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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 1975-04-10MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CYPRESS PLANNING COMMISSION HELD April 10, 1975 The special meeting of the Cypress Planning Commission was called to order at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 1975 in the Cypress City Council Chambers, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California, Chairman Dennis Hart presiding. PRESENT: Commissioners Greenwood, Mullen, Van Allen, Walsh and Hart ABSENT: None Also present were Brian Hawley, Planning Director, Art Schatzeder, Public Works Director, Don Barker, Assistant Traffic Engineer, and Roger Grable, Deputy City Attorney. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chairman Hart led the pledge to the flag. PUBLIC HEARING RE: LINCOLN AVENUE STUDY, PHASE II REPORT: Chairman Hart announced that this was the time and place for the public hearing to consider the adoption of a specific plan as defined in the State Planning Act which plan proposes the revitalization and improvement of Lincoln Avenue between Bloomfield and Holder. The programs of the plan are contained in the Lincoln Avenue Study -Phase II report copies of which are on file in the office of the Planning Department. Chairman Hart asked that the staff make its presentation. The Planning Director introduced Mr. Alex Bell, chairman of the Lincoln Avenue Action Committee which prepared the report. Mr. Bell pointed out that the image of Cypress to motorists passing through the City is important and that Lincoln Avenue in its present state is not a good representation and belies the City's other attributes such as fine homes, schools and parks. Mr. Bell stated it was unreasonable to expect a total rehabilitation of the old buildings on Lincoln and the action plan attempted instead to stimulate and instill confidence in property owners to improve their property by having the City take the initial steps. Mr. Bell stated the Action Committee's goals were to improve the overall appearance of Lincoln and revitalize and promote the com- mercial businesses to enhance the economic base of the City. To accomplish their objectives the Committee proposed a reconstruction of the median along the entire length of Lincoln and installation of landscaping, a complete resurfacing of Lincoln with a 2" capping of blacktop, a remodeling of the intersections at Denni and Valley View to eliminate street dips, establishment of underground utilities, installation of a storm drain west of Sumner Street, establishment of a sign amortization program for billboards and other non - conforming signs, and establishment of front setback requirements which would take into considera- tion the variations in lot depths and sizes. Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 1975 The Planning Director made a slide presentation which included aerial shots of the entire length of Lincoln and illustrated problems relating to excessive lot depths, excessive signing, excessive driveway openings, lack of curb and gutter improve- ments, lack of adequate parking, lack of landscaping maint- enance, and outside storage of materials on sidewalks. The slides also illustrated attractive landscaping programs at the Datsun agency, Forest Lawn and Systems Reefer and different median treatments in several other cities. The Planning Director also presented a chart showing the schedule of improvements through 1980 which included funding sources and represented the City's contributions. Mr. Bell stated the Committee recommended that the Commission recommend to the City Council adoption of the Phase II study as a specific plan, and that the Planning Commission initiate public hearings to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to provide for amortization of billboards and non - conforming signs, a liberalization of restrictions on permitted uses in the CH Zone, and to provide for variations in the front set- back requirements. Mr. Bell cited locations of signs which are particularly unattractive or non - functional and he ex- plained the Committee's recommendations to establish front setback requirements. The Planning Director read a communication from Mr. Robert Reed of Foster and Kleiser which requested that the portions of the study pertaining to outdoor advertising be continued to a future date since he was unable to attend this meeting. The Planning Director recommended that if the Commission elects to follow the Committee's recommendation and schedules a separate public hearing to consider the amortization of non - conforming signs and billboards, the representative could make his presentation at that time. Chairman Hart declared the public hearing open and asked if anyone wished to speak in regard to adoption of the plan. Dr. Pomeroy, 5651 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, asked if buildings would would be relocated when the new front setback requirements are established. The Planning Director advised him that the Committee did not propose the removal of existing buildings and the setback requirement would be applied to new develop- ments. Dr. Pomeroy inquired what guideline would be used to determine if signs are non - conforming. The Planning Director stated the determining factor of non- conformity is as prescribed in the current Zoning Ordinance. The Committee recommended that the individual signs be reviewed to determine the extent of non - conformity and what remedies are necessary to bring ' them into conformance which perhaps could result in an overall improvement of the signing program for each establishment. Mr. Andrew Erdaly, owner of the Omega liquor store in the Lincoln Plaza shopping center, congratulated the staff on the plan and stated he supported it wholeheartedly. Mr. Fred Roth, owner of property at 5431 Lincoln, Cypress, felt some of the Committee's proposals could represent con- siderable expense to the property owners in the future and he felt a Lincoln Avenue property owner or businessman should have been a member of the Action Committee. Mr. Roth rec- ommended that the Commission not take action until a committee composed of businessmen or property owners on Lincoln have reviewed the report in detail so that the Commission would have information from their standpoint. -2- Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 1975 The Planning Director stated that copies of the Phase II report were mailed to each businessman and property owner on Lincoln along with a letter inviting each to meet with the staff in order to hear their views and recommendations on the report. He reported that the staff had met with several businessmen and was willing to meet with anyone in an effort to cooperate with implementation of the plan. He advised Mr. Roth that the City Council had appointed the members of the Action Committee. Mr. Roth felt the report contained a threat to property owners in the event they chose not to cooperate by recommending the adoption and enforcement of ordinances to require the screening of unsightly roof appurtenances and maintenance of buildings and landscaped areas. He felt the property owners were not consulted until they received the report in the mail and he felt they should be able to voice their opinions since they were directly affected. The Planning Director stated that the staff had contacted businessmen prior to the preparation of the final report. He stated the comment referred to by Mr. Roth was not meant as a threat and he pointed out that the City has ordinances which it has not been enforcing by which it could require the screening of roof equipment. He emphasized that the staff did not wish to coerce the property owners to coop- erate. Mr. Hawley stated that he had telephone conversations with Mr. Roth and had invited Mr. Roth to meet with him but that Mr. Roth had not responded. Mr. Roth felt that imposing the setback and sign requirements would depreciate the value of his property and prevent its development. Mr. Howard Lauderbeck, owner of property at the corner of Watson and Lincoln, felt his property was valuable and he did not wish to relinquish any for landscaping or setbacks. He stated he did not want anyone to improve his property but that he was in favor of decorating the median. Mr. Royal Martin, owner of property at 6262 and 6282 Lincoln, felt the concern of most of the property owners is not that the proposal won't be of benefit but is a fear of arbitrary decisions by the City government and that is why the owners wish to be consulted. Mr. Martin felt the staff should determine how far the property owners will cooperate before implementing the plan and he felt some of the property owners, if they are provided with City ordinances, would cooperate on their own to bring their property into conformance with existing regulations. He suggested a six month delay for cooperative work between the City and property owners. Mr. Winton Kemmis, owner of property at 4664 Lincoln, stated he had just purchased property to the east and he inquired who would be responsible for installing curb and gutter improvements. The Planning Director advised him that curb and gutter improvements were a normal condition placed on any new development within the City at the time of development and were the responsibility of the developer. He advised Mr. Kemmis that the improvements would not be required until the time of development of his property. -3- Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 1975 Mr. Kemmis stated that he was basically in favor of the plan but stated he was concerned that the setback requirement of 25 feet would confiscate too much property in front in order to develop less valuable property at the rear of the lot. He felt the setback should be uniform and minimal. The Planning Director stated that applying a 25 foot setback to all properties would be inequitable, for instance, a 25 foot setback on a parcel 100 feet deep would be prohibitive to development. He stated setbacks would be related to lot depth. Commissioner Greenwood asked if consideration was given to blighted areas such as abandoned gas stations. The Planning Director stated the service station at Lincoln and Denni was being used as a truck stop and he felt the property owner probably was not aware of its use. He stated this was a zoning enforcement problem and that he was attempting to contact the property owner regarding the problem and to have the property posted. The Deputy City Attorney reported that a specific plan as defined under State law requires that zoning be consis- tent with the specific plan and he suggested that the proposals in the report regarding a specific amortization time for signs and specific setbacks be eliminated to retain flexibility when these issues are considered in separate public hearings. Mr. Bell stated the Committee had no objection to this recommendation. Chairman Hart closed the public hearing. Commissioner Greenwood stated Lincoln Avenue has not changed dramatically over the years and that he felt it's time something was done. He felt the staff was not doing any- thing to hurt anyone but was taking leadership and affirmative action to improve Lincoln. He stated he had con- tacted many of the property owners who felt it was about time something was being done. Commissioner Greenwood stated he felt Lincoln was incongruous with the rest of the City which has a high median income and high value of homes. Commissioner Mullen stated that he was disappointed so many people left the meeting after the hearing was closed since they had requested cooperation between the City and property owners and would not stay to hear the Commission's comments. Commissioner Mullen stated the original setback proposed for Lincoln was 50 feet and the Commission and City Council had determined this to be unreasonable and had decreased it to 25 feet. He stated the intent of the setback is to improve the property's appearance and not deprive an owner of the value of the property and he felt this re- quirement would ultimately increase the value. He stated the existing commercial businesses do not attract customers and if Lincoln is to be a viable strip and be patronized by residents and those passing through the City, it must be an attractive place for people to shop. He did not feel this would happen without landscaping and setback require- ments. Commissioner Mullen felt the program carries con- siderable flexibility and opportunities for those with special interests to make their views known especially since separate public hearings will be held on individual parts of the plan. He stated he would oppose delaying the matter -4- Planning Commission Minutes April 10, 1975 any longer. Commissioner Mullen felt there would be ample time at future hearings for discussion of signing to meet the request by Foster and Kleiser. Commissioner Walsh stated she was disappointed that those persons who requested that the City listen to them would not remain to hear the Commission. She stated the community must be improved and the business district is poor and looks that way. She stated Lincoln Avenue businesses have a 1940's appearance and will not attract business into the City. She recommended that the businessmen check the improvements at the easterly end of Lincoln Avenue where she felt the cost is not prohibitive for the advantages gained. Commissioner Van Allen stated he was in agreement with Commissioner Mullen's comments. Chairman Hart stated that the improvement of Lincoln Avenue was one of his first priorities when he came on the Commission three years ago. He felt the City was taking deliberate steps, that the report is a working draft and that the subsequent public hearings will determine the final shape of the program. He did not feel the Commission was being arbitrary and felt the businessmen's and citizens' interests are compatible. It was moved by Commissioner Greenwood and seconded by Com- missioner Van Allen to adopt a resolution recommending that the City Council adopt the Lincoln Avenue Study - Phase II report as a specific plan for the City of Cypress, and initiate public hearings to consider amendments to the Zoning Ordinance which will: (a) provide for the amortization of non - conforming signs and billboards as proposed in the study; (b) liberalize the restrictions on permitted uses in the CH Zone such as allowing residential uses in conjunction with commercial development particularly of deep lots or lots in excess of 250 feet; and (c) provide for variations in front setbacks contingent upon the landscaping program as outlined in the report. The motion was unanimously carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ADJOURNMENT: 5 COMMISSIONERS: Greenwood, Mullen, Van Allen, Walsh and Hart 0 COMMISSIONERS: None 0 COMMISSIONERS: None Chairman Hart adjourned the meeting at 10:00 p.m. ATTEST: t,) SECRETARY OF THE PLANNING CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION :OMMISSION