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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-09-16-80-Adjourned Regular Meetingc�-,y�_- MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JOINT MEETING WITH PLANNING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 16, 1980 The Citv Council of the City of Downey held a joint meeting with the Planning Commission at 4:30 p.m., September 16, 1980, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor Theodore H. Jackman presiding. PRESENT: Council Members: Lyell W. Swearingen Milton R. Mackaig James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Commissioners: Frank Beckner John K. Morris Steven Farmer Barbara Hayden A.A. D'Alessandro Mayor Pro Tem (arrived at 4:40 p.m.) Mayor Vice -Chairman (arrived at 4:36 p.m.) Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Don Davis, Fire Chief William A. Goggin, City Planner Harry Rawson, Acting Building Official Francis E. Carter, Assistant City Planner William Sumner, Fire Marshal Ray Crawford, Fire Protection Consultant Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer Study Session regarding Condominium Conversion Ordinance Mr. Thompson stated as directed by the City Council and Planning Commission, staff has studied and researched questions regarding conversion of apartments to condominiums and prepared a report dealing primarily with the effect of deleting a reasonable supply of free market apartments within a community, the cost and reasonable supply of housing, and the problems that might occur with respect to maintenance. The report does leave open a number of questions, whereby if the Council chooses to adopt an ordinance, it will have to arrive at specific answers. Mr. Goggin explained the report contains a number of issues staff feels should be discussed. He stated the City Attorney has advised the proposed ordance cannot be changed until after hearings by the Planning Commission and Council. Commissioner Beckner arrived at the meeting at 4:36 p.m. Councilman Quinn arrived at the meeting at 4:40 p.m. Chairman D'Alessandro discussed the prelude to the ordinance and said he feels the ordinance contains a lot of discrepancies and that the standards are extremely high. Also, the building of -new apartments should be encouraged. Councilman Mackaig called for a vote of the Council Members to see how many are in favor of apartment conversion. He feels the proposed ordinance is written so restrictive it would be impossible to make the conversions. Councilman Cormack thinks all of the City's ordinances should be more restric- tive and Downey should go for quality regardless of what other cities are doing. He is willing to go with the conversions. Councilman Quinn would like to go forward with the ordinance. Mr. Goggin pointed out certain items contained in the ordinance are issues staff feels should be discussed. Chairman D'Alessandro mentioned he has information to submit concerning sound control and master meter water meters. The Council and Commission then reviewed the proposed ordinance beginning on page 19, Section 9133. Council Minutes 9/16/80 (adj.) -1- Referring to Section 9133.02 - Intent and Purpose, second paragraph, Councilmen Cormack and Mackaig objected to the second sentence. Mr. Goggin said the following additions should be made in Section 9133.06; In Sub -section (g), add to the end of the sentence, "commercial and industrial." In Sub -section (k), "square footage for streets" should read "square footage for public or private streets." Referring to Section 9133.12 - Development Standards, fourth and fifth lines, where it says "Planning Commission shall have the right to require additional standards to meet City goals," Councilman Mackaig objected to the word "additional." Mr. Goggin explained the reason for the wording is that each parcel would be handled on an individual basis and the Planning Commission could find in a parti- cular case something should be added that is not contained in the standards. Under Sub -section (e), Councilman Mackaig feels "minimum lot area of not less than one acre" is too restrictive because a lot could be several feet short of the one acre. A discussion was held regarding the blank spaces left in Subsections B-1 and B-2 - Density (page 24) pertaining to "square feet per unit." Commissioner Morris feels when considering what to insert in the way of square footage that consideration should be given to the lone senior citizen. Mavor Jackman would like to leave this to the Commission's discretion since he feels the Commissioners are well cualified to come up with the answer.. Discussions were held regarding commercial and industrial conversions; open space and landscaping requirements; parking; and storage area. Referring to page 26, item F, Mr. Goggin asked the Council to change the title to read "Perimeter Property Line Walls and Areas." An addendum from the Fire Department concerning Fire Safety, item H, has been submitted to the Council, and it was requested it be included in the ordinance. A discussion was held regarding page 27, Item I - Noise, and the information submitted by Chairman D'Alessandro concerning sound control. Comments were raised as to the method for reinforcing walls to meet the noise standards when converting apartments to condominiums. Referring to item J, page 27, Chairman D'Alessandro would like to have in- serted that a lock should be of a nature it cannot be duplicated. The Council and Commission discussed item K requiring individual shut -offs and special meters. Councilman Cormack favored the individual shut -offs. Section 9133.14 - Maintenance Fund, beginning on page 27, Councilman Mackaig objected to having the City Planner compute the sum of money to be set up in trust. Mr. Goggin indicated it has been suggested to remove the section as written and require on any conversion that the roof, plumbing, etc., if inadequate, be re- placed and brought up to code. Councilman Mackaig concurred. Also suggested was to require inspections before a property is sold. Mayor Jackman would like to see further recommendations. A discussion was held regarding Section 9133.16 - General Requirements. Mr. Goggin explained the reason for requiring the conversion applications in Sub -section B-a, Conditional Use Permit. Also discussed were Sub -sections D - Inspections, and E - Corrective Action. During conversation on Section 9133.18 - Required Findings, Councilman Mackaig objected to paragraphs 1 and 3. He does not feel the City of Palo Alto ordinance should have been considered in setting the percentages. Council Minutes 9/16/80 (adj.) -2- Referring to Section 9133.20 - Condition of Sale and Responsibility of Subdivider, Councilman Mackaig objected to items B. C, D, and E. Discussion ensued. Councilman Cormack suggested in item D to leave in just the last two lines. Councilman Mackaig concurred. He would like item E removed. For the record, he stated he does not intend to convert the apartments he owns in Downey to condominiums. Chairman D'Alessandro feels the City Attorney should be consulted regarding item F. An explanation was given regarding item G. Councilman Mackaig thinks the Commission should reword item G for clarification. Chairman D'Alessandro suggested another joint meeting of the Council and Commission following the public hearings. Mayor Jackman concurred. Councilman Mackaig suggested staff look into the Glendale condominium conver- sion ordinance, which he understands is working very well. At 7:30 p.m., it was moved by Councilman Mackaig, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and so ordered to adjourn the meeting to 4:30 p.m., September 22, 1960, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hail, for a study session on the Uniform Building Code and Uniform Fire Code. (The meeting place was subsequently changed to the Green Room of the Downey Community Theatre.) 1 Robert L. Shan , City Clerk-Treasurer'Theodore 6k n, Mayor 1 -_ Council Minutes 9/16/80 (adj.) -3-