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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-03-14-77-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL[ OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING MARCH 14, 1977 The City Council of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 5:30 p.m., March 14, 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 Theodore H. Jackman Hazel N. Scotto., Mayor ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ervin Spindel, Director of Community Development William A. Goggin, City Planner Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Scotto announced the purpose of the meeting is for a study session on the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance pertaining to uses permitted in each zone, off-street parking, and any other business to come before the City Council. The City Council began a review of Section 9108, OS - Open Space Zone, beginning on page 41. Mr. Goggin defined Sections 9108.04 and 9108.06 and responded to questions regard- ing defined uses in the OS and sub -zones, green belts, and sideyard setbacks. Councilman Jackman inquired regarding the geologic reference in Section 9108.02. Mr. Goggin replied the geologic referencewasoriginally inserted by VTN and revised by the City. Mr. Spindel advised that at the present time, the City does not have any desig.- nated flood hazard areas. Mr. Goggin commented on the sub -zone requirements which, he said, will give the City the right to determine how property can be developed in the future. Councilman Jennings inquired regarding the hearingsto be conducted to establish the zones in the City after the Zoning Ordinance is adopted. Mr. Goggin replied the hearing can be held by zone, by section, by Council dis- trict, or whichever way the Council determines. Discussion followed regarding the zoning of school property. Mr. Thompson said the property can be rezoned as the surrounding neighborhood changes. Councilman Jennings asked about the difference between a City park site, neighbor- hood park, and public park as listed on page 42, lines 2, 4, and 21. Mr. Goggin said these were the definitions established by the Parks and Recreation Department approximately three or four years ago. Mr. Thompson commented on the theory of designating elementary school playground areas as public parks. Mr. Cole, Downey Chamber of Commerce, brought to the Council's attention private property shown on the list of open space zones, page 42: Driving range; railroad right-of-way; and hospital. Mr. Goggin indicated those properties still have their use regardless of designa- tion. He pointed out there would have to be a zone change before a hospital could sell its property for another use; or, it could be designated under Section 9108.08, uses which may be permitted by conditional use permit. Mr. Goggin stated "excluding office buildings" will be added to line 17, page 44. Mr. Goggin then reviewed Section 9110, R-1 Single Family Residential Zone. Council Minutes 3/14/77, (Adjourned) -1- Councilman Greene complained regarding residents parking vehicles in the back and front yards of their homes. Discussion was held regarding enforcement of the ordinance. Speaking to Section 9110.12, sub -section (2)(a) requiring 50 foot minimum width on lots with minimum area of 5000 and 6000 square feet, Councilman Jennings pointed out there is no mention of cul-de-sacs or subnormal lots. Mr. Goggin said there has been no change in Section 9112, R-2 - Two Family Resi- dential Zone. In Section 9114, R-3 - Medium Density Multiple Family Residential Zone, he noted there are no changes except for including the recommendations of the Apart- ment House Committee, which were accepted by the City Council. Mr. Goggin stated on page 66, under Section 9114.12 (1), "80 cubic feet of area for personal property stor- age cabinets" will be clarified; also, some language on page 67. Under Section 9119, H-M Hospital -Medical Zone, Mr. Cole called for clarification or "orderly and transitional development" referred to in Section 9112.02, as it pertains to the Downey Community Hospital. Mr. Goggin responded that specific property cannot be mentioned in the ordinance. Also, he said, in 1968 an attempt was made to establish a hospital zone between Patton Road and Downey Avenue and from the school property north to the railroad tracks, and it was opposed by the Chamber of Commerce and other organizations. The proposed zone was defeated. Following discussion, the H-M Hospital -Medical Zone was changed to "Medical Arts." Mr. Coggin reviewed Section 9120, C-P - Professional Office Zone, and responded to questions of the City Council. Comments were raised regarding the restaurants and vacant property along Florence Avenue. Members of the Council were opposed to the professional zoning of the property on the southwest corner of Florence and Brookshire. Councilman Jennings noted there are many vacant offices in the City. Councilman Jackman favored including restaurants and florists as a permitted use in the C-P zone in conjunction with a professional building. Mr. Goggin advised that in Section 9122, C-1 - Light Commercial Zone, a lot of uses have been eliminated because many C-1 zones back up to residential property. He proceeded to review Section 9122.04, permitted uses contained in Appendix A of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance draft submitted by the Downey Chamber of Commerce dated November 10, 1976, and explained in detail the permitted uses of the various retail functions. Mr. Thompson said the function of the C-1 retail business is to deal primarily with retail trade of local districts. Mr. Coggin described an actual C-1 zone located at Downey Avenue and Stewart and Gray Road, and used this as a means of illustrating a typical C-1 zone located next to a residential area. The keynote on the C-1 zone business in a small neighborhood is survival on a relatively lower income volume as compared to chain department stores. Discussion followed regarding zoning procedure that would include various retail locations contained in Appendix A of the Chamber of Commerce letter of November 10, 1976. Councilman Jennings commented that Mr. Goggin takes into consideration foot traffic as a criteria in determining whether a business shall qualify for C-1 category. He cited the instance of a detective agency as not being conducive to foot traffic as compared to other smaller businesses in the area. Mayor Scotto agreed. The Council continued discussion of the C-1 zoning with Mr. Goggin and input pro- vided by Mr. William Cole regarding the classification of permitted cases in the C-1 zone. It was moved by Councilman Miller to eliminate Item No. 14 under Section 9122.04, "Dance, drama or music school, studio or academy." The Council concurred. The following items listed on Appendix A of the Chamber of Commerce letter of November 10, 1976, will be included under Section 9122.04 of the proposed ordinance: Antique sale at retail or genuine antiques. Automobile parts, retail sale of new parts. Council Minutes 3/14/77, (Adjourned) -2- Curio Shop. Electrical appliance store. Furniture store selling only new furniture at retail. Furrier's shop, retail. Instrument, professional and scientific, retail sales. Notions or novelty store selling at retail. Paintings, art supplies and instruction. The following items were then deleted from the proposed ordinance under Section 9122.04: (2) Bank and savings and loan institutions. (6) Bootblack stand. (11) Cigar store. (44) Silver products. (49) Variety or 5 and 10 cent stores. "Notions or variety store" was changed to "novelty or variety store." Mr. Coggin then commenced with a review of Section 9122.06, Uses permitted by Conditional Use Permit. He said at the top of page 103, the following should be added: "Automobile service station subject to revisions of Section 9144." "Banks and savings and loan institutions" was also added. A discussion was held regarding Section 9122.10, sub -sections (3) and (5). Mr. Thompson reported on a telephone call from Assemblyman Young's office regard- ing attendance at a dinner to be held on March 19, 1977. Members of the Council stated they had already responded to the invitation. The next study session on the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance was set for 5:30 p.m., May 24, 1977, in the. Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall. Mr. Goggin said the new C-2 zone being established will consist of the current C-3 and C-4 zones in the City except for the downtown area, which will be C-3. Discussion followed. Councilman Jennings suggested a two -member Council committee and appropriate staff study 2pdating the Business License Fee. He indicated he would be willing to serve on the committee withCouncilmanJackman, who is a businessman in the community. Council- man Jennings anticipated three one -hour meetings to accomplish the study. Councilman Greene asked that alternate plans be submitted. Councilman Jackman said he would be willing to serve on the study committee. There being no objections, the committee was authorized and the City Manager was requested to set up the meetings with comparative data. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:47 p.m. Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Hazel, . 'Scotto, Mayor Council Minutes 3/14/77, (Adjourned) -3-