05-02-1977 - Laserfiche WebLink

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INVOCATION Following the Pledge of PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Allegiance to the Flag, the Invocation was given by Father Michael Mandala of the Episcopal Church of the Messiah. CA 80.17 AGENDA ORDER - BAKER SQUARE A letter received from Rowena Macias, represent- ing the "No on Baker Square" Committee (Santa Ana Sponsoring Committee), requested that Item #80 on the Coun- cil Agenda be considered before the scheduled public hearings because of the number of people in attendance on the matter. The request was granted by the motion of Councilman Bricken, seconded by Councilman Ortiz, and carried 6:0 unanimously. BAKER SQUARE - VA 76-57 City Attorney Keith Gow STAFF REPORT reported to the Council REFERRED FOR PUBLIC HEARING and the audience that he is satisfied that the factual determinations made in connection with the Council approval of Variance Application No. 76-57 for the Baker Square Development at its meeting of March 21, 1977 adequately support the findings made by the Council. Several speakers appeared to request a reconsideration of the approval of the Variance; they were: Jose Robles, 708 West Second Street Mike Andrade, 1042 North Logan Street Ruby Epps, 626 North Jackson Street Rowena Macias, 1243 West Sixth Street Ed Schmidt, 1402 West Seventh Street Karon Singleton, 804 North Louise D. R. Hench, 804 North Louise Street Herculano Ortiz, Jr. 812 North Louise Street Jess J. Araujo, Attorney at Law, 1140 West Santa Aha Blvd. In addition to a request for reconsideration the speakers stated that they were not notified of the hearing on the Variance application; that the Planning Commission Finding of Fact does not comply with Municipal Code Sections 41-638(2) and 41-639; that a rehearing is the most sensible way to resolve the problem between the Baker Square neighborhood and the City; that the General Plan specifies High Density Residential for the area, but that it is zoned Ri, R2, and R3H; that there is a discrepancy between the General Plan and the current zoning; that the variance procedure is being used to bring the area into con- formity with the General Plan; that the use of variances is intended for use in extraordinary circumstances; that the com- munity should be given a stronger voice and an opportunity to better respond to such changes; that the City is requested to clarify its intention to use the granting of variances to change the character of the neighborhood; that residents are still concerned about lack of sufficient parking and overcrowding of schools; and that there is concern that the apartments will rent to low income families, increasing problems of maintenance and vandalism. Lester Day, 9215 Paso Robles, Northridge, stated that the apart- ments are not subsidized, but are market rate; that the builder has made a great effort to provide parking, proper ingress and egress and safety factors. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 148 MAY 2, 1977