HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 13, 2015 - CC, Special MeetingCITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
' ! MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015 - 6:30 P.M.
The City Council, of the City of Azusa, met in special session at the above date and -time in the Azusa Light & Water
Conference Room, located at 729 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa, CA 91702.
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A copy of the Notice of said special meeting was delivered to the Mayor and Councilmembers on April 9, 2015,
between 4:00 P.M. anI d 5:00 P.M., by Senior Office Specialist Bautista and e-mailed by Deputy City Clerk Hernandez.
Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order at 6:30 P.M. Call to Order
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Pledge to the flag was led by Mr. Edson Ibanez. Roll Call
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ROLL CALL: Roll can was taken by City Clerk Cornejo; Councilmember Carrillo joined the meeting Present
at 6:33 P.M. after roll call.
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PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, ALVAREZ, ROCHA
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS
ALSO PRESENT
Elected Officials: City Clerk Comejo.
'Staff Members: City Manager Butzlaff, City Attorney Martinez, Economic and Community
Development Director Christiansen, Interim Public Works Director/City Engineer Bobadilla, Assistant
Director of Electric Operations Langit, Associate Planner Ibanez, Police Captain Hunt, Assistant/Deputy
City Clerk Hernandez,
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PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mr. Jorge V. Rosales addressed the meeting regarding the conversion of Azusa Avenue to a two-way
circulation; he stated ihat a parking study on the Downtown Area had previously been conducted.
City Manager Butzlaff presented the item stating that an update on the TOD was given at the Special
Meeting of January 26, 2015; at that meeting Council gave direction to staff to conduct additional studies
and make modifications to the proposed building heights for the Gold Line and Downtown Districts, the
conversion of Azusa Avenue and San Gabriel Avenue to two-way circulation, and the Parking Ratios.
City Attorney Marti ez announced that Councilmember Carrillo owns a property within the areas
discussed; he advised him that he could participate as a member of the public relating to his own interest
n his residential property, but not as a member of the Council. Councilmember Carrillo abstained from
participating in the discussion.
Presentation on the Gold Line District and the Downtown District:
RRM Design Group Representatives presented additional samples from other Cities to compare what can
be obtainable and realistic with the market demands, and how they can help to re -shape the urban
environment in Azusa; the two focus areas addressed were the Gold Line District and the Downtown
District, which currently allow buildings up to 35' high on single use, 40' on mixed use and up to 55' of
ground floor area; They suggested allowing demand to dictate how buildings should be arranged based
on required uses, and, proposed an increase of 60' from the ground floor area in the Gold Line District,
and 50' on the Downtown District.
Discussion was held on the proposed height of the Gold Line that would increase by 5', or 20%, which
would allow for an additional floor level; the additional 20% would allow for more articulation and the
roof variation to be more flexible; since buildings could vary from 4 to 5 stories, concerns were
Also Present
Public
Participation
TOD Update
T. Butzlaff
Presents Item
M. Martinez
Comments on
Carrillo's
Conflict
Gold Line and
Downtown
Districts
expressed for the need to address safety issues regarding the Fire and Police Departments having easy
access in case of emergency; the areas behind the buildings would need to be visible for security
purposes; no building should be higher than the Target Tower; concerns were expressed regarding
additional heights of the buildings, as they may not look attractive, and the need to have flexibility in
order to attract quality developers; the proposed additional heights would only cover two blocks. Council
agreed to include the study in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) with the proposed changes.
Presentation on Azusa Avenue and San Gabriel Avenue conversion to two-way circulation:
RRM Design Group Representatives presented two proposals: 1) to convert Azusa Avenue and San
Gabriel Avenue to two-way circulation with a bike path on Azusa Avenue, or 2) to convert San Gabriel
Avenue to two-way circulation and leave Azusa Avenue in its current set up; there would be costs
associated with the conversion to two-way circulation.
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Discussion was held regarding leaving Azusa Avenue in its current set up and explore the conversion at
a future time due to concems on the cost associated with the conversion; the study on both Avenues
would be for study purposes only, and it would give the Council the ability to make decisions in the
future without having to go through the EIR again. Council agreed to include the study of converting
both Avenues in the EIR.
Presentation on Parkine Ratios:
RRM Design Group Representatives stated that additional parking studies were conducted, and in order
to maximize the value of parking, and avoid excess or shortage of parking, they proposed 1 parking
space for Residential and Multi Dwelling Units, 1.5 for Retail Units, and 2 for Office Units; they
explained the need for the ability to manage the parking to meet the demands; their study consisted of
looking at other Cities in the San Gabriel Valley with the same concepts, in order to make comparable
samples.
Discussion was held lregarding the required minimum parking ratios vs what is currently allowed; the
proposed ratios would not affect the City's existing strategies, such as shared parking; the Parking
Management Plan will further discuss the current strategies and will provide additional examples to
continue with further implementations and use of parking, so that supply and demand of parking can be
managed and tailored to the City's needs; the potential development of underground parking on Block
36, as utilities have been installed, additional parking; the suggested ratios were consistent with the
current code; it was suggested to re-evaluate the Parking Management Plan every 3-5 years in order to
meet the demands, as they tend to change; strategies could be set up, such as, having secluded parking
for residents and limited parking in certain areas; Council agreed to include in the EIR study, 1 space for
Single Family, 1 spade for Multi Family and 1.5 spaces for unites with 2 or more bedrooms.
Economic and Community Development Christiansen stated that the next step will be to work on
drafting the Specific'; Plan, and continue with the study of the EIR; he projected that these will be
presented to the Planning Commission by July 2015 and to the City Council by September 2015.
Moved by Councilmember Gonzales, seconded by Mayor Pro -tem Alvarez, and *carried to adjourn the
meeting.
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 7:48 P.M.
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NEXT RESOLUTION N0.2015 -C18.
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*Indicates Councilmember Macias was absent.
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04/13/2015 PAGE TWO
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Azusa Ave. &
San Gabriel
Ave. Convert to
Two-way
Circulation
Parking Ratios
Adjourn