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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-14-91Planning Commission proceedings are tape recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, May 14, 1991 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, May 14, 1991, 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, Szany, Papay ABSENT: None MINUTES Commissioner Szany stated that he made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Clark, excusing Commissioner Hedlund from the last meeting which is missing and should be inserted. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Clark to approve the Minutes of April 23, 1991 as amended. 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 Assistant Planner William Stokes Secretary Silva Vergel Chairman Papay announced that Item 4 of the agenda, CUP 91-004 for the proposed mini market at 1009 N. Santa Anita has been withdrawn by the applicant. PUBLIC HEARING TM 49802 320 -324 El Dorado St. H & S Development Consideration of a tentative map for an 11 -unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. Al De Renzis, L & D Eng., 111 N. Melrose, Monrovia, the engineer of the project said that they are in agreement with all of the conditions of the staff report. In response to a question from Mr. De Renzis, staff said that he should contact the Fire Dept. regarding their required conditions of approval. 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. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Clark to approve TM 49802 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany, Papay NOES: None Chairman Papay noted that there is a ten day appeal. PUBLIC HEARING TPM 91 -003 158 Fano St. Handah Int'l Consideration of a tentative parcel map for a 2 -unit residential condominium. 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 Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Clark to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Clark said that he was pleased to see that the project did not require any modifications. Commissioner Amato agreed and said that he liked the idea of having two units instead of four. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to approve TPM 91-003 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany, Papay NOES: None Chairman Papay noted that there is a ten day appeal period. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/14/91 Page 2 The following; application was withdrawn by the applicant. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 91-004 1009 N. Santa Anita Ave. Ramez George Younan PUBLIC HEARING Z -91 -001 See Exhibit "A" for affected addresses Consideration of a conditional use permit to operate a mini market selling beer, wine and alcoholic beverages within 150' of residential properties. Consideration of a zone change from R -1 7,500 to R -1 15,000- - this proposal changes the required minimum lot size from 7,500 sq. ft. to 15,000 sq. ft. The staff report was presented. Staff remarked that the school was included in the zone change because it was felt that it would be a permanent use. At a later date, it can be rezoned to be consistent with the surrounding properties. Chairman Papay remarked in order to expedite the hearing, he would like to ask for testimony from each area, beginning with area I. The public hearing was opened. Area I Betty Takala, 335 W. Duarte Rd., asked why this area was singled out in doing the zone change. Chairman Papay responded by saying that this is the first area that the City is attempting to rezone and that there will be other zone changes. He remarked that the City has to look at each different area and see if it is feasible to rezone each area. He noted that Pamela Rd. was not included in the zone change because the lots did not meet the 15,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size. Staff said that 12 areas have been identified for possible zone change. It would be better if each area was rezoned individually because the lot requirements in each area will be different. Muriel Dooling, 340 W. Fairview, said that there are no vacant lots in this area and wondered how new lots could be created. Staff explained that a developer could purchase several contiguous lots and put in a cul-de -sac with 7,500 sq. ft. Lots. This zone change would just ensure that if a new cul-de -sac is proposed, the new lots would have to be a minimum of 15,000 sq. ft. Maria Kettenhofen, 351 W. Duarte Rd., said that she was in favor of the zone change. Barbara Cogorno, 365 W. Duarte, said that several of the properties where she resides are very deep and asked if after the zone change if she would be able to sell off the back portion of her lot to a developer who might want to develop in the area. She wondered how she would benefit from this zone change and thought that they would be giving up their rights and asked if they would be compensated by less taxes and cheaper water bills? Chairman Papay said that unless other property owners decide to sell the back portion of their lots, her particular lot would not be accessible. There would have to be several participants in that situation and new lots would have to comply with the 15,000 sq. ft. minimum lot requirement. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/14/91 Page 3 Area II Donald Crawford, 261 W. Le Roy, said that he sent a letter in favor of the zone change which is included in the staff report and reiterated his approval for the change. He said that this would be the only way to maintain the present atmosphere. Reducing the lot size would also increase water usage. Gene Wallock, 220 W. LeRoy, was in favor of the zone change but wondered if it is too late and said that the monster homes have already been built throughout the City. Chairman Papay remarked that there are homeowners associations in the northern part of the City and the south part of the City tried to create one but those efforts failed. This zone change is a different approach to put some moderation of growth in the area. The changes have to be such that they are not too restrictive for the homeowners and that they are not limited. The City has already put restrictions on size of homes, building heights and setbacks which will help in mitigating the problem. The changes have to be made gradually. Virginia Gilbert, 210 W. Camino Real, asked what can be done about the styles of homes such as tudor style homes which look like castles. She stated that two homes on her street have been recently demolished and wondered what could be done about the style of the new homes that would be built there. Chairman Papay said that what is before the Commission tonight is the zone change. The City cannot legislate styles of homes but it is hoped that the new text changes will help minimize their effects. If a new home complies with Code requirements, Planning Commission approval is not required. Area III No one spoke from this area. Area IV Kenneth Schmmidt, 534 Workman Ave., applauded both the Council's and Commission's efforts to "preserve the wonderfulness of Arcadia." There are many beautiful trees on this street and it would be terrible to increase the pollution with the increased density created by small lots. Jack Hibbard, 509 -515 W. Live Oak, said that his lots are deep and he likes them that way and would hate to see these lots chopped up to smaller lots. Robert Walker, 481 W. Live Oak, spoke against the zone change and said that it would be inappropriate for the following reasons; 1) a 7,500 sq. ft. lot is large enough to build a nice home on, 2) an increased in the number of homes means increased taxes for the City, 3) fewer lots to sell would increase property values. For the above mentioned reasons he remarked that both he and his wife are against the zone change. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Clark to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Clark said that the zone change will have a positive impact and felt that the City is moving in a good direction. Commissioner Amato agreed. Commissioner Hedlund felt that this is a good idea but thought that Holly Ave. school should also be included and wondered if it could be incorporated in this zone change. He said that it is an old school and Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/14/91 Page 4 could eventually close and he would hate to see a cul -de -sac there because of the 7,500 minimum lot size requirement. William Woolard, the Planning Director, stated that the school property can not be included in this zone change because it was not noticed. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council. Staff said that there are several areas which are being considered for zone changes and each will be taken individually. All the zone changes will be consistent with the General Plan. In response to comments from the Commission, staff said that there are some lots on Santa Anita and Live Oak which are deep but it would not be a good idea to change the zone because most of the lots would not meet the minimum lot sizes, and would result in spot zoning. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Clark to recommend approval of Z -91 -001 to the City Council. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Clark, Hedlund, Szany, Papay NOES: None AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Kenneth Schmidth, 534 Workman, congratulated the Commission's efforts to improve the City. PLANNING COMMISSION Notice of Violation for the illegal division of the rear 14.33' CONSIDERATION strip of property at 600 W. Norman Avenue. Staff indicated that the owner wished to request a continuance. Marsha Field, Cambridge Properties, 122 S. First, representing the owner, Mr. Reid, asked if the Commission could continue this matter and explained that Mr. Reid is ill and unable to attend the meeting. Staff said a lot line adjustment may be filed through the tentative parcel map procedure. A lot line adjustment would resolve this problem. It was the consensus of the Commission to continue this matter to the May 28th meeting. MATTERS FROM COUNCIL Councilman Fasching remarked that he was pleased to see these zone changes taking place and was impressed with the turn out. He commended staff for a job well done. Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/14/91 Page 5 He stated that the tree issue will be coming before the Commission soon and said that the Council intended to preserve endangered oaks by requiring permits to remove oaks. Council did not want to penalize persons for removing trees but to have the job done properly. Hopefully, the person who will perform the trimming will be licensed and knowledgeable about removing and trimming oak trees. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION None MA'1'1'ERS FROM STAFF None ADJOURNMENT 8:30 p.m. Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 5/14/91 Page 6