Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - July 10, 1978 - RA+,>CIVIC AUDITORIUM A7#A, CALIFORNIA MONDAY, J 10, 1978 c The City Council/Redevelopment Agency met in point public session at the above time and place Chairman Solem called the meeting to order and led in the salute to the flag Invocation was given by Rev Richard Addison of the First Baptist Church of Azusa There were two roll calls taken The first roll call was for the Redevelopment Agency, present were Directors Decker, Fry, Moses, Solem Absent Director Cruz 730 pm Call to Order Invocation Roll Calls A similar roll call as Council was taken with the same members in attendance as indicated above Chairman Solem declared that the point public hearing of the Council/Redevelopment Agency, to consider the proposed redevelopment plan for the Azusa Central Business District Redevelopment Project was now open He further stated notice of this hearing had been published and mailed as required by law Executive Director Dangleis addmased the Council/Agency and identified staff participants who would be providing information and answering questions at this hearing He presented Mr Murray Kane Attorney, Special Legal Counsel, Mr Al Robertson, Redevelopment Specialist, and himself, as Executive Director of the Agency Mr Kane and Mr Robertson both represent the law firm of Jacobs, Kane, Balmer et al Acting Secretary Bath administered oath for purpose of giving testimony to agency participants Executive Director Dangleis provided information on the the following 1) reasons for selection of the project area 2) description of conditions in the project area 3) method of financing the project 4) plan and method of relocation of site residents 5) neighborhood impact report 6) analysis of the preliminary plan 7) report and recommendation of the Planning Commission 8) final Environmental Impact Report 9) report of the County Fiscal Officer 10) analysis of report of the County Fiscal Officer and summary of consulta- tion with taxing agencies 11) report of the Fiscal Review Committee 12) agency response to draft EIR report 13) report and recommendation of the Project Area Committee 14) proposed response to the report of the Fiscal Review Committee Chairman Solem called for rema*,s by Counsel Kane who deliberated generally what sort of redevelopment project is proposed for the City of Azusa He advised that it is not an Urban Renewal Program, such as has been seen in other areas There is a guide line for further steps to redevelop the city's residential and commercial areas Joint Public Hearing of Counc/CRA re Azusa Central Business Dist CRA Following Counsel Kane's presentation, Chairman Solem advised the audience, at large, forms have been provided for members of the audience to fill out and submit if they wish to provide input to the Agency/Council He further provided ground rules for presentation of these forms and requested Acting Secretary Bath to swear in all members of the audience who wished to speak during the hearing • CIVIC AUDITORIUM AZUff CALIFORNIA MONDAY, JIf 10, 1978 Following a short period during which audience members filled out applicable forms, Counsel Kane gave further information for providing input by members of the audience Acting Secretary Bath read the question and comment forms of those who are opposed to the project and do not wish to speak All of the below represented the First Baptist Church on the corner of 4th Street and Azusa Avenue, which is in the project area In summary they felt the church was not detrimental to the community and should not, therefor, be included, or considered as blighted property Mrs Glenn Murray Mrs Grace F Johnson Florence Munson Thomas G Munson Thomas B Weckerly Doris Wilkins Kenneth Lampson Genevieve Manchester All of the below expressed concern over the city's right to condemn property and the effect on property owners Mrs Chenoweth asked if a petition could be started to put the plan on the ballot for the general election in November Sanmukh P Bhakta Susan Femino Joseph P Alva Stella Faught Isabella ZS Bassham Paul A Marquez Juanita G Marquez Carmen Chenoweth The following members of the audience addressed the Council/ Agency Fred W Wellman Richard C Johnson Emilio Reyes Rev R C Addison henry Tolle All expressed concern over city's ability to acquire private property, with the exception of Mr Reyes who owns residential property within the area, all speakers were specifically concerned with the status of the First Baptist Church property and the effect on it, by any action, of the City Counsel Kane spoke answering the concerns of those who voiced objections, stressing the agency will pay full market value as established by an independent appraiser for any property acquired by the City He further stated that mere inclusion of the property within the project area does not mean that property would be acquired by the City Property would be considered on an individual case basis, which in this instance, would protect the First Baptist Church Chairman Solem answering one of the speakers, stated that redevelopment of this area was intended only to improve it and not to cause hardship on those who have property adequately maintained The following speakers, generally, have not formed an opinion re the project Peggy Patten Tony Suraci Rev John Neciuck Gloria Cuellar Lawrence Munson Fernando A Rubio Ella Strohmeier Harold P Monroe Richard Camarena Carmen Chenoweth In summary their remarks were to the effect that they were very much concerned over the city's right to condemn and the use of that power indiscriminately Page 2 CIJVIC AUDITORIUM AZ*, CALIFORNIA MONDAY, J$Y 10, 1978 There were also requests for information on the time factor in this redevelopment Counsel Kane advised there would be two or so years limitation, after adoption of the project A concern was expressed re settlement of displaced residents and businesses Concern was also expressed re the size of the redevelopment area It was felt by some that the area was too large, and assurance should be given , in writing, that the First Baptist Church will not be affected There was also a feeling expressed that this matter should have been brought to a vote of the affected property owners within the area In response to Chairman Solem's request Acting Secretary Bath read remarks of persons favoring the project, but not wishing to speak, as follows Tom Oki George Shinmoto Fred T Kolosick They all felt that this is a badly needed project in order to renovate the area, and that Council/Agency is properly moving ahead in taking the initiative The following spoke in favor of the project Charles Lewis William Purdy Louis Zimmerli Anthony Ortuno All speakers expressed their interest in this project and felt it was badly needed Mr Purdy stated that this redevelopment project was endorsed by the Azusa Board of Education Mr C Lewis stated that the Azusa Chamber of Commerce also endorsed this redevelopment project Mr Fred Kolosick, while he had previously indicated that he did not wish to speak, addressed the Council/Agency asking what the relationship of this project is to IRS in respect to sale or trade of property He also expressed concern over adjustment of property taxes in light of Proposition 13 Counsel Kane advised him that sales would be done on an indivi- dual case basis, and any sale of property would be done on a current market value, established by an independent appraiser Property values would be current property values The following, while they had not formed an opinion, and do not wish to speak requested their comments be entered into the official record Beatrice Locke George Munoz Lorraine Stevens Erma Brown Elizabeth Hahn Generally the remarks were dealing with the matter of the First Baptist Church, and its status withinthe area Requests for information dealing with procedures to be followed by the City relative to property withinthe area The following individuals wished to speak even though they had not formed an opinion Austin J Abdelnour James Aszman Al Reinhardt All were concerned with- the following 1) limitation of eminent domain powers of the City 2) what would be the treatment of displaced commercial operators 3) why not include low cost business property with low cost housing propety 4) the need for greater publicity and direct com- Page 3 CIVIC AUDITORIUM 0SA, CALIFORNIA MONDAY,4rY 10, 1978 munication with commercial tenents 5) lack of time elements to be utilized in this project In general a feeling that the fears of both residential and commercial owners should be allayed through the use of exten- sive communication to -all within the area Counsel Kane dealt with all questions relating the fact that all problems could be handled on an individual case basis The redevelopment project was nct a monolithic entity to be forced upon the people within the City, but in fact a guide line for action that would be as minimally displacing and problem creating as possible Moved by Director Decker, seconded by Director Fry and unanimous- ly carried to close the hearing Page 4 Chairman Solem stated that he felt that action in the matter should be taken by a full Council/Agency and should be postponed until Director Cruz is in attendance Director Fry stated that as a result of what he had heard at this hearing, he felt that time should be provided in order to further consider the matter and all the implications it may create Director Moses had no comments to make other than he felt the First Baptist Church property should be released from require- ments of the redevelopment area Chairman Solem recognized Anthony Ortuno, who expressed great concern over the fact that nothing may be done within the project area which greatly needs renovation� Moved by Director Decker, seconded by Director Moses and unanimously carried to postpone the matter to the meeting of August 21, 1978 Moved by Director Decker, seconded by Director Moses and Adjourn unanimously carried to adjourn Time of Adjournment 10 10 p m -ellvd Acting S&cretary Next Resolution #12