Aztec Hotel - Restaurant Update

Do you want to know more about what's going on at the Aztec Hotel?  Follow the Aztec Hotel on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AztecHotel) and check out Planning Commission updates on this Blog.  Here's a recent excerpt about the Aztec Hotel from the December 2012 Planning Commission update :

311 West Foothill Boulevard – Conditional Use Permit to allow live entertainment in the restaurant at the Aztec Hotel.  Last month, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit request to allow alcoholic beverages to be served at the new restaurant that will soon be opening in the Aztec Hotel.  A conditional use permit was also requested for entertainment.  The Commission opened the public hearing on the request at the November meeting.  After taking comments from the public and applicant, the Commission gave direction to Staff to bring back conditions of approval to allow very limited entertainment.  The Commission approved entertainment on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM and one weekend a month: Friday and Saturday until 11 PM.

Planning Commission Update - January 2013

 

The Planning Commission met for their first meeting of the year on January 9, 2013.  They reviewed and approved the following proposals:

127 West Foothill Boulevard – New drive through mini market.  If you’re not looking, you might not notice that super cool, old filling station on the corner of Foothill and Stedman.  We’re not sure if it was the first gas station in town, but it was probably built in the 1920’s.  Unfortunately it’s been vacant for several years and while it will probably never return to its original use, it’s nice to see the building repurposed.    

The new drive through mini market will offer snacks, drinks and tobacco products.  Generally, this type of business falls under a retail classification, however, since it also includes a drive-through and the property is within 100 feet of residential zones it required (and received) approval of a conditional use permit by the Planning Commission.  This allows the Commission to place conditions on the use to make sure that the use does not cause problems for the neighborhood.

By the way, if anybody has any old pictures of this building (or any other older buildings), we’d love to get a copy.

1999 South Myrtle Avenue – New microbrewery with a tasting room.  The craft beer trend is coming to Monrovia.  Over the past few months, City Staff has met with several potential brewers looking to make Monrovia their home; Pacific Plate Brewing Company is the first out of the gate.  Brewing beer is a manufacturing use and would be permitted by right in industrial zones, however, since the beer produced by microbreweries is generally intended for a local or regional market, a tasting room is usually an integral part of their operation.  This triggered the need for a conditional use permit.

Pacific Plate Brewing Company will be locating in the south end of town in a small industrial complex, brewing will take place during the typical daytime hours.  Their tasting room will be open to the public in the evening. 

Commissioner Thomas summed it up perfectly describing the new use as “cool” and “hip”.  We couldn’t agree more.

Planning Commission Update - December 2012

The Planning Commission held their final meeting of 2012 on a rainy Wednesday, December 12th.  On the agenda were three public hearing items:

311 West Foothill Boulevard – Conditional Use Permit to allow live entertainment in the restaurant at the Aztec Hotel.  Last month, the Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit request to allow alcoholic beverages to be served at the new restaurant that will soon be opening in the Aztec Hotel.  A conditional use permit was also requested for entertainment.  The Commission opened the public hearing on the request at the November meeting.  After taking comments from the public and applicant, the Commission gave direction to Staff to bring back conditions of approval to allow very limited entertainment.  The Commission approved entertainment on Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM and one weekend a month: Friday and Saturday until 11 PM.

606 East Huntington Drive – Conditional Use Permit to allow an educational facility in an existing building.  Azusa Pacific University has been pursuing a location for their growing nursing program and found a site in the East Huntington Drive High Tech Corridor that suits their current and future needs.  The Commissioners all agreed that this is a great use for the site and unanimously approved the CUP.  Welcome to Monrovia, APU!

Ordinance No. 2013-01 – Amendment of the City’s regulations for massage businesses.  Over the past few years, the state legislature adopted a couple of pieces of legislation that significantly restricts local governments ability to regulate businesses that offer massage services.  The proposed ordinance will bring the City into compliance with these new regulations.  Staff is still finalizing these new provisions and requested that the item be continued until the January meeting, so more on this issue next month.

So as we close out another year, the Planning Commission and Planning Staff wish the entire community very happy holidays and we’re looking forward to a prosperous 2013!  And with that we are resolving never to use the term “tough economic times” again. 

Planning Commission Update – November 2012

Typical for the end of the year, the number of applications slows down with the upcoming holidays.  Still, the two public hearings provided opportunity for thoughtful discussion among the Commissioners in their deliberations.  The Commission reviewed the following items at their November 14, 2012 meeting:

863 West Olive Avenue – Construct a new duplex behind an existing single family dwelling.  New development in the 700 – 900 block of West Olive Avenue can be a challenge.  While the zoning allows for multi-family development, many of the lots are only 48’ wide—that’s tough, but not impossible, as was proven by this applicant.  Over the past few months, City Staff worked with the applicant to develop a design and site plan that addressed both the requirements of the zoning (no variances) and will be an asset for the neighborhood.  The request was approved.

311 West Foothill Boulevard – Approve a conditional use permit for the service of alcoholic beverages and allow live entertainment in a new restaurant in the Aztec Hotel.  No matter what you think about the Aztec Hotel, you have to admit it is one of the most unique buildings in Monrovia and perhaps in Los Angeles County.  Personally, we love the building and are looking forward to its continued rehabilitation. 

A new Mexican restaurant is proposed in the location previously occupied by the Brass Elephant.  The Planning Commission concurred with the Staff recommendation to approve the conditional use permit (CUP) to allow the service of alcoholic beverages. 

The primary discussion focused on the live entertainment permit.  Based on previously voiced concerns of the neighborhood, the Development Review Committee (DRC) forwarded a recommendation of denial for entertainment at this time.  The Commission had a vigorous discussion on the merits and concerns of the requests.  In order to give the new owners the benefit of the doubt, the Commission continued the public hearing until the December meeting and directed Staff to bring back conditions of approval to allow entertainment on a very limited basis. 

Plan Monrovia - Additionally, Staff made a short presentation on the Plan Monrovia strategic planning process which is currently underway. 

Jack in the Box

Updated on November 14, 2012

 

Now open!  The new Jack in the Box located at the southeast corner of West Huntington Drive and South Magnolia Avenue is up and running.  Store hours for the 2,588 square foot restaurant are from 6:00 a.m. until midnight in the dining room, and 24 hours for the drive-thru.  This site was the former home of The Pottery Ranch store.    

      

The building is located on the west side of the property with the parking spaces located on the east side of the building.   Wrapping around the building on the north is the drive-thru, which continues south along the west side of the building.  Customers can access the site via Huntington Drive or Magnolia Avenue.  

Using an exposed neon design, the Jack in the Box sign is a flashback to the style typically found on businesses located along Historic Route 66.  The sign is mounted on a replica of the background used by the Pottery Ranch sign.

Updated on October 18, 2012

In just a few months, you'll be able to sit down with a Sourdough Jack at the southeast corner of West Huntington Drive and South Magnolia Avenue.  Construction at the site is moving along quickly and, according to their banner sign, this Jack in the Box location will be "Opening Soonish".     

Original Post on August 29, 2012

In September 2011, the Planning Commission approved a request from Jack in the Box Corporation for the development of a 2,588 square foot restaurant with a drive-thru and 24-hour operation at the southeast corner of West Huntington Drive and South Magnolia Avenue.   The site is the former home of The Pottery Ranch store.

Former Pottery Ranch Site

 The building will be situated on the west side of the property with the parking spaces located on the east side of the site.   The drive-thru will wrap around the building on the north and will continue south along the west side of the property.  It will be accessed via Huntington Drive from a new driveway that has been designed to be away from the intersection to lessen traffic impacts.   Another driveway will be located off of Magnolia Avenue for both ingress and egress from the site.  The proposed hours of operation will be from 6:00 am until midnight for the dining room and 24 hours for the drive-thru.

Site Plan

The building is a mixture of stucco and brick with metal awnings and a standing seam roof.  The Jack in the Box sign will be a flashback to the exposed neon style found among businesses that were located along the old Route 66.  The background of the sign will be mounted on the replica of the background of the Pottery Ranch sign.

Front Elevation

Pottery Ranch Sign

Adios Acapulco, Hello Chipotle!

Acapulco had a good run here in Monrovia.  Prior to Acapulco, it was Garcia’s Mexican restaurant.  Unfortunately, like many businesses, Acapulco restaurants have suffered during the recession and have closed many of their restaurants, including the one in Monrovia.  Luckily for Monrovia, the Huntington Oaks Shopping Center is a sought after location and Chipotle is the first of four new food outlets to sign on to occupy a new building which will replace the Acapulco building.  

Former Acapulco Restaurant

In October, the Planning Commission approved the new building and a conditional use permit for the service of alcoholic beverages.  The new building will have outdoor seating on a patio.  Construction should start at the beginning of the year.  As soon as we hear who will be occupying the other spaces, we’ll let you know.

Chipotle, Front Elevation

Planning Commission Update - October 2012

The Planning Commission had a full agenda with five public hearings for their regularly scheduled meeting on October 10, 2012.  The Commission reviewed and approved the following applications:

1820 South Alta Vista Avenue – Two detached residential dwellings on a lot in the RM4000 (Residential Medium Density) Zone and was continued from the August meeting.  The applicant presented a revised proposal to address some of the concerns raised at the previous hearing. 

420 Monrovista Avenue - Greater Ambassador Church of God requested approval to construct an addition to their church. 

600 West Huntington Drive - Construction of a new multi-tenant building that will replace the former Acapulco restaurant building. 

600 West Huntington Drive – Conditional Use Permit to allow the service of alcoholic beverages at a new Chipotle restaurant that will occupy the new building approved in the previous request. 

Amendment of the Circulation Element of the Monrovia General Plan – As part of the construction of the new Gold Line Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Facility at 1600 South California Avenue, the City will be vacating two street segments: Duarte Road (North) and the west half of Shamrock Avenue between Evergreen Avenue and the rail right-of-way.  The Circulation Element was amended to reflect the street vacations.  Additionally, the Commission reviewed and recommended that the City Council adopt the environmental documents for the Gold Line.