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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972 05 10 CC MIN1972 05 10 CC MIN(ÌìÖdpeIN^D.E.X, May 10. 1972 Joint Meeting of City Council & Planning Commission Presentation & Discussion of Proposal from Menard & Associates for the C1ty*s Reconnaissance Study Testimony: Mr. T. E. Carpenter Discussion Testimony: Mr. Joe Cale Adjourn 6:05 P.M. BIB] 37659-U01 1972-U02 05-U02 10-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9837-U03 DO9918-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1972 05 10 CC MIN(ÌìÖdpeC G05454 UNOFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL MORGAN PARK COMMUNITY BUILDING, 14255 E. Ramona Boulevard The City Council of the City of Baldwin Park met with the Planning Commission in adjourned regular session at the above place at 5:00 p.m. MAY 10, 1972 5:00 P.M. Roll Ca11: Present: COUNCILMEN HAMILTON, KING, MC CARON AND MAYOR BLEWETT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS DARGUS. THOMAS, WITTIG. YANEZ AND CHAIRMAN MIDDLETON Absent: COUNCILMAN GREGORY ROLL CALL Also Present: Absent: COMMISSIONERS LARSON AND MC CORD CITY MANAGER MOCALIS. PLANNING DIRECTOR GORDON. CITY TREASURER CALE. DEPUTY CITY CLERK CRAWFORD MR. OWEN MENARD. OF MENARD AND ASSOCIATES CITY ATTORNEY FLANDRICK, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS PERRY. FINANCE DIRECTOR DUNCAN. CHIEF OF POLICE ADAMS, CITY CLERK BALKUS 00- Planning Director Gordon stated that Mr. Owen Menard, of Menard and Associates, Claremont, consultants, would explain how the city would benefit from a Business Reconnaissance Study, the necessity for the study, and his firm's qualifications. He introduced Mr. Menard. Mr. Menard stated that based upon experience in a number of similar interviews, he had found that questions and answers" was one of the most meaningful ways to conduct this type of interview. He stated he would make a brief presentation, and then welcome questions from the floor. He stated there had been a recent change in the name of the company from Menard & Hill to Menard and Associates. Mr. Hill, after being in government and in consulting. had elected to return to government and would be going to Yakima, Washington as Planning Director. Mr. Menard stated their proposal would involve bringing in 3 or 4 professional planners for the amount of work. He stated that in Southern California there was a definite need for a small and critical planning company wilting to attract itself to urban planning problems, and the philosophy of their company was simple—that is, practical and realistic approaches to solving all of the City's planning problems. He stated there are a certain amount of resources in a community, people, intelligence, knowledge and money. You cannot solve problems by bringing a million dollar problem into a $100,000 community. In the 1960's, no one seemed to care, but today, in the 1970's, because of some of the problems of traffic congestion, environment, ecology, etc., we have citizen sensitivity". Continued) MR. OWEM MENARD MENARD & ASSOC. CLAREMONT BIB] 37659-U01 1972-U02 05-U02 10-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9837-U03 DO9918-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1972 05 10 CC MIN(ÌìÖdpeM®^A55 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council May 10, 1972 Page 2 Mr. Menard stated they had done a reconnaissance in the City of Camarillo, which was a crash" job. They had held a development policy conference, which included citizen participation, and for two days analyzed the critical issues. He stated that the City of San Diego had a reconnaissance study and the City Council had decided where they wanted to go. San Diego has less dollar cost per capita than any other city in the United States; nothing is spent unless it is justified. Mr, Menard commented that it will be a number of years before a11 the problems of Baldwin Park are solved, but a Reconnaissance Study is the wise approach. He stated that his firm was associated with Williams and Mocine, of San Francisco, who are involved with urban plan- ning and citizen involvement planning, and are made up of landscape architects, planning architects, etc. He stated they assisted his firm in what they felt were critical type planning reports. His firm had also created associations and relationships with reputable firms in the area doing geology, traffic engineering, planning engineering, civil engineering, etc. He stated that in regard to this particular Reconnaissance Study, he had been in communication with the Planning Depart- ment for the last six to eight months, discussing what form the study should take, and he had submitted such a recommenda- tion to Mr. Gordon a number of months ago. His firm had indicated on January 26 that they felt the request for an economic proposal indicated a deeper analysis than necessarv until the City had the business reconnaissance actually completed. What Mr. Gordon is seeking is basically the kind of study Mr. Menard felt would be beneficial to the City at this time. He stated they would not involve themselves in projects unless we felt value was going to be received for the amount of dollars; they had turned down and refused work that they felt was not going to provide a meaningful product for the city. Mr. Menard indicated they believed the City should do a physical reconnaissance, and an analysis and potential of each area prior to going into a costly study. The last part should be a work program. A consultant should be able to write a work program in chronological order of those things that have to occur and should have dollars and cents figures with each one so that in Phases 2, 3 and 4, etc. you will have an exact figure of how much you will have to spend. He stated they had 1970 census data; employment centers should be looked into; the City ordinances should be reviewed and, if necessary, revised. One of the greatest stumbling blocks to development today is antiquated. unwieldy zoning ordinances. Most important, they feel» is Community Attitudes" what do the people of this city feel about the city? Citizen participation is important- Continued) BIB] 37659-U01 1972-U02 05-U02 10-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9837-U03 DO9918-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1972 05 10 CC MIN(ÌìÖdpeAdjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council May 10, 1972 Page 3 He stated this was their basic approach to a reconnaissance study. Mr. Gordon has focused on a five-year program, and has presented a good outline. Mr. Menard stated he started in planning in San Diego in 1960, and was there for 5 years; he moved into the Community Planning Division, where he did zoning and land use planning studies. He formed the city's first special projects planning group where they did precise studies. He was trouble shooter" of the Planning Department. He was given his own section as a section leader, and accomplished the plan for La Jotia, 11,000 acres north of Miramar, and a 50,000 acre border study in conjunction with Mexico. He moved to Pomona as assistant planning director; he assisted in forming a redevelopment agency and served as director. He was planning director in West Covina for three years, where seven specific plans and a new general plan were adopted and the zoning ordinance was totally revised. The staff was expanded from three to seven professional planners. He was also the city's first redevelopment coordinator. After leav- ing West Covina, he went to Lampman & Associates, as one of two city planners. Before leaving there to form his own company, he was in charge of all general plan studies. Mr, Menard stated the firm was presently working in Gardena doing a zoning ordinance, and had done work in Lawndate, Ojai. Camarillo, Imperial Beach, Adetanto. Hemet. etc. They have just finished a business reconnaissance study in the City of El Monte, and are performing planning service for twelve cities and for private developers. Councilman King asked in what way ordinances play an important role in the development process. Mr. Menard stated there is an attitude on the part of most developers that the ordinances of a city put unnecessary stumbling blocks in front of them in money, time, etc., and to the developer or investor who has money invested, two or three months to get a solution to his planning problem means he is going to lose money. They find antiquated ordinances inflexible. The ordinances do not give them proper criteria or guidance as to where certain kinds of uses can be or should be located, etc. Ordinances have too many sections; zoning ordinances should be comprehensive, or all-inclusive. They should indicate what kind of utilities, should comply to general plan, appeal period, fees, off-street parking requirements, etc. The public relations aspect will pay off in dividends. Councilman King commented that the City has allocated a certain amount of money to the purpose of updating our ordinances, and perhaps we should hold what is left until we are sure we are on the right track. Mr- Menard stated that was a good philosophy. Councilman King asked Mr. Menard to explain how the capa- bilities of the people in the area could be utilized to benefit the city. Mr. Menard explained that one of the best ideas he had heard in his twelve years in planning was a suggestion just thrown out by a citizen in Camarilto. She suggested that as the general plan process was completed, maybe it would be wise for the city to have a general plan commission, and that every year this commission would be called together and the staff would make recommendations as to what had happened during the last year, amencknents would be made, etc. Continued) BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE OWEN MENARD BIB] 37659-U01 1972-U02 05-U02 10-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9837-U03 DO9918-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1972 05 10 CC MIN(ÌìÖdpe 1605^57 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council May 10, 1972 Page 4 Mr. Menard stated that suburban and smaller cities should do what the large cities do and concentrate on the general plan process, rather than adopting it. A city is constantly moving, and someone in the city should be concerned where the general plan is. Councilman King asked Mr. Menard if he felt that people in the community have the expertise to make this study and revision in the general plan. Mr. Menard stated he did not believe that a person untrained in urban planning could do planning, because it is a complicated field. The citizens of every city not only have the capability, they have the responsibility to inform the governmental function as to what they want out of that city. Their attitudes and desires should be expressed through a confer- ence or citizen involvement process. Mayor Blewett commented that if you just go along with the wishes of some of the community, in Baldwin Park we would be reverting back to the chicken ranches in the 50*s. He asked if somewhere along the line planning didn't have to say this is going to change and you had better be prepared? Mr. Menard stated that the normal requirements of an urban city must be considered. Mr. Menard stated that one of the critical inputs to create a good urban process, if the people are going to believe in that process, is citizen input. This is part of a four-level pro- gram citizen input, staff input, legislative input Planning Commission and City Council) and consultant input. He stated that as consultants they reserve the right to select those things that citizens have specified as desirable. and reserve the right to reject those that are unrealistic and impossible. The people should be told why, though, not just that you cannot do it. Commissioner Wittig. referring to Item 12 Opportunities asked Mr. Menard to explain opportunities" a tittle further. Mr. Menard explained that opportunities for urban development are directly related to the transportation of the city if it is hard to get to, it is not going to be intensely developed. There are some opportunities in Baldwin Park. Most cities alongside a freeway take advantage of that free- way. Baldwin Park has an opportunity on the freeway that has not been taken advantage of. He thought there were limited opportunities in the downtown area, and he was not certain that the downtown area would justify the amount of investment that had been placed there. There are probably housing opportunities in the area. He stated he felt that one of the areas which should be concentrated on is the freeway. Mr. T. E. Carpenter. 4346 Jerry Avenue, commented, regarding T. E. CARPENTER defining activities for economic growth, that Mr. Menard had 4346 JERRY AVE. said he didn't want to do that, then offered an alternate proposal; that they wanted to study it first and go into the city first. Mr. Carpenter asked at what stage they would come up with the economic growth and determine whether this is the part of the city which should develop. Mr. Menard answered that the Reconnaissance Study itself should provide the city with those areas where immediate action should be concentrated after that study is done. Continued) BIB] 37659-U01 1972-U02 05-U02 10-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9837-U03 DO9918-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1972 05 10 CC MIN(ÌìÖdpet G5458 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council Nay 10, 1972 Page 5 Mr. Menard elaborated that where the confusion existed In the proposal was that Menard and Associates thought these things were being asked for as part of the recon- naissance, whereas Mr* Gordon explained these subjects were to be placed Into a proper chronological order. Where your opportunities are best and where you should concentrate your efforts first Is what the study would provide. Mr. Menard said there Is no substitute for knowledge of the city on the part of a consultant. They wanted to make sure that every facet of the city has been looked at, the staff has been communicated with, etc. Reconnaissance Is a concentrated effort. They would do the reconnaissance before going Into anything else. Mr. Joe Cale, 4453 Benham. asked Mr. Menard whether In JOE CALE cities that he had checked out the failure In these cities 4453 BENHAM had been through the Planning Connlsslon or on the part of the people, or both? Mr. Menard stated he did not think anybody could really be blamed for development failure, that It 1s planning that really pays dividends; that possibly It was administrative changes, etc, and this Is a process that had to be gone through. The Planning profession had to mature. Planning Comnlsslons and City Councils had to become aware of It, and now there Is a new era opening up where we will have better cities. Mr. Gordon thanked Mr. Menard for appearing before the City Council and the Planning Commission. 00- AT 6:05 P.M.. COUNCILMAN KING MOVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURN. COUNCILMAN MC CARON SECONDED. There were no objections. The motion carried and was so ordered. AT 6:05 P.M.. COMMISSIONER MIDDLETON MOVED THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION ADJOURN TO 7:30 P.M.. MAY 10. 1972 IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS OF THE CITY HALL. COMMISSIONER DARGUS SECONDED. There were no objections. The motion carried and was so ordered. 00- COUNCIL ADJOURNED 6:05 P.M. PLAN. COMM. ADJ. 6:05 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M.. 5/10/72 IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS /^ y^ / y-^-^^L^ cr\. iO^^-Ac^L^ THELMA L. ftALkUS. tITY CLERk—— APPROVED: J^^^L^ /________, 1972 Date of Distribution to City Council: /^____, 1972 /y Date of Distribution to Departments: y c^ /^____. 1972 y BIB] 37659-U01 1972-U02 05-U02 10-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9837-U03 DO9918-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06