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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01-29-79-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION JANUARY 29, 1979 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., January 29, 1979, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor/Chairman William L. Greene presiding. PRESENT: Council Members/Commissioners: Theodore H. Jackman Kenneth J. Miller Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman Milton R. Mackaig Lyell W. Swearingen William L. Greene Mayor/Chairman Planning Commission: Frank Beckner Chairman Don Trapp A.A. D'Alessandro Len Rullo ABSENT: John K. Morris Vice -Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ronald Leege, Acting Director of Finance William F. Martin, Police Chief Don Davis, Fire Chief William A. Goggin, City Planner Francis E. Carter, Acting City Planner Howard Stup, Building Official William Sumner, Fire Marshal Harald J. Henriksen, City Engineer Charles G. Eccleston, Traffic Engineer James Jarrett, Recreation Superintendent Thomas Tincher, Housing & Redevelopment Coordinator Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Mayor Greene announced the purpose of the meeting is to review the status of the Redevelopment Program. Mr. Thompson presented an overview of the I-105 Freeway corridor using wall charts. The presentation also included the Firestone corridor and downtown improve- ment development. Mr. Bill Cunningham, consultant, commented on the proposed traffic circulation system in Downey for the I-105 Freeway and explained the Freeway concept. Mayor Greene announced the City Council has been invited to a meeting on February 9, 1979, in Lynwood for a task force corridor session on the I-105 Freeway Seven Congressmen have also been invited to the meeting. Mr. Thompson pointed out certain areas in the I-105 Freeway corridor that will require special attention for locating cul--de-sacs and frontage roads. Mr. Dean Brown, consultant, spoke on the downtown development area with emphasis on the consolidation of land parcels, adequate parking and traffic circula- tion. With the use of charts, he pointed out the proposed Third Street extension through the Downey High School property. Mr. Mike Wagner, consultant, presented the initial steps being taken on the Firestone corridor study. He pointed out the proposed commercial and consolidation development at Firestone Boulevard and Patton Road, as well as the development east of Albertson's market and a commercial center at Arnett Street and Old River School Road. Mayor Greene questioned if a bridge is projected at the western end of Stewart and Gray Road to extend across the Los Angeles River. He was told this is a County project. Council/ Comm., Dev./Planning Comm. 1/29/79 (adjourned) -1- Mr. Wagner explained the proj-" - feet and would include three lanes eineeach ddirection th of ewith esynchronized traffic Boulevard would be 12�0 signals. Consideration is being given to utilizing the nearby railroad for a mass transit right-of-way. Mr. Eccleston presented an updated master plan of the City's street, assisted by charts showing proposed traffic signal installations. The master plan study includes provisions for emergency vehicles entering and leaving the main traffic arteries. Consideration is also being given to needed rapid transit (Southern California Rapid Transit District) terminals. Possibilities of one-way traffic will be studied prior to any finalization of the master plan. Councilman Swearingen asked what effect the Third Street extension would have on the Downey High School campus. Mr. Eccleston replied the extension would depend on future action by the School Board regarding possible consolidation of the two high schools onto one campus. Mr. Thompson commented that the corridor study allows for future development including anticipated setback distance along each side of Firestone Boulevard. Councilman Mackaig inquired about a memo written by the Planning Commission to the City Council, dated January 18, 1979, regarding Zone Change Case No. 137, and took exception to the second to last paragraph on Page 2. A discussion was held regarding the history of Zone Change Case No. 137. Councilman Jackman stated concern regarding the memo and indicated he read all of the records concerning the zone change prior to making any decision. He feels the Council makes the ultimate decision in these cases. Chairman Beckner requested a private discussion between the Council and the Commission. Councilman Swearingen objected to the letter being distributed to the public. He did, however, commend the Planning Commission for doing a good job. Commissioner D'Alessandro suggested having a ten minute recess. Chairman Beckner inquired about the starting date for construction of the I-105 Freeway. Mr. S. L. Elicks of Caltrans explained that the starting date will depend on when the court settles the pending housing replenishment program suits. Mr. Thompson said the City has contacted Ms. Gianturco, informing her that Downey has a Closing Agreement and a Performance Agreement with the State, setting forth a time table for property acquisition and Freeway construction in Downey, in- cluding certain design features. Councilman Swearingen thinks staff should check into the feasibility of the City acquiring the 17-acre parcel with building located on the west side of Lakewood Boulevard south of the railroad tracks. He requested a determination of the cost and a report back to the Council. Mayor Greene called for an executive session of the City Council and Planning Commission. In view of the hour, it was decided to wait until the following evening. Mayor Greene then adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., January 30, 1979, in the Green Room of the Downey Theatre. lop Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer William L. Greene, Mayor Council/Comm. Dev./Planning Comm. 1/29/79 (adjourned) -2-