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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-11-05-80-Adjourned Regular MeetingMINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 5, 1980 The City Council/Community Development Commission of the City of Downey held an adjourned regular meeting at 4:30 p.m., November 5, 1980, in the Council Chamber of the Downey City Hall, Mayor/Chairman Theodore H. Jackman presiding. PRESENT: Council Members/Commissioners: Lyell W. Swearingen Milton R. Mackaig Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairman James T. Quinn Robert G. Cormack Theodore H. Jackman Mayor/Chairman ALSO PRESENT: Charles W. Thompson, City Manager Ronald W. Leege, Director of Finance William A. Goggin, City Planner Thomas Tincher Housing & Redevelopment Coordinator Robert L. Shand, City Clerk -Treasurer COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION A proposed concept was presented for development of the area between Firestone Boulevard and Third Street, Downey Avenue and Brookshire Avenue. Mr. Tincher said discussions have been held with Hometel and Republic Develop- ment regarding the Firestone frontage for a 200-300 room hotel -convention center and 50,000 square foot office building. A Disposition and Development Agreement has been drafted, which is being reviewed by Hometel and Republic. It is recommended that as part of the downtown plan and the Firestone corridor plan, there is the need to increase the width of Third Street an additional 20 feet. The plan also calls for the vacation of portions of Dolan and Second Streets, with the pro- perty being converted for parking purposes. Mr. Tincher reviewed the ten items contained in the Format and Content of the proposed Disposition and Development Agreement and responded to questions. Concern was expressed regarding the annual payment of $120,000, without inter- est, which would be paid by Hometel to the Commission for property it would be acquiring. Mr. Thompson explained Hometel indicated they are already over -budgeted and could not afford a high-priced purchase. They have requested the $120,000 include principal and interest. Chairman Jackman would like to know how much interest the City would be losing and what the City would be gaining on the estimate of the parking lot, including demolition. Staff will report back. Chairman Jackman inquired regarding the source of funds to be used for building a new City Hall. He was informed a finance plan has been worked out and a report will be provided. Mr. Thompson pointed out it is estimated the Hometel development will generate $90,000-$100,000 a year in Bed Tax. All of the figures will be provided in a further report to the Commission. Commissioner Mackaig stated for the record that he is "for the project." Mr. Thompson mentioned no General Fund moneys will be used on this project. Mr. Tincher explained the area shown on the map north of the proposed City Hall has been left open for parking purposes, future expansion, or to accommodate the Downey Municipal Court facility. Mr. Thompson has contacted Supervisor Schabarum to set up a meeting with the Council regarding the Court facility. Mr. Tincher explained the street closures are key issues to this project. Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 11/5/80 (adj.) -1- Mr. Thompson said closure of streets would require public hearings. Removal of structures would also be part of the project. Mr. Tincher reviewed the Firestone/Dolan Office Project, which will be located next to the Hometel facility. Both Hometel and Republic are willing to cooperate with one another to bring about agreements for reciprocal parking and mutual access. A detailed accounting of the proposal will be submitted to the Commission. The pro- posal calls for vacation of Second and Dolan Streets and selling those sites to Republic Development; relocation assistance to the residential tenants and busi- nesses displaced as a result of the development; and a request will be made for Republic to advance funds to the Commission to cover relocation costs and the difference between the re -use value and actual acquisition of the property --the amount would be repaid at a rate of ten percent per annum. Responding to a comment concerning interest not being charged to Hometel, Mr. Thompson explained that under Redevelopment Law, the primary income the City gets is through the tax increment developed by new construction, and many cities offer incentives in order to get new development in their cities. Mr. Tincher stated Republic has expressed an interest for an office develop- ment rather than condominiums on the south side of Nance Street west of 'Woodruff. Mr. Mashaal Amadieh of Republic Development described the garden type office development proposed for that area, which will be primarily geared for the small tenant. Referring to the Firestone/Dolan Project, he then extended an invitation for the Commission to visit the Covina Project, where Hometel is currently under construction. A field trip to Covina was scheduled for 2:00 p.m., November 11, 1980. Commissioner Mackaig inquired if there is any report on the Cardono Project. There was no report. A recess was declared from 5:30 p.m. to 5:35 p.m. The meeting resumed with all Council Members/Commissioners present. CITY COUNCIL Study Session on the Condominium Conversion Ordinance Mr. Goggin stated the proposed Ordinance now before the City Council has been approved by the Planning Commission by a 4-to-1 vote. He responded to questions regarding the formula established for computing the amount a developer is to place in trust (Section 9133.20). During discussion, he pointed out that many items were included in the Ordinance so that they would be discussed. Councilman Mackaig does not concur with the formula. He feels it is unnecessary in lieu of the other requirements contained in the Ordinance. Mayor Jackman said the money advanced by the developer to be placed in trust will be paid by the purchaser of the condominium. He feels the trust fund would be a way for the development to take care of any major repairs. Further discussion was held regarding the proposed formula. Councilman Mackaig questioned requiring a property owner to put money into a trust fund when he has to pay money to make repairs to the building before he can sell it. A discussion was held regarding the reports required under Section 9133.12(i) and sound requirements under Section 9133.16(e). Mr. Goggin said all of the better apartments can be converted under this Code. Councilman Swearingen feels he is not qualified to make a decision on the Ordinance and would need more input. Councilman Cormack requested two change. On page 8, item (g)(2), second line, place a period after "unit" and strike the words "if applicable." On page 9, item (m)(1), first line, should read "all storage cabinets are to be painted or stained and brought up......" Rosemary McKinnon, 11828 Old River School Road, said she is a renter speaking on behalf of herself and other renters of Downey who are concerned about rent in- creases occurring since Proposition 13. She stated condominium conversions would Council/Community Dev. Comm, Minutes 11/5/80 (adj,) -2- be closing out many renters in the income that cannot afford to buy a condominium. Ms. McKinnon described the apartment building in which she lives, noting that it can be easily converted to a condominium. However, she pointed out that the apartment building has been allowed to deteriorate, and she suffered $900 worth of water damage to her furnishings, which was not reimbursed by her landlord. Ms. McKinnon discussed the vacancy factor in the City of Downey and mentioned her landlord is planning to convert his apartments. She said if any Council Members are apartment owners they should not vote on the Ordinance, as it would be a conflict of interest. Councilman Mackaig objected to the following Sections of the proposed Ordinance: Section 9133.10 - Conversion Restrictions (page 2). He feels it is too restrictive. Section 9133.16(d) - Parking (page 6). Noting many senior citizens to not drive, he suggested as an alternate one parking space per one bedroom unit and two parking spaces per a two bedroom unit. Of the spaces required, he does not agree that one space should be covered and one space uncovered --it should be optional. Section 9133.16(f) - Property Storage (page 6). The requirement is in excess. Section 9133.18(d) - Roofs (page 8). He discussed the different time lengh guarantees on roofs and said if it involves a ten year roof with less than seven years to run it would have to be replaced, and he feels it would be a tremendous waste of money. Councilman Mackaig is also opposed to the formula. Mr. Goggin noted that in Section 9133.16 - Minimum Standards for Conversions (page 5), the City Attorney has requested the Planning Commission consider approv- ing the wording in the first sentence to read, "All applicable development standards based on the subject property's zoning shall apply to a conversion to multiple ownerships, except that the Planning Commission shall have the right to require those standards necessary to meet City goals." He will be presenting it to the Commission this evening. Referring to Section 9133.10 - Conversion Restrictions (page 2), Mr. Goggin said some changes should be made in the grammer and wording. The word "only" has been deleted from the second line. On the 5th line, after "Section 9132" change "in effect" to read "which were in effect." It was moved by Councilman Mackaig, seconded by Councilman Swearingen, and passed by the following vote to send the proposed Condominium Ordinance back to the Planning Commission with Councilman Mackaig's objections, and ask the Commission to reconsider and bring back an alternate proposal to Section 9133.10 on page 2; Parking and Property Storage on page 6; Roofs on page 8; and the Formula on page 10. Councilman Cormack would go along with amending page 10, but he feels all other items in the Ordinance are extremely important. Councilman Quinn said the Ordinance does not have to be changed. The Planning Commission can reconsider if, and if they send it back without change the Council will vote on it. Councilman Mackaig said that was his intent. He does feel the section pertain- ing to roofs could be re -worded. Councilman Mackaig then stated for the record that he believes he is the only member of the Council who owns apartments in the City, and he will abstain from vot- ing on the Ordinance. He has no intentions of converting his apartment house to condominiums. Councilman Cormack said he owns two units in the City and decreased the rent 25 percent when Proposition 13 was passed. AYES: 3 Council Members: Swearingen, Mackaig, Quinn NOES: 2 Council Members: Cormack, Jackman Ms. McKinnon asked if it would be possible for herself and other renters to address the Council at the time the Ordinance is brought back. She was told the Council would allow people to speak at the time the Ordinance is introduced, which will either be the second meeting in November or first meeting in December. Councilman Cormack commented on receipt of a complaint from a resident in District One concerning stray dogs running loose in the I-105 Freeway Corridor. Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 11/5/80 (adj.) -3- Mayor Jackman said people should call the Animal Control. Councilman Cormack commented on unsightly weeds on property between a resi- dence and west side of the Fire Station on the north side of Florence Avenue. Mayor Jackman noted the City's Birthday is December 17th, and it is possible that date may be in conflict with a Downey High School program at the Downey Commu- nity Theatre and may be changed. 'People are working on the program, and he encouraged citizens to attend the ceremony to begin at 7:00 p.m. An open house is planned. Mayor Jackman requested the Council to instruct the City Manager to have Parks & Recreation set up facilities in front of City Hall. He also suggested a banner be displayed across the front of City Hall stating "Seasons Greetings from the City of Downey," which could be used from year to year. He estimated the costs should be known next meeting. Councilman Mackaig indicated it is his understanding appointees to the Cable TV Committee have not been informed of a scheduled meeting. It was noted that the Committee members have not been informed by letter of their appointments. Referred to the City Manager. The meeting was then adjourned at 7:06 p.m. ia�r Robert L. Shand, City Clerk Council/Community Dev. Comm. Minutes 11/5/80 (adj.) -4-