We're #211

As our long time followers know (Hi Mom!) May 1 is the day the state releases the new population estimates for cities and counties. "The E-1" as it's called in the biz, is appropriately titled "Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties, and the State." 

Perfect title.  Right?  Leave it to the state...

So what's this E-1 all about?  

Throughout the year, state demographers collect all sorts of data from local jurisdictions

--that's us--about changes in the community.  They then do all sorts of extrapolations  and provide population estimates. (We've been waiting for just the right occasion to use the word "extrapolation".)

Here's the results:

Monrovia's population as of January 1, 2015 is estimated at 37,406.  This is an increase of 227 people or 0.6%.  Monrovia ranks 211 out of California's 482 cities.

Los Angeles County's population increased 0.8% to 10,136,559.

California's population is now estimated at 38,714,725, a 0.9% increase.

Want to know who's #210?  Check out the demographic information on the Department of Finance website.

Neighborhood Study Update

As you may have heard, several months ago, the Monrovia City Council adopted two temporary moratoria (apparently "moratoriums" is grammatically incorrect). One, prohibiting the demolition of houses built before 1940, and the other restricting second story construction for most single family zoned properties.  The purpose is to “take a breath” and give the community an opportunity to discuss and provide input on current development and its impact on Monrovia’s neighborhoods (and also on whether "moratoria" is actually a word). 

The City has begun a comprehensive review of existing development regulations in an effort to better achieve a balance between property rights and government oversight of development activities. Our goal is to protect the architectural character and unique personality of Monrovia  as new buildings are built and older buildings restored – without needlessly applying burdensome restrictions on new construction.

Over the past few months, City Staff (that's us) has been meeting with the community (that's you) to listen to Monrovians talk about the issues regarding current development in our neighborhoods.  The next meeting is scheduled for:

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

7:00 PM

Knights of Columbus

130 West Pomona Avenue, Monrovia, CA

If you are unable to make this meeting, there will be other opportunities throughout the process to participate and we'll use this blog to keep you up to date... so stay tuned, loyal readers!

More information about the process, the issues and the moratoria are available on the City’s website.  You can also sign up there to receive updates on the process.

http://www.cityofmonrovia.org/communitydevelopment/webform/monrovia-neighborhood-study

Share your thoughts with us by taking the citywide neighborhood compatibility and historic preservation project survey using the link below.  The survey will be available through the end of May.  We've received some great feedback so far... but we still need to decide this whole "moratoria" versus "moratoriums" issue.

 

City of Monrovia Neighborhood Compatibility/Historic Preservation Project Survey

We're in a great place Monrovia

We have a whole new respect for bloggers.  Its hard work keeping a blog updated on a regular basis!  Admittedly, we’ve been a bit lackadaisical in our blogging duties, and we apologize for leaving you on the edges of your seats for eight months. 

But, now we’re back, and we have some great news to share!  This week, Old Town Monrovia was honored by the California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA California) as a “Great Place in California” award winner!  APA California defines a Great Place in our state as one that exemplifies character, quality, and excellent planning, and, most importantly, is a place where people want to be.  We’re not sure about our thousands of loyal readers out there, but when we heard about this “Great Place” award, we thought, “That sounds just like Monrovia!  We have to tell APA California about Old Town!” 

So, with our mission in mind, we carefully conducted our research, painstakingly compiled our data, endlessly walked Old Town taking photos, and then…we stopped for ice cream. But, after the ice cream, we got cracking on our “Great Place in California” application and, in the end, our perseverance and sugar-high paid off!  Our application was chosen as one of only three winners in this, the very first year that APA California is offering the award. 

 Being able to bring recognition to our community is one of our favorite parts of the job! We are thrilled and honored to be chosen to receive the award, and we humbly accept it on behalf of every single person who has contributed and continues to contribute to Old Town Monrovia.  Cheers!

Two new landmarks on the way!

The Historic Preservation Commission had a full agenda for their meeting of July 23, 2014.  In addition to welcoming new Commissioner Karen Bullis, the highlights of the meeting were the review of applications for two new historic landmarks.  

624 East Foothill Boulevard

First up was 624 East Foothill Boulevard.  In area that has an abundance of really impressive Craftsman Bungalows, sometimes we've overlooked a few gems and this is definitely one of them.  

The porch at 624 East Foothill Boulevard

This is a house that exemplifies the saying "it's all in the details".  At first glance, our thought was...nice Craftsman.  But look close, there's lots of stuff going on here.  Yes, its a Craftsman Bungalow but it's the Colonial Revival accents that make it unique.  There are few other Craftsman/Colonial mash-ups in town, but we'd have to say, that this one is probably one of the best.  The designers and builders of the house...the Tifal Brothers who are at the top of the list of the Who's Who of Monrovia Craftsmen.  

The Commission voted to recommend approval of Historic Landmark No. 131 to the City Council.

The next house for consideration is located at 240 West Hillcrest Boulevard.  Unlike the house on Foothill, this one has been on our radar for a long time.  Built in 1887, it is one of the oldest houses in Monrovia.  In fact it was built the same year Monrovia became a city. The house is a wonderful example of a dwelling from the Victorian era...also with some Colonial Revival components.  When the house was built, it was on the corner of Banana and Magnolia Avenues.  That's right, Hillcrest used to be called Banana.  In the early 1900's, the house was moved to the east to its current location.  It was then that the Colonial porch elements were added, as well as the granite foundation.

240 West Hillcrest Boulevard

In addition to the architecture, the house has some connections to William Monroe, one of Monrovia's founders.  The house was built for George Dumbell, who who was Monroe's bookkeeper.  

At the close of the hearing, the Commission also recommended approval to the City Council of Historic Landmark No. 132.

If you want to read more about either house, check out the staff reports: 

• 240 West Hillcrest Boulevard 
• 624 East Foothill Boulevard

Station Square Open House: July 30, 2014

You're invited to the Station Square Open House next Wednesday, July 30th at the Monrovia Public Library (321 S. Myrtle Ave.).  Representatives will be on hand from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to answer any questions you have about the area around the future Gold Line stop.  Don't have any burning questions to ask?  Feel free to swing by anyway to take a look at some photo renderings and listen to updates about the project. 

Don't forget to check out the City's Station Square webpage for the latest information.

Would you like a free pizza?

Blaze Pizza opens this weekend in Foothill Park Plaza, specifically, at 108 W. Foothill Boulevard.  Follow Blaze Pizza on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook and grab yourself a free pizza from 11:00 a.m. to midnight.  However, the offer is good only this Saturday (7/26/2014).  

Casually referred to as “the Chipotle or Subway of pizza” Blaze is one of more than a half a dozen food chains using the new trend of assembly line style of custom ordering.  The pizzas are baked in hot ovens for only a few minutes, offering fast, customized pizzas that you may...or may not want to share.  Check out their website for more information.

So what does this all have to do with the Community Development Department?  Well, other then the fact that we do love our food...several divisions and boards were involved in the opening.  The Planning Division worked with the property manager and business owner to get the process going, then coordinated with the state Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC).  Next, the Planning Commission approved Blaze Pizza's conditional use permit to serve beer and wine, the Development Review Committee (DRC) approved their sign, and just today, the Business License Section issued Blaze Pizza's...what else, their business license.  And finally, the Building Division reviewed, approved and inspected their construction.

Bon appetit!

We're back with some exciting news

Where did two months go?  Sometimes life (and work) just get in the way (but we're happy to have both!).

So if you are still with us, our loyal reader, we'll get back on track with a DRC update...

The Development Review Committee (DRC) celebrated its first meeting of summer on Wednesday, June 25 with a light agenda.  Most of the items were fairly standard and included a couple of residential remodels, review of a large family day care, a temporary use and a new sign for Blaze Pizza in the Foothill Park Plaza.  

(The answer to the question is soon...very soon.)

What wasn’t business as usual was DRC’s review of a new building for the BMW dealership.  This will replace their existing facility at 1425 South Mountain Avenue.  The proposed building will hold their entire operation in a 208,783 square foot, three story structure and will house the showroom, offices, service and lots and lots of storage for their inventory.

Over the past few years, Monrovia’s auto dealers have been remodeling their showrooms.  Infiniti is currently under construction.  BMW is the final dealership to update their facilities and in our opinion, it was worth the wait.  The proposed building has a modern look with lots of glass and steel…very contemporary…very BMW.

Although, the City’s Staff has been working with the applicant for several months, one of the primary purposes of DRC is to provide a consolidated review by the directors of each of the City’s departments involved in the construction and ultimately the operation of businesses in Monrovia.  The outcome of the meeting is a formal recommendation to the Planning Commission who ultimately has the authority to approve the project.

At the end of the review, DRC voted to recommend approval to the Planning Commission.  We expect that the Planning Commission will review the request at their meeting on August 13.