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HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-11-91Planning Commission proceedings are tape recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, June 11, 1991 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, June 11, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman Pro Tem Tom Clark presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany ABSENT: Commissioner Papay MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany to excuse Commissioner Papay from tonight's meeting. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MINUTES MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany to approve the Minutes of May 28, 1991 as amended. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany 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. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilman George Fasching City Attorney Michael Miller Planning Director William Woolard Assistant Planning Director Donna Butler Secretary Silva VErgel PUBLIC HEARING CUP 91-006 5 W. Huntington Drive A. Fanticola on behalf of Jiffy Lube Consideration of a conditional use permit to construct and operate a Jiffy Lube oil service and gasoline station. The staff report was presented. Staff remarked that there are 6 on -site parking spaces one of which is a handicap space. The public hearing was opened. Tony Fanticola, 978 Amelia Ave., San Dimas, said that the maximum number of employees will be 6, but the majority of the time only 5 will be working. The sixth employee will probably be a part time employee for the peak hours of business. The Commission expressed concern that the sixth employee would be forced to park in the handicap space. John Wortmann, 16521 Tropez Lane, Huntington Beach, said that the business will be strictly drive through and cars will not be dropped off. The waiting room is to serve the customers who are waiting for their cars, which are being serviced. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Staff remarked that there is no parking space for the sixth employee and it is possible that the handicap space would be utilized by the employees. It was noted that they might be able to park in the County Park's parking lot which is further south on Santa Anita. Although Code requires a handicap space, Staff did not foresee a parking problem at the site. In response to a question, from the Commission, staff said that the 39' driveway is needed to provide adequate space for egress and ingress access to the lot. William Woolard, the Planning Director, thought that they are in the parking district and would be able to park in the parking lot on the east side of Santa Anita. Commissioner Amato felt that the handicap space should be kept open and should not be utilized by the employees. Chairman Pro Tem Clark remarked that this is a good use and did not think that the parking would be a problem. During the Planning Commission's review, there was discussion regarding the location of the electrical panel. Based upon this discussion, it was recommended that if the panel is located on the outside of the building, it should be placed on the north side of the building. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve CUP 91-006 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay Chairman Pro Tem Clark Papay noted that there is a five working day appeal after the adoption of the resolution. Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/11/91 Page 2 PUBLIC HEARING TA 91-005 Consideration of a text amendment adding tree preservation regulations to the Arcadia Municipal Code. The staff report was presented. Mr. Woolard stated that with the exception of the Lower Rancho, all other Homeowner's Associations (HOA) require the Architectural Review Board's (ARB) approval to remove a tree and periodically trees have been removed without the ARB's approval. In one case, an oak tree was trimmed with a chain saw and all that was left was the stump. He noted that item G, Arcadia Redevelopment Agency Property, deals with the removal of trees from Arcadia Redevelopment Agency owned property, which in the opinion of the Executive Director of the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency, are in a location which does not permit the development of the site. Commissioner Amato stated that the Agency should not be exempt from the tree preservation and should comply with the regulations and pay permit fees, if necessary.' The public hearing was opened. Jim Rostron, 422 Monte Vista, Chairman ARB of Lower Rancho, said that his association is in favor of staff's recommendation, i.e. oak trees and indigenous trees. In regard to ARB review, he commenced that no one on his ARB has the expertise to comment on tree preservation. He thought the ARB should be left out of the review process. He noted that they would have to have 'a landscape architect or an arborist to review each case. He thought that this ordinance should only apply to oaks and indigenous trees. Bill Wyman, 507 Monte Vista, member of the ARB for Lower Rancho, was in favor of the ordinance but did not think that the ARB should give permission for the removal of trees. He thought his association should not be involved with tree removal. He thought that this ordinance could be better worded. He remarked that a 38" trunk circumference should be added to Section O. He asked that this matter be continued to allow the HOAs to meet with the Planning Director so that their concerns can be addressed. In response to questions from Mr. Wyman, Mr. Woolard was in favor of the ordinance said that if the tree preservation ordinance is adopted, encompassing only oak and indigenous trees, then it would pertain to all oak and indigenous trees on private properties. Bob Lincoln, 296 W. Orange Grove, Chairman of the ARB for the Oaks, said that they have many plans that are submitted for additions or alterations and as a result they review location of all existing and proposed trees and the possible affects of the change to the trees. He stated that the City of La Verne has a tree preservation which is very specific as far as penalties and has very clear and precise words. If a tree is removed in the City, this ordinance calls out the size and number of trees that it should be replaced with. The proposed ordinance leaves the replacement tree at the discretion of the Planning Director. Mr. Woolard explained that if a Chinese Elm tree is removed, he would not want it to be replaced with several of the same. Staff remarked that La Verne's ordinance applies to large lots in excess of 1 -2 acres and does not apply to single - family lots, less than that. H.R. Stoke, 1040 Hampton, thought that all HOAs should be consistent with their requirements and was in favor of a tree preservation ordinance. He remarked that their association has retained a consultant who will help them in their decision making. Bob Henkel, 1065 Singingwood, thought that the fines for trimming trees are too much and would be very costly for someone who would like to trim a tree. He stated that the ordinance should be clear and state Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/11/91 Page 3 what trees can be removed and the type and number of trees that they should be replaced with. He thought that the penalties should be clearly defined so that the property owners are aware of the penalties. He suggested having a list of approved tree trimmers to be provided to the public by the City who are knowledgeable of the City's regulations and requirements. Judie Draper, 939 Hampton, asked if this hearing could be continued to allow the HOAs and the Planning Department to meet to discuss this matter and their concerns. She said that although the City is on the right track, there are several items in the proposed ordinance which need to be clarified for better implementation. Richard Palmer, 2073 Carolwood, said that there should be an ordinance protecting the oak trees. He said that one of the branches of his oak tree interferes with the sprinkler system and he would hate to have to get a permit just for trimming a branch. He remarked that it seemed like going through a lot of red tape just to trim a tree. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Amato suggested providing a booklet which would advise on how to take care of oak trees as well as how to trim them. He did not think that a permit should be required for trimming trees and was in favor of obtaining a permit to cut down trees. Commissioner Szany agreed with Mr. Palmer and thought that it is a lot of red tape just to trim a tree and was not sure that would be effective government. He agreed with Commissioner Amato's comments in regard to requiring a permit for tree removal. Commissioner Hedlund thought that it is a shame to cut down oak trees and noted he has not seen a mass desecration of oaks. He was not sure that a tree ordinance is necessary, based on a couple of instances, and said that in 10 years there would be many more trees in the City. He stated that many people seem to be planting trees instead of removing them. Commissioner Clark thought there was a need for an ordinance, but did not think it was necessary to address all trees. He concurred with Commissioner Hedlund that he did not think the problem was real severe, but thought something should be done. He thought the ordinance was too detailed and should focus only on oak trees and indigenous trees. Discussion ensued with regard to the continuation of the public hearing to allow for the HOAs and the Planning Department to meet and to discuss the proposed ordinance. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany to continue the public hearing to July 23rd. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/11/91 Page 4 AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None RESOLUTION 1460 A resolution granting CUP 91-005 to operate a Gymboree parent participation program at 639 W. Duarte Road. Mr. Woolard read the title of the resolution. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to adopt Resolution 1460, and to formally affirm the decision of May 28, 1991 and the votes thereon. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay Chairman Pro Tem Clark Chairman Papay noted that there is a five working day appeal period. MATTERS FROM COUNCIL None MATTERS FROM COMMISSION MATTERS FROM STAFF ADJOURNMENT None None 8:50 p.m. Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 6/11/91 Page 5