05-15-1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

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RECESS At 5:20 P.M. the meeting was recessed to 7:30 P.M., at which time it was reconvened with all Councilmen present. Following the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, the Invocation was given by the Reverend 3ohn Sutherland, St. Peter Lutheran Church. A.A. #700 The Mayor opened the public hearing on TOWNER MANUFACTURING CO. Amendment Application #700 filed by Towner Manufacturing Company to rezone property located northwest of the intersection of King Street and Seventeenth Street, from R 1 to M 1o The Director of Planning stated that this is a legal, non-conforming industrial use; that the General Plan indicates subject property as a special study corridor; that with the exception of frontage on 17th Street, the area has developed as residential; that in the past, To~ner has been required to file a variance for each change; that the present request for rezoning would constitute "spot" zoning in conflict with the use of i/me surrounding area; that the use can continue to exist legally without the zoning reclassification; that the rezoning would permit the owner of the property to re-design~ relocate, expand, rebuild, etc., without the imposition of controls that have been imposed in the past; and that the staff and the Plannir~g Commission recommend denial. The Clerk reported no written communications had been received. Mr. Basil R. Twist, 12801 Panorama Crest, Santa Aha, spoke on behalf of Towner Manufacturing Co. He stated that the company was founded in Santa Ana in 1915, moved to its present location in 1938, and was annexed to the City in 1959; that it has been operating under variances since then; that the facilities erected in 1938 need to be replaced for the safety of their employees; that they are now faced with the loss of 22' from the front of their property because of the widening of 17th Street; that this will have an effect on parking and ingress and egress of trucks; that they have a plan for beautification and improvement of the area; that by rezoning, they can improve and relocate the facilities, particularly the ones most objectionable to the neighborhood, and isolate them to the far side of the property; that they will screen the area to help with noise abatement; that the office will be moved and trucks can come into the back entrance rather than use the main arterial of 17th Street. Mr. Rolly Pulaski, Architect, 877 Production Place, Newport Beach, stated that the traffic situation is a critical one; that by moving the buildings as propose~i, the noise will be eliminated; that it is proposed to eliminate all parking in front of-the premises and relocate it to the rear of the building; that there will be landscaping across the entire front of the property and a 10' screen will be built around the loerimeter of the property to shield visual contact of the elements stored in the ~.yards; and that the front of the wall will also be landscaped. He further stated that there will be general coordination of all structures as far as color and design. Councilman Patterson stated that the matter before the Council is a zone change; that the balance of the presentation would be considered at a variance hearing. The Mayor stated he believed it might have a bearing on the case for a zone change, Mr. Leland C. Launer, 131 W. Wilshire, Fullerton, attorney for Towner Manufacturin stated that the status of legal, non-conforming use has proven itself to be ineffective and unworkable; that they now contemplate substantial changes; that a variance could CITY COUNCIL MINUTES -207- May 15, 1972