all records which are avallal- �j #610 !�; "-o the:public and also the tax rolls which are available the first two weeks in July to each and every one of us will disclose that all property values,, or all res1dential properties may I sayz, which are adjacent to a hospital In Los Angeles County have shown a depressing trend or should I say have a shown a drop in the Years from ten to as high as thirty pereent and these records are available to all of us. Where -ionotbing to hide., and anyone anticipating ::buying property should browse around and see some of those values. Those values are only.establishod by surveys and studies made by ourselves with,realtorsq with buyers, with sellers, and we have to arrive at some.conolusion. I also have spoken to many doctors in my years-0, on many subjects, Some of them have known my capacity or the capacity I have acted in and not one of these doctors would dispute me that my property will depreciate in value. It is just one of those things. It is unfortunate that you are across the street from a bospitalp but that is the way things go. W I WrAywfLnTr n-".• Cr --. i 1 2 3 4 b i • 7 s 9 40 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 1s • 19 i. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 None of these doctors practice close enough to test Covina to have any particular interest in nest Covina. Thank you, gentlemen. MR. CLAWSONs I understand that both sides have now had equal time, or approximately so. MAYOR NAYS Including their rebuttal., they have 15 minutes rebuttal. You have oonsumed one hour and .fifteen minutes. There is one or two minutes remaining. MR. CLAWSON2 I would like .the privilege of using that two minutes after their rebuttal.. MAYOR KAYs Not in the manner in which we set up the testimony. in the present rebuttal period,. the proponents should not introduce any new evidence. MR. CLAWSON: If I may use my two minutes . to summarize. MAYOR KAYg Yes.. MR. CLAWSO -P To summarize, the group in opposition to this application feel that there has not been demonstrated the requisite public convenience and necessity and public welfare which is necessary to justify the granting of this application in that there are many other available sites equally or better suited for the use of a hospital within the rough geographical center of the community to be served by the hospital and within the population centerof the • 1 2 3 4 5 • 6 • 7 0 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 community to be served by the hospital. In determining whether or not public convenience and necessity and public: welfare requires the granting of the application or if you state it another way, in the language by the Planning Comminion, does there exist an overriding community need and interest which is sufficiently great to justify the creation or the imposi.ti.on upon the surrounding residents of the necessary inconvenience and depreciation in value of their property? We must evaluate and weigh the availability of other sites. Certainly if them were no other sites close to the freeway, that being the particularly essential: condition, then public convenience and necessity would require that the neighbors surrounding the area submit to a greater inconvenience and diminution in value. There is as we have shown,, and as you gentlemen know of your own personal knowledge.. suitable property available almost next door to this property which is not now surrounded on all four sides with Rol property. Within the larger properties to be served by this hospital, there are numerous other properties at equal or the same price. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity that has been afforded to us over the last two months to present our case to this council. 1 . 2 3 4 • 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 • 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 VV. L. 11CA 1 M;UTE, OFFICIAL We have no objection at all. We feel we have had our day in court. The council has been fair. We know that you will give an honest decision., but we sincerely ask you to judge and determine whether or not in your opinion it is necessary under the circumstances of the available sites to grant the application in this case to bring to West Covina a hospital which we all desire. Thank 'you . MAYOR XAYo Thank you very much'., Mr. Clawson. I think we all need to stand up. We will recess for about three to five minutes. (A short recess) MAYOR KAY: Will you all please take your seats again and the council will reconvene. At this time we will permit the proponents a maximum of fifteen minutes time for rebuttal of the testimony given by the opponents. We would like to ask that no new evidence be introduced except to answer the questions or the arguments of the opposition. We don't want to havet® reopen the hearing further unless there has been some major testimony not brought out.. DR. SNYDER: We appreciate the opponents offer of help. however, we felt that there was a delaying action. We have already observed the other sites and W. L.. %CA 7-FIC.:V I L, VFFICIAL KEFORTER • 1 2 3 4 6 • 6 . 7 8 9 10 11 12 • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 still feel that our own site was the best. I would.like to present Mr. Harnisb again. 14R. DEWEY HARNISH: I am Dewey Harnish9 architect. Other sites were pointed. out® To the best of my ability., they were pointed out either in the Tea Puente area dr one other area adjacent to the freeway. There will be two hospitals necessary in the La Puente area and there is a definite need shown for theme They will not well serve the test Covina area. The West Covina area would be served almost directly in the center of population from the site that we have chosen. As far as the depreciation is concerned around existing hospitals, I think that the reason for that depreciation can be summed up for three different reasons. One is the lack of parking causing a bad situation on the periphery®. We have provided for all of the necessary parking for the ultimate expansion of a 250 bed hospital which is as large as the average hospital can be operated efficiently. The second reason is because of lack .of screening® We have also provided screening on all four sides of this proposed hospital. The third reason for getting away from a residence property upon the periphery of a hospital is because of the great demand for doctors' clinics • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • • • • i 13 14 Ib 16 17 18 1s 24 21 22 23 24 25 26 w r ueerurnrc n�....,.. aner,e 92 in the area directly adjacent to the hospital. We have foreseen this and we have planned the doctors' clinics.within the area. Therefore we have taken care of that particular problem also. Those three problems should automatically do away with depreciation of bordering properties. As far as putting a hospital in an industrial zone, we have had to do that in Whittier because the site was selected before we got the jobs Before we could got the site ultimately9 and the plan ultimately approved by the Bureau of HospItalso we had to agree to put a 20 Foot berm on the aide adjacent to the industrial site to screen it with a bang 20 Feet high, or the alternative that we could not get Federal and state Funds under -the Hill -Burton Act. .lax°. Getties should be commended For driving around these various hospitals. 'He hit quite a few of them. However, I think he was misled at the Glendale Sanitarium. It is surrounded by residential areas. He mentioned having been at Redlands. He said it was on the outskirts of town. That is :true,, but it is a residential area. The White Memorial Hospital site was an R-A zone. I -think that is all. DR. SNYDER. Mr. Harrison will again speak on the local effects of the hospital, on the neighborhood W. 1 HFATHCOTR OFFic!AL RennRYCR • 1 • 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 95 effects. . HARRISON: Thank you, doctor. Gentlemen, we didn't bring this up in the early.stages of the testimony. It is not entering new facts. It is to helpp we hope MAYOR KAY: This is in answer to some of the arguments? MR. HARRISON: Yes. We studied fifteen sites within the City of West Covina. I think it has already been pointed out that we should have it in our city If we are going to have our own. Out of the fifteen sites, only one other site came up comparable, and it had one drawback. If you gentlemen would like, I could, give you the key to these fifteen sites and you could go over the sites yourself. MAYOR KAY: It would be available to us if you will leave that with the City Clerk for our records. MR. HARRISON% Fine. We did look Into this matter quite thoroughly. There are -some of the answers that I would like to give myself. I hope they are not repeats. Mr. Clawson said properties are all around R-2. I believe we have eight acres plus another section of R-P within 200 feet of this property. It was pointed out that less than 20 percent -- we pointed out that it was less than 20 percent commercial, W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 94 1 yet it was brought out that most of the hospitals are 2 commercials 2 wonder if that was a Pact or an opinion, 3 1 won't go into some of , tbese other things, 4 Mro, onsky said that the site would be best out in a 6 commercial zone. According to the expert testimony, 6 80.3 percent of the hospitals that are in operation in 7 Los Angeles County are already in residential areas 8 and the trend seems to be in that direction. I am 9 wondering why the City .of West Covina should have to 10 go outside of their own city for hospital services. 11 I think we area pretty big city, a growing city, and 12 this is needed because of all of us coming into the 13 city and creating an influx or growth,.I should say, 14 that has to be met with all facilities. 16 It has already been pointed out that the 16 outside communities will have to provide for their 17 own growths We can help f'or a while, but they 18 definitely are going to have to do that themselves. 19 As to some of the traffic information, I • 20 if the California wonder turnoff and Glendora is put 21 through, they know that this is coming, and most of. 22 them have voted in favor and•not wanted to impede 23 progress within our city. 24 Some of this is repeat$ some of it is notes 26 not too clears They asked for concrete facts as to 26 why this is a good site, because I think we havea W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 1 group that is ready to start this. 2 That will be about it. They are ready to 3 start this right now. The plan is two years old. 4 Not to put the telephone company in a bad 6 light, but they should have felt about that pole 6 there a song time ago as we harse thought about putting • 7 in a hospital in this particular site for a long 8 tune. Thank you, gentlemen. 9 DR. SXYDl a In answer to Mr. Krantz' statement 10 about the people living in the residential area in 11 the country, I think I pointed out there in our 12 original letter to the council that we feel that the 13 country has moved beyond the city limits a long time 14 ago. This is no longer country, and a hospital in 16 another site will not bring the orange groves back. 16 2 would like to present Mr. Preston who 17 would like to answer some of the charges about the 18 bad situation surrounding the hospital. 19 MR. PRESTOM Thank you, Dr. .Snyder. • 20 MAYOR KAY: Mr. Preston, will you take the oath 21 from the City Clerk? 22 (Mr. Preston was duly sworn) 23 ,MAYOR KAY .Mr. Preston, it is assumed that your 24 testimony will be based upon evidence presented! 26 here this evening. • 26 FAR. PRESTON: That is correct. I am John P. Preston W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 96 1 My residence is 526 Montezuma way in West Covina. 2 I have for the past 16 years been in the profession 3 of hospital administration end.et the present time I 4 am the administrator of the Inter -Community Hospital s in Covina. 6 The pictures that we saw so graphically • 7 portrayed tonight about the cold horrible conditions 8 around the Inter -Community Hospital, I probably 9 should hang Amy head.. However, in shooting the shots, 10 I think that we could go into any public building, 11 in the back of any public building and shoot shots of 12 enclosures where refuse is stored, ready to be picked 13 up. I think in planning for parking as was shown 14 that we have had to purchase additional property 16 around the hospital, because of the lack of good 16 planning in the beginning. 17 As far as property values are concerned, 18 I can say that in the purchase of property around the 19 hospital that the property values have far from 20 gone down. We have had in excess of $2,000.00 a parcel 21 over the appraised value for that property. In order 22 to obtain a parking lots, we paid $50,000..00 at the 23 corner of Third and College. We know that the property 24 values, have not gone down. As a matter of fact, 26 they have increased from the standpoint of the 26 property owners of the north side of College. I also W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER would like to point out that the opponents tonight have been talking almost exclusively about the 3 designation of 82-R. 82-R In accordance with the 4 state plan Is the Pomona area. 81-R Is the Covina- 5 6 West Covina area. Thank you. 7 DR. SNYDER: Thank you, Mr. Preston. We also 8 feel that the Inter -Community Hospital situation is 9 existing because, if it does exist, is because Covina 10 waited too long before setting aside a centrally 11 located place for a hospital. If we do not take 12 advantage of this site, West Covina will be doing • 13 exactly the same thing. 14 I would like to present Mr. Pat McCown who 16 will speak on the land value around the Covina 16 Hospital. 17 MR. PAT SEC .COWN-0 Gentlemens, the point was 18 brougbt to bear by the opposition that property values 19 around the Inter -Community Hospital reduced, I 20 personally offered one of the owners five times what 21 they paid for one of their parcels in 1949, and it 22 was rejectedo so I don't believe they have gone down. 23 What was more Importantsi gentlemen,,.is the 24 fact that getting together a team to build a hospital 25 or any other type of structure Is a'difficult .thing 26 to do. You are fortunate in having that team here. 97 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER a 98 1 Dr..Ching has so unselfishly offered his 2 land. These other doctors have offered their time. 3 we have gotten together a very fine committee which 4 I don't think we could duplicated and we see no reason 6 by we can't handle the financing,, so a team of this • 6 sort and of this +guality, I thank you are vent 7 fortunate in having Ito and I would be very disappointed 8 if you do not grant the special use peewit as 9 requested. 10 Now, I did considerable work around the 11 Inter -Community Hospital when it was being built there 12 and I toowas aware that getting rid'of the rubbish 13 and debris was quite a problem, and the architect was 14 certainly aware of it., but that just goes with a 16 hospital or any type of plate where the human being 16 is involved. Certainly they have done a wonderful 17 Job there In keeping their refuse under cover and. is not strewing it up and down the highway as I see some 19 of our residents do. I think it is commendable that 20Mr. Preston has run that hospital as well as he has, 21 working with what he has to work with, because I know 22 he has been working sander verb' adverse circumstances. 23 Wit .h that thought in mind, I would like 24 very much to see you grant this permit. 25 TAR, 3 MRR: I think one of the op ponents 26 stated that the proponents don't even practice in W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 1 West Covina. dell,.we do. Dr. Hoser9s office is !, 2 in the Miracle Mile and ours is on North Main. We 3 all three intern in the Harbor General Hospital 4 which is in the San Pedro -Torrance areas Dr. Seymour 6 lives in a house right across the street from the • 6 hospital, which is certainly a -residential area, at 7 least on two sides. 8 We would like to throw the .meeting open to 9 any proponent for rebuttal that anyone would care 10 to give at this time. However, we would Like to 11 request at the end that we could have the map that 12 r•.Gersohler prepared, entered for the proponents. 13 MAYOR KAYn That is entered in the record 14 already. It was in the record at the last meeting. 16 We can have it reentered in the record this evening. 16 Are there any additional comments that anyone wants 17 to make to use the rest of the rebuttal time here? is MR. LE ROY SMITH: Mr. Mayor,, I am LeRoy Smith, 19 252 West Badille Street. I mould like to propose L0 a question as to whether any site.has been set aside 21 in West Covina for a future hospital or whether a site 22 has been proposed for this? Is that proper? 23 MAYOR KAY: Well, I think i can answer it. 24 On oU4 prowient land use plans where we show potential • 26 zoning, we have not indicated a. potential ,zone as 26 of the present time. W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER MR. SMITHt In other words,, in summing up your 2 testimony then, no future site has been set aside in 3 West Covina as at present. 4 MAYOR KAYi Not as far as I know at the present 6 t rose • 6 MR. SHITRIz In the opposition tonight they have • 7 proposed several sites of which several are in the 8 Puente areas pushing the Idea of a site into the 9 Puente area, and Puente can turn around and do the 10 same things, which solves no purpose as to a future 11 hospital for West Covina. 12 None of these sites proposed, there is no 13 guarantee that they will ever be zoned for abospital, 14 as you gentlemen knows and especially the Planning 15 Commisaiom. Only so much land -is zoned In any city 16 for commercial use or set aside for a hospital,, and 17 that. land is very valuable. For Instance; one of the 18 doctors paid over $220000.00 for a lot in Glendale• ' 19 which makes a zoned acre in Glendale worth 20 approximately $90,000.00. That is a lot of money and 21 Glendale is truly far advanced,populationwises. much 22 more so than West Covina. Howeverp It takes many, 23 many years to build a hospital fromthe time of its 24 inception, raising the money, a. year or two years at 25 least it will take, A 100 bed hospital,. and they 26 are talking about almost two million dollars. They NjKsm W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL • 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 . 13 14 16 16 17 19 19 •LO 21 22 23 24 i 26 • 26 lol are not asking you gentlemen for a. dine. They are not asking the tax payers of West Covina or any of the surrounding areas to put up one red cent. All they are asking is for the privilege of having it surveyed, zoned and a site for ahospital. MAYOR KAY2 Thank you verb► much. I believe that has concluded the time allotted for the rebuttal. 1-will declare the public portion of this hearing closed at this time and I would like to ask . aerschler to read his report into the record and also the location of the proponents and opponents, and if he has that that could, be included in the record. GERSCHLERs The asap showing the location of the proponents and opponents has been submitted. Gentlemen,t before X.read this report, I wish to call to your attention the facts which I am sure you are aware of, that both the planning department report and the Planning Commission resolution are mothing more than summaries of investigations madeo particularly in regard to the investigation made by the planning department. We wish to state that these investigations become quite detailed and quite precise. We do net attempt to in any way lay out in our recommendations or in our reports all of the detailed investigation. Therefore, w r MVAYWcnry ncr.,— 0--.- • 1 2 3 4 6 • 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 25 . 26 dS 102 if there are questions, we would appreciate the opportunity of answering them. This report is dated January 16, 1957. This is entitled Planning Department Remarks on Unclassified Use Permit No s 18. "I. Subject property is presently classified R-A. potential R-2.. "2. Property is ideally located for the uses proposed, particularly from the standpoint of centralized location. 3. An analysis of the report submitted with the application substantiates the various factors applying to the location of a hospital In this city. "4. Further analysis of properties available for such uses within the dity has shown that this site is undoubtedly most suitable. "5. The Precise Plan presented will provide an exceptionally well designed facility exceeding all standards of the City of most Covina. "6. It is therefore the recommendation of the Planning Department that the. application be approved based upon the data presented in the above mentioned W 7 YCATU! ^A C n...... 0c ---- — 1 2 3 4 b 0 6 • 7 3 9 10 11 12 i t 13 14 lb 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 report and upon investigation made by the Manning Department, and subject to the condition that the entire property be developed as an integral unit. "7. Studies show that those residential properties which are adjacent to this site and are facing Service Avenue will be affected by this development and should receive proper consideration prior to the approval of this use "It is therefore recommended that the matter be held in abeyance pending the outcome of such studies." mould like to remark that those studies were trade and snaps were prepared and oral reports were given to the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission recognize, as the minutes show, the fact that there was a zoning problem developing on the property to the north. However, the minutes also show that the conclusion was that that would have to be taken up at a separate, under a separate heading. They have therefore held that consideration in abeyance. Continuingwith this report. "PLANNING CO YTTEE REO ngDATICNS . "l. That all street improvements • 1 • 2 3 4 • s 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. PIC.AIF1l:VICo VFFIGIALKEFURTER outlined In Section 49, Ordinance No, 225, Including utilities, be installed accordingly and meet the approval of the City Engineer. This to include street lights,,sidewalks and sanitary sewers. "2. That the Precise Plan conform to the proposed A.D.W. of Cameron Avenue extension per C.S.B. No. 2453-2. "3. That all necessary street widening of Glendora and Cameron Avenues shall be deeded to the City of West Covina 4 "4. That all buildings and signs not exceed the heights shown on the plot plan. "5. That all exterior lighting be installed and maintained In a manner eliminating any nuisance to adjacent residential property. "b. That adequate water supply and fire protection be provided as required by Ordinance No. 237 and Ordinance No. 451. "7. That all excavating and grading work conform to the provisions of Ordinance No. 384. M I 0 • 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER `r 1©5 That 611 bonds, fees and deposits for Improvements be posted before building permits are Issued. "9. That the site be graded to drain to public streets or that suitable storm drain facilities be provided,, satisfactory to the City Engineer. "10. That all driveway,.openings be shown as 30 foot wide. "ll. That the street intersection curb returns be shown as a 35 foot radius . t° The Planning Commission requested a supplemental report, and this report wab submitted just prior to this final,approval. "At the direction of the :Manning Commmissiong this department has Investigated the question.of justifioation of additional hospital facilities in this area In addition to the comparative graphs submitted herewith,, we submit the following planning factors which are based primarily upon: the specifications established by the California, Mate Department of Public Health, which is obviously the best qualified agency to provide such informs ation. W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER • 1 . 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 S 111, The boundaries of General Hospital service area 82-R (Covina) have been carefully adapted to the logical service requirements of the related communities included herein. 'In sections of greater population density, areas shall be established to provide hospital service within thirty minutes` travel time of all area residents. In such instances, individual communities are grouped into a single area. This principal of service within thirty minutes applies to areas which can support 50 or more beds.' "2a The established ratio of 3.9 beds per 12000 population is a minimum specification to meet know demand factors and is further based upon the caseload histories of hospitals within the areas as well as anticipated urban growth pattern. "3. That in addition to the need for General Hospital facilities provisions will have to be made for Mental Hospitals,, Tuberculosis Hospitals, Chronic Disease Hospitals, and various Public Health Centers, Although many of the above needs will be • 1 2 3 4 6 0 . 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 • t 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L.. FICAI t1UU ICE VFFICIAL ME PORTER 107 stet by other agencies outside . the Covina 1 Service Area, it is interesting to note that the present need for 356 nursing home beds in the Covina Service Area is offset by only 160 existing acceptable beds. 04e It should be noted that in reviewing the bed needs, based upon population figures of July 1,1954, July t o 1955, and J'anuaryr 1, 195 {r9 there is significant continuing and expanding deficiency pattern which clearly indicates the need for planning additional facilities in -accord with anticipated trends of urban growth and population increase. "5. Not analyzed in..the state report ®hospitals for Californiat is the obvious need for community hospitals of sufficient size to economically permit the maintena.noe of sufficient staff, diagnostic and treatment facilities and other specialized services rewired in the modern metropolitan community. It is the opinion of the Planning Department that this city should, .in, its planning program, make provisions for such 1a facility. W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER • i • 2 3 4 6 • • • 13 14 16 16 17 is 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 ,4,. 108 particularly since this community is rapidly assuming the aspects of a subregional co tunity service center. "6. A preliminary site Investigation made by a representative of the State Department of Public Health revealed substantial acceptance of the site for hospital uses. Confirmation of this investigation has been requested." MAYOR KAY: Thank you,, Mr. Gerschler. At this time I would like to ask If any of the members of the council have any questions they would line to ask anybody that gave testimony this evening. COUNCI LMAN CRUMLEYa I have a ooupl.e of questions. How long has Dr. Ching owned this property? DR. CHINGs Since 1942, COUNCILKAN CRUMLE 's Ain I to take it that you are giving this land away based upon the testimony that you are rdonating the land to the hospital? DR. CHING °n No. COUNCILMAN CRUMLEYS You are not giving the land, away? DR. CHINGg No. COUNCILMAN CRUXLEY: That is all. MAYOR KAY: Any other questions from members of 4 6 s 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 • 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 . 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER 109 the council? There was one that canoe to my mind, when the testimony was given and. 1: believe it was Mr. McCown in the organization of the committee to sponsor the hospital. I was wondering if a target date had been set as to launching the actual construction of the hospital or the fund raising portion of it, or if you could give any clearer picture as to ghat the intentions were, I realize that doesn't have a truly direct bearing on the zoning question, but it does as far as the interest of the community is concerned. MR. MC COWN: I would like to answer that by stating that we will immediately proceed with the planning and financing of this hospital if this zoning is granted, and there will be a Board of Directors elected to operate the non-profit hospitals If we find it impossible to build a non-profit hospital, or Impracticable to do that, then we intend to build a hospital, and we will get into the financing of it Immediately. MAYOR KAV Thank you, Mr. Harnish, in your testimony this evening you made reference to having developed., I believe, some 15 hospitals or something of that nature. I was wondering, there was very little mentioned either in the opponents testimony or the proponents testimony, specific mention on What supporting zoning ordinance or use would be necessary u s 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER w T &jrrArl4nr%.r= P.—.— ill • 2 3 4 • 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 1�1 t • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ME • 1 2 3 4 6 . 6 • 7 s 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 • zs W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 112 Is the four story strut ure, and I don't believe that that is too great in this way. think that it can be limited to two stories and still be effective. In other words, spread out a little farther and stay within the limits of a R@1 zoning, which is 35 feet, and still have a very adequate building. At our last hearing I pointed out, and several of the proponents and opponents have again mentioned. the traffic hazards We are going to have a traffic hazard there in spite of what might go Into this particular piece of property. Cameron Avenue will go through. It will be a major street and so will Glendora. l feel that it may to some extent drain off some of the traffic that is now going down Cameron on Service, but vie are faced with that traffic hazard regardless of what goes into this property. This Precise Flan has overcome many of the objections to neighborhood hospitals, pa.ricularly the one that was lowered at the Covina, Inter -Community Hospital, and that is parking. Our Planning Department has looked into that matter very strongly, very carefully; in fact, in our Precise Plan in our city, we require adequate parking. and 7 think that this has more than taken care of this particular site. It seems strange among us human beings, but we have • 1 2 3 4 6 . 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 S • 0 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. RGNI RLV 1 CI VI'Yt:1AL RCYVIti ICK 11.3 identical objections to hospitals, churches and schools, but in spite of what We feel strongly at ties, we have to have all three of them They are vital parts of our community. Unfortunately, hospitals don't just start themselves. It takes someone, some group with lots of initiative to get the show on the road, The proponents have taken this initiative and this is the only area under consideration. That is the only area which we are actually concerned with this evening. ,As a, safety valve to the development of this area., if it is granted, I think it would certainly be in order to put a time limitation on it. We do that on subdivisions, on plans that come into us for homes. I think it would be in order here, whether it would be two years or whether it mould be one year,,, I am not stare., but I think two gears would probably be an adequate limiting Factor. The statistics that have been presented to us, the areas studied In particular, the 300 Foot radius of this wea, the proponents and the -opponents have been almost equally divided. Outside of that area.,, of course, we must listen to everyone; because it is our duty to try to judge on the basis of what is good for the co nuni.ty as a whole. In all dace consideration to both sides, I - L. IIGNI£II..V I=, -W.ICK • 1 • 2 3 4 6 . 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 feel that I must take my stand along in favor .of granting the unclassified use permit No. 18. COUNC11MM CRUMLEY-. I am in a very nice spot.. This is my Swan Song on this eouncil. I can say exaOtly ghat I like without fear of criticism or anything else. It is a beautiful spot to be in. I want to say a couple of things prior to talking about the hospital. You know,o you see all of these people here tonight and it wards my heart. I wish that you could take more interest in some of the city affairs, your oity government which is running day by day. This is just one of many public hearings. The Planning Commission and this council here have many public hearings. Believe me, these four fellows are dedicated to this city. I don't think any of you realise the time, energy and effort these follows put into their jobs. You have a good council here4 I am verb' proud of serving with these fellows, and I wish that Mrs Mottingeres requisition program could have been given a lot more consideration. I think if you had known as much about that as this casep we would have nothing for our children in this town 'to worry about. We mould have had a. lot more for our children. Believe me, you say there is no juvenile delinquency in West Covina. You are just kidding yourselves. There is a lot more of it than 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 • 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 115 any.of you could realize. I 'had to get this across before I talked about the hospital,, because this has been something that I have felt very deeply about but have never had an opportunity.to express it this way. This is my Swan Song, and I can say What I want to. I think there are two other groups in this city that can help a great dead., that could help this council a great deal. One is the Manning Commission themselves. I think if they are a little more realistic in their planning and less text bock minded,, It would help the council a great deal, I think Wiest Covina.Chamber of Commerce could do a great deal in inviting industry to come in here. They could work very Much with the council in developing in Vest Covina. I think we need it very badly. Now, Y have covered those subjects. I would now like to get down to this project at hand, but I had to get that off of ray chest. This Is my one opportunity to do it and I didn't want to miss that opportunity. I have been jotting down notes here too, just like Vernon stated8 crossing out and adding them back on again. There is no question about the need for this facility. Everyone in town agrees that we need a hospital someplace in the area.. Now, this financing W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER • 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 thing is not too well clarified to sae. Certainly the proponents say they have got a committee and they are going to start working on this, but I think all of the facts should be known. If this is going to be a non-profit hospital and obviously this city has not supported the Community Hospitals the Inter -Community Hospital, because there has been very little money raised in West Covinap so obviously hest Covina is not going to support a bell -punching,- door -knocking campaign to collect money. If each one of you are going to be willing to donate a few hundred dollars each year to this hospital,which you may be asked to do, that is fine, but you should know the facts and What you are getting into. Now, it might be that another type of financing will be operated, but in other words, the statement was made twice that if the people get behind its and if industry gets behind it, you can have this hospital, so you are going to be expected to donate some money and, to build this. bospital; If you are willing to do that,, that is fine, but based upon your support of the other hospital, apparently you don°t want to do that sort of thing. I thinly you had better consider those facts cleanly. .1 think that the noise and traffic in this area would be enormous, .and I think that by putting a 116 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 0 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. MCAT HUUTE. OFFICIAL KEFORTER 117 r` hospital on this site would desecrate the whole area. I think this hospital should be on the periphery of the city. I think there are many places for this hospital on the periphery of the city. I thinly it Io a very convenient thing for the doctors to have this hospital here. That is why I wanted to know if Dr. Ching was giving his land for the hospital. The land could be developed otherwise and Dr. Ching wouldn't be out anything. Dr. Ching has had this land since 1942. I wonder why he didn't come in some time ago before these houses were built and ask for a zoning. (A pause) Now, I have gotten the idea here several tines from people who talked about not being able to gain admittance to the hospital. I felt very sorry about that, Anyone who hays , a,n accident or a misfortune in his family certainly should be able to get into a hospital, but I get the impression and also from the papers that all we have to do is zone this hospital and as if by magic there will be a hospital appearing there. I don't think that hospital is going to gat there that fast. In facts I still think this is a bit of a dream. It violates the master plan. This is R-As potential 'R-li and frankly I just can't see the hospital going in there at all. I have got some other notes that I don't want 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 • t 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 to mine. I don to miss anything. I have got a lot of notes here. This is last chanee6 I expected a,little more applause from this side of the house. Well, I guess that just about wraps it up. You know how I feel about it. That is axle, Mr4 Mayor. COUNQIIXAN PITTEKOER; Well,, as is frequently the case,, I find myself quite at odds with Mr. Crumley. Unfortunatolyo- I am nqt,going,toleave town. going to swo4t it out for three more years, I have made quite a few notes*, I had planned to tako exception to the gentleman who criticized the council's action, and since T planned to do so$ I think I will, He criticized us, for holding the matter back., sending the matter back to the Planning Commission. He said we are influenced by the opponents of the plan. Now, that is true. In fact, 1 to Oome here every night with an open mind. I - am not like the man that says don't confuse me with facts: my mind is. de up. I plan to come down here and listen to both-s ides.of the testimony, then try to reach a decision. Frankly.0 the proponents ,of that plan have presented a case tonight.. In fact, this booklet here which the crux of the whole plan,,, was not even presented to me until tonight at this council meeting,, W . YCAVU! nvw ne...... Cevn-. . 6 • 7 8 8 10 11 12 • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 ;a so I had heard very little of that particular thing until tonight. There were things that were presented to the Planning Commission that could be, if we wanted to take it at its face value, we could have arrived at a decision. I doubt whether it would have been In your gentlemen's favor. Now,. I concerned only with, the possibility of building a hospital in Nest Covina. I don't care at all what can be built in Puente. I think with the industry and the development which will be in the Puente areag they will need a hospital. Mr. Moneky mentioned the foresight of the gentleman who presented) the plan. Mr. Crumley called them dreamers. I Bay we need a lot of dreamers like this. Secondly, we are concerned only here tonight with this site. We are not concerned) with any other site )because no other site has been advanced by these men who have come forward. There may be a site,, I don't doubt it. In fact, there is a freeway property that is worth;, About $22b000.00 an acre. If you folks, and I assume all of us are going to got behind this hospital and ,-gild this hospital -- if you would rather pay $22p000.00 an acre, or eight or ton, whatever Dr. Ohng is charging, theft you go ahead, but I would rather pay the $80000.00 and put the rest of it in a hospital. 119 4 6 . s 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 • 26 26 W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER 120 MAYOR KAY 9 Hour much is it? ,,,,, COUNCILWN PITTENORR.-. I don't know. A RRs Shouldnet we know? Shouldn't we know how much we are going to pay? MAYOR KAY: Pardon me. let the councilman finish. COUNCI. AN . P.ITTENGER m The financing of this thing is no concern of the ooungJ1 a MAYOR KAYs If you Will please let Councilman Pittenger finish his remarks. Let's be fairy fellows. CO'UNCILMAN P ENGER% I sat here for about two and a half hours and listened to you. I think this plan as submitted is a very good plan. I think it is a well laid out 'building. I think it is beautifully landscaped I did a. little checking on this plan last night. It is 200 feet from the nearest building to the property on the south, That is the property. lime. That is the back lot of -any of the property on Oak Parr Place. It is 170 feet from the property line to the nearest building on the West. These figures are on this map. I coaled it out. That is the building. There is a good deal of landscaping between there. Actually4 .I think you are going to get a last less noise there from a hospital than you will from a park or from a school. In fact, I am sure you will, it is.a . 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. YIGXIYI I.V IGI VYYII:IAL Y[CYVKICK 121 beautiful site. It has been said that around a hospital property the land det®rioratee. If you take Covina, that may be trueo although 1 doubt it. I think there is testimony that that increased that value., but that hospital expansion was started wham that neighborhood Was neglected badly.. If you don't believe it., go on the other side of Covina and compare property of the same age and you will find, that is true. As o` the parking facilities, it has been possiblybuilt in the Plan. Tbatis property deteriorates. as the opponents are ooncernado is the possibility of property depreciation. I have heard that,,. as Mr. Nottinger mentioned.,;�- I have heard it in relation to sohools* We have beard it on condemnation for 0hurcbes6 know a, people ,: depreoiate in value and possibly it will., but I doubt it very much, with this type of plan,, so if you haven'tauspected until this point, I am very much in favor of this plan and I would like to see.it carried .thrs COUNCILMAN $ i •J. .i BROWN:, sUsually 1 agree withCouncilman Crumley. Tonight I am forced to disagree withhi rs' _ W. L. HEATHCOTE. OFFICIAL REPORTER • 1 2 4 b t 13 14 16 16 17 13 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 122 am, sorry to have to disagree with him on the night he is leaving the couneilp but that is the way it will have to be. Instead of sitting here for two and a half hours, we have been here for three and a half hours. I am going to out gay comments short. They should not let the hospital be over two stories in height. Their financing is no problem of the councils It is purely their own. (A pause) MAYOR KAY3 I would like the opportunity of a few words of expression before this motion is made. Actually,, I would like to commend both sides this evening on a. very thorough presentation,, and I think that they have thoroughly laid on the table the problem that is before us, and I am not only -- I think not only that they have shown that both groups aren°t quite as far apart as they were when we walked in the door. I think many times we find out in government work,, in decision on these matters that all issues are not exactly clear. They are not always in black and white. There is not always just one way to do something. I think that our own previous city governrmentm our own City Council of which I was a. part for the last three gears continuously failed the public in our last examination of our so-called master playa in that we did not make the provisions necessary for a suitable site for a hospital and other W. L. HEATHCOTE, OFFICIAL REPORTER • I 2 3 4 b 6 • 7: 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 M things that are part of our community development. Not only its our zoning are we concerned with commerce and manufacturing,, but you are concerned in a master plan with developing your whole city, every phase and aspect of it, and we haven't gone into the details of all of thaw phases and I think this is just the first of many things that are going to confront the City Council as difficult problems that could have been solved several years ago had use spent the time on them at that time. I am just as much at fault as anybody else. 1 was on here during our last survey of the master plan. I think in con idcring.this proposition before us this evening.. I have one criticism of the proposal I don$t think that the.four story building is the most desirable to be located in this immediate area,.. 1 think that a study of that !map -- 1 don't know if it is still on the front side of there or not, of our master plaza of the city and the highways is very, vary revealing as to the traffic that actually Is going to be carried down Glendora. ,Avenue with or without ,a hospital. That isn't going to changer it very Bauch. It will be a straight shot from La Puente clear to Azusa. The question of traffic is not going to be much different whether we go one wad' or the other.. whether we have a hospital or not. California .Avenue should gain considerable relief 123 124 1 2 3 4 6 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 i t • • 13 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 on traffic once that connection is made Cameron Avenue had been planned even before I came on this council as a major east and west highway to pa:ral.lel the freeway, to handle our traffic from west to eastq in going through the.city, for people that don't grant to go down the freeway. It was laid out as an 80 foot highway for that purpose o Quite frequently I feel there are'. details of the plan that should be adjusted, such as the height of the buildings, such as your ingress and egress of the alleys. These are thugs that could, be handled, but generally I think .I am afraid that I will have to support the hospital. CO`UNCZMN BROOM At this time I would like to make a motion that Unclassified Use Permit No. 18 be approved subject to the recommendation of the City Engineer with a h4ight limit of two stories and a two year time limit to start.construction. MAYOR KAYt Pardon me just one moment. I believe in the Planning Commission's recommendation, there was a donsideration for the time limitations starting, and the definition of that, wasn't there, r. Cersobler MR. GERSC$LER: Only that the medical unit or the unit wouldn't be started until 25 peroent of the amain building was started. _ 1 2 3 4 6 i 6 • 7 8 9 10 11 12 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 26 W. L. MtA I-HUU1h. VFFICIAL KEFORTER 125 MAYOR SAY: Then you are adopting the recommendations of the Planning Commission and the two year time limit can starting of construction: COUNCILMAN MOTT,INGER q I second the motion. MAYOR KAY: The motion is seconded by Councilman Mottingere We will have a roll call vote. COUNCILMAN MOTTINGERs Agee COUNCI LKAN CRUNLEY4 No COUNCILKAN BROWN: Aye. COUNCILMAN LMAIY PIT E GER i Aye. MAYOR KAY: Aye* All right, that I believe completes the Unclassified Use Permit. (Whereupon g at 11 s 4O Pam 6 p the hearing in the above -entitled matter was concluded)