HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - March 17, 1970 - CC (2)AZUSA AUDITORIUM AZUSA, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY MARCH 171 1970 7:30 p.m.
The City Council of the City of Azusa met in adjourned
regular session, as a joint meeting with the Planning
Commission at the above time and place.
Mayor Jens J. Solem called the meeting to order.
Present at Roll Call: Councilmen: Rubio, Decker
Snyder, Solem
Absent:
' Also Present
Councilman Calvert
Acting City Administrator Sandwick,
Associate Planning Director Fitzsimmons,
Planning Studies Class of Cal Poly,
Members of Planning Commission, Wes
Kloepfer Chairman, Fry, Cruz, Conforti,
Molina, Murray, and Hill.
The Planning Commission opened its meeting.
The purpose of this joint meeting was to receive the
report on the downtown business district study by the
students of Cal Poly.
Associate Planning Director Fitzsimmons made introd-
uctory remarks and presented Professor Richard Jacobs,
instructor of the class. Professor Jacobs made a few
statements with regard to how the study was done and
the format whidh it took.
After the Professor's introductory remarks the students
involved in the project made oral reports, illustrated
by many drawings, charts, and models.
The reports covered physical, social and economic factors
'as they apply to the downtown area. Some of the
observations made were:
1. One fifth of all buildings downtown are deterior-
ated, un-rehabilitable, dilapidated, and unsafe
and should be demolished.
2. Traffic flow is too rapid, and does not provide
ar:. identity for the downtown area.
3. Present pedestrian flow is not considered im-
portant and takes second place to vehicular
flow.
4. Prevailing attitudes among retailers show no
aggressive attitudes toward merchandising.
Most retailers are content to exist.
5. Emotional response of the average consumer to
downtown appearance and surroundings is uncomfort-
able, feeling the ill conditions and deterioration
of the physical surroundings.
Some of the suggestions were:
' 1. Reduction of speed limit to 10 miles per hour.
2. Make Azusa Avenue two way, and channel highway
traffic around the downtown area.
3. Adjust traffic signals to consider pedestrian,
rather than vehicular traffic.
4. Establish more open spaces, parks, wading pools,
fountains etc.
Call to Order
Report of
Downtown Study
t
AZUSA AUDITORIUM AZUSA, CALIFORNIA TUESDAY MARCH 17, 1970
5. Establishment of a Mexican -American Cultural Heritage
Musuem.
6. Develop a definitive identity for downtown area
using signs, logos, uniformity, and similar
architectural styles.
Methods of abatement or re -development were discussed also
with possible means for financing same.
'After the final presentation the audience was given the
opportunity to ask the students questions. The Mayor
expressed his appreciation to Professor Jacobs and the
students for the great amount of work and research which
they had done, and which was reflected in their presentation
and illustrations. He invited the audience to come forward
and view the models and other illustrations. He stated
that the presentation had been recorded on video tape and
would be presented at future meetings of the Downtown Study
Committee.
Moved by Councilman Decker, seconded by Councilman Rubio
and unanimously carried to adjourn.
Time of Adjournment: 9:24 p.m.
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Adjourn