HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-17-77-Adjourned Regular Meeting55631
MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 77. 1977
The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at
5:00 p.m.. January 17. 1977. in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall.
Mayor Hazel N. Scotto presiding.
PRESENT: Council Members:
William L. Greene
Richard M. Jennings, Mayor Pro Tem
Kenneth J. Miller
Hazel N. Scotto, Mayor
ABSENT: Theodore H. Jackman (arrived at 5:05 p.m.)
ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager
Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development
William L. Goggin, City Planner
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer
Mayor Scotto announced the purpose of the meeting is to study the Comprehensive
Zoning Ordinance, the section regarding signs.
Mayor Scotto asked for and received verbal consent from the City Council to
consider a Resolution on Tract No. 32849.
RESOLUTION NO. 3370
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
APPROVING THE FINAL SUBDIVISION MAP OF TRACT NO. 32849
APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SUBDIVIDERS AND
ACCEPTANCE OF A LETTER OF CREDIT IN LIEU OF SURETY
BONDS (CALADRE AVENUE)
The Resolution was read by title only. It was moved by Councilman Jennings,
seconded by Councilman Greene, and so ordered to waive further reading.
A discussion was held regarding the $1.543.53 oark fee.
It was moved by Councilman Jennings, seconded by Councilman Miller, and passed
by unanimous vote to adoot Resolution No. 3370 and anorove the park fee as
recommended in Mr. Soindel's memorandum of January 10, 1977.
Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance
Councilman Jennings said he is ready to vote on the sign section of the
ordinance except for one small change on Page V following Page 268, regarding
amortization of signs. He would like to remove paragraph 2 on Page V (replacement
value of signs) and completely remove Schedule 3: billboards are to be included in
Schedule 2.
Discussion followed. The requested change would give all billboards six
years amortization. All billboards are over $6,000.
It was moved by Councilman Jennings to adopt, with changes, Section 9146.02
through 9146.
Discussion was held regarding sending recommendations back to the Planning
Commission.
Councilman Greene said he is not ready to vote on the question.
Councilman Jackman indicated he would like more time.
Mayor Scotto set the next study session for 5:00 p.m., January 31, 1977.
The study continued beginning with Page 268B. Mr. Goggin referred to the
sign list oreoared for the Council by the Chamber of Commerce, who has some
objections. The Chamber favors a large sign and wants a clarification of what
constitutes a shopping center. Mr. Goggin said newer shooning centers have very
un-to-date small signs.
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Discussion centered on marquees. Page 268. Mr. Goggin reviewed marquee
sign limitations.
The study continued on Page 268a. Councilman Jennings raised a question
concerning cumulative action signs wherein lights are used for displaying
temperature and hours of day as compared to scintillating signs.
Speaking to the Chamber of Commerce's 0000sition to maintenance of signs
and questions regarding additional personnel, Mr. Goggin said the City should
have the right to force establishments to upgrade defective signs. Also, he
stated, a restriction in the ordinance will enable the City to do something about
sign colors.
Councilman Jennings questioned signs painted or hanging in windows.
Mr. Goggin continued with Page 268d,and commenting on the question raised by
the Chamber regarding minor deviations (minor alignments), he said somebody has
to supervise moving of signs; that after a permit is issued, it is reviewed by
the 'Planning Division for checking out sign location.
Discussion followed regarding facade signs. Mr. Goggin said he would come
back with specific percentage recommendations for sign areas in answer to the
Chamber's questions.
Mr. Goggin explained Section 22 as defining sign standards according to
zones. Also included in section are non -permit signs such as "for rent" signs.
Real estate "for sale" signs do not require permits. "For rent" signs permanently
displayed on apartment buildings are not allowed within the sign ordinance.
Discussion ensued regarding enforcement of the sign ordinance. Apartment
building name signs are considered as being permit signs. Outdoor advertising
signs are limited to M-1 and M-2 zones.
Mr. Goggin said he would compile some alternatives on outdoor signs for
Council consideration.
Councilman Jennings referred to Page V (as in Volvo) to discuss removal of
Schedule 3.
Discussion was held regarding continued use of billboard signs. Billboard
signs would have same treatment as any other signs in the City. Six year
amortization on signs was discussed in an effort to determine the length of time
a billboard sign should remain in service after adoption of the ordinance.
Councilman Miller favors Schedule 2 which should be changed to read "Signs
and Billboards".
Councilman Jennings questioned the size of real estate signs.
Councilman Miller indicated he feels a real estate "for sale" sign should not
be removed immediately upon entering into escrow because of pending contingencies.
He suggested a minimum of 30 days.
Discussion followed regarding size of "for sale" sign that is affixed to
real estate sign.
Mr. Lee Bucholz, Committee for Government Affairs, Downey Board of Realtors,
spoke regarding escrow proceedings in relation to removal of real estate signs.
He said the Board of Realtors recommends the sign removal should be at the time
of recording the transaction, and the realtor whose sign is posted should have
responsibility for removing the sign within three days following the recording
date of sale. Mr. Bucholz explained why realtor signs emphasize name of realtor
and telephone number as the principal attraction rather than the words "for sale",
and realtors rely on advertising their name and telephone number as the contact
for prospects.
Councilman Miller said he favors the 30 days from entering into escrow as
being ample time for leaving signs on display.
Mr.. Goggin said on January 30th he will bring back proposals containing the
"30 day" clause for timing the removal of real estate signs. He favors Larger
lettering for the "for sate" nortion of real estate signs. A two-year abatement
period will be suggested. Information will. be forthcoming to the Council on
January 31st for discussion at a meeting on February 7th.
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It was moved by Councilman Greene and seconded by Councilman Miller to start
the next study session meeting at 5:30 p.m, and eat at 5:00 p.m. Mayor Scotto
so ordered that the February 7, 1977 meeting will start at 5:30 p.m.
The Council then discussed changing the amateur radio study session to 5:30
p.m. The Council proposed to meet also on January 31st to discuss Child Care
Center and Amateur Radio sections.
Discussion resumed on signs, Page 253, line 5. A question was raised
regarding requirement for posting of cash bond for displaying political signs.
Councilman Miller suggested requiring a cash bond if a candidate intends to
post political signs. If signs are posted by "unbonded" candidates, the signs
would be removed by the City.
Councilman Jackman questioned this procedure due to the 30-day notice
requirement by the City.
Mr. Thompson questioned such procedure and suggested checking with the City
Attorney. During discussion, he also reminded the Council that the State Elections
Code cannot be preempted.
Councilman Miller inquired as to the quantity of political signs allowable
on a parcel of property.
Councilman Jackman said he believes the limit is one sign per candidate,
reference Page 252, line 19.
Mr. Coggin will return to the January 31st meeting with data on child care
centers and amateur radio antennas. On February 7th the Council will discuss all
other points regarding signs.
Another remaining issue is garage sales, R-1 zone, Page 49, line 18. Proposed
as one garage sale per calendar year, not to exceed two consecutive weekends. Mer-
chandise to consist of resident's personal goods. Space to be limited to square
footage of driveway ol.us square footage of garage. or 400 square feet of front yard
if no garage or driveway exists.
Discussion followed regarding an emergency ordinance to control garage sales.
However, this would involve separate action by the Planning Commission and would
require a hearing.
Mayor Scotto commented on a letter of February, 1976, from Mr. Jack Robinson
asking the Council to move ahead on the garage sale issue.
Discussion was held regarding "Open House" real estate directional signs on
public right-of-way and on private property. This is not a oart of the Comore-
hensive Zoning Ordinance.
Mayor Scotto asked for comments on levying a $5.00 fee to defray costs for
policing of permit enforcement situation. A question exists on whether or not a
garage sale permit requirement could be enforced.
Councilman Jackman advocated a no -fee permit for garage sale.
Mr. Coggin will bring back a report on the no -fee permit procedure February
8th, as well as data on the emergency ordinance.
Councilman Jennings said there are only two pages for Property Development
Standards.
It was moved by Councilman Jackman, seconded by Councilman Greene, and passed
by the following vote to adjourn the meeting.
AYES: 4 Council Members- Greene, Miller, Jackman, Scotto
NOES: 1 Council Members: Jennings
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 o.m.
Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer
Hazel . Scotto. Mayor
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