03-29-2005 - Special Meeting - Minutes•
C,
MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
PLANNING COMMISSION
AND THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
March 29, 2005
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council, Planning Commission and Community
Development Commission was called to order at 6:11 p.m. in the Community Room on the first floor at
City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Mayor Sanderson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL City Council:
Mayor Sanderson, Mayor Pro Tern Wong, Councilmembers
Herfert, Hernandez, Miller
Planning Commission:
Chairman York, Commissioner Roe, Lane, Warshaw, Rozattii
Others Present: Pasmant, Nichols, McIsaac, Anderson, Yauchzee, Hitz, Myrick,
Freeland, Rush
Deputy City Attorney Nichols explained that oral communications
must be limited to items on the agenda only, as this meeting is a
special meeting. The three -minute limit established by City
ordinance will also apply.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Sanderson requested the staff report be presented first, prior
to comments from the public.
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM
Planning Director McIsaac presented the staff report. This item
was before Council previously in December and Council had
expressed an interest of possibly pursuing options of a historical
preservation program. A PowerPoint slideshow was presented
showing early built homes in West Covina. McIsaac stated the
momentum behind the proposal of a historical preservation
program stems from a request for a subdivision of property located
at the southwest comer of Cameron Avenue and Citrus Street. The
request included the demolition of a home build in 1936. The
report reviewed options available for the structuring of a historic
preservation program.
Options discussed included:
1. No action — addressing historic preservation on an individual
basis;
2. Incentives — structuring a list of potential incentives making
preservation of historic home attractive and beneficial;
3. Historic Survey — prepare a historic resources survey to
document historical significance;
4. Historic Preservation Program — establish a historic
preservation program and adopt a preservation ordinance.
Council Minutes of 03/29/05
Councilmember Herfert initiated discussion between the Planning
Commission and Council regarding previous action of the Planning
Commission regarding the property located at Citrus/Cameron
property.
McIsaac responded to questions from Council and Commissioners
elaborating on the Mills Act.
• Royall Brown, West Covina resident, stated that historical
preservation is history of the city and not just house size and urged
the Council to continue with the same program in place today.
Miriam Tennant, representing the Historical Society, read a public
statement prepared by the West Covina Historical Society
Preservation Task Force which urged the city council to pass an
emergency ordinance preventing the destruction, alteration, or
movement of any historic home build before 1945.
Councilmember Herfert asked the Deputy City Attorney whether
the Council could pursue an emergency ordinance at this time.
Deputy City Attorney Nichols explained two types of
ordinances that are referred to as emergency ordinances, 1) a
moratorium ordinance, preventing any destruction or alternation
until the adoptions of an ordinance regulating historical
preservation, and 2) the adoption of a historical preservation
ordinance adopted as an emergency ordinance to become effective
immediately. Both which require a 4/5ths vote.
Councilmember Miller asked the Deputy City Attorney if, without
a moratorium ordinance, a property owner with a historic structure
could subdivide their property under the Subdivision Map Act.
Following discussion regarding subdivisions of properties,
and the authority of Council, it was requested that the City
Attorney provide a legal opinion for Council to review regarding
legal rights of property owners.
Councilmember Miller requested establishing a moratorium
ordinance at the April 5 meeting which would maintain status quo
of any historical homes, allowing time to research options of a
preservation ordinance. Councilmember Hernandez concurs with
Miller and also supports option 3, preparing a historic survey.
City Council motion Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Miller to approve option 3,
preparation of a historic survey, and agendized a moratorium
ordinance to become effective immediately thereafter for April 5
Council meeting.
Planning Commissioners made comments in support of
moratorium allowing time to work towards a preservation
ordinance.
Planning Commission action Motion by Roe and seconded by Lane to support City Council
motion to proceed with option 3 of the staff report and to pass a
• moratorium ordinance at the April 5, 2005 council meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Council action Following further discussion regarding the purpose of a
moratorium ordinance and historic survey Councilmember
Hernandez called for the question. Motion carried 5-0.
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Council Minutes of 03/29/05
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UPDATE OF GENERAL PLAN LAND USE & CIRCULATION ELEMENTS
Planning Director McIsaac presented the staff report providing an
overview of the City's General Plan Land Use and Circulation
Elements.
Councilmember Herfert remarked that the current General Plan is a
good plan and sees no need for change.
Councilmember Miller stated his concern with how to plan for land
use in the downtown area.
Royall Brown, West Covina resident, suggests a specific plan if
only the land use of the downtown area considered and Council
should consider what is going to be funded through two bills
before Congress before considering any changes to the general
fund.
Recess Mayor Sanderson called a recess at 7:40 p.m. in order to change
the videotape. Meeting reconvened at 7:52 p.m. with all
Councilmembers and Commissioners present.
Councilmember Hernandez voiced his support in updating the
General Plan and Circulation Element
City Council motion Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Miller to redevelop the
General Plan with a focus on commercial, retail, the circulation
element and areas alongside the freeway, excluding the single
family home areas.
Commissioner Warshaw requested that industrial areas also be
added. Councilmember Wong suggested that all areas with the
exception of single-family home areas be considered for the
General Plan Update.
Planning Commission action Motion by Roe and seconded by Warshaw to proceed with an
update of the General Plan. Motion carried 5-0.
City Council action Councilmember Hernandez called for the question and clarified his
motion to update the General Plan with the exclusion of single
family residential areas and for funding not to be out of the general
fund but with use of funds for the purpose of general plan
development. Miller affirms his second. Motion carried 5-0.
Recess Mayor Sanderson called a recess of the City Council at 8:10 p.m.
to call to order the Community Development Commission.
ROLL CALL Community Development Commission
Chairman Sanderson, Commissioner Wong, Herfert, Hernandez,
Miller
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UPDATE ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING STUDY
Administrative Analyst Chris Freeland presented the staff report
and aired a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted components
of the study. Freeland stated a draft of the study is currently bein
reviewed by staff in preparation for presentation at the April 19`
City Council meeting. Staff answered questions from Council.
Royall Brown, West Covina resident, inquired as to how much
money RDA has set aside for affordable housing and commented
on a recent Supreme Court decision.
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Council Minutes of 03/29/05
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Miller to receive and file.
Motion carried 5-0.
• ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Sanderson to adjourn the
Planning Commission, Community Development Commission and
City Council in memory of Chrissy Villegas, wife of CDC
employee Duran Villegas at 8:26 p.m. Motion carried
unanimously.
Mayor/Chairman Shelley Sanderson
ATTEST:
Deputy City Cle, iIA sistant Secretary Susan Rush
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