09-12-2000 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
September 12, 2000
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Wong at
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7:07 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tem Wong, Councilmembers Howard, Melendez, Touhey
Absent: Mayor Herfert (conflict of interest regarding BKK, applicant)
Others Present: Hobbs, Samaniego, Leonard, Mayer, McIsaac, De Zara, Swink, Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tem Wong stated that since the matter before the Council is a
hearing, comment regarding the hearing matter would be heard during the
public testimony portion of the hearing. No one desired to speak to
Council on any other matter.
PUBLIC HEARING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. H-00-29
ZONE CHANGE NO. 655A (Business Park)
ZONE CHANGE NO. 655B (Golf Course)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (SCH #9806114)
APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVAL OF:
TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 52470
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 24585
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 503 (Golf Course)
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 542 (Landfill Maintenance)
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT NO. 29 (Business Park)
TREE REMOVAL PERMIT NO. 30 (Golf Course)
APPLICANT: BKK Corporation
LOCATION: 2210 S. Azusa Avenue
City Clerk Berry verified the affidavits of publication and mailing (2500
notices). Mayor Pro Tem Wong asked Council if there was a preference
in setting an adjournment time for the evening. Council concurred that
11:00 pm was agreeable.
Staff Presentation City Planner McIsaac presented the staff report, reviewing the proposed
project, the main issues considered and the actions taken by the Planning
Commission, and the appealed items.
Special Counsel Leonard discussed first the financial assurances condition
contained on Page 5 of the Tentative Tract document. BKK Corporation
has agreed to the condition.
• The second subject Mr. Leonard discussed pertained to post -closure
perpetual maintenance, condition "dd." contained in CUP No. 542 on Page
6. BKK Corporation has also agreed to this condition.
Mark Alpers of Environmental Science Associations, the contractor who
conducted the Environmental Impact Report, discussed the findings of the
EIR. He reminded the Council that an EIR is a disclosure document and
that approval can be granted with one or eight unavoidable impacts.
Council Minutes of 9/12/00
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Council questioned staff on the traffic study conducted on Azusa Avenue
which discussed stacking problems at the intersection of Amar and Azusa,
and parking restrictions on Azusa Avenue.
Public Testimony Mayor Pro Tem Wong asked for comments favoring the proposal:
In Favor:
Ken Kazarian Ken Kazarian, Vice Chairman of BKK Corporation, the owner and
developer of the project. He felt the project before the Council was a good
solid plan, one that is positive for the community.
Alan Tuntland Alan Tuntland, Project Manager, presented the project description.
Elaine Colen Elaine Colen, Director of Business Assistance with the San Gabriel Valley
Partnership, addressed Council on the regional needs for a project such as
the one proposed by BKK. She submitted material for the record.
Gary Crepp Gary Crepp and his associate Jim Wyn, Grubb & Ellis, addressed Council
on the business real estate needs that this project would satisfy.
Alan Tuntland Alan Tuntland noted that the project's infrastructure will be geared for
high-tech communications, sometimes referred to as a "Smart Park."
Recess Mayor Pro Tern Wong called a recess at 8:47 pm. Council reconvened at
9:03 pm with all members present, except Herfert.
William Gill William "Buzz" Gill, Senior Vice President of Landmark Golf Company,
the company designing the proposed golf course. He assured Council that
his company is very cognizant of the wildlife adjacent to any of the
courses they develop and the importance to citizens that the wildlife
environs remain as intact as possible.
Alan Tuntland Alan Tuntland presented a revision to Condition 5.ee. to Conditional Use
Permit No. 503 intended to provide an incentive to BKK to build the
business park and golf course. In essence, the condition provides for the
conveyance of the golf course land to the City if the golf course is not
built within five years of the recordation of the Tract Map.
The City Council stated that that condition was unacceptable. The City is
not interested in acquiring or developing the property.
Ken Kazarian Ken Kazarian offered further comments, noting that the Planning
Commission asked for assurances that the community was gong to get a
golf course, not just a business park. The problem is that there are two
separate lenders for the two different projects and neither will loan money
with conditions that they have no control over. However, BKK is open to
suggestions to change the condition to satisfy both the City Council and
BKK's financial lenders.
Council suggested that BKK go back to the drawing board and create
some other language that is acceptable to all concerned. City Manager
Hobbs noted that there may be other points that are brought up during the
hearing that cannot be resolved this evening and need further work. These
can be identified tonight and discussed at a future study session.
Special Counsel Lennard Special Counsel Lennard stated it is possible to come back to Council with
other language. He also clarified that the City is not in the position of
accepting any interest in the BKK land whatsoever.
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Council Minutcs of 9/12/00
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Alan Tuntland
Fred Burkhardt
Victoria Santos
Johnny Chua
Ely Cubacub
Linda Santos
Robert Tafoya
In Opposition:
Reo Williams
Jean Arneson
Mike Miller
Alan Tuntland then addressed one last issue: traffic conditions and how
BKK plans to alleviate some of the congestion. Mr. Tuntland presented
computer generated pictures of current streets and those same streets with
the addition of the proposed "A' Street. The point was to show how
unobtrusive "A" Street would be to the adjacent residents.
Fred Burkhardt, representing the Chamber of Commerce, gave a power
point presentation enumerating several reasons why the City should
support the project: a) The primary impact of the project is positive for
the City. b) It would improve the business climate in the surrounding area.
c) It would improve the City's recreational facilities.
Victoria Santos, 1825 W. Farlington Street, noted her support for a golf
course at that location.
Johnny Chua, 22037 E. La Puente Road, Walnut, noted that although
traffic is a negative impact; overall, the project would help the City.
Ely Cubacub, 1227 Shalene Street, noted that the Filipino -American
Senior Citizens Club fully supports the project.
Linda Santos, 1825 W. Farlington Street, spoke as President of the
Filipino/American Chamber of Commerce. Her group is very supportive
of the project and is also very interested in improving the Amar/Azusa
area. She noted that West Covina has a lot to offer the Filipino com-
munity and perhaps the project will offer a cultural meeting center at the
golf facility.
Robert Tafoya, 2214 Calle Jalapa, stated that he would address Council as
a resident, not a Planning Commissioner. He discussed several pros and
cons and concluded his remarks by supporting the project as an economic
benefit for the City.
Mayor Pro Tem Wong noted that with the hour of 11:00 pm approaching,
there may be individuals in the audience intending to speak in opposition
and will not be able to attend a continued meeting on this matter. Council
discussed a meeting time to continue the hearing and concurred on
September 20'' at 7:00 pm. Mayor Pro Tem Wong afforded an
opportunity to those wishing to speak in opposition and the following
addressed Council:
Reo Williams, 2431 Leanna Street, opposed the building of a golf course
on the landfill too soon because of lingering fumes. He felt the whole
issue revolved around making money: since the landfill no longer makes
money - build a golf course. He also referred to the lengthy staff report
and conditions to the Conditional Use Permit.
Jean Arneson, 1116 Donna Beth, read a prepared statement relating the
history of the landfill in West Covina, noting broken promises from BKK
ever since the beginning 47 years ago. She encouraged Council to move
slowly and listen to the people on this issue.
Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, presented material for distribution
discussing his reasons for opposing the project as proposed. He expressed
concern that the EIR was deficient in a couple of areas. He urged the City
Council to impose a condition that the City and Redevelopment Agency
will not use funds to bail BKK out of any financial decline or otherwise
use funds for work that BKK is required to complete to comply with City
regulations or any other regulatory agency.
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Council Minutes of 9/12/00
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Howard and seconded by Melendez to adjourn the meeting at
11:13 pm and continue the hearing until 7:00 pm on September 20, 2000.
Motion carried 4-0.
• Mayor Stev erfe
Attest:
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City Clerk Janet Ber