DRC 2016 Off to a Roaring Start

On January 20, 2016 the Monrovia Development Review Committee was back and better than ever in newly renovated City Council Chambers and a variety of development projects.

A couple of projects came in looking for a recommendation of approval to the Planning Commission. First was a new microbrewery called Hop Secret (Mmmmmmm... beer!) that is seeking a Conditional Use Permit to move into Hamby Park in the Station Square Transit Village area. Staff recommended approval of this project and we're all very excited to see how things develop down there once the trains start running, businesses start opening, and people start moving in. Over the next six months, we should be getting a good feel for things down there and we'll be able to determine how future projects will fit in with the area. The DRC agreed with staff's assessment and recommended approval to the Planning Commission, who will hear the item within the next few months.

We also had a CUP application for a new restaurant in Old Town, on Lemon Avenue in one of our beautifully restored historic buildings. "Hummos & Pita" (Mmmmmm.... Mediterranean food!) is hoping to open in the next few months with delicious meals and wine and beer. Staff thinks this is a great location for such a restaurant and was supportive of the project. Luckily, the DRC agreed (aren't those guys cool?) and forwarded the application to the Planning Commission with a recommendation of approval.

Another new business the DRC approved is "Dream Big Children's Center" a indoor play area and exploration zone for children ages 1 - 10. This business is going to bring something new and different to our Planned Development - 5 zone, adjacent to Old Town. Building blocks, bouncy balls, books and birthday parties. It makes us wish we were kids again!

The DRC also saw two facade remodels on single family homes. One thing that is fantastic about working in Monrovia is that there are many people who take pride in their homes and want to improve the community. The DRC approved both projects for this very reason. But, credit is also due to our business owners, who also make improvements and help to keep Monrovia a thriving community. That's why the DRC approved two new signs for existing businesses.

We believe that 2016 is going to bring great things for Monrovia - new parks, new trains, new businesses - and that's just in the first quarter! Stayed tuned, loyal readers, because there is sure to be plenty of excitement ahead!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Happy Thursday, loyal readers! We're back with a brand new Development Review Committee recap! We must apologize for our recent lack of updates. With all of the holiday hustle and bustle plus a whole lot of new, exciting, and large projects about town, we turned around and suddenly two months had gone by without a blog update! The old saying really is true - time flies when you're having fun!

The DRC heard several items this week, and we wanted to draw your attention to a few interesting tidbits. First up, there's a new micro-brewer in town! Well, they haven't quite opened their doors yet, but this week REV Winery/REV Brewing Co. went before the DRC with a request to open a manufacturing facility (plus tasting room!) at Hamby Park. This is a new use at Hamby Park that will add an attraction to the overall development of Station Square Transit Village. The DRC forwarded their recommendation of approval to the Planning Commission, who will hear the item early next year. Once operations begin, visitors may be able to catch a performance of some live music in addition to being able to taste REV's organic wines and heady brews. With new businesses "REVing" up Station Square, Monrovians will soon have a new vibrant and bustling neighborhood to check out!

But, don't worry, because our beloved Old Town Monrovia is also blossoming with fresh and exciting businesses. For example, a new restaurant called Sow House located at 402-404 South Myrtle Avenue, previously home to Cafe Opera, just moved into town. With its emphasis on local, fresh, and organic ingredients, this restaurant is "sowing" fresh seeds and introducing a new style of restaurant to Old Town. Sow House will also offer live entertainment on weekend evenings through the end of the year, and will be requesting that the Planning Commission allow live music on a permanent basis. 

We also want to remind you that Orchard Supply Hardware is gearing up to open their Monrovia location at 725 West Huntington Drive. They were back before DRC this week to ask for allowance of seasonal display items in front of the store. This request was approved, and DRC ascertained that OSH is going full speed ahead for their new store. Sorry... we couldn't think of a clever pun for OSH. However, we are gOSH sure excited to have a new home improvement store in town!!

Finally, we would like to wish a very fond farewell to our DRC Chair and Community Development Director, Steve Sizemore, who is retiring at the end of the year. Steve is beloved here in Monrovia and we want to thank him for his guidance, insight, and humor through the years. Good luck, Steve!!!

In the lastest edition of DRC...

Well, what a week this has been! Not only were we preparing for DRC, but the Planning Commission meeting was also held the same day. Even though it was a short agenda, DRC did welcome new business and said goodbye to one of our beloved oak trees. Take a look below for a recap of the October 14th DRC meeting.

A minor exception was requested for a single family residence at 200 block of West Cypress Avenue for an addition to the front of house. Basically, the property owner wanted to continue the existing setback that does not meet the minimum. We understand that requiring the existing development standards can affect the design or look of a home, so the minor exception process was the way to go. If approved, it would allow for the owner to add over 800 square feet to their home. After much deliberation, DRC unanimously approved the minor exception. Woohoo!

On a different note, we will bid farewell to one of our beloved oak trees in town. We received an oak tree removal permit for a property located on the 200 block of Melrose Avenue. The applicant provide an arborist report with an assessment addressing the condition of an existing oak tree in the front yard. The arborist recommended that it is in advanced and irreparable decline and it should be removed immediately. Let us take a minute to remember that great oak tree and the wonderful canopy it once possessed...

On a lighter note, we have several new business coming to town!

A new monument sign was approved for Westport Construction Inc. on the 100 block of West Maple Avenue. 

Good Fortune Supermarket will be replace Hong Kong Supermarket. We wish Good Fortune Supermarket good luck!

And finally, the new signs for the Taco Bell Remodel at 140 West Huntington Drive. For all you drive-thru Pizza Hut lovers, make sure that you take advantage of pizzas while they're still hot. The new remodel will only be for the Taco Bell and pizza will no longer be available. 

Tune in next time, for the next edition of DRC....this is the Planning Division, signing off.

Coming Soon...

We've said it once and we'll say it again... Our little town is getting pretty famous! 

Early next month, two of everybody's favorite Saturday Night Live alumni will be in town filming for a major motion picture.  The filming for the Warner Brothers project will be taking place in two residential neighborhoods and in Old Town Monrovia.  There may be a little extra traffic and a little less parking during the first week of October, but, rest assured, the filming will wrap up in less than a week.  And once the movie is released, expect to see some of our downtown businesses prominently featured! 

Here's to the next score or two!

Historic Landmark No. 1
231 North Primrose Avenue

It's hard to believe, but the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is celebrating it's 20th anniversary. 

On the evening of September 26, 1995 in the City Manager's Conference Room at City Hall, HPC convened it's first meeting.  The agenda included a discussion of meeting procedures, the upcoming work program and the always exciting Brown Act!  

OK, so the Brown Act is not all that exciting, but it is a very important law that every appointed and elected official must be well versed in to ensure transparency in conducting City business. 

That night, the Commission's first order of business was to select a chair and vice-chair for the Commission.  Scott Thomas, and Steve Baker, respectively were unanimously elected.

In 20 years, the Historic Preservation Commission has made very important contributions to the preservation of Monrovia's built environment.  So today we want to thank and acknowledge each of our current and former Historic Preservation Commissioners...all 21 of them.

Steve Baker                           1995-2005                

Donna Baker                          1995-2000, 2002-2015        

Kent Cornwall                         1995-2000

Anne McIntosh                       1995-2004

John Petrovich                        1995-2001

Tim Shea                               1995-2015

Scott Thomas                         1995-2001

Jimi Hendrix                           2001-                          

Coulter Winn                          2001-2008                            

Peter Fisk                               2002-2005                     

Penny Zuk                              2004-                           

Hany Malak                            2005-2007    

Marianne Lee                          2005-                                      

Scott Austin                            2007-2011              

Javier Gonzalez-Camarillo        2008-2014                     

David Palomares                     2011-2013

Sergio Jimenez                       2013-                                

Karen Bullis                            2014-                               

Nancy Burke                           2015-                                      

Mark Houston                         2015-   

Dan Ryan                               2015-  

                

Get Ready for Your Closeup, Monrovia!

Our little town in the foothills is getting to be pretty well known and the latest evidence of that comes in the form of reality television!  That's right, a property right here in Monrovia is going to be featured on HGTV's brand-new show "Vintage Flip!"  Not only that, but two of the Community Development Department's staff is going to be featured on the show.  Our planners are definitely multi-talented!

"Vintage Flip" follows a couple who enjoy buying, restoring, and reselling vintage homes.  As some of you may know, Monrovia's historic housing stock is pretty special and historic preservation has been an important component in the planning of this community for over a quarter century.  This community's passion for vintage homes was one of the driving factors behind our current and ongoing Neighborhood Compatibility Study. 

When "Vintage Flip" approached the City about this 1924 Spanish-style home in need of a little TLC, we thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to showcase our preservation efforts (not to mention our beautiful City and friendly staff!).  This home has terrific bones - just check out these cool original windows!  We kind of have a thing for windows around here!

To walk the vintage flippers through the process, planning staff helped them look at the history of the home and the development in the community.  Then, to offer design advice on site, Planners went "on location" to consult on the project.  By working collaboratively with staff, the vintage flippers were able to come up with a restoration plan that will bring this home back to it's former glory!

So, keep your eyes open for "Vintage Flip", Monrovia!  In the meantime, we'll be ready for our closeup, Mr. DeMille!

DRC Returns with a Vengence!

Have you ever wondered what happens when DRC "goes dark" for a meeting? 

Well, we now have the answer - the September 2nd meeting was jam-packed!  That's right, loyal readers, after a brief hiatus, DRC returned on September 2, 2015 with a whopping 15 items (though one was withdrawn).  And now, we will take you through each one of those items in minute detail.  Get comfortable, this could take a while.  Kidding!  That would be insane, right?  How about we give you a quick snapshot of the meeting?

On Wednesday, the DRC reviewed and approved (or recommended approval):

A Fence on Madeline
An Addition on Primrose
Some Beer and Wine on Myrtle (samples not included)
A College on Royal Oaks
A Wine Retailer/Restaurant on Colorado
Four Units on Mayflower
Some Gymnasts on Enterprise (well, not the actual gymnasts)
A Day Care on Alta Vista
A New Home on Walnut
A New Mausoleum at the Cemetery
A House on Norumbega (with lovely wood siding!)
A Sign on Myrtle
A Sign on Foothill
A New Façade on Colorado

And on top of getting all of that squared away, we think we may have just invented a new form of poetry!  That's the DRC for you - they are quite the multitaskers.

For more details on the meeting, the agenda can be found here.

Oh, for our new reader...Development Review Committee...D-R-C.