IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MARCH 4, 2024
5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE MONDAY
IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 6:00 P.M.
The Irwindale CITY COUNCIL and HOUSING AUTHORITY met in special joint meeting at the above time and place.
ROLL CALL: Present: Councilmembers Manuel R. Garcia, H. Manuel Ortiz; Mayor Pro Tem Larry G. Burrola; Mayor Albert F. Ambriz
Absent: Councilmember Mark A. Breceda
Also Present: Julian A. Miranda, City Manager; Adrian Guerra, City Attorney; Marilyn Simpson, Community Development Director; Fernando Lopez, Housing Coordinator; and Laura Nieto, Chief Deputy City Clerk
AB 2449 DISCLOSURES None.
MAYOR AMBRIZ Mayor Ambriz requested adjourning tonight’s meeting in memory of Sal Hernandez.
NEW BUSINESS
ITEM NO. 6A DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP – 10 ACRE SITE ON ALLEN DRIVE
DEVELOPMENT
WORKSHOP –
10 ACRE SITE ON
ALLEN DRIVE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Executive Director Miranda encouraged participation from members MIRANDA of the public and noted that tonight’s workshop would focus on potential uses and housing concepts for the 10-acre site on Allen Drive, and that other components related to site development, such as funding mechanisms and housing laws, would be discussed at future workshops. He then declared a potential conflict of interest and exited the Council Chambers at 6:04 p.m.
HOUSING Housing Coordinator Lopez made a PowerPoint presentation wherein COORDINATOR LOPEZ he discussed 6-acres of the subject site as well as the potential for the development of housing and/or public facilities, singe/multi-family units, mixed generation, and affordable multi-family units.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa referenced 8.07 acres of the site which he stated were given to a developer, to which City Attorney Guerra stated that he was unaware of the transfer that Mr. Barbosa mentioned. Mr. Barbosa then stated that, on October 7, 2021, the Council changed the zoning of a 6.93-acre portion of the site on 5174 Vincent Avenue from residential to industrial and stated that the 6 acres should be included in this workshop.
ITEM 33A
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CARMEN ROMAN Carmen Roman agreed with Mr. Barbosa. She also suggested that the full 10 acres of the Allen Drive site be included for housing, to include green space and walking trails, but excluding government buildings. She stated her opinion that younger generations prefer smaller units or ADU’s and oppose rental facilities and mentioned her belief that the 45-year covenants tied to prior housing programs were merely recommendations and not state requirements.
DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda stated her belief that some younger families prefer larger units, potentially two- and three-bedroom townhouses. She also requested that housing units be developed in phases and not all at once, and that seniors and military veterans do not want to live in multi-family units. She stated her preference that another senior complex, similar to Las Casitas, be built. Additionally, she recommended that single family homes with between 1 and 3 bedrooms be built and that Michael’s Super Burgers be given land to accommodate more parking. She also suggested that land be sold to interested individuals so that they could build whichever type of housing they wish.
ANTHONY NARANJO Anthony Naranjo noted that most wish for the same type of housing developed in prior housing programs but reminded that the state attorney general is suing cities for not meeting their housing density mandates. He asked about the city’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment (“RHNA”) requirements and stated his belief that the city could comply with mandates and still preserve its small community feel.
CARMEN ROMAN Carmen Roman requested that the city inform residents on how to submit further comments and suggestions.
DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda suggested sending a flyer describing various options so that residents can check off their preferences and return them to the city. She also recommended that future housing programs include 20-year covenants instead of 45-year covenants.
VERONICA Veronica Vanmarcke agreed that single-family houses or townhouses VANMARCKE should be built, and opposed apartments or mixed-use developments, especially along Allen Drive, since it would aggravate traffic conditions. She suggested that housing be kept affordable for future generations and that new developments include a mix of affordable and market-rate units.
ROBERT DIAZ Robert Diaz suggested avoiding multi-tenant units and requested that single-family homes be developed. He also suggested that ample parking be made available and noted that families will need room for growth.
DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda stated that seniors prefer cottages.
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FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa suggested that housing for low-income households include the same amount of parking space as those for moderateincome households.
VERONICA Veronica Vanmarcke suggested that a QR code be provided for VANMARCKE individuals to submit comments and suggestions digitally.
JOHNNY LEON Johnny Leon requested to be informed of the type of housing that would be developed so that he can prepare for it and requested that the same type of housing made available in previous programs be made available in the future.
GARY STROBEHN Gary Strobehn noted parking concerns along Allen Drive.
DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda requested double garages.
SUZANNE GOMEZ Suzanne Gomez suggested developing single-family homes and spoke against mixed commercial/residential developments. She also stated that cities can sue the state in order to keep their autonomy, and that Irwindale can do similarly. She also requested single-family units for seniors and veterans.
FRED BARBOSA Fred Barbosa stated that mixed use developments could be incorporated at a 26-acre site “next door.”
CARMEN ROMAN Carmen Roman requested that ramps be developed for families with disabilities.
COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Ortiz requested additional details regarding RHNA, ORTIZ to which Director Simpson elaborated by advising that the city was assigned 119 units for its 6th cycle, to be divided amongst the various income levels. Staff sent its housing element to HCD which identified 6 acres; 3 of them at 8 units per acre (approximate unit size of 5,000 square feet), and the other 3 at 14 units per acre (approximate unit size of 3,000 square feet). She added that Allen Drive is just one of the sites identified as having potential for the development of housing units.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked the members of the community for sharing their input and expressing their interest. He noted that the city will do its best to try to find ways to develop housing.
COUNCILMEMBER Councilmember Garcia noted that 3,000 square feet for housing units GARCIA is not very large, especially when compared to existing averages of 6,000 square feet, and indicated that the city would try to best address this concern.
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MAYOR AMBRIZ Mayor Ambriz stated that he shared the concerns of residents and that he did not desire high density housing either, nor does he want mixed use commercial/housing units at the subject site. He then showed two sketches of 3,500 square foot housing units that may suit the City’s housing needs.
HOUSING Housing Coordinator Lopez indicated that staff would analyze all COORDINATOR LOPEZ comments and suggestions made at tonight’s meeting and would bring back additional details in the future.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:08 p.m., in memory of Sal Hernandez.
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Laura M. Nieto, MMC
Chief Deputy City Clerk