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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-24-11MOTION: OTHERS ATTENDING There were none. There were none. PUBLIC HEARINGS MINUTES ARCADIA PLANNING COMMISSION Tuesday, May 24, 2011, 7:00 P.M. Arcadia City Council Chambers The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of the City of Arcadia, at 240 W. Huntington Drive with Chairman Parrille presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chairman Parrille led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Chiao and Parrille ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek It was moved by Commissioner Baerg and seconded by Commissioner Baderian to excuse Commissioner Beranek from the meeting. Without objection the motion was approved. Mayor Pro Tempore, Robert Harbicht Community Development Administrator, Jim Kasama Assistant Planner, Tim Schwehr Assistant Planner, Nick Baldwin Senior Administrative Assistant, Billie Tone SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO ADDRESS THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON NON - PUBLIC HEARING MATTERS — Five - minute time limit per person 1. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 11 -07 ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. ADR 10 -01 233 E. Huntington Drive Derby Restaurant Arcadia, Inc. The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 5,448 square -foot, two -story addition to an existing 6,458 square -foot, one -story restaurant (dba: The Derby). The addition will provide offices, storage, a food preparation area, and a new banquet room with seating for up to 175 patrons. Two existing parking spaces will be eliminated by the proposal. RESOLUTION NO. 1837 A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, Califomia, approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -07 & Architectural Design Review No. ADR 10 -01 to allow a 5,448 square -foot, two -story addition to an existing 6,458 square -foot, one -story restaurant at 233 E. Huntington Drive (dba: The Derby). Assistant Planner, Tim Schwehr, presented the staff report. Commissioner Baderian said that the Derby Restaurant is an institution in Arcadia and that the Commission would like to see the business continue to prosper. He asked what the number of parking spaces needed would be if the restaurant were at capacity. Ms. Kasama explained that the busiest time for the restaurant is the holiday season and during that time it is usually estimated that there will be an average of 2 '/z people per vehicle. The applicant is proposing 114 spaces which includes valet service. Commissioner Baderian asked if 114 cars could be accommodated and Mr. Schwehr said that is correct if the additional spaces that are realized with valet stacking are included. Otherwise, there is a 65 space deficiency. Commissioner Chiao asked for a definition of valet stacking. Mr. Schwehr explained that because the valet has the car keys, he can move the cars around and can double and even triple park them. In this case, there are 89 total spaces including tandem spaces plus an additional 25 cars can be parked in the aisles which adds up to 114. Commissioner Chiao noted that the actual number of spaces is 89 without valet stacking and the Code requires 179 spaces. Mr. Schwehr confirmed that. Commissioner Chiao noted that it is difficult to reconcile a parking deficiency of almost 50% as it seems almost certain to have an impact on the surrounding businesses. Commissioner Baerg asked if there was a plan in place to handle parking overflow if necessary. Mr. Schwehr explained that this has never occurred and that the valets have never needed to use adjacent lots. Commissioner Baderian asked if the City Engineer was satisfied with the parking plan and that the impact on traffic on Huntington Drive would be minimal. Mr. Schwehr said that the City Engineer completed a full review and is satisfied with the parking plan and expects no significant impact on Huntington Drive. The Public Hearing was opened. Chairman Parrille asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project. Mr. Dustin Nicolarsen, co -owner of the Derby Restaurant, said that they have two easements; one is on the property to the north with the Hampton Inn and the other is to the east with the Soup Plantation. The easements have only been used once or twice before, for instance for Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita and for Mother's Day when they are very busy. PC MINUTES 5-24-11 Page 2 He noted that the easements are easy to open and they provide additional points of entry or exit. Furthermore, the valets are trained to efficiently stack and retrieve cars which reduces the number of spaces needed. Commissioner Chiao asked how patrons can be accommodated if the Code requires 179 spaces and there are only 89. Mr. Nicolarson explained that this was a concern the the past proposals but in this case, because much of the proposed addition is for storage, there will not be a big increase in parking demand. Commissioner Chiao asked if the designs were similar on previously approved applications. Mr. Larson said the only difference is the second story which will be used for storage and offices. Commissioner Baderian asked how many additional spaces are provided by the two easements. Mr. Nicolarson said that the Hampton Inn easement has about 48 spaces but he is not sure how many there are in the Soup Plantation easement. Commissioner Baderian asked if these easements will be able to accommodate the additional cars expected because of the proposed addition. Mr. Nicolarson said they definitely will and the space will be available for use by the Derby at all times. Chairman Parrille asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project. There were none. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Chiao to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved. Commissioner Chiao said that although he has always enjoyed the restaurant, he is still concerned with the parking deficiency. Commissioner Baerg said that initially, he felt the same way but based on the explanations offered by staff and the applicant and the City Engineer's recommendation, he will be able to approve the application. Chairman Parrille said that the project is good for the City and that there are more acute traffic problems in other areas of the City. Commissioner Baderian asked to reopen the public hearing. Chairman Parrille reopened the public hearing. Commissioner Baderian asked if there is an expiration date on the easements. Mr. Nicolarson said they are both irrevocable easements and there are no stipulations for expiration. In fact, both easement areas have signs directing Derby parking. Mr. Nicolarson pointed out that the restaurant itself occupies Tess than 10% of the site. He also said that in the past they provided both valet and self - parking but would provide only valet parking if required. Mr. Nicolarson said that others have been apprehensive about the PC MINUTES 5-2411 Page 3 parking situation until they visited the site and saw the large amount of space available and how valet parking works. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Baerg to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved. Commissioner Baderian said that he was also concerned about the parking situation but after hearing about the availability of easements he was reassured. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baderian, seconded by Commissioner Baerg to approve Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -07 and Architectural Design Review No. ADR 10 -01 subject to the conditions in the staff report and to adopt Resolution No. 1837. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, and Parrille NOES: Commissioner Chiao ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. 2. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. CUP 11 -08 556 W. Las Tunas Dr., Suite Nos. 106, 107 Jennifer Lu The applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow a 707 square -foot expansion of a personal service use (i.e., beauty salon, day spa, massage, etc.). The total salon area will be 1,650 square feet. RESOLUTION NO. 1838 A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, Califomia, approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -08 for a hair salon expansion at 556 Las Tunas Drive, Suites 106 and 107. Assistant Planner, Nick Baldwin presented the staff report. The Public Hearing was opened. Chairman Parrille asked if anyone would like to speak in favor of this project. Mr. Sien, the owner of the shopping center, said that he was representing the applicant, Ms. Lu, and would be translating for her. He said that Ms. Lu has been conducting business in Arcadia for over eight years and is very happy to be here. He said that the space Ms. Lu would like to use has been vacant for over two years and that Ms. Lu would appreciate approval of her application. PC MINUTES 5 -24-11 Page 4 Commissioner Baderian asked if Ms. Lu has read and understands the staff report and conditions of approval. Ms. Lu replied that she only understands a little English. Mr. Baldwin explained that he had discussions with Ms. Lu regarding the services she would be offering and the hours of operation. He said they also discussed Condition No. 3 regarding alteration of the existing facilities and she expressed her understanding. Mr. Sien added that Ms. Lu understands city regulations and that she is doing a very good business at her present location. Chairman Parrille asked if anyone wanted to speak in opposition to this project. There were none. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Chiao, seconded by Commissioner Baerg to close the Public Hearing. Without objection the motion was approved. MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Baerg, seconded by Commissioner Baderian to approve Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -08, subject to the conditions in the staff report and to adopt Resolution 1838. ROLL CALL AYES: Commissioners Baderian, Baerg, Chiao and Parrille NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek There is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the Resolution. CONSENT ITEMS 3. RESOLUTION NO. 1836 A Resolution of the Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia, Califomia, approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP 11 -03 for a restaurant with live entertainment, amplified D.J. music, and dancing at an existing 7,706 square -foot commercial building at 57 Wheeler Avenue. 4. MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2011 MOTION: It was moved by Commissioner Chiao, seconded by Commissioner Baerg, to adopt Resolution No. 1836 and to approve the minutes of May 10, 2011 as presented. PC MINUTES 5 -2411 Page 5 ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Baerg, Chiao and Parrille NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Beranek ABSTAIN: Commissioner Baderian MATTERS FROM CITY COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION Chairman Parrille welcomed Mayor Pro Tempore Harbicht who will be serving as City Council Liaison to the Planning Commission. Councilman Harbicht said that he is pleased to serve with the Commission and that he hopes to be able to attend at least one meeting each month. He also mentioned that he served as a Planning Commissioner in the past. Councilman Harbicht reported that the Caruso project at Santa Anita Race Track will not be going forward. He said that the Council is very sorry that this important project didn't work out but that there will be other projects proposed for this property. Commissioner Baderian said, based on the last item on the agenda, what processes are in place for non - English speaking applicants. He asked how staff makes sure that all applicants fully understand their conditions of approval. Mr. Kasama explained that we have bilingual employees on staff to assist as needed. He also said that he spoke personally to the applicant and was assured of her understanding. MODIFICATION COMMITTEE AGENDA Chairman Parrille reported that a Modification at 19 -25 Alta Street for a Multi - Family project was approved by the Modification Committee. MATTERS FROM STAFF & UPCOMING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Kasama announced that the June 14 meeting is cancelled and the next meeting of the Planning Commission will be on June 28. He said that at the June 28 meeting several Text Amendments will presented for review as well as the annual adoption of CEQA Guidelines. He mentioned that the Modification Committee denial of the project at 118 San Miguel was appealed. ADJOURNED TO JUNE 28, 2011 ATTEST: Secre - - anning Commission airm mg Commission 8 :02 p.m. PC MINUTES 5-24-11 Page 6