Monrovia Council Considers Building Code Changes; Has Staff Continue Work

Alex Blackburn at his office. Blackburn said of the house design review, “It seems a very subjective process.” – File Photo by Terry Miller

By Susan Motander

Before its regular council meeting on Tuesday, the Monrovia City Council continued its study of the staff recommendations regarding changing the city’s building code. The Council started the study two weeks ago at its first February meeting. The discussion was the culmination of more than a year of study and public outreach after an outcry against the building of “non-compatible homes” and the proposed demolition of several pre-1940 homes in late 2014.

The Council had reviewed the staff recommendations after they had been explained to several community groups including brokers and developers, the Monrovia Historic Preservation Group, and Monrovia Area Partnership leaders. At the earlier meeting the council had scheduled an hour for the study session, but after an hour and a half not all the questions had been answered and not all the council members had had been able to speak to the issues raised. A complete summary of the proposed changes to the building code can be found at this newspaper’s website in an article entitled “Monrovia Staff Reports to Council on Proposed Changes to Development Guidelines.”

Briefly the proposed changes would allow for smaller houses with less density and bulk. They also call for a design review of all houses, not just the multi-family dwellings. At the meeting this Tuesday, Craig Jimenez, the city’s Director of Community Development, briefly reviewed the proposal again with more detail in regard to design view and setback issues.

Councilmember Gloria Crudgington asked about what she described as air, light, and privacy issues raised by some of the huge houses that had been built in the past. Jimenez explained that while the new regulations will not vent two story homes, the design review would work to ensure that the homes would have less of a negative impact by suggesting improved driveway location and set backs on second stories. He also explained that using Conditional Use Permits for two-story homes created other problems as a CUP was subject to state regulations rather than local rules.

Councilmember Alex Blackburn said, “It [the design review] seems a very subjective process.” He also expressed concerns that the regulations would “lower housing stock,” “discourage investments” and potentially lower the city’s tax base. He asked if staff could evaluate potential low of tax monies by the creation of smaller, and therefore presumably lord priced houses.

Mayor Tom Adams also questioned the staff about how the regulations would be administered when lot sizes varied wildly within one neighborhood. Jimenez explained that this work would be done through the design review process.

In regard to Blackburn’s concerns about decreased tax revenue, the mayor said “It has been my experience that if we create a more desirable community, the home prices will increase.” He continued, saying, “I don’t think we should zone for more money.”

Ultimately the council came to a consensus on having staff continue to work on the proposed ordinance changes along what same lines with the decreased house size, increased setbacks, and full design review for all homes. It will next be studied by the Planning Commission and the Historic Preservation Commission.

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