10-05-2000 - Special Meeting - Minutes•
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
OCTOBER 5, 2000
Mayor Pro Tern Wong called to order the meeting at 6:20 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444
W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina, California.
ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tern Wong, Councilmembers Howard, Melendez, and
Touhey
Absent: Mayor Herfert (Due to a lawsuit settlement with BKK, Mayor
Herfert did not participate in this meeting's topic.)
Others Present: Hobbs, Mayer, Mclsaac, Leonard, Samaniego, Schimanski, Wills,
Chung, Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tern Wong noted there would be time to address
Council on the continued public hearing item scheduled for this
evening and asked if there was anyone who wished to speak to
Council on some other item. No one addressed Council.
PUBLIC HEARING (Continued from September 20, 2000)
GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT NO. II-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
Mayor Pro Tern Wong introduced the subject matter for the evening,
noting that this hearing started on September 12`h, continued until
September 20`h, and again continued until this evening. BKK Corporation
has requested approval for the development of a business park and golf
course on portions of the BKK landfill site, a CUP for maintenance of the
closed Class I and Class III landfill portions and the certification of the
associated Environmental Impact Report. Testimony was received at both
meetings and those in the audience this evening would be given a chance
to address Council as well.
Roberta Azpeitia Roberta Azpeitia, 1740 Oakridge Circle, shared comments she received
from various residents on the "L, M, and N" streets while she was
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circulating petitions in opposition to the "A" Street proposal. She
submitted the petition for the record.
Ralph Eppley Ralph Eppley, 2652 Elena Avenue, felt the largest problem in the area is
traffic and the proposal will make it worse. He wondered if there were
government grants available that would help. He suggested Council con-
sider the landfill site as a showplace landfill site and revitalize it by
constructing a multi -facility, multi -cultural center for use by all.
Robert Agree Robert Agree, 2647 Elena Avenue, opposed the project, giving the history
of the landfill and related other meetings he has attended. Traffic is
already heavy and this would make it a nightmare. He hoped Council
would take the interest of the citizens into consideration before making a
decision.
Leland Faegre Leland Faegre, 1939 Jacaranda Street, stated that he was a RACOON
member and spoke in opposing to the proposal. He expressed criticism
towards Councilmember Melendez and his political positions.
Karen Shewmaker Karen Shewmaker, 1825 Borrego, spoke as a RACOON member and
countered Councilmember Melendez's political positions. She wondered
how BKK was planning on paying for construction bills when they've
stated they don't have enough to pay their small bills.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, 1800 Aroma Drive, noted that no one is thrilled with "A"
Street corridor. If there had been more consideration given to the impact
of the area and the region, an east/west corridor may have been favorably
received.
Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, stated that the City of Walnut is
requiring BKK to replace every tree removed with three trees. The City of
West Covina should make the same requirement.
Rebuttal
Alan Tuntland Alan Tuntland, VP of San Jose Hills Development at the BKK landfill
site, used the overhead projector to make his rebuttal presentation. He
discussed the following matters:
* Grading — what it will and will not do on the site.
* Air Quality — after the grading and construction.
* Traffic — as a regional issue.
* Golf Course — a win/win project for the City and BKK. It would
be self-sustaining and a stand-alone project.
* The technology center — could be named anything, the name does
not define the businesses and uses therein.
* The Planning Commission recommended approval, noting the one
condition: 5aa. San Jose Hills Development tried to put the two
components together, but it is just not financially feasible.
* San Jose Hills Development is providing 5 to 1 replacement Oak
trees and 3 to 1 replacement Walnut trees.
Ken Kazarian Ken Kazarian of the BKK Corporation stated that his company formally
started looking at plans over 15 years ago. Things have changed through
many meetings with Council and the community over the years:
landscaping plans, set -backs from Azusa Avenue, and additional walk-
ways. The development will bring new jobs, revenue, and recreational
amenities to the community. This is the best use for a used landfill site.
Hearing Closed Mayor Pro Tern Wong closed the hearing. City Planner McIsaac
presented revised language for Condition 5aa and discussed the revision.
Other Council questions related to the ridge lines, number of completion
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bonds, importing dirt for the cut and fill portions, and any remaining old
landfill material in the detention basins.
Mayor Pro Tem Wong called a recess at 7:43 pm. The City Council
reconvened at 8:05 pm with all members present except Herfert.
Further Council questions and comments relative to the following issues
were discussed:
* No City funds contributed to the cost of the Environmental Impact
Report, nor would there be any used for this project.
* Maintaining a high quality project would be controlled through the
various steps presented to the Planning Commission.
* Very little support for an expansion of Azusa Avenue to six lanes.
* Not a lot of support for the construction of"A" Street.
* There is a need to accelerate a grade separation study to address
the heavy traffic at Amar and Azusa. Staff to check into state
grants to cover design costs. RFP could be released in March.
* Check into purchasing the south/east corner of Azusa and Amar
before it gets developed — it is 65% vacant now.
* Revenues would be generated from the high-tech center through
lot sales, building for sale or lease.
* Look into reserving Lot No. 34 for City use as a community center.
After additional comments, Councilmember Howard noted that sometime
we, as a community, would have to let go of BKK's history and move on.
She felt the project was good for the City and would vote in favor of it.
Councilmember Melendez was not supportive of using Aroma Drive as a
temporary access road to the golf course, but was supportive in general of
the proposal. Mayor Pro Tem Wong supported the transition of the
current landfill site to a viable project and that resolving the traffic
problems for the adjacent residents is of paramount importance.
Councilmember Touhey agreed.
Mayor Pro Tem Wong asked staff to develop numbers for the next
meeting in relation to the grade separation concept at Amar/Azusa.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to adjourn the meeting at
10:12 pm and continue this matter until the October 17a' City Council
meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
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• City Clerk Janet Berry
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