Development Review Committee

Don’t let that official, bureaucratic sounding name fool you, the primary purpose of the Monrovia Development Review Committee is to provide a timely and efficient way to review compliance with the City’s regulations and streamline the process.

Commonly referred to as “DRC” (Just what the world needs—another acronym!), the Committee is comprised of the City’s capable department heads: the Director of Community Development, Director of Public Works, Fire Chief and Police Chief with staff support coming from the Planning Division. 

DRC meets every other Wednesday at two in the afternoon.  And while they have an agenda, meet in the Council Chambers and follow established parliamentary procedure (big words that mean they have a standardized order to run the meeting), it is far from a traditional formal meeting. 

Akin to “The Price is Right”, the Committee invites anyone interested to “come on down” to hear the request.  No standing before a microphone here, which we know firsthand can be very intimidating.  What follows is a civilized conversation to discuss various aspects of the application.  This format has been very successful in clearing up misconceptions, finding solutions and addressing concerns which often results in a better project.    

So now you know the role of DRC, here are some of the applications they reviewd at their last meeting on March 27:

• A new eight-foot property line wall along the rear property line at the Aztec Hotel (this exceeds the permitted six-foot allowable).
• Minor exception for a new garage to encroach into the required setback on Poppy Avenue.

New business signs for:

• Haley's Nails - 315 West Huntington Dr.
• Medical Clinic - 925 West Duarte Rd.
• Remax Omega - 604 East Huntington Dr.
• Huntington Education - 2143 South Myrtle Ave.

Agendas are posted on the City’s website the Thursday prior to the meeting.  Here’s a direct link to the DRC page.

A Paint Color By Any Other Name Would Not Be The Same

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

- William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

We don’t disagree with Mr. Shakespeare (a lesson learned repeatedly in high school English class), however according to Sherwin-Williams, the keeper of the “color bible,” choosing the right paint name is an essential part of the color marketing process.  A recent article in the Wall Street Journal took a fun, insightful look at the emotional relationship between homeowners and the names of paint colors. 

Also, check out the article’s supplementary piece, which includes a video interview with the author, as well as pictures of rooms painted in a variety of colors.

So, the next time you’re having trouble deciding between paint samples with names like Bagel, Messenger Bag, or Cut the Mustard, pay attention to your emotions.  As long as it’s compatible with the room, you can’t really go wrong basing your choice on the gut feeling that Laughing Orange gives you. (And we thought racehorses had funny names.)

Spring Is In The Air

Which do you think came first, spring or the egg?  Hmmm…doesn’t have quite the same ring. 

Anyway, the arrival of spring had us thinking about an urban legend whether an egg can only stand on its end during the vernal equinox.  Well, if we were trained scientists (or checked Snopes) we’d know the truth, but we’re the hands-on type so we wanted to try for ourselves.   And, based on our empirical evidence, it worked!  (We promise that we did not Photoshop the results of our experiment.)

Next year our goal is to tackle the equinox broom:

So, with a burst of intellectual curiosity, the right amount of silliness, and a good natured egg we've declared this the first day of spring (and the calendar concurs). 

What does this have to do with development?  Absolutely nothing.  However, we couldn't resist the opportunity to wish you a Happy Spring!

Del Taco: Approved

In case you missed the Planning Commission broadcast on KGOV (Time Warner Ch. 99, Champion Ch. 17)…Yes, that’s right—the Planning Commission meetings…live!

Well, anyway, the headline says it all.  The Commission approved a new 24-hour Del Taco at 935 East Huntington Drive.  For more details about the proposal and the site, check out the post from March 7 and September 12, 2012.  Ground breaking should be sometime in the late Spring.

Del Trivia: The first Del Taco opened in Yermo in 1964.

This has been your Planning Commission Update for March 2013.

Del Taco Elevations

Coming Soon: Planning Commission!

We’re Planners, so we get excited about our Commission meetings; especially after working with an applicant for months trying to get a project “just right”.

After a couple of full agendas, the Planning Commission has only one public hearing on the docket for their March 13th meeting.  But for fans of “The Del”, it could be a big night.   The Commission will be reviewing an application to build a new Del Taco on the vacant lot on East Huntington Drive (across from Target).  Looking for all the details?  Click here.

Now, you may recall that an automated carwash was approved last year on the same property.  If approved, Del Taco will join Fast5xpress completing the development of the property.

Staff is recommending approval and if the Planning Commission agrees, by the end of the year we could be enjoying a green bean and cheese burrito (extra green, add sour cream)…or a Double Del with crinkle cut fries.

…and don’t fear, we’re still trying to find the perfect location for In-n-Out.