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Home My WebLink About5-28-91Planning Commission proceedings are taped recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, May 28, 1991 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, May 28, 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, Hedlund, Szany, Clark 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 14, 1991 as amended. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilman George Fasching City Attorney Mike Miller Planning Director William Woolard Assistant Planning Director Donna Butler Secretary Silva Verge! The City Attorney announced that the City Charter requires that for any action to be adopted or approved a majority of the entire membership must vote in favor of the particular motion. If the required three votes are not obtained the motion would fail. If the required three votes are not obtained (1) an applicant may request continuance and it would be up to the Commission to decide whether or not they want to grant the continuance; (2) the matter could be heard and then deferred for final decision pending participation by the absent members as long as they review the records of these proceedings which would be made available to them or (3) the matter could simply go forward to the City Council. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/28/91 Page 1 PUBLIC HEARING CUP 91 -005 639 W. Duarte Rd. (990 Center) Lynda Farrel of Gymboree of San Gabriel Valley. Consideration of a conditional use permit to operate a Gymboree parent participation play- movement program for children 3 months to 4 years of age. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Lynda Farrell, 501 Valido Rd., said that they are currently operating their classes from Our Savior Lutheran Church on Duarte Road. The Gymboree concept has been very successful and they wish to increase the number of classes but the church has no other time slots available to allow the expansion and they wish to move to this shopping center. Keith Farrell, 501 Valido, asked if condition 2 can be deleted and explained that they would like to have the flexibility in the hours of operation. He remarked that if they are as successful in the center as in the church they would like to be able to expand and add to their classes as needed and do not want to be tied in to the time frames that are stated in the staff report. He asked that the restriction of the hours of operation be deleted and noted that sometimes they have birthday parties on Saturday afternoons which would be in violation of the CUP and subject to revocation which in turn would create problems with the lease agreement. They have observed the parking situation and have noticed that most of the patrons of the restaurants are from the medical building across the street and walk to the center. If parking becomes a problem in the future, it can be mitigated by having the employees park at the rear of the 990 store. There were no other persons desiring to speak 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. In response to a comment from the Commission, staff remarked that plans have been submitted for the plan check process to redo the site. Staff did not foresee any problems with the parking and said that there have never been any problems with parking at the site. Staff did not have any problems with deleting condition 2 in the staff report and explained that the hours were hours stated in the application. There is no need to restrict classroom size because they would have to meet fire Codes. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve CUP 91 -005 subject to the conditions in the staff report and that condition 2 in the staff report be deleted. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay Chairman Pro Tem Clark remarked that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/28/91 Page 2 Commissioner Hedlund abstained from this item, since his office was involved with the project. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 91 -004 407 S. Second Ave. Georgio Realty International Consideration of a tentative parcel map for a residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. There were no persons desiring to speak in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION 4 -unit It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve TPM 91 -004 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ABSENT: Commissioners Amato, Szany, Clark None Commissioner Hedlund Commissioner Papay Chairman Pro Tem Clark remarked that there is a ten day appeal period PUBLIC HEARING Z -91 -002 For the properties identified in attached Exhibit "A" The staff report was presented. Consideration of a zone change from C -2 H (General Commercial with a high rise overlay) and C -2 D H (General Commercial with a design and high rise overlay) to C -2 H4, C -2 DH4 and C -2 DH8. Staff commented that the buildings in this area, cannot exceed 8 stories. At a later date the "H" overlay can be added to different properties which would require a zone change. The high rise overlay is recommended to be removed from existing "H" zoned properties which are not currently developed with high rise buildings and are not under a single ownership or do not meet all of the minimum lot area and dimensional requirements. The "H" zoning designation was created in the early 60s to encourage consolidation of lots and it was felt that it would act as a "sufficient impetus to promote redevelopment" and assist in the revitalization of the central business district. The public hearing was opened. There were no persons desiring to speak 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. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/28/91 Page 3 The Commission felt that this is a move in the right direction. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to recommend approval of Z -91 -002 to the City Council. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay PUBLIC HEARING Z -91 -003 For the properties identified in attached "Exhibit A" Consideration of a zone change removing the "H" high rise overlay on certain properties in East Arcadia which are currently zoned C -2 D H; R -3 D H; PR -3 D H; R -3 H; C -2 H AND PR -3 H. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Steve and Charles Nichols, 820 -900 S. Santa Anita, were opposed to this change because they did not want to lose the "H" zoning for their property. They remarked that the building across the street is a 4 -story high rise and they would like to be able to have the option to build a high rise. Staff remarked that the Nichols' property would permit a 3 -story high rise under the current zoning. The existing high rise zoning permits buildings to be eight stories or eight -five feet (85') without any required review by the Planning Commission or the City Council provided the project complies with the setback and other development standards. In May, City Council adopted an ordinance amending the "H" regulations to create five levels of "H" zoning , ranging from 4 to 8 stories with a maximum heights of forty -five (45') to eighty -five (85') feet, respectively. Staff further noted that the building across the street was 3- stories. Mrs. Nichols, 900 Santa Anita, asked why this change has come about and remarked that high rise buildings would increase property values. Commissioner Clark answered by saying that the "H" overlay was added because it was felt that this area was "depressed and rapidly approaching a state of deterioration ". The subject properties have been zoned for high rise buildings for over 27 years, however, it is being recommended that the "H" overlay be removed from properties which are not under a single ownership, and/or do not,meet all of the minimum lot area and dimensional requirements. Staff stated that when the "H" overlay was added, the City's intention was to keep pace with surrounding cities and whether it is because of economics or the viability of high rise, developers have not chosen to develop high rise projects within these areas. In February, the Planning Department presented a report to the City Council which recommended that the "H" high rise zoning regulations be amended to create five high rise zoning overlays. This report also states that if the existing "H" zoned commercial and residential areas were to be developed to the maximum extent permitted, traffic levels would increase significantly and that the added traffic and visual impact of the eight story buildings would permanently alter the character of the community. If there are any requests to add the "H" overlay in the future, the addition can be judged on the merits of the proposed Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/28/91 Page 4 project and development within the vicinity. This would allow the City the ability to evaluate the project's potential environmental impacts and the appropriateness of the project. There were no other persons desiring to speak 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. The consensus of the Commissioner was favorable. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to recommend approval of Z -91 -003 to the City Council. ROLL CAW AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION John Renken, 225 Sharon Rd., said that he owns several properties on Santa Clara, La Porte and St. Joseph and said that one of his properties is adjacent to the 3 -acre proposed development and wondered when the development would begin. He wondered if those areas are presently zoned industrial and wondered if that zoning would remain. Bill Woolard, the Planning Director, suggested that Mr. Renken contact Pete Kinnahan's office, who will be able to furnish him with all the requested information. He noted that the zoning in the area is not going to change. CONTINUED PLANNING COMMISSION Notice of Violation for the illegal division of the rear CONSIDERATION 14.33 strip of property at 600 W. Norman Avenue. Based on staffs recommendation, the Commission tabled this item until June 25th. TIME EXTENSION CUP 90 -004 1300 Golden West Avenue Tawa Supermarket The staff report was presented. Consideration of a request for a one year time extension for the proposed supermarket. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/28/91 Page 5 MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to grant a one year time extension to May 22, 1992. ROLL CAW AYES: Commissioners Amato, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioner Papay MATTERS FROM COUNCIL None MATTERS FROM COMMISSION None MATTERS FROM STAFF Mr. Woolard remarked that the proposed tree ordinance is scheduled for the Commission's June 11th meeting. ADJOURNMENT 8:20 p.m. ':% Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/28/91 Page 6