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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-90Planning Commission proceedings are tape recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, December 11, 1990 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, December 11, 1990 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman Larry Papay presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Papay ABSENT: Commissioner Szany MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to excuse Commissioner Szany from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MINUTES MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Clark to approve the Minutes of November 27, 1990 as published. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilman Joseph Ciraulo City Attorney Michael Miller Planning Director William Woolard Assistant Planning Director Donna Butler Associate Planner Corkran Nicholson Secretary Silva Vergel PUBLIC HEARING TPM 90-014 Lots 947 -1007; 1189-1237; 1240-1249, all inclusive in the Chicago Part Tract. Livingston- Graham, Inc. Consideration of a tentative parcel map to consolidate lots along Clark Street into thirteen lots. The staff report was presented. Staff said that lot 2 is part of the quarry site and the City is requiring that an access easement be provided for utilities and for automobile access. At the present there are no developments proposed for the lot and this process is for the consolidation of the smaller lots into 13 lots which can be developed. Commissioner Hedlund was concerned about Lot 2 being a separate lot and thought that it should be included in the consolidation plans. Mike Miller, the City Attorney, said that it could be approved subject to the City Attorney's office preparing the appropriate document. The public hearing was opened. Edward Hartman, 425 W. Bonita, San Dimas, the engineer of the project said that they are in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. A RP has been submitted to the City of Irwindale and it calls for lot 2 to be a parcel of a fill area going out to a lake area, a fish and recreational area. They have retained several engineering firms to develop an interim mining plan since they have obtained the Goldring property to the west and this property is presently graded mostly to Clark St. and the property adjacent to Clark St. will be filled with innert material. In the original subdivision the depths of the lots were 133' deep and if the street is widened by 5' it would cut the depth of the lot to 128' which would not be a reasonably developable property in today's industrial development but a 150' is the better because of parking and setback requirements. The City of El Monte has expressed concern over the development of this property and he felt that a 30 day continuance would be appropriate to allow them to review and comment on the project. In response to Commissioner Hedlund's concerns, Mr. Hartman noted that condition could be added which would the Subdivision Map Act would prohibit the development of lot 2 and remarked that lot 2 could be made part of the properties to the north which are in Arcadia. William Woolard, the Planning Director, said that an additional condition could be added that would require a covenant to hold lot 2 with other lot(s) of some value. Frank Graham, 12081 Clark St., owner of lots 1238 and 1239, spoke against the project. He thought that it would be unfair to allow them to consolidate and said that his lot are the two lots that are not included in the consolidation. If this was approved he would be blocked off on both sides with buildings. Chairman Papay remarked that the item before the Commission is the consolidation of lots and not what will be built on them and the conolidation does not change the zoning. The lots to either side of Mr. Graham's property are zoned for industrial use and can be used as such. Mr. Woolard said that the minimum lot size is 15,000 sq. ft. for development in the area. Mark Pcrstco, City Planner for the City of El Monte, 11333 Valley Blvd., El Monte, asked that the Commission continue the hearing for 30 days to allow them to review the proposal. Marvin Cichy, Deputy City Attorney for the City of El Monte, 11333 Valley Blvd., El Monte, concurred with Mr. Pcrstco and felt that the continuance would allow them ample time to comment on the project. Mr. Woolard explained that this is not dealing with the excavation of or filling of the gravel pit. It is dealing with consolidation of lots. Merrill Felker, 12060 Clark St., El Monte, was concerned about the grading of the project and access to the lots. He said that the soil there is like running sand and thought that the Commission should look into many things before approving. He commented that he resides across the street and has a beautiful view of the mountains from Pasadena to Azusa and when they develop these lots his view will be industrial buildings. Royoll Brown, 2153 Aloma Dr., West Covina, Director of the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District, said that he has not received any documentation about this and would like to receive copies of everything and said that the ground water has to be protected and was in favor of the 30 day continuance. Arcadia City Planning Commission 12/11/90 Page 2 Elias Gonzales, 12022 Clark St., El Monte, said that the trucks travel at approximately 40 mph which is very dangerous and was afraid that with the development of these lots it would increase truck traffic. The streets are in very bad shape and wondered which City is responsible for the maintenance. Michael Walsh, 12064 Clark St., El Monte, was against the proposal and said that it would block their view and increase traffic. In rebuttal, Mr. Hartman said that they have had geological and soil tests conducted and he can provide certified copies of them that state that the soil is suitable and stable for industrial development. The lots will drain away from the pit area. The proposal will allow for a more viable and better development of the industrial properties. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. Commissioner Hedlund thought that lot 2 should be consolidated with lot 1. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Clark to continue the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 90 -018 616 E. Live Oak Ave. Paul De Thouars Consideration of conditional use permit for a proposed martial arts instruction studio, and a parking modification to permit 58 on -site spaces in lieu of 71 spaces required for the proposed studio. The staff report was presented. Staff said that the majority of the shops in the subject site are vacant. This was the building which was yellow and the Commission required that it be repainted and it has been repainted to the satisfaction of the Planning Department. The public hearing was opened. Paul De Thouars, 4109 Lynd, said that he is in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report. Robert Chu, BP International, representing the property owner, said that the owners have had a difficult time leasing the building and keeping tenants and remarked that they would like to see the building occupied. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. The consensus of the Commission was favorable. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve CUP 90 -018 subject to the conditions in the staff report. Arcadia City Planning Commission 12/11/90 Page 3 ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Papay NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Szany Chairman Papay noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. PUBLIC HEARING MP 90-016 322 -324 El Dorado St. Sean Hsu Consideration of modifications for a proposed 11 -unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented. Staff said that the backout area is 30'. The proposal is similar to a development at 330 El Dorado. The project is for detached units and one of the requested modifications is for 10' separation between buildings in lieu of 20'. The public hearing was opened. Brian Dawson, 2070 business Center Dr., #220, Irvine, representing the owner said that they tried to design a building that would fit in well and noted that people would prefer to have detached units than attached. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Amato said that these are nice, large units on small lots. Chairman Papay said that if the upcoming text amendment was in affect, this project would be required to provide more parking spaces. Mr. Woolard said that the R -2 zone permits single - family homes. Commissioner Clark said the Commission should determine if 10' is adequate separation. He thought that a 10' separation was better than attached units with a long mass of building. Commissioner Hedlund didn't think that 10' is adequate and felt that it is undesirable living and noted that the project does not provide much open space. He thought that these are single - family homes and not units. Staff said that the feedback that they have received from people who have purchased these detached units are that they are much nicer than attached units. The front yards serve the unit that they are in front of but are common area and are maintained by the association. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve MP 90-016 subject to the conditions in the staff report. Arcadia City Planning Commission 12/11/90 Page 4 ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Papay NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Szany Chairman Papay noted there is a five working day appeal period. PUBLIC HEARING TA 90-007 Consideration of a text amendment to amend Arcadia Municipal Zoning Code Sections 9253.2.9 and 9255.2.9 relating to on -site parking for R -2 and R -3 multiple - family projects, to require 2.5 parking spaces per unit for up to and including each three bedroom unit and one additional on -site parking space for each bedroom in excess of three. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Staff said that other than the kitchen, living room and bathroom, all other rooms are deemed to be bedrooms. Mr. Woolard said that a PUD has its own regulations as far as parking. Staff explained that each unit in a PUD is required to have 4 parking spaces and is not defined where the 4 spaces have to be located within the project. With the proposed text amendment a 4 bedroom unit would require a 3 -car garage. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to recommend approval of TA 90 -007 to the City Council. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Papay NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Szany AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Bob Henkel, Chairman of the Rancho Santa Anita Property Owner's Assoc. Architectural Design Review Board (ARB), 1065 Singingwood, said that prior to the last City Council meeting 6 oak trees were cut down without the association's approval and 2 of the trees were considered to be endangered species. Another 6 trees were cut down in the same area since that meeting. Due to the nature of these trees and the length of time it takes to grow them, there is a need to protect these trees and the City should protect them. The ARB cannot do anything to the property owners after the trees are cut. He noted that one of the properties was on Singingwood and the trees that Arcadia City Planning Commission 12/11/90 Page 5 were removed were in the rear yard and the other property was on Fallen Leaf and the trees were located in the front yard. Actually the trees were not removed, but very badly trimmed. He went on to say it is much cheaper to cut these trees than to move them which costs approximately $30,000, and a homeowner can cut the trees and claim that he was unaware that he had to obtain the ARB's approval. The city of San Marino requires that for every tree that is taken down a similar type of tree, same kind and age, be replanted in its place. He suggested that the City look into a similar type ordinance to protect the oak trees and for the people who prune or cut them to know about oak trees and how they should be pruned or cut. He said that these trees are an asset to the community and every effort should be made to save them and the some of the property owners are unaware of how long it takes to grow them. He noted that his association is in the process of preparing a pamphlet informing their community that it is illegal to cut down trees without the ARB's approval. He remarked that when these pamphlets are ready they will hand deliver them to each homeowner and ask them to sign indicating that they have received a copy of it. He said that in some cases the trees are so mutilated that they can not be replanted. Councilman Ciraulo thought that that is a good approach to educating the public regarding oak trees. Mr. Woolard said that a report is being prepared for the City Council's review to preserve oak trees. He noted that each month a list of new homeowners is obtained from the Water Department and a letter welcoming them to the City as well as a copy of the appropriate resolution is sent to each homeowner in the association. Chairman Papay said that Mr. Henkel's testimony provides further evidence why a tree ordinance is needed in the City. RESOLUTION 1454 RESOLUTION 1455 Mr. Woolard read the title of the resolutions. MOTION A resolution granting V- 90-003 for a 60 foot high monopole antenna support at an unmanned cellular telephone equipment facility at 206 E. Live Oak. A resolution recommending approval of GP 90 -001 to amend the Arcadia General Plan Land Use Element from single - family residential 0-6 dwelling units per acre to multiple - family residential 7+ dwelling units per acre at 44 -50 Forest Ave., 612 -620 N. First Ave. and 801 -805 N. First Ave. It was moved by Commissioner Clark, seconded by Commissioner Amato to adopt Resolution 1454 and 1455 and to formally affirm the decisions of November 27, 1990, reflecting the findings of the Commission and the votes thereon. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Papay NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Szany Chairman Papay noted that there is a five working day appeal period. Arcadia City Planning Commission 12/11/90 Page 6 MATTERS FROM COUNCIL None MATTERS FROM COMMISSION None MA1 lERS FROM STAFF None ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m. Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 12/11/90 Page 7