_____________________________ ST. NORBERT CHURCH           RATES ________________________

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Revitalization of Downtown Artesia underway

By Jerry Bernstein

Work on the long discussed Artesia Downtown Revitalization Project began on April 9 with completion scheduled during the month of August. The work will include that portion of Pioneer between 188th Street and 183rd Street.

In a report to the city council Apr. 10, Planning Director Okina Dor said the project includes removal of a portion of the existing asphalt and concrete, landscape center medians curbside landscaped planters, entry monuments, street trees and street

Furniture. The latter includes bike racks, new pedestrian benches and new trash receptacles.

The Planning Director said $3 million has been allocated from the Bond proceeds for the project. Architect is MW Petiz at a cost of $101,195. Engineering cost totaled $98,977 for the for infrastructure improvements design plans, plus $39,500 in engineering costs for the design plans for the upgrade of traffic single systems that include a mid-block pedestrian traffic signal. Dor said the bid was awarded for the improvements to the Griffith Company in the amount of $1,994,578.60. Anticipated cost for the project is estimated at $2,194,851.

The Revitalization Project is being finance by a $12 million Redevelopment Agency Bond that was approved by the voters in 2007.

In other business the council approved an early morning permit for Kabob Corner at 18738-42 Pioneer Blvd. Applicant was Koka Venkatesh who asked for the “early morning permit” permitting the applicant to operate between 12 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Dor said the restaurant currently has a live entertainment permit that provides for dancing and live music in the form of a disc jockey, jukebox and karaoke.

The council also approved an amendment to the city code establishing definitions of fences, hedges and walls, and defines the types of fencing materials for front, back, side yard and rear yards plus setback requirements plus diameter of fence posts. Existing fencing is grandfather into the ordinance effective July 1.

In other business the council approved a request for a conditional use permit to allow a five bedroom residential house to be built at 17922 Elaine Ave. The property is zone R-1 (single family residential). Applicant is Vic TY. And Janice Y. Luang.

The property is located north of 183rd St. on the east side of Elaine Avenue.  Dor said the applicant is proposing to demolish an existing 844 Sq. Ft. residence and a 240 sq. ft. carport.