HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-07-17-72-Adjourned Meeting-Planned Unit Development Hearing4
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED MEETING
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT HEARING
JULY 17, 1972
The City Council of the City of Downey held an Adjourned Meeting at 7:00 p.m.,
July 17, 1972, in the Council Chambers of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Thomas H.
Morton presiding.
PRESENT: Councilmen: Jennings, Morton, Temple
ABSENT: Councilmen: DiLoreto (arrived at 7:05 p.m.), Winton
ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager
Ervin Spindel, Director of Public Works
William A. Goggin, Director of Planning
William Fritsche, Assistant Director of Building d. Safety
Francis Carter, Assistant Director of Planning
William Daugherty, Principle Planner
William Healy, Associate Planner
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk
Judy McDonnell, Executive Secretary
The Invocation was led by City Manager Charles Thompson, followed by the Flag
Salute led by City Clerk Robert Shand.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton explained the purpose of the Adjourned Meeting is to discuss,
review, and consider an Ordinance concerning Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.). He
said in absence of the Mayor he, as the Vice Mayor, will chair the meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton declared that this is the time and place for the public hearing
on Planned Unit Development. He stated, however, that one of the newspapers published
the time as 7:30 p.m._, and if anyone arrives at 7:30 p.m. or later, he will be given an
opportunity to present his views regarding Planned Unit Development (P.U.D.).
Councilman DiLoreto arrived at the meeting at 7:05 p.m.
MayorPro'Tem Motton.ingiired if the City Clerk had the Affidavit of Publication, to which
the City Clerk responded in the affirmative.
The City Manager and Planning Director explained the proposed P.U.D. Ordinance.
Planning Director Goggin used colored maps for explaining the proposed P.U.D. indicating
required open space and recreation area.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton requested that a special layout map of the P.U.D. be placed on
a table available for the audience to view.
Planning Director Goggin explained the P.U.D. layout map; setback modifications were
pointed out; curbside and regular sidewalks were reviewed.
Councilman Jennings questioned storage parking facilities. Planning Director Goggin
explained storage parking shall be provided for recreational vehicles based on one such
space for each six dwelling units, and this is exclusive of curbside parking.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton commented the City Council has been studying the P.U.D. for
quite some time, and field trips have been made by various Councilmen. He said
Councilman Jennings has served as a committee of one to make reviews and recommendations,
and Councilman Jennings will be asked to present his recommendations later during the
hearing.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton declared a recess at 7:24 p.m. so as to allow for any other
people to arrive by 7:30 p.m. to participate in the hearing. The meeting resumed at
7:30 p.m. with Councilmen Jennings, DiLoreto; Temple, Morton present; Councilman Winton
absent.
For the purpose of any late arrivals, Mayor Pro Tem Morton explained the proposed
P.U.D. Ordinance has not been introduced. He inquired if there was anyone present who
wished to speak in favor of P.U.D.
Mr. Leslie Olsen, 10022 Tristan Drive, representing Building Contractors, said he
favors P.U.D. because an adopted plan will be available for developers to use as a guide,
Council Minutes 7/17/72 -1-
and such an ordinance would also serve as a means of controlling development in the
community,
Mayor Pro Tem Morton asked Mr, 0lsen to define a reference made to high rent areas.
Mr. Olsen explained that compared to the West Los Angeles area a $200 monthly rental is
considered low, and a developer must consider this fact. Responding to a question by
Mayor Pro Tem Morton, Mr, Olsen stated costs mount up from preparation of grading, land-
scaping and developing of plans,
Mr. Lawrence Held, 14241 Imperial Highway, La Mirada, said he does not feel the City
has kept up with the pace of planned unit development. He stated he is president of LSH
Marketing Services and he represents D & H Construction and Mr, D'Alessandro. Mr. Held
continued to discuss P.U.D. projects in the surrounding areas.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton asked if the P.U.D. projects Mr. Held was quoting figures on
extended into residential areas or into agricultural areas, Mr. Held answered the
developments were in metropolitan areas; the surrounding zones R-1.
Councilman DiLoreto said he visited the Stonewood Townhouse Development, He inquired
as to the density of the development, Mr. Held responded he does not feel the Stonewood
Townhouse is suitable for Downey based upon his evaluations.
Mr, Ralph Martin, 230 E. 17th Street, Costa Mesa, said he is a partner in planning
at Walter Richardson Associates in Costa Mesa and was requested to be present by Mr.
D'Alessandro. Mr. Martin's comments were limited to clarification of planned unit
development ordinances and he proceeded to review the proposed Ordinance page by page.
Mr, Guy Brown, 11702 Corrigan Avenue, Downey, superintendent for R.P.M. Construction.
He discussed conditions contained in the proposed P.U.D. Ordinance and asked questions
regarding various points in the Ordinance,
Mr. A. A. D'Alessandro, 11607 Paramount Boulevard, Downey, commented on Senate Bill
23 and its relationship to zoning regulations. He cited that single housing dwellings
are becoming a luxury, and he predicted by 1976 60% to 70% of housing will be in
condominiums because of the high cost of building. Mr. D'Alessandro pointed to the
---Downey Realty Listing sheet as of May 28, 1972, wherein 41% of available housing is in
the $4G,000 and over bracket; the remaining 59% of housing is in the lower cost bracket.,
He proceeded with a review of the proposed P.U.D. Ordinance and suggested various
changes, including setback distances and parking space provisions, Lot building area.
coverage percentage was criticized. Alley widths were also discussed. Mr, D'Alessandro
pointed to a drawing and referred to questionable access to ten homes that would not
sell because of complicated approaches from the street,
Mayor Pro Tem Morton declared a recess at 8:55 p.m. The meeting resumed at 9:05 p.m,
with Councilmen Jennings, DiLoreto, Temple, Morton present; Councilman Winton absent.
Mr. Ernest Kelso, 7140 Nada Street, Downey, said the Planning Commission and Staff
have prepared a good, comprehensive Ordinance covering P.U.D., with the exception of two
points: (1) The Ordinance would allow multiple family dwelling units to be built in R-1
zones; (2) The Ordinance would allow an increase in density per P.U.D. of up to 25%
over a conventional structure in a given zone. He suggested that point (1) should be
defined as in D.M.C. Section 9114, and point (2) should be in accordance with California
State Code restricting density to 15% maximum over immediate surrounding areas.
Mr. Edgar Pennington, 7102 Cole Street,
Downey residents from all over the City. He
zone areas for any purpose other than single
Downey, presented a petition signed by 375
said the petition opposes variations in R-1
family dwellings,
Mr. Don McBride, 7114 Cole Street, Downey, said he represents Homeowners' Group for
Environment, and he requested modification of the P.U.D. Ordinance on Page 8, line 30,
changing 25% to 15%, which is the maximum residential density.
Mayor Pro Ten Morton inquired if there was anyone else present who wished to speak in favor,
and there was no response. He inquired if there was anyone present who wished to speak
in opposition, and there was no response.
Mr. A. A. D'Alessandro presented a petition to the City Council favoring approval of
the proposed P.U.D. Ordinance,
Mayor Pro Tem Morton inquired if there was anyone present who wished to make addi-
tional comments on the matter,
Council Minutes 7/17/72 -2-
Mr. Ralph Martin commented on the P.U.D. drawing necessary to achieve enactment of
the ordinance. He said the street layout design is now too limited on the P.U.D.
drawing and restricts access to parking spaces provided for dwelling occupants.
Mr.. Ernest Kelso questioned the petition presented by Mr. D'Alessandro, and Mayor
Pro Tem Morton read the text of the petition submitted.
Mr. Leslie Olsen commented that the P.U.D. plan will provide recreation areas that
are otherwise not available in normal residential areas.
Councilman Jennings stated he would like to make some recommendations and suggest
certain changes. He recommended the following changes:
Page. 1., Item E (Open Space.) - Items F, G and H should be sub -headings. (F should be
sub -paragraph 1,.G sub -paragraph 2,, and H sub -paragraph 3,,) Remove from Item E,
driveways, parking areas, or other similar improvements
Page 4, Lines 27 and 28: Remove driveways and similar improvements.
Page 5, Line 1: Remove entire first line. Line 8: Leave at 1200 square feet.
Line 24: Change 400 to 350 square feet for patio. Line 28: Last word and all of
lines 29 and 30 should be removed.
Page 7, Line 19: Five feet should be changed to 2� feet. Line 25: Five, feet
should be changed to 22 feet.
Page 8: After Line 20, add a third modification.
Page 9: Add a fourth modification between lines 19 and 20, Line 24: Add fifth
modification regarding curbside sidewalks. Replace Lines 25 and 26 with sixth modi-
cation. Line 27: 22' alleys.. Line 28: Change 28" to 261. Line 32: Change to 301.
Discussion was held regarding setting the alley widths at 28'
Page 11, Line 4: Remove the words "plans and". Line 5: Remove "basic site" and
substitute "general site". Line 15: After the word "guidelines" add, "and also
anticipated conditions". Line 20: Remove word "plans," to read "preliminary plans
and sketches".
Defining the term "preliminary review" as stated in the proposed Ordinance, Mayor
Pro Tem Morton explained a preliminary review includes sketches and free -hand plot plans
and nothing more.
Councilman Jennings submitted two other concepts: One, to eliminate P.U.D. com-
pletely from R-1 in Downey and only use it in R-2 or higher density zones; and the
other, to require that any P.U.D. be constructed as a walled city, with only its own
ingress and egress, and no ingress or egress to adjoining R-1 property.
Council discussion followed regarding the density percentage of a P.U.D.
Planning Director Goggin explained the studies made by the Planning Commission on
density for the P.U.D.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton asked Councilman Jennings for an opinion and recommendation
on a Design and Review Board for the P.U.D. Councilman Jennings replied that he is in
favor of a Design and Review Board but has not yet made a study of this program in its
entirety.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton declared a recess at 10:23 p.m. The meeting resumed at
10:28 p.m. with Councilmen Jennings, DiLoreto, Temple, Morton present; Councilman Winton
absent.
Mayor Pro Tem Morton inquired if there was anyone present who wished to make addi-
tional comments regarding the proposed P.U.D. Ordinance.
Mr. A. A. D'Alessandro commented on the walled -city concept, and he suggested that
a wall be approved aesthetically. He said the P.U.D. Ordinance should be adopted, and
asked when the Ordinance could be introduced, Mayor Pro Tem Morton replied that the
Ordinance could be introduced at this meeting or any formal Council Meeting.
Council Minutes 7/17/72 -3-
Mr. Leslie Olsen stated he was concerned about dedicated streets that would dead-end
into (or against) a walled development and how would such a problem be treated for an
existing street. Councilman DiLoreto responded there could be two entrances and a street
loop.
Discussion followed.
Mr. McBride stated the group he represents would accept a walled -in community.
It was moved by Councilman DiLoreto, seconded by Councilman Jennings, and passed by
the following vote to close the hearing on Planned Unit Development.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Jennings, DiLoreto, Temple, Morton
NOES: 0 Councilmen: None
ABSENT: 1 Councilmen: Winton
Councilman DiLoreto stated he would be willing to move toward introduction of the
Ordinance, however, there are certain changes he would request. Referring to Page 9,
line 27, instead of reducing the requirement of alley widths from 28?'to 26, and re-
quired widths between structures from 32' to 301, Councilman DiLoreto requested they not
not be changed. He further requested that the requirement for additional widening of
the alley be eliminated. On line 29 at the end of the period, Councilman DiLoreto
suggested eliminating the rest of the paragraph. On lines 19 and 20, Page 9, Councilman
DiLoreto stated he would request adding as a proposed modification the words "single unit
and two story units".
Discussion ensued.
On Page 9, line 17, after the word "way", Councilman Jennings suggested the rest
of the wording be deleted. Planning Director Goggin submitted a change on line 14 to
read "Building setbacks fronting on public rights of way". Councilman Jennings agreed
with Mr. Goggints suggestion.
The City Council discussed additional data to cover a walled P.U.D. concept. It
was suggested that the Ordinance be re -written and introduced at the next City Council
meeting.
Further discussion.
It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Temple, and passed by the following
vote to take the _Planned Unit Development under submission until the next City Council
meeting.
AYES: 4 Councilmen: Jennings, DiLoreto, Temple, Morton
NOES: 0 Councilmen: None
ABSENT: 1 Councilmen: Winton
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was
adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
ROBERT L. SHAND,- CITY CLERK
Council Minutes 7/17/72 -4-
THOMAS H. MORTON, MAYOR PRO TEM