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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - December 1, 1998 - CCCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 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. ,Mayor Madrid called the meeting to order. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, BEEBE, MADRID ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT: City Manager Cole, City Attorney Carvalho, Chief of Police Broderick, Community Development Director Bruckner, Rosedale Project Manager Brownfield, Deputy City Clerk Toscano ct CONTINUED 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 Boulevard, City of Azusa. Mr. Dave Pack addressed the Hearing expressing his opposition to high density of the Rosedale Project. He stated that in September of 1997, he attended a Planning meeting before he purchased his home and was given a map of the General Plan and it explained and indicated that areas 1,2,3,4, & 11, adjacent to Sierra Madre Avenue would have no more than four dwellings units per acre, which would make each lot approximately 11,000 square feet, and they purchased their home. Now, in a Planning Meeting on November 9, 1998, it was announced that the smallest lot below Sierra Madre would be 2,680 square feet, more than four times smaller than what was presented in September of 1997. He stated now it is being said that above Sierra Madre Avenue there will be an average lot size of 7500 square feet, and right across the street it's 2,680 square feet, which he stated, is not consistent with existing community and it is proposed that the lot of area 11 be 10 to 15 feet higher than existing lots on the east side of area 11, which would take away the existing residents view and privacy, and not show good faith on behalf of the City. He expressed concern that the project density will lower the value of his home. He answered questions posed by Councilmember Beebe, stating that the drastic drop in lot size below Sierra Madre Avenue is his main concern as well as the slope grade, 10-15 feet higher than it is now in areas. Mrs. Christine Dennis, Principal of Azusa High School, addressed the Hearing providing background on her and the School District's relationship with the City and City Hall, further stating that she is very proud of the opportunities with the development of the Rosedale Project. She stated that for as long as she could remember there had been discussions regarding the possibility of having a district stadium for football, track and field and other community sports events, with no action due to lack of funding. Currently the district submitted a request for qualification for a high school football stadium project to many firms, and they have set aside $120,000 to begin the project, but the costs will be about 1.6 million. She stated that the Memorandum of Understanding with Monrovia Nursery and Lewis Homes will aid in accomplishment of attaining the stadium, she expressed her view in favor of the project. Call to Order Roll Call Also Present Cont. Pub Hrg Rosedale Project D. Pack comments C. Dennis comments Mr. Ted Garcia addressed the Hearing stating that the development is being too drawn out T. Garcia and is going to take too long to complete the project. He suggested that it should be done comments in about five years because a lot can happen in between and Azusa will be inconvenienced. Ms. Cecilia Bremer addressed Council voicing the following concerns: density (lot size), C. Bremer 'cluster town homes, two bedroom town homes; she preferred three bedrooms, Sierra Madre comments Ave. becoming 4 lanes, the quality of dirt, and asked if it would be covered by EIR, and also, what country the dirt would be coming from, Mello -Roos Bonds and associated fees, City staff members assigned to the project, Central Valley and the employees of Monrovia Nursery Company and Barranca Ave. and Sierra Madre Ave. left hand turn. She then answered questions posed by Councilmember Beebe. Councilmember Beebe stated that no more then 65 of one particular housing type could be built in any particular land use area. Ms. Diana Offen addressed the hearing expressing her opposition to the Rosedale project. D. Offen She stated that after research she found that it won't revitalize downtown, population has comments increased in the last years and businesses still left the City. She referred to a report she submitted to staff and stated that she is not'in favor of two bedroom townhouses or condos, she spoke of Duarte and its attraction of businesses. She spoke of the effect on traffic and air quality and the need to create project as a whole with existing Azusa. She then provided statistics on Rosedale and recommended that they deny the zone change and answered questions posed by Councilmember Beebe. Mr. R.W. Sanders addressed the hearing stating that he wants the project to improve, not R.W. Sanders to stop. He voiced concerns regarding the following: impact from dust, police, fire, waste comments management, schools and other services. He noted the over development of Palmdale and Lancaster, its negative aspects and stated that if you build a quality housing development, they will come and the project must be improved. He then questioned who was behind the project and spoke about the schools in Azusa, especially K-8. He then stated that the density too high and toxicity as they relate to CEQA guidelines. He then answered questions from Councilmember Stanford regarding City Manager Cole and his previous association with the City and Rosedale project. City Manager Cole addressed the issue detailing his affiliation with Local Government City Mgr Commission and the grant that the LGC had to work with five cities paid for So Cal Air Cole Quality Management District. The City of Azusa asked for help with the project and the team that came to help the City were volunteers for project at zero cost to the City. 12/01/98 PAGE TWO Art Morales of Azusa addressed the issue questioning what would happen to the 600 A. Morales workers of the Monrovia Nursery Company, further stating that the traffic studies are comments incomplete, the noise study is contrived and fraudulent, he commented on response to letter regarding the intersections at Alosta Blvd. and Foothill Blvd. and Todd Ave. and Siena Madre Ave., disagreeing with the responses. He cited air quality impacts stating that they will be significant and unavoidable, and stated that although Council is being asked to override them, even with inclusion of the mitigation measures, the project will result in significant unavoidable impacts. He asked that Council think about the people of Azusa before they adopt a statement of overriding mitigation. When asked for a solution to the employees of the nursery he responded that he would like to forget about the proj ect for now asked that Council make sure the project is safe for Azusa. 'and Mr. Keith Hanks addressed Council stating that most of the issues he has identified as K. Hanks concerns have been adequately addressed. They were as follows: potential health risk to comments children from toxic laden dust, method used in the health base clean up level, risk assessment and request to correct errors in the tabulated area, and the mathematical formula that was presented in the report. He stated that project modification includes density buffering, water rights, a complete school, storm water will be removed from the project, and reasonable dust control methods. He stated that ongoing concerns include a railroad crossing of Foothill Blvd. at Krems Property, mitigation measures for Dalton school are adequate and -� should be considered for all schools within or near the project boundaries. The EIR indicates that the two railroad crossings need to be closed and should be considered in the unavoidable Jsignificant impact. Further concerns are density, small two bedroom homes, vesting documents, assessment districts. Ms. Doris McEntire addressed Council stating that she resides at one of the five houses on D. McEntire Sierra Madre Ave., and expressed concerns regarding density, traffic, loss of view, lot sizes comments above Sierra Madre and four lanes on Sierra Madre. She stated she is in favor of project, and has no other alternative for the project and that it should go forward. Ms. Cecilia Bremer addressed Council voicing the following concerns: density (lot size), C. Bremer 'cluster town homes, two bedroom town homes; she preferred three bedrooms, Sierra Madre comments Ave. becoming 4 lanes, the quality of dirt, and asked if it would be covered by EIR, and also, what country the dirt would be coming from, Mello -Roos Bonds and associated fees, City staff members assigned to the project, Central Valley and the employees of Monrovia Nursery Company and Barranca Ave. and Sierra Madre Ave. left hand turn. She then answered questions posed by Councilmember Beebe. Councilmember Beebe stated that no more then 65 of one particular housing type could be built in any particular land use area. Ms. Diana Offen addressed the hearing expressing her opposition to the Rosedale project. D. Offen She stated that after research she found that it won't revitalize downtown, population has comments increased in the last years and businesses still left the City. She referred to a report she submitted to staff and stated that she is not'in favor of two bedroom townhouses or condos, she spoke of Duarte and its attraction of businesses. She spoke of the effect on traffic and air quality and the need to create project as a whole with existing Azusa. She then provided statistics on Rosedale and recommended that they deny the zone change and answered questions posed by Councilmember Beebe. Mr. R.W. Sanders addressed the hearing stating that he wants the project to improve, not R.W. Sanders to stop. He voiced concerns regarding the following: impact from dust, police, fire, waste comments management, schools and other services. He noted the over development of Palmdale and Lancaster, its negative aspects and stated that if you build a quality housing development, they will come and the project must be improved. He then questioned who was behind the project and spoke about the schools in Azusa, especially K-8. He then stated that the density too high and toxicity as they relate to CEQA guidelines. He then answered questions from Councilmember Stanford regarding City Manager Cole and his previous association with the City and Rosedale project. City Manager Cole addressed the issue detailing his affiliation with Local Government City Mgr Commission and the grant that the LGC had to work with five cities paid for So Cal Air Cole Quality Management District. The City of Azusa asked for help with the project and the team that came to help the City were volunteers for project at zero cost to the City. 12/01/98 PAGE TWO 40 Mr. Ralph McDowell addressed Council reading an open letter from Ms. Kathleen Jones R. McDowell Coordinator of Care Ministries in Diamond Bar regarding the closure of the Manresa Retreat. comments It voiced opposition to building homes next to the Dhammakya Meditation Center (Manresa Retreat), stating that there is need for a quiet haven for a retreat. Mr. McDowell then offered comments about the crusade to save Laguna Canyon, which was lost and split. He asked Council to make the right decision. He then answered question posed by Councilmember Beebe, stating that if he was up to him he would leave the land alone. Mr. Tom McEntire addressed Council stating that he supports the Rosedale project. T. McEntire Regarding traffic, that he would like stop signals at four exits on Sierra Madre Ave., and the comments pattern would not change. He stated that if the City does not grow it will become stagnant. Housing prices are normal, Azusa needs stable middle income families to attract large retail businesses. The City Council recessed at 8:13 p.m. and reconvened at 8:21 p.m. Recess City Manager Cole detailed the process of soil contamination testing that was performed on City Mgr Cole the Monrovia Nursery Site. Dr. David Shearer of Aeroenvironment, was hired by the City, re: Soil testing funded by the Water Department, to perform the testing and he raised many concerns, many documents were reviewed by him, which he summarized: for the completeness of the soil sampling effort to determine the extent of soil contamination for nursery activities, the nature and completeness of soil remediation activities, the extent of the asbestos audit performed on buildings in Monrovia Nursery Site, the status of the remediation activities with the underground storage tanks on the site, the status of the clean up effort associated with garage sumps, methodologies used to calculate the health based clean up levels for soil contamination, the rationale for including or excluding soil organic chemicals or metals from the health based clean up, and the rationale for excluding the particulate ingestion and inhalation pathways from the health based clean up level analysis. He advised that Mc Laren and Hart originally performed the testing. He then detailed how the testing was done, where the testing was done, what was found, how it was treated, and how they are dealing with the results, and then advised that a copy of documents he spoke of will be placed in the City Library for public review. Mr. Larry Mahrenholtz addressed Council expressing concerns that there are no grocery stores L. Mahrenholtz in Azusa; he stated that the project on Azusa Avenue is getting better and better, and comments expressed concerns about Rosedale project density and that small lots may become rentals. He stated that the developers would not live in the small houses. 12/01/98 PAGE THREE Mr. Steve Sefton addressed Council stating that the developer's primary goal is profit and that S. Sefton Azusa can profit too. He spoke about the detriment of the density, recommended to keep comments density at 5,000 sq. ft. lots, the way it is now is 30% more dense; he stated K-8 school is a low standard, and AUSD is going to be challenged, he asked why not have a normal elementary, and what would happen to the high school. He recommended that they go back to the table to get abetter project. He stated that if the project does not get finished the taxpayer would have to pay for it. He then answered question posed regarding the K-8 concept, stating that it is outside the normal strategy of what the district is now using. Reverend Rick MacDonald offered comments regarding negative remarks that have been Rev. MacDonald made about the Rosedale project process and Council during this time and stated that these comments comments have not been true and encouraged Council to continue the process. He expressed his concern regarding density and the 1,200 sq. ft. homes being proposed for Rosedale, stating that they may become rentals, which would decrease the value and have a negative effect on the community. He spoke about his tutoring program on 91h street, stating that there is no place for the children in that area to play and suggested that due to the proposed entrance on 9' street, that part of the backfield of Dalton School be made into a park also. He suggested remaining street on 9' street be closed and stated that he supports the project generally. 'that Mr. Greg Ahem addressed Council stating that 7,500 sq. ft. would not be bad, there is a need G. Ahern for bigger lots and home prices to come up. He stated that there is a need for an explanation comments of soil contamination in layman terms and stated that there is a need for big lots for kids to play. He is supportive of initiating a fire sprinkler ordinance for new buildings. The City Council recessed at 8:13 p.m. and reconvened at 8:21 p.m. Recess City Manager Cole detailed the process of soil contamination testing that was performed on City Mgr Cole the Monrovia Nursery Site. Dr. David Shearer of Aeroenvironment, was hired by the City, re: Soil testing funded by the Water Department, to perform the testing and he raised many concerns, many documents were reviewed by him, which he summarized: for the completeness of the soil sampling effort to determine the extent of soil contamination for nursery activities, the nature and completeness of soil remediation activities, the extent of the asbestos audit performed on buildings in Monrovia Nursery Site, the status of the remediation activities with the underground storage tanks on the site, the status of the clean up effort associated with garage sumps, methodologies used to calculate the health based clean up levels for soil contamination, the rationale for including or excluding soil organic chemicals or metals from the health based clean up, and the rationale for excluding the particulate ingestion and inhalation pathways from the health based clean up level analysis. He advised that Mc Laren and Hart originally performed the testing. He then detailed how the testing was done, where the testing was done, what was found, how it was treated, and how they are dealing with the results, and then advised that a copy of documents he spoke of will be placed in the City Library for public review. Mr. Larry Mahrenholtz addressed Council expressing concerns that there are no grocery stores L. Mahrenholtz in Azusa; he stated that the project on Azusa Avenue is getting better and better, and comments expressed concerns about Rosedale project density and that small lots may become rentals. He stated that the developers would not live in the small houses. 12/01/98 PAGE THREE Councilman Rocha expressed concern regarding the negative comments that the Azusa Unified School District has been receiving by some of the speakers and that it doesn't deserve them. Mr. Carl Talbot addressed Council regarding the rail road crossing near the intersection, stating that he is opposed to changing it. He stated that a proposed underpass would affect them by drop in grade, it would cause a need special grading, and lastly, an underpass would increase the speed of traffic in that area. He stated that he preferred that it be left as proposed. Mr. Oscar Zamora addressed Council stating that there is need for change on Azusa Avenue, 'and Sierra Madre Avenue from Azusa Avenue to Barranca Avenue should be tree lined avenue with medians as it is on Sierra Madre Avenue from Azusa to Todd Avenue. Ms. Rosie Herrera addressed the Hearing stating that she and her family have been educated in the Azusa Unified School District and that as a member of the Superintendent's Round Table Parent Group she is expressing her support for the Rosedale Development. She welcomes the housing, K-8 school, job opportunities, development of parks, and support of new stadium that will be used by both high schools. Mr. Ed Hlava addressed the Hearing providing comments regarding Citrus Cove, the project where he resides and that was built by Lewis Homes. He stated that Citrus Cove is marginally habitable, there are nineteen families there with no common area, and no yards, etc. He stated that Rosedale density is too high, traffic generation will not be mitigated, and that Citrus Avenue is under improved for the traffic it bears. He stated that Azusa will be the only community in the foothill area to allow lots smaller than 7,500 sq. ft. in the elevation at which the nursery is located, there is need grade separation at Citrus Avenue, Palm Drive from the tracks to Foothill Blvd. should be maintained as a public park, need decent shopping center at the Krems site for people to shop, and with regard to Palm Drive, it is feasible to put a pedestrian and bike path under the tracks or over them. He then answered questions posed by Councilmembers and City Manager. Rocha comments C. Talbot comments O. Zamora comments R. Herrera comments E. Hlava comments 'Mr. Marcial Jorge addressed the Hearing in favor of the Rosedale project stating that he M. Jorge wishes to move into a house at Rosedale if and when they build the project. He stated the comments many reasons why he wants to live in Azusa, that he is a member of the Superintendent Round Table Parents Group, and expressed his trust in the administrators of the City to make good choices for the future. Mr. Rick Graham, teacher at Azusa High school, and President of the Azusa Educators R. Graham Association, expressed support of the project. He stated that it would provide housing comments opportunities for teachers in the district, that if the any housing become rentals, rent prices will attract beginning teachers, that Azusa High School could handle more students, and that a new school in Azusa is good. Mr. Rod Gaeta, Superintendent of Azusa Unified School District, addressed the Hearing responding to criticism of the District, stating that every year for the last five years a school in AUSD has been selected as Distinguished school, and other accomplishments. He stated that the project was presented to school representatives, parents, etc., and 85% have been in favor of it. He addressed "Blight Flight", part of which is losing young new families to go to other surrounding school districts, stating that the development will help keep families in Azusa. He stated that he hopes that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Developers and AUSD, be considered in the Development Plan and urged Council to approve the project. He responded to questions posed by Council stating that a K-8 was a great opportunity to update a facility in the school and K-8 meets needs of the AUSD, he is very 'supportive of the concept. With regard to insecticides, he stated that more testing will be performed at the site as the project progresses due to State guidelines. Mr. Hank Bode of Azusa Pacific University addressed the Hearing in favor of the Rosedale Project, that it will provide many benefits and advantages, such as improvement of schools, high school facility, quality of life in the city and will bring paying customers. Provide place for workers in the City to live, planners and developers have been sensitive to the City's needs, etc. and urged approval of the project. 12/01/98 PAGE FOUR R. Gaeta Superintendent of AUSD H. Bode APU Mr. Roman Seano addressed the Hearing stating that he has recently visited new homes in R. Seano La Verne and Claremont that were developed by Lewis Homes with lot sizes of minimum comments 3,000 - 4,500 square feet and that the vast majority of the proposed Rosedale project will consist of high density homes. He stated that the land north of Sierra Madre are proposed to contain minimum lot sizes of 7,500 and the homes will be approximately 3,200 square feet, and will have excessive association fees as a method of solving economic impacts with no other alternatives. The fees are expected to be much higher than surrounding areas. He suggested that all homes north of Sierra Madre Avenue be larger than 3,000 square feet, maybe 4,000 square feet, homes just south of Sierra Madre Avenue be larger than 2,500 square feet on lots no smaller than 6,000 square feet, no single family detached homes be on a lot smaller than 5,000 square feet, condos should be kept to 10%, there should be no more than 1,200 residences. He urged all to think about the project, not settle for what is proposed, urged to reject it as it stands. It was consensus of Councilmembers to adjourn. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:30 P.M. tD DEPUTY CITY CLERK L.� a r_ NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 98-C195 'NEXT ORDINANCE NO.98-016. 12/01/98 PAGE FIVE Adjourn 4091