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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - November 30, 1998 - CCCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1998 -6:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Azusa met in Special session at the above date and time in the Civic Auditorium. tayor Madrid called the meeting to order. OLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, BEEBE, MADRID ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT: 8 City Manager Cole, City Attorney Carvalho, Chief of Police Broderick, Community CG Development Director Bruckner, Rosedale Project Manager Brownfield, Utilities Director Hsu, Deputy City Clerk Toscano Moved by Councilmember Stanford, seconded by Councilmember Beebe and unanimously carried that Councilmember Hardison be excused from the meeting of December 7, 1998. PUBLIC HEARING - on General Plan Amendment GPA 96-1, Zone Change Z-96-1, Rosedale Specific Plan, Vesting Tentative Tract Map TTM 52263, Environmental Impact Report, and Development Agreement, for property located at 18331 East Foothill Blvd., City I f Azusa. he Mayor declared the Hearing open. Deputy City Clerk read the affidavit of proof of publication of notice of the Hearing published in the Azusa Herald on November 19, 1998. City Manager Cole addressed the Hearing providing a summary of the meetings, workshops, analysis', negotiations, renegotiations and changes that have taken place since the beginning of the project. He listed the community visions; traditional neighborhoods of single family homes, protection of the Foothills, preservation of some of the distinctive historical features, to buffer the surrounding neighborhoods, to eliminate health risks from soil contamination, to provide a wide range of recreational and community resources, to include school, parks and a neighborhood sense of place, and that the project should pay its own way. He detailed specific changes/additions to the proposed plan that address each one of the visions as well as their positive impacts. He also spoke of negative impacts such as traffic impacts, loss of historic features, number of homes, density in the development. He then thanked the community, AUSD, Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners, applicant, and developer for all the input. Lisa Brownfield, Project Manager issue provided highlights of the project: the project proposes consist of 1,696 housing units, 1,745, if the school is not built, "19 planning areas", 4.6 commercial acres consisting of two sites: Vosburg site and Planning Area 20, approximately 17 acres of parks and trails including two existing trails and two proposed new 11 ails, and a proposed 9 acre school. The loop street, Rosedale Parkway, connected to Citrus venue extension will be a four lane road with bike way and sidewalks, and connected to the Ninth Street extension. Th 9' Street extension will be a two lane road with bikeways and sidewalks; there are secondary streets, A,B,C, & D, each two lane roads, some with bikeways. Sierra Madre Avenue will be four lanes; she located the proposed Sierra Madre Avenue landscape medians on map. She listed pertinent documents that will have to be reviewed. They are: Environmental Impact Report (EIR), health risk assessment review, fiscal impact report and mitigation memoranda, and development agreement. She summarized the health risk assessment, third parry review conducted by Dr. David Shearer, and the fiscal impact report. Call to Order Roll Call Also Present Hardison exc 12/7 mtg. Pub Hrg Rosedale Project Hrg open City Mgr comments Lisa Brownfield Project Manager comments 39-V Ms. Laura Stetson of Cotton/Beland/Associates addressed the Hearing stating that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is an informational document intended to disclose to the public what the effects are associated with the project, both during the short term construction period as well as the longterm operational characteristics. She disclosed the six environmental areas of unavoidable significant impact on the environmental as follows: air quality, traffic impacts, solid waste generation, aesthetic affects, cultural resources, and construction impacts. She detailed the impacts. She advised that State Law requires that City Council make a Statement of Overriding Considerations, which says that the impacts of the project have been weighed against the benefits of the project and the benefits out weigh the significant unavoidable affects. She advised that other impacts may be avoided or mitigated by a mitigation monitoring program. Jo=unity Development Director Bruckner addressed the Hearing presenting the Planning ission's recommendations, and the elements of the project that have to be considered, including several resolutions and ordinances, certification of the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR): as part of the EIR the Council will need to make certain findings, consider the project impacts, mitigation measures, and the mitigation monitoring plan that has been developed to insure that the mitigation measures are complied with. He stated that the proposed General Plan Amendment is from Rural to Specific Plan, the proposed Zone Change's from RA, Rl, and Conservation to Specific Plan, and a Master Vesting Tentative Map accommodates the subdivision of the project area into larger pieces that will later be subdivided into neighborhoods (planning areas). The Specific Plan document contains the plan for land use, circulation systems, infrastructure, parks and recreation system, etc. and will include design guidelines and necessary development standards. There will be a Development Agreement that would lock all the entitlements into place and in exchange for the assurance that the entitlements will remain in place. The City will be seeking a development agreement fee comprised of the traffic mitigation fee and a 1.5 million development agreement fee that could be utilized for capital improvements. There are still elements of the development agreement that are not settled yet. The presented documents include the attached conditions of approval, and the EIR's mitigation measures; All the document implementation and the Fiscal Impact Report are contingent upon the City's annexation of the site. r. Art Martinez, Chairman of the Planning Commission, addressed the Hearing presenting ighlights of Planning Commission meetings held, stating that they made some changes as ofows: condition of approval in the area north of Sierra Madre should have consistency; 20 /o should be 10,000 square feet or bigger, with the minimum lot size of 7,500 square feet, with no less than three car garages. In the land use category in certain areas, lot sizes were adjusted to be increased, for cluster and condo homes, they advised no limit on parking spaces, and an increase to 1.0 guest parking spaces per unit. They recommended no short drive -ways so that vehicles can be parked outside the garages, they suggested elimination of D street through to Citrus Avenue, the Vosburg and Fairmont Cemetery were preserved, contamination of soils was addressed, a recommendation that 9`h street be further studied on the impact to parallel streets, and implemented were mitigation measures to protect schools, which include Dalton and Saint Frances of Rome, from dust, noise, etc. Patrick Loy of I Lewis Homes addressed the Hearing, first thanking all who have worked together to come to agreement for the Rosedale project and then introducing his team that will be addressing specific issues. Steve McCormick of RNM Architect Planners, addressed the Hearing presenting slides of other developments that represent the vision that is sought for the Rosedale project. He presented diagrams that he stated represent the community's design framework, open space, street scape, etc. Itr. Randall Lewis, Executive Vice President of Lewis Homes, addressed the Hearing stating that e density is a necessity; Rosedale will be of the highest quality development but has to be economically feasibility. He stated that they are planning a variety of lot sizes to offer to a variety of lifestyles, etc.; prices are in the $175,000 - $250,000 price range with some in the $300,0004400,000 price range. He described the proposed lot sizes, changes in the typical home buyer, that parks, schools, and trails are the main factors when people purchase homes. He advised that the proposed density will keep the price affordable and keep the community special; and Rosedale will make a difference to downtown area as there will be more shoppers. He detailed other benefits of this density. 11/30/98 PAGE TWO 39 L. Stetson Cotton/Beland/ Associates comments on EIR and environmental impacts Com Dev Dir comments A. Martinez Planning Commission Chairman comments P. Loy Lewis Homes comments S. McCormick RNM Architect Planners comments/slides R. Lewis Executive Vice President of Lewis Homes comments Mr Albert Proft, Sr. Vice President of Kaufman and Broad, addressed the Hearing providing S. Proft information about his company, stating that he is looking forward to the start of the Rosedale Kaufman & community, urged approval the project and advised that the Chief Financial Advisor of the Broad company is present to answer any questions. comments Mr. David Linden of Monrovia Nursery Company, addressed the Hearing stating that since the first Council workshop on Rosedale, they have significantly revised and enhanced the plan. They have received input from Council workshops and community meetings, participated in Local Government Commission workshop and worked with the City's design team in the collaborative design review process. The Planning Commission has also made many additional changes before recommending approval, and still there are questions regarding density, lot size, traffic and fiscal fi pact.He then listed the numerous benefits Rosedale offers the City as follows: creates a trnctive asset, offers an opportunity to enhance the City's image and economic base, be the mulus for the revitalization of downtown, provides for expanding Azusa's parks by forty percent (40%), creates the first new school in over thirty years, creates higher residential property values community wide, creates an influx in middle class home buyers that will result in a majority homeownership in the City and stability of the population. He requested consideration of all the benefits of the Rosedale Project. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. Jim Cook, Trustee of Fairmont Cemetery, addressed the Hearing noting the many problems need to be addressed with Fairmont Cemetery. He noted how the developers are helping to work cD out those problems including erosion, providing an architectural fence, and taking care of the alandscaping and access road, perhaps providing parking, and that the developer is paying for Ct everything. He thanked developers and Council. He then answered questions by Councilmember Beebe, stating that the there is no written agreement with the developers that they would do these improvements, but that they did commit to it at a meeting in Glendora. D. Linden Monrovia Nursery Co. comments Pub Part. J. Cook comments Ms. Susan Ganey addressed the Hearing requesting that View Crest remained closed to Rosedale. S. Ganey Mr. Art West addressed the Hearing, asking the questions "Is Rosedale good for the City of A. West a? and Can we afford it? He responded "no". He noticed negative environmental impacts, comments noted in earlier meetings as follows: air quality, traffic, solid waste, aesthetics, cultural sources, and construction impacts. He then commented on early meetings, deficit, covenant of land, and private roads. Mr. Jim Milhalka addressed the Hearing stating that the project will have a significant impact on J. Milhalka not only the residents of Azusa, but of Glendora and Covina as well. He cited the following: comments S 13, Air Quality -proposed park and ride would be located adjacent to the existing park and ride on Grand/Baseline that will increase the traffic impact in that area, this discussion was omitted in the EIR; S14, who will pay for AQMD signal synchronizing; County taxpayers or Lewis Homes. S15 -Traffic Circulation, Azusa and Arrow Highway, impacts to Covina due to the increased traffic/who pays for Police services due to accident investigations, who will offset the additional expenses for City of Covina, S 15 - Air Quality and Traffic, Citrus and Alosta, traffic is high, west bound intersection approach, there will be no street parking, where the kids will park?, right hand tum lane will cause additional traffic into Glendora, 513- Citrus at Baseline, relocate residents at the northwest comer, he said that he visited the resident this afternoon and this was the first that resident heard of it, why weren't they notified?, additional eminent domain cost to Azusa, S 17 - Barranca and Alosta, this will impact intersections in Glendora, increase Police cost and street maintenance due to traffic and who will pay Glendora?, Barranca and Sierra Madre signal will be in place, "eventually", S 19 re -stripe westbound through lanes to a shared; he advised that the intersection is a major traffic problem on week ends and needs to be redone, f Glendora's expense? He advised that the intersection has many accidents like Citrus and aseline and Fourth and Cerritos. Solid waste - he asked where is trash going to go? He stated at the EIR does not specify. S40- he stated that there was a problem with a Lewis Home project in Covina re: runoff, and that the taxpayers had to pay a portion to fix the problem, who will pay? Water supply, increased capacity. 11/30/98 PAGE THREE Mr. Hector Royball addressed the Hearing regarding the possibility of opening of Hill Top to H. Royball Knob Hill from View Crest and expressed his opposition due to traffic impact; he requested that comments the issue be mitigated and stated that he is in favor of the project. City Manager Cole addressed the issue stating that at the August workshop the community City Mgr expressed that they wanted to see more open access between the development and the rest of comments Azusa and greater connection between the surrounding community. Staff explored the potential opening of View Crest; neighborhood participation was not conducted, which was an oversight he apologized for. Survey's were not conducted, meetings were not held until last week. The meeting last week was initiated because of rumors surrounding the issue. At the meeting staff said that all of the affected neighbors would be invited to participate if any consideration of the oss-bility of opening of View Crest. The neighbors said that they did not want View Crest open o vehicles to Rosedale; the result was that there are two additional conditions of approval: 1) that ehicular access not be from View Crest but from Sierra Madre and 2) that any potential opening of View Crest in the future, whether a secondary vehicular access or simply pedestrian and bicycle access, should be the subject of a full open public process with all of the impacted neighbors. Mr. Cliff Hamlow, Vice President for University Services and Chief Financial Officer at Azusa C. Hamlow Pacific University, addressed the Hearing detailing his history with the City as well as his view APU in favor of the Rosedale Project. He stated that Azusa Pacific University has provided a strong academic program as partners with the City and AUSD, further stating that Rosedale will bring a new sense of community life to the City, will bring additional revenue to the community, and r that employees of Azusa Pacific University can live there. Ms. Joyce Moline addressed the Hearing expressing her appreciation that View Crest will not be J. Moline going through. comments Ms. Merrie Noel Denton addressed the Hearing expressing concerns regarding the nursery's contamination to earth, as she and neighbors have had dogs die of cancer. She questioned how deep were the soils tests, number of homes per acre, no back yards, and asked the Council to consider consequences of the project years from now. She responded to Councilmember Beebe's question stating that she would like to see the testing done deeper in the soil. City Manager ad ised that the depth dug was as deep as 57 feet in some areas. Bill Rodriguez, Planner with the City of Glendora, addressed the Hearing requesting additional studies due to health and safety issues and to the amount of traffic on proposed grade crossing on Citrus and the MTA right of way. He requested densities and development standards that are comparable to those found in the city south and north of Sierra Madre Avenue and in the vicinity of Leadora and Baldy Vista as well. He requested the Council consider eliminating the amount of grading taking place in the area of between Sierra Madre and approximately Leadora and/or placing restrictions on the heights of homes, as the property owners would lose their view. Lastly, pocket parks be increased in size. He then answered questions posed by Councilmembers Beebe and Stanford regarding cost for studies and issuance of permits by Glendora and questions regarding impacts of the area. Mr. Ron Legault addressed the Hearing expressing concerns regarding possible Native American Indian burial grounds at or around Fairmont Cemetery; alleged barrels of chemicals laying on the hillside north of Sierra Madre; rusted rotting pipes, steel, abandon trucks, trailers, machinery, and excavation of the hillside; south of Sierra Madre are underground fuel and diesel tanks, trash; and acquisition of water rights. He stated that Council should not rush into the project until certain questions have been answered or wait for a new Council. Ms. Jackie Pailthoy addressed the Hearing expressing concerns regarding soil contamination at he nursery and she explained how to cut the soil. s. Barbara Mee addressed the Hearing questioning why the street (B street) at the right of the map does not go all the way down following the boundary line at Citrus, it only goes half way. She stated that the Environmental Impact Report does not address traffic at Sierra Madre at Barranca and Foothill at Barranca, and that data used on traffic is old and inadequate. She expressed concerns regarding the Railroad crossing, an at grade crossing for 7,000 people, which she expressed as negligence; and asked if there would be a home buyers club. She stated that she has a problem with hours of construction and wants Council to consider construction on 5 days a week only; and noted vesting map obligations. 11/30/98 PAGE FOUR M. Denton comments B. Rodriguez comments R. Legault comments J. Pailthoy comments B. Mee comments Mr. Ed Hlava, resident and president of the Cultural and Historical Landmark Commission, spoke as a Commissioner, he addressed concerns with wording changed regarding canal to its exclusion from documentation measure; he requested that wording be reversed to the way it was, where the canal would be documented, that the canal be covered, and once it is, does that include the portion at Pioneer Park, he believes Covina Water would require the Pioneer Park's portion to be covered to protect the water purity, this issue has not been addressed. He asks that all the documentation of all pre -1948 structures be done immediately, and he would like all changes made to the Vosburg site be documented. He is grateful that the Nursery will maintain its office, but word change regarding lack of guarantee beyond 15 years, and lack of guarantee that it be maintained beyond its historical standards, endangers the Vosburg residence. He asked Council to make an honest effort to establish a non-profit organization to operate the Vosburg residence as a cultural esource center for the City and that residents of the City get to use it as an art gallery, theater, etc. With regard to Palm Drive, the portion that extends south to Foothill is now included in the roject; they have encouraged that Palm Drive be maintained as a pedestrian and bike path way up to the central park area of the project and it should be maintained from the railroad tracks to Foothill. He read into the record the preferred wording from November 5, 1998 document item 11, page 33 regarding Palm Drive. Mr. Gil Trujillo addressed the Hearing, expressing his concerns regarding the high density and the fiscal impact. He cited an error made in the Fiscal Impact Report and asked if it addresses school district cost and staffing cost. He asked if there is an MOU between AUSD and developers that included staff; further asking what the correct amount is and if there would be a possible tax rate increase to Azusa residents. Mayor Madrid requested that staff provide her with a report on the annual cost for the projected 't landscape and lighting district for the project. Ms. Marianne Maisnik addressed the Hearing stating that the Fiscal Impact Report is not adequate at this time due to reasons she stated at the Planning Commission meeting. She stated that the Vesting Tentative Tract map and zone change is not adequate because it is not consistent with the General Plan and does not specify intended use for the two acres of Palm Drive, condition of approval number 26. She stated that the Specific Plan amendment is not adequate because ,,Chapter 7, which discusses the General Plan consistency, omits the discussion of 1) the historical I cultural resources, 2) the recreational element, and 3) the scenic highway element. She stated at certification of the EIR is not adequate due to traffic, she read a statement from the EIR, and definition used in the EIR, stating that it was incomplete because it would have added two additional intersections, Foothill Boulevard at San Gabriel and Azusa Avenue at eastbound 210 Fwy, and added that the County standards, as a minimum should be adhered to. She stated that other traffic impacts not fully studied included closure of rail crossings, at grade vs grade separations, and questioned the adequacy of the one million dollars for traffic impacts in the development agreement and would like to review the math. She questioned the noise impact paper showing traffic counts, and proposed her version of discrepancies and recommended that traffic impacts be restudied and that Sierra Madre and Todd be added to the study. She suggested that density threshold be set at 6 dwelling units an acre, and the Development Agreement can't be approved until all other conditions are satisfied. Ms. Lupe Smith, President of Classified School Employees Association of AUSD, addressed the Hearing stating that for the past two years the district has met with representatives to plan a K-8 school elementary school and to mitigate enrollment concerns at the High School. She stated that there are approximately 750 classified employees who work for the district and the majority of employees live in the City of Azusa. She stated that the Rosedale development will provide additional housing opportunities for employees and educational opportunities for students; further that the new school has no negative impact on fiscal resources for the District. It was consensus of Councilmembers to adjourn. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:30 P.M. 44, 4 � I - �"_ , 6__Z� DEPUTY CITY CLERK NEXT RESOLUTION NO.98-C195 NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 98-016. 11/30/98 PAGE FIVE 39Q E. Hlava comments G. Trujillo comments Mayor request. M. Maisnik comments L. Smith comments